March, 2007, PTO Minutes

In attendance: Tammy Texiera, Ellen Ball, Laurence Mialot, Pipier Smith-Mumford, Laurence Mialot, Nicole Lapidus, Chandlee Dickey, Josh Frank, Martha Huntley, Cherie Gaehda, Debra Costello, Marie Green, Charlie Walsh, Julie Leitman

Our wonderful students past and present:

Dr. Smith-Mumford would like to congratulate Sashsa Khetpal-Vasser for winning the Silver Key Award for his art work. Honorable mention went to Miranda Monroe for her work. Please see both of these 8^th grade students’ marvelous pieces near the front office.

Dr. Smith-Mumford would also like to congratulate Pierce graduate, Julie Kheyfetz, for her receipt of the Lincoln Award for Achievement in Spanish Study.

Co-chairs’ report:

1. Congratulations to all who participated in the spelling bee.
2. We need another PTO co-chair for next year. We hope that one co-chair will take on a fund-raising role. This is a three year commitment. Interested parents should contact the PTO.

Treasurer’s report

1. Only 1 item was submitted under the usual format for our review: 1^st grade trip to Drumlin farm. Approved.
2. Another item, which is outside of the PTO’s usual scope, was submitted and approved. This is for some additional books for the 5^th grade. This is normally considered a curriculum item and not a PTO expenditure. However, this year, due to an unusually tight budget, the PTO offered to fund this one time request.

Principal’s report

1. The budget for next year is unusually tight across Brookline. This will also affect Pierce. It has not yet been released in full, however, we can not expect any new expenditures and, indeed, some programs may be tightened.
2. There is an upcoming assembly for 5-7^th grade speech contestants. We hope some of these contestants will be willing to give their speeches at a future PTO meeting.
3. MCAS testing is coming up: 4 &7 grades have day-long long composition tests, 3 grade was reading testing, 4-8 grades have language arts. We encourage room parents to talk with classroom teachers to bring snacks for the kids during MCAS.
4. Peter Pan is coming up next week during MCAS testing so kids may need additional support/sleep/food during this busy time.

Auction Co-chairs report:

1. Reported a net income of $48,888. Congratulations to the co-chairs and many thanks to all parents and staff for all their efforts.

2. Corporate support paid for all of the costs of the event. Corporations were pleased to celebrate Pierce teachers, more than just Pierce school. This suggests that having a “themed” auction may be more effective in terms of fundraising than a less themed fundraiser as it inspires donation.

3. It cost $12,000 to put on. It grossed over $57,000.

School council parent input night:

1. Last night was School council parent input night. Themes surrounding goals for Pierce for both academic and social life were generated. If you were unable to attend, please look in your child’s folder for a form to fill out and send back to the school so that your voice can be heard.