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