Bethesda PTO Meeting Minutes: September 17, 2013

Opening: Sally Bomberg Mrs. Yow, PTO members and parent committee leaders were introduced. Ms. Larsson was also present and will serve as the teacher representative at all PTO meetings. Online Library Resources: Jill Wickham, District Librarian Ms. Wickham introduced the Bethesda Library Destiny Homepage to those in attendance. She provided specific information about each tab on this homepage including; home, catalog, my info and Folletshelf. Ms. Wickham also provided details about other online resources including PebbleGo, PowerKnowledge, Tumblebook Library, Tumblebook Cloud, Jr., Capstone and Rourke Interactive Databases, World Book Encyclopedia and Culture Grams. Action Item: This information will be made available to the parents of Bethesda students through a take home brochure and possibly at a separate informational meeting or another PTO meeting. Principal Report: Melissa Yow Ms. Yow reported that the PBIS program is going well and that more details about the program will be included in the Friday newsletter. Ipad Update: students who bring their laptops home are asked to bring their backpacks right into school in the mornings. They are to hang up their backpacks and promptly return to the playground. Volunteer parents will monitor the halls each morning and supervise this process. Ms. Yow is looking into utilizing building funds to cover the cost of shoulder bags for the students. These bags will be used to safely transport laptops from classroom to classroom during the school day. 30 minute How to meetings for parents to learn about ipad usage will be scheduled in the coming months. Library Bench: Ms. Yow presented drawings of the bench that will be constructed by a former students father. Current and former principals favorite books, along with greenery and flowers, will be displayed on shelves above the bench. The bench will cost approximately $800 for materials. No labor fees will be charged. The bench will take approximately 2 months to complete. Action Item: We would like to schedule a dedication night in honor of former principal Randy Kunkel. The bench is a retirement gift from the students and the PTO. Treasurer Report: the reports were made available but were not discussed Current Month Events: Spirit Wear: Carrie Ziebell and Ms. Yow

The PTO approved Ms. Heines design for 2013-2014 spirit wear. T-shirts and sweatshirts will be made available to the students through a mail order sale and at special events. It has been requested that athletic pants and yoga pants be made available also. Action Item: Carrie will speak with Lisa Hetzel (the spirit wear chairperson) and forward this information.

Ice Cream Social: Sally Bomberg The Ice Cream Social will be held September 27th. Plans are coming along. Sally will report back about the event at the October meeting.

The Yearbook will be discussed at the October meeting. Market Day: Trisha Ide and Brenda Schafer A monthly teaser will be created to help promote sales, online ordering, food stamp usage and shopping comparisons. They have asked that the Bethesda Facebook be used to help promote Market Day. Ms. Larsson will work with the co-chairs to translate promotional material. There is still a need for delivery day volunteers.

Next Month Events: Fall Fundraiser: Kristin Yoder Bethesda will be working with Savory Foods to sell cookie dough, popcorn and other desserts. Last year the PTO raised $10,000 with this fundraiser. The fundraiser will begin 10/4. Orders will be due 10/21. An all school assembly will be held to explain this fundraiser, promote safe selling, and highlight the sales incentives including cash prizes and pizza parties. This year there will also be a principal incentive. If the students sell 1600 tubs of cookie dough Ms. Yow will surprise the students. Book Fair: Carrie Urban Carrie discussed the different ways Bethesda can benefit from a Scholastic Book Fair. 50% of all sales can be earned if we choose to receive Scholastic dollars (money that can be only used to purchase items sold by Scholastic). 25% of all sales can be earned if we choose to receive cash. The PTO approved Carries plan to earn Scholastic dollars. Carrie also discussed how the profits will be spent including: library resources, classroom resources and staff thank you gift certificates. The PTO approved her profit allocation proposal. Carrie also explained the difference between the Scholastic monthly fliers sent home with each student and the Book Fair. The monthly fliers help individual teachers earn Scholastic dollars to be spent on books for their classroom. The Book Fair raises scholastic funds for the entire school. The book fair will be held October 17-18 and October 21-22. Action Item: Follow up will be needed to see if shopping time during the school day can be added to the schedule. This will be arranged to accommodate any students/families that would like to buy books but cannot do so after school hours. Future Events: Bethesda Amazing Duck Race: Amy Kukla The concept of the duck race is to bring the Bethesda community together for a fun event that will benefit the school. Rubber ducks will be sold for a nominal fee. Each duck will be released at a location to be determined (river, stream, man-made course). Propelled only by a current and wind each duck will float down the course to the finish line. The winning ducks sponsor will receive a prize. A school picnic before or after the event was also discussed. Possible venues include the Bethesda hill, downtown Waukesha, and the EB Shurts Environmental Center.

Action Item: A committee will be created to look into implementing this fundraiser at the end of this school year or the beginning of next school year.