Minutes 05-03-2010

HPMP Meeting notes: Monday, May 3, 2010
7-8 pm in the Smith School Library

Attendees: Co-President Diana Hammer, Co-President Marika Adamek, Secretary Liz Stine, Principal Sue Johnson, Tacey Sartorius, Joanna Thamke, Susan Anderson, Julie Heller, Perri May, Smith Principal Pam Wright, Principal Merry Fahrman, Sarah Lawlor, Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, and Elvira Roncall.

Co-President, Diana Hammer, began the meeting at 7:07 pm.

Announcements:

  • Susan Anderson reported on the retirement party for Smith School teacher Carol Ann Dagenais will be May 19th at the Lewis and Clark Fair Grounds picnic shelter starting at 5:30 pm. Montessori families will receive an invitation shortly.
  • Merry Fahrman shared the Montessori lottery results for incoming first graders. There were 54 applicants for 36 openings; only 4 students did not get their first choice of schools. Letters have been sent to the prospective students.

Welcome/Introductions

  • Diana opened the meeting with introduction of the HPMP Officers and meeting participants. Secretary Liz Stine circulated the sign-in sheet.

Approval of minutes

  • Diana asked for corrections/additions for the minutes from 4/12/10. There were none. The minutes were approved.

Secretary Report

  • Secretary Liz Stine reported that Montessori students received the fund raising letters at their school to take home to families.

Treasurer Report

  • Treasurer Roger Hoogerheide was absent. The current HPMP balance is $24,682.51.

HPMP Web Site

  • Marika will meet with Edge Market Design to look at HPMP’s needs for a web site and get a bid. SRA Design charges $2,000 to build and maintain a web site. It was suggested that HPMP check into these options:
  • The Montana Non-profit organization for advice or a possible add on to their site.
  • As the school district’s IT person for assistance, or pursue a contract with them.
  • Check with teacher Mike Agostinelli who does web design.

Spokane Visit

  • Marika reported that she, Diana, Merry Farhman, and Pam Wright will travel on May 10-11 to visit the staff of Jefferson Elementary and Balboa Elementary in Spokane, Washington. Jefferson and Balboa have public Montessori classrooms. They will preview the school and plan for the Helena Montessori teachers to travel there next October for observation and sharing with the Jefferson and Balboa Montessori school staff. Travel expenses for the May 10-11 trip were discussed. A motion was passed that states HPMP will reimburse for food, gas and lodging expenses up to a total of $375, with the final amount being determined at the June meeting.

Teacher Training Policy & Classroom Materials Policy

  • The Teaching training policy is close to being finalized. HPMP needs to develop and formalize a classroom materials policy so there is a clear understanding of how teachers can request materials that HPMP will purchase.
  • It was suggested that teachers make a wish list of items that parents can choose to purchase or contribute to. Pam shared a tradition that some Montessori schools follow. When it’s a child’s birthday, the family purchases a gift (book or simple item) for the classroom that the student opens at his or her classroom party.

Future of Montessori

  • A group of interested parents (Diana Hammer, Marika Adamek, Susan Anderson, Perri May, Julie Heller, Liz Stine, Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson) and principals (Pam Wright, Sue Johnson, Merry Farhman) met before the meeting to continue this discussion from the first Future of Montessori meeting held March 15th. The following options were discussed:
  • Seek another elementary school to create a new pod of Montessori classrooms.
  • Strengthen existing classrooms in the Montessori tradition i.e. Teacher/School certification and longer work period.
  • Expand the Montessori program into middle school.
  • Expand the Montessori program into Kindergarten.
  • Create a Montessori K-8 School.
  • District/HPMP to re-examine Lottery procedures.
  • Establish a reserve team of trained Montessori teachers in the district that would be ready to step in for vacancies or in the event that new Montessori classrooms are created in the district. May involve bringing training to Helena.

HPMP officers will discuss the visions of the various Montessori players with Dr. Messinger and Keith Meyer this summer, and meet with the elementary teachers and principals next fall, then meet with the community during the school year.

2010 -2011 HPMP Officers

The slate of officers was presented for a vote:

Co-President – Marika Adamek (Broadwater)

Co-President – Diana Hammer (Central)

Treasurer or Secretary – Lisa Mecklenberg-Jackson (Central)

Treasurer or Secretary – Need a Smith School representative

Joanna Thamke moved to approve the slate of officers, Sarah Lawlor seconded the motion. The motion passed.

A Smith school parent is sought for the remaining position (either Secretary or Treasurer). Any Smith parent who is interested in either the Secretary or Treasurer’s positions should contact Liz Stine or Roger Hoogerheide for more information.

Everyone was thanked for attending and the meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.

Broadwater Elementary will be our host school for HPMP during the 2010/2011 school year.

HPMP welcomes new students and families at our Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, September 1st from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at Broadwater Elementary.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at in Broadwater School.