November 6, 2014

FFA Meeting

MRE Teacher’s Lounge

Present- Suzanne Lawson, Christine Huddleson, Gerry McLean, Pam Millar, Brigid Brown, Lane Vance, Jennifer Carcasi, Tracy Jewell, Mary Corbett, Linda Hoover, Jacqueline Morgan, Eric Morgan, Natalia Moorhead, Jillian Frisbie, Michael Gates, Shari Aigner, Angela Frantz, Diana Stift, Jennifer Leader, Carolyn Coglianese, Lorene Whitley

1 OpeningMary Corbett

Introductions were made.

2 SecretarySuzanne Lawson

VOTE: The Board amended the October 3, 2014 minutes to read

The Board approved legacy fundraising for the Garden Corps. The fundraiser

details will be approved at a later date.

VOTE: The Board approved the October 3, 2014 minutes.

3 TreasurerJacqueline Morgan

An expanded balance sheet was presented which is easier to understand. The

Halloween carnival income was higher then what was projected. The Mother/Son and Father/Daughter events need their own income and expense category for more accurate accounting and budget planning. (see attached budget reports)

4 Vice PresidentNatalia Moorhead

A bylaw change for Article 4c was presented. (see attached)

VOTE: The Board approved amending the Bylaws to enable the Treasurer to be a single check signer for checks up to $500.

5 President’s ReportMary Corbett

A. A new funding request form was presented to use for requesting additional funds above the allotted funds and also for special funds. Please submit comments/suggestions to Mary prior to the meeting in December. (see attached)

B. SSC – A class size update was given. An additional teacher was hired for special education due to an enrollment increase.

C- Common Core- The new curriculum has a huge impact on teachers and students. As a result of the curriculum change a new progress report will be used to reflect the new standards.( number system 1-4 ) Principal Crane will be hosting a Common Core Coffee for parents on Thursday November 13th to address the new standards and progress reports.

D SRSC- The SDUSD calendar is expected to change for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years to accommodate a late Labor Day in 2015 and aligning all the schools to a traditional year and same schedule. Please submit comments to Mary prior to November 18th. (see attached)

6 Committee Reports

A Pledge DriveTracy Jewell

Tax donation letters were sent home. An additional $8025 is needed to meet the pledge drive goal. November 14th is the deadline for the Science class drawing.

B Halloween CarnivalJillian Frisbie

The carnival was a great success. All items are currently being stored in the storage shed or in the FFA storeroom. Storage racks will be purchased for the back room and a lock added to the door. Angela Franz stated the raffle was a huge success and she would like to simplify the baskets next year, 1 per grade level possibly. Also carnival patrons would receive a bidding number to simplify the raffle and silent auction.

A volunteer(s) is needed to chair the 2015 Halloween Carnival.

C Candy Drive- 11/3-11/13Jennifer Leader

Scripps Pediatric Dentistry will be collecting Halloween candy. Students are to go in person and identify themselves as an MRE student and give their classroom #. MRE will receive $1 per pound and the candy goes to the troops. The class with the most pounds will receive a pizza party.

D Mother/Son Night 11/20Jennifer Leader

Get Air will host the event which will include 2 hours of jumping and 1 hour banquet time. There will be dodge ball grade level teams, Mom teams and prizes. Register online and no alumni or siblings allowed.

E Students Who CareSuzanne Lawson

MRE students will participate in the Holiday Food Drive to benefit the San Diego Food Bank. Student Council will pass out boxes to each classroom on Friday November 21st. Food will becollected from Dec 1-12th.

7 Program Updates

A Green TeamJennifer Leader

An organizational chart shows the hierarchy and scope of the Green Team. (see attached).

1-Fruit trees will be planted to start the orchard.

2-A Boy Scout will be installing the irrigation drip system for the beds.

3-There will be one planter box per class.

4-Garden to Café- The school garden grows food to be served in the salad bar in the school cafeteria. Jennifer is completing certification.

5-Curriculum- The District provided the curriculum for garden activities per grade level. The curriculum will be taught by parent volunteers. Four lessons will be offered per grade per year. Classroom teachers must be onsite during these sessions. Currently 17 classes are participating and more volunteers are needed.

6- Budget- An annual budget of $1500 is needed for replacement soil, consumables, rewarding student participation and improving the garden space. Six fruit trees would be added and 3 classroom beds annually.

7-Special fundraiser-An inaugural legacy fundraiser is being planned. It will be presented at a later meeting.

VOTE: The Board approved a Garden Corps annual budget of $1500 for the 2014-2015 school year.

B FundraisingAngela Franz

New fundraising procedures will streamline the process. A spreadsheet will be maintained naming all the businesses that support MRE and the contact person.

  1. Notify Angela prior to contacting a business for a donation.
  2. A quarterly meeting will be held with all fundraising chairs.
  3. A fundraising committee will be established. Jillian Frisbie and Jennifer Leader agreed to join the committee.

8 School Service Updates

A. Safety ImprovementsNatalia Moorhead

Student drop off and pick up is a safety hazard. Natalia will follow up with the school’s police officer and will contact the city about making changes to the street signs. Installing additional signs and a mobile flashing sign in the street are some ideas to improve student safety.

B Directory UpdateMary Corbett

The MRE Directory will go to the printer this week. The cost of printing is $1700 and the advertising revenue was $1800.

C SRCA Newsletter and 92131 MagazineMary Corbett

Student submissions suggested. Any student name/picture must be cleared through the media database that Lori Whitley maintains.

Meeting adjourned 9:34am

Respectfully submitted,

Suzanne Lawson