Lake Street School PTO, Inc. Meeting

January 10, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

Taste of Languages:  Lacey Lahey, an 11th grade Rockville High School student advised that Taste of Languages will be held on March 20th from 6-8pm at VCMS and encouraged all families to attend.  The program consists of learning a language the first 45 minutes followed by entertainment, martial arts and food from the teachers country.  She asked if anyone spoke a foreign language and wished to participate as a teacher, to contact Rockville High School for further details.

 

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

 

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

 

A motion was made and passed to have profits from the Fall Book Fair go to the playscape fund.  Concern was raised that it looked like more than half of the PTO sponsored event profits were going to the playscape according to the budget that was passed in September.  Paul said that was not the case and will update the budget to clarify where monies are being appropriated with regards to the playscape and the general fund.    It was also noted that to complete the playscape on schedule, profits need to go to the playscape.

 

Principal’s Report:  Mr. Testa read a thank you note from the Cornerstone regarding their thanks and appreciation for the food and clothing drive that LSS conducted.

 

The PRIDE bulletin board displays the first 25 nominated students who received recognition at the PRIDE assembly held on Tuesday.   It was requested that parents be notified of the recognition assembly moving forward so that parents who wish to attend may do so.  Mr. Testa advised this could be done.

 

The name of the teacher who is currently replacing Mrs. Sinacola is Miss Dumont.

 

Teacher’s Report:  Mrs. Bernardo and Mrs. Barry presented the reports for each grade on current topics and upcoming events. Currently teachers are working on DRA’s for reading and the fourth grade is working on the DRP’s.

 

Drive For Kids: A check for $660.00 was given to LSS for parent signatures for this fundraiser during parent/teacher conferences and the Fall Book Fair.  

 

Class Size and All Day Kindergarten:  It was requested of Mr. Testa to keep parents informed as to what the projections for class sizes will be next year at the next PTO meeting or once it becomes available.  Kindergarten registration will be held in March and it is the hope of the school to begin students in the class they will be in the entire school year. 

 

Playscape:  Julie Marcotte provided an update on the playscape.  The plans have been mounted and displayed on the wall opposite the office.  Julie also advised that the Vernon Town Council appropriated $40,000 for site work.  Approximately $70,000 is still needed to complete the project.  A Brickpaver Fundraiser planning meeting is scheduled for January 30 at the school.  All are welcome to attend.

 

Education Committee:  Terry Tomaszewski provided an overview of the education committee programs by providing a handout noting which programs have already been held and the upcoming ones.

 

Great Lakes Scrip Program:  The December program was extremely successful.  Jennifer DiTommaso is looking at the possibility of being able to take payments via credit card for parents who wish to make scrip purchases with their credit cards.   Order forms will be made available via email for anyone interested in receiving them.  An email sign up sheet was distributed in backpacks this week.  Scrip order forms will also be put on the LSS website.  Lisa Poutre will be working with Jennifer on the program moving forward.

 

Family Fun Night/Spring Event:  The Spring Event will be combined with the next Family Fun Night this year.  Mike and Heidi Bolduk will be coordinating the event.  The first planning meeting will be held on January 20th from 7-9pm in the cafeteria.

 

Ron-A-Roll Family Skate Night:  A night of roller-skating will be held at Ron-A-Roll on February 11th from 4:30-6:30.  Tickets will be $5 and will be sold at the door.

 

Munson’s Candy:  Candy sales will begin in February and orders will be delivered in March.

 

Box-Tops:  Parents are asked to submit all box tops by the end of January for the final submission to be applied to school this year.  We will continue to take Box Tops throughout the rest of the school year.  Box Tops collected after the end of February will be applied to next years budget.

 

Fall Books of Honor:  13 new books from this initiative and 1 from the Campbell’s Soup program were added to the library.

 

Board of Education:  Amarjit Buttar, representative from Board of Education, asked parents to bring any concerns regarding Board of Ed. to his attention.  He commented that if the number of people who are here at the meeting is representative of PTO parental involvement, then Lake Street School needs to work harder to get more parents involved.  He commented that it is important for parents to attend PTO meetings for better communications and involvement in the school.   Jennifer DiTommaso responded that the attendance at the PTO meetings is not an accurate reflection on parent participation in the school.  The school has a good amount of parent participation by way of volunteers, committees and other school events.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

 

 

Note:  It was determined after the meeting to amend the September budget, for clarification purposes, the appropriation of funds in regards to the playscape and general funds, to reflect the intentions of the PTO from the beginning of the year.   A vote will be taken at the next PTO meeting, in accordance with State statute in regards to Nonprofit Organizations, to pass the amended budget.