Minutes, Tuesday Nov. 13

Hardy PTO Meeting Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012 6:30 – 8:00 AGENDA 6:30 Introductions 6:35 Principal’s Report Deb talked about the challenges from the many interruptions this fall. iPad carts have been purchased for the three schools housing Thompson students. This has helped with oversubscription of computer lab. 21 ipads on the cart. Classroom teachers received iPads, but unfortunately specialists did not; Deb took 6 ipads from the cart (27 originally) to give to specialists. Kevin Guiney asked if Town is offering help in use of ipads; Deb replied that there are monthly workshops. 6:50 Review of events/projects and planning for upcoming events: • Picture Day Hayward is waiting to hear from parents who want retakes before scheduling makeup day. Feedback from Picture Day tells us that we need to be better organized next time – e.g., take one class out at a time, rather than one whole grade. • Book Fair Mary reported that we made $9271 in sales, with proceeds of $1886; Eva: the two afternoons that went beyond the school day worked very well, would be a good idea to do one of these later in the week so parents have cottoned on to the fact that the Fair is going on. • Election Day Bake Sale Jenn reported that the bake sale worked out very well; her Brownies were “key”. We took in $950, and will split this with the Brownie troop. • Hoe Down Went well, but definitely need more volunteers; we decided that we need to streamline pizza selling, to avoid any confusion/upset on part of parents. • UNICEF collection • Hardy/Thompson Directory? Andy and Pete have started work on this; have put together google doc with every kid from this year, and what contact info we have; will contact room parents to fill in info; • Holiday Giving Tree? (Nov/Dec) Kristen Barnicle will be working with Deb and classroom teachers on this. • Menotomy Wine Tasting (Jan) - Jenn? Jenn is investigating renting the Whittemore house, to make this a bigger event; January is probably not doable; Jenn will report back in December on availability. • Winter Concert – PTO Breakfast (Feb) • Skating Party (March) • Int’l Festival (March) Gloria offered to help coordinate this with Milagros 7:20 Financial Report: • Annual appeal update Good news: we are at 91% of goal; bad news: only 68 contributions. We will send out a reminder appeal soon. • Other financial updates 7:45 Other business • Fundraising effort - Linda Flynn Date of next PTO Meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 4th

Minutes from Oct. 2 2012 PTO meeting

Hardy PTO Meeting Minutes Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 6:30 – 8:00 Upcoming Events: • Ice Cream Social – thanks to all volunteers, good turnout; did not cover cost of ice cream yet; plan on second scooping for Friday, Oct. 5; possibly get 5th graders to help scoop. • Hardy/Thompson Directory Talked last year about doing directory in-house; need to find out what means we are allowed to use to collect data; Deb absent, so she can’t answer yet; will check with her about this. • Picture Day – Tues. Oct 16th, need volunteers to work with Lis Zimmerman, anyone? • Book Fair – scheduled for Oct. 22-25 Will put signupgenius into next Post; late days Monday and Tuesday; evening event: author coming to speak about his book (W, 6 - 8); will need cash box, small amount of money for supplies for book marks that kids will make; will offer assistance to kids identified by teachers; • Election day bakesale Coordinate with Girl Scouts; Jennifer Roderick will check with Michele Tirone and Chris Foster; • Hoe Down Friday, Nov. 2, 6:30 - 8:30; will serve pizza at 6; Marci will coordinate volunteers; Jill Swilling will coordinate bakers; • UNICEF collection for Halloween Betsey asked for help with Unicef collection this year; Julie offered to help; Financial Report: • Annual appeal update Appeal letter went out last Thursday; already at $3750 (plus a few checks not yet entered); almost half of donations through PayPal; • Other fundraising Andy reminded everyone about other sources (Target, Amazon, etc.); Jenn Forbes has taken over box tops, already collected 500 to submit; will put out one more reminder before Nov. 1 submission deadline; Lisa Paolillo suggested reinstating a raffle to encourage Box Top collection; • Pete suggested (prior to the meeting) that we encourage/remind families to take advantage of any matching programs their employers might offer Date of next PTO Meeting: Since the first Tuesday of next month is election day, the date was changed by unanimous consent to Tuesday, Nov. 13

Minutes from Sept. 18, 2012 PTO meeting

PTO Meeting minutes September 18, 2012 Overview of PTO Goals & Responsibilities: • Hope to create a welcoming environment, foster strong sense of community at Hardy, provided a general overview of social events, fees charged to cover costs, not to raise funds. • Fundraising: the appeal is our major, annual fundraiser. $15-20k raised annually. Walkathon may raise about 5k, etc. Funds are raised to enhance educational experience of our children as well as cover unanticipated school costs that the district may not be able to cover. • Utilizing funds: Last year several document cameras and projector equipment were bought with extra funds. PTO works closely with teachers to understand what is needed in the classrooms. • Ms. D’Amico provided positive feedback about the Hardy PTO PTO events: • Ice cream social: Sept 27th, 5:30pm on playground. Chilly cow sells ice cream at cost, in past we charge $1 per cup to cover costs. Signupgenius.com messages to be sent out for volunteers. Ms. D’Amico strongly suggests holding event outdoors only, not fair for kids when event is indoors. Set rain date for October 1st tentatively. • Back to School Night: Sept. 20th, 6-8pm – limited pizza will be sold in cafeteria at $2 per slice: set up at 5pm, start selling at 5:15 (until 5:45) • State law can’t serve certain foods until after 2:40 • Book fair: Oct. 22nd-26th. New vendor this year. Will need volunteers. • Hoe down: proposed Fri., Nov. 9th (Fri. before long weekend), back up date Friday Nov. 2nd. Kerry, Syl and Marci coordinating event. • January: Menotomy Wine tasting night • February: winter concert and breakfast (volunteers for baked goods) • Game night usually held in February • Literacy night: proposed date of March 5th (Dr. Seuss’ birthday) • International Festival – late March tentatively • Skating party – March • April: PTO nominations • Art Night event in spring • Teacher appreciation in May • Walkathon in April/May timeframe • Annual field day and BBQ in June • Thompson send-off party Financial report by Andy Forbes: • Field trips are one of the largest expenses, 8k last year • PTO also funds assembly performers/speakers, garden expenses, 3k towards library books, 2k for 5th grade graduation activities, $200 reimbursement for teacher out of pocket expenses, hardship fund (science camp), playground supplies as necessary, etc., etty cash for Ms. D’amico,1k for art events, Elmo document cameras for classrooms, and other expenses • Picture day as fundraiser for PTO, annual appeal, walkathon, box tops, stop & shop, target, amazon, etc. • Grants Mass Cultural Council – grant funding available • Bake sale on election day OK since school is closed. Approved food list provides guidelines for what food can be served during school day (separate guidelines for lunch program). • Thompson PTO provides $4,800 toward expenses • 9k excess, looking for way to invest it. • Arlington Education Foundation grants Teacher Reimbursement policy amendment: • Betsey shared a topic that was discussed at Hardy school council meeting regarding how to reimburse teachers for smaller classroom expenditures. Teachers typically buy supplies on a regular basis and may not bother to keep and/or submit receipts when they happen to grab something needed in the classroom as they do their personal shopping, for example. Motion made to allow teachers to request reimbursement for up to $20 without receipts if they provide an affidavit hat they spent he money on classroom expenses (and a brief description of expenditures if possible). Motion passed unanimously. Submitting receipts is still encouraged for majority of expenditures. Principal’s report: • Pleased with how everything worked out last year with additional Thompson students and staff. Expects another good year this school year. • Implemented a new “Mystery table” motivational program to promote positive cafeteria behavior – new target behavior each month, this month is to be respectful to lunch staff. • Each grade will have a special community responsibility this year: 5th graders to take care of recycling, 4th graders lost and found alley, 3rd graders will be responsible to organizing cleanup of playground on Monday mornings; 2nd grade will work on keeping tidy hallways and 1st graders and kindergartners will be responsible for caring for the Hardy garden. Next PTO meeting: Tues., Oct. 2nd from 6:30-8:00pm To do items: • Marci offered to call town hall re: replacing trees lost in microburst. • Ms. D’amico to contact DPW to fix depression in playground entrance which gets muds and ice.

Minutes from July 24 2012 PTO meeting

Hardy PTO Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 24, 2012 Planning for SY2012/2013 • September – lots of events, need lots of volunteers o Before school: teacher lunch on 9/4, teacher breakfast on 9/5 – need bakers o Welcome coffees on 9/6 and 9/11 (kindergarten) - need bakers o Back to School Night – use Elmos to present • Discussed PTO organized events throughout the year – need organizers, please get in touch with Ned or Heather if you’re interested in helping out. Will try not to schedule events always on Thursdays. • New idea: Eva Bitteker suggested having parent breakfasts in kindergarten classrooms (maybe other grades) to facilitate parent connections/involvement (opp. to learn more about PTO activities) • Looking for grant writing expertise as well as in-house CPA for tax assistance Financial Report • Approx. 15k in bank account – need to spend down, possibility: in-house teacher grants, also can leverage AEF grants with PTO money • Decided to maintain benefactor rate at $150 and include details about what certain amounts fund • Will focus fundraising /appeal effort on expanding donor base • Did not receive sufficient field day t-shirt payments, need to collect in advance Field Trip Funding • Decided to continue funding field trips – should note cost per child of field trips in appeal letter and that we are the only school that fully funds field trips (makes parent’s lives a lot easier, etc.) Other business • Kate Kapstad asked if we should reconsider using Bookends. The group agreed continue with Bookends and request no toys. Next PTO Meeting: Tuesday, September 18 (allows for more time to get the word out to new families and kindergarten families)

June 5, 2012 meeting minutes

Hardy PTO Meeting AGENDA Tuesday, June 5, 2012 6:30 – 8:00 6:30 – Introductions & cookies • Minutes 6:45 - 7:20 – Events/Projects - have received some funding from aef requested money for ipads to make films about core values pilot it in 4th grade and then perhaps expand to other classes need more equipment such as a second ipad and accessories - need abt $2,000 for two classroom sets - approved contingent on seeking other funding for the ipads if not found, then money will be allocated by August 1st • Hardy Film Festival (Susan Bisson & co.) • Literacy Night debrief (Claire & Margaret) • Flower sale debrief (Cris) • Teacher appreciation debrief (Jill & Katie) • Walk-a-thon debrief will eliminate prizes for next year and will find some replacement • Colonial Day debrief • BBQ (June 13) still looking for volunteers • Field Day (June 15 – note the date change) Joe will no longer be here next year so we will need a new coordinator for next year 7:20 - 7:40 – Principal’s Report - last week she sent out letter to parents about next year current third grade will divide into five classes current 4th grade will get one additional teacher for three grades 7:40 - 7:50 – Money issues - andy reports that we have about $6,000 excess funds to spend. Deb reports that there are still 6 classrooms that do not have document cameras - deb has $4,000 left over she would therefore need $2,000 to get all the cameras needed motion to set aside an additional amount up to $3,200 for elmos. Approved • Appeal update • Spending committee - at tonights school council, deb passed out school budget - the money she gets from the district - $24,800 per year. Money that teachers spend out of their own pocket - around $500 per year this year we allocate $200 per teacher, but they have to submit reimbursements would we want to continue with this model, or shift to old model where we just gave them each a check for supplies also, do we want the PTO to continue to pay for field trips? 7:50 - 8:00 – Stuff we forgot to add to the agenda Date of Next meeting – Some time in July!!

Minutes from May 1 meeting

Hardy PTO Meeting AGENDA Tuesday, May 1, 2012 6:30 – 8:00 6:30 – Introductions & cookies • Minutes 6:40 - 6:55 – Update on nominations, plus some thoughts about modifying bylaws We discussed the possibility of modifying the bylaws so that there will be a junior and a senior president, with the understanding that junior will ‘graduate’ to senior the following year. Co-Presidents: Heather Smith and Ned Hall Co-Vice Presidents: Kate Kapstad and Betsey Crimmins Treasurer: Andy Forbes School Council: Stephen Reynolds and Betsey Crimmins New Members at Large (confirmed – still waiting to hear from some others): Julie Rosenberg Brett Miller Kevin Guiney Kirsten Meisinger Eva Bitteker Jennifer Beaurgard Victoria Arthur Michael Leen Heather added: Gloria Acosta has confirmed she will join. 6:55 - 7:20 – Events/Projects • Skating party debrief Lots of fun, but lower turnout – it was on the hottest day of April! We agreed to try to set the date earlier next year. • Literacy Night (Claire & Margaret) Confirmed date is Thursday, May 17; 6 - 7:45/8; kids will come in, have 10 minutes to acclimate, then there will be different story readers in ~5 different locations. Kids will get a ‘field guide’. Snack will be included. Heather suggested getting Girl Scouts to help out. Heather or Margaret will follow up with Lynne Cogswell. Margaret needs while xmas lights to borrow for the event, along with a tent. Margaret will send flyer out this week. • Art show Thursday (6:30 - 8); we will sell pizza 6 - 6:30, $2/slice Ned asked for 3 or so people to help out. • Flower sale (Cris) Cris would like to send a flyer home. Deb and Betsey suggested working with Donna Vanderlinden to get copies made. We are getting three times as many flowers as last year. • fitgirls.org – for next year? Lisa met with Roblyn Brigham at Bishop (?), who runs a program for 4th and 5th grade girls that combines reading and preparing for a 5K run. Laura Doherty will check with friend at Bishop to get feedback. • Teacher appreciation 5/7-11 (Jill & Katie) Will be very similar to the past. We are changing a couple things. Letter was sent out to room parents outlining schedule: Monday – Shannon Guthrie will be donating potted flowering plants to teachers, Linda Medwar is coordinating; Tuesday – luncheon for teachers, partially catered from Francescas, parents will bring in salad, still need one large veggie platter; Wednesday – 5th grade Girl Scouts will hand out apples to teachers in the morning, kids should bring in home made cards, letters, etc.; Thursday – after school ice cream social, children will be serving to teachers; Friday – Principal’s breakfast. • Walk-a-thon: 5/11 (rain date 5/18) Betsey has many volunteers, still would welcome more. Some donations have come in (though most come in afterword). Kids need to remember that they cannot walk without the permission slip. • Colonial Day (May 30) • BBQ: Date change to June 13; We will likely extend the hours, 5 - 8. • Field Day (June 7 – note the date change) 7:20 - 7:40 – Principal’s Report This Friday there will be an informal but festive dedication of the Japanese Gate, starting at 2:30. Margaret’s 2nd graders have been making carp kites for decoration. Afterschool children will come out. Dedication is open to all. The coordinator of science for Arlington, who works with the science museum, asked for volunteers among 2nd grade teachers who would be willing to have their classes videotaped for pr purposes. Anne de Cefuintes was chosen, and has been being filmed. Last week, 6 Hardy & Thompson went to an all-day workshop in RI run by Carl Anderson, on how to have productive conferences with young writers about their writing. This augmented training the teachers have been receiving on the Lucy Caulkins program. Teachers said they learned a lot, and got some excellent tips. Art show: this year, Deb Martin and Linda Flynn have collaborated on some collage work, that includes photos of the children in phys ed, embedded in some of the displays. Letter for class placement next year has gone out. This year, teachers have been asking children to think about classmates with whom they work well, to come up with a confidential list. Plan is that at least one child from each list will be in that list-maker’s class. Betsey asked whether there is any possibility that the Thompson 4th graders might stay next year. If not, is there a plan to have a third 5th grade class? Deb responded that space across the district is an issue, and that looking at the numbers, it seems unlikely that the Thompson 4th graders will stay. It’s like that we will keep the 3rd graders. If we keep just the Hardy 5th graders next year, we will have a third 5th grade class. Kerry asked about this year’s first graders; how many 2nd grade classes will there be? Deb responded that Emily Brambilla will switch from 2nd grade to 1st grade. Kirsten asked for clarification about whether we will get new Thompson kids next year (current Thompson 2nd graders). Deb said it’s up in the air. 7:40 - 7:50 – Money issues • Appeal update Inching closer to our goal: currently at 97%. Field trip expenses have started to come in. Andy suggested that next year, we look more closely at the process for funding field trips, since spending has been all over the map. Deb commented that some grades typically spend more on field trips than others; maybe it evens out over time. The idea was raised of having field trips funded directly (or partially directly) by parents (as all other schools do). We will discuss this at the next PTO meeting. We continue to sell Winter Concert DVDs. Received spring Box Tops payment – down from last year by ~$300; we should promote this more vigorously next year. To date, we are in the black $550 on events this year. Deb and Andy discussed the possibility of purchasing lcd projectors for all classrooms that don’t have them, by the end of the year. • Spending committee 7:50 - 8:00 – Stuff we forgot to add to the agenda Date of Next meeting – Tuesday, June 5

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Hardy PTO Meeting AGENDA
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
6:30 – 8:00

6:30 – Introductions & cookies
• Minutes

6:40 - 7:10 – Events/Projects
Ottoson PTO representative Carl Wagner came to the meeting to provide some information for soon to be Ottoson parents. The meetings tend to happen in the am and the board meetings happen at 7:30am. Principal Tin Ruggere has set 4/26 as the open house/exploration night at Ottoson. There will be some activities this summer for incoming 6th graders to get to know the school. If you would like more information contact: dearopac@gmail.com
• Literacy Night (Claire & Margaret)
Would like to suggest that we have a family literacy night at Hardy where they would invite local celebrities to read to kids, have bookmaking, storytellers, local authors, lots of events happening concurrently around literacy. Dr. Suess’ birthday is in March so we missed that opportunity and therefore they are thinking about waiting for next year since it will require a lot of planning. Claire & Margaret will prepare a brief summary to disseminate to see if there are people that would be interested in helping plan the event. Thinking about a mid-May date - perhaps Thurs., May 17th.
• Redistricting
The new district boundaries will have buffer zones between adjacent school districts. If you’re new to the school system you will have the option to chose depending on capacity at the schools.
• Game night recap
It was a lot of fun and it went smoothly. Thanks to Andy for organizing at a relatively late date.
• International Festival recap (Heather)
It went well and there has been good feedback so far!
• Skating party – April 14 (Saturday), 1 - 3 pm
Planning is underway, so far so good. The event is scheduled for the Sat. of April vacation so the attendance may be low due to that. There will be skating from 1-1:45 and then there will be pizza. Skating will resume at 2:15 to 3pm. There will be raffle prizes.
• Teacher appreciation 5/7-11 (Jill & Katie)
Katie & Jill have gotten the instructions from Sarah and we’ll report at the next meeting.
• Walk-a-thon: 5/11 (rain date 5/18)
The walkathon is typically preceeded by a rally at school (during school hours). Ms. D’Amico explains the purpose of the walkathon and then they send the pledge home in backpacks. The children set their personal goals for fundraising and laps. Milagros has experience with the Thompson walkathon and she offered to help.
• Colonial Day (May 30)
• BBQ: May 31; rain date June 6?
Changed the date - because school gets out earlier and field day is too close.
• Field Day (June 8)

7:10 - 7:30 – Nominations for next year
Forms went out today so we are hoping to get forms back by 4/13.

7:30 - 7:40 - Principals Report
Good Friday is not listed as a holiday on the list of holidays. Deb sent a recorded message home tonight to let parents know.
We celebrated Pi day at Hardy on 3.14. All teachers had the students estimate how many steps it would take them to walk the distance of the hallway and then they walked it and charted it. Goal was to pique awareness of math and how it is all around us all the time.

7:40 - 7:50 – Money issues
• Appeal update - no new appeal money
• Spending committee - field trip expenses are coming in.
Some 5th grade graduation money has been spent.
Recent income - the winter concert DVDs are flying off the shelf, great fundraiser.
Game night ended in the black.
International Festival - brought in a lot of revenues - Approx. $1750. Estimated expenses are $1300 so the net profit is approx. $400.

7:50 - 8:00 – Stuff we forgot to add to the agenda
The 4th grade Teosinte -Sol y Canto concert will be on the morning of Friday, June 1st at Town Hall.

Date of Next meeting – Tuesday, May 1

Minutes from March 7, 2012

Hardy PTO Meeting AGENDA
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
6:30 – 8:00

6:30 – Introductions & cookies
• Minutes – now posted - please look and let Ned know if you have any comments

6:40 - 7:10 – 2011 Events/Projects
• School pictures update: Oct. 16. We have a contract with Hayward photography - tentative date of Oct. 16th for next year.
• Directory! - it’s here!!! Please note that the some email addresses for PTO and school are incorrect.
• Redistricting - lot of controversy but Kathy Bodie has come up with a plan for everyone to stay where they are – with possible exception of a few Hardy kids north of Mass Ave. – and the redistricting will occur over time as new children enter the school system. With the boundary areas (buffer zone), you will be able to state a preference where you go but that could be overridden by school capacity issues.
• Winter concert: thanks! - let’s ask Julia if she will put together “thank you” certificate for our pianist.
• Game night – Thursday, March 8 (Sam’s night TBA) - tomorrow.
• Skating party – April 14 (Saturday), 1-3 pm; Ken Zimmerman is organizing (thank you Ken!), let him know if you can help. This is good for all levels of skaters. There is a section for slower skaters.
• International Festival (Heather) - Sat. Mar. 31st; getting a good amount of volunteers, need help with behind the scenes craft preparation. Keep an eye out for raffle basket requests.
• Teacher appreciation 5/7-11 (Jill & Katie)
• Walk-a-thon: 5/11 (rain date 5/18) - might have the 4th/5th graders start first to manage the crowd. Betsey asked what people think about requiring parents to walk with their kindergarteners. The group felt that as long as the parent is present and that there is plenty of supervision along the route, then it is not necessary.
• Colonial Day (May 30) - Sarah Kelly is coordinating.
• BBQ: week of June 4 - 8? (Class night is 14th), perhaps the 6th or the 7th; Friday would not be good if we want to have teachers there.
• Field Day (June 8)
• 5th Grade Plant/Flower Sale - need to make sure we have plenty of plants since it sold out early last year. Ned said to talk to Barbara now to plan ahead.
• Hardy Garden - Ms. Dicifuentes will be a pilot teacher and will incorporate garden activities into her class curriculum every week.
•Ned mentioned that he and Susan Dorson are working with some teachers to help with math. There will be a math day (“Pi Day”) next Wednesday (3/14).




7:10 - 7:30 – Nominations for next year

According to our bylaws, we are supposed to have a nomination committee and a vote on PTO positions and facilitate school council elections. Perhaps we may want to review the bylaws to make sure they reflect how we want to manage things going forward. So please start thinking about these issues so we can get the ball rolling. Betsey suggested that we send out a message to the current members holding positions to see if they will continue. We need to send the nominating form home or perhaps try something like survey monkey.

7:30 - 7:50 – Money issues
• Appeal update - we’re at $14,462, 100 families have contributed. Recent purchases include $1,782 for 2 Elmo cameras, 1 projector and 1 cart; $81 for 3 locks; $698 on library books. Recent income includes: $248.60 from annual appeal; $183 from Shop Wilson Farm; $180 from Winter Concert breakfast. Todd Morse has been speaking with playground equip. company and they have found a way to use the old zip line structure. He is asking us for some money to help pay for it - $1250. The board agreed that this was OK and it is already in the budget. The board also would like Todd to review the kindergarten structure, there is a chime missing.
• 5th grade graduation issues? - Sarah Kelly is the treasurer for the 5th grade graduation committee. Ned said we need to think about how we spend PTO funds in general. There needs to be some oversight on different events to make sure that monies are spent in keeping with the PTO’s mission.
• Spending committee

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

Date of Next meeting – Tuesday, April 3

Minutes from Feb. 8, 2012

Hardy PTO Meeting AGENDA
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
6:30 – 8:00

6:30 – Introductions & cookies
• Minutes – now posted. To be approved via email (please read as soon as you can)

6:40 - 7:15 – 2011 Events/Projects
• Party at Menotomy (Jenn) - Jenn wasn’t here but Andy reported that we raised $193 total ($96.50 for each PTO)
• School pictures update and VOTE - Ned suggested that we try one of the other companies for a year and see if the community likes them. After a discussion period there was a motion to try Hayward since they offer a higher commision than Coffee Pond and possibly better quality than Errico. The motion passed unanimously.
• Directory update: we have proof! Ned passed around the proof but it has errors so it is in the process of being corrected and printed. For next year we really need to have two a minimum of two parents to coordinate the preparation of the directory so we can get it published earlier in the school year.
• Redistricting - another meeting was held on 2/7. There have been changes to the current plan. One of the big issues discussed is whether the schol committee will grandfather all children and their siblings. A plan needs to be voted on in June. Impact to Hardy seems to be insignificant to none.
• Winter concert: bakers needed!
• Game night – Thursday, March 1 (Sam’s night TBA) - need an organizer
• Skating party? - we haven’t talked about this at all this year. Lisa offered to help Ken if he wants to do organize it again.
• International Festival (Heather & Milagros) - need volunteers
• Teacher appreciation 5/7-11 (Jill & Katie) - thank you to Jill and Katie to take this over from Sarah Kelly
• Colonial Day (May 30)
• Field Day (June 8) - Joe Cook will organize again this year. His son is in 5th grade this year so we need to find an apprentice to take over next year. Joe proposes that he will order the number of t-shirts based on historic orders and adjusting for additional Thompson children. Joe would like to request that we have water delivered from a company called The Water Monster. A motion was made to provide up to $250 to use this service.

7:15 - 7:30 – Money issues
• Appeal update - last month Andy commented that the appeal dollars had slowed down. In terms of recent spending the 4th graders went to Lowell Mills which cost $1000. The Library Teacher has been spending her budget on books ($746). We had another $180 in teacher supplementary. We brought in $1400 for the appeal last month. Don’t; forget to shop at Wilson farm tomorrow and take your flyer - they will donate 20% of purchases back to the school.
• Spending committee - Deb D’Amico would like to acquire one more Elmo to go with an existing projector as well as another full set of each. Andy has checked the cost and it would be about $2000. The motion was passed unanimously. An additioanl request was made by Heather to spend $50 on a bulletin board for the 4th grade Teosinte curriculum. Avote was taken and it passed unanimously to fund the cost of the bulletin board.

7:30 - 7:50 – Principal’s Report - Deb gave a quick report on the Alert Now system. It will now be used for safe arrival. We also have a full-time social worker on staff that will be at Hardy school everyday, her name is Whitney Devito.

A question came up about the 2nd floor bathroom. Two faucets werte broken and Deb is working with teachers and staff to get to the bottom of th issue and the sinks will be fixed as soon as possible.

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

Date of Next meeting – Wednesday, March 7, 2012 (to avoid conflicting with the redistricting meeting on the 6th).

Minutes from Jan. 10, 2012

Hardy PTO Meeting AGENDA
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
6:30 – 8:00

6:30 – Introductions & cookies
• Minutes - to be approved via email when they are ready

6:40 - 7:15 – 2011 Events/Projects
• School pictures update - becoming more complicated due to more options are on the table, there have been concerns raised abotut the quality of pictures from Ericco. Jen Roderick says that Coffe Pond is a good provider - their commision is 17% whereas Ericco’s is 20%. Paula Jarausch mentioned Hayward Photography and shared a proposal from them with the PTO membrs. She highly recommends their services and said that they will be happy to come in a speak with the PTO. The PTO has a subcommittee (Jen Roderick, Paula Jarausch, Jill Swilling, Ned Hall - Ned will also ask Linda Medwar if she wants to be on the subcommittee) that will prepare an apples to apples comparison so we can make a decision at the February meeting.
• Directory update - file is done! Margaret Muirhead will send it for printing this week. We expect that the Directories shall be ready this month to be sent home in backpacks with oldest sibling. Ned asked the members if there would be any objection to doing the Directory in-house form now on - as opposed from going through the school system
• Redistricting - the next redistricting meeting will be held on Tues. the 17th. Ned said that the redistricting process is not likely to affect current Hardy and Thompson families.
• Party at Menotomy Beer and Wine (Wed., Jan. 25) - signs to go up tomorrow. Jenn I. commended Paula for her raffle soliciting expertise!
• Game night - an idea was proposed at the school council meeting by Sam Deiner to have a family cooperative game night. (Deb explained the school council - a group of parents and teachers who meet once a month to work on the school improvement plan. A forum for questions about school policy and practice but most important job is to determine the needs of the school.) Family cooperative games involve conflict resolution skills, anti-bullying skills, ways to communicate about the things kids are being taught in open circle. He is offering to facilitate a family cooperative game night. There was a discussion whether or not to have an additional night or piggyback with Bingo Night. We decided to have a separate event. Dates for both to be decided but maybe flanking the school vacation week.

International Festival - Heather & Milagros gave a description of the proposed event for the year - a combination of the Hardy and Thompson festivals, international desserts, entertainment, crafts, raffle baskets, t-shirts. The proposed date is Sat. March 31st. T-shirt contest - ask kids to show the combined Hardy & Thompson communities.

7:15 - 7:30 – Money issues
• Appeal update - we’re up to 86% of our goal about 92 families. There are 58 benefactors. Thank you letters have been sent out to all donors. Will send another reminder letter to reach a few more donors. Working to get Paypal set up on the Hardy School website so parents can donate on-line! Recent purchases - 3 Elmos, ($1747) new locks for the Elmos ($168), playground equpment (231), books for library ($670). We have received checks from Menotomy Beer & Wine ($155), Boxtops ($616), Thompson PTO Installment ($2400), Original Artwork ($686) and $2142 from Errico Studios.

7:30 - 7:50 – Principal’s Report
• Student-led fundraiser - Wear a Hat, Save a Bat is a student driven findraiser and Deb is in support of kid’s being passionate about helping. The students have prepared a plan and are running with the project. Since this is a child initiated fundraiser, we want to encourage children to give their own money (allowance or earn some by doing chores).
Kindergarten orientation is being handled differently this year. No more townwide meeting. There is a grant that requires that there is a good relationship with the preschools this year. Working to improve the transition process for next year.
• PTO $ at work: Elmo’s - Deb and the teachers are very grateful, locks for Elmo’s, Greg Tang subscription
• family math night

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

Date of Next meeting – Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012 (to avoid conflicting with the redistricting meeting on the 7th).