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