Patterson PTA Minutes
November 12, 2015
In Attendance: Jamie King, Gretchen Greever, Karen Young, Rita Malloy, Diana McCoullough, Julie Mitchell, Natasha Ditoro, Colleen Garrison, Michelle Frost, Elizabeth Carroll, RakheeRaveendhan, Erin SulkinErin Kocher, Becky Pantano, Sarah Stevens, Danielle Minnerick
I.Call to Order
Colleen Garrison called meeting to order at 9:39 am
II.Approval of October, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Gretchen Greever motioned and Karen Young seconded to approve minutes from last month.
III.Principal's Report
Thanks given for Principal Day Gift. Displays for recognizing staff are awesome.
A.Class Sizes
A lot of misinformation about class size is out there so this intent is to give facts. 5th grade is our biggest class right now, but this information applies to all levels. Teacher’s contract shown on display. It says when class size exceeds a range then consideration will be given to adding support. We were at 31 kids in the 5th grade per class this summer and hoping we could get the 32nd student in 5th before school started. We were able to add a section in K and 4th. We never exceeded limit of students in 5th. Parents were advocating on behalf of the school and going to the board. (7 other schools also had class sizes at 31). People are still working on this and determining the cost of decreasing this overall number across district. This is not something we can control now. We can control what we do in the building and we try hard to make sure we do all we can for the kids within these parameters. We did get the 32nd5th grade student in October. Jay Strang and Laura Johnson then decided what we would get for additional support. They could have chosen from a teacher, enrollment assistant, or nothing. We got an enrollment assistant. This was not principal decision. (The principal also does not determine snow days or salaries). Joy Minor was added to fill the enrollment support role. She is great and has experience with this class last year. I was hoping that we would be able to add a class with her as teacher, but we did not get to do that. She has started already.
Jamie King asked what will be done if there is an issue in the 5th grade, if it isn’t working. Mrs. Frost, said that we would love to do more and we are doing the best we can with what we have.
Mrs. Frost showed 5thgrade schedule. Mrs. Frost continued by explaining that all children are counted in enrollment numbers even self-contained special needs students. Within requirements of minutes for each subject, we use interventionist for students based on data and in 5th we are using her to teach a math class. So there are 4 sections of 5th grade math with about 20 per class. Plus Mrs. Minor is supporting in the classes across the board. In ELA block, the kids are differentiated based on reading levels. These are groups of 5-6 kids in guided reading groups. Lunch - When there are behavior issues at lunch, it would make no difference if there were 3 classes or 4, there would be the same number of supervisors in the lunch room. Paint - PA and intervention – small groups for interventions or enrichment in PA or speech. Then, smaller group is in class with teacher at this same time and kids may be enriched as well. Writing is a large group with entire class. This is stressor on teacher due to so many papers to review and give feedback on and here we also use Mrs. Minor for assistant. The kids are not sitting in rows of 31 kids all day. Kagan Activities are also conducted. This is a theory of cooperative learning and getting kids more engaged. It enables everyone to get involved in class discussion in 2 person groups. This prevents the quiet child from being overlooked in large group discussions. We have 2 building experts who then train the other staff. There was a conference that our two building experts attended (on a Saturday) where even information like how many minutes can a child sit before we need to do something that involves movement and doing something else, based on brain research. So, these are all of the things we are doing to enhance a less than perfect situation of large class sizes.
Jamie King stated that there was a rumor going around that there was supposed to be a certified teacher during lunch for supervision. Mrs. Frost answered that in 204 we have paid lunchroom supervisors based on enrollment. We have 5 certified supervisors. Additionally, we have an adult student from our STEPS program who helps in this area as well that has vocational training to help in this role. She has been with us for about 5 years now. That is when the teachers eat because, by contract, they must have a certain number of minutes of duty free lunch. Teacher assistants are with special needs children during lunch.
Jamie King stated that this particular grade has had so many issues involving behavior and now has the psychologist conducting intervention. Mrs. Frost said that, in fact, the psychologist has been involved with each grade each year via the PATHS program and class / town hall meetings with psychologist or social worker or Mrs. Mitchell. The purpose is to discuss current topics within the class. Kids do suggest topics to talk about also.
Mrs. Frost concluded by saying that if you hear things, whatever the source, please contact her directly. She is always happy to talk to anyone about whatever is going on. Mrs. Frost will not respond to any Facebook comments.
Colleen Garrison stated that IPPC meetings are every month at the district office. There is always a speaker and Dr. Sullivan is always there. That is a great place to be able to talk to the superintendent and to ask questions.
Colleen Garrison quoted 4.8 million to reduce one child per class across the district.
IV.President’s Report
A.Adult Night Out Fundraiser
At Tommy Nevins on 2/5/16. We have unlimited numbers that can attend.
B.Volunteer Breakfast
Friday 12/11 at Pancake Café at 9:30. This is in lieu of PTA meeting. Chairs and co-chairs are invited.
Reflections is 2/9 at ScullenMS for certificates
Curt Bradshaw at IPPC and reviewed sitting funding bill.
Dawn Naylin came from Power of Choice to IPPC. This is an organization that provides real time facts to kids about actual use of alcohol and drugs.
American Education week is 11/16
11/19 3:30-5:00 is Charleston Wrap and Butterbraid pick up.
V.Treasurer's Report
See attached report.
Reviewed revenue earned from Wrap, Photography.
Discussion of high amount of PTA members but a small percentage are actively involved in PTA events.
VI.VP – Finance/Fund Raising
Cultural Night –We are still getting some volunteers have some great ones already. As of now, we expect to have an entry form which will explain what we are looking for and then people can sign up to be a part of this – does not have to be a culture or country, can be a State, or a world experience or whatever your cultural experience is as a way to educate others as to what your culture is. Adult or kid can present. Want to gather all entries before the break. We will hopefully create passports for the kids and will get a sticker from each display (for example). At Scullen, they had 3rd party entertainment. We will block an hour of the evening for our own kids to present entertainment – music, martial arts, dances, etc. Also, food and can be home cooked or store bought. January 22nd.
Gift Mart – Tanya Barnes is rep for Gift Mart. Explained the toy drive and how the event works. See prior minutes. This will be starting in next few days. Please donate. See listserv on Monday for further information.
Citizenship award breakfast was 11/10. This went well. PTA gave budget for the breakfast. This will be done quarterly. It was well attended. Mrs. Frost spoke and teachers came in to say hello. Two students from each class. This was in response to hearing how many great kids we have so we were able to recognize more kids in a year.
Science Fair is 2/3. Forms will come home soon.
BBBC will be on listserv later in the month. Jan – March
Caroling at St. Patrick’s Nursing home on 12/9 at 4:30 will be in listserv
District coat drive raised 1000 coats.
Next fundraiser will be Yogurt Beach. Date to come. We need an assistant in this role.
Apparel for Holiday Shop will open again with Boomer T. There will be a few new items. This will be in listserv.
Box Tops –$463 collected first quarter. Hope to have $1000 for full year.
VII.VP – Administrative/Service
Directories went home last week. Contact RoseanneDiConto if you did not receive
Am Ed week is next week. A grab and go snack bar is planned and a catered lunch is Wednesday.
VIII.VP – Enrichment/Social (covered under Finance / Fundraising this month)
IX.Old Business
Danielle Minnerick stated that the kids hated the party snack. We will change it. Gluten free was liked.
Erin Sulkin stated we are still filling roles for December parties and February parties. If teachers get volunteers directly needs to circle through Erin for name tags.
X.New Business
Diana McCullough discussed Spirit Sticks on key chains. Sold for $1 and cost 40 cents. You collect them for the different things you are in. SpiritMonkey.com Revenue from these would cover give aways of these given for rewards. Executive Board to discuss follow up.
The meeting was adjourned by Colleen Garrison at 10:55