Lake Street School PTO, Inc. Meeting

November 15, 2005

 

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

 

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

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Paul Gilson reviewed the budget report.  He advised that shaded line items would reflect the significant changes for the month.  Fundraisers have been very successful.

 

Principal’s Report:  Mr. Testa advised that a Facilities Meeting was held with elementary school PTO presidents addressing ways to handle an emergency situation such as power outages.  They are working on a plan to address power outages within elementary schools.   Some suggestions have been to keep kids in school and to develop phone trees to notify parents.  Some issues discussed were how to handle heating and lighting.  Mr. Testa has asked that parents share any ideas or concerns for a system wide plan with him.

 

The PRIDE program will begin November 28th with a kickoff assembly.  Student council members will review PRIDE characteristics with students.   Teachers will nominate 1-3 students per month who demonstrate any of the PRIDE characteristics.  Nominated students will appear on a PRIDE bulletin board.

 

The Manchester Road Race will be held on Thanksgiving morning.  Mr. Testa invited all LSS students and families to wear LSS colors and join him at the race.  LSS participants are asked to meet on Main Street in front of the bike shop.

 

Teacher’s Report:  Mrs. Sinacola presented a report for each grade on current topics and upcoming events.

 

Festival of Giving:  Pam Oliva stated that the fundraiser has received $165 that will be applied towards the PAWS to Read Program.

 

Student Council Thanksgiving Food Drive:  Courtney Oliva and Courtney West from Student Council provided an update on the food drive.  They advised that 353 items have been collected so far and that the food drive will run from November 7-18th.  They also stated that profits from Hat Day would be used to purchase turkeys for the food drive.

 

Book Fair:  Ellen Skoly stated there are a lot of great books this year and requested anyone interested in volunteering to contact her.   The Bolles Motor fundraiser will coincide with the bookfair on Thursday from 2:30-5:30.  LSS will receive $5 for each completed form and parents were encouraged to participate.

 

PAWS to Read:  Pam Oliva reported that 201 students participated in October and more have expressed interest in joining in November.  Students enjoyed the magician during the reading assembly and Pam noted that he tied magic into reading and how much students can learn from reading.

 

Snowflake Fair:  Pam Oliva said that the committee has started to organize supplies and will compile a list of offerings which will be displayed in the library window for students to look at.  The fair will run from December 5-9th.  Pam will be sending a notice asking for parent volunteers to work the fair.

 

Great Lakes Scrip Program:  Jennie Norris provided an overview of the program and a handout was provided detailing the program.  The scrip is a substitute for money.  Some of the sample scrips were from local grocery stores, gas companies, restaurants and retails chains.  Parents can purchase a scrip (gift certificates and prepaid cards) that are used in place of cash.  The fundraising benefit is that the school can purchase the scrip at a discount and then sell the certificates/gift cards to families at full face value.  The scrip will be ordered via an order form, payment is sent to school with the students and certificates will be sent home with the student the following week or may picked up at the school.  A volunteer is needed to chair the program throughout the school year.  Responsibilities would include collecting orders, placing orders, distributing orders and record keeping.

 

Jennifer DiTommaso reminded parents that LSS can earn money by parents signing up and shopping online though the Boxtops and Schoolpop programs.   Parents can sign up for Boxtops on-line via www.boxtops4education.com and click on “Join the Booster Club Now” and follow instructions.  Parents can sign up for Schoolpop on-line via www.schoolpop.com and click on “Join Us Now” and following instructions.

 

Jennifer DiTommaso advised that she is planning on sending out a fundraising questionnaire to parents to determine which programs are most beneficial to parents and LSS and which ones that can be eliminated.

 

Playscape:  Julie Marcotte provided an update on the playscape.  Plans for the playscape will be on display during parent/teacher conferences.  The plans will also be mounted and displayed on the wall opposite the office.  Julie also advised that she has sent a letter to the mayor asking to be put on the Vernon Town Council Meeting December agenda.  She is also working on a detailed playscape update to distribute to parents.  A Phase 2 Playscape meeting is scheduled for 1/23/06.  A Brick Paver Fundraiser meeting is scheduled for 1/30/06.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m.