Ames PTA Meeting Minutes

December 2, 2011

A motion was made to approve the meeting minutes from the November 4, 2011 Ames PTA meeting. The motion was approved.

Teacher’s Report, Kristin Mimlitz –

• Mrs. Mimlitz thanked the PTA and everyone involved for a wonderful Fall Festival which was great fun and a definite success.
• She also stated that she and the other teachers are looking forward to the ornament event in each class this month.

Administration Report, Principal Colleen Lieggi –

• Principal Lieggi thanked everyone for their hard work and donations to the Ames Fall Festival.
• Principal Lieggi discussed the changes that will be necessary at the end of this school year due to the capital improvements at Ames. During the last week of school, each class will participate in many field trips in order to keep the school empty of students so the construction can begin. On the last day of school, students will receive their report cards outside.
• Mrs. Lieggi reviewed three drafts of the District 96 calendar for the 2012/13 school year. This year’s calendar will be slightly different, with classes beginning later than usual in order to allow more time for construction at the end of summer.
• Information regarding the capital projects and calendar are available on the District 96 website. Everyone is encouraged to review the plans and contact the D96 school board if you feel strongly about any of the changes. A final decision will be made in February 2012.
• The Ames Talent Show will not be held this year because the entire school will need to be cleared out in order for construction to begin and the end of the school year will be extremely busy this year.
• A new position of Math Specialist will begin in January. Mrs. Tina Duve will assume this part-time position in addition to teaching her A.M. Kindergarten class. The Math Specialist will work with teachers to enhance their skills.

Budget Report, Treasurer Jen Kaiser –

• Lisa Freel and Lisa Hennelly discussed the budget as Jen Kaiser was not in attendance. They reported that the Ames PTA budget is strong. As such, Lisa Freel made a motion to reinstate the $500.00 budget toward the fifth grade books which have traditionally been donated to the Ames library. The motion was approved.

Officer’s Report, PTA Co-Presidents, Lisa Freel and Lisa Hennelly –

• Lisa Freel requested that everyone check feedblitz often as there may be several calendar changes due to the upcoming renovations.
• Math Night has been rescheduled from February 8^thto April 11, 2012. There will be a math program during the day and then a program for the entire family to enjoy at night.
  • Fundraisers:
  • The Ames Fall Festival and Auction raised over $19,000.00 this year. All of this money will fund the Ames Cultural Arts program for the next two years. Thank you so much to everyone who participated!
  • Market Day continues to be successful. Remember to place your orders monthly. Thank you to all volunteers.
  • Square One orders will arrive in time for the holidays. Thank you to Candy Ekstrom for doing the artwork in each class.
  • Box Tops continues to be a successful fundraiser. All of the money earned goes directly to Ames. Please use the website and remember that you can shop at several popular sites such as Land’s End and Snapfish and your purchases will benefit Ames.
• The Ames PTA Board for 2012/13 is being formed. The Treasurer position is open. Please contact Lisa Freel or Lisa Hennelly if interested.

R.A.I.N. Report, Gelse Tkalec –

• Gelse Tkalec reported that a new initiative entitled “National Inclusion Week” has been developed and that R.A.I.N. participants will meet with District 96 principals in order to develop a program enabling the entire district to participate during the 2012/13 school year.

Thank You –

• Susan Georgopulos, Vicki Manchen and Brooke Schwarz for planning, organizing and hosting such a successful Fall Festival.
• Nancy Moyer, Janet Schill and Rachael Franceschina for donating so much time and talent to the Kindergarten, Third, and Fourth grade classroom projects for the Fall Festival.
• Everyone who attended the Fall Festival for making it such a fun, festive and financially successful event.
• Everyone who offered a service or item for Fall Auction.
• Nancy Moyer for coordinating the Ames entries to the Illinois PTA Reflections contest.
• All Market Day volunteers!
• Vicki Manchen for running the Square One fundraiser.

Announcements-

January:

Classes Resume                                                       Tuesday, January 3^rd

MAP Testing                                                      January 9 – January 20^th

D96 PTA/PTO Guest Speaker at Hauser                 January 11^th at 7:00

Ames Market Day Orders Due                               Friday, January 13^th

NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday    Monday, January 16^th

Board of Education Meeting at Hauser      Tueday, January 17 at 7:30

Market Day Pick Up                                        Wednesday, January 18^th

Spirit Day/Bank At School                                        Friday, January 20^th

**No PTA Meeting in January..see you on Friday, February 4^th at 8:45!