Friends of Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School
and Miles River Middle School

Minutes
FRIENDS OF HWRHS / MRMS
May 11, 2010

Principal’s Report

  • Mr. Fox will look at combining the costs of the student activity needs for the HWRHS and MS campus during the summer and write a proposal to share at a Friends’ meeting in August. He will first approve the traditional expenses such as Scholarships, Student Agenda Books, 6th and 9th grade Orientation and Mentoring Activities, and Cultural Enrichment Activities. The Friends’ will not be expected to pay for technological costs such as more Smart Boards.
  • Mr. Fox is waiting for the bullying legislation to pass in the Senate. It has passed in the House. After passage, certain “legalese” language relating to bullying will be used by school administrations and will be included in the fall Student Agenda Books. The impact this new law will have on the community will be educational, as well as challenging.
  • Mr. Fox is requesting to change the meeting night for The Friends’ next year but will wait to plan it with the new superintendent.
  • Mr. Fox announced that teachers Danielle Petrucci and Kristen Herzog will lead ‘The Boomerang’ mentoring M.S. program next year.
  • Mr. Fox stated that 1 of the 3 H.S. Associate Principal candidates withdrew. The position will be announced soon.
  • This fall, school will be in session on Friday, Sept. 3rd. Monday, Sept. 6th is a no school holiday. School year 2010-11 will begin on Wed. Sept. 1st. 6th and 9th grade Orientation day is Tues. Aug. 31st .

Treasurer’s Report

  • 1. Sue Herlihy and Laurie Wilson reported that there is about $33,000.00 available funds in the Friends’ account.
  • In 2009-10, about $8,000 was donated for the high school student activity needs by the Friends.
  • The middle school used about $12,252.44 of Friends’ funds.

President’s Report

  • Grace Chmura and 3 parents reviewed 50 scholarship applications. Scholarship Night is June 8th and The Friends’ will donate 2 - $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors.
  • The Coffee Cake fundraiser profited about $300 this season.
  • The Thanksgiving Day Pancake Breakfast will be held November 25th, 2010 before the Generals’ home football game. An auction may be included.
  • The Staff Appreciation Luncheon will take place on Wed. June 2nd. Anne Roberts and Mary Hull are organizing it.
  • The 8th grade Dinner Dance will be held on Friday, June 6th. Mary Curran and Beth Loeper are organizing it.
  • This fall, school will be in session on Friday, Sept. 3rd. Monday, Sept. 6th is a no school holiday. School year 2010-11 will begin on Wed. Sept. 1st. 6th and 9th grade Orientation day is Tues. Aug. 31st.
  • Challenge Day is Thursday, June 17th.
  • New Friends’ Committee Members announced for the 2010-11th school year will be:
    a. Presidents, Dana Allara and Maggie Fiery, co-chairs
    b. Treasurer, Elizabeth ‘Yippee’ Loomis
  • Guest Speaker, Ken Wilson, President of the HW Educational Fund, made a presentation: 2010 is the 20th anniversary of the HW Ed. Fund. The original goal of the Ed. Fund was to raise $1 million endowment which was achieved in 2006 to fund grants to HW school district. Today, the Fund is valued at $1.5 million. Six sub committees have been formed as part of the Fund’s strategic plan to expand the donation of future monies. The new goals of the Fund are: To enlarge its communication system, to develop capital, corporate and foundation fundraising endeavors, to broaden its grant making capacities, to collaborate with the local community, school district and school committee, to involve more stakeholders from the community in the Ed. Fund committee meetings, to strengthen the Ed. Fund’s knowledge of school systems by researching other geographical school systems in the U.S.. The new goal of the Ed. Fund is to someday be able to fund 20-30% of the school budget. Mr. Fox suggested that the Ed. Fund host an information night in the future.
  • Mr. Fox discussed the opportunity for increased Virtual education, grants for M.S. English (mini computer labs) and M.S. Math (SMART Response) programs in HWRSD. He also acknowledged the H.S. ‘Rolling’ Computer Lab.

Dates cancelled:
Fri. May 28 – Principal’s Coffee due to Memorial Day Celebrations.
Tues. June 8 – Friends’ Mtg. due to Scholarship Night.

Please check the MRMS and HWRHS web pages for other important dates.


updated Sunday, May 23, 2010
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