Morley PTO
Minutes of the Meeting of November 18, 2004
Present: Ruth Lawlor, Judi Houpert, Sally Lynch, Nichola Dustin, Diane Venora, Carolyn Lombardo, Kim Jackson, Janine Chapdelaine, Kate Gaumer, Amy Molinaro, Tom Keegan, Jenny Travers, Kris Monnes, Patti Mohler, Maryrose Verdile, Ellen Rosow Stokoe, Sharon LaPointe, Michael LaPointe, Martha Rosenthal, Bonny Slim, Stacy Raney.
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm. Sharon LaPointe asked the group to review the previous month’s meeting minutes
2. Updates
a) Fundraising
Ruth Lawlor reported the following:
The cookie dough fundraiser made a profit of $1700. Some extra tubs of dough are available and can be purchased from Ruth. Ruth will need volunteers to help sort the cookie dough containers on December 1st, when it arrives.
The Krispy Kreme doughnut sale made a profit of approximately $600.
Discounted tickets for the “Holiday Light Fantasia” in Goodwin Park will be sold to the Morley community for $10 each. Regular ticket price is $12. Morley will make $4 on each ticket sold.
b) Programming
Kris Monnes reported that the Fall Harvest Dance will take place on November 19 from 6:30 – 8:30. Those attending are requested to bring a canned good and a plate of desserts to share.
c) Community Service
Sharon LaPointe reported that the Walk-a-Thon raised $532 for the West Hartford Town that Cares Fund. This check was presented to the town at the Red Wagon Food Walk.
Morley students collected a total of $800 in donations for UNICEF on Halloween. There will be a coat drive held after Thanksgiving to benefit a local charity.
There will be an upcoming “Crazy Hair Day”. Donations will be accepted on this day to benefit Locks of Love.
d) KIDS Fund
Sharon LaPointe reported that two KIDS Fund requests have been approved: earphones for the new keyboarding lab, and a steel drum for the music room (which will complement the third grade curriculum).
e) Health Council
Sally Lynch reported that the Town-wide Health Council is planning a town-wide event in March to promote exercise and nutrition.
Sally also mentioned the possibility of having one or more parental education sessions, led by Officer Bassos, regarding social and health issues facing students preparing for middle school. This could be done in conjunction with another elementary school.
f) PT Council
Judi Houpert reported that the town-wide PT Council held a meeting regarding the possible revision of school start times. If start times are changed, the main issue to be resolved is the busing schedule. In order to have a later opening for the high school, it is proposed that middle school start times be moved up by 20 minutes and elementary schools moved back by 15 minutes. There is now much concern from parents about pushing the middle schoolers up to an earlier start time, therefore the elementary students may also be considered as the group to start earliest. Parents with comments or concerns are encouraged to contact Alex Nardone or Karen List, Board of Education members, by e-mail at whps.org. The goal is to implement revised start times in the 2005-06 school year.
3. Principal’s Report
Dr. Rosow Stokoe reported that she had met the Executive Team about our budget for the 2005-06 school year (as did all West Hartford principals). She stressed that her continuing goals for Morley will be:
1) The K-2 focus on math curriculum
2) The 3-5 focus on writing curriculum
3) Technology – including the purchase of Alpha Smart carts with fundraising dollars
4) The social/emotional curriculum currently underway. This curriculum will be enhanced by the Love and Logic parenting program in February.
Dr. Rosow Stokoe reported that Patricia Polacco, our author-in-residence planned for this year, is unable to travel to Morley this year. The program will be rescheduled for next year. The town funds that Morley received for this program will be held until that time.
The Board of Education has proposed four different school calendars for the 2006-07 school year, and has asked for parental feedback on the preferred calendar. Sharon LaPointe will e-mail these options to the PTO members and ask for feedback regarding preference. This information will be passed on to the Board of Education.
4. Other Business
There was general discussion regarding school being in session on Election Day, and the associated safety issues. Parents with concerns about this topic can contact the Board of Education by letter or e-mail.
Morley will once again host a night at a Wolfpack Game, with reserved lower level seating. The ticket price will be $15, with $3 per ticket benefiting a Wolfpack charity.
Sharon LaPointe held a discussion regarding PTO meeting times. There has been some interest in holding meetings after school, as well as interest in pushing the evening meeting time back to 7:00, versus the usual time of 6:30. Therefore, the February PTO meeting will be held after school at 3:45, with babysitting available. The March meeting will be held at 7:00 pm.
There was general discussion about the possibility of our children making cards, letters, and pictures for soldiers in Iraq, especially for Morley family members. Dr. Rosow Stokoe expressed that this would not be an appropriate classroom activity. A group of parents agreed to meet and determine an appropriate way to collect cards and letters from those families who choose to do this within their home.
Martha Rosenthal expressed thanks to the PTO for the new tables and chairs in the library, which were purchased with money from the KIDS Fund.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacy Raney
Secretary