MIFFLINBURG ELEMENTARY HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
MEETING NOTES
The January 9, 2007, Mifflinburg Elementary Home and School Association meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm by
HSA President G.Pletcher. Thirty-three members attending.
The Secretary’s Report by J.Cohen from the November 7, 2006 meeting was read aloud. A correction was made to
reflect under “New Business” that it was the per child figure based on third and fourth graders -- not just the 4th – which
was requested by the Intermediate HSA President, T.Gessner, at the ME HSA September 12th meeting. Motion to approve
report and correction made by L.Leitzel; seconded by P.Reeder. Motion carried.
Treasurer E.Gramly reported a checking account balance of: $13,348.06 and a savings account balance of $1,374.99.
President G.Pletcher approved the report for audit.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, as follows:
Book Fair (G.Pletcher)
– Next fair will be from 3/26th – 3/30th; additional
signage suggested for this book fair.
Box Tops (G.Pletcher)
– Last collection will be 2/23. Labels sent in after 2/23 will be credited for
next year.
Campbells Soup Labels (A.Harvey) – Labels have been redeemed @ 9,000 total points. 750 labels were without teacher’s
names: these 750 will be evenly distributed among the classrooms.
Fundraising (E.Gramly)
a. Spell-a-thon: Goal set for $12,000. Incentives highlighted; need acknowledge for good results in light of the 4th
grades’ fundraising efforts no longer being available. Test will be on 2/9; first packet of information to parents/guardians
to go home on 1/25. Set amount donations will be an option. Teachers confirmed they will grade the tests; thanks shared.
b. School Spirit Sale: members had opportunity to vote on their favorite design for t-shirts, tote bags, drawstring gym bags,
etc. The multiple pawprint design was selected: a choice will be on order forms for products to read with or without the
word “Elementary” for broader appeal. Products to be priced out; sale to come after Spell-a-thon.
c.
Teachers thanked for their continued support of the HSA/dress down days.
Memory Book (A.Harvey)
–The next committee meeting will be at 7 pm., 1/18. Parent memo suggested,
asking for photos.
Related Arts (G.Pletcher)
– Artists have been scheduled.
Room Parents (G.Pletcher)
– The next party will be Valentine’s Day on 2/14 at 2:30. K.Heimbach offered to
bake cookies.
Safe Kids – Smart Choices (K.Walter) – Committee consulted with Principal Leo Weidner on outreach efforts. Next step
will be Mr. Weidner contacting Chief Bickhart.
Santa’s Secret Workshop (D.Schley) – All went well, with great support and cooperation from teachers and volunteers.
She also acknowledged the generosity of businesses; shared they will receive personalized thank you notes from the HSA,
herself and A.J.Buoy. An article has been submitted for inclusion in next month’s News and Views; a letter to
the Editor of the Daily Item to be drafted as well. Committee Chairwomen
received an appreciative round of applause.
School Appreciation (T.Gessner) – Meal was served to teachers during conferences; teachers confirmed Friday lunch to be
the preferred, catered meal. Suggestion made that desserts be put out on
Thursday night as there were many leftovers this year.
Spring Festival (T.Gessner) – Scheduled for 4/21 from 1-4 pm. Opinions from members solicited on what is hoped for this
outreach to be. Paul Reeder made a motion for a committee to review suggestions with a decision for group proposal on what
to offer by the next HSA meeting on 3/13. K.Walter seconded the motion. Motion
carried. Committee sign up sheet offered.
Third Grade Party (S.Blue) – Sunset Rink contacted; waiting to hear more; noted prices have gone up. Every Saturday in
May is currently open. G.Pletcher shared past funding practices and tradition of the HSA paying for entire skating rental,
including students who attend from outlying schools.
Web Design (J.Cohen) – Committee has met regularly, with T.Raymer hard at work on creating an ME HSA homepage,
downloading forms and handbooks applicable to K-3. T.Raymer has also generously created (from his business acount) email
addresses for HSA committee member chairs, which can be forwarded to their personal email addresses. J.Cohen asked for
all chairs and members present to please share their email addresses with her for inclusion at the end of the meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. G.Pletcher announced the Playground Equipment is ordered. E.Gramly detailed the need to capture the 2006 price,
shared the order has been modestly downsized so as to use monies in hand; explained the original quote was for “dream
equipment.” Any profit released from the School Spirit sale to be designated for playground so as to add on equipment
over time. Both officers emphasized the collective desire to see the equipment
installed before the end of this school year.
2. L.Beck, L.DeFacis, and A.Harvey were applauded for baking gingerbread cookies during the holidays for teachers who
chose to participate in this first time HSA project. J.Cohen and K.Walter were thanked as well for helping to coordinate
classroom gingerbread houses. D.Dreese suggested if done again, candy would be unnecessary in the kits. D.Snayberger
thanked T.Gessner for providing a couple of house kits to the Kindergarten classes. A.Harvey suggested a thank you letter
be written to S.Iddings at the Carriage Corner restaurant for use of her
kitchen.
3. G.Pletcher publicly thanked the businesses detailed on the agenda which assisted the Santa’s Secret Workshop outreach.
NEW BUSINESS:
Spellathon
budget planning further detailed.
HSA Intermediate School Donation of $237. revisited. Motion to approve made by Paul Reeder; seconded by
Duane Snayberger. Motion carried.
3. For the sunshine fund, it was noted Mr. and Mrs. Fohringer are expecting a baby the end of this month.
LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS:
G.Pletcher reported for L.Beck on the “Read Across America with Dr. Seuss” initiative scheduled for 2/26-3/2.
L.Beck requested a birthday cake of the HSA in celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday on 3/2; cafeteria to serve green
eggs and ham that day as well. Also invited Parent Judges for a Crazy Socks and Pajamas contest. Volunteers to see
G.Pletcher at end of meeting if interested in helping.
G.Pletcher reported T.Chambers, a Kindergarten parent, has found a free newsletter for students concerning health and
physical fitness. G.Pletcher to approach V.Green regarding; if approved for distribution, A.Raymer suggested letter
newsletter could be placed on HSA webpage.
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 pm. made by K.Lichtel; seconded by A.Harvey.
Respectfully submitted for approval,
Jessica S.S. Cohen, 2006-2007 HSA Secretary