Flynn PTO Update 10/24/11

Hey There Flynn Families - Looks like we are at peak foliage in Burlington and I don't know about you, but I am finding the mornings quite nippy!  Pull out that winter weather wear - if you are missing some key pieces, pop on over to the swap located just inside the front doors.  New stuff arriving daily.

Hope to see families Thursday night for math games!

October PTO Meeting Minutes - See below

2nd Annual Math Night is this Thursday from 5:30-7pm.  Don't miss this family favorite.   Free dinner provided and plenty of math activities for the whole family.

Breaking News!!!  Our fundraising items will be delivered this Thursday.  Volunteers will be needed after lunch to help sort orders by classroom.  We will also need folks to help distribute orders at pick-up (2:30pm) and again at the math night (shifts from 5-7).  Can you help?

If you placed an order, you can pick-up on Thursday at 2:30-3 or between 5-7pm at Math night.  If those times do not work for you, please e-mail Theresa Giallorenzo at tgiallorenzo@hotmail.com to work out a pick-up.

Outerwear Swap is Open!  Already, the swap is a big hit - winter wear is getting into good hands almost as soon as it is put up on the rack.  Adult and some child size coats will arrive from Gadues in November.  Do you have gently used outerwear to donate?  Wash it up and send it into the office - we'll take care of the rest!  This is a swap, so come check out what we have week to week- everyone is welcome!

Picture Retake is scheduled for November 2nd.  Additional forms can be found in the office if  you were absent.  If you are getting a re-take, be sure to return the photos you do not want.

November PTO Meeting - Thursday, November 3rd from 6:30-7:30 in the Library.  Childcare provided.  What's on your mind?  Do you have items for the agenda?  Interesting ideas? Gripes?  Send us an e-mail at flynnschoolpto@gmail.com 

Bookfair Pasta Dinner scheduled for November 10th from 5:30-7pm.  We need volunteers for set-up, clean-up, food prep., check-in, bake sales, baking!  How can  you help?  Contact Tammy Kuypers at kuypers5@yahoo.com

Check your Calendar...

• October 27th, 5:30-7 is Math Night at Flynn - free dinner and fun math games for your family
• October 31st around 1:15 is the annual Halloween parade at Flynn. Ask your Room Parent or Teacher if they need any help with costumes or goodies for a class party
• November 2nd - Picture Re-take
• November 3rd - PTO meeting 6:30-7:30pm. Childcare provided
• November 7-10 Library Bookfair
• November 10 Evening bookfair from 5-7, Pasta Dinner from 5:30-7 (multi-purpose room)

P.T.O. Meeting Minutes

October 6, 2011

Meeting was called to order at 6:30pm

Babysitting was offered in the multipurpose room.

Parks and Rec

·         Burlington Parks and Rec Department Representatives Susan and Sarah Carter were present to discuss new programs that have been added for children and families

·        Some events that were mentioned were After School Bowling @ Champlain Lanes (with transportation from the Miller Center, and Holiday Crafting. 

·        Any feedback is welcome – As well as ideas for future events.  Please contact ShCarter@ci.burlington.vt.us with ideas and feedback. 

·        Some ideas given were After School Cross Country Skiing at Ethan Allen Homestead, Kids Night Out, Open Gym at the Miller Center.

Treasurer’s Report

·        The current balance is $19,184.19 

Family Directory

·         The directory is well underway and should be made available to families soon.

Staff Appreciation/Room Parents

·        The first room parent meeting was widely attended by room parents and a great success.

·        Fifth Grade room parents are working on the October Staff Appreciation event.

Fundraising

·        The wrapping paper sale brought in ~ $3,000.00!!

·        $993.00 has been raised (so far) in donations to Flynn PTO

·        The Bookfair Pasta Dinner will be on November 10.  Room parents will be contacted to help gather goods for the dinner and bake sale.  Volunteers will also be needed to help with book shopping, cash registers, clean up, and bake sale.

School/Family Partnership

·        Suggestion boxes have been placed in the front office for ideas to better involve families at Flynn.

·        One ideas presented in the suggestion box was to include more flags in the building representing all of the students at Flynn School.

·        The theme of Math Night on October 27 at 5:30pm will be “Math Around the World.”

·        BHS and St. Michael’s students will be present to volunteer

·        The next School/Family partnership meeting is October 27 at 2:45pm.

Walk to School Day

·        Walk to school day was a great success with at least 1/3 of the school participating!!

Outerwear Swap

·        Tammy Kuypers is organizing the swap this year

·        Winter coats/snowpants, boots, hats, mittens are donated by Flynn families and Gadues dry cleaners

·        Donations can be brought into the office.

Inclusion and Accessibility

·        It was suggested that Flynn School create an Inclusion committee of two or three people to put out awareness of what inclusion looks like at our school.

·        The question that the committee would address is, “Is there a need we are not aware of that prevents a family from attending a book fair/math night/Flynn family night, etc.?”

·        The team would come together to brainstorm ideas to include and open our community to all families.

Student Art Sale

·        It was proposed that the PTO could host a fundraiser that would include framing the self-portraits (painted every September in Art class) for a reasonable fee.

·        It was voted to look into the cost of frames, etc.

Meeting closed at 7:30pm

The next meeting is November 3, 2011 at 6:30pm in The Learning Center