Minutes From Home And School Meeting

Kearny Home and School Agenda November 08 @ 6:30pm (I do not have a sign in sheet, it was misplaced during the meeting) Environmental SpeakerTom and Mark from Kleinfelder Environmental Consulting firm spoke about the environmental impact of the upcoming construction of the new building. They looked at Soil and groundwater and potential for contamination and found it to be minimal. They are planning on a combination of soil removal and physical isolation of contaminates by the installing of a vapor barrier in the foundation. Dust contamination will be monitored on a constant basis. Budget Report- Colleen reported on the current budget. The positive is that we have had several very successful fundraisers. Some of which have had no expenses (membership-$680 , dress down day-$560 ). The Candy Apple Sale made $720 towards 8thGrade Graduation, the T-Shirt sale made $400. We have a cheesecake sale, candy sale and movie night fundraiser to look forward to and there will be an additional push to make the T-shirts mandatory for gym class after the holidays. All this is good except the fact that we have spent over $1400 on busses for field trip transportation so far this year and we have a long list of trips scheduled for the rest of the year. The collection of money from students for bus trips is an ongoing struggle. Thus far only $60 has been collected to offset the cost of busses that Home and School has been asked to provide. Field Trip Report-Colleen is meeting with the teachers on the next Development Day (November 19th) to discuss the bus/budget issue with the faculty. We have drafted a letter explaining the situation, which will also outline very clear procedures for the collection of bus fees from students. We want to make this process as easy for teachers as we can. The suggested fee for trips is $3.00 per student which will never pay for the entire bus, but it will help to offset the costs a little. Everyone was in agreement that no student will ever be left behind because of an inability to pay the $3.00. Winter Festival-Planning We want to expand upon the Winter Festival/Concert. Invite the new instrument teachers to put together something if they wish (Mr. Blazer and Mr Marcus). Invite any other classrooms to participate-Kindergarten always prepares a few songs that are performed during the school festival which takes place during the day. I have since found out the Mr. McHugh plans the Winter Concert and have contacted him with some of these ideas as to not step on his toes and to find out the date. We would like to have a bake sale (including warm, dinner type food as well), sell the holiday cards that Orna has been making with the students, and have a raffle with baskets of items donated by local businesses. Actions• Baskets for Raffles-Dineth-Movie Basket; Jenni-Coffee basket; basket; Food basket (Almanac Market)-Sue; Colleen- lotions and bath Liberties Walk. • Mrs. Allen offered to help co-ordinate the program *must talk • Orna will design a poster/invite • A food committee will co-ordinate the bake/food sale-Colleen, Charlotte, Sue

Sue-Tea stuff; Jennito Mr. McHugh Anne,

8th Grade Graduation Committee Report$300Graduation- decorations, refreshments, etc.$2460Class trip- approximately $60/student$1025Dinner dance- $25/student$820Graduation Pictures$20/student$1025Yearbook- $25/student$615Cap & Gown- $15/student$100Class Giftapproximately $2.50/student$6345 Total- 41 8th grade students Class dues: $145/student = $5945 (dues can be paid to Ms. Allen in room 201) 6345 -5945 $400 balance to cover graduation activities Through fundraising: • Cover the $400 • Reduce the cost of dues ** Currently the committee is in the process of opening a separate account for the graduation activities. Fundraising The committee has requested that 10% of all general H&S monies raised go to the Graduation Committee (request a vote). Fundraising • Dress • Candy Totals will

events to date: Down Day (10%) Apple Sale (100%) be provided in next month’s report

Miscellaneous • There will be an 8th grade assembly to review the attached flyer with the students before 11/15/08. • Class Officers- Ms. Spagnola mentioned that she would work with the teachers to identify 8th grade class officers. • Graduation Speaker- We are currently looking for a speaker for the graduation, so we can get commitment early. Any/all recommendations will be approved through Ms. Spagnola. If you would like, you can send your recommendation to one of the teachers or Ms. MacGruther and they will discuss it with Ms. Spagnola. • Class Trip- Ms. Allen has experience with travel planning and educational field trips. She will be working with Ms. MacGruther to coordinate the class trip with help from the committee. Card Making Update-There have been two very successful card-making events thus far. The Cards are selling for $2.00 a card. Orna requested that everyone take several with them to sell outside of the school. It was suggested that a flyer go home to tell parents about the cards. The cards can also be sold during the Scholastic book sale during report card conferences. Cheesecake Sale-Sue Volunteers needed for Tuesday, November 18th. Two Shifts Morning and Afternoon Sue and Anne-can do Am until 12:30 Dineth and LaTonta after 1:00pm Ms. Allen will send down 4 students in the afternoon. Candy Sale-Natalie to help and possibly two 8th graders.

Wish list Sue - Updated Wish List will be posted on the Home and School door. Old Business New BusinessThere are report card conferences coming up in December. This is a two day event where parents are coming into the building. Home and School should have a table set up where they are recruiting members, selling water and coffee, bake sale items,T-shirts and cards. Look into having the schools automated phone system calling parents to invite them to home and school meetings. Make meetings a more social event-or offer more social events in addition to meetings for parents to interact-offer food to encourage people to attend. Provide childcare. Plan a skating party for the older children on a half day of school. Actions: Everyone in attendance at this meeting agreed to bring two people to next month’s meeting.