There were no corrections to the 11-10 PTO minutes. Minutes were passed by unanimous vote.

Insurance for PTO board. Covers mismanagement or negligence. Example given: If someone gets hurt at a PTO event and someone sues, insurance would cover liability. $570.00 per year covers all PTO members against crime, medical and other issues. Questions were raised regarding whether Thurston Nature Center and Thurston Players can be covered under the general PTO umbrella. Since Thurston Players has members that aren’t PTO members, it was recommended that they should obtain separate insurance. Frank Commiskey is Committee Chair of Thurston Nature Center which is a PTO committee and thereby covered. It was advised that Thurston Nature Center always have a PTO member on the committee.

Motion to purchase $570.00 comprehensive insurance made by Roshayne Jaiman. Seconded by Amy Sonntag. Motion passes unanimously.

Budget: Treasurer Angela Keiter reports a current balance of $38,391 in the Thurston PTO checking account

There is currently a Thurston gift program for families in need. There are more families than ever before who need assistance. Please consider signing up to give and also using outside resources if possible (example: giving the list to your workplace, family members). Household items don’t need to be gift-wrapped, just the toys/gifts. Gently used items are fine.

The monthly AAPAC meeting for parents of students with IEP’s and 504 plans will take place Monday 12/7 at 7:00 at Tappan Middle School Media Center. Parents can meet one-in-one with SISS (Student Intervention and Support Services) representatives at 6:15.

Disability Awareness Workshops are being planned for all 4th graders and 5th graders in the schools that were missed last year including Thurston. However, the DAW trailer with materials and equipment went missing. AAPS will be replacing the trailer and some equipment, but it could impact the start and scope of the program. Ms. York will be working out dates for DAW to come but could really use a parent volunteer to facilitate the program.

The online directory is a success with 94% participation. People can update information at any time.

Lack of volunteers for science events was discussed as it limits the amount of children able to participate. Ideas are welcome to make these programs more inclusive.

The all-school event will be ice skating on 12/17. It was chosen due to its popularity last year and it being the most cost-effective option. Information and permission slips should be coming home on Thursday. No child can participate without a permission slip. Cheese pizza and beverage are included. Grades will go in two shifts so no overcrowding. Look for a Signupgenius for parent volunteers.

Talent show info will also be going out soon. Tryouts will be one minute long and most likely be broken up by class levels.

Please look at lost and found items, as there is an enormous pile of items and unclaimed ones will be donated.

Fingerprinting for lunch workers isn’t covered by the district, so Thurston would have to cover the $70.00 fee or ask workers to pay. There was discussion about how many people to pay for, and whether we pro-rate the fee somehow so PTO doesn’t get stuck with the cost if the workers quit. Motion to pay for 6 lunch workers’ fingerprinting costs (if assistance is requested) made by Julie Koehn. Seconded by Eleanora Katsambouris,. Motion passes unanimously.

Next Tuesday 12/8 is Little Caesars Pizza fundraiser night. Hot and ready deep dish pizza gets Thurston $1.00 per pizza and gets the winning classroom a pizza party.

Keep turning in boxtops and Campbell’s soup points.

The next PTO meeting is 1/5