Correction - next PiE meeting

Next PiE meeting is May 3rd at 6 pm.

HCS PiE meeting April 5, 2011

PIE Meeting

April 5, 2011

In attendance: Jenny Ciancniola, Frank Twarog, Patti Drew, Renee Durochia, Joyce Wright, Bob Goudreau, Ali Douglas, Lisa Falcone, Steve Hyde, Gina VanHook, Tom Darling, Kate Dodge, Jennifer Prue, Kelli Brown, Barb Spaulding,

1. Updates and Sharing

   • Administration:

     • Bob Mason has requested that PIE get it’s own Tax ID number. PIE will ask the treasurer to help in completing the process to get this task done.

     • Kindergarten registration just completed with a total of 45 coming to HCS next year.

     • Preschool literacy night was a success…thanks to all those who helped in making it happen!

     • After the April break Bob will have parent meetings available to talk about teacher configuration and student placements for the 2011-2012 school year.

       • Jen suggested that teachers be included in these parent meetings to share the depth of thought and effort that go into student placements.

     • Move up day will continue in a manner similar to what has occurred in past year. (Parents will be notified of placement before children).

• Grade 6,7,8 Report

  • Tom Darling was present to talk about literature in the classroom (to spark further ongoing conversations). Major goal is to instill a love of reading for children. Young adult literature as a genre is rapidly expanding; and available in a wide variety of appropriate content matter and quality. HCS’s library is somewhat limiting (partly due to the wide range of ages the library to accommodate). Wanting to make age appropriate (and age engaging) literature available while empowering parents on how to help them discern what is appropriate for their children/family.

  • Will re-post a letter talking about book policy and child selection on the PIE Blog (and perhaps in the Viking). Steve and Barb will pass this along to Sue Hoeppner to post.

  • Common Sense Media and Amazon are good sites for reviewing literature and popular media. Here is a link: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

  • Steve spoke about 8^th grade graduation. Student council and Jeff O’Hara have put together an idea for an 8^th grade trip to the Great Escape towards the end of the year. Students have talked about having a post-event after this trip; one idea in the works is a bonfire/BBQ.

  • Last day of school has not been established; a definite date for the 8^th grade graduation will be determined once the last day of school is confirmed.

  • Looking for parents to help brainstorm and help facilitate the bonfire/BBQ event. (Jennifer, Renee, and Lisa to talk more about this and get back in touch with Steve).

  • 6-8^th grades will be doing an International Fair in May.

• Grade 3, 4, 5 Report

  • Joyce shared that Tom Messner will be coming tomorrow (4/6) to talk to the 3^rd and 4^th graders to wrap up their unit on weather. They have also been working with the Audubon monthly to talk about local birds.

  • 5^th grade is going on a field trip to Montpellier April 15^th to the state house, superior court, and the history museum. They will get to go into the chambers of the House and Senate and do a mock trial in Superior Court.

  • 5^th graders going to the Audubon Center in May.

  • Bowling field trip will be the last field trip of the year. This weather-independent and short annual event is a perennial favorite.

  • US History fair slated to be May 26^th. It will be presented during the day, and also in the evening so parents can attend and view the presentations.

  • April 14^th all 5^th grade teachers will be at a training.

  • May 5^th all 3^rd and 4^th grade teachers will be at a Math Bridges training.

  • The teachers association will be doing the Apple Award this year. This award invites all community members who have volunteered within the school. Teachers vote on which volunteer receives the award. This event usually occurs in June.

  • The association will be doing Staff and Teacher Appreciation Week the first week in May.

  • Joyce shared that the Open House evening might transition into an evening of short informational sessions that parents can select the offerings that most interest them. Posed the idea to the group for initial responses and comment.

• Pre-K, K, 1, 2 Report

  • Kindergarten parents were asked to volunteer for being mentors to parents of incoming students. These names were included in the kindergarten registration packet. An information sheet was also included with tips or lesser-known information about HCS. Thanks Alissa for making this happen!

  • Jen requested that the “little known fact” sheet be added to the PIE blog for others to utilize.

  • Unfortunately, Alissa was not able to be present tonight. Parents with children in this age range did not have specific updates or concerns to share.

• Unified Arts Report

  • Reading is an Investment program started was completed and supported by Mrs. Stanley. One of HCS’s students was selected to be one of the 10 students statewide to receive a $250 savings bonds.

  • 5^th/6^th grade concert will showcase multi-cultural music; including “This Little Light of Mine”. 7^th/8^th grade students will sing one song by Bach (which also has Christian underpinnings). A discussion was had with children to make sure that the Christian presence is part of a multi-cultural and historically important music. (A blurb will be in the program to this effect)

  • The musical was a success. Thank you to all those who made it possible!

2. Parent/Teacher information

   • Snap Grades is a big source of communication for 6-8^th grades. As teachers/parents use the technology, they are learning the nuances of the software (i.e. Being able to share notes back in forth within the format of Snap Grades).

   • Tom talked about wanting the opportunity to share information with peers about how to use the technology in real-world situations.

   • Parents asked what they could do to help make this process more consistent and predicable; this sparked a wide conversation about technology, needs, and communication styles. Parents were encouraged to ask specific teachers if they want support through volunteer time/efforts.

   • Talked about a potential to create a survey addressing the parent body about the best way to share and exchange information.

3. PIE Forum in May/June

• The intention of the forum is to generate a larger audience, get more people to be involved and to host elections for the 2011-2012 school year.

  • Patti asked if a later time might get a larger attendance.

• Talked about the potential of PIE “sponsoring” the principal-parent meetings as a means of promoting the final PIE forum.

• PIE members can split up the responsibility of sharing information at each meeting. An outline will be established of information to share, written information will be available for parents, and people will be invited to share the Forum information.

• Joyce will help get teachers at each parent meeting so that the PIE “blurb” will be done as a united front.

• Parent meetings might be a good opportunity to gather information about the best ways to communicate.

4. Fundraising

   • This item keeps occurring on the agenda. The intention of this topic is to create a master calendar for fundraising within the school.

   • Jennifer asked there is a single resource/calendar within the school for fundraising scheduling. Parents agreed that a coordinated effort would be appreciated. Is this something that PIE can help facilitate?

   • Bob shared that school wide fundraising has a schedule; individual groups do not have an organized calendar that corresponds with the larger school one.

   • Bob will ask teams about what they have done this year and bring this information back to PIE.

   • Fundraising goals should be clearly articulated and organized with what is going on within the larger community.

5. Action items

• Sue will get the literature information from Tom and link it to the PIE blog.

  • Sue, is there anything we can do within the applications of the Blog to promote more interactive participation to those who view it?

• Jennifer, Renee, and Lisa will talk about the 8^th grade bonfire idea and get back to Steve.

• Jennifer will contact Heather Wey about establishing a Federal Tax ID number for PIE.

• Jennifer will contact Alissa about the “little known fact” sheet to get a digital copy to share in the PIE blog.

• Patti and Jennifer will pass along already created information from PIE to Ali.

• Bob to share dates for parent meetings with Jennifer and Alissa to organize the PIE involvement.

• Ali to e-mail minutes to Kelli so that she can add information to the Viking.

• Ali to create some draft handouts to provide at the principal/parent meetings.

May 3rd will be the next PIE meeting at 6 pm.

The PIE Forum is slated for first Tuesday of June. (Time to be determined)