Old Bethpage PTA

Parent involvement is the key to student success!

January 14, 2010 at 9:30 AM

Old Bethpage PTA General Meeting

Held in the Library

Mrs. Baer welcomed everyone to the meeting and reminded all to sign the respective attendance sheets that are being distributed. November minutes and volunteer sign up forms were distributed. There is especially a need for chair people for committees on the Variety Show. We are always looking for more volunteers, so if you haven’t signed up for a committee, please do so – it’s never too late.

Mrs. Baer thanked the following individuals; Michelle Betz for Hospitality, Laura Campbell, Laura Cardello and Christine Rosa for Holiday Boutique, Ali Kusinitz and Laura Campbell and parent volunteers for Picture Retake and Sibling Picture Day, Chari Nacson for arranging for our December Arts-in-Ed programs for the 2nd and 3rd Grades, Laura Campbell and Ali Kusinitz and parent volunteers for Picture Day, Ali Kusinitz for our Box Tops, Trish Tinter, Michele Betz and Ilisa Lupo and all the volunteers for our Pretzel Sale, Maria Kalamidas and parent volunteers for our Kidstuff Book Sale, Jenn Hilber for updating and maintaining our website – we’re constantly adding our flyers, Mrs. Gray’s flyers and district information as well as our approved minutes, so please visit our site. Thank you also to Mrs. Levine for attending our October meeting and finally Mrs. Gray for her continued support.

There has been a tentative agreement between the PCT and the Board of Education. At this point nothing has been signed. Once it is signed there will be a public announcement.

Founder’s Day recipients were announced. Our parent volunteers are Diane Collins and Debbie Baer. Our Staff recipient is Mr. Ripley, our Band instructor.

Flyers were distributed for 2nd grade families to participate in an art project with Ms. Frimmer. The 2nd grade will be making a finger knitting project and she needs volunteers to help. If you are interested, please complete the form and send it back to Ms. Frimmer. She will contact those parents with the dates and times of the art classes for your child.

There was a short discussion and vote on a yearbook photo. In the grade panoramic photo a teacher is wearing the badge/pin and in the staff photo, some staff may be wearing it. This matter was previously discussed at our November meeting. A vote was taken whether to Photoshop the badges out or leave the picture as it was taken. 11 members were in favor of Photoshoping the badges out of pictures and 5 were opposed. 2 members abstained from the vote. The vote stands in favor of taking the badges out of the pictures.

The health proposal was made to the BOE at Monday’s meeting. It will be circulated for review by the BOE.

A vote was taken to approve the November 2009 minutes. There were no questions or corrections. Randi Scheibel made a motion to accept the minutes which was seconded by Jen Biren. All were in favor, none were opposed, none abstained. The minutes stand approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT:
Debra Baer for Janice Kaye, Treasurer – Current balance is $17,281.

MRS. GRAY’S REPORT:
Mrs. Gray made a presentation on our literacy curriculum. Also presenting were Mrs. O’Neill and Mrs. Chryssos regarding Leveled Literacy, Mr. Sidito and Mrs. Keiler regarding Read About and System 44 and Mrs. Levine regarding Read 180.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Holiday Boutique – Debbie Baer for Laura Campbell: The holiday boutique was held on December 8-10th. The kids had a lot of fun shopping. Overall the boutique had a profit of $1,275 to the PTA. We would like to thank Mr. Richman and Mrs. Lyons, for giving us access to and use of the room for the week, Laura Cardello’s mother, Jeannette Amore and Jennifer Riegler who were extremely helpful in the set up and counting of the merchandise. We also would like to extend our appreciation to all of the mom’s who came down to help with the boutique.
Kidstuff Book – Debbie Baer for Maria Kalamidas – Total Profit was $1550.00. $3100.00 funds received 1/2 of which is ours. We sold a total of 124 books, and still have 46 books missing. We returned 230 books back to KidStuff.
Smencil Sale – Debbie Baer for Michele Betz: Our first sale was on December 3rd and it was very successful. Many kids were asking for the regular Smencils rather than the colored ones, so we will have them for the next sale. We were able to sell additional Smencils at the Holiday Boutique, which was also very successful. Thank you to Laura Cardello and Laura Campbell for allowing us to do this and for keeping track of the money separately. The next sale is on Wednesday, March 10th.
Newsletter – Donna Lupia: Volunteers are needed.
PARP – Caroline Bock: Suzy Klein, the Author of the Horrible Harry series, will be here for a writing workshop with the students tomorrow to kick off PARP. Upcoming will also be a performance of Stone Soup, Storytime with Mrs. Saltzman, along with many fun events for the children to participate.
4th Grade Yearbook – Jenn Hilber: Messages of Love are past due. We have not received messages from about 50% of the families. I will be contacting those families that have not sent something in already. We are also collecting baby photos, field day, Halloween, concerts, plays, and legacy project photos. While the focus of the yearbook is not fundraising, we have already collected $1550 from the Messages of Love. Last year the Year Book Committee collected about $900.
Arts-in-Ed – Chari Nacson: Recent events include Star Labs, Mad Science Bugs for the 2nd Graders, Suzy Klein, Stone Soup. Upcoming in February will be the Islanders, and African Rhythm Tap.
Health – Lisa Mintz: The proposed health policy is still being reviewed in hopes of being passed. There was a scavenger hunt at the High School that was not sanctioned by the school. Teenagers were given a list of things to do, many were vulgar and sexual in nature, some were just silly. Parents need to be aware of this activity and question what their children are doing. This is a Senior’s activity but many students in the lower grades were asked to participate.
Nutrition – Debbie Baer for Randi Scheibel: We went over the working draft of the Wellness Policy and how it will impact food service. We discussed the sensible choice list of approval foods be customized. It was also mentioned to the Whitson’s contact about a child finding hair in the food. He will look into it since hats should be worn during prep and serving of the food.
Title IX – Debbie Baer for Nancy Lubrano – There hasn’t been a meeting in a few months. We are scheduled to meet next week.
Technology – Debbie for Randi Scheibel – The next meeting is in February.
Transportation – Debbie Baer for Suzanne Colon – A form is being worked on that will go out to parents with the August packet for parents to request changes and make complaints. Hopefully this will open more lines of communication as so many people call that office in September and can’t get through! At the November meeting we also discussed seat belts – at this time there is not a law in effect. Rules are up to each school. A rough draft of the form is available if you would like to see it.
Project Challenge – Debbie Baer for Susan Stewart: The OLSAT will be administered again shortly to 2nd and 3rd Graders. A notice in regards to the testing was sent home to those parents. Please check the website at www.pobpcpa.org to learn about our Jan. 27th Geocaching Family Night.
Ducks Game – Debbie Baer for Ellen Harchut: Ducks tickets go on sale next month. We have been again invited to participate in the 7th inning stretch to sing God Bless America. A lottery will be held to pick participating students. The tickets are open to all schools in the POB School District.