North End Food Pantry Each year around the holidays, Flynn staff choose an organization to receive funds gathered from Flynn students, families and Flynn staff. This year they chose a very local organization - the North End Food Pantry. Each time a child brings in a dollar, they write their name on a paper can that is added to the display. On December 20th, a check will be presented to the North End food Pantry at the Holiday Assembly. For more information about the Pantry, take a peek at the info below furnished by CP Smith Principal, Tom Fleury.
The North End Food Pantry continues to serve the people of
our community on Saturday mornings from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at the
Oddfellows/Rebekahs Lodge at 1416 North Avenue.
Please use the door in the back of the building to visit the
pantry.
Due to recent cuts in food stamps, we are now seeing a
record number of people coming through the door seeking food support.
Those who wish to donate food items may do so by dropping
them off at the pantry during the time it is open or by calling Thomas Fleury
at 651-0978 to arrange to have food picked up for you.
The pantry exists thanks to the generosity of donors such as
Vera Fleury, Sarah Flynn, Hannaford Bros. Supermarket, Jean O’Sullivan, Judy
and Bob Rivers.
JJ Flynn theatre presents Tom Sawyer. Play sign-ups and permission sheets will start right after winter break. Auditions, casting and rehearsals start mid-month! An information sheet will be going home to all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in the next week - included is information about the audition process, chorus, character groups and what adult roles are needed to pull this production off. We highly encourage students and parents to read the script (it is on-line and the link is provided) and to read Tom Sawyer. The Flynn library has copies, the Fletcher Free library has copies and the book itself is in the public domain so it can be downloaded on e-readers for free! We have books for a variety of reading levels - check in with Ms. Clopton to see what is available
Here is a Round-up of our Leadership Team and Opportunities for YOU!:
*critical role - lead needed ASAP
SCHOOL BUDGET Things are heating up and now is the time to start informing yourself about the BSD school budget that will be finalized in the next month or so and then voted upon in March.
Honestly, I find it very hard to sort through and find information that I can make heads or tails of... I have poked around the budget info on the BSD website and found the items below. I also saw another document at the Hunt PTO meeting that I cannot find on the BSD website - it says that the Finance Committee is hoping to set an increase of 6.9%. This includes a rise in state taxes and a deficit to retire and means there will need to be significant cuts - this is where we come in...
Start digging for information and finding out what the increases are and what the cuts are. Contact your School Board representatives - let them know what is important to you. Go to one or more of the budget hearing below and make your voice heard. Parent support at Hunt Middle school last year saved the Healthy Living Program and the Community Outreach programs. It looks like the Community Outreach Program is on the block again as well as Spanish in the elementary schools and a number of para-professionals/teaching assistants. Just a little of what I have been able to dig up.
I will keep looking and forward anything I find out. Please send your findings to flynnschoolpto@gmail.com and I will pass info along to Flynn families via the blog.
Info from Jeanne Collins- The Board continues to work with Administration, trying to craft a budget that focuses on the priorities of the District and is affordable for voters. This continues to be very difficult, as the State plans to increase taxes even before we pick up our pencils, and other external pressures that we have no control over continue to impact the process. What we do know is that the increase in cost of our current program as it carries over to next year, as well as covering our deficit of last year, means that we need to reduce programs or change the way we do things to meet the financial target set by the Board. The Board is offering two specific opportunities to comment on the proposal and look at the priorities being set: Hearings will be held on December 16th and 19th at BHS at 7 p.m.
JJ Flynn theatre presents Tom Sawyer. Play sign-ups and permission sheets will start right after winter break. Auditions, casting and rehearsals start mid-month! An information sheet will be going home to all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in the next week - included is information about the audition process, chorus, character groups and what adult roles are needed to pull this production off. We highly encourage students and parents to read the script (it is on-line and the link is provided) and to read Tom Sawyer. The Flynn library has copies, the Fletcher Free library has copies and the book itself is in the public domain so it can be downloaded on e-readers for free! We have books for a variety of reading levels - check in with Ms. Clopton to see what is available
Here is a Round-up of our Leadership Team and Opportunities for YOU!:
Production Managers: Kate Belluche and Kim Hunt
Make-up Lead : Abby Greenip, Miranda Purvis
Costume Lead: Janet Coutrayer
Playbill/poster Lead: Bren Alvarez
Sales Lead: Janet Coutrayer, Bren will help sell
Fundraising Planning team: ?
Greenroom Lead: Tammy Kuypers and ?
Lights: Kim Hunt
Make-up Lead : Abby Greenip, Miranda Purvis
Costume Lead: Janet Coutrayer
Playbill/poster Lead: Bren Alvarez
Sales Lead: Janet Coutrayer, Bren will help sell
Fundraising Planning team: ?
Greenroom Lead: Tammy Kuypers and ?
Lights: Kim Hunt
Sets: Alex Messinger
Soundboard: Don W
Stage Manager/crew: ?
Concession/Front of House Lead: ?
3rd Grade Chorus Lead: ?
Cast Party: ?
Production Week snacks: ?
Soundboard: Don W
Stage Manager/crew: ?
Concession/Front of House Lead: ?
3rd Grade Chorus Lead: ?
Cast Party: ?
Production Week snacks: ?
*critical role - lead needed ASAP
SCHOOL BUDGET Things are heating up and now is the time to start informing yourself about the BSD school budget that will be finalized in the next month or so and then voted upon in March.
Honestly, I find it very hard to sort through and find information that I can make heads or tails of... I have poked around the budget info on the BSD website and found the items below. I also saw another document at the Hunt PTO meeting that I cannot find on the BSD website - it says that the Finance Committee is hoping to set an increase of 6.9%. This includes a rise in state taxes and a deficit to retire and means there will need to be significant cuts - this is where we come in...
Start digging for information and finding out what the increases are and what the cuts are. Contact your School Board representatives - let them know what is important to you. Go to one or more of the budget hearing below and make your voice heard. Parent support at Hunt Middle school last year saved the Healthy Living Program and the Community Outreach programs. It looks like the Community Outreach Program is on the block again as well as Spanish in the elementary schools and a number of para-professionals/teaching assistants. Just a little of what I have been able to dig up.
I will keep looking and forward anything I find out. Please send your findings to flynnschoolpto@gmail.com and I will pass info along to Flynn families via the blog.
Info from Jeanne Collins- The Board continues to work with Administration, trying to craft a budget that focuses on the priorities of the District and is affordable for voters. This continues to be very difficult, as the State plans to increase taxes even before we pick up our pencils, and other external pressures that we have no control over continue to impact the process. What we do know is that the increase in cost of our current program as it carries over to next year, as well as covering our deficit of last year, means that we need to reduce programs or change the way we do things to meet the financial target set by the Board. The Board is offering two specific opportunities to comment on the proposal and look at the priorities being set: Hearings will be held on December 16th and 19th at BHS at 7 p.m.
School Board Members/Contact Information:
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Six Week Adolescent Parenting Class (South Burlington, Vermont) Thursdays: January 9 – February 13, 2014, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
FH Tuttle Middle School
Library
500 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT
05403
Register Here
Minutes from the December PTO meeting are included at the end of this post.
Save the date...
December 16- School Budget Hearings - 7pm at BHS
December 19 - Principal's Coffee, 8:30am
December 19 - School Budget Hearings - 7pm at BHS
December 20 - Holiday Assembly
December 23- January 1 - Winter Recess
January 20 - No School - MLK Day
December Meeting Minutes:
Meeting called to order with Heather Simmons facilitating in place of Jessica Hook and Christine Leithead taking meeting minutes in the absence of Sarah Deshaw.
Principal's Corner - Graham Clarke
Graffiti was noticed on the playground Thurs or Fri and brought to Graham's attention. There is spray painting on the brick wall in two places. A work order has been submitted to property services for removal. Unfortunately, our security cameras have not yet been installed.
A parent has brought up a concern to Jessica regarding noise, involving a staff person possibly using a whistle in the cafeteria. This concern was noted by Graham.
The transition back to one campus has meant some changes. Primary teachers are now able to use the entrance at the end of their hall for children to enter after recess. With the changes, there are tweaks to be made. Schedules are all in place and adjustments will be made as needed.
Landscaping design students at UVM presented their designs at UVM. Plans are being developed for designs to be shared with Flynn families and staff.
5 Students from Norwich University presented to 4th and 5th graders around a project collecting rainwater from roofs, as part of a VT science initiative connecting indoor and outdoor learning.
The inquiry fair for 1st and 2nd grades was a successful three days, including a large number of students skating at Leddy. There was a lot of support from parents, which is appreciated.
Treasurer's Report
Betsy Ward was absent. A summary of this month's finances was presented in paper copy. We're still waiting on reinstatement of our non-profit status.
Fundraising: Tammy Kuypers
Plans are coming together for a Lake Monster's game fundraiser for the spring. Components would include a visit from Champ at Springfest, and other involvement at the game by Flynn students/families.
The Holiday Card fundraiser via Dan's Chocolates is happening now. There hasn't been a lot of response. It was noted that the date may have been too late and families had already ordered cards.
Tammy mentioned an idea for a new fundraiser/event: Parent's Night Out. It would be a dance party for parents with childcare for children. Possible venues were suggested.
A fundraiser specifically to support the play is tentative. During, Skate Night, the enrichment committee is hoping to be able to sell food and snacks to fund raise for the play in lieu of Leddy's snack bar selling snacks.
We missed being included in Hannaford's money for schools fundraiser this year because we missed the deadline.
Enrichment: Kim Hunt
At a play production meeting, some parents stepped forward for leading roles but there are still opportunities for parents, including 2 specific roles:
Stage Manager (working backstage) and an assistant to help work with the 3rd grade chorus. Anyone interested should contact Kate Belluche or Kim Hunt.
Chess club will begin soon, lead by Shanta Eastman and Jon Kuypers. The tentative schedule is for a start date of Wednesday January 8th, from 7:30-8:00 am, in the cafeteria.
Landscaping update: Tabled due to absence of Sarah Deshaw
Flynn Family Nights: Heather Simmons
"Drive in movie night" is scheduled for Fri, April 4th, lead by Tracy Truzanski. The even will involve two parts. Directly after school, children will make "cars", for the movie to happen later. Times are as follows: Car making from 3-5 pm, movie start time at 7:00Parent volunteers are needed. Interested parents should contact Tracy.
Need volunteers to lead events for January as there are still some open dates for Family nights.
Family School Partnership: Shanta Eastman
Meeting twice per month. This year's action plan is almost completed. Planned actions for this year include evaluating parent participation and the obstacles to participation. Math night plans are in the works. The Family School Partnership can no longer fund the bike mobile the same way it has in the past, so changes will need to be made regarding how funds are used. The PTO will coordinate for funding.
Room Parents/Staff Appreciation - Lisa Tulkop
November appreciation was provided by the second grade families. December will be sponsored by the PTO, with plans for a pasta luncheon this coming Thursday. Parent contributions for drinks, salads and desserts are needed and a sign up sheet passed around. Parents interested in contributing can contact Lisa Tulkop. January Appreciation will be sponsored by the 5th grade class, with plans to spruce up the staff break room.
Teacher Suggestion Box and Outerwear Swap - Christine LeitheadNo notes from staff at this time.
Outerwear swap is set up. Julie Tegeder has helped set up and maintain it. The question of visibility was discussed because it is located in the back of the school rather than in the front lobby as in previous years. Christine and Graham discussed ways to improve visibility.
Open Forum:
Claire Noble: Teachers discussed wish list for recess cart and would like sturdy sand toys, balls and jump ropes.
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