Harper Junior High PTO

Minutes of Meeting: June 5,2007 

In attendance: Kathy Magrino, Judy Reuben, Jody Graf, Katie Rustad, David Inns, Tiffany O’Brien, Cara Leppington, Scott Thomsen, Jane Schafer- Kramer, Debbie Austin, Alan Uota, Lou Sobredo,  Mary Nicholson, Liz Allewelt- Smith, Chris Granger, Madeline Brattesani, Barbara Kaufman. 

Call to Order: 7: 00 p.m.  Minutes of May 2007 meeting were reviewed and accepted by general consent. 

Principal’s Report ( David Inns): 

• Thanks to everyone for “Teacher Appreciation Week”.
• Mix It Up Day was a big success. The team activities went very well, it was a nice day. Approximately 90 students participated.
• Moving into the end of the year, this is a quiet week with lots of testing going on. Monday will be the last regular day.

• Dorothy Peterson was able to receive a $1500 grant from the “Farm to School Connection” for recycling and a garden coordinator assuming PTO will match the funds.
• 84% of the scheduling for next year is done. Staffing allotment finally done. Hopefully everything will be set by the end of the school year.
• Music Dept. news-Next year we will have one band teacher, Mr. Ken Bowers.
• Split lunch will return next year.

• Having 2+ counselors this year has been wonderful. The AB1802 funding will provide for another counselor next year.
• A request from counselors- Many students from Harper would really benefit from mentorship opportunities. The counselors are looking for a parent or community volunteer to connect with UCD students to create a mentor program.
• Through collaboration with all secondary counselors, a “counselor curriculum” was created. It will be presented to the school board next Tuesday.
• Volunteers will be needed in August to collate materials and work at registration.

• Next week is a big week! Leadership has done a great job this year.
• Parent volunteers are still needed for DOTG. Information will be sent out on the listserv.
• 9^th grade trip is ready.
• Next year’s leadership will be 2 classes, with approximately 40 students each. Heather Ulrey will also work with leadership.

VP Report (Mary Nicholson):

• Ninth Grade Celebration- planning is in progress, Mary is coordinating volunteers. There will an emphasis on recycling and using recycling products. The orchestra will be playing while people are eating.

Treasurer Report (Tiffany Leuschen):

• Many grants have been granted, but not collected by teachers.  David Inns commented that PE would like to carry over their money to potentially create a “weight room.” It will be a portable weight room. Helping Hands is an ongoing expense used as needed. The garden coordinator would like to carry over funds. The language dept. will order dictionaries, and math will make their order this summer as well.
• 2005 taxes were completed this month. 2006 taxes will be completed by July.

President Report (Jane Schafer-Kramer):

• Julie Crawford from the PE dept. is planning an event for the 7^th and 8^th graders on Wed. the 12^th. She would like to have yearbook-signing party with refreshments. A request for $200 dollars was made and given. We will take available funds from “hospitality”. David Inns also requested $200 for a plaque made in honor of the class of 2007. All approved.
• We went back to discuss the grant from “Farm to School Connection”. It was decided that we need to learn more about the program and will discuss it again this fall. We will invite Dorothy Peterson to our meeting in Sept.

Superintendent Committee Report (Jane Shafer- Kramer for Brenda Cameron):

• The PTAs, PTOs, and SPAC will spend a lot of time promoting the parcel tax this fall.
• The district has hired a “communications consultant”, Vanessa Cruz, to establish a district wide communication system.

Art Department Report (Jane Schafer-Kramer for Susan Lewis):

• The mural project will roll over until fall. Susan is very grateful for the PTO’s support. David Inns added that the Frances Harper mural is now completed, “Songs for the People”. Now tiles with the poem and biography will be posted. The grand unveiling will be on 9/24, Frances Harper’s birthday.

Listserv Report (Jane Schafer Kramer):

• A new listserv just for board members will now be available.
• Alan will be taking over the new website sometime this summer.
• Harper’s PTO email address will change from Harperpto@aol.com to Harperpto@gmail.com.

President & Nominations Committee (Chris Granger): The position of president is still open. All other positions were presented. A motion was made by Mary to accept the slate, and it was seconded my Chris. Members voted, and the slate was approved unanimously. 

Historian:                                         Open    

Katie Rustad has offered to be parliamentarian. A motion was made to nominate Katie by Chris Granger, Madeline seconded the motion and all approved. 

Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 7pm. This meeting will be held at the Arboretum Terrace garden next to Border's Books on First St.

Respectfully submitted by Liz Allewelt-Smith