Hopkinton PTA

Minutes for the meeting of May 3, 2007

(Subject to approval at the June 7, 2007 meeting)

Present: Kathy Donohoe, Julie Morris, Nancy Skarmeas, Joyce Rose, Bill Carozza, Steve Chamberlin, Michael Bessette, Jean Tewksbury, Julie Guarente, Sara Murdough, Eileen Reinacher, Michelle Benson, Natalie Duval, Lynette Carney, Marcia Clark

Motion made by Julie Morris to approve April 2007 minutes; seconded by Kathy Donohoe. Approved.

Budget

Joyce Rose reported a cash balance of $2,888.98. $800 has been spent to date on Fun Fair. 

Funding Requests

1. Deirdre Smith submitted a request for $450 to buy Great Stone Face books for MSS. Motion to approve made by Kathy Donohoe; seconded by Nancy Skarmeas. Approved.

2. A request for $125 to buy supplies for Kindergarten Fun Day was submitted by Dott Blanchard. Motion to approve made by Julie Guarente; seconded by Michelle Benson. Approved.

3. Kathy Donohoe reported that the PTA has told the fourth grade team at MSS that the PTA would like to offer support for Arts and Science Field Day; the teachers will submit a specific request.

Upcoming Events

1. Fun Fair is scheduled for May 12. Julie Morris reports that she still needs volunteers; she’d like to see middle/high school kids take over most of the booths, freeing parents to spend the day with their kids. Michael Bessette volunteered to sit in the dunking booth (with a request made for warm water).

2. Tickets will be sold for the May 18th Fisher Cats game until Wednesday, May 9th. At this point 60-70 tickets have been sold.

Fundraising

Kathy Donohoe reported that the PTA has decided to drop the Cherrydale fundraiser, which has shown declining sales in recent years. A discussion followed on the future of fundraising. Ideas for possible fundraisers were discussed (including childrens’ art, kids’ attraction coupon books, t-shirts, magazine sales, craft fairs, and others). A flyer will be sent to parents asking for their input on future PTA fundraising. Nancy Skarmeas will put together this flyer and distribute it the week after Fun Fair.

Volunteer Coordinators

The PTA would like to see more consistent communication between the volunteer coordinators at HMS and MSS and between the volunteer coordinators and the PTA board. A volunteer coordinator for the middle/high school was also suggested. The goal is to most effectively use the available volunteer resources. The meeting discussed possible ways of improving communication.  The volunteer coordinators and board members agreed to meet at a future date for further discussion.

Safe Routes to School Grant

Natalie Duval told the meeting about grant money available to encourage more kids to walk or bike to school. She’d like to organize a group to look into the possibility of applying for grant money and will send out a flyer/questionnaire to publicize the idea and recruit interested volunteers.

Custom Packed School Supplies

Julie Morris mentioned the possibility of the PTA selling custom-packed school supplies to fulfill supply lists at MSS and possibly the high school. There is a company that provides this service, allowing for a small profit for the PTA. the idea will be discussed at a future meeting.

New Student Information System

Bill Carozza gave a brief overview of the new student information system being implemented in the district. Title Five grant money is being sought to pay for staff training on the system, beginning this summer. 

Submitted by Nancy Skarmeas, PTA Secretary