PTA Minutes

Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences

January 4, 2006

The regular monthly meeting of the Hunters Woods PTA was held on January 4, 2006 at Hunters Woods Elementary School . PTA President Cathy Uhrig called the meeting to order at 7:34 PM . Minutes from the November meeting were read and approved as written.

Mrs. Skerker sent a Thank-you note to the PTA for the wonderful Sweet Shoppe. Dianne Beers thanked the PTA for the Book Fair coupons, the Fall Harvest Festival tickets, and the Carrabbas Dinner tickets that were donated by the PTA for the less fortunate families that attend Hunters Woods. Molly Dunn also sent a Thank-you note to the PTA thanking everyone for the great Carrabbas Dinner, the Sweet Shoppe and the gift certificates for the Book Fair. Reston Interfaith sent a Thank-you note to the PTA, thanking everyone for participating during their walk.

President's Report

Cathy Uhrig thanked Susan Sather for organizing all of the Room Parents. She also thanked Mary Malzahn , Eleanor Weis, Dana Kennedy, and Rick Uhrig for After School Activities. A big Thank-you went to Rozanne Silverwood, Karen Berube, Jody Wolfe, Susan Brownsword, and Maureen Becker for their work on Snickerdoodle. Cathy also thanked Janice Bako, Glenda Meisner, and Nancy Mamros for the successful distribution for the Gift Wrap, Blakely Meyers and Eleanor Desai for the Fall Harvest Festival, and all who helped with the Thanksgiving lunch setup. Cathy also thanked Angela Irwin, Todd Van Haaren (tickets and flyers), Fionnuala Quinn (decorations), and Raba Letteri(Hostess/ticket taker) for their hard work on the Carrabbas dinner. Thank you to Nancy Mamros, Deborah Lannen, and Maureen Becker for the wonderful Book Fair, to Micki Moravitz for the Sweet Shoppe, to Jody Wolfe and Jane Kolb for Reflections, to Joan Burkhart, Blakely Meyers, and Lisa Foley for Yearbook, and Sue Pendelton for Colonial Day. Cathy also thanked Lori Reffett for Box Tops (we received a check for $262), and everyone who helped the Art Department and Teachers put up the Imagination Celebration, and all of the volunteers who helped make all of these events a success.

Cathy announced that we still need a chairman for Parent Education, and that we have not had any program this year.

In December the Executive Committee voted on a motion by Maureen Becker to give gift certificates to Diane Beers to give to students for the Book Fair. Hunters Woods is no longer doing RIF , and this was a way to target those needing financial assistance in purchasing books. The motion passed.

Cathy announced that the Carrabbas Dinner was a huge success, and that we want to do it again next year. We need to set a date for Math and Technology Night so that this dinner can be scheduled for the next school year. About 700 meals were served during this event.

Treasurer's Report

Susan Brownsword distributed the Budget Report through December 31.2005. She reported that the Book Fair bill still has to be paid, and that not much else was happening. The report will be filed for audit.

Teacher's Report

Olivia Toatley thanked the PTA on behalf of all the teachers for the Sweet Shoppe and the wonderful Carrabbas Dinner.

Committee Reports

Book Fair: Deborah Lannen reported that the Book Fair went very well. She thanked all of the volunteers who helped make this event a success. This year parents were able to pay for their purchases with a credit card, which was a great success. The Book Fair sold approximately $20,000 worth of books.

Fall Harvest: Cathy Uhrig reported for Blakely Meyers, that the Fall Harvest Festival made $75 on the sale of food, and $800 on admission. 700 people and 200 volunteers logged thru admissions and helped make this event a great success. A big Thank you to all who participated.

Snickerdoodle: Karen Berube reported that Snickerdoodle has officially kicked off. Manuscripts are being accepted from January 3, 2006 thru early March. They can be dropped into the mailbox that is located in front of the office. Karen also reported that artwork submissions will not be accepted this year. Instead the Art teachers will pull artwork from their classes and they will then be displayed. Karen is also looking for a replacement for this great committee, because both the current chairs will be leaving the school.

Honk: Karen Berube reported that the performance was to be held February 3-4, 2006. Tickets will be available for the show, but will be sold to the families of cast members first. Upon reminder that the International Festival is 2/3/06, she said another date will be scheduled.

Apparel: Karen Berube reported that she still has some apparel left over, and that some of those shirts may be sold, at cost, to Odyssey of the Mind students.

International Festival: Jessica Lewis reported that the festival will be held on February 3, 2006. Flyers regarding this great event will go home soon. Also, Jessica is still looking for more volunteers.

Reflections: Jody Wolfe reported that there were 118 submissions to Reflections. 78 of them were Literature, and they received a lot of visual art pieces. Jody announced that she wants to display the beautiful artwork in the school, and have a party for all of the participants.

6th Grade Luncheon: Maureen Becker reported that the 6 th Grade luncheon will be held on June 16, 2006 . The 6 th graders will be able to use the cafeteria, the gym, and the field outside during this fun event. Maureen is also looking for chairs to help with this party. She needs help with T-shirts, gift bags, and the DVD. The theme of the party will be a Boardwalk theme. It will feature outside games, popcorn, hot dogs etc. Maureen reported that the t-shirts will be given to the students before their first field trip. She also informed the PTA that 5 th grade parents need to chair the commencement party.

School Supplies : Susan Brownsword announced that this will be offered again this year. Supply lists for the teachers to mark up will be placed in their mailboxes before the end of quarter break.

Outdoor Beautification : Catherine Linberg announced that 125 pumpkins were dropped off for composting after Halloween, and 400 bulbs have been planted. She is still looking for a map of Virginia for the front of the school, and she informed the PTA that the Reston Association Garden Club will take a tour of the school garden on June 3, 2006 . Catherine is also looking into how much it would cost to clean up the leaves around the school.

Hunters Horn : Susan Sather announced that the deadline for the Hunters Horn will be Friday, January 6, 2006 .

Honk : Patrick Ware announced that the date for the play will be changed.

Principal's Report : Olivia Toatley thanked the PTA for the Sweet Shoppe, the scholarships for the Bookfair, and the great Imagination Celebration. She also announced that Hunters Woods has some staffing opportunities. Two 4 th grade teachers are currently on maternity leave, one 4 th grade teacher has resigned, and the 6 th grade has a vacancy as well. Ms. Pendergrass was promoted to Assistant Principal at another school, which is the reason for one of the vacancies. Olivia also announced that the Middle School IB program will be discussed at the Principal's Coffee next month.

Unfinished Business: Cathy Uhrig reported that Mrs. Kipperman liked the idea of the $10 gift cards for Headstart students in order to help with Birthday snacks. Mrs. Kipperman will look for a way that this can be handled in the easiest and most discreet way.

New Business

Susan Sather made a motion to give Headstart $300 in order to help with Birthday snacks. The motion was seconded and approved.

Melissa Plum asked for a minigrant in the amount of $275 for a Colonial Day reenactment (Colonial Alive). This would be for the entire 4 th grade. Maureen Becker made a motion to give $275 to the 4 th grade for the Colonial Day reenactment. The motion was seconded and approved.

Patrick Ware asked for a minigrant of $300 to cover the registration and the cost of T-shirts for the State Chorus Competition. Jane Kolb made a motion to give $300 to the 5 th graders to register for the State Competition. The motion was seconded and approved.

Patrick Ware also asked for a minigrant for $3000 for a moveable stage. Jane Kolb made a motion to give Mr. Ware $3000 for a moveable stage, contingent of his paperwork.

The next PTA meeting will be held on February 1, 2006 at 7:30 PM at the school. See the agenda for other upcoming events and dates.

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM .