Missed the meeting? Look here first!

In an effort to include more parents and teachers in the workings of the PTO, we are posting minutes of the meetings here so that you can catch up on PTO news even if you couldn't be at the meeting. Sometimes the minutes will be preliminary, and subject to change before they are approved at the next meeting. Check the list below for the latest meeting minutes.

Look here for a list of key forms for PTO volunteers, including items like the reimbursement form and other similar items that still have to be submitted on paper!

The Burns Park Press is the monthly newsletter of the PTO, distributed to all families, faculty and staff in electronic and paper format. The Press is our regular way of communicating as a community, and carries news, an events calendar, and regular contributions from PTO officers and our principal. All families receive the electronic version of the press, and can get a paper copy sent home upon request.

Please select from our available issues below:

2009-10

Starting this fall, we’ll be posting minutes of our monthly PTO meetings, along with short summaries of what went on, when possible. Summaries will appear below; minutes (in PDF format) will be listed at the bottom of the page.

• Prior to the start of this month’s meeting, we had a presentation by Stacey Lundgren of Bucketfillers for Life, which gave background, detail and advice about the program that the students are experiencing at school.

• We received several updates on the following:  Burns Park Foreign Language Initiative, construction project and the PTO Council.

Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO)

Join the Burns Park Team!!!

• Burns Park Students in Grades 2 through 5 can participate in Science Olympiad.
• The Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO) is Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Skyline High School.
• Burns Park Team practices begin the week of Feb. 2, 2009 and end with WESO, May 16th. The Burns Park Science Olympiad is March 23-29 at practices.
• Students may be part of the Burns Park Team and practice for any events even if they do not wish to compete in WESO.
• Students may practice for as many different events as they like!
• Sign up to participate by Friday, January 30th.

Items are stored in the hallway outside the library. At the end of each month, unclaimed items are removed and donated to the PTO Thrift Shop.

Volunteers assist the music teacher with preparation for grade-level concerts.  Tasks include typing and copying song lyrics, creating a program, preparing artwork, doing lights & sound during rehearsals and performances, and videotaping.  Training is provided as necessary!

Bulletin board displays in the front hallway are created by the PTO to provide information about upcoming events and fundraisers.

Lifetouch Photography takes individual photographs of students each fall. These photos, plus other ones taken by parent volunteers throughout the year, are arranged in a yearbook which is distributed to students in June.

Our New Families committee has the important job of helping newcomers get acclimated to the school and feel welcome in our community. Committee chairs and volunteers from various grade levels contact new families and provide opportunities for them to meet other families and get questions answered.