August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

PTO MEETING MINUTES

August 16, 2007  

Attendance:

Minutes:  

• 5/8/2007 Minutes approved

Co-Chair Remarks:  Patricia Jamison & Marcia Flynn

1. Gold C books will be a fall fundraiser.

Treasurer Report:

1. ’07-’08 Budget approved as amended.

PTO Meetings will be on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm in the library.

August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

PTO MEETING MINUTES

September 11, 2007

 Attendance:

Minutes:  8/16/2007 Minutes approved         

Principal’s Remarks:

1. Thank you for the Ice Cream Social, the Welcome Back Staff Brunch, the school supplies, and all the efforts on the Grill and Bid.
2. Early Assessments went very well.
3. Welcome to all the new staff!  We are excited to have you here.

Co-Chair Remarks:  Patricia Jamison & Marcia Flynn

1. PTO calendar of events.  Tie Dye Shirts and ground clean up will not be forgotten just rescheduled.
2. Volunteer Board Opportunities: Need crossing guard coordinator
3. Thank you for all the support already this year!    

Fireside Grill and Bid: 

1. Committee update:
2. Silent Auction update:

There will be early bidding the week before at school

Treasurer Report:

1. Approved budget recap:  CAP update
2. Teacher Request: Winsberg, more information needed

Major Fundraisers for 2007-2008

1. Fireside Grill and Bid: September 28
2. Wrapping Paper: October/November
3. Math-a-thon: February 25
4. All year grocery certificates, box tops, ink cartridges

Volunteer Coordinator Report:

1. Sign up sheets have been collected and are being distributed.

District Parent Council:

1. CAP: Asked about the program (Child Assault Prevention), this year Fireside is due to have the whole school attend.  2 programs to choose from.

2. BVSD.org each week the new superintendent will post new issues on this site.  Check it out!

 Adjourn: 7:45pm

 Next PTO Meeting:  Tuesday, October 2^nd, 2007@6:30pm in the Fireside library.  The meeting is 1 week early due to conferences.

August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

PTO MEETING MINUTES

October 2, 2007

Attendance:

Minutes: 9/11/2007 Minutes approved

Principal’s Remarks:

1. Thank you for the Grill and Bid, it was a great success.
2. Parent and teacher conferences are coming up:  sign ups are posted.
3. Parent Engagement Network:  Ms. Heinz-Pribyl was contacted to see if a volunteer could be found for Fireside.  The PEN meets once a month with parents while children are in school.  PEN tracks students after graduation into adulthood.

Co-Chair Remarks:  Patricia Jamison & Marcia Flynn

1. Thank you for the Grill-N-Bid: Great success
2. Upcoming Events:  Wrapping Paper & Cookie Dough sales, Giving Tree, and the Winter Event

District Council Report:

1. BVSD website is being redone.  The Fireside site will be one of the first sites to be updated.

Treasurer Report:

1. Profit from the Grill-N-Bid
2. Year Book:  Possible cover contest, when put out?

Volunteer Coordinator Report

1. List being compiled for volunteers as needed.

Open Forum:

1. Chat:  paperless possibilities.

Adjourn: 8:27pm

Next PTO Meeting:  Tuesday, November 13th, 2007@ 6:30pm in the Fireside library. 

August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

PTO MEETING MINUTES

November 13, 2007 

Attendance: 

Minutes: 10/2/2007 Minutes approved         

Principal’s Remarks:  

1. Report cards sent out November 26^th
2. 5th Grade musical: Wizard of Oz coming up and Mr. Haley will be singing.
3. New lines have been painted at cross walks and in dismount areas for scooters and bikes.
4. Open Enrollment is November 26^th through January 18^th.  Tours will be coming up and volunteers to help with tours will be needed.  There will be sign up sheets for 2 parent helpers to work with Ms. Heinz-Pribyl at each time slot.  Please sign up with Carla at the front desk or email the board to sign up.
5. Question:  How many kids open enroll into Fireside per year? Approximately 15% of students at Fireside are open enrolled.
6. Discretionary Boundary Meeting will not be going forward at this time.  The meeting was very heated.
7. Impact on Education Award nominations can be emailed to the board.  Cathy Finleon and Becky Russell have received the award in the past.   Nominations can be put forward by a group or an individual and are due by January 11^th.  This is the biggest award in the district, it does not need to be a teacher, and it does not need to be a surprise.
8. There have been 5 classroom mini grants given.  Recipients are Ms. Reivich, Ms. Cousins, Mr. Haley, Ms. Reda, and Ms. Neuman

Co-Chair Remarks:  Patricia Jamison & Marcia Flynn

1. PTO calendar of Events discussed.

• Wrapping Paper fundraiser ends November 13^th.

• Food Drive will be held the last week of November by the Student Council and the PTO.

• The Giving Tree for Fireside families will be in the last week of November.  Volunteers will be needed for putting up a bulletin board and sorting and delivering.  First Graders will be making the mittens.

2. The Spring Cultural Event was discussed.

• We want to check with other schools on similar events.

• We want it to be fun for kids.

• It would be possible to celebrate 3 cultures.

• Appointed people to research and get back to Ms. Jamison.

3. Fireside Spirit Day will be on March 14^th.  We will celebrate at the Broomfield Event Center with a 14ers basketball game.  The Fire Choir will be singing the National Anthem.  Parking will be included in the package this year.
4. New fundraising opportunity presented for 2008.  Instead of wrapping paper, cookie dough, and Gold C Books we could do a Barnes and Noble fundraiser.  On a certain day a percentage of all the proceeds would go to the Fireside PTO.  Mr. Haley said that the entertainment could come from Fireside.  The choir or a hand bell concert.
5. Idea of Open House for next year:  At back to school time have an open house to meet specialists and teachers.

  District Council Report:

1. No report.  Susan Alexenko was unable to attend.

  Treasurer Report:

1. Stationary was voted on for Michelle Crawford and Michelle Jones.  $130.00 for 1000 sheets was proposed by Heidi Day and seconded by Margretta Risi.  It was approved by vote.
2. The Newspaper budget is asking the PTO for another $400.00.  Ms. Heinz-Pribyl is looking into other funds.  Press passes were made and printing costs at Kinko’s went up this year.

Adjourn:

Next PTO Meeting:  Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 @ 6:30pm in the Fireside library.

August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

PTO MEETING MINUTES

December 11, 2007  

The December meeting was cancelled due to the weather.

Next PTO Meeting:  The next meeting will be January 8th at 6:30 PM

August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

PTO MEETING MINUTES

January 8, 2008

Attendance:

Minutes:  November Minutes approved as amended.

     December Meeting cancelled due to weather.

Co-Chair Remarks:  Patricia Jamison & Marcia Flynn

1. PTO calendar of Events discussed.

·        A T-shirt sale is a possibility with existing t-shirts.

·        Fireside Spirit Day will be on March 14^th.  We will celebrate at the Broomfield Event Center with a 14ers basketball game.  The Fire Choir will be singing the National Anthem.  Parking will be included in the package this year.  We have a new contact at the event center this year.  It has been difficult to confirm our event this year.

·        Parent/Teacher conferences will be January 28^th- February 8^th.  Please sign up to support our Fireside staff with food donations for the conferences.  The sign up sheets will be posted in the lobby the week of January 22^nd.

·        CSAPs will be held February 20th and 21st for 3^rd grade, and, March 3^rd and 18^th for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grades.

2. A dance at Fireside might be a possibility this year.
3. The year book:  The PTO is going to purchase 15 copies to give as gifts to retiring teachers and to sell if a family missed ordering one.
4. Zero waste on radar.  Checking into getting a grant.

District Council Report: 

1. Dr. King will hold a series of meetings consisting of about 20 people
   in each meeting over the course of this school year in a variety of
   communities.  The intent is to see the district through a new set of
   eyes.  The meetings are by invitation only, (to limit the number of
   people).  It is called the IDEAS PROJECT.
   
2. The Board of Education has gone through the TIES process and set
   goals, and developed strategies for organization, equity and academic
   achievement.
   
3. Information regarding the bond update is available on the BVSD.org
   website.  Click on the hard hat in the upper left hand corner for a
   link to the bond information.  Fireside is scheduled in phase 3 for
   updates.  Fireside has a page that can be accessed from the main bond
   information page.  "Greening of schools", ways which BVSD is
   implementing energy saving and resource conservation measures was
   presented.

New Business:

1. Changing the fundraising schedule is a possibility.  There could be only 2 fundraisers such as math-a-thon in the winter and a spring Barnes and Noble book sale.  The Grill and Bid would still be in the fall.
2. The Math-a-thon will be held the week of February 25^th.  Packets will be sent home on the 15^th and sheets to collect money will go home on the 29^th.  The PTO is still looking for ideas for prizes.
3. CAP:  Child Abuse Protection Services will be coming to Fireside again this year.  There will be a parents meeting February 13^th from 6:30 to 8:30pm.  All grades will be having a presentation this year.  The children’s programs will be February 20^th, 21^st, 22nd, 26th and 27^th.
4. The Spring Cultural Event was discussed. 

Treasurer Report:

1. Elise Graninger, the TAG coordinator, requests money from the PTO for the Lego League.  The Lego League was for 4^th and 5^th graders.  Next year a second team could be formed for all students.  $640.00 would be needed for next year.

Adjourn:

Next PTO Meeting:  Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 6:30pm in the Fireside library. 

August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

PTO MEETING MINUTES

February 12, 2008

 Attendance:

Minutes: 1/8/08 Minutes approved as amended

Principal’s Remarks:

1. Thank you for conference support.  The dinners were wonderful and the themes were fun.
2. Cathy Finleon and Ms. Heinz-Pribyl extended a thank you for the birthday Starbucks cards for the teachers.
3. The Math-a-thon packets look great!

Co-Chair Remarks:  Patricia Jamison & Marcia Flynn

1. PTO calendar of Events discussed.

·        The Grill & Bid and the Math-a-thon will be the only 2 fundraisers for the PTO next year.

2. New role structure of the PTO Chairpersons was discussed.

·        One chairperson will be learning and take over the next year.  The experienced chairperson will then be an advisor the next year.

3. There are open board positions.

·        Please submit nominations for any positions by the March PTO meeting.

4. The Spring Cultural Event was discussed.

·        The event will be called Celebrations around the World.

·        This year it will feature Mexico, India, and the American South (Cajun).

·        There will be a potluck brought by families and the food will relate to our 3 cultures that we are celebrating.

·        Each theme will have an activity, a craft, and entertainment.

Treasurer Report:

1. $451.60 has come in from Box Tops and will be deposited.
2. $161.50 was approved for piano tuning.
3. Elise Graninger’s request for funding $315.00 to register the Lego Team was approved.
4. $640.00 was approved for a second Lego Team.  They will need kits as well as registration.

District Council Report: 

1. Food and Nutrition Night.

·        The district wants more fresh foods and an increase in participation.

·        Garden to table was presented at the meeting.  The Fireside community might want to look at this project and consider participation in the future.

Math-a-thon:

1. Packets will be sent out in this Friday folder.  The teachers already have all the information.

Adjourn:  8:12pm

Next PTO Meeting:  Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 @ 6:30pm in the Fireside library.

August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

PTO MEETING MINUTES

March 11, 2008  

Attendance

Minutes:  Minutes from February were reviewed, but no official approval was made.

Principal’s Remarks:  Pat Heinz-Pribyl

1. CSAPs are going well.  We haven’t encountered as much disruption as other schools have.  We’ve had to shift PE and Music for 5^th graders and Art for 3^rd graders, but for the most part it’s been relatively smooth.  There has been a lot of make-up testing, due to illness.  We appreciate the information we get from CSAPs, and we use it to learn about students.
2. Cathy Finleon announced that the Newspaper would begin production of the third edition on Wednesday, April 9, and that the Nicky Run would be on April 18.

Co-Chair Remarks:   

1. PTO calendar of Events

·        Fireside Spirit Day will be on Friday, March 14^th.  Sign-ups for the 14ers basketball game are going well.  The Fire Choir will sing the National Anthem. 

·        Math-a-Thon will be wrapped up by the end of this week.

·        Spring Cultural Festival is scheduled for Friday, May 23 (this may change; see below.)

·        Fifth Grade Graduation is scheduled for Thursday, May 29.

2. PTO Open Positions

·        Trish passed around a 3-page document that summarized all of the PTO Board and Committee positions that are open for the 2008-2009 school year.  This document will go out in the Friday Folders this week, and we hope to have a lot of interest from some new parents.

3. Spring Cultural Festival – One World Festival

·        There will be no admission fee, but each family will be asked to bring a dish that will serve 6-8 people.

·        India:  There will be Sari making, and colored powder throwing!

·        Mexico:  There will be paper-flower-making, and piñatas for each grade.

·        Cajun:  We hope to make tie-dyed shirts.  Heidi Day will research the cost of having “Fireside” silk screened onto the white t-shirts we already have.

·        Maryann Schafer reminded us that May 23 is also the date of Monarch High School’s graduation, so Trish will look at possibly switching the date to May 16.

·        Doug Haley and the Fire Choir will perform the song “One World,” and Doug Haley has volunteered to burn CD’s with music that people submit.

4. Math-a-Thon – Tam Dalle Molle

·        To date, we have collected over $9,300, and we expect even more to come in.

·        The participation rate was over 50% this year, and the teachers did a great job of promoting it.

·        Prizes will be handed out this week.

·        It was suggested that next year, perhaps we look into doing a “Read-a-Thon,” and that we don’t send out the packets right before a short week.

5. Impact on Education Basket:  Heidi Day graciously volunteered to coordinate a Basket to be donated to Impact on Education’s Annual Fundraiser.

Treasurer Report:  Heidi Day

1. Heidi received a check from Target in the amount of $664.18. 
2. Heidi requested that when we solicit checks, that in addition to asking for them to be written out to Fireside PTO, that we politely ask people not to use staples when attaching their checks to things.  This makes it hard for the bank.

 District Council Report:  Susan Alexenko

1. Mary Pittman, BVSD Math Director, spoke about the new Math Curriculum coming to BVSD next year.  Amber Billington is our liaison, and has been attending meetings.
2. Katy Fleming, BVSD Health Education Coordinator, spoke about the lack of Health Education Curriculum standards, at both the state and federal levels.  There is not a lot of support or funding for this.
3. Robert Hammond, BVSD Chief Operations Officer, gave a legislative update.  There are over 100 educational bills that have been submitted to the legislature, and this group tries to see which ones impact BVSD, and whether or not the district should support or oppose these bills.

PEN (Parent Engagement Network):  Tam Dalle Molle  

1. The Parent Engagement Network (PEN) is a Boulder Valley district-wide collaboration to engage parents in fostering healthy choices among youth and increase awareness of available resources for parents and families.  They provide educational speakers, forums and workshops on parenting-related topics.
2. PEN has existed for middle schools and high schools for many years, but has only recently begun to reach out to elementary schools.
3. Currently, Tam Dalle Molle is serving as the liaison to PEN, but we would love to find a passionate parent who could take over this role.

 Garden Project:  Lucy Floyd

1. Lucy talked about the possibility of bringing a “Garden to Table” program to Fireside. (This would fall under the “Green Team” to be part of PTO next year.)
2. Pat Heinz-Pribyl is planning a meeting with Karen Daly, Principal at Creekside Elementary School, to see what the requirements would be of teachers, staff & parents.  She will follow up with Lucy if she feels it would be plausible to pursue.

Next PTO Meeting:  Tuesday, April 8, 2008 @ 6:30pm in the Fireside library. 

August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

PTO MEETING MINUTES

April 8, 2008

Attendance:

Minutes:  March Minutes approved

Principal’s Remarks:  Pat Heinz-Pribyl

1.      Valerie Griffiths – taking a medical leave of absence for the rest of the year. She is the school psychologist, serving half time.  Her position will be filled sometime next week.

2.      Suzanne Spruce was hired as a kindergarten teacher for 2008-2009.  Ms. H.P. met her at Advantage Math.  She is coming from 1^st grade at Flatirons.  She has taught K-Care, three years of Kindergarten, two years of 1^st grade, and one year of 5^th grade.  A coffee is planned with Suzanne and current families expecting to enroll K students.  Fireside is expecting 3 classes of kindergarten next year.  Additionally, Abby Hamlin is coming back half time next year.

3.      Karen Daly at Creekside Elementary has the Garden to Table program.  She loves it, but stated it requires committed parents.  Fireside is currently looking at standards to see if we can fit it in with our curriculum.

a.       1^st grade had a worm bin (recycling)

b.      3^rd grade did planting

c.       4^th grade did harvesting

d.      5^th grade did some food prep

e.       Will look to meet with Bryce to see where this would fit in the standards for school year ‘09-‘10.  Pat would like to meet with Bryce to along with next PTO co-chairs. 

Co-Chair Remarks:  Patricia Jamison & Marcia Flynn

1.      Cub Scout Pack 82 Spring Clean up: Wednesday, April 30; 2:30pm to 4pm. There will be a flyer posted in this week’s Friday folders.  They will look to pull weeds, pick up pine needles and trash, trim bushes, (minor maintenance).  PTO being asked to pay for bottled water and snack.  Adult help is required with the children.

2.      Election for chair and co-chair for next year are required. 

a.       Margretta Risi and Tam Dalle Molle are elected as co-chairs for next year.

b.      Treasurer, Heidi Day is re-elected

c.       Will look to recruit for other positions

3.      Spring Festival (May 16) – has an allocation of $500.00

a.       After discussion, motion was made to allocate an additional $500.00 (bringing allocation to $1000.00).  Approved

b.      Discussed options for the Spring Festival – activities, planning, schedule, volunteer sheets

4.      Marcia is taking over the TURN OFF THE TV WEEK.  Marcia is requesting $160.00 for a kit to support the school in this program.  Reviewed the kit items.  There would be give aways from the kit (drawing) based on student involvement.  Give aways would be supplemented by three $20.00 gift certificates to Borders.  Will look to drive this into this week’s Friday’s folder – and make it a no screen week.  If kids register on the web site for Lafayette Rec Center by April 21st, they get a 1 week pass to the Rec Center.

a.       After discussion, motion was made to allocate $160.00.  Approved.

5.      Teacher appreciation Week – May 4-10.  NEA study shows that teachers most appreciate a heartfelt THANK YOU.  Tam will lead up an effort.

6.      Final count on the math-a-thon:  matching funds not yet received.  Will expect about $9500.00

7.      Last PTO meeting is next month and is scheduled on May 13, 6:30PM, at Casa Alegre.  Will send an email out to organization to let folks know about the meeting. 

 Treasurer Report:

1.      Net income of $16,000.00 for the year.  $40,000.00 in checking account and playground allocation.

a.    Suggestions for ways to spend money

                                                                  i.   New chairs or cushions for library chairs?

                                                                ii.   Playground money for Garden project?

1.   New equipment for peaceful playground (balls, etc)

                                                               iii.   Reader board?

                                                              iv.   Front walk area?

2.      Science Fair – nearly double as many projects when compared to last year.

a.    $225.00 is budgeted for science fair (food, ribbons, etc).  Would like an additional allocation of $225.00 (bringing total to $450.00 from PTO).  Motion made and approved for additional funds.

3.      Newspaper – motion made, second and approved for funding $350.00 for last issue.

4.      Reviewed Grocery Balance Sheet , and Profit and Loss statement

a.    Need a new credit card account, with cheaper fees.

b.   Approximately $5000.00 made through the grocery program

c.    Whole Foods - school donation program –  Fireside will consider application in the future

5.      Heidi will purchase a basket for “Our Love of Louisville.” 

District Council Report: 

1.      Bill for guidelines HS graduation   http://ggdc.pbwiki.com

 Adjourn: 8:25PM

 Next PTO Meeting: Tuesday, May 13^th @ 6:30pm @ Casa Alegre

August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

PTO MEETING MINUTES

May 13, 2008

Attendance:

Minutes:  April Minutes approved

Principal’s Remarks:  Pat Heinz-Pribyl

1.      Thank you for staff appreciation week.  The teachers loved it and felt much supported in their efforts to educate our children.

2.      PTO sponsored Ice Cream Social is scheduled for Wednesday August 13^th    2:30-3:30 on the intermediate playground.  More on the beginning of the year schedule will be coming out in Friday folder.

3.      Currently Fireside is hiring for:

·        Third Grade Teacher

·        Special Education Teacher

·        ½ time ESL position

·        ½ time Kindergarten Teacher

Co-Chair Remarks:  Patricia Jamison & Marcia Flynn

1.      Thank you for clean up day volunteers!

2.      One World Festival: everything is coming together.  Some volunteers are still needed.

3.      Open PTO positions for next year:

·        Crossing Guard Chairperson

·        Secretary

·        SIT Liaison

·        Winter Social Chairperson 

4.      Grill and Bid:  Andy Meseck is the chairperson.  It will be held in September.  The committee is still working on sponsors.

·        The Grill and Bid and the Math-a-thon will be the only two PTO fundraisers of the year.

5.      Parent Partners:  This is a new parent welcoming committee.  This mentoring program will involve seasoned Fireside parents meeting new incoming students and parents over the summer.

6.      Thank you to our wonderful grant writers Michelle Jones and Michelle Crawford.  Marion Fisher will be taking over for Michelle Jones next year.

7.      PTO is still working on new Fireside stationery.

8.      There will not be EDU Kits offered through Fireside next year.  There are online versions; some of the companies have environmentally friendly versions.

·        Back Packs (stuffed) for free and reduced students will be donated to the school by the Impact for Education Fund

9.      The Science Fair was wonderful!  Thank you to all volunteers.

10.  Turn off T.V. week was very successful also.  Thank you volunteers.

11.  Thank you for staff appreciation week!  Parents really came through for our school!

Treasurer Report: Heidi Day

1.      Net income of $12,000.00 for the year.  There are still year end requests from teachers coming in.

2.      Heidi purchased “Our Love of Louisville” basket for Impact on Education.

3.      There was discussion regarding having teachers stay within their PTO donation budgets every year.  If there are further requests for funding teachers will be encouraged to contact the PTO personally.

4.      Fifth grade graduation budget: PTO needs to clarify with parents and teachers what the PTO donation to graduation will be.

5.      Grocery certificates:  There needs to be a 2007-2008 deposit into general PTO funds made from grocery certificates.

6.      Heidi Day will be closing an old account that was in place for raffles because it is no longer being used.

District Council Report:  Susan Alexenko

1.      DPC report:  Union contract negotiations are underway.  A new system, called Relationship By Objective (RBO) is being used.  Through this process, a deeper level of trust is being obtained.

The open enrollment process was discussed, specifically the sibling preference. It was concluded that open enrollment is not a perfect process, and if sibling preference was not give, then less families would open enroll.

Chris Heuston, demonstrated a nutrition program that has been implemented at Monarch K-8.  The program, Integrated Nutrition Project is funded through the Department of Agriculture for schools that qualify (must have >50% free and reduced lunch populations).

For more information, see www.districtparentcouncil.org  Click on 2008 minutes and scroll down to April 15, 2008 minutes.

Adjourn:

Next PTO Meeting: August 2008 Budget Meeting

August - September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May