PTO Meeting Minutes

hardy pto agenda minuteS

January 14, 2026

For Your InformatioN

Swim for Hardy - Goldfish Swim School - Burlington: Saturday, 24 January from 1:30 - 2:30 pm
- $30 per family - all proceeds go to Hardy
5th Grade Caregiver Meeting via Zoom or Hardy Library on Friday, 30 January
Vote Yes to Keep Arlington Strong - 28 March, Arlington will vote on a Proposition 2 ½ override to collect more tax revenue, keep our budget balanced, and fund public resources for every Arlington resident. Learn more at https://yesforalington.org
Passport to the World - Hardy Culture Fest: Saturday, 7 February from 11 am - 2 pm. Celebrating the many cultures, traditions, identities and stories that make up our school community.
Annual Hardy Auction: Saturday, 28 February at 7 pm at Donut Villa. If you have items to donate for the auction, please email jennyftoole@gmail.com
APS Rainbow TAskforce Community Conversation: Elementary-level gathering at Brackett Elementary School on 10 February from 5:15 - 6:15 pm to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community with activities run by the APS Rainbow Alliances and the Arlington Rainbow Commission

MEETING MINUTES

Hardy Helpers
- Will need assistance with taking down signs on fence next to kindergarten playground
Principal’s Report - Gretchen Saunders

- Family Engagement Opportunities - Monday, 9 February
  - Focusing on ways to volunteer and ways to get families involved utilizing a neutral space. Starting with a craft experience and using sign up genius for volunteers. Initiative will begin with Kindergarten.
  - If it goes well, we can replicate the experiences for other family engagement events
- Budget forum information will be shared in the next Principal newsletter
- Two separate Safe, Kind, and Responsible assemblies on Thursday, 22 January (K-2 & 3-5)
Teacher Representative Reports - Emily Vecchione & Laura Ribiero
- Kindergarten
  - Recent meteorologist visit
  - Working on weather stories and a putting together a weather expo in February
  - Learning simple addition
  - Learning about science experiments
- 1st Grade
  - No updates this week
- 2nd Grade
  - Wrapping up fossil units
  - Beginning to write stories about being paleontologists
  - Studying continents
  - Starting new math unit on representing data
- 3rd Grade
  - Learning about informational text and research
  - Learning to measure perimeter and area
  - Learning multiplication facts
  - Learning about Pawtucksett and Plymouth
- 4th Grade
  - celebrated reaching their Safe, Kind, and Responsible tickets goals
  - researching defense mechanisms of specific kinds of animals
- 5th Grade
  - working on honing skills that will be needed in middle school and beyond
  - Planning end of year activities
  - Science conversations regarding why rainforests are important and how can they save them
  - Teaching discussion skills and building on each others ideas; researching and citing evidence; practicing active listening and academic discourse
- Library
  - K-3rd - Caldecott Award - The award is given to a picture book with the best illustrations; students will review books that are up for the award & will have their own voting event
  - 4th & 5th - Silver Award - award for best non-fiction children's book
    - Students participating in “Silver Smack Down” - students are working in pairs and evaluating effectiveness of book to present information

Committee Updates
- Treasurer - Brian Gibree
- Fundraising - Lisa Morella
  - Auction items
    - Still actively soliciting donations for auction
  - Teacher experiences raffles and grade-level baskets
    - Each grade is in charge of a basket to put together to be auctioned off
    - Soliciting donations from caregivers in collaboration with classroom coordinators
  - Working on a partnering with a sponsor for Multicultural Fest
  - Considering putting together a 4th grade bake sale during the Town Meeting
    - The bake sale could be used as a fundraising opportunity for next year’s 5th grade activities
- Enrichment
  - 2nd grade has booked a trip to the Museum of Science
  - Still need teachers to reach out to schedule workshops and/or field trips
- Safe Route to School
  - Anti-idling yard sign contest starts in January for grades 2-8
    - Participants will need a parent signature to utilize artwork
  - Walk and Roll to School Day scheduled for Wednesday, 4 February - this event is a way to celebrate and encourage walking to school instead of using personal vehicles for drop off and pick up
  - Gentle reminder to parents to use crosswalk on Brooks Avenue when walking children to school
- DIG/Green Team
- - Pine Ridge Coat Drive
    - Collection bin will be on Lake Street near the school
    - If caregivers have resources to help with some of the miscellaneous costs, reach out to DIG@hardypto.com
  - Committee is collaborating with with Hardy After School Program for winter sewing project
  - Committee is looking into a potential grant opportunity with Arlington Garden Club
- Events to Plan
  - Hour of Code
    - Dates are still tentative, but looking at week of 23 February or week of 9 March
  - March Treats
  - Literacy Night - Wednesday, 18 March
  - Book Fair - March 16-20
  - 5th Grade Skate Night - TBD, but planning for March
  - 5th Grade Caregiver Meeting - Friday, 30 January
  - Innovation Showcase - scheduled for 31 January. Event allows teachers to share information about past grants that they’ve received