Lake Street School PTO, Inc. Meeting

October 18, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.

 

President’s Welcome:  Jennifer DiTommasso started the meeting by requesting fundraising updates from committee members.  The Worthington Fundraiser raised $5500.  The Any Occasion Cards raised $600 to date and a second deadline for submission of cards will be 10/19.  Butterbraids raised $1,500, Box Tops raised $544 and the Outback Steakhouse fundraiser raised $470.

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Paul Gilson reviewed the budget report.

 

Meeting Minutes:  A motion was made to pass the September minutes.

 

Principal’s Report:   Mr. Testa advised that the book club started and currently has 6 participants.

 

The PRIDE initiative will begin November 28th with a kickoff assembly.  Student council members will provide information about the program to students.  The assembly will feature motivational speaker and author Chris Poulos.  In the next month, the PRIDE program will be finalized and how the students will be recognized.

 

Full day kindergarten at Lake Street School started in October.  Mr. Testa explained the process for placement in full day, ˝ day and extended day classes was determined by student assessments held in September, bus routes and parent requests.  A lottery system was further used to make class determinations.  Mr. Testa thanked current kindergarten parents for their support during the implementation process.   Looking to next year, a Supervisor of Early Childhood and Special Programs has been hired for Vernon schools.  Lisa Wheeler will begin October 28th and will work with all schools.  Her first task will be implementation of full day kindergarten.  Some things that may be looked at is having a spring screening of incoming students in addition to a summer survey being mailed to parents.  Mr. Testa has requested an additional ˝ time kindergarten teacher in next years budget.

 

Teacher’s Report:  Mrs. Sinacola presented a report for each grade on current topics, field trips and parties.  She also advised that Mrs. Davis said that the chorus is going well.

 

501(c)(3) Update:  Jennifer DiTommaso announced that Lake Street School has been approved for 501(c)(3) status.  Jennifer reviewed some of the important benefits such as (1) donations are tax deductible, (2) eligibility for specific grants and (3) tax exemption for purchases of goods.  For more information parents can go to the website at www.irs.gov (publication 526 – charitable contributions).

 

Traffic Meeting: Jennifer Werner thanked parents for their support on this issue.  She provided an update on the Vernon Traffic Authority meeting she attended on October 13th.  Vernon Traffic Authority has requested the State Traffic Commission for their support for our requests.  Jennifer will send information to parents on the specifics of the requests and who they can write to show support of the initiative.

 

PAWS to Read:  Pam Oliva reported that 199 students have pledged to read 15 minutes everyday.  Mrs. Cribben and Mrs. Benardo’s classes have 100% participation.

 

Family Fun Night: Family Fun Night will be on October 28th from 6:30-8:30 and will be free for the entire family.  Snacks, crafts and entertainment will be provided.  The committee is currently soliciting donations for the event.

 

Playscape:  Julie Marcotte provided an update on the playscape.  She encouraged parents to plan and organize fundraisers for additional money for playground equipment.   Julie also stated that donations can qualify for company matching and reminded parents that donations are tax deductible.  A question was asked about whether bricks purchased in the Buy a Brick fundraiser last spring would be considered tax deductible and Jennifer DiTommasso was going to investigate.

 

Festival of Giving:  Pam Oliva announced that Sunday, November 20th from 6-9:30pm The Shoppe’s at Buckland Hill will host Festival of Giving. During the event, the mall is closed to the general public and shoppers are offered store discounts and door prizes. Tickets for entrance to the event will be $5 per person and money will go directly to the school.  A notice on ticket sales will go out in backpacks the beginning of November. 

 

Thanksgiving Baskets: It was presented that student council members were going to plan and organize the event as a civic activity with teachers.  The room parents would coordinate supplies.  A discussion was held on alternate ways of handling the event so that it would be most beneficial to students as a civic activity and not parents and room parents handling the majority of the event.  Ideas were presented and Mr. Testa said he would look into the best way to handle the event.

 

Leader Board – Jackets, sweatshirts, tote bags and other samples of Leader Board merchandise was on display during the meeting.  Pam Oliva informed parents that Leader Board has requested order deadlines and timetables for supplying merchandise to Lake Street School.  They do not have minimum order requirements.  A discussion was held as to the best times to hold the sale.  The consensus was that before the winter holiday and then again in the spring would be most beneficial for sales.  Additional information will be sent out to parents via backpacks.

 

Childcare:  The PTO would like to continue to offer childcare during PTO meetings but needs volunteers.  Sign up sheets will be posted at future meetings for those interested in volunteering.  It was discussed that youth groups (such as girl scouts) might be interested in offering childcare. Various parents offered to investigate this option.

 

New Business: Pam Oliva will provide room parents with the complete list of all room parents for their use in coordinating events.

 

Paul Gilson will look into getting more information on the Shaw’s line item under general funds in the budget.

 

Mr. Testa will look into ways the school can cut down on extra paperwork sent home in backpacks for parents with multiple students in the school.  Email use was a suggestion.

 

The meeting was adjourned.