LENOX MEMORIAL
MIDDLE SCHOOL PTO
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 14, 2007
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Report was approved with the removal of a reference to the talent show deadline which has passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT
An oral report was delivered and approved. (Written report was forwarded by email subsequent to the meeting.) No activity this month. Target grant was not received; therefore, the $1000 allocated for the 8th grade field trip to the Industrial History Museum will be used. Treasurer reminded the group that bylaws require a balance of $2000 to be left in reserve for the following school year.
DISCUSSION
Talent Show
Show to begin at 7pm. Twenty-one acts are confirmed. LB and RS are working on programs. Parental help is needed on Wed. and Thurs. during the two audition nights and two parents behind stage during performance. After-party will be provided by the refreshment committee. DD will contact KC to do refreshments. CH will DJ; National Honor Society will be asked to sell tickets- DF will be contacted. RS will introduce the show and announce this as a PTO sponsored event (LB will make the announcement if RS is not there). He will include an invitation to join the PTO and an invitation to join reception after the show. Ticket prices are $3/person with an $8 family cap. UD will get change for the cash box. There will not be a 50/50 raffle. Instead, a receptacle for collecting donations will be provided. The Berkshire Eagle, Berkshire Record and Advocate reporters will be invited. VO has local media list and poster list. She will write a press release. An “all-call” bulletin will be requested from the principal.
Event Nights
8th grade is looking to hold an event on 4/27.
6th Grade Fall Forum
KT suggested PTO help provide a mechanism for incoming 6th grade parents to learn about grading policy and other issues in greater detail than currently provided. Possibly to hold a panel discussion at the Community Center which Morris School will announce to 5th grade parents.
Spring Newsletter
NS will draft newsletter before 4/14.
OPEN DISCUSSION
EF, special education teacher, has started a craft club involving beading, knitting and crocheting. She will make a request to PTO for the purchase of materials.
There was a discussion about planning an 8th grade graduation trip, possibly at a local camp such as, Ponterril, Girls Inc., Camp Mahkeenac, etc. UD to investigate.
LH and BW will follow-up the forum meeting from last month with an “all email.”
In light of recent newspaper articles regarding drugs and alcohol in county schools, NS suggested PTO to address some of these issues as a way to make PTO more relevant to parent concerns. A speaker can be invited or a discussion group can be convened at the Community Center. Suggested resources were the Brien Center in Pittsfield and the Railroad Street Youth Project in Great Barrington.
ADJOURNED
Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm.
Submitted by NS, LMMSPTO Secretary