MESPTA Board Meeting August 13, 2008
MOANALUA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA INC.
PTA BOARD MEETING
August 13, 2008
CALL TO ORDER: President Lori Shimoda called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m. in the MES library.
VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Lori Shimoda, Toby Hirashima, Sharon Toyomura, Mary Ann Reed, Robb Taone and Lei Fukumura.
NON-VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Denise Arai, Carol Mann-Molay, Wendy Hadano, Susan Kanetake, Deborah Takafuji, Lynn Muneno, Henry Muneno, Lisa Lee, Tammy Giusta, Clayton Tom, Stephen Figart and Lyanne Figart.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: The Meeting Minutes for the July 24, 2008 meeting were reviewed but due to a lack of quorum could not be approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Robb Taone reminded everyone that the white form is used by committee members seeking reimbursement and the purple form is used for new items which are not line item budget items. The original receipt is required. R. Taone will provide submitters with a copy of the receipt.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
RAP – Wendy Hadano and Lisa Lee. L. Lee reported that the RAP form was distributed and is due next week Monday. The 25th week teacher packets were sent out and prizes have been ordered. A meeting for teachers will be held on August 29, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. in the MES library. There are three new teachers who will need to be briefed about RAP. The first RAP meeting will be held in September. The RAP coupons and the RAP schedule will be posted on the MES website. Stephen Figart must be provided with the RAP schedule for posting.
ARTS AND CULTURE/REFLECTIONS-L. Shimoda reported that Arts and Culture is seeking a co-chair and Reflections is in need of a chairperson. The committee will be working on the 5th grade mural project with the Arts to Go Program with the Honolulu Academy of Arts. The mural will be similar to the mural located on the opposite wall of the cafeteria. The project will be headed by Ms. Robinson of the 5th grade Fine Arts curriculum.
MEMBERSHIP- No report.
T-SHIRT/NEWSLETTER-No report.
E-BOOKS-L. Shimoda reported that E-Books are the first fundraiser of the academic year. The fundraiser provides the PTA with seed money to start out the year and makes it possible for the MES PTA to purchase supplies for the Fun Fair. The sale of E-Books ends tomorrow. Based on last year’s performance 1,340 E-Books were ordered.
FUN FAIR-L.Shimoda reported that the Fun Fair is scheduled for November 21, 2008. The Fun Fair is scheduled for the 3rd Friday of November instead of the 2nd Friday of November to avoid conflicting with the 6th graders camping trip. The Fun Fair committee is in need of a chairperson to start gathering and planning.
ALLIANCE FOR DRAMA EDUCATION-Clayton Tom thanked everyone and reported that last year an individual connected the Alliance to HMSA Connection and gave them additional exposure.
HOSPITALITY- Maddy Ledda and Jasmin Maeva. L. Shimoda reported that for future meetings S. Figart will send out the meeting notice. When the agenda is sent out it will include an RSVP so that the Hospitality Committee can determine how much food is required. L. Shimoda further reported that the committee is seeking helpers since dinner will be provided at every evening program held this year.
MANPOWER-L.Shimoda reported that information obtained through the MES Open House and PTA survey will be sent out to the PTA committees so that committee members can contact parents for support.
CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION-L. Shimoda reported that this committee has no chairperson. Nevertheless the committee has plans with the Moanalua Lions Club to repair the roof of the 40 ft long metal storage container located at the back of the campus. They will build a roof over the container to prevent leakage and to preserve the storage container’s metal.
HEALTH AND FITNESS-L. Shimoda reported that this committee does not have a chairperson and asked that anyone interested in volunteering please contact her. Last year the committee held a nutritious workshop and a fruit kebob activity. In October the committee distributes a Halloween bag. L. Shimoda further reported that according to the recent survey, MES members want more equipment such as balls and noted that if approved, it is possible to apply for up to a $1,000 grant. The grant could also be applied towards the creation of a health fair. The money could be used to buy invitations and purchase locally grown food so the children can see what local produce looks like. The only possible time to schedule a health fair would be during the 1st week in November since both Thanksgiving and the Fun Fair also take place in November. However, the MES PTA needs to keep in mind that the Boy Scouts are having Camporee in November.
LEGISLATIVE/COMMUNITY-L. Shimoda reported that this committee does not have a chairperson thus she has been carrying out the committee’s functions. The committee works with Representative Lynn Finnegan and Senator Nakamoto and keeps them posted on MES issues. Similarly, Rep. Finnegan and Sen. Nakamoto notify the committee if there are any issues that they need to be aware of. The MES PTA web page links to Senator Nakamoto’s website.
MILITARY LIAISON-L. Shimoda reported that the brochures went out with the MES portfolios. The committee is looking for volunteers.
MES PTA Website-S. Figart reported that he is looking for ways to work with the information collected through the Open House registration forms. The MES PTA received 162 registration slips out of an MES enrollment of 690. L. Shimoda directed all MES PTA committees to set up a generic committee email address with S. Figart. That way communications can be sent directly to the committee instead of emails being initially directed to L. Shimoda. Also, L. Shimoda asked that copies of fliers be provided to S. Figart for posting on the web. Hard copies of the fliers that are distributed to students will be limited to a half sheet of paper and will refer students to the website for further information. This is a step towards going paperless. Furthermore, all activities should be posted on the website.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Open House – E-Book sales will be closing.
OLD BUSINESS
Open House – L. Shimoda reported that she and Kirstem Kajiwara served refreshments and noted that the MES PTA will attempt to serve refreshments at all evening events such as a light dinner provided by the Hospitality Committee. L. Shimoda also thanked everyone who helped with the distribution and collection of registration forms during the Open House. She further reported that someone had inquired why the Open House was held before the academic year started. In response she explained that the MES families benefit from meeting with the teacher, learning about classroom procedures and being informed about the teacher’s expectations before the first day of class. Also, the students can bring in their supplies and obtain their portfolio directly from the teacher. L. Shimoda added that some families prefer to have Open House held later in the academic year so that they can see the student’s work product and that many parents inquired about why child care was not provided. However, since, at that time, there was no Hospitality Committee and no volunteers it was not possible to offer child care. L. Shimoda remains open to suggestions.
Kindergarten Orientation – L. Shimoda reported that the Kindergarten Orientation went well and that there was a big turnout. She further reported that Terri Kimura wanted to thank everyone for helping with the school portfolios. The portfolios are designed by the MES PTA.
NEW BUSINESS
Programs-L. Shimoda reported that the committee is working on a community partnership program. They are offering special rates for “Girls Who Surf” thus she advised interested parties to check the MES PTA website for dates. They are currently in discussion about special events that include the Bishop Museum, the Hawaii Railroad and the Art Academy. The events taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are designed to bring families together.
By Laws-L. Shimoda offered everyone copies of the Bylaws last updated in 2003 and noted that the MES PTA will not be dissolved until a parent teacher organization is established.
Purchase of Digital Cameras-L. Shimoda reported that they are discussing the possibility of purchasing four digital cameras which would be given to grade levels so that they can photo document and write reflections on MES PTA activities. Most activities take place during the school day when MES PTA members are not present. This is problematic since MES PTA members are not present to document and show parents what the students did. However, before proceeding with this project the MES PTA needs to confirm that they have the support of the grade level teachers.
Administration Report- Principal Arai reported that Elmo Visual Presenters have been purchased, but are not yet in the classrooms. Funds to purchase the Elmos were available due to the fact that last year’s projected enrollment was 690 but actual enrollment was 720. Principal Arai described the Elmo as a digital camera which takes a photo and projects it on to a screen. She further reported that DVDs and LCD projectors were also purchased.
A/C Maintenance-L. Shimoda reported that the PTA will do monthly maintenance of MES’s air conditioning units. She inquired if funding for air conditioning maintenance can come from the school budget. Principal Arai responded that if the air conditioning units were not purchased by the DOE then the school budget cannot include the maintenance costs. Furthermore, the air conditioning unit must come with a dehumidifier or else its maintenance costs cannot be paid by the DOE budget.
New Teachers-Principal Arai reported that these are MES’s new teachers:
1) Mrs. Lau-Kindergarten
2) Ms. Shimoko – 1st grade
3) Ms. Dang- 1st grade
4) Mrs. Dang-2nd grade
5) Ms. Cobb- 5th grade
6) Ms. Robinson-5th grade
7) Mrs. Oumi-Librarian
Principal Arai further reported that all MES staff returned so MES started the school year fully staffed.
Assessments-Principal Arai reported that assessments were conducted at the beginning of the school year to see which students need assistance.
New bell schedule-Principal Arai reported that a new bell schedule has been implemented.
New Cafeteria Key System-Principal Arai reported that MES is installing a new key system which consists of a card key to assist users of MES facilities. The card will be programmed each time the facility is being used. Regular users of MES facilities will be permitted to retain the key card.
PUP Program-MES started the Power Up Produce (PUP) program to introduce children to free fruits and vegetables during recess. This program was made possible by a grant from both the state and federal government. It was reported that yesterday strawberries and Bing cherries were made available to students; today it was dragon fruit. This program raises student awareness and gives students the opportunity to try new fruits and vegetables as part of a wellness program.
Strings Program-Vice Principal Carol Mann-Molay asked members to let her know if anyone in the community is interested in providing the program with assistance. If so, let the interested party know that the teacher of the Strings Program did not return and that the administration is trying to locate a replacement. The Strings teacher must promote the program. The PTA budget will cover expenses but does not cover salary. A comment was made that Ms. Anderson previously submitted a budget request of $6,800 so it appears that she intended to return this school year. Vice Principal Mann-Molay stated that the PTA can provide assistance by locating Kyle Oyasato’s file folder. A member asked Vice Principal Mann-Molay when the Administration was going to notify parents and why this issue was not addressed earlier. The member expressed her concern that students have already missed two weeks of instruction, pointed out that parents were waiting for a notice from the Administration and asked when the Administration was going to notify parents. Vice Principal Mann-Molay responded that the Administration received an e-mail from Mr. Anderson only two days before school started. She further commented that the Administration thought that Ms. Anderson was helping them to find a replacement. L. Shimoda noted that the PTA will send out a notice since many 6th grade parents will need the Strings Program to obtain a Geographic Exception for admission into the intermediate school.
Susan Kanetake-S. Kanetake was introduced to the MES PTA. Ms. Kanetake is a teacher at another campus. She reported that she attended a presentation regarding On-Line Safety three years ago at Aliamanu School which was conducted by Officer Duque. After attending the On-Line Safety course S. Kanetake felt strongly that everyone, especially parents who many not be aware of on-line predators, should see the presentation. L. Shimoda commented that the MES PTA will need to work on scheduling such a presentation at MES and will work with the Family Support Team. She also noted that S. Kanetake is also experienced at digital scrap booking projects. S. Kanetake reported that digital scrap booking allows the participant to create a scrap book on-line. She further commented that if parents learn how to do digital scrap booking they will be relieved of the problem of not knowing what to do with their photos. L. Shimoda requested that S. Kanetake work with Stephen Figart on this matter. It was noted that Mrs. Gushi will allow the computer lab to be used.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
L. Shimoda reported that since the PTA is moving towards dissolving and forming a PTO it needs assistance with forming as a non profit and drafting bylaws. L. Shimoda thus
inquired if any member has legal or accounting expertise. She further explained that all of the dues collected, with the exception of one dollar, must be given to the state’s PTA organization. The only benefits received by the MES PTA are insurance coverage and the Reflections Arts and Craft program.
Prior to the adjournment of the meeting a member requested that Principal Arai provide additional information about the assessments completed at the start of the academic year. Principal Arai complied with the request and her response included clarification that the assessments were not limited to identifying which student’s require additional assistance. The assessments would also determine which students are at a more advanced level then their classmates. Another member inquired if MES will offer an enrichment class. Principal Arai responded that they will review the data gathered from the assessments to determine if they can offer an enrichment class across the classes and grade levels.
ADJOURNMENT: President Lori Shimoda adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: The next PTA Board Meeting will be held on September 10, 2008 at 6 p.m.
Lei Fukumura
MES PTA Secretary