Whitewater Middle School PTO Meeting
January 15, 2016

I.  Meeting was called to order by Renee Gable at 9:32am.

II.  Minutes were approved from December’s meeting, motion: D. Henderson, 2nd: K. Mitchell

III.  Principal’s Report
	A.  WMS is starting a school-wide program stressing positive behavior interventions, called PBIS.  The key components are the acknowledgement of positive behavior and a school climate change perspective.  A team of 8 is getting trained.  Flat Rock Middle and Bennett’s Mill Middle already have the program.  There will be an emphasis on catching students doing things right (caught-ya’s), rewards, and team rewards.  We are currently tracking discipline issues to target the top 3 problems.  This program will be fully implemented by next year.
	B.  Milestone testing is coming up in April.  More information will come home.
	C.  We have approximately 300 incoming 6th graders and are looking at allotments for the 2016-2017 school year.  There is a very large 8th grade class leaving.
	D.  JP Ward is an administrative intern that will be coming to us from FCHS starting 2/1.  

IV.  Treasurer’s Report
	A.  The Yankee Candle total was just over $3700.
	B.  The 8th grade reps have $60 remaining in their budget.
	C.  All other items are currently within budget.

V.  Funds request
	A.  The pending funds request from November was officially approved:
Connections Teachers: Requesting $895 for a site license for a remedial math program for 7th and 8th grade students.  The PTO wants to make sure this is not a duplication of a math program that we purchased for the school last school year.  We will speak to Mr. Butera for clarification.  Motion:  Contingent upon a conversation with Mr. Butera, we voted to approve the purchase of this site license.  Motion: D. Henderson, 2nd: A. Buie.
	B.  Ms. Kennedy (8C) asked for money to purchase gift cards for the Geography Bee winners.  This item is already in the approved budget for $100, so does not need a vote.

VI.  Committee Reports
	A.  Fundraising: The Yankee Candle total was $3700.
	B.  Dance: Dionne Henderson asked that dances be removed from the monthly agenda since there will not be another school-wide dance this school year.
	C.  8th Grade Dance
		1.  The theme is “Red Carpet.”
		2.  The cost is $10 in advance, and $15 at the door.
		3.  The date is 2/19/16.  More information will go home to 8th grade parents.
		4.  There is a committee meeting today after the PTO meeting.
	D.  Staff Wrap Event
		1.  A huge thank you to Allison Stevenson for making this event a success.  
		2.  About 25 teachers participated.
		3.  We already have a rising 6th grade parent to take over for 2016-2017.
	E.  Spirit Wear: we plan to sell spiritwear at the remaining home basketball games.
	
	F.  Teacher Hospitality
		1.  “Souper” Bowl is the next event, and we need more items.  Please respond to your sign-up genius email if you are on this committee.
		2.  We need to buy a coffee urn ASAP for the next hospitality day 2/24.
	G.  Grade-level Reps: Kimberly Mitchell suggested that for Curriculum Night, tall grade level reps give a letter to parents asking for volunteers to help throughout the school year.  She did that this year and had an overwhelming response.
	H.  Landscaping
		1.  Doug Riesberg is working on getting donations from Home Depot.
		2.  There will be a work day scheduled in February/March.
	
No other business at this time.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:02am.

The next PTO meeting is Friday, February 19, 2016 at 9:30am.