PTO Announcements

Hi Fellow PTO Members, 

Please join us in congratulating Principal John Lyons on his first year at Pine Glen. The children remain his main priority.  He has done a wonderful job in helping to make improvements.  He has successfully implemented a new reading assessment program as well as a new elementary school schedule that have yielded terrific results.  Mr. Lyons has also gracefully "weathered the storm" of spring flooding and plans to address the issue with renovations to the first floor over the summer.  These are just a few of his many accomplishments.  We wish him continued success.

Also, please welcome Monica Brown as the new Pine Glen PTO Secretary!  Monica assumed responsibilities a few months ago and is doing a super job taking notes and posting meeting minutes on the PTO link to the Pine Glen website.  Other board positions remain the same for the 2010-2011 school year, as there were no nominations this spring or any expected vacancies.

In other news, the PTO has had a busy end-of-school year.  The PTO membership approved the purchase of a new laminator through a first-time online vote.  Thanks again to Denise Lane for getting the best price and appropriate laminator for the school.  The teachers and staff have been very grateful.

Staff appreciation day held in early May was a great success.  Thank you to Joanna DeFrancesco, who chaired the event, and to everyone who donated food items or gifts or who volunteered that day.  The staff has had said nothing but wonderful things about it.   

The Pine Glen barbecue was a fun night for many families.  A sincere thank you to Erynn Mitchell, who chaired the big event again this year, and to all the parents who volunteered that night.  We also want to thank: DJ Jack Ferren, who volunteered his services and donated the rental of the equipment; former Principal Jane Dwyer for her famous face painting; the Lowell Spinners Cannaligator; and Roche Bros. for donating some of the food.

The barbecue's 50/50 raffle organized by Denise Porcello raised money for the family fund.  Orginated several years ago by Denise, this fund assists Pine Glen families in need.  Thank you to Katherine Swan for generously returning her winnings back to the fund. 

The PTO also sponsored a couple of enrichment days for the children.  Thank you to Michelle Gaffney who chaired this committee and took care of all the logistics.  Jerry Pallotta, children's book author, delivered several age-appropriate presentations in the school's gymnasium.  He was very entertaining and addressed the creative writing process through slides and props.  He also held a book signing during the barbecue.  Each classroom received a signed book by Pallotta that will be a permanent addition to their library. 

Rob Surette, an expressionistic painter, delivered an exciting performance in the cafetorium for the entire school.  Surette wowed the audience as he quickly painted five portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein,  Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Theresa, and Beethoven with broad, quick brushstrokes.  His live painting performance was accompanied by music and a video that ran simultaneously.  He inspired the children with his positive message about living out your dreams and that anything is possible; you can be whatever you want to be and make a difference in this world like the heroes he painted. These paintings will grace our school and remind us of the major impact these individuals made in U.S. and world history.

Field day was sponsored by the PTO as well.  We funded the rental of the outdoor rides, the water for the children, and refreshments for parent volunteers.  The children had an absolutely wonderful, fun-filled day.  They look forward to this every year.  Thank you to the many parents who volunteered and to P.E. teacher Christie Govoni for organizing the event.

The PTO also sponsored the 5th-grade field trip busses to Cedardale, 2010 T-shirts, graduation, and yearbooks.  Many thanks to: Allison Theirrien for chairing the field trip and graduation; Pam Moreira and Kim Winn for chairing the yearbook committee; all parent volunteers for these special events.  These occasions mark the end of  Pine Glen experiences for the fifth graders.  Undoubtedly, the PTO helped to celebrate and highlight this special time in ways they will remember for the rest of their lives.  Congratulations to all!

Finally, a heartfelt thanks to all Pine Glen PTO members who have helped to make the aforementioned a reality.  Without your support and assistance none of this would be possible.  Your steadfast commitment is truly appreciated by the Board, teachers and staff.  Let's continue our success by increasing participation.  We challenge everyone to invite a friend next year to join and help the PTO's mission to provide educational enrichment for all our students.  We continue to be a role model for other PTOs.  

Have a wonderful and relaxing summer everyone!

Thank you,

Maria Woods and the Pine Glen PTO Board