Bath Elementary PTA Meeting Minutes, May 8, 2012

Kate Foye opened the meeting at 6:30, substituting for President Geniene Marco.  There were 12 members present.  Both the Secretary and Treasurer’s reports were presented and approved.  

Old business included the upcoming Fifth Grade Dance to be held on Friday, June 1^st at BMS from 6-8 PM.  There will be a DJ that evening.  Kids will receive t-shirts designed by Wendy Jung and made by Mainely Embroidery.  Bob and MJ Warren and Mae’s Café will donate funds to help with the cost of the t-shirts.  Other RSU 1 PTA groups will donate as well.  Heidi Tucker offered to provide water and coffee from Mid Coast Hospital for parents that evening.  Kate reported that the Teacher Appreciation Breakfasts have been organized for Friday, May 11^th.  Many parents will contribute items for the celebrations at both elementary schools.

New business included the adoption of Charleston Wraps for the fall fund raiser.  The PTA received a bonus from the company for signing up early.  The slate of officers nominated for the upcoming PTA Executive Board consists of Kate Foye, President;  Holly Spence, Vice President DN; Wendy Jung, Vice President FM, Geniene Marco, Treasurer;  Christine Walker, Secretary.  The voting will occur in June.  PTA volunteers will help serve lunch for the second grade step-up day at F/M on Thursday, June 7^th.

Dr. Harriman commented on several happenings at F/M.  There will be an all school field trip to Reid State Park on June 8^th (rain date June 13^th).  At this time the sea creatures from the school’s touch tank will be launched into the ocean.  Box Top funds have been used for this trip.  There will be an Award Recognition Day at F/M at year’s end.  For next year’s One Book/One School event Chris Van Dusen will be the featured author/ illustrator.  The PTA will again help with funding for this event.  The F/M Garden Club under the direction of volunteer Anita Derr will have a plant sale on Saturday, June 9^th.  Several members of the club have approached Dr. Harriman about having a bake sale at this time too, and she’s encouraging them to organize this. 

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Heidi Tucker discussed the $10,000 grant from the Davenport Foundation to support summer camps for our elementary students.  Under the direction of Gretchen Brinkler and Heidi, 113 kids will be going to local camps this summer.  Some of the kids will be able to have a second week if all applications aren’t returned in time.

The meeting ended with some discussion of the current budget situation.  Parents are encouraged to attend the upcoming meetings and let their opinions be known about the budget.  The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.  The last PTA meeting of this school year will be held at FM on Tuesday, June 12^th, beginning at 6:30 PM in the school library.

Screen Free Week: April 30-May 4

April 10, 2012 PTA Meeting Minutes

            President Geniene Marco called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.  There were 10 members present.  Both the secretary and treasurer’s reports were presented and approved.

            Candy Hernandez discussed the Read-a-Thon.  Participants in both schools read for over 1400 hours and about $2500 was raised.  Next year’s Read-a-Thon will be held in the fall to lessen competition with other fund-raisers and reading promotions.

            Catherine Buotte spoke about the plans for Screen Free Week, April 30^th- May 4^th.  The evening events are as follows:  Monday Bingo Night, Tuesday Science/ PE, Wednesday Maine Maritime Museum, Thursday Science/PE, and Friday YMCA. 

            The annual Fifth Grade Dance will be held at BMS on June 1^st.  Wendy Jung stated that T-shirts will be designed and ordered for all of the RSU 1 fifth graders. There will be a DJ and food at the dance.

            New business included the upcoming election of PTA Board officers, Teacher Appreciation Day which will be on Friday, May 11^th,  the  Davenport Foundation donation of 70 tickets to the August 20^th MSMT production of Sleeping Beauty, and the RSU 1 budget deliberations.

            The meeting adjourned at 7:50.  The next PTA meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 8^th at Dike-Newell School in the library.

March 13, 2012 PTA Meeting Minutes

President Geniene Marco welcomed everyone to the meeting.  There were 10 people in attendance.  The Secretary’s report was approved.  The Treasurer’s report approval is pending due to Kate’s absence.

                Old business included discussion of the recent dance in February.  It was deemed a success and people offered suggestions to make the next dance even better.  The environment needs to be cooler, have better bathroom access, and a concession area with more space.  Ideas were exchanged to make these improvements for the next dance.  The second Box Tops Challenge is under way with the prize being a trip to the Maine Maritime Museum for a 90-minute presentation for the lucky classroom winners at each school.

                New business included the scheduling of the Fifth Grade Dance at the BMS cafeteria on Friday, June 1^st from 7:00- 8:30 PM.  There will be a DJ and free t-shirts for the kids.  All RSU 1 fifth graders will be invited to attend.  Wendy Jung offered to shop for the new camera needed at F/M School.  The PTA voted to fund the camera up to $200.  Screen Free Week will be April 30^th- May 4^th to lead into the May Fair weekend events in Bath.  Sarah Bingham asked that some of the activities include RSU 1 students and families outside of Bath.  It was suggested that the Maine Maritime Museum night and a Friday night at the YMCA could include students/families in Bath and the rest of RSU 1.  Other evening activities for Bath kids will be a Bingo Night, Science Night, and Fitness Evening.          

                Susan Cyr thanked the PTA for its concert purchases which helped make the kindergarten concert such a rousing success.  Nancy Harriman brought a giant thank you poster from F/M students for the PTA support of the recent One Book One School project.  Sally thanked Susan Cyr for the excellent concert and the entire D/N staff for its commitment to literacy in our school.

                Sarah Bingham informed the PTA about a $3,000 grant to improve the F/M playground area and encourage healthy eating for students.  Holly and Christine shared an idea they have to provide incoming kindergarten parents at D/N with information they’ll need.  They discussed asking the kindergarten teachers to list 10 things they’d like all parents to know.  Sally supported the idea and will meet with Holly and Christine for planning.

                The meeting concluded at 7:35 PM.  The next meeting will be at F/M School in the library on Tuesday, April 10^th beginning at 6:30 PM.

Mobil Food Truck Dates

The Bath Elementary PTA would like to share important information provided by Bath's Mobile Food Truck

Below are delivery dates through the end of October, 2012.

Note: Each truck is the last Tuesday of the month. 
Tuesday, April 24th
Tuesday, May 29th
Tuesday, June 26th
Tuesday, July 31st
Tuesday, August 28th
Tuesday, September 25th
Tuesday, October 30th

WE REQUIRE EVERYONE TO ARRIVE CHEM FREE

TIME: 2:00-4:00 

LOCATION: Grace Episcopal Church 1100 Washington St: Go north on Washington three blocks past the 4-way stop at North St. Just after you pass the church turn left on Edwards St, which leads to the parking lot. The Food Truck will be in this parking lot. There will be plenty of room to park in our parking lot. THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ASKED. If you need food you are welcome to come. Please bring something to put your groceries in…IT WOULD REALLY HELP.  

Join us in the church after 1:30 for a warm beverage and a snack while you wait.

Bath Elementary PTA Meeting Minutes, February 13, 2012

            President Geniene Marco welcomed everyone to the meeting at 6:30 PM.  There were 10 people in attendance.  Both the secretary and treasurer’s reports were accepted. 

            Old business included discussion of the upcoming dance to be held at F/M from 6:30- 8:00 on Friday evening, February 17^th.  Popcorn, goldfish crackers, punch and water will be served.  There will be prizes and raffles during the dance.  Decorations from the Ocean Soup week along with good tunes will liven up the event!  The Boxtop Challenge is going very well at both buildings.  Friendly competition among classrooms is making this fund raiser a lot of fun.  The winning classrooms will be able to enjoy a trolley ride.  Upcoming challenges will have a trip to the Maine Maritime Museum as a prize and a free book at Bath Book Shop.

            Susan Cyr, music teacher at D/N School, requested funding for costuming for the kindergarten concert in March.  The PTA approved up to $150 for costumes.

            Nancy Harriman reported that the One Book One School Ocean Soup project has been amazing.  The kids have participated enthusiastically.  Artists and scientists will be on hand for the culminating event on Wednesday and the week will end with the annual Beach Day celebration in the cafeteria. 

            Claire asked Dr. Harriman about the status of the school budget.  Nancy said that there was a budget retreat for administrators today and news about the budget should be forthcoming in March.  The PTA looks forward to a presentation by administrators which will answer questions about the budget and its impact on Bath’s elementary schools.

            The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.  The next meeting will be at D/N School on Tuesday, March 13, 2012.

PTA Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 6:30 PM in Dike Newell Library

Board Members in attendance: Geniene Marco, Kate Foye, Claire Berkowitz, & Candy Hernandez

Secretary’s Report
The December minutes were not presented due to a computer issue. Claire will try to retrieve and post/present next month.

Treasurer’s Report 

Kate presented the budget. The balance in the checking account is $7,359.46 – enough to cover the approved budget for the rest of the year. Great fundraising efforts have gotten us to this point.

Old Business

• One Book, One School Events - Ocean Soup Tide Pool Poems
• Author Steven Swinburne will be at FM on Monday, January 30 (Snow Day Tuesday, Jan. 31^st).
• Reading and Journal Entries: 1/30-1/15
• The three week project will culminate with a full day, whole school celebration of science, literacy, and art activities led by community members and staff on Weds., Feb. 15. This will be like an indoor field day with classes traveling to different sessions throughout the day. Volunteers Needed! Please let Dr. Harriman or your child's teacher know if you could volunteer for morning or afternoon.
• February Family Dance – Friday, February 17^th in Fisher Mitchell Gym
• Celebrate the end of One Book One School AND kick of February vacation.
• Time: 6:30-8 PM.
• We’ll have some raffle items, Claire will DJ with Ipod, Popcorn – Christine and company, Candy & Reuben will sell tickets, Geniene will get disco ball, Kate will make healthy fruit punch. Snacks/punch $.25, water is free.
• Box Tops for Education – class with most box tops wins a ride on the Bath Trolley. Cut out and bring in box tops from January 9th to February 17th to help. Each box top is worth 10¢ and can be found on many different items at the grocery store. See http://www.boxtops4education.com/ to find products. Ask friends, neighbors, and family members to donate box tops, too. We’ve already received a check for $475 that will be used to buy every student a book for our upcoming One Book One School.

New Business

• Read-a-thon – March 12-23. More information to come next month. PTA will pay for winning classes gifts (Bath Book Shop gift certificates) if necessary. Candy will let us know.
• PTA will sponsor a coin drive in May.
• Looking to schedule the 5^th Grade Dance at BMS in the beginning of June (either the 1^st or 2^nd). Same format as last year. Will hire a DJ.
• Looking ahead – TV Turn Off Week is normally in April. Claire will check with Katherine Buotte.
• Dike Newell has received a $500 grant from Access Health to purchase healthy snacks (fruits and veggies). This should be enough to provide snacks 1/week. Volunteers will be needed to help prepare the fruit for the students. PTA will reach out to parents/community.

Principal’s Comment – Sally Brown talked about the School Advisory Group (SAG) meeting. Parents expressed a need to feel more connected to the school. They are only at DN for 3 years and then they move to FM. They’d like to see some of the events happen at DN. The PTA will make sure this happens in the future.

Public Comment – Talked about the School Budget and the need for parents/community members to be involved. There is a $1 million budget gap in the RSU1 and so people will need to weigh in on what’s important. A survey has gone out to the community for input.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:45.

Because of a concert at Dike Newell, the next PTA meeting will be on MONDAY, February 13th, at 6:30 PM in Fisher Mitchell Library.