PTA Meeting Minutes, April 10, 2007

PTA President Vanessa Leavitt called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. Approximately 18 people were in attendance. Vanessa discussed the fall fund-raiser for the next school year and passed around brochures for two possible choices for members to consider. The PTA voted to fund-raise with the Genevieve Company which is Maine-based. She also reported that the March Auction raised $2600.

Both the Secretary and Treasurer’s reports were accepted.

Guest speakers, Chet Garrison and David Barber, Co-Chairs of the Transition Team, spoke about the challenges of consolidating Union 47 and Bath schools. Their charge has been to identify and address issues regarding consolidation. The Transition Team is recruiting volunteers to serve and has established a website at bathunion47.org. The PTA members asked Chet and David many questions and encouraged the Transition Team to begin info sessions to discuss the issues of consolidation with the affected communities.

Phil McCarthy reported that the Publicity Committee’s newsletters have been a great success with lots of positive feedback from the public. The next committee meeting will be held at Café Creme on April 24th at 7 PM. Interested people are invited to attend.

Ms Cyr requested PTA support for the upcoming grade 2 production of the Aesop Fable, the Tortoise and the Hare. Costumes need to be made for 8 animal characters at a cost of about $150. The PTA voted to appropriate this sum of money to Ms Cyr.

Vanessa announced the new date for this spring’s Walk-a-Thon. It will be held on Saturday, May 12th, at the Bath track from 1-4 PM. The PTA will supply water and oranges to the walkers. T-shirts may be ordered in advance.

The annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast will be held on May 11th in the library. Parents are donating food for the event, and the PTA will be distributing plants to the honored staff. Students will write about their teachers in booklets which will be compiled and distributed to teachers.

Joanne Kosokowski and Candy Hernandez spoke about an idea for a Book Bank to be sponsored by the PTA. This will be a collection of usable books donated by D/N parents and friends for students who have little access to books at home to take home and read over school vacations. Joanne and Candy will meet with Mr. Dow and establish a space for book storage.

Mr. Dow informed the PTA about planned work to the playground including some equipment replacement this spring.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

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PTA Meeting Minutes- March 13, 2007

President Vanessa Leavitt called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. Vanessa reminded PTA members about the upcoming nominations for next year’s slate of PTA officers. The Secretary and Treasurer’s reports were presented and approved.

Guest speaker Carolyn Hall from Read With Me spoke on the topic of how to get the most out of reading aloud to your child. Carolyn stressed the importance of having fun reading to children on a daily basis. She emphasized choosing books to share with kids that reflect their interests. Carolyn brought several children’s books to demonstrate how books can help kids have fun with language and build reading skills essential for future success with the printed word. She distributed brochures and handouts for members to read about the topic.

The Publicity Committee will not meet formally this month, but will organize the upcoming newsletter via e-mail.

Vanessa and Kym updated members on the March 21st Auction. Joanne is helping to organize and label the theme baskets. Lots of items have been donated for the raffles and auction. There is still a need for ticket sellers and donations of more non-sugary, healthy finger food.

Catherine Buotte spoke about TV Turn-Off Week which is April 9-13 this year. The PTA will sponsor 3 activity nights from 6-7 PM at Dike-Newell School: April 9th Arts and Crafts, April 11th Bingo Night, and April 13th P.E. Night. Volunteers will be needed to help out. A brochure will go home soon explaining how students who want to participate in TV Turn-Off Week can sign up to commit to watching no more than 4 hours (or none at all) of TV/video/computer games that week. Those who successfully complete the commitment will receive a special certificate signed by Mr. Dow.

Parents are encouraged to attend the Budget Hearing meeting at Bath Middle School on March 27th beginning at 7PM. The School Board will be presenting the 2007-2008 school budget to the public.

Mr. Dow discussed the June 1st Dike-Newell Night at the Portland Sea Dogs. Tickets are available for purchase. The PTA will donate 4 tickets to be raffled off.

The meeting adjourned at 8 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Candy Hernandez, Secretary

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PTA Meeting Minutes- February 13, 2007

PTA President Vanessa Leavitt called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. About twelve members were in attendance. Both the Secretary and Treasurer’s reports were presented and approved. Vanessa announced that the annual joint F/M and D/N skating party will be held at Goddard’s Pond on Friday evening, February 23rd. The D/N PTA voted to appropriate $50 toward the evening’s expenses (hot chocolate etc).

Guest speaker Cindy Hutchins, a psychological examiner in the Bath schools, discussed ways to insure that kids will have a successful school day. She highlighted ways to reduce kid and parent stress by being organized and prepared for each school day. It was suggested that Cindy write some of her ideas and suggestions in the PTA monthly newsletter or on an online chat for parents.

Phil McCarthy sent word to the meeting (he was unable to attend the meeting due to illness) that the Publicity Committee is busily working on its 3rd issue for March. A meeting date will be announced for the end of February.

Candy Hernandez told the PTA about the outstanding success of this year’s Read-a-Thon. Students from D/N and F/M read over 6,000 books and have raised close to $7500!

Kym reported that the March 21st Auction appears to be off to a good start in terms of community donations. She plans to send home information about the event including a description of the various “jobs” available for volunteers that evening as well as a sign-up sheet. Joanne said that many teachers have begun organizing theme baskets in their classrooms.

TV Turn-Off Week will be April 9-13 this year. Catherine Buotte is in charge of the event and will be invited to our next meeting to give us more information. The PTA will sponsor three evenings at school during that week including P.E Night, Arts and Crafts Night, and Bingo Night.

Vanessa has revised the Bylaws with some input from Phil in order to meet changing state PTA guidelines. No major changes have been made, but some language has been updated and the format has been made easier to read. The membership approved the new Bylaws.

Mr. Dow commented on the budget process which seems to be going smoothly at this point under the direction of Supt. Shuttleworth. Asst. Supt. Young is in charge of building maintenance planning. Mr. Dow also informed us that Channel 13 will be visiting D/N next week to video an Every Day math class and interview teachers.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.
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PTA Minutes- January 9, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Vanessa Leavitt at 6:30 PM in the D/N Cafeteria. Both the Secretary and Treasurer’s reports were accepted (Mr. Dow asked that Ann Dunham’s name be added as a committee chair to the Vandalism Committee).

Guest speaker Bill Lent presented information about the Junior Achievement Program. Bill serves as a volunteer and has already taught lessons in Jean Edmondson’s and Nancy Rogers Kindergarten classes. The Davenport Fund has given a grant of $5000 to the JA Program this year. Anyone interested in volunteering or finding out more about JA is encouraged to call Bill Lent.

Phil McCarthy discussed the Publicity Committee’s January newsletter. He thanked Raye Tibbitts for compiling the issue so professionally. The committee will meet the last Tuesday of each month, rotating meetings between both elementary schools. The committee encourages parents and teachers to submit student artwork and writing for inclusion in the newsletters. Seven hundred copies were printed at a cost of $150 and were distributed to parents at both elementary schools. The committee is seeking community sponsors to help fund the publishing costs.

Vanessa shared a letter from 4th grade teacher, Katherine Ewing, regarding a project that four of her students have begun to raise money for Habitat for Humanity to help in the rebuilding of New Orleans. The students are holding a penny drive to raise money. The PTA decided not to contribute to the penny drive, but members suggested that the students contact D/N School to have information put in the Weekly Word about the fund-raising effort. Then people in the D/N School community could contribute if they would like to do so.

The D/N PTA will be revising its Bylaws at the suggestion of the Maine State PTA. The executive board will meet to work on the revision prior to the Publicity Committee meeting on Tuesday, January 23rd at 7PM.

The Holiday Fair was a huge success, raising $700 which was used to help two needy families from each elementary school have a Christmas. Many thanks to Kimberly Gates, Lisha Wentworth, and Carol Hopkins for their leadership in this event.
Candy Hernandez requested financial help to fund the administrative costs associated with the Read-a-Thon. The PTA voted to donate $400 to the Literacy Support Fund.

Vanessa and Kym requested volunteers to help solicit donations from area businesses for the upcoming March 21st auction. Many PTA members volunteered to help. The auction which will be held from 6-8 PM in the D/N gym will need other volunteers including 4 auctioneers, 10 ticket sellers, donations of dessert and finger foods, food table helpers, cashiers, people to assign numbers, paddlers, and people to assist with setup at 4PM and cleanup after 8PM.
Mr. Dow commended grade one teacher, Donna Smith, and art teacher, Mary Read, for the slideshow they’ve created on the D/N School website showcasing Kindergarten artwork.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50PM.
Respectfully submitted,

Candy Hernandez, Secretary
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PTA Minutes- November, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Vanessa Leavitt at 6:30 PM. Ree Granger and Donna Smith presented information on Brainpop. Both F/M and D/N PTA members voted to give money to each school for a trial with the computer program for this year with the understanding that next year money would need to be budgeted by each school.

There was information presented about scrap booking, an event planned for January. The PTA presented total profits from the Halloween Party and the F/M Book Fair/Craft Fair. The members were pleased to hear that the profits from the book fair went to teachers to buy books for their classes. Vanessa plans to update members about the Halloween Party profits after figuring expenses.

Kimberly Gates, chairperson of the Holiday Fair, reported about planning for the Fair which will include both schools this year. The members were pleased with her organization and plans, but expressed concerns about having enough volunteer helpers for Tuesday, December 19th, the day F/M students will attend. Kimberly will be working on this.

There was discussion about having a PTA float in Bath’s holiday parade, but no one volunteered to chair or support this, so the idea was voted down.

Vanessa told the PTA about her work with Mr. Dow on a fund-raiser to support playground safety and reduction of vandalism. It was suggested that a walk-a-thon be held in May to raise money for lighting and cameras on the D/N playground. Claire Berkowitz will assist in this event and it will be a K-5 event.

The auction will be held at D/N in March, chaired by Erin Stamerra and Vanessa Leavitt. A committee will be formed next month.

Members were supportive of the special committee proposal whose formation will follow PTA bylaws.

Respectfully submitted with help from Vanessa Leavitt’s notes,

Candy Hernandez, Secretary

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PTA Minutes- December 12, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Vanessa Leavitt at 6:30. Approximately 20 people were in attendance. The Treasurer’s report was distributed and accepted.

Kimberly Gates presented a Holiday Fair update which included a report about donated items, set-up, and organization of both days. Bob Warren volunteered to supply lunch for the volunteers on Monday, December 18th, and Dr. Perron and Mr. Dow will provide coffee and donuts for Fair workers. Kimberly distributed informational notices to all teachers regarding the Fair.

Jay discussed the decision from both PTA Boards to go their separate ways for the remainder of this school year. The PTA’s will collaborate on fund-raising events such as the Halloween Party and Holiday Fair, but will meet separately and operate on their own. The D/N PTA will continue to meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and the F/M PTA will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Phil McCarthy was elected Chairperson of the newly-formed Publicity Committee. Phil discussed the committee’s mission to inform parents about what’s happening in the schools. Raye Tibbitts designed a mock-up of what the monthly newsletter could look like. The newsletter will be distributed with students via backpacks as well as online.

Vanessa Leavitt reported that the Vandalism Prevention Project is underway. She and Mr. Dow will be securing lights for the playground and a May Walk-a-thon will help fund camera equipment as well.

The annual Auction will be held on March 20th at Dike-Newell School.

A parent commented that the Halloween Party could be improved in the future by having more free activities for students and parents.

The School Folio fund-raiser will last for two weeks and information is forth-coming in the weekly newsletter at D/N.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Candy Hernandez

Secretary