PTA Minutes

Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences

September 14, 2005

The regular monthly meeting of the Hunters Woods PTA was held on September 14, 2005 at Hunters Woods Elementary School . PTA President Cathy Uhrig called the meeting to order at 8:03 PM. Minutes from the August meeting were read and approved as written.

Correspondence: Deborah Lannen read a Thank-you note from the K1 team for the Back to School breakfast, and one note from Molly Dunn thanking the PTA for the wonderful breakfast as well.

President's Report: Cathy Uhrig thanked all who participated during the Open House. She thanked Jane Kolb, Deborah Lannen and Tracy Meleski for helping with the Pizza sales. She thanked Stacey Graf and Joy Heuer for helping with memberships, Karen Berube, for helping with apparel, Susan Brownsword (and family), and Maureen Becker for S chool Supply Kits. Cathy also thanked Susan Sather for all her work with Room Parent signups, and all who helped stuff Tuesday folders. Thanks to Jane Kolb for producing the school calendar. Thanks to Catherine Linberg who kept the gardens going all summer, and has spruced up for the opening of school.  She planted all of the plants that were used at the Teacher Breakfast around the marquee - and has kept the marquee up to date all through the summer and now.  

Cathy reported that so far this year we have put out many different things. She thanked Mary Malzahn and Eleanor Weis for After School Activities, Susan Sather for the Directory forms, Elysa Katz and Pam Light for Directory Advertising, Karen Berube for Apparel sales, Caroline Hemenway and Julia Sullivan for Odyssey of the Mind, Elysa Katz and Patrick Ware for their help with Honk, Jody Wolfe for Grocery Rebates, Stacey Graf and Joy Heuer for Membership, Dianne Hansen, Maureen Becker and Cindy Hann for Volunteer Signup sheets.

Cathy thanked everyone who has signed up to chair a committee. There are still openings for the following positions: Another After School Activities Chair, Parent Education, and the Literary Magazine (collect and copy). Also, please remember to send Kelly Midura a synopsis of your upcoming event to post on the website and use your forwarder email address.

Make sure you sign up for KIT at hwpta.org link.

All committee chairs must be members of the PTA. 

There will be a dinner catered by Carrabas on December 1, 2005 (Math and Technology night).

Treasurer's Report

Maureen Becker filled in for Susan Brownsword. She distributed the proposed budget, and explained that it does not include Reading is Fundamental or the Latte Lounge because they are no longer items on the budget. In addition, Mr. Hockett and Cathy Uhrig sat down over the summer and discussed ways to spend some of the excess money that is in our budget. The decision was made to buy a weather station and a 16 lap top mobile cart for the school. PTA members at the Back to School nights will vote on the proposed budget.

Teacher's Report

Karen Egan thanked parents for helping to stuff Tuesday folders. She also reported that the teachers appreciated all of the school supplies that were sent in by the parents. Back to School night is coming up.

Committee Reports

Room Parents: Susan Sather asked people to sign up to be room parents at Open House. She still needs a list from the teachers who do not have any room parents yet.

Directory : Susan Sather reported that she received many forms back already. In addition, directory ads are still available. Pam Light reported that the deadline is September 23, 2005.

Hunters Horn : Susan Sather reported that she needs articles to be submitted by Sept. 16, 2005 for the next Hunters Horn publication.

Fall Harvest Festival : Blakely Meyers reported on the Fall Harvest Festival. It will be held on Nov. 19, 2005 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm.

Outdoor Beautification : Catherine Linberg announced that Sept. 24, 2005 from 9:00 am-2:00 pm is Outdoor Clean Up. The downpour date has been set to Sept. 25, 2005 from 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm. Catherine also reported that the Audubon Society would be filming during the clean up day. Catherine informed us that she would be purchasing fall bulbs from Langston Hughes Middle School . She is still working on the Flat stone map for the front of the school. In addition, she asked anyone with a little extra time to help rake up all the leaves.

Sock Hop: Joan Burkhart is looking for volunteers to help at this great event to be held on Friday, Oct. 14, 2005.

Apparel: Cathy Uhrig reported on behalf of Karen Berube that there are pictures of apparel on the Hunters Woods website. October 15, 2005 is the deadline for orders.

Membership: Stacy Graf reported that 205 PTA memberships were paid for before school had started.

Principal's Report

Sarah Skerker, our new Assistant Principal, reported that Dr. Chung was out of town. She thanked everyone for the teacher breakfast. Mrs. Skerker informed us that the search for a new Principal is still going strong, and that there might be a name by next week. She also let us know that Hunters Woods has 1000 registered students and the SOL testing dates are still to be announced. In addition, grades 4-6 will be given quarterly tests called BART, for assessment purposes only.

Mr. Stefano (6 th grade teacher) has put together a fundraiser to help Hurricane Katrina victims. Students are asked to look within themselves as to how they can help raise money. Donations will go to Fairfax Families Care. Mrs. Negri is in charge of Lego League, and she needs parent volunteers for the 60 students that are currently signed up.

Mrs. Mentzer, reported on Safety. Kiss and Ride was reviewed by Fairfax County , so Mrs. Mentzer is asking everyone to please help keep our students safe. Kiss and Ride has a NO PASSING rule. There have also been some trees removed for safety reasons, but they will be replaced soon.

Unfinished Business

None

New Business

Karen Stevens showed a short video on digital yearbooks as a supplement to the regular paper yearbook.

The PTA will be purchasing a trophy case, and will dedicate it to Mr. Hockett.

The next PTA meeting will be held on October 5, 2005 at 7:30 PM at the school. See the agenda for other upcoming events and dates.

The meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM.