PTO Meeting, September 13th, 2024 in the HMS Library at 9AM

Attendees

Allyson Small Kristi Cobb Amy Martin Susan Harris

Julie Pfund Beth Dean Christine Johnson Crystal Michalak

Heather McMann Charlene Vollmerig Katherine Ehrhardt Randy Stolle

Mrs. Ramirez Amanda Abele Dana Finch Danielle Freeman

Preston Angle Kate Angle

Welcome - The meeting was called to order by Allyson Small at 9:02 AM. There was a motion to approve last month's PTO minutes made by Kristi Cobb and seconded by Amy Martin. All were in favor, and the motion carried.

President’s Report - Allyson discussed her thoughts and ideas to reward those who participate in the Invest in HMS program. She wants to beat the total raised last year which was $9551.42. She has the frozen custard party planned for September 27th during lunch and study hall. Mr. Stolle has agreed to an inflatable race on October 4th, and there would be other teachers and staff that would agree to race in an inflatable costume. The inflatable race would only take place if we reach our goal of $10,000 in Invest in HMS.

Treasurer’s Report - Kristi Cobb discussed the financial statement from August 2024. We have an amount in the budget for PBIS financial support and nurse needs. Kristi and Allyson will be sure that the amount is agreeable with Dr. Finch and Nurse Megan. Amy Martin motioned to approve the budget, and Christine Johnson seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion carried. 

Principle/Administrator’s Report - Dr. Finch is proud to report that our middle school was in the top TCAP scores along with the other schools in our county in every category! The open house went well. The time of day was the only issue. Next year, it will start later in the evening to help working parents. She still wants to offer Skyward tutorials to help parents, and this may be worked into Hornet Camp in the summer. The first quarter is coming to an event. The tardy party will happen to reward students who have not been tardy this quarter. The PTO will cover the study hall for teachers as a reward. We have not found out if HMS is a reward school yet. If we are a reward school, Dr. Finch wants to reward the students. She thinks they would enjoy lunch outside one day. The teachers would love another reward school t-shirt. Dr. Finch may ask for PTO funds to purchase the shirts.

Committee Reports  

• VP of Events - The first dance of the year was successful. There were 393 tickets sold and only a couple of tickets were sold at the door. The 8th grade formal date has to change to May 10th due to a conflict with the DJ’s schedule. We will try not to serve skittles and starburst at the next dance because of the time and work to remove them from the gym floor.
• Membership - Crystal has 181 total signed up for PTO memberships. 131 families and 50 faculty. Magnets are going to families that signed up for Invest. We will consider changing the form for Invest to make it more likely for families to put their homeroom teacher on the signup. Sometimes, the homeroom teacher is unknown if registering before the school year, but it would make it easier to distribute the magnets.
• Hospitality - Beth Dean fed the teachers before the open house on September 3rd. Everything went well. Beth Dean has planned October’s teacher appreciation as a trail mix bar on October 17th, and the parents are donating items. There will be a signup soon. 

• Corporate Sponsors - Amy Martin brought in $19,800 in sponsorships. Tri-Star has been added as a last minute sponsor. We should be just over $21,000 for this school year! Danielle and Amy have sent thank you notes to all sponsors. The banners have been hung up with all businesses who made this possible.

• Communications - Julie Pfund continues to keep up with all school communications in the weekly newsletter and throughout social media posts. 

• Front Office/Badges - Charlena has 3 dates for badge making, and they are all on Friday’s. The next badge making is November 8th from 10-11. Volunteer badges can be made at any school if Friday doesn’t work with your schedule.

• Copy Room - There is a signup genius with dates to volunteer in the copy room.

• Spiritwear/School Supplies - Julissa is not here, but gave a report to Allyson. There is a spirit wear order coming in today. The next spirit wear delivery will be before Fall Break. Allyson has started the contract for school supplies for the next school year. The teachers will start making their supply list around November, and the final list will be submitted in February.

• Beautification - Katherine if developing a pollinator garden in the courtyard. She is hoping to do something with murals and Mr. Stolle.

• HMS Athletics - Julie Holt sent a text to Allyson with her athletics report. She had nothing much to report from athletics, but mentions that there was one problem with volleyball concessions where volunteers didn’t show up to work concessions because of illness. The Wednesday late bus concession signup does not always have two volunteers. If there are not 2 people, it will be canceled. There is a signup genius on the PTO Facebook page.

• Concessions - Concession sales have been going well. The popular new item is Uncrustables! Pretzels are in the freezer, but when it is time for concession sales, the pretzels are hard to separate. They often get wasted because they are breaking when trying to separate. Amanda says all of the items are profitable. Kristi Cobb mentions that credit card fees are eating into the concession profit. Overall, we need to reevaluate prices in the future.

• Lost and Found - Nothing to report. 

New Business

Randy Stolle was talking with Mrs. Nichols about the student council. She said they previously budgeted for shirts for the student council members, but now they would rather use their budget for the school and the events they host. Mr. Stolle is asking if the PTO would consider helping the student council and purchase shirts for approximately 29 students.

Preston Angle has spoken with Mrs. Newman and Mr. Meza to try to link the fine arts world with the school and PTO. He has also reached out to other schools with fine arts committees. He feels that there needs to be more parent involvement. He is communicating with the teachers and staff, and he wants to keep the PTO informed.

Upcoming Dates

October 7th-11th - Fall Break

October 17th - Teacher Appreciation Trail Mix Bar

October 18th - Next PTO meeting

Meeting adjourned at 11:02. Kristi Cobb motioned to adjourn, and Amy Martin seconded the motion.