Hunters Woods Elementary School

PTA Meeting

March 14th, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:15pm by President Maureen Becker.

Minutes were read and approved as corrected.

Correspondence – Maureen Becker read a note from Mrs. Parmiter thanking the PTA fro approving the Mini-Grant for Kids Discovery Magazine.

President’s Report - Congratulated all the OM teams on the regional competition. 3 of the HWES teams took 3rd place.

Maureen thanked Marianne McLaughlin and Delta Pelgrim for heading up the Talent Share and Marina Matthes for taking care of Risograph.

Maureen reminded everyone to make use of our PTA website to advertise our activities.

A Bylaws committee has been established to review the current PTA Bylaws as it pertains to revising positions on the board. The hope is that these changes will provide for a better line of succession for officers on the board.

Maureen asked for members to consider being on the nominating committee for next years board. Catherine Linberg and Nancy Mamros volunteered to be 2 out of the 3 member committee.

Treasurer’s Report – Deborah Lannen reported that the $925 found and booked to misc. income is actually income generated by Carabba’s Night and has been now recorded under the proper line item. Most expenses have been posted but some expenses from after school activities and the directory have yet to be posted. Treasurer’s report accepted as presented.

Committee Reports

Silent Auction – Susan Sather stated that things are moving along, donations are coming in, but next year we really need a person dedicated to requesting corp./business donations. Asked members to take list and call asking for donations. The basket workshop will be Friday March 16 th from 3:30 – 8:30. We currently have 42 teacher/staff donations.

Book Fair – Shreeti Kapoor and Karin Richardson stated the dates of the fair are April 16 th – 20 th with evening hours on the 18 th & 19 th. A sign up sheet was sent around for volunteers to work 2 hour shifts. Aileen Thompson will be coordinating the volunteers. A request by the committee was made regarding a 25% discount for teachers and staff, $10 coupon for scholarship eligible students and 1 book for each head start student (determined by teacher). Marina Matthes made a motion to approve request, it was seconded by Susan Sather. The motion carried.

Teacher Appreciation Lunch – Raba Letteri will coordinate this event. It was decided that it will be an all day event the same as last year. This was teachers would have food available all day, better fitting with their schedules. The event will be held May 7 th. Marina Matthes will e-mail Raba last years flyer for review and let her know of any changes she would like made.

Outdoor Beautification – Catherine Linberg announced that the next work day will be Saturday, April 28 th. Projects include, trellis to be installed, plantings for future sculpture and the rebuilding of garden beds in the back of the school. Catherine asked whether the PTA would like to pursue a spring sale with Gaelic Gardens – it was determined that that was a good idea.

Principal’s Report – Sarah Skerker reminded everyone of the Fine Arts night on 3/15/07 at 6- 8:30 open to all. This will be hands on project with the fine arts teachers. She highlighted the follow HWES happenings.

It is field trip season

3 HWES chess teams won honors at a tournament over the weekend

The Artist in residence will be back at the end of April

Friday, March 30 th is the end of the quarter and a school day due to a make up for previous snow date

May is SOL time 7 th-24th; please try to avoid vacations and Dr.’s appointments

Things are well at HWES.

Mini-Grants

Deborah Lannen made a motion that Mrs. Kelly’s request for $303.02 for the renting of tables for the science be approved. Shashi Ravishankar seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion passed.

Catherine Linberg made a motion that $80 be given to Mrs. Kelly for the adoption of two sea turtles. Shreeti Kapoor seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion passed.

Susan Sather made a motion that we approve the spending of up to $500 to help offset the cost of Clara Johnson’s retirement party. (monies to be used for food and decorations). The motion was seconded by Nancy Mamros, a vote was taken and the motion passed.

Susan Sather made a motion that Mrs. Kendall’s request for 1 barometer and 1 hydrometer for the 4 th grade weather studies at a cost of $26 each be upgraded to 8 of each for 4 th grade classes to use for the study of weather. Shashi Ravishankar seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion passed.

Old Business - Catherine Linberg gave us an update on the Artist-In-Residence project that will occur at the end of April with artist Mark Pilato. She showed us a drawing of the proposed project.

New Business – Christine Arakelian spoke about her efforts to find a science sponsor for the school and along with that made a proposal to arrange for a “Science Speakers Series” at the school. She has been in contact with the Jane Goodall Foundation to arrange for her to speak at HWES. Ms. Goodall has agreed to speak at our school with the request that we start a group known as “Roots & Shoots” there would be a yearly fee (approx. $50) which if started would be come an budgeted line item. We currently do activities/projects that align with the mission of Roots & Shoots”. Catherine Linberg will look into the particulars to see if this would meet the requirements to have Ms. Goodall agree to come to our school. Christine was given the ok to proceed with her proposal.