MINUTES
WHITING LANE SCHOOL PTO
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING
Thursday, November 8, 2007

ATTENDANCE

Executive Board Members:

Present: Shannon Graulich, Nancy DePalma, Pam Howard, Julie Booth, Patti Albee, Stephanie Craig,Shari Orbach,Stephanie Carroll, Kate Townsend
Absent: Natalie Coleman-Fuller, Heather Maynard
Excused: Michelle Sullivan, Carole Doar,
The meeting was called to order by Shannon Graulich at 7:00 pm.

SECRETARY'S REPORT - Lisa Hallenbeck-Farrah & Kate Townsend

Nothing reported.

October minutes accepted and approved

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT - Nancy DePalma
A lockdown drill is scheduled for 11/16

The greeter continues to work well. All classes have been introduced to her and recognize her as an important presence in the building

On election day, crowd control, traffic patterns, parking and general safety all went well. There was not as large a voting "crowd" as usual

Veteran's Day will be recognized at all classroom levels. 4th grade essays will be on display in the main office

There is a great need at Whiting lane for substitute teachers. There are no special qualifications. Please pass this information along to people you know who might be interested.

Website update: Thanks to the efforts of Lindsey Roberts-Walstrom. There is an informal survey of student/family access to the internet. An online Whiting Lane newspaper has been established called "The Hoot" A big thanks to Pam Howard and Daniella Altimari. In general, the website is being used more often to get information out.

The PTO is collecting grade level requests from teachers for funding. Teachers want to know if they can bank their money for next year. That is not possible. Leslie will be holding funds in an account to be made available to teachers. Most grades are requesting leveled readers. Smart Boards are still desired and teachers can apply for a grant for funding from the foundation.

The respect and responsibility board (Main Lobby) will no longer display "Spotlight on Students"
Now it will feature "The Whiting Lane Doers" .to recognize (by self-nomination) generous or kind acts done by our students. A drop box for index cards will be made available in the lobby.

Other bulletin boards in the lobby (one for each grade level) will display student work.
Whiting lane received An honorable mention award from CABE for our directory and newsletter

TREASURER - Stephanie Craig
Stephanie reported that she is in the process of cleaning up and reconciling the detail and summary sheets for the budget. Several items on those sheets were compared and reviewed at the meeting. She will bring an update to the next meeting.

VP OF FUNDRAISING - Patti Albee & Julie Booth

Sportswear raised about $150.00
Sally Foster is being delivered on Tuesday morning.
Frozen Food pick up will be in mid-December. Help is needed from 2:30-5:30 on December 13th
Barnes and Noble fundraiser may be restarted
Barb's pizza will probably be used for a fourth grade fundraiser again this year
Ben and Jerry's fundraiser earned $120.00 in tips plus 20% of the profits
Market Money has made $437.00 to date this year

VP OF VOLUNTEERS - Pam Howard & Carole Doar

Conference room snacks are being arranged now
Paul Cryan pictures will be held on April 22nd-25th
Movie night date is undetermined
Wolf Pack date is tentatively held March29, 2008
Rock Cats date is June 14, 2008

WL TEACHER REP - Johanna Cleary

No report

ELC TEACHER REP -
No report

ELC PARENT REP - Shari Orbach
30 Families attended the pizza fundraiser

PRESIDENT'S REPORT - Shannon Graulich & Heather Maynard
No report

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Townsend
Co-Secretary

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on December 6, 2007. Please respond to Kate Townsend or Michelle Sullivan by email if unable to attend. Thank you.