President Lisa Kauffman called the meeting to order at 8:35am.Board Officers present: Lina Spalding-Ramsay, Bruce Barham, Amanda Kleidermacher, Deanna Christensen, and Mary Porges.22 attendees.Principal Garcia and Vice Principal Garcia in attendance.
Agenda item #1– Welcome – Lisa Kauffman
-Lisa welcomed all members
-Leda Barham is the chair of the Nominating Committee
-Black History Month events were great, wonderful job by Charesse and her committee
-Green Dance is bid success thank you Barbara Gelber, 5th Grade Valentine drive also a big success thank you Leda
-March 25th is Florida PTA’s Rally to Tally trip
-Security officers sign in, 2 different officers, call 305-960-3000 to report issues at park across the street, contact for park maintenance is Ralph Gonzalez 786-316-9746
-As of February 28th we have a balance of over $18,000 in the bank
Agenda item # 2 – Approve February General Membership Meeting Minutes – Mary Porges
-Distributed minutes to members, Lina motioned to approve minutes, Charesse seconded, all approved
Agenda item # 3 – Parent Academy Presentation – Aster Mohammed
-Distributed survey to parents regarding drug use behaviors
-Ms. Mohammed was a class teacher for 17 years, 23 years in education
-Distributed booklet and presented on how real is the problem, why children use drugs, gateway drugs, illegal drugs, and strategies for parents to use.
-Children use because they have self esteem issues, see no harm, peer influence, parents are tolerant and drugs are available
-Parents need to have a no use policy, understand the dangers, set healthy examples, know the lingo, communicate, help children handle peer pressure, help children handle peer pressure, deal with emotion, boost their self-confidence, and have strong values
-Must have healthy bonds with family, friends, school, community
-Family risk factors – drug use, attitudes, conflict, little communication and supervision, expectations, inconsistent rules or severe discipline
-Capture teachable moments with no distractions
Agenda item # 4 – Upcoming Events
-Gala - Amanda – deadline for Gala donations is March 15th, need volunteers to set up between 4-6:30pm, need more donations, morning announcements
Agenda item # 5 - Principal Garcia’s Update
-FCAT testing; calendar for next month will be posted; dolphin secure product (child safety internet product) which is fingerprint controlled will be introduced, Superintendent Carvalho was here for a press conference, free for first 2 months of use, also for home use; vision and hearing screening will take place next few weeks; Health Department inspected school and found roach infestation on 3rd Floor
Agenda item # 6 – Other
-Brenda Schwartz motioned to move $500 from security for hand sanitizer supplies of end of year, Nely Martinez seconded, 24 approved
-Carolyn – idea to create on-line auction for parents that cannot attend Gala, last year we gave over 30 free tickets to teachers, get parents to donate tickets at $30 (cost), seems like teachers have no received communication regarding tickets
