PTA Meeting Notes for September 2023 Meeting

Written By Jared Johnson

Appleton PTA Meeting

September 21, 2023

Members Present: 24

Introductions

Principal Update: Corey Hafey

  • Really Big THANK YOU for helping out at the carnival!

    • This is such a great event!

    • Gives the school year a great vibe!

    • Quick/Random Survey – about 23 out of 25 kids attended the carnival this year

    • SO many volunteers – adults, past Appleton kids, Middle & school students, etc.

Financial Report: Brooke Bray/Jared Johnson

  • Carnival: $19, 461 --> More than we budgeted, but a bit less than last year.

  • Business Partnerships – More have been coming in.

  • All in all, things are looking good!

  • NO other update at this time.

Restaurant Nights: Krisi

  • Wed, Sept. 27th – Chipotle 4 – 8 p.m.

  • Red Robin – Don't have a final money count yet

  • K. Woodmansee - “I can give flyers out to restaurants!”

    • She will meet with Krisi to share ideas

Ornament Night Update: April

  • No update at this time!

Carnival Recap: Jared Johnson

  • Thank you to those stepping up to help

  • It takes so many people! Some people have little jobs, others have BIG jobs! It takes all of us to pull it off and do it so well.

  • Conversation on what went well & what we can improve

    • The Silent Auction had a better feel – more open & easier to move around

    • Silent Auction and Karaoke won’t be in the same room next year

      • Maybe move Karaoke to the cafeteria

  • Face Painting – They need water up there --> Coolers full of water, buckets, etc.

  • Two places for face painting?? One in each building?

  • Open up the front doors so that parents leaving the Cake Walk can go straight into the Silent Auction

  • First Year Mom -- “I LOVED It!”  Hard to find a place to sit when you get your dinner.

    • The cafeteria is open, but we didn’t advertise that well.

  • Photo Booth – Not a great idea to have it in the computer lab. It was busy and there were people with foods and drinks in there. Idea – Photo booth in the basement?

In the cafeteria? – Dinner and a show! 😊

  • Silent Auction – Idea to have the QR Code and the “End-of-Auction" directions on a little paper and give it to people as they sign in.

    • Better signage for “Cash,” “Credit Cards,” etc. for paying.

  • The food and music atmosphere were wonderful!

  • Hillbilly Grill was great!

  • Barbie Dunk Tank – Hugely Popular

    • Next Year – Different toys to “dunk”

  • Carnival is so fast at the beginning of the school year. Is there a reason?

    • Used to be in October, but weather becomes an issue.

    • We moved it earlier to not compete with Spell-A-Thon

    • Creates a Back-to-School Buzz!!

  • Get the dates out to parents earlier (May) so they can plan ahead.

Next Year Prep/Schedule for Carnival:

  • We want someone to be the over-seer of the carnival PLUS 3-4 other people to help be in charge of different areas. Make things a bit simpler for everyone.

  • April & May of this school year – We need to plan the carnival for next year!

Spell-A-Thon: Hillary Soria

  • Dates:

    • Spell-A-Thon Packets sent home in Tuesday Folders - October 17th

    • Testing Window - Nov. 6-10th

    • Graded tests home Nov. 14th in Tuesday Folders

    • All collected money is due – Friday, December 1st

  • QR Code for people to pay for the Spell-A-Thon – Jared & Hillary will work on this

  • We need some simple instructions for how to actually complete their donation for Spell-A-Thon online

  • Spell-A-Thon is, by far, our biggest fundraiser! It helps the students and the school tremendously!

  • Volunteers will be needed in December to count money

  • All the money stays at Appleton!

  • It’s educational, so the kids are learning too!

Other thoughts, ideas, etc.:

  • Corey – Our Artist in Residence, Stephanie Sherman, will be leaving Appleton. She needs to make changes.

    • Dale Brown, a parent who has helped with Art Heritage, said that she will take over in November. She has Fridays and some Wednesdays to fit in all Appleton classes, so teachers will need to make a change in schedule.

  • She has some really cool ideas

  • She is working closely with Stephanie for a smooth transition

  • Corey - About 14 years ago, Appleton closed the Appleton Extended Care Program. It was a school-run business that closed.

  • There was some money left in an account.

  • It eventually went to the state.

  • With a lot of work by Brooke Bray, Joy & John Zeller, they got the money!

  • It’s $37,000!  This is not PTA money, it’s Appleton money.

  • Now – what do we do with it?

  • Possibly - Join it with PTA to work on new playground equipment, get shade cloths for outside, etc.

  • We still need 4 more Aquas boards

  • The Appleton Leadership team will meet to generate some ideas.

  • We have had some amazing upgrades thanks to our PTA. We may want to partner with PTA to continue to make Appleton an amazing school.

  • Sheila – Redoing the area outside of the main/front entrance. Dressing up our curb appeal.

  • Stacey - “I’m all about the playground!”

    • New blinds for the south building

    • Big rugs for classrooms

  • Mom - “shading” what does that mean?

    • Shade Sails that can be placed around the school

    • They are expensive!

  • The Leadership Team will be meeting. They may have a proposition for PTA

Other Questions:

  • Christina – Are playground balls being replaced?

    • Corey – Yes, there will be more added this year!

    • They are a constant consumable!

  • Appleton Tee Shirts???  – October 3rd the letter and order forms will be sent out. Jackie Keogh is in charge of this program.

    • We try to make sure that kids that can’t afford a shirt, still get one. So, we will order extras for these kids.

Next Meeting: October 26th 4:10 p.m.

  

Jared Johnson https://blubeemedia.com
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