Meredith Home and School Association Meeting Minutes

4/22/16

Board MembersCindy Farlino, Leslie Tyler, Christina Pascucci, Veronica Becker, Mike Harris, Ann Summers, Kerry Milch, Melissa Rubin

Call to Order

Principals Report

New Hires/Classroom Changes for Next Year

Weve received some great applications so far. Four music teachers have applied.

As of now, some teachers might be moved around, but it could change. Ms. Jutzi is going to teach the 3rd kindergarten. Ms. Hoffman will be teaching the split class (2nd floor), Ms. OKarma will teach the 1st grade class in 108. Mr. McCollum has requested social studies in 6th-8th. Mr. LeShock will probably go up to teach 6th-8th science. Were trying to figure out 4th and 5th. So far Mr. Hamm is released but helping with overcrowding. I fear someone may be removed in leveling (Oct. 1) based on our allotment. Were getting bigger and bigger so thats never been a problem.

Mr. Hamm & Ms. OKarma were doing Mentally Gifted (MG) and enrichment on both ends. Theres no plan for doing that. Its tough with no additional funding.

Lauren Overton: With the rosters, someone could do a MG once/week instead of study hall.

Its not clear if 4th grade will have a lead senior teacher. Ms. Gethers may be there or may take a sabbatical.

The split class will probably be either 1st/2nd or 2nd/3rd. Were not sure yet.

Were taking on a new roster for the middle grades. CF has been particularly challenged by time on task for reading and math. Were going to take on block rostering. Greenfield and McCall do block rostering 90-minute blocks for reading and math.

Whole school is beginning blended learning. Every class has at least 10 computers. Were talking about ipads for kindergartens. Tuesdays our teachers are going to Northeast High for more training in blended (rotational) learning. This is also the beginning of the differentiation process (reaching the more advanced students and the more struggling students).

We have 3 days of a language teacher because we opened another kindergarten.

Need an aide for 3rd kindergarten. Need a library for a new 2/3 classroom split if thats what the split will be.

School district is buying our math books.

Other

School show is coming up. Children who are in the casts can come in on Tuesday 10-3. Pizza will be provided.

Socialized recess different organizations are wooing us so we need to decide if were doing that again. Could form a committee.

We bought new K furniture for the new classroom new rug, tables etc.

We got 3 roving smartboards maybe 2nd grade. We got 2 mounted boards which are going into 3rd grade.

The school district has a survey. It impacts our school. Please complete it online with your childs student ID number.

4th & 8th will take a science exam. Testing is almost done.

Parent: Is the 3rd kindergarten going to be a long-term thing?

CF: No, I think this year was an exception. If those kids are coming in 1st grade anyway, we need to have them in K so that theyre prepared for reading and writing.

Parent: Every year we work really hard to raise money from the auction for improvements. Now were being asked to spend close to $20,000 for an SSA.

Parent: No incoming K parent wants a classroom without an SSA. Could we couch the fall ask in terms of that?

Leslie: The auction funds have historically been parent-directed funds.

Parent: Is there a long-term plan for this new kindergarten as they get older and go through the school?Mike: We have to take them at 1st grade anyway.

Lauren: Having them in K allows them to have the same programming as the other kids in our school.

CF: The lottery for next years Kindergarten has not been decided. Its on the table. We have 30 siblings coming into kindergarten. Thats unprecedented.

Leslie: As you think through ideas, please funnel your ideas through the parent leadership. For the 1st time in 6 years we dont have to put funds towards a counselor or a nurse. Things are changing for the better.

Treasurers Report

The full list is $115,360 (of asks), which is the same as what we paid for the nurse and SSA last year. The school district has given us the nurse, which gives us flexibility.

Meredith Auction Summary

We raised $119,552.

There was a decision to earmark some $ for the playground (25% of the other auction money -- $33,938).

100% Campaign

Weve raised just a little over $50,000. Right now weve spent over $38,000. (graphing calculators, K-1 tables, new water fountains, etc.). This money has been reinvested into classrooms. We have just under $12,000. There was a big push for smartboards, a bench in the playground, etc.

This year were getting matches from Amazon, Wells Fargo, Tea Collection sales, etc.

Now we have $180,000 in the bank, coming out of the auction.

Weve invested $53,509 into the classrooms since July. $22,000 from the 100% campaign. There are other funds from these other pots that went towards supporting library, dance, science.

Looking forward will be a cycle of budget prep and decision making. The list will always exceed the resources.

Parent: Would be good to market to grandparents, in early Fall.

Parent: Its very important that the whole schedule for fundraising campaigns is delivered. Parents are fatigued. We need to think about messaging, roll-out, and timing.

Leslie: This year, the Popes visit led to more absences, so things were very clustered together.

Parent: Messaging needs to be clearer about what the funds are earmarked for.

Social for new parents is important to explain activities and fundraisers. Would be good to distribute a calendar for them.

Auction Report

It was a huge success.

Christina: Thank you for all the donations. In the past the auction proceeds always went to something large that would last for a long time soundproofing lunchroom and gym. Then funds had to go to our staff. Things are getting better, but in recent months there have been numerous injuries on the schoolyard. And just looking at it, its dismal. Redoing the schoolyard has always been on the table. We have Jen Curtin, Ms. Overton, Ms. Farlino working on grants for renovating the schoolyard. We raised a nice chunk of money to get started. If we budgeted 25% for the schoolyard, there is $85,000 left over. Do we want an SSA in the K?

CF: We need to put in a request for an SSA by the end of the school year.

Carmen & Mike: We dont need to spend all our funds down within this school year. We have articles of incorporation as a 501c3. We have our own bylaws.

Christina: Our ultimate goal is to repave the schoolyard with soft porous material. The $33,000 is marked. There are things we can do now to improve the schoolyard a bench, planting.

Francesca: There is a beautification committee meredithbeautification@gmail.com. We could have a sign-up sheet at parent-teacher conferences. We need an architect.

Theres a sign-up for Play Day.

Thank you to Leslie Tyler for 4 years of service.

Melissa: Introduction of Candidates for School Council and HSA. We have 3 open positions.