School Committee Meeting Update

The last School Committee meeting of the school year began with the re-election of Lisa Galeaz as Chairperson.  Sub-committee reassignments will take place at the July meeting.

All members of the School Committee and Administration wish our recent graduates congratulations and good luck.  Best wishes, as well, to all retiring staff members: Bob Bazinet, Lorraine Boles, Katherine Condon, Susan Coppock, John Fitzsimmons, Greg Greene, Doug Hardy, Jeanne Harrington, Karen Melloni, Jack O’Callahan, Henry Podolski, Mary Ann Taylor and Melinda Torbin.  Amongst them, they have served Holliston’s students for over 169 years and four of them have over 30 years of service to our District.  We hope they enjoy their “new” lives!

The only presentation of the evening was from Holliston’s parent groups, who work year-round to enhance the school experience for our students.  Annalisa Michielli, next year’s PTSA President, acknowledged the efforts of Ric Morant, outgoing President, and long-term volunteers, Heidi Gibson, Nancy King-Bolger, and Phil Gibson, as they all are graduating their last children out of the District.  Their dedication has led to PTSA membership growing to 330 families, which enabled the PTSA to receive an award from the Massachusetts PTSA for increased membership.  The PTSA appropriated $25K in teacher and technology grants, $5K in senior scholarships, $17K in Culture Connection programming, and brought in $33K with this year’s Willy Wonka Auction.  PTSA ran three successful Ski Clubs and brought back the Reflections Art competition (of which 10 Holliston students placed in the state championship).

The biggest news however, is the unification of all school parent groups into a single PTSA group.  Each school will still have its own group, but will consolidate membership, treasury, and website functions. Please stay tuned for further information and note that the PTSA must fill some key positions for next year: Ski Club Coordinator (school-level coordinators are already in place); Reflections Chair (or this opportunity will go away); and Secretary.  At all levels, volunteers are needed and all parent groups hope that everyone can donate at least an hour of their time to something that interests them. 

On behalf of Mindee Meltzer and Sally Calhoun of the High School Parents group, HHSPG also reported in on a very successful year.  The group appropriated $10K into the high school community, in the Math, Science, and Foreign Language departments, as well as Model UN and senior scholarships.  HHSPG would also like to remind the parents of incoming Freshman of the Welcome Coffee which will take place at the same time as Freshman Orientation on August 26. 

For Patty Osten, outgoing President of the Middle School Parents Group, next year’s co-Presidents, Kathy Cheever and Dawn Waddell, reported on the MSPG’s single fundraiser, the Magazine Drive, which brought in $13K this year.  The three times per year grant cycle allowed MSPG to support such efforts as Smartboards, Nature’s Classroom, Teacher Appreciation Day, 8^th Grade Community Service/Intergenerational Day, Culture Connection, and other activities and programs that help our middle school students makes their way socially and academically though these often challenging years. 

For HEPO, incoming President Donald Gray, was delighted to announce that the group was able to appropriate $30K in funds for teacher grants, and other enrichment areas.  He thanked Kate Damigella for her efforts as President thi