The meeting was chaired by Charlotte Ellehoj, Elementary School Chair.
1. Welcome.
Bob Hetzel welcomed everyone. He emphasized the importance of parents participating in the PSA and using it as a forum to debate and propose school issues. He emphasized the fact that the school really benefits from parental involvement and additionally stated that teachers are always happy to meet and discuss issues with individual parents concerning their child.
The PSA committee members introduced themselves.
The ‘new parent buddy’ system was explained.
2. Last meetings minutes were approved.
3. Forthcoming Events
- The first event of the year is the Parents’ Pot Luck Dinner and Quiz on Fri. 5th Sept. in the Hall of Peace (HOP).
The dinner starts at 6.30pm and you bring along a dish of food to share and your own wine/ drinks.
If you are unable to attend the dinner but would like to take part in the fun quiz, come along at 7.45pm.
A note will be sent round soon to fill out if you want to attend the dinner.
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The Welcome Back Party/Fall BBQ is on 13th Sept. from 4-7pm. All families are welcome. It costs Rs. 100 each (under 4’s free) and there are hamburgers/ hotdogs (bring your own dessert) , and free entry to the pool and games in the gym. It’s a great opportunity to meet people- old timers and new alike.Tickets will shortly be on sale.
Volunteers needed for:
a) small childrens games- please contact Chris Files
b) large empty cans- please put in PSA lounge
c) Making small bean bags- please contact Janet Golden.
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In previous years PSA have organized Halloween trick or treating for the children, by neighbourhood with parent volunteers organizing their areas. We need someone to ensure each area gets themselves organized this year so the kids can have fun.
A volunteer please!
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India night under the Stars is a popular event that is by far the biggest PSA fundraiser.
It is an Indian themed dinner/ dance evening for the adults and is held within the school grounds . This year it will be held on 1st November. Tickets cost Rs 1000 each.
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Christmas Caroling – in December- more details later.
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Other cultural events take place regularly in the school theatre. Look out for announcements as these are well worth attending.
Volunteers with new ideas for events or happy to organize or lend a hand are always welcome. Please contact Ann Griffith to propose ideas and/or volunteer more.
4). Elementary School.
A parent/teacher evening will be held on 4th September, starting in the school theatre at 6.30pm, followed by presentations on the curriculum by teachers in the different classrooms. Teachers of special subjects will also be available to meet and discuss the curriculum. Finish 8.30pm.
Charlotte explained the need for and general role of a room parent. For those interested there are more details available on the PSA website.
Elementary school do not plan to hold formal Teacher/ Parent coffee meetings. Instead there will be an informal get together with Michael Foxall directly after the PSA meeting. If you have a general issue that you would like to discuss please contact PSA reps, Charlotte or Sangita and they will raise with Michael before the meeting. If you have any issues pertaining just to your child, the first point of call is the teacher.
5). Middle School.
A parent/ teacher evening will be held on 2nd Sept. at 6.30pm.
There are 4 parent/ teacher coffee meetings this year. The first one takes place at 9am on 16th September in the HOP. The topic is Mini-courses.
Good fun was had by the children at the after school pool party this week. Their next social is the square dance this Friday evening.
6). High School
There is a Back to school night on 26th August.
Freshman counseling on 2nd Sept. 7pm, followed by Seniors parents night 8pm.
Parent/teacher coffee meetings have proved very successful over the past few years.
Currently scheduled for 1st and 30th September- but given the number of meetings these dates may be reviewed. Look out for Friday note sent to parents regularly by e-mail for up-dates on this and other issues.
7). Treasurers Report
Most successful event last year was India night under the stars. This raised approx. Rs123,000. Flea market raised 15,0000, Welcome Festi. Rs9,000 and Quiz night Rs1,250.
Rs 47,000 was donated to each school. ES spent most of this on Publishing Centre, MS on video equipment and HS on audio and library reference materials. Each school also donated some to a charitable cause.
The opening balance for this year is Rs222,205. Some of this will be used to subsidise the Fall BBQ.
8) Curriculum
Curriculum Committee meets 7 times a year. If you have issues to raise , please see Sandya or Michelle.
9). Traffic
Bob Hetzel highlighted the rationale for changing the traffic arrangements at each gate. He advised that traffic is still too congested at Gate 5 and asked parents to put their children on the school bus if possible, rather than add to the problem. Alternatively, use Gate 2 which is far less busy.
Parents should instruct drivers to drop off children and then drive directly on in order to keep the traffic flowing.
The school has no authority over the street , so the aim is to work cooperatively with the local police.
10). Any other business
Wendy Dwyer announced that the Ladies Softball League starts this Sunday at 9am at ACSA. Speak to her if you need to be signed in. Season ends 7th Dec.
Girl Scouts need new leaders and helpers. See Wendy.
AWA Welcome lunch 26th August.
Bowling League starts Sept. 8th 8.45am.
Hindi lessons.
These are currently not available as part of the curriculum. When the school has offered Hindi, there have not been enough students wanting to take it to pay for a teacher. Additionally, if Hindi is introduced it means taking something else out of the curriculum. The alternative is to offer it as an after school activity. If you have any views on this, please contact your PSA representative.
Information Mela- it was noted that this was not on the calendar. It would be a good idea to combine it with Fall BBQ. PSA will investigate feasibility.
Next meeting will be a lunchtime one on 18th September 12am in the Conference Room (next to Main Reception).
Please come along. All parents welcome!
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