Petrova Parents’ Club
April 16, 2012, Elementary Library, 7:00pm
Attendees: Sunita Halasz, Bob Laba, Debbie Yando, Kathleen Silvius, Josh Dann, Katie Fischer, Polly Kelting, Chrissy Hayden, Michelle Davis, Jen Small, Zoe Smith
Treasurer’s Report
Bob noted that we have purchased the three smart boards for which we had budgeted at the beginning of the school year. We had also budgeted to buy projectors for these smart boards, but didn't end up needing to purchase these. Therefore, we have money leftover that we can use to buy another smart board. Mr. Dann said that he will make a list of teachers and classrooms who still need one (we are close to having almost everyone outfitted; it is the specialized classrooms that remain), and he will note if they want a large board or a smaller, portable one.
A discussion of smart boards ensued. Mr. Dann noted that smart boards have had a team-building effect when teachers in a grade meet together. The teachers show each other how they are using the smart board and get ideas from one another. Kathleen noted that we are so close to having almost the whole school outfitted with smart boards, that we must use this as an opportunity to show what a positive effect this has had, and that all the support that teachers and families have given to the Parents' Club has been very worthwhile. Sunita noted that we should provide a final tally of just how much money has been raised and spent toward this goal over the last several years.
Bob pointed out one last item in the budget: next year we won’t have the $1100 we made on blanket sales this year, so we need to think of another fundraiser. Zoe likes the idea of a pancake breakfast in the spring.
Officers for 2012-2013 School Year
At our last meeting in March, we announced that anyone who was interested in our two vacant officer positions should feel free to step up. Polly Kelting said that she would be interested in being secretary, and Jen Small said that she was interested in being Vice President. We are thankful to them and know they will do an excellent job.
Activity Chair Reports
Principals’ Report
Mr. Dann reported that composting is going great and the 5th graders, who are in charge of making sure the compost gets into the bins, are doing a fantastic job. There were many teachers, lunch room and custodial staff, and Polly Kelting, who made this happen, and they are all very appreciated. The compost will be used with the school garden, which is in the works.
As a follow-up to our recent spring break, Mr. Dann noted that there are many students who don't go anywhere for spring break and are stuck at home without anything during the long break. The school building is already "open" during this time, and it might be a helpful idea to have activities for students next near during this time. The gym, library, and computer lab could be available and free activities could be offered.
Mr. Dann reminded the group that his door is always open to parents and students, and he is always willing to hear about problems and concerns. The group told Mr. Dann that he has demonstrated this clearly in his actions and that they will be sure to let other parents know that they can feel free to talk with him any time.
A question was asked about ice cream in the lunchroom. Mr. Dann explained that kids who bring their lunch can still buy ice cream on the days it will be served with school lunches. Our goal is to serve it every other Friday.
Mr. Dann said that because we didn't use up our quota of snow days this winter, May 4th and 24th will be vacation days.
Discussion and Old/New Business
Zoe mentioned a "Garden-Based Learning" workshop in Canton about starting a school garden on April 27th. Polly offered to attend on behalf of Petrova.
The next PPC meeting will be Monday, May 14th at 7pm in the library.
April 16, 2012, Elementary Library, 7:00pm
Attendees: Sunita Halasz, Bob Laba, Debbie Yando, Kathleen Silvius, Josh Dann, Katie Fischer, Polly Kelting, Chrissy Hayden, Michelle Davis, Jen Small, Zoe Smith
Treasurer’s Report
Bob noted that we have purchased the three smart boards for which we had budgeted at the beginning of the school year. We had also budgeted to buy projectors for these smart boards, but didn't end up needing to purchase these. Therefore, we have money leftover that we can use to buy another smart board. Mr. Dann said that he will make a list of teachers and classrooms who still need one (we are close to having almost everyone outfitted; it is the specialized classrooms that remain), and he will note if they want a large board or a smaller, portable one.
A discussion of smart boards ensued. Mr. Dann noted that smart boards have had a team-building effect when teachers in a grade meet together. The teachers show each other how they are using the smart board and get ideas from one another. Kathleen noted that we are so close to having almost the whole school outfitted with smart boards, that we must use this as an opportunity to show what a positive effect this has had, and that all the support that teachers and families have given to the Parents' Club has been very worthwhile. Sunita noted that we should provide a final tally of just how much money has been raised and spent toward this goal over the last several years.
Bob pointed out one last item in the budget: next year we won’t have the $1100 we made on blanket sales this year, so we need to think of another fundraiser. Zoe likes the idea of a pancake breakfast in the spring.
Officers for 2012-2013 School Year
At our last meeting in March, we announced that anyone who was interested in our two vacant officer positions should feel free to step up. Polly Kelting said that she would be interested in being secretary, and Jen Small said that she was interested in being Vice President. We are thankful to them and know they will do an excellent job.
Activity Chair Reports
- Holiday Giving - Zoe was called by a woman from “Penguin Patch” who sets up holiday shops for schools with minimal work on the part of the parent organization. Zoe described the program. Everyone discussed that it sounded intriguing, especially because such a lot of work was put toward Holiday Giving this past fall, but the group came to a consensus that they would like to try Holiday Giving with donated items at least one more time before considering changing it. There were a number of benefits to Holiday Giving the way we did it this past year - items were the same price across the board, which was fair for all students; we donated the students' money to local charities; the items that didn't sell we were able to use at the Winter Carnival Silent Auction, which earned us money; and the leftovers went to Family Champions, and they were very grateful. We agreed that it would be great to start collecting items even sooner next fall so that there is less stress as the event approaches. It was suggested that we should send out an all-school email stating, "When you’re doing your spring cleaning, set aside a box for Petrova Holiday Giving." Another suggestion by a group member was that there should be specific drop-off days designated after school, and the items get sorted as soon as they come in on the drop-off day.
- Teacher Appreciation - Thursday, May 10. Jen Small has found great food options. The theme is Italian and the kids will be sent home a flyer asking them to bring in food such as fresh, uncut veggies, fruit, etc. Kathleen has set up a work table of set up, food prep, serving, and clean-up volunteers, and she would be happy to accept more volunteers.
- Family Night, May 2 - Teachers are volunteering to host activities in their classrooms from 6:30-8pm and families will rotate around the building at designated times. Everyone will meet first in the auditorium. Pizza and lemonade will be served in the classroom. Mr. Dann discussed how some activities in years past have been more popular than others and the rooms get very crowded. A suggestion was made for "crowd control" - to assign colors to each family as they come in the building, and the different colors have to choose between activities in one section of the building during one rotation, and then move to the activities in another section of the building.
- Fun Day - The group began to plan for fun day, discussing set up, chaperones, and clean up. Kathleen had a map of previous years' layouts in the field and that can be used for the work order. Sunita will be asking grade liaisons to contact their teachers to ask for 2-3 names of parents that can be asked to chaperone. Other volunteers are needed at the gates to the field, to serve food (popcorn, watermelon, hotdogs, water). Kathleen noted that more than 4 people would be useful for clean up.
Principals’ Report
Mr. Dann reported that composting is going great and the 5th graders, who are in charge of making sure the compost gets into the bins, are doing a fantastic job. There were many teachers, lunch room and custodial staff, and Polly Kelting, who made this happen, and they are all very appreciated. The compost will be used with the school garden, which is in the works.
As a follow-up to our recent spring break, Mr. Dann noted that there are many students who don't go anywhere for spring break and are stuck at home without anything during the long break. The school building is already "open" during this time, and it might be a helpful idea to have activities for students next near during this time. The gym, library, and computer lab could be available and free activities could be offered.
Mr. Dann reminded the group that his door is always open to parents and students, and he is always willing to hear about problems and concerns. The group told Mr. Dann that he has demonstrated this clearly in his actions and that they will be sure to let other parents know that they can feel free to talk with him any time.
A question was asked about ice cream in the lunchroom. Mr. Dann explained that kids who bring their lunch can still buy ice cream on the days it will be served with school lunches. Our goal is to serve it every other Friday.
Mr. Dann said that because we didn't use up our quota of snow days this winter, May 4th and 24th will be vacation days.
Discussion and Old/New Business
Zoe mentioned a "Garden-Based Learning" workshop in Canton about starting a school garden on April 27th. Polly offered to attend on behalf of Petrova.
The next PPC meeting will be Monday, May 14th at 7pm in the library.
