PTO
Harrison's Parent Teacher Organization
Harrison PTO strives to keep the Harrison Staff and its parents informed of the concerns and issues that involve the students, families, staff and the community as a whole. This is done through monthly meetings, constant communications with administrators and staff, and by a large parent volunteer base.
Harrison PTO prides itself on its large participation of parents, teachers, and students in the areas of fund raising and school activities. The parents are eager to help in the classrooms, assist in fundraising and plan events and activities. With this in mind, we can say that we work together, meeting each other's needs and caring for each and every individual who walks through the doors and essentially becomes a part of the Harrison family.
All fund raising monies raised by Harrison Families are used to enrich the lives of Harrison Students by providing classroom materials, enrichment activities, Carnivals, Holiday Parties, and assisting in the cost of field trips and transportation.
If you have any questions regarding the Harrison PTO and its efforts, or how to become a member or get involved, please feel free to contact the Harrison PTO board at HarrisonJanesvillePTO@gmail.com or contact the Harrison School directly. Scroll through the documents below, by clicking the document it will download a printable copy.
Approval by the district must be acquired prior to being on or helping with the Harrison PTA
PTO Meeting Notes
- 9/16/24 Harrison PTO Meeting
- 10/21/24 Harrison PTO Meeting
- 11/18/24 Harrison PTO Meeting
- 1/14/25 Harrison PTO Meeting
- 2/17/25 Harrison PTO Meeting
- 3/17/25 Harrison PTO Meeting
- 4/14/25 Harrison PTO Meeting
9/16/24 Harrison PTO Meeting
HPTO Meeting Agenda
Sept 2024 | 6:00pm to 7:30pm | Location: Havana Coffee
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Welcome (Sarah)
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Introductions/ Attendance: Sarah Smith, Jen Babcock, Sydney Maresch, Crystal Torres, Liza Witt, Allisen Cullum, Catherine Kolb, Jessica Grandt, & Erin Stacey
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Principal Update (Jessica) --Great start to the school year!
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Teacher Updates
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Primary Unit: First grade began week 2 in Wonders, learning about different families. Started module 3 in math, working on story problems and subitizing. Learning about animal superpowers in Science. In health, just finished unit on germs.
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Intermediate Unit: Discussing Realistic Fiction, family history.
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Upper Unit: Math is working on different multiplication strategies/ways to represent the concept of (x). Discovering Tsunami information in Science. Learning the four social sciences in Social Studies. Reading about natural disasters: nonfiction, informational text in Wonders.
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Treasurer’s Report (Catherine)
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2024-2025 Budget Review & Approval. Was Approved.
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Zeffy Recap from Teacher Meet & Greets. Zeffy gave mainly staff members issues while in the building. Possibly because they're on a different network that blocks zeffy? Some problems from parents but for the most part it worked for most everyone. Will continue to offer Venmo still for now.
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Check-in: PTO Needs for Upcoming Events (Erin/Sarah)
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Back to School Kick-Off - Recap
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PTO Sign Up Results: More sign ups then last year.
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Color Run
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Food:
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Lex’irriaz Taco Truck - booked. Owner not getting back to Sarah so we are going to brainstorm a new plan ASAP. On Taco Trucks fb page, it looks like she has 2 other events scheduled the same night as color run. Forgot to write us in? We’ll reach out to other food trucks if available. Jen Babcock offered her husband to make pulled pork for sandwiches if needed.
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Kona Ice - booked. Good to go!
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Hawk Meals - Pizza, Chips, Water or CapriSun $5 Catherine will pick up ice from KT with gift card. Pizza to be PICKED UP from Macs at 4:45 and 5:45. Will be sent in warming bags. Erin has volunteers taken care of for this. Jen Babcock and Sarah Smith will bring their large coolers for drinks.
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Tent for foot area (Jen) Good to go. Has 2 tents.
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DJ Jason - booked. Good to go!
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Porta Potty - Lon’s Jon’s - booked! Good to go!
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Volunteers (Erin) - Good or Need more? We should be good to go.
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Fundraising Goal Levels & Rewards Reminders: So far $8270.00 raised.
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$5k - Slime Project for Students. We have met goal! YAY! We’ll need volunteers to prepare slime project for students.
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$10k - Teachers Karaoke or Dance. Will most likely meet goal! YAY! Need to research a fun dance for teachers to do!
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$15k - Dr. Grandt gets Slimed. Hoping to reach!!
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Restaurant Nights:
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Jersey Mike’s Recap - Sat. Sept 7th. Received $50.00. Will try again in the future but on a NON weekend day.
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Scoopie Night - October 9th - Volunteers Needed or Good? Good to go with teacher sign ups.
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Trunk or Treat 10/17 - What is needed? Start planning… Will start planning as soon as color run is over. Will plan on collecting candy again from families and have sign up for trunks. Erin will do hot cocoa table again but at end of trunk or treat line instead of being alone in front of building.
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New Business (Sarah) Need to put together a committee soon for Spring Parent Night Fundraiser. Jess nominated Megan Schultz and Kassi Haas to help if able too. Possibly having an Artwork Auction. Jess will speak to Kassi about.
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Questions or Concerns (Sarah)
Next Meeting: Monday, October 21st | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
at Havana Coffee
10/21/24 Harrison PTO Meeting
HPTO Meeting Agenda
Oct 2024 | 6:00pm to 7:30pm | Location: Havana Coffee
- Welcome (Sarah)
- Introductions/ Attendance: Deborah Spence, Michelle Spence, Kimberly Astin, Rachel Sanderson, Erin Stacey, Catherine Kolb, Genna Robinson, Stephanie Whitney, Jessica Grandt, Jennifer Babcock.
- Principal Update (Jessica) Referendum coming up. Handed out a pamphlet on info.
Conferences are this coming Wed. and Thu. PTO is purchasing dinner boxes for teachers from Luke’s Deli for Wed. evening.
Thank you!
- Teacher Updates
- Primary Unit: K- Learning about the pumpkin life cycle in science. Learning about solving problems and facial cues in social studies. 1st- Completed Unit 2, Mod. 4 of Math and Reading. Unit 2 Week- What are buildings made of? Narrative Writing.
- Intermediate Unit: 2nd- Reading about animals and their offspring (central idea, diagrams, & labels). Beginning addition on an open # line in math. Finishing realistic fiction for conferences in writing. 3rd- Reading about government Unit 2. Aligns w/social studies. Working on multiplication strategies in math. Rotary gardens field trip w/pumpkins this week.
- Upper Unit: 4th- Working on multiplication and division in Math. Geography and map skills in Social Studies. Waves and frequency in Science. Unit 2 for Wonders and expository writing. 5th- Working with fractions in Math. Revolutionary War in Social Studies. Decomposition and matter in Science. Working on expository writing project right now as well.
- Treasurer’s Report (Catherine)
- 2024-2025 Budget Review
- Fine Arts Committee budget - We lowered for this year due to not being used last year. Mrs. Sarauer would like to do at least 2 events this year - Can we afford to increase their budget this year? Will re-asses later on. Possibly after Spring Fundraiser.
- “The Juggler with the Yellow Shoes” scheduled for November 12th at 8:30am = $795
- He needs 2 helpers to unload and load his equipment - Sarauer was thinking Steve and one PTO volunteer? Erin will send a msg. out on the PTO FB page to ask for a volunteer to help.
- Possible “Ms. Kim’s Amazing Animals” presentation - Jen’s idea! Will re-asses later on next year after the Spring Fundraiser.
- “The Juggler with the Yellow Shoes” scheduled for November 12th at 8:30am = $795
- Check-in: PTO Needs for Upcoming Events (Erin/Sarah)
- Color Run
- Fundraising Goal Levels & Rewards - What was the final amount raised? Raised 13K
- $5k - Slime Project for Students. - Done! Kids loved it!
- $10k - Teachers Karaoke or Dance. - Any update from the dance teacher? Erin is working on this with an instructor she knows at 5678 Dance Studio. She’ll send a video to Dr. Grandt soon to share with teachers to practice. Dance will be performed by teachers on 11/12, same time as assembly when kids are all together already.
- Fundraising Goal Levels & Rewards - What was the final amount raised? Raised 13K
- Restaurant Nights:
- Scoopie Night - October 9th Canceled 🙁 - Do we have a reschedule date? Rescheduled to April 29th.
- Trunk or Treat 10/17 - Recap - Great turn out! More than just Harrison families. Turned out great! Had a little more than 600 people in attendance. Next year this event will only be shared on via Dojo. No public event will be created on FB. Ideas for next year: Teachers send slip home with students to write their name and teachers name on. Turn slip in upon arrival at the event. Then the next day students (or classrooms) will be chosen to win something. Also, a suggestion is to bring back voting on the best decorated trunk! 1st, 2nd, 3rd place.
- Game Night 11/8
- Need to start advertising. Erin will create a flyer.
- volunteers/help. Kassi Haas (art teacher) will help Erin during the event. Michelle Spence has also volunteered with helping.
- Games. Lots of games are already at school. We won’t be renting any games this year. Michelle Spence will bring some games to donate/be used during the event. Jen Babcock will bring giant jenga.
- Movie and Popcorn Night 12/13 Dustin Shevy working on this.
- Ideas on what movie to show? Possibly Charlie Brown Christmas or Wild Kratts Holiday Movie. Something shorter. The Mario movie last year was too long for kids to sit through.
- Adults-Only Spring Fundraiser
- Sarah talked to Jesse and he’s in - please discuss and pick 2-3 dates (between Friday and Saturday nights). Sarah will take dates to Jess. Dates: 01/31, 02/1, 02/07, OR 02/08. Sarah will discuss it with Jesse and CHECK ON CAPACITY OF ROOM.
- Megan Schultz & Kassi Haas working on art ideas for auction.
- Sub-Committee for Event - Need members
- Note: Sarah is willing to be on the sub-committe 🙂
- Color Run
Rachel Sanderson willing to help. She’d be happy to reach out to companies to get gift basket donations. Catherine Kolb will create google Doc for listing businesses to contact/notes. $30-$50 per ticket.
Will decide later. Will reach out to DJ Jason to help w/music.
Reason for Donation: Raising funds for Music Room Instruments/Equipment.
Name of Event: Harmony for Harrison. Something along that line.
- New Business (Sarah)
N/A
- Questions or Concerns (Sarah)
Discussed how bookfair works. Mr. Shevy runs/staffs fall book fair and proceeds go to
Library. Spring book fair, PTO is in charge of running/staffing and those proceeds go to
PTO.
Fall Conferences: Setting up a PTO table in the front hallway to sell Smencils. Erin will
send out a volunteer need on the PTO FB Page to fill in shifts.
Next Meeting: Monday, November 18th | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | at Havana Coffee
11/18/24 Harrison PTO Meeting
HPTO Meeting Agenda
Nov 2024 | 6:00pm to 7:30pm | Location: Havana Coffee
1. Welcome (Sarah)
Attendance: Sarah Smith, Catherine Kolb, Nicki Rasmussen, Erin Stacey, Deborah Spence, Michelle Spence, Andrea Schmaling, Jen Babcock, Jessica Grandt, Allisen Cullum, Amanda Steurer, Rachel Sanderson.
2. Principal Update (Jessica)
a. Fall Conferences Recap--100% in Attendance. Luke's Deli for staff turned out great and they loved it!
b. Both referendums passed! Great news!
c. Assembly went great recently that PTO sponsored.
3. Teacher Updates
a. Primary Unit
K- Mrs. Demerath is back. Ms. Zuhde will stay on as a 3rd Kindergarten teacher. Writing number sentences in math. Switch classes for universal lessons.
1st- Working on place value and addition and subtraction in math.
b. Intermediate Unit
2nd- Reading expository text about animals and writing about them with Animal Research project. Working on place value in Math. Studying different cultures in Social Studies.
3rd- Finishing up reading unit 2 this week. Students have been reading poetry and thinking about character perspectives. In math they have been rounding and adding/subtracting 3-digit numbers. Studying inherited traits in Science.
c. Upper Unit
4th- Finished unit 3 focusing on decimals in math. Finished up unit on geography and moving onto WI history. Piloting science curriculum.
5th- Finishing up American Revolution. In Science they’re finishing up matter and eco systems and moving onto water unit. In writing they’re writing their own folktales after studying folktales in ELA.
4. Treasurer’s Report (Catherine)
a. 2024-2025 Budget Review
- Received $123.80 from Kona Ice from Color Run.
- Current balance is $16,752.71 in the bank account.
- Will touch base in Spring after Harmony for Harrison event if PTO can budget for another assembly this year still.
- Teacher reimbursements are DUE 12/15!
- 5th Graders- Will attend Frozen Jr. at Edison. Only cost will be bussing.
- Possible K-2 field trip to JPA in the Spring.
5. Check-in: PTO Needs for Upcoming Events (Erin/Sarah)
a. Color Run - Teacher Dance Completed. Everyone loved the dance and it went well! b. Restaurant Nights: Mac’s Pizza night canceled for 11/21. Jess will send out a dojo message to let parents know.
i. Scoopie Night - December 11th
Good on volunteers. Mrs. Wormet handling.
ii. Papa Murphy’s Night - January 15th
iii. Scoopie Night - February 12th
iv. Papa Murphy’s Night - March 12th
v. April? Maybe Mod Pizza
vi. May? Maybe Chick Fil A
c. Game Night 11/8 - Recap Went really good and we had a larger turnout this year then last year. No games or activities were rented this year. Helpful to have Miss Haas there.
d. Movie and Popcorn Night 12/13 - Dustin Shevy
i. Movie picked yet? Decided on a DOUBLE FEATURE showing Charlie Brown Christmas (30 min) and the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas (26 min). Both are shorter than showing a long movie where kids get restless.
ii. Flier for event
Erin will work on the flier. No mats will be put down this year. Encourage families to bring their own blankets.
iii. Volunteers Needed?
Michelle Spence may be able to help.
Erin will make hot cocoa. Will reach out to Stacy Jersild to see if she can come in to make popcorn during the day on Friday as well so we have it all bagged up and ready to hand out at event. No popcorn will be made during event. Hand out mini candy canes as well.
e. Adults-Only Spring Fundraiser - “Harmony for Harrison”
- Logistics:
- Date Set: Friday, February 7th
- What time? 7pm-10pm
Cost of ticket? $30-50? Sarah will talk to Jessie regarding food.
Possibly offering a deal on couples and also for staff. Sarah to also
check on capacity of room. Banquet room is being offered for us to use free of charge.
4. DJ Jason?
5. Google Doc for business to contact - assign so not multiple people doing the same
Catherine has a Doc created and will email it out so it can be added
onto. Rachel Sanderson has reached out to a few businesses already (Grand Geneva, Life Dance Academy, Timber Hill Winery, TimberRidge Lodge)
Catherine will post a msg. On PTO FB page if any parents have a
business or have any connections of having donations made for silent auction items. Also to add question when signing up for PTO if parents have a business/connections.
50/50 will also be done at event. License is good to go!
Winners will be announced beginning at 9:30pm. Must be present to
win!
ii. Kassi Haas put together supplies list for auction art work - Catherine has ordered the supplies and they will arrive at Harrison shortly.
iii. Sub-Committee for Event
1. Sarah Smith
2. Rachel Sanderson
3. Allisen Cullum, Catherine Kolb, Jessica Grandt, Jen Babcock, Megan Schultz?
Iv. Sub-committee will meet at Havana on 12/16 at 6:00pm
6. New Business (Sarah)
a. Thanksgiving Break Bingo w/ Prize Idea - Sarah
Bingo forms handed out to kids by homeroom teachers on Tuesday 11/26. Told to bring back to school with them on Monday 12/02. Anyone that returns to homeroom teacher, child is given a prize. (Sarah Smith will donate Wicki
Sticks). Teachers will have prizes ahead of time to hand out. Sarah has an example Thanksgiving Bingo Page and will change a few of the boxes and send to Marissa to print out and give to homeroom teachers.
7. Questions or Concerns (Sarah)
N/A
Next Regular Meeting: Monday, January 13th | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | at Havana Coffee (note: we will meet the 2nd Monday of the month due to MLK Day on the 3rd Monday. Thanks!)
1/14/25 Harrison PTO Meeting
HPTO Meeting Agenda
Jan 2025 | 6:00pm to 7:30pm | Location: Havana Coffee
- Welcome (Sarah)
Attendance: Sarah Smith, Jen Babcock, Catherine Kolb, Jess Grandt, Megan Schultz, Nikki Tourdot, Amanda Steurer, Allisen Cullum, Erin Stacey, Rachel Sanderson.
- Principal Update (Jessica)
5th Annual Bingo night went very well this past Friday. JPAC after school club starts this week. 1st/2nd on Tuesdays. 3-5th on Wednesdays. Discussed adding hardship fund. Recent passing of a student over winter break and a staff member’s son passed over the weekend. Art projects have been started for silent auction items for each grade.
- Teacher Updates
- Primary Unit: K- Learning about coins. Sunlight unit in Science. 1st- Learning about measurements and just had a unit on Penguins.
- Intermediate Unit: 2nd- Wrapping up Unit 3 in reading. ¾ progress monitoring, practicing sequencing of events, & character perspective and compound words. Will be taking unit 4 assessment on measurement (inches, feet, yards) in Math. Learning what urban, suburban, and rural communities are in Social Studies. In Science, learning about what insulation is and what materials have the best insulation. 3rd- Students are enjoying reader’s theater for the next few days along with practicing fluency. Thursday they'll review skills and will take their unit 3 test in Reading. Working on understanding fractions (ordering and comparing fractions with hands on materials like pattern blocks and fraction strips). Students are making connections of fractions on a number line to a ruler. Goal is to measure to the nearest ¼ inch. In Social Studies Students are learning about economy (wants/needs, goods and services, supply/demand). Building background knowledge, students then create their own businesses. Students will open their shops to sell goods/services to their classmates. This is a favorite 3rd grade project. Learning about forces and magnetism in Science.
- Upper Unit: 4th- Learning about the author's perspective in reading. New science love - energy kinds in Science. (Piloting program). Comparing early settlements in America in Social Studies. Unit 4 math multi digit, edition and subtraction. Field trip to UW geology museum coming up. 5th- Unit 4 division fraction times the whole number in Math. Unit 3 authors claim central idea in Reading.
- Treasurer’s Report (Catherine)
- 2024-2025 Budget Review
Sitting well. Software for MoneyMinder Fee went up $100.00. Looked into other options but not much else out there. Sticking with MoneyMinder. Teacher Expense reimbursements were done after 12/15/24. $710.35 not used of $2400.00 and went back into budget.
- Scoopie Night Check = $1368!!
- Create a Hardship Fund.
The PTO Executive board and PTO members reviewed and discussed the request to add a Hardship fund to our yearly budget of $200.00. It was first motioned by Catherine Kolb, seconded by Sarah Smith and moved the motioned to vote which was carried by a 10-0 vote to approve.
Other: Catherine will send a reminder out on PTO fb page regarding Box Top App. We'll also remind parents about App during conferences/checking out at bookfair.
- Check-in: PTO Needs for Upcoming Events (Erin/Sarah)
- Restaurant Nights:
- Papa Murphy’s Night - January 15th
- Scoopie Night - February 12th
- Restaurant Nights:
Jenna Wormet will be on it for teacher volunteers. Nikki Tourdot will confirm with Jenna.
- Papa Murphy’s Night - March 12th
- Mod Pizza - April ?? Sarah will reach out.
- Chick Fil A - May ?? Sarah will reach out.
- Thanksgiving Break Bingo - Lots of kids turn it in? Any leftover WikiStix?
Some kids forgot but seemed to go over well. Some kids turned them in later in the week. Leftover wiki stix went into classroom treasure boxes
- Movie and Popcorn Night 12/13 - RECAP
Great turnout! Really liked the double movie feature with shorter films and break in between. Less spillage this year of cocoa.
- BINGO Night - RECAP
Went very well. Thank you PTO for great prizes! All prizes have been delivered.
- Adults-Only Spring Fundraiser - “Hawks Night Out: Music for a Meaningful Future”
- Date: Friday, February 7th from 7-10:00pm
- Sub-Committee for Event
- Sarah Smith
- Rachel Sanderson
- Jen Babcock
- Catherine Kolb
- Allisen Cullum
Planning is going very well. All food is picked out. Starting to gather auction items.
- Spring Conferences - Weds 2/26 (4p-7p) and Thurs 2/27 (8a-7p)
- PTO Dinner for Wednesday night was approved. Marissa and Sarah will look into options. Sarah will check with Sidleines to see if they can do a boxed option.
Bookfair: Will need to talk next month about volunteer slots to fill. PTO provides coverage.
- New Business (Sarah)
N/A
- Questions or Concerns (Sarah)
Events recap:
February- Hawks Night Out 02/07
*Kindness rocks take home craft* for students????
March- Glow Bingo Grades 3-5 03/07
- JPAC Show Grades K-2. Marissa will look into info/cost.
April- Trivia/Game night 04/11
May- Outdoor Movie with popcorn and possibly ice cream 05/16?
June- Last day of school Culvers Pint Sale? 06/06 Half Day.
Next Meeting: Monday, February 17th | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | at Havana Coffee
2/17/25 Harrison PTO Meeting
HPTO Meeting Agenda
Feb 2025 | 6:00pm to 7:30pm | Location: VIRTUAL (weather)
- Welcome (Sarah)
Attendance: Sarah Smith, Jessica Grandt, Erin Stacey, Catherine Kolb, Jennifer Babcock, Allisen Cullum, Nicki Rasmussen, Michelle Spence, Elizabeth Brewer, Allison Houchin.
- Principal Update (Jessica) Hawks Night Out went amazing and a lot of great feedback from people that attended looking forward to next year's. Valentines Day Parties went well and kids enjoyed them.
- Teacher Updates
- Primary Unit: K: Finished up mitten unit, celebrated 100th day of school, just finished up unit 5 assessment in Wonders. Starting MOY data to share at conferences.
1st: Penguin unit. Finished up Fractions and Geometry Unit.
- Intermediate Unit: 2nd: Math- Starting unit 6 which is Geometry. Students are excited to switch gears a bit and work with shapes. Reading-Recently started unit 4 and the first text set focuses on realistic fiction centered around how kids around the world are different. Science- Learning about and experimenting with how different materials are used.
Social Studies- Learning about how goods are made and brought to us. Upcoming field trip: Discovery Center in May. 3rd: Math- Finishing up unit 5 Multiplication/division. Reading - Reviewing Unit 4 Skills & Reader's Theater. Science- Recently made butter. The kids were very excited. Social Studies- Students opened up their shops to their classmates. They created business plans, created products, wrote checks, and sold their goods to their classmates. Upcoming field trip: April 4th -Milwaukee Public Museum.
- Upper Unit: 4th: Wrapping up Unit 4 in math which focuses on addition, subtraction, place value and rounding. Starting Unit 5 later this week which focuses on geometry and measurement. Reading historical fiction about how technology and innovation affect our lives. Working on writing well developed/ well organized expository paragraphs. This week's topic is important figures in Black History. Social Studies- Learning about the 13 colonies and the unrest that is starting between the colonies and Britain. Science- Continuing to pilot the new curriculum and focus is on Energy.
5th: Starting Unit 5 in math which is about multiplying fractions by whole numbers. In ELA, the focus is on dramas, closely looking at point of view. In science they are working with mixtures, solutions, and chemical reactions. Social Studies topics include Manifest Destiny and Moving West.
- Treasurer’s Report (Catherine)
- 2024-2025 Budget Review
- Hawks Night Out Fundraiser Recap = $8,019
- $2,560 received in-kind donation for keyboards. Already purchased and delivered. Payment done.
- $720 check specifically for ukuleles from Rooster Roofing. Catherine will place order and pay.
- $40 check donation (Sarah will get to Catherine)
Additional $1000.00 check donation by the Ellingson family. This is not included yet!
- $4,699 raised night of event - WOWZA!
^^ Mr. Wolf compiling his wish list -
PTO to spend $4,739 from that list ^^
Mr. Wolf emailed Sarah. He’ll get list sent asap but has some precedenting obligations. He does request we save some funds aside for the future Music teacher to use next year. Mr. Wolf is retiring at end of this school year.
- Underspending - Could end year at +$3,000 or more depending on Scoopie nights
- Started year at $8,300, original end at $9,600
- Color Run +$950
- Unused Teacher Reimbursement + $700
- Unspent “school improvement” $500
*Crystal Torres’ (our EL teacher) husband, Lorenzo, owns a landscaping business. He would like to volunteer his time to landscape around the school. Dr. Grandt will reach out to get a Wish List of items Lorenzo would need and get the cost of materials.
*Brad Reents would like to redo baseball field again and volunteer his time. We'll need price for materials he'll need. We'll discuss at March Meeting.
- Unspent “classroom supplies” $1000
- K-2 JPAC Tickets ?? Marissa has already purchased and will send info to Sarah. Dr. Grandt will let Marissa know.
- PLAYGROUND: Decided to purchase new basketball hoop backboards for playground (Doesn't need facility approval as poles are already in place). Purchasing 4 new backboards. Will also purchase 6 large utility buckets to hold playground fun items for each grade. (Cannot have storage box outside with padlocks due to snowplow not being able to get around them easily). Will look at purchasing new balls (soccer balls footballs, dodgeballs, hula hoops, bubbles, sidewalk chalk as well. Dr. Grandt will send proposal again to facilities for 9 square in the air. Never heard back from previous request sent.
- Check-in: PTO Needs for Upcoming Events (Erin/Sarah)
- Restaurant Nights:
- Scoopie Night - February 12th - Canceled - Rescheduled? Jenna Wormet rescheduling. Will possibly have 2 scoopie nights in April.
- Papa Murphy’s Night - March 12th Good to go!
- Mod Pizza - April ?? - Can someone help reach out? (Sarah tapped) Allisen Cullum will reach out and try scheduling in May since we'll most likely have 2 scoopie nights in April.
- Chick Fil A - May ?? - Can someone help reach out? (Sarah tapped) CANCELING. Have enough with others and this is historically lower in profit.
- Spring Conferences - Weds 2/26 (4p-7p) and Thurs 2/27 (8a-7p)
- Sidelines - Wraps & sides - No Pricing yet < go with the usual GRs/Lukes? Marissa has placed order already for Lukes as conferences are already next week. Sarah will talk with Jessie Sirianni to get pricing and a sheet with 6 meal/wrap options to choose from for future luncheons.
- Bookfair Volunteers Needed
- Set up - Fri. Feb 21st - Leslie Watkins
- Wednesday 26th Shifts: Taken Care of!
- 4 - 5p Allisen Cullum
- 5 - 6:30p Nichole Edwards Family
- Thursday 27th Shifts: 2 people
- 8:30a = 10:00a
- 10a - 11a Leslie Watkins
- 11a - 12p
- 12p - 1p
- 1p - 2p
- 2p - 3p
- 3p - 4p
- 4p - 5p Deb and Michelle Spence
- 5p - 6:30p (fair closes at 6pm)
- Restaurant Nights:
Erin will reach out to PTO volunteer list to get more help.
- March 7th - GLOW BINGO
Grades 3-5 only! K-2 will be doing fieldtrip to JPAC. $500.00 budget! Erin, Catherine, and Jennifer will plan. To Purchase: Glow Dobbers, bingo cards off Amazon or print our own compare cost), 25 prizes (3 Rounds with 5 winners each round, 2 possible Shevy rounds with 3 prizes each, and a few extras for ties), snacks, juice boxes, Sarah has bingo cage. Mrs. Tourdot will be the guest BINGO caller for the evening.
- April 11th - Trivia/Game Night. Brenda Brotzman is not available this night, but is going to share her questions and scoring sheet with Sarah Smith.
- May 16th - Outdoor Movie w/ popcorn and (possibly) ice cream
- June 6th - Last Day of School Culvers Pint Sale?
- New Business (Sarah)
- 5th Grade Field Trip - Previous Chicago trip Discussion. Students took coach busses down to Chicago to go to the Art Museum and to see a broadway show. This began pre Dr. Grandt and continued for a few years after she started. Discontinued pre covid due to a few reasons. 2 years in a row, the broadway shows in Chicago did NOT have anything kid appropriate. This was out of the schools control. Students took coach buses down which will likely cost a lot more now. Decided to pivot to something that the school could control to be uniform. Did YMCA swimming for a few years then changed to Urban Air in Madison. *Mrs. Schmalling emailed Catherine for this year's proposal for 5th Grade trip =$1260.00. PTO has paid half of this historically. Catherine will send check to Urban Air for $600.00*
- Dojo for PTO Allisen. It is not advisable to give access to the the dojo platform to anyone who does not work for the SDJ. However, Dr. Grandt is happy to add things from the PTO to the school’s story. Just email them to her.
- Questions or Concerns (Sarah)
Suggestions for next year's Hawks Night Out: Font darker and larger on the human bingo cards. The game was VERY well received and a lot of people enjoyed it. Have the option to purchase something off a “Wish List” if someone doesn't win a Silent Auction basket they bid on. This way they're donating something still without winning a basket. *Wish List would need to be created PRIOR to event*. Talk to Jessie next year about having a few fans downstairs. Keeping event at the beginning of February on a Friday night worked VERY WELL!!! Would like to continue!
***Educator Appreciation week is coming up in May! Need to plan out details at next meeting!!!!
Next Meeting: Monday, March 17th | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | at Havana Coffee
3/17/25 Harrison PTO Meeting
HPTO Meeting Agenda
March 2025 | 6:00pm to 7:30pm | Location: Havana Coffee
- Welcome (Erin)
Attendance: Jen Babcock, David Martin, Nikki Tourdot, Stacey Starks, Rachel Sanderson, Catherine Kolb, Allisen Cullum, Michelle Spence, Deb Spence, Erin Stacey, Nicki Rasmussen.
- Principal Update (Jessica)
- Huge thank you to PTO for the conference dinner. The staff LOVED Luke's!
- Mr. Shevy and Mr. Wolf are putting together a showcase video of all the instruments that were purchased as a result of the Hawks Night Out. We will put it on FB when it's ready.
- Summer school sign up happens after spring break. Mrs. Tourdot is going to be the head teacher (woot, woot!). Hope you can join us!
- I have an email out to Brenda Brotzman to see what her needs are for the trivia night. And Miss Haas is going to be here as the staff rep that night. I'm guessing she will need prizes, and I asked her how many. And then I'm guessing we will also need a flyer? And did we do snacks last time?
- The biggest thing for May is Educator Appreciation Week, which is May 5-9. Ideally it would be great to do something each day that week for the staff (total = 60). A lunch one day would be great. (That Monday is Cinco de Mayo if we want to do a taco bar?) But I'm totally open. If you can lmk who the PTO rep(s) who is coordinating it this year, I can follow up with them directly.
- Teacher Updates
- Primary Unit: K- Had exciting time creating Leprechaun traps, working on fluency of addition by 10s and learning weight in math. Beginning Animal Research project and studying plants. 1st- Starting unit on Space and Planets. Excited for JPAC Field trip coming up.
- Intermediate Unit: 2nd- Working on poetry And finishing unit 4 in Reading. Finished up shapes and Moving onto measurement in Math. Learning about habitats in Social Studies to prepare for JSOL field trip in May. Kids are excited to see Flat Stanley after Spring Break at JPAC. 3rd- Preparing for Forward Testing this week (writing practice and using the online forward tools for ELA & Math). Working on geometry unit in Math. Students have enjoyed using geoboards. Learning about shapes and their attributes. Finding area and perimeter of shapes. Kids are excited for Milwaukee Public Museum field trip on April 4th. Thank you PTO for covering busses.
- Upper Unit: 4th- Starting Unit 6 on Multiplication and Division in Math. Starting Unit 5 in Wonders for Reading. Working on narrative paragraphs and paragraph writing in general for Writing. Learning about fur trade and the beginning of the French and Indian war in Social Studies. Continuing on with energy lessons in Science. Prepping hard this week for Forward testing that will begin after Spring Break. 5th- Started financial literacy unit to prepare for Biztown in Social Studies. Going to the Sky Carp next month for baseball and education day. Multiplying and Dividing fractions and decimals in Math. Current Unit is all about graphing in Math. Learning Earth Science (rotation of earth, seasons, day and night, and planets) in Science. Finishing a timeline on an important person in writing and how to respond to a prompt. In Reading they're learning about central idea and details, theme, imagery, figurative language, cause and effect, characterization, asking questions, and Greek roots.
- Treasurer’s Report (Catherine)
- 2024-2025 Budget Review
- Approved budget overages. Motioned 1st by Erin Stacey. Motioned 2nd by Allisen Cullum. All Approved.
- 2024-2025 Budget Review
- +$1050 Field Trips
- +$600 Assemblies
- +$250 Fifth Grade Party
- +$300 Landscaping
- Hawks Night Out Fundraiser Recap = $8,019
- Items Ordered from Wishlist
- Waiting to decide on drumset.
- Decided that we'll purchase Mr. Wolf’s drumset for $600.00.
- Book Fair = Success!
- 775 items sold!
- PTO receives 25% of the profit = $1,292.29
($780.38 in cash + $511.91 check from Scholastic)
- Check-in: PTO Needs for Upcoming Events (Erin/Sarah)
- Restaurant Nights:
- Scoopie Nights - April 29th & May 14th
- Restaurant Nights:
- Jenna Wormet to coordinate volunteers.
- Glow Bingo Recap (Erin) --Went Very well with approximately 60 kids attending.
- Trivia Night - April 11th - Brenda Brotzman’s schedule changed and IS available to do the trivia night - Will need someone to purchase prizes; Volunteer? Will need more volunteers for set up too.
- Erin will create flyer. Allisen will purchase prizes ($200 budget with 3 prizes leftover from glow bingo). Jess will send a dojo out once flyer is done. Pre Registration will be required with team info to plan ahead.
- Educator Appreciation Week - May 5th thru May 9th, 2025
- Ideas: Wicked, others?
- We’ll check with Sarah on theme. Wicked may work. Teachers loved the homemade lunchables last year. We'll plan a day for those and possibly a taco bar on that Monday (Cinco De Mayo). Doughnuts one morning? Erin will talk more with Sarah on this.
- Spring Sings - May 2nd - Need Cookies from Sam’s - Need 1 per class; should be pre-ordered to ensure we have enough - Volunteer to Pick up? (Sarah has membership and can order/pick up, if no one else wants to)
- Michelle and Deb Spence will pick up 13 trays of cookies and turn in receipt to Catherine to be reimbursed.
- May 16th - Outdoor Movie w/ popcorn and (possibly) icecream
- Moana 2 or the new Dogman Movie. Erin will email Mr. Shevy on this.
- June 6th - Last Day of School Culvers Pint Sale? Jen will get info from Culver's.
- Landscape Project - Need Date - Lorenzo Torres will be helping us - $500 in budget - Decided that it will be easiest if he picks up the supplies and PTO reimburse him.
- Any Date is fine. Whatever works for Lorenzo and we need to know if he needs volunteers and how many. Erin will have Jess reach out to Lorenzo.
- New Business (Sarah)
- Questions or Concerns (Sarah)
- Playground Equipment- Steel (Commercial grade) backboard is prefered along with chain hoops so it last longer. Currently they’re steel so they just need to be repainted and then new rims with chains ordered. This may require a maintenance ticket to be submitted. We also need to look at options of a playground equipment storage cart. Needing 6 total.
- Steve would like a storage Shed outside to store the snowblower and lawnmower inside of as it's currently stored inside the school and is against code. This should most definitely be brought up to facilities if against code and should be paid for by the district, not PTO.
- Electronic school sign. Is this something that needs to be fixed often lately? PTO purchased so is there anything we can do to improve it so it doesn't have to be fixed so often.
Next Meeting: Monday, April 14th | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | at Havana Coffee
4/14/25 Harrison PTO Meeting
HPTO Meeting Agenda - 4/14/2025
April 2025 | 6:00pm to 7:30pm | Location: Havana Coffee
Welcome (Sarah) – attendance : Sarah Smith, Allisen Cullum, Debbie Spence, Michelle Spence, Nicole Rasmussen, Kim Astin, Nikki Tourdot, Erin Stacey, Catherine Kolb, Lori Thorson
- Principal Update (Jessica) - Was not present ☹ We missed you Dr Grandt
- Teacher Updates
- Kindergarten
- Just started animal research projects
- Going to O’dools Dairy goat farm 4/25
- Social Studies - looking at different cultures around the world
- 1st Grade
- Health - studying being ‘healthy kids’, organs, systems, dental health, exercise, rest, food etc
- Going to Discovery Center 5/15!
- Working on opinion writing
- Math working on +/- and story problems
- 2nd Grade
- Reading = started unit 5 & learning about biographies and what heroes do.
- Math = wrapping up unit 7 & working with adding and subtracting 3 digit numbers along with shapes and fractions
- Writing = finishing up our free verse poems
- Social Studies = learning about what good citizens do
- 3rd Grade
- Reading = Reviewing unit 5 skills and taking test this week
- Math = just started unit 7 – multiplying bigger numbers (2-digit by 1 digit ex 23x4). Also continuing work on fractions
- Thank you for covering the cost of the 2 buses to the Milwaukee Public Museum. The students really enjoyed the trip
- We will have one more field trip on Wed June 4th to the Lincoln Tallman House
- 4th Grade
- Math – Multi Digit multiplication and division
- Social Studies – French Indian war
- Science – energy unit and piloting the new unit
- 5th Grade
- Forward Testing finishing up
- Field trip to Sky Carp game coming up
- Math studying triangles and quadrilaterals
- Preparing for trip to Biz Town!!
- Book Club
- Kindergarten
- Treasurer’s Report (Catherine)
- 2024-2025 Budget Review
- Spreadsheet Reviewed – nothing new has happened except we got some money from Lifetouch (fall photos?) and we will discuss playground updates later in the meeting.
- Check-in: PTO Needs for Upcoming Events (Sarah/Erin)
- Restaurant Nights:
- Scoopie Nights - April 29th & May 14th - Jenna Wormet to get volunteers
- Trivia Night Recap: 30 TEAMS!!! Great turn out! Over 100 people & 22 teams pre-registered, Snacks went over well, especially popcorn, Boats worked well for serving. Next year we could use extra time 1.5-2 hours or a helper for Brenda. Could potentially be a better event for older kids or cut down the number of questions and/or rounds if we want to stick to 1 hour. Next year advertise a “doors open” time and “trivia start” time. Potentially have coloring sheets for younger kids to do during down time. Need bathroom monitors pr make an announcement that parents need to go to bathroom with child – had some bathroom issues. Have a TEACHER TEAM! ** Thank you, Brenda, for planning the questions and running the event!!
- Educator Appreciation Week - May 5th thru May 9th, 2025 - Sun-sational theme!
- EAW Committee will meet after PTO meeting - Secret from the Teachers
- Spring Sings - May 2nd
- Pre-order cookies by April 25th -Michelle and Deb Spence picking u
- May 16th - Outdoor Movie w/ popcorn and (possibly) ice cream - Erin Update
- New Dogman Movie
- Last Week of School – Tues, Wed and possibly Thursday - Culvers Pint Sale – we would order 50 Vanilla and 50 Chocolate -Jen Update
- Landscape Project – DONE! Lorenzo Torres came over Spring Break and put in new mulch, planted, and did other beautifying of our yard! Shout out to their team!! Catherine will get them payment for their service
- Restaurant Nights:
- New Business (Sarah)
- STEAM Night - Dustin Shevy Event - Fri April 25th 6-7:30p - Need 3 adult volunteers (not a PTO sponsored event) Volunteers needed from 545-730 – there will be 5 stations and families can spend 5 – 15 min per station. Families can come any time during the event and stay as long as they want until the ending time. There will be some Craig students there helping as well. Michelle and Deb Spence volunteered to help at the meeting and Erin will find 1- 2 more helpers for the event
- Nominations for 25-26 Executive Board - Voting will be at May Meeting
- President – Sarah Smith Nominated
- Vice President – Erin Stacey Nominated
- Treasurer – Allisen Cullum Nominated
- Secretary – Jennifer Babcock Nominated
- Update on Playground Equipment Purchase
- Basketball Hoops - Painting (Facilities) & PTO to purchase rims/chains
- Carts (6) - balls, etc. to go with
- Catherine purchased a BUNCH of playground equipment and it will be delivered this week for each grade level.
- 2025-2026 School Year Dates
- Teacher Meet & Greets - Thursday, August 28th (8a-7p)
- Color Run - Thursday, September 25th (6-7:30p)
- Color Run (rain date) - Thursday, October 2nd (6-7:30p)
Questions or Concerns (Sarah)
- Popcorn days? Are we still doing these? Possibly have one before end of year – May 30th Erin and Allisen would pop the corn
Next Meeting: Monday, May 19th | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | at Havana Coffee
^^ LAST PTO MEETING OF THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR ^^