ST. THOMAS SCHOOL

PTO MINUTES

11/7/2007

6:30 p.m.

 

Call to order 6:36 p.m.

 

Opening prayer said by Mr. Provost

 

Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports were read and accepted

 

 

Kim Shaw, co-president of the PTO, made a “thermometer” for a visual aid to show the goal to be met by fund raisers through the PTO board.  $40,000.00 being our goal!

 

Karl Paterson reported on our spring bottle drive which brought in $1,300.00, far less than last years total due to the fact that the Sanford High School had a bottle drive the weekend before.  So next year we will choose a different date!  Ideas floated around on how to create a “perpetual” bottle drive throughout the school year.  The CLINK system was suggested along with other ideas.   Spring bottle drive to be scheduled*

 

Claire Webb reported that our goal for the magazine drive, 800 subscriptions, fell short by only 4!  119 kids participated and if everyone pays their subscription bills it will bring in $7,000.00**  (last years total was $5,900.00)  Pizza parties will be held for both Mrs. Jack and Mrs. Jacques classrooms for selling the most magazines!  Congratulations!

 

Joanne Cusack, president of the Development Council, spoke about its role supporting St Thomas School by net-working and publications.  They work on expanding our endowment fund. Organize events such as the Milk and Cookie Club, Family Fun Night and they have helped our school library through the Buy A Book Program.  Our school news letters which come home with our kids are also distributed in our Parish as well as our Cluster Parishes.  Currently, the Development Council has a raffle going to help with the school scholarship fund.  1,000 tickets to sell @ $20 each.  1^st prize $5,000 2^nd prize $2,000 3^rd prize $1,000 and 40 winners of $50.  Our new Recoupment Program to help with our school enrollment is off and running!     A reminder to check out the school web-sire*

 

Mrs. Rebecca McCann reported that this was our 3^rd year of our Child Lures Program which has been re-named “Think First and  Be Safe”.  This program began on 10/22^nd

and is taught in cluster grade levels to assure that age and development of the kids is appropriate.  Parent Handbooks are brought home by the students for our review. 

 

Mrs. Donna Jacques spoke to us on this years’ Spiritual theme: “Light” in our lives.  Each month there will be a different view of this theme.  The students will make mobiles for their classrooms to go along with the themes.   Fr. Nadeau will come in each month to speak on the themes.   In September a local food pantry contacted St. Thomas for help because their shelves were empty!  A notice went home for help and soon we had 26 boxes filled with food!  At this time we are collecting for our troops and soon for our Thanksgiving baskets to be split the Sanford and Alfred food banks. 

 

Christine Beaudoin introduced something new this year*  Our first, and hopefully annual, school yearbook!  The book will have a theme..Call To The Light.  It will be filled with 50 pages of full color pictures.  6^th graders will receive hard cover copies and all other grades will receive soft cover copies.  81 copies have been reserved so far and the more books ordered the less it will cost.  A notice will be going home soon about a web-site we can go to where we will be able to up-load our own pictures of our children in school events.  This will be a great resource for Christine!!  March is the deadline to place your order. 

 

Kim Shaw reported on this coming years’ SFF.  The fair is run by the parents with a committee that oversees things.  We have chair people in line for all tables.  She explained about the soliciting process and will be in need of people to call businesses.  Look for more information to go out after the fist of the year*  The fair is scheduled for Sunday April 27^th with the set up day Saturday April 26^th.  A meeting for all chairpersons will be held in February.  The committee is looking to add a few new things for the kids this year.  A spaghetti supper is planned for Saturday night (4/26/08) to feed all the tired helpers and their families for a small fee.  The idea of having a 5K run to tie in with the SFF weekend was mentioned….more to follow on this.  Reminder that 5 hours of volunteer time is required**

 

Mrs. Christine Soule  has scheduled  February 5^th 2008 for our Annual Dance.  It will be held at the K of  C  with local DJ Steven Cote.  This years’ theme is PEP RALLY ….seems fitting since the SUPERBOWL is the next day!   Look for more info on this event such as raffles, door prizes and request for help from the parents.  Tickets to go on sale in January 2008.

 

Mr. Provost added that we are in need of help for our E.D.P.  2 to 3 days per week for before and after school hours.

 

Closing prayer was said by Mr. Provost

Meeting adjourned 7:45 p.m