Minutes from our May 5, 2010 meeting
by Michaela Hermann, Secretary

Principal’s Report (Mrs. Leddy)
Fourth Grade Science NECAP Tests: Fourth graders will take Science NECAP tests for three days starting 5/11-5/13. Thursday will be inquiry test, which is a hands on test with questions related to the experiment The completed tests will be sent to New Hampshire. The results will be sent to the school early in the fall. In the past, the 4th grade proficiency, in Science, has been 65%.

May Activities: The calendar will be sent home by Friday. There are many events and activities going on this month. See below for the list of upcoming events for this month. Additionally, the 4th graders will be going to the Boston Science Museum. On May 7th Mrs. Croker will invite parents to listen to a poetry jam. The 5th graders will take the Gates-Mcginty Standardized Test. The results will sent to Martin Middle School. There are plans to have a parent-student lunch, and plans are being made for a showing of the movief the Great Mouse Detective. The dates for these two events will be announced.


Treasurer’s Report (Sonda Pimental)
Sonda Pimental reviewed the monthly activity and did a brief overview of the annual budget.


Chair Updates
Teacher Appreciation Week: Leslie Tente gave a generous thank you to all the parents who helped out this year. We celebrated the teachers in a different way everyday this week. The teachers seemed to appreciate it. Mrs. Leddy and Mrs. Tente also gave the faculty bathroom a makeover which was well received.

Board Positions: Leslie Tente introduced the PTO to the new board members for next year. They are: Joanne Cox and Sherry Silverstein-Co-Presidents, Pam Heatherton- Vice President, and Mary Cabral-Secretary. Sonda Pimental will continue on as Treasurer. Welcome!

School Planting Day: Mrs. Vandal explained that this year we will divide the planting day into two days. It will start with children in K-2nd on 5/13 and grades3-5 will plant on 5/14. This will make it more manageable. Parents are welcome to join in. There will be a need for new Environmental Committee members for next year. For anyone interested, please let Mrs. Vandal or the PTO know.

Food Drive/Feinstein Food Challenge: Stephanie De’Abreu announced that our school raised 200 food items last month!


Upcoming Events
Amazing Arthropods (5/3)
Arts Night (5/5)
Mother’s Day Tribute (5/7)
Family Fun Night (5/14)
Fire Fighter Phil (5/11)
Grade 4 Science NECAP Testing (5/11-5/13)
Arbor Day Tree Planting (5/13)
Spring Planting Day for grades K-2 (5/13)
Spring Planting Day for grades 3-5 (5/14)
Roller Skating Night (5/18)
Grade 5 Instrumental Band Concert (5/20-7 p.m. at the High School) Grade 5 visit to Martin Middle School (5/26)

Parents are encouraged to attend the School Committee Meeting on May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall to show our support to our teachers and our disapproval of increasing the classroom size.