PTG Meeting Minutes
Introductions/Announcements
§
Market Baskets – a program to bring fresh fruits
and vegetables to families. This is not
a CSA or a PTG fundraiser. We’re looking
to get more info about the program and for anyone who would be interested in
serving as coordinator.
§ Really in need of PTG officers for next year; current board members will provide a list of duties to create an easy transition
§ Thanks Anita – amazing job organizing fundraisers
§ Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association (TLNA) Potluck is the same night as 2nd grade choir concert; the potluck will run from 6-7:30 with Marg Passman as the guest speaker. Please consider attending in conjunction with the choir concert. Adults $1/kids (12 and under) are free.
§
TLNA Safe Communities Slow Down campaign kickoff
is Wednesday, April 16, noon-12:45 at
Principal Reports:
Anne Fisher – Affiliated
Alternatives
§ April 16 – School Makes A Difference: community members come in and speak to Juniors/Seniors about career opportunities; work on networking; connecting students with community members
§
Daycare doing well at
§ Site visit last week related to urban leadership; Affilitated Alternatives-Lapham-Marquette representatives attended; the school community has come together to support the alternatives programs at Lapham and Marquette
Andrea Kreft –
§ Focusing on next year’s placement of teachers/students; encourage parents to fill out placement forms
§ Will be attending a Healthy classroom symposium (Andrea & Mike)
§
Run for Wellness (a benefit for Health and
Wellness programs throughout
§ WKCE scores went home; call Andrea if you have any questions
§ After school clubs that have been supported by MSCR are not occurring next year; funding has been discontinued
Michael Hertting – Lapham
§ Now have multi-media cart for teachers to use for presentations; have been doing PowerPoint presentations – did one for “above the line” program; also did one on safety using the kids safety posters as background slides
§ Second grade is working on their “culminating” event; will not be doing a tea this year; instead will be singing and each class will do some sort of community service; each class will present their project to the larger group then all will go to a family picnic at Tenney Park; date is not set but will be in May
§
Code red drill coming up; parents will get
advanced notice; likely will be sometime next week
§
Panhandler in school after school hours. Left on his own; incident reported to the
principal after panhandler left. In the
future, should something similar happen, staff will call police to escort off
the premises.
§ Received the professional development grant that was submitted– $8200
Family Fun Night
Need people for the following jobs:
§ parent help with ping-pong tables (3 sets of 3 parents each doing 1 hr shift);
§ help enforce respectful/quiet space in performance areas – looking for “gatekeeper” to remind kids to be respectful when entering this area;
§ to volunteer, contact Deb Mulligan: riverdream@merr.com
§ copper challenge/bake sale announcements will go home in backpack mail;
§
please consider donating any gently used toys that
could be used as game prizes; items may be dropped off at Diane Scherschel’s house:
Scrip Review – Anita Krasno
§ Simplified Scrip; new fundraiser that involves buying gift cards to businesses you already patronize (i.e. Woodman’s or PDQ); each business donates a percentage of sales to the PTG; can buy online or print online application and mail in; easy to sign up and use
§ For more info, check out: http://lapham-marquette-ptg.org/simplified_scrip.htm
§ Please consider this as a fundraising option – tell your friends!
Traffic Discussion
§
Crossing issue at Williamson and Thornton; once
kids reach
§ Looked at crossings guards/signs/moving a light/talked with many people; group plans to get a letter out to parents so they are aware of kids crossing at the intersection
§ Parents need to be more aware of their driving habits when dropping off their kids; driving way too fast and not yielding to kids; dangerous and don’t want to wait until something tragic happens; suggest better signage of where parents should drop kids off (where they shouldn’t)
§ Q: have you considered orange cones? A: Tried that, but some got run over; some got left out; think the “little green guys” (cardboard/plastic cut-outs that could be put up on sandwich board) would serve similar purpose, but may be more effective
§ Q: do you think parents are aware where they ARE supposed to park? A: Not really; it is posted, but is not effective
§ Q: any specific recommendations? A: No traffic flow recommendations; considering a safety campaign with brochures to hand out at the beginning of the school year; considering “reward” days (donation of some sort) to hand out to parents who are dropping off in correct places/driving safely; thinking about having parents out there at the beginning of the school year reminding people where/how to drop off; need to realize this is not just a school thing-but a neighborhood safety issue; try to organize “walking school buses” at the beginning of the school year to encourage walking rather than driving/also walking in groups with adult; get parents involved and make sure commuters know this is a school zone – be respectful of speed limit!; want to get this info in neighborhood association newsletters and Willy St. co-op newsletter
§ Looking for more volunteers/help with campaign to launch next fall; contact Diane Scherschel at 255-8438 or booshouse@hotmail.com for info about the traffic committee.
Next Year’s PTG Expenditures – Ideas/thoughts?
§ Traffic control
§ Dryer for swimming program
§ Dryer extractor to wring out clothes after swimming
§ World language clubs
§ Money to promote referendum (brochures/printing/signs)
§ Teacher incentives (gift card) to attend PTG meetings
§ High and low ropes program (stress challenge)
§ Lynn Najem (risers) other expenses?
§
Arts & Performance line item:
§
Strings program running on tight
budget/instruments in tough shape – consider providing money to this program.
§ Any other ideas please email:
Tonya: President@lapham-marquette-ptg.org
Chris: Treasurer@lapham-marquette-ptg.org