Welcome and Introduction

• Co-President Faydeen Sateriale brought the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.  PTO Board members present were:  Faydeen Sateriale, Amy Small, Joann Terrio, Irene Roque and Kathy Burns.  There were 15 parents in attendance.  Mary Guerriero, teacher representative, was also present.

Secretary’s Report, Treasurer’s Report

• January meeting minutes were circulated.  There were no questions or objections.
  
  
• Faydeen presented the updated monthly financials.

Parent Issues

• One parent mentioned that there are currently five (5) third grade classes, however, there are only four (4) fourth grade teachers.  She asked if a fifth teacher would be added to teach fourth grade next year.  Kathy Burns explained that there will be five (5) fourth grade classes next year.  She emphasized that due to budget constraints the fifth grade classes will remain at the current level of four (4).
  
  
• One parent mentioned that she received a telephone call from a company doing fundraising for ear & eye testing at the schools.  She thought it was peculiar and checked into it further.  It appears that a fundraising company is doing this for ear & eye testing at the schools, however, only 20% of the money raised actually goes to fund the testing.  The remaining 80% goes to the fundraising company.  Kathy Burns said she knew nothing of this fundraiser.
  
  
• One parent asked why a call was put out by the Superintendent the day school was cancelled but not on the day school was delayed because of snow.  Kathy Burns explained that an electrical outage prevented the call from being issued on the day school was delayed.

Teacher Issues

• Mary Guerriero, one of Francis Wyman’s Italian teachers discussed a recent visit to Italy by her and others to visit a theater arts program in the Italian schools.  This trip was funded by the grant Burlington schools has received from the Italian Consulate.  There has been discussion of an exchange program for students and teachers from this theater arts program to come to the United States.  The Italian Consulate has asked Francis Wyman to be the first U.S. host for this group.  Discussions are underway to plan such an exchange.

Administrative Issues

• The Artist in Residence program at Francis Wyman continues this year with Tom Jipson.  Tom is a weaver and will be working with the students on weaving projects.  The Artist in Residence is funded by contributions from the PTO and from the Arts Council.

Old Business

• Building Safety – Kathy Burns explained that mostly all doors at the Burlington Schools are locked throughout the day.  Here at Francis Wyman the front door remains unlocked with visitors required to check in at the office upon arrival.  Kathy explained that there is no money in the School Department budget for this year to pay for walkie talkies and surveillance cameras.

New Business

• A new PTO committee is being formed – the Family Fun Committee.  This committee will focus on social and community events for the Francis Wyman community.  There is discussion of bringing back the ice cream social.  Further suggestions were for a reading night and mother/son or father/daughter dances.  Anyone interested in joining the Family Fun Committee should contact Faydeen Sateriale at (781) 272-3755.
  
  
• There was a proposal to purchase aprons for PTO members to wear at PTO events to make them more visible and approachable.  There were suggestions of lanyards or buttons instead of the aprons.  It was proposed that up to $100 be allocated to purchase such items in time for the Spring Carnival on April 2nd.  All voted in favor of this proposal.

Committees

• Yearbook: First draft completed and is on schedule.
  
  
• Carnival:   Games, bake-sale, and cake volunteer needed.  Otherwise on schedule to be held April 2, 10-2:00 p.m.
  
  
• Fundraising:
  
  
  • Faydeen announced 50/50 Raffle will be held at the Carnival.  Sam Coe will be in charge of the Raffle.
    
    
  • Evelyn LoRusso informed group on opportunity for recycling printer cartridges and cell phones for cash.  Staples offers $1 per cartridge.  She is comparing Staples to another company and will choose the one who pays more.
    
    
  • Magazine Drive:  Carol O’Connor reported drive to be extended two more weeks through March 18
    
    
  • Box Tops for Education:  Sam will send out reminder to send in Box Tops to be turned in by March 31.
    
    
• Newsletter: Karen LoRusso and David Rosenberg reported the next issue being drafted for distribute at the end of the month.   There will be much more material in this issue. Lots of new items including student art work, article on Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration at FW, article on bullying, 5th graders will interview “key people” and write articles, Cooking/Recipe section, and Frank will appear in a new pose.
  
  
• Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration was held on Friday, March 4 and funded by the PTO.  Thank you Liz Guleserian for setting up the volunteer refreshments.
  
  
• D.A.R.E Graduation was held and funded by the PTO.  Two BPD officers presented t-shirts to the students and a special guest from the Patriots attended.  A reception was held after for graduates and parents and refreshments were served.
  
  
• Student Enrichment:
  
  
  • Kathy Burns reported April 12th Greg Tang will be at Francis Wyman to give a presentation system-wide at 7 p.m.  This will consist of an entertaining 45 min. presentation followed by a Q&A.
    
    
  • Ann Langenfeld reported that on the 15th grades 2-5 will be given an entertaining Math Lesson by Greg Tang.  He will meet with each grade separately in the Library for 1 hour.
    
    
  • Greg’s book, Math Appeal, will be made available for advance purchase at a discounted.  Greg will autograph and personalized each book ordered.
    
    
  • PTO will donate a set of Greg’s books to the school library.  Kathy Burns may be able to provide a set for each grade to share.
    
    
  • Valerie Giogas reported K-1 will be visited by Laya Steinberg on April 13 and 14th.  She will give 5 presentations in 2 days.  Laya will create a project, play a game in keeping with the theme of the project and have time for a Q&A with each group.
    
    
  • A welcome banner will be made by the kids for Ms. Steinberg’s arrival.  The PTO will offer her book Thesaurus Rex on a preorder basis (no discount).  She will autograph and personalize each book ordered.
    
    
• Parent Education:
  
  
  • The next Raising Healthy Kids Lecture is scheduled for April 7, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Francis Wyman auditorium.

Next PTO Meeting Thursday, May 19 at 7:30.

Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Joann Terrio, Secretary