PS3 PTA Meeting Minutes

PS3 PTA Meeting Minutes

February 14, 2017 (am)

Introduction

review of agenda; motion to amend agenda (proposal to add more lockable storage); motion passes
motion to approve amended agenda; motion passes
review of January 2017 meeting minutes; motion to approve; motion passes

Presenters

Principal’s Report from Lisa
latest happenings at school: “100th Day” projects; restaurant study with Untitled for the first grade which grew out of their neighborhood study; making valentines for people made to feel unwelcome from the travel bandelivering them to the NYU Islamic Center; Beth & Jack’s class doing Romeo & Juliet with elders, looking at the script and the themes from perspectives of both 5th graders and elders
question about the lead in the water: confirmedthat the water fountain in the cafeteria, which had the highest levelsof lead when most recently tested, hasn’t been functional/operational for over a year
Parent Coordinator Report from Carrie
upnext in our lecture series: on February 28, Terence Houlihanwill present on the developing brain and understanding how children are different from adults
consider running for the CEC, application deadline is March 5
lice checks went well, about to do mandated vision checks for 3rd & 5th grade students, need volunteers for 3rd graders Wednesday & Thursday of this week, will do 5th graders after the break
how can we improve lost & found? should we move it to the basement? post signs? have a push at parent-teacher conferences (early March)?
Co-Treasurer’s Report from Mark
review of income and expenditures this past month

Business of Meeting/Discussion

Jocelyn: proposal to purchase more lockable storage for the PTA and music program (Butch’s instruments)
cost of $850, would be stored in the basement in the PTA locked room, already a line item in the budget
motion to purchase locker(s); motion passes
question about also installing security cameras: after brief discussion of pros and cons, decision to table this idea
Nicole: proposal to purchase materials for auditorium sound system project
DOE is wiring the auditorium and Arthur is setting up sound system in there for much better functionality
equipment involved in project costs $990
motion to purchase the equipment; motion passes

Lauren: motion to amend agenda and add proposal for new fundraiser; motion passes

proposal for new fundraiser: Yankees game in June, we get the tickets at a low cost and can resell them for more money as a fundraiser
cost is $999 to purchase the tickets ahead of time
motion to approve the fundraiser and buy the tickets; motion passes

Henry: anti-discrimination and diversity at PS3
there is a new initiative at school that came out of the SLT about acts of kindness in our school and how we visibly affirm a culture of tolerance, acceptance and kindness
teachers will be making visuals and holding conversations in the classrooms
as part of this initiative, how do we talk about diversity?
diversity can relate to race/racism, class, income, learning styles and capacities, gender identification among children, language
Lisa & Regina are undertaking work this year specifically devoted to diversity with regard to race and racism
NYU facilitators have been working with study groups from PS3 and have given a space and a vocabulary for this kind of thinking and work
next steps: will bring to whole PS3 community; will be purchasing books for our classrooms and librarythat depict people of color in ordinary situations; consider getting involved in the diversity committee of the CEC to help make our middle schools more reflective of the district; work with our teachers, have conversations and be conscious, mindful, attentive
side note: please read the newsletter to stay informed about goings on at school

Marathon 2017: look for information in an upcoming newsletter
Science committee: we need people to talk about this and get involved (Cheryl)
Greenwich Village Antiquarian Book Fair: 2/18, 2/19 – come, fun book projects for the kids, please donate baked goods
Auction and Benefit Bash: online auction concluded; Benefit Bash Friday, March 31, 6-10pm
Class Art Park: March 18 at school