Dora Moore PTSA Meeting – December 2, 2009

In Attendance: Jennifer Wood, Ann Page, Kendall Gamber, Gary Mullins, Joan Wamsley, Suzanne Toft

  • House Tour proceeds - Began the meeting with a general discussion about proceeds from the house tour. Funds have been set aside for teacher mini-grants and will be available to teachers until the end of December. Limited funds are currently available for field trips, enrichment programs, supplies, equipment, etc.
  • Future structure of PTSA - Discussed restructuring PTSA so that it can remain functional at the beginning of the school year (when new member recruitment is critical) without being completely consumed by the House Tour. The structure of the House Tour Committees would fit into the overall structure of the PTSA. Jen will put together a draft of what this might look like.
  • PTSA marketing/recruitment/retention – Discussed a marketing and recruiting effort to kick-off 2010. Our goal here is to reach out to parents who expressed interest at the beginning of the year. Increased PTSA membership is becoming critical. Between now and our next meeting in January, each PTSA member will be thinking of marketing strategies to recruit new interest. We will discuss these strategies during our January meeting and decide which ones to implement for our 2010 kick-off meeting in February.
  • Communication – Ann believes here son will be able to compile a Dora Moore Student Directory in exchange for volunteer credits. This directory may serve as an additional vehicle to elicit help with school functions. Additionally, Jen will research how other schools communicate volunteer needs (i.e. Ebert uses some sort of web-based email system).
  • RIF Friday, December 11 – could use volunteers.
  • Hold Book Fair during conference week. Children can fill out a wish list prior. Three days should be more than adequate for the fair (5 days not necessary).
  • Childcare is now available at the PTSA meetings.

Principal’s Report

  • Marketing event was held at the Museum of Nature and Science – an opportunity for parents to go “school shopping” for schools. Fairly successful, though parents needed more information. Could use a Spanish speaking translator.
  • Two very successful nights of music program. Many parents/family members were in attendance.
  • Parent and student survey conducted for new playground to select equipment and final plan. Construction should begin last few weeks of May, 2010.
  • School Board meeting – Monday night – redesign of Greenlee (Santa Fe and 6th) will affect Dora Moore. Greenlee being redesigned as they have not met expectations the last 3 years. Middle school students will be within a boundary for Dora Moore as Greenlee will not serve Middle School anymore. Dora Moore expects these students will need extra help adjusting to expectations here. Will need additional teachers/part-time counselor for classes and intervention classes to help their performance.
  • Ann came to the last teacher’s meeting. While the teachers like the idea of the mini-grants, they may also like the idea of pooling the money for larger purchases.
  • Give teachers a certificate at the end of the school year for their mini-grants at the beginning of the school year – more likely to spend it when they are doing their planning at the end of the summer.