Tuesday, March 16, 2010

A group of 6 parents and Francie met Tuesday at 7pm in the Library.  Parents present were:  Pam Burke, Cathy Cunliffe, Julianne Mills (treasurer), Tami Purcell, Vanessa Redfield (secretary) and Gretchen Webber.  Here’s a brief look at what was discussed:

1.  Francie gave an update on the social climate work, and parents had a chance to ask questions and make comments.  This included information on:

• using the words “Social Climate” instead of “social inclusion” for this work
• giving parents opportunities for involvement and communication with the school, Francie and teachers

• how the Educational Support Team (EST) is now being used to address emotional/social/ behavioral needs (not just academic needs) of students who may need more support in these areas
• the preview/review process (most active in the Primary and 3/4 classrooms)
• the occurrence of inappropriate language and bullying among students and how to address this as parents and as a school
• how goals and strategies are being set and determined by staff/faculty in lieu of using KJP’s approach
• Mr. H’s involvement in MES’s social climate in the different classrooms

2.  We discussed the idea of offering Summer Programs at MES.

MES will not be offering any programs directly.  But the school can be used by a parent or group of parents who is interested in organizing and running a camp of some sort, for example: soccer camp, nature camp, fairy camp, etc.

If you are interested in organizing, planning and/or  running such a camp this summer and using MES’s facilities, please contact Francie directly.

1. 3. The group approved a list of financial requests to support:

• the JH trip to Costa Rica
• the Primary room
• the Brattleboro Music Center concert series (2 concerts—one at the Latchis and one at MES)
• Bingo Night—Friday, March 26^th at 6:30pm in the Outback
• Screen Turn Off Week—March 29^th through April 2^nd (see the Commitment Pledge elsewhere in Friday Notes)
• the March Reading Challenge—March 8^th through April 2^nd

Requests to support David’s room, Erica’s room and Ellen’s room have been met through previous approvals and/or equipment donation.

4.  Teacher Appreciation Week will be May 17^th through May 21^st.

Stay tuned for more information on how you can be a part of honoring our teaching staff.

5.  An additional fundraiser will most likely be added for the spring of next year.

A more thorough discussion will take place in the fall when school resumes for the 2010-2011 school year.

-Vanessa Redfield, P&F secretary, reachable at vredfield@hughes.net or 348.9899

7pm MES Library
Attendees:  Pam Bullock, Cathy Cunliffe, MiKaela Simms, Julianne Mills (treasurer), Vanessa Redfield (secretary), and Francie.
Discussion about Social Inclusion work
* Francie updated the group on the social inclusion progress:

• how that looks different in each classroom
• the preview/review process around recess
• Kim John Payne’s Nov 12th presentation
• increased communication about social inclusion process with part time staff
• a brief description of the “put-down diet” that the Social Inclusion Coordinating Group (SICG) is currently doing

* The group had an open discussion, sharing their and their children’s comments, ideas and feedback thus far in the social inclusion process.

* Pam shared an idea to anticipate high parent energy following KJP’s Nov 12th presentation and set a date ahead of time for interested parents to come together to debrief and/or begin the Put-Down Diet. Stay tuned for more information around the “debrief” date and what that night will offer/look like.

Buddy Families

* As an extension of the social inclusion work, the idea of Buddy Families was discussed with much support and enthusiasm. Buddy families will be “veteran” MES families (families with children who already attend MES) who are willing to be a supportive, go-to contact for families who are new to MES. Buddy families can help answer questions that families new to MES might have about school (staff names, homework, All-School Sing and the like) and even non-school things (food shopping, doctors/dentists, things to do, etc.).

* P&F/SICG will solicit Buddy Family volunteers via a Friday Note request.  When new families enter MES, Gail or Francie can inform P&F and we can draw from our volunteer pool to match a “veteran” family with a new one.

Social Offerings

* We briefly discussed ideas for social events/gatherings that were generated at the last P&F meeting.  As the night was getting late, we decided to table this conversation until the next P&F meeting.

next Parent & Friends/Social Inclusion gathering…

November 12th, 7pm, in the Outback

Kim John Payne

“Creating Socially Healthy Communities”

free event for MES parents

7pm
Attendees:  Susanne Shapiro, Gretchen Webber, Julianne Mills, Tami Purcell, Vanessa Redfield, Kate Morgan, Sparrow Stevens, Carie Kowalski and Francie.

Woo-hoo!  Nine people!!

• The first part of the meeting time was social, allowing new and existing parents to chat and get to know each other a little better.
• The group brainstormed ideas around two things:  Fundraising Ideas and What Do You Want to See P&F accomplish this year? Good ideas and good conversation.  Some parents will follow up to collect more information around their ideas before our next meeting.  Our hope is to add one more spring fundraiser.  P&F will also continue to look into the ideas presented around what parents want to see P&F accomplish.
• For the Sugarbush fundraiser:  Julianne will help with the up-front paperwork and Cathy C will pick up and distribute products to MES families.
• For the Wreath Sale fundraiser:  Susanne will lead this again this year.
• Francie gave an update of how things are moving forward with the Social Inclusion work with Kim John Payne (KJP). KJP will return on November 12th this year for another parent night presentation.  The idea of having buddy families for families who are new to MES was an idea supported by all; what this will look like will develop over time.
• A core group (Francie, Julianne (Treasurer), and Vanessa (Secretary) approved a $300 request from David for the 5/6 class trip to Cap Cod.

Next P&F Meeting: tbd

Parents had a chance to chat and get to know each other a little better.

Then the group had a brainstorming session around:

1)   Fundraising Ideas

2)   What Parents Want to See P&F Do/Accomplish

Great ideas and conversation!  From these ideas we hope to add one more spring fundraiser and hone in on what P&F should offer for family/social events. Thanks to all the parents who turned out and shared their thoughts. Stay tuned to Friday Notes for our next meeting date in October.

Minutes from our meetings can be read on the website.

1.    Once all approved expenses have been paid this year, the P&F funds balance will be $1,403.33.

2.    The Back-to-School Potluck will happen again this fall.  MES held this event for the first time this school year.  It was a great way for students and families to re-connect with teachers and classmates and to meet new families joining MES.  Stay tuned to Friday/Summer Notes for the date and time.

3.    Teacher Appreciation Week was a huge success!  Teachers and staff received lunch and a perennial on Tuesday, goodies on a week-long snack table, “bio” write ups in Friday Notes, a “Love Bus” from the students, and a dedicated All-School Sing with their favorite songs and a towel dance performed by Erica’s class!

Thank you to all the families who brought in treats for the snack table, provided lunch and recess coverage on Tuesday, wrote up the teacher/staff bios (Kelly S-D), talked to their kids about the work our teachers do, and organized the goings-on!  Thanks to Room Parents for getting the word out!  And a big thanks to Lauren who helped the students create the “Love Bus!”

4.    Bingo Night was a success!!  Thirty five (35!) people came out for fun, food and prizes.  Thank you Julianne for organizing this!

Several students participated in TV/Screen TurnOff Week.  Gift Certificates from local businesses will be awarded to three randomly selected participating students at an upcoming All-School Sing.

5.    P&F decided to co-sponsor upcoming speaker and presenter Kim John Payne.  He will be at MES on Tuesday, June 2nd, working with teachers and staff throughout the day and meeting with parents from 7-8:30pm that evening.  Kim Payne has 24 years’ experience working with families and teachers to help give children tools to better navigate relationships and learning.

Next Meeting: Fall 2009

Please respond to any part of these minutes by contacting Vanessa at 348.9899 or vredfield@hughes.net
1.    P&F funds balance is $3,867.02
2.     P&F monies were approved for the following items, programs, and events:
•    Judy’s Room—projector screen for showing overheads, computer-generated visual aids and documentaries; supports the visual aspect of learning
•    Lauren & the Art Program—a replacement plexi-glass frame for displaying student artwork
•    Ellen’s Room—Math bag sets; these are multiple “book bags” that include a book with corresponding manipulatives (fun little items) for kindergarteners to do counting and math operations with while reading
•    Erica’s Room—Monies toward developing a Grow Lab for the students’ vegetable garden project; will be spent on items like garden tools and actual construction materials for building the lab

3.    P&F received checks from the estate of Mary Hinkley and from Target’s school-based program.

4.    The adults-only cyber-session with Pam Burke, “Our Kids Online,” has been postponed until this coming Wednesday, March 25 at 7pm in the Library.  We hope that all who rsvp’d for the original date can attend.  Any parent can just show up next Wednesday night to participate.

5.    MES’s TV/Screen Turn-Off Week will be May 4th-May 8th.  P&F will host a Bingo Night that Friday, May 8th with prizes and snacks.  Stay tuned for more information on this fun event!

6.    The Marlboro Fair Committee is hosting a Community Talent Show for a Rainy Day Fund on Saturday, May 2nd at 7pm in the MES Outback.  There will be auditions at MES on Sunday, March 29th from 2-5pm and Sunday, April 5th from 2-5pm.  Each act should take no longer than 5 minutes.  For more info and to schedule an audition appointment, call Andrea Matthews at 464-3837.

7.    We also discussed setting clear behavior expectations for all-school events like the upcoming Learning Fair on Tuesday, May 12th and the Spring Concert/Art Show.  Students will be discussing this topic in each of their classrooms.  The hope is that all-school events will be family-oriented, fun and safe for everyone.  This will probably include having parent chaperones on the playground before and after such events to maximize safety.

8.     P&F will show our gratitude for the teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week, which will be held in May.  Please contact Susanne Shapiro if you are interested in helping.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 7pm in the MES Library.

Please respond to any part of these minutes by contacting Vanessa at 348.9899 or vredfield (at) hughes.net

1.  P&F funds balance is $4,242.59

2.   So far for the 2008-2009 school year, P&F monies have been approved for the following items, programs, and events:

•    Judy’s Room—Metal Fraction Circles with wooden stand for fraction understanding and configuring fraction equivalents

•    Three upcoming Brattleboro Music Center Concerts for grades K-8

•    An upcoming Mad Science Assembly for grades K-6

•    David’s Room—Partial payment toward equipment for on-going Marlboro Community Interviewing project and a contribution toward the upcoming class trip to NYC

•    Staff Appreciation Week—We will plan some fun and food to show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate all they do for our kids.  Happens in the spring.

•    TV/Screen Turn-Off Week—P&F will host some engaging activities to help encourage us to keep the screens off and have some fun together!  Also in the spring.

•    Junior High—Contribution toward their upcoming class trip to Washington, D.C.

•    Book donation to MES Library in memory of Jesse Lopata

3.    The final profit from the Wreath Sale was $699 (correction from the $677 previously reported).  Thanks to Susanne Shapiro for managing this fund raiser and to Sara Coffey and Stephanie Shiman for managing the kids’ craft session!!

4.    P&F wants to offer a cyber-space info session with our own Pam Burke, techie guru extraordinaire.  We will find out if there is enough interest among MES parents and move forward with plans, if so.  Look for more information on this in this/upcoming Friday Notes.

Have an idea to share or a topic you would like to discuss??
Contact Vanessa, and we’ll put it on the agenda!

Next Meeting is Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7pm in the MES Library.

Attendees:  Julianne Mills, Vanessa Redfield, Susanne Shapiro, and Francie Marbury

Please respond to any part of these minutes by contacting Vanessa at 348.9899 or vredfield (at) hughes.net

1.  P&F funds balance is $4,242.59

2.       So far for the 2008-2009 school year, P&F monies have been approved for the following items, programs, and events:

·         Judy’s Room—Metal Fraction Circles with wooden stand for fraction understanding and configuring fraction equivalents

·         Three upcoming Brattleboro Music Center Concerts for grades K-8

·         An upcoming Mad Science Assembly for grades K-6

·         David’s Room—Partial payment toward equipment for on-going Marlboro Community Interviewing project and a contribution toward the upcoming class trip to NYC

·         Staff Appreciation Week—We will plan some fun and food to show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate all they do for our kids.  Happens in the spring.

·         TV/Screen Turn-Off Week—P&F will host some engaging activities to help encourage us to keep the screens off and have some fun together!  Also in the spring.

·         Junior High—Contribution toward their upcoming class trip to Washington, D.C.

·         Book donation to MES Library in memory of Jesse Lopata

3.      The final profit from the Wreath Sale was $699 (correction from the $677 previously reported).  Thanks to Susanne Shapiro for managing this fund raiser and to Sara Coffey and Stephanie Shiman for managing the kids’ craft session!!

4.      P&F wants to offer a cyber-space info session with our own Pam Burke, techie guru extraordinaire.  We will find out if there is enough interest among MES parents and move forward with plans, if so.  Look for more information on this in this/upcoming Friday Notes.

Have an idea to share or a topic you would like to discuss??
Contact Vanessa, and we’ll put it on the agenda!

Next Meeting is Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7pm in the MES Library.

Please place your order for Christmas wreaths by filling out and returning the bottom section of this form along with a check made out to P & F. All orders must be turned in no later than Monday, November 24th.
These wreaths are made by a local craftsperson and come with a red ribbon. You will be responsible for picking up your wreath(s) at the Marlboro Post Office on Saturday, December 6th from 10 AM to 12 Noon.
For more information you can e-mail shapirosh (at) aol.com

Order forms are available in the school office.

Attendees:  Pam Bullock, Julianne Mills (Treasurer), Vanessa Redfield (Secretary), Susanne Shapiro (Chair), and Francie Marbury

Please respond to any part of these minutes by contacting Vanessa, P&F Secretary, at 348.9899 or  vredfield (at) hughes.net

1.  P&F funds balance is $2, 482.26

2.  Mimi Brill, Grace & Isobel’s mom, is creating a phone tree for school closings due to snow, power outage, etc.  She will include every family on the class lists.  If you do not want to be called, contact Gail Chaine at 368.7621 by Monday 11/17.  Thanks, Mimi!

3.  Are you interested in sharing your email address so other parents can contact you?  If so, initiate an email to Vanessa at vredfield (at) hughes.net and I will share it with the P&F group.
Please note:  Some restrictions of email use:  a) use the blind carbon copy when listing more than one email address, b) do not send any joke-of-the-day-type emails, and c) do not add these email addresses to your bulk email lists.  Next fall, we will add an email field (with these same restrictions) to the class directory list.

4.  At Kate Morgan’s (Zev’s mom) suggestion, we are investigating the idea of having a Variety Show-type fund raiser in the future.  Is there any interest out there to participate, or do you know of a local group/person that would perform for free??  Let us know!

5.  The SugarBush Farms Sale was a success.  We made $731.37 on this fundraiser.  THANK YOU!!  Products will be sent home with the students on Monday.  A big thanks to Cathy Cunliffe (Wes, Calvin, and Max Lyons’ mom) for coordinating this!!

6.  The Wreath Sale is now underway!  22″ and 30″ wreaths available.  Order forms have already been sent home with the students.  Please have all orders turned into MES by Monday the 24th.  There will also be a craft session occurring at the Meetinghouse School during pick-up time on Saturday, December 6th 10am-12pm at the Post Office.  Stay tuned more information!  Any questions, please contact Susanne Shapiro at 254.2570 or shapirosh (at) aol.com.

7.  In reaction to a recent National Public Radio (NPR) report, the P&F group Tuesday evening had a great discussion about keeping a positive social climate high on the list of priorities at MES.  We talked about what each classroom is doing to support students in feeling good about themselves and their school environment.  Stay tuned for more information on a positive social school environment… P&F is investigating ideas like having an outside speaker come in and talk at a P&F meeting and having our own Pam Burke inform us about keeping our kids safe in this age of technological gadgets and communication.

Have an idea to share or a topic you would like to discuss??
Come to the next P&F meeting or email your thoughts to
Vanessa, and we will put it on the agenda!
Thanks!

Next Meeting is Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 7pm in the MES Library.
Please come, share your ideas, listen and meet other parents!

Attendees:  Julianne Mills, Vanessa Redfield, Susanne Shapiro, and Francie Marbury

Agenda items and discussion points follow:

1.    The main roles of P&F

P&F supports MES teachers and students by supplying funds to pay for items that are beyond the means of the regular school budget and/or that cannot be met by other means.  P&F funds are raised through two major fund raisers (the Sugarbush Farms sale and the Wreath Sale) plus additional smaller fund raisers like the Garden Seed sale, box tops for education collection, and Price Chopper and Hannaford grocery receipts.  It was decided at this meeting that we will focus on making current fund raisers more successful versus adding any new ones.

P&F provides funding for programs such as the Brattleboro Music Center’s Music in the Schools program and the Windham County Orchestra and assemblies such as Mad Science.  P&F has contributed to the playground equipment, the Field Research programs in the 5th/6th grade and Junior High, and special items for individual classrooms (like the worm bin in Ellen’s room).

Every spring, P&F supports TV Turn Off Week with fun and games to encourage social interaction and Teacher Appreciation Week with goodies and treats for MES teachers and staff.  We have received positive feedback about the New Year’s Eve/Back-to-School Pot Luck Dinner held for the first time this year on the Monday evening before school started.  We hope to make that an annual tradition.

Room parents are an extension of P&F.  These parents are the cornerstone of communication within each classroom.  If a teacher needs information communicated among the other parents, has a request for help or materials in his/her classroom, etc., Room Parents usually use a “phone tree” type system to make that happen.

2.    Filling of Roles, Term Length and Frequency of Meetings

It was decided by those in attendance that P&F will meet every other month.
Upcoming meeting dates are as follows: November 11th, January 13th, March 17th and May 19th.

The following one-year roles were established and filled by parent volunteers:

Chair- This person will serve as the main liaison with Francie, be the main contact person for P&F, and run the P&F meetings.  Filled by Susanne Shapiro.

Treasurer- This person will collect funds, make bank deposits, reconcile bank statements, and give a report of these activities at each meeting.  Filled by Julianne Mills.

Secretary- This person will take minutes at meetings and provide communications for Friday Notes and the MES website.  Filled by Vanessa Redfield.

3.    The Request Approval Process for asking for and receiving P&F funds

A teacher can fill out a Teacher Request form for P&F funds (available in the Front Office) describing his/her request and then place it in the P&F Mailbox in the Front Office.  The P&F Chair will periodically retrieve these requests and notify Francie, the Treasurer, and the Secretary for discussion and approval.

Any other person (parent, friend, instructor, etc.) requesting funds may approach Francie directly and in confidence to request funds.

4.    Relationship between P&F and Marlboro After School Program (MASP)

In order to avoid duplicate fund raising and fun! raising efforts, the P&F Secretary will include the MASP Director in all P&F communications.  P&F and MASP will continue to have separate fund raising and fun raising events, but offer support of each other where and when it makes sense to both groups.

5.    Upcoming Events and Fundraisers

Sugarbush Farms Sale (Vermont cheeses, syrup, sausages, etc.).
Great gift ideas for family and friends.
Information and order forms will go home the week of October 20th and should be returned to MES by Friday, November 7, 2008.
Purchased items will be ready to go home with students on Monday, November 17th.
Contact person:  Cathy Cunliffe, 464.1153.

Wreath Sale
Information and order forms will go home the week of November 3rd and should be returned to MES by Tuesday, November 25, 2008.
Pick up date for wreaths is at the Marlboro Post Office, Saturday, December 6th.
Contact person:  Susanne Shapiro, 254.2570

There will also be a craft session at the Meetinghouse School during the wreath pick up times.  More information on this will follow as the Wreath Sale approaches.

6.    Budget

The current balance of funds is $2, 455.13.

The P&F group that met on September 23rd decided that P&F funds are available for request for two main purposes:
1) For teacher requests for items, research, programs, etc. within individual classrooms and/or for the good of most/all classrooms (like the music and science assemblies), and
2) For general scholarship money to help individual students pay for school-related costs including, but not limited to, winter sports, instrument playing, field trip costs, after-school care, etc.

Next Meeting is Tuesday, November 11 at 7pm in the MES Library.
Attendance doesn’t mean you have to commit to a task!!
Please come and share your ideas and meet other parents!

In the recent past P&F has supported the Brattleboro Music Center’s Music in the Schools program which brings in three excellent concerts every  year.  They have also contributed to the new playground, to the Field Research program in 5th-6th grade and Junior High, and to individual classrooms for special items that are beyond the means of the regular budget.  Every spring P&F supports TV Turnoff Week and, during Teacher Appreciation Week, recognizes the work of the teachers through various tokens of appreciation.

Income
Wreath sale $863
Sugarbush Farm sale $652
Target and Box Tops $101

Expenses
School concerts (Brattleboro Music Center) $440
TV Turnoff Week $20
Ice cream for Fitness Day $25
Teacher Appreciation $115
Library materials $50
Loan to AfterSchool Program $1000
5th-6th grade Field Research $600 (NYC in the spring and Cape Cod in the fall)
7th-8th grade Field Research $300
JH Rent a Kid (babysitters) $30

Current Balance $2330

As you can see P&F serves a vital function in supporting a variety of school activities. At
the meeting we brainstormed some fun activities for the winter and spring – Valentine card making, making and selling special Valentine’s lunches, movie night, bingo night, bring in “the Annies”, game night during TV Turnoff Week. We hope that interested parents will either agree to organize an activity or come up with other ideas. Please call Cathy, Susanne, Brenda, or Susan with your ideas!

We also discussed whether or not to request the repayment of the loan to the After School program and will take that up again at the next meeting after the results of the MASP survey have come in.