Draft
Primary/ Elementary Attendance:
Joint Principals Forum Stewart School: 31 people
January 26, 2012 Stratford School: 40 people
• The Joint Principal’s Forum was held at Stratford School on January 26, 2012
at 9:15 am. Stratford Director, Stacy Stankey and Stewart Director Dorie Mehling opened
the meeting with welcoming comments and thanked everyone for a great turn out at the
meeting. Stacy then began the meeting by encouraging people to attend the PTA Dinner
at Chateau Briand on March 8th. Donations for the raffles for the evening can be given
to Catalina Mueller. Next Stacy introduced Marion Haberman from Little Doctors Blood
Drive. This Joint Blood drive, being run by Stewart and Stratford’s 5th graders, will be
held on February 8th. Ms. Haberman encouraged all to attend.
• Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen spoke next about the Tax Levy Cap.
He explained what the tax levy cap is, how it is calculated, and how it will affect our
schools. May 15th is the Budget Vote. Dr. Fiersen encouraged PTA members to educate
themselves and the neighbors on what the tax levy is so they understand what they are
voting for on May 15th. Further information regarding the tax levy cap can be found on
the PTA Website.
• Laura Roukis, PTA Treasurer, discussed the revised PTA Budget.
A vote was conducted for approval of the revised PTA Budget. It passed unanimously.
The Budget may be viewed on the PTA website www.gardencitypta.org
• Dr. Teresa Prendergast, Asst, Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction,
Ms. Linda Norton, Mrs. Eileen Vota, Mrs. Audrey Bellovin, Dr. Suzanne Voscovich
and Ms. Jean Ricotta Elementary and Primary School Principals gave a presentation
on Common Core Learning Standards. Presentation. Information on the Learning
Standards can be viewed on the school websites.
Draft Minutes
Stewart School PTA Minutes
November 16th, 2011
The meeting was called to order at 9:35 by Dorie Melhing .
In Attendance: 34+ parents and 6 teachers/staff
Board
Dorie welcomed everyone and discussed the agenda. Voted in the minutes from Stewart Schools last PTA meeting on 9/27/2011
Principal’s Report
Stewart Principal, Linda Norton discussed the following topics:
Changes in the procedure to early dismissal sign out. In the past children were signed out in the Nurses Office, going forward children will be signed out in the Main Office.
Introduced Mrs. Dratch, Mrs. Roberts, Ms. Pollicino and Mrs. Tomasheski. Presentation was given on Differentiated Instruction at Stewart School. ***Please note that this presentation can be found on the Stewart School Website***
Library Report –
Mr.”Mack” McAleese
Discussed how to use the Destiny Library System
Informed the parents that every Student still has library time.
Yvonne Varano
Discussed the school budget and what the 2 % tax cap means to Garden City Schools District and our students.
Teacher Representative Report
Mrs. Tomasheski informed the group about the following
100% Stewart School teacher participation in PTA dues this year
Updated the group on what the children have been doing in their “Specials” In music the children have been working on there holiday songs, art, physical education , Band, and Orchestra – holiday show.
2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade updates on what the children have been working on in the classroom.
Committee Reports
Reflections –Stewart School had around 200 applicants for Reflections which was the most in the district. Will have the final numbers at the next PTA meeting.
Sportswear- Nancy Poz
PTA/SEPTA Sportswear orders will be ready for pick up at the HS cafeteria on 11/19 from 12pm-4:30pm
Book Fair – Roberta Clark
Mini Book fair on November 7th & 8th went smoothly. This committee is looking for volunteers for both the Book Swap in February and the Book Fair in June.
Holiday Fair Committee – Shelia Connolly
Holiday crafts will be made at the children’s lunch times on the following days. 11/29 – 2nd grade, 11/30 – 3rd grade, 12/1- 4th grade, 12/2- 5th grade. The Holiday craft fair will be held at Stewart School Cafeteria on 12/6. A list of times classes will be scheduled to go will be sent home. We will be contacting everyone who signed up to help at back to school night soon. Also if anyone would like to donate raffle prizes, they would be gladly accepted.
Arts in Education – Tessie Perrini
We are now starting to look at different programs for next year.
Box Tops- Joan Watson
Box Tops is on a roll. We submitted 1,700 box tops for out first collection of the year. In addition a Halloween worksheet was distributed in all backpacks at the end of October and 101 of hem were completed and returned. There are collection bins and worksheets located in the front of the gym.
Stewart PTA Director’s Report- Dorie Melhing
Stewart School is getting Ipads
Zero period and before School Band lessons. If you would like to sign your child up for before school band lessons please send a note into the office.
5th grade Opera Trip is set for March 3rd. There are 20 extra tickets available for parents.
Garden City Elementary School Report Cards will be remodeled.
Peace Corner painting is postponed until the week of 11/28
Next PTA meeting is on 1/26 – Joint Principal Forum 9:30 at Stratford
Meeting ended at 11:20 am
APPROVED MINUTES
Stewart School PTA Minutes
September 27, 2011
This meeting was called to order by Dorie Melhing, at 9:35am
In Attendance: 78+ parents
Board
Dorie Melhing, Stewart School PTA Director, introduced herself, Assistant Director Jeannine Votruba and Recording Secretary Lori McDonald.
Principal’s Report
Stewart Principal, Linda Norton gave a presentation on the following:
-The results of the State Assessments for Stewart School.
-Discussed the CogAT test that the 3rd and 5th grade students are taking in October. Explained that this is not a state mandate test and it measures aptitude not achievements of a child.
-Discussed the ERB WrAP test that 3rd graders take
- Encouraged everyone to attend the District’s Student Achievement Report at the High School on November 30th at 7:30pm. Will go over last years test results.
-Discussed the workshop that she attended on the New APPR and what changes are being made to evaluate teachers and principals.
-Eating Healthy at Stewart School. Doing a craft instead of getting treats for Birthdays and Holidays. The Survey results from the parents taken last year regarding healthy eating at the school is on the Stewart School website.
Nurse Report
Mrs. Raymond was unable to attend but Dorie Melhing informed the parents that Stewart School has a new part time nurse Mrs. Smith.
Teacher Representative Report
Mrs. Tomasheski introduced herself and had teacher Mrs. McCarthy come up and talk about the 75th Anniversary of Stewart School and the big celebration, possibly a carnival in June to celebrate Stewart School through the decades.
Committee Reports
Reflections – Chairperson, George Peterson discussed this years Reflections theme “Diversity Means…” Explained the six different categories that are being judged. The forms, if your child wanted to participate, are on the Garden City district website. There was 101 participants last year and Mr. Peterson was hoping for more this year. He also informed the parents that Reflections is searching for a Theme for the 2013-2014 School year and the form for this could also be found on the Garden City website.
Health and Safety – Alicia Marciano and Sandy Schneider
School health and safety meeting is being held on September 28th, if you have any concerns that need to be addressed please call or email so they could be discussed at the meeting.
Curriculum- Cynthia George and Kathy Martinus
The committee will have their first meeting of the year with Miss Norton on October 4th. If there are any issues, concerns, questions or comments relating to curriculum or instruction, please email Cynthia George or Kathy Martinus.
Photography – Marie Joseph
Island Photography was a pleasure to work with. Thanks to the many volunteers. The only slight setbacks were that it was raining so class pictures were taken inside and we could have used another box or two of combs as we ran out of them before all the individual pictures were taken. The discount for three or more children needs to be called into the company.
Sportswear- Nancy Poz
Sportswear is being sold now until October 12th. Pick up for all orders placed is on November 19th at the High School Cafeteria. Any PTA member who purchases more than $25 in merchandise will receive a free tote bag.
Book Fair – Roberta Clark
Mini Book fair is set for November 7th & 8th. This committee is looking for volunteers for both the Book Swap in February and the Book Fair in June. Even if it is just for an hour any time will help out a lot.
Holiday Fair Committee – Shelia Connolly
Once we get the class representatives for each class, an email will be sent out about their responsibilities. The committee has started looking at crafts and if anyone has an idea we are more than happy to hear them.
Site Base- Nancy Kephart
October 1st is our first meeting. We will be discussing the 75th Anniversary and Healthy eating survey.
Stewart PTA Director’s Report- Dorie Mehling
-Still looking for volunteers for a number of committees and the sheets for Nominating, Interview, Library and Holiday Fair.
-District Wide Spirit day is October 14th. 2nd and 3rd grade students at Stewart will be making a craft. 4th and 5th grades at Stewart will be able to participate in the parade. The parade will begin at noon. All are encourage to attend the High School Homecoming Football game at 2pm as well. There will also be a Poster contest and the posters will be displayed along the parade route.
-Spirit Day tee shirt sale is going on.
-Back to school night went great and there aren’t any problems to report. Mrs. Calvert’s had to cancel her back to school night and as of today we do not when it will be rescheduled.
-All PTA reimbursements need to be handed in to Dorie for approval. The reimbursement forms are on the PTA website.
Next Stewart School PTA Meeting is scheduled for November 16th at 9:30am
Meeting ended at 11:10 am