Jamestown PTO Meeting Minutes

June 10, 2009 at 3:00pm; Melrose school library

In attendance: Lisa Tuttle, Sheryl Atwood, Karen Rafanelli, Robin Tregenza, Wendy Rafferty, Teresa McNeil, Christine Moffet, Jen Black, Cindy Olsen, Carrie Melucci, Suzy Parris, Bev Rudman, Darlene Froberg

The minutes from the 5/13/09 meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Christine Moffet reports $8344 in savings and $1925 in checking for a total of $10,269.

Principal’s Report:

Carrie Melucci reported on end of the school year events, including field day, the 2^nd-4^th grade field trip to the Jamestown Museum, the 4^th grade Penny Carnival, band concerts, the art show at Lawn, and the 8^th grade trip to DC.

Carrie commented that the spacing of cultural arts events this school year was great, and she appreciated all of the tie-ins to the curriculum.

Cultural Arts & Enrichment:

Lizzie Congdon has compiled a list of some of the “greatest hits” of the last several years – Boston Museum of Science, Wind Over Wings, Bubblemania, Project Wolf, etc. -- and she and Jen Black may choose some of the 2009-2010 programs from this list. One program for next year is already booked: Shakespearience on Oct 29.

Jen Black will come to the end of summer PTO meeting with a rough schedule and program ideas for the 2009-2010 school year.

Fundraising

Golf tournament: We are holding the golf tournament, the PTO’s major annual fundraiser, on September 26. Volunteers are still needed for this event, which pays for many of our programs and events throughout the year. Please contact Robin at jrjcmt@aol.com if you would like to help.

Like last year, the event will consist of a shotgun start golf tournament followed by a steak fry dinner. A silent auction will be held all afternoon, followed by a live auction. Please save the date and join us for golf and/or dinner, OR just stop by and have a cocktail while you shop the fabulous items at our auctions!!

Golf Tournament Planning Committee:

Chair…Robin Tregenza

Silent/Live Auctions…Lisa Tuttle & Darlene Froberg

Tee Sponsorships…Susan Baccari & Lynn Roach

Gift Bags…Suzanne Simmons

Hors D’oeuvres/Desserts…Jill Ball & Bev Rudman

Decorations/Flowers…VOLUNTEER(S) NEEDED

Tile fundraiser: A possible fundraiser for next year involves families paying for a decorative tile that their child would design. All of these tiles would be framed and would join the group of tiles currently in the Melrose hallway. This fundraiser was last done 7 years ago; this Fall would be a good time to do it again. This plus the golf tournament could potentially cover all of our funding needs for 2009-2010.

New Business

Robin Tregenza nominated Stephanie Cotsonas for the Board position of Volunteer Coordinator for the 2009-2010 school year. This nomination was approved.

Field Trip Ideas: Sheryl Atwood presented some ideas for free field trips, as she has heard feedback from parents that they would like to see more field trips. Some of the free school programs Sheryl has found are:

• Shaw’s grocery stores do programs on marketing, nutrition, etc.
• Newport mansions allow 4^th grade classrooms in for free, since RI history is in the 4^th grade curriculum

Robin wondered about a field trip related to the Jamestown coastline, since other towns’ students come here to learn about that. She also suggested the Middletown Planetarium.

Carrie suggested that we find a way to present these and other field trip ideas to teachers, perhaps in the form of an information packet. Robin said that she will work on a field trip list before our next meeting. Carrie also reminded the group that she is working to find one or more teachers to come regularly to PTO meetings next school year. Hopefully, this will enable the PTO to better understand teachers’ needs and will also serve to improve communication.

We will have an end of summer PTO meeting on Tuesday, August 25^th at 3:00pm at Robin’s house. An e-mail reminder will be sent out beforehand.

Lisa Tuttle

PTO Secretary