Welcome and Introduction

• Co-President Faydeen Sateriale brought the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.  PTO Board members present were:  Faydeen Sateriale, Lori Kashgegian, Martha Murphy, Joann Pustizzi and Kathy Burns.  Anita Mason, teacher representative, was also present.  There were 33 parents in attendance.

Secretary’s Report, Treasurer’s Report

• May meeting minutes were circulated.  There were no questions or objections.
  
  
• Treasurer Lori Kashgegian presented the updated monthly financials.

Parent Issues

• A parent asked about the probability of a 3^rd playground on the area outside the cafeteria above the back playground.  Mrs. Burns said this was brought up at the 1^st PTO meeting as a possibility because the school has gone from 3 lunch periods down to 2 with 3 grades at each.  A new PTO committee would need to be formed to address the options of such a play area and a possible fundraiser to pay for it.
  
  
• A parent expressed concerns about cars on the driveway around the back of the school during school hours while children are on the playgrounds.  Mrs. Burns explained that wooden construction horses are used to block the road during lunch and recess hours.  No cars should be entering this area at that time.
  
  
• A parent asked what the standard was for teaching cursive writing in 3^rd grade.  Mrs. Burns and Ms. Mason affirmed that cursive writing is a part of the 3^rd grade curriculum.  Mrs. Burns said she would speak separately with this parent to discuss her particular issue.
  
  
• A parent asked why Italian was chosen as the foreign language program and why other languages were not included.  Mrs. Burns explained that a grant was given to the Town of Burlington by the Italian Consulate to provide an Italian cultural and language program in the elementary schools.  The grant also includes an Italian enrichment program on Tuesday and Thursday. 
  
  
• A parent asked why Francis Wyman doesn’t have a homework clinic as they do in some of the elementary schools and at the middle school.  Mrs. Burns said it is a possibility for a future program at Francis Wyman.  She discussed the fact that space has always been an issue because of the 2 after-school programs currently housed at Francis Wyman.
  
  
• A parent commended the school for its operations during the town-wide lock down last week.  The issue of security was discussed.  A Health and Safety Task Force is being formed as a new PTO Committee to discuss such issues.  Anyone interested in joining the Health and Safety Task Force should contact Martha Murphy at (781) 270-5576.
  
  
• A parent brought up an issue with the bus stop in her neighborhood and the lack of response from Craig Robinson.  Mrs. Burns said she would discuss the issue with Craig at a meeting the next day.  There was a general discussion that specific procedures for such an issue would be helpful.
  
  
• A parent asked why seatbelts were not being used on buses for fieldtrips.  Mrs. Burns explained that there is no state law requiring the use of seatbelts on school buses.  Therefore there is no way of enforcing it.
  
  
• Faydeen Sateriale shared a question that was phoned in to her.  The parent asked how often the safety officer follows the buses.  Mrs. Burns explained that the safety officer follows each bus at the beginning of each school year and on an as needed basis.  The children are given an overview of bus safety, and the bus rules are explained to them at the start of each school year.  If there are any problems with a specific bus, it should be brought to the administration’s attention.
  
  
• A parent suggested that enrichment programs should be publicized for parents before and after such an event.  It was agreed that such notifications would be included in the Publicity newsletter.
  
  
• A parent asked if it was possible for the teachers to be given weekly updates on the activities in their class.  Mrs. Burns has already suggested to all teachers to provide updates to parents.  This is not mandatory, but most teachers do participate and do so on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.  A copy of said classroom updates is sent home with each child and a copy is given to Mrs. Burns.

Teacher Issues

• Ms. Mason expressed the teachers’ gratitude to the PTO and how lucky they feel to have such a supportive PTO.
  
  
• The teachers are very happy with the Enrichment Program.
  
  
• Ms. Mason spoke of the increased cost of buses for fieldtrips.  She asked if there was anyway the PTO could contribute more to the buses for fieldtrips.  A vote was taken to contribute $600 per grade for fieldtrip buses ($3,600 total for year).  No one opposed.

Administrative Issues

• Mrs. Burns thanked the PTO for its continued support.

New Business

Dollars for Scholars Telethon - $300 donation for Adopt A Class ($50/grade)


National Education Week – PTO gift of money to each teacher.  Last year it was $35/teacher, proposed increase to $50/teacher.  A vote was taken to increase the gift to each teacher to $50 – none opposed.

Committees

• Membership: Thank you to Karen Pflanz.  Suggestion to use combined membership form/envelope for next year.
  
  
• Carnival:   Set for April 2, 2005.  Committee is currently shopping for supplies.  A parent offered a popcorn machine for the carnival.
  
  
• Fundraising:
  
  
  • Approximately $9,000 profit from wrapping paper drive
    
    
  • Current push for box tops – to be submitted at end of October
    
    
  • Magazine Drive in late winter
    
    
  • Looking for people to help with new playground fundraiser
    
    

• Newsletter: Look for a new revamped newsletter.  The next issue will bea teacher welcome edition.
  
  
• Health & Safety: New committee being formed.  Need volunteers.
  
  
• Parent Education: The Parent Education Committee will assist Joe LeVasseur with the Growing Healthy Children series.  The first Growing Healthy Children  program is scheduled for October 27^th.
  
  
• Student Enrichment:
  
  
  • Friday, October 8, 2004 Mad About Math by Keith Michael Johnson.   The show will be presented to K-5 in two performances
    
    
  • In April Greg Tang presentation for grades 3-5
    
    
  • Presently planning an enrichment program for K-2

Winners of Returning Parent/New Parent Raffle: Tanya Iker and Michelle Peluso.  Each won a gift certificate for an Elizabeth Grady facial.  Come to next month’s PTO meeting with a new member to enter the drawing for next month’s raffle.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Joann Pustizzi