FRIENDS OF WINTHROP Meeting Minutes
Friday, October 16, 2009
Attendance: 25
Call Meeting to Order
• Amy Katz called the meeting to order
• Motion: To approve the minutes from the September 2009 FOW meeting. Voted and unanimously approved.
Principal’s Report (Carrie Vaich)
• Open House – Carrie announced that Open house went very well. She expressed thanks to all who participated. Carrie commented that it is a great opportunity for students to show their school to their family members, and that she enjoyed meeting some family members that she hadn’t met. The parking and the flow of visitors seemed to go very smoothly.
• Parent-Teacher conferences will be Wednesday October 28th and Thursday October 29th. Carrie encouraged attendees to pass it on. She encouraged everyone to be sure that they have signed up with classroom teachers for a conference. She commented that the year is well underway and that conferences will bring October to a close and then into November with the Thanksgiving Holiday and then quickly to the Holiday Boutique.
Guest Speaker –Carol Bratt- Elementary Math Coach
• Carrie Vaich introduced our guest speaker, Carol Bratt. She is a former Winthrop 4th grade teacher in a new role, spanning all three elementary schools as a Math Program coach. For the past 2 years the district has been investigating the Trailblazers math program and exploring new programs. The elementary schools went through a pilot period with three different programs across the three schools, and collected data, filled out forms and surveys for a number of target components. Out of the research and collaboration came the decision to use the Think Math Program.
• Carol thanked us for having her and expressed that it is great to be using the new math program. She explained how the program encourages open –ended thinking. Each new lesson begins with an open ended statement to encourage students to think about the options that they have in solving problems. Teachers are in the process of learning the new program and the materials. Carol goes to all three schools and assists teachers in the process. Some of the features of the new program include: Headline stories, test prep strategies, extension practice, assessments, and benchmark assessments.
• Carol has received a lot of feedback regarding the new program. She has been enjoying her job and the experience. The teachers have been supportive and positive. Carol expressed that is was remarkable to have all three elementary schools using a united approach and having consistency in teaching materials. More information is available to parents at www.Harcourtschool.com there are resources available at each grade level, vocabulary definitions, and some games for students.
• A parent asked why new math programs have so much language in them as opposed the long absent drill work which seems to be needed. Carol’s response was that research has shown the need for students to make concept connections in math. It is likely that this trend has been driven by MCAS testing. The parent replied that it isn’t right that the school isn’t supporting any of the necessary memorization of basic, addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts and that it is one more thing that is falling on the parents. Another parent commented that she enjoys the Think Math so much more than its predecessor, Trailblazers.. A few parents agreed. Yet another parent commented that each child learns differently, and that she can see that it is a process to find the program that suits the most students and that hopefully teachers will respond to a student who has needs beyond this program or any and that parents should be encouraged to seek help if they want something different for their student.
• Amy Katz thanked Carol for joining us and for sharing the new program and her role. Carol thanked us for having her. She encouraged parents to email her with any questions or concerns about math in the elementary schools.
Treasurer’s Report (Tracy Gilligan)
• Tracy presented the Treasurer’s Report dated through October 2009.
• Hat Day made $137 to date, some more classrooms still need to be collected.
• Season Passes have brought in $1,480 to date.
• The Open House Bake Sale made $534 and the FOW clothing made $134.
Votes
Amy Katz discussed an upcoming third grade field trip to the Harvard Museum of Natural History. The field trip cost will be charged to families, while a request for assistance with paying for the bus transportation costs was made. Amy recommended that FOW support this vote as we have in the past.
• Motion to approve $340 from available funds for third grade field trip to the Museum of Natural History. Voted and unanimously approved.
Business News & Updates
• Field Trip to The Farm (Esther Vanier/ Stacey Verge)- the parent social will take place tonight, Friday October 16th. It looks to be a big success with more than 100 rsvp. There will be 9 silent auction items and 20 raffle items. There are gift certificates to North shore restaurants and stores, and services, wine raffle and sports events like the Bean Pot. Esther encouraged everyone to come and join the fun and bring your cash and checkbooks. It is being held at “The Farm” in Essex, from 6:30-9:30.
• Hot Dogs to Go is set for next week– Wednesday, October 21 (Elizabeth Burns)
• Box Tops Contest – October 19-23(Julie Hogan) Julie is sending a flyer home today with details. The contest will run next week. Send you Box Tops in. Julie hopes to be able to offer and additional recess to the winning classroom along with a “spooky” surprise or a Halloween pencil or trinket. There will be two more contests held this school year. One on February and again in the spring.
• Halloween Happenings – October 23rd (Tess Leary) Tess is still seeking help for Halloween Happenings. She especially needs someone to step up and put together a Haunted House. Otherwise plans are in full swing and it should go off without a hitch. There will be pizza and water for all attendees. This is a candy-free event.
• Roller Palace- November 11th (Amy Katz) We will be participating in a three school event on Wednesday 11/11 at the Roller Palace in Beverly. This is a fun and easy event to have on a “no school” day. A parent asked about the proceeds and whether they are earmarked for 5th grade activities as they were last year. Amy responded that since we have not had the parent social or Holiday Boutique yet, which are FOW major fundraisers, it is difficult to earmark funds yet. Additionally the planning for fifth grade activities isn’t started yet. She expressed that it is likely that fifth grade activities will be supported within the frameworks as they have in the past years. Amy discussed that she needed a volunteer to help coordinate the Roller Palace event – Theresa Hunt volunteered. Thank you.
• Holiday Boutique (Cheryl Glovsky) – Cheryl announced Holiday Boutique is quickly approaching. It is scheduled for Saturday, December 5th. Volunteers are still needed. There is a need for help in the wrapping room, and for the cash in – cash out table at the children secret shopping room. A parent reminded Cheryl that in the past Lynne Jennings has done this and will be planning on it. Cheryl will follow up with that. Cheryl announced that Jodi Padallero is the volunteer coordinator, volunteers can contact her. As always many hands are needed for set up and clean up. As we did last year, FOW will provide pizza on Friday night for set up so that parents and students can stay and help until the job is done. This can be fun.
• The Silent Auction will be held again as part of Holiday Boutique, but it will be scaled back a bit this year as to not compete with the parent social. This year room parents will be responsible as in the past, for coordinating classroom gifts to the auction.
• Julie Hogan will be coordinating the Holiday Greens sale, which will require pre-ordering this year. A form will go home with students and high quality greens can be ordered.
• The Children secret shopping room is trying to be greener this year. Linda McMahon is coordinating the efforts to get items donated and adorned for the shop. Craft nights have been scheduled for November 5th at Nancy Rowse’s home, and November 17th at Jenny Frain’s home. All are welcome to come and help make great items that our children can shop for.
Friends of Winthrop is ONLINE at www.hwfriendsofwinthrop.com .Check us out!
Next Friends of Winthrop Meeting:
* Friday, November 13, 2009, 9:00 a.m. in the Art room
Please submit agenda items for the next meeting to:
Amy Katz amybkatz [at] verizon.net or Jill Evers jillevers [at] msn.com
Minutes are posted following
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