William Hatch Elementary School PTO
William Hatch Elementary School PTO
Minutes not available for this date.
Co-President Sheila Essig called the meeting to
order.
The minutes from the September 9, 2003
meeting were approved.
Roberta White Hunter of Oak Park River Forest Youth
Services invited members of the PTO to attend an open
house to be held by the Youth Services organization to
showcase their programs for children. The open house is
scheduled for October 29, 2003 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00
p.m. The organization intends to invite all District 97
PTOs, River Forest PTOs, and the high school PTO to
educate the PTOs on the programs provided.
Hatch physical education teacher Sandra Noel discussed
the breakfast program in which she teaches 5th graders
the value of a nutritious breakfast and then prepares one
for the 5th graders. She requested $4.00 in funding per
each of the 5th graders (currently numbered at 52) to put
on the breakfast again this year. A motion to provide
this requested funding was made and approved. Whole Foods
will donate smoothies for the meal as well.
PTO co-vice president Eric Forte presented proposed PTO
by-laws. A draft had been presented at the September PTO
meeting. Forte discussed some amendments to the draft. A
motion was then made to approve the draft with the
proposed amendments presented by Forte. The motion was
approved. The by-laws will be
posted on the Hatch website (as amended; doc
format - 39K).
PTO treasurer Dave Hennings presented a draft budget for
the 2003-04 school year. A draft had been presented at
the September PTO meeting. Discussion was had and, with
one line item change, the final budget was
approved.
Hennings also presented a report on Blues Fest, which
earned approximately $240.00. Discussion was held about
an October date for Blues Fest 2004, which will be the
10th Anniversary of Blues Fest. Further discussion was
also held on the Scholastic Book Fair. Instead of taking
the proceeds in cash, the PTO opted to take the proceeds
in the form of books for the Hatch library. Through this
means, the sale raised approximately $2700.00 worth of
books.
Co-President Kim Robinson presented the
Principal’s Report in lieu of Principal Carter, who
missed the meeting due to illness. Principal Carter
intends to present a report on the impact of the No Child
Left Behind Act on Hatch at the PTO Meeting set for
November 4, 2003.
The PTO is still looking for committee chairs for the
Spring Fundraiser, Fun Fair (one co-chair needed to share
responsibilities with a co-chair who is continuing from
last year), and a fourth grade parent to chair the Fifth
Grade Celebration.
Next PTO meeting set for November 4, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.
in the library.
Co-President Kim Robinson called the meeting to
order.
The minutes from the October 7, 2003
meeting were presented.
Hatch Physical Education teacher Sandra Noel reported
that the breakfast for fifth graders, who have been
learning about nutrition, will be on Thursday November 6,
2003.
Hatch Co-Vice President Eric Forte presented his
proposal that the PTO organize an event for Hatch parents
who operate their own business so that these parents
could get to know one another. Parents would be able to
present information about the goods or services that they
provide. The purpose of the event would be to help
parents promote their businesses. A directory of
interested parents would also be compiled. Discussion was
held about holding such an event sometime during the
first week of December. Notices about the event will be
sent home with students.
Kim Robinson presented the PTO President’s Report.
The PTO still needs one or two people to chair the Spring
Fundraiser; another chair for the Fun Fair; and a fourth
grade parent to chair the Fifth Grade Celebration.
In addition to the unfilled event chairperson positions,
the PTO is also looking for one or more individuals who
could serve as photographers at school events. The school
owns two digital cameras that could be used by
photographers. Pictures could then be used in the
yearbook as well as posted on the Hatch website.
The PTO also intends to start communicating with the
Hatch community via e-mail. Reminders of school events
will be e-mailed to parents who provided an e-mail
address to the school at the beginning of the year. Any
parent who wishes to will be able to unsubscribe from the
e-mail list. Larry McIntyre will maintain the list.
David Hennings, Hatch PTO Treasurer, reported on the
fall fundraisers and the budget. While wrapping paper
sales exceeded last years gross by $2000.00 with an
expected additional profit of approximately $1000.00,
sales of Entertainment Books grossed $3000.00 less than
last year. The school store, however, is thriving.
Additionally, the PTO will be sending home a form through
which adults can purchase clothing with the Hatch
logo.
Hennings further reported that the PTO had approved
$115.00 for Marilyn Foster, the speech teacher, for
flash-card type teaching aides, and $200.00 for the
purchase of a color copying machine for the
library.
Principal Sheila Carter reported that the state had not
released the school report cards and she was consequently
postponing her report on the ISAT results and the No
Child Left Behind Act until the next PTO meeting in
December.
PTO Co-President Kim Robinson reported on the October
PTO council meeting, at which District 97 Superintendent
Fagan spoke about the budget. A District 97 Budget Forum
will be held at Hatch school on the evening of November
13. The school board and superintendent will additionally
attend a Town Hall Meeting at Hatch, tentatively planned
for February.
Sandy Noel requested $120.00 to retain Dion Ricardo of
the Victory Martial Arts Academy to teach a six week
martial arts class during lunch some time this winter.
The PTO approved the request. The class will be open to
all children, although interested students will have to
sign up in advance.
The next PTO meeting is scheduled for December 2, 2003.
Co-President Sheila Essig called the meeting to
order.
The minutes from the November 4, 2003
meeting were presented.
Sheila Essig presented new business. She discussed the
start-up of Hatch Highlights, the e-mails of events at
Hatch being sent by Larry McIntyre to parents who gave
the school an e-mail address at the beginning of the
year.
She also stated that the first PTO Business Network
meeting, organized by PTO co-Vice President Eric Forte,
was scheduled for December 4, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.
Discussion was held about distribution of the school
directories. Co-President Kim Robinson mentioned that
some other schools allow parent business owners to
advertise in their school directories. We may want to
consider this idea next year.
Discussion was also held about creating or designating
one of the current PTO vice president positions to be a
vice president for fundraising. The person in this
position would help coordinate the fundraisers and be a
point person for committee chairs who run specific
fundraising events.
Committee chairs are still needed for the spring
fundraiser (1 or 2 positions), the fun fair (1 position),
and the Fifth Grade Celebration (1 fourth grade parent
needed).
Treasurer Dave Hennings presented some ideas that
Allison Hennings had researched and compiled for
fundraisers, possibly to be held this spring. These
include:
Hennings also presented the Treasurer’s Report. The
school store continues to do well. We plan to again do
School Pacs, so children can pre-order their school
supplies for next year. Also, the PTO is recycling old
ink cartridges from fax machines and printers, cellphone
and camera batteries and the likes in the foyer of the
school.
Linda Merchant presented a report on the success of the
fall fundraiser, which she chaired. The school’s
profit from the sale of wrapping paper and Entertainment
Books is approximately $4200.00. Some adjustments still
need to be made by the vendors so the actual profit
should be higher.
Anybody still possessing an Entertainment Book that he
or she didn’t sell should turn it into the
office.
Principal Sheila Carter gave a report on the No Child
Left Behind Act and Hatch’s ISAT scores. Hatch is
in compliance with the Act.
PTO Co-President Kim Robinson discussed the last PTO
Council meeting at which the presidents of all the
District 97 schools meet. At the last meeting,
Superintendent Fagan spoke about the No Child Left Behind
Act and gave a summary of the budget forums that have
been held in the district.
The PTO picked possible dates in January for a Town Hall
Meeting at which the school board and superintendent
would come to Hatch and meet with the community.
The next PTO meeting is scheduled for January 6, 2004.
Co-President Kim Robinson called the meeting to
order.
The minutes from the December 2, 2003
meeting were presented.
New Business was discussed. The school board is
soliciting membership for a legislative advocacy
committee. The committee will help develop a district
agenda and then seek support for the agenda goals from
the state and federal representatives. Dave Hennings has
volunteered to be Hatch’s nominee for this
committee.
Co-Vice President Eric Forte discussed the success of
the first PTO Business Network Meeting. Approximately 15
parents in the Hatch community attended the first
meeting, held in December. At that meeting, each parent
spoke for a few minutes about his or her business. Those
in attendance would like to see more opportunities for
marketing and business development. Forte is looking into
getting someone on faculty at Triton College to speak at
the next meeting on the topic of building a business.
Forte hopes to organize another meeting within a month.
He has already created a directory containing the names
and contact information of those who attended the first
meeting.
Coffee House will be held on Friday, January 16, 2004
from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
The spring fundraiser will be a Hatch cookbook. Allison
Hennings has agreed to chair this fundraiser. She will be
collecting the recipes and consolidating them into a
cookbook. The cookbooks will sell for $15.00. A mailing
will be sent home to parents with information regarding
how to submit recipes.
Robinson also announced that Patience Nelson would be
filling the heretofore open Fun Fair co-chair position.
Also, Sheila Essig and Kim Robinson have agreed to chair
the 5th Grade Celebration. No other committee positions
remain open.
Sandra Noel, physical education teacher, spoke about the
possibility of doing a fundraiser through the Growing
Power Rainbow Farmers Cooperative. This fundraiser would
involve selling boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables on a
weekly basis. The produce would come mostly from local
farmers engaged in organic and sustainable agricultural
practices. Interested parents would order and pay for the
boxes of produce in advance, and pick them up at the
designated time at Hatch. The PTO is looking for someone
interested in further investigating this program and
possibly coordinating it. Anyone interested should
contact PTO co-president Sheila Essig at 524-5431.
Noel also discussed the upcoming Brain Food Dinner, to
be held Tuesday, January 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Chefs will work with Noel to present a hands on cooking
lesson featuring healthy meals to help kids learn.
The PTO has decided not to conduct a Scholastic Book
Sale in February since there was not a widely available
selection of new books. Next year, the PTO will conduct
one book sale closer to the winter holidays.
Dave Hennings presented the Treasurer’s Report.
The school store continues to thrive. The PTO also just
received Hatch sweatshirts previously ordered. Once
payment is received for these, the PTO’s positive
cash flow will increase. Hennings also announced the
distribution in December to each teacher of $150.00 to
reimburse each teacher for out of pocket classroom
expenses.
Principal’s Report: Principal Sheila Carter
reported that second grade teacher Mrs. Stack is
coordinating a field trip to see the Freedom Train
musical on Tuesday, February 10. The trip is for students
in second through fifth grades. Tickets will cost $3.00,
with the ticket prices subsidized by the proceeds from
Ice Cream Fridays. Mrs. Stack is looking for two
volunteers from each classroom attending the trip.
Principal Carter also reported that she has an ongoing
responsibility to monitor the timeliness of students
arrival in the morning and that she has in the past, and
will in the future, be sending letters to parents of
students who are consistently late.
PTO co-President Robinson announced that the Town Hall
meeting with the school board is set for February 12,
2004 at 7:00 p.m.
The next PTO meeting will be February 3, 2004 at 7:00
p.m. in the media center.
Minutes not available for this date.
Co-President Kim Robinson called the meeting to
order.
The minutes from the February 3, 2004
meeting were presented.
New Business was discussed. A discussion of visitor and
parent protocol was held. The Oak Park Teachers’
Association will be preparing a policy on parental visits
to schools. Any visitor to Hatch, including all parents
or guardians, should go to the office first. In light of
some problems at other schools, discussion was held about
how parents should not stop into their children’s
classroom without a prior appointment during school hours
to talk with their child’s teacher.
In other new business, Physical Education teacher Sandy
Noel agreed to be the initial coordinator for the Rainbow
Coalition Market Basket Fundraiser. The first vegetable
delivery will tentatively be scheduled for March 12,
2004.
Also, the PTO will have several board positions opening
at the end of the school year. The positions will be a
co-president, a co-vice president for fundraising and a
co-treasurer. Each position is for a two-year term.
Anyone interested on serving on the PTO board should
contact current PTO co-president Kim Robinson at
848-3158.
Committee Reports
PTO co-vice president Deb Patnode gave the Treasurer's
report. Cookbook sales have been doing well. Discussion
was held about setting up a table to sell cookbooks at
Gallery Hatch, to be held on April 23, 2004. Fun Fair was
a great success and profitable. Many thanks to the
organizers and volunteers who made it a success.
Sheila Carter gave the Principal's report. Two teachers,
Mrs. Simmons in 2nd grade, and Mrs. Chubbs, in 5th grade
will be retiring at the end of the year. While their
positions will be filled, the hiring process is not yet
completed. Mrs. Carter is hoping to organize a
kindergarten jamboree in August at her gym in Naperville
for all incoming kindergartners.
Approximately 13-15 students per grade level are
participating in the math-a-thon. Mrs. Carter, along with
Mrs. Dressel, work with the math-a-thon participants
during the lunch hour. The parent workshop on learning
styles that had been scheduled in February was cancelled.
Standardized tests for second through fifth grades will
be given during the time period of March 29 through April
6. The PTO will buy snacks for test takers.
Kim Robinson gave a report on the February PTO Council
meeting. At that meeting, discussion was held about
parent and visitor protocol. Tim Hull, HR Director for
District 97 discussed the addition of a multi-racial
category on the ISAT for student categorization.
School Board Member Sharon Patchak-Layman discussed
plans by the Village of Oak Park to sell bonds to provide
District 97 with additional funding to help the schools
resolve their budget crunch.
Important dates:
The next PTO meeting is set for April 20 at 7:00
p.m. The PTO meeting currently scheduled for May 4 has
been changed to May 11 to allow more times between
meetings. Elections to the PTO Board will be held at the
May 11 meeting. Anyone interested in running for
the open positions of co-president, co-vice president,
and co-treasurer should contact PTO co-president Kim
Robinson at 848-3158.
Co-President Sheila Essig called the meeting to
order.
The minutes from the March 2, 2004 meeting
were presented.
New Business was discussed. Co-vice president Eric Forte
introduced a discussion on the timing of student events
and activities. Discussion was held regarding whether
more events such as the Spring Sing and Spelling Bee
should be held in the evening so that working parents and
guardians could more easily attend. Principal Sheila
Carter noted that evening events have in her experience
reduced student participation. Additionally, timing of
events has been dictated by to whom the event is targeted
- the parents or the students - as well as by past
scheduling traditions. Discussion was also held about
moving some events to the beginning of the school day so
that parents would not have to leave work to attend but
could go in late. No resolution was reached with regard
to the timing of any specific event. The PTO may create a
section on its web site where members of the school
community could post comments regarding this issue.
In other new business, PTO officer elections will be
held at the May 11 meeting. There are openings for a
co-president, co-vice president and treasurer. Eric Forte
agreed to create a flier to distribute regarding these
open positions. Any one with interest in being on the PTO
board should feel free to contact any of the current PTO
members.
Discussion was also held regarding the Rainbow
Cooperative Vegetable deliveries. There have been some
problems with deliveries being late. The PTO discussed
circulating another flyer regarding the program so
interested individuals could sign up. Physical Education
Teacher Sandy Noel has been running this program.
Committee Reports
PTO Treasurer Dave Hennings gave the Treasurer’s
report. Cookbook sales and yearbook sales have been
profitable. The morning kindergarten class won the
popcorn party for most cookbooks sold. There has been low
sign-up to date for the school packs program. The PTO
will circulate another flyer about this program in which
parents can sign up in advance to purchase their
children’s school supplies. The supplies are then
delivered to the children on the first day of
school
Sheila Carter gave the Principal’s report. The
school leadership team needs parent members for next
year. Anyone interested should contact Mrs. Carter.
The PTO agreed to pay for bookmarks for the read-a-thon
participants as well as pizza to be supplied for the
party held for participants at the gym in
Naperville.
Participants in the math-a-thon will be getting goodie
bags of education-related items.
Sheila Essig gave a report on the March PTO Council
meeting. Discussion at that meeting was held regarding
the consultant’s reports on Brooks and Holmes
schools, issues of activities fees, and where budget cuts
may be made in the following year.
Hatch PTO meetings for the 2004-05 school year are
tentatively set for the second Tuesday of each
month.
The next PTO meeting will be held on May 11,
2004 at 7:00 a.m. in the media center. Elections for the
open officer positions will be held.
Co-President Kim Robinson called the meeting to
order.
The minutes from the April 20, 2004 meeting
were presented.
New Business was discussed. Kim Robinson discussed a
proposed fall fundraiser trip to Kiddie Land with other
District 97 schools for a Friday night in September.
Hatch PTO would sell tickets to Hatch students and would
keep approximately $8.00 per ticket, with ticket prices
tentatively proposed at $16.00.
PTO officer elections were held. Current PTO co-vice
president Eric Forte was elected to be a co-president,
with Sheila Essig continuing into her second year of a
two year term as co-president. Rhonda and Schon Bowyer
were elected to, and will share, the position of
vice-president. The position of PTO treasurer remains
open, with current PTO treasurer Dave Hennings agreeing
to continue to serve next year in that capacity while he
trains a new treasurer. A flier will be sent out seeking
a co-treasurer.
Committee Reports:
Leslie Whitaker gave a report on the spelling bee, which
will be held on May 13, 2004. This year, each grade will
compete against itself (as opposed to having multi-grade
competitions), with each classroom holding preliminary
bees to select six finalists for the May 13 competition.
Magic Tree Book Store donated $15.00 gift certificates to
be given to each winner, with the PTO paying for
additional certificates for the second place finisher and
bookmarks for all the competitors.
Kim Robinson gave the treasurer’s report. Gallery
Hatch was profitable this year, although numbers still
need to be incorporated into the treasurer’s
report.
Rhonda and Schon Bowyer gave a report on the Block
Party, which will be held Friday May 21, 2004 from 6-8
p.m. Admissions will be $2.00 per person, $6.00 per
family. Discussion was held about giving each entrant a
wristband to wear identifying them as having paid.
Discussion was further held about having two entry places
(one towards Ridgeland and one towards Harvey) where
people would pay to enter. Robinson Ribs will again sell
food, with the PTO selling other food such as soda, chips
and ice cream. Activities will include games, fun jump
and a DJ.
Sheila Carter gave the Principal’s report. The
school is hosting a retirement party on May 20th for
Marva Chubbs and Marva Simmons, both of whom are long
time Hatch school teachers. Other teachers who will not
be returning next year for various reasons include the
kindergarten teacher, Leslie Spencer; the art teacher,
Jan DiGirolamo, and special education teacher, Deborah
Davis.
Mrs. Carter also reported that the talent show will be
held on May 14. The read-a-thon and math-a-thon will end
on that date as well. The school intends to do Opera for
the Young again next year. This year, Opera for the Young
did a performance of Pirates of Penzance. The last day of
school will be on June 10, 2004.
Kim Robinson reported on the April PTO council meeting.
At that meeting, the council discussed the fact that a
search firm has been retained to seek a replacement for
District 97 Superintendent Dr. Fagan, who will retire at
the end of next year. The search firm intends to seek
input from various District 97 constituents. ISATs next
year will be held from March 7-18. Spring break will be
the last week of March, instead of mid-April as it was
this year. The next school year will start August 30,
2004 and end June 9th. The PTO council also listened to a
presentation by Gail Crantz on the new report cards that
went into affect this year.
The next PTO meeting will be on September 14, 2004 at
7:00 p.m.