Sacandaga PTA Meeting

February 14, 2006

Minutes of Meeting

Attendees

Chris Polsinelli Cathie Sweeney

Jen King Michele Calderon

Cathy Conroy Rhona Beaton

Laura Carroll Fiona Beaton

Lisa Dangerfield Madeline Carroll

MaryPat Burke Rob Hileman

Anne Cardany

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the January 10, 2006 meeting were accepted as posted.

A special presentation was made by Fiona Beaton and Madeleine Carroll, two third grade students at Sacandaga, They are proposing the idea of doing a whole-school newspaper, written by students, and are requesting funds for photocopying (cost for paper only, pending approval on using the school photocopiers). They plan on the newsletter having one page (one side) per grade, every other month. After some discussion on the cost of paper, Cathy Conroy made a motion to approve $30, which was seconded by Christine Polsinelli. All in attendance voted and the motion passed.

President’s Report – Cathie Sweeney and MaryPat Burke

• A card for Greg Patricca was passed around for signing.
• The Fabulous Fridays program was successful, with only some minor adjustments needed on the running of the holding rooms. 110 students attended the first week, and 130 on the third.
• The next program is Friday March 10^th – a performance from the Zucchini brothers, along with make your own sundaes. This program is free, and Ticket Town will run then as well.
• The games have been purchased for the classrooms, and PTA has received several thank you notes from teachers and classes for this.
• School banking started Thursday during lunchtime.
• Beth Fritzeen noted that Walmart gets a monthly donation budget of $500 at the beginning of each. So when seeking a donation, it is best to see manager John Minkler at the beginning of the month.
• Spring Pictures are scheduled for Monday, April 10^th. Everyone was reminded that this is being done to offset the cost of the yearbooks, as we get credit based on how many children are photographed, not based on how many parents purchase picture packages.
• We need to start formulating a nominating committee for next year’s open PTA positions, which include 2 Co-Presidents, Vice President (Programs), Treasurer, and Homeroom Parent Representative.

Treasurer’s Report – Christine Polsinelli

• A copy of the February 14^th Treasurer’s Report was passed out for all in attendance to review.
• The current balance in the General Fund is $9, 812.54. There was income of $24 from membership, and $36.96 for School Pictures. Expenses included $149 for Founder’s Day, $48.92 for Fabulous Fridays (receipts are still coming in), $7.96 for Hospitality, and $377.84 for die cuts on the Ellison Machine.

Principal’s Report

No report was available as John Tobiassen has been out this week.

Teacher’s Report – Cathie Sweeney for Kim Lavery

• Ticket Town is coming up in March. Parents will be selling tickets during lunch, and the drawing will be held during the Zucchini Brother’s program on 3/10.
• The Ellison Machine is not fixed yet – Cathie believes it is due to the cost of shipping the machine for repair.

Standing Committee Reports

• Programs – Cathy Conroy She received an email from Steve Charney – he is coming here and Lincoln School on St. Patrick’s Day – the cost will be split with Lincoln. He will be doing a bullying-like program (without being called a bullying program.)
• PTA Council – MaryPat Burke for Maureen Cioteli Sacandaga did very well in the Reflections program – we had winners in Literature, Photography, and Visual Arts. Linda Plemenik and Mary Pat Burke were chosen Founder’s Day award recipients.
• Homeroom Parents – Lisa Dangerfield Teacher Appreciation Week will run June 5^th – 9^th, the same week of the luncheon in June. She will put a notice in the Goldenrod that it is not the week of National Teacher Appreciation Day. Homeroom parents will not be collecting money for teacher gifts.
• 5^th Grade Luncheon- Cathie Sweeney The theme was determined last month. There is no chairperson yet. Letters were sent out for food donations. The t-shirts will probably be the same as last year.

• Banking – Anne Cardany There was some discussion as to whether or not to do an incentive program to encourage kids to participate in the banking program – drawings for ice cream, etc. It was decided that we would just stick with the incentives offered by the bank – kids get a pencil, pin, or other small token after 7 weeks of banking.
• Cub Scouts – Jen King She is not sure if scouts will continue next year – there is need of a Scout Master and a Treasurer for next year to satisfy the charter.
• Book Club – Laura Carroll – She has received 30 sheets, some from each grade. It will probably begin in March, and different grades will meet on different weeks. The book will be matched to the monthly Character theme.

New Business - Open Floor

• Mr. Hileman made a request for refreshments for next month’s concerts – March 14^th, 21^st and 28^th. He said that parents appreciated the simplicity of them last year – cookies, juice, and water.

• Herman Calderon is requesting approximately $60 for vinyl bags to hold the chess sets purchased by the PTA last year as the ziplocks keep getting destroyed. A motion was made and approved for this.

• Michele Calderon asked if we would be interested in holding a TV Turnoff Week to coordinate with National TV Turnoff Week on April 24^th – 30^th. There was some discussion of how we would want to do that at Sac, and if we would want to try to make it District wide. Michele will speak with Sarah Crounse about the possibility of coordinating this with different programs run by SPACE, especially another Googol of Games.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Michele Calderon

PTA Secretary

Attachments (for file copy only)

Meeting Agenda

Treasurer’s Report – February 14^th, 2006