PTA MINUTES JANUARY 2008

*Welcome and meeting called to order

*Past Business

International Potluck: A very popular event which overall went very well with lots of food and lots of participation. Concerns were with the need for a bit more control over the flow of students (some were still in line at the end of their lunch time because the ones in front were slow, especially in the younger grades) and parents wanting to serve all grades rather than just their own kids, others ate while serving.

Knowing the number of staff plates to be served would have made things easier for those arranging them.

Suggestions for future years includes taking food such as snacks and sushi to those in line, possibly having more than on line going through, having parents clearly sign up for only their class and having signs up about how its all supposed to work. Actual changes will be decided by next years organizing committee for this event.

Holiday Bazaar: Very popular with the students. One suggestion was made that the vendors try to come up with more present ideas for dads and boys in general for next year.

Teacher Appreciation / Breakfast by a chef: Great, great, great was the quote. The only small issue was the timing, which is always hard before school hours. It was ready at 7am but some teachers might have thought 7:30. In any case, we understand the food was delicious and much appreciated. One idea to be considered was whether a luncheon on an early release day might work better.

PAFA center music elementary program. Few moms did a great job with the decorations. Children and parents enjoy that great moment.

*New Business

I LOVE TO READ MONTH FEBRUARY

The book will be Ordinary Marys Extraordinary Deed by Emily pearson. Numerous activities around reading are planned for the month, and this event will be tied into to a coin-spiracy international event/program regarding kindness that has been passed from Canada to us and will be passed from us onwards at the end of the month.

During this month, we will have the Book Fair, and the All day read (the children come to school in their pajamas, read and make activities around the reading).

If you want to participate in this activity, please send us an e-mail mayapta@yahoo.com

Fun Run March, 1^{st (Saturday)}

The fun run will again be in La Caada. .

Pre-registration will be February 13 to 15. Recommendations were made to be sure that neighbors re notified to minimize annoyances and to ask the guards what can be done about drivers who harass runners. An age goupings will be reconsidered to see if they are as equitable as we can make them.

You will have more details next week and they will be published in our web section PTA EVENTS.

If you want to contribute being part of the organization, please contact us to mayapta@yahoo.com.

Draft proposal of Letter to Board of Directors

A group of parents has drafted a letter requesting the change of student half days (for teacher development ) from Wednesday to Friday, starting next fall, for a number of reasons. These include but are not limited to Friday afternoon traffic issues, the fact that a number of embassies and companies have half days on Fridays and the families could start on weekends away and minimizing the disruption of the school week. A number of suggestions were made about the letter. Some people present felt strongly about it and others didnt care either day was fine with them. All wanted a respectful dialog about the issue.

Next meeting February 14th