Woodman Park PTO

Woodman Park PTO

MeetingMinutes

November 16, 2016

3rd Grade Teachers Lip Sync Challenge (CAP) – Ms. Frederickson spoke
Kelly Gennett and Crystal Lisbon were awarded a SEED grant to create a Makerspace Lab at WPS. The lab will provide a hands-on environment for students to design, experiment, collaborate, build and invent. Dr. Michael Briggs, WPS parents and UNH professor will generously donate his time to provide training in January. Ms. Gennett and Ms. Lisbon will develop the first few lessons so that teachers can hit the ground running. Funds will be used for professional development and material school-wide following this Universal Design for Learning.
Sharon Shea was awarded a SEED grant to purchase 700+ books and nylon bags for take home reading to replace the current, outdated bagged books in Ziploc bags.
The bottom line is we have a lot of good enrichment programs on the horizon that go well beyond the necessary core curriculum. Mr. Boodey expressed positive heartfelt support and feedback for our amazing staff and teachers.

Funds Requests
Third Grade – for a field trip to the Palace Theatre to attend a performance of Seussical Jr. on May 2nd was approved. $8 per child request depletes balance of field trip funds. They will be asking for money from students for busing.
Library Holiday Book Exchange – more to come from Jackie Tromba
Financial Update
We received a check from GoodSearch for $8.10.
We received $12.15 from Amazon Smile. A request was made to send out instructions for how to access this program. A GIF file for teachers to put in their newsletters in the works.
PTO awaiting deposit and reimbursement request from Emily Moore for coffee supplies in Teachers’ Lounge.
Fundraisers Reports
KidStuff – We sold 231 books and made a profit of $2,887.50. The KidStuff fundraiser made $1,215 more than the fall Meadow Farms fundraiser last year. 25 free books were given to teachers, 17 free books were earned by students, and 100 of the 566 books have not been returned.

Thanks so much to Shaw’s for the $400 check to the WPS PTO and to Marie Niro for making it happen. Marie was store director in the Dover Shaw’s before being transferred to Sanford, ME. Deb Dunton is the new store director in Dover. Marie suggested that we follow up with her next year so that she could help us connect with Deb for funds and food donations.

Direct Donation Discussion–After positive discussion at October meeting, we have asked Aimee Skids, the parent who initiated this discussion to spearhead the research on this. Aimee has already begun compiling information and will keep us informed. Patrick gently reminded us that families will continue to receive flyers about fundraisers even if they donate online.

Upcoming Events
CAP Lip Sync 2016 – Friday, 11/18 at 6:30pm – DHS – buy tickets online. Make sure to wear your WPS gear to support our third grade teaching team as they dazzle us again this year. Look for our PTO President Carolyn Williams and her crew in the show too.
Wentworth Greenhouse holiday fundraiser – see flyer – all orders and payment submitted by November 22nd. Pickup on December 8th from 3:00-6:00pm
Holiday School Store – 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, and 12/21. – Supplies are needed such as wrapping paper, bows, labels, tissue paper and tape.
Holiday School Store special hours – December 8th from 3:00-6:00 to coincide with Wentworth Greenhouse fundraiser pickup time.
GreenWave apparel fundraiser with Collins Sports – waiting to hear back from Collins about setting this up for end of November and verify timing of delivery for the holidays.
Dover Tree Lighting Fundraiser Bake Sale –Friday, December 2nd – community wide fundraiser partnering WPS with Horne Street and Garrison to raise money for a Dover family in need. Jill Brooks will send out a signup genius to enlist bakers and volunteers. We are also looking for somebody to shadow Jill to take this event over next year. This event also coincides with the Festival of Trees which has moved to 1 Washington Street, Rivermill at Dover Landing.

Past Events
November Dine Out Event at Margarita’s – Monday, 11/14
“Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: Strategies to stop the worry cycle at school and home” was presented by Lynn Lyons on Tuesday, 11/1, 6-8pm at DHS. This thought-provoking event was standing room only.
Veteran’s Day Display – thanks so much to Mindy Mozzoni and Christine Miller for their wonderful work on this important project once again. There was some feedback that suggested that teachers had their own plan and materials to commemorate this day so there was some redundancy. If we are to provide materials for this event in the future, there should be clear communication with teachers weeks ahead of time as to the intent of such an activity as part of bulletin board display.
Parent/Teacher Conferences – Wednesday, 11/9 evening & Thursday, 11/10
Thanks to the PTO for providing sandwiches, chips, water and mints for the teachers on Wednesday evening, 11/9
Book Fair - week of November 7th – Ms. Lisbon seemed pleased about the turnout at this first book fair of the year. Thanks so much to all volunteers who helped make it a success.
Walk to School Day -expenses totaled only $39, which paid for coffee and hot chocolate for volunteers. Cortney Farmer and family donated the gift cards were given for poster drawing and she declined being reimbursed. Thanks so much to everybody who made this event a success.

The Bugle – For the time being, Tara Culcasi will put out an issue of The Bugle at any point that she's been provided enough items to make an issue.

Volunteer Opportunities
Copiers for PTO and teachers – looking for additional volunteers
School Store – Wednesday mornings, 9-11especially for Holiday Store hours
Holiday Tree Lighting Bake Sale – Jill Brooks is looking for somebody to shadow her this year for the hot chocolate/bake sale table in order to take over next year.

Copy Volunteers – Volunteers will be opening up copying to any grade level each week. Volunteers are Jess Maravich on Wednesdays from 8:30-9:30am with preschool daughter as helper and Autumn Allen, every other Friday starting November 18th.

Reminder: With regards to volunteering it is the district policy that all adults must be fingerprinted at least two weeks prior to chaperoning a field trip or volunteering in the building. Fingerprinting for volunteers is by appointment only between the hours of 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday, at the SAU office. The cost is $20.75 and payable to the State of NH-Criminal Records. Please contact Melissa Henerberry to make the appointment at or (603) 516.6241.