April 2023 Meeting Minutes

PTA MEETING MINUTES APRIL 2023

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 – 6:30 EDT

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

Other in-person attendees: Catherine Carney, Blanca Burgos, Mr. Colby,

Zoom attendees: Jenny Marcelin, Ryan, Joanna, Aimee, Lorena Almeida, Aime Lima Mavridis

AGENDA

Welcome, Meeting Overview, Introductions

Maya welcomed everyone to the meeting
Introduction of Blanca Burgos, Family Liaison - reminding all who to reach out to her if needed

Minutes Approval

Approval of the February 2023 meeting minutes could not take place at the March meeting because there was no WIFI
Both February and March minutes were reviewed (also via zoom)
Minutes were approved

Elections for 2023-24

We are looking for new officers - the roles of President, Vice President, Secretary will be vacant for the start of the school year
President Maya and Vice President Leila are finishing their two-year terms.
To vote for officers you must be live in-person at the meeting or live on zoom
Please note that running

Update from Mr. Colby, Music teacher about the Lyndon Arts Program

Unfortunately, Ms. Sallen couldn’t make it due to a family illness

Mr. Colby’s background; he grew up in a small town in NH, he came to Boston to go to the Conservatory
He raised his kids in Roslindale/West Roxbury
First job was at the Lyndon, left to teach High School at the Boston Arts Academy where he taught for 10 years and then returned
THeir vision: Create an opportunity for students to chose an arts discipline and avenue to be able to express them
By 6th grade, they have multiple arts sessions per week
Up through
Third graders would be learning recorders, fourth graders learn ukeleles, fifth graders start a band instrument so that they will have some kind of portfolio when they leave the school

The foundational music curriculum that kids get at the Lyndon makes them competitive for the exam schools, or private schools

Goal is to create a program where kids can put their shoulder in their art and creativity and find their voice, and open doors for their futures

Presentation from Nicole, SCC Chairperson

School Site Council is very new this year. It was uncovered that there weren’t the current number of seats on the SSC
Brian Cook (a lawyer on the SCC) drafted new bylaws that are specific to our school
These new bylaws are important to ensure that we are in compliance
Next step is to vote on the new draft - we must get ⅔ approval to be adopted

Approval process - bylaws were approved, one abstention

Accomplishments & Upcoming Events

Thanks to all who participated. We rai
Goal was $4000 and we hit $5900, we make about 33% so Lyndon should get about $2000

Treasurer’s Report

INCOME

EXPENSES

Suggested that we make a June 1 deadline
Ms. Carney will send a reminder to teachers to apply - we’d like to use the money we raise!

Overall financially we’re in a good position and it’s been “harder” to spend the money than we’d like.
Suggestion to form a committee to figure out ways to spend the funding, but also tell people where their donations are going
How about bringing after-school clubs like Robotics, Audubon Society

COUNCIL UPDATES

SSC Updates

Hiring committee is busy. We have open positions for Sciences, SAR Teacher, Strand and Inclusion Specialist, and Instructional Coach positions

Meeting adjourned.

Minutes submitted by Jessica Williamson