SPPS Capitol Hill -- Capitol Hill Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Meeting Minutes

Directory: The school directory has been delivered. Due to a communication error, extra copies were printed. Currently, each student gets a copy. Next year, we will investigate distributing only one copy to each family.

Direct Drive: The letters went out in November. Printing services says they can provide perforated stock. The format was highly praised. The letter contained what PTO can provide for the school with each suggested dollar amount. We have already received $4590.

T-shirts: Camille wants orders back to her by the last day before winter break. She will get the t-shirts in January.

Grant Writing/Scholarships: Darlene Haecker has been talking to Monica Beeman about grants to make pickup at the Green doors safer. But there is not much we can physically change at this point to make the situation better. We might just have CH parents in vests patrol.

Food Waste Recycling Program: Nothing new to report. Some Junior High kids are reluctant. An emphasis on recycling in general might be helpful. Julie will see if the head of the Neighborhood Energy Consortium would be willing to put on a program at an assembly.

Treasurer's Report (Julie Taylor): Current balance is $12,771.82. Gamelan was mistakenly budgeted at $1500. It should have been $5,000. Julie did a forecast and cash flow should be ok until summer. But the budget is not balanced. Lots can change between now and then. Some items will come in under budget, while the direct drive might bring in more money than budgeted.

Principal's Report (Mr. Mariucci): The company that will provide the equipment is Recreational Retreat. The system costs $65,721 and has up to a 120 child capacity. The recommended age is 5-12. Ben Mays applied for and received a grant to cut the price in half. Capitol Hill will need to pay $16,000. The installation is not included. The District will match $15,000, but it is unclear if that is $15,000 total or $15,000 per school. Mr. Mariucci thinks that the three schools will hold a fundraiser for the playground next year.

New Business:

January PTO Meeting: In past years, PTO has not met. We certainly could meet, but Kristin will be out of town. There is no pressing business, so we will not meet.

Grade Level Dances: Dates have not yet been set. It might be good to have them on a Thursday night where there is no school on Friday. There is no school on Fridays January 26 or March 9, so January 25 and March 8 are possibilities.

Carnival Silent Auction: Laura Park reported on feedback on the silent auction. One suggestion is to totally revamp the event and hold it separately from Carnival. Another suggestion is to take donations of things that are "too good for Goodwill" or unique treasures. The event needs an organizer. PTO decided to pursue a silent auction as a part of the carnival for this year because of the separate playground fundraiser. We will investigate posting the items online before the auction. Or maybe having a real auction instead of a silent auction.

Multicultural Day: Lots of ideas, progress is being made.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Randi Madisen, PTO Secretary