PTA General Meeting October 23, 2008 @ CES at 6:30pm

PTA General Meeting 10/23/08  @CES at 6:30pm

Attendees: Kathy Rutter, Cindy Russell, Dee Cote, Deb Jancewicz, Janet Wetherbee, Kerri Dalton, Sherri Ziomek, Linda Lynch, Julie O'Neill, Gail Browne, Jean McCarthy, Carey Creps, Tracey Aldrich, Kimberly Putney, Lisa Mangini, Paul Muryn, Michelle Sanchez, Kellyn Nahas, Sandy Rochon, Stehanie White, Kerry Currier, Birgit Mueller, Ruth Cabrera, Careyanne Davis, Jamie and Melanie Ayotte, John Orr

Introduction of the board - Sherri welcomed everyone to the meeting and then everyone on the board introduced themselves and the school their children attended.

Budget - Dee Cote - Reviewed the current budget - see attached.  She reviewed the proposal for the budget change reviewed at the previous board meeting and explained it for the general group.  The change was to increase the money budgeted for the In-School programming line item from $12,500.00 to $13,500.00 so as to give level funding as last year for that line item.  It was an oversight last year when the preschool classes were added to the funding.  Kerri Dalton motioned " to increase the In-school programming budget line item from $12,500.00 to $13,500.00".  Cindy Russel seconded the motion.  A vote was taken.  There was 1 vote for no and 27 votes for yes, none abstained.  The motion was passed.

Surfin' Safari Beach Blast - Dee Cote - This is the mother/son dance.  It will take place on Saturday, November 15th, 2008.  Check your polys this week for the information on how to get tickets and how to volunteer.  We are particularly looking for dads and daughters that may be available to help.  Help needed in several areas including: photographers, ticket takers, setup, cleanup... This dance is oven to K-4.

ACE Program - We will be giving out ACE grants this year.  $5000.00 has been budgeted to be spent evenly amongst the schools.  These are curriculum based grants.  Teachers fill out applications.  A committee of PTA members anonymously review the grants and vote on which ones to grant.  Sherri asked PTA members for volunteers to be on this committee.  The committee will run from mid January 2009 to mid February 2009.

Careyann Davis - a physicians assistant - asked to speak at the meeting.  She is not happy with the icecream and snacks offered to kids at school.  She would like to see better quality foods being offered at our schools.  She passed out a flyer of "Top 10 List for Better School Food" for members to review.  She is looking for people to help work with her to affect change.  She will be trying to meet with Principal Hellisen, the school nurse and Mrs Welch the phsical education teacher to try to move the school in a more positive, more nutritious direction.  The more backing she has the better a chance she feels there is for change.  Interested people are asked to contact her.

Announcements about what is going on at the State PTA - Kathy Rutter

Write letters to the President to save the arts in school.

PTA online radio www.pta.org.  It airs every two weeks, Starting Tuesday, October 7th.

State PTA recommends you vote NO on question 1.

The PTA positions for AES Vice President and After School Enrichment will be open effective the end of 2008.  Cindy Russell who currently fills these positions is moving to Florida.  She has done a great job in these positions and in all her help and support of the Amesbury PTA.  We will all surely miss her.  Anyone interested should contact Sherri Ziomek.

Tracey Aldrich motioned to adjourn the meeting.  Janet Wetherbee seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous to adjourn the meeting.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm.