PTSA Grant Meeting

May18, 2017

Attendance:Mary McNamaraTracy Demmo

Eileen MolzMarilyn St. John

Jennifer PolimenoKathy O’Connor

Susanna ChuangLisa Callahan

Amy DuverMarianna Albert

The meeting started at 11:10:am.

Minutes:

There was general discussion about the budget and how much was available for this grant session.

Grants:

  • Alternative Recess Activities: a $955 grant proposed by Patricia Clifford and Lauren Dwyer (Springhurst). There was discussion about who will be implementing and overseeing this program. There was general agreement that some of the items could be purchased at lower costs. Suggestions were made about reaching out to the community for donations of “slightly used” or new games to offset some of the cost. Committee agreed to grant $740 as start-up funds for this program.
  • Two Document Cameras:a $359.08 grant proposal from Tara Galati for the Third-Grade Team (Springhurst). General discussion about how the cameras are used. The Committee was unsure if the shipping cost was included in the grant amount. We decided to set aside a small amount from the grant budget in case shipping was not in the quote. Committee agreed to grant $360 for the cameras.
  • 75 Gallon Aquarium: a $1,000 grant proposal from C. Brennan, T. Zarro,
    K. Gelardi and R. DiFiore (Springhurst’s Kindergarten and Maintenance). General discussion about how much is realistic to fund and what can be funded through outreach to district parents. Lisa Callahan knows the owner of a pet/fish store; she will contact him about setting up a system for people to make donations. There was a general feeling that if the PTSA funds the “set-up”, parents would be willing to donate the rest. Several creative ideas were shared: having classes purchase class fish, “Fund-A-Fish”, “Name-Your-Fish”. Committee agreed to grant $540 to purchase the initial “set-up” equipment for the aquarium.
  • 12 copies of “Newcomer Phonics” by Kaye Wiley: a $235.80 grant proposal from Eileen Berasi (Springhurst ENL). There was discussion about whether this expense fits into the PTSA’s mission (bylaws) and if the books’ expense should be covered by the school’s budget. The committee acknowledged the need and the fact that the book doesn’t seem to be available on-line. Committee decided to grant $115 to assist in the purchase of the books.
  • Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Transportation Expense: a $465 grant proposal from J. Sanseverino, E. Berasi and R. Russo (Springhurst ENL). There were several concerns about this grant; benefits only 15 students, why paying for 10 adults, insurance liability for the PTSA. Committee agreed to grant $230 to help with the expense of this field trip.

The Grant Committee voted unanimously on the adjusted grant amounts totaling $1,985. This gives us $15 in the event there are any shipping charges not accounted for with the cameras.

PTSA’s 25th Anniversary and Year-End Party: Amy asked for suggestions on how to find a music source for the party. All the original ideas have not worked out. Marianna said that she would reach out to RiverArts. A suggestion was made that some parents may offer to play. Everyone was encouraged to promote the party to increase attendance.

The meeting ended at12:12.