Sunday, September 30, 2012

Meeting Minutes from 9/12/2012


PTO Notes
September 12, 2012  8:30 am

Introduction of current members
Co-Presidents: Marcie Moline and Alicyn Thompson
Co-Vice Presidents: Christa Shea (not present) and Linda Straccia
Secretary: Mariana Babine
Treasurer: Dawn Sullivan

Principals Report
-Mrs. Person welcomed the PTO to a new school year.
-Wanted to make us aware that volunteers are needed ASAP.  (For teachers to be able to work together for RTI)
-Also need coverage for morning loop and also lunch.
-Rider ship on the bus is high, would like to get a person who can check riders in the am and pm.  This would be TWO volunteer positions needed soon.
-The current school website has great link and info; you are encouraged to visit it for news and upcoming events.
-Enrichment programs brought in through the PTO help immensely.  These are help 2nd Wed of every month. Common planning time is held at these times.   
-PTO is GREAT, thank you for all the help!

Treasurer Report

-Balance as of now is approx $8100.00
-$ are going to be going out to help pay enrichment programs
-We received about $1500-$200 from Stop and Shop rewards!
-Also would like to point out that the dues for the PTO can be sent in anytime.

Room Parents
-We are still waiting for slips to come in and the room parents will be picked in the next week.

Volunteer Report
- Volunteers are extremely important in our school.  In the past years this program has allowed teachers for common planning, further educate themselves and also be able to perform testing and assessment of the students. (Just to name a few)  Please contact Mariana Babine for further questions and to be placed on the volunteer list.
-Library will be opening in late Sept early October.  It is 100% percent volunteer run program! Donation are welcome, especially series books.  8th year that the library will open! Tues, wed and Fri set schedule.  Please sign up!
-Loop , 6 slots need to be filled daily.  Please help out in the loop, it is only 7:45- 8:15am.
Contact Carolyn Gagnon to join the loop volunteers.
-Resource Volunteer, help with photocopying and other needs that teachers might have.
-Book Fair- Dawn Hurley organizes this wonderful event that takes place 2 times a year.  The Fall book fair is our Fundraising (tentative date October 5th) and the Spring one is Buy one get one free!  Will need volunteers to set up, help kids purchase books, checkout, and dismantle fair.  This fundraiser purchases the Scholastic newsletter that the Student receives.

Cookie Dough Fundraiser
-Shanon Girard runs this fundraiser that has been extremely successful!
-Looking to change the date from November to October.  VOTED-YES
-Cookie Company is very organized, works well with us.  This will be the third year we do it. 
-Will need volunteers to check envelopes, help with arrival of DOUGH and sorting.

Gorman Fort Banks T-shirts
-Last year we sold t-shirts  (at cost) 
-This year we are looking to change Color of lettering and also offer long sleeve. 
-Price will go up slightly so that we are able to turn a profit.
-Shirts are 100% cotton. We are working with a local business. (Elite)
-Vote to increase price point VOTED-YES

Summer Reading Program
-Forms are due soon.  If you have lost or misplaced your from they are avail online at www.fortbankspto.blogspot.com
-20 books =free ice cream
-30 books= free ice cream plus 1free book
-Students also receive a certificate signed by Mrs. Pearson


Affiliate Programs
-Box tops (Melissa Polino) 10 cents per box top, add to a lot of $!  Please send them in qty of 25 or 50 for easy counting.
-Labels for education, we get a couple cents per label just like box tops. Can be found on Campbell’s products.
-Recycle Rewards- We get money for used print cartridges, toners and cell phones.
-Stop and Shop- Last year we received over $1300.  This year we want to sign even more people up.  We are holding a contest to on FACEBOOK. Get a free Ulta $25 gift card and other beauty items for submitting the most Stop and Shop Rewards Card numbers.  You still receive your normal discount for gas.  You can sign up to 2 schools. FORT BANKS SCHOOL ID is: 06294
-Target Rewards- This program allows you to link up your bank debit card to a Target card.  Not only you get %5 off every purchase but the school also receives a donation from Target.

Kindergarten Social
- Successful event held in Aug. (before School started) to welcome incoming Kindergarteners to new school/friends.
-Anita Preble was able to obtain grant money for entertainer.
-Great way to meet/learn about and sign up for after school programs.

Family Events
-Spooky Bingo- Held in Late October usually sells out fast. A great fun night. Date TBD
-Valentines Bingo- Held week of Valentines Day, another sold out event in the past. Date TBD
-Literacy Night- Christa Shea is the Lead organizer
-Math and Science night0- looking to see if there is a committee? Interest?
-Future Events- open to floor for ideas: Family Skate at Laresn Rink
                                                                        Movie night?  Music Night?


Playground Update
-Dawn Manning- Update on the status of the playground floor.
-When will surface pour occur?
-Mulch is very low, dangerous for kids.
-Looks like there is a budget of $40k or $45k  for surfacing of playground.  Town will start to move forward on bidding and looks to be able to pour Next April?  Please get involved and ask your representative about this.  Attend meetings and show support.

Please attend School Building Meeting on 9/20 at 6pm in EB Newton

Next PTO meeting will be October 10th 6:30 pm

OPEN FORUM

Questions regarding a fence for the back of the school (near playground?
-Site council member will bring this issue to their attention.

Questions and discussion on homeless person living in the wooded areas around school.  Mention of homeless mans items found, and police alerted about the matter.

Questions and discussions about why FKO is not allowed on playground, parent pays for child to stay after school and he is not allowed outside?

Questions and discussion on status of Access Road?
  Please send your concerns and questions to the Town Gov.

GET INVOLVED in PTO!

Meeting Adjourned.



Wednesday, September 19, 2012

International Walk to School Day




  




                                         
Gorman Fort Banks Elementary School
celebrates
International Walk to School Day on October 3, 2012

WHAT:                       William P. Gorman Fort Banks Elementary School in Winthrop, MA will be joining schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 3, 2012. Parents will walk with their children to school from home or a designated meet-up area nearby school.
                                   
WHERE:                    Walks with designated group leaders will start from 3 locations:
1.    Public Lot on George St./ Winthrop St.; 0.59 mi to school
2.    Franklin St./ Payson St. along Veteran’s Field; 0.4 mi to school
3.    Crest Ave public lot; 0.49 mi to school

WHEN:                      Groups will meet at these areas at 7:40 AM and walking will begin by 7:50 to be at the school by 8:05 AM.      

SIGNIFICANCE:      Approximately 200 students from the Fort Banks Community will walk to school on Wednesday October 3rd, along with parents, and community leaders.

In the U.S., International Walk to School Day is expected to include more than 4,000 events across all 50 states. Walkers from the U.S. will join children and adults in 40 countries around the world.

Walk to School events work to create safer routes for walking and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools and the broader community.

The event is being organized by Dawn Sullivan, please feel free to contact with questions or ideas at des02152@comcast.net

Parents must accompany their child/children to school. There is no dropping off at the above locations.

Click here to Safety Tips for the walk to school.