The first Franklin PTO meeting of the year took place in the cafetorium on Thursday, October 7, 2010 and began at 7:30pm. Approximately 60 people were in attendance.
The meeting began with a rousing game of BINGO. Participants roamed the room getting to know each other and discovering deep secrets about our Franklin family, such as who can sing along to Taylor Swift, who has done Zumba, and who is at a PTO meeting for the first time.
The new board introduced themselves including Marysol Masse-Makimura, Liz Marshall, Sue Develin Membrino, Meiera Stern, and Julia Wolfe. Amika Brewster and Susan Boyer were sworn in.
Becka Smillie told us about the school council and its work. The school council meets 5 times a year to work on the school improvement plan, review the budget, and help build community. The Mass. Department of Education mandates that every public school have its own school council consisting of 4 parents. Parents serve for two years, so every year two new members are elected to the council. The main goals of the council include:
Academic excellence that keeps all students engaged
A strong community of learners who show respect to each other and learn good social skills
Amy Kelly asked that any parent who is interested in joining the school council send her a short statement of interest by October 15 that describes what they would bring the council and why they want to participate. If there are more than two applicants, then the statements of interest will be disseminated to parents for a vote.
Various announcements were then made including: Julie Youdovin from the Social Action Committee who announced an upcoming coat drive. Megan McAnulty announced school appreciation day (Saturday, October 16). Eileen Sandburg spoke about inclusive schools week (December 6-10). Marysol Makimura told us that we still need someone to chair the spring auction committee and the 3rd grade understanding our differences program. Carol Hutter told us about the upcoming Halloween Bash (Saturday, October 30) and asked for volunteers.
Deb Rooney then went over this year’s proposed budget and the budget passed unanimously. Anyone wishing to review this information can find it on the PTO website: franklinpto.org.
An important change in the PTO’s fundraising strategy this year is to focus on collecting contributions up front from each family in the school rather than holding many small, work intensive fundraisers. The recommended contribution is $50 per family. A $35 contribution will get you a free Franklin Family Directory. Dues can be paid online at franklinpto.org or by sending in a check to the PTO. This year, we decided to require a contribution to the PTO in exchange for a directory to offset printing costs and because this is the policy at most other Newton schools. Free copies of the directory will be available for any family with financial need.
Steve Mucci spoke on behalf of the teacher PTO representatives—Steve Mucci, Angie Galbraith, and Geri Russillo—thanking parents for their involvement in the school and saying how much the teachers appreciated activities like school appreciation day.
During the Principal Q & A forum, we learned that the school lunch contract is still up for grabs, but will hopefully be resolved soon.
Finally, two door prizes were given away to attendees and the meeting was adjourned at 8:45, which may well be a recent record, and for which we should all thank Liz Marshall.
After and during the meeting people helped themselves to fruit, pastries and coffee. And various committees met to recruit new members etc.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16 at 7:30pm.
