Author Archives: Amy Lahay

PAC Meeting, Monday, May 4 , 2015 ~ 6:00 p.m. ~ Art Room

• Committee Sign Up Sheets – Sheets were passed around to sign up for the 2015–2016 school year.
• Boy Scout presentations–  Wyatt Handschke and Reive Pullen, Boy Scouts, made a proposal to build two separate sheds on the playground to earn Eagle Scout.   A vote was taken and PAC approved $2,500 for each shed. (We had previously approved $1500 for one of these sheds. They now presented a more accurate quote with the shed siding being metal instead of wood for lower maintenance.) They will fundraise to cover the rest of the cost.       Ben Nowak, Boy Scout, made a proposal to landscape around the sign in front of the elementary school to earn Eagle Scout. He asked if PAC would be willing to donate money towards this project. A vote was taken and PAC approved $2,000 to be put towards this project. He will be talking with a local landscaper for ideas. Ben will fundraise to cover the rest of the cost.
• News from Mrs. Lipsey – Field Day will be held on May 27 and requested PAC to purchase 850 popsicles for this event. A vote was taken and passed for PAC to purchase popsicles. Amy Lahay volunteered to pick the popsicles up.
• Staff Appreciation Week – May 4-8 — Michelle Wagner coordinated 3 different days; Dippin’ Day, Muffin Morning and Dessert Day through the Helping Hands List. Everything went great. Thanks to all the parents who brought items in. PAC also gave new “Irish Best” lanyards and I.D. holders to all staff.  We appreciate all that the FES staff does for our students!
• Spring Student Appreciation Day- May 15 — Erin Lenhart is the Chairperson organizing this and will be providing Ice Pops for the students after the Juvenile Diabetes Walk.
• Fifth Grade Celebration — Michelle Wagner is the Chairperson organizing this event. The date is set for the afternoon of June 3 at 1:00.
• Paper Recycling Drive– Last one for this school year- Tues. May 26 to Mon. June 8.
• Fall Open House — The FES Fall Open House date has not been set yet.
• Last Day of School Recognitions / Retirees — A motion was made and approved for the following gifts of recognition: Mrs. Lonzo and Mrs. Mall (retirement), the Janitors ($25 at Ricos), Judy, Judy and Diane, office staff, ($25 to Ricos each) and the National Honor Society babysitters ($10 each at Sweet Tooth).
• Meeting Dates for 2015-2016 — The PAC meetings will be held on the third Monday of each month next year, instead of the first Monday.  No meeting in December.  Monday, September 21, 2015 at 6:00 pm will be our first meeting of the new school year. This may change if it does not work for our new officers. Stay tuned! We discussed Mrs. Lipsey sending a message, email or phone call through the schools automated alert system, the night before PAC meetings to remind parents.
• New PAC officers! Sue Mannebach voted in as President. Erin Lenhardt voted in as Vice President. Connie Wheeler voted in as treasurer. Thank you for helping! Congrats!
• Teacher Requests – A request came in for replacement blades for Cricut in the office for $15.52. Vote was taken and approved to cover.
• Treasurer’s Report — Connie Wheeler reported the current balance of the PAC funds is $27,256.63. PAC asked Mrs. Lipsey to work with the staff and submit requests to PAC. Votes were taken and approved for the following items:
• $150 coat rack to be used for lost and found
• $6,000 Guided Reading Books for Book Room
• $1,000 Reusable Science Kits-To be shared with all Kindergarten classrooms
• $800 Reading comprehension kits for all grades- Mrs. Anderson, Reading Specialist
• $600 Chart Stands for all 3 Pre-K classrooms
• $1,000 Science, non-consumable items, for 4^th grade
• $500 Science Cart for 5^th grade
• $100 Rain gauges and thermometers for 3^rd grade
• $500 Dramatic Play Props for 4K
• $300 Art
• $300 Music
• $300 Physical Education
• $1,000 Electronic Pencil Sharpeners for all classrooms-if needed
• After we subtract these items and other expenses for this school year to pay out, we have $3,753 carried over for next year. Thanks to you, we had a great year!

A look ahead to next school year: Sock Hop, Feb 5, 2016. Family Fun Night, April 8, 2016. These dates may change.

Babysitting is provided by Freedom High School National Honor Society students during the meeting. If you have questions or comments, please contact Amy Lahay, PAC President, at lahay5@wildblue.net or 687-1736.

PAC Meeting Agenda for Monday, May 4 , 2015 ~ 6:00 p.m. ~ Art Room

• Committee Sign Up Sheets for 2015-2016 – (pass around during meeting)
• Boy Scout presentations.
• Any news from Mrs. Lipsey?
• Staff Appreciation Week -May 4-8
• Spring Student Appreciation Day- May 15
• Fifth Grade Celebration – June 3
• Fall Open House- Date?
• Last Day of School Recognitions / Retirees
• Meeting Dates for 2015-2016- Keep on first Monday of every month? (No meeting in Dec)
• Voting on new PAC officers for next year!
• Teacher Requests that have come in to approve.
• Treasurer’s Report.
• How will we spend that hard earned money the students/parents helped us raise all year long?

Babysitting is provided by Freedom High School National Honor Society students during the meeting. If you have questions or comments, please contact Amy Lahay, PAC President, at lahay5@wildblue.net or 687-1736.

This is our final PAC meeting for this school year. Please join us after the meeting to celebrate a great year at Stone Yard, W3010 Edgewood Trail, Appleton, by Players Choice.

PAC Meeting Notes for Monday, April 13, 2015~ 6:00 pm

• Treasurer’s Report — The current balance is $27,201.48. Some of this money is set aside for upcoming expenses and projects. After these future expenses, $17,751.48 is left in the PAC funds.
• Mrs. Lipsey’s News – The school celebrated volunteers and the Climate Committee put on a breakfast each day with the chance to win a prize. Mrs. Lipsey may be looking for volunteers at the end of the year for field day for all grades. The date and details are still being worked on. Badger assessment testing is coming up. For Administrative Professional Day, she will be recognizing all support staff in the building.
• Family Fun Night — Wendy Cropsey chaired this free event which was a carnival themed event held on April 10. Approximately 300 children attended. The kids seemed to love the clowns/balloon creations, hoola hooping, games, tattoos, and popcorn! We collected $78.18 in donations to the Freedom Food Pantry.
• Plastic Bag Recycling — Last day for collection is April 15.
• Paper Recycling– The next paper recycling is scheduled for May 26 through June 8.
• Secretary/Administrative Professionals Day– Wednesday, April 22. PAC will honor both Judys in the office with a flowers and a gift card. A vote was taken and approved to spend $50 on each, increased from $25 the last few years.
• Staff Appreciation Week – May 4-8. Michelle Wagner will take care of the meals via email sign up. PAC will provide a Muffin/Bagel Morning, Dipping Day and Dessert Day. We will also give the staff Irish Best Lanyards.
• Spring Student Appreciation — Erin Lenhardt is chairing this event and providing popsicles for the children on Friday, May 15. This will coincide with the Juvenile Diabetes Walk.
• Fifth Grade Celebration – Michelle Wagner is chairing this event on June 3. The celebration will be held in the gym this year with cake in the cafeteria afterwards.
• Last Day of School Recognitions — A motion was made and approved for the following gifts of recognition: Mrs. Lonzo (retirement), the Janitors for all their help with our events, and the National Honor Society babysitters. We may add more at next meeting. The school may be making changes with the end of year awards ceremony. Mrs. Lipsey will keep us informed.
• New PAC officers for next year — Currently it is a 2 year term for President, Vice President and Treasurer. All 3 current officers will still be around next year to help out if you have any questions. Don’t be shy! Step up to the challenge!
• Teacher Requests – No new requests.

Babysitting is provided by Freedom High School National Honor Society students during the meeting. If you have questions or comments, please contact Amy Lahay, PAC President, at 687-1736 or lahay5@wildblue.net.

Final PAC meeting for this school year: Monday, May 4, 2015, 6:00pm in the Art Room (Room 22, lower level).

PAC Meeting Agenda for Monday, April 13, 2015~ 6:00 pm

Art Room (Room 22, lower level)

• Treasurer’s Report
• Any news from Mrs. Lipsey?
• Family Fun Night- April 10, How did everything go?
• Plastic Bag Recycling- Last day is April 15
• Paper Recycling- June
• Secretary/Administrative Professionals Day- Wednesday, April 22
• Staff Appreciation Week – May 4-8
• Spring Student Appreciation- Date set?       Popsicles?
• Fifth Grade Celebration – June 3
• Last Day of School Recognitions- Consider who to honor? Any retirees?
• New PAC officers for next year?
• Teacher Requests
• New Business/Updates

Babysitting is provided by Freedom High School National Honor Society students during the meeting. If you have questions or comments, please contact Amy Lahay, PAC President, at 687-1736 or lahay5@wildblue.net.

Final PAC meeting for this school year: Monday, May 4, 2015, 6:00pm in the Art Room (Room 22, lower level).

PAC Meeting Agenda for Monday, April 13, 2015~ 6:00 pm

Art Room (Room 22, lower level)

• Treasurer’s Report
• Any news from Mrs. Lipsey?
• Family Fun Night- April 10, How did everything go?
• Plastic Bag Recycling- Last day is April 15
• Paper Recycling- June
• Secretary/Administrative Professionals Day- Wednesday, April 22
• Staff Appreciation Week – May 4-8
• Spring Student Appreciation- Date set?       Popsicles?
• Fifth Grade Celebration – June 3
• Last Day of School Recognitions- Consider who to honor? Any retirees?
• New PAC officers for next year?
• Teacher Requests
• New Business/Updates

Babysitting is provided by Freedom High School National Honor Society students during the meeting. If you have questions or comments, please contact Amy Lahay, PAC President, at 687-1736 or lahay5@wildblue.net.

Final PAC meeting for this school year: Monday, May 4, 2015, 6:00pm in the Art Room (Room 22, lower level).

PAC Meeting Agenda for Monday, March 2, 2015

6:00, Art Room

• Treasurer’s Report — The current balance is $26,662.54. Some of this money is set aside for the $100 teacher gifts (27 still not paid out), a new shed on the playground, potentially new gymnasium lights, rubber playground mats, teacher lanyard gifts, Family Fun Night, Artist in Residence, and a small teacher request that was approved at tonight’s meeting. After these future expenses, $11,804.92 is left in the PAC funds.
• Sock Hop — This dance was held on Friday, February 6. Cindy Taft, Chairperson, organized this event as an entirely free event for the children. About 360 children attended this event and PAC spent $472.11 (on the DJ, beach balls, table covers, tickets, water, popcorn, cotton candy and raffle prizes.) We raised $95.95 in donations to the Freedom Food Pantry. Everything went well and the kids seemed to have fun. The cotton candy was a hit. We may have to think of a way to keep the line shorter next year. Possibly two cotton candy machines or make it ahead of time.
• Brain Bowl — Brain Bowl was held on February 3 and February 4. Around 180 students participated and $5442.20 was fundraised.
• Staff Book Fair – Gently used books were collected the week of P/T Conferences. They will get distributed to the teachers to use in their classroom libraries. We also “inherited” some library books from Trinity Lutheran School in Appleton that recently closed.
• Paper Recycling — The next paper recycling is scheduled for March 16-30.
• Plastic Bag Recycling – FES is currently in fifth place in the state for collecting the most plastic. 103 pounds were collected in the month of February. April 15th will be the last day we can submit our plastic. Let’s keep recycling so we can win the free Trek bench.
• Family Fun Night — Wendy Cropsey is chairing this free event which will be a carnival themed event held on April 10.   All children attending need to be accompanied by an adult. PAC is looking for prize donations for this event. Small toys, stickers, tattoos, candy. Please let us know if you or your business would like to make a donation.
• Artist in Residence — We have not secured anyone for this event. We will begin our focus on next year’s artist in residence and hope to have finalized earlier in the next school year.
• New PAC Officers for next year — Currently it is a 2 year term for President, Vice President and Treasurer. All 3 current officers will still be around next year to help out if you have any questions. Don’t be shy! Step up to the challenge!
• New Business/Teacher Requests – Shannon Diedrick, first grade teacher, requested a blend word game and writing prompt cues for a total of $24.13. Vote was taken and all approved.
• Mrs. Lipsey updates – Cameras have now been installed around the school. Currently they are working on adding a second line in the cafeteria and are waiting on new equipment to finalize.  A committee has been formed to review the survey responses.
• Other News – The Boys Scouts contacted PAC indicating they had several individuals looking for projects to earn their Eagle Scout badge. PAC provided numerous ideas such as a new shed, pavilion over the outdoor classroom, and landscaping for the front of the school or birding area in the nature center.

Babysitting is provided by Freedom High School National Honor Society students during the meeting.

If you have questions or comments, please contact Amy Lahay at lahay5@wildblue.net or 687-1736.

Next PAC meeting: Monday, April 13, 2015. 6:00pm in Art Room.

(Normally our PAC meetings are held on the first Monday of every month. There is no school on April 6, so we will be moving the meeting to the second Monday.)