Soule School PTA and Volunteer Orientation Minutes

Meeting Date 10/16/07

6:30pm-8:00pm

 

Attendance – Anna Parrill, Kellie Annicelli, Chris Nadeau, Heather Aldrich, Jackie Buck, Marianne Harris, Christine Cochran, Jennifer Gulezian, Tara Hailey, Kristina Greene Laurie Morgan, Noreen Fantasia, Joan Harper, Susan Stanganelli, Joanne Casazza, Kristine Nippert, Jeff Wildfeur

 

I.                    Introductions were made of board members, staff members and parents present at the meeting.

 

II.                 C.A.R.E Committee; Kristine Nippert & Jeff Wildfeur ; Representatives from the CARE committee which is the Citizen Action for Renovation and Education presented the key points of the renovation project to be made to the high school.  There have been no renovations to the high school in 37 years.  The building contains asbestos, has no sprinklers in place, the electrical, heating and ventilations systems are not up to state code.  The projects estimated cost is 41 million dollars.  Thirty percent of the cost will be reimbursed by the state which leaves 28.7 million to Salem taxpayers.  In March 2008 the town will vote to raise 1.4 million dollars for Architectural plans for the renovation.     We decided the next PTA meeting scheduled 11/07 will take place at the high school.  After the meeting we will tour the high school and see firsthand the renovation needs. 

 

 

III.               Budget – Kristina Greene & Laurie Morgan;  The only change to the budget was an increase to $3000 budget for enrichment programs. 

 

IV.              Fundraiser – Joanne Casazza ; 5,515.75 was raised during the second annual fitness fundraiser.  Grade 3 Brandon Sarcione was te top winner of money raised and will receive free visits to Salem Athletic Clubs new kids room. 

Other fundraising ideas were mentioned including a Sunshine fund in which parents could send a message to their children monthly.  A BJ’s membership was also mentioned in where Soule would keep a percentage of the membership dollars.  A motion to start a fundraising committee was all in favor and will be started to address these ideas.  Also mentioned was  having the fitness fundraiser in the spring and moving the Calendar raffle to the spring. 

 

V.                 PTA Membership  – Christine Cochran

 

This year our membership board will be “School of Fish” themed.  Christine  We have 80 memberships to date from parent and 22 from staff which is 50% of staff.  We are looking for 100% staff participation to receive the Staff Participation in PTA award.  Two raffle prizes to Chunky’s movie theatre and winners were chosen out of the existing PTA members.  The winner of the parents raffle was Bachvan Nguyen.  The winner of the staff raffle was Anna Parrill.    

 

VI.              Special Friends Day – Joan Harper & Noreen Fantasia ; The special friends day will take place November 15th.  There will be a flyer to solicit volunteers to bake, set up coffee station, escort friends to classrooms and clean-up. 

 

VII.            Outstanding Issues – Marianne Harris ;

 

The map is not returnable.  We will see if we can borrow St. Joseph’s map or we will chalk out our map and sell the stencil on Craigs list or Ebay. 

 

Suggestion from Jackie Buck that Open house should be sooner and there should be a sign up for classroom helpers and room parents. 

 

The Salem Observer does not always respond to our addition in the newspaper although the Salem Patriot has been great.  Jen Gulezian will continue to work on getting Soule news to the newspapers. 

 

The SignBoard has new volunteers.  Anna Parrill has given permission to hold the key and letters in the volunteers cars during their month to change the sign.  Jen Gulezian has organized the volunteers and provides the training. 

 

Red Ribbon Breakfast will be held on October 19th.  Tara Hailey and Jen Gulezian will organize the event. 

 

It is more cost effective to have blinds rather than curtains in the rooms.

 

The Parade theme is Polar Express – Noreen Fantasia will chair the parade committee.

 

The teachers would love kick balls and basketballs for each classroom. 

 

We have not received any corporate sponsors.  Kristine Nippert and Susan Stanganelli have offered to sent out request letters.

 

We are still in need of walkie-talkies.  Kristine Nippert to send letters to Kiwanis, Rotary club and Lions Club with donation requests.  Estimated cost $1200

 

VIII            Principal Matters – Anna Parrill & Chris Nadeau ; The Wellness assembly will be November 5th at 9:15am .  Mrs. Nadeau has requested shoe trinkets as a reward for meeting healthy goals.  Request in dollar amount is $250 and is budgeted under miscellaneous. Math Day will be 10/25 – Title 1 Family Night 10/25.  Halloween Parade 2:00 10/31.  Marks close 11/2 – Report Cards 11/9 .  Cherie Smeltzer, Noreen Fantasia and Anna Parrill went

 

 

IX Upcoming Events

 

10/19  Red Ribbon Breakfast

10/25 Math Day

10/25  Title 1 Family Fun Night

10/31  Halloween Parade 2:00pm

11/07  – Next PTA Meeting 6:30pm in the Salem High School library.