Minutes for Meeting of 27 September 1999

Present: Flavio Lopes (FL), Lucia Damazio (LD), Merche Clark (MC), Ralph Jennings (RJ), Beatriz Sena (BS), Cynthia Fraga (CF), Flavia Correa (FC), Danielle Laterman (DL), Regina Helena Camargo (RC), Karla Taylor (KT), Barry McCormick, Lesley Dimmock

Apologies: Angela Saraiva (AS), Yanira Nasser (YN), Eliana Bentes (EB), Fabiola Dávila (FD), Erotildes Machado (EM), Maura Xerfan (MX), Luciana Ribeiro (LR), Betty Mendlowicz (BM), Gilbert Huber (GH), Simon Clayton (SC), Lucien Cohen (LC)

Circulation: Paul Wiseman, Bia

1. PRIMARY SCHOOL CONSULTATION

• Mr McCormick and Mrs Dimmock discussed some plans for 2000, and requested the PTA parents to give their response to the plans:
• • The Dining room will continue to operate over 2 ½ hours even with the Senior School leaving. The timetable will be such that smaller children from N2 and I1 will eat first at around 11:00. These groups will then have a short afternoon break, in addition to the morning break, to divide the long period after lunch.
  • N2/I1/I2 teachers will eat with their classes and there will be a stronger emphasis on table manners.
  • Opinion was sought regarding the possibility of Sodeho providing snacks, instead of parents sending lunch boxes with the principal aim to imporve the nutrition of pupils during the school day. All parents (including teacher/parents) were very positive towards this proposal. It was felt that the Snack stall should only operate after school hours.
  • Mrs Dimmock presented a proposal for improving the play areas around the Thompson Building, which will be destined for N2 use only. The PTA agreed to investigate suppliers of wooden climbing equipment and soft flooring as part of the scheme.
  • The main playground will be used for Infants, Juniors and Senior 5. The PTA asked that some thought should be given to zoning the area to offer alternative activities for the older pupils during their break.

2. HALLOWEEN FUN 23rd October

• LD will contract 2 life savers to monitor the swimming pool
• Donations of "Doces" and 200 litre plastic bags will be requested.
• AS will find maquiagem but the committee liked the idea of the Transformation idea that took place at the Founder's Day Fete.
• A survey of teachers requiring transport to Pedra Negra would be made prior to contracting a bus/van.
• FL will discuss with Claudia Ribeiro the possibility of avoid the encargos sociais for the school employees, since the worforce ends up being too expensive.
• LD will contract a water lorry to fill the water tanks in the afternoon (since the tanks normally run out by 15:00 and the bathrooms become horrible!!!)
• The fancy dress competition will be divided into N1/2; I1/2; Juniors. There will be Male/Female prize for each category. JAMER Books will supply the prizes.
• Class 10 will be asked to do the Haunted House. The PTA will finance the material, the cost of which will be discounted from the takings. The balance will be available for Class 10 to use for their end-of-year party.
• N1 will run the mask making (Teachers to take scissors).
• N2 wil run fishing.
• Infants - potato (instead of egg) race; sack race.
• Given that Arnô and the football team will be travelling, RJ will organise a football competition - the Newsletter will request fathers to come prepared to play.

3. CHRISTMAS DINNER & DANCE Payssandu Club Saturday 4 Dec

• LD has booked the above venue. The buffet at R$35 per head includes cocktails, white wine, beer and soft drinks. LD is trying to swap the cocktails for Caipirinias and red wine.
• Teachers, PTA members and partners will pay R$35 other tickets will remain at R$50.
• The raffle tickets will be printed and selling them will begin at the Halloween Fun.

4. OTHER

• LD presented a request from the Music Department to finance a Concert evening. This was agreed.
• LD highlighted that we are working without Company Liaison Officer and with Vice-President. No immediate candidates came forward but the files should be given to Bia.
• MC will write the Job Description for Bia.
• Bia will be included in PTA minutes and invited to meetings.
• RJ will request a PTA room and Timetable 1 morning 7:45-9:00 1 day per month in the Hall for 2000.

9. Next meeting: Monday 18th October 1999 19.00
Agenda Items: to be sent to LD by 14th October