Agenda

Accept January Minutes
Treasurer Report (5 mins)
Fundraising Updates (10 mins)
OMS 100 Anniversary - Amy Duke (10 -15 Mins)
Principals Time - Mme Pierre-Maxwell and Mr Merenger (10-15 mins)
Other business
Set Next Meeting Date
Adjourn

Fundraising

New Co-Treasurers

Amy Duke re: OMS 100th Anniversary

Veteran teacher at OMS. Was lately curious about the middle schools’ history. Discovered that Ottoson was dedicated in 1921. Nothing particular in mind yet but feels like it would be great to mark this occasion in some way. May ask for financial support. Will also ask around for manpower amongst staff, student council, etc. Could be something like “welcome back’ in the fall with a banner at the building, and something like cake and ice cream (if feasible). Maybe even a signature fundraiser for an underserved school somewhere in the world. Whatever it will look like, could probably track down former principals, staff to get involved and attend. Maybe the school newspaper could source oral histories from alumni. Many possibilities!
Janine would be happy to be involved in some way.
Brian - on the oral histories approach, highly recommends families read the Ottoson Insider. It is a professionally done website, with all sorts of interesting articles. Great job, huge staff. Would be a great thing for the newspaper to interview people in town. Monthly ‘remember when’ feature as well. Lots of great stories to be told for sure. Definitely likes the banner idea.
PTO will be happy to provide funding wherever feasible and appropriate.

Spring Activities - Ideas?

Brian - in a holding pattern in terms of what he needs for Spring. Right now hoping that things improve with testing and virus. Pooled testing starts this week. Will be interesting to see how that goes with cases within the building. Most that have been identified with COVID have been asymptomatic, so it will be interesting to see how many are flagged with pooled testing. LC’s may be sent home as a result of course if there are positive cases. If OMS has a bunch of negative results for a few weeks and thus steering away from the variant, he’s feeling there’s a higher chance of being able to do something for the kids. Would love to do something for the 8th graders especially. In past: BBQ, outdoor dance - will have to think what would be feasible this year. Also something in general to ‘celebrate’ the kids having persevere in these challenging times, and a chance to socialize. Feels like in a month we’ll have a better sense of how testing is going.
Jodi - reminded principals that PTO has put aside some money for for staff appreciation this winter. Brian feels that the grey days of March would be ideal. Maybe a teacher breakfast, around the time they all get vaccinated would be ideal, which is probably no earlier than early March at best. Even if it were outside.
FPM - Activities to bring up school spirit, that are also safe. Will ask the teachers what they feel would be feasible and feel safe, as she would need teacher buy-in as well. Will ask around from the staff what they have mind, if anything. Also mindful of what transition for 5th graders look like - what would they want to know, etc. given how next year may look. Needs more time on that, will be making time to chat with the elementary school principals. Would like to host an activity for incoming 6th graders, but it’s TBD what will be feasible. Also not sure what school will look like in the fall. Even with the uncertainties though, wants to do SOMETHING for the incoming kids - what, TBD, but definitely thinking about it. Would also like to do a promotion ceremony for the 6th graders, because it’s a one year school and ARE promoting to Ottoson. Especially since the kids have been very responsible considering the circumstances; will see if she can get 3 or so teachers in on this. Wants to do a yearbook, staff is on board.
FPM - Feb teacher appreciation. Wanted to do lawn signs for teachers, and heart cutouts for kids during mindfulness jar activity (kids will write messages to teachers that will be delivered to teachers, Jodi and MPM will work on how). Has only seen 3 groups so far, lost two days with the storm, many parents haven’t been able to pick up supplies, so it’s a bit delayed.

Next meeting date

Tuesday March 2