December 6, 22016 in the school library at 6:35p
Come to two consecutive meetings at PTO and you are a voting member!
Presidents: Cedrine Bell
Treasury: Stephanie Hodge
Recording Secretary: Sarah Evans
Communications: volunteer!!
Meeting called to order by President Cedrine Bell at 6:35p
Attendance: There were 14 number of members in attendance; a quorum was reached.
No guests in attendance.
REPORTS
Principal Report: 6:36p
KD: I want to mention that I haven’t met with school council. All parents but one had terms up.
So I need three parents who are willing to serve on Council.
I didn’t start asking at beginning of year because I found out we only have to meet 4-5 times versus every month. In January or February will start up. This year, concentrating on writing and classroom websites. I used to have the meeting before PTO but too long a day for everyone. Flexible now about the time.
Enrollment: Talking with Superintendent and architect who does the space studies. She has been here before – Lorri. Two options still the same: For a couple of bubble years? Modular. Consistent rise in numbers? Then permanent build.
Right now, the permanent build is probably the course of action since Mugar residential development is most likely a go. Right now, we are at 451. Even with 78 kids leaving, we assume four new K ones which would be 80. But this most current kindergarten is 97 kids.
Most likely expansion would be from fifth grade exit door that empties to playground – that corner would be bumped out for four classes with option of two more on 3rd floor.
Under capital planning strategy is a playground in front yard, too.
Timing. Technically, with music displaced for a year, we can keep all same 2017-18. If this means we can wait one year for permanent construction. Then the summer of 2018, construction would start and playground would start being built in front yard because the back playground would be closed.
Gym for expansion area doesn’t work because you’d need a tunnel to get there to avoid gym so kids could get to class. Also that location would jet out making it difficult to get around it.
2017-18. Music would share with after school space. And music room would be classroom. But that would be with a solid plan for breaking ground. We don’t want to have this temporary class switch for more than one year.
Note: the space person tells district what is needed vs what is wanted.
The Smiles Program. Lots of kids participate. They fill cavities, take xrays. Another company 2020 is a vision program like it – a mobile van. They are already in the Boston district. They aren’t seeing kids under 12 right now. She is working with them to see if we can drive up for staff, parents and then they will want to change their policy. They take insurance. They have glasses, contacts – one stop shopping. Parents could gauge if they like it. No risk to us. They don’t charge a site fee to come. For X number of kids with insurance, they give X number of pro-bono work for kids without insurance.
Conferences are up and running. Second year we’ve done conferences this year. Teachers use the Doddle and Signup Genius options. Most parents like signup better because easier to go back and see appointment times.
Drop off. A few parents have a tough time getting around to playground area before older kids are brought to front.
For 1,2,3 graders with K siblings – the teacher will wait a bit longer for K parent to run around building from the front. May let older kids go to K and then release at same time.
Post Trump. The after election mood. No uptick in bullying or language. Allison Cox the social worker has been around. The one thing that came up - students are saying “I’m worried about…” a friend who wasn’t born here, LGBT friends, families or parents…etc.
The teacher says “we are lucky in the community. So far not the prejudice from families.”
Treasurer Report at 6:55
Last month, 28K and now 32,400.
This month three components. Book Fair profit 2,352.06. 400 dollars of books for librarian, too (40% off! Which is over 600! worth of books).
Helena Shopping earned $450
Annual Appeal another $2500 in last 30 days. Last 60 days was $13000. We are up from last July’s numbers.
Teacher supplement funding. With excess money- listening to what teachers want and how to distribute. Mr. Hamm helped create a grant program. He has 10 drums and bells thanks to the grant. Library Muirhead asked for a series of books so she is starting to make a grant.
Things answered in the grant - What is it? How many students? Curriculum, technology or community related? In classroom?
Kindergarten is doing the same with the sand tables.
30 teachers did $250 spending.
Taxes submitted – we have a tax exempt certificate. She is working with accountant to work on maintaining tax exempt. So that would cost $600 but save about $1200.
Enrichment. Indian Dancing! By a Hardy mom! Next possibilities: Drummer, jump roper, anti-bullying.
The Directory. Bit pricey. Trying to keep it to $550-600. Though now about $650. So looking at other places. Swifty did it last year. Zamberdino? Maybe ask Patty about printing?
Event/Committee reports
Thank yous from Cedrine.
Food Drive: $4500 in gift cards total (last year was $6000). The Prius was full to the windows!
Helenas: Thanks to Patsy.
Holiday Drive: Nearly all taken!! And looking to make sure we get it all delivered.
----
MORE FROM KD: The principals are asking for assistant principals in Arlington. The instructional leadership part is being overtaken by things like picking paint colors. We do well because of all the good systems in place. But we are all asking for assistants.
Other thing we are asking for in an increase in specialist teachers. We won’t get a dedicated art and music in each building but we are hoping to increase the hours. So the schedule matches better with our schedules.
Asking for more board certificate behavior analysts. We only have three for 7 elementary, middle and high school.
Responsive Classroom. Power of words, coach through social emotional and training. All expensive. Most – 95% - of Hardy staff are trained. But as we grow and extraneous staff needs training. So Stratton is pushing, Dallin and Thompson and a couple at Pierce. So now a wide-spread need. Asking for funding. The Success grant we used to train is over.
---
Movie Night. January 20. (27 is rain date)
Talent Show. Moya. Feb 10 at Town Hall. Three minutes. Two sign ups to say we want to perform and backstage work. Waiting kids will be in front. Then go to other side to sit. Need parents help traffic. K first than through 5th. We’ll have 2-3 rehearsals. Maybe use Sliney room. Music room might be open at 4p. Will have 1-2 after 6p.
Patsy for Silent Auction – March 4. Charge for tickets. Using sons of Italy. Jaime S has been organizing the auction stuff. Principal for a Day. Walk to Book Rack with teacher. Lunch in a teacher room. In charge of announcements for a week. Need donations from parents. Summer camp week! Vendors in East Arlington are helping out. Ask parents for more donations.
Basketball pole covers. Duck tape it!
OTHER BIZ
Next meeting is on January 10 SECOND TUESDAY OF MONTH
Meeting adjourned at: 7:56
Come to two consecutive meetings at PTO and you are a voting member!
Presidents: Cedrine Bell
Treasury: Stephanie Hodge
Recording Secretary: Sarah Evans
Communications: volunteer!!
Meeting called to order by President Cedrine Bell at 6:35p
Attendance: There were 14 number of members in attendance; a quorum was reached.
No guests in attendance.
REPORTS
Principal Report: 6:36p
KD: I want to mention that I haven’t met with school council. All parents but one had terms up.
So I need three parents who are willing to serve on Council.
I didn’t start asking at beginning of year because I found out we only have to meet 4-5 times versus every month. In January or February will start up. This year, concentrating on writing and classroom websites. I used to have the meeting before PTO but too long a day for everyone. Flexible now about the time.
Enrollment: Talking with Superintendent and architect who does the space studies. She has been here before – Lorri. Two options still the same: For a couple of bubble years? Modular. Consistent rise in numbers? Then permanent build.
Right now, the permanent build is probably the course of action since Mugar residential development is most likely a go. Right now, we are at 451. Even with 78 kids leaving, we assume four new K ones which would be 80. But this most current kindergarten is 97 kids.
Most likely expansion would be from fifth grade exit door that empties to playground – that corner would be bumped out for four classes with option of two more on 3rd floor.
Under capital planning strategy is a playground in front yard, too.
Timing. Technically, with music displaced for a year, we can keep all same 2017-18. If this means we can wait one year for permanent construction. Then the summer of 2018, construction would start and playground would start being built in front yard because the back playground would be closed.
Gym for expansion area doesn’t work because you’d need a tunnel to get there to avoid gym so kids could get to class. Also that location would jet out making it difficult to get around it.
2017-18. Music would share with after school space. And music room would be classroom. But that would be with a solid plan for breaking ground. We don’t want to have this temporary class switch for more than one year.
Note: the space person tells district what is needed vs what is wanted.
The Smiles Program. Lots of kids participate. They fill cavities, take xrays. Another company 2020 is a vision program like it – a mobile van. They are already in the Boston district. They aren’t seeing kids under 12 right now. She is working with them to see if we can drive up for staff, parents and then they will want to change their policy. They take insurance. They have glasses, contacts – one stop shopping. Parents could gauge if they like it. No risk to us. They don’t charge a site fee to come. For X number of kids with insurance, they give X number of pro-bono work for kids without insurance.
Conferences are up and running. Second year we’ve done conferences this year. Teachers use the Doddle and Signup Genius options. Most parents like signup better because easier to go back and see appointment times.
Drop off. A few parents have a tough time getting around to playground area before older kids are brought to front.
For 1,2,3 graders with K siblings – the teacher will wait a bit longer for K parent to run around building from the front. May let older kids go to K and then release at same time.
Post Trump. The after election mood. No uptick in bullying or language. Allison Cox the social worker has been around. The one thing that came up - students are saying “I’m worried about…” a friend who wasn’t born here, LGBT friends, families or parents…etc.
The teacher says “we are lucky in the community. So far not the prejudice from families.”
Treasurer Report at 6:55
Last month, 28K and now 32,400.
This month three components. Book Fair profit 2,352.06. 400 dollars of books for librarian, too (40% off! Which is over 600! worth of books).
Helena Shopping earned $450
Annual Appeal another $2500 in last 30 days. Last 60 days was $13000. We are up from last July’s numbers.
Teacher supplement funding. With excess money- listening to what teachers want and how to distribute. Mr. Hamm helped create a grant program. He has 10 drums and bells thanks to the grant. Library Muirhead asked for a series of books so she is starting to make a grant.
Things answered in the grant - What is it? How many students? Curriculum, technology or community related? In classroom?
Kindergarten is doing the same with the sand tables.
30 teachers did $250 spending.
Taxes submitted – we have a tax exempt certificate. She is working with accountant to work on maintaining tax exempt. So that would cost $600 but save about $1200.
Enrichment. Indian Dancing! By a Hardy mom! Next possibilities: Drummer, jump roper, anti-bullying.
The Directory. Bit pricey. Trying to keep it to $550-600. Though now about $650. So looking at other places. Swifty did it last year. Zamberdino? Maybe ask Patty about printing?
Event/Committee reports
Thank yous from Cedrine.
Food Drive: $4500 in gift cards total (last year was $6000). The Prius was full to the windows!
Helenas: Thanks to Patsy.
Holiday Drive: Nearly all taken!! And looking to make sure we get it all delivered.
----
MORE FROM KD: The principals are asking for assistant principals in Arlington. The instructional leadership part is being overtaken by things like picking paint colors. We do well because of all the good systems in place. But we are all asking for assistants.
Other thing we are asking for in an increase in specialist teachers. We won’t get a dedicated art and music in each building but we are hoping to increase the hours. So the schedule matches better with our schedules.
Asking for more board certificate behavior analysts. We only have three for 7 elementary, middle and high school.
Responsive Classroom. Power of words, coach through social emotional and training. All expensive. Most – 95% - of Hardy staff are trained. But as we grow and extraneous staff needs training. So Stratton is pushing, Dallin and Thompson and a couple at Pierce. So now a wide-spread need. Asking for funding. The Success grant we used to train is over.
---
Movie Night. January 20. (27 is rain date)
Talent Show. Moya. Feb 10 at Town Hall. Three minutes. Two sign ups to say we want to perform and backstage work. Waiting kids will be in front. Then go to other side to sit. Need parents help traffic. K first than through 5th. We’ll have 2-3 rehearsals. Maybe use Sliney room. Music room might be open at 4p. Will have 1-2 after 6p.
Patsy for Silent Auction – March 4. Charge for tickets. Using sons of Italy. Jaime S has been organizing the auction stuff. Principal for a Day. Walk to Book Rack with teacher. Lunch in a teacher room. In charge of announcements for a week. Need donations from parents. Summer camp week! Vendors in East Arlington are helping out. Ask parents for more donations.
Basketball pole covers. Duck tape it!
OTHER BIZ
Next meeting is on January 10 SECOND TUESDAY OF MONTH
Meeting adjourned at: 7:56
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