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.