Island Creek PTA Meeting

October 7 , 2003

Attendees: Margaret Von Kolnitz, Sharon Shrader, Jen Bishop, Lori, Cardillo, Liz Townsend, Susan Owner, Andrew Press, Liz Dunn, Howard Wahlberg, Julia Jessee, Simone McDonald, Sandy England, Lisa Backe, Joy McManus, Mike Macrina, Francis Aboagye-Nyame, Fran O’Donnell, Cindy Harlow, Pamela Butler, Danja Roberts, Aundra Rhone-Jones, Janice Lowe, Brooke Brautigan, Heidi Stephenson, Mary Sullivan, Cindy Smoot, Tom Zohlen, Janet Cliatt, Ann Adkins, Susan Fielding, Shereen Khedr, Betty Davis, Kevin Brugman, Emily Mutterperl, Stephanie Reardon, In Kyong Oshiba, Yin Mei Hueskes, Kathy Askew, Diane Hicks, Amanda O’Hara, Christy Brusick, Janey Markon, Tara Carlson, and Karina Lewis..

I. President’s Report

Margaret suggested that future PTA minutes will be posted at school.  She asked that last meeting’s minutes be approved at the end of the meeting as well as the annual PTA budget.  This budget document is flexible, and adjustments will be made as needed throughout the year. She introduced her board and chairmen and  they reported as follows in these minutes.

II.  Treasurer’s Report:

Betty was unable to attend but Margaret provided updated financial worksheets on the past month's financial business.  There were no questions.

III. Vice President Reports

Community Outreach:

Cindy Harlow described two social outings coming up soon.  Basket bingo will be held on Oct. 19^th.  Lori Cardillo and Carol Fay are asking for baked goods to sell to patrons at Basket Bingo. Please have them individually wrapped and brought to school that Sunday morning. They have sold 175 tickets out of a possible 350.  The doors open at 1:00pm with Bingo beginning at 2:00pm. There will be an “Evening of Giving” at Pentagon City from 7-11 on Nov. 23^rd.  Only 900 tickets will be sold at $8.00.  Island Creek PTA receives $6.00 of the $8.00.  The other two dollars goes to Pentagon City charities which benefits causes like Cystic Fibrosis and Breast Cancer.  It is a night to shop at Pentagon City without the general public. 

            Liz Townsend reported that the PTA newsletter deadline is Oct. 13^th.  It will come out on Oct. 23^rd.

            Sandy England discussed the beautification/landscaping to take place at Island Creek.  We are looking at implementing a garden curriculum so that certain grades can maintain and learn from planting a garden.  Sandy is researching how that is done at other schools.  This might be implemented in the spring.

Ways and Means:

Andrew Press reported on the following:

            The school directory committee asked if advertising could be put in the back of the directory to offset costs, and Dr. Owner approved that.  The question was raised whether we should link getting a free directory to PTA membership.  Margaret suggested we wait to see how what response we get to ads to offset costs.

            Kevin Brugman reported on working on the website.  It is still a work in progress.

            Lisa Backe, Fran O’Donnell, and Vicki Abell are in charge of Genevieve’s Gift Wrap Sale which is on from Sept. 12^th through Oct. 3^rd.  To date we have $12,000 dollars in orders. Orders come in mid-November. We keep 63% of giftwrap sales. If any parents can help volunteer to help tally sales by grade please contact on of the giftwrap chairs.  Lisa introduced us to coffeecakes sold by Genevieve’s.  We might sell them the night of our Island Creek dedication.  No set plan has been determined.

            Joy McManus reported that we have sold over 200 pieces of spiritwear for our September order.  The order should be in the week of Oct. 20^th. Joy is looking for volunteers to help process this large order some evening that week at Island Creek since it won’t fit in her living room.  Please email Joy if you can help.  She will email with definite plans when they are made, depending on when we receive the order.  

            Christy Brusick reported on Box Tops and  Campbell Soup Labels.  Please begin to send them in.  There will be quarterly rewards of a popcorn party to the class who brings in the most Box Tops.  We are now registered at Giant.  Our ID# is 04519.  We are also on board at Safeway.  A special thank you to teachers for processing these tops and labels.

Education:

Howard Wahlberg mentioned that there is a CAPS presentation tomorrow for the entire school –Billy B.  Mary Sullivan spoke about the Flex program (Foreign Language Experiences). They hope to offer classes starting possibly in late November or early December.  Languages they hope to offer include Spanish, French, German, Italian (which is new) and Sign Language. 

            Janet Cliatt spoke about Hands on Science.  If you are interested in teaching, they are looking for people who have the Bachelor’s in a field of science.  It is a paid position, and there is four hours of training.  They are hoping to start in January with a winter session.  There are usually about 10 groups with 10 students in each group.  Janet is also looking at a similar program to HOS to possibly implement at a later time.  It would have to be approved at the County level first.

            Charlene Bell-McKinley and Amanda Lowe have come forward to be our Reflections Cochairs. 

            Aundra Rhone-Jones raised the concern that activities planned at the current time are all focused on adults.  She suggested we look to plan some activities for children.  Our social chairs, Jen Bishop and Simone McDonald stated that those type of activities are in the plans but are for later in the year once we fund more of our budget from their fundraising efforts.    Kathy Askew suggested that the SCA become involved in coming up with ideas for activities that kids might enjoy. 

            Liz Dunn stated that we probably have close to 50% of our target audience as PTA members now.  We have raised about $1400.00.  She is now going to focus on recruiting teachers.

II. Dr. Owner

Dr. Owner said that we are beginning to feel like a real school.  She introduced her 5^th grade team: Tara Carlson, Ann Adkins, Susan Felding, and Janey Markon.  Bigger letters for the sign out front were suppose to be her last Monday, October 6, 2003.  The new board came with no letters. Two field trips are coming up soon.  Preschool is going to the pumpkin patch and 4^th grade is going to Jamestown.  Student Council Elections are underway with voting scheduled for the week of Oct. 14^th.  5^th and 6^th grade students are eligible to run for four offices, President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Historian.  25 students are running. They must give speeches that will be broadcast on the TV for all students to see.  All students K-6 vote.  Each class will also elect a class representative to be on the Council.  We have to wait about two more weeks for the blacktop to be student ready.  Please ask your local sports association to lobby Fairfax County for use of the fields so that the effort to get them sodded will be successful.  We are looking to establish a pond at Island Creek.  The PTA is being asked to support that with money.  We are also beginning to plan our dedication ceremony for the spring.  Students will be showcased.  A PTA committee is being formed to help with the planning.

A motion carried and the budget and minutes were approved.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Joy McManus

Secretary, Island Creek PTA