November 10, 2011

• Robyn called meeting to order at 6:36 followed by the Pledge.  Introductions were done.  There were 22 members present.
• The BLT, Building Leadership Team spoke at the meeting.   

• Members of the team are Lori Lester, Tracy Eckles, Angie Kolanko, Michael Ours, Laurie Benz, Nicholas Duckart, Elizabeth Butryn and Lori Lester. 
• There are 5 meetings a year at the district office for training and working on strategies. They are trying to build consistency in the schools.  The team then helps the other teachers with the new ideas and talking about goal setting.  Schools are trying to adopt a common core for all schools across the nation.
• Michael Ours talked about his involvement with the team as a new member.  Nicholas Duckart is very impressed with the training.  They listen to speakers and then have breakout sessions as a team.  They then work on ways to present the material to the rest of the staff at Madison.  Elizabeth Butryn talked about the MAP Testing in the fall, winter and spring and how they track a student’s progress.  Angie Kolanko talked about Compass Learning, which is a computerized program, used for intervention and extensions in reading.  Right now they are targeting kids who are in need of intervention.  The school has 26 licenses and each students MAP scores are in the system.  The programs will be at the students level.  Madison Elementary is a Title One School so we were able to purchase 26 licenses.  Mrs. Benz talked about the book Teach Like a Champion, which a number of teachers read this summer.  The BLT mad a flip chart of the 49 techniques from the book on trying to be a better teacher.
• The members read the October General Meeting minutes.  Bob made a motion to approve the minutes, Karla seconded it and the motion was passed.

• Robyn Grover and Laura Dykstra gave the Presidents’ Report.

• Robyn read a thank you card from Mrs. Meehan for the donation of items from the old school store.

• It is National PTA Healthy Month and The PTA is helping to promote healthy lifestyles.  They will be sending home healthy recipes and tips on getting kids moving.  December 1^st and 8^th the PTA will provide a healthy snack to each student at the school.
• The SK room needs a CD player with speakers if anyone has on they are not using and would like to donate it.

• We have a Face Book page and it is open to parents and staff.  This is a good way to help get volunteers for events.
• The Librarian needs help shelving books for 1 hour on Thursdays.
• The Beautification Committee would like to have more parents on the committee to help with projects.  Contact Jason Wilke.
• Karla Creed gave the Membership Report.
• Membership is up from last year at this time.  Karla will be doing another drive next week to increase membership.

• Bob Helbig gave the Financial Report.
• The bank balance at the end of October was 35,318.90.  This is inflated, as we have not paid Mr. Z’s yet for the fundraiser.   
• Mr. Z’s fundraiser made about $9,150.  We budgeted $5,500.  This is great way to start the year
• Wendi Kaiser gave the Committee update.
• Karla talked about the Book Fair.  We made 600 more than last year and bought $3000 worth of books for the school.
• 300 people attended the dance.  The Cub Scouts raised $311 for the Tosa Food Pantry.  There was a picture of the Dance in the Wauwatosa Now.
• Jackie talked about the Creative Crafts.  It is where kids draw on a template and then the drawings are made into bowls or plates.  We had 30 items made with qualified us for free shipping.  $103 was made on the event.
• Jackie had copies of Lincoln and Roosevelt’s directories if anyone wanted to take a look at them.  Our directory is at the printers and should be back next week.  The Cub Scouts are paying for the printing costs.
• The Family Dinner is being done in conjunction with the Movie Night on January 6^th.   The dinner will be from 5:30 to 7:00 and the movie will start at 7:00 in the gym.  There will be no popcorn or candy this year.  The food for the dinner will probably be Mexican.  We need to make sure people paid for the dinner.  We need tickets and a reservation table possibly.  Laura (?) offered wristbands to help identify who paid. It will be $4 for kids and $6 for grownups.
• Ages and Stages is next Tuesday at 6:30.  Please let Nicki Morton or Robyn know if you are coming.  Also it is Murf’s Fundraiser next Tuesday all day. 
• The Wilderness Fundraiser is this weekend and so far 44 rooms have been booked.
• The will be a Secret Santa in December.  This is where the kids can go shopping for their parents, sibling, grandparents, etc.
• The Schwann’s Fundraiser went home today.  There are a few folders in the teachers lounge also. 
• The fall shoe drive brought in 40 pairs of shoes.  We will do it again in the spring possibly during Earth Week.
• Spirit Day is every Friday.  Another sale is going on.  Every Monday is Sports Team Day.
• Lori Lester is looking for someone to help promote the Principal’s Coffee.  Someone to help coordinate it and have baked goods available also.  Maybe have nametags and speakers there on parenting issues.
• Miscellaneous Items
• Rita Wiesneski asked about the Bank Service Charge and why it was so high.  Bob explained that it had to do with Bounced Checks.  We did recover the money for the checks so maybe we need to find a different way to represent it on the books.
• Hertz offers 20% off as a benefit of being a PTA Member.  All you need is your PTA Card.
• The PTA is now giving a $15 gift card to the teacher who has the most parents here representing their class.  A sign up sheet is passed out and parents sign it and mark their children’s teachers.  Mr. Duckart won the gift card to The Learning Shop for this month.
• Bob Helbig motioned to adjourn the meeting.  Wendi Kaiser seconded it. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:43.