MINUTES
Douglas PTO Meeting
March 3, 2015
In attendance
Bria Peach, Danielle Brochu, Lesley Ray Harvey, Mrs. Jane, Mr. Cederbaum, Melissa Witkus, Ellen Foisy,
Jocelyn Huff, Deb Paquette, Alysa Cohen, Sarah Plamondon, Deana LaPolt, Wally Lavoie, Jocelyn Murzycki
The meeting was called to order by Melissa W. at 7:05pm
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the February 10, 2015 meeting were reviewed and a motion to accept was made by
Jocelyn H., seconded unanimously
Budget
Deb P. reported 2015/16 funds at $24,800; still need to raise about $10,000 this year to meet usual budget;
right now we seem to be on track to meet our goals; some concern that Gertrude Hawk fundraiser possibly
hasn’t done as well this year as last but still too early to tell
Budget approved unanimously
Committee Reports
Staff Appreciation: Melissa W. will touch base with committee members re: March plans
Spiritwear: Melissa W. will look into pricing and production for spring products now so we can get started
early for spring campaign; proposal made to reach out to community re: winter items we still have available
for purchase
Recess: There hasn’t been outdoor recess for awhile due to weather; Per Mr. C – we will need new
playground balls when outdoor recess resumes
Family Events: Discussed three upcoming events
3/21 – Spaghetti Supper
Mr. C and Gina M. handling the entertainment: planning Are You Smarter Than a Douglas K-5th
Grader? game where parent & teacher teams will go up against students; currently reaching out to
parents to help generate questions across grade levels and subjects; Mr. C also soliciting
donations from teachers for the raffles – we have some from Elementary already, waiting to hear
on Primary; looking into possible donations from BJs and Panera, among others, for food items; still
need volunteers to work event
4/10 – Science Night
Already have 3 volunteers to run stations, looking for more; Mr. C will reach out to Elementary
science teachers to participate
5/30 – Spring Carnival
Planning committee had initial meeting on 2/24; plans are taking shape and committee members
are currently following up on assigned tasks; Per Deb P.: we may be able to recruit some HS Honor
students to volunteer the day of the event
Community Relations: Community Cares Closet still needs help organizing and sorting donations; order
form will go out to community soon; Deana L. proposed asking Middle School student council students to
volunteer some hours to help out
Rewards: Per Jocelyn M. – 100th Day box tops contest was a huge success: we collected 5,000 box tops;
recently submitted a total of 10,000 box tops collected among Primary, Elementary, and Middle; proposal
made to possibly run more box tops contests throughout the year
Scrip orders being submitted monthly but we’re incurring mailing expenses that cut into our profit; Jocelyn
wants to push PrestoPay option that allows online ordering and instant e-cards rather than mailing physical
cards in bulk; also proposed cutting back Scrip to only 3x/year (start of year, Xmas, and end of year)
Fundraising Report
Valentine’s Dance made over $500; suggested we hold more dances, maybe a welcome back dance at start
of school year
Gertrude Hawk just ended
Read-a-Thon is going on until 3/11; FunPass will go out once Read-a-Thon concludes
Papa Gino’s dine out fundraiser on 3/19; haven’t heard back from Longhorn yet about April, Jocelyn M. will
look into Panera as alternate
Principal’s Report – Mr. C in attendance
Dr. Seuss week going very well, readers from community came in Monday to read to classes
Elementary School holding March Madness foul-shooting contest for 3rd-5th graders; students will compete in
teams of 3 to advance through brackets towards a trophy
Starting to plan Field Day, tentative date: June 12
Needs some money to cover activity-related expenses (March Madness, Field Day, etc…); will take out of
PTO’s unreserved funds
He’s heard from many parents about Valentine’s Dance: everyone had fun, event was a big success
Elementary School 2nd trimester report cards come out March 23
Teacher’s Report – Mrs. Jane in attendance
Brought some expenses incurred by Kindergarten and 1st grade for possible reimbursement if budget allows.
Inquired about PTO funding for K and 1st grade t-shirts for field trips and field day in spring – PTO will look
into t-shirt expense as it will be double last year’s budget to include both grades. She will check back with
her team re: whether they want to use last spring’s carnival earnings or all chip in their own money.
Other Business

PTO sponsoring Book Fair April 14-16, under the sea theme, bringing in touch tank from Mystic
Aquarium; need volunteers to work during fair and also help with set up on 4/13 and break down on
4/17; students to make undersea decorations for event

4/13 – Literal Lily enrichment program at both schools

Wally L. proposed fundraising idea: Paint Night at Sokol Club; Douglas HS just did this and it was
very successful – great return with little overhead and not a lot of manpower required; PTO will
consider, maybe for spring

Textile recycling is a go – once snow melts, collection bin will be placed somewhere on property,
can recycle clothes, linens, shoes, etc…; PTO receives $100 for every 200 lbs collected

Trex recycling – we’ve received 667.5 lbs of plastic so far; only 5 schools in MA competing, we
appear to be leading right now

We had 163 Six Flags Read to Succeed participants; sold 128 Red Sox tickets; currently offering
Globetrotters tickets to community
Next Meeting
April 7, 2015 @ 7pm in Elementary School Library
Motion to adjourn was made at 8:15pm by Alysa C., seconded by Mr. C and Danielle B., and was passed
unanimously.
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