Mrs. MacDonald opened the meeting with a prayer at 7:15PM.

Acting President Pat Hassett welcomed everyone especially new parents and had everyone introduce himself or herself.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

• Mrs. MacDonald said the year is off to a good start with an enrollment of 201. We had sixteen more students register over the summer. Pre-K has been expanded.
• Parent Information Night is next week. – September 22^nd.
• The accreditation process will begin this year. It is two-year process and the accreditation team will be here in Fall 2006.
• The Enchanted Circle will be here on September 27^th for K-4 and on October 19^th for 5-8.
• There are two new copiers.
• Computers have been put into all the classrooms. Thanks go to Ed Paprocki for his help.
• The next wish is to bring the Internet into each classroom.

NEW BUSINESS

• Pat Hassett brought up that she had a call from Mary Quick over the summer to see if the Parent Association would buy the Agenda Notebooks again this year. Pat polled the Board and all agreed. She has written a memo to that fact.
• It was asked that any voting done outside the normal meetings would be of an emergency nature only. Pat said she would try to have things voted at the meetings and if they couldn’t be, they would be documented as to why it had to be done outside of the regular meeting.
• Big Y is starting up Education Express again. You must register even if you had done so before due to a new computer system. Points will start accumulating September 30^th. Information went home in the Wednesday envelope.
• Mary Paprocki stated that the magazine drive is going well. We have made $11,169.97 so far. The drive ends Monday September 20^th. Michelle Scuderi asked if there could be incentives everyday.
• Michelle Scuderi and Donna Kozub reported about the Family Frolics. It is scheduled for October 28^th. They are planning some different stations this year and have each grade come up with a raffles prize based on a different theme. If anyone has any ideas, please contact either Michelle or Donna. Help is needed for set-up and takedown. Again, if you can help, let either of them know. There was a suggestion that a list of businesses that donate items be published and that pictures be put on the thank-yous to the businesses.
• Celeste Orszulak reported on the Secret Santa Shop. Letter went out to businesses soliciting raffle prizes the week of August 8^th. Currently 30 items have arrived. There is a need for people to pick-up other raffle prizes.
• Pat Hassett announced that Patti Ovitt has agreed to be the Chairperson of the Hospitality Committee. The first event will be next week at the Parent Information Night.
• It was suggested that a list be published of the Chairpersons and Co-Chairpersons. The list will be put into next weeks’ Wednesday envelope.
• Minutes will now be available on the schools’ website. The address is www.diospringfield.org/~stmary
• Parent Association dues will be collected at the Parent Information night. Dues are $12.00 per family. If you can’t make that night, please send in payment with your child.
• We will continue with Box Tops for Education. Mrs. MacDonald has boxes that could be pout at other parishes if they give permission. Mrs. MacDonald brought up that the Marketing Committee is trying to organize parish representatives and that this may be something fro them to do.
• Mary Paprocki explained about the Million Penny Drive that was started last year. So far, we have made about $2000.00. It was asked if containers could be put at other parishes. This may be something else the parish rep could handle.
• Michelle Scuderi asked if we could have a sign outside so people would know that the school is there. Pat Hassett stated that Fr. Reilly is aware of the situation and is working on a solution.
• Olga Turnberg brought up some concern about security at the school. Mrs. MacDonald said Mrs. Dennis is working on a grant for a security system. Ben Turnberg writes grants and offered to help. Kimberly Fish mentioned that Immaculate Conception had a fairly new security system installed before they closed and perhaps it could be transferred to St. Mary.
• Celeste Orszulak had several issues to bring forward:
  • She proposed that dues be increased to $15.00 per family. This will need to be done next year since we have already set them at $12.00 again this year.
  • DARE – can we bring it back? Mrs. MacDonald stated that studies show that it has no effect on preventing drug or alcohol abuse. Discussion arose about other ways to get the message across. Janice Kent said her husband might be able to help. Mr. Perry has all the DARE information.
  • Can we have a dress down day as a fundraiser? Each child would pay $2.00 to dress down. Mrs. MacDonald suggested just having a day without anyone paying.
  • Can we cut out the tie for grades 6-8 and go to a polo shirt like they have in Cathedral? It was felt we differentiate the older girls by having them go to a skirt and should do something for the boys as well. Mrs. Brodeur said that the tie is not an issue with the older boys. Mrs. MacDonald said that there would have to be survey or some kind of assessment before a decision would be made.
• Pat stated that we need to pay the Playground Monitor (Janice Orszulak) minimum wage since she is an employee of the parish now. This will be voted on when we do allocations.
• Teacher’s Wish List:
  • Mrs. Brodeur wants a digital camera
  • Miss Leclair wants a white board to help with reading
  • Mrs. Golann wants to add to her reading series for grades 6-7-8
  • Pre-K wants a vacuum for sand table - somebody may have one to donate.
  • Mrs. Krantz wants a butterfly nursery
  • Pre-K wants a tape recorder with microphone – may be able to use karaoke machine.
  • Mr. Perry wants a trophy case for baseball trophies

ALLOCATIONS:

VOTING:

• Due to Janet Bray not returning to St. Mary and thus vacating the Presidency, Pat Hassett resumed the position over the summer. This opens the position of Vice President. Pat needs to be officially voted in as President and a new Vice-President needs to be voted into office.
• Pat Hassett was officially voted to be President for the next two years.
• Kimberly Fish and Mary Paprocki came forth as candidates for Vice-President. The subsequent vote resulted in Mary Paprocki being voted into the position of Vice-President for the next two years and then will move into the position of President. This opened the position of Secretary.
• Diane Lemke was nominated for the position of secretary. The vote taken resulted in Diane assuming the position of Secretary for the next two years.
• Congratulations to our new officers. Diane Buldoc will continue as Treasurer for the next two years.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15PM. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 17, 2004.

Respectively submitted,

Mary Paprocki

Secretary