Ruffing Parent Association Meeting Minutes from Sept. 9 & 10, 2009

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 attendees:

PA Board – Nivi Engineer, Steve Paulini , Doug Fleck, Melissa Gleeson Parents – Paul Postak, Nancy Lyon Stadler, Lisa Navracruz, Sylvia Hart, Andrea Burns-Crayton, Jeff Wessman, Robin Ritz, Anne Sweeney, Stuart Dowling, Julidse Coll

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 attendees:

PA Board – Nivi Engineer, Melissa Gleeson, Ramesh Belli Parents- Tammy Aston-Jack, Katie Hannon, Martha Schubert, Angela Hardman, Deirdre Reed, Tami Garner, Tarnton Tipton-Fletger, Julie Comber-Martin, Monika Mendels, Chris Nestor, Casey Maicki

Items discussed:

The meeting started by reviewing old business; it was reported that Save the Shoes was a great success bringing in $385, which was more than expected. The Faculty Breakfast was also a great success, and thanks were expressed to all who volunteered.

We then moved on to new business. The PA Board is in need of a Class Parent Coordinator. A few names were discussed as possibilities, and Casey Maicki is considering the position. During the meetings we had volunteer sign up sheets for some slots still needed for the Ruffing Birthday party for Sunday. By the end of both PA meetings many of the slots were filled. All were reminded of the upcoming Welcome Back Wine and Cheese, which will be at Taste from 6:30 to 9:30. Literature was passed out highlighting the Parenting Toolbox Lecture Series, paying special attention to the first event which is Sept. 30th Social Networking by Dr. Lisa Damour. A brief amount of time was spent explaining what Diwali is, and how it has been celebrated in the past. Nital Subhas is the chair of this event.

Quite a bit of time was spent explaining and discussing the Pumpkin Party which is scheduled for Oct. 25th. Over the course of the two meetings it was decided that we would stick with the time of last year’s party which is from 11 – 3pm. We discussed the fact that the event needs a chair person. It was petitioned that each class be in charge of one activity, with the Toddler class possibly being in charge of set up, to help alleviate conflicts with nap schedules. Ideas were tossed around for prizes and we are looking into lanyards with a wooden disc attached to it; where each child could keep track of the events they have participated in.

Steve Paulini went over the treasury status, highlighting Save the Shoes which generated $385. We also discussed passive fundraising including box tops, Heinens and Giant Eagle programs, and the Target visa; of which we recently received a check of $216. Steve also reminded everyone when buying items for different Ruffing events to keep receipts and turn them in to be reimbursed.

Ramesh Belli provided a technology update including our website which is pa.ruffingmontessori.net, an ongoing work in progress. The volunteer database has been restored locally, but the details of getting it on line are still being worked through with Lauren Pacini. It was also mentioned for all class parents any group e mails sent out have all recipients in the bcc field to preserve privacy.

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