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To enhance the educational experience of students at MVRCS by subsidizing instructive enrichment programs conducted in cooperation with teaching staff.
Our Fundraising helps our Students outside the classroom with Ribbons & Prizes for Science Fair. Our annual Pasta Dinner provides funds for new or replaced books in our School Libraries, T-Shirts for 8th Grade, Stepping-Up Day and Two High School Scholarships.
Our Fundraising helps provides Teachers & Staff with Breakfast refreshments for monthly meetings, Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheon and Special recognition throughout the year.
Everyone gets into the spirit by participating in a variety of fund raising efforts and it is important for you to remember that every donation makes a difference – no matter the amount.
MYSTIC VALLEY REGIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL
PTO GENERAL BODY MEETING
MINUTES OF MEETING NOTES -Approved
November 16, 2010
PTO Leadership Team Members present:
Minola Casullo – Co-President Stacia Miele – Medford Rep
Doreen Bibilos – Co-President Andrew Schaad – Melrose Rep
Ami Wood – Treasurer Ashley Lynch – LS Teacher Rep
Carol Naczas – Secretary Traci McWilliams – LS Teacher Rep
Maryann Campana – Everett Rep
MEETING LOCATION: Multi Purpose Room, Annex Building
OPENING: 7:15 p.m. Number of attendees: 14 including Leadership Team
Minola Casullo – Co-President: Opened the meeting by welcoming all attendees. A written agenda for the meeting was prepared in advance and presented at the General Body Meeting.
Minutes from the September 21, 2010 meeting were reviewed by the general body members present. Whereas a quorum was present, a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes for September. The motion passed.
Ami Wood, treasurer, prepared a balance sheet and profit/loss statement as of November 16, 2010 and went over the numbers with the General Body. There is approximately $2,500 in checking, $250 in Petty Cash, and another $15,000 in savings, in addition to $18,000 in 3 CDs for the Scholarship and Library Funds for the next two years. The combined total of accounts is $35,675.30.
Committee Reports and Events
Pasta Night: was October 8, 2010 in the church basement. Minola reported there was an excellent turnout. There were about 100 more people attended than the planned 300. The raffle was also very successful. Thank you to organizers Maia Moran and Jacqui Walsh-Cram. The kids had a great time.
Bingo Night: was held November 5, 2010 at the Lower School MPR. Minola reported that there was such a large turnout we ran out of Bingo Cards. There are plans to have another one at the beginning of 2011. Thanks to Linda Forte for organizing and collecting the donations for the “Helping Our Troups” group of veterans out of Stoneham.
Box Top Challenge: Ms. Lynch and Ms. McWilliams reported on the first Box Top Challenge held in the K–3 homerooms. The kids enjoyed collecting and keeping track of the totals. There was 1 winner per grade level celebrated with a cookie party. It was very successful — over 5,000 box tops were collected equaling $500! It was decided to offer the challenge again in December to be conducted in the same manner.
Unfinished Business
Scholarship Committee: Maia Moran reported the committee is off and running and had just held the first meeting prior to the PTO meeting. There are two $2,500 scholarships to be awarded. Judging will be in the spring. As of January 3, 2011, students can obtain the Scholarship profile and application online at the school’s website (under Notices & Forms).
Auction/Dinner Dance: Ami reported on the progress of the Spring Auction/Dinner Dance.
PTO emails: There was a brief discussion on how the teachers get information about PTO events. Ms. Lynch and Ms. McWilliams reported the teachers receive email blasts from Mr. Finn at the Lower School but they do not get the same emails that go to the parents. It was suggested that the PTO also send flyers to the teachers’ mailboxes to remind their students of upcoming events.
Holiday treats for Teachers and Staff: Minola asked for ideas for a treat that is easy to create and can be delivered to all teachers’ and staff mailboxes—approximately 160 people. A suggestion of including a Holiday-themed scratch ticket was enthusiastically received by all. A motion was made and seconded to provide $160 to purchase $1 lottery scratch tickets for the teachers and staff. The motion passed.
Bakeless Bake Sale: At September’s meeting there was a discussion on the Bakeless Bake Sale as a fundraiser. Minola expressed that she would like to donate the proceeds to the Senior Class to help with funding for the Prom. Discussion to continue at next meeting.
New Business
Friday Night Flicks: December 3, 2010 in the Lower School MPR. The proposed movie is Toy Story III pending approval by Mr. Finn. Students from the High School will be helping that night. Popcorn and snacks will be provided for minimal fees to help defray costs. The will also be a collection of non-perishable food items to be donated to the Bread of Life food pantry.
A brief discussion followed on the best method of providing notice for this (and other) events. It was decided that Flyers would go out 1–2 weeks prior an event followed by the blast email reminder just before the event.
Rollerworld: Scheduled for the Early Release day, January 11,2011 (Tuesday). Rollerworld will be open for MVRCS students for the two-hour period. Minola asked for volunteer/chaperones as 2 people are needed to staff admission. PTO covers some of the cost to offer a reduced admission of $3 per skater.
Open Forum
Andrew started a discussion on how to disperse the money to the Library from the Bake Sale held during Pizza Night. As a rule, the Library sends the PTO their invoices and the PTO pays them with a guarantee of $1,000 a year but the amount does not rollover to the next year if the Library does not use it. There is concern that the PTO has not seen an invoice from the Library for over a year. The money is intended to help out with Library online subscriptions such as Lexis/Nexis News Service, repairing/replacing books, and to help cover other needs. Minola offered to speak with Mr. Veilleux as to the status of dispersement.
Announcements:
PAC Meeting: The next PAC Meeting will be Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Lower School MPR. Dr. Suzanne Shaw, Special Education Consultant, will be conducting the "Parents, Students and Schools as Partners: Rights and Responsibilities in Special Education" workshop.
Teachers’ Lounges: Mr. Finn has asked the PAC parents to spruce up the Teachers’ lounges on a regular basis. It has been decided to spend one day during December break for this. Ann Carroll from PAC is asking for any interested volunteers from the PTO to please get in touch with her for further details and exact date/time.
Retail Rewards programs: Minola reported that Coca-Cola now offers donations to schools in the form of rewards similar to the Box-Tops for Education program. Minola has registered the school and will add the information to our other rewards programs. Additionally, The PTO would like to increase the school’s participation in the other rewards programs and encouraged all attendees to make sure they are registered for the programs. Minola reported that the PTO had just received $82.06 from Sparks which donates 3% of their MVRCS receipts.
Next Meeting: The Next PTO Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 7:00 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
