FRANCIS WYMAN PTO

• Following an introductory presentation and discussion with the new Principal Kathy Burns and Assistant Principal Irene Roque, Co-President Maggie Murphy brought the meeting to order at 7:15PM. An introduction of the PTO Board members was made. The 2002-2003 Officers are as follows: Co-Presidents Maggie Murphy and Donna Coe, 1^st Vice President Kathy Burns, 2^nd Vice President Shahin Pervaiz, Treasurer Lori Kashkegian, and Secretary Shari Ellis.

• 77 people were in attendance, including Principal Kathy Burns and Assistant Principal Irene Roque.
  
  
• No official reports from last June’s PTO meeting were presented.
  
  
• Maggie Murphy gave a brief overview and history of the financial status of the PTO. Projected income for the 2002-2003 year is $13,000 and we expect to spend approximately $13,800. Income is derived from the two major fundraisers during the year: the wrapping paper drive that is currently underway and the magazine drive held in February. The PTO will spend its’ monies on a variety of items this year including: student programs, classroom gifts, community scholarships, and gifts. In addition, we are hoping to investigate funding some improvements to the school’s auditorium and cafeteria sound systems.

• A question was raised regarding whether the Citizens Banking Program would continue this year. Kathy Burns said she would investigate.

Teacher Issues

• Teacher Representatives Mrs. Jean Perry (5^th grade) and Mrs. Betty Kerr (3^rd grade) thanked the PTO Landscape committee for a wonderful job during the recent fall clean-up day.
  
  
• Some suggestions were made for purchases for National Education Week in November that include: funding for field trip busses (two busses per grade per trip) for all the grades, larger Ellison stencil machine and cutouts for the machine, and outdoor equipment for the hardtop area (hula hoops, jump ropes, chalk, etc).
  
  
• The teachers thanked the PTO for the wonderful programs that they have funded in the past and asked that when scheduling performances to coordinate the auditorium use with the music department in order that it not interfere with band and chorus use.

• There were no administrative issues presented.

• A discussion regarding the Family Social resulted in the change of event and date of the Social. The new event will tentatively be held in the winter months and will be a "Carnival" geared more for the children. It will be similar to the carnival that the Wildwood school used to sponsor. A committee sign-up sheet was circulated and the committee will be contacted shortly to organize.
  
  
• A sign up sheet was also circulated for volunteers to help with the school’s contribution to the upcoming Burlington Homecoming Parade to be held on October 12^th. Volunteers will be contacted shortly to organize and prepare.
  
  
• A $300 donation was approved for the annual "Dollars for Scholars" Telethon that benefits the Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation.

• Two or three volunteers were requested for helping to organize and distribute the 2002-2003 Student Handbooks. A sign-up sheet was circulated.

• Membership: Membership for the PTO is $10 and applications will be available at the Open Houses on September 24^th and 26^th. A flyer will be sent home afterward if needed.
  
  
• Student Programs: Program committee will sponsor one program this year in addition to Authorfest held in April.
  
  
• Parent Education: Volunteers are needed. Ideas are currently being discussed. Two programs are tentatively scheduled, one for fall and one for spring.
  
  
• Publicity: The "Frankly Francis" newsletter will be published this year. Volunteers are needed to help with this and also to help publicize school events throughout the community.
  
  
• Fundraising: The wrapping paper fundraiser is currently underway. It is the primary and largest fundraiser that the PTO sponsors. In past years we have brought in over $10,000. The other primary fundraiser, magazine drive held in February, primarily funds the classroom magazine libraries.
  
  
• Landscaping: The Fall landscaping and cleanup was recently completed and thanks were given to all who helped out. The next cleanup and landscaping day will be in the spring.
  
  
• Fifth Grade Activities (D.A.R.E. Graduation, Yearbook): Graduation for the D.A.R.E. Program is held in February and the Yearbook is distributed at an end-of-the-year party held in June. Volunteers for the yearbook committee will be contacted shortly in order that an organizational meeting can be held and the yearbook process started.
  
  
• Staff Luncheon: Each year in May the PTO hosts a luncheon for the 90 staff members at Francis Wyman School. Volunteers are always appreciated to help set up and clean up the event that is held after school. Parents will be asked to contribute food items for the luncheon.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30PM

Respectfully submitted,
Shari Lynn Ellis
Secretary