PTO Updates

Meeting Notes – 3/11/24 PTO Meeting

Introduction:
The meeting kicked off with an opportunity to ask questions to Mrs. Hart.

Mrs. Hart Update:

  • Conditions for outdoor recess include a feels-like temperature of 25°F or colder.
  • Second Step
    • A social-emotional K-4 curriculum that Ayers has been using for many years (though it waned during the pandemic) is a supplement to Responsive Classroom. Lessons build upon each other.
    • Responsive Classroom is a staff training/belief system that teaches things every classroom uses (morning meeting, quiet time, etc.)
    • Once a week, a morning meeting is substituted with a Second Step lesson.
      • Topics include bullying, pro-social behaviors, social interactions, etc.

Upcoming Events

  • 3/12: Giuseppe’s Dine-out Night. Includes dine-in, take-out, & market. Make sure you mention Ayers!
  • 3/20: Zoom story time with Mrs. Hart. Check your email and Facebook for the link.
  • 3/21: Referencing the “Lots of Socks” campaign, on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated by wearing brightly colored, mismatched socks.
  • 3/21: 3rd grade show. Need PTO table volunteers.
  • 3/28: Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character Day
  • 4/5: NASA presentation (3rd & 4th grade)
  • 4/5: Author presentation (K through 2nd)
  • 4/6: Casino Night. We will start promoting ticket sales to the general public on 3/21. Purchase yours before then!
  • 4/26: Stuffy Sleepover
  • 5/17: Candy Bar Bingo

Rachael Abell, School Committee update:

May 8: Public hearing about school committee budget
March 13 @ 6:30: Open forum about curriculum (no public comments)
March 13 @ 7:30: School committee meeting
March 27: Finance and Facilities meeting

2 new school committee spots are being added in the coming years. Do you want to run? masc.org

Playground Committee update:

  • We have 40 bricks sold–orders due May 1.
  • We Will create a graduation-themed flyer to distribute city-wide. Ryal Side Civic Association will help us spread the word.

    There are 4 grants in the process:

    • Lynch Foundation — $10,000 – APPROVED
    • Institute for Savings – APPLIED
    • Essex County Community Foundation – APPLIED
    • Beverly Education Foundation – APP. IN PROCESS

Science Club update:

  • 23 students enrolled in this session.
  • We will add a second session because of interest.
  • Presentation night is open to all – April 5.

Beverly Education Foundation Update:

  • Grant applications are due this Friday.
  • So far, there are 3 from Ayers: playground, math kits, Breakout EDU
  • Cummings Foundation money for 2024/25 is to be decided by June, and allocated in the following ways:
    • $400-Hooray for Health
    • $400-TBD family/math/reading night or science fair
    • $400- TBD place-based learning/conservation/stewardship
      • Would like to use it for the planetarium again.

Additional Notes:

  • We will add a new board position for a 4th-grade end-of-year committee chairperson.
  • PTO board nominations will take place April 1 through 12. Voting will take place April 14 through 28—emails to follow.
  • Read-a-thon is off to a strong start! Check your student’s backpack for a bookmark with QR codes to make signing up and logging minutes easier.
  • A catalog fundraiser will be coming in April.
  • Thank you to those who attended the Caregiver Information Night in February. We got some feedback on future topics and would love to hear more. Does another time of year work better?