Introduction of Board Members and board positions:
President: Rachel Bourell aka Batman
Vice President: Laura Adams aka Robin
Secretary: Position isn't filled but has had some interest expressed. This role would: Take minutes, publish the minutes, possibly maintain a PTO webpage or blog that would link to the school page, maintain the master calendar.
Treasurer: This position was filled at this meeting. (Chris & Brittany Norham) His wife will act as liason for him when he can't attend meetings. (Do we need to give this a title? Or appoint them as co-treasurers?)
Financial report: A bank account has been opened by Wednesday. Ideally the treasurer will be primarily responsible for this account with other Executive Board Members will be signers on the account. Treasurer will maintain records of all income and spending and give a treasurer's report in PTO meetings.
Scope: At present, this PTO only serves the Intermediate Campus at Spectrum Academy in North Salt Lake. These are students in grades 3-8 including students in self-contained classrooms. This PTO does not serve the STARS, Elementary, or High School campuses. A PTO is not a PTA and therefore not subject to the same rules. This one is still being started and so we are only just figuring out organization.
Treasurer: This position was filled at this meeting. (Chris & Brittany Norham) His wife will act as liason for him when he can't attend meetings. (Do we need to give this a title? Or appoint them as co-treasurers?)
Financial report: A bank account has been opened by Wednesday. Ideally the treasurer will be primarily responsible for this account with other Executive Board Members will be signers on the account. Treasurer will maintain records of all income and spending and give a treasurer's report in PTO meetings.
Scope: At present, this PTO only serves the Intermediate Campus at Spectrum Academy in North Salt Lake. These are students in grades 3-8 including students in self-contained classrooms. This PTO does not serve the STARS, Elementary, or High School campuses. A PTO is not a PTA and therefore not subject to the same rules. This one is still being started and so we are only just figuring out organization.
Committees: Last meeting's PTO objectives and goals were organized into proposed committees. After a great deal of discussion, it was structure was decided:
Social Committee (Events committee?)
Plan an organize social events both during and after school hours. These may include:
- Back to School Social
- Fall Carnival
- Spring Social
- Parents and Pastries
- After School Activities (this is not the same as clubs)
- Social activities related to Teacher Appreciation
Committee Chairs: Julane Morris, others needed
Teachers Committee
This committee will help to organize volunteers to help support teachers and classrooms.
- Organize Room Parents
(Defined as helping to organize volunteers for activities ranging from planning class parties to making copies/grading papers to communicating with other parents about classroom needs. Specific roles to be defined by teachers.)
Room Parents do not have to be a member of the PTO. PTO's goal is to act as a sort of volunteer coordinator. - Other teacher support
(undefined) - Student incentive programs
(Gather donations for and organize Caught Ya Card.) - Help to coordinate teacher needs for Teacher Appreciation Week
Committee Members: Kathryn Jenkins (student incentives), Sheri Durham (Room parents), others needed
Parents Committee
This group is responsible for communications with parents about PTO events and news. All communications should be approved by the principal.
Several other possible activities had been discussed in the last meeting. At this meeting, the above list was identified as our current priorities. Priorities and committee assignments are not permanent commitments and may change throughout the year.
Calendar events: Brainstormed events, which included the following possibilities
This group is responsible for communications with parents about PTO events and news. All communications should be approved by the principal.
- Primary communication with PTO members, current preferred method is e-mail
- Social media (though this is as yet undefined)
- Maintain PTO Calendar
- Publish a voluntary directory
- Help with blog/website
- We'd like to invite someone involved with the carpool app to participate on this committee
- Other parent supports were discussed for none formally planned
Committee members: Darcie Mumme (directory), Others needed
Several other possible activities had been discussed in the last meeting. At this meeting, the above list was identified as our current priorities. Priorities and committee assignments are not permanent commitments and may change throughout the year.
Communication: There was a great deal of discussion about possible methods of communication. It was determined that e-mail is currently the most universal. We discussed social media at length, specifically Facebook. There are several Spectrum Academy facebook pages in existence but none that is specific to this school. Most are run by parent volunteers. We discussed possibly creating a Spectrum Academy NSL page. This page would be moderated and require a list of rules. This at present is not resolved
Calendar events: Brainstormed events, which included the following possibilities
- Back to School Night
- Back to School Social (possibly potluck at a park, families invited)
- Spring Fling
- Parents and Pastries
Some of these events might be able to be used for fundraising to help pay for other PTO events.
We need to find rules for using school property for events (There may be a building request form.)
Fundraising: PTO is starting with no assets. We are NOT currently a 501(c)3 and may not be able to meet the criteria for that this year. The PTO will exist as a separate financial entity from Spectrum Academy. School fundraisers do not benefit the PTO. PTO funds will be used to fund programs such as those listed above. Income sources may include: dues, donations, income from PTO events. We hope to establish community partnerships. At this meeting there was some discussion about how to raise money through events. We need to research rules and check with school to be sure this is done appropriately.
Requirements for daytime volunteers: In order to work on any Spectrum Campus during school hours, volunteers are required to pass a background check. This is because of the intense level of scrutiny the school is under for serving the special needs population. The required form is available at the school for $37.50 and you will also have to be fingerprinted, a cost of an additional $5. Some parents who have passed an identical check at another school may be able to transfer their background check.
PTO will organize identification for volunteers.
Membership
Dues will be $5. Membership is required for service on the executive board. Members will receive e-mail updates.
Service with the PTO counts toward mandatory volunteer hours.
Back to School Night: August 16-17
We need volunteers for 2 nights of back to school night to help recruit members.
Action items:
We need to find rules for using school property for events (There may be a building request form.)
Fundraising: PTO is starting with no assets. We are NOT currently a 501(c)3 and may not be able to meet the criteria for that this year. The PTO will exist as a separate financial entity from Spectrum Academy. School fundraisers do not benefit the PTO. PTO funds will be used to fund programs such as those listed above. Income sources may include: dues, donations, income from PTO events. We hope to establish community partnerships. At this meeting there was some discussion about how to raise money through events. We need to research rules and check with school to be sure this is done appropriately.
Requirements for daytime volunteers: In order to work on any Spectrum Campus during school hours, volunteers are required to pass a background check. This is because of the intense level of scrutiny the school is under for serving the special needs population. The required form is available at the school for $37.50 and you will also have to be fingerprinted, a cost of an additional $5. Some parents who have passed an identical check at another school may be able to transfer their background check.
PTO will organize identification for volunteers.
Membership
Dues will be $5. Membership is required for service on the executive board. Members will receive e-mail updates.
Service with the PTO counts toward mandatory volunteer hours.
Back to School Night: August 16-17
We need volunteers for 2 nights of back to school night to help recruit members.
Action items:
- Create Membership forms (to be created by Wendy)
- Get volunteers
- Get a cash box
- Plan with treasurer for deposit after event
- Set up Square Credit Card Payments
(Emily Hoopes will e-mail referral link for free processing)
Square app will be used to record all payments received and issue receipts. However, a membership form will also be needed.
Parents will have the opportunity to sign up for inclusion in directory.
E-mail will be sent in advance to Back to School night by the PTO 1) seeking volunteers 2) inviting members
Liaisons with other schools
As Elementary, High School and STARS do not have PTOs, there will be a representative of each on the PTO. This will help them create their own PTOs and also allow us to include them where practical (as in at social events.) Representatives of each school were named.
Liaisons with other schools
As Elementary, High School and STARS do not have PTOs, there will be a representative of each on the PTO. This will help them create their own PTOs and also allow us to include them where practical (as in at social events.) Representatives of each school were named.
Meetings
Future meetings will be held the first Thursday of each month.
Meeting time will alternate every other month between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Location to be determined but may be in the library or board room.
Babes in arms should be in a stroller or car seat. Smaller children are welcome but bring entertainment.
Next Meeting: September 6, 9:00 a.m.
School information shared:
Meeting time will alternate every other month between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Location to be determined but may be in the library or board room.
Babes in arms should be in a stroller or car seat. Smaller children are welcome but bring entertainment.
Next Meeting: September 6, 9:00 a.m.
School information shared:
3 classes per grade 3-8. Approximately 15 children per class. 3 functional skills classes. 2 learning skills classes.
School colors: Blue and Silver
School mascot: Timberwolves
Other campuses have other mascots
School colors: Blue and Silver
School mascot: Timberwolves
Other campuses have other mascots
