Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Signup on our Email List

We have a new email list that we will send all information to on Mailchimp.  All existing members to our google group are now automatically on it.  Anyone can unsubscribe at any time once we start sending emails out

Use this link to signup!   We will be sending out monthly meeting notes, newsletters through this:  http://eepurl.com/1Q3v9


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Meeting Notes 8/4/14

SUSD PC

Reiterated Mission Statement: To enhance the communication between parents, teachers & faculty to advocate for and support enrichment programs for our school district.

Discussion of becoming Parent Connection -- Group decided to officially join Sebastopol Education Foundation Parent Connection as the missions seemed in line with each other and the structure already exists.
- Lisa Gonzalez, Co-Chair SEF, shared SEF fundraising and community building plans for 2014-15 and distribution of funds for 2013-14 School Year; will add those docs shortly.
- Group discussed importance of seeing current SUSD Budget so we can determine where extra assistance is needed
- Jane Irmini advised that the classroom supplies fund for teachers has been reinstated and that Rainbow House will continue
- Clarification on SEF-PC and Site Council -- SEF-PC raises funds and creates community building activities, Site Council assists with strategic planning and curriculum recommendations; each school will form Site Council with parents, teachers and administration when school year begins. 
- Discussion of how SEF-PC funds are distributed; in past provided grants, currently provides funds to each school to distribute across classrooms, Principal Fund and some specific activities.  SEF-PC is considering an adjustment to this plan so that programs deemed of most importance to SUSD and each school can be funded directly.
- Lisa G. advised that a group of parents are interested in grant writing to seek additional funds

Shari Conradson Provided Update on Drama 
- Will function as an after School Program; some payment will be needed, funds can be used for scholarship and lower student contribution needed
- Will focus on Romeo and Juliet and Peter Pan Musical
- No updated from Linda Irving on request to use the multi-purpose room (formerly the Drama Room) for this program; Debbie Ramirez to follow up with Linda
- Question about where Mombo's to Mombo's $ is going; Debbie advised that there was discussion with Linda Irving about this, will follow up for additional details

Enrichment Activities
-- Point made that it is a disservice to our children's education to have activities pulled out as Enrichment which actually seem important for overall learning so that it's not pulled out as separate from important learning
- Debbie advised that the Strategic Plan Items we had requested status updates on will be started this school year, they are:
- Marc brought up discussion with Linda Irving of approaching student teachers for qualified aides; Debbie to check with Linda on status
- Discussion of top Enrichment Activities for funding support

- Discussions of Odyssey of The Mind after school program - http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/
- Dan mentioned money raised at Peacetown concert series run by Mr. Music and questioned how SEF-PC could tap into that funding; Jane advised that Mr. Music once taught K-5 Music -- http://mrmusicfoundation.org/; Can someone volunteer to research this?
- Discussion for desire for conflict resolution program involving older students

Communications

-- Discussion of important in getting all parent/guardians to participate in SEF-PC in some way, time or $ are both valued and important

How to reach other parents
- Keep blog
- Keep group email
- Create a monthly newsletter to provide updates on activities and help all plan for upcoming
- Idea of having a Classroom Parent who attends SEF-PC meeting to stay current and then share directly with other parents in that room, gather feedback from those parents and teacher and share with SEF-PC, as well as help with coordinating volunteers for in-class activities.

Discussion of what to include in 1st day packet for SEF/SEF PC. Lisa G. shared Pledge Form, Lynnsey sending ideas for overall cover letter listing major volunteer opportunities.  Will be shared with group ASAP, feedback needed by 8/8.

SEF will discuss moving meeting day to first Monday of the month, and group will meet together for overall planning; next meeting tentatively 8/25

Sachi shared info on Makers & Bakers Fundraiser planned for Winter

Bob filing paperwork to join school board, go Bob!!!

Continue encouraging parents to sign up for our Google Group to have access to the email list:

To subscribe to our group and get on our email list:

Click 'Subscribe to this group'.
It will then send you a confirmation email.   Once you click the link, you are added to the group!

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

We are now SEF Parent Connection!

Parents!   We had a great meeting last night.  Thank you for all who attended.   More notes to come, but most importantly our new name:   We are now SEF Parent Connection.

We agreed last night that since Parent Connection already exists let's re-ignite that fire and get some change going!   Also, the SEF board discussed our group being a part of SEF Parent Connection and they all agreed we should merge our efforts and work together.

So now, we are all members of SEF and SEF's Parent Connection.  In fact, on the first day of school, every parent will automatically become a member of SEF Parent Connection.   Together we can organize our meetings to discuss how we can enrich our school curriculum & faculty with the help they need and work on fundraising for the programs we'd like to come back.