A Message from PTO Co-Presidents, Jean Walsh and Andrea Giroux

We would like to convey our sincerest thanks to all Sprague families, teachers and staff for your generosity, spirit and willingness to support the PTO with the many events, programs and projects that have touched the lives of our children and community this year.

It's been our pleasure to serve Sprague and we're proud to be a part of the following accomplishments during our term:

1. A Feast of the World - The Mosaic Mural came to fruition this spring out of an idea of Jen Stabnick's from ten years ago. Quoting Jen, “We try not to focus on what makes people different. Instead, we say that when everyone works together, amazing things can happen. The Cafeteria Mosaic Mural signifies many cultures, one school."  A heartfelt thank you to Jen Stabnick for leading us through this year-long project of great work. A special thank you to Michelle Heath for her leadership and the many parents who contributed countless hours of time necessary to complete a 63-foot long, 4-feet wide mosaic now showcased on the cafeteria wall. Click here for video, the making of a Sprague Mural.

2. The continuation of successful programs offered to every Sprague child this year including: Creative Arts & Science Programs, Field Trips, Assemblies, Library Books, Community Building Programs, Curriculum Support, Sprague Directory with Online Access, and a personal copy of the Sprague Yearbook. These programs are a joint effort of parents and teachers.  Our specialists, Jen Stabnick, Ellen Mandell, Brian Hagar-Mckee and Margaret Flitsch play a huge role in making assemblies, programs and special videos happen throughout the year - thank you for always coming up with new ideas and inspiring our children.

All of the programs were made possible through parent/community fundraising efforts from last year's spring auction (thank you to co-chairs Kathy Ashraf and Windsor Ferarra), the direct dues program initiated this past fall by the executive board and an outstanding Cookie Walk event.  Thank you Andrea Doglioli, Katy Comstock, Becca Cahaly and their enthusiastic team of parent bakers and volunteers; special thanks to Dr. Goodwin for his generosity with donating raffle items this year which allowed us to exceed our fundraising goal. Other fundraising events which allowed us to be successful were the Scholastic Book Fair led by DD Marcoux and Andrea Doglioli, Original Works and the Wellesley Books Event led by Yolanda Tong, Remember Me Books chaired by Shannon Smith and Amy Shultz, Box Tops led by Jeny Brown and Lisa Jones, the California Pizza Days arranged by Andrea Giroux and Cardraising organized by Jean Walsh. 

3. With successful fundraising come gifts to the school. This year our children benefited from the following gifts approved in May 2012, thanks to last year’s board led by past PTO Co-Presidents Catherine Mirick and Wendy Garber, with support from past Ways and Means Chairs DD Marcoux and Andrea Doglioli.


Gifts: additional money for Library Books, Cafeteria Mosaic Mural, Artists in Residents, All School Assembly with Bill Harley, 5th grade song writing assembly with Bill Harley, Reader's Breakfast guest entertainer – Wally the Big Green Monster, New Laptops/Carts, Art Supplies to keep up with the growing demand and popularity of Jen Stabnick's Knitting Club, Yoga Classes and Mats for younger students led by parent Jacqui Stathis, custom built light stations designed by Jen Stabnick for visual arts, perennial berry bushes and plants installed by Margaret Flitsch for the school garden, and staff t-shirts for the end of year inspirational reading video.

4. Installation of new mulch in the gardens surrounding the Kindergarten swings. Thank you to the many parents, children and Dr. Goodwin who worked last August to SPRUCE UP SPRAGUE by pulling weeds and spreading mulch. KUDOS to Colleen Conroy for planting beautiful seasonal flowers/creations in the front flower pots throughout the year and for her support over the years with Sprucing up Sprague. Sprague also enjoys its very own vegetable garden - many thanks to Margaret Flitsch, Jeny Brown, Danae Foley and Phyllis Theermann for their leadership and volunteer time to keep it flourishing throughout the year.

5. Implementation of several new systems to reduce volunteer hours and streamline operations include:

· online directory for families and faculty with electronic confirmation instead of paper forms - accessible from a PC, smart phone and tablet

· addition of the Google ICAL calendar to our website highlighting Sprague PTO and school events at www.spragueschool.org

· addition of Sprague Announcements on the website along with bi-weekly email delivery via Feedblitz - allowing officers, committee chairs and faculty to be regular contributors

· addition of PTO Budget online - complete transparency offered throughout the year

· open PTO board meetings and many great gatherings at Coffees on Walk to School days

· thank you to the many great speakers that enriched us this year at PTO Coffees: Sprague Parents Panel, Are Your Kids Coach-able with Glen and Jane Magpiong, Dr. David Lussier's Vision for Wellesley Public Schools, Fireside Chat with Dr. Goodwin, iPad Presentation with Rob Ford, and Helping Your Child Build a Healthy Beautiful Mind with Dr. Joleen Ross.  We also appreciate the assistance of our technology specialist who helped with setting up laptop/projector equipment, Jackie Hoglund and Leslie Hunter.

6. The board was pleased to end the year with the ability to provide the following gifts to the school on June 11th. Thank you to Shaune-Marie Berg for your leadership with preparing the gifts. 

· In-House Specialists (formerly Artist-in-Residence) $5,000
· School Psychologist $1,000
· Funding for 5th grade iPad program classroom setup $3,090 

(originally planned $12,000 for iPad program)
· BOKS  $1,000 

(Build Our Kids Success - before school physical activity program) 
· After School Programs $1,500
· Principal Gift $5,000
· Grades 3-5 Common Core Curriculum Grant $2,000

Thank you to the following PTO board members for their dedication throughout the year attending meetings, taking minutes, reviewing the budget, managing finances, welcoming new families, coordinating educational programs and assemblies, preparing announcements, running fundraisers, representing Sprague in the community, and assisting with the recruitment of new officers and volunteers.

Treasurer Shaune-Marie Berg, Secretary Lynn Sanville, Co-Vice Presidents Kim Khoury and Carla Panell, Co-Enrichment Officers Elise Rodino and Kirsten Stevenson, Social Officer Sarah Greene, Co-Community Service Officers Janae Goodall and Andrea Scampini, PAC Officer Mason Smith, METCO Officer Carrie Reepmeyer, Parent Representative Matthew McKay, Teacher Liaisons Lisa Mortarelli and Bevin Hale and School Principal Dr. Stephen Goodwin.

Thank you to the additional following committee chairs who led programs, organized projects and put in many hours behind the scenes or at events:

Art Volunteers: Julie Vogel, Claudia Whitely, Jenny Schneider 

August Mailing: Jean Walsh 

Car Line Bulletin: Andrea Doglioli

Committee 21: Eunice Groark, Mason Smith, Kathleen Woodward


Cradles to Crayons: Janae Goodall


Directory: Jean Walsh, Yolanda Tong and Cindy Marmer


Email Blasts: Jean Walsh and Julie Vogel 


Environmental Education: Melissa Martin 


Family Picnic: Katy Comstock and Sarah Greene


Family Ski Trip: Andrea Giroux 


Field Day: Kathy Lasch


Fifth Grade Activities: Julia de Peyster and Lisa Moore


Guided Reading Library: Jenn Caiazzo and Elizabeth Young


Kindergarten Library: 

KGG Leslie Tellelian & Angie Martinez-Gakidis 
KKG Janae Goodall & Andrea Scampini
KSG Elizabeth Young & Danae Foley 

Lost and Found:  Elizabeth Humber & Elizabeth Young


New Family Welcome: Janae Goodall and Andrea Scampini


MCBA Breakfast: Jennett Murphy 

POPS: Marguerite Chatelier 


Room Parent Coordinator: Kristina Alessi and to all of our room parents.
click here for list of room parents.

School Pictures: Julie Knudson 


SEED Team: Phyllis Theermann 


Sprague Spirit Shop:  Jenn Caiazzo

Summer Readers’ Breakfast: Maura Miele and Jennifer Friedman

Teacher Appreciation: Rebecca Cahaly and Lori Goldenthal

UNICEF: Leslie Tellalian

Walk to School: Catherine Mirick 


Web Site & Calendar: Aruna Reddy

Wellesley Parade:  Amy Paladino and Kathy Ashraf


Wellesley Townsman: Rani Elwy and Robin Wechsler 


Yearbook: Karen Haberly, Chair

Yearbook Committee Members:  Yolanda Tong, Julie Knudson, Jen Bowman, Lori Goldenthal, Rebecca Cahaly, Lin Boegholm, Kara Sullivan, Reed Smith, and Amy Paladino

Thank you to Lynn Sanville and Amy Schultz for organizing the lost and found at the end of the year - many items have been returned to their owners.  And a huge thank you to Shaune-Marie Berg and Rebecca Cahaly for wonderfully organizing the PTO closet.  

Thank you to the Fifth Grade Activities Co-Chairs Julia de Peyster and Lisa Moore, who with their parent coordinators provided 5th graders with fantastic memories of Sprague and leading examples to carry them forward to Middle School: 

Bargain Books 
Lin Boegholm, Michelle Heath, Leslie Tellalian, Yolanda Tong 

Leadership/Teamwork Workshop 
Ed Lasch, Leslie Tellalian, Janet Giesser 

Bulb Sales: Rebecca Cahaly, Lori Goldenthal, Kathleen Woodward 

Bake Sale/Costume Sale
Jen Bowman, Suzanne Fletcher, Phyllis Carter

Babysitting
Anne-Marie Hayden and Leslie Tellalian

Game Night
Leslie Del Col and Michelle Heath

Basketball Game: Charmaine Hartnett, Andrea Doglioli, Jessica Fixler 

Yearbook Pages: Rebecca Cahaly and Lori Goldenthal 


More Than Words Book Collection: Mason Smith 


Sprague’s Got Talent Show:
Laura Brown MacKinnon, Leslie Tellalian, Yolanda Tong 

Wellesley Food Pantry: Laura Brown MacKinnon and Leslie Tellalian 


Career Exploration Day:
Kathy Ashraf, Laura Brown MacKinnon, Leslie Del Col 


Teen Center: Lisa Jones and Rebecca Cahaly 

Car Wash: Phyllis Carter 

Brain Game: Leslie Del Col 

Carnival Movie Night: Andrea Doglioli, Anne-Marie Hayden, DD Marcoux 


Farewell Ceremony: Yolanda Tong 

Farewell Surprise Video for Staff: Julie Knudson and Yolanda Tong

Thank you to our Grade level social host families who kicked off our community building: K hosts Jen and Tom Bowman, 1st grade Michelle and John Walsh, 2nd grade Dulcey and Matthew Connon, 3rd grade Rebecca and Glen Cahaly, 4th grade Shaune-Marie and Steven Berg and 5th grade Beth and David Smith.

We couldn't end our year without special thanks to outgoing parent volunteers who have gone above and beyond for Sprague, that we hold a special place for them in our hearts. We wish them well as their youngest child will be entering middle school. Listed below are some of their accomplishments.

Honorary Heart Awards are presented to the following parents:

Yolanda Tong has truly been part of the PTO. Over the years she's led as communications officer and been involved in other projects big and small, including starting up Heartsongs, a student literary art magazine. Just this year, she's been behind the scenes managing 5th grade communications, yearbook ads and the talent show.

Lori Goldenthal has been our rock - always there when you need her. She's been Yearbook photographer, unofficial transfer family school tour guide, 5th Grade Girl Scout Troop Leader, Teacher Appreciation chair, New Family host, and behind scenes always willing to help.  She created the teacher/staff photo montage outside the front offices for all to enjoy.  

Margaret and Chris Lindquist for several years generously donated their fall months to the Directory to make sure Sprague families were able to connect with one another.

Lisa Moore graciously co-chaired the 5th grade activities this year.  Over the years she's been responsible for after school clubs, revamping the Environmental education training materials and leading the sessions.

Charmaine Hartnett chaired this year's 5th grade basketball game and helped out with many of the activities. She has also served Sprague as past PTO Co-President.  

Jennett Murphy served as MCBA Breakfast chair this year and last.  She's helped out in a myriad of ways over the years including serving on Sprague School Council, Guided Reading, Email Blasts, and Communications. 

Beth Smith created many special outfits for Sprague dancers to wear at Spring Open house nights as well as very creative t-shirts for special occasions and field trips.  Thanks for your creativity and time.  

Jessica Fixler for serving on Sprague School Council for several years and always willing to lend at hand at the many events throughout the years.  

Anne-Marie Hayden, Kathleen Woodward and Kim Katz also served as a shining presence at events always willing to pitch in.


A special thanks to the front office staff, Lennie Becker, Cheryl Moy, Lisa Licata and Penny Cobblestone for always being so helpful and welcoming. And to Sharon Kahn and Elana Wolcoff for being regular contributors to Sprague Announcements.  And finally to the custodial staff for all of their support with managing our facilities during events/programs - Scott Grady, Rob Carter and Jack Glorioso.

Best Wishes to the Incoming PTO Board for the 2013-14 school year!  If you haven't had a chance to sign up for volunteer opportunities for next year, please click here.  Have a wonderful summer break!

Sincerely,

Jean Walsh and Andrea Giroux, 
Outgoing 2012-2013 PTO Co-Presidents