Ccs Parent Association Meeting

CCS PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008 MINUTES

Attendees: Parent Association Officers: Kerri Neis, President; Harriett Kelley, Vice President; Kim Scott, Treasurer; Kim Powell, Secretary Administration and Faculty: Dr. Michael Roberts, Head of School; Cory Stutts, Middle School Head; Dr. Pam Pifer, Lower School Head; Jean Robbins, Early Childhood Head; Kris Haines, Director of Athletics; Carrie DeFranco, Physical Education Teacher; Sarah Lehman, Director of Advancement; Committee Chairs; Room Parents and Assistant Room Parents

Welcome and Thanks

Kerri Neis, President Kerri welcomed everyone and noted that Susan Lovejoy, President of the CCS Board of Trustees is in attendance today. Kerri thanked Susan for coming and stated that the PA is lucky to have her involved.

The three Department Heads are now speaking at PA meetings on a rotating basis. Dr. Roberts will speak at every meeting. The PA meeting schedule has also changed. The February and March meetings will be combined into one meeting on Tuesday, February 26th. There will be no meeting in March because of the two week spring break.

CCS Sports Program

Kris Haines, Director of Athletics Kris stressed how far the CCS Sports Program has come in two years. The Middle School is participating in the CAMS League, Chicago Area Middle Schools League, along with Ancona, the British School, Near North Montessori, Waldorf Academy and the Lycee Francais. The team sports offered at CCS for boys are flag football, soccer, and basketball. For girls, there is volleyball, basketball and soccer. Kris would like to expand the sports program to offer track and field, cross country, coed softball and possibly ultimate frisbee. The coaches and support staff involved in the Sports Program are Kris, Jeff Edmonds, Carrie DeFranco, Joy Fasshaur, Jonna Seshock, Amanda Gardstom and Blaire Strom. The hard work, diligence, and sacrifice of the Sports Committee (Ira Barry, Steve Colombo, Robin Breslin, Vera Levens, Mark Droegemueller, and Blaire Strom), the CCS Community, the coaches, support staff and student athletes coaches are the reasons that the CCS Sports Program has been so successful. Dr. Robert’s vision and leadership has been instrumental.

The CCS weekly newsletter is the best way to get the Sports Program news. There is also a CAMS League website with schedules, articles, and a public homepage- http://www.leaguepro.com/~camscom/standings.php. The website is under construction and only available to the Athletic Directors for the schools. Parent access will be available at a later date.

A parent asked about the obstacles to initiating a track and field program at CCS. Kris said that there is limited interest at CCS and that the other schools offering track and field are in the suburbs. Kris is hoping to have the gym available for lower school children after school in the spring. Middle school is a priority because of the sports programs but he is hoping that at least one day a week after school (probably Wednesday) will be available to lower school kids.

Administrative Updates

Dr. Michael Roberts, Head of School Dr. Roberts thanked Kris and stressed the importance of CCS’s participation in the CAMS league and playing other schools, not limiting sports to just intramurals. Dr. Roberts said that he is delighted to have Susan Lovejoy as head of the Board of Trustees and thanked her for all she is doing at CCS.

Nothing has been decided regarding additional space for the school or reconfiguration. A 4th floor is possible, but it is not known whether it is permissible. A consultant is looking at the feasibility of a capital campaign. The decision to have three sections per grade has committed CCS to maximize space. The horse pasture on Schiller Street is available for $4,000,000. At this point, nothing has been decided other than to explore options.

Next year, the 5th grade will be more of a transitional year into middle school. There are challenges to 5th graders in a fully compartmentalized environment. This will require a space reconfiguration. The CCS Community wants a three section school, but going to a two section school is a possibility if there is not enough space. Converting the lunchroom into classrooms and finding another spot for a cafeteria is a possibility. Dr. Roberts wants a healthy hot lunch program. Some parents want to pack lunches, but lots of parents want the program. Sending a packed lunch will always be an option.

Dr. Roberts is exploring the appropriate role for a school in providing healthcare to students. A nurse or a part-time nurse is a possibility.

Pam and Michael Gordon made a generous donation of $55,000 to bring smartboards into all classrooms SK and above. Lisa and Bob Doak are adding 12 new microphones for the gym sound system. Dr. Roberts added that the PA has purchased a large screen for the gym to be used for movies and assemblies.

A new art exhibit was opened on Friday in the Greenberg Gallery.

Jean Robbins, Early Childhood Head Jean thanked the Early Childhood parents for their involvement in the classrooms. She has spent time since her arrival looking at whether CCS is delivering a developmentally appropriate curriculum to the children. She does not want to change something that works. Dr. Roberts has a grasp of the roles that the Division Heads play. Jean is a supporter of the teachers, not a director of them. Students in the Early Childhood Program can’t always express themselves in a verbal way, and Jean has talked to parents more in the past few months about behavior than academics.

A few changes have taken place. The playground equipment on the roof was too dangerous for young children and not interesting to older children. It was also fastened onto the building and causing leakage in the roof. The old equipment was removed and new equipment will hopefully be installed by spring. The new equipment will be geared toward small children, but will be positioned so that it does not interfere with the open field where the older children run and play sports.

Jean said that the children are having a great time at recess running and playing. The equipment will just add to their options. She thanked Susan Lovejoy for embracing the Early Childhood Program. The Division Heads and Dr. Roberts are thinking about using the portfolio approach to assessment below the SK level.

Jean has been working with Blaire to develop the Lunch Bunch program. Next year, Lunch Bunch will be available in the morning to afternoon PS and JK students. The afternoon Lunch Bunch program will continue to be available to morning PS and JK students. She is also working with outside providers of student services to ensure that CCS families have the best speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc. available to them.

Jean shared the Valentines Day and 100th Day schedules with the PA:

 Transition Program celebrates on February 13th and 14th. The children will have a normal school day schedule. The teachers have requested that the room parents coordinate treats.  PS and JK will celebrate on February 14th. It will be a short day. The morning classes will meet from 8:00 to 9:30 and the afternoon classes from 10:00 to 11:30. Special snacks are needed. PS will not distribute valentines. SK will celebrate on February 14th. Snacks and napkins are needed.  On February 14th, early dismissal for the entire school is at 12:00. The faculty has an in-service session scheduled in the afternoon.  The 100th day of school will not be celebrated by the Transition Program.  JK and SK will celebrate the 100th day on February 19th. Mrs. Gomberg has requested that all students bring in 100 items in plastic bags.

Parent Association Committee Updates

Shop to Earn Jami Merrick stated that the Shop to Earn Program has worked hard to allow credit card payments, but orders have not risen since the credit card purchases have started. The PA needs more participation from CCS families. Currently, there are approximately 10% of all families participating. Disney cards are available for families traveling to Orlando or Anaheim over spring break. Credit card payments are safe. Deadlines to process the school’s orders must be met, but family orders can be placed at any time during the month. Checks are not cashed and credit cards are not charged until the actual deadline, so orders can be placed at any time during the month. The inventory of gift cards held in the front office were not selling, so the stock has been depleted through regular orders and will not be replenished. Whole Foods is still not participating in the program. A parent noted that the Subway cards are not accepted at all Subway locations. Jami asked to be contacted with any problems and any feedback as to why families are not participating in the program.

Parent Education Nancy Frank Thomas reminded the PA that the next Parent Education lecture is scheduled for January 31st in the library. It will focus on family fitness and nutrition. There will be a meet and greet at 6:30 and the guest speaker will begin at 7:00. Childcare is available. Please contact Nancy or Jody regarding any suggestions for Parent Education topics. Specific questions for the guest speaker can be emailed ahead of time. Handouts will be available to those who cannot attend. Please let Jodi or Nancy know via email if you would want these.

Mom’s Club Jodi Flohr reminded everyone that the Mom’s Club will have an outing to Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge (819 W. Armitage) on Wednesday, February 6 from 6:30 to 8:30. The cost is $40 per person. Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve your space, please return the registration form sent home in the Wednesday folders and your check to the main office.

A scrapbooking event will be held at Windy City Scrapbooking on Thursday, February 28th from 5:30 – 8:30. Pizza will be served. All levels are welcome.

Jodi clarified that the PA events are not fundraising events. Any fees charged cover the cost of the event only.

Annual Fund Sarah Lehman, Director of Advancement

$400,000 of the $450,000 Annual Fund goal has been pledged. 50% of the households have participated. Over 50% of the faculty and many grandparents have made a commitment to the Annual Fund. Pledges and payments can be made online or by check. If you want to transfer stock, contact her and she will provide you with the specific information on how to complete the transaction.

Parent Association Budget 2007 – 2008 Room Parents

Kim Scott, Treasurer Holiday party reimbursement forms are due on January 31st. The budget for the Valentine’s and 100th Day parties are $2.50 per child. Please contact your teachers to see what they specifically need. Eighteen digital cameras were purchased by the PA in December. They have all been checked out by the teachers and are being put to good use around the school and on fieldtrips.

Benefit

Lisa Coconato “Playdate 2008” is set for Saturday, March 8, 2008 from 6:30 to 11:30 at Plumbers Hall in the West Loop. The Benefit Committee hopes to net 1/3 of the CCS fundraising goal for the year. Proceeds from the event will go to financial aid, professional development for teachers and enhanced computer technology. Invitations are going out next week.

The Auction Committee needs restaurant and chef connections, travel connections and sporting event/entertainment connections and tickets.

Tickets and raffle tickets can be purchased online. Only Illinois residents can buy online. An email will go out in the next few weeks to room parents that should be passed along to parents in the classrooms to encourage attendance at the Benefit. There might be a prize for best class attendance.

The format will be different this year. There will be a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. The live auction and cash raffle drawing will take place during a sit down dinner. Seating will be by grade unless otherwise requested. Put your specific requests on the response card. Middle school will be different because of smaller numbers and advisory groups. The dress will be cocktail attire.

Heather Geismann 19 tickets have been sold for the cash raffle. The Raffle Committee hopes to sell 1,300. 1st prize is $20,000. There is an early bird drawing on February 14th. Jenni and Heather need a volunteer on February 13th at the end of the day at pick up to collect raffle tickets. A suggestion was made that maybe the middle school students could assist with collecting raffle tickets at drop- off. Paper tickets must be purchased by cash or check. Online tickets can be purchased by credit card. Out of state residents can purchase paper tickets, but cannot buy online. Early bird prize is $500 and the ticket will be put back in the main drawing. The drawing will be videotaped.

Questions and Answers