Notes from PGG Meeting on 1/10/2007

Attending: Ian Boyd (Co-Chair and Notes), Dan Kramer (treasurer), Andrea Watson (Parent Volunteer Coordinator), Alyssa Melnick, Andrea Keins, Jackie Churchill, Meg Rosa, Nick Yaffe (Principle), Tashi Zangmo, and Debbie Timberlake (Co-chair)

Movie Night: Friday January 19th was Family Movie Night, Baked Goods and Popcorn were sold to raise funds for Student Council and PGG. Thank you to Andrea Keins for organizing this event with Andrea Watson, Tracy Hightower, Lynne Weintraub and Felicia Mednick, and to Taylor Rental for the loan of a popcorn machine. Thank You to all that provided the wonderful Baked Goods!

Year Book: Tracy Hightower and John Reid have offered to work on it this year. Debbie is checking with Larry Newman who took on the Project last year as well.

Parent Volunteer Update: Many Parents have expressed willingness to work on different projects and activities , more Volunteers are needed. Contact Andrea Watson alwatson@student.umass.edu for more information. Science Night (Wed Feb 14) is Coordinated by Alyssa Melnick, Multicultural Fair by Diane Travis, and After-school 4th-6th grade Basketball by Nick Yaffe.

Discussed forming Working Groups for different activities that PGG does, no Volunteers at this time.

Child Care: Andrea Keins will set up Child Care for future meetings. (Thank You!)

Parenting with Compassion: Will explore the possibility of having Dr. Jerry Koch-Gonzalez do a follow up presentation, possibly in April. Will look for help coordinating this. Approved up to $100 to fund this.

New Family Welcoming: January 31st at 6:30 in the Art Room, Desert and activities for children.

Brown Envelope Fundraiser: Tashi Zangmo has offered to work on this, Ian Boyd will set up a link for donations to be made through the Amherst Education Foundation’s website, which will allow the option of contributions to be made online and to be Tax Deductible.

Principal’s Update: Budget Situation-$1 million in cuts to Elementary Schools. At current budget forecast cuts will be made, mostly with people, supplies have already been cut drastically. MCAS: Amherst Elementary schools developing an Improvement Plan. University Dancers will be performing for the School January 24th, PGG to cover the full cost (approved at last meeting, with plan to ask for donations, due to logistics agreed that PGG would fund.)

Future Meetings: February 7th and March 7th (Wednesdays)