Minutes 03-07-2011

Monday, March 7, 2011
7-8 pm at Broadwater School

Regular HPMP Meeting began at 7:00 pm.

 

Attendees: Co-President Diana Hammer, Co-President Marika Adamek, Co-Secretary Alana Listoe, Co-Secretary Tracie Kenyon, Central Principal Merry Fahrman, Smith Principal Pam Wright, Liz Stine, Jami Hansing, Amy Omang Huber, Sara Groves, Erin Turner, Central Teacher Libby Kenney

Co-President, Marika Adamek, began the meeting at 7:04 pm.

Welcome/Introductions

Marika opened the meeting with introductions of HPMP Officers and meeting participants.

Secretary Alana Listoe circulated the sign-in sheet.

Announcements

No announcements tonight

Montessori Lesson

Libby Kenney gave the Test Tube Division lesson and discussed how this lesson allows children to visually understand division.

Secretary Report

Alana sent the minutes from the February 7, 2011 meeting to the classroom teachers; the teachers forwarded the minutes electronically to their students’ families.  A motion was made and properly seconded to approve the minutes.

Treasurer’s Report

Diana reported that we have a current balance of $20,493.35 there was a $10 payment to the Secretary of State.  She reported that our contributions from State Employees Charitable Giving is lower by nearly $800 over last year – please remind state employees to select HPMP as one of their charities of choice.

Principals’ Report

  • Merry: There will be interviews on Monday, March 14 for the open position at Smith School. Merry thanked Pam Wright for all of her help thus far in the process.  (Note: Joanna Thamke will serve as the representative from HPMP on the hiring team.) Merry also indicated that the district is working on the 2011-2012 calendar; therefore, she asked for HPMP dates within two weeks.

Original Works

Denise Barber is coordinating this fundraising event for Smith and Central; Julie Heller is the overall Original Works coordinator for Broadwater School.  In all cases, artwork is coming home prior to Spring Break.

KidWorks at the Holter

Sara Groves is coordinating this event and is still seeking volunteers – there will be three shifts of helpers.  It is set for this coming Saturday (March 12) – the officers thanked Sara for all of her work on this.

Future Directions Survey

Diana provided preliminary results on the survey that was sent out in February. There was an excellent response rate: 58 parents, 61 students, and 11 teachers and administrators representing the three schools fairly evenly.  Detailed results will be posted to the HPMP website.  Diana and Marika will brief Dr. Messinger and the principals once the results are tabulated. Thanks again to Julie Flynn and Erin Hunter for completing this project!

Spring Fundraising Letter

Each year HPMP co-presidents send a solicitation letter to parents and previous donors.  This year the letter will again be sent home in students’ backpacks.  And since we have some inventory of insulated, zippered shopping bags, we determined through discussion that with a $25.00 contribution each donor would receive a bag.  Other suggestions included making the letter personal, list specific donation amounts, or share where previous donations have been spent.

Other Ideas for Fundraisers (2011-2012 School Year and Beyond)

Participants brainstormed other potential fundraisers to create a spring signature event:

  • Community Night at Blackfoot Brewery
  • Golf Tournament
  • Valentine Dinner
  • Father/Daughter Dance
  • Raffle or Online Auction
  • Gala

Diana is working with the IRS to get HPMP recognized in the Combined Federal Campaign for federal employees to donate directly from their paychecks (as state employees do).  She hopes it will be available in the fall.

Montessori Lottery

The lottery for incoming first graders will be held on April 27 – an open house for interested parents will be April 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Broadwater.  Alana will address the families on behalf of HPMP.  To announce these dates, we have several ads in the IR along with invitations going to parents of current kindergarteners and a mention in the Monday Messenger.  Kindergarten teachers are invited to “Q & A” on March 15 offered by Montessori teachers to encourage their families to apply.

The only numbering system this year will be for those students on the waiting list.

Next Year’s Officers

At the April 4 meeting we will discuss open positions on the HPMP Board and vote for the candidates at the May meeting (May 2).  The new board will meet again in June (with the outgoing board) and in August.

Marika proposed that we change the date and/or time of our meetings.  After discussion it was decided to keep the same first Monday meeting day but change the time to 6:30 p.m. rather than 7:00 p.m. starting next year.  For the 2011-2012 school year, meetings will be at Central School.  There was also discussion about offering childcare.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 4, 2011 at Broadwater School.