Welcome – Merideth – PTA Co-President

• Introduction of Executive Board of PTA
• Roles of PTA
  • Community Building
  • Fundraising
    • Supplement curriculum
      • Special activities & programs for students
        • Classroom libraries
        • One School, One Book Project
        • Opera curriculum with Mr. Danny (PreK, K & 1st)
        • Chess, Mark Morris, and Architecture curriculum (2nd)
        • China, Egypt, and South Africa study (3rd)
        • Popera, Thunderbird Indian Dancers, Jazz at Lincoln Center (4th)
        • Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ballroom Dancing (5th)
        • Lunch Clubs (3rd, 4th, 5th)
        • Studios such as Lego Robotics, yearbook, sewing, movie animation, etc.
      • Mini-grants for every teacher and therapist
    • School improvements
      • Curtains for Gym, screens in Cafeteria, sound system in Gym, upgraded water fountains, etc.
    • Major fundraisers
      • Annual Appeal – largest fundraiser each year
      • Pizza Friday
      • Gala/Auction – PTA’s only Adults Only event
      • Readathon, Book Fair, etc.

 

Principal’s Notes – Rosa Amato

• Introduction of School Adminstration/Staff
  • Assistant Principals
    • Bridget Nash – Special Education
    • Rosa PL (Perez-Leonetti) – General Education
  • Barbara Clark – IEP Coordinator
  • Cassandra Baptiste – Instructional Coach
  • Maura O’Grady – Dean of Students (handles bussing too)
  • Lots of new staff this year: new Librarian, new Dramatic Arts Specialist, etc.
  • Curriculum meetings taking place next week (24th-28th)
  • New Arrival Procedures – seem to be working well, classes able to start on time.
  • New PA and Fire system is 30 days from completion –
  • New Playground funds
    • Reaching out to Borough Pres. to get funds delivered
    • In the planning stages, but really need more money to make significant changes, so reaching out to other sources for additional funds

 

Parent Coordinator’s Messages – Yvette Agas-Bautz – yvette.agasbautz@ps372.net

• Introduction & Schedule
  • Her role is helping parents and making sure our concerns are addressed
  • At ICT site 4 days/week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday – Rm. 101
  • At ASD site on Thursdays
• Lunch forms – please fill out – they are a major determiner of school funding
  • Online or paper copies available
  • Our school code is 15K418
• Middle Schools are starting Open Houses
  • Some schools have stopped tours as being too disruptive to classes
  • She will be helping to coordinate information and schedules

 

KING – Kids In the Game – After-School Program – Cara & Wilson – PS372K@kidsinthegame.com

• Third year at The Children’s School
• Registration this year will be through KING’s website
• Flyers sent home in backpacks, contact them with any questions
• Schedule – snack provided everyday
  • First hour (M-Th) – Homework Help – staffed by PS372 teachers
  • M – Th 4-6pm & Fridays – Activities: sports, creative movement, team building, etc.
• 10% sibling discount and ask about scholarships
• Drop-ins available – Register to create an account & schedule as needed
• Organized transition from Enrichment classes into KING program
  • Refund of extra KING payment if enrolled in Enrichment

 

Enrichment Classes – Janine DiLorenzo – enrichmentps372@gmail.com

• Three sessions per year – Fall, Winter, & Spring
• Selection of Classes each day of the week
• Runs from 3:10 – 4:40pm daily
• Includes snack – bring a water bottle for sporty activities
• Music Program with Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
  • 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades
  • Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, & Percussion
  • Letter sent home in backpacks
• Classes start October 1st

 

Treasurer’s Report – Peter Strong

• We had good fundraising last year, so we’re starting out in a good postition
• We’ve estimated our typical expenses and fundraising goals for the year
• Peter has recruited a replacement, as his availability has changed
• Voting for new Co-Treasurer – nominated Shashin Gandhii
  • Meeting voted to approve
  • Welcomed Shashin to Exec. Board

 

Communications Committee – Sarah Graham

• Recruitment for Communications and all committees
• If you are experienced with social media, come lend a hand
• Please get everyone to sign-up on Konstella
  • Major communications hub for school, private online community
  • Committee sign-ups, school community events and contacts
  • Contact PTA if you need help signing up

 

Class Parent Liaison – Michelle Dobson & Claudia Gonson

• Role of Class Parents
  • Important communications link between teachers and parents
  • Coordinate class activities & participation for school events
  • Create class contacts books – especially for lower grades
  • Coordinate class gifts for teaching staff in December & June
• Sign up on sheets being circulated at meeting or on Konstella

 

One School, One Book – Scotte Hardin

• Schoolwide diversity project
• Monthly book selections to be read by teachers and discussed in classes
• Often two books picked – one for lower grades and another for upper grades

 

Lice Check  

• Fully funded by PTA this year
• Three dates each year – first one on October 12th
• Professional scheduled to perform all the examinations
• Need volunteers to help with organizing kids (no inspections!)

 

Pizza Friday

• Flyer coming home soon – major fundraiser for PTA
• First day is October 12th – runs for 15 weeks, then 2nd session starts
• Volunteers needed to help distribute pizza to kids – sign up online

 

Roots & Community – Saturday, November 3rd  – Free!

• Fun family event to explore the many different cultural sources of our families
• Gymnasium is filled with tables of food and activities from around the world and NYC too, and includes a Pot Luck Dinner and music performances
  • Previous tables have included African Roots, Bangladesh, Brooklyn, China/Taiwan, Dominican Republic, France, GLBTQ, Japan, Ireland, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and UK
  • Create a table for your family’s heritage
• More information will be coming soon via Konstella to sign-up

 

Next PTA Meeting – October 10th in Cafeteria at 8:30am

 

Movie Night & Clothing Swap – October 12th

• Organizing a clothing and costume swap in the gymnasium
• Planning to show a G-rated movie – TBA
• Pizza slices for sale by PTA

 

Picture Day – school photos by Stomping Ground – new this year

• October 30th at ICT site

 

Book Fair – November 14-15 at ICT site – Nov. 19th at Ft. Greene site

• Volunteers needed for set up, sales, and clean up

 

Brooklyn Nets – Sunday, December 16th

• Grouped game tickets for school community night out
• More details closer to the event via flyers in backpacks

 

Get Involved! – Rafael Gomez-Luna

• We are all the PTA
• Our events and programs rely on volunteers and donations from our school community
• Help out where you can, it’s a great way to meet other families, make friends, and be included in our children’s activities

 

Attendees: 60