Highland School PTO

Highland Elementary School      

PTO Meeting        

October 28, 2021

 

• Welcome: Zoom meeting (Mr. S. Jeffrey (Principal), Mrs. E. Bordonaro (Vice-Principal), Mrs. J. Maringola, Mrs. S. Lopez and Mrs. A. Thompson (Teachers representative), Parents : Mrs. K. Banach, Mr. T. Blum, Mrs. H. Brandt Weed, Mrs. Rachel Cohn Reiner (PTO co-President), Mrs. H. Cretella, Mrs. Kirstin Dillon (co-Secretary), Mrs. J. Hannan, Mrs. Kelly Henri (PTO co-vice president), Mr. W. Hyde, Mr. Cole Jackson, Mrs. P. Leisring, Mrs. A. Maratea, Mrs. R. Moran, Mrs. J. Nero (PTO co-President), Mrs. T. Parillo, Mrs. A.Rendon (PTO Vice-President), Mrs. Sabine Rézette Lederer (co-Secretary), Mr. A. Salerno, Mrs. Melanie Stuebs

 

Introductions

Mr. Jeffrey’s report:

Minutes draft from Mr. Jeffrey

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PTO - Principal's Report

October 28, 2021

 

1. PTO Book Fair- The annual PTO Scholastic Book Fair is back! In-person! We had an excellent turnout this year with students book shopping in person and parents guardians shopping during the conference times.  A special thank you to all of the volunteers working the book fair over the past 8 days.  I want to especially recognize Kristy Hayes for her service to the school by leading the way with the book fair this year and in the past few years. 

2. Halloween Parade October 29-Highland students in all grades will be able to dress in Halloween costumes and enjoy a classroom celebration.  In addition, students in grades K-3 will enjoy a Halloween parade.  Parents and guardians are invited to attend this festive event. 

3. Veteran’s Day- Highland will be hosting the annual Veterans Day Honor Walk on Thursday, November 11th. Students will honor our local heroes with a special outdoor parade and ceremony.  Fifth and sixth grade students have the opportunity to invite a veteran guest to attend this special event. 

4. Highland Bike to School - Nearly 150 students enjoyed a wonderful bike ride to school on October 6th in recognition of National Bike and Walk to School Week. Students successfully travelled the 2.8 miles course before arriving at school in time for the start of school. Special thank you to Kirstin Dion, Penny Leisring, and Heidi Weed for their efforts to organize this special event.  Also, thank you to our Cheshire Police Department, Jim Jinx, Bike Cheshire, and Doug Levens of the Cheshire YMCA for their support.

5. Election PD - Highland teachers will engage in professional development on Tuesday, November 2nd with a focus on the acceleration framework designed to address learning loss resulting from the pandemic. 

 

• COVID Safety Protocols - The Highland 2021-22 Safe Return to In-Person Learning was sent out to all parents/guardians prior to the start of the school year.  The plan provided specific guidelines that address safety mitigation steps designed to prevent the spread of COVID 19.  Students and staff continue to wear masks in all indoor spaces.  Students enjoying lunch are spaced approx. 6ft and can take their mask off in the cafeteria. Students are able to eat a snack in designated outdoor spaces (indoor during inclement weather) when spaced 6ft apart.  Students and staff are allowed to take their mask off outside during recess when spaced appropriately. We will continue to follow the guidance from DPH, Chesprocott, and the Superintendent of Schools.”

 

 

Teachers representative, Mrs. Maringola : talked about the Book Fair, the students learned how to use e-money, they had more opportunities to buy;

• The supply List is very helpful : it helps the students AND the teachers;

• The students and teachers are looking forward to the authors visits.

 

 

• The Circle of Security Program by Mrs. Andrea Thompson and Stacey Lopez.

The Circle of Security Program started a long time ago. It is a training through and funded by CT Community Foundation. It is based on decades of researches. It is a kind of “owner manual” for our children. It has for goal to reinforce the behaviors we like and stop those we don’t like by asking the question in a different way, thinking outside of the box, not focusing on the behavior but more on the needs, giving emotional support to the child, protection, understanding.

www.circleofsecurityinternational.com

Session of 8 weeks requesting commitments. Group of 6 persons virtually (8 in person).

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• Approval of the last PTO meeting minutes : approved

• Committees reports :

  Fundraising : Butter braids  Jenn Hannan - Success! More than double of the past orders

Call for volunteers to help with the sorting and the distribution. Distribution in the cafeteria, using 2 different doors (parents pick up and breads pick up).

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• Fundraising : Amazon Smile, Spirit Wear online Store Jodi Nero

• Newsletter to parents via Parentsquare

Spirit wear from Nov 1st to Nov 14, order will be filled 2 weeks after (around December 1st)

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• Committees Chairs Rachel Cohn

Volunteers to find for this year and for next year, a lot of positions to fill in, reach out to the PTO.

It would be useful to put a list together to know the needs, with a description of the position.

William Hyde is interested, Ashley Maratea

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• Veteran’s Day Keri Banach - Sign up genius for bringing snacks, large response

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