St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic School

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Check out the minutes from Parent's Committee meetings below

2009-2010 Classroom Moms

Parents committee meeting minutes

December 8, 2009

September 18 and September 22, 2009

The Parent’s Committee is off to a great start this year.  Two separate meetings were held to accommodate everyone’s schedules and between the two we had a good turnout.

We discussed the purpose of the Parents Committee for the year. The discussion was centered around “free fun” and improving the school.

Mrs. O’Donnell needs help finishing the automation of the library and it was suggested by Robin Harvey that the eighth graders help her out as a “graduation present” to the school.  Everyone agreed that it was a good idea.  We also talked about setting up a library committee to help Mrs. O organize her volunteers. Rosamond Martin and Kim Dunham agreed to take this on and went right to work on the project. Thank you Rosamond and Kim.

Friday Snack Day was discussed at length. The pro of it is the $90.00 give or take that the teachers get for classroom supplies. The con is allergy issues and parents not wanting their children to have a lot of junk food as well as the burden on the parents to supply snacks to sell. We discussed selling ice cream as a safe, easy alternative that would give the teachers much needed cash for classroom supplies. Along the same topic, it was discussed to have the teachers post their wish lists on the schools web site so if someone has something that is needed, then it can perhaps be donated. This could perhaps alleviate the need for snack day.

The Auction baskets and class art projects are underway.  The donations for the baskets are needed by the 9^th of October and should be followed up on from the Development Office.

Linda Fortini gave an update on the Arts Council. She has booked Neil Nichols and his Geography Game show to come to the school.

The float for the Beverly Santa Parade was discussed. We did not do one last year as it is a big task and no one wanted to take it on. A flyer will go out to gauge interest. It was also suggested by Carol Schroter to perhaps do a walking Nativity Scene in the parade. This could be a great way to get SMS back in the parade without the work of the float.

Kim Dunham suggested having a Christmas Movie Night at the school. Have the kids in their pajamas, blankets, popcorn, and a movie on a big screen. Everyone agreed this sounded like a great fun free thing to do.

Teacher appreciation will go on again through the year. We’ll do it once a month, maybe twice a month with various volunteers doing what they choose.

Lastly, we discussed the School Scoop becoming a student run newspaper.  The students would write the stories they choose, there could be poetry, photos, student council happenings, etc.  I will get in touch with the middle school students to discuss. Julie Archibald will still print it as she has done in the past.

Well, I think that is all for now.  Thank you everyone for all you do for SMS!!!!!

Janie Powers and

Maureen McCarthy

Parental Involvement

Saint Mary Star of the Sea School offers many activities where parents can contribute to the educational and cultural experience of their children and the school as a whole. The School is supported by a School Board and a Parents Committee , made up of both parents and parishioners of Saint Mary School and Parish who generously give their time, talent and experience to improve school life on many levels.

• School Board: This is an advisory board made up of the Pastor, the Principal, the o-presidents of the Parents Committee and 9 elected members of the parish and school. The School Board provides advice and counsel on matters relating to the well being of the school to the Pastor and the Principal. In order to provide a model of accountability and focus objectives on the major areas facing the school, the following committee structure has been defined for organizational purposes as relates to school issues and should assist in future board recruitment and parent volunteer investment as follows:
  
  • Finance
  • Development/Alumni
  • Physical Plant
  • School Life/Parent Association
  • Technology
  Strategic/Long Range Planning
  • Admissions/Marketing
  • PACE
• Parents Committee: This is a committee made up of volunteering parents who are elected to serve two years in the following capacities: two co-presidents, a vice president, treasurer, secretary, Class Parent Coordinator, Publicist, Cultural Committee and Newsletter Editor. The committee meets monthly to discuss current events in the Parent Committee Calendar, School Board information, new ideas for activities, fundraising for cultural events, and the progress of hospitality events scheduled for the school coordinated by the class parents. Some of the Activities sponsored by the Parents Committee:
  • School Hospitality Events: Welcome Coffee on First Day of School, Back to School night, Culturama, Open House registration, Special Person Day, First Eucharist Celebration, Kindergarten Orientation, Grade 8 Graduation Reception, Kindergarten Calibration, Pizza/Snack Days and End of School Fun Day.
  • Social Events: Ice Cream Social, Harvest Breakfast, Craft Fair, Shopping Nights, Holiday Parade, Christmas Tree Sale Retro Dance, Pasta Dinner.

If you are interested in becoming involved a listing of the current committee members is enclosed. There are other areas where parents can contribute their time and expertise on an individual level; volunteering in the Computer Lab and Library as a Class Parent, After School Enrichment programs, Office assistants, Coaching for Destination Imagination events, to name a few. There are many ways to help, have fun and enrich your child’s academic experience.

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