Minutes PTA meeting of 6th May 2002

Minutes of a meeting held on Monday, 6th May 2002, at Rua Real Grandeza 99, Rio de Janeiro.

Present:
Executive Committee: Cynthia Fraga (CF), Jenny Byers (JB), Ralph Jennings (RJ), Susan Malpas (SM) Debra Platt (DP), Yanira Nasser (YN), Carol Walton (CW), Marita Carpinteiro (MC).
Subcommittees: Flávia de Miranda Corrêa (FMC), Luciana Marinho (LM), Paola Fox (PF), Virgina Días (VD)
Also present: Guilherme Nasser, Bia Sena

Apologies: Roberto Steinfeld , Lúcia Damázio, Karla Taylor, Jeanne Levier, Lizanka Marinheiro, Flávia Lobão Costa, Daniela Vargas

Circulation: : P.Wiseman, T. Pientznauer, G. Pollard, L. Dimmock, S. Clayton, C. Ribeiro

In the absence of Lúcia Damázio, Cynthia Fraga took the chair.

Item		Action
1. EVENTS	Founder's Day Fete Organisation of stalls MC reported on the students' participation for FDF: Class 11- not quite decided although a couple of girls have come forward with ideas for games. They will be helping with beads etc. on the day. Class 10 - has a good idea for a game involving music. They are organising everything. Class 8/9 - may do a short play in the Hall. Class 7 - possibly to do some mime - as yet undecided Class 6 - will be on the Pantanal trip Class 5 - Has an idea for games - possibly a "Yucky Dip"! There will also be the usual face-painting, fishing, hoopla etc from previous years. Bia Sena also has some information on stalls, which she will send to Lucia Damazio. The Alumni Association will organise a photo stall using period costumes and digital cameras. The Arts and Crafts teacher will organise a T-shirt painting stall. PTA to provide T-shirts at approximately R$2 or 2.50 each. Teacher will provide paint. Charge R$10. An upper primary boy wants to have a Pokemon trading card stall. In view of the fact that these are banned on school premises this was not approved. LM suggested inviting the clowns that entertain in hospitals to come for the day. She will approach them to see if this is possible. PF said that there may be a Renascer stall where merchandise can be exchanged for a donation RJ will be in charge of the bar, but requires more volunteers, ideally from amongst the parents as well. He will put up a notice in the staff room at Urca. DP to do the same at Botafogo LM will try to get hold of the Bahiana as attempts so far have been unsuccessful Prizes and Sponsorship Many parents have shops and businesses and could be approached to donate raffle prizes. CF has put together an appeal letter for sponsorship and prize donation, which should go out this week if approval is given quickly. PF suggested also putting the letter/form on the website so PTA members can print it out and circulate it amongst acquaintances. It was suggested that everyone should approach friends with e.g. travel agencies, restaurants, services, to see if vouchers can be donated. LM knows someone at O Globo and will try to get one of the DVD players they are currently giving away. YN will donate something from her shop Various donation slips have been received at the PTA office, with offers of sponsorship of the big games and some cheques It was agreed that a bicycle would be purchased as a grand raffle prize. Volunteers and Staffing It was agreed that last year's figure of over R$2,500 for school staff and Sodexho staff to help out on the day was far too high. Unfortunately it has become difficult to rely on parents to volunteer. However recently, following the PTA survey, a list of about 90 names has been compiled of people who say they are willing to help. It was agreed that CF and the communications committee would start contacting these people by email and telephone, to sign them up as volunteers on the day. It may be that the price paid to the staff is negotiable, and CF will contact Claudia Ribeiro to discuss alternatives and try to find a cheaper solution for the help that is needed. General KT is finalising a three-fold flyer like last year's to be circulated. The estimate for printing it is about R$650, similar to last year. Banners have already gone up. The fee to ECAD will not be paid at present DP and CW suggested a bottle stall. No conclusion reached although it may be a bit late to start collecting donations.	MC to coordinate Bia Sena LM ALL! LM CF to Lesley Dimmock CF ALL LM YN LD CF, KT, FMC CF, LD
2. Matters Arising from previous meeting	Student Cards - the forms have been circulated and are beginning to come back to the PTA office. There was a temporary hold-up as the laminating machine was recovered by the vendors because the bank bounced the cheque. It is hoped that the bank problems have now been resolved but no one present had any information. Ping-pong tables - are being used at break times by Classes 4 and 5. It was suggested that Class 5, who were the ones who wrote to the PTA last year requesting the tables, should write a letter of thanks to the PTA. Judo and Capoeira - YN had met with Geoff Pollard; JB, Lucia Damazio and Luciana Ribeiro had met with Paul Wiseman; in principle it was agreed that solutions might be found to the problem of space, however the first thing to do is to organise a survey to find out how many students are really interested in doing these activities. YN had also spoken to Dave Williams who was very interested in getting things going, and especially in finding a solution to the lack of a roof on the top floor at Urca. If the space were covered, it would offer an excellent alternative for after school activities, as well as for the children during break times. It was thought this might be a worthy cause for PTA funds, and will be kept in mind for the future. Chess - CF had been unable to contact the chess federation - phones permanently busy. Their address is in the Barra and JB offered to go there personally. Drugs talk - JB, Lucia Damazio and Luciana Ribeiro had met with Paul Wiseman to discuss the possibility of implementing the talks at Urca. After giving the subject due consideration, PW agreed that the first step would be to offer the talk to parents and teachers. This would give everyone a chance to evaluate the appropriateness of the presenters, and to decide whether to go ahead, and in what form, for the students. The matter requires careful planning and implementation, and must be done as a voluntary exercise as some parents do not actually want these topics to be broached by the school. LR, who is in contact with various professionals and people linked to the drugs/rehab environment, will set up a talk at Urca some time this term if possible. Website entries - Updated entries are still needed from the Catering Committee. LM explained that there were just a few guidelines that had to be finalised and the report will be submitted soon. Jubilee - the PTA will be providing food and a games stall, probably fishing.	DP YN JB LR and Urca committee
3. Any other business	Roberto Steinfeld sent a report following last week's Board meeting of the school governors: The Board has decided to erect a stand at the Jubilee fair on 15th June, where it will display its ideas for the new Barra project. Not everyone present was aware of the Barra project, and it was explained that a site is being sought where, initially, a nursery school will be built. The project will grow according to demand and resources available. RS stressed in his report that the Board would like it made clear that the new project would not imply any resources being siphoned off from previously agreed projects at Botafogo or Urca. This was not made clear during the meeting and is recorded here for the purpose of disseminating the Board's message accurately.

There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 8.35 p.m.

NB -Date for next meeting:MONDAY, 3rd June 2002, 7 pm

JB 07/05/02

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