Archie T. Morrison PTO

January PTO Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes

Minutes of PTO Meeting
Wednesday, January 21, 2004 @ 6:30pm at Hollis

*Classroom Communicator Network Update - Marie-Anne gave an update on the CCN. Marie-Anne has contacted the majority of the Communicators. We had been waiting for feedback from a few teachers. Ms. Lauria took the initiative to request a list of those teachers. Ms. Lauria will follow up with them for Marie-Anne. All of the Communicators will be contacted by the end of next week. Marie-Anne is meeting with the majority of the Communicators on Friday 1/23.

*Student Holiday Fair Recap - The Fair was a huge success. We had budgeted for an expense of $650.00. Due to the overwhelming generosity of so many families we made a whopping $1,457.00 profit. More than 35 items were donated to the raffle. Several families also donated sale items to the fair. It was also noted that every item for sale at the fair was priced $2.00 or less.

*Morrison Apparel Update - More than 140 Morrison Apparel items were sold between 12/5 and 12/10. We raised $511.00. We plan on selling the most popular items again in March.

*Staff Holiday Luncheon Recap - Marie-Anne gave an update on the luncheon. Approximately 24 volunteers provided food, decorations, music and gift ornaments for the staff on 12/17 in the faculty lounge. Of the 24 volunteers 16 were new parents to Morrison (mostly K & 1st grade). The teachers were very appreciative especially during such a busy time of year. Everyone was reminder to read the numerous staff thank-you notes posted on the PTO bulletin board.

*5th Grade Week Update - There was a 5th Grade meeting on Wednesday 1/14. The committees have all been formed. The yearbook committee is well under way. They have created a timeline. The snow and cold days have effected the 5th Grade Week Activities schedule. The final schedule will be posted in April.

*Fun Nights - 2nd & 3rd Grade - "Sweet-Art" Valentine's Social is scheduled for Friday, 2/13/04 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the cafetorium. The children will be making a Valentine's Day craft and decorating cupcakes. Face painting will also be available. It was suggested that we have additional face painting available. Face painting was very popular at the K & 1st grade social and the line was quite long. Admission to the social will be a small item for Sunny Shaw's Clothes Closet (hats, mittens, socks etc.). Expect more details in the January Newsletter next week. Reminders will be sent through PACE.

*South Shore Mental Health Seminars - the next seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4th @ 7:00pm. The topic is "Behavior Management". More details will be posted in the newsletter.

*The Spring Fundraiser - The dates for the Spring Fundraiser will be 3/1/04 to 3/12/04. We will be selling Yankee Candles & Spring Flower Bulbs. Delivery will be in time for Mother's Day.

*Spring Fling (Beach Theme) - is scheduled for Friday, April 2nd @ Emerald Hall, Braintree. There will be a grade split (K - 2 and 3 - 5). Siblings are welcome to both and will not be secluded. There will be a D.J., raffle items and 50/50 raffles. We will not be scheduling "Radio Disney" due to their $1,000.00+ cost. We are able to rent the hall and pay for a D.J. for less money.

*Treasurer's Report - Carol Mahoney gave an update on the budget. Recent activity includes but is not limited to the following:

Cash Receipts:
$1,587 school pictures ($187+ more than expected)
$511 Morrison Apparel
$513 Boxtops for Cash (well on our way to $1,000)

Cash Disbursements:
($1,457) Holiday Fair (proceeds)
$2,199 - Cultural Arts (to date)
$240 - High Touch-High Tech Deposit
$422.50 - 5th Grade Field Trip
$50 - Bereavement
$2,005.95 - Balance due to Pace

*Principal/Teacher Comments - The teachers and Mr. Wyatt thanked the PTO for their staff luncheon. Mr. Wyatt mentioned that he had received positive feedback on his use of Pace.

*Door Prize
Kevin Bielecki won the door prize. Kevin will be sharing his goodies with Mrs. Cotton and his classmates in Room 105.
The PTO flag will be split this month due to a three-way tie between Mrs. Guilfoyle, Ms. Lauria and Mr. McCarthy's classes.

We joined the "Town Wide" PTO meeting at 7:00pm on "Developing Mathematical Thinking". Rosemary McGowan, Educational Consultant, lead the discussion on the mathematical teaching methods used in the Braintree Public Schools at the grammar school level. Dr. Bill Kendall also spoke and answered parent's questions. He stressed in the past that some children were able to excel in math using the "old" teaching methods. Most parents in attendance were taught the "old" method in school. The Math Dept. expectations are to increase their success in teaching math to all students by offering alternative teaching methods. It is their hope that more children will be successful in learning math when experiencing these additional teaching methods.