Present:
As this was combined with the 5th grade social event there was no attendance sheet passed around specifically for the PTO meeting .  There were approximately 60 people in attendance.  We had a great turnout by combining the meeting with a Fifth grade tour and ice cream social.  Our young Matadors ate ice cream while Matador moms and dads sat in on this primarily informational meeting.

Welcome
Merritt welcomed the group and invited everyone to attend PTO meetings throughout the year.  There are no PTO dues this year.  If you have a child at JTM, then you are a member.

Jill Pittman
Mrs. Pittman commented on how important parent support is for our school, and how it makes JTM a very special and successful middle school.  She also encouraged parent involvement in the Cluster.  She said the school is set to welcome around 600 Matadors for the new school year!  She then introduced JTM’s new Assistant Principal, Dr. Gary Hughes.

Gary Hughes
Dr. Hughes said he is looking forward to the year and reminded us that we are all part of a team – parents and school together – and it takes us working together for our children to be successful.

Volunteer Opportunities
Carey Morgan encouraged everyone to get involved, even the smallest of contributions makes a huge difference.  There will be a list of available opportunities in the first day folders.  There will be three primary methods of communicating to parents throughout the year.

1. Listserv
Weekly updates and other special events or requests will go out on our listserv .

2. Matador Moms
Each grade has 2 volunteers that will communicate specific needs and grade-level events and news to parents in that particular grade.

3. PTO Website
Our JTM website will have a special areas for PTO news and calendar items that will be updated regularly.

On the left side of your First day folders will be forms to fill out and return.  Keep the rest of the folder as reference throughout theyear.  When directories come out, then can be inserted in the center section.

Listserv: Laura Van Sickle
Website: http://www.jtmoore.org

School Opening Events
Merritt reminded everyone about the breakfast on Friday.  Drop off your child, then head to the cafeteria to visit with other JTM parents.  There will be a PTO-staffed information table in the lobby during the first week of school.  She also wants everyone to look forward to attending the back-to-school family picnic on August 20th at 6 PM.   Standard Student Attire (SSA) items are available throughout the first week of school (and as long as items are available) in the Students Services office. If you have SSA items to donate, please bring them to Student Services.

INVEST
This is JTM’s primary fundraiser, raising about 70% of the funds needed to fund important programs that make our school so great.
Contact: Carolyn Sadler Kyne

Citipass Books
These great coupon books will be for sale this year, and there will be some exciting incentives for the students to sell books.  There will be a book sent home in the first day folders.  Each book is $20, and JTM gets $10 for each book sold.
Contact: Jennifer Kleine

Free Money!

4 ways to raise money for JTM without spending any of your own money!

1. Publix
Get a card for your key ring, and use it anytime you make a purchase at Publix, and the school will get credit.

2. Target Visa
Link your Target Visa to JTM, and the school gets a percentage back.

3. VIC card (Harris Teeter)
Link your VIC card to JTM and the school get a percentage of certain foods you purchase.

4. Kroger
Pays back 4% of everything you spend at Kroger, as long as you pay with a pre-loaded gift card that is linked to our school.

More information on all of these programs will be in the first dayfolders.
Contact: Kim Hewett

Clubs
Watch for list of exciting clubs in first day folders.  Still need some facilitators and welcome ideas for new clubs that you might be interested in coordinating.
Stephanie Brakefield

Sponsor Thank You
Thanks to: Staples for giving us a discount on folders for first day folders, Kinkos for a discount on copies for first day folders, and Kroger for donating bowls, napkins and spoons for the ice cream social.

Adjourned
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM

Minutes Submitted by Amy Emerson, Secretary