Attendees

Beth Fritzeen ` Cathie Sweeney

Linda Plemenik MaryPat Burke

Karen Normington Colleen Benedetto

Maureen Ciotoli Michele Calderon

Cathy Conroy

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:12 pm.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the March 16, 2006 meeting were accepted as posted.

President’s Report – MaryPat Burke

The school budget vote will be taking place on Tuesday, May 16^th. Poll workers are needed for 2 hour shifts, between the hours of 6 am and 9 pm. See MaryPat if interested.
PTA Council is hosting a budget presentation and a Meet the Candidates night on Wednesday, May 3^rd at 7pm at the Middle School.
The presentation of the budget to the PTAs is tonight at 7pm, upstairs in room A30.
Spring Pictures were yesterday. There were some complaints from teachers about the disorganization with scheduling and general lack of information. It is also necessary for the event chairperson to make sure that the families are well informed about the details of their participation, as well as to be there for the duration of the event to help with scheduling. There was some discussion whether or not it was worth the hassle. It was determined that it would work better with more planning, and 3 photographers at a time to keep it flowing. At this point we will need to be prepared to organize the photos when they come back. Karen Normington will call tomorrow to see when the pictures are due in.
The flyer about PTA positions is ready to send out – it has a tear-off sheet to return by anyone interested in a position. We are still in need of a nominating committee to go through the forms and arrange a vote. Many current members have expressed an interest in maintaining their positions for next year.
PTA Council has openings for Treasurer and Programs.
At the last meeting, John showed us a picture of an Iraqi child wearing a Sacandaga sweatshirt, sent by a former Sacandaga student now stationed in Iraq. There has been a suggestion that PTA have the picture and letter framed to hang in the school. Karen Normington made a motion to fund this, which was seconded by Linda Plemenik. All in attendance voted and the motion passed.

A letter was read from Margaret Zarnofsky, requesting money to purchase paper to restock a mobile cart that was purchased for her 4 years ago by PTA. The paper has lasted 4 years. Karen Normington made a motion to use box top money to do this, supplemented by our budget. The motion was seconded by Beth Fritzeen, and passed.

Teacher’s Report – Cathie Sweeney for Kim Lavery

The teachers are a little concerned about deadlines imposed by the Yearbook committee. In the future, please consider this in order to maintain full support. (Request for contributing a “memory” had only 48 hours to meet deadline.)
Scheduling the spring photos had an impact on the office staff. In the future, anything that impacts staff needs to go through those impacted as soon as the information is available. It is her understanding that PTA had knowledge of the spring picture date well in advance of the time they asked Linda Liggett to set up a schedule.
A flyer and email was sent out today to the staff regarding getting “celebrity” readers for the PTA Pajama Party on Friday, April 28^th. She will forward all slips to the PTA box and keep a record of the volunteers.
The Ellison machine has been shipped out for maintenance. The delay was due to the cost of shipping. Finally, it was simply sent to District Office to let them handle it. Hopefully it will be returned by the end of the year.
The following dies were received from leftover Boxtop money: XL handprint, XL snowman, large heart, large NYS, small bookmark, school bus, megaphone, reindeer.

Standing Committee Reports

Programs (Cathy Conroy) Instead of having the Midway at the circus, can we just have face painting? (All agreed). Cathy showed the t-shirt design. Each class will have a different color, making them cost an additional $1.50 per shirt ($6.50 as opposed to $5.00). Larry will be returning. He is a vegetarian and maybe we can get him something for lunch other than PBJ sandwiches?
PTA Council )Maureen Ciotoli) A nominating committee is being formed to select officers for next year. The proposal to build sidewalks on Seelye Street is being floored. The Reflections theme for next year is My Favorite Place. The reception was very nice, although they may have to scale back on the reception for next year. The next PTA Council meeting is May 3^rd – the Meet the Candidates Night.
Homeroom Parents (Cathie Sweeney for Anne Cardany and Lisa Dangerfield) They are sending home a flyer about Teacher Appreciation week, and reminding parents not to collect money, but to give a handmade item for their appreciation. They are planning a week long event, including the luncheon. Regarding the Holiday Bazaar, they would like to send home a flyer at the end of this school year asking for volunteers to do crafts, rather than sending the flyers in the fall. They would like to have the kits by August so people can get them a bit earlier. Lisa has already purchased several items in post-Christmas sales.
Yearbook (Michele Calderon) There have been 237 yearbooks ordered. The project is finished except one page that still needs some revisions. Lifetouch has given an extension on this page until April 13^th. A copy of the yearbook is here at the meeting for anyone to review. Michele is interested in taking on the yearbook next year but plans on making significant changes in its operation.
5th Grade Luncheon (Cathie Sweeney) There is still no chairperson for this event. Everything has pretty much been delegated out. Edel Godwin is taking donations for food. The decorations will be set up the night before. Claire Houlihan is doing pictures, MaryPat is doing t-shirts. Nancy Martinelli and Linda Plemenik are doing goody bags. A DJ is booked.
TV Turnoff Week (Michele Calderon) Christine McKenna wrote out a flyer explaining the program to parents. It will go out on the last day of school before Spring Break. National TV Turnoff week is April 24^th – 30^th, which means it begins the day we return. A Participant Contract and a Record of Activities (a chart for kids to fill out what they did each day instead of watching TV) will go out the Monday we return. Any student who completes the week will be entered into a drawing for items being purchased by PTA – gift certificates to Open Door Bookstore, Rock City Gym, the Schenectady Ice Rink, etc. There had been some discussion between Michele, Chris and Cathie about canceling the Pajama Party due to lack of planning time but it was decided it would just be kept simple – some “celebrity” readers, cookies and juice snack. The Pajama Party is scheduled for Friday, April 28^th, from 6:30 – 8pm, in the Library.

New Business - Open Floor

There was no new business.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Michele Calderon

PTA Secretary

Attachments (for file copy only)

Meeting Agenda