PS 196 Parents Association- Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 23, 2010
OPENING
In attendance were the PA parents and the PA Exec. Board- Val Weintraub (President), Liz Gordon (Treasurer), Lisa Goldenberg (Secretary), and Ellen Maurer (Parent Coordinator).
Val Weintraub opened the meeting. The minutes from January were reviewed and accepted by Brian Goldenberg and seconded by Jeni Byers.
Val Weintraub & Liz Gordon- BCAS
After consulting with tax lawyers, we have been advised to use an automated payroll system. We have changed the way we do payroll for Be Cool At After School staff. We are now using ADP for our payroll. We apologize for the delay in paycheck delivery and assure everyone that it will be on time in the future. All employees of the program have now filed W4 forms. We are now completely incompliance with the state procedures. We do not know why this was not in place in the past. We have also made sure that we have all the proper information including NYS ID# as well as unemployment ID# and all other forms of insurance that are required. We have thoroughly researched all of the above due to the DOE, Dept. of ED, and IRS investigations of other schools after school programs within our district.
Ms. Migliano has received a phone call from Special Schools Investigations department. This is the only information we have received. We do not know why they are requesting this meeting. We are confident that we are completely in compliance and are ahead of the game. We will let you know when we find out more information. It seems that the IRS and the dept. of labor have been sweeping NY.
Liz Gordon-Treasurer
The monthly financial report indicates that the total PA and BCAS income as $95,862.14. The total expenses are $35,714.07. The ending balance of both accounts is $84,603.36.
-Haiti Fundraising- Hats for Haiti was an excellent fundraiser. We raised $1200. The student council will meet to determine what organization money will go to. Other Haiti relief donations mostly came in the form of checks to the American Red Cross or cash totaling $247.00.
-Other Fundraising income includes:
Ms. Chocolate= $2,633.99
Water Bottle collection= $16.50
Val Weintraub- Theater Arts
We have collected $1190 to put toward the theater arts program. At this time Ms. Migliano no longer needs our $. We will discuss what exactly we would like to do with this money. Some suggestions are to put the funds towards the purchase of a new piano or to put money aside for next years Project Arts Program. For now we will hold money for Project Arts.
Jodi Freed- Be Cool At After School
We would like to promote our after school program. So many of our children attend other after school programs in the area and we would like to find ways for them to stay here instead.
We need to revisit our program and revise it. Ideas?:
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-Bring in more educational programming
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-Create new fun portions of program
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-Provide different payment options, create more payment flexibility
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-Create payment incentives such as paying in full to receive a discount, monthly payments, other various payment plans.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Conferences are on March 16, 2010. There are 2 sessions: daytime and evening. The Book Fair will also be running during this week. We discussed if the PA would be providing the teachers with a lunch. In the past, brown bag lunch costs were approx. $10-$12 for each teacher. Majority in attendance felt that we cannot provide this at this time. It was suggested that we put together a potluck lunch with parent donations but instead the PA will send a letter to teachers explaining reasoning for not providing a lunch at these P/T conferences.
COMM. EDU. COUNCIL REP.- Emily Ades
Presentation of extension plans- it will take 18 months for new extension to be completed. In addition to more classroom space there will be a new cafeteria (our old cafeteria will become the new library) and 2 elevator banks (4 elevators total). Once the ext. is completed, renovations will start within the school. It is going to be gorgeous!
TREASURER- Liz Gordon
Val Weintraub- SLT The next SLT mtg. is March 12, 2010. We would like to discuss lower grade math and what kind of help we can give students. A multiplication Rap DVD=$20 per class was suggested. Further information is up for discussion at meeting.
In class libraries- Books have been ordered for grades 3,4,5 because supplies have been running very low. Orders for K,1,2 will be put together shortly.
It was also suggested that we put together a book donations from students. We can collect books at the P/T conferences/Book Fair. Fundraising will put out a letter for donate-a-book.
Miscellaneous Val Weintraub- Art Talent
Ms. Haar would like everyone to know that her Art Talent students entered a nationwide art contest entitled “The Craypas Wonderful Colorful World Contest”. 1000’s of entries were submitted. The AT students were asked to draw something they enjoy doing. It was started in pencil and finished with Craypas.
Two of our PA 196 students were chosen as finalists. They are:
-Cole Manel 5-218
-Melanie Nektalov 5-218
Congratulations to the winners!!
! The finalist’s artwork is posted on www. Sakuraofamerica.com/2010winners. The artwork will also be on display at the Museum of Childrens Art in Oakland, CA.
Spotlight
Still looking for volunteers to take over.
Website
Tho Mai will become a communicator for our website.
Ms. Singh Bench
We are still holding the money collected for Ms. Singh’s bench. We would like to find out if we will have the bench prior to 5th grade graduation so that the Singh family may be invited for the presentation and viewing. Emily will find out details from Ms. Perez
Raffle
This months raffle is a free haircut by Redd from Mark Garrison salon. Laura Potenza was the winner!!
Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Goldenberg
