May 6, 2008
Irvington PTA May 6, 20086:30 pm – 8:00 pm Location: Irvington School Library 1. There are a lot of topics on the agenda to discuss tonight so if there is a subject that you want to discuss further, please feel free to come to the Executive Meeting to talk more. 2. There is a newly formed Library Committee chaired by Rachel Carlson. If you are interested in joining please contact Rachel at rachelabra@msn.com. It would be wonderful to have parents of older children involved. Thanks Rachel. 3. Meeting minutes for March and April are approved. 4. Courtney from School House Supplies gave a presentation on their programs. They do a center where teachers can go to receive free supplies. They also are doing a back to school shopping program. Families can order supplies online from School House Supplies and then pick the kits up at Irvington School on Thursday August 28th. The supplies are purchased based on teachers’ recommendations. This is an option not a requirement and some teachers have chosen not to participate. Our responsibility will be to promote the program. We will research ways to get supplies for students whose families may need financial help with back to school purchases.
5. Staff Appreciation Week will be celebrated the week of May 12th. Bring in small tokens of appreciation for the teachers and please sign up in the front hall of the school to bring in food/drinks/flowers for the week and the lunch on Friday May 16th. Contact Lisa Meilinger at 503-493-2345 or LuLu Barker at lulu@easystreet.net for more information. 6. Tori Gilbert is organizing the Irvington Home Tour Café fundraiser. Please sign up in the front hall of the school to assist. If you have any questions contact Tori at tori@thegilbert4.com. 7. Susan O’Kelly is organizing a fundraiser for our school. Irvington can earn money from runners participating in the Nike 5K for Kids run on Saturday June 7th. Irvington School will receive $15 of the $20 registration fee. Information about the event can be found at http://www.nike5kforkids.com/portland/ and contact Susan at (503) 284-1489 with questions about how to participate. 8. Garden Work party scheduled for May 10th. Help beautify the school grounds and gardens. 9. Art’s Night is May 16th from 6-8 p.m. Volunteers are needed in the following areas: - We need 2 volunteers to run a paper dolls station — everything is pre-cut so you just need to supervise. Contact Julie Cassin: Juliecassin@msn.com; (503) 331-0697
- We need volunteers for a hair-braiding station — upper-grade girls or older sisters with hair-braiding skills especially welcome! Contact Rachael Moloney; rachaelmoloney222@hotmail.com; (503) 282-2450.
- Be a “floater” — help out at any number of fun stations! Contact Amy Maroney; wilaroney@yahoo.com; (503) 331-0457. Thanks!
10. Volunteer to be the new PTA Secretary for 2008-2009. There are many other volunteer opportunities for next year. Contact Irma if you are interested. 11. Ed Shearer, Irma Murauskas and Doug Carlson were voted in to continue their roles next year. Thanks guys, you have all done a great job. 12. Budget Report - Budget is in flux. There are a number of items that are unknown that will need funds. It was learned from last month’s meeting that people want money to go towards technology. For the line item “Other program Expenditures” Ed expects to have exact numbers for a vote at the June meeting. The survey will help with this process.
- A question was asked about the decrease in the budget for the teacher’s funds. Teachers haven’t spent the money in their accounts, so the amount has been decreased to make funds available to improve technology. Teachers need to turn in receipts. If individuals need more money they can come to the PTA to ask for additional funds.
13. Technology Report - Teachers may want individual ELMOs.
- The district may purchase mobile labs so we need to wait on that purchase.
- Information changes often.
14. The PTA has put together a survey to gather people’s opinions on topics ranging from attendance at PTA meetings to prioritizing PTA spending. This should give us a greater scope of feedback. The survey will be distributed in Friday Folders, through a link via a mass emailing and the Google listserv. Fill out one survey per parent and return the form to the main office as soon as possible. 15. The Google group listserv has about 50 members. There is also a TAG parent listserv. The links are available on the school website. 16. Information from Principal MacLeod - Pat Foy is retiring. She is the school psychologist and also the reading specialist.
- Cherie Allbaugh, the school counselor, is going to another school.
- Amy Spanaugle, a 5th grade teacher, will be going to Hayhurst.
- Billy Nee will teach 5th grade.
- There will be a returning teacher who will teach 6th grade and one 7th grade class in language arts and social studies.
- Clara Lafayette will teach 8th grade and one 7th grade class.
- Brett Hutwagner will teach science.
- There will be a math teacher.
- Gail Tupper is retiring. Beth will be full time.
- Morreen (librarian) and the EAs from kindergarten are currently unassigned. Janice Brannon (Ms. B) has seniority and will most likely be full time and split between the two kindergarten classes.
- We need a media specialist to support our programs in the library. The staffing will depend on kindergarten. The district may provide for a media specialist, so we will need to wait and see if money becomes available.
- Assistant Principal position is typically assigned. This person will have an office upstairs to be near the older students.
- There is typically $3000 in the general budget for library books and materials. Grant money is often available for books. The ICA may be an option.
- Mr. Daniel will be teaching k-5 music half time next year. This is the same as this year.
- Visual arts, drama, dance and PE will be offered for 7th and 8th graders.
- A study skills class will be offered for 6th graders in the first trimester of the school year. The curriculum is being created and will include organization, note taking, and test taking skills.
- There are about 26 children registered for kindergarten. Staffing will be unknown until school starts in September. There will not be a half day program.
- SMART will not have paid coordinator positions next year through the agency. Other options to pay Donna are being explored.
- K-8 school principals created a list of core program recommendations. They include:
- Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and PE daily
- Foreign Language three times a week
- Visual and Performing Arts 1-3 times a week
- Technology and Research and Information skill embedded throughout plus once a week.
- There will be two classes of 6th grade students next year.
17. Site Council - Two parent representatives are needed for site council. They are two year positions.
- Last month’s meeting focused on how to meet the needs of students above benchmark and raise the rigor for all students.
18. Grounds Report - Our grounds are the benchmark for schools in our area! Thanks to everyone who contributes to making the grounds what they are.
- Still need volunteers for cleanup on May 10th.
- We had a riding mower donated to our school by John Olmstead. It is very exciting.
Last updated by lmeilinger on Oct 24, 2008 at 01:35 PM
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