PTO MeetingMinutes

January 11, 2006

Approved

Upcoming Events

MONTH /

EVENT

/

FUNDRAISER

FEBRUARY / 2/3
2/6
2/8 / Sock Hop
BEAP Begins
PTO Meeting / 2/10 / BIT Valentine’s Dinner Dance
MARCH / 3/8 / PTO Meeting / 3/4 / Burrell Fun Day
APRIL / 4/12 / PTO Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Laura Canfield at 6:37 p.m. with approximately 29people in attendance.

Guest Speakers – Guest Speakers Mrs. Kathy Butts and Melissa Zechello (Burrell School Reading Specialists) gave a wonderful presentation on “How Your Child Learns to Write.” This presentation gave a breakdown on the learning process of writing based on grade level Kindergarten through Grade 4. Examples of student writings from each grade were also shown.

  • Approval of Minutes

A motion was made to accept the minutes of the December 14th meeting as written. Motion seconded. Vote taken. Motion passed.

  • President’s Statement
    Laura informed the PTO that she has been working in conjunction with the PTO Presidents from the Igo and TaylorSchools. She also reported that Evie Malm from the Foxboro Reporter will be writing a monthly column on the PTO happenings from all the schools.

In addition, the BigY Education Express Program has been extended until June.

  • Treasurer’s Report
    Laura reported for Nancy Martin that our budget thus far is in great shape. We have currently raised as much funds as we had projected for the year! A copy of our updated budget is attached.

  • Principal’s Report

Principal Michele McCarthy informed everyone thatlast month children in grades 1, 2 and 3 brought home packets of information about a study that researchers from BrownUniversity have been conducting over the past several years in Foxboro. The study is designed to explore how children think about learning and their experiences at school. The researchers are currently looking for new families interested in participating in this research effort. Mrs. McCarthy encouraged parents to consider joining in this project, as programs such as this are invaluable in supporting our continued efforts to improve teaching and learning. If you have any questions or would like to participate, please contact Principal McCarthy.

A question was raised about a more in-depth explanation of the Terra-Nova exam scores that were sent home to Grade 2 - 4 parents. Principal McCarthy stated that she would contact Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jan Norton about this issue.

School Council

Principal McCarthy reported for Joanne Bilotta that the review of the Welcome Packets is almost complete. Currently, the Council is working on teacher feedback on the software and hardware needs of the school. Gini Baumiller reported for Joanne Bilotta that the school council web site has been updated to add the school improvement plan and meeting agenda.

Strategic Planning

Gini and Janet Fisher reported that the Strategic Planning Committee is currently working on the Mission Statement survey. This survey was sent home via the backpacks and is also available online. The next step in the process will be to use the Core Values and Mission Statement to produce a Vision Statement for the district.

Janet informed the PTO that the response from the Core Value survey was low; therefore, they are also looking for feedback on why parents are choosing not to participate in these surveys.

  • Committee Reports

BIT Valentine Dance

Lisa Zanecchia statedthat the BIT Valentine Dance is scheduled for Friday, February 10th at Lakeview Pavilion. This is a wonderful evening for parents to social with friends from all three elementary schools. The cost is $37.50 per person, $75.00 per couple which includes dinner, dancing, and yes, a chocolate fountain! The notice for ticket sales should be going home shortly.

BEAP

BEAP registrations are due on Thursday January 12th.

Burrell Fun Day

Cathy reported for Traci Lorenz that Burrell Fun Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 4th. Traci is looking for volunteers to help with the various activities of the day.

Cookie Dough

The Cookie Dough Fundraiser will start the week of January 16th and end the beginning of February. Volunteers are needed to help with Cookie Dough pick-up on February 16th.

SchoolPop

Gini Baumiller reported for Joanne Bilotta that SchoolPop has outstanding funds for the last quarter of 2005 which it is processing and will forward us a check. Gini also requested approval for Joanne to add Burrell’s outstanding amounts due from SchoolPop prior to the last quarter to a class-action lawsuit in order to seek reimbursement for two old uncashed checks. Approval was given to add our name.

Sock Hop

Kristen Todd reported that the Sock Hop will be on Friday, February 3rd. A notice will be sent home for advance ticket sales -- $4.00 per person. This is an event for the whole family with dance contests, games, line dances, etc. The DJ will be playing a mix of music styles from the 50’s to current songs. Volunteers are needed to help with ticket sales at the door.

Yankee Candle

Please contact Nancy Brady (508 543- 3690) if you are still missing Yankee Candle orders. Due to the buyout of the marketing company selling this fundraising, there have been some delays with orders.

  • Unfinished Business

PTO By-Laws

Rae Nicholson reported that a quorum number had been added to the proposed PTO By-Laws for votes concerning changes to PTO policy or approving funds over $200.00. This quorum would be 10% of the Burrell families; thus, the current quorum would be 27 PTO members.

A concern was raised that the proposed amended By-Laws were only sent home via the backpacks, not posted online, and that part of the review time for the general PTO population occurred during the Holiday Break; and therefore, since no comments from the general PTO population were received that the vote to accept the amended By-Laws should be tabled until next month.

A motion was made to table the vote until the February meeting with the understanding that the By-Laws would be posted on-line for everyone’s review. Motion Seconded. Vote Taken. Motion passed.

PTO Insurance

Cathy Rongione gave an overview of the PTO insurance issue. Please see her attached handout. After some discussion on the merits of this insurance, a motion was made to allow the Board to purchase PTO insurance up to a premium cost of $450.00. Motion seconded. Vote taken. Motion passed.

  • New Business

PTO Weekly Newsletter
Due to time constraints this matter was postponed until the February meeting.

  • Adjournment
    The meeting was adjourned at8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Karen Connolly