April 2013 H&S Meeting Minutes

Home & School Meeting Minutes

April 11, 2013

Participation to date: 78.57%

Thanks to Christopher Foster and Katie Kukk for babysitting!!

Meeting was opened at 7:05.

March minutes were approved.

Reviewed upcoming dates.

Teacher Representative: Mrs. Neumann - PSSAs are going well. Fifth grade tests are running long. Energy Savers Programs - Effort to bring down energy costs in the school (light usage, etc.)

Guest Speaker - Gwen Pescatore from Knapp Elementary attended to provide information about the Parent Camp Knapp is hosting on April 27th. Limited to 200 people. Sessions are open ended discussions. Descriptions of the sessions will be shared through Constant Contact. You can register on-line.

Previous Business

  1. Closed Facebook group: Suggestion to have others besides the administrator post.

We are keeping it as is for now, but are open to changing things next year. The web address to join is https://www.facebook.com/groups/nashhomeandschool/

New Business

  1. Young Author's Event - May 16th, 6:30 in the Nash Gym/Cafeteria. In place of the

Young Author's Conference this year, which the district is not holding, we are doing a family literacy night. There will be stations set up for the kids to do various activities (such as a poetry station, mad libs station, Eric Carle station). Past young authors books will be on display. There will also be a story teller.

  1. Coordinating Council - Coordinating Council is the umbrella organization for all of North Penn's Home and Schools. They need people to be on their board next year.

If they cannot fill the board positions, each home and school will have to file for their own non-profit status, taxes, etc. This would be a huge undertaking and could actually result in home and schools disbanding.

  1. Open Activity Coordinator Positions - 6th grade babysitting coordinator, Book Fair family event, Breakfast with Mom/Dad (if we have it next year), Family Picnic are all

open.

  1. Next Year's Board Election - Elections are next month (May). If you would like to be on the board please contact Maria Strohl or Colleen Duran. If you have questions about any of the positions, you can ask any of the current board members.
  2. Activity Coordinator Reports - Book Fair: Over $5000 in scholastic dollars. We are planning on buying some sets for the leveled reading room. Ask Mrs. Moseley what books are needed. Ask what titles the grades need. Spirit Wear: Tie dye will be out end of April. Last day to submit boxtops and Campbells is May 23rd. OM - Team

Platt is going on to States this Saturday, April 13th!

There was a concern raised about how parents who have kids in after school activities (such as Spanish club) cannot get into the school if they need to. Extended care is not allowed to let anyone in the school except parents of those students in extended care.

Principal's Report - Mr. Martiello

  1. PSSAs - Everyone is being very flexible to try to accommodate the testing schedule.
  2. Family Survey - different format this year. Link will go out on e-communication. Open ended comments on the bottom. There is a link in Constant Contact.
  3. Planning Events - We don't want coordinators to feel discouraged or to see administration as an obstacle (new security measures, new communications). We need to let people know exactly what they need to do for planning the event (after care, etc). There is a general coordinator form, but we need a building checklist.
  4. Holiday & Celebrations Guideline - The district handed out a draft of a policy at the last Coordinating Council meeting which would not allow schools to have any "school wide parades" or holiday shops during school hours. If the draft becomes a policy it will be in effect next school year. The majority of people in attendance are disappointed with the policy.***After this meeting, the home & school presidents met with Dr. Dietrich and were informed that this is now policy***

Next meeting is May 9 at 7pm in the Nash library.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:00.