HPMP Meeting notes: Monday, December 7, 2009
7-8 pm in the Smith School Library

Attendees: Co-President Joshua Schultz, Co-President Diana Hammer, Treasurer Roger Hoogerheide, Secretary Marika Adamek, Central Principal Merry Fahrman, Broadwater Principal Sue Johnson, Smith Principal Pam Wright, Susan Anderson, Perri May, Pam Choc, Joanna Thamke, Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Liz Stine, Sarah Lawlor, Tracie Kenyon, Tacey Sartorius

Co-President, Diana Hammer, began the meeting at 7:04 pm.

Welcome/Introductions

• Diana opened the meeting with introductions of HPMP Officers and meeting participants.
• Secretary Marika Adamek circulated the sign-in sheet.

Approval of minutes

• Marika asked for corrections/additions for minutes from 10/26/09. The minutes were approved.

Treasurer Report

• Treasurer Roger Hoogerheide gave the treasurer’s report. The current HPMP balance is $23,830.

Secretary Report

• Thank you letters were sent to restaurants and donors.
• Letters sent to 4 MT Club parties (Maffit, St. Lawrence, Schottler and Campell) offering free lobster next year or refund.
• Diana Hammer created a fall newsletter that was distributed to Montessori students as well as Kindergarten classes at Broadwater, Central, Smith
• Reps have been contacted to help take pictures of students using Montessori materials for updating our brochure/website

Announcements

• The HPMP “Montessori Tree” (lobster theme) was seen at the Festival of Trees by many members. Great PR and a big thank you for the Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson’s lead in creating and submitting this tree.

Fundraiser Updates:

State Charitable Giving Campaign

• Roger reported that campaign closed in Nov. Total donations: $1,941.00. Diana will look into Federal Charitable Campaign again – looked into in past but was not feasible because they required HPMP to have a permanent office and phone #.

Original Works

• Marika gave an update on orders in Denise Barber’s absence. Items have been delivered to students with the exception of orders that contained clocks – a piece for the clocks was missing and OW would ship entire order when piece was shipped from supplier. Roger reported that we made approximately $1,500.00.

LobsterFest

• Approximately $5,000.00 was made which was less from previous years.
• New challenge with distance of a Billings p/u. But, Joshua Schultz handled trailer rental and made the road trip just fine.
• Committee Coordinators: Lobster Order Coordination-Joshua Schultz & Roger Hoogerheide; Steaks-Sean & Sarah Lawlor; Poster & Order Forms-Diana Hammer; Advertising-Marika Adamek; Restaurant Liaisons-Denise Barber & Tracie Kenyon; Lobster Distribution-Tracie Kenyon; Lobster p/u-Joshua Schultz; Overall contacts-Joshua Schultz & Diana Hammer.
• Some mistakes were made. Board and Coordinators met to discuss issues and remedies for next year. An overall report will be created as well as individual notes passed down through google docs for future years. Denise Barber and the Board took many steps regarding “damage control”. A few noted issues/ideas for future: We had lobster shortfalls to all the restaurants. Pay pal orders should ask for address on order form. Pay pal receipt should show where lobster p/u will be – Memorial Park or restaurant. Poker chips at restaurants worked. Require restaurant staff training with HPMP. Possibly make deadline earlier. “Dead” lobsters not given out until the end.

Grant Writing Effort

• Perri May reported that she has identified 5 possible grants from Joanne Thamke’s list to resubmit. Steele Reese cannot reapply until 5 years have elapsed from the last payout that may have been 2008. She will create a list of grants in which our needs match the Foundation’s. A meeting with Josh Turner is planned and she has offered to help for no fee. Can we have a substantial amount of funds available by summer? Possibly. Many deadlines are between Jan. – Mar. and awarded June – Sept. Joanna suggested using an emotional appeal when applying. Roger will supply an IRS letter of status of HPMP to Perri.

HPMP Training Policy

• Board met with past Presidents to discuss creating a teacher training funding policy. Having a policy in place would be a guideline for future Boards and teachers/principals. Issues discussed included having a contract between HPMP and teacher, a dollar amount provided for training contingent upon funds availability, online vs. onsite training, a mentoring program, expenses paid or not, requiring teacher to submit a training plan created with principal. Some follow up actions included Cherche Prezeau contacting Dr. Messinger re: our ability to have a contract with teacher, District paying for training in part or whole with stipend, and what are the goals of HPMP for the future of the program? Board hopes to plan an open meeting with Dr. Messinger to include principals/teachers/parents.

Montessori math demonstration by Smith Principal Pam Wright.

• Using math materials that students are first introduced to in the lower elementary, Pam, showed attendees how a teacher introduces a lesson, works with students and builds from one lesson to the next. Materials shown were the rods, sandpaper #’s and # blocks with chips. Montessori emphasizes “process” rather than the correct answer. Using materials that are self-correcting helps the student achieve success. Thank you, Pam, for the lesson!

Everyone was thanked for attending and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 4, 2010 in the Smith School library.