May 2023 Meeting Minutes

6/1/2023 7:03 am

PTA MEETING MINUTES MAY 2023

 

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 – 6:30 EDT

  

Present: Leila Samara (Vice-President), Jessica Williamson (Secretary), Jessica Grande (Treasurer), Maya Dias (President)

Other in-person attendees: Catherine Carney, Nicole O’Neil, Joanna Weaver, Ryan Kelly, Danielle Collin, Marisa Alvarez, Kelly Lepley, Amy Brown (teacher rep), Chris Rohrig, Rose O’Connor, Irene

Zoom attendees: Brian Wesley Cook, Carrie Greenaway, Lisa Flaherty, Teddy Ventura’s parents, Katrina M. 

 

AGENDA

Welcome, Meeting Overview, Introductions

• Maya welcomed everyone to the meeting
• Introduction of Blanca Burgos, Family Liaison - reminding all who our family liaison is

 

Elections for 2023-24

 

• We are looking for three new officers - the roles of President, Vice President, Secretary will be vacant for the start of the school year
• Thanks to Jess G, Treasurer who will be continuing in her role
• Thanks extended to Jess W 
• Thanks extended to Leila for her two years of service

 

Introductions of Nominees for PTA Board positions: 

 

• Marisa Alvarez and Ryan Kelly introduced themselves - running for President and V.P. Both of their families started at the Lyndon at the same time, they’ve enjoyed getting to know the school over the past two years
• They’d like to bring in more special programming, like the Mass Audubon trip
• Danielle Collin introduced herself - running for Secretary. She is new with a daughter in K1. She’s very hands-on parent.

 

• Maya - the role of the PTA is really key for the health of our school. Please reach out to us with us with ideas about how to be more involved. Don’t be afraid to step up and 
• One goal for next year, we want to establish a committee - i.e. “idea committee” or “enrichment committee” to figure out how we can best use the funds that are raised through the PTA and FoTL. 

 

Voting:

 

Votes were cast and the following are approved for their new positions:

• Marisa Alvarez, President
• Ryan Kelly, Vice President
• Danielle Collin, Secretary 

 

These positions will take effect beginning September 2023 for the 2023-24 School Year.

Accomplishments & Upcoming Events

 

• Friends of the Lyndon
• Friends of the Lyndon Event is May 4th! Get a ticket!

 

• Outdoor Classroom Committee next event is on May 19th 
• Everything will be provided by the committee 
• Could we offer it to the YMCA kids? Ms. Carney will ask Zach

 

• Book Fair
• It was a success - big thanks to Leila and Maura and the volunteers for making a second successful book fair of the year

 

• Red Sox Game was a hit - lots of fun.

 

• Mass Audubon first grader event - was a real success

 

• Bike Bus upcoming 

 

• Field Day will be June 16th - last year was the first time we combined the lower and upper school and it worked well. Call for volunteers will be put out soon. Usually there’s 80 - 100 volunteers

 

• 8th grade Graduation is on June 20th 

Treasurer’s Report

 

INCOME

• $11,900 Gross from the Book Fair
• Looking to be on track for projected

 

EXPENSES

• Reimbursements will be coming 

 

• Question - do we need to spend all of our money in our account by the end of the year? An excess of ~$16,000? Answer - no, we carry over our revenue into the next year. 
• Maya - we should be empowered to use this with the establishment of a committee who decides on how to spend our funding. We’ve had many ideas that haven’t come to fruition. 

COUNCIL UPDATES

 

SSC Updates

 

• Thanks again to families who filled out the scheduling surveys. It was great to get family feedback. 
• We met Pauline Ligura, the new Superintendent to support autonomous schools. She gave the Lyndon kudos for knowing a lot about our pilot status
• Staffing updates: one SAR teacher and one Science Teacher were hired and they both seem like they were be great.
• In conversation with some - for those who are interested in applying, we actually invite them to the Lyndon to see the school in person as that’s a major hook when they see/meet the families and kids
• Currently going back to the pool for the co-leadership 
• June 30th is the deadline for the candidates to be selected and offered a position. If we don’t get good candidates by then, the district will place Interim Leaders for the 2023-24 school year

 

MOTION 

 

• Recorded that Election Results for new PTA Officers were Approved:
• Marisa Alvarez, President
• Ryan Kelly, Vice President
• Danielle Collin, Secretary 
• Jess Grande, Treasurer (returning)

 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

 

• YMCA has communicated they can’t provide before and after care for 4 year olds
• Ms. Carney has raised this concern, a number of officials have been informed. A solution is being sought. There is a big lift for clearing safety issues for caring for children under 5. Carney will send a survey to families to see how many families this will affect. The YMCA will talk about training on their end, also we are seeking space to accommodate this. 
• To note - all schools in West Roxbury need to be deleaded
• How can the community help? Call Councillor Lara. Let BPS and others know this is a need across the community for care for our four year olds.
• Survey will be sent to incoming families as well as existing families.

Meeting adjourned.  

Minutes submitted by Jessica Williamson