HPMP Meeting notes: Monday, September 14, 2009
7-8 pm in the Smith School Library

Attendees: Co-President Diana Hammer, Secretary Marika Adamek, Perri May, Emily Brand-Cleary, Tacey Sartorius, Smith Principal Pamela Wright, Colleen Roylance, Susan Anderson, Freyja Bell, Jennifer Scheinz, Sarah Lawlor, Leslie Kemp, Central Principal Merry Fahrman.

Co-President, Diana Hammer, began the meeting at 7:00 pm.

Welcome/Introductions

  • Diana opened the meeting with introduction of the new HPMP Officers for 2009-2010:
  • Co-President Diana Hammer (Central parent)
  • Secretary Marika Adamek (Broadwater parent)
  • Co-President Joshua Schultz (Broadwater parent) – unable to attend.
  • Treasurer Roger Hoogerheide (Smith parent) – unable to attend.
  • Marika circulated the sign-in sheet. Meeting participants also introduced themselves.

Overview of Montessori Parents Group – HPMP

  • Diana described the role of HPMP and briefly touched upon the various fund-raising activities that have been done in past years. Diana described the need for active parent involvement and support of the public Montessori program. We are very fortunate to have an option for Montessori education as part of the public school system; however, it takes additional funding and training. This is the role of HPMP. HPMP exists to support the public Montessori program, providing teacher training and continuing education as well as the materials to supply a Montessori classroom.

Treasurer Report

  • Diana gave the treasurer’s report in Roger’s absence. The current HPMP balance is $16,405.39. This reflects proceeds from these recent fund-raising activities:
  • $235 from the Ice Cream Social (September 2009)
  • Misc. donations from Spring Fundraiser Letter donations deposited over the summer.

Secretary Report

  • Marika reported that 6 thank you’s were sent over the summer in response to donations received through the Spring Fundraiser Letter. A Parent Welcome packet including letter, volunteer form and Ice Cream Social invite was sent home with all Montessori students.

Ice Cream Social Report

  • In Liz Stine’s absence Marika gave a report of a very successful event to welcome Montessori families and teachers/principals. Specific ideas for next year are documented, donations received by local businesses were announced, thank you letters were sent by Liz and a big thank you to Liz Stine for coordinating this worthwhile event!

Diana turned the discussion to specific activities and fundraisers.

Carnival Classic

  • Memorial Park, Sunday, September 20, 2009. 11 am – 4 pm. Sponsored by the Helena Education Foundation. Opportunity for HPMP to raise awareness about Montessori education and our signature fundraiser, LobsterFest. Marika described the Board members idea of creating a lobster themed game and providing a sign-up sheet for gathering contact information from interested community members. Discussion regarding ideas for game as well as prizes. It was decided that a lobster beanbag toss would be created by Marika and Andy Onushco. Marika will try to find salt-water taffy as a prize. Mylar, reusable lobster balloons have been ordered for drawing attention to the booth. Susan Anderson offered her 10’ x 10’ canopy for the booth. There was more discussion to grow this idea for next year – possibly plush lobsters for sale or prizes, lobster claws within a game. Marika passed a volunteer sheet for sign-up and will coordinate volunteers.

Original Works

  • Fall 2009. Through a company called Original Works student artwork is made into items such as t-shirts, note cards, magnets, aprons, etc. making great gifts in time for the holiday season. Denise Barber will coordinate. More info. to come.

State Charitable Giving Campaign

  • HPMP has been accepted to participate in the State Employees’ Charitable Giving Campaign (SECGC.) State employees give to their non-profit of choice through payroll deduction or cash/check/credit card gifts. The Board offered to host a booth for the Non-Profit Fair held Oct. 2, 2009 in the Capitol Rotunda.

LobsterFest

  • Saturday, November 7, 2009. This is HPMP’s largest and most successful fund-raising even of the year. Live Maine lobsters are ordered and flown in for distributed. Community members have the option of preparing the lobster at home, dining at participating restaurants or donating a monetary donation instead. Positions needed for a committee that ideally meets outside HPMP mtgs.:
  • Restaurant Coordinator – Denise Barber.
  • Advertising/Media
  • Poster production and distribution
  • Order forms/data entry – Treasurer usually handles
  • Community Dinner – has been offered in the past, but for very little monetary return for a lot of effort. Last year it was not offered and the Board is suggesting that it not be offered again unless someone is eager to coordinate.
  • Distribution – Anne Hedges has coordinated in the past. Board will confirm with her. Sarah Lawlor offered to check into another vendor for lobster and beef purchase.

KidWorks

  • Spring 2010 at the Holter. HPMP members staff the art activities during the event for a predetermined $ amount in return. Fun and well received by community.

Newsletters

  • We will create at least two newsletters throughout the school year: a Fall Newsletter to recap LobsterFest and fall events and a spring newsletter to share upcoming spring events.

Spring fund-raising letter

  • Each year a fund-raising letter is sent to parents and previous donors.

Role of Parents

  • Marika talked about the role of parents as fundraisers, as well as teacher support in the classroom. Classroom Reps are needed and a sign-up sheet was passed around. Classroom Reps serve as communication liaison during specific projects as well as during the school year to announce HPMP mtgs.

Discussion: What do YOU want to see from HPMP this year?

  • General discussion opened regarding attendees questions. Some questions were able to be addressed by Central Principal Merry Fahrman and Smith Principal Pam Wright.
  • Correct terminology for Montessori: “Primary” refers to the ages of 3 – 6 years, generally the pre-school years; “Lower Elementary” refers to grades 1st – 3rd. “Upper Elementary” refers to grades 4th – 5th.
  • How do we anticipate the flow of students from the lower to upper grades? Merry Fahrman said that the district would not re-fill during the school year so that natural attrition would take place. Every child is assured Montessori through grade 5. Staffing may change i.e. adding a Para/assistant in a 4/5 classroom. FYI: The Montessori ideal is a 30/1 ratio. This allows the children to work more together and/or more independently. The District allows for 20 in the K-2 classroom.
  • Should new hires have Montessori training? A system is in place re: teacher hiring set by the District. Montessori training for teachers locally could help increase our hiring pool. There is a possibility that retired Montessori teachers may serve as trainers in Helena.
  • What do you want to have happen at meetings? Several parents wanted to learn more about Montessori through guest speakers or teacher demonstrations.
  • What do you see for the future of the Montessori program? Suggestion was made to create a visioning of Montessori in the Public Schools by parent brainstorming, action group within HPMP, invite preschools for input, past parents of Montessori students. Invite Bruce Messinger to a meeting.

Immediate action items:

  • Carnival Classic booth – Marika/Diana
  • Lobster price – Diana or Roger
  • Contact previous LobsterFest coordinators in order to create a committee – Diana
  • Board to meet with principals

Everyone was thanked for attending and the meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.

The next meeting will be Monday, October 5, 2009 in the Smith School library.