Meeting
called to order 7:08 pm
President's
Report: The new Executive Board was
introduced; there will be only five meetings this year to allow more family
time; meeting dates and themes as follows:
9/8 Welcome Back; 11/3 This Land is Your Land; 1/12 Weather Wonders; 3/8
Money Mania; 5/10 A Touch of Spring; minutes of 5/5/03, meeting reviewed; Rosie
Massian motioned to accept; Alicia Smith seconded motion; minutes of 5/5
meeting accepted.
Treasurer's
Report: Ending balance as of 2/3/03
$24,061.00; line-by-line review of Proposed Budget for 2003/2004; starting
balance $24,061.00, projected revenue $65,700.00; projected disbursements
$68,850.00; projected ending balance $20,911.41. Budget vote by general membership; explanation of Miscellaneous
revenue/ disbursements offered; Lauren Asmus motioned to accept budget; Nora
Babbino seconded; budget for 2003/2004 passed unanimously.
Administrative
Report: New parents welcomed; board
members thanked for volunteering; assistant principals Lisa Mato and Ron Masera
introduced; administrative responsibilities at PTA meetings discussed; opening
of school went well; last minute opening of an eighth 4th-grade
section with new teacher hired (Frank Flacco) reduced 4th grade
class sizes from 29-30 to 24; 3rd grade has 6 sections with 26 average in each
class; 2nd and 1st grades have 6 classes with 25 average in each
class; and Kindergarten has 7 sections with 20 average in each class; total 835
students; 311 primary and 524 intermediate; 2 new regular education teachers
hired; we now have three schools within Ridge School -
regular/BOCES/alternative learning program (new - special ed with different
curriculum); goals for this year: (1) implementing new balanced literary program
in 2-4 (includes writing strand); (2) increase independent reading time; (3)
grade-level newsletters; (4) K screening to note readiness level Sept
11-16. New teachers Melia DeVincenzia
(1st) and Leah Fabricante (K) introduced; Open House dates/times
announced.
President
introduced Council delegates Gloria Barnett and Jean Andrew; correction to
recipe book (in "Chocolate Chip Goodies" recipe, chocolate chips
omitted from list of ingredients; there are plenty extra cookbooks available so
encourage friends to purchase at $10.00 each; Dr. G. wished a happy birthday
with a cake and candles; magazine exchange introduced (take one/bring one
already-read magazines; 4th grade activities (memory book and
barbeque) discussed; Teachers' Luncheon went well; 9/22 declared National
Family Day by National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse; make time for
families - have dinner with family; studies have shown that the more often a
child eats dinner with parents, the less they will use illegal drugs.
Cultural
Arts: Disabilities Awareness second
week in November explained by Mrs. Mato.
Committee
Reports:
Need
Board of Ed representative
Membership: Sue Kennedy present to sell memberships at
meeting; purchase at meeting, orientations, or send envelope with backpack;
this year's goals include 10% over last year; 20% men, and 100% teachers.
Fall
Fundraiser: Report by Judy Greco - New
company called Fun Time; lots of great items (flowers, candles,); packets go
out on Monday 9/15, back by Friday 10/3; delivered to school before
Parent/Teacher conferences and can be picked up then.
Class
Parents: Report by Bridget Cariello;
requirements - must be PTA member and sign up for two committees, be available
to help out teachers (shopping); attend class parties; go on class trips; class
parents are chosen by teachers, not committee; selected parents will receive
invitations from committee to attend Class Parent Tea.
PARP: Report Nora Babbino and Sue Kennedy - PARP
starts early this year; purpose is to encourage children to read; October 17
kick-off; theme is "Reading is Beary Fun"; program simplified this
year -- 3-week program, 1 tracking sheet per week, needs only name of book; returned on Friday; no later
than Tuesday of following week; ends officially 11/6; incentives include
pencils, erasers; two grade-level winners receive special celebration; students
who do 100% receive prize from East Coast Black Belt (one month free coupon or
academic patch if already in program); if child writes optional book report
independently of other 3 weeks, prize of plush bear.
Newsletter: Report by Terre Arena - first deadline 9/12;
issues bi-monthly.
School
Pictures - Report by Alicia Smith; scheduled for 10/28 and 10/29.
Reflections
- Report by Maria Re-Kilmartin; national contest based on theme;
music/art/literature/photography; info coming out toward middle of October
"I Am Happiest When?"
Help
Wanted: Mrs. Mato reports we are in
need of staff assistants; 3 hours per day; lunches/hall duties; course training
coming up and required (call Dr. Lonergan's office); then contact Mrs. Mato;
there are several openings.
Meeting
adjourned 8:09 pm
Minutes
taken and prepared by Terre Arena, Recording Secretary
Minutes
approved by Jeanne Knudsen, President