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- There were approximately 10 parents in attendance, as well as Jessica Peters, Beth Tomlinson and Lauren Brunt.
- Follow-up Items:
Going forward, we will only address follow up items that have a status change since the last meeting.
- Lit Life: Ms. Peters confirmed that the Lit Life personnel will do a presentation on the curriculum. We are waiting for a date and time.
- Lit Life is primarily an approach to literacy. It is similar to Tools of the Mind (TOTM). The math and science components at the first grade level are more teacher-based, following a specific textbook set.
- Ms. Peters was asked if there is tracking based on achievement in the district’s first grade programs. She said there is some, but it is reevaluated often.
- Spanish: We still don’t have a start date for the new schedule or a new teacher. The group discussed approaches to moving the process along. Sarah Cavill agreed to write a letter to Ms. Vega and Mr. Rusak requesting clarification. We were told in the fall by Mr. Rusak that this issue would be resolved in 48-hours.
- Field Trips and Assemblies:
The Board of Education (BOE) approved:
- Carnegie Kids (1/28) – The teachers will receive a standard permission slip to give to the students a week or so prior to the trip, with a request for parent volunteers. Students must be on time or early on the 28th, so that the buses can leave on time.
- Jersey City Museum of Art (2/10-2/12)
- Jenkinson’s Aquarium (3/29-3/30)
- Interpretive Center at Liberty State Park (4/21-4/23)
- Jill Sullivan agreed to write up which classes are going on which date.
- Magic Sky and Mad Science have not been approved for a BOE agenda. The Board is reluctant to approve programs that are not offered to the whole district. Several solutions were discussed:
- Could we offer it during the day? There is a block of space being used for science right now, but it is not in a lab setting.
- Could the PTO just outright pay for Magic Sky and charge parents for Mad Science? Do we need to open it up to other kindergartners in the district?
- Does the BOE know what we are asking for? Should we reach out to them and explain that our curriculum isn’t the same as other kindergartens in the district?
- Should we go to the press about science and Spanish and these other issues where there isn’t parity?
- Financial update: Treasurer Kathleen Keilman gave an update on the PTO’s finances.
- The Green Initiatives 50/50 rally brought in $925
- As of December 31, the PTO account had $1948.
- There has been no movement from the business office about accounts and liability.
- Committee Updates:
- Fundraising (Diana Whittles):
- The wine tasting/silent auction is tentatively scheduled for March. There was discussion of feasibility due to costs, volunteer efforts, etc. Sparrow suggests tickets priced at no less than $55. The Hudson Tea community room costs $500. Would ticket sales be the money generator or would it be from wine sales and auction items? Should we open it up to the rest of the community? This is a follow-up item for February.
- Family Fun (Sarah Cavill):
- Movie night will be January 22nd at 6:30 in the Brandt gym. The children will pick the movie. They can wear the pjs during the day and should bring a sleeping bag to the movie. There will be a request for donations of snacks and drinks.
- Enrichment (Rebecca Howden):
- In-school enrichment:
- Music: The children enjoyed the trombonist in December.
- Phys-ed: Devotion yoga is going ahead with phys-ed enrichment this month.
- Jane Lavascoe, author of Casey and Bella Go to New York City will be coming to Brandt to speak to the children in the spring. There will be two assemblies, 40 minutes each. This needs to be approved by Ms. Vega. The author will be distributing order forms, which need to be approved by Mr. Rusak.
- Other ideas for enrichment possibilities include sewing, photography, and architecture.
- Green Initiatives:
- The enrichment committee is going to write up a succinct calendar of events with descriptions of each activity and present it to the teachers. The first activity is worms in February.
- First Grade:
There was a discussion of the recent visit to Brandt (1/7) from Superintendent Carter. The group thinks that the presence of two board members and parents from other schools at that meeting was encouraging. Ms. Peters had heard nothing new about the possibility of first grade. However, there will most likely be an announcement about a new superintendent in March, who will begin next fall. Further steps to secure first grade include:
- Talking to the Board members individually.
- Encouraging parents to write their BOE members and Mr. Carter.
- Maintaining a presence at the BOE meetings.
- Reaching out to pre-k parents and encouraging them to speak out about their desire for first grade.
- The next PTO meeting is February 1st, 7-9pm