PTO Meeting agenda Oct 5 6 pm

JFK MS PTO

Meeting Agenda

Monday, Oct 5, 2015, 6pm

JFK Library

 

We support our teachers and students through grants to enrich the classroom experience, supporting events to connect the community, and providing information about events at the school.

 

I. Welcome and Introductions

    

II. Election of JFK PTO Board – vote expected

      Candidates:

           President, Treasurer, Secretary

- Confirm day and time for future meetings – vote expected

 

III. Communications

        Progress Report Newsletters - Millie Rossman

        Volunteer Lists from Family Form coordinator needed

 

IV. Sept minutes approval / Summary of last month's events

         School photo day

         Open house

         Parent representatives to the School Council

         New Parent/Guardian Representatives: Richard Conner, Heather        Morini, Michaela O'Brien, Melissa (Childs) Phelan, Mark Watts,          and    Doug Wheat.

         Current Parent/Guardian Representatives: Stephanie Grimaldi and    Kelly O'Connor

 

VI. Spending Priorities – vote expected

         Teacher Grants (subcommittee)

         Projectors

         Other priorities?        

         

VII. Upcoming events/Activities

         Electronics Recycling October 24 – Heidi Renauld

         Book fair Nov 30 - Dec 4 – Tina White -sign up, volunteers needed

         Directory – Sharon Kubin

         Annual appeal letter – Send with Directory? Need volunteer to draft letter

         Fundraisers: Deans Beans, Cedar Chest, others?

         School Store – Betsy Yount

VIII.  Principal's report

 

IX.  Teacher's report

        

X. Adjourn

 

Rally for Northampton Public Schools

The School Local Northampton campaign is holding a kick off celebration on Thursday, October 22, 2015 from 5:15 – 7pm. The event begins with a gathering on the steps of City Hall and then moves to the parking lot behind City Hall for more festivities. There will be live music by local musicians, including the Nerissa Nields and speakers (including the superintendent) addressing parents and community members. There will be games and activities for children behind City Hall. The School Local Northampton campaign is currently being organized by parent representatives from each school, district staff/administration, Superintendent Provost, the Public School Action Network (PSAC), and Northampton community members. Our aim is to increase the community's awareness of the positive activities happening inside the Northampton Public Schools.

PTO Updates

PTO Updates

September 30^th is the final day to fill out the on line form for our printed directory.  Here is the link: Family information form for paper directory.  There are no paper forms, but computers will be available in the library at open house.

 

The next PTO meeting will be held on Monday, Oct 5 at 6 pm (note new time) in the library.  Board elections will be held, and we will have discussions on expenditures and community events.  You are welcome to come, bring a friend!

 

There are a set of serving spoons that were put in the PTO mailbox last year, but so far no one has claimed them.  Please contact us if you think you know where they belong!

 

School Council

We will not have elections at open house because there are six available parent slots for six parents who stepped forward.  Our new Parent Representatives on the school council are: Richard Conner, Heather Morini, Michaela O'Brien, Melissa (Childs) Phelan, Mark Watts , and Doug Wheat. Their bios are posted at http://jfkmspto.blogspot.com. Stephanie Grimaldi and Kelly O'Connor are also parent/guardian representatives. They are current members and their terms will continue. Parents and Guardians are welcome at the School Council meetings, generally at 5 pm in the JFK Library on the third Thursday of the month.  Minutes are posted on the NPS JFK website.  The School Council assists in developing our school improvement plan, helps identify the educational needs of JFK students, and reviews the annual budget. The School Council is an elected body required of Massachusetts Public schools. Thank you to all our candidates for their strong interest in JFK!

 

Community Updates

We need a Scavenger hunt team to represent JFK!  Funding is available. Test your local Northampton knowledge and earn bragging while helping students! This is a great "Scavenger Hunt" event that raises scholarship money for our local Northampton students that would like to attend post-secondary institutions! Link for form

 

A City-wide At-Large School and City Council seats Candidates' Forum will be held on Oct 21 at JFK at 7 pm.  The League of Women Voters is taking the lead, and Leeds Civic Assn. will co-sponsor, along with the Gazette, WHMP, and Ward 3. Participate in democracy!

 

NEF Small grants deadline is October 16^th.  More information here

 

Beginner pottery for teens and adults – classes Wednesdays 5:30-8 start October 5^th.  http://www.cyclepottery.com

 

 

Northampton Arts council has grants available for local artists – deadline is Oct 15^th  applications here

 

 

Upcoming Events

Thursday Sept 24 6:30 pm JFK Open house (follow your child's schedule)

Monday October 5 6 pm PTO meeting JFK Library

Saturday, Oct 24 9-12 Electronics recycling – start sorting!

 

Need to find out about school lunches? Want to do some easy, at home fundraising?  Need more information about JFK? Links, calendar and more at  www.jfkmspto.blogspot.com

 

 

 

10th Annual Local Lore and Legends Scavenger Hunt

Northampton Dollars for Scholars

10^th Annual Local Lore and Legends Scavenger Hunt

(show what you know, learn what you don't)

 

Saturday, October 3, 2015, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Less than 2 mile walking course

Start and Finish at Union Station, Strong Ave. Northampton

 

Join us for a fun scavenger hunt to solve clues about the background story related to interesting downtown Northampton locations. The theme is scholarly and trivial knowledge about your home town. The entire proceeds fund college scholarships for Northampton residents.

 

Register your team of four to find locations in downtown Northampton by solving trivia questions with a local connection. Prizes for team category winners include gift certificates from local businesses and each participating team member receives a cloth shopping bag. Suggested Registration fee - $200 per team

 

Several local businesses have already covered the cost of team registrations, but are looking for participants to fill the team slots. Put together a team and represent your school or organization at no personal cost. We also welcome teams to fully or partially fund their registration by collecting donations from your community.

 

Our goals for this event are to increase knowledge about Northampton, awareness of Dollars for Scholars mission, and raise money for Northampton student scholarships. For this tenth anniversary we would like to get at least one team from each of the Northampton schools.

 

 link to form on facebook