Minutes for February 2012 Meeting

The meeting minutes are ready! Town Council President Peter Gill addressed the PTO and answered our questions at our Februrary 8 meeting. Click here to see the minutes.

Meeting Agenda for Wednesday, February 8 Meeting

Our meeting is Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30 pm. We'll have a soft start with snacks and coffee at 6 pm because there was an error in the reminder slips that went out stated 6 pm. Click here to view the agenda.

We will have a special guest, Winthrop Town Council President Peter Gill.

Minutes from January 2012 Meeting

Gorman Fort Banks PTO

Meeting Minutes

January 11, 2012

Introductions –Dawn Manning calls meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. 

-       Introduction of board members. 

Principals Report- Mrs. Pearson

-       Book Flix –Mrs. Sullivan is running a trial program for 1 month.  PTO could possibly purchase a membership.  For 80 titles it costs approximately $900, 100 titles is about $1000. 

-Mrs. Pearson stated that the teachers have benefited from the monthly programs.  They are able to have common planning time.  They have also arranged using Title 1 funding to pay for substitutes for Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 1 to work on portfolios.  This will allow for some instruction in formative assessments and student work.

-Professional Development Day – they had the opportunity to revise the emergency protocol plan.  They will not be practicing the new procedures with the children at this point in time.

Treasurer Report – Carolyn Gagnon

-       Still waiting for the scholastic check to clear.  - $4,364

-       Roughly $18,000 in the account – this does not include enrichment program costs for the rest of the year.

Volunteer Update – Kelly Parker – Jan. 25 at 9:00 am – Harvey room there will be a substitute orientation.  If you complete the class you can be placed on the sub list.

-       Book Fair in May – buy one get one free

-       Hotline – 2 people needed for Wednesday mornings.  Takes only 15-20 minutes and you can bring your child with you.

Literacy Night – Christa Shea is chairing this event. Please sign the sheet if you are interested in helping.  The event is scheduled for March 2.  Mrs. Pearson is working on finding a book and Dr. Seuss character is available for the evening. In the past we have been reimbursed through title 1 funds.  Budget of $750.00 set – Vote for $750 - Approved

Dawn – check with title 1 or scholastic to see about free books for literacy night.

Bingo Night- Please sign on the sheet if you are interested in helping out plan the event.  Scheduled for February 10 at Winthrop Yacht Club.  Pizza baked goods and drinks available again for purchase.  Set budget for food and prizes - Vote for $600 budget - Approved

Dawn – Mr. Gill is invited to next evening meeting in February.

            - Teacher luncheon – teachers would like it on April 27 during their regular lunch times.  They have asked for wraps, salads and fruits.  Hospitality committee can bake goods for dessert.  Budget of $800 asked for food.  Also asking room mothers to see if they can collect money- $5.00- from parents to help pay for the luncheon – instead of a Budget.  No Vote taken.

Discussion regarding Umbrellas and classroom gifts- table the vote till the next meeting.  We have changed the vote to no for classroom umbrellas based on teacher feedback.  Teachers and some parents would prefer a monetary donation for reimbursement of classroom items.  Vote at next meeting to determine amount of money to give - $75, or $100.  We may wish to vote that the total amount for the year is $150 given in 2 payments (fall and spring).

Wish list was also discussed.  PTO will get in touch with Mrs. Pearson about speaking with the classroom teachers to provide a wish list.

Open Forum –

School committee meeting- discussion regarding concern over agenda item.  In particular, the opportunity for the public to speak at the end of the meeting.  School Committee Chairman, Mr. Skomro, assured us that this was regarding having time to speak at the beginning of the meeting or during the meeting so that the public can discuss issues before items are voted on.  This would allow for more speaking, not less.

Butterfly and Frog Kits – approximately $90 – Vote – Yes

2^nd grade class T-Shirts – approximately $5.00 each - Vote- Yes

2 High School Scholarships - $200 each – Vote – Yes

Box Tops – Mrs. Polino received a check for only $62.00. She is going to check the receipt.  It should have been more.  She will update us at the next meeting.

Christine Bernstein – Showed us the Chamber News and because we are now Chamber members we can put information in the news of upcoming events and fundraisers.

Agenda for January 11, 2011

Our next meeting is Wednesday, January 11 at 8:30 am in the school cafeteria. Click here to view and print the agenda.

Minutes from December 7, 2011 Meeting

Gorman Fort Banks PTO

Meeting Minutes

December 7, 2011

Introductions –Dawn Manning calls meeting to order at 6:35 pm. 

-       Introduction of board members. 

-       Dawn states that Marcie Moline will be arriving shortly.

Principals Report- Dawn Manning

-       Mrs. Pearson is at a conference and cannot be here tonight.  There is nothing new to report.

Jeffrey Turco, Town Council President-

-       Update from Finance Committee – 30,000 for playground is there and the votes are there. 

-       Access road – road will be built.  He had to compromise and it was approved as an Emergency access road only.  Special session tomorrow to vote on eminent domain and making the emergency access road. 

-       A question was asked regarding eminent domain – Mr. Turco responds that that as a town we can only take land from the people lower than us on the chain.  

-       Next step – the conservation commission has made some issues of condition and it the DEP says yes, Stephen Calla will begin to put out bids for construction of the road. This could take several months.  We must also approve of eminent domain to get the land from Governor’s Park for emergency access only.

Volunteer Update – Kelly Parker not present – no report

Cookie Dough Fundraiser – Shannon Girard

-       Great news – we have made $11,290 on cookie dough sales!

-       Thanks for everyone’s help and hard work – special thanks to the room mothers who helped count the money and orders for us last week.

-       Delivery is expected on Tuesday, December 12 between 10-11.  I will confirm delivery time – please check PTO blog and face book for updates.  A letter and connect ed message will also go home regarding pick up times on Wednesday, December 13.

-       Please note that room mother help will be needed on delivery day to help with counting orders!

Treasurer’s report – Carolyn Gagnon

-       Currently, we have a balance of $22, 886 this includes cookie dough sales

-       With the help of Dawn Manning, we have figured out our expenses through the rest of the school year and we should have between $8,000-10,000 going out so that leaves us with a balance of around $12, 000- 13,000

-       Box Tops - $800 from last collection – another collection in February.

-       Stop and Shop – 90 households so far we have made $455

-       Grants – last year we got $900-$1000 we will find out in January and once the show goes through we get reimbursement.

-       Marcie – in the past the PTO has a history of donating for High School Scholarships.  We will donate for 2 – for $200 in June

Vote – Allocation of 1/10 of fundraiser to playground fund

-       Voted in the past to have 10% if money for in to the playground fund for maintenance issues.  We still need a surface and some equipment.  The spinning toy is up to code we can move foot rest if needed.  Landscaping in the spring with benches and barrels and a sign that will indicate sponsors.

-       Vote $1,120 – approved

Vote Allocation of funds for room gifts from PTO

            -Alicyn – Teachers requested umbrellas for pick up times.  We have looked into golf umbrellas for each classroom to have some shelter.  The umbrellas are $20-$30 dollars each. Instead of giving them supplies we could give them umbrellas with the classroom number on it.

-       Proposed – umbrellas for each classroom at a cost of about $1,000.  The room gift would stay with the classroom.

-       Vote approved

Wish list was also discussed.  PTO will get in touch with Mrs. Pearson about speaking with the classroom teachers to provide a wish list.

Vote Allocation of Safety Vests –

-       Safety vests for volunteers who do drop off.  Carolyn will check with Helco in the center to see if they are interested in making a donation.  Budget will be $250 for safety vests.  We will revote if it is more.

-       Vote approved

O2 monitor for nurse-

-       The nurse is thankful – she has used it many times. The cost came to $175.50. 

2 indoor basketball stations -

-       Basketball - purchased for Mrs. Finn the basketball hoops.  The children love them and the OT and PT also thanks us.  The cost was $586.00 for 2 plus shipment.

Tree Lighting -

      - Balloon City donated the bear we made a total of $343.00 selling raffle tickets, hot chocolate and cookies.  It was noted that because we are in the Chamber we could publicize and ask for donations for fundraisers.

Cross Cultural Council (Marcie Moline)-

-       Because of a need to help and reach out to families who do not speak or read English we might consider creating a committee or council across schools made up with Parents and Teachers that speak other languages to help staff and families realize that families and students may need help.  This would be an informal group to help support and provide information. 

-       It was noted that we should be careful with what we are helping families fill out or interpret because of legal issues.

Labels for Education – need a lot of labels for a only a little bit of money. 

Recycle rewards – getting a check soon.

Label 4 kids.com – labels for everything (clothes, Tupperware etc.)

Open Forum –

-       February Bingo – we haven’t discussed yet – we will put on January agenda

-       Ask Mr. Gill to come to our next night meeting.  We will give him a 5-minute window to introduce himself.  He told Dawn that he would be a loop parent when he has to drive his grandson. 

-       No cell phone zone will go to school committee

-       Walk to school – we attended a safe routes to school meeting.  There are funds from the state level that would provide signs and information regarding routes and safe walking.  It may take up to 2 years to happen.  In the springtime we would like to start the Walk to School Wednesday. Mr. Macero is on board.

-       School bus fees are being enforced for the school bus stop except for Point Shirley families.

-       By-Laws have changed regarding traffic patterns.  You can no longer take left turns out of Almont Street and you cannot turn left onto Locust Street from Revere St.

-       Chief Delahanty can be contacted if people are not parking legally.