October PTO Meeting Minutes

PTO NOTES & NEWS FOR OCTOBER 2012

We voted to approve the BUDGET for 2012/2013.  Our goal is to raise app. $30,000 in funds this year.  We also added that we will maintain app. 50% of our total expenses ($12k - $16k) in our money market account at all times.

We also approved the PTO BYLAWS with 2 changes regarding approving our budget and bylaws at the October meeting rather than at the September meeting.

The GENEVIEVE FUNDRAISER brought in over $14,000 which will go directly to teams!

We are still selling the BUY LOCAL coupon books.  They will be for sale at the Newberry Cup, at gift wrap pick-up or you can contact Randy Sweeney (sweeneyrs@gmail.com).

We sold 40 ADS IN THE SCHOOL DIRECTORY which brought in $2045.  This pays for the printing of our school directory and brings in a little profit for the PTO as well!  Please support these businesses who have supported our school.

Valerie Richardson has applied for a GRANT FROM LOWE'S which would pay for playground improvements and new playground equipment. 

The HANNAFORD HELPS SCHOOLS program runs through December 1.  Look for the Hannaford Helps Schools labels on selected foods - you need to buy 4 of any item to get credit.  At check-out you will receive a separate receipt that you can either put in the kiosk at Hannaford or in a box in the school office.

We discussed sponsoring 2 PARENT EDUCATION NIGHTS:  One from Marilyn Neagley on MINDFULNESS and the other from Margo Austin on DRUG AND ALCOHOL TRAPS.  Dates TBD.

The COAT DRIVE will begin in the next week or so - look for a box outside of the office to donate any gently used coats or winter gear.

Diana Burritt will be honored on 10/17 as the UVM OUTSTANING TEACHER OF THE YEAR.  Congrats Diana!

NECAP SCIENCE results recently released initially show that we are continuing to make steady progress in this area.

Curriculum on BULLYING AND HARRASSMENT education has been included as part of the Skills 4 Life class for middle schoolers.  Related lessons are also being taught in the K-5 classes.

FIRE PREVENTION DAY included our first fire drill which went very well.  The fire dept. will also periodically be bringing a fire truck by to remind us to keep the fire lane in the circle clear for emergencies.

Recent TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT has included work in Math Best Practice, Data Teams and Social Studies.

The middle school is undertaking a yearlong collaborate reading of the Harvard Negotiation Project book entitled DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS - HOW TO DISCUSS WHAT MATTERS MOST.  Great reading for parents too!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

• Every Wednesday in October - Walking Wednesdays - Meet at town green at 7:30a
• 10/13 - Newberry Cup Bake Sale
• 10/23 - Genevieve gift wrap distribution, 2p - 8p
• 10/23 - UA Curriculum Night, 6:30p-7:30p

HELP WANTED:

• Table helpers at Newberry Cup (C: Dawn Fragola Dawn.Fragola@vtmednet.org)
• Coordinator for Math Counts Program (C: Allan Miller)

THANK YOUS:

• Ginger Williamson & Zynnia Seidita for coordinating the Genevieve Fundraiser!
• Rita Daley and Teresa Shuptrine for our amazing PTO bulletin board!
• Leslie Borrok, Lisa Merrill, Rebecca Solheim, Corinne Levinthal & Elaine Brand for their tremendous amount of work putting out the school directory!