Jonathan M. Daniels School Association

Meeting Minutes for January 15, 2008

Present: Juanita Harper, Patty Yoerger, Tracy Summers, Jodie Theriault, Sherrie Paltrineri, Janice Ramirez, Jen Drake-Deese, Juli Drouin, Carrie Stewart, Kathy Huston

Secretary's Report: Minutes from the December 10, 2007 meeting were reviewed and accepted.

Treasurer's Report: Treasurer's Report was reviewed and accepted.

Principal's Report:
Public hearing on the proposed 2008-09 school budget and other warrant articles scheduled for January 15th. Warrant items to include $1 million bond to develop plans for building a new middle school, which would be rolled over into the construction bond should voters approve the project in 2009. Also included in the warrant articles are contracts for paraprofessionals, custodians, tutors, principals, speech/language professionals and school pyschologists. Voting on this budget, which is an increase of about 3% will be held in March.
School budget meeting to take place at the Keene High School on February 9th at 9:00am.
The Strings program will expand next year to include 5th Grade students, along with 3rd and 4th Grade students.
Results from the October NECAP testing should be received by the end of January. JD did not make adequate progress in special education last year, which is true for many other schools in the state. More information to follow.
Teachers and staff are in the process of developing rules and regulations for playground, cafeteria and mudroom behavior. These expectations are almost completed and may be sent home at the beginning of February.
School Spirit Week scheduled for the week of February 18th. JDA voted unanimously to sponsor a popcorn day during that week.

Review:
The February 11th JDA meeting is scheduled for 6:15pm at the KMS. A building tour and Q & A session regarding the KMS replacement/renovation issue to take place. Childcare will be provided.

Committee Reports/Updates:
Craft Fair: A committee is being formed to organize next year's event. Janice Ramirez, Becky Russell and Kathy Lehrman have offered their assistance. A 4th Grade parent will be recruited to also be on the committee for the purpose of organizing the concession stand.
Book Bingo: Rescheduled for January 18th. Judy Hoffman and Tracy Summers have volunteered to organize this activity. We will need to borrow Ann Nolan's Bingo game and will consider purchasing our own for future events. More books are needed and can be dropped off at JD until Friday.
Ice Skating: January 20th 4:30 - 6:30pm at the Cheshire Ice Arena. Rentals and snack bar available. Extra skates are needed, as there are limited rentals.
Contra Dance: February 1st. JDA to provide water. Executive Committee voted to pay for student lessons during the school day, as well as for the family activity night. School day event date to be determined.
Circesta: May 31st. Committee meeting scheduled for January 28th at 6:15pm. Volunteers interested in helping with Circesta are encouraged to participate.
Fundraising: Carrie Stewart has offered to refill the Pepsi machine on a regular basis for the next couple of months. Spring fundraiser will be decided upon during the February JDA meeting. Spring Spirit Wear sale to be organized by Jen Drake-Deese. $204 received from Box Tops.
Volunteers needed to assist Kindergarten classes with Fun Fridays from 1:30 - 2:30pm. Help is also needed for the artroom 1-2 hours each week. Flyer to be sent home requesting volunteers. Anyone interested in helping should contact Juli Drouin.

New Business:
5th Grade parents to organize Spring Fling. JDA to sponsor.
Notice to change Article V of the JDA Bylaws requested. The change would be to include the past JDA vice president as an advisor to the Executive Committee.
Flyers will be sent home with chairperson contact information for anyone wishing to volunteer for the upcoming activities.
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon scheduled for May 7th starting at 11:30am. Sherrie Paltrineri to organize food and Tracy Summers to organize recess duty and lunchroom volunteers.
JD Yearbook is being prepared by Sherrie Paltrineri. 5th Grade bios to be sent home. 5th Grade students to submit individual cover designs with 4th Grade students choosing the final cover. If possible, the yearbook will be handed out during the last week of school, so students will have an opportunity to sign each other's yearbooks.

With nothing further, this meeting was adjourned. Next meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2008 at 6:15pm at the Keene Middle School.
Minutes submitted by Kathy Huston, JDA Secretary