PTA Meeting, 1/13/2009

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009 Tiernan Hall Cafeteria 8:15am - 9:10am

Agenda

1. Introduction: Dana Casale

2. Featured Speaker: Patty Cooper

3. Housekeeping: State of the School Address

4. Upcoming: Program Evaluation, New computers/Labs, Science Fair, Outreach, Heinz Art Contest, Ice Skating

5. Comments: Awards, Testing, Evaluations

6. Adjourn

Minutes

1. Dana Casale called the meeting to order at 8:15am.

2. Patty Cooper as the new Director of Carlow Campus School, gave a state of the school address. Patty wished to give kudos to the faculty for their smooth running of the school through this transition. Ms. Cooper stated the school has a holistic approach to teaching the whole student. There are presently 256 students: 114 in pre-K through 2, 63 in grades 3,4,and 5 and 79 in the upper levels 6,7 and 8. The endowment is providing scholarships to 12% of the students. Patty would encourage more businesses to contribute to the endowment, which allows them to take advantage of the Education Improvement Tax Credit.

3. Teachers Suzy Ament and DeAnna Kwiecinski attended a math conference. Christine Sherrell is offering professional development workshops for teachers. The curriculum continues to be re-evaluated.

4. Traditional and accelerated math is new to the upper levels this year. Also, the writing program is being evaluated with some changes for next year. There is a more integrated curriculum in the upper level this year.

5. Ms. Cooper is also working on acquiring two new computer labs. 2 - 4 new laptops are wanted for the Science rooms.

6. PCR educator software is being used for the report cards.

7. Author Mary Pope Osborne visited the school. The musical, Mulan, was a success. There was a 1st place forensics award, robotics trophy. the Science Fair was Jan. 27 at A.J. Palumbo, and the Geo B began.

8. 2 CMU researchers came to assist the 3rd grade with the "scientific method".

9. There is $660 in the Philippines Fund,which the 7th grade is going to continue to try to raise more money. Mercy Neighbors Ministries is having a food drive and there was a book drive, Lent will have the Meager Meal.

10. The Campus School commercial is ready and set to appear on WTAE news. There was some successful open houses for prospective new students, thanks to all, especially the PTA. There is ongoing discussion on preventing attrition and getting new students. All ideas welcome.

11. Mary Kiernan requested a change from the Tera Nova testing to ERB. Lots of discussion followed, possibly some of the grades will be tested in both for comparison.

12. Other thoughts included: wheel and activities evaluations, more computer time and summer camp reinstatement.

13. The Ice-Skating party is Feb. 11 7-9pm, therefore ther will not be a PTA meeting that evening as scheduled. There was also discussion of having PTA meeting every other month.

14. We do need new officers for the PTA, please consider serving. The PTA really does provide many extras for our students, but it take volunteers to keep it going. Contact Dana Casale.

Patty Cooper welcomes your ideas and input.

The meeting adjourned at 9:10am.