Treasurer’s Report – Wendy Cropsey stated not much has changed from our last meeting. P.A.C. paid out $500 for a shed on the pre-k playground. This was the Eagle Scout project that was discussed at the April/May 2012 meetings. The $500 won’t cover the whole project, just our donation. Our balance is at $19, 240.03, with a few requests that will be paid out shortly.
Staff & Technology Updates – Karen Baumgartner stated there was nothing new. Cameras were installed. She believes the cameras in the parking lot will be coming next.
Artist in Residence – Mrs. Touche e-mailed the Madison Brass regarding the contract. She did not receive it yet. Hopefully by the next meeting we’ll have the contract. April 17th was selected for the Madison Brass Quintet to come for our Artist in Residence program this year. There will be workshops that morning for the students and in the afternoon there will be two concerts. Middle School Band students will come to one concert as well. Mrs. Touche would like someone available to coordinate with grade levels, runner, and if Madison Brass individuals need something. P.A.C. is also interested in funding some musical instruments for the music classrooms. Motion made to spend approximately $1500 for the Madison Brass Quintet and approximately $3500 for Mrs. Touche and Mrs. Seibert to use for purchasing the instruments to be used in their classrooms. Motion approved.
Michelle Wager was looking into a folktale, storyteller, and wanted to talk re: 2014, one man show. She also found a Conservatory of Music and they do residences. The Music of the African Diaspora, traces the roots of the African music. It was around $5000. It would be 3 days maybe shorter or longer, doing drumming presentation and showing children the instruments. It would be very hands on and interactive. It would cost $2500 for 2 concerts. There would also be 30 minutes of instruction for the classrooms. They could use the Multipurpose room for a couple classrooms, very hands on, learning different things, gearing it age appropriate. Travel costs, back to the New Berlin area and back, would be estimated to be $1250. Drum rental, final estimate is just over $5000. The music teachers could work in the curriculum. We will consider for next spring Artist in Residence. Connie Wheeler stated that she may not do a scrapbook for this year’s Artist in Residence due to not being able to put pictures of students in the book. She may instead do a few 12 x 12 collages of photos of the instruments and concert to be hung near the music rooms.
Brain Bowl – Connie Wheeler stated we had 225-230 students that participated. We did not receive the participation for 3-5th, as hoped, only about 50 students. The bulk of the students that participated remain in the younger students. We will give the classrooms tomorrow/ Tuesday the option if they wanted to test the whole class vs. doing the ex. 6 students from the classroom and not test the whole class. Connie and Mrs. Kurkiewicz, 1st grade teacher coordinator, stated that next year we would pull the students that participated, from the classroom to test. Connie and John Seegers are also looking into those outdoor bins for the balls as an option to put the Brain Bowl proceeds to use. After the meeting and Brain Bowl took place we have raised approximately $8,500. Thank you to all who supported this fundraiser.
February Parent/Teacher Conferences – The meal planning sheet has been passed around for volunteers to sign up to bring in a food item during the Parent/Teacher Conferences. Michelle Wagner will send out an email asking volunteers for donations of food.
Staff Book Fair –We have done this the past few years and it has been a great success. Books are donated by parents. Teachers are able to pick books to use in their classroom. Last year we had plenty of donations from parents. It was discussed that we may now do the Staff Book Fair in coordination with the Sock Hop instead of the Teacher Conferences due to the shortened school week during the February 18th. Parents can bring their gently used books to the Sock Hop and place in the box provided. Sue Mannebach will handle the coordination of organizing the flyers and books.
Sock Hop Dance – Erin Lenhardt stated we have 5 volunteers at this point. March 1st is the date selected. There is free entry for families this year. Erin talked with Sandra and Heather, additional volunteer committee members. Erin will contact Greg in Food Service regarding the food/snack items. We will be charged for what we use. Mrs. Czech provided us with a number of volunteers that she felt was needed for safety purposes for the event. Erin stated there are some raffle items that she already has purchased. We will be supporting the Freedom Food Pantry again this year. For every box or canned item brought in you will receive a free raffle ticket. Additional tickets will be sold for $.50 each. Given that the Gym and Multi Purpose rooms are being booked months to a year in advance for events, it will be important to look online for dates for 2014 events and make our reservations by the end of the school year.
Family Fun Night – Rosann Sky is coordinating. Friday, April 5th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. is the date selected. There is free entry for families this year. It will be a Bingo night that will take place in the cafeteria. Popcorn and water will be available. Motion approved for the committee to spend $200 on prizes for the event.
Paper Recycling Update – Connie Wheeler stated that the December paper drive brought in 6.63 tons, which equaled $663 for P.A.C.
Teacher Wish List Book/Requests – Connie Wheeler stated we have not been getting Requests yet because the teachers are still using or working with their $100 requests and those are still being submitted for payment. Submission deadline is March 31, 2013.
Terms for PAC Officers – Connie Wheeler stated the 2 yr. terms for all of the officers will be expiring at the end of this school year. The term length is stated in the By-laws. We are looking for new volunteer officers. All of the existing officers will be available to assist the new officers during the next school year. During the May meeting, voting will take place. Please consider volunteering for the President, Vice President or Treasurer position. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Connie Wheeler.
New Business – Connie Wheeler stated that we should keep in mind Casey Van Groll’s idea of having a rummage sale and the proceeds going to P.A.C. Connie stated we will want to check into the Pom & Dance and their plans for future rummage sales.
Wendy Cropsey looked into Ellison Company catalog for dye cuts. Teachers use the dye cuts in their classrooms and for bulletin board use. The Catalog is now online. Ellison does not sharpen the dye cuts, they just replace the pad. They are still the wooden dye cuts. The current machine uses a rolling mechanism vs. a press. The top line is laser cut. This will benefit everyone. We can still buy dye cuts for the machine. We may want to consider buying a machine, along with shapes/figures/fonts that we do not have.
Meeting notes recorded by Michelle Gloudemans, P.A.C. Vice President
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Connie Wheeler, P.A.C. President, at 920-788-5961.
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Our March meeting is set for Tuesday, March 5th, Room 22 (Art room), 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Free babysitting is provided by the HS National Honor Society. Hope to see you there!
Freedom Elementary Parent Activity Committee 