MHS/WES PTO

January 11th,2007 Meeting Minutes

President, Lynn Breau   Vice President, Sarah Paiste

Treasurer, Kim Samson   Secretary, Jenn Dewey

 

 

Meeting Commencement

Lynn Breau opened the meeting at 6:35pm with 16 parents in attendance and from the staff, David Marble. All the           PTO board members were in attendance.

 

Secretary’s Report

Jenn Dewey presented the Secretary’s report. Motion was made by Jenn to accept, seconded by Sarah Paiste, all approved.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Kim Samson presented the Treasurer’s report. Details of the report can be obtained from Kim Samson or Jenn Dewey. Kim motioned to accept, seconded by Sarah Paiste, all approved.

 

Principal’s Report

David Marble welcomed all to the meeting. He began by stressing the incredible job our teachers do, particularly commending them for the organization of the Thanksgiving food baskets and the Holiday gift baskets that are donated to children and families in need in the local area. This is a huge effort organized by the teachers who received many community donations of food and thousands of dollars in gifts and gift cards to aid families in need during the holidays. David explained that the January 22nd professional day will address differentiated instruction (identifying children at every developmental level). Additional professional development days on Feb 7th and 8th will incorporate curriculum focus groups and the benefits and drawbacks of the concept of “looping” which is the idea of having students with the same teacher for 2 years. He also reminded everyone to look for information coming home about the upcoming Talent Show at WES (open to 3rd-5th graders) and a new set of after school enrichment programs.

 

School Improvement Council Update

David Marble reported for the Council saying that the last meeting was 100% focused on the upcoming school budget. David will bring his recommendations to the superintendent for negotiations and then after agreement, they will then proceed to the School Committee. David indicated that personnel is key for MHS and WES, 80-88% of the recommended budget He will be asking for 1 classroom teacher (probably 4th grade) so that there will be 5 sections at each grade level (20 students per teacher), 1 school adjustment counselor, 1 recess aide and full time status for our part time school secretary Jeanne Erikson at WES.

 

Responsive Classroom

The upcoming Responsive Classroom meeting will be held on January 22nd at 7:00pm in the WES library for all that are interested. Ms. Bonnie Baer-Simahk will be presenting the methods that our teachers are trained in and utilize on a daily basis.  

 

Scrip

Sarah Paiste reported that the profit to date was $2208. There are LLBean, Bob’s Stores and Border’s Books gift cards still left. Scrip will resume the twice a month orders and Dunkin Donuts will now offer a $25 card.

 

MHS DVD player and new Walkie Talkies request

Kathy McCarthy has requested help with buying 2 DVD players for the 2 portable t.v.s at MHS because more and more educational material, etc. is being offered on DVD rather than video. Kim Samson researched a combo DVD/video player from Sony at Walmart for $107.54, but will research BJ’s at the suggestion of Tim Tata to see if a better price is offered. As for the walkie talkies, David Marble explained that the schools need to update the dozen that are currently not working effectively. He explained that these are a key safety measure so that teachers, aides and other staff can communicate on the playground and between schools. The cost is roughly $200 for a dozen. Kim Samson suggested using the check for $195 from BJ’s plus additional money from the general fund to cover the walkie talkies. KC McNally motioned up to $450 or the best price for the DVD players, seconded by Sarah Paiste, all approved.

 

PTO Expo

Kim Samson reported that this is a trade show for PTOs that showcases a huge amount of information for schools, like fundraisers, playground equipment, ways to enhance your PTO, etc. This will be held on Wednesday March 7th from 9-3pm for $10ea. at the Best Western in Marlborough, MA. Also, children are welcome to attend with their parents. Kim recommended this for anyone involved with the PTO, especially committee chairs. The PTO will pay the $10 fee per individual. Please see Kim if you are interested.

 

PureLife water labels and Friendly’s Family Fun Night

Lynn Breau reported that she researched both of these opportunities and found them worthwhile. The water labels can be collected (Nestle PureLife water) and used for points towards school equipment. The Friendly’s Family night consists of booking a specific night with Friendly’s and then promoting it throughout the schools so that families eat there that night and then 10% of the profits that night come back to our schools. Lynn will look into booking a night.

 

New Ideas

A video presentation was given to all in attendance of Rob Surrette’s program “Hero Art”. All in attendance loved this presentation that had Rob painting and discussing a particular hero like Martin Luther King Jr. or others (Albert Einstein, etc.) and getting kids excited about national heroes and the creative process. His presentation could possibly take the place this year of the Harlem Wizards in order to offer a different genre to the students. The show would cost $2300 and the art he completes is for sale as well. The ticket sales could cover the show expense and the PTO could purchase the artwork for display in both schools. This presentation would be promoted through the schools, school website, cable access TV. and possibly the local paper. This was enthusiastically received by all and Kim Samson will research possible dates.

 

Committee Reports

Holiday Workshop ~ Renee DalBon reported that this event went very well and was enjoyed by all (approx. 140 kids attended).Renee is under budget at $554.72. There were approximately 160 donations.

Christmas Tree Lighting ~ Jenn Dewey reported for Christine Sears and Juliet O’Brien who could not be in attendance. This event also went very well with a wonderful turnout.

CHIPS ~ Monica Blessington informed all that the dates have been set for this event, which will be May 8th and 9th(WES&MHS) from 9:00am to 2:30pm. The Masons will be videotaping the children and Monica and Jenn Dewey will set up volunteers for this as well as fingerprinting with the help of the police station. Monica is currently trying to obtain a dentist to oversee the DNA collection portion of this event. Anyone with suggestions of a local dentist willing to volunteer his/her time should see Monica or Jenn.

 

Wish List ~ Ina Carey reported that this committee has completed their task and items have been purchased for each classroom. She thanked all the volunteers that helped her make this a success.

Fundraiser ~ Ina Carey reported for this committee too and stated that the surveys regarding the fundraiser were all in    

and of the 100, 99 indicated that it was time for a change to a company with a wider variety of products. Ina recommends the company Genevieve for variety and ease of use (only 1 order form) and we still obtain a 50% profit. Ina will have 4-5 companies, including Genevieve, for display at the next PTO meeting so that we can make a choice for next fall.

Soxtops ~ Ina Carey reported for Joanne Reed. She thanked everyone who sent these in, this was a success with over 200 tops collected with a profit of $146.05. Ina then made a motion that this money should be divided between the offices at MHS and WES for supplies that the secretaries may need for the schools, Lynn Breau seconded, all approved.

Campbell Soup Labels/Boxtops ~ Kim Samson informed all that the soup labels were mailed in Dec 31st. There will be a new format with these for collection – the Campbell soup kid picture will be next to the UPC more like the General Mills Boxtop logo for easier collection. The General Mills Boxtops had a profit of $1006.00. Kim urged everyone to keep sending them in, this is an easy way to gain money for our schools!

Bookfair  ~ Kim Samson reported that the dates  for the fair will be March 12th – 17th with final pickup from Scholastic on the 19th. This year’s theme is a beach theme and there will be a number of great books only offered at this event at Scholastic prices. Kim will be in touch with all who volunteered for this committee about upcoming planning meetings.

Movie Day ~ Tim Tata informed all that he has speakers ready to go this year and he still needs volunteers to help with this event. This event will be moved from February vacation to April vacation. The event will be totally free – it includes the movie, popcorn, candy and drinks. The movie will be one that’s currently still in theatres. All students and families are welcome to attend in the WES café, more information on time and date will be coming soon.

Cultural Events ~ Colleen Cole reported that the schedule of events is complete for both schools and a list of events will be sent home or you can obtain one from Jenn Dewey. These events are culturally diverse and tie into the existing grade level curriculums. This committee is slightly over budget and Colleen requested an additional $500 to support existing programs, seconded by KC McNally, all approved.

Inkjet Recycling ~ Sarah Paiste reported for Tiffany Davis and stated that this effort had a profit of $172.60. Kim Samson made a motion for Tiffany that would earmark this profit for software for the technology department, seconded by Jenn Dewey, all approved.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 8:03pm

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Jenn Dewey