Parent Guardian Group Minutes for Monday February 7th, 2005
Attending: Patty O’Brien, Ian Boyd, Nick Yaffe, Alisa Brewer, Sharon Vardatira (Facilitator), Andy Churchill, Tom Flittie, Felicia Mednick, Alyssa Melnick, Meg Ziomek, Dan Kramer, Debbie Timberlake (Minutes)
Updates:
Budget: Overall we are doing better this year than last year. Total Income for the month was $869.25 (from Art card sales, Basketball shirts; Ha Ha Sisterhood income, and Recycling were the major sources of income.)
Korean Event: Was very exciting and successful, Korean families made Dumplings for all the students, and wore traditional clothing and spoke to each class.
Patty O’Brien is arranging an Informational Forum at Mark’s Meadow, on the Impact of the Town Charter Proposal, in particular on Education. There will be Representatives from Pro Charter and Pro Town Meeting Groups, and this is being arranged at each School. This is tentatively planned for March 7th at 6:30. Child Care will be provided by PGG. Patty will be publicizing this Event.
SGC Nomination Issue: There is a vacancy on the School Governance Council currently. Carl McPhee
, a parent of a 1st and a 4th Grader, who was on September’s Ballot, may fill this. SGC advises on Policy Making around School issues, they help shape the character of each school, and work on the School Improvement plan. SGC is currently working on a survey for 3rd thru 6th Grade Students, and all Families, and Staff. February 28th at 3:30 is the next SGC meeting. Meetings are Open. Ryan Roupe, a Student Teacher, who went to Mark’s Meadow, has joined as a community member.
Funding Requests:
PGG has received a request for funding for the UN trip for the 6th grade classes. PGG can assist with Funding, with the plan for a request to go out to families to contribute towards this trip. The estimated cost of the trip is $1,248. Sharon will follow up on this request.
The 6th Grade classes have been participating in Yoga Classes, with the aim of learning ways to deal with stress, including breathing and relaxation. 4 classes have been funded through the Robyn Konovich Fund. Funding for 4 additional classes is being requested from PGG. $200 was approved for these.
A discussion of the role of PGG in funding field trips and other needs and events ensued. Including the question of having funds available for all grades, and seeking out community resources. Funding Guidelines were developed last year by Ian Boyd, and will be revisited.
Principle’s Report:
Marks Meadow staff is meeting with U-Mass Faculty to talk about our relationship, and the possibilities of developing a “Center for Teacher Inquiry”.
Clubs are starting after school Vacation, separate clubs are being planned for 5th and 6th grade Girl’s and Boys. The Valley Arts Project, which Nick’s son is a member of, is looking at Drama and Improv, and Creative Arts.
Contributions are arriving for the Karen Feller Fund, for the purchase of books in her memory.
Multi Cultural Fair: People are needed to join the Planning Committee to help plan and organize the Rooms for Multicultural Night. The question of having the Russian Chorus at the Amherst College perform was raised. Diane Travis will contact the photographer to repeat the Family Photos again this year; the Photo Display at the entrance highlights the diversity of the Mark’s Meadow Community, and is enjoyed by many. This will be funded by PGG.
Future Agenda Items:
• Moving SGC nominations and elections to the spring instead of at the beginning of the school year, how to advertise them, term limits. • Possibly providing Child Care during SGC meetings. • Considering continuing Yoga Classes, and an update on disposition of funding. (April Meeting) • Yearbook (Significant discussion item for March agenda) • Scholastic Book Fair to be held 4/5 to 4/8 • Report from Nick on the amount in the Student Activities Account • Sharon will bring the Comparative budgets for expenses and income for the complete year (FY 2004 and 2005), in order to estimate expenditures for the rest of the year. • Use of Gift Certificates (A to Z and others.) • An update on fixing the Auditorium Seats from Patty