Parents Association
MEETING DISCUSSIONS
The Presentation Resource Guide and future resources
Co-president Klara Crean opened with discussion of The Presentation Resource Guide: Services for Children survey request, which was recently sent out to the parent population. This binder, which will be available at all times in the school office, will have contact information for every possible kind of tutor, doctors in children's specialties, babysitters, sports programs, summer camps and much more. Please use this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MSWQ9JZ or fill out a paper form in the office if you have any ideas or suggestions for the resource guide.
The next planned binder will be a listing of services provided by school families, such as realtors, carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, builders, car salesmen, insurance agents, contractors, etc. With the goal of buying local, this will be a great way of reminding school families of the services available right here through other school families. Additional “resource” ideas such as a Book Guide were also mentioned. Please feel free to contact Dyan James at dyjames5@att.net with any additional ideas for this resource guide.
Parent Association Meeting Agenda
The PA meeting agenda will now be e-mailed out in advance of a meeting with a little more detail and contact information for the committee chairs.
Director’s Report
Director Nancy Fischman talked about the busy planning for the Spring Musical to be held on March 25 & 26th. This year’s theme will be “The Jungle Book.” There will be ample opportunity for speaking parts for the kids, and Nancy will be working with room coordinators on grade level songs. Other highlights from the director:
· The 6th, 7th & 8th grade dance recently held in the school gym was quite the “hit” with the upper classes and the Sonoma community. St. Francis and the middle school sports leagues were invited. Head count topped out at 119.
· At the April PA meeting, Nancy will discuss the Stanford 10.
· A grant request for a “fund-a-need” to help fund our enrichment program was submitted to the SVVGA authored by Beth Porter, Joy Steinke and Nancy Fischman.
· The Haiti fundraiser was a huge success and made the front page of the IT. The student council is busy researching non-profits and counting the proceeds.
· Nancy also needs help with planning the end-of-year activities. Anyone wishing to volunteer, please email Nancy directly.
Open Discussion
Parents talked about the logistics of setting up lunch tables on rainy/hot days in the gym and also whether it would be possible for children to spend time in the gym during a rainy day recess (especially the lower-grade kids that seem to be more restless). Further discussion on this will ensue.
Garden/PA Speaker
As part of the speaker presentation of the meeting, committee member Lisa Atwood discussed the progress of the Children’s Learning Garden and presented an initial set of plans beautifully drafted by school parent Desiree Garon:
The garden team has been busy refining the program, including the development of a mission statement and formal program for the garden.
Learning Garden Mission Statement
To provide a new platform for teachers to help our children achieve their educational goals. To create an outdoor learning space where nature may be used to enhance learning, its use determined by the individual teacher as his/her curriculum allows.
Learning Garden Program (or stated Learning Garden requirements):
· A visually stimulating outdoor gathering space on the campus
· Raised planting beds, minimum one per two grades
· Shaded seating for at least 20 children
· Perimeter deer fencing
· Automated irrigation system
· Low maintenance requirements
· Access controlling measures
· Composting area
· Tool storage
· At-grade, themed native botanical exhibits as space allows (butterfly, hummingbird)
· Fruit trees, espaliered or dwarf species
· Water source
· Hand washing facilities
Lisa presented a beautiful blueprint of the garden. Next steps for the committee are to present a preliminary plan and program to the teachers for a short roundtable discussion, to be scheduled in March. Also discussed were the exploration of funding sources and garden bylaws.
March PA Meeting
The next PA Meeting will be held on March 3, 2010 at 8:30 am in the school library. In addition to regular business, Gretchen Armor will present VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) and discuss how it is integrated in the classrooms.
Upcoming PA Meeting Schedule
(all of the following dates are Wednesdays):
3/3/10 – 8:30am
4/14/10 – 6:30pm (babysitting provided by 8th graders)
5/5/10 – 8:30am
5/26/10 - End-of-year celebration, time to be announced