CENTRAL SCHOOL PTA MONTHLY EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at noon
Child Study Room
ATTENDEES
Mary Brennan, VP Communications
Kristin Carpenter, VP Faculty/Community Outreach
Anne Cox, Parent Services Chairperson
Maria Franzese, VP Fundraising
Martha Friedland, Co-President
Kim Huang, VP School Services
Pam Kernie, SEPTA Rep
Frankie Lanausse, Faculty/Community Outreach Chairperson
Bonnie Lin, Green Committee Chairperson
Liam Robb O’Hagan, Programs Chairperson
Carol Priore, Principal
JoAnna Rodriguez, interim secretary
Lisa Silva, Fundraising Chairperson
Krista Williams, VP Programs
APOLOGIES
Cathy Bizzard, School Services Chairperson
Joanne Hindley, Assistant Principal
Angela Holton, Secretary
Romy Kirwin, Co-President
Liz Leifert, Communications Chairperson
Virginia Picciotto-Marsella,VP Parent Services
Miran Robarts, Treasurer
Ms. Dinelli, Grade 2 Teacher
Ms. Wollner, Grade 2 Teacher
Mrs. Moyles, Grade 1 Teacher
UPDATE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
- The field will be open in September, 2014.
-There have been a number of questions about trash and broken glass on the school
grounds. If someone sees something that needs attention, please report it to the
main office right away. The custodians are checking the grounds every morning, but
we can help by reporting trash/glass.
Different kinds of trash cans have been discussed as the wind can easily blow trash
out of the current mesh cans. However, safety concerns surround cans that could
better contain the trash. Lids and other closed containers conceal the contents of the
can too easily and could conceal a threat.
- Risers are being purchased. Six will be from the district and two will be purchased
from Stop & Shop funds. Trying to meet the needs of theater and chorus, but can’t
satisfy both. Looking into purchasing extensions to the stage.
- The Board of Education will be coming to Central School on the afternoon of May 2.
The focus of the visit will be school climate and student engagement. The following
will be highlighted:
Peer Mediation, which has been in operation for 14 years.
The Givers Club, which is a community-minded club comprised of 3rd-, 4th- and 5thgraders. The Givers Club will design conversation cards to keep with the benches to
help prompt conversation and help social skills
Friendship Benches, which help children be kind and inclusive. Friendship Benches
involve mostly 5th-graders. The four benches were painted by 5th-graders. All four
will be placed around the playgrounds daily and taken back in after school.
There are focus groups comprised of parents, students and teachers for each of
these topics. Mrs. Plati and Mrs. Wiesner are involved.
- Inner Resilience: Slated to start in October and will go into the beginning of
November. Thirty-five teachers are on board. Will work on a website to have
mindfulness tips and will include information on seminars. The district is embracing
IR.
EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT
Positions that need to be filled for next year: Parent Services and Web Master.
Parent Services: Ange Moore has offered to take the role, but she can’t commit for
two years.
Web Master: Will ask Mr. Bencosme if he’d be willing to fill the position.
CULTURAL ARTS UPDATE
Great feedback on the play. Next year more should be done to make it known that
it’s presented by the PTA and that’s where members’ funds go.
Plan to send home a letter in backpacks at the end of the year that lists exactly what
donations helped fund. This list should also be at the table at next year’s PTA Meet &
Greet.
YEARBOOK UPDATE
Class pages will go to each teacher for proofing. Photos will be needed from the last
concert of the year on May 7 as well as from the 5th-grade field trip.
The yearbook must be out by Field Day so students can sign them.
LITERARY MAGAZINE
Production is on schedule. Expected to be out the first week in June. Valentina is
working on it.
PLAYGROUND UPDATE
Grades 3-5 voted and playground “B” won by a significant margin. Waiting for
installation quote.
SIGN-UP PARTIES
Need to boost attendance at sign-ups. Huckster was canceled due to low attendance
but will be rescheduled, possibly teaming up with Girls’ Night Out on June 5.
GREEN COMMITTEE REPORT
The district met in March to discuss ways to be more green. Currently the schools
don’t recycle in lunchrooms, the schools that have gardens don’t compost. A selfaudit was suggested.
The garden is being put in on April 22 in the courtyard. Parents have donated tools,
garden beds and soil. Looking at ways to make the garden an outdoor classroom.
Kindergarten and 1st-grade will start incorporating the garden into classroom
instruction. Once using the garden as a classroom generates interest then we can
expand to other grades. There will be pots outside the Kindergarten classrooms for
strawberries and they can also grow strawberries along the side of the fence.
Kindergarteners will also plant basil from seeds after Spring Break.
Looking at the possibility of having a garden committee for each grade and
establishing a long-range plan.
Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Minutes submitted by JoAnna Rodriguez
The next meeting is Wednesday, May 21 at noon in Central’s Children’s Study Room.