Submitted by: Karen Nordstrom

Welcome/Introductions:

The Co-chair Ellen Roane kicked off the meeting.

Kick Off Comments: Welcome & introduction of all participating parents!

Co-Chair Comments:

(1) Playground:

· Equipment (Slide) needs to be fixed. The necessary service requests have been placed.

· Rain Barrels: As part of our “playground improvement” campaign, the PAC considered purchasing six rain barrels (and their necessary installation parts – garden hose brackets, etc)) to address the runoff problem our behind the school. The cost will be $219 per 75lb barrel, for a total of about $1200 for everything. A vote was taken, and the PAC unanimously voted in favor of the purchase.

· Landscaping: Help is being requested to improve our playground area out back. Right now it is truly a “dustbowl”. Assuming the rain barrels correct the current drainage problems, we will be trying to have the 4^th graders assist with using the rain barrel water to hydrate playground landscaping (plants/grass) come the Spring months to tie into their “green” science academic component.

(2) “Going Green” Committee:

The school is going to be thinking across the board on how we can become a more “green” school. This led to a discussion on potentially reducing the number of paper notices that come home with the students. The school will begin to explore “email” as a more consistent medium of distribution.

(3) Open Positions:

A handout of all Committee/Open Positions for the PAC was distributed.

Treasurers’ update/remarks:

Ann Flynn reported:

We are now officially a “non-profit” organization!
Our Tax returns need to be filed.
We can now accept “tax deductible” donations.
We have a decent amount of money that was “carried over” from last year. Exact amount to be forwarded soon.
Ann is requesting a volunteer to take over this important Board position, as she is no longer able to provide the time needed to do the work. She will be training!

Proncipal’s Remarks:

1. Budget Ramifications: Three of the four “Professional Development” days for teachers have been removed from the school calendar. Also eliminated were the Before and after extra school help. We do however, have staff to provide “critical services” to needy children. There is an Academic Coach (Titel I/II) on hand. We are looking into having “tutors” to provide students homework help.

2. Open Circle: A new program entitled “Open Circle” is being kicked-off in our school. The School Committee has approved the money needed for training on this program over a three year period. This program will enhance social and emotional learning of our students. Critical issues such as “how to handle bullying” will be covered. Our parent contact is Karen Hodgson.

3. Umass professor team: will be working with our teachers on areas of weakness via a six month grant beginning in Nov.

4. Publicity: Miss Kimble would like to improve the publicity of North Street events & programs. There will soon be a bulletin board in our lobby towards the “PR” effort, a revision of the School website, and incorporation of our new “Somewhere over the Rainbow” theme.

Team/Committee Reports:

(1) 4^th Grade: We are working to offer a month long raffle calendar as a fundraiser for this committee. Hoping to have students sell $5-$7 per child, and winners to be displayed in lobby. In short, this committee needs to raise about $2,000 towards the 4^th grade effort (covers yearbooks, special 4^th grade activites, etc). The PAC will need a license to move ahead on the “raffle”. A vote was taken and unanimously approved to obtain one.

(2) Arts & Enrichment:

a. Leigh Leslie is our Committee Head for this.

b. Our first A&E program for this school year will be delivered on Oct 19^th. It is a percission ensamble. There will be two presentations for all students. (11am and 1pm).

c. We are looking into possibly getting a “Bubble Guy” and Magician program for the students.

Teachers’ Update:

Mrs. Enos is our teacher representative to the PAC. Unfortunately, due to a conflict, she was not able to be present at this meeting.

Fundraising:

(1)Script Gift Cards: We are considering offering three different designated times to sell the gift cards.

(2)Shopper’s Night: Last year’s “Shopper’s Night” fundraising event was very successful. It was run by Sharon Pierce, who would like a new volunteer to step in to run this event this year. Local vendors buy table space in the cafeteria for $25/table to sell their wares.

(2)Embroidered Sweatshirts: During Open House night and for one week thereafter, the PAC will be offering sweatshirts for purchase to support our “School Beautification” Committee. There will be “Hoodie” and regular versions available in both grey and blue colors. Hoodies will sell for between $20-30,and regular sweatshirts will be $18 for youth and $28 for Adult sizes. PAC members unanimously voted to move forward with this.

SPED PAC Updates:

(1) Kelly Preble is SPED PAC’s Treasurer and is once more our SPED PAC representative.

(2) The SPED PAC organization is in the midst of re-organizing. More info will become available soon.

(3) They will be taking a “Parent Survey” and reporting back to the School Committee with their results.

Upcoming Events:

· Oct 19^th – Percussion Ensamble

· Oct 24^th – Open House

Next Meeting:

October 1st, 2009 in the North Street School Library.