October 2, 2007

1. PTA Meetings will now include a questions/concerns/issues and congratulations time for PTA and Principal Macleod as well as a time to pose questions that aren’t answered over the course of the general meeting.

2. The garage sale raised over $3,000! The money came from participants, ads and profit donations. Thanks Margaret. If someone wants to head up the project next year there were ideas for a rummage sale/flea market type sale at the school. It was discussed that a neighborhood wide sale may not be something the community can sustain yearly.

3. Gift wrap sale is wrapping up.

4. Auction planning is moving forward. Next meeting is 10/11 at 9:00 am at Colleen Walker’s house.

5. Arts Night has been postponed from Oct. 19th. Volunteers are needed to help with the event. Talk with Jennifer Hawkins.

6. Family Gym Night is Weds. from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Irvington School. It is open to everyone and is not a drop off event. There is a 50 people max. capacity but people haven’t yet been turned away.

7. The school arts program is currently under budget. There are different classes for students depending on grade level. The classes include ballet, visual arts, drama and African dance. The arts program is a collaborative effort between parents, staff and Cynthia Macleod.

8. Extracurricular Activities: there are two spots each in the Red Cross classes for babysitting and “When I am in Charge.” There are also spaces available for the In-Service Day art classes. Lego club will have a lottery and there are enough participants to have separate Fall and Spring sessions. Volunteers are still needed. Training sessions will be held at Justin’s house.

9. Garden Makeover Update: 10/13 is the final harvest and cleanout day. Breaking down beds. Cloudburst is donating recycling boxes for materials and plant matter. Ditch witch is laying down supply lines and each plot will have its own drip spigot. NEED HELP! On 10/20 and 10/21 the Garden Committee is building new beds out of indestructible materials. NEED HELP! ICA (Irvington Community Association) money will be used for a new entrance to the garden. A new tool shed will be built.

10. Grounds committee: the bike racks from the 2007 auction special appeal need to be purchased and installed. This is already covered by that restricted donation. The PTA has previously allocated the following funds to the Grounds Committee (budget filed with secretary). **Motion-** The current list of projects identified as items 1-6 be approved, the budget updated to reflect this proposal and funds be allocated to these projects from the resources above. Modified to add 10% sway. Seconded and approved.

11. Ms. Macleod shared that she, Dick Cherry and Karen Barker are participating in a yearlong, intensive, district organized and Nike funded Leadership Training program. In addition, all teachers are attending professional development sessions in grade level groups. During this time they are meeting with a literacy coach to support their teaching of reading and writing.

12. There is a supply of PTA purchased paper and a list of printing options for completing larger printing projects in the staff + parent copy room on the bookshelf next to the sink. For large printing jobs, please don’t use school printer, consider using an offsite copy shop (PPS, Lazerquick, etc.) Listing of options in copy room.

13. The Portland Public School website is now linked to the Irvington School website (http://www.irvingtonelementary.com/). This website has been updated and will continue to see improvements. If you are interested in helping to maintain the website speak with Irma.

14. Fundraising Committee chair is needed. This person would serve to mainstream and disseminate information to all the fundraising coordinators.

15. Doug Carlson has volunteered and been approved to be the Vice President of the PTA. Thank you Doug. Discussion Topics (between members, PTA + Principal Macleod): dogs on the school grounds, scholarships for extracurricular activities, curriculum night, homework expectations and communication between teachers and parents especially for the older students, chorus for students, is there enough physical activity for older students? 

Last updated by lmeilinger on Oct 24, 2008 at 01:18 PM

All items purchesed from Amazon after clicking on one of the links below help fund Irvington's school programs