Lewis Middle School PTSO–Minutes from meeting October 13, 2009

PTSO President, Mrs. Andrea Hill, called the meeting to order at 4:14pm

Those present included: Andrea Hill, Julie Smith, Stacey Marks, Mrs. Whetstone, and Tiffany Bryant.

Treasurer’s Report:

Mrs. Hill gave the report. At the beginning of the school year, the PTSO had approximately $1,000 in the PTSO account. The purchase of the school/class spirit shirts was approximately $3,400, a bill that could not immediately be paid. Since the beginning of the school year, the PTSO has now raised nearly $4,000 and with that deposited, has enough money to pay for the shirts, etc. Our resulting balance, taking the $3,400 out to pay the bill, is approximately $1,600.

A request for a report of the exact numbers has been made and will be available at our next meeting.

Principal’s Report:

Mrs. Whetstone provided this report. Each of the four grades (5^th – 9^th,) will have a separate celebration to applaud those students who have done well on their report cards. Those students who have made at least all A’s and B’s will be invited to participate in some treat, specifics to be decided later, that will be provided by the staff.

Event Reports:

The teacher appreciation “Monday Munchies” went very well on September 21^st.

Old Business

1. The PTSO has sold spirit items at home football games, as approved in previous meetings. Sales have been slow but consistent.

2. The PTSO has sold spirit ribbons on each “Spirit Thursday” morning since we agreed to buy and sell these items. Each ribbon costs us between 33 and 43 cents each and is sold at $1.00 a piece. Profit will be shared with the cheerleaders and dance team since they have been selling these at each advisory each Thursday morning. Profits have waned since originally introduced, but new ribbons with specific rival school messages have sparked new interest. Since the ribbons are not sport-specific, we will also attempt to sell these at other events (i.e. volleyball.) Total profits from sales have yet to be determined.

3. The PTSO will sell temporary tattoos at a variety of school events.

4. The purchase of variety packs of candy bars has been accomplished, as previously approved.

5. The purchase of a small table for the PTSO, at an amount of $20, was accomplished.

New Business

1. The PTSO has done well with spirit shirt and class shirt sales and candy bar and spirit item sales. Mrs. Cookman is in charge of “Flight Time” and has agreed to help advertise the collection of Box Tops for Education and other PTSO items or events. A copy of the minutes will now be forwarded to her in the hopes that this helps us inform the students on up-coming sales (i.e. Boo Grams,) and contests (i.e. the continuing Box Tops competition.)

2. The PTSO will be selling Boo Grams through the advisory classes beginning October 19^th and ending October 23^rd. An advisory candy collection contest is currently running, however, no candy has been received to date. Boo Grams will be sold in the morning and at lunches and will be delivered on the 30th. Volunteers are needed to sell in the morning and at lunch and to help assemble the grams on the 29^th and 30^th.

3. A new fundraiser, Computers for Education, was considered and approved. This fundraiser requires no out-of pocket expense and no selling on the part of the students. The students must each take a book of 10 post cards and label each with an address. The company takes each post card and inserts it into a clear sleeve to mail an advertisement They have promised “in writing” not to generate any extra mailing lists or to sell names to other companies. Each completed book of post cards can generate $5.50 and each post card of an unfilled book, approximately 50 cents. November 4^th – 9^th is our planned week. If everyone participates, we can earn over $2,000!

4. Our next Monday Munchies is scheduled in one week, on October 19^th. Chips and dip, trail mix, chex mix, and even brownies, cookies, and other snack foods will be much appreciated. Please bring the items in by 845 or 9am on the morning of the 19^th.

5. It has been suggested that the Lewis Middle School Athletic Department sell a pass at the beginning of school that would enable the holder to attend all home games of one sport or one that would cover all home Lewis events. Mrs. Whetstone has agreed to inquire into the possibility of a season or sport’s pass.

6. A “Money Booth/Machine” has been suggested as a fund raising tool. Ideas for use were brain stormed, with the use of a “wheel of chance” included. Specifics to be provided at the next meeting.

7. Parents discussed concerns related to collected funds for each of the individual sports at Lewis Middle School. If the funds cannot be used for an end of the season banquet or for awards, where does the money go? As an example, both the football and the volleyball teams have raised considerable funds already this year. In each case, team members were required to pay some fees at the start of the season. Mrs. Whetstone will talk to Mr. Mikel about the trail of dollars and will report back to the PTSO.

8. Our next PTSO meeting is scheduled for 4pm Tuesday, November 10th at LMS.

Respectfully Submitted,

Stacey Marks

Secretary Lewis PTSO

678-6554, timmarks@aol.com