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GEPTA Meeting LER December 4, 2007
Welcome:
Members present:
Helen Wright, Jen McKenna, Tony Theberge, Jill Jamison, Ellen McGuire, Tony Veit, Katherine Kollman, Veronica Babcock, Judi Morin, Paula Bourque, Tiffany Awley, Liz Hall, Karen Moody
Last Meeting Minutes
Ellen made a motion to accept the minutes and Jen 2nd. People were invited to look over the minutes on their own. All in favor.
Treasurer’s Report
Tony passed out copies of the report and shared the account information.
Meadowfarms netted: 9801.03
Octoberfest earned 1180.98
Classroom support to teachers totaled $1950. There was some brief discussion regarding who was “eligible” for classroom support.
The district will match up to $5000 for our playground fund. We are setting that amount for our target goal. Currently we transferred 1667.83 into our playground account.
Ellen motioned that we accept the report, Jen 2nd
Principal Report
Judi wanted to thank the PTA on behalf of the staff for the checks they were given for classroom support.
Karen also said the teachers were very excited and appreciative of the cash support. She also extended the teachers’ thanks for the meals during conferences and she was grateful for the book fair volunteers and coordination..
She wanted to remind us all to check out the new and improved website and that she can link it to the River View website. She’d love feedback about the site.
She’s going to upload pictures of our fundraising baskets. Judi asked her to add a piece about the donations to troops that was organized by River View.
Family Fun Nights-Jen McKenna
We need to have a license to show movies at the school. The cost is $75. So we discussed changing the movie night to a science fun night- all agreed.
We want to ask families to save this year’s Christmas cards for next year’s activities.
Jen needs volunteers to man the tables, to bake cookies and to bring in Christmas/holiday cards. A sign up sheet went around for each.
Volunteers should show up by 5:15-5:30. We will probably do cookies in the cafeteria and crafts in the gym.
The winners names for the baskets will be drawn that night.
Good feedback was given on the family game night. It wasn’t a huge turnout, but very well received.
There was discussion regarding having pizza at one of the Fun Nights, people thought perhaps the Science night.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR
December 13 (Thursday) - at River View during the school day from 9-2. Volunteers should arrive by 8 am. Students can “shop” for family members- spending about 50 cents per gift. Students can choose 2 items, if after all students have shopped, children can come back and purchase additional gifts. A notice went home asking for donations. Judi is looking for volunteers. A snow day will be December 20th. Judi would like the PTA to perhaps purchase some wrapping paper and tags if needed. Judi is asking for a volunteer to collect the donations and coordinate the volunteer time slots. Veronica Babcock agreed to do the scheduling. She will contact Judi. Tiffany Awley and Jen McKenna already agreed to be there.
Fundraiser Baskets
Tickets should have gone home with students. Karen will post pictures on the websites.
Reading Incentive Tshirts
We get 100 free shirts from Meadowfarms. We decided to get orange and black shirts with I LOVE TO READ. Jen will try to determine which sizes we need.
Scholastic Book Fair
Tiffany said we have a little over $1158 for books. Tiffany wanted to collect enough books so that at the end of the school year each child gets a book. Jen motioned, Katherine 2nd.
Judi suggested getting a list of titles from classroom teachers to help us decide which books to get. Tiffany will go to the Scholastic Warehouse on Dec. 11 to get more books for reading incentive. For 4 weeks starting next Wed. we will have a drawing of 5 names for books (book fair raffle)
Hannaford Helps
Tiffany is organizing this. We want to combine the slips from both schools. Helen will contact Morgan at RVCS to get those. We need to get the slips from Hannaford. We are missing the paperwork, Helen will call to find this.
Family Fitness/ Health Day:
Katherine Kollman- from surveys she found that parents are lacking information on what is healthy food. She would like to have a day in January to put together a FamilyFitness/Health day with 4 active corners in the gym for teaching parents and kids how to stay fit. In the cafeteria, have someone from cooperative extension to give a workshop on nutrition. Anthony Anderson is willing to help. Perhaps the PTA could provide some healthy snacks. Jen suggested that we combine it with Family Fun and have it on a Sunday afternoon instead of Friday evening. The last Sunday in January (January 27th) was suggested. Karen will check the schedule.
STARS program requested reimbursement for a field trip. Jen motioned to pay for the bus ($86.40) trip, Tony 2nd. All in favor
Weekly Reader
Can PTA subsidize subscriptions for students who cannot afford to pay. Karen thought this should be included in the budget. Judi said it is covered in RVCS budget. Paula motioned that we pay for any students who are unable to pay for Weekly Reader IF it is NOT covered in the budget.
KIDS ARE AUTHORS
Tiffany shared with the principals a program in which kids can submit stories for scholastic. They work in groups of 3. 2nd grade at LER may do it as well.
Next meeting: January 8 at RVCS.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:26pm.
GEPTA PTA
Meeting Minutes, January 8, 2008 @ Riverview
In attendance:
Introductions: Karen and Helen welcomed everyone to the meeting and the PTA. Everyone introduced themselves. Karen Moody welcomed our AFS exchange teacher from China, John.
December meeting minutes: motion to approve December minutes by Veronica, 2nd by Paula, approved. Minutes are posted on the MSAD #11 and also in the teacher’s room and we encourage all to check out the updated web site.
Treasurer’s Report: Available balance is $18,307.25. The basket raffle made over $900, which is being used to fund the family fun nights. The success of the raffle makes us interested in doing another in the spring. Motion to accept, Ellen, 2nd by Veronica, passed.
Principal’s report:
Mrs. Morin shared with us the following information:
• The holiday bazaar went very well, and all the donations and volunteers were much appreciated.
Mrs. Moody shared the following:
• Prior to the holidays, real reindeer visited the school, and the feedback from the teachers was that this was terrific. They would like to see more of these sort of enrichment programs. Other enrichment ideas were suggested. Expansion of the planetarium, Chewonki and Johnson Hall programs we have previously supported were discussed.
Family Fun, Food and Fitness Day – Sunday, January 27 from 1-3 p.m. Katherine Kollman is organizing this particular event. The Cooperative Extension, Family Healthreach, and several local nutritionists have been contacted. None have committed to attend, but all will sent materials. Rock-climbing, Pilates & dance are a few activities already planned. Several people had ideas for speakers.
Everyone is to email their healthy, kid-friendly recipes to Katherine to be shared. Limited volunteers are required for this event. (outofmyheadPortland@hotmail.com) We talked about offering healthy snacks as well, though simplicity was encouraged. Veronica motioned that we set a budget of up to $300 for the event, 2nd by Ellen, passed.
An organizational meeting will be held Wednesday, January 16 at LER at 6:30 p.m.
Read-a-Thon/Book Swap - Paula will help organize the read-a-thon. The idea was to keep kids reading over vacation, but that made it hard to keep focus. The idea was to have another week after vacation ends. Everyone who reads is eligible for prizes.
Regarding the book swap - The voucher system will continue, but one feedback from last year was to not open the doors early. We will contact the middle school to see if they have any books hat would appeal to the 4th and 5th graders. Drop boxes will be distributed to the classrooms soon, and boxes around town were also suggested.
Timeframe:
• Book Swap: Wednesday, February 13 (pending availability of the LER gym)
• Kick-off events: Thursday, February 14 (We love to read!)
• Turn in pledge sheets: February 27
• Prize distribution assemblies: March 6
Other New Business:
Custodian Deb Roy had an accident and broke her ankle. A card was passed for signatures to encourage her.
Concerns were raised about the head lice issues at LER. It has affected several classrooms. Mrs. Moody described some of the measures taken to keep articles of clothing separate. Information is available for anyone who needs to learn more from the school nurses.
Karen passed around several very nice thank you notes.
Motion to adjourn at 7:23 by Ellen, 2nd by Amie, passed. Those interested in helping to coordinate the Book Swap and Read-a-Thon stayed.
Next GEPTA meeting: Tuesday, February 6 at 6 p.m. at LER
GEPTA
Meeting Minutes, February 5, 2008 @ LER
Members met prior to the meeting to sort the packets for the Read-a-Thon
In attendance: Aimee Lanteigne, Tony Thebarge, Helen Wright, Veronica Babcock, Paula Bourque, Kristy Gould, Katherine Kollman, Michael Gerard, Ellen McGuire
Meadow farms: Terry Tatlock from Meadow Farms visited to do a short presentation with some ideas for fall. There are some early bonuses if we chose to sign up by 2/15. He reviewed our profit from 2006 and 2007, and we have done very well with this fundraiser each year. This year we had 51% participation.
Ellen moved that we book the Meadow Farms fundraiser for fall 2008. We will do the fall big book and a special cookie mix brochure. 2nd by Aimee, passed.
January meeting minutes: motion to approve January minutes by Paula, 2nd by Tony, approved. Minutes are posted on the MSAD #11 and also in the teacher’s room and we encourage all to check out the updated web site.
Treasurer’s Report: Available balance is $17,652.26. Motion to accept by Paula, 2nd by Veronica, passed.
Principal’s report: Mrs. Moody discussed the following items:
• John, the teacher from China, will be here for a few more weeks
• Assemblies – Karen is looking for feedback about these from any parents who have attended.
• All of the classes at LER are doing literacy assessment and sharing information with each other.
She would also like to propose the following as enrichment programs:
• Chewonki – is already booked. It would be two days and the bill is $1475.00. Karen would like to see if we could expand the program in the future.
• Northern Stars Planetarium – has been tentatively booked for June. This would cost $685.00. The program is called Our Family in the Stars.
• Treasure reading – a theatrical Magic Show based on literacy, with a pirate theme. Less than $700 for two shows on the same day.
• A music program was proposed. Aimee suggested a percussion program that was held at her school and will get more information. Katherine also suggested that we look into the PSO program.
Aimee moved that we allocate $2750 for the following enrichment events at LER: Chewonki, Northern Stars Planetarium and the Treasure Reading. 2nd by Paula, passed.
Mrs. Morin was not present but asked us to discuss playground fundraising ideas:
• Subscriptions to Family Fun Magazine. Would cost a family $10 and we keep half.
• Walk-a-thon around the current playground “Tiger Walk.” Also have a hot dog stand or something.
• BIG Trucks - construction & emergency vehicles in the lot. Those who come pay $3.00 to sit in and have pictures.
Funding Requests:
• Foster Grandparents at RVCS – a request was made for $250 to support the program with 16 weeks of meals so they can eat at school. Ellen moved that we allocate these funds, 2nd by Veronica, passed.
• Mrs. Tarrio and Mrs. Laramme submitted a request for $298.50 plus shipping costs to pay for a set of 8 extra large books for use in the classrooms. Paula moved that we allocate the funds, 2nd by Ellen, passed.
• Paula noticed that neither school had a digital camera available and have many occasions to use it. It has not been requested, but would be a great enrichment idea and would add to the web site as well. Ellen suggested that we price the cameras and bring that back for the next meeting.
100th Day of School – The Maine Parent Foundation, a local organization that encourages parental involvement, would give a $100 stipend and banner to encourage parents to come into the schools and participate in the 100 day celebration. We determined that there really wasn’t enough time to plan anything this year. Katherine will also get information on their 1st day of school celebration program for next year. Helen will also support her.
Read-a-Thon/Book Swap – Paula has another quick memo going home about drop-offs for the book swap. Volunteers are needed for sorting books Friday night, and to help out Saturday night at the swap. We reviewed details of the swap and the voucher system. Paula will send those who volunteered an email.
Students who turn in reading logs will get entered into the drawing for the bike and other prizes. Time of parents reading to children will also count. Those who read more will get more chances this year.
Cookies and juice will be purchased.
Timeframe:
• Book Swap: Saturday, February 9, 6:00 p.m. @ LER
• Kick-off events: Thursday, February 7
• 8:45 @ RVCS
• 2:00 @ LER
• Turn in pledge sheets: February 25
• Prize distribution assemblies: tentatively March 6
Other New Business:
Motion to adjourn at 7:23 by Ellen, 2nd by Amie, passed.
Next GEPTA meeting: Tuesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. at RVCS
GEPTA
Meeting Minutes, March 4, 2008 @ Riverview
In attendance: Tony Thebarge, Helen Wright, Paula Bourque, Kristy Gould, Katherine Kollman & Tony Veit, Ellen McGuire, Tiffany Awley, Karen Montel, Jeff Wells, Jen McKenna, Mrs. Moody, Mrs. Morin
Principal’s report: Mrs. Moody discussed the following items:
• She did a short demo of the Lexia program via the computer. It’s a literacy based individualized program that uses simple computer games and lessons to increase learning. The children are very excited about the program, which is already being piloted at LER. There has been some discussion about the need for additional headphones.
• The planetarium and theater group that PTA funded have been booked and are ready to go.
• She requested funding for an Iranian musician to do a presentation for students at LER as an enrichment event. The group decided to look into this further. The web site is Shamou@shamou.com
• She updated us on the Dr. Seuss reading event. The community leaders who came in to read really enjoyed it and it went over very well.
Treasurer’s Report: Tony reviewed the current funds. The available balance is just over $18,000. Final tallies are not yet available but the Read-a-Thon has made about $2000. Motion to accept by Ellen, 2nd by Katherine, passed.
February meeting minutes: motion to approve February minutes by Ellen, 2nd by Paula, approved. Minutes are posted on the MSAD #11 web site and we encourage all to check out the updates to it.
Principal’s Report: Judi Morin discussed the following items
• The digital camera that was given as a gift by the PTA was greatly appreciated. She thanked us on behalf of the staff.
• She talked about the box tops and soup label programs. Thanks to Tiffany for assisting so much.
• The first day of MEAs was completed today and so far so good. Attendance is an issue due to all the illnesses going around.
• The flag and pictures from the flag ceremony will be displayed in the foyer. There has been a lot of very good feedback from the community about this event.
• She had additional ideas for design of the playground.
• Talent Show: may not happen this year. Primary issue is that the stage doors are broken and we do not know when they will be fixed.
Riverview book fair: Books arrive 4/3 and go back 4/10. Mrs. Morin thought that Saturday would be a good possibility. We brainstormed ideas to coincide with that day. A bike safety event was one everyone liked very much.
Parent-Teacher Conferences: will be the evening of April 8. We will provide food for the teachers that night. Riverview will get sandwiches and LER will get pot luck this time. Book fair will be open.
End of MEA testing event: There is a last day of testing celebration being planned for March 28 with a Caribbean/beach theme. They are looking for some volunteers to set up as well as funding. Motion to allocate up to $250 for this event by Paula, 2nd by Ellen, passed.
Funding Requests:
• Mrs. Storey is asking for $185 so that her class can visit their pen pals in Naples, ME. The trip will be in May and they have been writing to the other group since the beginning of the year. Motion to allocate by Paula, 2nd by Kristy, passed.
• REACH (gifted and talented program) is going to see the Spirit of Uganda on March 30. They are looking for $10 per student for the children from Riverview. Paula moved that we allocate the funds, 2nd by Katherine, passed.
Read-a-Thon/Book Swap Feedback: Mrs. Morin felt the Riverview assembly went very well and the enthusiasm was high. Mr. Wells brought up feedback about students at LER who did not get any awards at that school. There were some very upset children and he suggested we find ways to eliminate competition and not leave children being upset. Tiffany brought back feedback from the teachers at LER. Everyone likes the ideals of the reading programs and we will ask the teachers how they feel about changes for it in 2009.
A good deal of discussion was held about ways to get parents more involved in schools, events and PTA.
March Family Fun Night: we decided to do a beach party on March 28. A meeting of the planning committee is tentatively planned for Sunday March 9. More details to come via email.
Playground: Meeting of the committee will be 3/18 at 6 at Riverview
Motion to adjourn at 7:23 by Ellen, 2nd by Amie, passed.
Next GEPTA meeting: Tuesday, April 1 at 6 p.m. at LER
GEPTA Meeting Minutes
April 1, 2008
In attendance: Helen Wright, Karen Montel, Paula Bourque, Tiffany Awley, Jill Jamison, Kristy Gould, Veronica Babcock, Ellen McGuire, Andrea and Peter Girard, Aimee Lantaigne, Katherine Kollman, Karen Moody, Tony Thebarge
March meeting minutes: Available on the MSAD 11 web site. Motion to accept by Ellen, 2nd Veronica, passed. Motion to accept by Paula, 2nd Ellen, passed.
Treasurer’s report: Tony reviewed the current report. Available funds are $15,630.56
Principal’s report:
Mrs. Moody:
• Reconfiguration survey came home this week. This is being done for information to be provided to the school board. Reconfiguration is being considered for Pittston/Randolf.
• The teachers said thank you for the big books
• Chewonki went well - check out the pictures on line
• Magic/literacy show will be at LER next week (4/14)
• Shamu was the other enrichment event that she would like to propose. He is an Iranian who does a lot of interesting musical things with percussion instruments. Several PTA members checked out the site and found it may be of interest. Motion to allocate funds ($500) by Aimee, 2nd Kristy, passed. May 23rd has been set aside as a tentative date.
Mrs. Morin: unable to attend.
Funding requests:
• Adult education did a workbook/packet in the past for incoming kindegarteners. They were pricey, so they have lost their budget. They are asking PTAs to support this. Mrs. Moody mentioned that we have other ideas that are less expensive for this purpose. We chose not to support.
• Motion to allocate funds for snacks/juice for the kindegarten screening by Ellen, 2nd Veronica, passed. Veronica will assist and organize this, and GEPTA will have a table with information.
• Motion to allocate $50 for a Target gift card for Scott Brann, custodian, who just had a baby. Motion by Paula, 2nd by Ellen, passed.
• Mrs. Murphy is due in May and Mrs. Hersem in June. Motion by Ellen, 2nd by Tiffany to allocate $50 for gift cards for these staff members as well. Passed.
• Peg Long, special ed director, lost all of hr belongings in a fire last month. The schools have been taking collections to assist her family. Motion to allocate $100 (as a check) by Paula, 2nd Ellen. Passed.
• Motion by Ellen to allocate additional funds to support the reading incentive program. 2nd by Tiffany, passed.
Family Fun Nights
• Beach Night went very well – thanks to all who volunteered. Only feedback was that the hot dog steamer didn’t cook fast enough, so we’ll do another solution next year. The daytime event was also well received, though we didn’t get very many volunteers to help with that.
• Ideas to create a scrapbook or other way to keep our photos from the Family Fun Nights and other events.
• April 12 is DEAR (Drop everything and read) day. Which was created to celebrate Beverly Cleary’s birthday. We will plan to have kids come in their PJ’s for bedtime stories, cookies and milk, etc. To be held at LER in he gym. Aimee will make up a flyer and email it. We also need signs for the bulletin boards. We will do a door prize for several Beverly Cleary books and some Love to Read t-shirts.
Playground:
• The plans from Miracle are available now, and they are well liked.
• There has been very little response outside of the PTA members to assist, and more volunteers are really needed. We need to send out some specifics in order to get people to join in the effort.
• Fundraising plan – Family Fun Magazine. We sell subscriptions for $10 and we get half towards the playground fund.
• Keep Shaw’s receipts towards the playground fund.
• Gift baskets – Tiffany is putting these together for a raffle at the next Family Fun Night. Tickets will also be sold at the parent/teacher conferences & book fair.
• Kristy to make sign that we can use to explain why we are fundraising for the playground.
RVCS Book Fair
Tiffany passed around the list for volunteers to assist at the book fair next week.
Parent/teacher conferences: we decided to provide food for both schools from Subway. April 8 at RVCS and April 16 at LER.
Teacher Appreciation Week: May 5-9. We will organize a way for parents to participate by sending little trinkets and notes to their teachers during this week. PTA will distribute the spring classroom support money ($50 each) during this week. We will also do a breakfast on Teacher Appreciation Day May 6. Motion to allocate funds, Ellen, 2nd by Paula.
First day celebration – committee to meet and start planning on Wednesday, April 23 at 9a.m. at Katherine Kollman’s house. Directions to be emailed.
Activity Day – May 16 at LER during the day, instead of after school activities. There will be many crafts, activities and workshops. It is funded by a grant. Volunteers are welcome.
Recycling fundraiser – recycling traditional shaped yogurt containers between 6 & 32 ounce sizes and we get money. Boxes are in the offices. Ellen motioned we sign up for the program. 2nd by Jill, passed.
Motion to adjourn, Ellen, 2nd by Paula, passed.
Next meeting: May 6 at RVCS
Scholarship committee met after the meeting to look at the candidates for the 2008 scholarship awards.