OLSH PTO Meeting Minutes

September 21, 2005

(Updated with revision from 10/19/05 PTO meeting)

Father Jack opened the meeting with a prayer. Since he had to leave the meeting early, he discussed his agenda items (under OLD BUSINESS) at the beginning of the meeting.

The soundproofing of the cafeteria will be completed thanks to a recent donation in a will. Acoustical panels will be placed on the walls. The project is scheduled to be completed during Thanksgiving break. If this doesn’t work, lowering of the ceiling will be discussed.

Father Jack then discussed the Activity Center sound system. The original sound system company could not meet our expectations. PTO has $4000 earmarked for this project from the 2004/2005 budget. Tom Shanks (assisted in the Activity Center design) brought in a friend who gave us a quote of $8400 to install the sound system that we need. Father Jack asked PTO to consider funding the additional costs in our 2005/2006 budget. He will obtain an additional quote and PTO will review the information and discuss our funding of this project.

Treasurers Report - Alison O’Neill distributed the 2005/2006 budget. Alison will work with Maureen Flavin to get answers to the questions raised at the meeting. The net profit for the magazine drive was $12,651. We also received $1,050 in direct cash donations.

Organizational Reports

Market Day - Lisa Schoenberger reported a September profit of $414.21. Our profit from last year (9/04-8/05) was $5983.64. She will let everyone know if Boo Bags will be available this year. Lisa still needs volunteers to pack orders for Market Day. Call Lisa if you can volunteer.

Magazine Drive - Pam Kennedy reported that we reached $31,000 of our $33,000 sales goal. This goal was based on the number of OLSH students at the end of last year, so it is a little high compared to our current number of students.

Constitution/Bylaws Committee - Karen Stevenson reported that a Bylaws Committee comprised of Mrs. Willet, Mrs. Tebbe, Mary Gordon, Pam Kennedy and Karen met this summer to discuss and revise the PTO bylaws. If anyone would like a copy of the revised draft, contact Karen. The revised bylaws will be discussed further at the October meeting. Karen also explained the reason for the name change from PTA to PTO.

Parish Council Report - Heather VonLehmden reported on recent vandalism (lights left on in the gym; kids sitting on the concession stand counters; tiles missing from restroom walls). Please ensure that all students, our own as well as those from other schools, respect the school and gym property. Also, as everyone has heard, the church collection is the lowest it has been since August, 2000. Joe Dierkers stressed that there are no capital funds for improvements this year.

Guest Speakers

Laura Roy discussed the Young Rembrandts program. It has already started for this fall; there may be a spring session if there is enough interest.

Old Business

Cafeteria Sound Proofing and Gymnasium Sound System - These items were discussed by Father Jack at the beginning of the meeting.

Committee Booklet - Pam Kennedy developed and distributed this book the first week of school.

New Business

Dry Erase Board - Mrs. Adelmann requested a magnetic dry erase board for Mrs. Creighton due to her chalk allergies. The cost with adhesive is $469.95 plus shipping/handling of $25.00. Mr. Moggenberg can install it. Julie Brown will research the availability of this item through the Campbells Soup label program. PTO voted to approve this purchase.

Marketing OLSH/OLSH Spirit - Sheila Sieder is working with Nathan Mechley (Student Government) on the t-shirt design. PTO voted to approve the $50 to be a t-shirt sponsor. Alison O’Neill is looking for volunteers to be part of a Marketing Committee that will research lawn signs for graduates, magnets for the back of cars, infant wear (Future OLSH Tiger), additional spirit items, etc. Mike from Educational Outfitters may have some information on these items. Anyone interested in being part of this committee, or who knows vendors who could help us, should contact Alison. It was suggested that we may want to sell OLSH spirit items through the Christmas Shop.

Mrs. Adelmann, the teachers and the PR committee will continue to focus on external PR.

OLSH Website - We still need a chairperson for this committee. John Powers, our webmaster, will hold a training session on 9/27 at 7:00 p.m. in the computer lab. If you are interested in being the chairperson, contact Heather VonLehmden.

Auditing Committee - We are looking for a committee that will audit our PTO financial books two times a year; January and June. If possible, the volunteers should have a background in finance, accounting, auditing or bookkeeping. Pam Kennedy has volunteered. If you are interested, contact Heather VonLehmden.

Announcements

We still do not have chairpersons for the Christmas Shop, Confirmation Reception, Graduation Reception, PTO Website and Spirit Day games. Without chairpersons, these functions will not take place this school year. Please consider volunteering; just contact Heather VonLehmden.

The one thing that we forgot to mention - Parents, welcome back to another great OLSH school year. A special welcome to all the first time PTO attendees, especially our first grade parents who are new to the school. We hope you continue to attend the PTO meetings and volunteer for our functions. If you have any questions about PTO, contact any of the board members.

Our next meeting: Wednesday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lower Level of the Parish Center.