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.