Walnut Square PTO

PTO Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 

• Mr. Marino introduced our new Principal Mrs. Beth Kitsos! She is also the Principal of John Greenleaf Whittier Middle School and will become our Principal on July 1st, as Mr. Marino is retiring.

• Mrs. Kitsos gave us some wonderful news she has had our Walnut Square website through the city updated! A link to this PTO website is also included now!!

• Second Grade field trip - June 5th to the Children's Museum. 

• Step Up Day for second graders - Tuesday, June 9th.

• Field day is scheduled for June 12th, rain date June 17th. If you have volunteered to help out you will be receiving information early next week as to your time slot.  Thanks to all who have volunteered to help make this day possible!

• The PTO will pay for an ice cream truck to come to the school again this year, date to be announced.

• The second grade will be having a mini graduation on June 19th with pizza and ice cream.

• The fall book fair which usually runs in November may be moved up to October.

• The PTO Board for 2009-2010 was appointed:

President - Suzette DiTonno

Vice President - Cherie Rousseau

Treasurer - Gwen Miner & Jenn McGonagle

Secretary - Judy Manzi

 

Have a Great Summer!

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009 

• The yard sale made $728.  Kohl's will be sending a check for $500 also.

• The profit from the Silver Graphics art was $1,554.  Some of that money will be given to Miss Jamieson (the art teacher) so she can purchase more art supplies.

• The butterfly field trips are coming up. First Grade on May 14th, Second Grade on the 15th and Kindergarten on the 18th. 

• Second Grade field trip is June 5th to the Children's Museum. 

• Field day is scheduled for June 12th, rain date June 17th.

• Nominations for next year's PTO board will go out shortly.  Election is at the next meeting which is June 3rd.

• Summer Reading Program run by the library will occur again this year.

• The design for the blue t-shirts has been picked.  So the order form for that will go out soon.

• Mr. Marino spoke about the budget and stimulus money. 

• Next PTO Meeting scheduled for Wednesday June 3rd at 3:30pm.

 

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 Wednesday, March 4, 2009

• The budget of the school system was discussed.  Right now there is no discussion of closing Walnut Square.  If anything changes we will be notified.  In the meantime, parents are still encouraged to contact the school committee and Mayor and urge them to keep Walnut Square open since the savings from closing it will be minimal. 
  
• The PTO agreed to donate money to pay for a potential field trip in April to see the movie Earth.
• The Pennies for Patients Drive began yesterday and will run until  March 20th to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
• The Spring Scholastic Book Fair will be coming up in May.        Volunteers will be needed to help run the fair.  
• Our annual Calendar raffle will run in April.  Donations of gift certificates to local business as well as gift baskets are needed.  If you can donate something please contact us.       All donations are needed no later than March 18th. Calendars and Raffle Tickets will be sent home the week of March 23rd.
• A yard sale to raise money for Field Day will be held on Saturday,    May 2nd, rain date May 9th.  Please start putting aside any items you'd like to sell.  Tables will be available to rent.
• The PTO voted to discontinue our enrollment in the Shaws Receipt Rewards Program, since the rules have been changed significantly, making it very difficult for us to earn money.  If you have any receipts that have not been submitted please do so this week, so we can mail in our final batch.
  
• Next meeting set for Wednesday, April 1st at 3:30pm.

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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

• A discussion was held concerning the possibility of Walnut Square closing in light of the tough economic times.  Parents are encouraged to contact the Mayor and School Committee Members to urge them to keep Walnut open and explore other places to save money.  The savings from closing the school is not enough to justify the disruption of so many children.

• Our nurse will be leaving on Friday, February 13th for a new position in the private sector.  It is unclear when we will have a replacement. 
  

• The PTO agreed to donate money to pay for snacks for the gym teachers program in March.

• Approval was given to purchase a new small fridge/freezer to keep in the main hall for ice packs.  

• Approval was given to purchase some breakfast foods to keep at the front desk.

• The Pennies for Patients Drive will run the first 3 weeks in March to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

• The Spring Scholastic Book Fair will be coming up in April.

• Volunteers were requested to work on our annual Calendar raffle which will run in April.

• A yard sale to raise money for Field Day will be held on Saturday, May 2nd.

• Parents were reminded to keep sending in Shaws receipts, Box Tops and Campbells labels.
  

• Next meeting set for Wednesday, March 4th at 3:30pm.
  

 

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January Meeting canceled due to snow.

 

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December 3, 2008

•  The Book Fair was a big success, it earned the library over $1000 worth of new books.

• The Teachers Holiday Luncheon planned for Monday December 8th is ready to go.  We do need volunteers to help set up and clean up after the event.  If you can help please send us an email!

• The Little Elves Shop scheduled for December 17th and 18th is coming up fast.  Volunteers are needed to help the children make selections and then check out.  If you can help please send us an email and let us know your availability (mornings or afternoons).

• NOTE: All volunteers must have a CORI on file!!

• Almost $400 in Shaws receipts has already been turned in.  We need to reach $5000 to recieve our 1% cash back so send in those receipts!

• Approval was given to pay for buses to shuttle kids to the Holiday concert .

• Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday  January 7, 2009 at 4pm.

 

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November 5, 2008

 

• Troop Drive was a big success. PTO will cover cost of shipping 2 boxes, donations from students will cover cost of 1 box.

• Book Fair begins next week.  Schedule of volunteers is almost complete.

• Hat and Mitten Drive to benefit local children will begin in December. 

• The nurse needs donations of new underwear to keep on hand for children who have accidents during the day.  Right now she is mostly in need of boys underwear.

• Teachers Holiday Luncheon is in the planning stages.  Matt Noury will be cooking the main meal.  Volunteers will be needed to set up the meal and clean up after.  Paper Products and desserts will be needed.  If you' d like to volunteer or donate, email us.

• Little Elves workshop - Jenn McGonagle, Larry Trevette, Dena Noury and Suzette DiTonno volunteered to purchase items.

• Teachers lunch on the first Friday of each month allotment changed to $100.00 to include the entire staff.

• Approval was given to purchase an electric stapler.

• Spring Festival/Yard Sale agreed upon, date is yet to be determined. 

• Next PTO Meeting scheduled for Wednesday December 3rd at 3:30pm.

 

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October 1, 2008

• Yankee Candle Fundraiser raised roughly $3600 this year down about $1400 from last year.
•  Troop Drive will begin the week of the 6th and run for 3 weeks.  Letters will go out next week with more information. 
• Parent Academy Workshop run by the District Parent Council will be held on Wednesday, October 29th at 5:45pm Consentino Middle School.  (A flier will be going home in a couple of weeks with more information.)
• Scholastic Book Drive will begin the week of November 14th.
• Teachers Holiday Luncheon will be held the week of December 8th, a parent has volunteered to cook the meal.  Volunteers will be needed to make desserts and a side dish or two, plus assist with setting up and cleaning up. 
• Little Elves Shopping will be the week of December 15th - 19th.
• Approval was given to purchase check out cards for the library, and renew the Zoobooks subscription.
• Approval was given to pay for 2 buses for the second grades annual field trip to Strawberry Banke in the spring.
• Approval was given to contribute $50 a month towards a teachers lunch, to thank them for all their hard work this year.
  

 

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   September 8, 2008

• Possibility of a Fall Festival were discussed.  A list of those interested in volunteering was compiled.

• Yankee Candle Fundraiser - candles should be in mid to late November.

• Book Fair will be held in November at the school.

• Adding art work to the hot top was discussed.
• Troop Drive to benefit local soldiers will be held in November.

• Mitten and Hat Drive to benefit local children will be held in December.

• Class sizes were discussed.

• Next PTO Meeting scheduled for October 1st at 4pm.