Pierce School PTO Minutes - September 2006

In attendance: Chandlee Dickey, David Weinstein, Janet Selcer, John Capin, Asber Sermabeikkan, Joshua Frank, Tammy Texiera, Ellen Ball, Martha Huntley, Charlie Walsh, Laurence Mialot, Kim Meyers, Pamela Bracken, Karen Szeto, Ken Hayes, Julie Leitman, Melissa Loudon, Pipier Smith-Mumford, Eve Rittenberg, Stacey Downay, Libby Berke, Alma Collette, Val Emmerich, Kerrilyn Soder, Amanda Lai, Dyanne O’Brien, Nicole Lapidus, Melissa London, Mary-Ellen Hartigan, Julie Boss, Donna Luff, Barry Chua, Puay Yin Lim

1. Welcome: Ellen Ball described the PTO and its function. Welcomed new participants

2. Principal’s report: Dr. Smith-Mumford welcomed everyone and described the first few days of school. Spoke about the transition to recess first and then lunch. Kids are adapting to the change. Also spoke about the new schedule for 7-8: now have a 6 period day instead of a 7 period day. The building has new cafeteria tables/chairs, there are also new carpets in some classrooms. We will be getting new windows in the older building. She also thanked many of the parents who helped over the summer. Also reminded folks about the open house evening coming up. In general we are off to a strong beginning. 575 students this year.

3. Introduction: There were many attendees and all introduced ourselves.

4. Overview of various committees:

1. School Council: mandated by the state 1993. Consists of parents, teachers, and community members. They focus on what the school needs are and help direct the priorities for school improvements. Now Dr. Lupini has asked that the council undergo a training session. This is an advisory body to the school. The meetings are open.
2. Outreach: Looking for a co-chair. Has many roles: welcoming new families, welcoming and community breakfast, Pierce picnic, movie night, and any other programs others are interested in.
3. Directory: an important listing of the children in the school. We also need to sell advertising.
4. Auction: usually in late March/early April. We need a co-chair. This is our major fundraiser. Raises about 50% of our budget

5. Treasurer’s report: PTO supports field trips, partial reimbursement for teachers’ extra spending. We do not pay for things that the town is responsible for. We have money for scholarships. The 8^th grade paid half for a smart board and PTO paid for the other half. Mostly it focuses on extracurricular activities and trips.
1. Requests:
1. 5^th grade trip to Wolf Hollow and another trip to Marblehead—both approved.
2. Librarian requesting $1000 to replenish the books. The town had to pay half. Approved. Maybe we can have an amendment to Broadsheet to ask for additional copies for the library.
3. Math Specialist: requested $250 for awards for math. Approved.
4. Primary Learning Center: $30-50 for prizes. Approved.
5. PTO chair: $150 for magazine rack for front hall. Approved.
6. Broadsheet: copy making and distributing, $100. Approved.
7. Pierce school print—5^th graders. $30. Approved.

6. Special topics
1. Gift wrap: Sally Foster: 10% of budget. Volunteers needed.
2. Understanding disabilities; 4^th grade projects to understand visually, physically impaired. This is a town wide program.
3. After Hours U: Part of Steps to Success program. For 5& 6^th grade students as they need some extra coaching on homework. Has a homework component and an enrichment component. Built a catapult, writers express where students learn to throw a Frisbee and then come back inside and write about it; MCAS review; computer lab, create an investment program, physical exercise involved in Math. There is a fee associated $250/student (will have scholarships available). Cap of 20 students. Each program has a college partner and the children get to visit the colleges. Steps to Success is funded by Brookline Foundation, town, and private donations.

7. PTO co-chair meeting with Dr. Lupini, Superintendent.

a. To our system we have 80 new teachers, 18 new administrators including new principals and vice principals, more paraprofessionals, new food service director.

b. Oct 12 Annual yearly progress reports will be presented.

c. MCAS coming.

d. Enrollment is up town wide: Pierce added a new Kindergarten

7. Other issues
1. Parent made a map of Pierce
2. Henry Bear Park: kids/parents will gift wrap as a way to get money and the store will match the donations.
3. Lice are back at Pierce.

8. October meeting:
1. learn how to use a smart board
2. Goal: to have every grade represented by a parent.