FRANCIS WYMAN PTO

Minutes from October 3, 2002

Welcome and Introductions

Co-President Donna Coe started the meeting at 7:05 PM. Introductions of all PTO Board members and attendees were made.

Secretary’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, and Attendance

25 people were in attendance, including Principal Kathy Burns.
Secretary Shari Ellis circulated the September meeting minutes. There were no questions or objections. No official Treasurer’s report was given. Co-President Maggie Murphy reported that, to date, approximately $23,000 has been raised from the Wrapping Paper Fundraiser. The PTO will net about 50% of those proceeds.

Parent Issues

A question was raised regarding the new dismissal procedure. Kathy Burns reported that the new procedures are only one week old and the results are positive from both the faculty and students. The new procedure is an attempt to make dismissal time safer and less stressful for both faculty and students. It is also an attempt to minimize the problem of students missing their busses. The new procedure has all students lining up in the corridors with their respective bus groups. They are dismissed when the bus has arrived and each group is then escorted to the bus by a staff member.

Teacher Issues

Teacher Representative Mrs. Sosnowski (1^st Grade) thanked the PTO for all their efforts and had some requests for funding of various items for the hardtop playground. Liz Gulesarian volunteered to work with Mr. LeVasseur (Physical Education) to coordinate the purchase of playground equipment, and also to contact Doug Gillingham (Recreation Department) to purchase a storage bin for the equipment. A report will be given next meeting. Although no monies were voted, it was suggested that $200-400 was the amount to budget (some for this fall and the remainder for next spring).
Mrs. Sosnowski also requested some funding to help defray the high cost of field trip busses for all the grades. This item was put on hold until November’s meeting. At that time, the PTO will have finalized their profits from the Wrapping Paper Fundraiser and will have a better idea of the budget for the year. Moreover, the Administration will be better able to report on the costs associated with the busses for each trip and each grade. Since the field trips are generally curriculum related, Maggie Murphy made the suggestion that the funding for the busses can replace the funding for some of the in-school programs that the PTO has sponsored in the past.

Administrative Issues

Kathy Burns remarked that the school is continuing to run smoothly and the goal of open communication is continuing to be her priority.
Kathy Burns and Irene Roque will be starting a Francis Wyman Student Council this year. It will consist of thirty 5^th graders and twenty 4^th graders. There will be nomination papers written, speeches presented and elections held. The induction of the 2002-2003 Student Council will be held on November 4^th. The purpose of the Student Council is to promote community awareness through community projects and volunteer work with local charities and organizations. The PTO approved $300 to fund the start-up costs for the Council. These costs include pins for all inductees and related expenses. The Hospitality Committee will also provide refreshments for the induction ceremony.
A Family Math Night for 2^nd graders and their families will be held this year on January 16^th. Look for more information soon.

Old Business

Shahin Pervaiz reported that approximately 20 families will be marching and riding on a small float (supplied by the Burlington Parade Committee) at the Burlington Homecoming Parade on October 12^th. Shahin, Maria Woods and Kari Lynch organized the event and received donations from I-Party and discounts on decorating supplies from Party City. The PTO will supply flags and water for all participants.
The $300 check for the annual Dollars for Scholars Telethon benefiting the Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation will be presented by Shahin and her family on October 16^th.

New Business

The National Education Week gift monies will be voted on at November’s PTO meeting. In the past, $1500 was the budget amount ($35 per classroom and specialists). It was suggested that the amount be raised in order to accommodate the purchase of some Ellison stencils, in addition to the classroom gifts.

Committee Reports

Membership: Membership for the PTO is $10 and applications will be sent home soon. To date, after the Open House Night sign up, there are approximately 120 family members.
Student Programs: No report was given.
Parent Education: Pam Vardaro requested input about having a Fidelity Investments representative come and talk about college financial planning and the new 529 program. Positive comments were made and she will continue investigating. It was noted that it should be made clear that the PTO does not endorse Fidelity Investments.
Publicity: The “Frankly Francis” newsletter will be published this year. Two issues will be published and the effort is underway.
Fundraising: The Wrapping Paper Fundraiser has concluded. The final proceeds will be reported at next month’s meeting. Thanks to Lisa Puopolo for all the hard work. Evelyn LaRusso will be taking over the Box Tops program from Chris Wallace.
Landscaping: No report was given.
Fifth Grade Activities (D.A.R.E. Graduation, Yearbook): The Yearbook Committee will hold its first meeting on October 8^th at 7:30 in the Art Room. Thank you to Amanda Green for the FREE publication of the 2001-2002 Yearbooks!
Staff Luncheon: No report was given.
Room Parents: Lori Baumgartner and Nancy Drugg have made the selections for Room Parents. All have been notified and have received information and instructions. Room Parents will not be calling parents this year in event of weather related early dismissal. It was suggested that that information be posted on the website, or that a link to a news station be made on the website.

The next meeting of the PTO will be on November 7^th at 7:00 in the Art Room.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40PM

Respectfully submitted,
Shari Lynn Ellis
Secretary