General Nash Elementary
Home and School Association Meeting minutes
November 13, 2014
Meeting started 7:10
Upcoming dates were reviewed.
October home and school association minutes were approved.
Business:
The March-a-thon Fundraiser was reviewed. Participation was 67% which is an increase from last year. Total amount raised is close to $9,000; donations will continue to be accepted through the end of November. Sixth grade had the highest percentage of participation as well as the highest amount collected. The donation amount ranges included from $400 to $560. A picture of Mr. Martiello with his dyed hair (incentive) is to be posted. Looking forward to next year's fundraiser and changes. Planning will begin earlier in the year. Possibly with a focus on where everyone plays their part. Miss. Johnson suggested that more volunteers are needed for set-up.
Fruit fundraiser - Fruit of the month fundraiser will continue where families have the option to order half or full case of various fruits.
Holiday Shop - Our coordinators are looking for people to help with setup, helping the kids during the preview and then during the shopping hours during school as well as to help on Saturday, Dec 6th. There is a sign-up genius which is linked to constant contact or individuals could contact Amy Green, coordinator. The holiday shop is looking great, multiple silent auction items. There were suggestions to stretch out the auction part and announce winners at the sing-a-long.
Engineering for kids club - this is an after school club which exposes children to the practice of engineering begins next Wednesday for the younger group and Thursday for the older group. The class runs from 3:45-4:45 with open slots in the older group but the younger class is filled.
Principal Report - Thank you from Mr. Martilello for the great job with Jeff Kinney and the mini book fair. Special thanks to Tiffanie Stanton and Kristen Mallitz for continuing our partnership with Harleysville Book store which allow for opportunities to bring authors to Nash.
Events/ coordinator reports
Restaurant fundraiser - planning Chick-fil-a for December (possibly ticket for party tray) and Wendy's night for January.
Tabs - Up to date, school has collected 500,00. All this was reached within one year. Keep collecting.
Spiritwear order due by Nov. 20th for holiday order, if the order is a gift, let Trish know and the spiritwear can be collected from the office.
Nature nook - volunteers are needed
Action Karate - May be potential fundraiser with an accompanying family night. The fundraising portion is $99 for one month of classes.
Parent suggested possibility of having an author and/or illustrator who was selling at last year's Vendor fair. It was suggested that Ron should ask Mrs. Hannig or Mr. Burns.
Teacher representatives - Mrs. Pronzak - Thank you for the 3rd grade class trip to the aquarium.
Miss Johnson presented on Healthy Mind. The Physical Education department developed a program based on John Rately's book, SPARK, where children who were having difficulty in math and reading participated in a gym class each morning. Results showed that this group increased their scores on math and reading assessments, demonstrated fewer behavior problems and had a decrease in the number of missed school days. It is based on the premise that increased physical activities results in increased brain oxygenation and delivery of glucose which promotes an improved learning environment. As a result of increased activity the brain in physiologically prepared for learning. At Nash this has translated into adding more fitness stations into class which target upper body skills, aerobic skills, and the targeted skills for that class. Physical education department has a lot worked to educate teachers as well as parents on the educational benefits of physical activity. The department is piloting use of Fitness gram 10 which includes an activity log for for 6th graders. Information is to be sent home for parents and information is a lot posted on the website. This would have the sixth grade students log minutes of exercise. It is not mandatory but useful information. It does not track BMI, height or weight but shows students if they fall within "needs improvement" range or "healthy fitness." There is also a pilot program where the fitness gram app for students is available. This app investigates the physical fitness level for students. Website: fitnessgram.com; log in is the student's name and the password is the student's identification number that is used for lunch etc. At the end of the presentation it was suggested that this app/program might be helpful fro triathletes to track their training. Miss Johnson has opened up use of the activity log to any student, if a report is desired for a student, please let Miss Johnson know and she will complete the report. Side note: physical fitness assessments are for 5th and 6th graders only.
Next meeting is January 8th and Josie Charnock, member of North Penn School Board, will be the speaker (Speaker since moved to February).