Oak Grove PTA
Meeting Minutes
September 17, 2014
Meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Kim Albea, President. Charon Bonner, Kirstine DiNonno, Jeane Englert, Karen Gates, Tony Gates, Nathalie Hodge, Tom Martinelli, Rochelle Orellana, Mrs. Rooney, Missy Sauer, Dawn Turpin-Orgetas, and Teresa Walsh
Members present: Kim Albea, Charon Bonner, Kirstine DiNonno, Jeane Englert, Karen Gates, Tony Gates, Nathalie Hodge, Tom Martinelli, Rochelle Orellana, Mrs. Rooney, Missy Sauer, Dawn Turpin-Orgetas, and Teresa Walsh
Aprroval of Minutes – May 15th Meeting Teresa Walsh made a motion to approve, seconded Dawn Turpin-Orgetas. June 12th Meeting – Teresa Walsh made a motion to approve, seconded by Dawn Turpin-Orgetas.
President’s Report – Kim Albea
· Smartboards were ordered for two classrooms with funds ($9,000) from last year’s PTA profits. Mrs. Rooney noted that the PTA cannot carry over a large fund balance and decided to use the funds to increase the number of our classrooms with Smartboards.
· The Graduating Fifth Grade Class’s Gift to Oak Grove was to purchase document readers for the fifth grade classes.
· Kim noted that many new parents have volunteered this year. She’s excited that more people will be getting involved in our PTA. Parents will be contacted shortly concerning the areas that they volunteered for. She did note that there are still some openings that need to be filled. We are currently without a Vice-President and a secretary, Missy Sauer is filling in for the secretary until one is found. She also noted that this is the last year for her as President and Kirstine as Treasurer.
· Parent As Partners Night was held September 10 with a great turn-out. Mums were sold and a ‘tasting’ of cookie dough that will be sold was held that night.
Principal’s Report – Mrs. Rooney
· Mrs. Rooney welcomed all of the new parents to Oak Grove and encouraged them to get involved with the PTA.
· Opening Day went smoothly and she thanked the kindergarten parents for their patience the first week of school as some transportation issues were ironed out. Dismissal also is going well so far.
· The school has had two fire drills so far and both were excellent.
· Mrs. Rooney noted that Parents As Partners was a great night and a new experience for fourth and fifth grade parents as this year those grades have departmentalized.
· Safety Team will have a meeting September 26 and SLT will hold their next meeting on October 3.
· Upcoming events for the students include an assembly on bullying September 19 and Ice Cream with the Principal on September 26 (any student who mailed a post card to Mrs. Rooney or participated in a reading program will be invited to attend).
· Fire Prevention has unfortunately been canceled due to budget cuts in the Arlington Fire Department. This program was informational and well-liked by the students and staff.
· Clubs and activities for the intermediate students will begin after Board of Ed approval and they include Peer Mediation, L.A.N.D., Homework Helper Club and Drama
· Mrs. Rooney spoke about the State Exam results for Oak Grove. She noted we did well especially with the increased rigor of the tests. This year the State provided more information for the parents as well as more data for the teachers. Staff will be analyzing this to better drive instruction in the school. Although Oak Grove did well in comparison to other schools and districts, we will still work to improve.
· End-of-the-year trips were presented by Mrs. Rooney. She noted that since field trips have been severely cut by the budget, Oak Grove has tried to send each class on a chartered bus field trip. This year’s trips include: Norwalk Aquarium for kindergarteners; Bronx Zoo for first graders; Liberty Science Center for second grade; Museum of Natural History for third; Medieval Times for fourth grade; and Lake Compounce for fifth graders. These trips see to require parents to pay for their child. Payments can be made in one, two, or three payments.
· She ended her report by noting that her door is always open for parents to express concerns or ask questions.
Treasurer’s Report – Kirstine DiNonno
· Kirstine noted the expenses for this month were limited, Hospitality $10080; Nicky Folders ($431.25); Office Supplies ($53.32); and Staff Appreciation ($221.75).
· Income consisted of Membership ($42.00); Mum sale ($101.00); Renegades Night ($21.00); and Target Cares (236.38).
· Balance in Savings is $2,769.07 and in Checking $1,360.09.
· Kirstine noted that there will be upcoming fundraisers.
Teacher Representative’s Report – Mrs. Turpin-O
· Mrs. Turpin-O spoke about the change in Field Day this year. It will be a one day K-5 event. Volunteers will be needed.
· This year we are trying to have more teachers attend and a schedule has been made to help this work.
· She spoke briefly about the many opportunities parents have to help the PTA – BoxTops, Target Cares, Ink Cartridge/electronics recycling.
Upcoming Events
· Ice Cream with the Principal – 9/26/20144
· No School – Rosh Hashanah 9/25/2014
· Picture Day – 10/8/2014
· Half-Day of School for Students – 10/10/2014 – Dismissal at 11:45 AM
· No School – Columbus Day 10/13/2014
· Penny Harvest Fundraiser – 10/20 – 10/24/2014 (noted that kindergarten children do NOT participate in the Fall Penny Harvest)
· PTA Meeting 10/21/2014 at 4:00 PM
· Book Fair -10/28 – 10/30/2014 In-school purchases
· Fall Festival – 10/30/2014 with the Book Fair open at night.
· Crazy Hair Day 10/31/2014
New Business
· Kim discussed the fourth grade’s request for funding help for a grade level field trip to the Huguenot House. This trip would tie into their Social Studies curriculum and allow them to learn about life in Colonial times in the Hudson Valley. A motion was made by Missy Sauer and seconded by Teresa Walsh, the motion passed.
· Kim again thanked the parents for volunteering this year as well as attending tonight’s meeting.
Adjournment – Motion made by Mrs. Rooney to adjourn, seconded by Jeane Englert. Meeting adjourned at 7:00.
Respectfully submitted,