The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
Board of Education: Steve Casavant introduced Stephen Cullinan, Superintendent of Schools for the Vernon Board of Education. Mr. Cullinan presented us with a brochure explaining the Lake Street School Proposed Budget for the 2004-2005 school years. He explained the budget process and answered questions. Mr. Cullinan informed us that there is a town meeting being held at Vernon Center Middle School on April 27th and the referendum vote is taking place on May 14th. Ellen Skoly and Darlene Murray are going to contact the room parents to have them call parents to remind them to vote. Darlene will also have something placed on the website to remind people to vote.
President’s Report: Ellen Skoly read thank you notes that the PTO received. The thank you notes were from the Amelia Family for the $250 donation and from Mrs. Marturano for the get well gift we gave her.
Rock Cats: The Rock Cats family night is being held on Sunday, June 6th at 1:35 p.m. The PTO is discounting $2.00 off of the Rock Cats rate of $5.00 per person. Therefore, the tickets will cost $3.00 per person. All tickets need to be purchased by the third week of May. Information about this event will be sent home soon with the students.
Silk Worms: Ellen Skoly informed us that Lori Downes who oversees the Manchester Silk Worms events is interested in hosting a LSS family night. Each family would get two free tickets and children under 16 are free. Lori indicated that June 18th is a good day or any time during the summer baseball season. Lori would organize a fun-filled event for the LSS families. More information to follow.
Treasurer’s Report: The budget report was presented. Dave Murray thanked everyone who helped with the Kid’s Town Fair. It was a huge success and everyone had a wonderful time.
Playground Equipment: Ellen Skoly informed us that the playground equipment is not in good shape. There is $500 in the budget that will be used to purchase new equipment for the students to use at recess (i.e. balls, jump ropes, hula hoops).
5th Grade Field Trip to Boston: Mrs. Cribben asked for additional money from the PTO to help fund this field trip. The cost is $46.00 per student and we do not want to ask the students to contribute more than $30.00. $500.00 was already in the budget but they need an additional $444.00. A motion was made, voted on and passed to take out the additional monies from the PTO general fund to help with the cost of the 5th grade field trip.
Science Fair/Ice Cream Social/Book Fair: Paula Baran, Barbara Kahn and Ellen Skoly stated that everything is going good. They will be selling pizza, ice cream, drinks and candy and chips that were left over from the Kids Town Fair. You will have an opportunity to view the LSS students’ science projects and purchase books at the event. The Committee will be looking for volunteers to help the night of this function.
March 2004 Minutes: Ellen Skoly made a motion to pass the March minutes.
Mr. Houle (Board of Education Representative for Lake Street School): He reiterated what Mr. Cullinan said. If you have any issues or concerns, you can go to the Town Meetings. If you have any questions or concerns you want to discuss with him, you can e-mail him at D.A.Houle@sbc.global.net.
Sign Language Classes: Paula Baran informed us that the first 15 students who signed up for the sign language classes will begin on Friday. She will look into hosting another session in the fall.
Playscape: The McDonald’s night was a fun-filled evening. A profit of $350.00 was made. Julie Marcotte thanked everyone who helped get the event organized.
Julie also informed us that they received donations from Panda Palace and Paul’s Pizza. The $20,000 grant from the Ronald McDonald house is on hold at this time. They have asked us to re-apply for the grant near the end of Phase II, beginning of Phase III. The Committee is also going to apply for two grants to help fund the butterfly garden portion of the playscape.
Ellen Skoly thanked Julie and the rest of the Committee for the great job they did at the facilities meeting where they presented the information about the playscape project. Julie mentioned that LSS did receive approval from the facilities committee on the playscape concept. She will have to get final approval in June for the final playscape design.
The Committee will be funding two more end of year fundraisers – Crispy Crème and Pizzeria Uno. More information on these two fundraisers will be sent home with the students.
Julie thanked everyone for the fundraising efforts this year. Next fall, the Committee will be looking for new ideas to help fund the playscape and will be applying for more grants. Any ideas you may have, please let her know.
Education: Julie Marcotte sent out a survey to all teachers based on programs they received this year to plan for next years events.
Teacher’s Report: Mrs. Sinacola reminded everyone that parent/teacher conferences are this Thursday and Friday.
Principal’s Report: Mr. Casavant thanked the parents and teachers who assisted in finalizing the “No Child Left Behind” requirement policy. The policy will be distributed in May. He also informed us that Mrs. Marturano will not be returning to school this school year.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.