OOn Dec. 5, through a Zoom meeting link and computer screen, the fourth Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) meeting of the school year took place from 6 – 7 p.m. As the abbreviation suggests, the attendees included parents, teachers, students, and other involved personnel.
“It was great to see how motivated and invested our PTSO is as it relates to providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for all key stakeholders,” Clague principal Kyron Harvell said.
Treasurer’s report:
PTSO treasurer Gudrun Bossmann shared the revenue for November. From donations, $427.97 were received. Additionally, the recent Science Olympiad Fun Night on Nov. 15 raised $1,217.36 — 50% of the proceeds going towards Science Olympiad — and was labeled “a really good success” by Bossmann for the amount accumulated. In total, the gross profit was $2,053.02, with funds from auxiliary sources.
Complementary with profit are expenses — necessary for the execution of Fun Night, $874.14 were the costs valued. Moreover, dues and subscriptions required $35 of expenses, conference meals entailed $1,021.93, teacher grants employed $755.20, and a special grant of $500 for the Scholastic Book Fair was requested. With a calculator and the astute accounting of Bossmann, expenses were tallied up to $3,186.27.
The net operating income summed to be $-1,133.25, which leaves the total profit of the school year to be $13,297.67 from fundraisers, Fun Nights, and donations.
PTSO General Fund:
To prevent a deficit, there are methods to donate to the general fund. Like the $427.97 provided by members of the community, contributions can be in either forms of cash or checks (addressed to “Clague PTSO”) can both be deposited at Clague’s main office.
To donate digitally, click here for convenient access to the PTSO’s general fund. Furthermore, grocery cards can also be connected to the Clague PTSO for additional endowment.
Science Olympiad Fun Night:
Zhu Li, a Science Olympiad and PTSO board member, pushed for the Science Olympiad Fun Night to occur on Nov. 15, which she enunciated as a “great success.”
“The event was organized by Clague PTSO and Clague Science Olympiad (Scioly) team,” Li said. “More than 10 coaches from Scioly came to demonstrate fun activities covering chemistry, engineering, biology, and physics.”
A surplus of students came to entertain themselves at Fun Night, consume Little Caesars pizza, and be educated on the mechanics of Science olympiad.
“About 160 students participated in the event. Due to the competition rules and the tournament nature of Science Olympiad, Clague Scioly can only serve [a] limited [amount of] students every year,” Li said. “The coaches were thrilled to have the opportunity to bring their expertise to the whole Clague community.”
Volunteers needed:
After the Science Olympiad Fun Night, prospective Eighth grade Fun Night and Winter blast, another Fun Night for student fraternization is in the construction, which is an event highly dependent on volunteers to be carried out on Jan. 24.
Volunteers are also imperative for International Night in April, a school event that demonstrates Clague’s commitment to celebrating diversity, and a chair committee for the subsequent Fun Run, which is also in search of athletic sponsorship.
If interested in any events, click here for the PTSO volunteer webpage, here for the Winter Fun Night in January, and here for International Night committee sign-up — all are welcomed to prosper the welfare of Clague by lending a helping hand.
Clague Winter Giving:
Clague Social Worker, Chelsea Knight, has spearheaded the Clague Winter Giving to supply families with necessary items — nylon gloves, fleece-lined hats, polyester snow pants, and a myriad of presents that can be located at the Clague Winter Giving wishlist.
Donations of money are also appreciated to reach Knight’s aim of ensuring each Clague family is experiencing a warm holiday this season. With only 20% of items on the wish list bought, click here to cover the remaining 80% and establish a memorable winter for all.
Booksweet artwork display:
On the walls of a book boutique on 1729 Plymouth Road, 40 pieces of Clague artwork are hung on its walls by art teacher Sarah Griesinger and librarian Kim McLean. Until Jan. 6, the mediums of art will be displayed. And on Dec. 7, there will be a 20% discount on any purchase at Booksweet — customers must have to clearly state they are affiliated with Clague in order to redeem the sale.
Scholastic Book Fair:
From Dec. 9 – 12, the Scholastic Book Fair arrival will promote popular literature, stationery supplies, and $5 posters of household characters, anime, and media. To purchase these products, cash, eWallets, Apple Pay, credit cards are all accepted, with the exceptions of debit cards and checks. The deadline for the departure of the Book Fair will extend to Dec. 22, if transacting an online order on the Scholastic website.
Book Bowl coaches:
There is only one Clague tradition that involves books, 40 sixth graders, and four parent coaches — the Book Bowl. From January to March, students will meet once a week from 11:48 a.m. – 12:08 p.m. to analyze an article of literature and demonstrate their comprehension.
There have been 40 interested participants for the 2024-2025 Book Bowl, which can be divided among 10 students per team. This entails four coaches to oversee and instruct the sixth graders into the winning group. Currently, two parent coaches have been recognized, and McLean is in need of two more volunteers.
More Book Bowl information can be sourced here, and if applicable, registration for Book Bowl coach is here.
Committee reports:
In addition to the imminent Red Robin restaurant “Night” fundraiser on Dec. 5, the PTSO committee has arranged the following charity at The Songbird Cafe. On Jan. 7, at 2707 Plymouth Road Plaza, a delicious fundraiser will be held and will be “something to look forward to when we get back from break.”
PTSO spirit wear:
The PTSO Interim Vice President, Allison Jeter, provided information regarding Clague spirit wear. To emphasize collegiate morale, there is a current 25% sale off of all merchandise and free shipping on orders over $75. To have this discount applied, orders must be placed by Dec. 10, which will also have guaranteed delivery of Dec. 23.
Jeter informed the money used to purchase the apparel has raised approximately $450, and will only climb with increasing purchases. To utilize the sale, orders can be placed here for blankets, scarves, mugs, and “Clague Cougar swag.”
Eighth grade updates:
“Anything that is worth ten cents we take,” English Language Arts teacher and attendee of the PTSO meeting Cheyenne Taylor said. “This was a really big fundraiser for us last year, so we’re hoping for the same success.”
The days spanning between Dec. 4 and Dec. 6 were pivotal days for the eighth grade field trip. The bottles, cans, and 10-cent containers dropped off at the Clague morning drive line from 7:45 – 8:15 a.m. are the funds for the journey up to Traverse City and financial aid for those in need. According to Taylor, this activity will be repeated around the Super Bowl championships.
“We do have our eighth grade only Fun Night next Friday,” Taylor said. “We still are in need of some items, most importantly pizza!”
Dec. 13 will harbor the exclusively eighth grade Fun Night from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The most urgent materials for the event include pizza, chips, and drinks, as well as parent volunteers for supervision.
“We’re also looking for chaperons,” Taylor said. “You don’t have to be an eighth grade parent to do this either. We’re a community and we try to help where we can . . . any assistance would be greatly appreciated.”
Additionally, Revel & Roll is a fundraiser undercover as a bowling alley where Clague students, family, and friends can enjoy themselves on Jan. 20. Tickets cost $30 per person, which are expenses that encompass fees for bowling lanes, shoes, arcade credits, food, and refreshments — more details are to follow!
Click here to sign up for the eighth grade only Fun Night, and here to donate for the eighth grade field trip.
Mark your calendar:
Dec. 9 to 12 — Scholastic Book Fair
Dec. 13 — Eighth grade only Fun Night
Dec. 13 — First payment of $125 and any pledged donations for eighth grade field trip
Dec. 20 — Winter Blast (during school hours)
Dec. 21 to Jan. 5 — Winter break
Jan. 21 — Eighth grade field trip forms are due
Next PTSO meeting will be on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 6 – 7 p.m. via Clague Library and Zoom — find more information on the PTSO website.
