Hardy PTO Meeting Agenda

November 1, 2011

 

6:30 – Introductions and cookies


6:40 – 7:15 – 2011 Events/Projects

-- Book Fair debrief: Kate Kapstad noted that the book fair was successful thanks to the many volunteers. She noted that the sales broke the record.  It was positive that no-one left the kids alone at the puppet show, which given the rain was attended by only about 80 families.  Kids that didn’t have money where able to purchase a book, thanks to the PTO fund.

-- Hoe Down: Planning the Hoe down, it was decided to offer pizza to the families. The cost of the ticket is/was $5 per person. It was pointed out the importance of encouraging parents to actively participate/dance during the Hoe Down. The committee created for this event decided to hire a professional who use a sound system, instead of a live band – in order to save funds. They noted that there were about $400 in savings.

-- Directory Update:  In order to complete the information the PTO is checking with room parents.  The new information gathered would be published as an Addendum.

-- School pictures: switch from Errico to Coffee Pond?

Ned Hall noted that some parents showed him the quality difference between the photos taken by Errico Studio and Coffee Pond, another photo studio, used by other schools.  Ned proposed to switch from Errico to Coffee Pond. 

Andy, PTO Treasurer, asked what percentage of the sales would they give to the PTO  and if they compare to the ones given by Errico Studio. Ned will check on this. Ned was also asked to please bring samples of the photos taken by these two photo studios.

--  Thanksgiving and Christmas events to help others:  Mary Decourcey proposed to have a school’s food drive in order to generously pack Thanksgiving dinners for families going through difficult circumstances. The idea was immediately approved.

Each grade will be ask to bring a different item.  Some of the PTO members signed up to help packing the Thanksgiving dinners and transporting them to the beneficiaries.
Mary also proposed to have a giving three at the school, so students and their parents could get a tag with the Christmas present requested by a kid whose family is going through difficult circumstances. The idea was immediately approved. Every beneficiary will be anonymous. There won’t be names written down. Codes will be used.

 
7:15-7:30 – Money Issues

Highlights presented by Andy, PTO Treasurer:

The PTO expects detailed reports on book fair and picture revenue in November/December.

Appeal: 58% to goal: 63 families and 39 benefactors.

Hardship funds up consistently over last four years.

$200 Big Yellow School Bus grant applied for through Mass Cultural Council for field trip transportation. Application accepted.

Science Camp cost: $1700

Teosinte Concert: $350 (Possible dates: June 1 or June 8)

AEF grants: first round due Nov. 15

Promotional programs – coordinator needed.

 
7:30—7:50 --  Principal’s report

Mrs. D’Amico (who couldn’t personally attend this PTO meeting) would like to create an enrichment committee having 4/5 teachers and 2/3 parents. According to one of the teachers, Mrs. D'Amico would like to have a balance between academic activities and entertainment activities, for each grade.

7:50-8:00 – Stuff we forgot to add to the agenda

Betsy Crimmins, PTO co-vice president, proposed to spend the money that have been kept in the PTO reserve  fund. She was asked by Ned to prepare a budget/priority spending list  in this regard, after receiving suggestions from the PTO members.

It was proposed to have a future discussion regarding how big the PTO reserve fund should be. Currently it is $1500. Betsy proposed to change the by law. 

Members of the PTO who attended this meeting also proposed:

-         To plan in advance about what to do with the accumulation of snow during winter. It was proposed to create volunteer’s squads.  Ned expressed he was going to consult about this with Mrs. D’Amico.
 
-         There were also concerns about the morning drop-offs and the fact that the kids who arrive to the playground at that time are not supervised. A parent complained that balls had hit her children.


Date of next meeting: Tuesday, December 6, 2011

September 13, 2011

Hardy PTO Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

6:30 – 8:00 

6:30 – Introductions & cookies

      • Overview of what we're all about

      The Hardy PTO basically does three things:

1. raise money for enrichment and other Hardy school programs
2. serve as a conduit for information
3. organize social events

Thompson PTO meetings: will be run separately from Hardy PTO.  Will be held off-site at someone's house. Next Thompson PTO Mtg. on 9/21. 

6:40 - 6:50 – Review of some changes to school policies

      After discussions with the school council and an informal poll of parents, Ms. D'Amico announced a new "no birthday treats" policy.  Her main concern is equity for all students.  This is a Hardy decision, not a district decision - made for several reasons: time lost in school, differing levels of interest on the part of families, not putting kids in awkward positions, nutrition.  Classes will still recognize birthdays. She regrets not sending an announcement earlier in the year. 

6:50 - 7:15 – 2011 Events/Projects

      • Garden (9/17 Gate Raising)

      Deb showed scale model of gate.  It was designed by Deb's husband, Tom Musco, with input from Japanese families.  Dedicated to Japanese families affected by earthquake and tsunami. The gate will be raised on Sat., Sept 17^th at 9am.  All are welcome to come.  A suggestion was made to purchase a gift for Tom to thank him for donating the gate.  Cristiana mentioned that our wheelbarrow has gone missing.  She also mentioned that we need a smaller, tall shed to keep our garden supplies secure. Cristiana said that Ms. D'Amico suggested having book buddies work on garden projects together.  Finally, Cristiana said that the K-3 grades have planted a lot of what you see blooming in the garden now!

      • Picture Day (9/20)

      • Curriculum Night (9/22)

      There will be a different format this year.  All classroom teachers will present twice – once at 6:30-7:00 and again from 7:15 until 7:45.  Childcare will be available this year.

      • Ice Cream Social (9/23)

      We need volunteers for the ice cream social.  It basically involves getting the ice cream and organizing scoopers. Second scooping will be on Mon., 9/26 after school.

      • Volunteer sign-ups (9/23)

      We decided to have tables for volunteer sign ups at the ice cream social instead of that Friday morning. 

7:15 - 7:30 – Money issues

      • Annual budget

      Andy reviewed the budget.  He mentioned that he put a significant amount ($5,000) in the contingency fund.  There was a brief discussion regarding the need to have one third of the overall budget in reserve and whether or not we should revise the bylaws in order to be able to spend some of the money as needed. Appeal letter will go out on same day as back to school night (Thursday September 22nd).

      • Sharing costs with Thompson PTO

      Thompson will continue to raise funds this year and will be providing a portion of their funds raised to Hardy – they will split the funds proportionately based on the number of students they have at Hardy, Stratton and Bishop.  One of Thompson's big fundraisers is the Thompson Community Card.  They will be for sale after school on the playground as well as at Town Day, the Arlington Farmer's Market and other locations in town.

      • Soliciting ideas for how to spend our $$$

      Some ideas discussed included: ceiling fans for the school (Ms. D'Amico was told no by the town but she suggested the PTO could inquire further if they didn't want to accept "no" for an answer), technology and playground improvements. 

7:30 - 7:50 – Principal's Report

      Lunch and recess are 40 minutes this year!  All students will have lunch recess before lunch.  Indoor recess will be held in classrooms this year.  In previous years it was held in the cafeteria.

      Elmo document camera being used already by Thompson teachers.  There will be a total of 8 Elmos in Hardy this year: 2 from Thompson, 2 from Hardy PTO, 1 Ms. Harrington got funded through outside sources and 3 that Deb was able to get funded.   The newly purchased ones will go into use as soon as the district puts bar codes on them.

      So far the year is off to a good start despite the challenges of acquiring 100 more students from Thompson. 

7:50 - 8:00 – Stuff we forgot to add to the agenda

• Thompson booth at town day (9/17)
• Directory – will be coordinated by Margaret Muirhead.  A suggestion was made to utilize room parents to help gather missing information.

 

Date of Next meeting – Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 

June 8, 2011

Hardy PTO Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

6:30 - 8:00

6:30 - Introduction & Cookies

• Approve May Minutes - the minutes were approved.
• Introduce New Board Members - Cedrine Bell, Mary Kowalsi, Jen Irvine, Sarah Berman and Jill Swilling.

6:45 - 7:15 - 2011 Events/Projects

• Walk-a-thon update - Betsey - Our goal was $3,000 and we raised $4,140. This Friday (6/10) we'll celebrate with Popsicles for the kids.
• BBQ - Ned Hall, June 15th - flyer for BBQ was sent home and was in the PTO Post. Susan Dorson has the list of volunteers online. Going smoothly.
• Possible date of Ice Cream Social with Thompson School - Friday June 17th. Brian from Chilly Cow will give us the wholesale price for ice cream. We usually get 18 tubs and sell for $1/cup. Thoughts of giving tours of the School for Thompson parents.
• Last Day of School - June 24th - 1:00 dismissal with lunch.

7:15 -7:30 - Budget

• Update on budget (Janet P, Janet F) - the walk-a-thon brought in almost $600 more to bring total to $4,140. The supplies fund raiser brought in $2,467, about $1,500 more than we budgeted. Deb will send a reminder to teachers about the teachers supplementary funds. Ms. Welby will be buying guitars ($995). And, bills have been coming in against the contingency fund. See budget spreadsheet.

7:30 - 7:45 - Principal's Report

• Override update - All kids K-5 will have PE twice/week. We will keep all of our current staff of 15. And, Thompson 5th grade will go to Bishop.
• Class sizes - the new "Norm" for class sizes is 24-27 kids. The following is what the class sizes for next year will look like.

Kindergarten - 3 classes of 21-23 students

First Grade - 2 classes of 21-23 students

Second Grade - 3 classes of 22-24 students

Third Grade - 4 classes of 24-26 students

Fourth Grade - 5 classes of 23-24 students

Fifth Grade - 2 classes of 28-29 students

We will have 5 teaching assistants, 2 will come from Thompson. And the 3rd and 4th Grades from Thompson will be blending with the Hardy students. (Thompson 3rd grade doesn't do Colonial Day).

The following is the list of teachers for each grade for next year:

K- Ms. Eldredge, Mrs. Pielech, and Ms. Dusombre

First - Ms. Mann and Mrs. Pierce

Second - Ms. Lane, Ms. Brambilla, and Ms. deCifuentes

Third - Ms. Gregg, Ms. Doherty/Ms. DeFrancisco, Ms. McKinney, and Ms. Foley

Fourth - Ms. Jette, Ms. Brogna, Ms. Trivino, Ms. Harrington, and Ms. Bisson

Fifth - Ms. Morello and Ms. Johnstone

• Safe Routes to School update - On Friday (6/3) there was a Safe Routes meeting. Cedrine Bell, Scott Smith of the TAC (Transportation Advisory Committee) and others met. There were a couple of things they discussed:

Drop off Logistics (pick up will be the same, Thompson kids to to Boys and Girls club for extended day program).

Safe Routes - walking routes, crossing Mass Ave. and the Walking School Bus.

Snow Removal Team- to work with the DPW.

Next Safe Routes meeting will be held on Friday, June 17 8:15-9:00. Another meeting will be scheduled for some time in August.

All information will go out to parents in mailing in mid July.

Also, the District is picking up funding for the Alert Now/Connect Ed and Discovery Streaming.

7:45 - 8:00 - New items of discussion

• Sarah's last meeting - On Monday she will be sending home the end of the year letter from the PTO. She gave it to the incoming kindergarten parents on their visits. They loved the letter and were willing to help.
• Thompson and Hardy PTO will remain seperate. Janet P. will schedule a meeting about getting the two PTO's together to discuss next year.
• Ned Hall will remain PTO President next year. Heather Smith and Betsey Crimmins will be Co-Vice Presidents and Andy Forbes is taking over the Treasurer position.

Date of First 2011/2012 Meeting - Tuesday, Sept. 13th or Wednesday, Sept. 14th.

Summer Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 19th at 7:00 at Heather's house.

May 4, 2011

Hardy PTO Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

6:30-8:00

6:30 -Introduction and cookies

• Approve May minutes - the minutes were approved.
• Sherrie Donovan -Principal of the Thompson School - could not attend.

6:45 - 7:15 - 2011 Events/Projects

• PTO Elections, one student council position - we only received 3 nomination sheets back. Selected members will call possible candidates. Ned Hall is willing to be President again next year. Betsey Crimmins and Heather Smith would be willing to be Co-vice presidents. Pete Gast will be asked to take on the Treasurer position. Jill Swilling will become a Member at Large.
• International Talent Showcase recap - Heather Smith - We took in $1600 and spent about $800. The kids did a great job with their talents.
• Skating Party recap, Ken Zimmerman - made $90. Rink cost was $400.
• Teacher Appreciation (May 2nd-6th) - Sarah Kelly - Shannon Guthrie donated 50 beautiful potted flowers for the teachers, we were not able to give to crossing guards and lunch mothers this year. A parent of 3rd and 4th graders who owns a Crepe restaurant has donated a 7 person crepe dinner for a teacher to win. She will come to their house. Sarah will draw a teachers name on Friday. There was a need for the PTO tables for 5th grade plant sale, Art Show, HASP and Teacher Appreciation. We need to ask HASP if they can purchase tables.
• Art Show- May 5th - pizza $2/slice, Andy Forbes - Andy could use some helpers for selling pizza at 6:00 before the show.
• Walk-a-thon (5/13, rain date 5/20) - Betsey Crimmins - starts right at 2:15 and goes until 4:00. Could use more volunteers. She has ordered prizes/extra for BBQ. The Hardy After School kids will also participate. And, kids will wear their Field Day T-shirts.
• Incoming Kindergarten meetings- May 25 & 26 - Ned/Sarah to introduce PTO - Could use some volunteers. Sarah will have a presentation for the incoming kindergarten parents. Similar to last years "Year End" letter. It will include what we brought in for the Appeal, what enrichment events we had, social events, fields trips etc.
• Colonial Day - June 15th - Karyn Winters - Lisa Paolillo is helping Karyn. She has a person assigned for each activity, that person will be responsible for their activity/group. She will schedule a meeting soon. This is PTO paid for, parent run event.
• BBQ- Ned Hall, June 15th - no Thompson families - Susan Dorson, Kate Kapstad and Sandra Miller are organizing. Could use more volunteers. We are going to have more grills this year.
• Possible date of Ice Cream Social with Thompson School - revisit
• Box Tops and Popsicles - pick a date with Deb - just got a check for $400, we met our goal of $1300. Sarah will check with Deb on date, 5th graders help pass out Popsicles.
• Dates of 5th grade events: Plant Sale, Thursday, May 5th - Sell at Art Show, Car Wash, May 21st, Class Night, June 21st - PTO donates $1750 towards Class Night. There were not painted pots this year. Classes will get to come down to buy plants for Mothers Day.
• Last Day of School - June 24th

7:15-7:30 - Budget

• Update on budget (Janet P, Janet F) - Not Your Average Joe's made $1,271.96 from their promotion $190.76 goes to Hardy. Amazon shopping brought in $218 for a total of $500. Still waiting on checks from Maxima $115 and Menotomy Beer and Wine $250. Received a $500 grant from last year. Grant writers needed, put it out there in the PTO Post. As for Field Trips, Deb said that since we already have $ from PTO approved in September there will still be field trips.

7:30-7:45 - Principal's Report - was not at the meeting.

• Check out the LIBRARY!!!
• Kathy Bodie Informational Meeting to be scheduled - Sarah presented for Deb via an email from her. She said that the meeting about the Hardy/Thompson combine (rebuild) will be held on Tuesday, May 17th from 6:30-8:00 in the Hardy Gym. And, next year the Hardy After School will only be Hardy kids. It will not include Thompson. HASP can only take 100 kids it has 96 currently. Also in the email from Deb was information about The Hardy Goes Green program. Promoting that kids either walk or bike to school. 54.7% of Hardy Walks to school, 7.7% Bike, 4.24% Bus, 36.6% drive.

7:45-8:00 - New Items of discussion

• Override - On the ballot for June 7th. Ned asked if we thought it would be beneficial to have an informational session for parents. This would include the "what if's". If the override passes $600,000 is added back onto the existing budget. If the override passes Thompson 3rd and 4th will come to Hardy (5th to Bishop). If it doesn't pass 3rd, 4th and 5th will come to Hardy. Maybe have Joe Curro come to talk to us about it.

Date of Next Meeting - Tuesday June 7th at 6:30.

April 6, 2011

Hardy PTO Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

6:30-8:00

6:30- Introduction and cookies

• Approve March Minutes - there were none taken

6:35-6:50- Scott Smith, TAC Transportation Advisory Committee

1. Planned traffic changes near the school

a. Establishment of a posted school zone (20MPH speed limit) - during school hours.
Herbert Road is not included because it doesn't abut school grounds.
b. No parking on the East side of Brooks near Chandler at pickup and drop off times.
6:50-7:20 - 2011 Events/Projects

• PTO Elections, one School Council position - Need a committee of 3 people to oversee the elections. Nomination forms are in the office. Be sure to include descriptions and add 1 School Council position. We all need to be recruiting new people.
• Not Your Average Joe's, every Tuesday night in April, Arlington only- Sandy Jones- 15% of total bill goes to Hardy. Sandy got Not Your Average Joe's to come to International Festival to sere hors d' oeuvres and promote the plan.
• International Talent Showcase (4/8) - Heather Smith- There is 257 people signed up to come, 170 people for pizza and 29 Acts (2hr show). Show starts at 6:45. ACMI cable station recorded the show last year; they won't be able to do it this year. Check with Seth to see if he can record the show for us. Julie Harrington and the fourth grade will be selling "Hardy Cares" bracelets for $1 (not sure if the package of bracelets will arrive in time). Also, 2 Japanese moms will be making origami Cranes and things for donations to the Japan fund.
• Skating Party(4/10), Ken Zimmerman to coordinate - 11:45-1:45 there will be pizza, bake sale and games.
• Teacher Appreciation (May 2nd-6th)-Sarah Kelly - Monday teachers get a plant or flower. On Tuesday Mrs. D'Amico will provide breakfast. Wednesday 5th grade Girl Scouts present teachers with apples along with homemade cards and poems from the kids. Thursday is a luncheon and Friday is dessert day.
• Walk-a-thon (5/14, raindate 5/21) - Betsey Crimmins- waiting approval from BOS for street closing permit. Pledge sheets and permission slips will go out soon.
• Colonial Day - June 15th - Karen Winters
• BBQ - Ned Hall June 15th - revisit
• Dates of 5th grade events: Plant sale, Friday, May 56th - sell at Art Show - May 5th