PA Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Muscota New School
Parents’ Association Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Principal’s Report
State of the School
We are a small school and therefore we have a smaller budget. The trade off to more intimacy
is less resources.
Out of classroom teachers – We are funded for two fulltime prep teachers (art and drama)
based on teachers and student numbers. Bigger schools get more. Eric is our ESL teacher and
his salary is based on how many ESL learners we have, we supplement the rest. Marian is an
extra teacher who does academic intervention. A lot of money is spent on our staff. The Title 1
ARA (American Recovery Act) funds were given to save teacher jobs.
Guidance Counselor – Last year we were only funded for a guidance counselor for 1 day a
week, we paid for the extra hours. This year the counselor works 1 day and does all his
services the 1 day.
Paraprofessionals – Two funded through disability act some thing are changing but don’t what
the changes are yet. Had to pay for third because of how the student’s Individualized Education
Plan (IEP) was written. We fund two ourselves. We choose to spend money on 5 paras;
hopefully we will not have to excess them next year.
Aides – We have 4 and they primarily do lunch, it is a real skeleton crew, minimum hours get
paid about $17-18 an hour.
Still moving forward with Technology Goal. Saved Professional Development money by staying
in-house and using per session.
Money we received in July was based on projected student enrollment, since we are down 30
kids we had to return $26000. Camille likes to underestimate the projected enrollment because
then if we over enroll we can get money later in the year. In the past able to roll over Money but
had to pay a lot of July bills with last years extra money.
In terms of teacher layoffs we will not be compromised though worry about 3 new hires and
Maggie is still untenured
There is a Social worker and Psychologist in-house that we share with Amistad that we can tap into.
PA Report
Nutrition Workshop
Today kicked off the 8-week workshop. If you attend minimum of 6 sessions you get a
certificate of completion. Any parent can attend.
Parents as Partners Arts Education Grant
We received a $2800 grant for 12 4th grade families to introduce the importance of arts in their
children’s education. Our art teacher Maggie, Sasha Schwartz and Bread and Yoga are
instrumental in introducing the families to intro to clay, sculpting and bread making. A K parent,
Ameer Parsa, who works at MoMA, will arrange for tour of parents of 4th graders and then they
can revisit with child. Program will take place after school and weekends. Karina Madera will
help with recruiting and a lottery will be held.
Fly by Night Dance
Seeking alternative funding via indiegogo.com for an after school dance program targeted to
specific group of 1s and 2s via lottery. Last year did K and 1 but hard on Ks (too tired). They do
modern approach to dance using shapes. At $803 need $1000.
Title 1 Parent Involvement Funds
Subcommittee comprised of Executive PA board want to use funds for services that will allow
parents to participate in meetings and workshops. Allocated $450 to CUNY in the Heights for
PA evening meetings and Nutrition Workshops and $150 for Spanish Translation at next few PA
meetings.
PA Meeting “Teasers”
Will have some guest speakers/informative groups prior to meetings
February morning meeting we will have Jane Berkowitz from Kaplan offering a testing tip
workshop, Camille will order booklets, Kaplan keys book. It is ok to attend even if kid is not at
that grade level, can learn the lingo.
March evening meeting will have a mini camp fair from 5:30-6:30 before 6:30 meeting.
Organizations invited include NYC Parks & Rec, Y. If you have any connections let Margaret
Peeler know.
Parent Workshops
Looking into having a Progressive Education Workshop in late spring. How does Math/Literacy
look in Progressive Education? What does 2/3 loop look like? Would like a Saturday summit
with a couple of different topics? Idea would be to have the morning session be open to current
and prospective parents and the afternoon for current families.
Spring Cocktail Auction Fundraiser
Amanda Bastian and Catrarina Quiroz will be meeting tomorrow at 6:30 PM at Bread and Yoga.
Amanda will set up google docs to coordinate information gathered.
501(c)3 research
Two years ago we had a law firm that was willing to help us, we have a lot of paperwork. Need
to find out if a separate executive Board needs to be created. We definitely need a
lawyer/paralegal to file and accountant for books.
Music and Music Integration
Formed a committee with parents with strong music backgrounds and teachers to think of ways
of implementing a more formal/structured music program.
School Aides
Parent voiced concern that in older grades there is too much screaming at kids.
5th grade Moving on Ceremony
33 kids will be moving on, budget for all expenses (Ceremony, Clearpool Trip, T-Shirts,
Memorybook, etc) is $12000. Administration will cover a 1/3, Senior dues a 1/3 and PA a 1/3
(1/2 from current funds & 5th grade parents with PA support will fundraise for 1/2)
Motion to Donate $2000 to 5th grade passed.
Healthy Snack/Birthday Policy
SLT is discussing best way to implement and enforce a Healthy Snack Policy. More
disagreement around an actual Birthday Policy.
Meeting Adjourned