Falls Church Elementary PTA
Meeting
March 26, 2008
Handouts
Agenda
Draft Minutes 2.20.08
PTA Bylaws
Tentative Schedule for Family Party
Internet safety handouts (various)
In Attendance:
Laurie Clark, Jill Martin, Catherine Beddow, Christine Jones, Debbie Schantz-Hiscott, Rachelle Sharrer,
Megan Schlitt, Rob Duffett, Tom Clinton, Bob Palermo, Linda Bliss Burne, Gail Lang, April Rollins, Kim
Maller, Silvia Malm, Kathy Halayko.
1.Welcome
Catherine welcomed people at 7:12pm and thanked for coming as there were important votes
to be taken this night.
II. Principals’ Reports
A. Bob Palermo,Assistant Principal, Thomas Jefferson
1. There was a fun assembly for “Read Across America” with lots of teachers
participating in fun costumes.
2. 4th grade update – Successful music concert at GMHS; Upcoming field trip to Gunston
Hall,
3. 3rd grade update – In the middle of the Wax Museum & biography projects.
4. 2nd grade update – In science, 2nd graders are studying life cycles this tied into a very
fun field trip. They have finished Stamford testing.
5. Overall comments - SELF testing begins for ESOL students; PYP committee members
visited James River and the trip was inspirational. They came home bursting with ideas. Also,
TJ has received the Reader’s Chair which has been placed along trailer close to Oak Street.
6. Lois Berlin visited TJ with balloons to announce two awards: Kathy Poff won support
staff of the year and Jed Frei won Agnes Myer award.
7. Mr. Palermo summed up the OM competition and announced that one TJ team is
going to states! He thanked Jill Martin for all her hard work!
8. Finally, he thanked Steve in advance for his presentation.
B. Kathy Halayko, Principal, Mount Daniel
1. She first described the trip to James River (PYP school) by Mt Daniel teachers.
Unfortunately, they arrived in the middle of testing - but even so, the enthusiasm about the
PYP program was obvious. There were great materials on the walls, enthusiastic teachers, etc.
2. Kindergarten registration on April 30th and there seem to be a lot of new families to
Mt Daniel for the 2008-09 school year.
3. Elizabeth Shipley Moses comes to share healthy eating habits with the
Kindergarteners.
4. The Outdoor Classroom project “Peter Rabbit Garden is in progress.” They are also
moving ahead on the Outdoor Classroom planning at MD.
5. In Kindergarten kids are counting by 5s & 2s.
6. 1st graders had a wonderful musical before spring break which was a big success.
They went to the Arlington Planetarium. Today was “Math Day,” a fun day for 1st graders with
games set up in all the classrooms. Next Wednesday they start studying Ghana.
7. And of course, Danny’s birthday is coming soon! This is always a highlight of the
year.
III. School Board Report
Kieran Sharpe, Elementary Schools Board Liaison
A. He reiterated notes from his article to parents about the budget process. Although it was a
lot of work, it paid off – and presenting it to the City Council was easier than usual. For example, a
second session was cancelled as the Council saw no need for additional questions. Things look
promising. He congratulated Lois Berlin and the rest of the Board members.
B. Currently there is a RFP out for a facility study in the works. This will be on older facilities
as well as things we don’t have – e.g. a pool. Once finished, there will be a selection of bidders and a
public process to select the consulting firm. Of course then we have to figure out to have to pay for it!
The main work will be intense over the summer and early Fall with needs for a facilities committee and
volunteers for focus groups.
C. He asked parents to please complete the School Census. Finance people say it is very
important.
D. Tomorrow the Original Pancake House will donate some proceeds to the Falls Church
Education Foundation. Eat tomorrow and support the Foundation!
IV. President’s Report
Catherine Beddow
A. Approval of minutes of February meeting
Approved and seconded and motion carried.
B. Approval of revised Bylaws
Motion from the floor and a second and then a hand vote passed the revised bylaws.
C. Approval of 2008-2009 membership dues
Catherine recognized Debbie’s hard work researching other due schedules. Then there was a
motion from the floor, a second, and the motion carried.
V. Treasurer’s Report
Rachelle Sharrer
A. Commented that there is not a lot to report from last month.
B. We had a successful Mt D fair, grossing $8,500.
C. The Sweet Sensations netted an extra $1,000K.
D. There is still issue with the TJ Bookfair, so we still haven’t paid the vendor.
E. Rachelle was able to fix the problem with the service charges from bank!!
F. The Family party this weekend, it is one of our biggest fundraisers.
G. H&G ad money coming in so we will have a comfortable amount in the bank account.
VI. Committee Reports
A. Family Dance – Rob Duffett
Rob announced that they are expecting 800+ people. He explained the changes in this year
targeting younger kids early. There will be a bigger lightshow & confetti cannons and 10 TJ acts in
the talent show, incl. Bolivian dancing! The first 500 kids at the door will receive a free glow
bracelet.
B. Raffle and Silent Auction – Christina Goodwin and Kathy Washa
They reported that we are in good shape! The raffle ticket costs doubled to $2. But the quality of
baskets is amazing this year with lots of fabulous donations. There are also fun teacher raffles.
This year, they are trying out a silent auction and have lots of fun items to auction off. The pre-
sales of raffle tickets is beating last year’s amounts! They still need volunteers to sell tickets on
Sat night. Catherine thanked them and commented that this talented team raised $7K last year!
C. Home and Garden Tour/Plant Sale – Laurie Clark, Vice President
Nothing to report.
VII. No New Business
VIII. Program: “Internet Safety and More”
Steven Knight, TJ Technology Coordinator
Catherine welcomed Steve and mentioned that this is always the most popular program of the
year.
Steve opened and gave statistics about parental knowledge of kids’ behaviors vrs. kids’ actually
behaviors. He explained FCCPS blocking systems and Internet safety sites & programs and
mentioned how the Angel program helps kids learn how to communicate online in a controlled
environment with their peers – more on Angel later. He recommended Club Penguin. (And we
heard a horrifying story about Webkinz from a parent describing threatening messages received by
11 yr old. Steve thinks Webkinz might be getting too big?)
He spent more time explaining Angel’s benefits and challenges, as this is it’s pilot phase. He noted
that there has been one instance of cyber bullying. He clarified that there is no monitoring for
email, but there is for discussion boards. He commented that we have to trust the kids while
noting that all emails are backed up so can be accessed after the fact should an incident of abuse
arise. He also answered many questions from the floor.
IX. Adjournment
Catherine announced the meeting on April 16th about Everyday Mathematics. Steve Knight drew
names for door prizes relating to Internet safety.
Catherine adjourned meeting at 8:55pm.