PTA News

Canajoharie PTA Minutes—January 10, 2006

1. Greetings
   1. Co-President, Melissa Balk, called the meeting to order at 7 pm with thirteen members in attendance. The pledge was recited. Brief introductions were given by each member.
2. Secretary’s Report
   1. The secretary’s report was read and accepted.
3. Treasurer’s Report
   1. The updated Treasurer’s report was reviewed and accepted.
4. Old Business
   1. Membership: Tara has all of the membership information input into the database at school. She reported we currently have 175 members. Melissa read a request for recognition from Mrs. Monk regarding Donna Davidson who has been a member of the PTA for over 30 years. Melissa will contact the District PTA to find out more information.
   2. Box Tops: The first payment for boxtops was received in the amount of $410. The next check is expected to be received in March. Boxtop flyers will continue to be sent home.
   3. Pictures: The PTA has chosen the company Lifetouch as our new picture company for next year. A discussion was had regarding a survey to parents regarding the possibility of having the option for spring school pictures. The pictures for the 2006-2007 school year will only be taken in the fall. At that time a survey will be sent with the school pictures to determine the interest in spring pictures. Tia will contact Lifetouch to see if they would organize the survey. If there are enough interested families the spring pictures would be taken in the 2007-2008 school year.
   4. PTA Fundraiser: The fundraiser with the Kidstuff Toy Store was held on December 23, 2005. The PTA earned $79.36 from this fundraiser. It was suggested that the PTA consider asking other local businesses to consider a fundraiser for the PTA during Christmas at “elves night out”. This topic will be discussed more at the end of the year.
5. New Business
   1. Movie Night: The December movie night was cancelled due to weather. The next scheduled movie is night is January 27, 2006. Jackie will get the cookies from Price Chopper. Popcorn will be needed before the March 3, 2006 movie night. Mrs. Nyahay will check with the school cafeteria regarding this.
   2. Recycling Ink Cartridges: There was a discussion regarding a program sponsored by Staples that recycles old ink cartridges. It was decided the PTA will not participate in that program as it was not very successful in the past.
   3. Barnes & Nobles: Melissa requested a reminder be put on the website regarding Barnes & Nobles and PTA membership. All PTA members receive 10% off purchases on line from Barnes & Nobles by using the code on the back of their PTA membership card. Tracy will contact Kyle to have him highlight this on the website.
   4. Middle School Spelling Bee: The Middle School Spelling Bee will be held on February 8, 2006. The PTA has sponsored prizes for the winners in the past. A discussion was had regarding this and it was decided the PTA will sponsor three gift cards in the amounts of $50, $25, and $10 for the first, second and third place winners.
   5. PARP: This committee met on January 11, 2006 at 6:30 pm. The PARP program will run from March 13th thru March 24th. The reading goal for students will be 15 minutes per day. There will be a different theme each day of the week. Monday will be “mellow Monday” which will consist of free reading time. Tuesday will be a riddle over the morning announcements and each class will take a guess at the riddle. The winning class will win a book. Wednesday will be dress as your favorite book character. Thursday will be “Thoughtful Thursday” with different assignments handed out for the weekend such as creating a bumper sticker and a campaign button. Friday will be “fun Friday”. The committee would like to give each student who participates a book at the end of the program. Tracy will contact Scholastic to find out if they would sponsor the PARP program.
   6. $1,000 Books Program: Mrs. Dopp gave an update on this program. This program is geared towards pre-K children and their parents. The goal is for parents to have read 1,000 books to their child before they enter Kindergarten. The books will be placed at convenient locations throughout Montgomery County. The Literary Society is in need of ideas of locations for the books. Currently they have confirmed locations at the Youth Center, Town of Palatine and Ames. Areas that still need to be covered are Sprakers, Glen and Root. Anyone with suggestions on book locations should contact Mrs. Dopp at the elementary school. Once this program is running it will be advertised on the school website and local newspapers.
6. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for February 14, 2006.