Pierce School PTO Minutes - December 2006

Pierce School PTO

12/13/06 Minutes

Attendance: Karen Szeto, Ellen Ball, David Weinstein, Tammy Texeria, Pipier Smith-Mumford, Valerie Emmerich, Debra Costollo, Martha Huntley, Eileen Regis, Charlie Walsh, Laurence Mialot, Julie Boss, Kathy Rozek, Eve, Julie Leitman, Mindy Taylor, Wendy Kincaid, Hongh Yu, Laurence Mialot, John Capin, Chandlee Dickey

1. Co-chairs report: Ellen Ball
   1. Division of responsibilities: Ellen writes agenda, Post, website; Charlie heads up fundraising letter; Tammy heads METCO partnership and outreach and food
   2. Feb 15 Thursday am the town will be at the community breakfast to discuss budget.
   3. Henry Bear’s Toys gift wrap brought in $400 in cash and $400 in gift certificates. Thanks to all the wrappers. Occurred over 2 Saturdays.
2. Principal’s report: Pipier Smith-Mumford: Had 2 performances: Cello Man and Oklahoma. Both performances were terrific. Our students were all talented and worked very hard. Great thanks to the parents’ efforts. Basketball is quite active. PTO community breakfast occurs before the Winter sing. Upcoming joint Lawrence / Pierce open forum with Dr. Lupini. Major topic will be budget.
3. Auction/teacher appreciation dinner: Deborah Costolloe + Martha Huntley:
   1. This is a buffet dinner with wine/roses. This is adult only with staff as guests of honor. This is dual purpose: celebrate our wonderful teachers and to raise money for our PTO activities. This is the 25 year anniversary of the Auction.
   2. This will occur in the gym/cafeteria, with linen cloths. We will all be together for the live auction and toast the teachers.
   3. Live auction in gym, silent auction in the auditorium.
   4. Giving tree: directed donation in which people can donate to specific aspects of Pierce life (field trips)
   5. This will be catered. Roses will be sold—but we need a connection for the flowers.
   6. Tarp for the gym for floor covering: $2500 is cost of the tarp—could we borrow from another school?
   7. Beautiful invitations went to each staff member. If they bring a partner, they will need to pay for that ticket
   8. Likely will have >200 parents + teachers. 90 staff members were invited. 25 have responded yes.
   9. Seeking table sponsorship from corporations to help fund this event. A table costs $500.
   10. K-6 will be involved by creating artwork; 7-8 will provide babysitting in people’s homes. PTO will then support 7-8 New York trip
   11. Tickets on sale early January
   12. Goal is to have all involved in this event
   13. Will need help setting up 40 tables, chairs, setting up the auction. Will ask students to help with set up as well
4. Annual fund letter: Charlie Walsh: annual fundraising letter raised $9,520 with 10% of families participating; suggestion for future letter that if all give $20 then we would reach the goal. May try to get funds at the Winter sing
5. Sally Foster raised $4,800 this year. Internet sales was 10%.
6. Directory: Pamela Bracken did a wonderful job this year on the Directory, cost to print was $700, advertisements brought in $1,781, which netted us $1,000
7. Boxtops: Kathy Rozek: Has been doing for 9 years. ½ money goes to PTO, ½ goes to PSED. Moara, who will head this effort next year, may add additional components to this effort.
8. Treasurer’s report: Karen Szeto
   • Passed funding requests for Yoga $5/student writing assignment (60 students); Wolf Hollow for 5th grade; classroom boxes for medications $100; Understanding disabilities $28; Jean Wilson $210 for Math league (4-6); MFA for 5th grade
   • Principal’s discretionary fund will cover games for indoor recess
9. Superintendent’s meeting: Ellen Ball: conversation focused on budget and increasing enrollment across the town at K level. This will affect the budget. Wider budget discussions will begin in January.
10. Future topics: Ellen Ball: annual spelling bee (March 11). There are two teams: adult and 5th grade. If PTO sponsors, it is $300/adult team. Each team has 3 spellers. This is a Fundraiser for the Brookline Education Foundation. Fun event.
11. Movie night is coming up.