PTA Minutes

Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences

February 1, 2006

The regular monthly meeting of the Hunters Woods PTA was held on February 1, 2006 at Hunters Woods Elementary School . PTA President Cathy Uhrig called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM . Minutes from the January meeting were read and approved as written.

Correspondence

The 4th grade team sent a note thanking the PTA for the minigrant that helped pay for the Colonial Days reenactment.

President's Report

Cathy Uhrig reported that Dianne Hansen was attending the meeting in order to take photos for volunteer badges. Thanks to Dianne and to her co-chairs Maureen Becker and Cindy Hann who help the chairs along the way. Cathy also thanked all who are working on Snickerdoodle, all teachers and parents who worked on the 4 th grade opera, Susan Sather for the Directory and for maintaining the pencil sharpeners, and Sashi Ravishankar for the database. Cathy also thanked Susan Brownsword and Maureen Becker for the school supply kits, and she thanked Jessica Lewis and Raba Letteri for the International Festival in advance. Cathy Uhrig also sent a special thanks to the Executive Committee (Maureen Becker, Susan Sather, Susan Brownsword, Nicole Irving, and Deborah Lannen) who work all the time taking care of the business of the PTA behind the scenes, beyond their chair positions.

Cathy reported that the Executive Committee voted to approve an increase to Mr. Ware's minigrant request from the January meeting to $4205 for the stage.

Cathy announced that the 16 laptops and cart have arrived and are ready to be used.

Cathy also reminded everyone to only send flyers to every student when necessary. Susan Sather and others worked very hard on the "oldest and only" lists, and we would like to use them.  It saves paper, work, and keeps families with multiple children from getting too much paper.

Also, Cathy reported that Reston Youth Basketball offered to pay for ½ the cost of the basketball hoops or clock/scoreboard.

The Chick-Fil- A and Coldstone Creamery fundraisers need chairs to organize them.

Please remember to send Kelly Midura a synopsis of your upcoming event to post on the website and use your forwarder email address.

Treasurer's Report

Cathy Uhrig distributed the budget through January 31, 2006 on behalf of Susan Brownsword. She also reported that there was not much activity to the budget.

The report will be filed for audit.

Teacher's Report

Karen Egan reported that the staff enjoyed the Sweet Shoppe, and thanked the PTA on behalf of all the teachers. She also thanked the PTA for the bookfair discount that was given to the teachers. Karen also expressed her gratitude to all of the volunteers who help in the school during the year.

Committee Reports:

Directory: Susan Sather reported there are some problems with the printing of the directory. Please send an e-mail to her with any corrections that are needed.

Hunters Horn: Susan Sather reported that all articles for the Hunters Horn are due on Monday, February 6, 2006 in order to be printed in the Valentine's Day issue.

Silent Auction: Susan Sather reported that she needs a lot of help for this event. She especially needs help during the showing of the movie. She also reported that she sent e-mails to room parents regarding the class baskets.

Skate Night: This fun event will be held on April 1, 2006, in conjunction with Forest Edge.

Outdoor Beautification: Cathy Uhrig reported for Catherine Linberg that the planted bulbs are starting to come up, and that some raking has been done during the last month.

International Festival: Jessica Lewis reported that this event will be held on February 3, 2006 at 6:30 PM . She also reported that there will be a lot of food from many different countries, a great talent show and a costume celebration.

Honk: Elysa Katz reported the event will be held on February 16 th , 2006 and February 18 th , 2006.

Bingo: Christine Gambrel reported that Bingo night has been scheduled for February 24, 2006, and that she still needs volunteers to help sell goodies during the event.

Year Book: Joan Burkhart reported that the yearbook will be digital this year, and that everything is coming along well.

Principal's Report

Olivia Toatley thanked Joan Burkhart and Blakely Meyers for taking pictures during the school year for the yearbook.

Olivia also thanked Mr. Rosmarin for applying to AOL for a $1,000 grant for Odyssey of the Mind that was awarded and received by Hunters Woods.

An artist will be working with the 4th grade students on a stabile (stationary mobile).

Olivia also reported that Mrs. Skerker and several teachers are working with people in Northern Ireland on a long distance learning center.

Furthermore, Olivia reported that the lighting in the Black Box Theater will be raised and that over 200 books have been collected and are ready to be sent to Nigeria.

Also, a Parent Survey form will be sent home to selected students regarding the Principal's performance.

Olivia announced that Hunters Woods has several new staff members, and that the school currently has over 1,000 students enrolled. Also, a half-time Reading teacher has been hired.

Good Morning Washington was to record a 10 second bite about Hunters Woods on February 16, 2006.

Olivia reported that 150 students will be attending the Science Night at the Smithsonian Museum on February 2, 2006

Unfinished Business: None

New Business:

Maureen Becker made a motion to have Jane Kolb, Karen Egan, Cathy Uhrig, Blakely Meyers and Cindy Kappel on the Nominating Committee. The motion was seconded and approved.

Lisa Foley asked for a minigrant for the Art Department for artist, Kevin Reese, to talk to the 2nd and 4th graders about motion. The money would pay for the assembly and for the mobile that the artist will create with the students. Jane Kolb made a motion to give $3,400 to Lisa Foley, in the Art Department, for Arts in Motion. The motion was seconded and approved.

Karen Egan asked for a $200 minigrant for the General Ed 5th grade classes to support Science curriculum on cells and organisms.

Susan Sather made a motion to give $50 to each of the four 5th grade General Ed classes. The motion was seconded and approved.

The next PTA meeting will be held on March 1, 2005 at 7:30 PM at the school. See the agenda for other upcoming events and dates.

The meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM.