Minutes of the Hosack Parent Faculty

September 13, 20119:45am

In Attendance

Annette Jamison, Jen Jorden, Shelley Swanson, Melissa Korol, Coleen Holzhauer, Lisa Gross, Laurie Steele, Paula Cercone, Melissa Wertz, Danielle Landy, Craig Slaubaugh, Jill Baran,Shelly Lannis, Melissa Tabbarah, Laurel Schreiber

Handouts:

  • Budget report
  • Agenda

The meeting was called to order at 9:15am by Annette Jamison

Secretary’s Report – Laurel Schreiber

  • Minutes fromJune are missing but will be approved at the next PFA meeting on October 4, 2011.
  • Correspondence –

Thank you notes from Deb Sundo for the donation to Mt. Troy VFCon behalf of Hosack to commemorate the passing of her father.

Note of appreciation from Mrs. Gail Etter to 5th grade

Teacher Liaison Report- Danielle Landy

  • Thank you from Mrs. Gabriel- Time for Kids Magazine- grades 3-5 Social Studies
  • Question from 1st grade team: A wish list was submitted requesting a Document reader. Resolution: They are on order- CSlaubaughhas the readers.
  • Caring Team Kickoff Luncheon on 9.27.11. The role is to raise money for The Caring Place. Two 5th graders are selected to be representatives from Hosack: Elise Lehman and Carson Caudill.
  • 1st grade COGAT testing will take place October 11-14. A letter to parents to follow

Principal’s Report – Craig Slaubaugh

  • Based on 3rd Day enrollment there are 360 students this year—an increase of 4-5 from 2010-2012. Hosack is the smallest school in the district but elementary enrollment has gone up. The average class size is 20-22 which is well within district guidelines—all classrooms are under 25 students.
  • New information system in 2011: Tyler Technology is a replacement for eSembler and will feature a new parent portal. The system should be up and running later in the Fall. Parents will be able to access assignments, grades, etc. Teacher training is ongoing. Updates will be posted on the District web site.
  • NA is going green! Thursday envelope information is to be posted on the Hosack web site via the eThursday Envelope. One sheet will come home and the information will be listed in Thursday envelope. The Thursday envelope will still be used as a communication tool between parents and staff.
  • Core Team- Bullying program : Staff training in Oct/Nov

On Sept 30 at 2:00pm. Saltworks will perform “Stand up”],” a presentation for K-5 which will reinforcethe anti-bullying message.

  • Pep Rally by UBO on Friday on Sept 16. Black and Gold day for the students. PAW stickersmay be purchased for $0.50 cents which will be donated to the Caring Team.
  • Curriculum Nights:6:30-8:30
  • Oct 4- HES school pictures
  • First grade Farm Breakfast to be held on Oct 6
District Committee Reports-
  • Fall Fundraising

Shelley Swanson; Kidstuff Coupon Book. 50% stays with HES.

Ends Sept 22nd. Will be for sale on Sept 24at Get Acquainted night. The Funstuff Coupon book will be the only sales fundraiser.

  • Melissa Korol: Art class fundraiser. Details to be announced in forthcoming Thursday envelope. Will work with Mrs. Sell to coordinate art class projects.
  • Melissa Wertz- PFA Membership

Membership Letters to be going out this week. Need to stress PFA involvement in elementary activities.

In the past there has been two options: $10 to be a full member, $8 for directory only. A discussion followed as to the need for two options. Laurel Schreiber made a motion to eliminate directory only option. Laurie Steele seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion passed.

  • Shelly Lannis- Opt Out Option- Letter to be distributed to Hosack Community.
  • Shelly Lannis - Birthday Book Club: Reminders regarding Birthday Book- to celebrate student’sbirthdays. Cost between $5-15. Parents can come into library to choose a book. Monthly reminders are sent to parents.
  • Revisited option of giving a Make a Wish Donation in lieu of sending in Birthday treats. Would like to increase awareness of participation. (Annette to follow up with Carrie for a possible inclusion in morning announcements
  • Jen Jorden- Cobra

Last hard copy (Sept/Oct issue) will be distributed on September 17th. Links will be posted to web site. Due dates to be shared among membership and will be handed out at next meeting Would like more contributions from Hosack Community.

  • Get Acquainted Night
  • On Sept 23
  • Theme: “Hosack Rocks’
  • TAG (Traveling ArtGallery”

Need Hosack friend and family to join the TAG committee. Faith Thompsonis available to help members—and Mrs. Sell has also offered her assistance to interested participants.

  • Superintendent Parent Liaison Committee (SPLC)- Annette Jamison
  • Feasibilitystudies/ budget reports from the District were discussed and discussion was led byDr. Raymond Gualtieri. “Working meeting” to plan topics to be discussed in the future. Underlying each meeting will be budget concerns. Minutesmay be available on district website- Annette to follow up.
  • There are many options the district will consider in response to the results of the feasibility study. Options can include redistricting students to current buildings. Also looking at facilities and available space. According to the study there are 651 empty desks in 7 buildings
  • Recommendation 1: Close Bradford Woods, renovate Franklin, Marshall, redistrict
  • Recommendation 2: Close 2 buildings- BW and Peebles, renovate, and redistrict
  • Also an option: reconfigure elementary programs K-2 and then 3-5
  • Budget and Feasibility to be topics for first 3 meetings
  • Introduced “Pay to Play”: $25 fee to participate in Intramural programs. Extra curricular activities need to be funded in some way. Can only increase taxes to a certain point then must go to referendum. 28% of district residents have current students.
  • Gualtieri working to mobilize parents in the district.
  • Programs which could be eliminated: Kindergarten, Band, Orchestra, etc.
  • Format of the SPCL to change: Conversational, information and presentation. Options of utilization of space, cost, budget. What is mandated? Special Ed. Gifted program—form is not mandated. Reading specialists, School nurses--- not required.
  • Curriculum, technology, transportation.—any topics can be brought up.
  • Thursday, Oct 13 is the next SPLC meeting. Need to contact Central Office- Ruth Cope- for an invitation. Anyone may attend only board members may vote.
  • Suggestion: Invite Dr. Gualtieri to next PFA meeting? Annette Jamison will follow up.
  • Open PFA positions:

PublishingCenter needs Chair

EAC- needs members to attend meetings

TAG- need presenters

Staff Appreciation:

Volunteered--Laurie Steele, Melissa Wertz, Paula Cercone

Treasurer’s Report- Lingaa

  • Final report of ending balance
  • Budget for new year- classroom allocations based on class size
  • New budget:

Fundraise to make the budget.

Have excess we are trying to disburse:

Outdoor/Classroom Pavilion to be built by Eagle Scout

Bought 10- 6 foot folding tables to replace old ones

Vice President’s Report- Eileen

Nothing at this time

New Business
  • Pirate Game: Laurie Steele

Springtime, family event

Details forthcoming- will be presented at next meeting

Shelley Swanson will help

  • Holiday Shop- Discussion on feasibility. Project tabled.
Old Business
  • Pavilion Progress- Annette Jamison

Project moving forward.

Foresee no problems with approval process but will evaluate whether the Eagle Scout is able to complete the project. Waiting for response.

  • Next meeting on October 4th at 7pm

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00am

Respectfully submitted by Diane Hake

Hosack PFA Secretary