PTO Meeting Notes 

November 13, 2013

Mr. John Macero, Superintendent came in to talk about the new school building project.

• Thanks the community for vote.
• The building project is a 2 ½ year project
• January 2017 projected opening
• Transition teams are being built in all schools
• Questions about traffic, time frames, start times, personnel, swing space etc, will be reviewed by these committees.
• Working hard so that the High school students get the “high school” experience.
• Will be going to the different middle school and high school to meet with the students and see what their needs and expectations are.
• Budget for 1.5 million dollars for swing space.
• Please contact Mr. Macero with any questions via phone, email or facebook.

Principals Report (delivered by Mrs. Oleary)

• Question: regarding the renewal of A-Z books. This is a resource the teachers use/share. Will let the PTO know of cost so that we can vote on it.
• Site council is resetting goals and is looking for an increase in science and social studies curriculum. Enrichment program or a Science night? Response: PTO has a science enrichment program coming in early next year and has also talked about having a science night (like Literature night). More will be discussed next meeting.
• Transition: A committee is being put together, and the next site council meeting will be all about the transition.

General Business

• Room parent/holiday gift guidelines- reminder that there are strict guidelines regarding teacher gifts. 
• Personal gifts for a teacher =$150.00 classroom gift=unlimited $ (edited to add that personal gift means a gift for the teacher from the class and classroom gift means a gift for the classroom [ex. Staples gift card, basket of supplies, etc. $150 is for the entire school year so keep end of year gift in mind].)
• Loop update: all is moving great, they will bring up concerns/suggestions regarding the transition next year to Mr. Macero.
• Library update: Lisa Bower asked for a $100.00 budget for library materials/decorations. APPROVED
• Tumblebooks online renewal APPROVED
• Volunteer update: Looking for parents to cover meetings. Great opportunity to be involved/get in the classroom. Please contact Mrs. Babine if you would like to receive emails regarding volunteer needs.

PTO EVENTS UPDATE

• Spooky Bingo- was great, great turnout! We even made some money.
• Upcoming events: Family skate party, paint night (adult only), literacy week. We are looking for help on all these efforts.
• T-shirt pre-orders will be going in backpacks in the next couple days.
• Yankee Candle update: We did an amazing job with the fundraising. It was a very easy fundraiser to do. We are expecting the order to come in the week of Thanksgiving. 
• Coat swap date is Dec. 5th Multipurpose room. 2nd year we are doing this. This year we will be doing it after school. 
• Gorman Giving Food Drive: Dec 19th Bring in your canned goods.

TREASURES REPORT

• After spooky bingo, enrichment, playground replacements, Ice cream social We have over $14,000.
• We have to pay for some enrichment and are also waiting for some grant money to come in.
• Stop and Shop Contest
• Please participate in the contest. The school with the most people enrolled gets a visit from a Patriot player. Even without the visit we still get money from the program. PLEASE PARTICIPATE.

PLAYGOUND UPDATE

• Benches are ready and will be coming soon. Some repairs will be done to the playground. We will be asking the Town for a barrel for the playground. Mulch is also needed so that it is safe. 

Enrichment Activities (Cara Huberman)

• October NED Show YO-YO was great and we ended up selling some Yo-yo’s
• November Magic of reading- Kids seem to like it. (we hear lots of laughter)
• December Winter Solstice puppet show/music
• Grant was approved for $5000 for the Lunch room wall art project. Artist has been chosen and Cara is looking for helpers. Will start April 2014.

Meeting Adjourned.

Gorman Fort Banks PTO 

Meeting Agenda for November 13, 2013 8:30am 

• Welcome Guest John Macero, Winthrop School Superintendent 
• Introduction of the Executive Board 

• Christa Shea & Alicyn Thompson Co-Presidents 
• Kristen Buonopane & Linda Straccia, Vice Presidents 
• Gillian Texeira & Dawn Sullivan, Treasurers 
• Michelle Holmes & Mariana Babine, Secretaries 

• Principal’s Report (Mrs. O'Leary) 

•  Room Parents-Holiday Gift Guidelines (Kristen Buonopane) 
•  Drop-off (a.k.a. The Loop) (Sara Pettee) o Library Update (Dawn Hurley) 
•  Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities (Mariana Babine) 
•  Feedback on events: Spooky Bingo (Alicyn Thompson) 
•  Upcoming Family Events Discussion (Alicyn Thompson) 
• Family Skate Party - Jan 
• Paint Nite (Adults Only) - Feb
• Literacy Week – March 
•  T-Shirt Pre-order Sale Dates (Alicyn Thompson) 
•  Yankee Candle Update (Mariana Babine) 
•  Gorman Giving (Alyssa Sacco) 
• Date for Coat Swap 
• December Giving 

 • Treasurer’s Report (Gillian Texeira) 
 • In School Enrichment Activities (Cara Huberman)    

• October Enrichment Follow-Up – NED 
• November Enrichment – Magic of Reading
• Playground Updates
• Open Forum

Yankee Candle Fundraiser!

Please support Gorman Fort Banks Elementary School by participating in our Yankee Candle Fundraiser!  The fundraiser will run from 10/11/13 until 10/25/13.  Yankee Candle products make excellent gifts for any occasion...start your holiday shopping now!  You can sell the products through the catalog, or online at www.yankeecandlefundraising.com.  Please refer to the selling packet that was sent home for more information on creating a seller account.

If you have questions or would like more information, please email:

fortbankspto@gmail.com

Happy Selling!!!!!

Yankee Candle Fundraiser!

Gorman Fort Banks PTO

Meeting Agenda for October 8, 2013 6:30pm

• Welcome

• Introduction of the Executive Board

• Christa Shea & Alicyn Thompson Co-Presidents
• Kristen Buonopane & Linda Straccia, Vice Presidents
• Gillian Teixeira & Dawn Sullivan, Treasurers
• Michelle Holmes & Mariana Babine, Secretaries

• Principal’s Report (Mrs. Pearson) 

• Treasurer’s Report (Dawn Sullivan/Gillian Teixeira)

• General Business

• Room Parents (Linda Straccia)
• Drop-off (a.k.a. The Loop) Volunteers Needed (Sara Pettee)
• Library Volunteers (Dawn Hurley)
• PTO Committees/Volunteer Opportunities (Mariana Babine)

• PTO Events Update

• Feedback on events: book fair, ice cream social, walk-to-school
• Spooky Bingo Discussion (Kristen Buonopane)
• Yankee Candle – Fall fundraiser (Mariana Babine & Shannon Girard) 
• GFB T-Shirt Pre-order Sale 
• Gorman Giving – 
• Need a Coordinator
• Coat Swap

• In School Enrichment Activities (Cara Huberman)

• October Enrichment – Anti Bullying Program NED
• November Enrichment – Magic of Reading
• Star Service Grant – School Mural Project

• Playground Update (Dawn Manning)

• Open Forum

Celebrate The Gorman Fort Banks Elementary School’s

Third Annual Walk to School Day

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Join families of the Gorman Fort Banks community to walk to school from your home or from 3 locations! 

1. Public lot on Crest Ave- 0.4 mi

2. Public lot on George Street/ Winthrop Street- 0.59 mi

3. Public parking on Franklin Street, along Veteran’s Field- 0.4 mi

Just a few reasons to walk to school:

• Walking to school is an opportunity to get physical activity as part of your child’s daily routine
• Physical activity is associated with improved academic performance in children and adolescents
• Improved physical fitness reduces the risk of diabetes, and has positive affects on mental health
• Walking to school offers children an opportunity to spend time in the natural environment and develop a sense of independence
• Walking to school reduces traffic congestion in the community
• Walking to school with your child offers an opportunity to explain the rules of the road, and safe use of crosswalks and sidewalks

PLEASE NOTE:

Parents MUST accompany students to school

The bus WILL be running on the typical schedule

For questions related to this event please feel free to contact fortbankspto@gmail.com or go to www.walkbiketoschool.org

Lunch Monitor Needed!

The Gorman Fort Banks School is in urgent need of a lunch monitor!  This is a great opportunity to work in the school and involves supervising students in the lunchroom, as well as outside at recess.  This is a paid position and required hours are 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  While a five day commitment is preferred, those with less availability will also be considered.  Please contact Mrs. Sacco at 617-846-5509 if you are interested or would like further information.  

Meeting Agenda 

Gorman Fort Banks PTO

September 18, 2013 8:30 am

• Welcome
• Introduction of Executive Board
• Christa Shea & Alicyn Thompson, Co-Presidents
• Kristen Buonopane & Linda Straccia, Co-Vice Presidents
• Gillian Teixeira & Dawn Sullvian, Co-Treasurers
• Michele Holmes & Mariana Babine, Co-Secretaries
• Principal's Report (Mrs. Pearson)
• Treasurer's Report (Gillian Teixeira/Dawn Sullivan)
• General Information
• Room Parents - 9/20 deadline (Linda Straccia/Kristen Buonopane)
• Drop Off ("The Loop") Volunteers Needed (Sara Pettee)
• Library Volunteers/Book Fair (9/27/13-10/4/13) (Dawn Hurley)
• PTO Committee/Volunteer Opportunities (Mariana Babine)
• PTO Events Update
• Kindergarten Social, Kindergarten Tea, Summer Reading ($50 Prize Budget) VOTE (Kristen Buonopane)
• Ice Cream Social on Book Fair Night (9/27/13) (? Budget) VOTE (Cara Huberman)
• Walk-To-School-Day, October 9, 2013 ($50 Budget) VOTE (Gillian Teixeira)
• Spooky/Valentine Bingo Discussion (? YES/NO) (Mariana Babine)
• Cookie Dough Fundraiser (? DATE) (Shannon Girard)
• Affiliate Programs
• Stop & Shop A+ Rewards (Tatiana Mendieta)
• Target Red Card (see Blog)
• Labels for Education/Box Tops (Linda Straccia)
• Recycle Rewards (rrewards.com)
• In School Enrichment Programs (Cara Huberman)
• October Enrichment - Anti-Bullying Program NED
• Winthrop Is Worth It (Carolyn Gagnon)
• Open Forum

Welcome Back to School!

We're just a few days away from the start of the 2013-2014 school year!

PTO Meeting

Our first PTO Meeting is Wednesday, September 18th at 8:30 am in the cafeteria. We would love for you to come and learn about our PTO activities. 

Volunteering

The Loop: Our Loop volunteers are parents and teachers - they are not paid to help! It is thanks to them that morning drop off goes smoothly and safely. If you are dropping off your child in the Loop, won't you consider volunteering for 20 minutes by opening doors and assisting students to the sidewalk? Please contact Sara Pettee at sgladis@yahoo.com if you are interested in helping.

Library: Did you know that our library is completely run and staffed by parent volunteers? This is a great opportunity for parents with not-quite-school-age children to help students find books and help with reading.

Summer Reading

Don't forget to return your summer reading logs to your teachers!  Please have your child return his/her completed log and book report by September 13th.  Students who have read the equivalent of 20 books or more will receive a certificate for a free ice cream at Twist and Shake.  A bonus prize will be given to students who have read the equivalent of 30 or more books.

Preschool/Kindergarten Tea

The first full day of Kindergarten is Wednesday, September 11th. Please join us for a Preschool/Kindergarten Tea at 8:35 am in the Multi-Purpose Room.  Here you can meet new families and learn about the resources available in our school.

Curriculum Nights

Parent Information/Curriculum Nights will provide an overview of school practices and information specific to your child's classroom.  Preschool and Kindergarten families are invited to attend on Tuesday, September 10th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.  First and Second grade families are invited to attend on Wednesday, September 11th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Please note, this is an adult-only event.  

International Walk to School Day

Save the date!  October 9th is International Walk to School Day!  We will join schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day.  Parents will walk to school with their children from home or from a designated meet up area near the school.  More details and information to follow.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our first meeting.

2013-2014 William P. Gorman Fort Banks PTO Board

Co-Presidents Alicyn Thompson and Christa Shea

Co-Vice Presidents Linda Straccia and Kristen Buonopane

Co-Secretaries Mariana Babine and Michele Holmes

Co-Treasurers Dawn Sullivan and Gillian Teixeira

Agenda for tonight's PTO Meeting, 6/12/2013

We hope to see you at tonight's meeting at 6:30 pm. It's our last meeting for the school year. We are voting for open Executive Board positions. All incoming Kindergarten and Pre-K parents are welcome to come and vote!

Meeting Agenda for June 12, 2013

May Calendar Winners, 5/1 to 5/24

Congratulations to our calendar winners! Didn't win? There is still time yet. May is not yet over.

Day

24     Joe DePrimeo, Jr.

23     Randee Semenza

22     Jenn Murphy

21     Lisa Gardner

20     Celia Silveira

19     Michael Pisco

18     Judy Hanlon

17     Carla Fitzpatrick

16     Dina Perelli

15     Jose Andasol

14 Jennifer Leonard

13 Larry Upton

12 Carolyn Kinsella

11 Maureen Papile

10 Maureen Miller

9 Nancy Boudrow

8 Kelly Parker

7 Jerry Vedrine

6 Tiana Colarusso

5 Joe Tetreault

4 Diana Walker

3 Mary Caldwell

2 David Sullivan

1 June Ziirpula

Meeting Minutes May 8, 2013

PTO meeting Notes May 8 8:30 am

Principal’s report

            Playground surface is almost all complete.  We are just looking into a bottom step repair.  There is more money set aside for fixes.  Discuss broken step further.

            Site council survey was online (we are trying to be green)  but as expected it was not the best turnout. 

Treasures report

            $2355.00 in the playground fund.  We expect for this to go towards benches, in the near future. 

            $635.00  is cost of fixing broken step.  But rubber surface would have to be cut into.  More discussions with the rubber Co. to follow.  There may be other options.

            Calendar Raffle $14,160.00  - $350 (iPad)  - $250 (print)  - $90  (misc. cost) - $1920  Approx $11,425.00 net profit.

 Still have to pay for Aquarium.  We will end year with over $10,000 in account.

Gorman Giving

            June 7- Crazy Hair day to support San Fillippo cause.  Donation is optional.  Mr. Macero has approved it.

Summer Reading Program

            Will try to get more involvement this year.  Maura Sullivan will place flyer on school website.

Field Day

            Ms. Finn runs this.  Obstacle course June 20 (June 21^st rain date)  

VOTE $750 Shirt and $125 oranges and pops budget =YES

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

            Come by to help at 10 am.  Ordering wraps, salads.  Budget of $1000.

Kindergarten Social

            August 18^th.  This event is well attended.  Great opportunity to meet other kids and learn about programs.

Book Fair

            Will finish this Friday .  Will be open at night for Open House.  Scholastic bucks used for Books for library and Lit. Night.  Fall book fair, still looking for possible dates.

Grant Committee

            If you are interested please contact a PTO member.  Needs to know how to find and write up grants.

GFB Family Directory

            PTO cannot access information (from school) so a directory would be useful tool.  Families can opt out.  COST: $10 without dues or free with PTO dues. 

Teacher Gift Reminder

            Please room parents follow the guidelines for teacher presents. ($150 per year.)

Defibrillator Pads

            Nurse Nancy needs new pads for the machine.  Vote $109.00=YES

Marcie Moline

            Started an organization called Raising Winthrop, raise awareness of New School Building process. There is also a Facebook page and Twitter feed Twitter.com/raisingwinthrop.  Visit site www.raisingwinthrop.org or contact Marcie.moline@gmail.com

           

Executive Board 2013-2014 positions avail.

            Looking for executive board members for 2 year terms. Ballots will be done next meeting.  Please contact PTO member if you are interested.

Loop

            Sarah Pettee to take over loop schedule.

Volunteers

            There are more meetings that need to be covered in the next two months.  Please contact Mariana Babine if you are available.  Your help is very appreciated.

OPEN FORUM

            Looking to see other fundraising options for next year.  Cookie Dough? Calendar Raffle?

           

MEETING END

Meeting Agenda for May 8, 2013 8:30 am

Welcome

·      Introduction of the Executive Board

·      Principal’s Report (Mrs. Pearson)

·      Treasurer’s Report (Dawn Sullivan)

·      PTO Events Update

o   Playground Surfacing Update – We have surface!

o   Summer reading program is about to launch.

o   Field Day Budget - VOTE

o   Kindergarten Social is Sunday, August 18^th from 2 – 4 pm

§  We need volunteers and “veteran” parents to attend to help answer incoming student family’s questions.

·      Fundraising Efforts

o   Calendar fundraiser is in progress (Dawn Sullivan). Calendar winners are announced on our Facebook and Twitter pages or click on the plug-ins on the right side of our blog.

o   Gorman Giving (Jodi Rice)

o   Book Fair at Open House

o   Interest for a grant committee for 2013-14 (parent request to Mrs. Pearson)

·      General Business

o   GFB Family Directory for Fall 2013

o   Teacher Gift reminder

o   Raising Winthrop – Recently formed. It is a grassroots effort to help move the funding and building of a new high school/middle school. Contact Marcie.Moline@gmail.com to participate. Future web site URL is RaisingWinthrop.org

o   Executive Board 2013-2014 – We have seats to fill (Alicyn Thompson)

§  Co-President

§  Co-Vice President

§  Co-Secretary

§  Please send an email to fortbankspto@gmail.com with your interest

·      Volunteer Update (Mariana Babine)

o   Drop-off a.k.a. The Loop (Carolyn Gagnon/Linda Straccia)

o   Room Parents (Linda Straccia)

o   Library (Dawn Hurley)

o   Recess and lunch (Linda Straccia)

·      Affiliate Programs

o   Stop & Shop A+ Rewards

o   Target RedCard (see the blog)

o   Labels for Education

o   Recycle Rewards rrewards.com

·      In School Enrichment Activities (Linda Straccia)

o   May Activity

o   June Activity

·      Open Forum

Teacher Appreciation Week

Hello PTO Friends!

Teacher Appreciation Week begins Monday - May 6th to May 10th.  We are inviting all PTO Members and their children to show our teachers some love by decorating the front walkway of the school with chalk drawings/messages for the teachers to arrive to on Monday morning.  If you have some free time on Sunday, May 5th, we will be leaving a bucket of colored chalk at the front door for you and/or your child to write a short message (Teachers Rock, I love you Mrs. Hanlon, etc).  We will be capping of the week by hosting a Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Friday during regular lunch hours, if anyone would like to volunteer to help facilitate this event please let us know.

Our regular monthly PTO meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 8th at 8:30am in the cafeteria.  We will be posting the agenda next week on our blog.  We hope to see you there!

Alicyn and Marcie

No Walk to School Day, May 1st!!!!!!!

No Walk to School Day on May 1st. Although we love the outdoors and all green methods of transportation, we want to point out that today's Winthrop Sun Transcript printed a press release from last year!

Below is a message from the Winthrop Sun Transcript:

In this week’s Winthrop Sun Transcript a story appeared about a Walk
to School happening on May 1.  According to last year’s organizer of
the Walk to School, Dawn Sullivan, this walk was not scheduled and is
not happening on May 1.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this article would be causing
and we again want to bring this mistake to the attention of all
parents at the William Gorman Fort Banks School.

The Gorman Fortbanks PTO apologizes for any confusion or inconvenience this causes families. In the meantime, we suggest the Transcript editors leave time travel to Marty McFly and H.G. Wells.

Mulchomania 2013

We'll put up a more formal post later. But the outpouring of community spirit has been immense. We were offered bobcats, landscaping equipment and full blown dump trucks! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Photos can be seen here on our Facebook page.

Digging the Playground is Now Sunday

Our Digging the Playground event is now Sunday! Due to the forecast of rain tomorrow, Friday, April 12th, our community mulch removal party affectionately known as "Mulchomania," is now going to be on Sunday, April 14th from 12 to 4pm. Please spread the word! We MUST move all the mulch in order for our new playground surface to be installed!

April is Autism Awareness Month

April is National Autism Awareness Month

Educate yourself:

• What is autism?
• 1 in 88 children are affected by autism.
• Where should I start if I think my child has autism?
• Is autism genetic? How do you get autism? 
• How should I talk or interact with someone with autism?
• What Massachusetts education supports are available for my child if he has autism?
• Is there a local autism support center for my family?

PTO Meeting Agenda for 4/10

Gorman Fort Banks PTO

Meeting Agenda for April 10, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Click here to download the print version

·       Welcome

·       Introduction of the Executive Board

·       Principal’s Report (Mrs. Pearson)

·       Treasurer’s Report (Dawn Sullivan)

·       PTO Events Update

o   Playground Surfacing Update – Mulch removal is 4/12 at 4pm. Bring shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows

o   Possible events: Free Outdoor Movie Night in June, Ice Cream Social during last week of school? Please step up and offer to chair a committee.

o   Summer reading program is about to launch.

o   Kindergarten Social is Sunday, August 18^th from 2 – 4 pm

§  We need volunteers and “veteran” parents to attend to help answer incoming student family’s questions.

·       Fundraising Efforts

o   Spring Clothes Drive brought in $875 (Linda Straccia)

o   Calendar fundraiser has now gone out, return April 30 (Dawn Sullivan). Calendar winners will be announced on our blog, Facebook and Twitter pages

o   Gorman Giving to benefit Cradles to Crayons (Jodi Rice)

o   Book Fair at Open House

·       General Business

o   Bookflix Renewal $900 – VOTE

o   Tadpoles for 1^st grade curriculum $80 - Vote

o   Executive Board 2013-2014 – We have seats to fill (Alicyn Thompson)

·       Volunteer Update (Mariana Babine)

o   Drop-off a.k.a. The Loop (Carolyn Gagnon/Linda Straccia)

o   Absence Hotline and Room Parents (Linda Straccia)

o   Library (Dawn Hurley)

o   Recess and lunch (Marci Campo)

·       Affiliate Programs

o   Stop & Shop A+ Rewards

o   Target RedCard (see the blog)

o   Labels for Education

o   Recycle Rewards rrewards.com

·       In School Enrichment Activities (Linda Straccia)

o   April Activity

o   May Activity

·       Open Forum