Minutes – General Membership Meeting

Wednesday October 7th, 2009  

8:30am

Media Center

President Lisa Kauffman called the meeting to order at 8:30pm.  Board Officers present: Lina Spalding-Ramsay, Amanda Kleidermacher, Deanna Christensen, Tim Orrange and Mary Porges.    

Agenda item #1 – Welcome – Lisa Kauffman

-    Lisa welcomed all members in English, Spanish and Portuguese, asked that comments be limited to 1 minute, let’s be on time

-    Tony Anderson – planting initiative started when Tony mentioned to a friend the issues with the courtyard, friend works for Brickman a national landscaping company, friend asked about different alternatives, Tony wrote a proposal and a month later we were given a $1,000 donation

Agenda item # 2 – Approve September General Membership Meeting Minutes – Mary Porges

-    Distributed minutes to members, Jackie Roch motioned to approve minutes, Tim Orrange seconded, all (58) approved

Agenda item # 3 – Financial Update – Tim Orrange

-    Committee of three parents – Margaret Pantin, Claudia Bustamante and Arlin Montero- audited AM PTA’s financial for last school year, school reading sold over $15,000 in books (over 20% is profit), balance of $13,851 without this deposit, Tim, Lisa and Deanna went to PTA training session

Agenda item # 4 – Principal Garcia Update – Vice Principal Barbie Garcia

-    October calendar on website, a few paper copies in office; ESAC Council is a group of parents, administration and staff that meet on different issues, a 3 year term, Stephanie Seaman, Ron Kauffman and Tim Iris voted in for this term; FCAT workshops are underway in October; United Way Campaign this month with crazy hat day, twin day, etc.; James Rosenberg (created adopt a classroom) will be AM Principal for the day; MYP evaluators coming October 27th; student of the month on October 29th; 5th and 8th grade activities for fundraising will start, new trip for 8th grade; courtyard work continues with sprinklers fixed, fill, sod, etc.; recess in park will continue; IFF pushed back because sold needs at least 3 weeks to take   

Agenda item # 5 – Garden Committee Update – Jackie Roch

-    On October 16th the Brickman Group will come to facilitate the planting, 12 staff, will bring dirt, mulch, plants are free to school and no cost to PTA, Brickman will cut back, will train 2 custodians to upkeep, need 5 parents to help, will get dirty, will need future volunteers for front area, expanding the vegetable area, a few teachers are now involved, raised beds, has a vender for beds at a $269 a piece, room for 2 to 3, herbs, raised containers, K-2 butterfly garden, 3-5 vegetables, planting will be along walls, identifying beds, fixing fountain, all be careful, financial question for above and beyond donations,, motion needed for raised beds, $500 grant and $250 from unallocated donations total $750, Carolyn West motioned to apply $250 from unallocated PTA funds for raised beds, Mary Porges seconded, all approved (58), all classes need to be involved

Agenda item # 6 – Math & Science Committee – Joan Silverstein

-    Discussed math opportunities, introduce idea, focus would be middle school, more advanced curriculum for those that show that interest, signup sheet for interested parents, involve U of M parents that are scientist, math team, support current efforts and more creativity, bring resources in is the beginning stage, ending in Algebra 1 and Earth Science, we meet prerequisites for MAST and Beach High; Vice Principal Garcia – new teacher planning science lab, 6-8 grade has access, K-5 getting science and doing labs in classroom; Lisa – we should have another science seminar

Agenda item # 7 – Go Pass Program – Claudia Grillo

-    Distributed Go Pass materials to all attendees, package pricing / one check to PTA that covers IFF, Gala, Festa Junina and weekly slice of pizza for a family, will also distribute flyers to homeroom teachers, starts next Wednesday

Agenda item # 8 – Upcoming Events

-    International Food Festival – Amanda Kleidermacher – Jackie motioned for event to take place November 13th (October 23rd previous date) in courtyard, Lina seconded, all approved (58), grass will be okay, park needs to be utilized but safety concerns and no electricity is available, park needs to be better utilized

-    Hispanic Heritage Week – Carmen Partridge – distributed list of events taking place week of October 12th, need volunteers for Thursday and Friday popcorn and water sale

Agenda item # 8 – Other

-    PIPA – Anna Luisa – 60 members, met with Brazilian consulate, strong start

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45am.

Minutes – General Membership Meeting

Wednesday October 7th, 2009  

8:30am

Media Center

Pending Approval

President Lisa Kauffman called the meeting to order at 8:30pm.  Board Officers present: Lina Spalding-Ramsay, Amanda Kleidermacher, Deanna Christensen, Tim Orrange and Mary Porges.    

Agenda item #1 – Welcome – Lisa Kauffman

-    Lisa welcomed all members in English, Spanish and Portuguese, asked that comments be limited to 1 minute, let’s be on time

-    Tony Anderson – planting initiative started when Tony mentioned to a friend the issues with the courtyard, friend works for Brickman a national landscaping company, friend asked about different alternatives, Tony wrote a proposal and a month later we were given a $1,000 donation

Agenda item # 2 – Approve September General Membership Meeting Minutes – Mary Porges

-    Distributed minutes to members, Jackie Roch motioned to approve minutes, Tim Orrange seconded, all (58) approved

Agenda item # 3 – Financial Update – Tim Orrange

-    Committee of three parents – Margaret Pantin, Claudia Bustamante and Arlin Montero- audited AM PTA’s financial for last school year, school reading sold over $15,000 in books (over 20% is profit), balance of $13,851 without this deposit, Tim, Lisa and Deanna went to PTA training session

Agenda item # 4 – Principal Garcia Update – Vice Principal Barbie Garcia

-    October calendar on website, a few paper copies in office; ESAC Council is a group of parents, administration and staff that meet on different issues, a 3 year term, Stephanie Seaman, Ron Kauffman and Tim Iris voted in for this term; FCAT workshops are underway in October; United Way Campaign this month with crazy hat day, twin day, etc.; James Rosenberg (created adopt a classroom) will be AM Principal for the day; MYP evaluators coming October 27th; student of the month on October 29th; 5th and 8th grade activities for fundraising will start, new trip for 8th grade; courtyard work continues with sprinklers fixed, fill, sod, etc.; recess in park will continue; IFF pushed back because sold needs at least 3 weeks to take   

Agenda item # 5 – Garden Committee Update – Jackie Roch

-    On October 16th the Brickman Group will come to facilitate the planting, 12 staff, will bring dirt, mulch, plants are free to school and no cost to PTA, Brickman will cut back, will train 2 custodians to upkeep, need 5 parents to help, will get dirty, will need future volunteers for front area, expanding the vegetable area, a few teachers are now involved, raised beds, has a vender for beds at a $269 a piece, room for 2 to 3, herbs, raised containers, K-2 butterfly garden, 3-5 vegetables, planting will be along walls, identifying beds, fixing fountain, all be careful, financial question for above and beyond donations,, motion needed for raised beds, $500 grant and $250 from unallocated donations total $750, Carolyn West motioned to apply $250 from unallocated PTA funds for raised beds, Mary Porges seconded, all approved (58), all classes need to be involved

Agenda item # 6 – Math & Science Committee – Joan Silverstein

-    Discussed math opportunities, introduce idea, focus would be middle school, more advanced curriculum for those that show that interest, signup sheet for interested parents, involve U of M parents that are scientist, math team, support current efforts and more creativity, bring resources in is the beginning stage, ending in Algebra 1 and Earth Science, we meet prerequisites for MAST and Beach High; Vice Principal Garcia – new teacher planning science lab, 6-8 grade has access, K-5 getting science and doing labs in classroom; Lisa – we should have another science seminar

Agenda item # 7 – Go Pass Program – Claudia Grillo

-    Distributed Go Pass materials to all attendees, package pricing / one check to PTA that covers IFF, Gala, Festa Junina and weekly slice of pizza for a family, will also distribute flyers to homeroom teachers, starts next Wednesday

Agenda item # 8 – Upcoming Events

-    International Food Festival – Amanda Kleidermacher – Jackie motioned for event to take place November 13th (October 23rd previous date) in courtyard, Lina seconded, all approved (58), grass will be okay, park needs to be utilized but safety concerns and no electricity is available, park needs to be better utilized

-    Hispanic Heritage Week – Carmen Partridge – distributed list of events taking place week of October 12th, need volunteers for Thursday and Friday popcorn and water sale

Agenda item # 8 – Other

-    PIPA – Anna Luisa – 60 members, met with Brazilian consulate, strong start

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45am.