PA MEETING MINUTES 2009-2010

 

March 23, 2010

PS 196 Parents Association- Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 23, 2010

OPENING

In attendance were the PA parents and the PA executive board- Val Weintraub (President), Pepa Tanousis (Vice-President), Liz Gordon (Treasurer), Lisa Goldenberg (Secretary), Ms. Migliano (Principal), and Ellen Maurer (Parent Coordinator), and Dennis Mannarino (BCAS).

Val Weintraub opened the meeting. The minutes from February were reviewed and approved by Jodi Freed and seconded by Azra Feratovic.

Ms.Migliano

Coffee & Conversation will be held tomorrow at 7:45. Results from the quality review are not yet in. Ms. Reid stated that we would fair positively. Ms. Migliano believes we will rank as proficient. Well developed is the highest mark. While our school has many areas that will mark as well developed, recommendations will also be made and challenges are good for us to improve on. Over all the experience was a positive one. Ms. Koatz and Ellen hosted a workshop tonight for ELA + Math Testing. It was very well attended and informative. Grades 2-5 will receive spring packets for reading. It is the State standards but not in chancellors regulations to require 30 book responses. Children who do not have 30 responses will still be promoted but we encourage them to have 30.

The Special Schools Investigation Department did come to interview Dennis, Val, Liz, and Ms. Migliano. We have not heard back from them. There is nothing to worry about. The school is not under any sort of investigation. Be Cool At After school is not under investigation. Ms. Migliano will share any information she receives.

May 27th will be literacy day.

June 23rd is 5th grade graduation

June24th is 5th grade dance

Theater Arts is up and running for 4th & 5th graders. The performance is scheduled for June 19th. The students will be performing The Wiz. Many of the teachers are involved- some of them are Ms. Wasserman, Ms. Lemerie, Ms. Heilman, and Ms. Lee.

Enrichment- parents had a concern that enrichment teachers were being switched w/out notification. Letters were sent home to notify parents of any changes. Also, teacher’s names are listed in the Parent handbook which may be found on the website.

Ellen Maurer

The school is still in need of paper. We are working on going green for September. Parents asked why more teachers don’t use e-mail. There is a new school messenger company Ellen would like to use. It costs less and has e-mail capability.

Val- We will discuss again in April. The first month is free. Cost s $1.40 per student. There is no charge for staff and faculty. Not sure if it requires a separate phone line.

Be Cool at After School- Dennis Mannerino

Dennis updated us on BCAS.

-Heal Africa & Global Giving both raised $246.00!

-Spring enrollment= $136,545 (same amount of children as last year but signed up for less days)

• -Single days sign-up= 31 children
• -Wacky FUN Friday= 14 children
• -2 for 1 coupon= 49 children
• -Cookie decorating= 20 children
• -Morning program single day= 8 children
• -Birthday cupcake orders= 2
• -Birthday party= 1

Jodi asked how we can keep kids at our after school program. Dennis pointed out that we have adults and teachers supervising as opposed to other programs that are run by high school students. We have flexible payment plans. We provide scholarships. A good selling point would also be our daily rate breakdown. Other programs offer more hours. Maria explained that the program is very successful and runs well.

Kaplan Tutoring

Shawndra Card-Grant attended the meeting and explained The Kaplan Learn & Earn program.

• -It is available for grades K-8.
• -It teaches skills to be on grade level.
• -Follows NY state Standards -Free academic events for kids and staff development
• -ELA prep for individual students
• -Assessments used to devise a program for each child
• -Discounts -$$ is donated back to school
• -Special events -On-line curriculum with one on one tutoring

• -Costs: Small group (2-3:1)
• -$29/mo. for on-line tutoring
• -$178/mo. for in-site tutoring-summer
• -$198/mo. for 4 months tutoring
• -$250/mo. Private tutoring

• -Programs are 16 hours.
• -Facility is located on Austin street.
• -Partnership length is one year.
• -No liabilities, no guarantees
• -Promotion of partnership

Treasurer- Liz Gordon

The monthly financial report indicates that the total PA and BCAS income as $45,629.94. The total expenses are $30,589.07. The ending balance of both accounts is $89,644.23.

The bench for Ms. Singh has arrived. It is in front of classroom 203.

Miscellaneous Election Day bake sale

A motion was made regarding the $$ raised for theater Arts. The $1,190 raised will go into the Theater Arts program with the exception of $100 to be used towards a dvd player for the kindergarten center. Approved by all. $1,000 will be given to Theater Arts.

School Spirit- Val Weintraub

$317 was raised during the parent/teacher conferences through sales of PS 196 T’s, sweats, shorts, etc.

Folding chairs are needed for the outdoor patio which is frequently used by all of the classes for parties. Val researched and found chairs for $9.99/chair. We would need at least 32 chairs. A cart to hold and store chairs costs $150. A motion was made by Emily Ades and seconded b Azra Feratovic.

There were 2 no’s.

Vote was approved.

TREASURER- Liz Gordon

PS 196Q Sweatshirts- Val Weintraub Ms. Chocolate can produce sweatshirts for approx. $20. Sold as ordered only. Jodi asked that we price out additional companies.

Cultural Experiences

Raveena Saluja and Beena Singh will be introducing the Panjab holiday of Vaisakhi to the kindergarten center through an art project on April 13, 2010. They would like to see the children of our school enriched by all of the different cultures we have. Some ideas include:

-Recognize the initiatives that are already in place i.e.: multicultural night, art curriculum

-examine the demographics o the school and identify cultures that are not yet represented in the school in regards to food, music, and art.

-Enroll interested parents in commitments to work in collaboration with the school to create new projects.

-Work in collaboration with the art and music departments to offer support for initiatives.

-Create an event for March 2011 during “Respect for All” week.

Raffle: A free pizza from Portofino’s Stephanie Fowler is the winner!!

Next month’s raffle: Free family portrait from professional photographer.

Meeting adjourned at 8: 55pm

Meeting minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Goldenberg