Tuesday, October 7, 2014

THANK YOU to all who came to our first meeting of the 2014-15 school year!

In case you missed it... Here are the minutes:

Bath PTA
Meeting Minutes
9/16/2014

Wendy Jung called meeting to order at 6:30PM.
Welcome!

2014/2015 Board Introductions
Wendy Jung- President
Eileen Beasley- Vice President, Dike-Newell School (DNS)
Holly Spence- Vice President, Fisher-Mitchell (FMS)
Cheryl Steenstra- Treasurer
Jess Irish-Secretary

Secretary’s Report
The minutes of the June 2014 meeting were reviewed on the PTA blog. One amendment is required, a new position of Chief Information Officer was noted in the minutes. By-laws do not allow new positions to be instituted without Board Approval.
Motion to approve minutes with above stated amendment, Geniene Marco.
Vote to approve amended minutes.

Treasurer’s Report
Reviewed items from 2013/2014 budget
The current budget was developed based on prior year revenue and expected spending per grade level and standard events.
Motion to approve 2014/2015 budget, Geniene Marco.
Vote to Approve 2014/2015 budget.

Old Business
Charleston Wraps
The Charleston Wraps sale is often the largest fundraiser of the year will run October 13th through the 17th. In past years revenue from the sale has been between three and five thousand. Eileen will be chairing the committee, please see her if you would like to assist.

Halloween Dance
Proposed Date for K-5 Halloween dance is October 24th to be held at FMS.
Jess will be chairing the committee. Further planning will occur at the next meeting. Volunteers are appreciated and can contact Jess.

Box Tops
The PTA has funded incentives for the Box Tops fundraiser in the past. Money raised from the Box Tops go directly to the school. The PTA is considering changing the challenge from a classroom competition to a school wide incentive with all classes working toward a common goal, possibly a full school trip when the goal is reached. There may be incremental incentives throughout the year.
Over $500.00 was spent by the PTA last year on prizes.
Kathy Henrikson and Sue Harrison will work to expand the Box Tops effort into the greater community by placing collections bins at various local businesses.

New Business
Yankee Candle
A fall and spring sale of Yankee Candle will occur as a new fundraiser. The first sale will run October 30th through November 14th.

School Directory
A voluntary school directory will be created for easier communication between parents.
Wendy will start the directory, but is looking for volunteers.

Planet Green
Planet Green is a fundraising and recycling initiative. The PTA will receive reimbursement for any items returned to Planet Green. Boxes will be held in the school for recycling of used ink cartridges, cell phones, etc.
Holly Spence will be chairing. If anyone knows of a place boxes can be placed in the greater community, please contact Holly.

Other Fundraising
A direct PTA donation link will be set up through PayPal.
PTA supporters who use shutter fly and tiny print can sign up to have Bath PTA receive a portion of the proceeds each time they order.

T-Shirts
The PTA will be selling school T-shirts and other items through an online school store. Discussion regarding the possibility of a physical school store occurred, this item will be explored further.
School T-shirts will be available at the Halloween dance.

Requests
Planetarium
Sue Harrison requests $900.00 for a traveling planetarium in-school field trip (North-Star Planetarium). The experience is for all children at FMS and can be tailored to the curriculum of each grade. The event is tentatively planned for November.
Motion to approve request for funding of North-Star Planetarium at FMS, Candy Hernandez.
Second, Geniene Marco.
Vote to approve request for funding.

One Book One School
Joan Newkirk spoke regarding 2014/2015 one book one school program at FMS.
A $3000.00 grant was received from the King foundation All students will receive a copy of the book..
This year’s book is, Mystery of Pine Lake by Tamara Wight.
The presented program to run from January 26 to February 13, 2015.

PTA funding will not be required, but Joan requested assistance with the surrounding events.

Book Fair
Candy Hernandez reported that a book fair will be held at each school the weeks before Thanksgiving. PTA and literacy fund combine efforts and funds to ensure every child receives one free book. All books are ordered through the Bath Book Shop. Wendy Ulmer has published a new book that is being considered for the Lupine Award. She will be present for the parent night. Candy is requesting someone chair the FMS book fair. The chair will need to solicit volunteers for the Friday, Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving break. The FMS librarian will assist the parent volunteer. Eileen will chair the FMS book fair.

Kindergarten
Ms. Wetzel requests PTA funding for the Kindergarten trip to Wolfe’s Neck Farm. The cost of the trip is $3 per child, approximately $300. The trip will occur the week of October 20th. Each child will be requested to pay a fee to share the cost, but all children will be covered regardless.
Motion to fund $300.00 for the Kindergarten trip to Wolfe’s Neck Farm, Candy Hernandez.
Second, Cheryl
Vote to approve.

First Grade
Kathy Henrikson requests PTA funding for a first grade trip to Maine Wilderness Park. The trip meets Next Gen curriculum standards.
Maine Wilderness Park is $3.50 per person for a total of $308.00.
The first grade class also requests PTA funding for a pond unit trip to Lisbon in the spring. The cost will be approximately $264.00.
Both trips will total $572.00, Kim Burgess reported to the first grade teachers that the bussing will be covered for both trips by the school. An attempt will be made to encourage the kids to raise funds.
A question was raised regarding whether students can be asked for field trip funds. Requesting funds from students does not appear to be against policy based on recent events within the district.
Candy motioned to approve $572.00 for the two first grade trips.
Second, Geniene Marco.
Vote to approve.

Principals’ Comments
Ross Berkowitz, Fisher-Mitchell School
Potential plans/goals for the 2014/2015 school year at FMS are;
Bring back potlucks to the school as community events.
Considering Safety Patrols, they are common in other regions but not the Northeast, researching how FMS may participate.
Considering a K-5 book drive that would require PTA promotion. Morse High interact club could potentially lead the drive. The books could be used for the book bank, school store, teacher’s libraries, etc.

Public Comment
Wendy reviewed a list of other potential fundraisers throughout the year.
The PTA is always looking for input on fundraisers and community building events, please let us know your ideas!

Meeting adjourned 7:35



More information to come soon!

Next Meeting:  TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14th, 6:30pm, @ FISHER MITCHELL SCHOOL LIBRARY.






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