Parents' Association  of P.S.144Q

93-02 69th Ave.

Forest Hills, NY 11375

MINUTES FROM MEETINGS

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PA of PS 144Q
General Meeting – 1/20/09
Minutes


1. Kim Ramazan shared the monthly update on the budget and the Interim Report required from the Board of Education. There was some discussion – mostly focused on clarification of individual budgets – but overall the budget was accepted as presented.

2. There is an Open House at Russell Sage on January 28th for parents of this year’s 5th graders. This is in anticipation of an experimental 6th grade at Sage next year.

3. The Annual PA Auction is March 14th. The Auction Committee has started meeting. If you would like to be involved in the Auction, you can contact Tricia Kampton. Right now the biggest need is in soliciting donations of items, activities, gift certificates, and services. All PA members are encouraged to keep the day of the Auction open – many volunteers will be needed on that day to help it run smoothly.

4. Lois Olshan spoke about the plan to include Enrichment Clusters in the school’s curriculum.
• This will be piloted in 3rd grade this year
• It’s designed to help children see real world applications to what they learn in school
• Will run for 8 weeks, starting on 2/2
• Children will have a choice of three “themes” – Newspaper, Museum, and Playwrights and Puppeteers. Each of the three 3rd grade teachers will be in charge of one the themes, so during this period children may move to a different classroom
• Will run two periods a week
• If successful, this program could be expanded to more of the school next year
• There was some discussion of how this fits into the overall curriculum and if its benefits are measurable. Susan Izeman raised a concern that this was 2 more periods taken away from instructional time in the week, but overall the parents and Mrs. Olshan felt strongly that there are huge benefits to this kind of learning.

5. Mrs. Olshan shared plans for other enrichment activities.
• Inside Broadway will present “Smokey Joe’s Café” at two assemblies.
• Queens Museum of Art will conduct another Saturday workshop for families.
• Pre-k and K classes will go to a concert at Carnegie Hall on April 2nd
• 4th grade will have a recorder program including involvement at Carnegie Hall this spring.