Pierce School PTO Minutes - February 2006

2/8/06 Minutes

Attendance: Karen Szeto, David Szeto, Ellen Ball, David Weinstein, Tammy Texeria, Nicole Lapidus, Joshua Frank, Joseph Luongo, Pipier Smith-Mumford, Annice Kra

1. PTO Chair Report—Ellen Ball, Tammy Texeria, Nicole Lapidus
   1. Superintendent’s meeting:
      1. Talked about budget: concern about energy prices and rising healthcare costs. No new programs likely.
      2. Newton PTO have set guidelines on what is spent on what kind of activities, for example, the PTO funds technology but not class trips. Big issue is that they balance technology across schools. Unclear how they pool money. Brookline may consider writing such guidelines.
      3. Emphasis on parent surveys on health, science, arts, etc.
      4. Several principal and vice principal positions are opening up across the district.
   2. Auction volunteers: April 1 is the auction, need a new leader
   3. Question of whether our frequent fund raisers are effective or are we burdening the parents. More discussion needed.
   4. Discussion about how to design our PTO meetings: having kids present, having teachers present. Goal is to increase parent and teacher participation and coming up with creative ways to attract folks.
   5. Fundraising letter now up to 29% participation
2. Treasurer’s Report—Karen Szeto
   • Fund requests approved: 6th grade shared materials $42.66; 2nd grade Museum of Science $271.50; 17 students $77 poet tea breakfast for parents—fund for T shirts; Brookline Education Foundation ad $150
3. Principal’s Report—Pipier Smith-Mumford
   1. March 8, School Council, no teacher involvement
   2. Wonderful Martin Luther King assembly has occurred
   3. 7 & 8 grade basketball teams are doing well
   4. Honor roll continues to be long
   5. Giving feedback to 7&8 graders about keys to success
   6. MCAS is coming beginning end of March. 3-8 grade English (March, April) and Math (May); 5th grade science (May)
   7. 4, 7, 10 graders all have long composition requirements
   8. Dr. Tegnell, Social Studies Coordinator will have a 8th grade honor made in his name.
   9. Magazine drive is finished to support 7 & 8th grade trips.
4. Fourth grade: are doing specific research topics which have been fantastic and enriching. Topics range from the physics of Frisbee flying to various countries and everything in between.
5. Topics for March PTO Meeting
   1. Equity among Brookline PTO.
   2. Having English students share their compositions
6. Other issues
   Discussed the video series on race and bullying. Chandlee has ordered one video (Cinderella and Me) and teacher training materials and will give to Pipier and Joshua to consider. Check out website. May be a useful adjunct to other programs for K-3 kids.