Minutes for JT Hood Parents’ Association Meeting

Wednesday, January 17, 2023 7:00 PM Hood School Library

2023-2024 PA Members in attendance

President: Jenn Burnham

Vice President: Mariann Arena

Social/Hospitality: Erin Carlson and Jen Cavanaugh

Enrichment: Stephanie DiPerna

Fundraising: Alisha Johnson

Communications: Stephanie Almonti

7:00PM Board Meeting Called to Order

11 people in attendance

President/Vice President – Jenn Burnham and Mariann Arena

Budget: Boosterthon was paid; Kimball Farm deposit was made for 5 th grade; need to confirm

date with 5 th grade committee

Playground Update: Turf is in; swings are scheduled for April; Wishlist items are an additional

$15,000 for equipment + $10,000 for benches and tables; Holding off on bricks until next year

so we don’t exhaust parents with fundraising asks

Social/Hospitality – Erin Carlson and Jen Cavanaugh

Half-day conference teacher lunch from Kouzina – very well received

Holiday coffee/cocoa cart was enjoyed by the teachers

Working on upcoming free family events; might take winter off; Rob Surrette scheduled in May,

and possible playground event in June to celebrate its completion

PNO tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 23 with auction items available

Sweetheart Slush on February 14 – classroom schedule TBD

Enrichment: Stephanie DiPerna and Timmery Fitzpatrick

1 st Grade Discovery Museum scheduled for January 26

School-wide enrichment, Ned’s Mindset Mission, scheduled for February 5

School-wide enrichment scheduled for April 11

Family enrichment/event, Rob Surrette scheduled for May 31

Ultimate Game Show being scheduled in June with a new DJ

Fundraising: Alisha Johnson and Rachel Cheng

Holiday Shop raised $3500; inventory for next year was conducted; we’re in a good position for

next year’s shop

Going to table cookie fundraiser to avoid asking parents to sell/buy

Communications: Stephanie Alimonti, Stephanie Reynolds, Jess Roden

Continue to send the team anything we need posted or highlighted for the school community

Minutes for JT Hood Parent’s Association Meeting -

Wednesday September 20th, 2023 7:00PM

Hood School library

2023 - 2024 PA Members in attendance

President - Jenn Burnham

Vice President - Marriane Arena

Secretary: Katie Street

Social/Hospitality: Erin Carlson & Jen Cavanaugh

Treasuerer: Tommy Fiorentino

Enrichment: Timmery Fitzpatrick and Stephanie DiPerna

Fundraising: Rachel Cheng and Alisha Johnson

Communications: Steph Alimonti, Jessica Roden, & Stephanie Reynolds

7:02 PM Board Meeting Called to Order

34 people in attendance

Staff update: Dr McKay & Sarah Liekweg

Live line drop off needs to be addressed

75 more students than usual in the building this year. Mostly 1st grade, otherwise scattered

Smooth opening, even through the heat

State percentile ranking came out - 93rd percentile

President/Vice President - Jenn Burnham & Mariann Arena

Playground update

old is set to come out next week and grading will happen

Delivery of new playground is mid October

No playground for a couple of weeks - ground needs to settle before new playground goes in

Idea is to have kids sign one piece of old playgournd and keep it

Phase 1 (main structure) is funded

Phase 2 (additional structures) still need funds

Different sponsor levels

Bricks is one sponsorship - still looking into companies - will start selling in February

Treasurer - Tommy Fiorentino

Budget Report

Starting budget in August $29K

$1K removed for 5th grade fund, put in a new bank account

$2K fun run deposit

$500 deposited from Nick’s place doantion

$25K in funds right now

Playground update - Corporate Sponsorships

2 confirmed, Nicks and China Cuisine

Reading Co-Op bank has confirmed - they will outbid all banks

Cummings Property - will donate $2,000

Dunkin Donuts plans to make a donation

Kitty’s plans to donate

Fundraising: Rachel Cheng & Alisha Johnson

Spirit Sale: open until 10/20 - so far raised $200

Fun Run: meeting with Meg to nail down fun run plans

Kick off 11/13

Using Boosterthon again

Pies: pies in fall and cookie in spring

Holiday Shop: Jill libby offered to chair

Social/Hospitality: Erin Carlson & Jen Cavanaugh

Teacher breakfast - first week of school

K popsicle social - handed out PA collateral and provided ready confetti

Sip sip hooray - K parents social in library

9/11 event - goodies dropped off at NRPD & NRFD

Can we submit to transcript?

Up Next:

Pizza and Ice cream social (9/21)

Boo Bash - lead by Timmery Fitzpatrick

Looking for Commitee

Scheduled for 10/27 @ IRP - rain date 10/29

Trying to add additional activities

Snacks and waters will be provided

Trying to make a free event

4:30 - 6 - Sensory sensitive familes welcome to come at 4

Parents Night Out in November

December Take a tag

Custodial Appreciation Day - PA will put something together for them

Enrichment: Timmery Fitzpatrick & Steph Diperna

Rob Surette - spring event, potentially have at night and make it free

Survey for teachers - going to ask what they prefer

Communications: Steph Alimonti, Jessica Roden, & Stephanie Reynolds

Newsletter - constantly sent out, monthly cadence

Highlight previous month and what’s to come

Impact report created by Stephanie Reynolds

Next Meeting: Wednesday, 10/18/23 @ 10/7PM - Hood school library

Meeting Adjourned at 8:25 PM

Minutes for JT Hood Parent’s Association Meeting

Wednesday, October 10th, 2022 @ 7:00PM

Hood School Library

2022 - 2023 PA Members in attendance

President - Jenn Burnham

Secretary: Katie Street

Communications: Theresa Colarusso, Stephanie Alimonti

Social/Hospitality: Erin Carlson

Fundraising: Jill Libby

Enrichment: Timmery Fitzpatrick, Marianne Arena

Treasury: Stacey Levato

● 7:02 PM Board Meeting Called to Order

● Previous minutes approved by Theresa Calorusso, Stacey Levato 2nd motion

● 4 people in attendance other than board members

○ Lauren Lee, Stephanie Palmer, Stephanie DiPerna, Christine Fiorentino

Dr. McKay (Staff Update)

-Third and first grade confirmed some enrichment stuff, communicated by Mrs Liekweg

-Upcoming STEAM night. PA asked to provide $100 to fill in gap for things needed.

Approved by board, do not need to vote on that amount

-Picture Day, Fun Run, Sunshine Day and STEAM night coming up

-Sunshine day, kids wear yellow

-Starbucks manager going to be community rep for school council

-93rd percentile for school report card – only 48 schools above us in the state

President - Jenn Burnham:

Fun run

o Profit of $47K last year

o Will keep 75% of profit, negotiated by

o Participation last year had 87%

o Two logos made to use on branded items and social media

o Prizes going to change this year, with more branded items

o Top winners will get sweatshirts

o Goal this year is to raise $25K – hoping to make exceed

o Fun run committee – week of November 7th

Social/Hospitality - Erin Carlson:

Trivia Night – successful event with fun had by parents and teachers

o $2,600 raised

- Pizza Ice Cream Social – successful fun night for families

- Take-a-tag will be coming up around the holidays

- Halloween Treat for teachers

- Boo Bash – Timmery heading everything up. Volunteers needed

Enrichment - Timmery Fitzpatrick, Marianne Arena

-Unique game show booked for June 12th

- Targeting March for Rob Surrette – going to do one show for all students

Fundraising - Jilly Libby:

- Pies just finished up, still calculating profits. Getting delivered the Tuesday before

Thanksgiving

- Apparel Sale – shipped out yesterday, 10/18

- Next up: Holiday Shop

Communications

- Announcing fun run, playground, etc – newsletter going out

- Majority of next updates will be about fun run

Meeting Adjourned at 8:00 PM

Next Meeting: Thursday, 11/17/22 @ 7PM - Hood school library

DescriptioMinutes for JT Hood Parent’s Association Meeting

Wednesday, September 21st, 2022 7:00PM

Hood School Library

2022 - 2023 PA Members in attendance

President - Jenn Burnham

Secretary: Katie Street

Communications: Theresa Colaurusso & Stephanie Alimonti

Social/Hospitality: Erin Carlson

Fundairsing: Jill Libby

Enrichment: Timmery Fitzpatrick

7:06 PM Board Meeting Called to Order

9 people in attendance other than board members

Dr. McKay, Mrs. Liekweg, Gracielle Swanson, Jen Cavanaugh, Stephanie DiPerna, Casey Taylor, Poonah Zomorodian, Sarah Tavares, & Gina Moran

Dr. McKay (Staff Update)

Smooth school opening, very pleased with how the year kicked off

Mrs Liekweg will not be the teacher liaison, taking Andrea Slaven’s role

Looking for school council members

Stephanie Alimonti volunteered to take on the two year term

President - Jenn Burnham:

Looking for someone to head the playground project, big focus of the year

Social/Hospitality - Erin Carlson:

Back to school staff breakfast & Kindergarten parents welcome

Both successful events where everyone was pleased.

One thing to note, teachers did not drink much of the coffee provided

Pizza & Ice cream social taking place on 9/27

Still looking for volunteers

Around 350 people replied yes so far

School Custodian Day (9/30)

Thank you gifts will be given to both custodians, Jimmy & Joe, to show appreciation from the Hood School

Trivia Night at the Moose (10/14)

Volunteers and committee still being formed

DJ has been hired, trivia process is all electronic

6:30 tp 10:30. Trivia starts at 7:30

$25/person - can sign up individually or as a team

Lottery bouquet for winners (3 rounds)

Silent auction and live auction items still need to be worked out

Boo Bash

9/28 at Ipswhich River Park - rain date of 9/30

4:00 - 5:30/6 - sensory sensitive families are welcome to come early

DJ booked

Looking for chair person

Enrichment - Timmery Fitzpatrick:

Both Timmery & Marianne are working with Suzanne & Danielle (previous enrichment co-chairs) to understand process

Rob Surette & Ultimate Game Show already being looked into

Fundraising - Jilly Libby:

Apparel Sale - going on right now, store open for two weeks with orders coming in mid October

Pie & Cookie sale is being kicked off for Thanksgiving holiday

Fun Run - Meg Borkowski heading up event which will be taking place the day before Thanksgiving

Meeting Adjourned at 8:10 PM

Next Meeting: Wednesday, 10/19/22 @ 7PM - Hood school libraryn goes here

Minutes for JT Hood Parent’s Association Meeting - Wednesday, April 27th, 2022 7:00PM

2021 - 2022 PA Members in attendance

President - Jenn Burnham

Treasurer: Stacey Levato

Secretary: Katie Street

Communications: Theresa Colaurusso

Social/Hospitality: Erin Carlson/Suzanne Burnham

7:05 PM Board Meeting Called to Order

9 people in attendance

Motion to approve 3/9/22 minutes - Stacey L. 1st, Erin C. 2nd, Unanimous approval

Dr. McKay (Staff Update)

Rob Surrete painting needs to be paid for. $400 - framed copy, and $225 for unframed

Mrs String Retirement: granite bench which is around $900. Sunshine club would donate some money and so wouldn’t McKay, asking the PA to donate the remainder.

Outside school ceremony on June 17th - kids will sing song and dedicate bench

Field day is June 15th, rain date is 16th - Mr. Quinlan will be heading it up

Playground committee - nothing has been started yet. Need to look into grants

President - Jenn Burnham:

Parents night out - successful night overall.Next year - book somewhere bigger

Birthday Sign - should stop when school ends. Should continue next year

Mom’s Village - Cindy offered to do a free class for 20 people, possibly May 10th

Treasurer - Stacey Levato:

$79K in bank - after allocations, $61K available

5th grade has $1,800 in bank

Fun run donations still coming in for corporate match

Teacher stipends - allocated $4,500. Stacey to coordinate with Andrea

Social/Hospitality - Erin & Suzanne:

Teacher appreciation week coming up

Monday: bulletin board being set up - flowers and plants being set up

Tuesday: snacks delivered to each classroom,

Wednesday: Doing breakfast (Katie to make sign)

Thursday: Cinco de Mayo - chipotle/chips/salsa/guac spread (Katie to make sign)

Friday: lunch - sandwiches coming from Bagel World (Katie to make sign)

Mrs String retirement - doing flowers and gift card possibly, will decide after bench is determined

Next Meeting: Wednesday, 5/18/22 @ 7PM - Hood school library

Meeting Adjourned at 8:10 PM

MEETING NOTES PLACEHOLDER

2021 - 2022 PA Members in attendance

President - Jenn Burnham

Treasurer: Stacey Levato

Secretary: Katie Street

Communications: Theresa Colaurusso

Social/Hospitality: Erin Carlson/Suzanne Burnham

Enrichment: Danielle Caturano

Fundraising: Jill Libby

7:01 PM Board Meeting Called to Order

22 people in attendance, including board members and folks using virtual link

Motion to approve 11/17/22 minutes - Erin C. 1st, Theresa C. 2nd, Unanimous approval

Dr. McKay/Mrs. Crosby (Staff Update)

Mrs. Crosby, head of the reading program, presented on a recent group study

11 teachers were recently involved in a group study, learning about the science of reading, and creating a balanced literacy classroom

The study helped validate practices already in play, and brought to light some changes that have already been made based on their learnings, as well as changes that could be made in the future

The book read during the group study was “Shifting the Balance”

Dr. McKay provided update on masks and how students will continue to eat at lunch, maintaining diagonal seats while being able to sit where you can

President - Jenn Burnham:

directory update - not going out this year. Took to long to get together. Looking for a better opt-in process next. Possibly checking in with Daniel Downs, head of NR IT, to help with the process

Fun run - principal of the day winners still need to be coordinated. Overall successful event where we learned some things we can change next year, such as the prize process. $66K raised before corporate matches, with around $40K in total profit. November 23rd is booked for next year already.

Valentine’s day - sweetheart slush to be delivered to the student’s classroom. Ordered slush through the cafeteria to ensure its allergy safe

Adult social event night: looking into Horseshoe and Brewery

Treasurer - Stacey Levato:

$58,345 is balance through December, still some outstanding checks that need to be cashed from fun run

Enrichment - Danielle Caturano:

Continuing to work with teachers to get enrichment programs on the calendar. Hasn’t been easy to find ones that are not completely virtual

Social/Hospitality - Erin & Suzanne:

On valentine’s day teachers will receive candy & flowers, and all staff will be entered to win a raffle prize of an Amazon gift card, bouquet of flowers, and chocolate. Kids are receiving “sweetheart slush” which will be delivered to their classroom

Nurse appreciation day discussed

Was decided to honor the nurses on the covid staff with some gifts showing the school's appreciation. Theresa C. is heading up gathering gifts, which will be delivered on the first day of returning to school after February vacation. No mask day!

End of year social ideas talked about. Usually kick off the school year with one, which didn’t happen this year. Hope is to have something outside for all families to come

Next Meeting: Wednesday, 3/9/22 @ 7PM - Hood school library

Meeting Adjourned at 8:17 PM

2021 - 2022 PA Board Members in attendance

President - Jenn Burnham

Treasurer: Stacey Levato

Secretary: Katie Street

Communications: Theresa Colaurusso

Social/Hospitality: Erin Carlson & Suzzane Burnham

Fundraising: Jill Libby

Enrichment: Danielle Caturano

- 7:07 PM Board Meeting Called to Order

-26 people in attendance, including board members

-Motion to approve 8/18/21 minutes - Danielle 1st, Stacy 2nd, Unanimous approval

Dr. McKay/Ms. Slaven (Staff Update)

Goals for ‘21-’22: Teaching & learning goal being aligned between teachers & districts

New staff members announced - including art, special ed, and student teachers

Yale data discussed - was analyzed to see where kids’ strengths and weaknesses are

PE is back in the gym, art has its own room, and students can now sit together at a table - great news!

Curriculum Specialists will be coming to PA meetings to give updates

Eureka Math - run by miss Slaven. In district from K-5. Provided updates on the program. “I Do - We do - You Do”

President (Jenn Burnham):

Directory update, only 88 responses so far. Need more involvement and someone to help put together directory booklet

Lots of opportunity to volunteer this year in different areas and will be reaching out to people that have expressed interest

Treasurer (Stacey Levato):

$33,426.40 account balance after allocations

Two teacher stipends are still not cashed

Still in need of an accountant to help file taxes by November 15th deadline. Trying to find someone new to save money.

$8,000 has been allocated for enrichment for the year

Enrichment (Danielle Caturano):

Provided overall update on what enrichment programs are in general with examples.

Given greenlight by Dr. McKay to start working with the teachers to see what types of enrichment programs can be brought in that align with their curriculum.

Secretary (Katie Street):

Working on informational sheet that covers ongoing fundraisers throughout the year

Amazon Smile, Shutterfly, & Box Tops

Looking for help with flyers going forward if anyone has a graphic design background

Fundraising (Jill Libby):

Birthday Lawn Sign - Fundraising is getting kicked off this week with information flyer going home to families. The Happy Birthday lawn sign can be rented for $30 and a PA member will come and set it up for the day requested. All requests can be made through a Google Form, which will be managed by Katelyn Stevens

Apparel sale - now live through 9/29

Pies/Cookies - Fundraiser will kick off at the end of October. Pies are delivered around Thanksgiving and it’s typically a very profitable fundraiser

Holiday Shop: Going back to purchasing own products. Shop will kick off around the holidays with items at $2 each

Fall Fundraiser - Possibility of a fun run during school hours. On hold for now while more research is being done

Communications (Theresa Colarusso):

New website is up and running!

Help wanted section will be added highlighting where volunteering needs are

Looking into adding an ecommerce option where transaction can happen right on site

Assistance with social media functions in general are needed if there is anyone with background or willingness to help out, it would be appreciated!

Social/Hospitality (Erin Carlson & Suzanne Burnham):

Square 1 Art (Suzanne) - hoping to find someone to volunteer to help and take over. This person would work with the art teacher to set up the program

Welcome back breakfast was provided to the teachers the first week of school

Sip, Sip, Hooray went smoothly with the kindergarten parents on their first day of school

September 11th thank you gift was delivered to the NR Police and Fire stations. Snacks were provided so they could be shared between shifts

Goodies will be delivered to Mrs. String on her birthday (9/25)

October 2nd is national Custodian Day and the PA will be recognizing the Hood School custodians with a little gift

Meeting Adjourned at 8:37 PM