Gates School Parent Teacher Organization Minutes

Tuesday January 8^th, 2008

 

 

I.                   Welcome

Lucinda Sears brought the meeting to order at 9:45am.  There were 14 people in attendance.                                                       

 

II.        Motion made to approve November 13^th, 2007 Minutes.

            November 2007 minutes approved.  Minutes will be posted on the PTO board

            at Gates School and on the Gates PTO website at  

            www.gatesschoolpto.org/auction.

 

III.      Principal’s Report:  Walter McGrail

            Mr. McGrail  said the staff is gearing up for the Auction.  The new staff

            members have been informed about the auction and individual teacher

            gifts etc.

            On Saturday January 19^th, there is a budget meeting scheduled.  This meeting

            is where each school presents their budget and wish list to the school

            and finance committees.  The hope is to have individual work station

            computers for each teacher, LCD projectors in all schools and possibly

            smartboards or a type of smartboards in the schools.

            Gates has received additional funds from the Stone Foundation in the amount

            of $2500.  Although not enough for a smartboard, Mr. McGrail would like to

            earmark the money for a smartboard for 5^th grade, eventually having smart-

            boards throughout 5^th.  There is a possibility of having a walk-a-thon to raise

            additional funds.

 

IV.      Treasurer’s Report:  Sharon Berka Muzilla (see attached report)

            Sharon reported that the PTO has raised $11,000 of our goal of $60,000.

            Although some fundraisers are down, apparel and scrip are both doing well.

            We made our first deposit to the town for the classroom assistants.

 

V.        Health Advisory Committee – Lisa Mitchell

            The Health Advisory Committee meets twice a year to help support the health

            of school communities.  Its members consist of health and PE staff, clergy,

            parents and anyone who would like to participate.  The main goal of the

            Committee is to implement a healthier lifestyle.

            Superintendent Bill Ryan and Susan Horne give curriculum updates.

            The Jr. High focus is health education and physical education.  On the AB

             website there is a new Wellness site written by Carolyn Imperato.  It lists

             current programs and has a question answer area.

             The High School focus is working with the Jr. High in parallel transition. 

             There is a Health Awareness Session in May that all kids are required to

             attend.

             Lisa said they talked about the Community Alliance Program which includes 

             Safe Homes Program.  This program is set up to have safe homes where kids

             can go and know there will be no alcohol or drugs available.

             The next meeting will be held in April.

 

VI.        Principal Search Committee – Marie Altieri

              Mr. McGrail is retiring after 38 years of service in the Acton School System,

              so therefore a Principal Search Committee must be formed.

              Mrs. Altieri came to the meeting to discuss the Gates process of creating a

              committee.  There will be a committee of 13 people.  7 staff members(6

              certified and 1 support staff), 5 parents (2 picked by PTO and 3 picked by

              lottery) and 1 principal from another school.

              What to expect:  By the end of January, ads will be placed in the Globe and

              various sources.  Applications will be received through February.  The

              committee will go through the applications and narrow down to 10 people. 

              They will then interview and narrow down to 4 applicants.  The applicants

              will come to Gates and make a visit to AB.  The superintendent will make

              the final decision.  The new principal will start in June.

 

 

VII.      Auction Update:  Jim Tabner

             Jim Tabner announced invitations were given to all staff members offering 1

             free ticket to the auction.  We hope to promote good will and higher staff

             attendance.

             There is an Auction meeting at 7:15pm in the Gates library on Wednesday

             January 9^th.

             We have a good amount of donations so far.

 

             

 

VIII.    School Committee

             The school committee is considering adding a 4^th grade at McCarthy-Towne

             to help lower the number of kids per class next year.  They hope to keep the        

             3 rd grade assistants and are looking at offering Chinese as a language option

             at the High School.  This is if the budget gets approved.

                        

 

IX.         Announcements

·         The Gates PTO website is GatesSchoolpto.org  we are updating the site so keep an eye on it.  Also go to the website to buy anything through Amazon.com.

·         The 6^th Grade Play will be produced by Carolyn Nicholson and Kelly Faville.  The play will be Mulan.

·         We will be selling tickets to the Lowell Devils for a March 1^st game.

 

             The next PTO meeting is Wednesday February 6^th at 7:00pm in the

             Gates Library.

 

XI.        Motion to Adjourn

              Motion made and seconded at 10:40 am.

 

Respectfully submitted by Donna Biscotti.