An independent, non-profit community based organization.

Folsom Educational Foundation – December 3, 2007 

Members present:  Jean Rishel, Tracy Dirkes, MaryBeth Spiegel, Dina Abbamondi, Rita Howell, Joanne Wiesner, Kacey Storey, Patricia Arena, Sue Chille, Janet Worrell, Joanne Breitzman, and Lynda Carty.  

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM  

MaryBeth motioned to approve the minutes from the September 10, 2007 meeting and Rita seconded the motion. 

Treasurer’s Report:

MaryBeth reviewed the financial status of the Foundation.  Since the last meeting, the Foundation has paid the balance of the Project Wisdom materials, Ron Sahli services, the 5^th Grade Ride the Ducks and National Constitutional Center trip, food services for school assembly, 3^rd Grade Theater Works trip, Primary Focus assembly and GL Scrip.   With a deposit of GL Scrip funds, the Total Commerce Funds available, to date, are $6,614.11.  The Bank of America (MBNA) funds are $24,472.34 and the Folsom Hunting and Fishing Scholarship amount is $3,717.30.  The 6^th Grade Stokes State Forest trip bill of $2,580 will be paid shortly. 

Old Business: 

Back to School Night:  Tracy reported that Danyele spoke to the parents at Back to School Night about the Folsom Educational Foundation activities and membership.  Many parents expressed interest and signed up for the Foundation. A welcome/reminder letter was sent to members and those who signed up on November 14, 2007 inviting them to our December meeting. 

Thank You Card:  The Foundation received a thank you from FTN for the Project Wisdom materials. 

IRS letter:  The Foundation received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service confirming the Foundation’s tax exempt status under the section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Foundation is required to complete Form 990 each year. Mr. Ron Sahli is contracted to submit the proper paperwork on behalf of our organization. 

Assembly:  Tracy reported that the Primary Focus Assembly and Character Education scheduled for October 15, 2007 took place.  The 6^th Grade students participated in an essay contest.  The topic was “What do you want to do when you grow up and how can you utilize the character traits in the assembly in your career?”  The essays have been submitted and we are awaiting a response.  It was suggested to contact Primary Focus to confirm the status of the essay contest. 

Logo Contest:

The Foundation held a logo contest for students in Grades 3-8 to create a Foundation seal that represents the Foundation’s ideals in October.  The Foundation received 45 entries and we were impressed with the quality and creativity of the logos.  The contest committee narrowed the selection to 4 finalists and the Foundation voted on their logo selection.  The results were: 

Winner – “Lending a Hand in Education” by Abbey McLeod

Honor Mentions –             FEF Logo by Briana Caporale
                                                “We Want to Help our School” by Selena Sanchez
                                                Pencil Cup of Activities by Emmalee Carty    

The winner will receive a certificate and gift card to Borders and the honorable mentions will receive a certificate and free snack card.  Mrs. Russell will receive a $100 mini-grant for classroom materials and her students will receive a free snack coupon for being the classroom with the most entries. Congratulations to all! 

GL Scrip Gift Cards:

Lynda and Trisha organized our first ever Great Lakes (GL) Scrip Gift Card sale for Folsom staff, Foundation members and friends.   The sale ran for 1 week before Thanksgiving and the Foundation sold 327 gift cards, a total amount of $8,355.  Based on the varying gift card percentages, the Foundation’s profit will be $563.77.  The cards have arrived and will be distributed later this week.  The Foundation would like to run the sale again in late Winter, promoting Valentine’s Day, Easter, Spring/Summer birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc.   It will be extended to Folsom parents this time.  It was suggested to send a family letter home with the youngest students for best results. 

Grants:

Several grants have been approved for the upcoming year.  They include the 8^th Grade Irvine Auditorium “Classic” ($500), 6^th Grade Stokes State Forest trip ($2,580), 5^th Grade “Ride the Ducks” in Philadelphia ($425), 3^rd Grade “A Christmas Carol” ($300), and PreK bus costs to Hammonton Post Office and the Garden State Discovery Museum. 

Old Business: 

Tracy reported the Foundation received two letters regarding fundraisers for a fashion show and events by Full House Entertainment, Inc.  At this time, the Foundation will not be able to pursue these ideas.   

The 2^nd Annual Comedy Night is in the works.  The Board of Education approved the date for Saturday, January 26, 2008.  Danyele contacted Comedy Blast and is waiting for confirmation of date, comedians, and cost. 

To help plan the event, several committees were formed. 

Tickets - Dina, Tracy

Flyers - Dina (Tech Club), Marybeth, Sue

Raffle - Marybeth, Jean, Janet, Marion (?), Kacey, Trisha, Joanne

Set-up – All members, Lou, Janet

Clean-up - All members, Sue, Linda

Food - Linda, Rita, Joanne, Patty

Donations - Rita (pretzels), Danyele (Shoprite)

Kacey will organize the details of the classroom themed baskets to raffle at the event.  The committee brainstormed on several basket themes and they include: Tea, Coffee, Garden, Kitchen, Movie Night, Chocolate, Snack, Italian, Spa/Pampering, Sports – Golf, Variety, Game, Children’s toys and Arts & Crafts.  Additional donations of baskets may be requested from Stockup and Tastefully Simple representatives.  It was suggested to ask for donations of baskets.  Wrapping and bows may need to be purchased.  The 50/50 will still be offered. 

The Foundation decided to raise the cost of tickets at the door.  Tickets will cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  Refreshments will continue to be included. 

Joanne W. suggested that a Comedy Night announcement be made at the next faculty meeting.  Jean and other committee members would like to see teachers sell a certain amount of tickets. 

To avoid incurring custodial charges, Jean suggested we offer free tickets to the custodian and his/her spouse for the evening in lieu of payment.  Jean will also check to see if there are any clinics that day; if not, the Foundation and school staff could set up chairs and tables Friday afternoon. 

Tech Club will make flyers to post in the school and around the community.  Ideas to help promote the Comedy Night included a press release to the local papers, notice on the information board in front of the school, a visual sign at corner of street  (Sue), information posted on the Fire Hall board and flyers to go home to Room parents.  

Chris Roth, Science teacher, offered to sell CDs at the event and donate some of the proceeds to the Foundation.  The committee liked this idea and suggested we play his CD at the beginning and end of the show.   

The next scheduled meetings will be Monday, January 7, 2008 at 4 PM for Comedy Night Planning and Monday, March 3, 2008.
 

Dina presented a motion to adjourn and Jean seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 PM.