December 7, 2022

Meeting called to order at 5:02 pm by Mr. Needleman

Translation available in Spanish (We do not have Korean translation tonight)

Meeting is being recorded. 

Mr. Needleman introduced Raj Raghavan, PTO President.

Happening this week: 

  • Class spelling bees are happening this week. Thank you to parent volunteers. 
  • Shout out to Andrew Friedman for the Groundlings Family Fun Night on Dec 3. 
  • Friday is the Spirit Wear Sale and Community Coffee Hour after drop off with free bagels and coffee, plus cafeteria will do a tasting of breakfast items
  • Lost & Found Reunion event after school on Friday
  • We will be selling spirit wear before the winter performances. If you can help out please volunteer!

Jog-a-thon is coming. We need one additional director. Please let Raj or Julia Wiess if you can join the team! president@melrosepto.org

Special thanks from Ms. Bertucelli to Raj for helping connect the school with Melrose Trading Post. We still need volunteers for our table at the Trading Post this Sunday. The school is accepting donations from the public in exchange for student-made paper flowers and jingle bells. Spreading joy and info about Melrose.

Raj turned meeting over to Mr. Needleman. 

Attendance: 

  • We have more absences than ever. If your child is sick, stay home. If they don’t have a fever or covid, they can come back after the fever is gone. If they have a cough or runny nose, they should wear a mask. 
  • However, we have more chronically absent students than we ever have. People are taking vacations all the time this year. The district does lose money and there is frequently a link between chronic absenteeism and performance in school. When families are absent a lot, students usually suffer at least in one area. 

Acceleration Days: 

District is encouraging all families to send their children. What is happening those days? You can send students that need extra help but you can send any student. We believe everyone at Melrose is assigned to go to Third St. Teachers will provide a little bit of enrichment and whatever intervention they can provide. Students will be fed. But it will not be your child’s teacher. They will do the best they can. 

Questions: If your student has a specific need, will that be met? 

Answer: They are supposed to have some info on the students who are signed up and they will do their best to meet their needs. It is the 19th and 20th. 

Will they have a teacher for each grade level?

Answer: Yes, I don’t think there will be spans. 

Do the parents or students have any choice about enrichment?

Answer: There is no choice for parents. In an ideal world they will know who needs enrichment and who needs intervention. 

The hours will be the regular hours at Third St. 

Are we waiting for a letter by mail or email?

Answer: It is coming from the district so probably by mail or email, probably early next week. 

It’s recommended but not required for all students but will they have enough teachers for everyone?

Answer: They will have teachers based on signups. About 45 Melrose students have signed up so far. 

Will there be students from other schools?

Answer: Yes, from Third St. and other local schools. 

These days do not count toward attendance. These days are modeled like summer school. 

There is going to be an afterschool program after the acceleration days. 

What do we do at Melrose to provide academic support?

  • In classrooms, teachers are trying to do differentiated instruction. 
  • We funded full-time out-of-classroom person (Ms. Arato), to work with students who need help during the school day. 
  • Book Nook: some students are staying after school to get help from a virtual tutor on their ipads, supervised by Mr. Stockard.
  • Paper app: Text-based questions and virtual tutor will help you get to your answer. (this is available district-wide) 
  • Social Emotional support from Share & Care

Winter performance

  • Thurs Dec 15 morning and afternoon shows
  • Fri Dec 16 morning show
  • You are welcome at any show, pick the most convenient
  • It is polite to stay for the whole show, so please stay if possible. The show is about an hour. 
  • Everyone is welcome, grandparents, too. 
  • Thursday morning is generally the busiest show. 

Coach Manny:

Star Nova registration is coming up soon. Look out for more information. 

Gate:

Introduction of Ms. Miyagi as our current Gate coordinator with annual Gate presentation

PTO meeting adjourned at 5:36pm