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
