February 2, 2009

AGENDA
Gardiner Elementary PTA
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Present: Helen Wright, Serena Nestor, Karen Montell, Jen McKenna, Tony Theberge, Al Ghoreyeb, Paula Bourque, Ellen McGuire, Veronica Babcock, Katherine Kollman, Liz Brodie, Christy Gould, Karen Moody, Tiffany Awley, Tony Veit (Secretary)

I. Welcome/Introductions
II. Minutes from Last Meeting
a. Motion to accept: Paula
b. 2d: Veronica
c. Motion carries
III. Treasurer’s Report.
a. 2 book fairs: paid off
b. Current balance: $11, 215.03
c. Motion: Paula; discussion
d. 2d: Liz Brodie
e. Motion carries
f. Re-issue of voided checks. Several checks to teachers at $50/ea. (written 2007), and a $200 check on Jim Brunett Scholarship Fund (11/07) were never cashed. Do we reissue or void these checks? Discussion.
Motion to a) void checks to teachers, and b) reissue Scholarship fund: Paula
2d: Veronica
Motion Carries
g. Do we want to track a budget along the school year or calendar or what? There is little tax impact on this time process.
A. Treasurer will work on 2009/2010 school year budget, based on past year's spending.
IV. Principals’ Reports
a. Karen Moody
A. LER book fair: 2/20 12:30p
B. 100th day of school: breakfast (next Friday) 2/13/09: 90 parents RSVP’d so far
C. $650 in box tops, paying for Monmouth Theater (Three Little Pigs)
D. Considering a holiday bazaar at LER, similar to the annual bazaar at Riverview
E. 2 music shows (rather than 1) scheduled for May 21, to avoid overcrowding/heat
F. Chewonki v. rainforest. Chewonki has been cancelled in favor of Pony Express, which will bring rainforest animals for the 2d grade. There are some financial savings to this. Chewonki will still present for Kindergarten and 1st grade.
1. Motion: Paula: approve payment of Pony Express; discussion
2. 2d Christy
3. Motion passes
b. Al Ghoreyeb
A. 5 new students/school growing, lack of space.
B. Liz Hall: still out for medical reasons, will be out indefinitely
1. Schools/GEPTA arranging food or gift cards
a. Motion: Subway gift card $25: Paula,
b. 2d Ellen,
c. Motion carries.
C. RVCS assembly (already scheduled) at 8:45 am Thursday 2/12/09 will include bookswap/readathon kickoff.

V. Committee Reports
A. Family Fun Nights:
a. Winter Carnival: Katherine Kollman: 3/14/09 (Saturday) 5p to 7p (setup from 3p to 5p)
b. Ice Skating Night: Katherine Kollman: 2/28/09: 2:10p to 4:10p; privately rented at Ice Arena ($200, normal $400). Skate Rentals are $1. Only 36 pair of children’s skates there. Adult must accompany children.

B. Reading Incentives
a. Paula Bourque: Read-a-thon: 2/12/09 8:45a at RVCS, 2/11/09 possible at LER.
i. Teachers can earn books for class, certificates for kids, pens, or trophies for 1,000-plus minutes of reading.
ii. LER: character cutouts, choose author
iii. Discussion re: process for rewarding incentives: every class can win books and a popcorn party by making to their goal.
iv. Karen Moody: Form for teachers to determine goals. Paula will provide
v. “Thank you” bags for teachers who participate: less than $25 to be disbursed per teacher.
b. Paula Bourque: Bookswap: Sun, Feb 15, 2-3 pm, 3-4 Author’s Reception/talk
i. Sorting 2/12/09 6pm at LER. Forms going out to students for used books today. Announcements will occur at school
ii. Book boxes:
1. Onsite at LER.
2. Al Ghoreyeb will bring book boxes to RVCS.
iii. Motion: cardstock for bookmarks:
1. Paula,
2. 2d Ellen,
3. motion carries
iv. Next meeting will review how to “up the ante” for prodigious readers.
C. Fundraising
a. Karen Montell: Colley Hill Candles. Handmade in Hallowell. 50% ($6 to PTA ea. Small candle). Every 10 you sell, you get one.
i. Liz Brodie will coordinate committee meeting (over February holiday) to review.
D. Playground
a. Helen Wright: Raising funds: matching grant: Jeff and Allison Wells are looking into this.
b. Helen Wright: Pancake Breakfast: Sat April 4 @ Applebee’s. 6 people committed already. Show up at 7:45a. Starts at 8 am. To 10 am (last seating at 9:30 a). $5 per person ($3 to PTA, $2 to Applebee’s). Menu: Juice Water Coffee Pancakes.
E. Book Fairs: Liz Brodie: - April 9-16 @ RVCS and Apr. 30-May 14 @ LER (same day as music shows)
F. Volunteers: Helen Wright and Jill Jamison met with Al. Seeking feedback from the teachers. Helen will follow up with Al.

VI. Old Business
VII. New Business
A. Marie Tarrio: request for shelving for classroom for leveled reading. Concern re: purchase of shelving for individual teachers. Perhaps best supported by school, or provide to community areas (such as library).
B. Scholarship donation on behalf of Mr. Francis Whalen
a. Father to Jim Whalen (Gym Teacher) and Beth White (teacher) and grandfather to Joe White (teacher)
i. Transportation Director for SAD 11 for 11 years.
ii. Options:
1. GAHS sport boosters
2. David Atkins Scholarship fund
iii. Motion :Paula: table pending more information: discussion,
iv. 2d: Liz Brodie:
v. passes
C. Second grade Rainforest Program in place of Chewonki; need to allocate another $116 (savings offset regarding cost reduction of Pony Express)
D. School bd meeting 2/5/09.
E. Paula reviewed $600 option for Johnson Hall-supervised production for students. No transportation other than parents is associated with this. Concerns that some kids will not be able to attend.
a. Motion: Paula: look into time/cost/availability of this; discussion
b. 2d Liz, motion carries.
c. Possibility of email vote to finalize any support for this program.
F. Tony T.:
a. Bowl for Kids: Contact Tony Theberge for information.
b. Looking into grant for bicycle helmets, information requested from Brain Injury Association of Maine.
VII: Motion to adjourn: Paula,
2d: Liz Brodie,
motion carries

March 3, 2009

Gardiner Elementary PTA
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

I Welcome/Introductions
Helen Wright, Karen Montell, Liz Brodie, Ellen McGuire, Veronica Babcock, Paula Bourque, Jill Jamison, Karen Moody, Al Ghoreyeb, Guest: Pat Linahan: Financial Representative of Modern Woodmen of America re: 529 plan, Polly Boynton, Amy Lanteigne, Tony Veit
II Minutes from last meeting
A. Accept minutes from Feb. meeting.
a. Motion Liz, discussion (Q re: OK to post to Website prior to vote?)
b. 2d Paula,
c. Accepted
Ill Treasurer’s Report
A. Accept treasurer’s report. NO VOTE
a. Treasurer not available
b. About $1300 in read-a-thon receipts (LER and 3d grade). Participation amounts still being submitted.
lV Principal’s Report
A. Karen Moody, Principal LER
1. Dr. Seuss Day.
2. Special readers today. Somewhat impacted by snow day (some of the scheduled readers were not available).
3. School pictures will be taken this month.
4. Chewonki for Kindergarten and 1st grade this month
5. Karen Moody: Website has been updated.
6. After-school care: Recent question to Karen Moody. Reviewed concerns re: legal issues/liability, as well as potentially competing with Boys and Girls Club.

B. Al Ghoreyeb, Principal RVCS
1. MEA update: scheduling challenges and accommodations. Today was the first day of MEAs, which went well. An extra test will be administered on another day, due to the impact of snow day yesterday. 3d grade will finish this week, 4th and 5th will be done next week.
2. Snacks have been made available for students.
3. Teachers still working in fun/educational activities between tests.
4. Johnson Hall program/TESS is in process. There is positive student interest in this. Dates TBD
5. Reading programs initiated at RVCS, based on presentation by Paula B. from 2008.
6. 5th grade pilot: Parent Night to see students’ work. Date TBD for this spring
7. 202 students currently (212 is bldg occupancy)
8. Assembly last week to address student concerns about MEA/testing

V Reports of Committees
A. Family Fun Nights: Katherine
a. Winter (Indoor) Carnival March 14, 5-7pm @ LER.
i. 11 Volunteers currently.
ii. Tickets from Readathon to kids: pick up at Door. Master list to be collated by Paula Bourque.
b. Thank you to Kennebec Ice Arena for Sat. Ice Skating Fun! Good turnout. A variety of ages were present. Note for future engagements: Better to book it 6 months in advance.
B. Read-a-thon: Paula
a. Results thus far: to be collated by:
i. Pre-K and 1st, Ellen M.
ii. K: Tiffany A.
iii. 2d: Helen W.
iv. 3d: Karen Montell
v. 4th: Jill J.
vi. Minutes read to be listed on each certificate
b. Readathon assembly – when: 2:15 3/5/09 LER; 2:15 3/6/09 RVCS
i. Announce class goals, 1000+ minute readers, and top overall reader
C. Fundraising: Karen Montell
a. Colley Hill Soy Candles
i. Good response from teachers.
ii. Unscented added.
iii. Large candle 18 oz $24.00 (100 hours of burn time)
iv. Small Candles 8 oz $12.00 (40 hours of burn time)
v. If you sell 10, you get one free.
Packets sent home 3/3/09, selling till Mar. 11 & @ Winter Carnival
Delivered to Schools for parent pick-up Mar. 25.
Can’t be brought home via school bus, due to glass containers.
b. Basket raffle update. Katherine K.
i. 12 tickets in each Envelope.
ii. Request for donations went out last week.
iii. Some supplies at LER. Baskets are generally well stocked currently. Items are in LER Shed.
iv. Starts 3/23/09. Basket preview at Winter Carnival.
v. 4/10/09 drawing: tentatively (aka Beach Night).
vi. Basket building: Friday, 3/13/09.
D. Playground
a. Raising funds matching grant : Jeff and Allyson Wells: Anonymous donor to match up $500.00.
b. Pancake breakfast Sat., Apr. 4 @ Applebee’s, 8-10 am.
c. Review process for ticketing, seating times.
i. Use an order form that allows for prepaid tickets.
ii. To be sent home 3/19/09
E. Book Fairs –Liz
Apr 9-16 @ RVCS & Apr. 30-May 14 @ LER
a. Liz is speaking with new representative. Considering a change in the hours at different times.
b. Volunteers needed.
VI Old Business
A. TESS @RVCS April 28, 29, 30 & May 5, 6, 7 (Performance date: will be Family Fun Night)
Parent volunteers needed for students check in & check out
a) Motion: Paula $500 for TESS, in accordance with recent online voting, discussion. GEPTA should find a way to be aware of any students who cannot access this program, especially due to space constraints.
b) 2d: Ellen
c) Motion carries
B. Scholarship donation (GAHS sports boosters/Davis Atkins: service to district) in memory of Francis Whalen – Tabled at last meeting.
a) Motion: $50 to each scholarship: Paula, discussion
b) 2d Veronica
c) Motion carries
VII New Business
A. Babysitting concerns? Re: a) availability, b) less interaction with boys, c) brought other family member.
a. Concepts: Develop pool of babysitters, multiple (2 to 3) sitters at one time, certified, mixed gender, community service
b. Possible options: Talk to Cathy Jermyn and Belinda Hinckley
B. Agenda items for April meeting
a. Update 529
b. Book fairs
c. other
C. 5th grade to be in charge of concessions for Winter Carnival to help pay for class trip.

D. 529 College/Fin Aid plan. Patrick Linahan. Modern Woodmen of America (Securities license, fraternal benefit society)(originally presented between Principals’ Reports)
a. Educational Savings program funded by parents and grants from Finance Authority of Maine.
b. If Parents make less than $75K/yr, $50 from parents will be matched by state, up to $200.
1. 2d year, 50% of $400 (up to $200/year)
2. 3d year: same.
3. Child is named as beneficiary
4. Money put into securities (stock market) or money market (less risk).
5. Money goes in whenever. Anyone can put money in. Control maintained by owner of account.
6. State matching funds are considered a scholarship. If unused, the state re-claims. The state determines where the state’s share of funds goes in the market.
7. The 529 is taxed like an IRA at withdrawal, although the money is put in after-tax. The taxation is on food or lodging, but probably not for tuition, books, etc.
8. (Uncertain of impact on FAFSA). This can be determined
9. Each family must re-apply for each account each year.
10. Either beneficiary or owner must live in state.
11. Does not have to applied to a Maine school.
12. Motion:
a. Paula: 529 presentation to interested parents. Childcare to be provided. Discussion. Poor fit with current Family Fun Nights. Have a (spaghetti/pizza) dinner? Modern Woodmen to pay for dinner? Pat Linahan will check. Thursday, April 30, 2009 LER: 5:30p-7:00p Presentation at 6 pm. Dessert after presentation. (Same night as bookfair)
b. 2d: Veronica:
c. approved
E. Liz: LER snacks have been depleted.
Virus concern re: someone’s computer.

Vlll Adjournment
Motion: Ellen
2d: Paula
Meeting adjourned
7:51p

January 6, 2009

AGENDA
Gardiner Elementary PTA
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
I Welcome
6: 10p meeting called to order

II Introductions
Karen Montell, Ellen McGuire, Veronica Babcock, Liz Brodie, Paula Bourque, Tiffany Awley, Katherine Kollman, Al Ghoreyeb, Tony Theberge, Liz Hall, Karen Moody, Sabrina Vassel, Kristy Gould, Anthony Veit

III Minutes from last meeting
A. Read and accept minutes from December’s meeting.
a. Motion: Ellen
b. 2d: Veronica
c. discussion, motion passes

IV Treasurer’s Report
A. Read and accept
a. Balance $13, 809.79 checking
b. $26.35
c. Motion to accept by ?
d. 2d: ?
e. Discussion; motion carries
V Principal’s Report
A. Karen Moody, Principal LER
1. Reindeer visit: great fun was had by the students
a. Pony Express people have other animals, esp. rainforest animals. These animals are legally in the country. Pony Express charges about $200 for their presentation, versus Chewonki ($500).
2. 76th day of school today
3. Title 1 related family breakfast during the week of the 100th day (open to all), w/ Title 1 literature (in support of reading) to be distributed.
a. Milli Gould is available to cook and to prep area
b. Maine Parent Federation: $100 to first 10 schools to have 100th day celebration, $50 to others; also supported by title 1 and GEPTA.
4. Request:
a. Motion: Ellen: $150 for bkfst
b. 2d: Veronica
c. discussion; Motion Passes.
5. USBORNE read-a-thon: free books to kids. (Flyer review)

AGENDA
Gardiner Elementary PTA
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
(Cont.)

B. Al Ghoreyeb, Principal RVCS
1. Holiday Bazaar: great success, good w/ kids, effective volunteers.
2. Sing-along: Fun for kids, but only one parent showed. This presentation was noted in the school letter.
3. Health Initiative for staff to access health coach for health plan, substitutes available through grants.
4. Request: Pat Filbrooke (School RN). State Requirements: must measure height: with Stat-o-meter: $120. State will not pay. District budget frozen. Discussion: concerns re: other districts’ current best practices, penalties, benefits. Group does not feel that this meets the GEPTA mission statement, and should be reviewed with the superintendent as necessary.
5. Limited response from John Meader re: Planetarium presentation.
a. Possible option for doing this as this the big 3d grade trip at end of the year.

VI Reports of Committees
A. Family Fun Nights
a. January Plans: Katherine Kollman: discussion of options
i. $200 for FFN to be used for Kennebec Ice Arena. Karen Moody’s husband works for EJP, which is owned by Peter Prescott, who also owns KIA. Concerns re: skate rental: cost, availability, liability, drop-offs.
ii. Karen Moody: Positive feedback re: 12/08 FFN.
iii. Review of alternatives (sledding, pool party ($250/hr at YMCA),
B. Reading Incentives: Paula Bourque
a. Read-a-thon (ending with indoor winter carnival)
b. Families voiced concerns last year that most kids did not win bigger items. Revisit prize structure (i.e., group prize to class)
c. Combination of fundraising, family fun nights, and reading incentive
d. Review GEPTA mission, vision for this process.
e. Principals to review teacher/staff preference for best practices and timeframe for read-a-thon.

AGENDA
Gardiner Elementary PTA
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
(Cont.)

C. Fundraising: Tiffany Awley on behalf of Jen McKenna
a. Set up meeting w/Terry Tatlock of Meadow Farms re: outstanding issues with lack of interest in catalog this year.
b. Set up meeting w/Jeannette Parker of QSP (re: Reader’s Digest). Potential concern re: market saturation of these products (in other school districts in this area).
c. T-shirts are being sent to LER (I “heart” to read).
d. Option for selling candles.
e. Profit from Basket raffles: TBD by next month. Deposits should be all in.
f. Basket raffles for spring are in process of being assembled.
D. Playground: Karen Montell on behalf of Helen Wright
a. Plans for additional fundraising (to work with both committees)
i. Applebee’s: Karen to contact manager at Applebee’s.
1. Review of process (volunteers needed for service, line staff, other)
ii. Money still owed to PTA (c. $2000.00.)
iii. Cost of “thank you” wall, plus celebration, to be considered.
E. Volunteer
F. Book Fair Sales Liz Brodie:
a. LER: $2178.40
b. RV: $1504.35
c. $1029 in vouchers (50% of sales) or $514.60 in cash (50% of profit)
Motion: Paula: Keep as voucher,
2d: Kristy
Discussion
Motion Passes
d. Upcoming Book Fairs: concern re: conflict with Boys and Girls Club Book Fair (like last year)
RVCS: April 9-16
LER: April 30 – May 14
VII Old Business
(None)

AGENDA
Gardiner Elementary PTA
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
(Cont.)

VIII New Business
Liz Hall:
a. request for $30 for hats and gloves for students.
a. Discussion:
b. Motion: Ellen, for funds and to put notice at FFNs, newsletter (esp. re: “knitting grammies”), etc. for collecting extra hats, gloves, coats, ski pants, etc. Also, revisit in fall 2009. Members to shop for these if well-priced (post holiday sales)
c. 2d : Paula.
Motion Carries
b. Out of snacks.
a. Some parents may be unaware that snacks are no longer available for purchase.
b. Ability of parents to provide snacks.
i. Motion: Ellen: $50 for snacks per school, also put on wish tree permanently for snacks
ii. Discussion
iii. 2d: Liz Brodie
iv. motion carries

7:40 adjournment;
Motion: Ellen,
2d Paula
motion carries

April 4, 2009

AGENDA
Gardiner Elementary PTA
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
LER

I Welcome/Introductions 6:05
Helen Wright, Karen Montel, Al Ghoreyeb, Jennifer McKenna, Jill Jamison, Katherine Kollman, Tony Veit, Liz Brodie, Kristy Gould, Ellen McGuire, Veronica Babcock, Paula Bourque, Kristy Daggett, Tiffany Cockrell, Tony Theberge, Serena Nestor
II Minutes from last meeting
Accept minutes from last meeting
a. Motion: Approved: Paula
b. 2d: Liz
c. Discussion
d. Motion passes
Ill Treasurer’s Report
Tony Theberge: Treasurer. (out 4/17/09 til 4/26/09-get any outstanding expenses by 4/15/09)
Candles: $2000, $1000 of which is available to GEPTA.
Basket raffle: active
Family fun night/Carnival: 3/09.
Beach night: 4/10/09
List of income/expenses by 6/09 meeting
Jim Brunette Scholarship: Check returned to Karen Montel.
a. Motion to accept: Paula
b. 2d: Veronica
c. Discussion
d. Motion carries
lV Principal’s Report
1. Al Ghoreyeb:
a. 5th Grade “Shadow Day” w/ 6th grade (student to student match up)
1. Some concerns re: 6th graders acting out.
2. Step-up day (group tours)
3. Difference in Expectations between 5th and 6th grade: good to make 5th graders aware of these.
b. Title 1 moving to new room
c. New 3d grade class: Ms. Sergeant
d. Mrs. Hall moving to 4th grade
e. Conferences started 4/6/09. Food coming 4/8/09.
f. Superskills 4/8/09 (Mrs. Galibois-Barss)
g. Bookfair 4/8/09 (set up)
h. Playground drying out.
i. Parents are welcome to come in and look at work/projects on the walls.
j. Piloting “Learning Fair” this spring: 5th grade primarily, maybe 4th: More information coming (teacher driven). May 2009: TBD
k. Ira Michaud: Outdoor program: starting the week after the week after vacation (5/4/09). Transportation not available through district.
2. Karen Moody: not available.
a. Kindergarten screening: 5/1/09 Snacks for Kindergarten: Jill J. will obtain snacks.
1. Motion: Paula
2. 2d: Liz
3. Discussion
4. Motion Carries
b. Modern Woodmen/Fame Presentation: LER 4/30/09 at 5:30pm.
V Reports of Committees
A. Meadowfarms: Jenn McKenna:
a. Seeking someone to pass off or significantly share this responsibility
b. Needs someone willing to be hands on, in the school, and very busy for one month (starting September 2009)
c. T shirts or books are the incentive
i. Jenn: T-shirts are best deal.
ii. If we sign contract with Meadowfarms by 5/1/09, we are eligible for 1½% off invoice (3% off retail)
iii. Many complaints, many refunds (esp. re: backorders and lack of delivery of ordered items).
1. Customers will call Meadowfarms with issues in the future.
2. Shipped in Orders must be checked by GEPTA volunteers
d. no change in inventory type at Meadowfarms.
e. Discussion: rates likely comparable between Meadowfarms and other direct sales, concerns re: competition between area districts
f. Motion: to sign with Meadowfarms: Ellen
g. 2d: Paula
h. discussion
i. motion passes
B. Family Fun Nights: Katherine Kollman
a. Beach night 4/10/09 6 to 8 pm. Helpers needed. Contact Katherine Kollman. Reminder sent last week.
i. Concerns re: children running around school during events.
1. review with custodians, lock upper hall doors, put books in front of stairs.
2. Children must be accompanied by adult(s).
b. PTA movie Night: Cost of $5/person for licensed movie (potentially prohibitive cost).
c. May FFN: TESS performance May 7, 2009
d. 6/09 FFN: Ice Cream Social
C. Fundraising
a. Colley Hill Candles: sales closed. Some forms not fully completed, but otherwise well received. Easy to work with. Forms needed school codes. Cleared about $1000 for GEPTA.
b. Basket Raffles: closes 4/10/09.
D. Playground
a. Plans for Donor Appreciation: Jill Jamison
i. Wednesday, April 29, 2009 4 to 6 @ RVCS playground
ii. Plaque: Allison Wells researched: ($35, plus: $5 for 41 Letters, $.41 for each letter afterward) 8x11 indoor plaque w/ names of multiple donors. Review of donors/names and spelling to be conducted.
1. Motion Snacks: Jill $150
2. 2d Ellen
3. Discussion
4. Motion Amended by Ellen to $250
5. 2d Veronica
6. motion carries
b. Pancake Breakfast @ Applebee’s: Thanks! Cleared $200.00. Went well, company was nice.
E. Book Fairs: April 9-16 @ RVCS & April 30-May 14 @ LER
Liz Brodie
a. Looking for volunteers for set up, management, close out
b. Books arrive 4/8/09, at same time as conferences start.
c. Break between RVCS and LER
d. Possible overlap with LER concert and last night of book fairs.
e. B1G1F. No splitting difference of prices this year.
f. Discussion re: importance of getting books to families
g. Liz to follow up with teachers at both schools re: read-a-thon benefits $25 from instructional catalog to each class.
VI Old Business
a) TESS/Johnson Hall @ RVCS April 28, 29, 30 & May 5, 6, 7. Parent volunteers needed.
b) TESS sign-up slips went home; some have been returned.
VII New Business
a) Elections next month @ May meeting for PTA President(s) and Vice President(s)
Rules need to be suspended to hold elections in the Spring/notices of elections (?)
Motion: Ellen: Notice of elections 6/09
2d: Paula
Discussion: send in newsletter, separate flyer.
Motion Carries
Spring Classroom Support for teachers:
Motion: Paula-give money to teachers this spring
2d Liz
discuss: ttls: $600 at $25/teacher, do $50/ea. Teacher
Motion: carries

c) Scholarship Winners need to be chosen (stay after meeting)
Review schedule of assessment (Stay at PTA mailbox)
2 awards of $500
criteria:
re; attended 3 yrs, how has this affected the student
d) 1st grade trip to Gray Animal Farm $227 for Transportation: Tiffany Cockrell: Parents to pay $3.50 per
Motion: Ellen Pay for trip, and any under-funded children
2d Veronica:
Discussion
Motion carries
e) Tiffany Cockrell: $25.95 plus tax and handling for pencil sharpener. GEPTA reviewed mission statement. Group identified request as more appropriate for the Wishing Tree.
f) 4th Grade to Swan Island $651 (up from $504 last year), May 18- Ira Michaud
Motion: Paula
2d: Ellen
Discussion
Motion Carries
g) Teacher Appreciation Week, 5/4/09, breakfast, “gifts” from kids, classroom photos
Topical days: chocolate, flowers (paper, real, drawn), classroom supplies, books, fruit basket, Bagelmainea/breakfast. Classroom photos: Liz Brodie will do this for LER, Wendy Drummond at RVCS, to be presented at teacher appreciate week. Specials teacher to support students with signing mattes.
Principals to coordinate w/ GEPTA.
Motion to pay Bagelmainea/Blue Sky: Ellen
2d: Veronica
Discussion
Motion Carries
h) Conferences-Subway trays on 4/9 (ordered): Liz Brodie, Helen Wright, parents can provide desserts
i)Admin/Sec. Week during vacation, give massage certificates or other : food/spa certificates
preference to be determined by Administrator.Helen will talk with Karen Moody. Al Ghoreyeb will review with Wendy Drummond and report to GEPTA.
Motion: Katherine: $50 in individualized gift certificates.
2d Paula
Discussion
Motion Carries
j) Fall Fundraiser decision: Meadow Farms? QSP? Charleston? Candles? Other?
k) Summer reading program: Katherine
GEPTA to collaborate for 10 Mondays with Gardiner Public Library to read from 10:30 to 12:00 and do crafts. (Low table not available at this time). Crafts utilized from GEPTA stock/shed.
Motion: Ellen: $10/wk crafts, approve Katherine to approach Library
2d Liz (will read one Monday)
Discussion: Paula: Craft Grab Bag
Motion Carries
l) Paula: Review opportunity to support $100 to family at Ronald McDonald House
Motion: Ellen
2d: Katherine
Discussion: Card sentiment
Motion Carries
m) Review of GEPTA-provided digital camera and memory card. Please remind staff of this availability.
Vlll Adjournment
Motion:Ellen
2d:Liz
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned 7:50 pm

January 12, 2010

Attendance:
Ellen Maguire, Veronica Babcock, Paula Bourque, Christy Daggett, C hristy Fairservice, Heather, Al Ghoreyb, Sarsa Nestor, Kevin Babcock, Paula Bourque, Karen Moody, Al Ghoreyeb

Secretaries report: Paula read them from the internet. Veronica motioned to accept, all in favor.

Treasurers report: Ellen went over the notes that Tony Theberge (treasurer had emailed) Veronica made a motion to accept treasurers report, all in favor.

Principal reports:
Karen
• Request for snacks from teachers . Kristy made a motion to allocate up to $50 for snacks for LER (RVCS has the free healthy snacks) all in favor
• Holiday bazaar: Karen wanted feedback, the kids had a great time, good feedback from parents.
• Dec. was busy with reindeer visit, mini-classes, etc.
• Last school board meeting discussed budget (million dollar shortfall) $625,000 less from state in subsidies. 1/3 cut positions, 1/3 rise in taxes, 1/3 carryover money (an emergency, contingency fund) Karen suggested contacting representatives to look at budgets.
• They won’t finalize budgets until the end of April.
• Red Robin would like to come and read to kids (and pass out coupons)
Al:
• Northstar planetarium will be coming to put on 3 shows.
• Kids are in a good routine.
• Lockdown practice will be coming up.

Committee Reports
BY-LAWS-Sonya Turner (not heard from yet)
FAMILY FUN- nothing planned this month
Feb 5th Book Swap, Book Bingo,
We need to meet to coordinate the Book Swap and Readathon
FUNDRAISING-Kristy Gould
Readathon (has historically raised around $1000 net)
Spring Baskets, plant sale or yard sale (or catalog) are a possible future
(Karen will follow up on permission from
READING INCENTIVE-
Readathon will be our next focus.
Paula made a motion that people be allowed to purchase bargain books (25 cents- 50 cents a piece) for up to $10. 2nd and all approved.
Paula made a motion that we ‘negotiate’ with the middle school to incentivize them to bring in donated books for the book swap and we could donate $100 of our scholastic book funds. 2nd and all approved.

Old Busines
1. Hannaford Helps Schools- we haven’t heard back on the winner yet
2. Community Service Project- we haven’t heard back yet from Chrysalis Palace, this will be tabled until February.
3. Maine Parent Federation- also tabled until February

Funding Requests:
1st grade will be requesting $225 funding for transportation to Gray Animal Farm. Students will pay their own admission. Kristy moved, Veronica 2nd, all in favor
Christy moved that we allocate funds to cover the expenses of those students who do not have money to pay for the admission, 2nd and all in favor.

New Business:
None

Follow up meeting
Tuesday : January 19, 6:00 for Reading Incentive/Family Fun/Fundraiser
at L.E.R.

Adjournment

December 1, 2009

Agenda
GEPTA
December 1, 2009

Amy Lanteigne, Tony Theberge, Jared Buntin, Sadie Buntin, Al Ghoreyeb, Heather Turner, Bonnie Nichols, Liz Brodie, Katherine Kollman, Ellen McGuire, Kristy Gould, Paula Bourque, Veronica Babcock, Karen Moody, Belinda Hinkley, Liz Hall, Jill Jamison, Kevin Babcock, Tony Veit

1. President’s Report
a. Jan 6 2010 (Wednesday 2:15pm) GAHS re: Scholarship Reception Celebrating Success of Class of 2009
b. Parade 12/5/09
c. Subway Fundraiser: active tonight
d. Tree Lighting: small income, good GEPTA presence
2. Secretary’s Report
a. Review of November Minutes
b. Motion to accept: Paula
i. 2d: Veronica
ii. Discussion
iii. Motion carries
3. Treasurer’s Report
a. Review deposits and expenses
b. GEPTA may need to anticipate rising costs for field trips, as well as addressing needs of teachers with “frozen budgets.”
c. Review sending a “wish list” home to parents (i.e., send holiday extras from home)
d. Review accessing items for Classrooms (not teachers per se) from Meadowfarms (Jill Jamison will review eligibility)
e. Wish Tree at Family Fun Night with Decorations by Veronica ©
f. Motion to accept: Liz
i. 2d: Paula
ii. Discussion
iii. Motion carries
4. Principals’ Reports
a. Karen Moody
i. Yearbook/Life touch: still collecting numbers re: expense
ii. 1st and 2d graders: Testing: NWEA went well (recently done 11/09, will be done again in 5/10). Measures growth over time.
iii. Craft Fair on Saturday, 12/5/09 from 9 am to 2 pm.
iv. 12/17/09:
1. Reindeer Visit (again). 9am to 12 pm
2. Holiday Sing along: 2pm
v. 12/18/09: 1:30 pm Minicourse day for kids to visit with other teachers, and run a craft
vi. 12/21/09 is the Holiday Bazaar
vii. Some funds for enrichment available at the school.
b. Al Ghoreyeb
i. Walking School bus still active
ii. Harlem Superstars: 12/2/09
iii. 5th grade sold wreaths, pickup 12/3/09 at RVCS (fundraising for fieldtrip)
iv. 12/11/09: Last Day to bring in stuff for Bazaar.
v. 12/15/09 Holiday Bazaar
vi. 12/21/09: RVCS sing along 2:15
vii. Reading 180: Title 1 and Sp. Ed kids will be accessing computer terminals, with teacher access as well.
(Wiring being done in old computer room)
viii. Getting licensing for Lexia. Parents can access from home, once a school is licensed.
ix. NECAP scores available January 2010 from last year’s 3d graders.
5. Committee Reports
a. Bylaws-Sonya Turner. Tabled.
b. Family Fun Nights-Katherine Kollman
i. 12/12/09: 5-7 at LER, dinner and crafts (budget of $400), cooking by Terry McGuire and Joe Gould.
1. Motion: $500: Jared
a. 2d Veronica
b. Discussion
c. Motion Carries
ii. postpone dance night from 11/09 to 1/10
c. Fundraising-Kristy Gould
i. Basket Raffles: Shopping done. Kristy will assemble.
ii. Tickets to be sold at 12/5/09 Craft Fair.
d. Reading Incentive/Bookfair-Liz Brodie and Paula Bourque
i. Paula:
1. Books received for RVCS/LER from Scholastic
2. waiting on December warehouse sale information. Date TBD.
ii. Liz B. :
1. LER bookfair: StartsFriday 12/4/09.
a. Seeking volunteers
b. Open on 12/5/09
c. 8 or so days of school days
d. RVCS: Wrapping up: $827.87 in book total, $325 in book value for GEPTA.
e. Thanks from Liz Hall for GEPTA books: wish list books came in, which were disbursed to a child who may not have gotten it otherwise.
f. 100% teacher appreciation.

6. Old Business
a. Hannaford Helps Schools: active
b. Holiday Bazaar: Donations are coming in: LER 12/21/09, RVCS: 12/15/09
c. Teacher Appreciation Committee: Review: (Table til spring, due to 2 responses to email). Liz B. had volunteered to chair
d. Community Service Project : no reply from Food cupboard. Review in January or February 2010.
e. Holiday Parade: flyer going home this week re: 12/5/09
f. Maine Parent Federation Seminars (Table till January)
7. New Business
a. LER playground platforms are getting worn. Currently being budgeted by John Stonier w/ RSU 11 funds. Estimate of c. $650 to replace.
b. Review Chewonki
c. Review planetarium funding.
8. Funding Requests
a. Motion: GEPTA to purchase ink cartridge for each president.
i. Motion: Kristy
ii. 2d: Liz B.
iii. Discussion
iv. Motion carries
9. Adjournment.
a. Motion: Paula
b. 2d: Liz B.
c. Discussion
d. Motion carries. Meeting ends at: 7:27 pm

February 8, 2010

6:10 pm @ RVCS
Karen Moody, Katherine Kollman, Ellen McGuire, Veronica Babcock, Liz Brodie, Paula Bourque, Kevin Babcock, Kelly Green, Liz Hall, Jill Jamison, Bonnie Nickels, Tony Theberge, Tony Veit
1. President’s Report
a. “Thank you” note from Mrs. Lorbeski
b. Review early purchase of gifts for gift baskets via Oriental Trading
i. Motion to authorize: Liz Brodie
ii. 2d: Liz Hall
iii. Discussion
iv. Motion carries
2. Secretary’s Report
a. Review of January Minutes
b. Motion to accept: Paula
c. 2d: Liz Brodie
d. Discussion
e. Motion carries
3. Treasurer’s Report
a. Review deposits and expenses
b. Balance: +/- $14,500.
c. Recent Expenses: Planetarium, scholarship, book fairs, Readathon
d. Income from Meadowfarms: slightly down.
e. We have not started spending much on field trips. This will likely be a significant amount (c. $5000).
f. Review of amount of overall carryover balance ($9000.00 +/-), cushion v. necessity of restricting supports.
g. Motion to accept: Liz
h. 2d: veronica
i. Discussion
j. Motion carries
4. Principals’ Reports
a. Karen Moody
i. Budget:
ii. Book Fair/fundraiser w/ Barnes and Noble: packet of information available. (Similar to Subway fundraiser).
iii. Haiti Fundraiser at LER. (The jar is almost full). Hats for Haiti 2/12/10. Money will be sent to Red Cross.
iv. Website: GEPTA minutes have been put in a 2009/2010
v. NECAP scores in. Room for improvement. Principals meeting with 2d and 3d grade Teachers. We are at 60% free and reduced lunch (up from 34% over 3 years). Review “career fair:” multiple presenters, get kids talking about “what I want to be…,” exposed to different careers. Alternate schools yearly, bus kids, who to draw in, in order to raise aspirations…Principals would like to get PTA support for this, if possible.
b. Al Ghoreyeb
i. (The kids appreciated Planetarium). Liz Hall
ii. Learning Fair upcoming.
5. Committee Reports
a. Bylaws-Sonya Turner-not present.
b. Family Fun Nights-Katherine Kollman.
i. Book swap: went very well, busy, good attendance.
ii. Closing ceremonies: first week of March (LER: 3/4/10: 9 am). (RVCS 3/5/10: 8:45 am)
iii. Ice Cream Reward: TBD.
iv. 3/14/10 is the next FFN: Indoor Carnival.
v. Pre-K notices go home once a week.
c. Fundraising-Ellen McGuire for Kristy Gould
i. KG not present. Review Yard Sale at LER. Tables may be for rent for other vendors. Accepting donations. NO ITEMS MAY BE LEFT. Set up the night before, check for appropriate items (“Family friendly”). Saturday, May 8th, 8am -2pm, tie in with bookfair, set up Friday, May 7th,.5-6pm
d. Reading incentive-Liz Brodie and Paula Bourque
i. Bookfair: B1G1F: LER 4/29/10 to 5/13/10 (see: Fundraising Yard Sale 5/8/10)
ii. RVCS: 4/8 to 4/15 (concurrent with Parent Teacher conferences). Options will be explored for creating a B1G1F at RVCS.
iii. Checks needed for Scholastic.
iv. Motion to give Paula money for books: Veronica
v. 2d: Liz B.
vi. Discussion
vii. Motion carries
6. Old Business
a. None
7. New Business
a. Vacation reading at Gardiner Public Library: Katherine Kollman: review summer reading program. Option for one time event at Library Wednesday 2/17/10, 11a to 12 Noon, with a gift certificate to Blue Sky Bakery for attendees.
b. Motion to approve Blue Sky Bakery reimbursement: Paula (up to $50).
c. 2d: Veronica
d. Discussion
e. Motion carries.
f. Teacher candy poem:
8. Funding Requests
a. Pre-K, K, 1st Grade: Chewonki: $1366 (based on last years fee), in the first week of May 2010.
b. Gray Zoo: review trip
c. Trip to Library: Bussing all Kids: $25/hr/driver., + $.70/mile @ 10 miles:
i. Motion to approve up to $140.00 for the 4th grade to go to library: Paula
ii. 2d: veronica
iii. discussion
iv. motion carries
d. Swan Island: $480
i. Motion to accept: Paula
ii. 2d: Veronica
e. discussion
f. motion carries
9. Adjournment
a. Motion: Paula
b. 2d Veronica
c. discussion
d. motion carries; 7:22 pm

May 11, 2010

Present: Paula Bourque, Liz Brodie, Al Ghoreyeb, Jill Jamison, Katherine Kollman, Ellen McGuire, Bonnie Nichols, Heather Turner, Tony Theberge, Tony Veit

1. President’s Report
a. “Thank you” from Ms. Henerlau, Mrs. Lorbeski, Grade 3, Patty Peckham, Stephanie Hoodlette
2. Secretary’s Report
a. Paula: Motion to accept as present: March 2010 minutes:
b. Heather: 2d
c. Discussion,
d. Motion carries
3. Principals’ Reports
a. Al Ghoreyeb
i. NWEAs
ii. Superskills: Effective Communicator 5/13/10
iii. 5/19 early release, 5/28 no school
iv. Open House: 2 nights before school starts for 2010-2011
v. Swan Island trip 6/8/10. (Note date change).
b. Karen Moody
i. NWEAs til 5/20/10
ii. 5/14: Pancake breakfast.
4. Committee Reports
a. Bylaws-paperwork: offsite. Secretary to follow up for return.
b. Scholarship Committee-Liz Brodie
i. Made available, no meeting.
ii. 2 choices made: checks cut after semester completed. Discussion.
c. Family Fun Nights: Katherine Kollman
i. 5/21/10: Benefit, movie night.
ii. Ice Cream Social: TBD, shortly before end of school 6/17/10.
d. Fundraising: Kristy Gould and Jill Jamison
i. Met with Terry/Meadowfarms; reviewed food options, as well as other items. Food at 40% to GEPTA, v. 50% of other items. Start sooner (?). Discussion re: timing/competition of fundraising (basket raffles, pizza v. Meadowfarms, as well as other fundraising by RVCS/LER schools).
1. Motion: To approve Meadowfarms for start of school GEPTA fund raiser: Paula
2. 2d: Liz
3. Discussion
4. Motion carries
ii. Bake Sale: $75 on bake sale. Raffle Basket: made $44.
iii. Yard/Rummage Sale-limited turnout: only 3 tables purchased. $409.52 ttl income. Ltd. Return on plants ($100, some of which died). Advertising: $25.00
1. Discussion re: donations of plants/pots/soil
e. Reading Incentive/Bookfair: Liz Brodie and Paula Bourque
i. $476 in Scholastic cash from Saco, some for raffle baskets, as well as reading incentive.
ii. Bookfair closes 5/12/10. As of 5/09: $2,044 of books purchased.
iii. Discussion: rewarding reading efforts of students with T Shirts (in shed).
f. First Day of School/School Year’s Eve Celebrations-Katherine Kollman
i. LER: 9/1/10: Open House 5:30-6:30pm 8/30/10
ii. RVCS: School Year’s Eve: Needs to be determined
iii. Reviewed some challenge with overlap with of RVCS/LER open houses, afternoon at RVCS: not a great fit.
g. Octoberfest: Ellen McGuire/Veronica Babcock.
i. A “shadower” may be beneficial for GEPTA, as this will be Ellen’s last year. Veronica would prefer to co-chair this, and facilitate this transition.
ii. Date: TBD by 6/10.
5. Old Business
a. Betit Family Benefit Fundraising Dinner: 5/21/10: 5 pm, movie at 6:30pm, Auction closes at 7 pm.
i. Donations for food are being developed. Get pasta at one site, and desserts at another.
ii. Declined by Amato’s and Applebee’s.
iii. Shaw’s said yes, River Road Variety said yes.
iv. $950 in cash donations.
v. Tickets for sale, as well as sent out prior to the event.
b. Playground repairs: to occur over the summer: $2300 total approved 4/10 GEPTA meeting.
c. Liz: Scholastic has reportedly lost a check from GEPTA: 1/10. Requests: check number/copy
6. New Business
a. Summer Reading Program: review past efforts. GEPTA to give readers a book after the summer with submission of a reading log. .
i. Similar programs: Library, Scholastic, Barnes and Noble
ii. Review allowing overlap/double dipping to get a book.
iii. Motion: Liz: Run a summer reading program in conjunction with other area reading programs, for the purpose of giving away a book to students that complete a reading log.
iv. 2d: Heather
v. Discussion
vi. Motion carries
b. Licensing Renewal for Gardiner Main St. (required for bingo, raffles, etc.)
i. Tony T. will review and submit
c. Schoolwide Art Show? (Mrs. Carey would help).
i. In conjunction with book fair/FFN to mount and submit the art. Schedule with Max Marquis and FFNs
ii. To showcase, and promote inclusion of, all students’ art efforts.
iii. Review again during FFN scheduling.
7. Treasurer’s Report
a. Submitted by Tony T.
b. Motion: Liz: to accept treasurer’s report
c. 2d Jill
d. Discussion
e. Motion carries.
8. Funding Requests
a. $500 for 2d grade Rainforest Animals:
i. Reviewed past efforts. Discussion.
ii. Motion: Liz: to approve for $500; GEPTA must review with teachers for next year; likely limitations on budget next year.
iii. 2d: Heather
iv. Discussion
v. Motion carries

9. Adjournment
a. Motion: Paula
b. 2d : Liz
c. Discussion
d. Motion carries: 7:28pm

September 8, 2009

Agenda
Gardiner Elementary PTA Meeting
September 8, 2009 – LER School Library
Jen McKenna, Ellen McGuire, Paula Bourque, Katherine Kollman, Kevin Babcock, Veronica Babcock, Liz Brodie, Tony Brodie, Kristy Gould, Jill Jamison, Sonja Turner, Tony Theberge, Al Ghoreyeb, Karen Moody, Liz Hall, Tony Veit, Bonnie Nichols, Heather Turner
I Welcome
Introductions and welcome. Review of $5 dues to vote.
II Minutes from June Meeting
a. Motion to accept as posted on the website: Liz
b. 2d: Veronica
c. Motion Carries
III President’s Report (5 minutes)
Welcome and review of mission. Discussion of people’s expectation and goals for PTA.
IV Treasurer’s Report (5 min.)
a. Book fairs, Octoberfest,
b. Quiet summer
c. Budget still being worked on, will be submitted to Co-presidents before next meeting.
1. Checking Balance: $7,894.96
2. Savings Balance: $1,645.36
d. Motion to accept: Paula
e. 2d: Veronica
f. Motion carries

V Principal’s Reports:
1. Karen Moody (5 min.)
i. MSAD 11 is becoming RSU 11.
ii. First day of school was a huge success went.
iii. Needs snacks
iv. Need new playground upgrades: 3 platforms must be replaced due to rain
2. Al Ghoreyeb (5 min.)
i. Terrific start to year
ii. Grant funded free fruit and veggies program for students
iii. 5th grade teachers will person food table at Octoberfest
iv. 10/1-10/22 NICAP tests (replaces MEAs). Results back in January 2010. Tests last year’s academic work.
VI Committee Reports: (15 minutes)
1. Description of committees and sign-up information
2. Octoberfest – October 3 at Gardiner Common: only active committee currently. Sign-up being passed around.
a. Veronica: 5th Grade Teachers collaboration:
b. Jeannette Chartier in charge of food table, which creates funding for 5th grade class trip. Info going home this week.
c. Pumpkins needed (poor season)
d. 2 bounce houses coming
e. question re: Police department attending.
3. Family Fun Night – Friday, September 18 Ice Cream Social (6-7pm at LER): low cost to families, monthly event. A chairperson is needed for this.
a. Katherine Kollman volunteered to chair this. Reviewed organizational options and meeting frequency.
4. Fundraising Committee, which is separate from Meadowfarms and Book Fairs:
a. Kristy Gould volunteered to chair this.
5. Bylaws Committee needed to re-write bylaws. No bylaws have been re-written since merging of LER PTA and Riverview PTO. Discussion: it may be good to keep a standing bylaw committee to update this.
a. Sonja Turner volunteered to chair this.
6. 2 committees merged this year: reading incentive (classes set goals, PTA provides books and other rewards for meeting goals) and book fair.
7. Scholarship committee: meet to review entries, choose recipient
a. Liz Brodie volunteered to chair this one time meeting.
8. Classroom parent committee: issues re: confidentiality. Committee dissolved.

VII Old Business: (15 min.)
1. Summer Reading Program
a. Under budget (utilized existing crafts)
b. Thank you letter from Library
c. Generally successful.
d. New Leadership may be needed, as well as notification process.
e. Attendance was spotty
2. Prep Room Baskets
a. Where teachers and volunteers do copying and stapling:
b. PTA requisitioned (grown up) scissors for school prep rooms: positively received from LER and Riverview. Labeled: GEPTA.
3. First Day of School Celebration:
a. LER: Went very well. Good attendance. Police Department absent, due to community emergency.
b. Riverview: very successful. May need a variation to draw more attendance or engage the children.
4. Shed Cleaning:
a. PTA’s storage area for crafts, event items.
b. Reorganized in June.
c. PTA to review donations, and criteria to determine what we keep, and what we pass on.
d. Please keep shed organized.
e. Thanks to the Babcocks for donating shelves.
5. Shed Roof Repair
a. Veronica Babcock’s brother will provide labor and direction for free, if PTA will pay for materials (est. at $300 to $500)
b. Review benefit of keeping shed
c. Motion to allocate funds based on estimate: Jen McKenna,
d. 2d Liz Hall
e. Discussion
f. Motion carries
6. Meadowfarms Fundraiser:
a. Jen McKenna has run this in the past. She is willing to significantly help this year, but would like to identify a successor, and act as a mentor this year. It is a simple system. This is PTA’s major fundraiser of the year ($8-10K/yr). Must move between schools on dates of fundraisers. The next coordinator must be able to communicate with Meadowfarms contact, and get to know people at the company.
i. Jill Jamison will mentor with Jen.
ii. Another PTA member will be available for providing support that is not the front support.
b. Volunteers on board already for distributing.
i. Needs volunteers for Saturday, October 10, from Noon to TBD for counting money, at JM’s home on Mark’s Lane.
ii. Jen needs volunteers to check the orders. Dates TBD.
c. Clink account at Hannaford: connects returnable bottles to PTA account.
7. Book Swap Remainders: extra books found in shed. Question posed re: how long do we keep books left over from the bookswaps? It is easy to give away at Family Fun Nights.
a. Motion to allow officer to use discretion re: distribution of leftover books: Jen McKenna
b. 2d Liz Brodie
c. Discussion
d. Motion carries
8. Book fairs (Scholastic): Liz Brodie
a. LER: December 4 to 16
b. Riverview: October 13 to 18th
c. The Spring book fair is the time of “buy one, get one”
VIII New Business: (15 min.)
1. Principal Emergency Fund
a. Discussion:
i. Amounts
ii. Disbursal process/identification of recipients
iii. Compliance with Mission statement
1. Motion: $200 per school: Jen McKenna
2. 2d: Tony Brodie
3. Discussion.
4. Motion carries
2. Starting our own website?
a. Gmail site has been an inconsistent support.
b. There may be an option to develop this by Tony Brodie, who will also provide hosting. The web domain name could be purchased for $15 per year (www.gepta.org). An online PTA community could be accessed by all members.
c. There may be concerns re: posting pictures.
i. Motion to initiate this: Paula.
ii. 2d: Jen
iii. Discussion
iv. Motion carries.
3. Terracycle: Yogurt container program.
a. Coming in poorly prepared.
b. Limited return on effort.
c. PTA will end this program.
4. Shaw’s receipts program changes
a. Percentage of purchases going to playground in past.
b. Cons of changes: Change (decrease) in percentage, must be accessed on certain days, must be initiated online.
c. Solution: Link on new website to Shaw’s program, facilitating signup.
5. Custodian “Thank You” Gifts: custodians help PTA a lot, esp. before/during/after events.
a. Gift cards?
b. Motion: 4x$25 gift cards, disbursed at Principals’ discretion: Liz Brodie:
c. 2d: Kristy Gould
d. Discussion
e. Motion carries
6. LER Open House Thursday, October 1st, from 5 to 6 –
a. need GEPTA volunteers
b. decide refreshments & budget: review pretzels and juice
7. Hannaford Helps Schools – Change procedure?
a. In past: Sept to December, certain products are eligible for cash reward. School with most coupons gets a $1000 bonus.
b. Hannaford will not allow GEPTA to be a conglomerate PTA (of both schools)
c. The schools have alternated years “pooling” coupons, allowing the pooled schools to win bonus.
d. If we don’t pool it, someone else will have to take charge of this. $3000 was earned for PTA last year.
e. Discussion
f. Veronica and Kristy will review taking charge of this.
8. Disposition: Polaroid Camera in GEPTA File drawer
a. Bring to Octoberfest meeting for “white elephant table”
9. Continue snacks for schools program:
a. Riverview giving away free fruit
b. LER is receptive to more support
i. Motion: $80/spend at (16 classes x $5): Liz
ii. 2d: Sonja
iii. discussion
iv. motion
10. Review Paper needs over the year. Options for best bargain at
a. Motion: buy paper from Office Max: Paula
b. 2d: Veronica
c. discussion
d. Motion carries

IX Funding Requests (10 min.)
Al Ghoreyeb: Money for sign at Riverview:
Declined
Playground not paid off. Money taken from General fund to pay off discrepancy in playground fund, 5% of net profits of past events have been put into the playground fund, needed $820 to pay general fund back
Option for forgiving debt, in order to pay for other playground upkeep and start anew.
Motion to Forgive debt: Bonnie
2d: Liz
Discussion
Motion carries

X Adjournment
Motion Paula
2d Veronica
discussion
motion carries
7:35 pm

November 10, 2009

Agenda
Gardiner Elementary PTA
November 10, 2009
Ellen McGuire, Katherine Kollman, Liz Brodie, Veronica Babcock, Paula Bourque, Bonnie Nichols, Kristy Gould, Jill Jamison, Tony Veit, Tony Theberge, Jared Buntin

1. President’s report
a. Pass out folders
b. Dunkin Donuts cards: Bus Driver appreciation, Custodial appreciation: Given out, one thank you card
c. GEPTA Banner (Vistaprint)
2. Secretary’s report
a. Review of October minutes.
i. Motion to accept: Paula
ii. 2d: Liz
iii. Discussion
iv. Motion carries.
3. Treasurer’s report
a. Review deposits and expenses.
b. 2 months’ worth of report
i. High deposits due to Octoberfest and Meadowfarms;
ii. Meadowfarms balance has been paid off.
iii. T. Theberge noted concerns of increasing expenses and either flat or reduced income. PTA should be aware and concerned about deficit spending, despite relatively healthy recent savings balances. Discussion of acceptable balance (zero fiscal year carryover, $5K, etc.)
1. Motion to accept, review report, and table till December 2009 meeting: Veronica
2. 2d: Kristy
3. Discussion
4. Motion Carries

4. Principals’ reports
a. Karen Moody (Not present): Katherine reviewed Usborne 20% of income at bookfair to LER (Mrs. Moody is being careful not to interfere with GEPTA/Scholastic event at the same time).
b. Al Ghoreyeb (not present): Funding requests.
5. Committee Reports:
a. Bylaws: Sonya Turner (not present): Ellen will follow up w/ ST.
b. Family Fun Nights: Katherine Kollman: Dance night 11/13/09. 6-7p @ Riverview (bookfair will be open till 7:30). Snack discussion.
c. Fundraising: Kristy Gould
i. Basket Raffle: Baskets ready soon. Tickets to be sold at craft fair, and other sites. A flyer will be sent home w/ students 11/30/09, back by 12/8/09. Drawing at Family Fun Night 12/12/09. Volunteers need to man table at Craft Fair at LER. Boy/girl, Kitchen, Home Décor, other
ii. Bake Sale option? Discussion
iii. Subway: Katherine Kollman to contact: by 11/20/09. Subway coupons, % to GEPTA based on sales of the night.
iv. Hannaford Helps: Reminder to be sent home with students. Deadline of 12/5/09.
v. Other fundraisers: Possibly revisit: Spring catalog sale, as in past
d. Reading Incentive/bookfair: Liz Brodie and Paula Bourque
i. Paula: Orders are ready for schools. Paula emailed principals re: 1st, 2d and 3d grades will participate. Timing of flow of students versus stock of books.
ii. New Website
iii. New Scholastic representative
iv. Liz: Timeslots for volunteering for Scholastic Bookfair. Some slots are covered already (3 afternoons). Requests for volunteers will be sent this week.
1. Starts RVCS: 11/12/09
2. Wish list day for teachers: 11/13/09.
3. Ends Wednesday 11/18/09.
4. Target income is $5K to $8K, 40% in books (the more we sell, the greater percentage in books or cash we can take)
a. Motion to pay difference of up to $200 to cross threshold of benefit percentage: Paula
b. 2d: Bonnie
c. Discussion
d. Motion carries
6. Old Business
a. Meadowfarm Fundraiser: Jill.
i. Items in. boxes need to be inventoried 11/11/09.
ii. T Shirts in. Up to $10K: 48 free T-shirts; $15K: 96 free t-shirts. We sold $14,500. We may want to strongly review this with the Meadowfarms people. Leftover shirts: various sizes and sayings. Opportunity to get more. Deadline 12/1/09.
1. Motion to use free T-shirts for teacher appreciation: Paula
2. 2d: Bonnie
3. discussion
4. Motion carries. Design to be determined.
b. Shed Roof Repair: No donations at this time of supply. Tarp: best option.
c. Hannaford Helps Schools: Review timeline. (RVCS is target school)
d. Holiday Bazaar: Katherine: We need more contributions at LER. RVCS is separate, and has more contributions. Flyers went home.
i. Idea: Put a big sign in the lobby of LER to review need for contributions.
e. Teacher Appreciation-Committee: need for committee to identify good ways to appreciate teachers, with an eye on fiscal considerations: by May 2010. Liz Brodie to chair.
f. Community Service Project: Katherine: GEPTA to volunteer to box food at Food Cupboard/Chrysalis (After craft night, where we will be accepting food donations: around 12/14/09 or 12/17/09).
g. Principal’s Fund Check
7. New Business
a. Riverview Coffee Maker: explore local options
b. Xmas Tree Lighting: Katherine. Gardiner Main Street/promotions: invited to fundraise/sell Hot Cocoa, cookies-12/1/09 5 pm, near Johnson Hall. Veronica and Liz to do set up, Katherine and Ellen to join later.
c. Holiday Parade: 12/5/09. (Theme of “'Twas the Night Before Christmas”): GEPTA to promote w/ Kids(?). (wearing Pajamas) starts at 1 pm. Concerns re: parents dropping kids off w/o supervision, conflict with Basketball.
d. Maine Parent Federation Seminars: Katherine: table till 12/09 meetings
e. December Meeting change:
i. Current 12/8/09. Conflict w/ RVCS band and chorus event.
ii. Motion to change date and time to 12/1/09, 6:30 pm at RVCS: Paula
iii. 2d: Liz
iv. discussion
v. motion carries
8. Funding Requests:
a. LER: Underwear: Running low.
i. Motion to buy ($50) new packages of underwear : Jared
ii. 2d: Veronica
iii. Discussion:
iv. Motion carries
b. RVCS: Planetarium:
i. Veronica on behalf of Al Ghoreyeb:
ii. Motion to approve $440 to RVCS for Planetarium: Paula
iii. 2d: Kristy
iv. discussion.
v. Motion carries
9. Adjournment: 7:20 pm
Motion: Liz
2d: Jared
Discussion:
Motion Carries