P.A. MINUTES

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Parents’ Association of P.S. 101Q
2 Russell Place, Forest Hills, NY 11375
www.pa101.org PAMail@pa101.org

P.A. Meeting – September 11, 2007

Deb Dillingham, PA President starts the meeting with opening remarks. She has had a 20-year relationship with P.S. 101 through family, and now her 3 children. What sets P.S.101 apart are the teachers, staff and parents. The PA’s goal is to support the principal and our students. Encourages all parents to sign on and volunteer for variety of programs. Some committees still need chairs to run them. Especially encourage fathers to volunteer.

Introduction of Executive Committee:

1st Vice President Laura Jett
2nd Vice President Nancy Northrop
3rd Vice President Chary Alban-Talero
Treasurer Anne Sexton
Recording Sec. Jacquie Silano

Elisa Losada –Arts Committee: Gave overview of programs initiated and paid for by PA. Met in the Classroom (now called Ready Met Go) was in grades 2 – 6, reaching 430 students. Special performances: Brooklyn Opera Company performed a child-friendly Mozart opera, Japanese Drums, The Sharp Things band, etc. The committee works with Mr. Sansaricq, the music teacher, to enhance the music curriculum. Can reach Arts Committee members Elisa Losada at losada@msn.com  and Yoko Stetson at YMS1900@att.net

Fiona Serpa is chairing the Book Fair – September 25 – 27. Will need volunteers to help with setup, takedown, assisting students, etc. Tuesday 9/25 will feature a Coffee House/Music hour form 3 to 4:30. Students and parents can read short selections. Book fair will be open the evenings of Wednesday – during afterschool registration, and Thursday –during Meet the teacher evening.

Nancy Northrop – a member of the School Leadership Team (SLT) and coordinator of the After school Program. There is currently a vacant parent SLT position open. Anne Kittredge is head of the Nomination Committee. The election for the SLT position is open for nominations.

After school registration is Wednesday, September 26 from 7 to 8:30pm. Volunteers arrive at 6:30pm. Nancy is looking for someone to assist her with coordinating the After school Program and then take over the program for next year. This is an essential program for our students.

Jacquie Silano – Recording Secretary. Will be coordinating Recess Volunteer program. Notices to go out soon. Reminded parents to continue collecting Box Tops for Education, free money for our students. Also coordinates Picture Day, which is scheduled for November 20 this year. Will be looking for volunteers.

Anne Sexton – Treasurer – Her duties include developing a budget, helping to decide how money is spent to benefit all our students. P.A. has purchased 2 Smartboards, at $3500 each. The P.A. is only limited by volunteer hours given and the amount of money we raise. P.A. is looking for someone who can write grants.

Jennifer Mannion (with Manya Slater and Cecile) – are chairing the Halloween Party scheduled for October 28. They are looking for creative people to help. Will need lots of volunteers on the day of the event to man games and help with set up and break down.

Chary Alban-Talero- 3rd Vice President. Has been a key volunteer in many of P.A. events over the past few years. Looking forward to working with the P.A. Executive Board.


Laura Jett – 1st Vice President – Planning 2nd annual Election Day Bake Sale. Last year was a surprise success – bringing in $1500.

Other programs planned by the P.A. include a Gardening Committee. Need volunteers to help organize plantings. International Dinner event needs a chairperson. Holiday Fair last year was very successful due to the P.A. purchasing the items to sell, rather than going through an organization. Plan to do that again this year.

Lunch assemblies are planned for the winter season. Will periodically stage/coordinate talent show and other activities during indoor recess. Will need volunteers to help plan and run.

Marisol Catucci manages the P.A. website:  www.PA101.org  and the school website: www.PS101.org . Please take the time to visit both for information on events, or school information.

Planning 2nd Annual Mother/Son and Father/Daughter Dances. Both were very successful. Will be looking for lots of volunteers to help. Especially encourage fathers to come help at the Mother/Son Dance.

Starting fundraising campaign with $110,000 as a goal. Raised approximately $15,000 last year. Goal is to provide 2 computers for each Pre-K to 2nd grade classroom. Approximate cost is $2600 for each set-up.

$10,000 has been set aside for air-conditioning in the Auditorium and other theatrical improvements. $35,000 needed for providing air-conditioning to entire 1st floor, including gym and auditorium.

Principal Ronnie Feder addressed parents:

She worked with P.A. to create welcoming atmosphere for incoming students. She listened to parents’ concerns and suggestions and came up with 2 goals:
1.) Greater accountability and doing a better job of collecting and using data to assess and target educational goals.
2.) Communication – Need to improve across the board – with parents and staff.

DOE teams visited school to evaluate and provide a quality review of our school. The two goals reflect two areas that P.S.101 needed improvement.

All parents should have classroom teacher and administration email addresses. Available on website.

Ms. Capitulo is an Interim Acting Assistant Principal – she needs to go through the C30 selection process. P.S.101 needed additional help. Her responsibilities will overlap with Ms. Gonzalez, and Ms. Feder. Will work as a team.

Mrs. Feder is turning over some responsibility to staff. Asked 2 staff members strong in certain curriculum areas to mentor other teachers.

Her wish list includes mainly upgrading technology and supporting classroom libraries.

Mr. Moss, Ms. Geier and Mr. Hyman willing to learn and integrate new technology into the classrooms. Teachers wanted students to have open access to computers to work on projects. Computers available during 5th period.

Gym available everyday during 5th and 6th period for use by parents to run recess programs. The gym floor was redone. Office of School Services provides funding. Students wanted a basketball team and logo. A bumblebee represents the P.S.101 Stingers. Anyone in 5th and 6th grade can be on the team.


Continuing the Kindness Campaign. Ms. Corin is organizing the Kindness Tree. Ms. Maggio will work with students to reinforce kindness and respect. Students who are recognized will get a leaf or snowflake (depending on the season) with their name on it to put on the tree. These students will be honored at the November, February and May PA meetings.

Plan on having at least as many workshops as last year. Will provide opportunity for parents to meet with service provider or teacher. Ms. Scotton, the coordinator of Special Services will conduct an IEP workshop on September 19.

On September 27, Meet the Teacher night; cluster and special services providers will speak to parents to let them know what services are available before parents meet with the teachers.

She’s looking forward to a great year, and don’t be afraid to compliment a teacher or program.

Deb Dillingham thanks parents for coming and closes the meeting.