Holiday Gift Ideas

Looking for something special for your child or their teacher? PTO can help!

• We have compiled a list of Teacher Wish Lists. Check this list for items that your teacher REALLY wants! We asked teachers to ‘dream big’ with these lists :) Please consider browsing the entire list – you might find that you are able to help out different teams/departments with your generosity!
• Our Special Education DD class is selling Smencils!Gourmet Scented Pencils, made from 100% Recycled Newspaper - a HUGE favorite of all Pueblo kids! Proceeds support our Special Education DD class. Email Amy Dawson (adawson@kyrene.org) to order. You can also purchase before school or during lunch by the Cafeteria. ONLY $1 each!

PUEBLO WISH LISTS

AVI8TORS

Dell 5210n/5310n Use & Return Toner Cartridge HD767

BLAZERS

Avery 8293 printing paper

HP 98 & 93 Ink

Permanent markers

Calculators (inexpensive kind)

Green pens

Green markers

Magnetic hanging plastic files

Accordion folders

3X5 index cards

Digital microscope

FALCONS

3 Analog wall clocks

Crayola markers

Dry Erase markers

Graph paper (lots & lots)

Plastic storage containers with drawers

McDonald 2009 Catalog: smart bookmarks & posters

Books on CD

Books

Expo colored markers

Clorox wipes

Tissues

Calculators

Hand soap

Paper towels

JAGUARS

Individual white boards (3 class sets)

Loose leaf writing paper

Folders

Junior Scholastic subscription

STARS

Copy paper (white)

Notebook paper (collage rule)

Dry erase markers (all colors) thick pens not skinny ones

Sharpies

Red felt tip pens

Disinfectant wipes

0.7mm lead for mechanical pencils

Packing tape

Masking tape

Scotch tape

Highlighters (all colors)

TOP DAWGS

Toner

Glue sticks/bottles

Tape/dispensers

Tag board

Construction paper

Staplers

XTREME TEAM

4 staplers

8 sets of colored pencils

30 gray folders

8 washable glue pens

Colored chalk markers

Rocking chair

Big floor pillows

8 large exercise balls

Ink for printer

Colored pencils

60 gray folders

Glue sticks

30 gray folders

Paper

Dry Erase Markers

Y-TEAM

AA & AAA batteries

3 Heavy duty 3 hole punchers

6, 512 MB or larger flash drives

Tissues

ED SELF CONTAINED CLASSROOM

Dry erase markers

5 calculators

Lined paper

Glue sticks

EXTENDED DD RESOURCE

2 bean bag chairs

Books for classroom library

Posters for room

Stools with casters on them (2)

Board games (easier level)

Electric Keyboard

ART DEPARTMENT

Rulers

Glue sticks/bottles

Colored pencils

Sketchbooks

Composition books

Notebooks

Masking tape

Aprons or large t-shirts

Any kind of paper

Funds for clay and paint

BAND & ORCHESTRA

Violin, viola, cello & bass strings (full sets)

Violin, viola, cello & bass bows

1 full size cello

Combination locks (lockers)

Timpani covers

5 snare drum stands

Suspended cymbal & stand

Wood block (instrument)

Concert chimes cover

FACS

7, 10 inch coated skillets

7, 12 inch round or square (handheld) griddles

LIBRARY

funds for books and supplies

Poly envelops $5 for 5 (specific size wanted)

Used middle school books published since 2007

Small prizes

Bookmarks

AAA and AA batteries

Wooden bookshelves (small sturdy)

Clorox wipes

Hot glue gun sticks (regular size not mini)

Canned air

5 flash dirves

5 SD memory cards

Tissues

Toner for Sharp copier AL-1631

Large bottles hand sanitizer

Small post-it notes

Good scissors

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Stopwatches

Badminton racquets

Birdies

ANY sports equipment (footballs, softball bats, gloves, etc)

SPANISH

5, 10 packs of 3X5 index cards

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

Shade for soccer field

Bench for soccer team

Shae over baseball/softball dugouts

Supplies to organize track shed:

4 "L" shape hang-alls ($4 @ Harbor Freight Tools)

2 wall mount hang-alls ($4 @ Harbor Freight Tools)

25 piece little orange marking flags ($4 @ Harbor Freight Tools)

One 4foot Werner aluminum ladder for soccer goals (Home Depot $39)

Supplies to make carts for track, baseball and softball (contact for more info)

PUE TV / COMPUTERS

GL2 Canon Digital Camcorder ($2,200-$2,800)

What a success!

The carnival was a magnificent event! We estimate that there were 1,500+ people there at one time. WOW!

A Special Thank You to:

Clint Hoback who set the atmosphere with great music all night long! It would NOT have been the same without him!

Lucidity! Live music for an entire hour was a tremendous bonus! It was exciting to watch our very own Bulldogs and Bulldog Alumni. They are an amazingly talented group! Band members are: Joey Piccirilli, Vincent Piccirilli, Conner Libera, Ryan Orr and Justin Price. You guys ROCK!

Pueblo Administration, Teachers and Staff! These people have worked so very hard behind the scenes to help work out the details of this event. From the front office fielding questions and storing donations, to the administration who helped every single step of the way, to the teachers who volunteered and talked it up in class, to Frank our maintenance guru who made all the kinks go away -

Student Council! Thanks advisors and students for the help with the cake walk and for allowing us to Pie the Student Body President, Tyler Thompson!

NJHS, National Junior Honor Society students were a huge help setting up, running stations and cleaning up the aftermath!

PTO Board! For the assistance with details and support in every way! From sorting and counting money to editing fliers and bandaging the injured.

Volunteers! Without these awesome parents and students who volunteered – we could NOT have done this night. YOU ARE THE BEST! Many of you stepped in last minute to help where needed.

Students! These kids are amazing! Who would have thought that you could get HUNDREDS of middle school students together for 4 hours and have them behave so very well?!?! We truly have great kids at Pueblo!

Carnival Committee! This group of women are unbelievable. Pueblo has NEVER had a carnival before, and being the first is NOT an easy task. You were essentially inventing the wheel! They did it beautifully and produced a spectacular event that far exceeded anyone’s expectations. Chairs: Christina Lewis and Mary Farnsley. Committee Members: Sarah Lewis, Mary Farmer and Tammy Schick

Hours upon hours of work went into this – so we would also like to the the families of the committee members. Thanks families for supporting us by supporting them!

We defiantly achieved our goal-

We brought the Community Together at Pueblo!

Hooray Bulldogs!

Carnival Costs

To help you better understand the upcoming carnival and what to expect…

Purchasing the WRISTBAND will save you lots of $$$!

Pre-Sale Pricing:

1 Wristband for $10 and 5 tickets for $1

At the event Pricing:

1 Wristband for $12 and 4 tickets for $1

CASH ONLY AREAS

• Texas Roadhouse BBQ Dinner
• Adult Meal: Pulled Pork Sandwich, Baked Beans & Coleslaw $5
• Child’s Meal: Hotdog, Baked Beans & Chips $3
• Beverages $1 each
• Glow Necklaces $2 each
• Glow Bracelet $1 each
• Glow Mouthpiece $3 each
• Glow Stick $1 each
• Cotton Candy $1 each
• Popcorn $1 each
• Battle of the Bands (to support Ms. Puetz) $1 per person, per song

CASH or TICKET AREAS

• Pie Toss $2 for 2 pies to throw at the teachers or 8 tickets for 2 throws
• Jail $1 to have someone arrested, $1 to bail someone out or 4 tickets to do either

TICKET ONLY AREAS

• Plinko 2 tickets
• Bean Bag Toss 2 tickets
• Balloon Dart Throw 2 tickets
• Ring Toss 2 tickets
• Quarter Toss 2 tickets
• Cake Walk 4 tickets

UNLIMITED WITH WRISTBAND or TICKET AREAS

The following areas will accept wristbands for unlimited use or you may ride once for the ticket amount specified.

• Giant Slide 6 tickets
• Obstacle Course 6 tickets
• Bungee Run 6 tickets
• Hamster Balls 12 tickets
• Sports Activity 6 tickets
• 4 Man Jousting 8 tickets
• Human Bowling 12 tickets
• Ladder Climb 6 tickets
• Spinning Barrel 8 tickets
• Sponge Bob Bouncer 4 tickets
• Dollhouse Bouncer 4 tickets
• Rock Wall 12 tickets

OLD SHOES = NEW PLAYGROUNDS

Dear Pueblo Community,

Everyone has old, worn out athletic shoes. Normally, people throw them away. But this year, Pueblo is participating in the Nike Reuse-a-shoe recycling drive.

All of your stinky shoes can become a material called Nike Grind, which is used to build playgrounds, basketball courts, and tracks.There are only 2 rules:

No METAL eyelets(most shoes don't have these anyway)

No CLEATS, DRESS SHOES, or SANDALS of any kind

For more info you can go to http://www.tempe.gov/recycling/Nike_ReuseAShoe_School_Collection_Drive.htm or http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/ . Pueblo would like to thank you for your commitment to recycling!

Thanks,

Paula Carman

THE RECYCLE BOX IS LOCATED JUST INSIDE THE GATE BY THE OFFICE. LOOK FOR THE DONATION BOX AT DODGEBALL AS WELL AS THE CARNIVAL!

The School with the MOST SHOES WINS A PRIZE!

Fire in the Community

A family in our community has been affected by not just one – but two devastating fires, completely destroying their home.

While this young family does not yet have children old enough to attend Pueblo, they live only 1 block south of the school on Fairview. The Carrion family has 2 young boys (4 & 8) and their mother, Michelle, is a teacher in the Phoenix School District.

Luckily the family was able to gather a few sets of clothes and remove some important personal items before the start of the second fire – which completely destroyed the home.

A group of Pueblo parents and others are pulling together resources to aid this family in crisis. They will be collecting various gift cards to help this family in their time of need.

Ideas for gift cards include:Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kohl’s, Bed Bath and Beyond, restaurants, movies

Cash donations will be used to purchase a Visa gift card for the family. If you would like to help the Carrion family; you can drop your donation off to the front office at Paloma (next to Pueblo) or mail your donation to:  Bea Cowan, 5260 W Saragosa St., Chandler, AZ, 85226

DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH

FRIDAY, NOV 6TH

BATTLE OF THE BANDS!

Pueblo

Are YOU READY

to ROCK?

Battle your friends for the

highest score during lunch

next week.

$1 gives you the opportunity

to play 1 song – if you get

‘boo’ed off – GAME OVER!

Find 3 pals and be ready to

ROCK!

Play during your lunch hour Monday, Oct 26th – Friday, Oct 30th.

This event will benefit Ms. Puetz

Wed. Oct 21 Restaurant Night!

1st EVER Fall Carnival @ Pueblo!

You Can Help!

Teacher Wish Lists

Due to budget cutbacks, teachers have needs for some very basic items. Any donations received would be greatly appreciated!

AA batteries

AAA batteries

Accordion folders

Analog clock (3 requested)

Aprons or large T-shirts

Avery 8293 paper

Big floor pillows

Bookmarks

Books on CD

Bows for violin, viola, cello, bass

Calculators

Canned air

Clorox wipes

Colored chalk markers

Colored pencils

Combination locks

Composition books

Concert chimes cover

Construction paper

Digital microscope

Electric Pencil Sharpeners (heavy duty & quiet) on many lists!

Exercise balls (8)

Expo Colored markers

Flash drives

Folders

Folders, grey in color (120 folders requested)

Full size cello (1)

Glue

Glue sticks (regular size NOT small)

Good scissors

Graph paper

Green markers

Green pens

Hand soap

Heavy duty 3 hole punch

Hot glue gun sticks

Index cards 3X5

Ink Cartridges (HP 57 & HP 56)

Individual white boards

Loose leaf paper

Magnetic hanging plastic file holders

Markers

Masking tape

Notebooks

Paper towels

Paper, any kind (art)

Permanent markers

Plastic storage containers with drawers (Wal-Mart)

Poly Envelopes

Rocking chair

Rulers

SD memory cards

Sketchbooks

Skillets 7, 10inch

Small Post-It notes

Small prizes

Snare drum stands (5)

Square griddles 7, 12inch

Staplers

Strings for violin, viola, cello, bass

Suspended cymbal

Tag board

Tape/ dispensers

Timpani covers

Tissues

Toner

Toner for Sharp copier AL-1631

Used middle school reading books

Washable glue pens

Wood block (instrument)

Wooden bookshelves

All donations can be dropped off in the front office. Please label the items “Teacher Wish List”. PTO will organize and distribute.

Thank you!

ATTN: 8th Grade Parents

Do you have an 8th Grader that will be entering the Tempe Union High School District next year?

You are invited to a

3-Evening Series For

High School & Soon-To-Be High School Parents

Sponsored by The Parent Network & the Tempe Union High School District

If you have an 8^th grader or a new high school student attending one of the

Tempe Union High School District schools, please consider attending one, two or all

three evenings to learn more about educational opportunities awaiting your student.

You will have a chance to hear from District administrators, who oversee many of these programs, and have a chance to ask questions. Our meetings are free & open to the community!

Tuesday, Oct 6, 6:30-8:30

Wednesday, Oct 28, 6:30-8:30

November 12, TBA

You should have received an email from your child’s teacher. If not, please contact them or email PTO and we will forward you the flier.

Carnival Fun!

Pueblo’s 1st Fall Carnival will be a

FAMILY EVENT

to Remember!

Friday

Nov. 6th

5:00-9:00pm*

 

CARNIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

ACTIVITIES

Rock Wall, Giant Slide, Obstacle Course with Slide, Bouncers, Hamster Balls, 4-Man Joust, Human Bowling, Ladder Climb, Spinning Barrel, Jail, Games, Auction

REAL DINNER!

Texas Roadhouse BBQ

$5 Adult Meals

BBQ Pork Sandwich, Baked Beans & Cole Slaw

$3 Kid Meals

Hot Dog, Baked Beans & Chips

ENTERTAINMENT!

Live Music & A DJ!

 

*Our goal is to bring everyone together with this event. We strongly encourage families to attend.

Come enjoy the fun! Bring your family, friends & neighbors – plan to stay & play! This is a grand opportunity to get to know other parents and families while building a stronger Pueblo Community

NEXT WEEK…

SPIRIT

WEEK

Join the fun and dress for the theme of the day!!

MONDAY 9/21

 SCI FI DAY

TUESDAY 9/22 

TWIN DAY

WEDNESDAY 9/23 

TIE DYE DAY

THURSDAY 9/24 

BLAST FROM YOUR PAST DAY

FRIDAY 9/25

Pueblo SPIRIT DAY! WEAR YOUR PUEBLO TEE for the Pep Assembly!

8^th grade is Black; 7^th grade is gray; 6^th grade is maroon

PEP

ASSEMBLY

HIGHLIGHTS

• Friday, September 25th at the end of the day
• Officer Dieu will be singing the National Anthem!
• The Mountain Pointe Salsa Dance Team will be performing!
• SPIRIT STICK CHALLENGE: Will the 8^th grade continue their reign OR will the 6^th grade make more noise!

- Coming Soon -

Stay tuned for more info on the Fall

DODGEBALLL

TOURNAMENT!!

• Friday October 30 immediately after school
• Teams may wear costumes!!
• Concessions will be available!

-All of this made possible by your Pueblo Student Council. Thank You StuCo!

Fall Carnival Letter

The following letter will be sent home via your child’s AC Lab teacher in the next couple of days:

Pueblo Parents:

We are excited to announce that Pueblo will be celebrating together on Friday, November 6^th for our very first Fall Carnival! Thanks to the hard work of our PTO Fall Festival Committee we have several fantastic family events planned for that evening.

It is our goal to bring families together and build Pueblo as a community. We hope that by gearing this carnival toward not only students but parents, siblings and friends we will become one big “Pueblo Family”.

Come enjoy a REAL BBQ dinner, put your kid (or his teacher) in jail for only $1, challenge your child to a rock wall climb-off – you will be blown-away by how much fun we have in store for you!

The purpose of this email is two-fold. We would first and foremost like for each of you to mark Friday, November 6^th from 5:00-9:00pm on your calendars as “Pueblo Family Carnival”! Secondly, we are looking for help to make this event as memorable as possible.

We have a few items on our ‘wish list’. If you have access to any of the below items and are willing to donate your time/talents to Pueblo, please contact Christina Lewis our committee chairperson (623-680-2327) christinaL13@hotmail.com . You can also contact PTO directly Pueblo-PTO@cox.net .

• Lighting – large outdoor lights and generators. These are incredibly expensive to rent, if you have some we can borrow or know someone who may give us a great deal – contact us ASAP.
• DJ – the night would not be complete without music! Even if you are not a professional but have the equipment we want you! Have a cousin/neighbor/friend willing to donate time or work inexpensively? – send us their info!
• Volunteers – willing to work a booth for a shift or two? We will need LOTS of manpower that evening. Jobs will be easy – this is a fun way to get to know other parents!
• Donations – beverages, cakes, etc. If you are willing to donate items, let us know. We will contact you when the event gets a little closer and let you know what the needs are.

Pretzel Donations Needed

We need pretzel donations for the upcoming Courage Retreats. If you can donate individual prepackaged pretzels by Monday it would be greatly appreciated!

Busy weekend? We will also take monetary donations – make checks payable to Pueblo PTO and write “Courage Retreats” in the memo line and we will shop for you.

All donations should be turned in to Pueblo’s office by Monday, 9/14. Please label donations “Courage Retreats”.

THANK YOU PARENTS!

 

What is a Courage Retreat?

“The kids will be learning to have the Courage to stand up for each other, themselves and stand up for what is right. It is about making our school a place where our students and staff feel safe and treat each other with respect.

We are asking the students' caregivers for a voluntary contribution of $8.00. It is an expensive undertaking which is why we have narrowed it down to 2 days for grades 6 and 7 instead of the recommended 3 days. The event will take place in our gym on September 16 and 17. The Wednesday retreat will run from 8:15-1:45 and Thursday will be from 9:45-3:15. Students will have lunch at their normal time, and we are asking them to bring in a sack lunch or purchase one from our cafeteria. (students on free or reduced lunch can still purchase at their normal fee).

We truly believe these are worthwhile events for our community and plan to continue these Retreats in the following years.”

-Julie Jaskolski, Pueblo School Counselor

Retreats presented by Youth Frontier Organization

The President’s Message

An Informed Parent is an Involved Parent!

View the speech that our children saw today here. Use this as an opportunity to have a discussion with your kids.

Charles Kettering said, “High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation”.

Fun this Friday!

Pueblo’s Student Council Presents:

6th Grade Social

7th & 8th Grade Dance

Friday, September 11th

6th Grade Social: 3:30-4:30

7th & 8th Grade Dance: 5:00-6:30

THEME: Red White & Blue

$2 gets you in the door. StuCo will be selling concessions (soda, chips, candy) for $1 each. Glo-sticks are $1 each and Red/White/Blue Beads are 3 for $1

What parents want to know:  At the social there is music and lots of soda and candy consumed. The 6th graders participate in line dances (Macarena, YMCA, Cha Cha slide, etc), and generally jump around and have fun.

The 7th & 8th graders jump around and scream a little less, but basically it’s the same.

There is plenty of adult supervision at both events and Student Council students do all the work. Parents are certainly welcome to attend and watch. (although not many parents do)

6th graders go to their social directly from school. Pick them up outside of the west gymnasium entrance. The kids leave the event when it is over and wait for you outside the gym doors. 7th and 8th graders are dropped off and picked up in the same area.

Children do not need to be signed in or out.

NYPD Pizza Flier

Print this flier and bring it with you to NYPD on Wednesday, September 16!

Help @ Pueblo!

WANTED:
Volunteers to help in Pueblo's Workroom
making copies, cutting things out, grading papers, etc
Commitment would be one day a month for 1-2 hours
On Tuesday or Friday, time of day is flexible

INTERESTED?
Send us an email PuebloPTO@hotmail.com

It’s A Date!

Reserve dinner on the 3rd Wednesday of every month for

Dinning with

Pueblo Night

These local restaurants give back to Pueblo on the designated dates. Mark your calendars now!

9/16 - NYPD Pizza (Ray & 56th St) - reserved
10/21 - Rubios (Ray & Rural) - reserved
11/18 - Jason's Deli (Ray & 56th St)
12/16 - Papa Johns
1/20 - Boston Market (Ray & 48th St)
2/17 - Sweet Tomatoes (Ray & 48th St)
3/10* - Someburros (Chandler Mall) *2nd Wednesday!!!
4/21 - Sandellas (Chandler and Kyrene)
5/19 - Papa Johns

More information to come

$1,000

Can you believe it? We earned over $1,000 at Polar Ice last night! Thanks Pueblo!

That money will be used to help fulfill Pueblo’s Teachers Wish Lists. We will begin making decisions about where money should go at the next PTO meeting.

Thursday, September 10th 6:30-7:30 in the Library

Officer Dieu will also be at that meeting for a Q&A session. You won’t want to miss it!

Polar Ice Skating Party TONIGHT!

Pueblo’s 1st

All School Ice Skate!

7:00pm - 9:00pm $10 admission allows you ice time and skate rental!

There is no charge for those individuals who will not be skating.

Polar Ice Website

Special Offer from the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

This offer is available to all members of the Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School PTO.

---

"Know the Code"... and Save Big! Your Code is: G51
The JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa would like to give a little something back to the associates and members of an exclusive list of organizations in the valley by providing a special guest room rate starting at $89 for the remainder of 2009. This special offer is only available over select dates, and only those within your organization who "know the code" will be able to experience Arizona's finest resort at an incredible value!

This was an offer extended to me via email – I thought I would pass it along. PTO is not organizing, coordinating or receiving any benefits from this offer – strictly a discount available to us from Marriott.

PTO on Twitter

Follow Pueblo PTO on Twitter for quick instant updates!

 Click here for Twitter

Parent Workshops: “No Parent Left Behind” University

KEEPING IN TOUCH is the Tempe Union High School District’s No Parent Left Behind (NPLB) University mission statement.

Our vision is to provide parents, grandparents, and/or guardians with the opportunity to network, share experiences, lend support, and learn useful parenting strategies in a non-judgmental environment. 

Participation...

• Is free!
• Is available to everyone inside and outside of the Tempe Union High School District. Your student is especially encouraged to attend with you unless otherwise specified.

Details…

• Times and locations of workshops may vary.
• Refreshments will be provided.
• Call the Parent Community Services Office at (480) 838-3200 extension 40074 for more details and to pre-register.

 

Click here for additional information.

Polar Ice Skating Party! THIS FRIDAY

POLAR ICE,

Ice Baby!

Pueblo’s 1^st All School Ice Skate!

Friday, August 28^th

7:00pm* - 9:00pm

*doors open at 6:45

$10 includes skate rental

Purchase your ticket early for a FREE Cotton Candy or Popcorn at the rink…a $1 value! Tickets are available everyday during student lunches.

Polar Ice is located Between Chandler Blvd & Ray Road

on the west side of 56^th Street.

Take 56^th to Harrison go West – you can’t miss it!

Polar Ice website

Families are

encouraged to

attend!

PTO will be selling $1

POPCORN & COTTON CANDY

Other Polar Ice concessions will be available

Thank you for supporting Pueblo through the PTO!

4 Easy Ways to Earn $ For Pueblo

1. Use eScrip to link to your Safeway Club Card or when you shop online

Click for more information about eScrip

2. Link your Bashas, Fry’s and Target cards to Pueblo.

3. Cut off those BOX TOPS! Turn them into the office.

4. Pull off those Campbell Soup Labels and drop them off in the office.

Some teachers give incentives for both Box Tops and Campbell's Labels

Teachers WIN @ Sonic

Limeades for Learning

Sonic is partnering with DonorsChoose.org to support public school teachers across the country. With your help, they can fund classroom projects and help teachers inspire their student to learn.
Your part is simple. Just order any drink at Sonic during September, and you'll be able to go online and vote for your favorite teacher's project. sonic will donate more than a half a million dollars to the projects that receive the most votes.
VOTE TODAY! - Click on the link above for more info.

Eagle Scout Projects

Eagle Scout Projects ideas to benefit Kyrene del Pueblo

· Touch up the paint design on the outside east walls (by the front office) that was previously done by another eagle scout

· Repair and freshen up area near 7^th grade pod (needs plants and trees, painting and removal of some pavers)

· Pavers installed from track shed to the track (so they can move hurdle carts and high jump equipment out)

· Planting of plants in planters in the grade level pods

· Xeriscaping of rock area just to the right of the front office doors

· Painting of classrooms

Contact Tammy Schick, PTO President for information

PUEBLO PTO GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

August 13, 2009

6:30 p.m.

Tammy Schick called the meeting to order. She introduced herself as Pueblo’s new PTO President and welcomed all attendees. Tammy explained that PTO membership is $10, and everyone will receive a Pueblo calendar magnet. Only PTO members will be allowed to vote on any future matters.

Financial Report: Kathy Connor explained the sweep account. Net income to-date is $142.00. The checking account balance as of August 11, 2009 is $2,069.08. The savings account balance as of August 11, 2009 is $7,442.18. Recent checking deposits were $490.00 for PTO membership drive (as of August 7, 2009). Withdrawals were: $348.00 for calendar magnets (Tammy Schick).

Minutes: Lynda Anderson presented the May 4, 2009 meeting minutes. Kathy Connor motioned to approve the minutes. Lynda Anderson seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Tammy introduced the new board members Tracy Oliver (secretary) and Robin Deschapelles (Banking Treasurer), as well as returning board members Kathy Connor (Accounting Treasurer) and Lynda Anderson (Vice President).

Committee Reports: Paula Carmen’s Hospitality Committee hosted a teachers’ breakfast and lunch the first week faculty were back at school. The committee did a fabulous job, which was greatly appreciated by the teachers.

Unfinished Business:

• Dr. Seiger’s Bench – Last year’s PTO board approved a $600 purchase for new school bench in honor of the Dr. Seiger’s retirement. Due to budget cuts, Dr. Seiger recently proposed the monies be used instead for other school needs. During open discussion, it was mentioned that this money was raised by last year’s PTO and students, so we need to respect their decision. Melanie Zimmer volunteered to follow-up with the bench vendor to see if they would lower their price.
• Laminator machine – Pueblo school does not own its own laminator. A new machine is estimated to cost $1,700. After further research, it was agreed to suspend this purchase and utilize district equipment.

New Business:

• Funding Requests:
• Teachers’ Green Competition – There will be an ongoing Green competition amongst teachers encouraging them to reduce, reuse and recycle. A monthly gift card drawing will be awarded to participating teachers. PTO has been asked to fund these gift cards. Joyce Thompson motioned to approve PTO funding of $5 or $10 for monthly gift cards, not to exceed $100 annually, for use in Teachers’ Green Competition. Sarah Lewis seconded the motion. All were in favor.
• Courage Retreats – Jama Nacke discussed this new program for 6^th and 7^th graders. Each team will go through one-day of training. 6^th grader program is scheduled for September; 7^th graders in October. (Note: 8^th graders will have a different program.) PTO has been asked to provide snacks for each day. Sarah Lewis has volunteered to research getting snacks donated from Sam’s Club, Costco, etc. for this purpose.
• School Marquee Lettering – The school marquee will be replaced. Jama reported the quote for replacing the lettering and facing is $1,092.33. Melanie Zimmer suggested PTO considers applying for a facility grant to underwrite this (similar to ones available to homeowner’s associations). Tammy suggested forming a Grant’s Committee to research money sources for improvement projects such as this. Tammy will send out an email to entire PTO list asking for a Grant’s Committee volunteer. Jama needs to be kept in the loop, as we may need to inform District office before applying for anything.

Upcoming Events:

• Polar Ice – This event will be held on Friday, August 28^th, 2009. The PTO has taken the lead on organizing. The PTO will charge $10.00/per skater -- $4.50/per skater will come back to the PTO (Polar Ice receives the remaining $5.50/per skater). Polar Ice is reserving one private ice rink just for Pueblo attendees. The facility has popcorn and cotton candy machines for our use. We supply the manpower and will share in the revenue. It was agreed to sell for $1.00, so PTO would earn 50 cents off of every popcorn or cotton candy sold. Polar Ice will also have its regular concessions selling drinks and other food items (no revenue sharing on these items). We are encouraging families to attend this event (not just the students). For family members attending but not skating, there will be no entrance fee. The PTO will do a ticket presale during student lunches over the next two weeks. A sign-up sheet was circulated for manning pre-sale table in lunch room as well as selling cotton candy/popcorn at the event.
• Picture Day – This event will be held on September 3, 2009. In the past, profits were split with the district. This year, if PTO runs the event, all profits go to the PTO. It was agreed 3-5 volunteers were needed to handle this.
• Fall Festival – Tammy explained this is a new event with the goal of gathering Pueblo families together. Possible activities at this event: The district office has grills we can use for cooking hot dogs, etc. The Pueblo band and choir could perform. Inflatable bouncies and dunk tanks. We currently have no volunteers to step-up and plan this event

Service Opportunities:

• School Marquee - We need volunteers to handle updating the school marquee. In the past, Student Council handled this, but now need PTO volunteers to do this once or twice a month. The new marquee will be higher off the ground, so easier to update. Mary Farmer and Debbie Foster have agreed to serve this need.
• Adopt-a-Classroom: Jama said there are many classrooms that need repainting. The paint is available, but manpower is needed. This work can be done whenever in coordination with the teachers. Jama will send out an email asking teachers to respond if they do want their rooms repainted. It was mentioned that there are various sources for manpower (e.g., Intel volunteers, Make-A-Difference, EVBSC, NJS, etc.). Tammy requested people to email her with this information, so she may contact these organizations.
• Eagle Scout Project Ideas: Tammy referenced a hand-out available at sign-in table. The hand-out lists potential Eagle Scout projects being considered that would benefit Pueblo.
• Portable A-Frame Signs: Tammy would like to post signs outside notifying parents about PTO meeting, Curriculum night, etc. Jama said these boards exist, and may just need a fresh coat of paint.

SONIC Community Service: Arlette Jones mentioned an upcoming SONIC “Limeades for Learning” community service campaign benefitting public school teachers. The campaign kicks-off August 31^st and ends October 1^st, 2009. Teachers need to register their projects in advance at www.limeadesforlearning.com. During Sept., SONIC customers who purchase a beverage will receive a code they can use to vote online for their favorite teacher’s project. The projects with the most votes will receive funding. Tammy will email information about this drive to our PTO list.

Magnet Fund-raiser: Kathy Alto asked the PTO to consider a fund-raiser to sell informational-type magnets. Tammy showed examples of the magnets. They cover topics such as CPR and Swine Flu (cost $4.95/each), as well as a blank menu-board (cost $5.95). Quantity is 300. Given the current economic times, this proposal did not gain support at this time.

Principal’s Report – Jama Nacke:

• The first week of school has gone well – traffic has been good, classes running well, etc.
• The cell phone tower has been installed; however, it will not be turned on until December, 2009. It will be lighted with a flag atop it once completed.
• District – all RIFd teachers have been called back and rehired. Changes in class sizes have not affected Pueblo, other than in the Exploratories. Exploratories will now have regular size attendance (vs. before, they were lower than regular classes with only 12-15 students in each).
• Jama held a team leaders meeting today. Each team will have a community liaison who has been encouraged to attend the monthly PTO meetings.
• Budget – For now, the school has all its critical needs met. The teachers and office administration have been asked to be as frugal as possible with supplies.
• Jama wants families to be more involved in the Pueblo community. She’ll be encouraging parents to get involved in the classrooms, etc.
• Library – Jama will follow-up with the school librarian about needs for book donations or drives. There is a goal to have a summer reading program (by grade level) in place for summer 2010.
• Partnering with Paloma Elementary – Paloma’s new principal (Janet Tobias) and Jama have discussed ways the students at both schools may be involved with each other. Possible programs: sending Pueblo students over for reading groups, sending Paloma students over for lunch, etc.
• Tami McClean is a new front office staff person. Tami has transitioned very smoothly into her role.

Open Questions/Discussions:

• Parent Portal – Around September 1^st, a notice will be sent out by the District informing parents about the Parent Portal. This is a new application and all teachers will post all middle school students’ grades online. It was suggested the portal be expanded to include a discipline section, so parents would see if their child had been sent to ISI.
• Sandy Millan, the FACS Teacher, has sent home a request notifying students she is in-need of gift cards to supermarkets to buy cooking supplies.
• Grocery Store Receipts – Tammy clarified all money raised from grocery store bar code receipts (e.g., Fry’s, Safeway, Fresh & Easy, etc.) goes directly back into our school. The PTO is compiling a teacher’s wish list for things they need, which may be purchased for them.
• Parent-Conference Post-cards – It was mentioned that the parent-conference post-cards informing parents a conference is not needed (due to child’s strong performance) could be regarded negatively by some parents. It was suggested the wording change or these type of cards not be sent as they discourage meeting.

The PTO general meeting adjourned at 7:45pm.

Next PTO meeting date: Thursday, September 10th, 2009 at 6:30p.m. in the school library. Officer Dieu will be a special guest presenter at the September meeting.

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