The PTO provides for programs designed to enhance each grade’s current curriculum, provides teachers with additional
materials not covered in the school’s budget, and hosts many family-fun and community events.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Highland View PTO:  Wow!  You are the best!  Also: Neon Dance Night!

Hello Highland View Families!

First: You are all the best!  There were a LOT of families out at Panda express for the first Dine-Out-For-Highland-View night this month!  Thank you so much!

And speaking of dining out for Highland View, make sure your calendar is marked for February 23rd sometime between 5-9PM for our night out at Qdoba!

Second:  Neon Dance Night!  Woohoo!  Super Party Fun Time!  If you're counting, it's only 4 days away.  I hope to see you there!  (1/29 6:00-8:00 PM)  This is consistently our students' favorite just-for-fun event of the year and with good reason.  Thanks so much to Mrs. Latus, Mrs. Hanlon, and Mrs. Mermal for all their work on it!

Finally, for the teachers:  Remember, we have money set aside to help with things your classrooms might need.  In the past this money has been used for math enrichment tools, organizational supplies in the classroom, and communications tools.  All the information you need is on the link at the right.  We just ask that you turn an application in to Mrs. Flater before the 1st of the month, and we'll include it in the PTO agenda for that month.

Thanks so much to all of you!

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Highland View PTO:  Three Thrilling Things!

(Well, "thrilling" may have been overselling, but these three things are definitely worth knowing about!)

1)  Tonight (Thursday 1/14) is  Highland View night at the 76th Street Panda Express!  From 4:00-8:00 they'll donate 20% of your bill to Highland View if you show them the flyer you got on Friday.  (Or you can show them this picture on your smartphone!)  See you there!

2)  Dates to meet the finalists in the Greendale School District Superintendent search are set!  
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, February 2, 3 and 4, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Greendale Hose Tower, 5699 Parking Street, in the Village Center. Childcare will be available during the 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. session. Please contact Mary Ann Jacobsen at 414-423-2702 or maryann.jacobsen@greendale.k12.wi.us if your children will join you for the 6:30 p.m. meeting.  You can get up to date information from the school district at this link.

3)  Notes and links to information from Mondays meeting are available here.  As always, feel free to email with any questions or comments!  There was a lot to know and a lot going on!

Thanks everyone!  Thrilled?  

Aleks Skibicki

Monday, January 11, 2016

January Meeting Information and Resources

Hello everyone!

Here's the quick and dirty rundown of the meeting and links to any pertinent information if you want to explore further.

The Buddy Bench we've teased at a few meetings is moving along. If anyone still had questions about a buddy bench, here's some online info about the concept.  It was great to see our students taking the lead on this.  I'm excited that we can help them make this happen.

If you want to check out the minutes from the November and December meetings, they're online now here (November) and here (December).

The notes from the March Event Committee are also online here!  A huge thank you to Kristi Settle who volunteered to contact science related organizations in the area for participation prizes for all students.  And another thanks to Shawn Schlieve who volunteered to decorate the gym a few weeks before the event as our super science center.  (If you're interested in helping her out, you can reach her at shawngbp921@yahoo.com ).

I know I've plugged it before, and if you were at the meeting and kept your meeting notes, you have a copy of the room parent proposal in paper copy too, but here's the link to it again!  ( Since you are the most active parents, the chances you're "recruited" to the program are pretty solid, so now's the best chance to make it something you'd enjoy being a part of. ) Please take a browse and email any thoughts or changes you feel would make it better.  I'd like to put it in Mrs. Flater and the school's hands within the next couple weeks.

Neon Dance night looks awesome!  Thanks Megan and Lori for putting it together this year!

Information on the continuing process of finding a new Superintendent can be found here.  Information on community opportunities to meet the finalists isn't up yet, (EDITED TO ADD: THE LINK NOW HAS DATES SET TO MEET THE FINALISTS) but keep checking. 

There's a Black History Month teacher committee meeting at 7:45 AM this Friday at Highland View.  Mrs. Flater said parents would be welcome if they chose to attend.  If you can go, I'll see you there!

If you misplace your flyer for the Panda Express Highland View night this Thursday, you can flash them this picture of the flyer if you want.  (Although Christie said they're pretty flexible and ought to let you participate just by saying you're with Highland View.)

Here's a link to buy tickets to the "Cheers for Education" event put on by the Greendale Education Foundation on February 26th.  It's a great event, and a really great organization that does a lot for Highland View (and all the Greendale Schools.)

Finally, here's more information on the PTO Conference in Chicago.  Like I mentioned, we'll cover the registration for anyone who goes.  It is on March 23rd, which is a Wednesday.  If you're interested, let me know.  Maybe carpool?  I can fit people in the van!

Whew!  There was a lot going on!  




  

PTO Minutes December 14th, 2015.

Highland View PTO
Minutes for 12-14-2015

1)  Called to order at 6pm with 14 members in attendance.

2)  Welcome/Introductions

3) Agenda approved on voice vote

4) Minutes 11-9-2015 tabled until next meeting

5)  Treasurer’s Report attached and approved on voice vote
            Art to remember needs a new person for next year

6) School Board Updates
            John Comiskey shared school board information. 
Superintendent candidate’s profiles are on the district website
            Interviews will be taking place and narrowing down the candidates by March

7)  Past Events
             PTO fundraiser
We made about $5600, down from the past.
A suggestion was made to look at other fundraisers going on at the same time.
Discussion on new ideas:
                        Color run, raffle, 50/50 raffle
            Fun run/walk
                        We made $3000, which was up from last year.
            All the World Event

8) New Business
            March Learning Fair/Science Fair???
                        Committee sign up online. 
Neon Dance/ Sock hop    Jan. 29th
Room parent program for Highland View
            Chandra and Roxanne have been discussing some ideas already
            Committee will finalize a plan to send over to administration/staff for their consideration.
Black History Month (February)
Mrs. Flater will speak to the staff, as it was a lot of work on their part.
School-Pack Supplies
            Yes let’s pursue

9)  Principal time
            Ms. Webers class is having a Hat & Mitten drive please help by donating.
            Hour of Coding went well.
            Dec. PBIS the children are working toward a P.J. and Movie day
10) Meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.


PTO Minutes November 9th, 2015

Highland View PTO
Minutes from 11-9-2015

1)  Called to order at 6pm 25 people in attendance

2)   Agenda approved

3)   Minutes 10-12-2015 approved

4)  Treasurer’s Report
A motion to pay Aleks back for the magician was made and approved.
Aleks did not accept the check.

5)  School Board report was given by John Comiskey
A new Superintendent by July
Dates for Meetings were announced/email survey
6)  New Business
*Fundraiser Pick up November 24th 3pm-6pm went well
*All the World was Awesome Thank Senior Bradley
*Conferences (Dinner/Childcare)
*Grade level (one for each grade) bins for outdoor equipment was approved although we need to look for a possible lower price
7) Old business
*Fun Run we won not sure how much money
*Book Fair Great Work we will be having another in spring
*RIF was great and we will have another in spring
*Spiritwear is back and passed out
*Phone book are in and out Aleks is working on an on-line version
*Family Dinner Night was great but we discussed replacing the Magician with Milwaukee Flyers for next year
8) Principal time
*Mrs. Flater had a great time with the dunk tank and would love to do it again.
There is a crossing guard in the pm now.
They are working on a system for daycare families to get in, yet keep the doors locked.
Hold drill went well.

Megan will put together a staff wish list for parent who would like to buy a present.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:58 pm


March Event Committee Notes

March Event Committee
January 6th, 2016 2:00PM

Notes:
A Science Fair is an enrichment activity, which isn’t very labor intensive, and that historically, the kids enjoy.  (If promoted well.)  Mrs. Flater has held them at her previous school with successful results.

Open to all ages—not a competition, just a show.

How are projects linked to science?  STEM?  Identify a problem?

Prizes for all participants:
Medals (like highlighter medals)
Solicit local STEM businesses
            Wehr Nature Center
            Milwaukee Public Museum
            Discovery World
            Urban Ecology Center
            Mad Science

All participants receive an evaluation/write up
            GHS AP Science students?

Assistance available for supplies for families that need it?

Provide ideas lists (by age).  Track down online and provide by link?

Promotion (Most important)
Kids:  Make posters
Teachers:  Promote in class?  (Don’t DO the projects in class, just mention it and talk it up.)
Parents/PTO:  Decorate the gym (like a lab) a couple weeks before the event?
                        Put names of registered kids on hallway decorations?  Test tubes?  Flasks?
                        Announcements
                        Principal weekly?  Picture?
                        “Mad Scientist” visit?  Greendale Panther in a labcoat?



Sunday, January 10, 2016

Highland View PTO:  Agenda-mania!  (Also, nice game Packers!)

Hello Highland View Families!

I just heard this from one of our parents, and it really says it all:
"I can honestly say that by coming to the PTO meetings, I feel much more informed and better prepared for any event that's coming up, changes going on, what to look ahead to, etc. at Highland View!"

Speaking of what's going on, you can find Monday's agenda at the link here.

Also, a big thanks to Stacie and Gina for their interest in helping edit the room parent program.  Instead of actually meeting, since our schedules didn't overlap, I think it can work just as well if you email any ideas or thoughts you had to this address and I'll put together a email list we can reply-all to to keep the conversation going.  The invitation's open to anyone else with thoughts on the topic too.  (And if you missed it, the current draft/plan for Room Parents can be found here!)

Finally:  PICTURES!  PICTURES!  PICTURES!  Remember, pictures in the yearbook come from parents like you.  Whenever you can, please take pictures at events or fun moments at school.  Email them to the PTO email account ( highlandviewparentteacherorg@gmail.com ) and you might see them in the yearbook!  One note:  make sure to check with classroom teachers to make sure there aren't any students in the pictures who aren't supposed to be photographed.  One other note:  if you're taking pictures on a phone, make sure to take them in the highest resolution possible.

Thanks everyone!  See you Monday!

Aleks

Agenda January 11th, 2016

Hello Highland View!

Here's our agenda for tomorrow!

1) Welcome and Introductions
Name, what Star Wars character would your student (or you) be?

1a) Student Buddy Bench Proposal

2)   Review Minutes
November 9th 2015
December 14th, 2015

3) Treasurer’s Report                                                                                                

4) Current Business                        
March Event Committee Report
Room Parent Committee Report
Neon Dance Night
Crossing Guard Appreciation Week
Panda Express Night
Special Olympics Polar Bears Pizza Party Incentive

5) Upcoming Business        
Read Me a Story Night
Black History Month
                                                     
6) Principal’s Time

7) Announcements
        Extra yearbooks
        Color-Your-Own PBIS Shirts
        Attendance Award
        GEF Cheers for Education
        PTO Conference in Chicago

8)      Adjourn

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Lost your Panda express flyer? Show this on your phone next Thursday!

Hello Highland View Families!

If you forget to bring in the flyer from school, you can also show this to the great folks at Panda Express to make sure they count you in the Highland View Dinner crowd!

Thanks so much!  Remember, it's January 14th from 4:00-8:00 PM, and everyone who shows this flyer will have 20% of their bill donated to Highland View!

Aleks Skibicki

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Highland View PTO:  March Event Announcement

Hello Highland View Families!

For those of you who might be available, or have input, the:

March/Spring Event Committee
will meet on
Wednesday , January 6th at Highland View at 2:00PM.

See you there!  Let's make something awesome happen for our school!

Aleks Skibicki

Friday, January 1, 2016

Highland View PTO:  Let's Talk!

Hello Highland View Families!
Happy new year!  Just a quick email to work on two resolutions, and to celebrate a third coming true!

1)  Do we want to have an event in March?  At one point there seemed to be a lot of interest in a learning-based but fun event in March, but right now it looks like not so much.  (Just the two of us?)  We could skip March as far as PTO events go, if that's the general feeling out there.  If you're interested in helping come up with a plan for a fun and smart-ifying (ensmartening?) event for March, visit the site here and just click on the times that you might be available to get together.  We'll get together at whichever time has the most of us available.

2)  Same question but in regards to the room parent program.  It's a great idea, but like all great ideas, if no one's actually interested enough to do anything with it, then we don't have to do it.  You can see what we're talking about when we say "room parent" by checking out the draft/idea for the program guide here.  And if you agree that it's a program actually worth pursuing and trying to put into action, visit the site here and click on the times you might be available to get together and finalize a proposal to send over to Mrs. Flater for the teacher and admin. markups.

3) Finally, let's celebrate a multi-year resolution coming true!  Thanks to Mrs. Kleinowski, there are now "Highland View Dines Out" nights scheduled for January through April!  So mark these dates on your calendar to come dine out with Highland View friends and help raise funding for all the things we do at the school!

January
-Panda Express
January 14 from 4-8 pm (we will get 20% of the profits)

February
-Qdoba
February 23 from 5-9 pm (we will get 10% of the profits)

March
-Chick-Fil-A
March 17 from 4-7 pm (we will get 15% of the profits)

April
-Daddy Yos
April 21 from 11:00 am-9 pm (we will get 10% of the profits)

Thanks so much everyone!  See you soon!

Aleks Skibicki