MHS/WES PTO
October 10,2007 Meeting Minutes
President, Lynn Breau Vice President, Fred Ellsworth
Treasurer, Kim Samson Secretary, Jenn Dewey
Meeting Commencement
Lynn Breau opened the meeting at 6:35pm with 23 parents in attendance and Patty Marquis, Mrs. Cringan, Ms. Moran, Ms. Daniels, Ms. Miller, Ms. Perrett, Ms. Courtemanche, Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Sharkey from the staff. All PTO board members were present.
Secretary’s Report
Jenn Dewey presented the Secretary’s Report. Jenn motioned to accept the minutes, Fred Ellsworth seconded, all approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Kim Samson presented the Treasurer’s Report. She explained that the income looks high because the fundraiser company hasn’t been paid yet. Half of that total will go away after the company is paid. Our profit was still good this year, actually better than last year. Kim always has copies available of the report if anyone would like to go over the totals in detail. Fred Ellsworth motioned to accept the report, seconded by Lynn Breau, all approved.
An Overview of the New Phonics Program with Patty Marquis
Mrs. Marquis offered the group a wonderful overview of this program that has been implemented in the primary grades (K-2), called “Reading with TLC” This program came highly recommended by speech and language pathologists due to its multisensory approach and ability to address multiple skill levels. It’s been found to be particularly engaging for young boys. Our teachers went through a 2 day training period with this program’s creators. In synopsis, this program starts out with a segment called “Lively Letters” which embeds letters into colorful pictures that show what we are doing with our mouths(oral kinesthetics) when making that letter sound. This multisensory approach uses imagery, hand and body cues, music, and humorous stories to make long-lasting letter/sound associations. Letter picture cards used in manipulative activities are used to simultaneously train phonemic awareness and phonics. The program then progresses to the use of plain letters and longer words, including multisyllable words. Students are then able to transfer these skills from activities with manipulative letters to printed words, sentences and books. The next segment of the program called “Sight Words You Can See” uses humorous stories and mnemonic cues drawn into those sight words tht don’t follow the rules of phonics such as”come”,”want”,”have” and “what”. This dramatically improves the ability to accurately and automatically read and spell 84 of the most difficult sight words. The first grade teachers in attendance at this meeting wholeheartedly endorsed this program and said that the students are doing quite well with this. Parents were encouraged to look at the website www.Reading WithTLC.com for more information about this program or simply chat with your child’s teacher at conferences. A question regarding whether students in grades 3-5 could benefit from this was raised by Juliet O’Brien. Patty responded that as of now, upper grade teachers have not been trained, yet information sharing could take place as well as traing in the future.
Committee Reports
FAMILY FUN NIGHT ~Jen Rios informed all that this committee had its first meeting and everything is going smoothly. A DJ has been secured as well as a popcorn machine and they are working with volunteers for a variety of activities for that night.
HOLIDAY WORKSHOP ~ Jenn Dewey reported for Paula Varieur that this committee is under way and running smoothly. They respectfully requested an additional $100 to the $700 they usually request due to the fact that new volunteers in the craft creation may turn in more receipts for payment. In the past many of the craft items have been donated, but the committee chairs don’t want to rely solely on this.Jenn motioned for $800 for the Holiday workshop, seconded by KC McNally, all approved.
SCRIP~ Sarah Paiste reported that there is a new company this year with a bigger selection of stores. The Superintendent just approved this and parents should look for the Scrip order form through the backpacks within the next 5 days. Sarah reminded everyone that this is an easy way to bring money into the schools. Last year’s Scrip profit of $2100 went to MHS/WES office staff for much needed office supplies and equipment. She reminded parents that they have 2 options when ordering: the hard copy as seen through the backpack or online using our school code, which will appear in the information sent home.
Other Business
PLAYGROUND UPDATE ~ Laurie Ellsworth, who is a member of our PTO and a landscape architect, informed all that the project that will utilize the $5500 fund is well under way. She is working directly with David Marble obtaining price quotes for benches with and without seatbacks as well as quotes for demo and installation. They are striving for cost effectiveness as well as durability of materials in the years to come. So far, an estimate for 6 benches w/out backs installed with shipping would be around $2900-3000, w/backs around $4300, which leaves some money for demo and dumping. She will follow up with the DPW for dumping costs. Another avenue to explore may be a donated bench ($400 donation) that would bear a plaque. The playground resurfacing issues will be addressed next year, after our Spaghetti Supper, whose profits usually go to the maintenance of the playgrounds.
SOXTOPS ~Kim Samson reported that the deadline for this is October 15th. All milkcaps should be sent in through the backpacks prior to this date.
THE LINDA PELTOLA MEMORIAL ~ Marcia Sharkey thanked all that were present for wanting to be involved at some point with this effort. She explained that Reading and Language Arts were very dear to Linda and that she, along with the first grade team are trying to possibly create a Reading nook in the MHS library with artwork and books that were special to her. This is still in the planning stages and parents who would like to help should contact a member of the first grade team if they’d like to make a book donation, etc. The team will let the PTO know if they need any additional help with this in the future.
WORCESTER SHARKS FAMILY NIGHT ~ Lynn Breau reported that a date for this has been set: Saturday, January 19, 2008 @ 7:00pm .The cost will be $10.50 per ticket. This is the Bruins farm team and it will be Jim Thornton bobble head night!
Last Minute~ Joann Reed informed everyone that the fundraising items will be in for pickup on Wed Nov.7th and Thurs. Nov. 8th.
Meeting Adjourned: 7:35pm
Respectfully Submitted, Jenn Dewey