OPENING
Val Weintraub opened the meeting. In attendance were the parents and PA Executive Board members (Val Weintraub (president), Pepa Tanousis (vice president), Liz Gordon (treasurer), and Lisa Goldenberg (secretary), Ms. Migliano (Principal), and Ellen Maurer (Parent Coordinator).
The minutes were approved by Jodi Freed and seconded by Maria Romero.
Ms. Migliano
Quality review
Our quality review will take place January 25-26, 2010. It will take 1 ½ days to complete. They will start with a visit with Ms. Migliano on the first day. The second day they will conduct parent interviews.
The first round of vaccines for H1N1 went very well. Round 2 will take place on January 7, 2010.
The Winter Concert will be Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 at 6:30pm in the auditorium. K-2 children will perform instrumental solos and the Chorus will be singing Holiday songs. The PA will be doing a bake sale to raise money for Theater Arts. Dec. 23, 2009. The chorus will be singing at the Community Outreach.
Writing Celebrations have started by grade. Thus far, we have had positive feedback. The student’s writing is coming along nicely.
Ms. Migliano’s Coffee & Conversation will take place on December 23, 2009.
Ms. Migliano and a team of teachers are working on progress reports by grade. More information will be provided in the near future.
Thank you to all of the parents that help out our school. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Thank you to Jodi Freed for all of your efforts on the Caring Kids Program. The poster in the lobby of the school looks great! Everyone should check it out.
Ellen Maurer- Parent Coordinator
Parent workshops take place before each PA meeting. Ellen is working on an Organizational Skills workshop for January 2010.
Talented and gifted testing will take place Jan. 4- Feb. 24, 2010 for Grades K, 1, 2. Selections for upper grades are based on statewide test scores.
Be Cool At After School
Dennis was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. He wishes everyone Happy Holidays. Wacky Fun Friday for December will take place this Friday, Dec. 18, 2010.
Liz Gordon- Treasurer
The PA has given the check for Project Arts. The total was $30,000.
Project Arts offers different programs for each grade.
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5th grade- Ballroom Dancing: Dec. / Jan. / Feb.
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4th Grade- Mask Making: Jan./Feb./Mar.
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3rd Grade- Book Making: Jan. / Feb. / Mar.
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2nd Grade- Circus Arts: Feb. / Mar.
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1st Grade- Puppetry: Apr. / May/ June
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K- Creative Movement- Apr. / May/ June
Theater Arts is in need of funding. We will need to get more information from Ms. Migliano regarding budget proposal and start date. The Executive Board will meet with Ms. Migliano prior to the next PA meeting to discuss details about Theater Arts program. Our income is not the same as in previous years.
The Board of Education will have major budget cuts in addition to budget cuts that have already taken place. In our school and all NYC schools, teachers are paying out of pocket for supplies and student field trips.
Patricia Molloy, a PS196 parent, and also a NYC middle school teacher suggested that teachers can write grants. She has done this for her own school and has been quite successful.
Looking ahead, we know that we have expenses coming up in June 2010 including: -5th Grade Graduation
-K Breakfast
-Literacy day
-Staff Luncheon
We need to find ways to raise money and cut costs. Maria Romero pointed out that previously, families donated food and supplies for events instead of catering.
The budget brought forward (PA Acct. and BCAS) totaled $80,865.15. The total PA income for the month was $7,975.72. The total expenses were $31,913.85. The total BCAS expenses were $23,376.71. Combined expenses totaled $55,290.56. The ending budget balance (PA Acct. and BCAS) is $33,550.31.
Miscellaneous -Jeni Byers
$350 was collected for Ms. Steinberg. Children (some that had never had her for a teacher) made beautiful cards and wrote letters.
Blankets for Buddies
We will start collecting blankets and other soft, cozy items for needy animals. Bobby & The Strays located at Atlas Park supports our participation. We should also look for rundown animal shelters to donate blankets to. We will have 2 collection locations- our main school building and also the K Annex. Collection will take place the first 2 weeks of January. Ms. Gaudio, Ms. Feller, Jeni Byers, and Shelley Weintraub will deliver.
-Emily Ades Kindergarten Annex
The Kindergarten Annex has received many donations. They include:
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-table & chairs for the teachers
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-mini fridge -coffee maker
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-window screens
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-standing fan
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-shelves
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-cork board strips
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-hallway art
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-2 kids sized tables
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-2 boxes of books
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-supplies for a mural being painted by Ms. Haar
-Robin Hassan
Sunshine Fund- PA will give a gift for Ms. Laroca.
-Amy Webber
Concerned that 112th precinct comes around school to ticket during pick up time. Even if you are in your car, they may ticket you. The problem seems to be that the same 5 or so parents continue to pull up close to the school and block buses.
SLT
2 Parent seats are available. Voting will take place at our next meeting in January 2010. SLT will be discussing and looking into Fundations- phonics, grammar, spelling, handwriting, flash cards, etc.
Membership Committee
Raffle: Amy Webber won 4 Islander tickets & Parking Pass.
Next month’s raffle- 2 hours of Free Tutoring sessions.
February raffle- Free Haircut by Redd at the Mark Garrison Hair Salon.
Meeting adjourned at 8:29pm
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Goldenberg
