Pierce School PTO Minutes - March 2008

Attendants: Eileen Regis, Jim Fleming, Rhodinne Wang, Nicole Lapidus, Charlie Walsh, Pipier Smith-Mumford, Joshua Frank, Chandlee Dickey, Martha Huntley, Elln Haggerty, Adele Mathieu

Principal’s Report:

• Joshua Frank will be leaving Pierce to become Principal of Wellesley Middle School. We are very grateful for all of his energy, creativity, and effort for the benefit of our children.
• Berkshire Hills Music Academy: Young adults with William’s Syndrome came to perform music. This was a wonderful experience for the students. Major message to the kids was that we can be different, just as you can be different, but there is lots we can all do.
• Boys and Girls basketball teams did very well. Girls made it to the semi-finals and boys made it to the championship round.
• Anti-bullying presentations have been made and have been well-received.
• 1&2 grade had fire safety lesson from our fire department. They learned to “stop, drop and roll” among other fire safety tips.

Co-Chair Report

Superintendent meeting: Override vote coming

Shortfall is 1.2 million dollars. Actual shortfall is 1.5million but the additional .3 million has been made up through other means. There will be an override vote in Brookline to make up this shortfall. Dr. Lupini has asked that each school have a point person to spend the time to learn about this override and to educate others. In addition, this person may need to organize rides for voters to get to the polls. This is very important. Any interested person should contact a PTO co-chair. Public hearing March 26.

4 possible scenarios for the override vote:

1. no override: this will result in an increase in athletic fees at high school, staff reductions, social workers would be reduced, guidance counselors would be reduced, library staff reduced, 4th grade music eliminated, and less money for special education.
2. override would restore all lost in number one
3. override to restore all lost in number one and to extend the school day by 20 minutes.
4. all of above plus restoring world language at the elementary school level.

Plan is to try for scenario number 4.

Fund drive update

Fundraising meeting next week, 3/19, 7pm in teachers’ room. We will discuss how we want to fundraise.

Funding requests which have been approved:

1. $ 72 to technology
2. Funds for a new DVD machine
3. Laminating supplies $1,000
4. Buses to kindergarten to aquarium
5. $550 for Berkshire Hills Academy

Outreach

House Party, May 3, at Jim Fleming’s home. This is a fundraiser and enjoyable evening for us adults to get together outside of Pierce. Look to Broadsheet for details.

Skating outreach program was wonderful. Many families came and enjoyed it. It cost $350. Thanks to Martha Huntley for organizing.

Raffle raised $2,500.

Family folk dance was also a lot of fun.

Outreach chair or two are needed for next year.

School council goals/Principal forum