MSK PARENT GROUP
The Middle School of the Kennebunks Parent /Teacher Organization
School Year 2006-07
Welcome to the MSK Parent/Teachers Organization. Our mission is to enhance relationships between parents, teachers and students and to provide support for educational and enrichment programs.
Our Goals:
Help parents and students as they
transition from one grade to the next.
Provide useful information for parents on a wide range of timely topics relevant to parents of Middle School students.
Support teachers with classroom, volunteer and special project needs.
Raise money for enrichment and educational programs, as well as other special requests as needed.
2006-07 Calendar
The MSK PTO meeting schedule for the rest of 2006 will be:
Oct 26 6 PM- 7 PM (meeting held prior to 7 PM presentation by Mr. Beaudoin, KHS Principal)
Nov 15 9 AM- 10:30 AM (3rd Wed of month)
Dec 20 9 AM - 10:30 AM (3rd Wed of month)
Parent Information Nights: TBD
Organizational structure
The MSK PTO Executive Group includes:
Chairperson: Presides over and assures monthly meetings run fluently and productively according to the agenda. Remains available as the key contact person for the group if any questions/concerns arise. Oversees various subcommittees in the group to assure group mission/goals being met.
Grade Representatives: Each grade level contains two teams. Each team is represented by one parent with a student on that team. His or her role is to act as a liaison between the team leader and the MSK PTO. Duties may include: addressing issues, helping with fund-raising efforts and coordinating volunteers for specific grade-related events, including school dances.
Secretary: Prepares and distributes (via email) the agenda for the upcoming monthly meeting to all the parent group members. Prepares and distributes approved communication via paper/internet sources, working with MSK office personnel to assure web site contains up to date MSK PTO information. Takes minutes of monthly meetings, organizes into a document and distributes back to group (via email).
Treasurer: Oversees accounting of group funds. Assures proper documentation and receipts are provided prior to approved disbursement of funds from the MSK PTO fund. Provides monthly hand out of accounts for meeting and year-end statement. Maintains balanced checking account.
Fund-raising Coordinator(s): Oversees MSK PTO fund-raising programs. In the past, there have been two major fundraisers, one in the fall and one in the spring. New ideas are always welcome!
High School Liaison: Informs MSK parents about KHS activities and pertinent issues.
Fund-raising Programs
Since May 2003, our group has raised over $50,000 through three major fund-raisers and from direct donations. Monies raised supported a wide range of field trips and enrichment programs, including Avenue X Doo Wop Group, ‘50’s Day, Diversity Day, a ropes course consultant, yoga classes, and significant contributions to help cover field trip transportation expenses. The dollars our group has raised have touched every student at MSK.
Parent Information Nights
In past years, approximately 50 parents attended each of our Parent Information Nights. Topics included the trial and tribulations of the Middle School years, the future of MSAD71 and drug/alcohol abuse (Superintendent Tom Farrell), the laptop program and Internet safety. With input from parents, the MSK PTO Executive Group and Parent Information Night Committee will determine topics and speakers for School Year 2006-07 in the fall.
Email notifications
To receive notifications regarding MSAD 71, MSK and MSK PTO, sign up at:
www.sad71.net
This is a new “blog” that is up and running! To receive MSK notices from the blog, click on “Middle School” on the right side of the Welcome page. At the MSK page, enter your email in the box on the right and click on “Subscribe me!”
MSAD71 District Information:
MSK Office: 467-8004 Fax: 467-9059
MSK Cafeteria: 467-8004
MSK Nurse: 467-8004 or 467-9003
Central Office: 985-1100 Fax: 985-1104
Bus Barn: 985-2622
MSK Volunteer Opportunities
The MSK PTO is currently seeking a volunteer coordinator to assist the staff in matching up volunteers with needs at the school. In the past, these are some of the types of needs the school has had:
Library Aide: Assistance with circulation of books and re-shelving is needed. Hours are flexible.
Videotaping Educational Programs: Done at home! Lists of times for programs and videotapes will be provided.
Preparation of Mailings to Parents: Periodic mailings to parents require photocopying, folding and preparing envelopes.
Spell Checker: All seventh graders need to master 200 grade level spelling words. We can use help to verify student mastery.
Sewing of Costumes: Life Skills Room equipment is available for after school work with students. You can also work on costumes at home.
Assistance in the School Office: The office is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Extra project help is needed from time to time.
Set-up for Special Events: Assist with set-up of displays and refreshments, etc.
Field Trip Chaperones: This is a great way for parents to share in the life of our school for just one day. Opportunities year-round.
Career Education: If your career is related to a school subject, consider participating in a career day presentation.
Technology: Updating the web site.
An updated list will be available at the first PTO meeting, September 20, 2006.
If you are interested in any of the MSK PTO Executive positions or the volunteer coordinator position, please contact Donna Hyde at 985-4267 (hydesd@verizon.net) or Maureen King at 282-2907 (mknmf@adelphia.net). Thanks!!
Parent group meeting: 26 October 2006 p.m. meeting
In attendence: Debbie Johnson, Linda Pearson, Alice Richard, Art and Holly LeBlanc, Janet Amoroso, Lisa Ottman, JoAnn Lapoint, Vickie Drigotas, Fran Farr, Doug Pearly
Linda Pearson ran the meeting.
Treasurer report was recapped by Linda Pearson, in Donna Hyde’s absence. Approximately $2000 currently in account, prior to any fundraising. In the past, $ 7000-8000 dollars has been raised by the two events. Magazine sales and cookie dough sales.
Fund raising requests: Fran presented two requests.
1. Bodwell/Bridge teams made a $500 deposit in September for “A Christmas Carol” at Portland Stage Co. They are requesting $2000 by November 3rd. Performance in December
2. Meyers/Dalton teams have “pre-requested” funds to go toward the Chinatown trip in the spring.
Updates: NWEA testing has begun. 48 students take the on-line test at a time. Parents and teachers will get results soon and will be used to help develop teaching strategies.
Student Council, Civil rights, and yearbook committees are being formed at this time. All students are encouraged to participate. There was discussion about the parents needing to be more informed regarding what clubs/groups/ committees are available to the kids. Fran agreed to put some information in the report cards. It was also suggested to have a “check dates to remember” crawl on the MSK website.
Fran shared with the parent group information about the “Pink Tulip Project” to benefit the American Cancer Society and honor Laurie Ellis. The project is a pink ribbon garden design for the area in front of the school.
700 tulips will be delivered on Monday 10/30 and the students will be preparing the soil and doing the planting next week. Geometry students will also have a part in the layout. MSK will upfront the money necessary for the project. Roughly $1000. $700 of which goes directly to the ACS. The other $300 will cover supplies such as landscaping bricks and crushed stone. The school will be asking for a donation of $1 from each student to cover the cost. Mr. Denniston is heading up the project.
There was some discussion about a fundraising tie-in when the flowers are in bloom perhaps sponsored by the student council.
Volunteer Opportunities still available to help out the MSK/PTG:
Chairperson
Secretary
Volunteer coordinator
Advisory (accountability) committee, seeking non-school aged parent community member
Directory committee, currently manned by Lisa Ottman and Maureen King, seeking assistance.
Dance Protocols: there is a check list to follow when volunteering for the dance. The next dance is the Dalton Dance November 17th. It was decided that more attention would be paid to healthful snack choices. Water and Gatorade would be served as beverages.
Fundraising: Kickoff this week for magazine sales, in Linda’s words, “The kids seemed jazzed and enthusiastic”. Turn in dates are November 1 and 7.
Class updates: Lisa Ottman reported that Mrs. Bodwell’s team is focused on Kayla Withrow. They are making cards for her as she goes through cancer treatment. This winter will be their carnival.
At parent teacher conferences, 6th grade teachers will be seeking parent volunteers. Help is always welcome for making copies, etc.
Meyers team will be holding their parent/student breakfast on November 16.
Nutrition committee will be meeting on Monday October 30. 9:00 conference room.
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