Minutes
PTA General Meeting, Meadowbrook
Preparatory School
7:30AM, September 16 2014
ATTENDANCE
Fifty three parents registered.
Fifty three parents registered.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at
7:37AM by President S Little Forbes and who offered a prayer.
APOLOGIES
Secretary Michelle Isaacs who is
overseas.
WELCOME
New parents were welcomed by the
President, and a general welcome extended to all parents, Principal Francis,
and teachers attending the meeting. The President encouraged parents to talk to
teachers, be aware of the progress of their children by checking assignments
frequently, and by making any concerns known by sending them through the
regular channels. This includes using the class rep and the class teacher.
The President asked for confirmation
that the standing orders of the meeting could be suspended to facilitate a
special presentation. The motion to suspend was moved by Karla Francis and
seconded by Paula Payle.
PRESENTATION
Sales Executive of Heritage Education
Foundation International Mr Ian Myrie, supported by Phillip Paulwell, made a
presentation. This is a long-term savings plan done through a Canadian
organisation for a child's tertiary education.
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
The minutes were read and confirmed by
Suzette Williams and seconded by Gwyneth Davidson.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Pre
School
The President informed the meeting that
the nursery was in operation. Twelve children are registered. She invited
parents to stop by and visit.
Parents were invited to make donations
during the month of September. The list of items needed include toys, books,
furnishings and linen.
NEW BUSINESS
PTA
Accounts
Treasurer Suzette Williams gave a
status of the bank accounts as at October 2013.
JMMB Smart Saver $60,000 plus interest
of $273/month.
JMMB current account $58,000 less
interest of $690/month.
She said that these figures highlighted
the need for fund raising that would enhance the learning and teaching
environments.
PTA
Fundraising
Vice President Karla Francis noted that
a concert with the children would help to expose the talent of the school and
also help in the children's development.
The event is scheduled for October 25 at Meadowbrook High School. Mrs
Francis said that the last such event was done to launch the dance group which
has since landed many JCDC awards. She said that the event was very enjoyable
and encouraged the parents to support it.
Selection
of Grade Representatives
The President said that parents should
select their Grade Representative at the upcoming class meetings in September
and October. The role of the representative is a voluntary one whose major role
is to improve the learning experience of the child by being a reliable point of
contact for communication between parents at the classroom level.
PTA
Contact Information
This will be circulated shortly.
The newsletter will be published online
and a few print copies made to ensure that all families have access to the
publication.
PRINCIPAL'S REMARKS
Principal Francis welcomed all new
parents and asked them to stand so that they can be identified. About half the
people in the room stood up. She then gave highlights of the school’s
performance last term as well as current enrolment.
GSAT
Performance
A total of 29 children sat the
examination. Fifteen (15) were placed at their school of first choice; (5)
second choice; (3) third choice; (3) 4th choice; (4) other schools.
She said that the performance of the
students gave the school an overall achievement of 87.4% average.
Cultural
Activities
JCDC Speech - Four silver, three bronze
medals from seven entries.
JCDC Dance - Three gold, three silver,
one bronze from seven entries. One of the gold medals went to the national
finals.
Enrolment
The school has 185 students on roll at
the end of the school year in June. Miss Ivey and Miss Mattison have moved on
from the school.
There is a current enrolment of 184
students. Of this number, 38 are new students.
The average class size is 28, Grade 1
has 29 students and the school will be getting a HEART Trainee to assist the
Grade 1 teacher.
There are spaces available in
Reception, K1 and K2.
Teaching
Workshops
Over the Summer break, teachers at the
school participated in a workshop on the Teaching of Mathematics; and workshop
on The Professional and Service Oriented Teacher.
Pre
School
The facility opened on September 1 and
currently has twelve children and three teachers. The facility is compliant
with Early Childhood Commission standards.
Security
The Principal noted that the caretaker
for the property is to be in the car park during peak pick-up and drop-off
times. This is in addition to the security guard in the church yard. She
reminded parents to participate in security measures by staying alert for their
own personal security and that of their property.
Marketing
The school has been running ads on TV
and radio and has prepared flyers which are being circulated. All parents are
encouraged to promote the good name of the school by their experience
word-of-mouth.
Safety
and Security
The Principal noted that school is
dismissed by 2PM, teachers remain in the classrooms with children until they
are picked up. The teacher leaves at 3PM. Children for after-care go to the
after-care room at 3PM until they are picked up.
Children who are not in after-care are
allowed to play in the schoolyard until they are picked up.
School
Calendar
Parents are reminded to check the
calendar so that they can stay abreast of events. If event dates change, the
school will advise parents.
Grade
Meetings
These will be scheduled throughout the
end of September to October. All parents are encouraged to attend.
Invitation
to Meadowbrook United Founders Day Service
Meadowbrook United Church will be
having a Founders Service on September 21 at 8:30AM. All are invited to attend.
School
website/Social Media
Parents are invited to visit the school's
website http://www.meadowbrookprep.com/ and also Facebook page which is
active.
PARENTS' FEEDBACK
By show of hands, it was agreed
that the meeting time would be extended by ten minutes.
Security
A parent asked that the caretaker be
asked to be in the parking lot half an hour when the first parent arrives and
before school is dismissed to provide extra surveillance for parents who come
early and park. The Principal agreed to try and facilitate this. The
President said that one of the fund raising activities could be to invest in a
security camera system.
Savings
Programme
It was noted that the school has an
active savings programme with COK. New children who already have savings
accounts with COK can continue to have those accounts serviced at the
school.
Potholes
on Meadowbrook Road
It was agreed that the school and PTA
petition the parish councillor and the National Works Agency to have these
repaired at an early date.
Tuck Shop
It was noted that the tuck shop could
benefit by having earlier opening hours. The current opening hours are 8:30AM -
3:30PM. The Principal said that the feasibility of this would be examined. New
parent, Mrs Pyla, offered to donate a deep freeze refrigerator to the school.
The President thanked her for the offer and the matter will be discussed in the
coming weeks. The school currently has one deep freeze.
Homework
A parent reminded all that the way to
academic success included ongoing vigilance with homework. It was noted that
some children will not complete homework correctly unless it has been checked,
and it is important that all homework is signed by the parent or person who is
responsible for supervision of homework.
Feedback
From New Parents
A new parent of a Grade 3 child noted
that her child was not finding that the other children were friendly. Grade 3
teacher, Miss Campbell, said that they are currently promoting loving behaviour
in the class, and asked that parents remind their children at home to be kind
to others. It was noted that Grade 5 and Grade 6 children exert control
over playground space and facilities. The school agreed to monitor this so that
no one is disadvantaged, and continue to promote good behaviour on the playground.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURNMENT
The President thanked persons for
attending the meeting and by unanimous agreement, it was adjourned at 8:30AM.
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