September 11th, 2026
Pierce PTO Meeting Notes
September 11, 2025
8AM - 9AM
Welcome & Introductions
PTO was thrilled to welcome over 20 attendees in person or via Zoom. Kelley Balestracci, co-president, welcomed everyone to the meeting and attendees provided brief self-introductions.
K. Balestracci said that the PTO website has been revitalized and going forward all information related to the PTO will be available on the website: https://piercemiddleschoolpto.org/. This will include links to donate, purchase tickets for events, meeting notes, and sign-up genius links for volunteer opportunities. The PTO will no longer be use an email list to relay information and all information will be accessible through Dr. Fish’s weekly Pierce email.
Updates from Bill
Bill reported that Pierce had the best attendance of any middle school in the Commonwealth for the 2025/2026 school year. He informed the group that field trips are currently on hold because the District does not have a Director of Nursing. The District is hoping to fill this role in the short term and field trips will commence once a Director is in place.
K. Balestracci reminded the group that the PTO has helped to facilitate field trips for each grade for the past several years so that every student has the opportunity to participate in a field trip. The annual 6th grade field trip is science-focused; 7th grade works on team building (e.g. Treetop Adventures); and 8th grade has multiple events (DC Trip).
Annual Calendar & Fundraising Review
K. Balestracci provided an overview of the role of the PTO, the calendar of events and PTO finances. She described Pitch in for Pierce, the upcoming Trivia Night and teacher appreciation events. She noted that the annual budget is approximately $30k and that the PTO has already received about $4k from the Pitch in for Pierce campaign launched yesterday.
Financial Update
Sarah Mabel-Skillin, co-treasurer, reported on the current balance sheet. The PTO is ahead of last year with approximately $22k in the bank, which will enable the PTO to fund buses for the various field trips this fall.
Pitch in for Pierce
As reported above, the Pitch in for Pierce is the PTO’s largest fundraiser and was launched on September 10th. Donors can contribute anytime throughout the year and the PTO will send reminders at calendar and school year-ends.
Annual Field Trip Plans - 6th, 7th, 8th
The PTO supports annual field trips and pays approximately $5k for transportation for each grade. Field trips will commence once a Director of Nursing is hired.
Welcome Back to School Teacher Luncheon - Tuesday, 8/26
Alyssa Fitzgerald and Sara Pittman organized a teacher/staff lunch on behalf of the PTO on Tuesday, August 26th, and teachers were very appreciative. There will be numerous other teacher/staff appreciation events throughout the year and the PTO is looking for volunteers to help plan these events. It was noted that these are great opportunities to spend time in the building and get to know some of the teachers and staff.
Custodian Appreciation Day - Thursday, 10/1
Custodian appreciation day is the next teacher/staff appreciation event. Monique DeBarros [confirm] volunteered to help with this event.
Fall Adult Fundraiser - Trivia Night - Thursday, 10/15
Regina Malley provided an overview of Trivia Night, which is an adult-only event in October with trivia hosted by Principal Fish. The PTO provides food and organizes a raffle with a goal of raising approximately $4k for the PTO. Regina is looking for volunteers to help organize the event and everyone is encouraged to attend (and bring friends).
Mini Photo Sessions - Saturday, 10/17
Ellie Fisher and Jeff Kastra are organizing mini-photo sessions this fall and are in the process of finalizing photographers and dates. For $125, families receive a 20-minute photo session and one edited photo. This is traditionally a very popular fundraiser and spots sell out quickly.
Swag
Melissa Arbour, head of SWAG, reported that she is in the process of taking inventory of items and orders for new items need to be placed the first week in October. A suggestion was made to have a student design contest to design new Pierce/Milton SWAG and perhaps work with the Pierce art teachers. The PTO will explore whether this is possible with the tight timing required to order in order to receive items by November conferences.
Class Dances
Clara Farnsworth and Vanessa Foster successfully organized a 6th grade dance in June 2026 that was highly successful. The PTO would like to help facilitate annual dances for 6th and 7th grade (in addition to the 8th grade Social) going forward; noting that the dances are parent-run and organized.
Next Meeting - Friday, 10/2 @ 8AM