TRANSLATION AVAILABLE AT MEETING – TRADUCCION EN ESPANOL

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm Larry Wood & Juanita Douglas, Co-Presidents, Presiding

Minutes of 2/8/06 meeting reviewed, approved with corrections.
Principal’s Report

3/14-3/15 are dates for State Math exams for all grades. Currently extended day hours have been geared toward assisting children in improving math scores.
415 students in extended day currently. Timing for next year is under review. Very unofficial estimate of 75% attendance in the program.
Afterschool is going well. Tues & Thurs 3:30-5 pm. Track will be starting shortly. Possible lunchtime clubs are being explored.
Thank you for feedback on parent teacher conferences. Report card went out earlier so parents were able to target those teachers they eneded to see.
The Interschool Orchestra performed this past month for the school. The sixth graders attended a performance of Romeo & Juliet in school in February as well.
Security. There were two incidents recently outside of school. The administration is focusing on improving the safety of our children. We have had several assemblies for students to discuss this issue among others. We now have a 4^th security guard. One security guard is now posted in the yard during 7^th & 8^th grade lunch. We are encouraging students to come back to the yard to have their lunch. The yard door to school is now used for entry to the school, no other. The region is pressuring the district on eliminating outdoor lunch for middle school. Most districts do not have this.
Playground. The Parks Department will be starting renovation of the schoolyard as of 4/9/06. It will be unavailable for the rest of the year. Will be redesigned. Looking at possibly closing a portion of the street for recess. They will be extending the gate to include the alleyway between the yard and school. Question about getting additional benches in, either in the playground or courtyard. It is being looked into.
Conflict resolution programs. There is violence both in the school as well as outside. Would like to see conflict resolution program be put in place. Ryan Center representative offered possibility of classes on bullying that can be implemented immediately. Those children with needs can be referred out, but the staff is overburdened with state-mandated reporting so can only do so much.
Afterschool. Question of safety in afterschool. All guards are in place. Administrative staff is out during extended day dismissal at 3:30 pm. No availability of space or staff in the building for children to wait between dismissal and start of afterschool.

Co-President’s Report

Lobby Day 3/14 or 3/28. The 3/14 date is being sponsored by CPAC (Chancellors Parent Advisory Committee) and AQE (Alliance for Quality Education) and supported by the Presidents Council. 3/14 will be parents speaking about the issues that concern them. 3/28 is the DOE lobby day for education issues. These are full-day trips to Albany; parents are encouraged to attend either or both days.
Parents will be asked to call their representatives on this day as well if they cannot attend. LW has agreed to put together material to facilitate this call. Parents can find out who their representative is at www.nyperg.com.
Linda Rosenthal is the new assembly member, voted in to take Scott Stringer’s seat. (Stringer is now Borough President).
There will be a meeting to discuss G&T kindergarten acceptance criteria and process on 4/6.

Treasurers Report

No significant change to budget. Pledge drive is continuing, please donate if you have not. Only a very small percentage of families have donated so far.
Motion to increase Science Fair supply line by $4,800 approved and passed. The additional monies will be used to purchase folding tables for the fair; they can also be used for other functions in the school.
Request to provide an allowance to the math team to purchase pizza during lunch. Need to check if they are continuing through the end of the year.
Request to sponsor a robotics team in the school.
Request for trophies for the MS 54 spelling bee. Will come out of a line item.
The budget for 2006-2007 is under review.

Committee Reports

SLT. Meets every second Wednesday at 7:20 am. Parents are welcome to come. The SLT has a number of committees that can use parent participation. All minutes, agendas and schedules are posted on the bulletin board on the first floor. Currently working on background data for the CEP, which is being revised by the DOE.
Grants Committee. We are focusing on member items from our local officials. If you have any contacts or can accompany us on meetings, please contact Liz Goldfarb or Anne Pejovich.
Auction: 5/5 at St. John the Divine. Donations are coming in, you can check them out on the website at: www.ms54.org/pta.htm. Please get your donations in!! Volunteers needed, contact Anne Pejovich if you can help out either now or the night of the auction.
Safety. Met 3/7 to discuss safety issues. Looking at several avenues, including conflict resolution & peer mediation options, and petitioning the Regional Operations Center for funding of the Dean position. Will coordinate with SLT Safety Committee. Next meeting tba.
International Dinner. March 23. So far only a handful of families have RSVP’d. . Please let Anne Pejovich know you are going to attend. Volunteers needed for setup/cleanup.
Dances. Dates are set for 6^th grade (3/17) and 7^th grade (3/10). 8^th grade tentatively set for 3/29. We are hiring two dancers to lead children in dancing. Need parents to volunteer to help run refreshments table. Need donation of refreshments & snacks. Teachers will chaperone.
Graduation. Deadline for ads in yearbook is Tuesday 3/14.
Nominating committee. Calls for volunteers to serve on nominating committee. Also calls for parents to run for position on the executive board. Larry Wood & Juanita Douglas to chair.
Technology Committee. Still reviewing responses from school staff. Library construction is moving forward slowly; CSA has signed off, construction may begin this July. There are currently two camera clubs. Looking at a possibility of a film festival in May.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm

DID YOU MISS A PTA MEETING BUT WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPEPNING? GREAT NEWS! YOU CAN READ THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS ON THE WEBSITE:

www.ms54.org/pta.htm

***2005-2006 Executive/General Membership Meetings****

All meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month unless there is a conflict on the calendar. The Executive Board Meetings are at 6:00 PM and the General Membership Meetings are at 7:00 PM. Next meetings are:

April 6, 2006 May 11, 2006 June 8, 2006

If a meeting needs to be changed due to an unforeseen reason, a notice will be sent out as early as possible to let you know of the change