Minutes from the November Meeting

Meeting Date: November 8, 2007

Meeting Location: PDS

Members Present: Steven Craddock, Camille Warlick, Stacy Upton, Jennifer Lamastus, Amy Maggio, Mary Kline, Pam Field, Julie Leininger, Millie Wright

Call to order given by President Steven Craddock

III. President’s Report: Steven Craddock reported that he had pursued the purchase of the 2-way radios approved in the September meeting. Mr. Craddock received 3 bids and will come below $1400.00 for the price. He suggested we plan to order these this week or next week. It was announced that Taste of PDS and the Brown Bag Breakfast Café were all successes. Through the President, Mr. Naron stressed his desire for a library circulation desk to complete the library. Mr. Craddock concluded his report with an announcement of the upcoming Gourmet Food Fair and his commendations to Nancy Joe for her attractive fliers announcing the event.

Vice President’s Report

T-shirts are complete and will be organized and sent out with the students on Friday, November 9 by Camille Warlick who will be assisted by Stacy Upton and Millie Wright. Millie Wright suggested putting something in the paper announcing the t-shirt design winners.

Treasurer’s Report

Jennifer announced that Taste of PDS did not make as much money as it had in years past. In 2005 we made approximately $1498.00, in 2006 we made approximately $1680.00, and this year we made a little less than $1,000.00. Jennifer suggested that we resume either paying for tickets in advance or at the entrance to the gym. She also suggested that the third week in October seems a better option for a date. Lambert’s invoice was received as well as the Art Fundraiser money.

Microscopes and materials for the science lab were discussed as possible purchases. The committee approved the purchase of 6 microscopes and possible slides for the science lab. Jennifer concluded with a reminder that we need a "special" teacher representative on the PTF and a recommendation was made that Leigh Anne Thomas be this representative.

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What Exactly is PTF?
 

The PDS-PTF (Parents, Teachers, & Friends) was organized in the fall of 1990 with the following objectives:

• To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, church and community.
• To bring into closer relation the home and the school so that parents and teacher may co-operate intelligently in the training of the child.
• To provide a communication link between the parents and the PDS Board of Trustees.
• To encourage friends, neighbors and new families in town to enroll their children in PDS.
• To support and help coordinate PDS fund raising efforts.

Membership is open to all parents, teachers, and friends of PDS. Annual dues are collected at Open House in the Fall.

Another Fund Raiser ?
Yes we all pay tuition at PDS. But truth is, our monthly payments are quite low compared to many other private schools. In an effort to provide the "extras" to our teachers, PTF holds several fund raisers during the year to raise money. Each and every dollar goes straight back into the school.
Some of these proceeds have paid for the PDS art department, the Accelerated Reading program and the teacher "wish lists". Perhaps now you can see why PTF is a vital part of providing support and extra equipment to the school.

PTF Projects

School Supplies:
One of our fund raisers is a "School Supplies" service, which was started a few years ago to help parents and children get needed school supplies required by the teachers. With the purchase of a school supply bag, your child has everything needed to start the year-- without the hassle of many trips to the store.
It should be noted that while there is some profit to the PTF, the supplies are bought in bulk and the savings passed on. It's perfect because the project brings a small income to the PTF while still saving the parents money!

Accelerated Math:                                                                                                 The Accelerated Math program is subscribed to with money from PTF and is operational in grades one through six.  The students are very excited about it and so are the teachers!  In the AMath program, teachers have an online assignment book where they assign math objectives for each of their students.  The program prints worksheets for each student on each assigned objective.  When the work is completed, students transfer their answers to a scantron bubble card and the card is run through the scanner for scoring.  Students practice, test, and move on to new objectives within their grade level math and beyond.  The program is being well utilized and very well received.

Accelerated Reading:
The Accelerated Reading program was purchased with money from PTF and placed under the supervision of the PDS librarian. The kids love to read!
In the AR program, children select and read books then are tested, using specific computer software. Students accumulate points, depending on the number of books read and the results of the tests. The points are then turned into "PDS cash" that can be used to purchase "PDS privilege coupons" for activities including "shirts untucked for a day", "sit by a friend at lunch", "lunch with the principal", "no homework for a day" plus many, many more. It's proved to be a fun way to encourage reading.

T-Shirts:
PDS T-shirts are worn throughout the year, but particularly on spirit day Fridays, field trips and at May Day-Play Day. One of the fun things about the T-shirts is that they are designed by our very own talented artist.
Over the summer the upcoming "senior" sixth graders were asked to create a T-shirt design. These concepts were displayed and voted on during registration. The winner/s are to be announced at an upcoming chapel. Everybody's excited! It's a lot of fun because the students get to see their own work on hundreds of T-shirts.
The Green and Gold teams have been announced and the points are about to get started. It's fun and it shows school pride!

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