This information was originally posted on August 31, 2007. If this information is time sensitive, please do a reality check and put things in their proper context. Some of the old information is still useful, which is why we've left it here in the archives. Thanks.
Central School PTA Minutes
Tuesday June 5, 2007
Introduction: The meeting began at 9:10 am at the Central School Library. The PTA officers in attendance: Linda LaBelle, Mary Ellen Meindl, Jeannine Glavas, Kathy Dudek, Allyn Pilewski, Rick LaBelle, Patrick O’Laughlin, Sue Miller and Nancy Hopkins. Also in attendance: School District Superintendent, Dr. Lamberson and Central School Principal, Dr. Limperis.
Minutes: The May 1, 2007 minutes were approved by Robin Benoy and seconded by Anne Kodama.
President’s Report: Linda LaBelle reported that based on the results of the Teacher Survey, Grandparents Day would be eliminated for next year. Grandparents are welcome and can participate in many ways at Central including helping in the Library and participating as a Mystery Reader. Science in the Can received positive feedback and will continue for Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grade. Linda LaBelle thanked the previous board for all their hard work and introduced the new officers as follows:
- Linda LaBelle – President
- Mary Ellen Meindl – Co-First Vice President
- Jeannine Glavas – Co-First Vice President
- Kathy Dudek – Second Vice President
- Allyn Pilewski – Third Vice President
- Rick LaBelle – Treasurer
- Patrick O’Laughlin – Recording Secretary
- Sue Miller – Corresponding Secretary
- Nancy Hopkins – Parliamentarian
Membership: Mary Ellen Meindl reported that 130 families out of 270 in Central School have signed up for the PTA. PTA application forms will be included in registration packets. Mary Ellen informed that some committees are not chaired including: Halloween program (small project), Library (big project), Preschool screening (small- 1 day), Halloween windows (small project), and Reflections (small project).
Correspondence: Sue Miller sent Teacher Appreciation comments around.
Treasurer’s Report: Rick LaBelle requested that expenses be sent in to limit carryover. The new budget begins July 1st.
Philanthropy Report: Cathy Louthen detailed philanthropy requests.
- Music teacher Bill Howes requested audio portfolios (iPod), 2 iPods and 2 docking stations ($747.80).
- The teachers have requested two metal frame picnic tables for outside the blacktop area.
- School entrance mats with Central School Logo will be purchased for $2330. (Two for the main entrance and one for the 1st Grade entrance)
- The remaining Cultural Arts books about getting to know your artist will be funded.
- A “Welcome to Central School” banner (one color with white background) for the beginning of school, open house and parent night will be funded.
- Peggy Dost requested a fitness center with climbing wall, resistance bands, a stepper and nutrition center. The fitness center would not be located in the gym. A motion to approve these projects was brought by Nancy Hopkins and seconded by Sheila Daily and was approved.
Central 100% Fund: Sheila Daily reported that we will replace several fundraisers with the Central 100% Fund, allowing more time to be spent volunteering instead of selling products. The fundraisers to be eliminated are: Market Day, See’s Candies, Aunt Diana, Carson’s Days and the 4th of July Pizza Booth. Market Day purchases can still be made at the Sara Lee store and credit can be given to Central School. The fundraisers that will be kept are: Innisbrook, Pavers, Notecards, Target Visa and Boxtops and Labels. The 100% Fund will allow 100% of the donation to go to Central (instead of being shared with the fundraising company) and is 100% tax deductible. Sheila thanked Janan Cain for making a logo of the roadrunner for the fund and thanked Kathy Dudek for helping. The 100% fund will be reviewed in the spring.
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Lamberson thanked everyone for a great year. He reported that the Enrollment Study Group is on the website and the Traffic Study will be available mid-June and the recommendations will be implemented next year. He expects a positive result from the bargaining for the new teacher contract and would like to have a contract by the beginning of the school year. Champions will be handling the before and after school program this year. The school leases the space to Champions at 5% of revenue. The Spanish Quest program will not be returning for next year. Dr. Lamberson stated that the program at Hollywood School is looking for teachers to expand the program to Central, but that it is still being worked out. Hauser is in the process of creating a fitness center, but they are trying to find a place for it. District 96 stands to loose $70,000.00 a year if Carson’s and JC Penney win the fight over their tax assessments. A question was raised regarding the possibility of offering a district wide language program prior to 7th grade, which Dr. Lamberson stated that they would look into for the future. Another question was posed regarding school closings and they are looking at other notification methods when the school has an emergency closing. The last question raised was about enrollment, to which Dr. Lamberson reported that existing 1st grade will be capped at 21 children but if a child moves out of the district, the exemption would be removed and the class size would go back to 20. Central school cannot support 4 sections of each grade.
Principal’s Report: Dr Limperis reported that Cara Heneberry from Baker school in Wilmette has been hired as the new Kindergarten and Enrichment teacher. There has been a proposed shift in the schedule for Kindergarten to allow teachers to have a 40 minute break for lunch. The new schedule is morning class from 8:15am to 11:20am and afternoon class from 12:00pm to 3:05pm. Dr. Limperis stated that the Discipline Committee headed by Leslie Berman is looking at a district wide bullying program. The representatives for the committee are Gale Tunney, Laura Swanson and Dr. Limperis. Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing was done as a pilot program and the kids loved it. The test is a computerized adaptive assessment which would be given at the beginning of the year. Teacher training for the program will be June 19th and 20th. Dr. Limperis reported that they are looking at flexibility for moving up or staying on level by testing in the beginning of the year and again at mid-year. AP Math at Central will change to having the student spend 4 days with their Math teacher and one day with Mrs. Kucek. The Hauser middle school, which teams 6th and 7th grades in smaller groups of students was approved by the school board. Dr. Limperis also informed that the school calendar is on the District website.
Committee Reports
Pavers: Nikki Hajer reported that 8 additional pavers have been sold in the spring, for a total of 23 at a $2040 profit.
Talent Show: The Talent Show was a lot of fun and was enjoyed by many.
Cultural Arts: Kindergarten through 5th grade completed field trips and suggestions were given for next year.
Roadrunner: The Roadrunner will be available Wednesday.
School Supplies: Pickup will be August 14th and 15th and will coincide with the 2nd session of summer school.
Box Tops/Labels: We have collected $464 from Box Tops. 7600 Campbell’s Labels have been collected allowing us to receive 6 playground balls.
PTA vs. PTO: Nancy Hopkins reviewed a book to convert from PTA to PTO. The philosophy of the PTO is that every parent and teacher is automatically a member. There are costs to conversion, but there would be a long-term savings (approximately 3% of budget). Recommendations will be made in September.
Other Business: Jr. Great Books is a family funded program in need of Chair or Co-Chairs. Book discussions are open ended. The PTA will pay for training of discussion leaders.
The meeting adjourned at 10:40am.
The minutes are respectfully submitted by Patrick O’Laughlin, Recording Secretary.
