November 14, 2007 Minutes

Present were the PTF Officers:  Janel Davinroy, Paula Waller, and Rebecca Miller.  Teacher Representative was Mrs. Irene Biver.  Principal Mr. Leo Hodapp was present.  Members present were Theresa Basler, Angie Mueller, Karen Kuester, Gina Knuckles, Andrea Huschle, Becky Wolf, Sheila Elser, Stacy Collins, Sara Keeley, and Kim Vonderheide.

President, Janel Davinroy called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. and opened with a prayer.

Secretary’s Report was prepared by Rebecca Miller.  Janel Davinroy made the motion to approve the minutes and Andrea Huschle 2nd the motion.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report was submitted by Paula Waller.  It is available to view.  Balance as of November 14, 2007 was $7,499.38.  A motion was made by Janel Davinroy to accept the Treasurer’s Report and was 2nd by Theresa Basler.  The Motion was accepted.

Together We’re Better Report was provided by Susan Kilian.  It is available to view.  Balance as of November 7, 2007 was $24,638.09.  Discussion of how the tuition assistance works with specific markings on the form before it actually goes to a certain student or else the money goes to a general fund.  Janel Davinrony to accept the Together We’re Better Report and Kim Vonderheide 2nd the motion.  The Motion was accepted.

Principal’s Report was given by Mr. Leo Hodapp and was available to view.  St. James is the site for St. Joseph’s Speech team to hosting he speech meet the past Saturday, November 10, 2007.  Had excellent turn-out.  8th Grade student helped out during the meet.  Everyone seemed to have fun.

Family Reading night will be hosted again on November 15, 2007 with Guest Readers being Mr. Hodapp, teachers and Father Mark.  Spirit Day is November 19, 2007 and the students will join together to discuss righteousness. The annual Food collection will take place on November 20, 2007 and the 8th Grade Girls Night Out will be held at Freeburg Elementary on November 29, 2007.  

The Christmas Program will take place in the church on December 6, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. and the doors will open at 6:30 p.m.  December 7, 2007 will be the Big Brother / Big Sister day and they intend to work on Advent activities.

Toys for Tots will take place probably the first week of December and more information regarding this will be sent home when this is finalized.  Fr. Mark wants Together We’re Better Report to go into the Bulletin.

As a goal, if the weather permits, the Parish Center is scheduled to be completed in enough time to host graduation in May 2008.  Iowa Test Results just came back in today’s mail (November 14, 2007).  Mr. Hodapp will look over the results, discuss the results with the teachers and then have the reports to the parents by Christmas.

Teacher’s Report.  A report was provided by Mrs. Irene Biver.  She started off thanking the PTF for all that we do for the school.  Mrs. Biver provided a computer report indicating that all is well.  The school receives six new computers a year wherein currently there are 23 computers in the lab, four computers in the 2nd grade and kindergarten and all the classrooms have three computers.  Mrs. Biver reports that we have excellent key boarders and 7th & 8th grade students are doing internet research.  The computers are installed with new Sonic Wall filters and the children are finally getting a great understanding of how this works.  The students are working with Google as a search engine.  The younger students are working on Kid Works and Kid Pix.

Mrs. Biver provided a request from the 6th and 7th graders asking for money for their literature class play.  This request is available to view.  A discussion regarding this request took place.  A side note, ask Mrs. Biver to be in contact with Mrs. Reinhart to use the drama materials.  An idea of making their costumes may be more fitting.  Mrs. Kuester indicates that Mr. Drennan says that the request for money is also for a money management lesson as well as working with ideas and creativity.  At this time, the PTF is not sure about that is needed to purchase.  We asked Mrs. Biver to provide a list of what is needed.  A Motion to have list of what is needed was made by Janel Davinroy and 2nd Rebecca Miller.  Motion stands.  The play is to be held during Catholic Schools Week. 

Spirit Wear – Gina Knuckles reports that order forms went out to the students and the clothing is hanging downstairs – the order is to be turned into the office by Thanksgiving and they should be filled by Christmas.

Dinner Fundraisers Report – Pizza Hut is going on for Tuesday and Tequila’s are not cooperating in scheduling.  There was a suggestion made to try using 88 China.  Ann Fiedler was unable to attend meeting and provide a full response.  The profit between Tequila’s and Casa is close to the same.  A suggestion of maybe going back to Casa was made.  Further discussion will take place during the next meeting.   

Old Business:

Entertainment Book Sales:  The Entertainment Book Sale prizes are lost and we will be getting them by next week (hopefully).  The students sold 194 books and made approximately $1,175.00.     

Halloween Party – The party went really well and received a Thank You from Mr. Hodapp regarding same.  The children had great weather and wonderful help.  The students enjoyed their afternoon.

Uniform Store – The store had customers and made $55.00 this evening (November 14, 2007).  The clothes that was unacceptable for resale was taken to a new location in Cahokia.

New Business:

Christmas Program Set- Up:  Mr. Barthel asked for four men and one pick-up truck on the day before the Christmas Program to help set-up.  Need helpers for Wednesday night and again Thursday Afternoon to help set-up.  The stage needs to come down that night of the program due to mass the next morning.  There will be no refreshments served the night of the program.

Catholic School Week – Tailgate Tuesday Lunch will go forward after a bit of discussion regarding attendance and help.  Fun Friday will be held at the Sports Plex.  There will be blow-ups for the little kids and games for the older students.  The cost will be around $5.00 a student.  A Motion was made by Janel Davinroy to approve the expenses and 2nd Shelia Elser.  Motion stands.  

December Movie – Idea to have Christmas Party at the movies instead of party in room was made.  A long discussion regarding this issue came forward.  It was decided that the students will attend a movie in the morning with Cathedral Catholic School in Belleville and continue to have their individual classroom Christmas party in the afternoon.  

Teacher’s Christmas Gifts – Teacher’s Money Gifts is chaired by Paula Waller and $50.00 a teacher in gift cards will be distributed from the PTF.  A Motion was made by Janel Davinroy to accept this expense and 2nd by Angie Mueller.  Motion stands.  

Book Binding Machine for Library – Mrs. Neuner asked the PTF to buy a book binding for $250.  This binder will bind books up to 1” think.  It was thought that this should be a school expense and not the responsibility of the PTF.  Long discussion regarding the need, value and responsibility of expense took place.  Theresa Basler make motion to take the money out of Together We’re Better Fund and this was 2nd by Angie Mueller.  Motion stands that Together We’re Better will pay for the machine in full.

New Student Welcome Packets – School Board took over the greeting of new families.  A short discussion of the greeting procedures took place.  It was asked to have more information in packets.  A proposed packet for incoming families will be developed and ready to be submitted prior to the beginning of next school year.  

Toys for Tots – A short report regarding the Toys for Tots through the Optimist Club was provided by Angie Mueller.  This will take place December 3 through the 7th.  Most gifts are needed for 2 yrs and under or teenagers.  Money is accepted and appreciated.  All gifts will stay local in the Freeburg High School District.   

The PTF accepted cards from the school children thanking the PTF for the fun Halloween Party.

It was announced that the next PTF meeting would be Wednesday, January 9, 2008.  President, Janel Davinroy led us in a closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. and Theresa Basler 2nd it.

Respectfully submitted,



Rebecca Miller
Secretary
/rlm