Minutes 06-01-2009

HPMP Meeting Agenda: Monday, June 1, 2009
Central School Library

Notes from HPMP meeting 6/1/09 from 6-7 pm

Transition meeting from out-going to in-coming Officers

Attendees: Marika Adamek, Joshua Schultz, Roger Hoogerheide, Diana Hammer, and Amy Lambrecht

  • Dayna has key to mailbox; she picked up mail (seems it was really only checks)
  • Storage – archive-able HPMP materials can be stored at Central School
  • Marika will talk with the 3 schools about getting HPMP info into the 3 school student directories
  • Good idea to have an “annual meeting” to transition from out-going to in-coming HPMP Boards. Invite past officers too.

Amy reported on Spokane parents’ group:

  • 1 annual fund-raiser with high-dollar items for auction
  • 3 hour work periods
  • Voting system of officers + at-large parent reps (1/school)
  • $400 in materials provided/classroom/year; can “save” those dollars for more expensive items to be purchased in future years
  • School District pays to start a new Montessori classroom
  • Two versions of their teacher contract available to us. Amy will give to Cherche Prezea.

Notes from the regular HPMP meeting, 6/1/09 from 7-8:30 pm meeting

Attendees: Marika Adamek, Joshua Schultz, Roger Hoogerheide, Diana Hammer, Amy Lambrecht, Liz Stine, Nadia Zylawy, Joanna Thamke, and Tracie Kenyon.

Welcome

Introductions – Attendees and New Officers

Announcements:

  • Joshua has a new baby: Sierra born 5-29-09!
  • Broadwater has a new Upper Elem classroom for 2009-2010!

No Treasurer’s report

Secretary’s report

  • 4 Thank you’s sent for Fund-raising letter donations
  • Doesn’t seem like we’re getting a good response from the Fund-raising letter.
  • Joshua/Dayna will check paypal donations;
  • Check with Dayna about checks received when she returns in mid-June.

Discussion

  • HPMP mail
  • Keep P.O. Box
  • HPMP archives storage
  • Can store old HPMP documents, etc. at Central School
  • Lots of good but old information
  • Be sure to check out the research that has been done on Montessori education in Helena; Amy has hard copies; Joanna has electronic. Should post these on our webpage.

HPMP information

  • Web-page
  • Add page on “Benefits of Montessori Education”
  • Add page on “History of Montessori in Helena”
  • School Directories (aka PSS)
  • Good idea. Marika will follow-up with the 3 schools.
  • School District Calendar
  • Nadia will follow-up with Merry Farhman about getting HPMP meeting dates in the School District calendar
  • Including the November meeting date – change to 10/26 (due to Lobsterfest planning)
  • Add the Montessori Families Ice Cream Social, Weds. 9/2 6:30-7:30 pm at Smith School.
  • Magnets with Montessori info.
  • Diana will followup
  • Could include HPMP website, Maria Montessori quote, etc.
  • Review of May 13 meeting and draft HPMP Training Policy
  • Diana reviewed meeting decisions from 5-13-09 meeting (notes)
  • Remember that continuing ed. is also important; Benefits of doing these together; Networking opportunities among Helena colleagues. Historically, HPMP has offered to pay expenses, “if we have the money.”

Training plans for summer 2010

  • Pam Wright has lead. Smith Elementary would be sight.
  • Would include both Primary and Elem I training in 2010
  • Upper Elem training later – perhaps following year
  • Minimum of 10 students needed/training
  • Diana will follow-up with Pam for status
  • Annie Tague’s Training Request – next year
  • Last year’s cost for observation was about $600 (per Dayna’s email)
  • Unsure of anticipated cost for 2009-2010
  • Need to clarify Annie’s training request
  • Fund-raising events planned for 2009-2010
  • September – Ice Cream Social
  • Liz will organize; Joshua will help (Thanks, Liz and Joshua! )
  • Cones! (less garbage than with cups, spoons)
  • Seek donations from MeadowGold, Big Dipper – Charlie Beeson (Nadia)
  • Opportunity for an educational component, e.g., demo of materials by students; Montessori Orientation in one of the classrooms/library; Handout re: Montessori and HPMP; Donation box; name tags
  • Fall – State Charitable Giving Campaign
  • October – Original Works (with Parent Councils)
  • Denise Barber has agreed to organize again.

November – Lobsterfest

  • Consider having a Lobsterfest committee: Publicity, Distribution, Orders, Pickup, etc. Committee meets outside of monthly HPMP mtg.
  • Do we continue Lobsterfest?
  • “Brand” the first weekend in November as “Lobster Weekend”
  • Surf and Turf – add additional cuts of beef, local suppliers (Dave Bowers); Consider Bison rather than beef to make it more unique
  • Work with Restaurant Association (?) to promote
  • Could HPMP serve as a sort of “wholesaler/supplier” to restaurants who then do their own thing with the Lobster weekend festivities?

Winter – Kidworks at the Holter

  • Not much profit but lots of fun
  • Very popular
  • Try to avoid scheduling conflict with the last weekend of All-Mountain Program at Great Divide.
  • Spring – Fund-raising letter
  • Consider also doing one in the fall when everyone’s excited about the new school year?

Grant writing?

  • Joanna/Nadia have an idea for a funding source
  • We have “access” to the District’s grant writer but in the past “access” has been more akin to “information” rather than actual grant writing
  • Other ideas?
  • Concessions at a sporting event? Lots of money; little time investment.
  • Wrestling, Basketball?
  • 3 school challenge with jumping and running races, academic contests, etc. Could have schools compete to see who can raise the most money via pledge forms or ?
  • Insurance?

Other topics/issues

  • HPMP board members will arrange to meet with the School Principals before the beginning of the next school year. HPMP will look to the Principals for guidance on training – HPMP raises funds; Principals provide guidance on training needed/career path; work with Teachers to meet their needs/benefit children/classrooms
  • Level II Consultant from Bozeman (Montessori Worldwide, also OPI certified)
  • Last week with Johnstone, Delaney and Kempa (?)
  • $350 for entire day of consulting
  • Teacher observation, brainstorming session; very well worth it.

Next meeting: Monday, September 14 (due to Labor Day Holiday) 7 pm in the Smith School Library