Minutes of a meeting held on Tuesday, 6th June 2001,
at Rua Real Grandeza 99, Rio de Janeiro.

Present: Cynthia Fraga (CF), Flávia Miranda Corrêa (FMC), Jenny Byers (JB), Katia Sálen (KS), Lucia Damazio (LD), Márcia M de Luca (MML), Marita Carpinteiro (MC), Paola Fox (PF), Roberto Steinfeld (RS), Rodrigo Morais (RM), Sandra Zuñiga (SZ), Virginia Dias (VD), Yanira Nasser (YN)

Apologies: Mayra Cattley

Circulation: P.Wiseman, G.Pollard, L.Dimmock

There were no minutes from the previous meeting as JB> had arrived so late.

Item 1: After-school activities

1. Complaints have been received (from parents) about the children's behaviour and bad language, which the teachers do nothing to correct. The teachers were supposed to have had a meeting about what constitutes acceptable behaviour but it has never happened. This should take place before the start of next term.
2. There has still been no answer from Geoff Pollard about the possibility of continuing Judo and Capoeira for students moving to Urca. LD to remind him and try to get an answer.
3. YN will try to book the auditorium at Urca for the end of year Ballet show.

Item 2. PE.
LD reported that Classes 1-5 are now doing PE at the Forte São João in Urca. The facilities are excellent and the journey not too long. LD had reviewed the premises with Mr. Wiseman and the only point raised was that there should be a supervisor in each bathroom as the army may use the facilities at the same time the children are there. Mr. Wiseman has agreed that this will be dealt with.

Item 3. Transportation
LD has asked the school to resume responsibility for the lists of van companies. It was felt that the PTA may not have enough knowledge about the legislation involved, including documentation and safety aspects, and it would be better for the school to be responsible.

Item 4. Health and Safety

1. Flávia Rodrigues (FR) would be representing the PTA at the meeting with Lesley Dimmock and others the following day and is to report at the next meeting.
2. There was a problem at Founders' Day with some children climbing up the fire escape of the Thomson building to jump on to the roof of the house next door. A screen needs to be erected to stop this happening. FR to report?

Item 5. Founders Day

1. The fête was a success and those who helped were thanked again. Whilst a profit was made, it was felt that prices might have been a little low for some things. A long discussion followed with no immediate decisions taken except to review the pricing for next year.
2. KS raised the point that it would be preferable to start company liaison earlier as the requests for sponsorship went out a bit too late. Ideally the PTA should have an information folder, with an updated parent profile, somewhat like a sales pack. Companies want to know more about the market we are offering, and they also need to know well in advance. FMC suggested mailing all parents to ask for donations in kind from their companies. Again, there would need to be more information about the sorts of events the PTA organises, where the money goes etc. KS to ask Simon (?) for help with putting this together.

Item 6. Suggestion Boxes
A parent has suggested reactivating the English lessons for parents. FMC will talk to the organisers of the breakfast meetings to see if one can be scheduled on this subject. YN will talk to Marco Tyler-Williams who used to run the sessions, to see if he is interested in doing it again or if he knows of anyone else who would be suitable.

Item 7. Newsletter
This has not been published as FMC is still waiting for English translation to come back. A lively discussion followed about the appropriateness of the School having to veto all PTA correspondence. MC was emphatic that this is NOT the case - the School is not vetoing or censoring anything. It would merely be a matter of courtesy to send copies to senior members of staff, e.g. PW, GP, LD. That being so FMC is to send the Newsletter to JB> via email for any corrections to the English text. FMC is planning to put information on the PTA boards about upcoming events, lists of who's who and any other relevant information.

Item 8. Charity
Projeto Renascer has extended an invitation to the School to its Festa Junina. LD proposed that the PTA should pay the cost of photocopying the circular and this was agreed.

Item 9. Events
Festa Junina - the Primary's party will be on the 28th June and there is no PTA participation.

Item 10. Uniforms

1. The school feels that parents need to be more cooperative about uniform, and not send children in wearing any old thing if the correct item does not happen to be available.
2. Some parents feel that the school is not clear enough about what it will tolerate; e.g. the uniform list states black or brown leather shoes, yet almost every child wears trainers. Many children come to school with different coloured jerseys on, yet if a child is wearing tracksuit pants rather than shorts he may not do PE. The inconsistency is confusing and needs to be cleared up.