MMSA Meeting Minutes

December 6, 2005

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

 

The minutes from the October 4, 2005 meeting were approved.

 

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Barbara Davis reported a total account balance of $12,665.96. 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Fall Fundraisers- President Mary Sikand reviewed the three fall fundraisers: membership drive, gift-wrap sale and book fair. 

Gift Wrap Sales- Chairperson Pam Cheney noted the sales profit was between $3,300-$3,400, up a bit from last year.  She thanked Karen Burnham’s class for doing so much of the preparation that made the program successful.

Book Fair-The book fair made $4009.62 in profit, down from last year.  However, the fair ran one fewer days this year.

MMSA refreshment sales at “Alice in Wonderland” totaled $367.57.

Enrichment teacher Wayne Trembly reported that the staff play “Fiddler on the Roof would run April 7,8 & 9.  The MMSA will sell drinks at intermission.

 Scout Troop Sponsorship Update-MMSA voted last year to end involvement with the local Boy Scouts Troup it had sponsored for years.  The Lions Club took them over.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

February Open Gym Night-Feb. 3.  6:30-9 pm.  MMSA will sell pizza, cookies, and soda.  Scott Brandon will organize this and interested volunteers should contact him.

 

Mansfield Board of Education-Mary Sikand received a letter from William Simpson, Chair, Mansfield Board of Education, to announce and encourage attendance at the Board of Education meetings and to coordinate a visit to the Middle School.  Principal Jeff Cryan explained that one of the Board’s goals this year is to increase communication with the parent community and this is part of their effort.  Mary noted that she will begin announcing upcoming Board meetings and asked interested parents to attend the Feb. 9 meeting with the Board at the Middle School and bring any concerns or creative ideas of what the school might provide for students.

 

Program Update-Eva Csejtey reported that MMSA has $800 to allocate for a speaker.  After some discussion, it was decided to contact the former school nurse to see if she might provide a program, which the MMSA would underwrite. 

 

New Fundraising Ideas-An idea previously discussed-tag sale—was dismissed as too labor involved.  A goods and services auction, successful at another eastern Connecticut school was outlined and discussed, but lacked volunteer support.  Raffle baskets and silent auction at the staff play seemed to garner the most interest and will be discussed further at the Feb. meeting.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT- Principal Jeff Cryan said that November was a busy month and the highlight was the Milken Assembly, where MMS eighth grade teacher Julie White was one of two Connecticut teachers recognized by the Milken Family Foundation, with a Milken Educator Award and a check for $25,000.  Education Commissioner Dr. Betty Sternberg presented the award.

 

250 parents attended MMS for American Education Week.  Jeff got some really nice comments about the atmosphere of the school and class content. 

 

The day before Thanksgiving was Career Day for 7th and 8th graders at MMS, organized by guidance counselor Beth Stake. 

 

230 students participated in after school activities in the first quarter, which is about 30% participation by the student body.  25 different activities will be offered in the third quarter. 

 

Jeff said MMS has received a bid from another photographer, but he has been pleased with Daniels as school photographer and asked people for their opinions.  Feedback supported keeping Daniels, as they are polite, professional and helpful.

 

At the end of the first quarter, the staff looked at report cards to see where greater support might be offered to those with low grades.  Many of those low grades were because of incomplete work, so starting in Jan. 06, MMS is going to be setting up an after school session every day, staffed by an MMS staff member and 2 or 3 UCONN students (from jr. level to masters’).  These students will be paid $25 a session to work with kids to complete work.   

 

Related to the MMS theme of Global Awareness, five Mandarin-speaking, 8th grade students volunteered to translate when MMS hosted visitors from Asia.  They were particularly interested in Wayne Trembly’s enrichment classes and invited Wayne to visit.  He will travel for 12 days to Bangkok, over Feb. vacation.

 

A graduate student from UCONN’s School of Education will offer an after school introductory program in Chinese during third-quarter. 

 

OTHER BUSINESS-Banking-Sondra Boyer announced that starting Dec. ‘05, student banking will occur once a month on first Wed., due to lack of volunteer support.

MMSA Bylaws Review-30 day notice is needed before voting on changes to bylaws.  Mary will put notice in newsletter to go home in Dec. and Jeff will have a staff member post the proposed changes on school website so that MMSA may vote on these changes in Feb.  Deadline for comment will be Jan. 20.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:22 pm.