Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Books Fair-During Conferences

Hello Everyone,

Book Fair tomorrow 1-9pm. and Friday 7-10am.

Please come to room 9a to look at all the great books

Proceeds go back to the Academy

See You There!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Agenda January 21, 2010

NCA Parent Faculty Association
Meeting Agenda
January 21st, 2010 7p.m.

Location: United Methodist Church 5420 Southside Blvd. Nampa, ID
(Directions: From 12th Ave heading toward Melba turn left on Greenhurst Rd then turn right on Southside Blvd the church will be on the left side of the street.)

* Please note daycare will be available and donations will be accepted. We want to provide this service at all PFA meetings and if we offer an incentive (money) to students, they will continue to provide this service.

Welcome & Thank You’s-Christine Plummer

Presidency Reports:

President-Christine Plummer

Treasurer-Julie Gilster

Secretary- JoLynn Morriss

PFA Council Reports:

Box Top/Campbell’s Labels –Michelle Rollins

Pizza Days- Tanya Papp

Teacher Appreciation- Christine Plummer

Old Business:

Christmas Concert Update- Christine Plummer

Kaleidoscope Art Program- Erin Taylor

*Discuss and vote Teacher Requests-JoLynn Morriss

* Vote PFA Rep Job description- Christine Plummer

New Business:

* Vote Erin Taylor as PFA Rep- JoLynn Morriss

Discipline Policy- Isaac Moffett

Board Meeting Updates- Christine Plummer



* Items requiring votes, in order to vote on items one must be a member of the PFA.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

December 2009 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Agenda
December 3rd, 2009 7p.m.

Location: United Methodist Church 5420 Southside Blvd. Nampa, ID
(Directions: From 12th Ave heading toward Melba turn left on Greenhurst Rd then turn right on Southside Blvd the church will be on the left side of the street.)

* Please note daycare will be available and donations will be accepted. We want to provide this service at all PFA meetings and if we offer an incentive (money) to students, they will continue to provide this service.

Called to order: 708 pm

Welcome & Thank You’s-Christine Plummer -Welcome to teachers and board members, Mr. M. Moffett, Mr. I. Moffett, Mr. Marvosh, Ms. Hunt, Ms. Beard, FAC-Tracy Moffett,

Presidency Reports:

President-Christine Plummer- waiting on the PFA Rep position definition, still working on it with the FAC, postpone voting until January so that the position can be defined. Because of transition, the signers on the bank account will now be Julie Gilster, Christine Plummer, and JoLynn Morriss will be added.

Treasurer-Julie Gilster - as of 11/30/09 $9976.87, approved $285 for concert and $234.52 for dictionaries. Dictionary costs will come out of the special funds.

Secretary- JoLynn Morriss-read minutes

PFA Council Reports:

New Committee Leaders-Christine Plummer -Donita Findlay will be doing newsletter. Mimi Hogabam will be working on getting some dinner fundraisers put together. She will look into where and when. Still need committee chair leaders for: Fund Raising, Social Committee, Grant Committee, Student events, VP, and PFA Rep.

Teacher Appreciation- December gifts-Pam Kruck-parents are great at helping out, PFA will not sponsor teacher appreciation because parents usually get them presents and cards

Old Business:

*Discuss and vote in Kaleidoscope Art Program- Erin Taylor- When Amber created the PFA, she wanted to include the art program from the PTA. Since Erin sits as the regional chair for the PTA Art Program, she stepped up to head this. This is not a copy of reflections. 6 categories were followed from the PTA. Down the road, we would like to see parents step up who have experience/expertise in the 6 areas to help students work on these via clubs. Also, wanted to include this into the classical education. The theme would be focused around classical education. Essays will be written on all projects, as to why and how it relates. A big celebration at the end to show the work.
Susan Beard-how is this implemented? Mostly done at home. It can be taken from something that is worked on in the class. How are they going to excel if the parents aren’t knowledgeable in an area? Hopefully get parent volunteers to help come in and give pointers.

Isaac Moffett-lots of work put into this, concerned with the wording. Cultural-means multicultural, and this is not our focus, this can open doors down the road that is contradictory to our charter at NCA. Maybe name it classical arts program, include definitions so there is clarity and know what the intent is. Classic is a quest for truth, goodness, and beauty. This should be included to bring it back to the classical thought. Where do the rights come from? Watch the wording. This will give kids the feeling they have the right to all of this, when they don’t. “Research has proven,” there is never an exception, consistently implied, and research can prove this otherwise. Self-esteem goes against the charter, pg. 11, second paragraph, tie the self esteem into the charter. True academic accomplishments lead to self esteem. Theme-we might need a stronger vision statement from the PFA. As outlined in the charter, because there are different styles of classical education, Under goals, add charter reference. See notes…Very important to have parent volunteers to help. Also understand that life is not fair, and its about learning and accomplishing. Start everything with vision and mission. To help keep the focus. We want this to proceed, but needs to be revised, with suggestions. As long as it is not something more for the teachers, its after school, and at home. Rachael Larson to help with music and Ms. Hays for the art. Isaac to help with the editing and can accept or decline the suggestions. We will wait to vote until January meeting.

*Discuss and vote Teacher Requests-JoLynn Morriss Proposal #1 all teachers receive $100. Proposal #2 teachers receive more money but not all teachers would receive. Erin Taylor votes that teachers do not have to be PFA members. Include in the proposals what grants teachers have sought? Have academy funds been received? Isaac, make it a requirement to be a member if the teacher wants to apply. There is no free lunch, have to do something to get something. Have class fundraisers, have the kids help, what is the class going to do to help? Are you going to do all we can do? We teach the kids character by doing this. The kids have the interest, the teachers need to do the same. Mrs. Hunt-What is the difference? #1 teachers get $100 and that is it, #2 gets more money.
Mr. I Moffett-have Proposal # 2 be more open for larger amounts. Mrs. Beard- Providing value in what is purchased, special event to partner with the PFA, can be more beneficial, instead of having more money. Have to be a partner, how is it related to classical education on the sheet? The work will be more and it will be well worth it. Pam Kruck-teachers write an essay and what it is they needed, date, etc…Tracy Moffett- fill out grant, and have a follow up essay, base the percentages and the teachers make up the rest. Have a committee to help choose to keep it neutral, open eyes to other avenues that might be able to be used instead of the PFA funds, the search for the solution. Mr. Marvosh- do disbursements as written , and have committee make the decisions. Clarification that any request under $500 PFA presidency approves. Set the requirements, and stick to them, we assist in making the funds.

New Business:/
Board Meeting Updates- Christine Plummer/JoLynn Morriss-gave a quick over view of board meetings. See board meeting minutes for information.

Christmas Concert- Mr. Marvosh-cost is about $265 + Mr. Blount is donating $100, going with Jewett and the seating will fit all of us, almost 900 seats, start at 6pm-7pm k-3 (5:45) ½ hour break then 7:30- 9:30 for the 4-9th grade. Needs: refreshments, questions by email by Erin, Linda Wait will draft from older kids to help, program will be by Amy Hyten, need to help with where kids sit, and who will help move then around. Talk to teachers at next staff meeting, who is taking photos, ask Irene Gans.
Adjourned at 852pm
* Items requiring votes, in order to vote on items one must be a member of the PFA.

November Meeting Minutes

NCA Parent Faculty Association
Meeting Agenda
November 19th, 2009 7 p.m.

Location: United Methodist Church 5420 Southside Blvd. Nampa, ID
(Directions: From 12th Ave heading toward Melba turn left on Greenhurst Rd then turn right on Southside Blvd the church will be on the left side of the street.)

* Please note daycare will be available and donations will be accepted. We want to provide this service at all PFA meetings and if we offer an incentive (money) to students, they will continue to provide this service.

Called to order 7:10pm

Welcome & Thank You’s-Christine Plummer - Thank you to Amber for all her hard work. At our next meeting we would like to show appreciation to the church for their donating the facility. Thanks to April who helps set up things here at the church. Thanks to Teachers and EA’s who are in attendance; Susan Beard, Jill Richardson, Teresa Hatsidakis, and Jolynn Morriss.

Presidency Reports:

President-Christine Plummer- The PFA now has a standing meeting with Headmaster the 2nd Thursday of the month. Next meeting will be December 10, 2009.

Treasurer-Julie Gilster - We have $9684.03 as of bank statement dated 10/30/09. Sales are $16, 238.55 this includes Boise’s Best, T-shirts, and decals.

Secretary- JoLynn Morriss –minutes read from September 24, 2009 meeting.

PFA Council Reports:

Introduce Council Members in Attendance-Christine Plummer- There is a current listing on the website of some committees in need of leadership. Current committees in need are: PFA Newsletter done quarterly, grant collection, social event coordinator, student event, fundraising, and snack day,

Fundraising- sweatshirt sales-Christine Plummer-Mercedes Conception is now heading this committee. $4987 has been raised; this does not include the donations. T-shirt sales are at $457. Sweatshirts are now being sold for $24 and $26. A phone call has been placed to Farmstead Maze to find out how much NCA made.

Social Committee-JoLynn Morriss- Winter social event has been cancelled so that all focus can be on the Christmas concert. Mr. Marvosh will let us know his needs and we will post them on the blog/Google Group.

Teacher Appreciation- December gifts-Pam Kruck -not in attendance- PFA Presidency encourages parents to recognize their children’s teachers, with a small token of appreciation.

Uniform Swap- Kristine Hendrickson – There will be a tote to leave uniforms in. Attach an index card to clothing. No need to be present to sell items. Clothing and shoes will be sold. Items need to be in good condition. After New Year we will try to have the uniform swap at the academy. A current list of items will be emailed prior to the PFA meeting. Items that are donated will be sold and proceeds will go to the uniform fund.

Kaleidoscope Art Program- Erin Taylor-The program was wrote specific for NCA but is modeled after the PTA Reflections program. Please review document on the Google Group files and send corrections or suggestions to Erin. This is a cultural arts program that can be implemented in the classroom or independent. On December 3rd we will discuss and vote this in. There are 25 pages total for this document. We will start this program after winter break.

Old Business:

*By-laws- changes and vote-Christine Plummer - changes to: Article 7 Section 2 and 5, Article 8 Section 5. Motion to accept the by-laws as they have been amended, Susan Beard motions, Erin Taylor 2nd, motion carries.

*Standing Rules-changes and vote-Christine Plummer - Changes to election, check fee, and PFA rep position, motion to accept standing rules as amended, Jill Richardson motion, Diane Baily- 2nd, motion carries.

* Budget-update and vote-Julie Gilster- Motion to accept the budget as written, Jill Richardson motion, Gordon Dye 2nd, motion carries.

New Business:

Open Presidency Position Nominations- Christine Plummer, Open positions for VP and PFA Rep. A nomination for PFA Rep was self nomination by Erin Taylor. She has five children at academy, attended the charter start up, studied classical education, feels it is important to voice what our children need and give them the best education they can get. She did attend the state charter commission meeting on November 12th. No nominations for VP.

Introduction of New Board Members- Mike Moffett at a board meeting

Commission Meeting Update- Erik Makrush- has been a board member for 3 weeks. Notice of defects- Letter sent to parents, 7 different categories in the notice, employment were big issues for Latin and Media Specialist. Temporary licenses will be issued December 3rd, and then defect will go away. Title 1 math teacher is needed. This would be for 8th to 12th grade math only. This is for students who are 2 grades or more below, only have 13 students. HM Bush has interviewed at least 2 people and in the process of hiring one of them. We will then be able get the Title 1 funding. Audit will be taking place 7-8th of December. Question was asked do we still need parent groups. Christine to email Mr. Makrush about setting these groups up. Next board meeting will be the 23rd of November. Public Records law is another defect. All boards have to have open discussions, sometimes emails are sent; just have to make sure that these meetings are set up accordingly to the law. Also working on how do we deal with public email requests? The press uses this lot, now we have policies and procedure that are in place. Question if we are modeling core values by staff and board. We have the opportunity to show them we do abide by these rules and we are striving for this. At all board meetings the NCA creed, mission, vision, are read first and it helps to get in the right state of mind. Testimony to this is the recent food drive of over 5000 food items that were donated by the students. Another defect is the employment of individual in administration without endorsement. Board is now defining the role of the director of operations. Education law attorney Amy White has been working with the board and knows how policies should be set up and to help set up board and administration. Board is not renaming the position to just fit the person. It is changing the position to be the position, not to fit a specific person. These positions will be defined for years to come. Susan Beard asked about boundaries being set so that if need be that non administration can say wait I can’t do that. Also asked was how stable is our student population? 500 students as of last count. Prior to start of school we were told that we would lose about 10% in a year that is typical. Commission can do what they like and notice of defect anyone they like. Commission as a whole wants us to succeed. Rep. Steven Thain is going to be at the academy on Monday to see how we are doing. We are under the commission and a good relationship with the commission needs to be put into place now. Concerns about student stress because of what the press is saying. Defect about stability of finances. Items are being moved to cover items this is to be expected the 1st year because we do not have a proven budget to start with. Things usually get moved by all companies the first year, because more is spent in one area and not as much in the other. Paragon is helping with grants; want input from the parents, and currently working a timeline to come into compliance. December 14th will need to get information to the commission. Paragon is working with the academy as they have about $2 million invested. Foundation with them is still good, building depends on the budget. Cuts are coming from the at the state level, we will know more February/March 2010. The BOD is looking at options to expand what we currently have.

Stand Up and Be Counted-Susan Beard- contact her about voicing how things are really going. Speak up about voicing passion about the academy. Will work with Mr. Makrush and might be writing letters, guidance will come from him.

Fundraiser at carwash, give card out when they use it and NCA get $1, Erik will email information.

Adjourned 9:16 pm

* Items requiring votes, in order to vote on items one must be a member of the PFA.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

September Meeting Minutes

NCA Parent Faculty Association
Meeting Agenda
September 24, 2009 7:00pm

Location: United Methodist Church 5420 Southside Blvd. Nampa, ID
(Directions: From 12th Ave heading toward Melba turn left on Greenhurst Rd then turn right on Southside Blvd the church will be on the left side of the street.)

* Please note daycare will be available and donations will be accepted. We want to provide this service at all PFA meetings and if we offer an incentive (money) to students, they will continue to provide this service.

Called to Order 7:10pm

Welcome & Thank You’s-Amber Gunnell-

Presidency Reports:

President-Amber Gunnell- Meet and greet was a success, items(t-shirts, decals, memberships) still for sale tonight, last night to get shirts at $10.00, will be $11.00 after tonight due to a change to 100% cotton shirts. Board wants us to decide where we want the money to go, that the PFA brings in. Idaho Press Tribune and Bank of the West promotion.


Secretary-JoLynn Morriss- Read July Minutes- $70.84 presented to PFA from JoLynn Morriss and Shawna Schneiderman for Pampered Chef Party that was booked during Rummage Sale in June. Shawna had agreed to donate 100% of her proceeds to the PFA for parties booked at that time.

Treasurer- Julie Gilster- Meet and Greet night sales are as followed: $592.50 t-shirt , $170 decal , $190 dues, $42 water sales, $200 ice creams sales, currently $1720.02 in bank account. Items still need to be paid such as t-shirts and decal invoices.

Parent Rep-Holle McRae- Report from BOD meeting 9/21/09. Informed 547 student enrolled and 5 registered, construction update 50 foot flag pole end of month, playground in the works, Oct 5th bus training, Oct 16th picture day in formal uniforms, three contracts approved Idaho Billing Service for 3 years, Nerd Line Inc. for IT services, and Boise Office Equipment, donated a high speed copier, Copies Plus did great helping out teachers and staff for all copies. Policy for dual enrollment accepted. Sports/clubs policy was addressed, PFA asked to have a snack day. PT Title 1 math and PT Title 1 reading teachers were approved to be hired. It was asked to have more portables to help with room. Two new board members, Corey Freeman and Bryan Merrill. Kym Slater resigned, but will work on uniform committee. Recycling bin(green) has been placed on the back of the property to earn money. Anything can be put in it and money will go to NCA.

PFA Council Reports:

Fundraisers-Christine Plummer- Boise’s Best fundraiser, kick off Tuesday, order forms turned in Oct 6th, and orders will be filled Oct 20th, parents have to pick up at the school between 3:45pm to 6pm. No door to door. Some inserts did not have Boise Premier Card covered, this item not for sale, 40% goes to PFA, option for donation for student/parents who did not want to participate and sell. Meridian Corn Maze at Farmsted, coupon for $1 off and then the PFA gets that $1 comes back, looking into having an NCA day, where students can go together to spend time with family and friends.

Social Committee-Pam Kruck- PFA to show appreciation by doing muffins for staff. Staff appreciation will be done every month, an email was sent out and lots of people volunteered. Thank you to all who are helping or will help.

Box Tops/Campbell’s Soup Labels- Michelle Rollins (you may bring them to the meeting if you have been storing them)- Sign up at www.btfe.com, What do we need to be saving? Just the little box, One can just rip it off the top. Headmaster said he will be getting academy set up soon. Lots of things that we can do once registered, such as free box tops and giveaways. Coupons are available on the website as well. Campbell soup labels, has to have complete UPC and the little guy, all numbers have to included. If you donate food, you can do it twice per, school can get points, each person can register on their own, and can get promotions everyday, promotion through labels, classroom full of books, Catalina’s at Albertsons, we are signed up on label site, through NCA. board wants us to decide where we want the money to go, Idaho Press Tribune and Bank of the West promotion, only twice a year we can submit

Capri Suns- Piper Skoglund- not in attendance

Uniform Swap-ideas and possible swapping/selling (bring your items)- Kristine Hendrickson will be heading this up, she has items set in place. Bring your items to each PFA meeting and exchange for something your child may need.

Old Business:

Meet & Greet-Amber Gunnell- see above information


New Business:

* Vote on Bylaws, Standing Rules, and 2009-1010 Budget-Amber Gunnell- (Budget) Income is not updated, numbers don’t match. Items are an estimate based on previous experience. If donations for childcare are substantial then we can put that money to something else. Heritage celebration, there will be a dinner, reenactments, Tonya Freeman will be over this project. Special projects-items may not be known until requested, can be last minute, teacher appreciation, conferences, faculty gifts , or something special in the office. Money for teacher grants will be opened once money is available. It was asked why no carnivals. There are a lot of start up costs and lots of man power. Carnivals don’t meet the vision unless there is a theme along the vision of the academy. Academy can request funds from us on what they need. Voting on expenditures only, voting is unanimous to accept budget as written.

Standing rules and bylaws, item of concern is how it is written for President being voted in. April Lyons Article 7 item 2 that the presidency only votes the president in, this is not the case with our academy and feel like all members should be able to vote on the president. Michelle Martinez sometimes it seems like legalism, but the presidency knows the people. Christine Plummer-maybe have a stipulation, Isaac Moffett- It costs months to get thing done because people don’t have the know or the understanding of how things are to function and work, you cant always trust people to make the right vote> We, the PFA, will feel it very quickly if the wrong person is put in as President. BOD vote the Chairman in. People need to know, we have to carry the original intent and keep it pure. If we don’t keep this, then within 2 generations we can loose it, make sure the vision and mission are the fore front at all times. Open discussion, have it similar to the BOD, base president position on how the person has been involved. Maybe have it that the nomination of President comes from the presidency and confirmation vote by the people. Myabe have certain stipulations that nominated President/s would need to have. Item is tabled, work session and be voted in next month.

Update on States Action-Isaac Moffett- Mr. Moffett addressed the parents and stated that he could not answer what NCA is doing in regards to the lawsuit. Most of the information was withheld from minutes. Items that we can share with parents are that we need to fight for what we want. If you placed your children at NCA because of the right to use the curriculum originally intended, then you need to fight for your rights for curriculum choice. Many charters schools have the right to choose their curriculum but NCA is not. We have been given a state list to choose our curriculum from. This fight is about our rights and we are loosing them. Next year is a voting year for your Senators, Representatives, and other Government officials. It important that we contact them on a regular basis and let them know we want them to take note of what is happening to NCA and they need to take a stand. If we as parents, who have the right to vote, make them be accountable, we can be a deciding factor whether they get into office or not. For example, Steven Kren has said that he wants to do the work for the people, so he does not have time to talk to NCA. Are we not the people? The Coalition for Charter School Families will not help NCA in this fight. Link are on the PFA website with the contact information to our people in office.

One thing that we can do to help in this endeavor is to send information to ncapfa@gmail.com of any known textbooks, library books, or curriculum of any religious text being used at any public school. This is for any religion. When sending information please include your name and contact information incase more information is needed. There is a gentleman named Sheldon, who has a petition (needs 58,000 signatures)going around about getting the bible back in the schools. There has been a post from a parent on the PFA Blog regarding this information. Please refer to this post for more information.

Finally, if you believe in what our academy is doing, please let the board members know. They need encouragement and to know that we, as parents, are behind them.

Tiffany Bement-Veterans Memorial can donate extra flags as needed.

Adjourned 8:59 pm

* Items requiring votes, in order to vote on items one must be a member of the PFA.

PFA Calendar

Which would you prefer regarding the moderation of the google group? PFA blog posts will still be posted on the google group either way, but it's up to parents how much involvment you'd like the PFA to have in moderating.

What would you like our Art Program to be named?