MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC)
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 @ 6:30pm
Attendance / Administrative: Four (4) PAC Officers, four (4) parents and one (2) administrators
were in attendance. The meeting, held at the MS Library, started at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:40
p.m.
Treasurer's Report: - submitted by Heather Spizuoco. Ending balance is noted as $3303.79;
Library funds remain at $995.29, Bank balance of $4299.08 combined.
Principal’s Report: presented by Mr. Olsen. Mr. Sheehan Asst. Principal also present at meeting.
There is going to be a change to the schedule next year which was not announced yet to staff as of
PAC meeting. More information at next month’s meeting will be presented by Mr. Olsen. Middle
School is looking to restore the 3 teams to the 8th grade. Also talks about a rotating schedule,
maybe a dual rotation and expanding teaching time to 55 minutes each period vs. current 43
minutes classes. Academic rallies are still on-going each quarter, students are responding well.
Stand up for recognition, student of the term. Measurable vs. character vs. academics. Mr.
Sheehan reported b/c of so many snow days, 5 thus far, MS is extending the quarter by one week
which will allow more time for teaching. Communication will go out to parents. Last day of school
will be 6/18 – ½ days if no more snow days right now.
OLD BUSINESS:
Enrichment: PAC is still looking to host a guest speaker; Names mentioned were Jeff Allison anti –
drug message; Travel Baseball Coach in Billerica/Wilmington. Kids know him. Maybe Chris Herren,
former BC, Celtics player. Chris costs are $1500 plus travel costs. Not sure of Jeff Allison’s costs.
“Wildcat Den” - School Store Update: Diana and Rachelle - opened school store 2/11. 6th
graders loved it. Still getting supplies. Teachers spent some money too. Had $5 is sales. Looking to
expand inventory over time. We have some WMS shirts, pencils, pens. Looking to get table to put
in the back of cafeteria. Price list is coming soon! Open during lunch periods.
Rock and Roll Bingo Recap – presented by Carol Nansel – great time had by all! Very successful
fundraiser for the school! Profits made from the evening after expenses were $4243. Looking to do
it again next year! Thank you to everyone who supported the evening.

Box Tops Madness Contest – Diana - flyer is going out soon. Deadline to get box tops in is 2/25.
Last year we earned $1200, looking to surpass amount this year. Top students who send in Box
Tops win a I-Tunes Gift card. When clipping please make sure they are cut neatly and not expired.

Paper Retriever Fundraiser - no new information on fundraiser, deciding on whether or not to do
it. Diana to look into it. Need a parent to volunteer to keep track of it. May need to wait till snow
melts to figure out where to put it. May table idea till end of the year/early fall.
Duct Tape The Principal – Lynne & Tricia - Mr. Olsen approved fundraiser. Approved for Friday,
3/20, week before MCAS. Student can spend $1 to duct tape a principal to the vending machine
during lunch. Flyer and sign-up genius link for parent volunteers and duct tape will be sent out
before event.
New Business:
Vote on Highlighters – ELA Highlighters – The ELA Department head has confirmed they are in
need of highlighters for the “Writing with Colors” program. The school has yellow highlighters, but
the students will be using pink, blue , yellow and green for the entire 7th grade and 1-2 6th grade and
1- 8th grade ELA teacher. Estimate cost of highlighters is $650. This is a pilot program. Vote was
taken at meeting. (7) Seven in favor of PAC purchasing the highlighters, (1) One opposed. PAC will
purchase the highlighters for ELA Department.
Tax ID /exempt issue – PAC is in need of a 501c tax ID/exempt # for their records. PAC is
requesting the assistance of a parent who may have or have had experience with tax ID/Exempt
Status. Treasurer has been looking into this issue and will request school’s status from the IRS.
Heather will work with Tricia B to see what needs to be done and to see if tax # we currently have is
a legal #; Update at next month’s meeting.
De-Stress during MCAS ideas were discussed - Fun ideas were discussed to de-stress the
students during MCAS weeks. Popping bubble wrap one idea discussed & “stress packs” to be
given out.
Spring Fundraisers - late May
Dandi-Lyons/Ice cream - “Night out_ – Wilmington Middle School family would like to host ice
cream night out in Reading business. Lynne to coordinate with family. 15% of sales will go towards
WMS PAC. Will communicate once date is set with Dandi-Lyons and school approval. Looking to
maybe do it possibly next ½ in Friday in May.
Triton Car Wash – Tricia B to get approval from owner. Car wash will promote on electronic board
in town day we agree on car wash date. More update at next month’s meeting.
Direct Donation Campaign – Discussed - will gear up for campaign and communication midsummer/early September; Talked about testing the waters with the campaign by running a small
“mini” campaign for teacher appreciation luncheon. Would have to start asking for donations in
April.
Hospitality/Appreciation - Diana asked to use PAC funds to buy a small token of appreciation for
MS Secretary’s for Secretary’s Day (4/22) in appreciation for all that they do for the PAC. PAC
voted unanimously to allow funds for purchase of appreciation.
Clean up email listing –Mr. Sheehan and Tricia B is working with Mr. Sheehan to clean up email
list, get better email lists from parents for PAC newsletters, etc.
Teacher Wish List Survey – Lynne – looked into survey monkey or teacher wishlist,org. Found
survey monkey to be the best. Mr. Sheehan said he could do a Google survey. Lynne developed
questions and will send to Board member for approval and principals’ approval.
Meeting adourjourned at 7:40pm
Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2015 @ 9am in WMS Library.
Respectfully,
Lynne Parr
PAC Secretary
West Yearbook – Complete! Party on June 12th
NEW BUSINESS
Meadow Farms – We will offer a dual fundraiser in the fall, Meadow Farms and KidStuff coupon
books. If anyone would like to chair the Meadow Farms portion, please let us know. They now offer
ship to home so there is very little work for the PAC on this. Fundraiser will be at the end of
September 2014. We will probably not go with MF for the Thanksgiving Pies as it seems their
selection is limited and they would still need to be cooked.
Third Grade Photo – Heather Lozzi
Open Positions 2014-2015 – New officers were voted in: President - Rhonda Finberg, Secretary –
Jessica Bourgeois, Publicity – Lori Caralis and Deanna Wright The following positions remained the
same: VP – Tami McElligott, Treasurer – Robyn Matzke Thank you Rachelle Toth for being our
president for the last 4 years!!!
IBM Grant – Catie Weinstein obtained a $2000 grant from IBM for the West! Thank you!!!!
First PAC Meeting – Please join us Tuesday September 9th at 6:30 at the Shawsheen for our first
PAC meeting of the 2014-2015 school year. Future meeting dates will be discussed at that time.
Thank you to Mr. Appolloni for his many years as Principal! The PAC purchased a clock for him to
commemorate his retirement
IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday June 18th – Last Day of School (Half Day)

Tuesday August 26th – First Day of School

Tuesday September 9th – First PAC Meeting at the Shawsheen at 6:30
Submitted by: Deanna Wright, secretary
PAC email: shawsheenwestpac@gmail.com
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