East Middle School

PTO Meeting Minutes - 2/3/04

February PTO Meeting Minutes

February 3, 2004 East PTO minutes

The meeting opened at 7:00 PM with 14 people in attendance.

With 22 teams entered College Bowl was a success.

Crook games will be the next event (Feb. 12 at 6:30) Carol Phripp will be calling volunteers. For those who are donating goodies we ask that they be individually wrapped (per order of the board of health). If possible the soda chilled

Sue O'Brien presented the Treasurer's Report.

Val Devlin proposed presenting each grade with a monetary gift of $500 each to spend on anything that would benefit their class. For example. the 6th grade class will be bringing the Shakespeare Now! Theatre Company to perform major roles in Shakespeare plays. The proposal was accepted.

Mr. Connelly suggested the PTO take over the magazine drive.
Mr. Glover presented a proposal for the PTO to establish links with the elementary schools and create forums related to issues between parents and students as they enter middle school.
Both were tabled for discussion at the March meeting.

Dr. William Kendall, Director of Mathematics and Technology was the guest speaker. He explored the topic "Math, Why Is It So Hard? He gave many reasons, including but not limited to :
1. Math is more than just numbers. It now involves a lot of reasoning.
2. It is an abstract subject with its own terminology ( often unfamiliar to the students)
3. Math is a subject that builds on it self. If a student misses a part of the building process (s)he can become lost.
4. Diagnosing math disabilities is difficult. The research on this is not available.
On a final note he added that 5th graders are currently using a 6th grade math book that should aid them in their transition to middle school math.

Mr. Connelly handed out the 8th grade MCAS test.
The Pace Program is up and running at East. It is an emergency contact system via the telephone system.

School Advisory :Bill Dalton presented the report
1. The redistricting of the middle schools will be decided at the next School Committee meeting. This will be held on Feb. 9 at East. All are encouraged to attend.
2. Math Labs- reported there are not enough teachers to man them.

Finally- CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Connelly for receiving the Peacemaker Award.

Our next meeting is on March 2 at 7:00 PM