PTA Minutes 11-04-13
Attendance
Heather Craig
Laura Siegel
Rebecca Barry
Wendy Helm
Anna Millenson
Michelle Weiss
Heidi LaMonda
Pam Olson
Yuki Asada
Caro Turba
Jenny Frank
Linda Stella
Michele Garner
Marcey Brownstein
Posie Strenz

Principle’s report- Linda states that the Thanksgiving Senior Lunch will take place on November 21 st at 1:30pm.
The week of November 18 th is Educational week.
November 7 th is county wide 15 minute early dismissal.
November 8 th there will be no school for the children due to Parent
Teacher Conferences.
Linda Sella says that Thanksgiving baskets are being put together for families in need and will be giving through the school nurse.
There is great concern about there no longer being a Pre-K in the
Phoenicia area. The staff and parents feel that without the Pre-K, some children will be at a disadvantage.
The Arkville Pre-K has expanded its Pre-K and is willing to accept children in the Onteora area.
Heidi LaMonda is going to reach out to Cindy Bishop, Kathy the
Director of Discovery Pre-school K, Mary the Windy Ridge Director and Grace the Director of Woodland Valley Playhouse. They have all been involved in the discussions with the district about Pre-K services.
Linda has a meeting with Dr. McGill to discuss further information.
Treasurer’s report- Yuki reports that we have 47 PTA members this year and all dues were turned in.
We now have $67.04 in Amazon Rewards.
As of now everything is on budget or below which is great!
B.O.E. report- The Last Board of Education meeting was held the
Phoenicia School.

Committee reports & updates- There is $14,000 for assemblies and activities for the school. As for assemblies this year there is still an ongoing discussion with administration. Anna Millenson, Caro
Turba and Yuki Asada met with Dr. McGill to come up with a decision regarding residencies and assemblies. Administration has agreed to pay Jill Schwartz dance residency for the Kindergartens and the 1 st grades. Originally Administration was going to share the costs Hip Hop residency, however, at the beginning of the school year, Principal Sella and Anna discussed the district paying for the entire residency. Subsequently, The PTA offered to split the payment of the Hip Hop residency with the Onteora District, but as of November 20 th the district has stated the PTA should pay the expenses. This was not what the PTA and District had discussed.
Onteora District and the PTA will spilt the cost of the Kit’s
Interactive Assembly as this will be a day and evening event.
Heather Roberts has asked the PTA to cover the cost of $750 for a science assembly for an Earth Day Celebration. The PTA did approve.
The Craft Fair-The Craft Fair will take place on December 6 th at
3:45-5pm. As for crafts we have 8 people signed up to do a craft and quite a few volunteers to come and lend a hand. The flyer is soon going to be sent out.
Silent Auction- Marcey is still taking donations. People will be able to donate items until November 29 th . Bidding will begin December
2 nd and will got through until December 6 th .
Holiday Boutique- Wrapping parties are underway. Wrapping parties will take place on November 18 th & 19 th . The Holiday
Boutique starts on December 2 nd and ends December 6 th . The
Boutique will take place in the Phoenicia Schools Lobby. Hours of operation are 9-3pm Monday-Friday.
Garden- Caro and Michele need to get the bulbs in the ground before it freezes. They came up with the idea that children could

help with the planting of the bulbs during their recess or lunch time. They are still working on cleaning up the garden.
Nutcracker- Yuki had brought this to everyone’s attention during the PTA meeting. It will cost $40.oo per child. The PTA is covering half of the charge. The Nutcracker rehearsals will take place on
November 18 th & 25 th , December 2 nd , 9 th , & 16 th . Stage Rehearsals will take place in Tannersville and there will be carpooling if needed, on December 23 rd , 26 th , and 27 th . Performance will be on December
27 th and 28 th .
Mixed Bags- Denise is finishing up collecting all the order forms and we will have a total hopefully during our next meeting.
Health Eating Campaign- Patrick Burkhardt has launched the
“Let’s Keep Junk Food out Of School” campaign. There have been many complaints from parents and staff that the children are not eating enough healthy foods during school. There were several parents expressing concern when their children came home upset and reporting that their snacks and lunches weren’t healthy.
Both parents and staff at the PTA meeting discussed the possibilities of limiting ice cream to one day a week so children can’t order it daily.