Guest Reports:

Dawn Bell – Playground Refurbishment: The Lehman’s have contributed financially to the Playground Refurbishment project; the committee will use those funds to move forward with plans for a vendor consultation. Committee members will visit an area school starting a community-build playground in April.

Treasurer’s Report (given by Kristen Ruiz):

All funds received through 02/01/09 have been deposited. Data entered into Quicken and reconciled bank statement ending 01/30/09 was provided. (Copies of Quicken and reconciliation reports submitted to President and Secretary at meeting.)

Bank account balance on 01/30/09 statement was $28,634.50.

Sixteen teachers have redeemed their $125 certificates.

President’s Report:

• Have raised $12,500 this school year, compared to $20,000 budgeted.
• Will hold Revved Up for Reading fundraiser beginning March 2. Top 20 readers in grades 3-6 will earn a sleepover at Bond Mill. Top readers in PK through 2^nd grade will earn lunch with the principal. Read students, read! Pledge parents, pledge!
• The PTO is considering a knowledge memory challenge as a spring fundraiser next year. Beltsville Elementary School’s Assistant Principal has offered to send the knowledge questions and answers (100 per grade level) on a CD to Bond Mill.
• PTO received a check for $129.80 from Georgetown Paper for paper recycled in September and October 2008. Kristen Ruiz has numbers from Georgetown Paper on amounts recycled. PTO is concerned with the level of service from Georgetown Paper. The Prince George’s County Public School system is documenting how Georgetown Paper is not fully meeting the details of the school system contract.
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• The PTO will sponsor a staff, after-school exercise class led by Bond Mill parent, Amy Wenhold. If the PTO sponsors the class, there is no fee to use space in the school.
• Thanks to Dave Ridgway, Bond Mill parent, for printing the February issue of the Bond Mill PTO Newsletter. He has offered printing services for the PTO newsletter for the remainder of the year. Thanks also for printing the Student Directory.
• Thanks to Dawn Bell, Bond Mill parent, for enlisting Saundra Coronado to translate the Bond Mill PTO Newsletter into Spanish.
• The Bond Mill PTO has its own website --www.bondmillpto.org. Thank you Carolyn Vincent, Bond Mill parent.

Principal’s Report:

• MSA (Maryland School Assessment) night February 12th for interested parents. Provide examples of assessment items and tips for combating test anxiety. Staff available to answer questions.
• Cultural arts assemblies have been great. Thanks to Jennifer Endres, Cultural Arts
  committee chair and Bond Mill parent, for selecting the performers.
  
• Fifth grade coffeehouse (poetry night) and poet-in-residence went well.
• Valentine’s parties being held February 13^th. Expect parents and visitors to follow parking signs (no parking in bus circle) for the safety of staff, students, and visitors.
• The school system is working on the format and accuracy of report cards. The
  SchoolMax family portal will be available 4^th quarter.
  
• The rock climbing wall has been installed on the playground. Waiting for mulch to arrive from school system vendor.
• African American History month program scheduled for February 19.

Old Business:

• Linda Landau 5^th/6^th grade fundraising proposal (PTO match funds this year only since two classes are sharing fundraising for year-end activities) – Discuss next month.
• Art “Auction” – Start a tradition of “graduating” students having their “shoe” artwork imprinted on a tile to be purchased by the parent and hung as part of a “Footsteps to the Future” mural at Bond Mill. Host an art show, in conjunction with a spaghetti dinner, featuring art from students in PK-Grade 4. Parents will have the opportunity to purchase items (e.g., magnets, mugs, mouse pads, t-shirts) with their child’s art. The PTO will receive 30 percent from sales which will be used to continue to support the PTO-funded art program at Bond Mill.

Action: Debi Collins, PTO Art Instructor, needs to set a date for the art show in conjunction with Kristen Ruiz and Justin FitzGerald.

• 40^th Anniversary – Rhonda Whitley has volunteered to chair the 40^th Anniversary
Committee.

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New Business:

• Modell’s – Supported 2^nd quarter honor roll, giving students earning Principal’s Award a gift and posting their names at the store.

Action: Kristen Ruiz to reserve dates for Modell’s Bond Mill Sports Month (all students receive a coupon that gives Bond Mill 5 percent of sales).

• Cactus Willies – Supported 2^nd quarter honor roll, giving students earning Principal’s Award a free kid’s meal coupon.

Action: Kristen Ruiz to reserve a date with Justin FitzGerald and Cactus Willies for a fundraising night (15 percent of sales donated to Bond Mill).

Meeting adjourned: 7:21 pm.

Kristen Ruiz:

1. Reserve dates for Modell’s Bond Mill Sports Month.
2. Reserve a date with Justin FitzGerald and Cactus Willies for a fundraising night.
3. Set a date for the art show in conjunction with Debi Collins and Justin FitzGerald.

Debi Collins

1. Set a date for the art show in conjunction with Kristen Ruiz and Justin FitzGerald.