Minutes of a meeting held on Tuesday, 25th February 2002, at Rua Real Grandeza 99, Rio de Janeiro.
Present: Lúcia Damázio (LD), Flávia Rodrigues (FR), Cynthia Fraga (CF), Flávia Miranda Corrêa (FMC), Flávio Lopes (FL), Jenny Byers (JB), Kátia Salen (KS), Paola Fox (PF), Ralph Jennings (RJ), Regina Helena Camargo (RHC), Yanira Nasser (YN), Karla Taylor (KT)
Apologies: Ana Cecilia Meireles, Marita Carpinteiro
Circulation: P.Wiseman, T. Pientznauer, G. Pollard, L. Dimmock, S. Clayton, C. Ribeiro
| Item |
|
Action |
| 1. Matters arising from the previous meeting |
- PTA Folder and AGM Notice
The notice about the AGM on 6th March had not been sent out because LD had been waiting for confirmation from the school that the date was acceptable. The meeting was at a loss to understand why it should have taken so long, when the date was requested in December. The fact that the notice was going out so late was felt to reflect badly upon the PTA's organisational and communication skills. KT and FMC to deliver the finished flyer to Daniela the following morning, for copying and distribution at the earliest possible moment.
The folder is underway.
- Urca After-school activities
RJ clarified that Geoff Pollard is not intractable on the subject of after-school activities at Urca, as documented in the previous minutes. GP would like to know how many children each activity will involve, and what size of room will be required. It was agreed that the only two activities really in question are Judo and Capoeira. YN will survey Urca for numbers involved and revert to GP.
|
KT, FMC
YN |
| 2. After-school activities |
- Rooms
- Some teachers whose rooms are always used for after-school activities have requested a change. Now that the Thompson building has been remodelled it may be possible to hold the Nursery ballet classes there and release the Drama room. In fact mothers of Nursery children have been requesting this for some time.
- The ballet teacher was uncertain about where to change the children and would like to use the Ladies' room in the Community Hall
- Some children bring in a snack to eat before the lesson - where should this be eaten?
- The Brownies, which are a very small group, have always occupied the entire Hall. Some changes may have to be made.
- The Intro. To Music teacher needs two rooms.
- Missing child
The mother of the child that got left behind because of an error by the transport administrator has received an explanation and an apology.
- Equipment
Two Ping-Pong tables will be purchased for Botafogo. YN has priced them at Wal-Mart for R$300.00 each. Children will have to bring their own bats and balls.
|
YN to meet with L.Dimmock to sort out queries
YN to purchase |
| 3. Catering |
Some teachers were worried because the Nursery children had rejected the "healthy" snacks being provided by the school. In order to get them to eat something, Sodexho is occasionally including snacks like Ruffles instead, which they all love. However the mothers have complained. The nutritionist has suggested including "junk food" occasionally until the children settle down. On the whole the meeting was not unduly fussed about the snack content, the feeling being that if the children are really hungry, they will eat. If they don't eat a snack, they might eat a better lunch. However, the PTA is also unwilling to accept any more criticism from health-conscious parents, and therefore decided that the "healthy" snacks will continue.
|
|
| 4. Treasurer |
FL reported a small profit for last year of about R$600. The year ended with R$13.000 in the bank. |
|
| 5. AGM 2002 |
It was agreed that the following would stand for election to the Executive Committee at the AGM on 6th March: Cynthia Fraga, Flávia Rodrigues, Karla Taylor, Jenny Byers, Lúcia Damázio, Yanira Nasser. FL is standing down as Treasurer. The executive positions of President, Treasurer and Secretary will be decided at the meeting on 11th March from amongst the six elected members. The PTA is awaiting contact from the Staff about who their members will be for 2002. |
|
| 6. Communications |
FMC raised the idea of a twice-yearly PTA report, detailing the activities of the group and its achievements. The report would be published at the end of each term. In the meantime any notices should be sent to the Falcon, or directly to parents via emails and flyers.
|
ALL to contribute to report. FMC and KT to co-ordinate. |
| 7. Events |
- Founder's Day - 25th May
- Halloween - 26th October.
The PE department will be away at a tournament however this was not felt to be a serious problem as they had very little involvement last year.
|
|
| 7. Any Other Business |
- Student Cards
It was felt that this could be a service provided by the PTA, and a source of revenue too. Children are entitled to them and need them for discounts at cinemas and certain attractions. Last year the Student Council did them at Urca but this year nothing seems to have happened. It was agreed that we should pursue this further.
- Correspondence
An email has been received by several PTA members from a parent concerned about the number of days in the school year, and whether the school calendar conforms to the standards set by the MEC. The concerns included the new Easter week holidays, and mentioned the school trips that children take from Class 3 onwards, the implication being that these should not count as school days as they were merely a waste of time.
RJ took pains to explain the school's position on its calendar, and it was felt that a clear explanation by letter should be sent to all parents so as to put paid to this argument for good.
The parent in question had been asked to come to the meeting to air the grievances properly, but had declined. It was felt that the nature and tone of the letter was aggressive and insulting to the school. The meeting was unanimous that a reply should be sent expressing the PTA's disapproval of the tone of the letter, explaining that the PTA is not merely a vehicle for complaints between parents and the school and suggesting that the parent concerned take her grievances directly to the administration where an explanation would be available. At no time was the parent's identity made known to the meeting. It was agreed that Flávia Rodrigues would send the reply.
It was felt that other items on the Agenda, including Charity and the meetings calendar should be deferred to the first full meeting of 2002 with the new committee, on 11th March.
|
LD to find out what is involved
RJ to discuss with PW
FR |
There being no other business, the meeting was closed.
NB -Date for next meeting: MONDAY, 11th March at 7 pm
JB 07/03/02
|
