Executive Summary: Home & School Association November 13th, 2007 Meeting
Full minutes and financial statement posted online at http://www.stpatrickofhudson.org/hsa.aspx.
President’s Summary: It was a great but long meeting, w/ approximately N=30 parents and teachers present. Much discussion occurred on parent-generated issues, including children’s mental health. In many instances, the discussion resulted in action items for either the school or H&S personnel, indicating the voice of those attending was being heard. The financial issues were addressed at the end of the meeting, maximizing discussion time of the full agenda.
I. Constitution & Bylaws:
o Suggested changes to the March 2007 version were discussed. Most are minor edits; two substantive. 1) Require full committee vote on amendments to the constitution & bylaws 2) Formalized customary H&S practices on voting in proposed Bylaw amendment IX.
o The active HSA Constitution and Bylaws are posted on the school website, under the School Committees/ Home and School/ Policies and Procedures tabs (http://www.stpatrickofhudson.org/hsconstitution.aspx)
o Review/comment period opened until January 13th for the proposed changes only (indicated in bold).
o A formal vote on each of the proposed changes will occur at the Jan meeting.
II. H&S Survey Results
o Approximately ¼ of the school families responded (N=54). Results to be published on the H&S pages of the website indicated above or by clicking http://www.stpatrickofhudson.org/hsa_archive_07_08.aspx.
o Online voting positively received. Draft procedures for online voting to be discussed at the Jan meeting.
III. H&S Room Parent Liaison (PL)
o Each classroom now has a room parent designated who can act as a conduit of information between the classroom specific parents and H&S.
o Individuals needing to get H&S related information to and/or recruit volunteers from a specific class are encouraged to use the PL.
·IV. Guest speaker on Grace Place in Somerset, WI
o Information on services, volunteer needs and charitable giving provided. For more information, phone 715-247-2944 or visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org/grace_place.htm
V. Parent Education: Dr. Marjorie Law answered parents’ and teachers’ questions re children’s mental health
VI. Q& A Discussion
o First Reconciliation & post-sacramental celebrations – ideas were generated and past experiences shared; parents’ concerns re school-related preparation were addressed clarified by teachers.
o Magazine Sale Prizes: This year co-chairs increased experiential prizes and decreased ‘cheap’ prizes. They are interested in continuing this next year. Ideas for experiential prizes and problems created by them were addressed. Contact co-chairs with ideas.
o Increasing Volunteerism: Ideas were generated and discussed. Exec Committee to draft documents indicating minimum # of expected hours and present during Jan meeting.
o Spirit Day: Concerns re linking a classroom’s spirit day participation with its food shelf donation level were raised by parents. Ms. Piasecki to re-inform student council that the two are not to be linked.
VII. November Financial Statement
o Ending balance: $34K
o $15K stipend payment to be made
o $16 reserved for upcoming projects
