LENOX MEMORIAL
MIDDLE SCHOOL PTO
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 12, 2006
SECRETARY’S REPORT
N.S. highlighted minutes from the previous meeting on September 13th which were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
U.D. reported on income/expenses since the previous meeting. A total of $1,005.76 was paid out for insurance coverage, summer reading, 7th/8th grade organizers and welcome back mugs. A deposit of $10 was recorded from the sale of one seat cushion.
There was a discussion about payment due to the Dufour Bus Company for the7th grade field trip to Mt Greylock. It was agreed that the treasurer will write a check to the Middle School earmarked for this bill when it arrives.
Treasurer agreed to add $25 for library flower bulbs and $250 for volleyball uniforms to outstanding monies allocated to the treasurer’s report. Ending balance is $6,503.26 with a total of $1,325 in outstanding monies allocated.
DISCUSSION
R.S. reported on the 7th grade field trip to Mt. Greylock which took place after the Columbus Day holiday. Students were very enthusiastic about and appreciative of the trip.
C.W. presented as an idea and offered to chair a fall “Berkshire Grown” fund raiser. Berkshire Grown is a consortium of Berkshire based businesses such as, Berkshire Mountain Bakery, Camphill Village, Barrington Coffee, and CATA, to name a few. The idea is for LMMSPTO to put together a package of products that we will be able to buy at wholesale and sell them at retail prices to the Middle School community. The margin is about fifty per cent. It is believed there will be heightened interest in this because of the local based businesses and the organic and natural ingredients of the products.
The PTO agreed to offer the following package: Gould Farm pancake mix/syrup/mint tea/salad dressing; Barrington Coffee Roasting Company regular and decaf coffee; and Berkshire Mountain Bakery 9” pizza and chocolate bread. Chris will find out the maximum order quantities and packaging requirements so we can plan for how to distribute the orders. The motion to accept the Berkshire Grown fund raiser passed. Up to $300 was approved for costs associated with beginning this fund raiser.
Target dates are:
- 11/1 flyers to be sent home in student backpacks
- 11/15 completed orders to be collected
- 12/8 orders to be distributed
K.Z. will check these dates with G.G.
B.K. offered to contact The Berkshire Eagle to promote this as a story which may possibly increase sales.
A suggestion was made to invite J.T. as guest speaker at a future PTO meeting to discuss lunch program issues.
It was agreed that LMMSPTO will no longer collect box top labels nor will we participate in Tools for Schools because this creates competition for money raised with the Morris elementary school.
S.D. will continue to collect name brand printer cartridges as a fund raiser for LMMSPTO. This includes fax machine drums and laser printer toner cartridges. These may be dropped off in the main office.
A lengthy discussion ensued about if and how PTO can plan for upcoming field trips. The Middle School budget (not PTO) has a total of $5000 allocated for Middle School field trips for the year. Actual cost is estimated at $7000-$9000. In addition to coming to PTO for additional funds, teachers can apply for $1000 from Target Stores. Apparently, every teacher in each school can get $1000 from Target Stores. PTO would like to help plan for meaningful field trips and events, and is looking for input/help from teachers in doing so.
A teacher/PTO breakfast has been planned for Tues., 10/24, from 7-7:45am. B.K. will chair event; K.Z. and C.N. are doing invitations. B.C. has agreed to attend. PTO would like to introduce the new officers to the teaching community and to request from the teachers a “wish list” for field trips and other school activities and events. A suggestion box will be made available for teachers to submit their wish list for field trips, projects, after school enrichments, etc. It was agreed to allocate up to $150 to fund the teacher breakfast.
There was a discussion about whether to allocate a certain per cent of each fund raiser to certain field trips or events to fund the wish list. Wish lists can come from each department or each class.
Status of the 501 © (3) filing will be discussed at the November meeting.
INFORMATIONAL UPDATE
Our insurance policy has been renewed and updated. Liability releases are required for all PTO sponsored activities.
M.P. will begin work on our website once the school directory is completed.
B.W. agreed to include an announcement of PTO meetings in “The Week Ahead” section of the school website. He also agreed to include text submitted by the PTO in the school newsletters. Newsletter dates are Nov 27, Feb 12, Apr 13, Jun15, to include an insert or, one school week earlier to incorporate PTO text within body of newsletter. N.S. agreed to draft suggested text for newsletters.
K.L. is chair of refreshment committee and will oversee emails going to refreshment committee.
Poster/handout policy- G.G. needs one week advance notice for approval of all literature.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:12pm. Submitted by N.S., LMMSPTO Secretary