Please join us for the next PTA Meeting on Thursday, March 25th from 6 – 8 PM

Pizza will be served at 6 PM and childcare is available during the meeting.

Please come to our 3rd Annual Wine and Chocolate Fundraiser this Saturday, Feb 27, from 6 to 9 pm, at the W. Berkeley Seniors Center, 1900 6th Street (at Hearst). Tickets are available on a sliding scale for $20, $40, and $60 per person.

It will be a fun event with great wine of course, good food, and of course chocolate! Plus we have over $10,000 in donated items to bid on for our silent auction, and we’ll be selling raffle tickets as well for a chance to win up to 30 bottles of great wine!

Questions? Call Liz at 510-812-6860 or Amy at 510-684-8348

The School Governance Council (SGC) and the PTA have joined forces for this
years parent survey. The survey covers topics from academics and enrichment to
parent participation and inclusion. The results of this survey will impact how
funding is spent, and planning for next year, so it is really important that all
parents are able to have their voice heard.

En Español:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Rosa_Parks_Survey_2010_Espanol

In English:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Rosa_Parks_Survey

February 2010 Rosa Parks PTA Minutes

1. Meeting called to order by Maria Rohlsson, PTA President, at 9:15A

2. Urgent Help needed with Read-a-thon:   Carrie Wilson and Allison Wren volunteered to co-coordinate this effort.

3. Minutes approved:  Minutes have not been posted on-line as consistently as in the past, since the Web Master who volunteered this year is not able to continue in the position .  We need a new volunteer WEB MASTER and if the minutes don’t get posted on-line before the meeting we will hand out more hard copies in future meetings.

4. Silent Auction: Volunteers still needed for Saturday 2/27. The value of donations to the auction has risen to $11,000, though fewer raffle tickets fewer tickets to the event have been sold than last year- talk it up! Sell tickets!  Tracy Hollander will e-mail room parents to remind others in their classroom.

5. Other Events coming up:

Read-a-thon - starts 3/10, materials going out next week in Weds envelope.  Start collecting sponsors.

Rummage Sale: April 10 and 11^th - Hannah Karpilow coordinating - please help volunteer and gather together items to donate - clean out your basement for Spring Break!

Carnival: Sunday 6/6/10 - Miriam Agrell will be chairing this event - please start thinking about your classroom booth. The layout will be the same as last year, in the courtyard.

6. Re-Building Together - Community group that helps individuals and institutions with needed repair/rehab work is coming to Rosa Parks 4/10 and 4/11 to repaint the frame of the canopy that circles the outside edge of the school courtyard.  Susanna Hovland is job captain and can be reached with any questions.

7. Parent Survey: PTA and School Governance Council co-organized it this year, please encourage everyone to complete the survey, COMPLETE IT YOURSELF and offer to help others who may not have computer access to do it on-line - i.e. at the Computer Learning Center at school.  Results will help guide funding and other planning decisions for the coming year.

8. MARCH FORTH on March 4^th: Protest funding cuts and address the need for public education by joining teachers, parents and students from RP and other schools who will be lining MLK Way between University Ave and Dwight Way after school Next Thursday. Gather after school Tuesday 3/2 to help paint signs.

9. Kindergarten Welcome Events: Two families will offer their homes to incoming Kindergarten Parents to meet others, ask questions, have their kids play with future classmates.  Catherine Bruno will hold tea on April 17^th, Alma Prins will have afternoon event 3/27.  There will also be a group playdate at a park in May (date TBA)

10. Recess Before Lunch: Discussed changing school schedule to have lunch recess before lunch - Coach Rachel and others spoke of how this may lead to less food wasted, less pent up energy in lunchroom.  Principal Hatzke is working out possible schedules to make this work, and will discuss with teachers.  She plans to implement it next year if they can find a good arrangement of times.

11. Parent Resource Center - Spring Programs: Food Bank - food bag giveaway in collaboration with County Food Bank for free or reduced-lunch families - 100 slots available, 60 families currently enrolled, 40 more spaces available.

Spring Resource Nights - every Weds Night (except Tour of the World nights) -  includes a simple meal then separate activities for parents and kids, including Parenting Discussion groups and Literacy support for kids.

Resource Center also needs someone to help organize materials (brochures about community resources, etc. . .) in their office, and maintain system for resource materials.

Also discussed having PTA have a more active role next year in Tour of the World or other Resource Center events, to support Community Building, one of the PTA goals.

12. English Language Development (ELD): Kathleen Gadway, ELD Coach - described the program - set up to support teachers in how best to teach English Language Learners - approx. 20% of the school. Ms. Gadway and teachers all have had specialized training this year, and each class now has regular meetings of groups of kids in similar learning levels to help with their language development: English Learners,  Academic English Learners, Academic English Speakers and Spanish Language Development.  Groups are slightly different in different class levels.

Teachers are now trained in giving CELDT test (test of level of English ability for English Learners).  Overall focus is also on how to increase oral language for all children in the classroom.

At this point in ELD program they are also starting to assess the progress/effectiveness of the program.

13. ELAC - English Learner Advisory Committee has been formed again!  They are working on setting up a regular meeting schedule, and including all English Learners, not just Spanish speaking.

14. PTA Leadership for next year: We need a new President, VP, co-secretary - Nominating committee is forming, please contact current PTA Leadership if you are interested or have someone to recommend. For now you can e-mail or call Alma Prins - or (510) 710-2019 and she will pass info on to the committee.

Next PTA Meeting: Thursday, March 25^th, 6-8PM.

Reunión del PTA del 28 de enero de 2010

La reunión fue convocada por la presidente del PTA, Maria Rohlsson.

Se aprobaron las minutas de la reunión del 9 de noviembre.

1. School Governance Council (SGC): Ty Alper, presidente del SGC, habló sobre la función que este organismo desempeña en Rosa Parks. SGC es un grupo de personal de la escuela y padres que desarrollan planes anuales para ser alcanzados por los estudiantes. Además, toman desiciones sobre la inversión de fondos discrecionales. El SGC se reúne mensualmente, el primer lunes del mes (usualmente) de 5.30 a 7.30 pm. La reunión de este mes será el 4 de febrero en la Biblioteca de la Escuela. La Agenda será enviada vía e-tree antes de cada junta.

Todos los padres tienen la oportunidad de elegir con su voto a los miembros del SGC al inicio del año escolar.

2. Carnival (Feria) - La Feria de Rosa Parks se llevará a cabo el 6 de junio de este año. Será dirigido por Miriam Agrell.  Los preparativos comenzarán pronto y en la junta de PTA de febrero se hablará sobre eso.

3.Clases de Jardinería y de Cocina en Rosa Parks

Melanie Parker, (510) 644-6710, supervisora de estos programa dentro del Distrito Escolar habló sobre cómo se financia este programa y qué podemos hacer para tratar de salvaguardar esas clases para nuestros niños.

El Programa es financiado por la USDA y exige a la escuela que por lo menos el 50% de sus estudiantes califiquen para almuerzos gratuitos o reducidos (free or reduced school lunches). Aunque estos niños no coman sus almuerzos. El objetivo de este programa es estimular la alimentación balanceada. Rosa Parks ha tenido estas clases por cerca de 10 años.

Según el último conteo, nos faltan cerca de 20 aplicaciones para calificar.

Se discutieron estrategias a seguir para que todas las familias fueran inscritas. Se enviará una nota en los sobres de los miércoles. Recomendamos que las familias donde recientemente uno de los padres haya perdido su empleo, o donde alguno de los padres sea estudiante, apliquen para este programa.

Habrán mesas en las puertas de RP para recibir las formas para pedirle a TODAS las familias que las completen.

El costo del programa para Rosa Parks es de aproximadamente $90.000. Igualmente se discutió comenzar más temprano este año y hacer un refuerzo para la inscripción en el otoño, además de planes de contingencia que podrían ser necesarios si los fondos terminaran siendo eliminados en el futuro.

4.-Lee-ton Abby Friedman habló sobre los planes de este año para el Lee-ton- y nuestro gran éxito con este evento el año pasado.

Fechas para 2010: El Lee-ton irá del 10 hasta el 21 de marzo de 2010. Se otorgarán premios a la clase con la más alta tasa de participación, al estudiante de cada clase que lea más, quien tenga más donantes y quien recoja más dinero.

Los trámites saldrán en el sobre del miércoles 3 de marzo de 2010.

Abby estará buscando voluntarios para ayudar, incluyendo un Capitán de Lee-Ton para cada clase y padres que presenten el Lee-ton en cada clase.

5.- Noticias sobre la recolección de fondos: Amy Eden, Co-presidente de Recolección de Fondos, nos actualizó y nos comentó sobre los próximos eventos:

Venta de objetos usados: 10 y 11 de abril. Hannah Karpilow será la coordinadora y necesitará muchos voluntarios.

Subasta secreta: 27 de febrero de 2010 en el Senior Center de West Berkeley. Consiga su entrada para asistir y venda los tickets de la rifa del vino. Si no piensa vender ninguno de los tickets de la rifa de vino, tráigalos para que podamos entregárselos a otros!

Necesitaremos voluntarios ara varios aspectos de este evento, así que contacte a Amy para anotarse:

Quizás programemos recolecciones de fondos en negocios ubicados en El Cerrito Mall, por ejemplo, Barnes and Noble podría hacer una Feria del Libro para nosotros, y Rubio’s podría dedicar otro día a nuestra escuela.

Otras ideas para recolectar fondos: comuníquele a Amy si se le ocurre algo o si ha oído de otro evento exitoso. Se sugirió un juego que podría funcionar en el “Carnival”

6. Noticias sobre Presupuesto: Allison Wren, Co-Tesorero, comentó sobre nuestros ingresos para este año- vamos bien, hemos recogido aproximadamente $23,000 combinando la campaña de “Un mes más”, Cartas de Donación Directa y Donaciones en Línea.

Se discutieron formas de seguir construyendo sobre los donantes de “Un mes más” del año pasado.

7.- Encuesta conjunta PTA/SGC

SGC realiza su encuenta anual en la comunidad de Rosa Parks- preguntas sobre asuntos académicos, enriquecimiento, cultura escolar, seguridad, liderazgo, comunicación y participación de los padres. Este año se lleva a cabo conjuntamente con el PTA y el Centro de Recursos Familiares. Por favor, búsquela- puede completarse por Internet o en papel- y será utilizada para ayudar a la planificación del próximo año. La meta es 65 a 70% de participación.

8. Cool the Earth - Suzanne Ingley habló sobre este programa (cooltheearth.org) en Rosa Parks y cómo motivar a los chicos a realizar acciones para solucionar el cambio climático. Ella tiene algunas actividades planeadas en la escuela para ayudar a los estudiantes a entender cómo los cambios pueden afectar cuánta energía es utilizada. Ella necesita AYUDA con el ingreso de la data de los formularios que los chicos le entreguen.

ADEMÁS: El Salón de Ciencias necesita VOLUNTARIOS!!

9.- Noche de Ingenería Familiar: martes 23 de febrero, de 6 a 8 pm.

El Programa de Ciencias Lawrence Hall, será traído con la ayuda de un padre y una abuela de Rosa Parks: Ty Alper y Lynn Alper.  Para estudiantes de 2do. a 5to. grado.

Prepárense para asistir y además consideren ser voluntarios (se necesitan de 6 a 7 voluntarios)

10. Protesta de la Federación de Maestros de Berkeley contra los recortes de fondos anunciados:

Tracy Iglehart habró sobre los planes de protestar contra el recorte de $2.4 billones en el presupuesto ara el próximo año. “March Forth on March 4″ incluirá, en Berkeley, los manifestantes bordearán MLK Way. Además, emplearán ese día ppara discutir los efectos de los recortes de presupuesto en la educación en el trabajo-Convertirlo en relevante en todo lo que haga, en todo el Estado.

Puede encontrar mayor información en Internet  www.berkeleyfederationofteachers.org/ o escribirle un correo electrónico a Tracy Iglehart:

11. Concurso de Arte “Reflections”

Karlene Gullone, , quien organizó nuestra primera participación en este concurso, reportó cómo le fue a nuestra escuela y comentó qué poderoso puede ser el arte en la educación. Se planifican mejoras para el año próximo, así que contacte a Karlene si está interesado en ayudar en esto.

12. Foro abierto: Surgieron preocupaciones sobre la seguridad en el baño y el pasillo abierto entre la cafetería y el patio. Se discutieron las mejores expectativas de seguridad específicas, al igual que la necesidad de mayor monitoreo/supervisión de padres durante las horas del recreo y del almuerzo.

Próxima Reunión: jueves, 25 de febrero de 2010, 9.15 am el el Salón Multiusos.

Rosa Parks PTA Meeting 1/28/10

Meeting called to order by PTA President Maria Rohlsson.

Minutes from 11/09 meeting approved.

1. School Governance Council (SGC): Ty Alper, Chair of the SGC spoke about the role SGC plays at Rosa Parks.  SGC is a group of school staff and parents who develop annual plans for student achievement, and make decisions about spending discretionary funds.  SGC meets monthly, usually 1^st Monday of the month, 5:30-7:30PM.  This month’s meeting is 2/4/10, 5:30PM in school library.  Agenda will be sent out on e-tree before each meeting.

All parents have a chance to vote for SGC members at the start of each school year.

2. Carnival - The Rosa Parks Carnival, which will be on June 6^th this year, will be chaired by Miriam Agrell.  Preparations will be starting soon, we will begin more concrete discussions at the February PTA meeting.

3. Gardening and Cooking classes at Rosa Parks:

Melanie Parker, (510) 644-6710 Program Supervisor of the School District’s cooking/gardening programs spoke about how this program is funded and what we can do to try to safeguard these classes for our kids.

The program is funded by the USDA and requires a school to have at least 50% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunches - even if those kids don’t eat the school lunches.  The goal of the program is to encourage healthy eating.  RP has had these classes for about 10 years.

As of last count, we are about 20 applications short of qualifying.

Strategies to enroll all families were discussed.  A note will go out in Weds envelope.  Families who may have recently had a parent laid off, or where a parent is a student, will be encouraged to apply.  There are plans to have tables out for pick up and drop off to encourage ALL families to complete the forms.

Program cost for RP is about $90,000.  Also discussed starting earlier in the year with a push for all to enroll in the fall, and discussed back-up plans we might come up with if funding does end up being cut in the future.

4. Read-a-thon: Abby Friedman spoke about this year’s plans for read-a-thon - and our great success with this event last year.

Dates for 2010: Read-a-thon will run from 3/10/10 until 3/21/10.  Paperwork will go out in Weds envelope 3/3/10.  Prizes will be awarded for class with highest rate of participation, for the student in each grade who reads the most, who has the most donors and who raises the most money.

Abby will be seeking volunteers to help, including a Read-a-thon Captain for each classroom, and parents to present in each class about the read-a-thon.

5. Fundraising Update: Amy Eden, Fundraising co-chair, reported on upcoming events:

Rummage Sale - April 10 and 11^th - Hannah Karpilow will coordinate and will need lots of volunteers!

Silent Auction - 2/27/10 at the West Berkeley Senior Center - get your tickets to attend and sell the wine raffle tickets!  Bring in raffle tickets if you don’t plan to sell any so we can give them to others.  We’ll need volunteers for various aspects of this event; contact Amy to sign up:

We may also schedule fundraising events through businesses at the El Cerrito Mall, i.e. Barnes and Noble can do a Book Fair for us, and Rubios could also dedicate another day to our school.

Other fundraising ideas: Let Amy know if you have other thoughts or have heard of other successful events - there was a suggestion of a game that might work at the Carnival.

6. Budget Update: Allison Wren, Co-Treasurer, reported on our income for this year -

we are doing well, having raised about $23,000 from combination of “one more month” campaign, direct donation letter and on-line donations.

Discussed ways to possibly build on One-More-Month donors from past year.

7. Joint PTA/SGC Survey:

SGC is doing its annual survey of the RP community - questions about academics, enrichment, school culture, safety, leadership, communication and parent participation.  This year it is being done jointly with the PTA and the Family Resource Center.  Please look for it - it can be completed on-line or on paper, and will be used to help plan for the coming year.  Goal is for 65-70% participation.

8. Cool the Earth - Suzanne Ingley spoke about this program (cooltheearth.org) at RP and how it motivates kids to make changes and encourage their parents to make changes to address climate change.  She has some plans to activities at school to help kids understand how changes can affect how much energy is used.  She needs HELP with entering data from all the slips kids are turning in.

ALSO: The Science classroom needs VOLUNTEERS!

9. Family Engineering night - Tuesday 2/23/10 6-8PM.

Lawrence Hall of Science program, brought to us with the help of RP Parent Ty Alper and grandparent Lynn Alper.  Please plan to attend - for 2-5^th graders - and also consider volunteering.  They need 6-7 volunteers.

10. Berkeley Federation of Teachers/Protest Planned Budget Cuts!: Tracy Iglehart spoke about plans to protest the $2.4 billion in proposed budget cuts for next year.  “March Forth on March 4^th” will include, in Berkeley, protesters lining MLK Way.  Also use that day to discuss the effects of budget cuts on education at work - make it an issue whatever you do, statewide.

For more info you can access them online: www.berkeleyfederationofteachers.org/ or e-mail Tracy Iglehart:

11. Reflections Art Competition - Karlene Gullone, ,who organized our first time participating in this competition, reported on how our school did, and also on how powerful art can be in education.  Improvements are planned for next year; please contact Karlene if you are interested in helping out next year.

12. Open Forum: Concerns were raised about safety in bathroom and breezeway between cafeteria and yard.  Discussed BEST program’s specific bathroom expectations, as well as need for more monitoring/supervision in that area and need for more parent volunteers during recess and lunch.

Next Meeting: Thursday, February 25, 2010 9:15AM in Multipurpose room.

Rosa Parks PTA Meeting Minutes

November 19, 2009

Meeting called to order by Maria Rohlsson at 6:30PM.

Minutes from October Meeting Approved - attendees reminded to look minutes up on bulletin board or on-line at rosaparkselementary.org in advance of next meeting

Sign In Sheet now including everyone’s volunteer hours - including attending meeting and other school events - for PTA to tally at end of year

E-tree/New Web Master:

Matt Agrell has volunteered to be the PTA’s new Webmaster.  He can be reached at: email

To access the school/PTA website: www.rosaparkselementary.org

To access e-group for PTA information: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rosaparks_pta/

To access Rosa Parks Parents e-group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rosa_Parks_Parents/

And for Green Schoolyard information:

Fundraising Update:

Pancake Breakfast not as well-attended as hoped - we will be making some changes next year, including not calling it the “dad’s” pancake breakfast.  A new volunteer has offered to help market this event next year.

Everyone was reminded about Rebecca’s Books donating 10% of proceeds to PTA if buyers mention RP before 11/30 and about Turkey Fry for Thanksgiving to benefit RP PTA.

Direct Donation Letters have gone out, please look for it and for a letter in your Weds Envelope to forward to friends and family who might be interested in supporting our school.

Wine and Chocolate Auction:

New Location this year (Café Cacao is closed) at the West Berkeley Senior Center - at 6^th St. and Hearst.  Café Cacao chef is likely to still cater the event.  DATE: Saturday 2/27/09.

Other ideas raised by participants: Fashion Show for the kids in the school; sending parents a bill for school budget shortfall.  People are encouraged to contact Fundraising co-chairs Amy Eden email or Liz Tracey email to discuss any fundraising ideas.

Green Schoolyard:

Karen Meyer reported that we were chosen for a $200,000 grant to install a large set of rooftop solar panels on the auditorium/gym roof.  The grant also covers a Solar Fair in June.  The panels should generate about $5000 in savings for the school (district) per year. Email Karen (Karen.Marie.Meyer@gmail.com) if you have any experience with solar energy and want to help develop plans for how the school can engage with new panels.

Also we have funding for Art At Recess - we need volunteers to help do this, please contact Karla in Kid’s Village if interested.

Sharon presented the history of our Green Schoolyard and future plans, including focus on solar power.  Focus for future work is for the area around our current solar panel.  Please contact Sharon to volunteer to help, receive e-mails about future work days - or to help organize a work day!

Announcements:

• Kindergarten Fair: 12/5/09 from 10AM to 1PM at Le Conte Elementary
• Parent Cooking Class to start 1/10 at Rosa Parks
• Emergency Preparedness Information coming out soon
• Art at Lunch to start soon, paid for by a BPEF grant
• Grant had been requested to fund completion of school mosaic, but not funded.  Still have hopes to work on mosaic at front of school eventually.

Reflections Art Competition

Karlene Gullone () reported on the need for volunteers to help judge all the entries in this art competition.  Please contact her ASAP if you are interested.  Doesn’t have to be a school parent.

Full Belly Farm:

They will stop delivering to our school unless significantly more families sign up!  Announcement will also go out to neighborhood e-group for possible participants from surrounding community.

Principal presentation:

Kathy Hatzke spoke about Rosa Parks’ Program Improvement (PI) Status.  Our school has been in PI status for 5 years, based on API (Academic Performance Index) Scores - the goal is for each school’s average score to be 800.

RP is not far below this, but did have a recent dip, likely related to new math curriculum which in the long run should be helpful to our students.

One important issue for our school is a significant achievement gap between different socioeconomic groups in the school. We need to continue working to ensure that ALL children have the opportunity to do well. Parent involvement is key, and school is encouraging more collaboration between teachers - sharing what is working for them.

Also, if you have experience evaluating data in relation to education issues - i.e. comparing our students and test results to those at other elementary schools - please let Principal Hatzke know.

Next Meeting: Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 6:00 to 8:00PM

Minuta de la reunión de PTA de Rosa Parks

19 de noviembre de 2009

La reunión fue convocada por María Rohlsson a las 6.30 pm

Se aprobó la minuta correspondiente a la reunión de octubre. Se recordó a los asistentes buscar las minutas en la cartelera o en la página web rosaparkselementary.org con anterioridad a la siguiente reunión.

Las páginas de asistencia ahora incluyen las horas de voluntariado- incluyendo las de asistencia a la reunión y otros eventos de la escuela- para ser tomadas en cuenta por el PTA al final del año.

Árbol electrónico/Nuevo Webmaster: Matt Agrell se ha ofrecido voluntariamente como nuevo webmaster del PTA. Pueden contactarlo en:

Para acceder a la página web de la escuela: www.rosaparkselementary.org

Para acceder al grupo electrónico para información del PTA: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rosaparks_pta/

Para acceder al grupo electrónico de padres de Rosa Parks: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rosa_Parks_Parents/

Y, para información sobre el “Patio Verde” (Green Schoolyard)

Noticias sobre la recolección de fondos:

El “Desayuno de Panquecas” no contó con tanta asistencia como hubiéramos esperado. Por esa razón haremos cambios para el próximo año, incluyendo el no llamarlo desayuno de panquecas para “papás”. Un nuevo volunraio se ofreció para ayudarnos en el mercadeo de este evento para el año que viene.

Se recordó a los asistentes que Rebecca’s Books donaría el 10% de sus ventas al PTA si los compradores mencionaban Rosa Parks antes del 30 de noviembre. Igualmente, se habló de la fritura del Pavo para Acción de Gracias, a beneficio del PTA de Rosa Parks.

Los sobres para donación directa ya salieron. Por favor, búsquelos junto a una carta en los sobres de los miércoles y reenvíelos a amigos y familiares que pudieran estar interesados es apoyar nuestra escuela.

Subasta de Vinos y Chocolate:

Nuevo local este año (Café Cacao está cerrado) en el West Berkeley Senior Center, en la 6ta. y Hearst. El chef de Café Cacao seguramente se encargará del evento. FECHA: sábado 27 de febrero de 2009.

Otras ideas aportadas por participantes:  enviar a los padres detalles de lo faltante en el presupuesto. Para cualquier idea sobre recolección de fondos, se recomienda contactar a las co-presidentas de recolección de fondos: People are Amy Eden o Liz Tracey para discutir esas ideas.

Patio Verde: Karen mayer reportó que fuimos elegidos para un subsidio de $200.000 para instalar un juego grande de techo de páneles solares en el techo del auditorio/gimnasio. El subsidio también cubre una Feria Solar en junio. Los páneles deberían generar anualmente cerca de $5000 de ahorro para el distrito escolar.

Si tiene algún tipo de experiencia con energía solar y quiere ayudar a desarrollar planes sobre cómo la escuela puede beneficiarse de estos páneles, envíe un e-mail a Karen

Además, contamos con fondos para “Art at Recess” (Arte en el Recreo). Necesitamos voluntarios para ayudar con esto. Por favor, contacte a Karla en Kid’s Village si puede ayudar.

Sharon presentó la historia de nuestro “Patio Verde” y planes futuros, incluyendo el foco en la energía solar. Enfocarnos en próximos trabajos en el área que rodea nuestro pánel solar actual. Por favor, contacte a Sharon si quiere ayudar como voluntario, recibir e-mails sobre próximos días de trabajo, o para ayudar a organizar un día de trabajo.

Anuncios:

• Feria de Kindergarten: 5 de diciembre de 2009 desde las 10.00 am hasta la 1.00 pm en LeConte Elementary.
• Clases de Cocina para Padres: comenzarán el 10 de enero de 2010 en Rosa Parks.
• Información sobre Preparación para Emergencias: Próximamente.
• Arte en el almuerzo: comezará próximamente, pagado por un subsidio de BPEF.
• Se ha solicitado un subsidio para completar el mosaico de la escuela. Todavía esperamos trabajar eventualmente en el mosaico al frente de la escuela.

Competencia de Arte “Reflections”

Karlene Gullone comunicó la necesidad de voluntarios para ayudar a juzgar las piezas de esta competencia de arte. Por favor, si está interesado en esto, contáctela lo antes posible. No es necesario ser un padre de Rosa Park para ello.

Granjas Full Belly: Detendrán su suministro a nuestra escuela a menos que un número significativamente mayor de familias se inscriban. Este anuncio también llegará al grupo electrónico de padres de nuestro vecindario para buscar posibles participantes en la comunidad.

Presentación de la Directora:

Kathy Hatzke habló sobre el estatus del “Program Improvement” (PI) de Rosa Parks.

Nuestra escuela ha estado en estatus de PI durante 5 años, basado en la puntuación de API (Academic Performance Index-Índice de Desempeño Académico).

La meta es que el puntaje promedio de cada escuela sea de 800. Rosa Parks no está muy por debajo de esto, pero sufrió una caída reciente, seguramente relacionada al nuevo currículum de Matemáticas, lo cual, a largo plazo, debería ser beneficioso para nuestros alumnos.

Un asunto importante para nuestra escuela es una significativa brecha en los logros entre los diferentes grupos socioeconómicos en la escuela. Necesitamos continuar trabajando para asegurarnos de que TODOS los niños tengan la oportunidad de salir bien.

La involucración de los padres es clave, y la escuela está apoyando una mayor colaboración entre maestros: compartir qué funciona para ellos.

Adicionalmente, si usted posee experiencia evaluando datos en relación a asuntos educativos, por ejemplo, comparando nuestros estudiantes y resultados de exámenes con los de otras escuelas elementales, por favor comuníqueselo a la Directora Hatzke.

Próxima reunión: Jueves 28 de enero de 2010. De 6.00 a 8.00 pm.

Please join us…
PTA Meeting
Thursday, November 19th 6 – 8PM

Agenda
I. Welcome
II. Approval of the minute
III. E-tree
IV. Fundraising Update
V. Green Schoolyard update
VI. Principal, Kathy Hatzke talks about Program Improvement and its implications
for Rosa Parks

Pizza will be served at 6 PM and childcare is available during the meeting.

Rosa Parks PTA
Meeting Minutes October 22, 2009

Meeting called to order 9:15AM by President Maria Rohlsson. 28 people attended.

Minutes from last meeting approved – members reminded to look up minutes on Rosa Parks PTA website or on School PTA Bulletin board.

Fundraising Update:
Letters sent out to Silent Auction donors
Look in Weds envelope for information on Auction, which will take place in February
Direct donation letter to go out last week in October
Rebecca’s Books in South Berkeley to do a fundraiser in November - % of sales to people who mention Rosa Parks will go to us
Dad’s Pancake Breakfast – Saturday 11/14/09 9-11AM. Gregor Rohllson will coordinate.
Parent Dan Abrahamson is deep frying turkeys for Thanksgiving and will donate proceeds to PTA.

Budget:
$900 added to annual budget to provide food for school math nights.
Amendment passed.
Also discussed Math night and further information will be coming to all families about the new math teaching methods so we can support our children in learning this way.

Requesting reimbursement from PTA:
For pre-approved expenses, go to PTA Mailbox in school office, get reimbursement request form, fill out and place, with receipt, in Treasurer folder. E-mail treasurer so they know to look for it: email or email

Cathryn Bruno, RP Parent and former Berkeley District PTA President spoke about the Peralta District PTA – all of Alameda County – and the CA State PTA Convention which she recently attended. She is helping set up or re-energize PTAs in schools where they are not as active. www.peraltadistrictpta.org is the County website, www.capta.org for statewide.
She thanked us all for being a part of this powerful organization, part of supporting education in this way, and reminded us we will need to elect a new PTA President this Spring, for next year.

Berkeley PTA Council – Allison Wren, one of our Treasurers, attended the last Council meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend their meetings: www.berkeleypta.org
One of the issues on the agenda was vaccinations for the flu and H1N1. Flu shots will be available to ALL children at school mid-November – look in your Weds envelopes for more info.

Principal Hatzke was not able to attend our meeting today, but did send the message that she will give parents an update on the Program Improvement Level 5 that this school, and the District, is under. One factor, not necessarily at RP, is parents who refuse to allow their children to be tested.
A good time to speak to the Principal is the first Thursday of the month, when Kathy is available to meet with all parents and discuss any concerns or school issues. The next one is 11/5/09.

e-Scrips: Sign up with e-scrip online: www.escrip.com and you can automatically generate income for the PTA when you shop at participating stores. Information will be posted with the minutes on the bulletin board.
Any parent who is interested in helping publicize this to the school community please contact a PTA board member to volunteer!

Kindergarten Fair and Tours: The Kindergarten Fair is 12/5/09, 10AM-1PM, and we could use a few more enthusiastic parents to help represent RP
Tours will start in November, on Tues and Thursday mornings (starting at 9:15 am) – please consider signing up with Alicia to do a tour. We will try to have a meeting of Tour leaders before they start so we can be prepared to speak.

Announcements to the school community can be made in several ways:
Flyers in Weds Envelope
Phone Blasts
Rosa Parks PTA and RP Parents e-trees
Posters up around school

Safe Routes to School will have a Bike Clinic 11/15/09 (Sunday) to teach safety skills for bikers and do helmet fittings.
Walking School bus training is coming too; look for info on these in Weds envelopes.

Parent Resource Center: Lamont Snaer spoke about upcoming Tour of the World 10/28/09. They will need help with food servers.
Also: Please donate parenting books for their new library for parents.

School Directory: Hannah Karpilow and Dana Holtzman volunteered to work on this this year.

Room Parent Update: Tracy Hollander named a few classes that still don’t have room parents and spoke about the importance of Room Parents for communication between parents, teacher, and larger school community. Room Parent Yahoo group coming also.

Vice Presidents Lilly MacRae and Tali Reicher spoke about being Liaisons between teachers and the PTA, including helping get items on the agenda, help with events, volunteers, etc. . .