April 2020 Meeting Minutes

4/6/2020 5:12 pm

Patrick Lyndon K-8 Pilot School PTA

Meeting Minutes

April 1, 2020

Zoom Conference

 

 

1. Welcome, Introductions, Meeting Overview:

• Samantha introduced the PTA Board and reviewed the meeting agenda.
• Samantha asked participants to share their ideas on things to do at-home with the kids. Ideas included
  • Watch the Atlantic Shark Conservatory on Facebook Live
  • Create checklists for kids instead of schedules
  • Take a virtual tour of a national park
  • Go running
  • Play off-the-wall
  • Take a virtual tour of rides at Disney World
  • Watch online tutorials from the Big Apple Circus

 

1. Meeting Minutes:

• The March meeting minutes should be available for review and approval at the next PTA meeting.

 

• Accomplishments:
• Parents Night Out at Distraction on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Well-timed event as families were starting to get nervous about current events.  It was nice to get together before new restrictions were in place.
• The PTA set up Google Hangout sessions for grades K1-5^th. The links are available on the PTA website.   
• The PTA also posts an “idea-a-day” on its blog to help parents find ideas for your kids during remote learning.

 

1. Updates:

• SSC: no update. The last meeting was cancelled.
• CPC: Governor Baker paused all evictions through April 21^st. If you are a Boston Public School Family and are facing eviction, call 617-934-xxxx.
• Wellness Committee: No update
• Caring Committee: No update

 

1. Treasurer’s Report:

• The budget is in line with expectations. As previously reported, the Turkey Trot and Spell Check fundraisers did very well.
• The PTA is looking at a surplus absent a way to use the funds before the end of the school year. The Board is actively seeking ideas about how to use the funds.
• Fran will be monitoring teacher reimbursement requests.
• Finance committee: looking for volunteers for the committee to include possibly a candidate to serve as treasurer next year.

 

 

1. Management Team Update

• Katie reported that the management team is communicating with the whole school community once a week.
• They are meeting with their grade teams and trying to help where help is needed.
• Katie recommended using Clever to sign-in to Google Classroom because BPS tracks Clever logins.
• The teachers, and whole school community, are working really hard to adapt to the new circumstances.
• The management team is still trying to identify a few students/families that they can’t get in touch with or students that have not engaged in online learning.
• Return to school: the target date remains May 4. BPS is following the guidance of the Department of Education.
• Online work is not being graded, but teachers want to see it completed.
• As of right now, new content will not be introduced to the students. This is per the directive of the State.  Instead teachers will continue to give students content that they are familiar with.  Teachers may try to move forward in some areas if it makes sense to do so.
• The concern is about equitable distribution of devices – there are still some families that do not have devices or internet access.
• Question: when will parents know if/when an assignment should be turned in?
  • This will vary depending on the teacher. Go to your child’s class page to see what is on there.
• Go to the Lyndon Learning Page to identify additional resources.

 

• Upcoming Events
• Lyndon Red Sox Game on 4/5 was cancelled. We are waiting for information from the Red Sox.
• April bowling event: this will likely be moved to the summer.
• Spring Book Fair was cancelled.
• PNO Trivia was cancelled.
• One Boston Day is April 15^th – stay tuned for information/ideas.
• Teacher Appreciation Week is the week of May 4^th (first week back to school)
• May 6^th is Walk to School Day: if school is not back in session or social distancing is still in place, we will try to come up with a way to engage students.
• Next PTA meeting is on May 6^th (may be virtual again)

 

• Board Elections
• Usually take place at the May meeting. Fran will be stepping down as Treasurer since he is moving on to a state level position.  Heather will be stepping down as Secretary.  Rachel is considering whether to remain on the Board and Sam is will to remain on as President or step down if someone else is interested in the position.
• The elections can also take place at the June meeting as they did last year.
• Stay tuned for more information on Board elections.

 

1. Circle of Control

• An exercise you may find helpful during this time is the Circle of Control
  • Draw three overlapping circles on a large piece of paper and identify as: (1) What I can control; (2) What I can influence; and (3) What is outside my control.
  • Write out on post-its anything that is on your mind. Any concerns, any worries, any needs.
  • Put them in the appropriate circles.
  • If there’s anything in your outer circles that you need help with, ASK! The Lyndon community can help.

 

Motion to adjourn. Motion passed.

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February 2020 Meeting Minutes

2/12/2020 5:16 pm

Patrick Lyndon K-8 Pilot School PTA

Meeting Minutes

February 5, 2020

 

 

1. Welcome, Meeting Overview, Community Building Exercise:

• Write your own conversation heart: What do you want to say to the Lyndon? Write it on the heart, share it and drop it in the box.
• Shared heart comments: We love you Lyndon, Love to read, Love you K2, Love how much the community cares.

 

1. Accomplishments:

• December 2019 Meeting Minutes: motion to approve the December 2019 minutes; motion approved.
• Square 1 Art: Arrived and was distributed.
• Lyndon Gear: Arrived and was distributed. There will be another order this spring.
• Give Back Nights:
  • Proud Mary – not as well attended as we would have liked. Look at the photos on the blog and consider coming next year!
  • Kids R Kids: more successful than last year. We are still waiting to receive the check.
• Holiday Concert: Wonderful event; very well attended and we raised a lot of money through the raffle.
• Spell Check: Very successful. Payments are due on 2/10.

 

• Wish List Update & Outdoor Classroom Update:

 

Wish List: We collected ideas during the December meeting and are working toward making the ideas a reality.

• Assembly to celebrate Black History Month
• Use of the building:
  • Soundproofing the gym
  • Using the auditorium for movement
  • Drama class or club
• Shoveling the playground and making sure our students have an opportunity to get outside during the winter.

 

This is a reminder that we want to make these ideas happen.  If you are interested in helping, let us know.

 

Outdoor Classroom:

• The outdoor classroom was created in 2009.
• Outdoor Classroom commission was created. Over the last two months, the outdoor classroom has been cleaned out and a plan is being created to revitalize the space so that it is accessible to teachers and students.
• Launch a survey to the teachers: How have you used it in the past? How would you like to use it? What do you need to use it?
• Ask for a commitment from the teachers to use the outdoor classroom at least once during the school year.

 

1. Membership Update

• December membership drive – very successful! 38% increase in membership.
• Brian Cook family and guests won the 4 front row tickets to the holiday concert.

 

1. Updates

• School Site Council: Budget presentation because the budget was due to the Central Office. Board was able to see the budget and was able to ask questions about it.  Very soon the management team will be making recommendations regarding staffing.  The school is not losing any staff and is looking to add a language teacher.

 

• City Wide Parent Council: met with the chief financial officer who gave a budget presentation. Talked about weighted student funding and provided additional information.  Mayor committed to $100 million in additional spending over the next 3 years.  Mayor has not yet provided any details.  With weighted student funding it works great for schools that are fully enrolled, but not for those that are not.  Minimum quality guarantee - to make sure students have what they  need as a bare minimum regardless of student numbers.

 

Budget tracker: bostonpublicschool.org can view the budget.  89% of the budget goes to the schools

 

School committee nominating panel: a lot of divisiveness about whether school committee should be elected.  In exchange – citizens nominating committee consisting of 13 members. CWPC plans to elect someone to sit on the nominating panel.

 

Zoom conferencing software purchased.  All schools can use Zoom conferencing to reach out to the rest of the community during meetings, etc.

 

ISEE: test is out. No details received.  Superintendent has issued an RFP for alternatives.  Interesting article in the Globe. 

 

• Friends of the Lyndon: Meeting in late January. Thinking about working on a parents’ night out with the PTA.  Huge success last year.  Request session is open.  Teachers are in the process of completing funding requests for FOTL to review. Please consider attending the FOTL meeting.  It is a great opportunity to review how money is spent and what is purchased for the school.

 

• Room Parents: No update

 

• Wellness Committee: No update

 

• Caring Committee: Trying to figure out a way to provide updates. There is a page on the PTA website designated for the Caring Committee.  Originally the committee was set up to offer time, rather than money.  The more recent requests for money were going to the committee only.  Since the scope of the committee has changed, it should be opened to a wider audience.

 

1. Treasurer’s Report

• Not much has changed. We had a very successful turkey trot.  4k over budget.  Did way better than last year.
• Red Sox tickets were a little bit light this year, but we will have lower expenses in the spring so it will offset the budget difference.
• Expenses: we are working on a forecast.
• We will likely end favorable on net income.
• We are investigating assembly opportunities.
• Teachers should consider using the PTA business account. You can avoid paying taxes and having to submit for a reimbursement.

 

• Upcoming Events
• Lyndon at the Y: February 8^th. Please sign up.  Gym from 6-7 and pool from 7-8. There is a form on the PTA website.

 

• Spell Check: payments due on 2/10

 

• Kindness Week: help students think about how they treat other people. We will do

 

• Valentines for Veterans. Students will make Valentines that will be brought to the VA hospital.

 

• Stickers for acts of kindness

 

• Internet Safety: Hosted by the Y on 2/11. Please register in advance.

 

• Spelling Bee:
  • School wide spelling bee is on February 12^th at 10 a.m. in the auditorium
  • Winner goes to city wide spelling bee.

 

• Vacation Week Fun Day:
  • Ice skating

 

• Super Tuesday Bake Sale
  • There will be a sign up soon for folks willing to bake or volunteer

 

March 4 – PTA Meeting sponsored by K1

Parents Night out at Distraction on 3/11

 

Give Back Night at Corrib. Sometime in March

 

Lyndon Red Sox Game on 4/5.

 

April – Parents Night Out Trivia

• Committees

 

• Election Day Bake Sale
• Spelling Bee: Heather Sullivan would like assistance and to pass off to another parent for next year
• Parents Night Out: working with FOTL
• Drop-off Brigade: Is anyone interested in assisting?

 

Motion to Adjourn.  Motion passed.

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December 2019 Meeting Minutes

2/4/2020 12:36 am

Patrick Lyndon K-8 Pilot School PTA

December Meeting – 12/4/2019

 

6:00 – 6:30 6:15 – 6:30	ISEE Info Session Arrival, Mingle, Purchase Raffle Tickets
6:30 – 6:45	Welcome, Meeting Overview, Introductions - Sam Community Building activity
6:45 – 7:15	Accomplishments – Sam ●        November 2019 Meeting  (approval of minutes) ●        Read for the Record ●        Square1Art ●        Lyndon Gear - Heather ●        Turkey Trot - Debbie
7:15 – 7:25	Membership Drive
7:25 – 7:40	Updates ●        School Site Council (SSC) – Emily M ●        Citywide Parent Council (CPC) – Steve ●        Friends of the Lyndon (FOTL) ●        Room Parents – Stefanie ●        Wellness – Emily C ●        Library – Nancy
7:40 – 7:45	Treasurer’s Report – Fran
7:45 – 8:00	Upcoming Events ●        Scholastic Book Fair - Dec 3, 4, 5 ●        Give Back Night @ Proud Mary Dec 13, 6-8 ●        Give Back Night @ Kids r Kids TBD ●        K1-5th Grade Holiday Concert - 12/20 @ 10 ●        On or before Jan 17th - Spell Check (Grades 1-8) ●        Lyndon Night at the YMCA - Jan TBD ●        Parents Night Out Trivia - TBD ●        Spelling Bee (Grades 4-8) - Feb 5th ●        PTA Meeting Sponsored by K1 - Mar 4th ●        PTA Meeting Sponsored by 1st Grade - Apr 1st ●        Lyndon Red Sox Game - Apr 4th

 

Thank you to 5th Grade Parents for hosting our meeting! All proceeds will go to the 5th grade classes.                                                                                                         

 

 

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November 2019 Meeting Minutes

11/27/2019 12:00 am

Patrick Lyndon K-8 Pilot School PTA

November Meeting – 11/6/2019

6:15 – 6:30	Arrival, Mingle, Purchase Raffle Tickets
6:30 – 6:45	Welcome, Meeting Overview – Sam Community Building activity
6:45 – 6:55	Accomplishments – Sam October 2019 Meeting  (approval of minutes) Membership Update Chipotle Fundraiser Room Parent Breakfast Election Day Bake Sale
6:55 – 7:05	Updates School Site Council (SSC) – Kristy  Citywide Parent Council (CPC) – Steve  Friends of the Lyndon (FOTL) – Joy Room Parents – Stefanie Wellness Committee & Library
7:05 – 7:15	Treasurer’s Report – Fran
7:15 – 7:40	Upcoming Events Read for the Record (11/7) – Sam Boston Blooms Date TBD – Sam Square 1 Art (Due 11/15) – Sue Turkey Trot (11/23) – Caitlin & Deb Fall Bookfair (12/3-5) – Nancy
7:40 – 7:45	Lyndon Gear – Heather
7:45 – 7:50	Outdoor Classroom Update – Sam
7:50 - 7:55	Commitee Overview & Parents Night Out Ideas – Sam
7:55 – 8:00	Upcoming Events – Rachel Square One Art - Now thru 11/5 Read for the Record 11/7 FOTL Silent Auction 11/7 @ 7 pm Turkey Trot Sat Nov 23rd Scholastic Book Fair - Dec 3, 4, 5 December PTA Meeting 12/4, hosted by 5th grade

Thank you to Middle School Parents for hosting our meeting! All proceeds will go to the Middle School teachers.                                                                                                         

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October 2019 Meeting Minutes

10/30/2019 12:00 am

Agenda:

Patrick Lyndon K-8 Pilot School PTA

October Meeting – 10/2/2019

6:15 – 6:30	Arrival, Mingle, Purchase Raffle Tickets
6:30 – 6:45	Welcome, Meeting Overview, Introductions - Sam Community Building activity
6:45 – 7:00	Accomplishments – Sam June 2018 Meeting  (approval of minutes) Membership Update & Prizes K1/K2 Welcome Coffee Welcome Back Picnic - 75 pizzas all gone by 6:54 Mobile App Walk to School Day-- This morning!
7:00 – 7:10	Updates School Site Council (SSC) – Kristy  Citywide Parent Council (CPC) – Steve  Friends of the Lyndon (FOTL) – Joy Room Parents – Stefanie
7:10 – 7:20	Fundraising Updates  Box Tops – Emily A+ Rewards (Stop & Shop) Amazon Smile Lyndon Gear – Heather Gamache
7:20 – 7:25	2018/2019 Budget & Treasurer’s Report – Fran
7:25 – 7:40	Elections – Rachel SSC (2 seats) CPC (1 seat, 1 alternate)
7:40 – 7:45	Committee Overview - Sam  Spell Check - Heather Sullivan Square1Art - Susan
7:45 – 8:00	Upcoming Events Phone Safety/Parental Controls Training by AT&T Election Day Bake Sale 11/5 Square One Art - Late Oct thru Nov Neighborhood Night @ Chipotle in Dedham 10/22 2nd PTA Meeting, hosted by middle school: Wednesday, 11/6 -- Bring a friend to get entered into a raffle!!! FOTL Silent Auction 11/7 Turkey Trot Sat Nov 23rd Scholastic Book Fair - Dec 3, 4, 5

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