March 9, 2004
The
meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
February
2004 Minutes: Ellen Skoly made a motion to pass the
February minutes.
Nominations,
Voting and Bylaws: Dave Murray reiterated the
by-laws - Article VI, Section 6.01 where it indicates that the immediate past
President is a member of the PTO Board.
It was decided that the by-laws should stay as is and that Pam Moody
will continue to fulfill the role as past President.
Ellen reported on the voting of PTO
officers. Officers shall be elected for
a period of one year at the May annual meeting. No officers can stay in the same office for more than two
consecutive years. This is the time to
be thinking about nominations for next year.
All nominations should be passed into Darlene Murray by the April PTO
meeting so that we can vote and nominate the new officers at the May PTO
meeting.
Treasurer’s
Report: The budget report was presented. Dave made a motion to reallocate some of the
money that has been budgeted for school field trips. At this time, there is $1,500 in that account. It was voted on and passed to allocate $500
of that money for the Nature’s Art - 2nd grade field trip that will
take place some time in May; to allocate $500 of that money for the 5th
grade Boston trip that takes place in June; and the remaining $500 to be
transferred into the assemblies budget.
Education
Committee: Julie Marcotte informed us that the Native
American Dancers assembly that was to take place on March 26th has
been postponed. It will be rescheduled
for some time in May.
Playscape: Julie reported that we received two bids from the vendors along
with their preliminary designs. After
reviewing their packages, we asked the vendors to “fine tune” their designs so
that we can present both designs to the Town meeting which will take place on
the evening of March 22nd.
The Committee has also sent out 65
letters to different businesses in Town asking for donations to fund the
playscape. We recently received a donation
in the amount of $50.00 from A-1 Brick Oven Pizza. The Committee has applied for grants from the Ronald McDonald
House and Savings Bank of Manchester.
We are still waiting to hear from them.
The Committee is still looking for a
large fundraiser for next year to fund the playscape. If anyone has any suggestions, please let them know. Julie also thanked all the teachers for
volunteering their time for the LSS McDonald’s night.
Julie proposed a butterfly garden in
addition to the playscape and wanted the PTO’s thoughts. The butterfly garden would be placed at the
beginning of the playscape. It would
cost approximately $1,000 for the equipment and $250 to $500 for plants. The plants would be perennials and the
upkeep would be very minimal - once a year to weed and clean out the
garden. The Committee would get the
money for the garden through donations/grants.
The PTO thought it was a good idea.
McDonald’s
Night (3/24): Pam Moody reported that LSS would receive
10% profit from all sales. The
teacher’s work schedule will be going home shortly with the students. Leo the Lion will be there to greet
everyone. It should be a fun night for
everyone.
Kidstown: Lori Lawrynowicz reported that the event is only two weeks away
and we are desperately looking for volunteers.
Lori will provide an update for the LSS-PTO.com website with all current
information regarding the Kidstown fair.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lori.
Silent
Auction: Pam Storo reported that we have some classes
that are doing a great job in putting their baskets together for the silent
auction while other classes are struggling.
We might have to combine some classroom baskets. We have also received some outside donations
from area businesses and the Committee will coordinate putting those baskets
together.
Yearbook: Ellen reported that pictures are still filtering in for the
yearbook. We still need pictures of
students in the kindergarten a.m. classes.
There is a box in the office labeled “yearbook” and in that box is a
sheet of paper with the students we still need pictures of.
Buckland
Hills: Lori Chapman informed us that nothing has
changed from last month. All receipts
must be validated by March 21st and the cash back finale is being
held on March 24th.
Sign
Language Class: Darlene Murray informed us that this has
been postponed. It will be rescheduled
soon. Since the class is limited to 15
students from grades K-2, all advertising for this event will only be on the
website.
Fall
Fundraiser/Summer Reading Program: Darlene
stated that the fall fundraiser will be hosted by Sally Foster products from
Entertainment Publications. They sell
gift wraps and other miscellaneous gifts.
LSS will receive 52% in profit from all sales.
The Entertainment Publications
company also has a Summer Vacation Program package which we will offer to all
LSS students. This package consists of
a workbook ($11.99) and an activity kit ($22.00). You can purchase both the workbook and activity kit for
$30.00. This package will be sent home
in mid-late May (on a Thursday) for your review. You will have to send in the money or return the package by the
following Tuesday. This is not a school
or PTO fundraiser.
Circus: Darlene informed us that the Circus is coming to town. There is a show on Sunday, May 16th
at 1:00 p.m. For mid-level seats the
group rate would be $12.75 per ticket.
We just need to sell a minimum of 20 tickets. If anyone is interested in coordinating this event, please let Darlene
know. Since the general admission
tickets go on sale March 28th, the coordination should occur
soon.
Teacher’s
Report: Mrs. Abrahams reminded us that the Reading
and Writing Night is scheduled for March 17th. It should be a fun-filled evening. She also said that the teachers will bring
in the baked goods on Friday for the Kidstown fair.
Mr. Houle informed us that he is a
Member of the Facilities Committee for the Town of Vernon. He also stated that the town is still
waiting to hear from the Mayor regarding the budget.
Principal’s
Report: Mr. Casavant has not received the school
profit made from the Magazine Drive.
Mr. Casavant informed us that the
student council raised the entire amount to purchase one K-9 vest and has
almost enough to purchase a second one.
They will continue with the remaining funds collection. The student council’s next school drive is
to collect “pop tops” from soda cans for the kidney foundation.
The organized group of parents and
teachers are finalizing the “No Child Left Behind” requirement policy and the
policy will be distributed soon to all parents for their review. The policy has to be finalized and adopted
by June 1st.
Mr. Casavant also brought up the
topic of parents joining their children for lunch in the cafeteria. This has caused some problems so they will
be designating a table in the cafeteria for the student to sit with his/her
parent.
Other: Ellen stated that the morning PTO breakfast for incoming
kindergarten parents is scheduled for May 7th. There still will be a PTO night meeting on
May 11th.
The
meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.