March 4, 2008

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