coming school year plans

[Piet van Lier]

Hi all,

Hope you're having a great summer!

I met with Debbie Fisher the other day to talk about parent-group plans for the coming year. Some of the ideas are new, some we've already been doing. I think we're making progress in developing the parent group -- the more we can bring people together, the stronger we'll be, and the better we'll be able to support NWIS.

I'd like to run these ideas by you all -- assuming we'll be good with most of them, but any ideas, questions, or concerns are welcome. What would be ideal would be for a parent or small group of parents to sign up to take on responsibility for planning each event.

Also, Mrs. Fisher sent me a final calendar, approved by the board, for the school year, figured I'd pass it on to you if you haven't already seen it. (Attached as PDF.)

Also, let's think about an August meeting -- do we want to do it?

thanks,

Piet

Here's the list:

Ice cream social, Wednesday, August 21 - We'd like to host an ice cream social at the new school building. This is the day before school starts for everyone; it's also the half-day of school (from 9 to noon) for any child who wants to come to school and get to know teachers, etc. It's especially designed for children new to the school, but returning children are welcome. Debbie and I discussed an ice cream social as an informal way for all children and families to meet teachers and staff, and to see the new building. All staff are at the school that day. Options we discussed are noon to 2, 3 to 5 pm, and 4 to 6 pm. I'm inclined to go with the 4 to 6 slot, as more people will be able to stop in after work. What do you all think? Does this sound fun? I told her the parent group would provide the ice cream (I know it's before dinner, sorry!). We could either tap into money we have saved up -- I think David has something left over from the Holiday Shop, if I'm not mistaken -- or we could do it as an "ice-cream potluck," where everyone brings their favorite ice cream to share, along with enough bowls/spoons for their family, and maybe a few extra bowls to share, too. 

Spelling bee, an evening in October -- Debbie said they've done this at TIS, so we could get some pointers from them. I think we could make this a potluck too, so it's a social event, not just a spelling bee. We'll need some volunteers to help plan it if we want to make this happen.

Holiday Shop -- this has been successful, with Marie Velez coordinating. Do we want to continue?

Winter potluck -- We've had fun the past two years (although this year it was more of a winter potluck). Assuming we want to continue.

Teacher appreciation -- This year's lunch was a great success. I proposed the idea of doing a teacher happy hour, something that would give teachers more of a chance to hang out together, as the lunch is pretty rushed. Mrs. Fisher said that was a good idea, and she thought teachers would like it. I've helped plan some similar parties at the Lava Lounge, in Tremont. We could raise money for this and provide food at the lava lounge for the teachers (it's affordable and delicious, probably would cost only a little bit more than the lunch), and they would buy their own drinks. I'd be happy to take the lead on this if others like the idea and it's something we want to do.

Year-end picnic -- Once again, we had a great picnic in June, and I'm assuming we'll want to do it again.

Fundraising -- Finally, Debbie said that in terms of fundraising, what she'd be most interested in having the parent group do is raise money to pay for the Spanish teacher. Right now, Viva Spanish costs $12,000 a year; if she could find a teacher to work at NWIS part-time, it would be about $6,800. She'd prefer that, but the last time she tried to do that it backfired, as the teacher first went on maternity leave and then quit before she started. We've talked about fundraising before; this would give us a focus. Debbie said we wouldn't need to raise the whole amount, but anything would help.

Volunteer needs -- We are planning to have a parent room at the school, so we'll have to figure out how to make that work. Also, volunteer opportunities -- Debbie says one of the needs the school has is in the library -- she could use parent volunteers to help check out books and to re-shelve them.

[marie ana velez]

I am replaying regarding the holiday shop. I think it should continue but if someone else wants to take the lead please feel free to come forward.. Last year we gave $350.00 to the school. I have already gone shopping for the shop and I hope new and excisiting parents will donate as well. 

Sent from my iPhone

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<NWIS Final Draft 2013-2014 Calendar.pdf>

[dsim...@aol.com]

I would like to add the event of uniform swap and take the lead on it.

 

Denise

[melk...@gmail.com]

I would like to add an art program to the list.  I can take the lead on organizing an in-school residency with a teaching artist- perhaps an actor, storyteller, or musician.  

Melinda Placko

(216) 904 0358