Proposed LMS PTO meeting minutes

Londonderry Middle School PTO held its October meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 4PM. These are the proposed meeting minutes. They will be voted on in November.

Meeting called to order at 4:03PM by Mary Wing Soares

Thank you messages – Mary read messages from Sue Buckman thanking the PTO for their help with the More than Words brochures and from the Wellness committee thanking the PTO for their previous donation to the Wellness auction.

Secretary’s Report – The minutes were read by the members present. Annie Collacchi made the motion to accept the minutes. Doreen Stubbs seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report – Deb Conti went through the treasurer’s report. Questions were answered about the merchandise totals. Only the student purchases have been tabulated. Staff purchases will be compiled and completed by October 30th. Mr. Corey made the motion to accept the treasures report. Su Joncas seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Principal’s Report – Andy Corey – Mr. Corey thanked Mrs. Collacchi for taking over last meeting. NECAP testing is complete; tests are being boxed up and sent back. Students and staff did a terrific job and like the new format of having three consecutive Thursdays. Mr. Corey interviewed the students and they expressed their frustration about the amount of time they have to wait once they have finished the tests. Tests typically take about 45 minutes to finish but students are given up to 90 minutes. Parent conferences are coming up. Parents sign up on line.
More than Words is coming up in early November. Topics that are difficult to discuss are part of the program. There will be a school wide component so that every student will have at least one section of the program even if they do not come in the afternoon/evening. Report cards are November 10th. It is also mix it up day, a day when students are requested through a color coding system to sit with new students. No school on the 11th. LMS loves to read is November 13th. Everyone must read. PTO meeting is November 18th at 7PM. Parent conferences are the 19th and 20th.
Students are doing a wonderful job with their behavior. We are working on a “stay to the right” program, trying to get students to move from place to place on the right side of the hallway.
Busses can also be a point of problem. Mr. Corey asked that if parents hear of any problems they should bring it to the attention of the administration.

Win-Win Grants – Mary Wing Soares – The grant forms will be sent out this week. The PTO will require that all applicants be a member. The grant form and the PTO membership form will be sent out at the same time.

Wellness Auction Basket – does the PTO have anything to donate this year?
Su Joncas said she would put together a bag as a donation

Sportswear sales update – Sue Joncas said the staff orders are down, staff still have another week to put their orders in and there could be another sale later in the year.

Membership report – Kim Winn and Lisa Muse – Staff: $345.00
Individual/Family: $2228.00
Total: $2573.00


New Business: 6th grade Social – November, 2009
It was decided that the PTO would continue to hold the social in November. The ideas Mrs. Stepanik sent to Mrs. Soares were read into the record. The PTO members believe the ideas have merit but would be better received by students at a different venue, for example during ‘Resiliency for Life’ activities. The social will include game time in the cafeteria, ice cream sundaes that will be included in the price of the ticket for the social. There will be volleyball in the multipurpose room and four square, jump rope and other activities in the gymnasium. Students may move from area to area. The time will be from 2:45 to 4:30. Last year the event went until 5pm but it seemed just a bit too long for the students.

Vendor’s night: Mrs. Soares received an e-mail from a teacher which outlined a fundraising idea for the Artist in Residence program. She had been approached by a Lia Sophia representative who is willing to donate a portion of the profits from a party to the program should a party be held at school. The idea snowballed into sponsoring a vendor’s afternoon and evening on November 18th at the next PTO meeting. Mrs. Soares sent an e-mail to all the teachers in the school outlining the opportunity. Anyone who is interested in participating must donate an item for a raffle, a portion of their profits to the Artist in Residence program and something to the Wellness Auction that can be auctioned or raffled off. Other possible vendors are: Tastefully simple, Pampered chef, Longaberger, Lia Sofia, Arbonne, etc.
Also bring punch and food items. People interested in participating should send their information to Mary W. Soares at mjws2000@comcast.net.

NH Middle School of the Year - Susan Guiltier is looking for parent volunteers to be involved in Edies process. LMS is being considered as the NH middle school of the year. If the middle school passes the first round (application) parents would need to be available for when the committee comes to visit the school to express their experiences.

Annie Collacchi made the motion to adjourn, Su Joncas seconded the motion. Motioned passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 5:15PM