January 2015 meeting minutes

Here are the minutes recorded at our January 8 meeting.  Financial balances have been omitted in the online version, however, email the PTA at any time with questions at woolwichptc@yahoo.com.

Meeting Minutes-Woolwich PTA

January, 8 2015                                                                                                                                                           6:00

In attendance-Lorna, Sarah, Mona, Debbie, Alaine, Kristen, Beth, Stacey, Amy & Dena

Treasurers Report-

Sarah reported a balance of $XXXXXXXXXX as of November 28, 2014

STUD Fair brought in approximately-

·       915.00 Table rental

·       447.00 Goody Walk

·       617.00 Book Fair

Box Tops-Check received for $1273.10.

Bath Savings Institution-$25.00 for a customer opening an account and choosing WCS as their non-profit of choice.

Box Tops-This drive ends next Thursday. Stacey reported that the next drive will be for a visit from the Morse football team to visit and do a clinic/demonstration for the winning class. Last year Stacey provided snacks.

Family Literacy Night-

Lorna, Kristen, Allison, Jeannie & Mona attended a meeting at Dike-Newell  School to outreach and offer help with an upcoming Family Literacy Night to be held at Dike-Newell School on February 5th from 6:00 to 7:30.

Rosalie Perkins, RSU 1 Choices Program Director is planning this event for existing Choices students and families.  Tri-County Literacy Read With Me will have an area set up for read aloud to children.  Sharon Pyne will have a room for holding a mini Music Together activity and there will be a craft/art station as well as snacks. Rosalie would like volunteer helpers for this evening and possibly extra help when details and projected turnout is known.  The PTA plans to have a PTA info sheet in the take home packet for the students.

Square 1 Art- Mrs. Devin is beginning preparation to have all WCS students create a piece of art to be put on a number of fun items (coffee mugs, clothing, wall art, stationary, etc)  We will plan for the items to be delivered just before Mother’s Day.

Close Buy-We had no major issues with this fundraisers.  We had one order not received that was quickly shipped by Close Buy so the person got it in time for Christmas.  One person had an issue accessing their Winter Kid pass but it was easily solved.  We will review the catalog in the Spring and make a decision regarding using this company again next Fall.  We would like to get the display items for a longer period if possible.

Wellness- Weather conditions (freeze, snow, melt & slush) have prevented the ice rink opening.  Beth Harrington is hoping to have it flooded again and have it ready soon for a community opening.  Beth also received a grant from Fuel Up To Play in the amount $2750 that she plans to buy a smoothie machine and some playground material.

Bylaws-The PTA board will plan to go over the Bylaws and amendments to the bylaws which clarify timing of the annual audit. Membership will receive a copy of the proposed amendments for a vote at the February meeting.

Non-Profit Status-Dena and Lorna continue to check up with the IRS to see if we are recognized as being reinstated online.  This needs to show up online for Amazon to recognize us as a 501c3 organization to sign up for Amazon Smile program.  We know we are in compliance but the monumental backlog at IRS is prohibiting recognition online.

Adjourned-6:50

That was a "doozy" of a break!

Happy New Year from your Woolwich Central School PTA!  We hope your Holidays were happy and healthy.  And how about that two week break?  Whether you spent most of those two weeks with your kiddos,  or had to reorganize your child-care plans, consensus has been "love my kids...but, phew, that was a "doozy".  The day after Christmas, my son had the nerve to say "I'm bored..." (enter an epic squinty-eyed glare from Mom) 

Before we move on to 2015, we owe a big THANK YOU to all of our PTA members who helped coordinator, Karen, at our Shop Till U Drop Craft fair, Bookfair, cocoa/coffee table and Goody Walk!  Despite the weather, everyone pulled together and made it a terrific success!  This is an excellent example of diverse membership involvement, as many members who can not make our meetings stopped by to move tables, deliver baked goods, help with social media promotion, or cover the concessions.  Again, thank you for all you do!

8th grader, Bobby, cleaned house with his fudge bites at the Craft Fair

We had our January meeting last week and have plotted the beginning of 2015, which shows more exciting events and support from the PTA, and potential changes for RSU#1. Full minutes will follow, but here are a few highlights.

Thursday, January 15, WCS will be hosting author Sarah Albee who has written many non-fiction books, and plans to spend some time with each class.  The WCS PTA was happy to provide the funding and we thank Mrs. Luchies for arranging this for our school.

Saturday, January 17, The WCS Wellness Committee will open the skating rink!  A "ribbon cutting" ceremony of sorts will happen at 1:00pm. Thank you to two of our PTA members, Deb and Lanie for sitting on the Wellness Committee and helping bring the vision to reality!  Mrs. Harrington and her wellness team are amazing.

Thursday, February 5, the WCS PTA, with others, will be assisting CHOICES PreK parents and students at a district-level open house and activity night at Dike-Newall School promoting literacy and phonological awareness through music, reading aloud and take-home activities. The program runs from 6:00-7:30 and will serve all enrolled PreK kids and their families.  This outreach from school to home is so important and we are honored to be piloting this with the CHOICES program.  Volunteers, please email us with any interest at woolwichptc@yahoo.com

Baby it's cold outside and yet the Lost and Found is overflowing with warm clothes and boots!  Here is a photo from today; anything look familiar?

Thursday is also the last day for this BoxTop Race!  Winning class will get a 'skills clinic' from Morse HS Football Players! We are also hoping to arrange another "up close" experience with a race car.

As I write this, votes are being counted to determine if the Town of West Bath will leave our district.   The history is far too extensive and complicated to cover in this post; however, what will be important to seek out as the morning hours approach is whether or not enough voters turned out to make the decision valid (whether "yes" or "no").  That's 560 folks who need to vote.  Is it bad if they leave?  It depends on whom you ask and it's not the PTA's goal to take a position/opinion either way. What is real is that West Bath leaving the district will result in some reduced expenses, but also some revenue loss for the district (exact numbers are not known) and that revenue loss will need to be dealt with in the budget.   As budgets are squeezed, programs are as well, and it's important for our PTA to be ready to respond in the event detrimental affects of any departure of district towns trickle down to our kids.  Here is a recent editorial from the RSU#1 School Board . http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/CoastalJournal/Default.aspx?href=MTCJ%2F2015%2F01%2F08&pageno=31&view=document

But more importantly, a withdrawal will mean some changes in the West Bath School Community which currently consists of a wonderful mix of West Bath and Choice students - and while those choice students currently enrolled will be able to finish their time at West Bath, the West Bath PTO, over time, will loose some wonderful parents who have helped in countless ways.  We wish our fellow West Bath school community the best, no matter what the future holds.

In closing, let's all keep an eye on our friends and neighbors (human and pets alike) during these frigid temperatures, and consider that school buses may start a little rough some mornings, and faces and toes may need a few more layers.  We are from Maine, it's how we roll, but it certainly helps to stick together through the darker days of winter.  Stay toasty!  As always, email us at woolwichptc@yahoo.com

Minutes from November 20

Here are minutes from the November 20 meeting.  December's meeting was cancelled, and not rescheduled due to the busy weeks preceding school break (concerts, etc).  The next meeting will be Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 6:00pm.

Last names and full details on financial balances were omitted due to the publicity of cyber-space.  For full minutes and/or dollar amounts, feel free to email the PTA at woolwichptc@yahoo.com

Happy Holidays!

Meeting Minutes-Woolwich PTA

November 20, 2014      6:00PM In attendance-Lorna, 

Sarah, Beth, Jamie, Dena, Mona, Karen, Stacey, Kristen, Debbie

Old Business-

•        Deb reported that PTA members helped out with Grandparents Day which was very well attended this year as well as the Dental Clinic which treated approximately 30 students. Thank you volunteers! •   Close Buy-The final sale’s number for Close Buy was XXXXX including the online sales. We are waiting on final information from Close Buy to see who the top 3 sellers were in our school. Close Buy awards a prize for these students.

Treasurer’s Report- As of October 31st we have a balance of XXXXX in the PTA account. •         Scholastic was paid $1339.00 •           Close Buy Checks deposited in the amount of XXXXX •     Last minute logo - wear orders $117.00

•        $1110.31 paid out for 3 field trips.

Wellness Committee- The ice rink construction is underway. Boards have been placed for the perimeter of the rink and the mat is set to be laid in the next week so the Fire Department can come to flood it. The Wellness Committee is planning a rink opening ceremony where families can come and skate and have hot cocoa. They are looking for donations of outgrown skates to have on hand for kids that don’t have them. FAN Night- Family Activity Night is being planned for the end of January. Date TBD.

Shop Til U Drop Craft Fair

•        December 6th 9-1 •       30 Tables will be on loan from the RSU and 30-40 are needed additionally. Karen would like funding for 30-40 additional tables. Vote-All in favor of funding up to $100 for table rental-APPROVED •        Punch Card-Last year was the first year we participated along with the Phippsburg and West Bath PTA in a punch card that when punched (or daubed with a bingo dauber) at all three fairs enters you for a chance to win $100.00 cash. Vote-All in favor to fund

$33.00 towards the prize-APPROVED •          Hot Cocoa Bar-Last year the 8th graders food sales in the cafeteria during the fair was not successful. This year, Karen would like to try a hot cocoa bar as you come through the entrance of the school. We will need to look for urns to borrow and volunteers to

man the station, we will also need marshmallows, candy canes and other toppings. Stacey will talk to Starbucks and or Dunkin Donuts to try to get the hot cocoa donated and Dena will talk with owners at Café Crème to see if they are able to help out as well.

•        Seasonal Stroll/Donation of canned and dry goods-If you bring a donation of a food item to the craft fair, you will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate.

•        Advertising-The Craft fair will be advertised in the Coastal Journal in the Craft Fair Section. It will also be listed in the Main Street Bath E-News and web site. Next year we are on the list to be included in the published copy of the Old Fashioned Christmas in Bath flyer. Karen will add in the food donation detail for the CJ article for Dec. 4. STUD is also advertised in the school newsletter as well as the marquis out front. The banner we invested in last year has been patched up and will be hung this week. We have also been plugging it on the PTA FB page. As an investment for years to come Karen would like to invest in more signage to put around town. Home Depot has some options that will stand up to the weather and Lorna will check with Staples about a printing discount through her business. Vote-All in Favor of investing up to $150 in signage-APPROVED

•        Goody Walk-Debbie will handle the Goody Walk and has given Betsy the info to add into the school newsletter as well as a flyer to go to all students looking for goody donations. Mr. Lucas got us connected to Applebee’s who donated 130 containers for patrons to put their goodies in.

•        Live Entertainment-We are excited to add in Christmas Carolers this year! The students will be set up in the main hallway, next to the wreath table.

Book Fair- The Book Fair will run from Dec. 1-6. We will need volunteers and two would be useful during the craft fair. We would like teacher’s to give us a wish list in case parents want to donate a book to the classroom. 3-4 baskets will be made using scholastic dollars for a raffle. We would like to give teachers scholastic dollars ($5-10) to spend at the book fair.

Amazon Smile-Dena has been in contact with Amazon and the IRS. She found out that it will take 8 weeks after our re-instatement for our status to show up on the data base of non-profits.

*Upcoming School Board Meeting here at WCS on November 24th. Meeting Adjourned-7:15

Muscles and Bakers Needed....

December 2.  How did that happen?  One day we're batting mosquitoes the next we're searching for a matching pair of mittens.  It seems impossible that we are already staring down one of the busiest times of year.

For the PTA, this is one of our busiest fundraising weeks since Fall.  We have Close Buy orders being delivered via a very large truck Wednesday AM that need to be checked, sorted and delivered to classrooms.  Our Holiday Scholastic Book fair is underway, through Saturday, which we are trying to staff with two shifts throughout each day, 9-3.  61 8-foot tables need to be set-up Friday afternoon which we are renting to vendors for our biggest Shop Til You Drop Craft Fair yet, (running from 9 to 1 on Saturday).  And we are seeking donations for baked goods for the Goodie Walk which will be going on at the Craft Fair (similar to a cookie swap, where patrons fill a container for $3 - a great gift idea or easy way to contribute desserts to upcoming Holiday parties)

It all seems pretty ambitious, doesn't it?  On the other hand, from years past, the positive feedback we have received in the process has encouraged us to keep delivering.  Although there is so much work behind the scenes, what we can promise as a result is that Saturday will be one of the most festive, community-driven days of the year, with Woolwich Central School at the heart of it all.

But there is still more work to be done.  We desperately need some assistance setting up some tables in the gym and cafeteria on Friday afternoon at end-of-day.  (around 3 or later)  Are you coming to pick-up your child/children on Friday?  Can you give 15 minutes to move a few tables?  Do you know someone who can?

Can you drop-off some baked goods at the school on Friday for the Goody Walk?  This means of help  is hopefully one that conflicts the least with work.

While it is the goal of the PTA to shed the image of the organization being solely a "fundraising entity" there are those times of year where it's necessary.  We are really excited that we recently approved and were able to fund transportation for the new Civil Rights team, and B-Team transportation for basketball (nearly $1500)  Perhaps your children have already benefited from this or will in the future.

This is one of those weeks where a handful of six parents can't make it all happen (though don't tell any of them I said that;)  It takes a village and if there is even 10 or 15 minutes of spare time for any Wildcat parents out there for moving tables, or an opportunity for some baking, please reach out by email at woolwichptc@yahoo.com.  We promise it will be worth it!

Wishing you a happy, healthy Holiday season.

Lorna Ryan, President

Parent Teacher Conferences

Last Friday was the close of the quarter, report cards have gone home, the awards ceremony is over, and Parent Teacher Conferences will begin Thursday, November 13, and conclude on Friday, the 14th.  What a great opportunity for all parents or caregivers.

Every parent is different when it comes to expectations for those treasured 15 minutes of face time with a child's teacher.  For some, there are no surprises - reports cards have provided all the information necessary and there are no questions or concerns.  But in this case, should we just assume  "all is well" ? Or, could we take the opportunity to build rapport with the teacher - maybe even offer some positive feedback from base camp?

For others, gathering thoughts or knowing what to say does not come easy. It may even seem

daunting.  Add the new jargon of Proficiency Based Education or Smarter Balanced testing, and one may not know where to begin.

It could be your communications with school leading up to conferences have already been frequent - and that another meeting may seem overkill.  But, again, this is your opportunity to advocate for your child, or brainstorm towards goals that can carry over from school into the home that make positive influences on your child's school experience.  You may hold one small nugget of information from home that could greatly benefit both teacher and child alike.

Truly at a loss for words? Think about what you talk to your spouse or partner about, or talk to other parents about at games and other social time.  Homework woes? Curriculum? New assessments?  Report card lingo? Successes you have seen?

This is a link that may offer some guidance and provide a framework for maximizing the time allotment in conferences.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/09/18/349337543/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-10-minutes-with-teacher

If you have not had an opportunity to sign up, the link is here on the WCS website: http://www.woolwich.rsu1.org

The goals of the WCS PTA will continue to be one of support - for both staff and parents.  As always, email the PTA with thoughts or questions at woolwichptc@yahoo.com

PS

And don't forget to look over the Lost and Found while at conferences!  There is a mountain of clothes, coats, shoes and lunch boxes that will be donated to Goodwill if not claimed.