Preschool Information Packets now available for download
Wednesday, December 2
If you take a look over at the right hand sidebar, you'll see there's a new "Documents" section right up at the top, where you can peruse, download or print documents created by or relevant to the South PAC. We've got the 2008 and 2009 Preschool Fair information packets available right now, so check it out and pass it along!
Posted by Elise 12/02/2009 0 comments
Labels: Administrative, links and resources
Meeting Minutes 11.19.09
Meeting Minutes 11.19.09
Attending: Jessy, Ada, Trish, Christy, Catherine, Dan, Heather, Suzanne, Sarah, Kris
Introductions – new member (Dan)
Treasurer’s Report (Trish) – Spent approximately $67 for copying Preschool Fair packets (less than last year). Waiting for final numbers on Blue Sky Guides (Jenny not here; still have 3 unsold books to be sold). $3290.80 balance, not including preschool fair expenses (packets, snacks, postage). Trish will bring updated balance next month.
LAC Report (Trish) – Continued conversation on strengthening relationship between ECFE and schools/principals; idea to host some local events (1 for each new school zone) for parents to meet their new principals; ask PACs to help set this up; Maureen working on this. ECFE program will be losing Kenny as a site for next year; Kris N. brought up idea of coming up with a few bigger early childhood centers that are more permanent. East/North PACs getting more parents and having more meetings; North now has a blog.
Dec. LAC meeting will set dates for budget task force; want at least 1 south PAC person there; opportunity to learn about the budget process; can voice opinion on where money should be spent (Catherine is interested).
Preschool Fair Re-cap (Jessy) – Ada wrote thank you letters that will be going out tomorrow. Had a total of 61 families attending (more than in previous years), and 15 preschools. Electronic copies of the information packet were sent to all schools. Elise working on adding an additional school to the packet, then will email to site liaisons and post on blog.
B&N Event Re-Cap (Christy) – Total profit for the event was $191. South PAC understood that profits were to be split evenly 3 ways between all PACs, but North PAC thought we would help but all profits would go to them. Christy will write to North PAC and clarify we are willing to give our portion (not East’s) to North PAC this time, but that the agreement was to split 3 ways; will cc Maureen and Sharon.
Baby Sign Class Re-Cap (Trish) – Class held Nov. 18th at Hale. Had 9 families attending (12 adults, 6 babies). Email/call to register worked well—everyone who registered showed up. Families expressed interest in doing another class in the spring. We will pay Angie $75 for teaching the class.
Speaker Events (Christy) – Kori volunteered to be speaker chair. She is working on coordinating a one-night workshop on child safety. SVC (Sexual Violence Coalition) and Minneapolis Safe Officer may participate. They do not charge a fee, but we may make a donation to them. Looking for dates in the spring. Possibly some cost to us if we offer childcare.
Gingerbread Planning (Sarah) – Set-up will be at Burroughs on Friday Dec. 11th from 4-6pm, event Dec. 12th from 10-1. We need as many people as possible to help with both. There will be two shifts on Saturday: 9-11:30, 11:30-2pm (sign up tonight). Childcare will be available for both Fri/Sat. Flyer needs to get sent to Sharon asap, out to classes 1st week of Dec. We will prepare 125 kits, some nut-free. Committee is still working on getting donations in.
Newsletter (Catherine) – Suzanne will take over (Catherine will help her get started before winter). Angie and Marcella have also offered to help.
Scholastic: (Christy) – We need someone to take over as chair. Hoping to start again for winter. Parents can now order online with a credit card, and books all come to the site. Chair would sort orders and distribute to Wilder, Hale, and Kenny.
PAC Night Out (Heather) – This will be on Dec. 17th (instead of Dec. PAC meeting)-Catherine’s birthday! Memory Lanes Bowling, 7pm. Heather will send out an evite soon.
Additional Notes (Christy) - Christy will start to send out an email reminder to site liaisons before PAC meetings to be distributed to parents who may be interested in attending.
Posted by Elise 12/02/2009 0 comments
Labels: meeting minutes
Meeting Minutes 10.22.09
Sunday, October 25
Attending: Angie, Trisha, Heather, Sara, Catherine, Kori, Suzanne, Ada, Tony, Leslee, Sheila, Christy, Jenny, Jessy, Elise
Introductions – how are you like your mother or father?
MELD class report (Tony) – 2nd year of the project: parent volunteers as facilitators, two classes, both at Wilder, three returning facilitators and one new one. Seven families in the morning class; Latino families class in the afternoon with eight families. Last year MELD had a grant to help pay for training, stipends for volunteers, start up costs, etc. This year there are no funds through ECFE to pay facilitators, but Tony is asking PAC to consider funding an honorarium for this year’s facilitators. Last year people were paid $1000 for the year in two $500 increments. Broad support for paying facilitators some dollar amount, but PAC can’t afford last year’s level. Discussion as to whether we should explore other funding options for this on an ongoing basis. (Grants, additional fundraiser, etc.) Trisha brought in some budget numbers. Motion made to approve December payment of $100 per facilitator with a plan for making another $100 payment in the spring pending budgetary availability. Elise will look into possible granting options and bring to next meeting.
Treasurer’s report (Trish) $2450.60 in the bank, not including Blue Sky guide, also Christy has $175.00 check to add. Review of budget trends from past years; Trisha will bring details to December meeting for spring planning.
LAC report (Trish) Leadership Advisory Committee is a steering committee for the ECFE program composed of Staff, Parents, and Public school members – important to maintain parent presence because it really gives us a voice on the committee and steers attention towards projects that are important to us. Tonight was 1st meeting of the year. Announcements: This Saturday at South HS is family enrichment day with three sessions on Early Childhood (Literacy and Development). They have childcare and are providing lunch. Link to more information is forthcoming. Also discussed using the PAC as liaison between ECFE classes and parents for ways parents can assist ECFE classes (making playdough, helping clean, etc.). Discussed brochure changes – if you have ideas for feedback please get them to Trisha so we can make some changes early! (As opposed to last year’s last minute scramble.) Tony went to get brochures that we can review so look them over and bring ideas to the next meeting!!
Letter to Editor of SW Journal? (Christy) Kris Norton alerted us that there was a listing for Early Childhood resources that did not include ECFE, and wondered if we could write a letter. Heather has agreed to oblige.
Preschool Fair (Jessy) – November 14, 10am-noon. This year we invited 30 schools, ½ of invites were via email (based on schools’ preference); also we made an electronic version of the survey so that we can retain the information year to year. So far 9 schools committed to coming; deadline is the 30th. Burroughs has been reserved for the space; need some volunteers to help with setup, childcare, and cleanup. Grace preschool offered to come to individual ECFE classes as well; Christy will pass this along to site liaisons. Elise will email link to survey so PAC members can follow up with their preschools.
B&N Event (Christy) Same day as Preschool Fair – fundraiser for all the city PACs. B&N at Calhoun Village will have events and refreshments, author visits, etc. All $$ raised will be split between three PACs. Can use vouchers at ANY B&N in the country (not online) so send them to friends and family and anything they buy that day will go to us. Tony wanted to know about options for having parents purchase multiple copies of books for classrooms. Christy recommends contacting store managers.
Baby Sign Event (Angie/Trish) moved to November 18th (Weds) 6:30-7:30 in music room pending availability of Hale. No childcare, bring your baby with you. Keep an eye out in your classes and if you don’t see it let Trisha or Christy know!
Blue Sky Guides (Jenny) Kris mentioned that she would prefer to have her $$ from the guides in cash. Christy says $$ has to be used for specific classroom expenditures, so we need documentation of how $$ is spent. Tony prefers making the purchase and then getting reimbursed. Christy will contact with liaisons and we can manage this on a site-by-site basis.
T-shirt sales? (Christy/Jenny) – Ron (childhood teacher) asking if we want to sell T-shirts. Could do at events (which means paying out in advance) or could do class orders where we get the orders in advance and then order what we need. Unclear as to whether this would be fundraiser for PAC or for ECFE. Catherine has good local printer; Christy will follow up with Ron and we will make some decisions at next meeting.
Gingerbread (Sara Sluka) – looking at Sat. Dec. 12th, need to secure space. Either Burroughs or Wilder are viable options. Talk to Sharon to arrange the space. Need committee members!
Advocacy (Sheila) 1.) Strengthening link between Mpls. Schools and ECFE through principal visits to ECFE classrooms. 2.) Hale school is doing organics recycling (composting) – we can expand this to the ECFE classes at Hale. 3.) Computers in the classroom – some people feel strongly about having them, some about not having them. Something to be brought up with site liaison if you have questions/concerns.
Call to fill open positions (Catherine/Christy) need additional members on Advocacy, Fundraising, Speaker Events and Membership committees.
Next meeting: Thursday November 19th Sheila has snacks; planning Gingerbread event.
Posted by Elise 10/25/2009 0 comments
Labels: meeting minutes
PAC Meeting Thurs 10/22!
Monday, October 12
A message from our co-chair:
"Just a reminder that the next South PAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 7:00-8:30 at Wilder. The meeting is being moved to the fourth Thursday of the month due to the school release days this week. As always, childcare will be provided; call 612-668-3927 to reserve spots for your kids. Please email any agenda items you have to me before the meeting. I'll send out another reminder email next week.
Reminder: We're limiting the sale of the Blue Sky Guides to only a few weeks this fall with the deadline being the meeting date, October 22nd. How are your sales going? Do you need more books? Contact Jenny Clementson (jennykyle001[AT]hotmail[DOT]com) for more books or information and please remember to bring any unsold books and cash/checks to the meeting."
Posted by Elise 10/12/2009 0 comments
Labels: Reminders
Children and Racism
Friday, October 2
Many of you may have seen or heard about the recent Newsweek article on children and racism (if you haven't read it, it's really worth a look). If you're interested in this topic, here are some other resources.
This is an amazing, and heartbreaking, video. Watch and share:
For resources on combatting racism and encouraging tolerance, check out teachingtolerance.org.
Posted by Elise 10/02/2009 0 comments
Labels: links and resources
Meeting Minutes 9.17.09
Wednesday, September 30
Attending: Eric H., Christy, Trish, Catherine, Angie, Jessy, Elise, Marcella, Sarah Sl, Sheila, Leslee, Ada, Sarah Sh, Suzanne, Rhonda, Sharon
Eric Hansen welcome & help w/recruitment for Hale GLBT class. Brought fliers to hand out at local clinic.
Welcome & Introductions (Christy): Fill out yellow sheet in folder; check out FAQs on reverse of agenda. Introductions and discussion of superpowers and superhero identities. Overview of requirements and benefits of membership. PAC plans + review of last year. Thing to note: most of our activities are things that we’ve been doing for a while, so there’s a good body of knowledge for newcomers. Overview of various events and committees.
Snack sign up: snacks are important!!
By-laws and request from Hale for funds for books – Elise will scan and put on website. Melanie (at Hale) has requested funds to buy sets of books for literacy classes; our by-laws prevent this kind of direct funding as a way to prevent SouthPAC from becoming a fundraising group. As of now we need to honor our by-laws but we might want to think about writing in some leeway that would allow us to honor one-time requests like this one. Tabled for next meeting. This might also be a good use for Blue Sky Guide fundraiser. Motion to approve that Teachers be allowed to sell Blue Sky Guides in their ECFE classes and keep the profits for the books they sell (PAC would keep the profits from PAC member sales). Motion seconded and approved. Christy will communicate this with Melanie. Information for online ECFE class – upcoming: 8 week positive parenting session. FREE, register online at ECFE site. Also: There is space in early ones at Hale (Thursday 9-10:30 AM). Tuesdays 1-3 Ron from Teddy Bear band is offering a Music Play and Learn class @ Wilder – still openings in that as well.
Blue Sky Guides (Jenny/Sarah Sh): Jenny has them to hand out – take what you think you can sell and start hitting up friends and family! (Checks go to ECFE SouthPAC; $10 of the $20 cost is tax-deductible). Only selling these for the next three weeks!!
Preschool Fair (Jessy): Poss 14th of Nov (waiting to see if Burroughs is available) great resource for parents; many local preschools are invited to send representatives and we also send out a questionnaire that we compile into a packet for parents to keep. Elise looking into creating online/electronic version of questionnaire that could be dumped into a database(?). Elise and Jessy will pursue this option. Need to get going on this ASAP!!!
Meeting Location – We have been holding PAC meetings at Wilder to coordinate with LAC meetings (same night and location); some discussion of LAC moving to Mona Moede to accommodate North PAC members. If LAC moves we need to discuss what impact this will have on PAC meeting times/place
Other
Information about committees and call to fill open positions (Christy and committee chairs)
Committee sign-up and BSG sign-out/Informal Q&A time.
Next Meeting is the 22nd of October (late due to MEA weekend) at Wilder
Posted by Elise 9/30/2009 0 comments
Labels: meeting minutes
PAC meeting tonight!
Thursday, September 17
The first PAC meeting of this year will be on Thursday, September 17 from 7:00-8:30pm in our usual location at Wilder. (Walk straight past the play equipment and you'll see the meeting room in front of you; if the door isn't open then just knock and someone will let you in.)
We'll have a full agenda to start off the year including Preschool Fair, Barnes & Noble event, Baby Sign class, Blue Sky Guides, LAC and signing up for committees. Childcare will be provided; call 612-668-3927 to sign up. Hope to see everyone there!
Posted by Elise 9/17/2009 0 comments
Labels: Reminders
