January 2012 PTO Minutes:

January 5, 2012

Principal's Report:
School Culture y Mr. Lyons wished all attendees a Happy New Year and welcomed all to the first PTO meeting of 2012. y Mr. Lyons noted the two great holiday concert performances, under the direction of Mrs. Agati and Mrs. Rzasa, that took place prior to the holiday break. The dedication of the music teachers and the exposure students receive to both vocal and instrumental music was highlighted. y Mr. Lyons thanked Mrs. D Elia, Library Media Specialist, and all those who volunteered during the recent Pine Glen book fair. Curriculum y Kindergarten students, as well as Mr. Lyons, enjoyed Polar Express Day, which was held prior to holiday break. It was a special time, as students wore pajamas to school and drank hot chocolate stirred with candy canes. Thank you to the kindergarten teachers for organizing this event. y 5th graders started the Pine Glen annual ice skating program today. Thanks to the dedication of Miss Govoni, 5th grade students have the opportunity to learn to skate at the Burlington Ice Palace. This program is unique to Pine Glen and Memorial schools. Instruction/Assessment y New progress report cards went home with students in December. The new format and benchmarks are in line with the current curriculum standards. Feedback from parents and teachers has been positive thus far. y During classroom walk-throughs, Mr. Lyons continues to see outstanding instruction by teachers and continued progress by students. Parents encouraged to regularly check the Principal s Blog as pictures taken during these walk-throughs may be posted.

Courtney Fallon Art Teacher:

y Courtney Fallon, Art Teacher, thanked the PTO for their support of the Tide Pool area created in 2011. This area was dedicated to John Papadonis upon his retirement from the Burlington Science Center. Ms. Fallon gave attendees a tour of the Tide Pool area, highlighting the interactive mural, shell study area, and microscope. All work was completed by students with her guidance. This area will be of special interest to the first graders as they prepare for their annual tide pool field trip. Ms. Fallon submitted a proposal to the PTO to purchase stools for the art room to be painted by 5th grade students in the style of an artist studied in class. Ms. Fallon s proposal is attached. Total estimated budget is approximately $1,800.

Presidents Report:
y y Maria Woods and Carol McDonald-Macri welcomed everyone to the January 2012 PTO meeting. Maria thanked many members who have volunteered during recent PTO events namely the 50/50 raffle and Pizzeria Uno fundraiser. Without the support of members and chairpersons, PTO events would not be possible.

2011 Genevieve fundraiser brought in $4,162. Maria thanked parents for being patient with Coco Keys pass distribution, as it was related to a change in management at the resort. We would also like to thank the volunteers who helped Maria organize and
distribute the orders including: Ginna Churchill, Kim Daly, Tania Conlon, & Akiko Coram as well as Julie Gosselin who printed the Coco Key passes.

Recent 50/50 raffles held during the holiday concerts brought in $191 to the Pine Glen Family Fund. Congratulations to winners - Bodi and O Callaghan families. We would like to thank the members who helped run the 50/50 raffle during the holiday concerts including Raffle Chair Catherine Gillespie, Robin Hurley, and Marie Grinnell. Pizzeria Uno Nights held in December brought in approximately $100. A similar event may be held in the spring at Flatbread Pizza. Details to follow. Maria circulated thank you notes sent to the PTO for the support of various school events, in particular recent contributions to technology. Maria thanked Ms. Fallon for her presentation and dedication to the Art program at Pine Glen. An annual budget has been set aside for the Artist in Residence Program, which is to be used by the Art department. Ms. Fallons Take a Seat proposal can be funded by this budget. All those present were in support of Ms. Fallon s proposal and use of this budget line item. Deb Murphy, Pine Glen Carnival Committee Co-Chairperson, was present to kickoff planning for the 2012 carnival. This years carnival is scheduled for Saturday, March 31st from 9-2pm. Carol McDonald-Macri is working in hopes of having hot air balloon rides again this year. Maria Woods and Denise Desmond will be working on the raffle committee. Volunteers are needed to help in all areas of planning. A signup sheet was circulated. Volunteers will be contacted for an upcoming planning meeting. Additional volunteers will be needed the day of the carnival. Additional information will follow. Next PTO meeting to be held Thursday, March 1, 2012.

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Vice President s Report:

y Vice President, Catherine Gillespie, announced that PTO membership remained unchanged since last meeting, which was approximately 60% of families. Due to the increase in membership fee for the 2011-2012 school year, the amount of money brought in was about the same as previous years, despite decrease in number of Pine Glen families (i.e. redistricting). Catherine invited/proposed suggestions to increase membership. Ideas included sending home an additional flier with students (possibly with a progress report), posts on the blog, and membership incentives (in addition to the directory). Square One will be the vendor used for this years ArtWare Fundraiser to be held in the spring. Details will be provided as they are available.

Treasurer's Report:

Adrienne Mattson was unable to attend the meeting. Updated financial date will be available at the next meeting.

Teacher's Report:
y Ms. Fallon, Art Teacher, and Ms. Varrell, 2nd grade, represented the teachers. They thanked the PTO for their continued support. Ms. Fallon s presentation/proposal is noted above.

Member Time:
y Member John Shortell encouraged increase in Box Tops for Education participation. Suggestions made by John and others present included an incentive program by student and/or class, student council members advertise to students, blog posts, using materials for submitting labels provided by Box Tops for Education website, and promote awareness of products who participate in Box Tops program. Ideas are being considered and evaluated for labor intensity. Lillian Mahoney currently chairs the Box Tops program and redeems box tops twice a year. Next submission is scheduled for end of February- beginning of March. Allison Varrell inquired about the Scripts gift card purchase program, which is typically held in the fall. This program is being considered for the spring and/or next year.]

Attendance: John Lyons, Maria Woods, Carol McDonald-Marci, Catherine Gillespie, Monica Brown, Courtney McDonnell, Patti Heldenbergh, Ginelle Davidson, Lillian Mahoney, John Shortell, Sheila Estes, Deb Murphy, Alison Varrell, Courtney Fallon, Tania Conlon

Take A Seat: Proposal to Pine Glen P.T.O. Courtney Fallon, Art Teacher cfallon@bpsk12.org 781-505-1192

The studio space around artists must be functional, safe, and inspiring. An art classroom also informs students about their long artistic heritage. Our studio space is in need of better seating. Stools have been a tradition in studio spaces due to their ease of use and sturdiness. We can also take this opportunity to increase student learning. I would like to compile information on a variety of famous painters and artists. The collection of developmentally appropriate information will be presented to students in art class. Using this information, students will research the artist their biography, artistic works, and their impact on the art world. Students will work in groups of three to design a stool top in the style of the artists they researched. Each of the fifth grade classes will participate. Every class will complete six stools specifically designed to represent their researched artist. This project encourages collaboration, develops social skill, and provides students with a sense of lasting accomplishment. Their work will be used in the art room by Pine Glen students for years to come. Future students will take a seat amongst famous artists and learn about their own artistic heritage.