Our meeting was called to order at 5:50 p.m. by our President, Lyndon Brown. Mr. Brown asked new parents to introduce themselves. Minutes were read by Ms. Mimi Holder. The minutes were adopted as read. Financial Report was read by Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown reported a current balance of $6249. The Financial Report was adopted as well. The meeting was opened by addressing the concerns that were reflected in our November Minutes. Mr. Ian Soanes stressed the need to have students safeguarded in the morning. Mr. Soanes stated that Parent notices should be sent home to inform parents of the importance of bringing students to school on-time and making sure students enter the school. Mr. Brown reported that a parent had been assaulted outside the school during the month of November by a pedophile who was trying to kidnap her child. Ms. Holder asked if parents or staff members could be provided the opportunity to safeguard children in the morning. Mr. Soanes also reported a bullying incident that he observed and inquired as to what type of intervention was available to students who are bullied. Ms. Jackson stressed the need of having bullies identified to administration in order to address the problem.
Mr. Brown announced that school-wide picture day would be held on January 28, 2011 and all students would receive a School ID Card. Mr. Brown also announced that the PTA had received five awards at the NJPTA Convention for Outstanding Parental Involvement. Family night will be held in February 2011 and parents were asked to volunteer to serve on a committee: Decorations, Food Serving, Game Station attendants, and Clean-Up.
Mr. Anthony White, Founder of the Parental Involvement Exchange (P.I.E.) was our Guest Speaker for the evening. Mr. White stated that school board members need to know how to read, interpret, and disaggregate Dada in order to effective advocate for children. Parents need to know how to advocate for their children. Mr. White distributed handouts with website information for parents to access. Mr. White reviewed key areas where parental involvement is needed in schools. Mr. White stated that under No Child Left Behind, parents should be informed if their child is being taught by a substitute teacher for more than four weeks.
Mr. White further stressed the importance of families holding family meetings once a week to discuss important family issues including academic achievement.
Parental Concerns
Several parents complained that they have not received a report card for Cycle I despite repeated attempts to contact teachers/school administrators. Some parents also complained about the font size of progress reports, wording and lack of written dialogue concerning child’s progress on the progress reports.
We also hosted Student Recognitions for Cycle I which included: Student of the Month, Honor Roll and Super Honor Roll a cheesecake social was held at the end of the evening to celebrate the holiday season.
We also conducted a door prize raffle and collected personal care items for area homeless shelters at the end of the meeting. Our meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
