Minutes of the Culbertson Elementary School PTO Meeting
Recorded by Angela DiPrinzio

May 6, 2008

New Business:
Anna Deacon, the PTO co-president, opened the meeting and addressed the agenda. Arlana Ross discussed Grandparents' Day and its success. All grandparents were entertained by a morning assembly, followed by a breakfast with their grandchildren. There were two observation sessions for them to attend in their respective grandchildren's classrooms. There were donations made by several grandparents for the new playground equipment.

Kate Keith will be chairing the 50th Anniversary Committee. A meeting was held before the PTO meeting, and several ideas were discussed including: a brick walkway, car magnet cougar paw prints, banners on the light poles on Goshen Rd. in the front of the school, a sock-hop social, a 50th day of the 50th year birthday celebration at lunchtime with a birthday cake. Look for updates/meetings forthcoming.

Pam Lairdieson reviewed the success of the Play-a-Thon/Yard Sale. The event's net profit was over $14,000.00! There were 129 participants. Pledges totaled $7,048.00 with the average pledge being $55.00. There were 27 pledges from non-participants which averaged $40.00/person. 32% of the student population participated. Expenses were 12% of our income. It was a great day had by all!

The 4th grade fundraiser cookbook sale has been initiated and has had a great response for sales. Kathy Karaolis discussed the projected income for next year's 5th grade activities. The cookbook title incorporates Culbertson's 50th year anniversary.

Anna Deacon addressed the Lemonade Bowl sponsorship program. It was agreed to donate $100.00 from the PTO. Anna also discussed a 'Creator 10' computer program for the PTO/ teacher use for projects such as slide shows, collages, etc. She discussed possibly having a computer laptop for the PTO/ teachers to use for this particular program and other projects.

Arlana Ross expressed revising PTO committee descriptions and the basic functions and requirements of each committee member and its respective chairpersons. She will be asking current committee chairs to submit a revised description of their committees, and she will be asking for commitments from volunteers before the end of the school year to solidify committee participation.

5th grade activities were discussed, and pretzel sales and spirit items will continue to be sold after school on Fridays through the month of May. There was discussion about a possible date change for the 5th grade promotion ceremony due to an early dismissal on the date originally scheduled. Mr. Cook and the 5th grade teachers will review the best possible option and communicate with the 5th grade activities committee. No change has been made thus far.

A suggestion was made to continue pretzel sales every Friday during the next school year to raise funds for the new playground equipment.

Suzanne McCutcheon is working on the next Culbertson Newsletter to be available in the near future.

Lynne Keebler communicated each teacher would be receiving a $50.00 stipend this school year for any school related supplies/projects. She also discussed the annual donation for the Newtown Square Fire Dept. of $100.00: agreed by all present. She reviewed the current PTO expenses/budget report.

Updates from Mr. Cook:
Mr. Cook thanked the co-chairs for Grandparents' Day, Lisa Siracusa and Arlana Ross, for the successful event. He also thanked Pam Lairdieson for her work and success on the Play-a-Thon/Yard Sale. He acknowledged the following committees for there work with: Sundae Day, School Store, Market Day, Cookbook Sales, 5th Grade Activities.

Culbertson is collecting canned goods for the Stamp Out Hunger Program. The last date to bring in the canned goods is Friday, May 9th. Any student who participates will receive a coupon for ice cream.

 Mr. Cook introduced Mr. Panemeno, a Culbertson parent, who wanted to thank the PTO for their continued financial and emotional support for his son, Chris, who is doing very well and has a wonderful prognosis.

Mr. Cook introduced the teachers present: Mrs. Samuels, the librarian, Mrs. Cella, a kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Corle, a first grade teacher and Mrs. Vetter, a fifth grade teacher. Mrs. Samuels discussed the guest for author's day, Rick Peoples, a self-published poet and music writer. She thanked all the dedicated library volunteers, especially Mrs. McCutcheon. She also thanked Lynne Keebler for all her work as the PTO treasurer. Mrs. Cella will be retiring after this year. She thanked the PTO for all their support and for the donation for the kindergarten field trip to the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. Mrs. Corle also thanked the PTO for their efforts and for the wonderful Grandparents' Day event. She suggested that the outside breakfast reception should be a standard location for the first grades during Grandparents' Day. Mrs. Corle also announced the first graders will be going to Milky Way Farms for their class trip. Mrs. Vetter thanked the PTO for their generosity. She discussed the success of the recent 5th grade class trip to Philadelphia including the Duck Tour. She discussed the PHMS orientation day for the 5th graders which will be in the next few weeks.

A suggestion was made by Anna Deacon to host a book swap/exchange for the required readings for the next school year. This is what the high school does to make the required reading purchases easier and less expensive. Mrs. Samuels suggested reviewing this with Mrs. Lyons, the reading specialist, so it would not infringe on the profits of the book fair this spring.

Important Dates:
5/7: 4th grade class trip to the Octagonal School House, Mrs. Egan's class.
5/8: 1st grade class trip to Milky Way Farms.
5/9: Human Growth and Development Program given by Mrs. Ewing.
5/12: 3rd grade class trip to Tyler Arboretum.
5/13: Author, Rick Peoples: 9:45am for K – 2 and 10:45am for 3 – 5.
         Distribution of the Young Authors' Awards: there are 6 county winners from   
         Culbertson! This is more than any other school in the district.
5/15: Evening of the Arts: 5th grade concert.
5/16: P.J. Day for the entire school as a reward to the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders for doing
         so well on the PSSA testing. Guidelines for dress code will be sent home.
5/19: Kindergarten class trip to the UDPA Center for 'Winnie the Pooh.'
5/19: 5th grade visits PHMS.
5/21: Assembly: 'Plants, Stars and Galaxies.' 9:30am: K – 2 and 10:30am 3 – 5.
5/21: Market day Pick Up.
5/22: School Store.
5/23: Inservice Day- no school.
5/26: No school – Memorial Day holiday.
5/27: 9:30am and 1:30pm: Kindergarten orientation for students and parents.
6/3: Family Cookout.
6/3: PTO meeting: 8pm.

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