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

Welcome to a new year at Muscota.

It is indeed a new year for many reasons.

We have 4 new enthusiastic teachers.

We have a new hardworking Principal.

And we have a new incoming class of bright Kinders and upper grade transfers and their families.

I welcome all of you to our very special school and I want to say that, as Parent Association President, I am encouraged by many things since I took on this responsibility at the beginning of the summer.

I am encouraged that every new member of our community, knows that they have walked into a unique place where learning can happen in the most unexpected places and the most creative ways.

I am encouraged that our reputation precedes us. A reputation of being a Progressive School committed to the growth and learning of all our participants

I am encouraged about all the new ideas, new energy, and new possibilities that new people can bring.

I am encouraged that we have the most innovative,brightest, and caring staff of teachers in New York City who are committed to Progressive Education and committed to sharing their knowledge with our newest members.

I am encouraged by the parents and families who are showing new eagerness to: raise needed money, to help in classrooms and in committees, and to strengthen the bonds of the Muscota community.

And of course, I’m inspired by our kids. At Town Meeting, in the play yard, in their classrooms. I see every day they are bright, energetic, and full of the joy of learning.

By the end of tonight, I’m sure all of you will share my enthusiasm that the year ahead is full of possibility and discovery for every one of us. Have a great meeting with your teachers!

There will be two trainings for parent volunteering at the school this Monday, Novemeber 16th and again on Monday, November 23rd.  Learning Leaders will be giving a comprehensive workshop going over the rules and code of conduct.  It is an education no volunteer should miss!   Meet in the cafeteria at 8:40am.

This Friday is our November general meeting for the Parents Association.  6:30pm in the library, 4th floor.

Please come for more updates and news.  And as always- I am there to hear you and see if I can help answer your questions.

Be well,

Shannon

I am in the works at getting a permit to have an evening meeting Wednesday, October 14th at the school at 6:30pm.

It will be for all of us to get organized.

Every committee will be meeting and strategizing.  So get involved!  Come on down to Muscota and join a committee or TWO!

There is:

Health and Safety

Grant Writing

Fund Raising

Muscota Political Action Committee

Communications and Public Relations

Be well,

Shannon

The first one happened last June before school got out.

I came to the school to help out at lunch and saw Bill Telepan in the kitchen and our liaeson for Wellness in the Schools Emily Cohen and her boss, Nancy Easton, the Co-founder of WITS.  I went to see them and was invited to sit for an interview for Edible Manhattan.  The article is fascinating even though they butcher Muscota’s name.  But as I always say, any press is good press!

The second bit of good press we got as a school was the recent article in Manhattan Times.  I do want to clarify that the article was not correct with one detail: there has not been classical music set up for our lunch period.  It would be nice, but it is not true.  However, all in all, the article is positive and we Muscotans should be proud of what can be accomplished in a short amount of time.

Which brings me to you.  Yes, you!  As a parent at Muscota, how do you get involved?  I’ll tell you what I know.  It helps if you jump right in.  Ask what you can do, we will give you a direction and then it is up to you to follow through.

Example: the play yard would not be getting renovated unless Margaret Peeler, K parent last year and V.P. this year, didn’t set out with a clear goal and see it through untill the end.  She picked up on the work already put down by parent Pat Hametz and finished it up by requesting monies from elected officials.  It worked and the yard will be renovated this summer.

Example: Allen Spaulding, father of two, is volunteering at lunch almost everyday, brings food to pot luck fundraisers, holds the door at drop off in the winter, helped drama teacher Dayna empty her old costume closet and shows up whenever a teacher or I ask him to.  He is an amazing help to our school.

Example: Shera Scott Thomas made beautiful BOXTOP cans for every room and helped enormously with the teacher appreciation day last year.

Example: Past parents Elena and Isa (from Christpher and Erin’s classrooms) jumped in and translated flyers and letters for parents into Spanish.  That was a big help!  And we will miss them this year.

Example: Wilma Leon, Katie Soares and Margaret cleaned out and organized the PA locker in the gym.  The custodians built custom shelves for us too!  They volunteered and helped in their own way.

Example: Joanna Hoar Vea came into the school on a Saturday to do the bulletin board with me.

Example: Kate Wilson, Kristen Friedmen and Katherine Labastille all wanted a Daisey troop for their Kindies.  It is in its second year thie year, as are TWO other Girl Scout Troops which were started and followed through by parents who wanted it and just DID IT!

There are COUNTLESS more stories that I witnessed through my years at Muscota.  I have seen amazing charity and inspiring volunteering.  I have seen annonomous sponsorships from parents.  Car rides when needed.  Chaperoning when needed.  Our community is beautiful.  Keep it up.  And I will work right along side you because I believe in our school and how great it is!

Please leave a comment on how YOU have helped the school by volunteering.  EVERY moment you have contributed helps and means so much to our school community.

By giving what you can, it creates change and positive energy, it shows the kids that volunteering is a positive thing that everyone can do in their own way.

See you at the PA meeting this Wednesday evening!  Don’t miss Nancy Easton from Wellnes in the Schools.

Keep in touch.

Shannon Park

PA President

Well, you can have those warm and fuzzy feelings by shopping for school supplies!  Look, we all have to go out and buy obscene amounts of classroom supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, shoes, clothes and tylenol for our achy head and back- so do it but do it through the programs below.  I enrolled at Boxtops tonight and it was easy.  Tomorrow I will mail in my Target charge card application that I downloaded off the website.  Easy Peasy.  Muscota is BROKE, friends, we need to save our school from the inflicted drought the Chancellor has imposed on us.  It is up to us.  We shall write letters and protest!  But first…we must shop.

Target® Take Charge of Education Program
If you already have a Target REDcard, you can select Muscota to receive a percentage of all your purchases.  Go to www.target.com/tcoe and click on the “Enroll Now” link under the “Current REDcard holders” box.  You can also call 800-316-6142 to enroll. Now start shopping!  To date, Muscota has earned nearly $500.00 but for this year alone we have only earned $50.00.   16 REDcard holders have designated Muscota as the recipient for the Take Charge of Education program.  Let’s try to double that!   We get 1% of every purchase. Every purchase counts.

If you do not have a Target REDcard, please consider opening an account the next time you visit Target and then designate Muscota to receive a percentage of all your purchases as outlined above. You will also receive 10% off your bill on the day you open an account.  Also, anyone can designate our school as a recipient of the earnings.  This is a great way for grandparents, friends, and neighbors to support your child’s school through their REDcard.

Box Tops for Education Marketplace™ Program
You can benefit Muscota by shopping at over 70 online stores like Land’s End, Barnes & Noble, Oriental Trading Co., Pottery Barn, mini Boden and Drugstore.com through the Box Tops Marketplace™.  Muscota will earn cash on purchases at no additional cost to you.  To sign up, go to the Box Tops website: www.btfe.com and designate Muscota New School as the recipient.  Once you are enrolled, select one of the 70 store links on the Marketplace page and start shopping.

Box Tops for Education
Find and clip Box Tops coupons on hundreds of products like Cheerios, Ziploc bags, and hundreds of other items.  Each Box Top coupon is worth  10¢ for our school.  A full list of products can be found at www.btfe.com .  Please send box tops to school with your child in an envelope marked Box Tops by September 25.   Our Parent Coordinator Denise Rodriguez will bundle and submit Box Tops twice a year so don’t stop clipping after September!

Sincerely,

Shannon Park

your prez.

I just returned from our final SLT meeting and feel very hopeful about next year even though we are facing even more budget cuts.  $380,000.00 to be exact.  So if you thought this year was lean, you have seen nothing yet.  But the reason I am optimistic is I know how our amazing parents will come through.  Again.

We will have to do without and our fundraising will be pushed into overdrive.  We may be short on office supplies but what Muscota is rich is, money can’t buy: love and commitment from our teachers and staff, kids that are full of life and creativity, a Principal that is working to preserve our Progressive model and parents who are resouceful and present.

I am so grateful for all the collaboration that went on this year and want to thank all of you parents who came to the meetings, helped in the classrooms and cafeteria, gave their time and money to fundraising and believed first and foremost in our fantastic school.

Before I sign off, I shall announce our new PA Executive board members and parent representatives for 2009/2010 school year.

The Exec. Board is

Shannon Park  President

Margaret Peeler Vice President

Guy Johnson  Treasurer

Katie Soares Secretary

School Leadership Team Parent Rep:

Yessenia DeJesus, Guita Ranjbaran , Kari Steeves, Wilma Leon, Maggie Aledo.  I will also sit on the SLT as a core member.

I will touch base through the summer and hopefully learn to Blog regularly.  Feel free to send me comments!

Have a great break with your kids and families.

I’ll be seeing you in August or September!

Be well,

Shannon Park

Your Prez

In case you hadn’t heard or didn’t read it on the muscota.org home page:

• Congratulations to Muscota drama teacher, Dayna Beegun, and all the fifth graders who participated in Young Playwrights, Inc. 2009! Muscota carried home three awards, and a Muscota grad also took a prize. Bravo!
• Muscota is the proud recipient of the Goldie Anna Grant for Best Practices, 2009, for our teachers’ narrative reports! Kudos for that wonderful BEST PRACTICE!
• Muscota would like to thank Wellness in the Schools for a fruitful partnership this year (pun intended!). We look forward to continuing our work to improve the nutrition and healthy lifestyles of our students.