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