PTA meeting – January 31, 2013, 7 pm, Media Center
Meeting called to order: 7:05 pm
Present: Judy FitzGibbons, Holly Flores, Sara Scrofani, Kristen Messerschmitt, Sandra Platt, Michele Nevins, Jennifer Kegan, Jen Meza, Lisa VanZyl, Michelle Brunone, Karli Smith, Stephanie Vaughn, Charlotte Janis
3rd Vice President’s Report – Charlotte Janis
• Security teams have gone through all Trumbull schools, including Tashua, and recommendations will now be presented to the Board of Ed. A question arose around procedures to be followed for after-hours activities such as ASE. Is there a packet of info that can be given to instructors regarding fire exits, etc. Charlotte to raise at principals’ meeting. Question also arose regarding morning drop-off – Charlotte confirmed that parents may enter the back lot by making either a right or left turn.
• Jump Rope for Heart – will be held on Feb. 8th. Grade K-2 during PE class, grades 3-5 from 6-8 pm. No siblings for the 6-8 pm session please.
• Yearbook group photos to be taken on Feb 11
• CMT’s are approaching – parents should not schedule vacations or appointments for the weeks of March 4, March 11, and March 18 (5th graders taking 2 additional tests during this week)
• Trimester 2 district math test being given this Monday for 3rd graders, later in the week for 4th and 5th grades.
President’s Report – Judy FitzGibbons
• Thank yous:
• Lisa VanZyl, Jen Kegan and others for successful holiday boutique
• Rob Sanderson – hockey night
• Mari Jackson – Kids in Motion
• Kristi Adorante – ASE (need new chair for next year)
• Community – for abiding by new policies related to security, drop-off, etc.
• Ping-Town – working to get PTA members to sign up. Some complaints that a login is required each time, but the bugs in the system are being worked out.
• Nominating committee – Judy motioned to elect Jen Meza, Tara Fernandes, and Sue Kivits. Members present agreed unanimously.
• PTA Council – RTI (part of Infinite Campus) will soon be open to parents. Teachers have been entering information for 2-3 years.
Active committees –
• School climate update / Mix It Up Day – TIGER was broken down into one word for each letter – Tolerance, Integrity, Generosity, Empathy, Responsibility, Self Control. These themes will be discussed in classrooms. Mr. Cohen will revamp “Eye of the Tiger” song to incorporate the words as well, and students will sing at an assembly. Mix it up Day went well. Grades K-1 mixed up seats in the classroom. Grades 2-5 were given color coded cards and sat with new faces at the lunch tables. Conversation starter cards were placed on all tables and were utilized by the students. Funds have been allocated by PTA Council for an anti-bullying program. The 6 elementary school principals will agree on a program and bring in a speaker.
• Kids in Motion – Assembly to be held on Feb 15th. Storm Mascot from Sound Tigers will be present. If students turn in the chart showing their 4 weeks of activity, they will receive 1 free ticket for a March Sound Tigers hockey game.
• Academic Excellence – No Knowledge Masters team has been assembled. Enrolled and ordered materials but need interest. Open to 5th grade. Odyssey of the Mind has 2 teams. Book club – looking to start up after end of ASE.
• Bingo – Everything is on order. Event to be held on March 1. Looking for raffle donations, if anyone has duplicate holiday gifts that they would like to contribute.
• Community service – Will be making Valentine’s Day cards for senior at Spring Meadows – cafeteria has been reserved. St. Baldricks Day is coming up – Team Tashua had large group last year, hoping for a large group again this year.
• Reflections – All entries were judged at the Tashua level and all first place winners went on to the state level. We are awaiting state level results.
Treasurer’s Report – Holly Flores
• Need to look into purchase of first aid kit – budgeted for it, but has not yet been purchased – need to determine whether kit from a year or two ago is still usable
• Committee considering another Family Hoedown evening
• Teacher supply closet – still well below amounts spent last year
• Yearbook – need to look into whether a deposit needs to be made (we were required to make a deposit last January)
Meeting adjourned: 8:20 pm
Meeting called to order: 7:05 pm
Present: Judy FitzGibbons, Holly Flores, Sara Scrofani, Kristen Messerschmitt, Sandra Platt, Michele Nevins, Jennifer Kegan, Jen Meza, Lisa VanZyl, Michelle Brunone, Karli Smith, Stephanie Vaughn, Charlotte Janis
3rd Vice President’s Report – Charlotte Janis
• Security teams have gone through all Trumbull schools, including Tashua, and recommendations will now be presented to the Board of Ed. A question arose around procedures to be followed for after-hours activities such as ASE. Is there a packet of info that can be given to instructors regarding fire exits, etc. Charlotte to raise at principals’ meeting. Question also arose regarding morning drop-off – Charlotte confirmed that parents may enter the back lot by making either a right or left turn.
• Jump Rope for Heart – will be held on Feb. 8th. Grade K-2 during PE class, grades 3-5 from 6-8 pm. No siblings for the 6-8 pm session please.
• Yearbook group photos to be taken on Feb 11
• CMT’s are approaching – parents should not schedule vacations or appointments for the weeks of March 4, March 11, and March 18 (5th graders taking 2 additional tests during this week)
• Trimester 2 district math test being given this Monday for 3rd graders, later in the week for 4th and 5th grades.
President’s Report – Judy FitzGibbons
• Thank yous:
• Lisa VanZyl, Jen Kegan and others for successful holiday boutique
• Rob Sanderson – hockey night
• Mari Jackson – Kids in Motion
• Kristi Adorante – ASE (need new chair for next year)
• Community – for abiding by new policies related to security, drop-off, etc.
• Ping-Town – working to get PTA members to sign up. Some complaints that a login is required each time, but the bugs in the system are being worked out.
• Nominating committee – Judy motioned to elect Jen Meza, Tara Fernandes, and Sue Kivits. Members present agreed unanimously.
• PTA Council – RTI (part of Infinite Campus) will soon be open to parents. Teachers have been entering information for 2-3 years.
Active committees –
• School climate update / Mix It Up Day – TIGER was broken down into one word for each letter – Tolerance, Integrity, Generosity, Empathy, Responsibility, Self Control. These themes will be discussed in classrooms. Mr. Cohen will revamp “Eye of the Tiger” song to incorporate the words as well, and students will sing at an assembly. Mix it up Day went well. Grades K-1 mixed up seats in the classroom. Grades 2-5 were given color coded cards and sat with new faces at the lunch tables. Conversation starter cards were placed on all tables and were utilized by the students. Funds have been allocated by PTA Council for an anti-bullying program. The 6 elementary school principals will agree on a program and bring in a speaker.
• Kids in Motion – Assembly to be held on Feb 15th. Storm Mascot from Sound Tigers will be present. If students turn in the chart showing their 4 weeks of activity, they will receive 1 free ticket for a March Sound Tigers hockey game.
• Academic Excellence – No Knowledge Masters team has been assembled. Enrolled and ordered materials but need interest. Open to 5th grade. Odyssey of the Mind has 2 teams. Book club – looking to start up after end of ASE.
• Bingo – Everything is on order. Event to be held on March 1. Looking for raffle donations, if anyone has duplicate holiday gifts that they would like to contribute.
• Community service – Will be making Valentine’s Day cards for senior at Spring Meadows – cafeteria has been reserved. St. Baldricks Day is coming up – Team Tashua had large group last year, hoping for a large group again this year.
• Reflections – All entries were judged at the Tashua level and all first place winners went on to the state level. We are awaiting state level results.
Treasurer’s Report – Holly Flores
• Need to look into purchase of first aid kit – budgeted for it, but has not yet been purchased – need to determine whether kit from a year or two ago is still usable
• Committee considering another Family Hoedown evening
• Teacher supply closet – still well below amounts spent last year
• Yearbook – need to look into whether a deposit needs to be made (we were required to make a deposit last January)
Meeting adjourned: 8:20 pm