PTA Minutes- November 12, 2013

President Kate Foye opened the meeting at 6:30 PM.  There were 10 people in attendance.  Both the secretary and treasurer’s reports were accepted.

Old business:

• The Charleston Wrap orders have been submitted and will be in before Christmas break.  They will be delivered to F/M School. Kate will need help in organizing and distributing the orders.

• The Halloween Dance was a success, but there was concern about parents dropping off and leaving children, the over capacity crowd in the gym, safety, and kids outside of D/N and F/M attending.  The group discussed ways to make sure that kids are supervised by chaperones including a staff member from F/M.  The upcoming Sock Hop will be limited to D/N and F/M students only.  There will also be a parent sign-up on the flyer for kids who will be dropped off at the dance.

• Kate requested help at the F/M Book Fair, particularly on Friday, 11/22.

New business:

• The Family Fun Night at D/N will be held on January 8^th from 6-7 PM.  The committee has requested a donation of popcorn from the PTA.  PTA volunteers will meet at 4:30 that afternoon to pre-pop the popcorn for the event.

• Joan Newkirk shared initial plans for F/M’s One Book One School event.  This year’s  book will be the graphic novel Lost Trail which is based on Don Fendler’s book Lost on a Mountain in Maine.  The PTA agreed to provide food, prizes, and the $500 budgeted.  Geniene reminded Joan that the Box Tops collected at F/M were used last year for additional funding.

• Wendy Jung shared a rough draft of the Parent Directory, an option for parents who wish to provide addresses and phone numbers for contact purposes.  Jean Edmondson thanked the PTA for funding the Wolfe Neck Farm field trip for grade K students and returned some extra money to the PTA. 

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

October 8, 2013 PTA Meeting Minutes

President Kate Foye opened the meeting at 6:30 PM. There were 10 members in attendance. Kate thanked all of the attendees and provided some delicious apple crisp! Both the secretary and treasurer’s reports were read and approved.

Old business included discussion of the upcoming Charleston Wrap fund-raiser. Kate reported that the catalogs arrived at F/M. Eileen Beasley will transport some to D/N. All catalogs will be distributed to students for families. Kate is hoping that October 17th will be the due date for orders and the goods
should arrive about one month after. The Halloween Dance preparations are underway with many parents volunteering both time and food/drink. There will be prizes from Dot’s, Bath Book Shop, Island Toys, and the Sweet Shoppe for funniest, scariest, cutest, and most original costumes. Soggy Dog photo booth will be at the dance for pictures. Geniene reported that the Box Top Challenge is off and running at both schools. D/N staff has decided to compete by grade levels this year.

New business included a discussion of the RSU 1 school renovation bond. Kate hopes that parents will support the bond in order to provide needed repairs to Bath schools. The annual Holiday Fair will be held at D/N on December 9th & 10th this year. Kim Gates continues as chairperson of this event. She’s looking for a successor now that her daughter will be leaving elementary school this year. Kate reported that she needs volunteers for the dance but is pleased with the support of all present. Geniene presented a request from the Wellness Committee at D/N to have healthy snacks available for teachers at the parent conference evenings in November. Kate will be investigating possible donations from the Sandwich Shop or Subway. Sarah offered to update the PTA blog and agreed to post the meeting minutes there as well- thank you Sarah!

Kate closed the meeting at 7:15PM.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 12th at Dike-Newell School beginning at 6:30 PM. Hope to see you there!

2013 Summer Camp Scholarship Program

Summer Camp Scholarship Opportunities

 for Dike-Newell & Fisher Mitchell Students

The Bath Elementary PTA board recognizes that the joys of summer camp should be accessible to all children, and understands that for many families the cost can be a great financial burden. This was the motivation for their application to the Davenport Trust Fund who generously donated funds for 1-week summer camp scholarships for families who are experiencing a financial hardship. The PTA is extremely grateful to the Davenport Trust Fund and the following camp programs for their generous support of our elementary school children and their families for a fifth year. The following is a description of the application process for a limited amount of 2013 Summer Camp scholarships.

• Who is eligible?
 - Currently enrolled students (2012-2013 school year) at Dike-Newell and Fisher Mitchell.
 - Financial need determined based on free & reduced lunch program guidelines.
 - If funds allow, applications from other families who are not eligible for free & reduced lunch, but who are experiencing significant financial hardship, will be considered.
 - $10 contribution will be required from families per awarded 1-week scholarship, due with camp registration forms by Monday, May 6th.
 - Scholarship funds are limited. If the number of applicants surpasses funds, applicants will be selected randomly in a lottery system with an equal number of scholarships per grade level.


• How do I apply?  
Please fill out a scholarship application, which was sent home with all students on Friday, April 5th and return it to the main office at FM or DN schools. If you have questions, please contact:
- Dike-Newell - Gretchen Brinkler, Guidance Counselor at gbrinkler@rsu1.org or 443-8285 ext 104
- Fisher Mitchell - Suzanne Paule, Social Worker at spaule@rsu1.org or 443-8265
The main offices at both schools will have extra copies of applications if you need them

*COMPLETED APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY THE END OF SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, APRIL 12 - no applications will be accepted after this deadline!


• Which camps will be funded by this scholarship program?

The 9 camp programs that will be funded by this program are:


* Bowdoin College Day Camp - Grades K-5, in Brunswick; Weeks of July 1st - August 2nd; full days. http://www.bowdoin.edu/summer-programs/programs/day-camp.shtml

* Kids Down Under Day Camp @ the Universe Gym - Grades K-5, in Bath; Weekly dates beginning June 17th through July; 9am – noon daily. http://theuniversegym.com/childrens-programs

* Bath YMCA Day Camp - Grades K-5; in Bath; Weeks of June 24th - August 16th ; full days. http://www.bathymca.org/html/camp.html

* Bath YMCA Gymnastics Mini-Camp - Grades K-5; in Bath; July 15 - 19 or July 22- 26; Mon, Wed, Fri, 9am – noon. http://www.bathymca.org/html/camp.html

* Bath YMCA Pre-Team Gymnastics Camp – Grades 2-5; in Bath; August 2nd- 6th; Experience necessary; full days. http://www.bathymca.org/html/camp.html

* Bath Recreation Dept. Day Camp - Grades K-5, in Bath; Weeks of June 24th – August 9th; full days. http://www.cityofbath.com/bath_recreation.html

* Bath Recreation Theater Camp - Grades K - 5, in Bath; Week of June 17 - 21 ONLY; full days. http://www.cityofbath.com/bath_recreation.html

* Maine Maritime Kennebec Explorer’s Camp – Grades K – 5, in Bath; June 24 - 28, July 22 - 26, August 12-16, August 26 - 30; full days.  http://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/events/camps/

* Riverview Foundation Day Camp - Grades K - 5, in Topsham; Weeks of June 24 - August 23; full days. http://www.riverviewfoundation.org/blog/news/summer-camp-registration-begins/




Complete details on all of these camps can be found by clicking on the links above. If camp information is not yet available, or if you have further questions about the camps, please contact the camps directly by telephone.

Transportation:
Unfortunately, no transportation is available to or from camps. Please keep this in mind when selecting camp programs for your child, as several are located outside of Bath. Additionally, the Bath Elementary PTA assumed no liability for the camps. Camp waivers will be signed by parents, as part of the registration process.

Scholarship Awards:

• Parents will be notified by mail the last week in April.
• Completed camp registration forms and a $10 deposit must then be returned to the schools no later than Monday, May 6th.
• If you do not receive a scholarship award letter from us, we encourage you to contact the participating camp programs to find out if financial aid is available.
  

*Application deadline: Friday, April 12, 2013 - by the end of school - noon (1/2 day parent conferences)