• There are currently 2 open positions on the PTO Board: co-President and Treasurer. Any one interested in either of these positions should contact Faydeen Sateriale at (781) 272-3755.

Parent Issues

• A parent applauded the new route for the Halloween parade. She said the location of the parents in the gym made viewing much easier.
• An email from a parent requested that the school provide a detailed list of the snacks and beverages that are available in the cafeteria. A suggestion was made to list such snacks and beverages on the school menu. Mrs. Roque said she would pass this information along.
• A parent asked how far along the school is in the installation of the new security system. Mrs. Roque estimates it may be online by early next year.

Teacher Issues

• The teachers wish to thank the all the parents who attended the Halloween parade.
• The Learning Center teachers wish to thank the PTO for providing the funds necessary for them to attend their workshop.
• A request from the nurses office for $50 from the PTO to purchase underwear for the extra clothes bin. A vote was taken and all agreed that $50 should go to this effort.

Administrative Issues

• Italian Program – the visit by the Theater Arts Group from Rome has been tentatively rescheduled for April 2006.
• Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for November 18, 2005. There is no school that day.
• The Burlington Education Foundation’s annual Spelling Bee is November 18, 2005.
• The Professional Development Day on December 5, 2005 is geared towards a wellness format. Anyone interested in making a presentation regarding wellness (i.e., yoga, stress reduction, etc.) should contact Katie Spinos at the Superintendent’s office.
• Thank you to the PTO for providing the refreshments for the Student Council Induction Ceremony.

New Business

• Genevieve Fundraiser – the bus company will not allow the Genevieve Fundraiser products to go home with the children on the buses because of safety reasons. The PTO has now scheduled a pickup period so that parents can come by the school and pick up their orders. The pickup schedule is:
  
  
  • November 17th from 4 to 6 p.m.
  • November 18th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (note: this is parent/teacher conference day).
    
    
• PTO Survey emailed to all PTO members. The survey can also be accessed on the PTO website.
  
  
• A discussion about fundraising brought up several ideas to replace the Joe Corbi food fundraiser. Suggestions included:
  
  

1. Kids artwork on mouse pads, mugs, calendars, etc.
2. Online gift cards to local stores.
3. Recycling printer ink cartridges.
4. Putting together a Francis Wyman theme Recipe Book (recipes gathered from teachers, staff, students and families) and selling it at the Family Carnival.
5. Having a fundraising night at Papa Ginos on April 2nd (day after the Carnival). Papa Ginos will give us 20% of the proceeds for a timeframe any person bringing in a promotion flyer (which will be given out at the carnival the day before). Faydeen will call the GM at Papa Ginos on Cambridge Street to set up the event and see if it will work with the restaurant.
6. Toolbox for Education is a program from Lowe’s home improvement stores. It is a grant to fix-up local schools. There was a discussion about applying for the grant (next one is March) to repair the auditorium seats.

Committees

• Student Enrichment:
  
  
  • The committee is currently evaluating two possible authors for a presentation to the students sometime in April or May.
  • The presentation by Greg Tang in October was well received by the second grade.
  • The Student Enrichment Committee received a $500 grant from Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare. Thanks to Marie Rufo, a Harvard Pilgrim employee, who applied for the grant.
    
    
• Newsletter: The committee expects to publish the first newsletter of the year on November 10th. Thanks to Landmark Impressions (formerly Quik Kopy) for donating the printing services.
  
  
• Fundraising:
  
  
  • Box Tops for Education:  We received the $670 from last year’s collections. The fall collection was sent off and totaled $450.
    
    

Next PTO Meeting Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 7:30.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Joann Terrio, Secretary