PTO MEETING RECAPS

Thank you for attending the recent virtual or in-person PTA/PTO interest meeting! Your time is very valuable, so thank you for showing up! Virtual attendees, we have decided to move forward with a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) vs PTA. At this time, we feel the PTO will be more beneficial for our school.

What has happened since the meeting?

We are currently researching/working on the following

We purchased the PTO Today membership, I am printing the toolkits. Hopefully this will make things easier for our future board
I drafted a membership form which will need to be approved
drafting a mission statement - this will be similar and in support of Magnolia's mission statement
drafting bylaws - based on the PTO Today bylaws and MMS's previous PTA bylaws
taking nominations for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. If you have any interest or you know someone who would be interested please click and complete this link MAMS PTO OFFICER INTEREST FORM 2023-2024

What is next?

once the drafts (mission statement, membership forms and bylaws) are completed. I will forward those out for review. Feel free to make edits.
schedule first official meeting

What will happen at the official meeting?

We will all complete membership applications and pay dues. At this time, cash or check would be ideal, as we won't have a bank account . Dues will be placed in an envelope and given to Magnolia Middle School.
We will read through the mission statement and bylaws, discuss changes and vote to approve.
We will read through nominations and vote on officers. If there is only one candidate we can have a verbal vote, if there are multiple candidates we will vote via ballot.
Set a meeting schedule for the rest of the year
Discuss next steps, share ideas for our first fundraiser or event
Open forum

After the meeting:

Apply for 501c3
Apply for insurance (paid for by dues)

Behind the scenes:

I have also reached out to Perry Hall Middle School - who is also in a rebuilding phase. The president is going to give me a call and discuss their process, exchange ideas etc.

I reached out to the elementary booster club - he said he will send their bylaws. He hasn't yet.

I reached out to the Joppatowne High booster club - no reply. If anyone has an in with that club and would like to reach out. I'd love to chat with them about what has worked, and what hasn't.

Lastly, I have a volunteer opportunity. I was able to speak with some of you, but if I haven't - Magnolia is co-hosting a Fall Fest next week, Thursday October 19th from 4-6pm. Ms. Hatcher sent out an email earlier specifically asking for attendees to RSVP. I would like to invite you to volunteer at this event. You can set up your car for the trunk or treat event, you can be an extra set of hands to help with the games the school is setting up, or you can donate candy. I do realize the 4pm start time is not ideal for some families, and completely understand if you are unavailble to help out during this event.

Date: Monday, November 6th
Time: 6pm
Location: Magnolia Middle School

Tentative Agenda
Review, edit and adopt Bylaws
Review, edit and adopt Standing Rules
Review, edit and adopt Mission Statement
Complete membership
Elect officers
Open nominations for committee chairs
Principals report
Discuss pre-meeting survey questions
New Business
Announcements
Adjournment

Our major accomplishment during the recent meeting was we elected officers.
Your Executive Board:
President - Heather Wink
Vice President - Tamar Pair
Treasurer - Gary McGraw
Assistant Treasurer - Casey Stockton
Recording Secretary - Savannah Sosa
Corresponding Secretary - Courtney McCormick

The Board met on Friday morning to review the rest of the bylaws and the standing rules and to work on next steps for the PTO.

Gary - will be working on the incorporation documents, applying for a 501c3, an EIN. Unfortunately, those processes can take up to 2 months. Then we can get a bank account and start accepting membership dues and donations.

Heather - researching insurance

Courtney - working on our website

We will be looking for Committee Chairs, if you have any interest please reach out.

While we are waiting to finalize all of the paperwork. We would like to focus our attention on Magnolia's Care Closet. The Care Closet is a place the students can go to get things they may need. Attached you will see a list of the requested supplies. Please feel free to share it on social media, and reach out to friends and family. All toiletries need to be new. Clothing can be new or gently used. At this time the requested clothing items are only for clothes the kids will wear.

As to not overwhelm the school we are asking you not to drop items off directly to the school. I'd be happy to pick up donations or you can bring them to the next PTO meeting.

Bigger plans are to do a food drive - but we need to get permission from administration. I will update as those plans progress.

Meeting Minutes Thursday April 25, 2024

Call to order: 6:02pm

Motion to approve minutes. Minutes approved.

Principal Namey:

Celebrated high honor roll 3.5 or higher got breakfast and ceremony.
Gearing up for 8th grade, all 8th grades will get letters for 8th grade

week activities.
No graduations since Harford County does not support them. We

have social, field day, and an 8th grade awards ceremony. Save the date is (6/10) but the actual invitation will go out (5/28).

a. Awards in valor

b. Invitation only
Sneaker ball formal/informal social theme is “glow in the dark”.

Looking for décor ideas for social. No dress requirement for chaperone. Sign-up sheets will have a link for sign-up. If they want to purchase in person, they can.
Next year, HCPS is going to do a unified schedule for middle schools. MMS is different. Academic classes will be 10 minutes longer than

gym, art, etc. No built-in time in between classes. No bells. Kids are

hand scheduled for youth depending on needs/wants.

6. Next year, all classes equally and students moving a crossed at the

same time. Got permission to adjust periods to odd & even days. Even on Thursdays, odd on Wednesdays. 90-minute periods. Kids will only have 4 classes a day.

7. Soccer is happening and we are having a great turnout, however, it is part of the proposed budget cuts

- We have had positions cut. Class size average of 19 kids.

- Originally were 2 positions but switched to 1 position being cut.

- Changed one 6th grade team to a split team so it will be smaller so they will have 1 teacher teach two classes.

- We will offer drama for 8th grade & health (required) and due to size, we added a teacher to teach health and PE.

- Ready to meet with incoming 6th grade teachers. We will be going to all elementary schools to meet with parents regarding needs for incoming 6th graders and will have mini meet and greets for the 5th grade parents. The first meeting is in May at Joppatowne Elementary. Edgewood Elementary is so small, half the students will attend Edgewood Middle School and half will attend Magnolia Middle School.

8. The Superintendent proposes cutting the pool. We met with aquatics team and told them. Namey went to the board meeting and nothing was said about proposed pool cuts

9. Tiers in honor roll:

Youth with a GPA between 3.0 to 3.25 will receive a certificate
Youth with a GPA between 3.5 to 3.66 are considered on the

Viking Honor Roll and will receive an awards breakfast.
We are taking 100 kids to the Orioles game on 5/15/24. Kids are getting special Valor keys that they can enter in the morning and will be entered into a drawing for the trip. Those on the valor list and have 95% attendance will be automatically entered for multiple entries. We will announce the names on 5/1/24.

10. Yearbook link will be available in a week. Price is $25 and is in color. Yearbook delivery will be delayed. We are considering an autograph book for the 8th graders. Parents of 8th graders can write a farewell message, pay $3 and the children will get a little gift with their farewell message. You can pay for these through school bucks online.

Old Business

The drawing for IronBirds tickets in beginning of June for the youth. Faculty drawing from memberships will be on 4/30.
Soccer concessions better than the first.
Met with Ms./Mrs. Hatcher about the 8th grade dance and

celebration. The dance will be on 6/7/24 from 6pm-8pm and field day will be on 6/6/24 from 1pm-3pm.
1. The rotary club offered to donate $500 towards refreshments for the dance.
2. A local baker in Harford County will donate cookies and she offered to make cupcakes for teacher appreciation week.
3. We will need volunteers to chaperone the dance and for field day.
4. We are looking for anyone who can donate/loan outdoor board games for field day.
Teacher Appreciation week is May 6th-10th. Theme is chosen. New Business

1. Regarding budget cut proposals, we spoke to other PTA presidents about potentially showing up to the next Board of Education meeting with kids in sports uniforms.

a. The 6th grade orientation is tentatively on either the afternoon on Thursday 8/8/24 from 1pm-3:30pm and the other is on the morning of Wednesday 8/14/2024 from 9am-1130am.

Adjourned 6:45pm.

Relive the Moments: Meeting Minutes and Recaps.

Stay informed and connected by exploring the archives of our PTO meetings. Here, you'll find detailed minutes that capture the essence of our discussions, decisions, and the collaborative spirit that defines our community. Whether you attended the meeting or missed it, this page serves as a valuable resource for staying up-to-date on key updates, initiatives, and plans. Dive into the recaps to revisit the highlights and important takeaways, ensuring you're always in the loop on the exciting progress we're making together. Your participation matters, and here's where you can catch up on the vibrant tapestry of our journey!