Upper Moreland Middle School Home and School Association

General Board Meeting

September 24, 2012

1. Call to Order: Moureen Wenick called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. In attendance: Stacey Liesner, Beverly Vitek, Ellie DeLaurentis, Dina Cassidy, Rebecca McMullan, Monica Embery, Ed MacBain-Adornetto, Mary Arena, Manuela Muniz, Lori Hill, Moureen Wenik, Ann Ellen Long, Tammy DeLucca, Lisa Ruggles, Amy Bates, Mr. Hafele, Mr. Grande, Dr. Djang

2. Welcome to attendees – Each attendee stated his/her name and parents indicated their child's grade.

3. Reading and Approval of the May Minutes: Stacey Liesner made the motion to approve the minutes, Monica Embery seconded the motion, and attendees indicated unanimous approval. Moureen Wenik reported that we are attempting to get minutes posted on website each month under the UMMS HSA tab.

4. Treasurer's Report – Lisa Ruggles reviewed the budget report. Net income was $2,431.54. Although we intended to present the budget to the general board for approval, we were unable to do so as a possible need for revision of the Free Money proposed income line was noted. The Executive Board will further review this section and the budget will be presented to the General Board for approval at the next meeting.

5. Mini Grants- Moureen reviewed the purpose of mini-grants, i.e. to provide for purchase of items that support a large number of students in the classroom. The following mini-grants requests were considered by the Executive Board for September 2012:

a. Leslie Djang requested purchase of magazine related to Olweus Bullying Program for use in class meetings, $298.83; approved.

b. Mr. Grande requested purchase of Dry Erase Spin Wheel of Learning and Spin Wheel Activity for vocabulary reinforcement for Spanish and French students, $100; approved.

c. Mr. Grande requested purchase of items for Churros and Chocolate event for students, $200; approved.

d. Karen Hanssens Wieczorek requests purchase of 2NXT Intelligent Bricks for Science, Technology and Human Endeavors, $320.89; approved (note: this slightly exceeds the $300 mini-grant limit but is being approved as it covers two grades of students).

e. Valerie Dare requested purchase of Earned Behavior Modification items (rewards), $300; approved.

f. Adam Feldman requested purchase of Daily Language Review for smart board to support the 6^th grade literacy program, license costs $199.99, teacher and student editions cost $29.98 (total is $229.97); approved.

6. Teacher Representative Report – Mr. Grande reviewed upcoming important dates:

Wednesday, September 26^th: Student/teacher Holiday

Wednesday, October 3^rd: Picture Day

Friday, October 5^th: Student Council Dance for 7^th and 8^th grader from 2:25 to 4:05 p.m.

Monday, October 15^th: next HSA meeting

Tuesday-Thursday October 16^th to 18^th: Terra Nova testing for 6^th graders

Friday, October 5^th: Fundraiser kick-off

Friday, October 19^th: 6^th grade party

7. Principal's Report – Mr. Hafele

- Olweus Bullying Program status was reviewed:

a. Staff was trained last year, this year program is being implemented for students

b. Two kick-off assemblies were held, one to introduce the program and anti-bullying rules and to reinforce the importance of bullying awareness throughout the school day and one to meet with John Halligan, an invited speaker who is a Bullying expert, followed by class meetings with homeroom teachers.

c. Parent meeting with John Halligan received positive feedback.

d. Signage around school and Daily Planner inserts are part of a deep-seated effort to eliminate bullying and develop a culture of anti-bullying at the school.

8. Committee Reports

a. Fundraiser

1. Change in start date to October 5th, there will be a kick-off assembly for students.

2. We are looking for a parent of a 6^th grade student to shadow Moureen Wenik to learn about how to run this fundraiser.

3. We are continuing to use Great American Fundraising due to positive experience last year with sales rep, delivery, etc.

4. Students will again receive “ducks” for every 2 items sold and can attend a party featuring a magic show for selling 5 items.

5. Sale ends October 19^th

b. Membership/Directory

1. $8 dues include a copy of the directory

2. Directory includes contact information for friends, HSA, committee chairs, teachers.

3. Deadline for inclusion in directory is 9/28/12.

4. This year we have 292 family memberships and 9 teacher memberships so far.

5. Dues collected thus far total $2,408 and direct donations $647.

c. Free Money Programs

1. Flyer went home in back-to-school paperwork that describes free money programs.

2. Please collect and send in Box Tops and used inkjet cartridges.

3. Giant A+ program – please go to website and link your bonus card to UMMS. A percentage of purchases from 10-7 to 5-15 goes into the Student Activity fund. UMMS had the lowest enrollment of the 4 school buildings last year – we need to find ways to encourage enrollment.

4. Shop Rite program – we receive .5% of purchases, either send in receipts or label them “Upper Moreland Middle School” and place them in the brown wooden container in the front of the Warminster Shop Rite store.

5. Bottom Dollar program – please link your bonus card to UMMS. We receive points from this program that can be redeemed for items (last year we purchased items for use during Student Activity Night).

6. Staples program – in addition to sending used inkjet cartridges to Funding Factory, we take some to Staples and earn gift certificates. These certificates are used to purchase school supplies for students in need as identified by the district social worker.

7. Picture Day – Oct. 4^th, parent volunteers have been obtained.

8. Chinese Banquet- Social event for families and staff, will be held on November 5^th, sign-up form will be available on website.

9. Student Council Dances – HSA provides refreshments for dances, chair will contact parents to arrange for assistance.

9. E-communicator- Don't forget to sign up!!

Next Meeting: October 15^th, UMMS Library at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting adjourned: 7:45 p.m.

Respectively Submitted,

Amy Bates

UMMS HSA Recording Secretary