Sept 9, 2014
Newton PTO Minutes
Attendence: Erica Burns, Kia Burton-Mclaughlin, Mel Goodwin, Jen Perreault, Marianne Harcourt, several teachers
1. Welcome
a. Erica welcomed everyone to the meeting and discussed briefly about the group and the things we do. She mentioned briefly that we are still in need of PTO officers for secretary and vice president, no one expressed interest but will revisit next time when more people are in attendance. Erica mentioned our presence in the parade kicking off the schools birthday celebrations and mentioned she looked briefly into brick fundraisers, but it will need more research.
2. Principals Report
a. Mel spent some time discussing some exciting updates that happened over the summer such as playground improvements including handicap accessibility and fence repairs. She also added that the Mayor is on board with us needing a new playground, and we have applied for a grant for the project (with the Rec dept.)
3. Staff Report/requests
a. Ice cream social- Ruthanne Weisman contacted Erica via email about funding the purchase of Ice cream supplies for the ice cream party for summer reading. She will submit receipts for reimbursement. Approved.
b. Field Trips- Kindergarten requested us to pay for their annual trip to Apex orchards costing $114 per class. Approved. Erica brought up that PTO would like to include in all field trip permission slips the option for families to “pay what you can” to help our students go on even more field trips this year. Jen mentioned that we have budgeted $500 for each class for this year for field trips, and that any money that comes in for each class can be applied to that grades budget.
c. Scholastic News- Kindergarten and 2nd grade teachers asked us if we could renew their Scholastic News subscriptions. Erica took paperwork and will look into it.
4. Fall fundraisers
a. We discussed options for Fall Fundriasers (Uncle Jerry’s Tees, Gift Cards, Discount Card, coupon books, 99 Restaraunt) and tentatively decided on coupon books in November and Mel would contact the company. Erica mentioned that we probably wouldn’t do Butter braids/pies this year after discussion at Aug meeting, but idea was revisited in post-meeting discussion, and we will re-visit at October meeting. Those in attendance liked the idea of doing the night at the 99 Restaurant again this spring. Will look into that more at a later date. Discussed the idea of adding in all our fundraisers that money donations are always welcome if people are not interested in actual fundraiser.
b. Fall bookfair- is happening Oct 8-10th and we need to nail down shopping hours. Erica will work on scheduling and recruiting volunteers. Discussed school sponsored PJ night of Oct 9th. Cookies and milk will be served at the end of event.
c. Movie at the garden is happening Sept 27th 9:30am, The Boxtrolls. Kia will help Erica with flyers and tickets. Erica will confirm with the Garden as we get closer to make sure we are all set.
5. Other items
a. Welcome back goodies: pencils & magnets- Erica will order new magnets for the kindergarteners and new families. Discussed whether or not to get pencils, and it was voted to not get pencils this year. People expressed an interest in reusable shopping bags instead, and Mel will look into this
b. Boxtops coordinators- Erica put out a request over email about a new boxtops coordinators and received several replies! Kia Burton-Mclaughlin and Sherrilyn Glenn appointed leads (although later Sherri indicated she is unable to help as anticipated) with Lindsay Siano and Lisa Brandl as helpers (as needed).
c. Budget overview- Jen discussed briefly our budget. Mainly that $500 is allocated for each grade to go on field trips, and that it was hard to figure the events budget as PTO is no longer sponsoring events for this year, which is different than years past.
6. Oct meeting date- Set for Oct 1st @ 4:30
Newton PTO Minutes
Attendence: Erica Burns, Kia Burton-Mclaughlin, Mel Goodwin, Jen Perreault, Marianne Harcourt, several teachers
1. Welcome
a. Erica welcomed everyone to the meeting and discussed briefly about the group and the things we do. She mentioned briefly that we are still in need of PTO officers for secretary and vice president, no one expressed interest but will revisit next time when more people are in attendance. Erica mentioned our presence in the parade kicking off the schools birthday celebrations and mentioned she looked briefly into brick fundraisers, but it will need more research.
2. Principals Report
a. Mel spent some time discussing some exciting updates that happened over the summer such as playground improvements including handicap accessibility and fence repairs. She also added that the Mayor is on board with us needing a new playground, and we have applied for a grant for the project (with the Rec dept.)
3. Staff Report/requests
a. Ice cream social- Ruthanne Weisman contacted Erica via email about funding the purchase of Ice cream supplies for the ice cream party for summer reading. She will submit receipts for reimbursement. Approved.
b. Field Trips- Kindergarten requested us to pay for their annual trip to Apex orchards costing $114 per class. Approved. Erica brought up that PTO would like to include in all field trip permission slips the option for families to “pay what you can” to help our students go on even more field trips this year. Jen mentioned that we have budgeted $500 for each class for this year for field trips, and that any money that comes in for each class can be applied to that grades budget.
c. Scholastic News- Kindergarten and 2nd grade teachers asked us if we could renew their Scholastic News subscriptions. Erica took paperwork and will look into it.
4. Fall fundraisers
a. We discussed options for Fall Fundriasers (Uncle Jerry’s Tees, Gift Cards, Discount Card, coupon books, 99 Restaraunt) and tentatively decided on coupon books in November and Mel would contact the company. Erica mentioned that we probably wouldn’t do Butter braids/pies this year after discussion at Aug meeting, but idea was revisited in post-meeting discussion, and we will re-visit at October meeting. Those in attendance liked the idea of doing the night at the 99 Restaurant again this spring. Will look into that more at a later date. Discussed the idea of adding in all our fundraisers that money donations are always welcome if people are not interested in actual fundraiser.
b. Fall bookfair- is happening Oct 8-10th and we need to nail down shopping hours. Erica will work on scheduling and recruiting volunteers. Discussed school sponsored PJ night of Oct 9th. Cookies and milk will be served at the end of event.
c. Movie at the garden is happening Sept 27th 9:30am, The Boxtrolls. Kia will help Erica with flyers and tickets. Erica will confirm with the Garden as we get closer to make sure we are all set.
5. Other items
a. Welcome back goodies: pencils & magnets- Erica will order new magnets for the kindergarteners and new families. Discussed whether or not to get pencils, and it was voted to not get pencils this year. People expressed an interest in reusable shopping bags instead, and Mel will look into this
b. Boxtops coordinators- Erica put out a request over email about a new boxtops coordinators and received several replies! Kia Burton-Mclaughlin and Sherrilyn Glenn appointed leads (although later Sherri indicated she is unable to help as anticipated) with Lindsay Siano and Lisa Brandl as helpers (as needed).
c. Budget overview- Jen discussed briefly our budget. Mainly that $500 is allocated for each grade to go on field trips, and that it was hard to figure the events budget as PTO is no longer sponsoring events for this year, which is different than years past.
6. Oct meeting date- Set for Oct 1st @ 4:30