PA Meeting Minutes– October 20, 2016
7:30pm-9:00pm – UGC MPR
Opening Prayer–Father Grzesik
Welcome and Introductions– Nicole Mowad-Nassar
Nicole asked all to do a quick introduction. 18 attendees were present. She thanked the PA leads for their hard work outside the formal meetings. She mentioned that Annual Fund meetings are held weekly on Tuesdays as well as the Communication meetings on Fridays.
PA Bi-Law Annual Review and Renewal –Nicole Mowad-Nassar
The by-laws were recently reviewed as required annually and updated to reflect the modified fundraising model and movement to an annual fund. The by-laws state that the use of funds is to remain at the school. Tonight the leadership team (18 total present) voted unanimously to approve the by-laws. (See attached document)
Annual Fund –Rachel, Kate and Alli
Rachel Kuhn updated the group that “we are currently three weeks into the Annual Fund launch. We are seeing much success already and continue to solicit funds.” This year, there will be a parent solicitation mailing as well. If anyone does not want their parents (grandparents) to be contacted, please let Rachel know to take their contact information off the list. This was also communicated in the last principal’s newsletter.
In three weeks we have had 29 responses and are currently at $58,000 in funds raised. (Please see attached form for further updates and details)
A number of parents have asked if it would be acceptable to deduct Annual Fund contribution from any in-kind donations at the school (i.e. classroom). At this time, all believe that the Annual Fund is separate fundraising and “in kind” donations are still highly valued and appreciated but would be different than an Annual Fund contribution.
The Annual fund team will put out on-going newsletters to update the community and it will include a Q&A section.
Goal is 100% participation and $1,000 per child attending the school.
The leadership team was assured that ALL the money contributed to the Annual Fund would be kept for school expenses only.
Great job to Fall Family Fest chairs Meghann Clark and Kristy Busam!
Everyone had a wonderful time that evening. We appreciate your hard work and dedication to make FFF such a success and well attended event. Thank you!
Fall Social–Katie and Jenny
Katie Donovan and Jenny McKinney updated the team on the Fall Social – Havana Nights. The party will be held at Onwentsia Club featuring a 9-piece Cuban live band, cigar rolling, delicious food and much more! They are working hard to make the event fun for all and help to raise funds for the Annual Fund. Pledge cards will be used that night with some fun incentives to motivate parents to donate. Please talk this up to parents so that everyone is aware of this social and encourage them to sign up. Event flyers will be distributed in back-pack mail and more communications to come.
Room Parent Feedback - Carlotta and Kelly
According to Carlotta Plotner, all is good right now at the UGC. Parents have been great about volunteering and a lot of them went to the recent Holy Fire retreat. Halloween Party for 7th grade will be a visit to Westmoreland. Kids will wear uniforms in lieu of costumes.
Kelly Bukaty tells us that PGC is struggling a bit more to get volunteers. They currently have approximately 50% of the openings filled. They continue to look at ways to motivate and solicit volunteering at the PGC. If you have any ideas or suggestions, they are appreciated - please e-mail Kelly directly.
Mothers' Club - Lauren and Christine
Lauren Peters updated the group on Mother’s Club happenings. The first two events were well attended. The first, was a fun mom’s night out in Lake Forest and the second was an elegant luncheon with a speaker. The topic was “Raising Digital Natives” by DR. Devorah Heitner, PhDand moms enjoyed the time together and learned a great deal from Dr. Heitner on what they could do to enhance the use of technology and understand child behaviors. Thank you Lauren and Christine for all your work thus far!
Mother’s Club will continue to work on ways to brings moms at SOSM together and will also help to give guidance to a possible Father’s Club at the school.
PA Communication Needs - Discussion led by Annalisa, to include all
Annalisa DiVito presented the new communications guidelines (please see attached) for PA leadership to begin to use in streamlining messaging to parents. The goal would be to keep communications to Wednesdays via the Principal’s Newsletter and some Friday back-pack mail. We hope to see less daily messages from the school unless those messages are of an urgent nature.
Based on feedback, Dr. Biancalana is creating a “Curriculum Corner” and adding it to her weekly newsletter to keep parents informed on happeningsat the school surrounding curriculum. She will also continue to host parent coffees to address any on-going questions and concerns on relevant school topics.
The PA team would like to see feedback opportunities for parents and will be implementing a “suggestion box” – a physical one located somewhere on the campus as well as a virtual opportunity for all parents to provide feedback (positive and/or constructive) to the school administration and parents boards to enhance the quality of our school community. More details to come…
Thank you all for attending tonight and we look forward to seeing you at the next Parents’ Association Meeting to be held on Thursday, January 12th at 7:30pm.