PTO General Membership Meeting And Welcome-Back Breakfast
Minutes, Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Call to order: 9:17 am
Approval of minutes – Jan. 23, 2009 – So moved by Amanda Juracka,
second by Lisa Whittaker, minutes are approved.
President’s Remarks
PTO President Laura Steber made the following remarks:
• Introduced the PTO Executive Board
• Noted the support provided to Ashton teachers by the PTO
through start-up funds of $100 each teacher, very successful and
appreciated by the teachers
• Update of the Adopt-A-Class Program by Chair Jeanette
Apap Bologna
*note—there are still a few classes to be adopted, another push
for class ‘adoptions’ will be at the PIN night
• Mini-Grant Program is underway. Mini-Grants for $150
each (10 available) will be given to Ashton teachers. All
teachers submitting complete, approved applications will then be
eligible for grants. Grants will be given on a ‘names pulled at
random’ basis.
• Spirit shirt sales are underway. Pink shirts may also be
available eventually.
• Past project successes were noted to include: the
sunshade over the Kindergarten play area, Newsroom improvements,
enhancing Science and a look forward to the current fundraising
focus: the Fitness Trail. Coach is researching this with a
committee and will report back.
• Sunday, September 20 will be Ashton Family Day at The
Rays game in Tampa. The game starts at 1:30 pm. September 10th
is the cut-off date for all preordered tickets.
• There will be an Ashton Family Skate Night at Stardust
Skate Center in November, date tba.
Mr. Muth’s Remarks
Principal Mr. William Muth made the following remarks:
• Welcome – it appears that we have well over 100 people in
attendance.
• Thank you for offering to get involved and make an
important difference in Ashton Elementary School.
• Enrollment is up (almost the same as last year). Ashton
became a ‘choice’ school for the first time in many years. We
have received many new families. Ashton was the First Choice
among elementary schools in Sarasota County Choice Program. We
are adding 2 new teachers: one at Kindergarten level, one at 4th
grade level.
• Many wonderful events coming up: Fall Carnival in
October, Star Sprint, Night Of 1,000 Stars among others.
• Ashton continues to maintain a high level of academics,
tests well as compared to state and national standards. Test
scores in writing were high. We are working toward and hoping
for additional gains in Science. Reading and Math continue to be
a solid area of achievement at Ashton. Students are well-
prepared for the FCAT tests.
• Many of Ashton’s teachers are writing grants to further
enrich the education of our students.
• Ashton offers a warm, caring and challenging environment.
• Parent Information Nights are as follows:
**Kindergarten – Gr. 2 – Tues., Sept. 15, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
**Grades 3 – 5 – Tues., Sept. 22, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Additional Reports/Remarks
• Janice Dobbert/Ann Lyman reported that the Media Center
is in need of volunteers.
• PALS – Volunteers must register yearly with Donna at the
front office or at any computer in the Media Center to become
eligible volunteer in the Sarasota County School System.
• Volunteer hours are one of the components of the 5 Star
School Award.
• ANOTHER PAL Program is an intensive reading program that
also needs eligible volunteers to work with Third Grade students
2 times per week on a mentor-type basis while working on
reading. Please register/reregister to be an active volunteer.
• Reading Counts – The program has changed this year.
There are now 33,000 titles in the system and all testing must
occur in each student’s classroom. Time will be provided
throughout the day to take tests.
• Ginny Wyatt discussed the new Parking Lot Safety Program
that she has written/helped launch at Ashton School. The 5
component program is being taught to all students and parents.
In addition, it was noted that no parking is allowed in front of
the school along Ashton Road.
• Trash For Cash – reported by Ann Whitesides. Please sign
up for Target’s school support program, continue to save and turn
in Boxtops For Education, turn in the “Boxtops For Education
Bonus Sweepstakes” tags as well. Our school usually benefits
from these programs financially, usually +/-$3,000, but the
school is eligible to receive up to $20,000. Continue to watch
for and read thoroughly your Ashton Star for more details about
these programs.
• Gail Farb/Ruth Buchman reported much success with the
Business Partners program. Additional partners are being
sought. There are many benefits for participation in this
program. Please see Gail Farb/Ruth Buchman for additional
information, or get information at the front office.
• Gina Rogers reported that plans for the Fall Book Fair
are underway. Volunteers are always needed for this fun and
valuable event.
• Sasha Cavanaugh reported that the Fall Carnival is being
planned. Again, many volunteers and donations are needed to have
another great success of this event.
• Enjoy The City Coupon Book Fundraiser information was
reported by Tricia Flack/Jennifer Sabuda. This is a new
fundraiser for Ashton School and will be underway shortly.
• Night Of 1,000 Stars information was reported by Anne
Stelmashenko.
• Star Sprint information was reported by Shannon Ivey.
• Several door prizes were given out.
Change of Bylaws
• Change of existing bylaws, Article VI, Section 1C –
Currently states that “the Volunteer Coordinator and the Business
Partner Coordinator shall have one combined vote on the Board” to
be changed as follows: The above statement will be dropped from
the bylaws, thereby leaving the bylaws to read: Each elected
member of the board shall be allowed one vote.
• Change of existing bylaws, Article VI, Section 2A –
Currently states that “General Membership Meetings will be held
once per marking period, or 4 per school year” to be changed as
follows: A minimum of 2 General Membership Meetings will be held
per school year.
Changes to the bylaws as written above were moved by Anne
Stelmashenko, seconded by Shannon Ivey. The motion passes by
vote of the general membership.
Treasurer’s Report
• As reported by Gina Rogers and Ann Dungan
• Highlights include Agenda books purchased for a total of
$3,100, Teacher Start-Up Funds given out for a total of $5,800
• Please refer to entire Treasurer’s Report for additional
details
Meeting adjourned 10:20 am
