On behalf of the Mater Dolorosa School PTO, I would like to welcome all of our new and returning students, parents, and families back for another school year! The PTO is an organization of parents and teachers of Mater Dolorosa School, who provide support and assistance to the students and staff of Mater Dolorosa School. Through parental volunteering and fundraising efforts, the PTO is able to donate funds to purchase educational materials, classroom and technology equipment, outdoor equipment for recess and the after school program, provide buses for field trips, and much, much more for the school. With everyone’s hard work and dedication and collaboration, the PTO has provided opportunities that would have otherwise been unavailable to our children. For the PTO to be effective and truly representative of the school, it is essential to have parent involvement from as many parents as possible. Our goal this year is to involve as many parents and teachers as we can into PTO. The PTO will be fostering more parental relationships, teacher partnering, outreach, and will have much more visibility. Please consider helping us help you, by donating your time with PTO. There is no volunteering that is too small or too big, if you ever think you can’t help out because you are too busy, please reach out to us and we will find ways to work with you and accommodate anyone who wants to help!

 

God Bless,

Eric Wood, 2018-2019

PTO President

 

 Meet our Board of Directors:

 

Eric Wood - PTO President: Eric is part of the PTO group that was instrumental in bringing back and maintaining the Spaghetti Suppers in the social center. Also, he has been an active PTO member for the past three years, and has volunteered at many PTO activities. In addition, he is an active Holyoke Community member, serving on the Board of Directors for Holyoke Youth Soccer as the Treasurer. Eric has one daughter who is a graduate of MD school; and his son, JJ, is in 4th grade currently. 

 

Sheila Gould  was elected to the PTO board this school yea as the Vice President and will be working to assist with parent volunteers and projects.  She is the parent of two MD students in grades 4 and 2 but soon her 3rd child will join Pre 3. Sheila is a former MD Preschool teacher and a member of Our Lady of the Cross Parish. She grew up attending the former Our Lady of Perpetual Help School here in Holyoke loves the feeling of community that comes from being an active member of a catholic school. Sheila works as a Professor of Early Childhood Education at Holyoke Community College and is passionate about hands on learning and community engagement. 
 

Lisa Balicki - PTO Communications Coordinator:  Lisa is returning to the PTO board this year as the Communications Coordinator. She previously served as PTO president for three years, and continues to help organize the monthly spaghetti suppers each month. Lisa has two children at MD; Nora is in eighth grade, and Eoin is in third grade.

 

Nicole Johnson - PTO Treasurer: Nicole is an active Holyoke parishioner, and her husband have volunteered at many PTO functions over the past 3 years. She is a member of the MD Gala Committee. With a background in Accounting, she was an easy fit for the treasurer’s role. Nicole has 2 children currently attending MD; her son Nicholas is in fourth grade, and her son Max is in second grade.

 

Megan Brunelle is new to the PTO this year.  Elected to the PTO board as the Volunteer Coordinator. Megan is a long time resident of Holyoke.  Her son, Parker is in the 4th grade, and I also have a niece at MD as well.  Active in PTO for the past 3 years.  She looks forward to working with all the volunteer liaisons as the coordinator for them.