Minutes for Meeting of 29 March 1999

Present: Simon Clayton (SC), Flavio Lopes (FL), Maura Xerfan (MX), Lucia Damazio (LD), Merche Clark (MC), Gilbert Huber (GH), Yanira Nasser (YN), Ralph Jennings (RJ), Danielle Laterman (DL), Fabiola Dávila (FD), Betty Mendlowicz (BM), Flavia Correa (FC), Graça Lopes

Apologies: Eliana Bentes (EB), Erotildes Machado (EM), Beatriz Sena (BS), Karla Taylor (KT)

Circulation: Paul Wiseman

1) PAIOL GRANDE

• The head of Paiol Grande gave an introduction to the philosophy of the Paiol Grande Camps. He highlighted the educative focus of the work there. Analysis of campers has shown that whereas 30 years ago the main influences on children attending the camps were the family (78%) and school (12%) nowadays the main influences are peer group and T.V. together accounting for 85%. Sports are used as a means f education. The councilors are well paid, well trained and have to work very hard. Last year Banderantes, a top school in São Paulo, were refused access to Paiol Grande since the pupils from the school were not considered suitable candidates to benefit from the camp. Any new school wishing to participate as a school would only be allowed to send pupils between 7-12 years in the first instance.

2) TRANSPORT

• It was agreed to establish a Transport sub-committee comprising MC, GH, FL and LD to establish a structure for operating and then find a candidate to chair the committee.

3) PTA Administrator

• RJ reported that the school has given the go ahead for a PTA secretary to share space with the Thompson Receptionist.
• The Administrator would be required to speak English and work from 12.30-16.30. Responsibilities would included dealing with After-School Activities, Uniform and Transport issues raised by parents and giving out information on these topics and dealing with admin matters on these and general communication matters. In addition finding late parents, preparing Newsletters and liaising with the PTA, school and parents.
• It may be possible to use an estagário/a. MC and MX will try and find some candidates.

4) UNIFORMS

• DL, Angela and Graça will form a Uniform Sub-committee with the aim of establishing the way this issue should be handled by the PTA - i.e. how many suppliers, etc.

5) FUND RAISING

• SC in his new capacity as board member presented the Fund Raising Activites for the URCA project and requested PTA support for the venture. This was wholeheartedly given.
• BM has been given the role of co-ordinating the fund raising drive within the school. She will use exisiting committee structures, including the PTA, to assist her in this task. The PTA committee fully supported this initiative. It was agreed that the Founder's Day Fete would have as paramount target to raise significant amounts of money, rather than the focus of everyone having a good time - the primary aim for the last few years. The PTA will also support the Festa Junina and, if required, the Music Competition.
• LD will price propaganda items (bonés, pens, stickers, etc.)

6) HAPPY HOUR

• FL will organise the PTA Happy Hour for every 3rd Wednesday of the month beginning 21 April 1999.

7) Next meeting: Monday 14 April 1999 19:00

Agenda Items: Sub-committee reports, Fund Raising, Founder's Day Fete, AOB