Meeting Minutes

September 23, 2014

• Principal’s Report (Mrs. Pearson)

• Staff scheduling is currently being worked on. 
• The traffic situation and wrap-around program are going well. 
• One of the main problem areas is security volunteers (loop and substitutes).
• Curriculum night had a disappointing turnout.
• GFB is going paper-free so submit email addresses and check the school web page.

• Treasurer’s Report (Gillian Teixeira)

• We closed out last year on a positive note ($19k)
• $7900 for technology grant 
• The guidelines for the classroom grants have changed and moved back to Feb.
• General fund is currently at $7200 and $5-6k will be spent on enrichment.

• Room parent (Jennifer Gorman)

• The drawing will be held after the meeting – please consider volunteering even if you are unable to be a room parent.
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• Volunteer Update

• Loop ( Sarah Pettee): Loop assistance is needed, even if someone can help for 20 minutes after dropping off their kindergartener. Please pass on the word!
• School volunteers (Gillian Teixeira): We need volunteers for several events. 

• Walk to school day (Dawn Sullivan) Wednesday, October 8

• The Safe Routes to School Program encourages people to walk to school to increase physical activity and decrease traffic. People can walk in groups or meet at lots (Crest Ave, Veteran’s Rd, George St). This year, we are leaving it up to parents to coordinate. Info is on the school website and Facebook. The bus will run on its regular schedule.

• Meadow Farms Fundraiser (Lauren Capasso)

• We are starting the fundraiser on Oct 1 and running it for 2 weeks. We are looking at a 40-50% profit margin. We are selling tumblers and a variety of gift/holiday items from another catalog. Online ordering is available. The items will be boxed by child by the company. We were working on a location to store them but the gym or basement may be available now.

• Updates (Gillian Teixeira)

• Kindergarten social: Aug 17. We gave out freeze pops and waters. It cost PTO under $141. We made $91.
• Kindergarten Tea: Sept 8. We got some Stop & Shop cards. It cost PTO under $100.
• Ice Cream Social: We had over 300 registrants and collected over $1000. We are normally billed over $600 but it was only $450 this year due to volunteer scoopers. We raised $550 and hope to do another at the end of the school year.
• T-shirt Sales: We are working on the forms now and will place the order on Monday. We are doing short sleeve only at this time and may do sweatshirts or long sleeve for the fall/winter.

• Affiliate Programs (Gillian Teixeira)

• We are collecting box tops and labels for education. Send them into school at any time. Sign up for S&S cards so your food shopping goes towards the school.

• In-school Enrichment Activities (Jennifer Gorman)

• We will have 5 this year (3 in the fall and 2 in the spring). 
• October: Domino the Great, Buddies not Bullies
• November: Museum of Science, Observing Air & Flight  and States of Matter (3rd Grade)
• December: New England Aquarium Rock Hopper Penguins

• Upcoming Events (Gillian Teixeira)

• Spooky Bingo Sunday, October 26. Doors open at 2pm. All events will be pre-registered. There is a max capacity of 200 people. We are trying an email confirmation this time around. Let us know if you don’t get a flyer for any event. We need volunteers to set up, break down, do raffles, etc.
• Adult only paint night is Friday, November 7 at Winthrop Yacht Club. There is a 100 person limit. We are looking for adult raffle prizes.

•  Poster Enlargement Printer (Christa Shea)

The printer will make 24x36 posters to enrich learning. Current cost is $6694 and

this price is only effective until 9/30/14. There is additional $2000 for a 5 year

contract. Viking Pride will donate $2000. There is 1 training included and Mrs.

Pearson will designate someone to use the machine. Voted and approved.


• Open Forum

“Someone Special Dance” – add this to the October agenda

Gorman Fort Banks PTO

Meeting Agenda for September 23rd, 2014

• Welcome
• Introduction of Board
• Co Presidents Kristen Buonopane and Christa Shea
• Co Vice Presidents Mariana Babine and Jennifer Gorman
• Co Secretaries Lauren Capasso and Crystal DeMayo
• Co Treasurers Reena Cash and Gillian Teixeira
• According to our PTO Handbook: If any member of the PTO would like to have an item added to the agenda, they can submit a written request to the secretary at least seven (7) days before a meeting.
• Principal’s Report (Mrs. Pearson)
• Treasurer Report (Gillian Teixeira)  
• Summary Report of Disbursements and Balance
• Room parent drawing will take place directly following today’s meeting (Kristen Buonopane/Jennifer Gorman)
• Whether you are or are not a room parent, you can still volunteer in your child’s classroom or in the school
• Room Parents will be notified via email on Wednesday
• Volunteer Update (Mariana Babine)
• Loop (Sarah Pettee)
• School Volunteer  help please contact Mariana at  mbabine@winthrop.k12.ma.us
• Walk to school day (Dawn Sullivan)
• Meadow Farms Fundraiser  (Lauren Capasso)
• Starting October 1 and running until October 15
• 40%-50% profit margin
• Running with the gift collection and tumblers at the same time
• Online ordering option available to help expand our contacts
• All items will be boxed by child and the company sorts them by homeroom for us
• We are still working on a location on delivery as we can not use anywhere at the Fort Banks
• The company will provide us a tablet to raffle off
• Updates (Gillian Teixeira)
• Kindergarten Social
• Kindergarten tea
• Ice Cream Social
• T-Shirt Sales
• Affiliate programs (Crystal DeMayo)
• Box Tops
• Labels for Education
• Target
• Stop & Shop A+ Rewards  
• In-school Enrichment Activities (Kristen Buonopane/Jennifer Gorman)
• Upcoming Events (Gillian Teixeira)
• Spooky Bingo October 26
• Adult only Paint Nite November 7
• Poster Enlargement Printer (Christa Shea)
• Total cost of the printer is $6,694
• Includes: Printer, Printer stand and media bin, Scanning system, Computer with poster design software, Educational templates, 2 sets of ink cartridges, 2 rolls of coated paper, 5 rolls of standard paper, one year next day on site service, $500 supply credit.
• For an additional $2,400 we could purchase 4 years of additional coverage.  This would start after the 1 year coverage with HP.  During that first year they would still give us the discounts on supplies that is issued to people with a warranty service.
• The total with the warranty would be $9,094.  However Viking Pride is willing to give us a $2,000 donation towards the purchase of the printer.  Therefore it would be costing us $7,094.  
• This printer has many benefits and it is something Mrs. Pearson has asked us to look into.  I met with Mrs. Pearson over the summer and we did a conference call with the company.  Each roll of paper will cover 50 posters.  I don’t foresee the school going through those rather quickly as they will be given enough to cover the first 350 posters.  The $500 credit will help he purchase additional ink as needed.  
• In June we mentioned using the money left over from the teacher grant fund and the money raised at the paint nite.  I am hoping we are still willing to do this.  Our students would truly benefit from this tool and I would hate to let Mrs. Pearson down as she asked about this a year ago.
• The prices provided are only valid if ordered by September 30 so we have to act on this and take a vote now.
• Open Forum

Remember!

Our Ice Cream Social and Book Fair is next Friday, 

September 19th, from 6-8 pm, at the Gorman Fort Banks School. Don't miss out.....return your registration forms by Tuesday, September 16th!

We are also collecting t-shirt orders; order forms are due back by September 22nd.

A big thank you to the many families who have filled out PTO membership envelopes and sent in PTO donations this week. Your donations go a long way in helping the PTO provide enrichment programs to all Gorman Fort Banks students throughout the year, as well as helping fund classroom supplies and other school/student needs.  We appreciate your support.

Thank You!

Remember!

Our Ice Cream Social and Book Fair is next Friday, 

September 19th, from 6-8 pm, at the Gorman Fort Banks School. Don't miss out.....return your registration forms by Tuesday, September 16th!

We are also collecting t-shirt orders; order forms are due back by September 22nd.

A big thank you to the many families who have filled out PTO membership envelopes and sent in PTO donations this week. Your donations go a long way in helping the PTO provide enrichment programs to all Gorman Fort Banks students throughout the year, as well as helping fund classroom supplies and other school/student needs.  We appreciate your support.

Thank You!

Preschool and Kindergarten Tea

Preschool and Kindergarten families, please join us for a Preschool and Kindergarten Tea immediately after drop off on Monday, September 8th, until 9:15 am, in the school cafeteria.  This will be a great way to meet new families and learn information about our school!  Hope to see you there!