Ata da Reunião do PTA de 1 de abril de 2002

Minutes of a meeting held on Monday, 1st April 2002, at Rua Real Grandeza 99, Rio de Janeiro.

Present:
Executive Committee: Lúcia Damázio (LD), Flávia Rodrigues (FR), Karla Taylor (KT), Cynthia Fraga (CF), Jenny Byers (JB), Ralph Jennings (RJ), Susan Malpas (SM) Debra Platt (DP)
Subcommittees: Flávia de Miranda Corrêa (FMC), Ana Cecilia Meirelles (ACM), Luciana Marinho (LM), Jeanne Levier (JL), Lizanka Marinheiro (Lizanka)

Apologies:: Roberto Steinfeld, Yanira Nasser, Katia Salen

Circulation: P.Wiseman (PW), T. Pientznauer (TP), G. Pollard (GP), L. Dimmock (LD), S. Clayton, C. Ribeiro, S. Malpas, D. Platt

Item		Action
1. Matters Arising from previous meeting	Education Committee A letter was received from Paul Wiseman stating his disagreement with the formation of the above committee, and his reasons. FR, who was to have chaired the committee, explained that it had never been her intention to serve merely as a vehicle for complaints about teachers or teaching methods. She had hoped to achieve better communication and explanation of certain policies and decisions that are taken but not always communicated to parents adequately. Why, for instance, after two months of intense heat, were the children only starting to swim in April? A short letter of explanation from the PE department, stating that the changing rooms were being reformed, would have taken care of all the irritation this has caused. FR had hoped the committee might be able to clear up some of the doubts that arise in parents' minds simply because the reasons for a certain decision simply have not been explained. SM stressed that the channels of communication between parents, teachers and administration are always open for individual concerns, but admitted that perhaps communication was not always optimal on a general scale. This could also be due to the fact that there are so many changes and improvements taking place at the same time. DP stressed that individual problems must always be resolved by the parents concerned, with the appropriate authority - the PTA simply cannot take responsibility for individual problems, nor can the staff discuss children with anyone but their parents. Several examples of "no explanation" were raised, including the letter that the PTA, via RJ, had asked PW to send out explaining the school's calendar, and which has still not materialised. Considering the very aggressive tone of the email which gave rise to this request, and which was widely circulated outside the parent body, it was felt that action should have been taken immediately. It was broadly agreed that the term Education Committee was a bad choice, and that the former Parent/School Liaison committee would continue as the vehicle for clarifying problems and issues of a general nature It was also agreed that although there is a beginning and end of term letter, which provides a lot of news and information, people just don't read them. CF suggested implementing regular meetings (twice per term e.g.), for parents, presided over by PW, Geoff Pollard or Lesley Dimmock, in which new procedures and developments would be announced and explained, and parents could have some of their questions answered. Student Cards The PTA has been approved to issue the cards this year. KT has the template and will print them. Da. Terezinha will sign. PTA will charge R$18 for the STB card, and R$10 for a Brazilian one. Certain documents are necessary for the STB card; the school will provide a list of names and birth dates and LD will do the final check on each card to make sure details are correct. Safety in Buses SM reported that action has been taken and all buses should by now have working seatbelts. Homework Club DP stated her dislike of this idea for numerous reasons, and it was generally agreed that it would not be effective. A chess club met with unanimous approval and several people agreed to try and find a teacher. Drugs and AIDS talk at Urca GP is apparently unfavourable to this idea. RJ explained that this could be because he felt that the subjects were already fully dealt with via the PSHE programme. JB pointed out that many parents might benefit from this sort of talk, and that in England it is common practice for schools to offer these talks annually to parents of adolescents. It was decided that the matter will not be dropped so easily and the PTA will appeal to GP to reconsider.	RJ to chase up SM to suggest KT to make forms CF, LD, FR LR, Urca committee
2. Communications committee	KT had a budget for the PTA folder, which will take three days to print. After some discussion it was finally decided that 1000 would be printed as they can be used to circulate to possible sponsors for our events. The cost will be just over R$1800 "a vista", and this was approved unanimously. To be distributed as soon as it is ready, rather than waiting for the Parent/Pupil manual, which is still being printed. KT reported that 408 responses have been received from parents about the Class Telephone Lists. Unfortunately the wording of the questions was somewhat ambiguous so it may take some time to sort everyone into the right categories i.e. Can print phone number, or can only use phone number for PTA things. It was suggested that the class lists be made up, even though incomplete, and distributed. In this way parents may come to see how useful they are, and those who did not initially wish to be included might change their minds. Over the course of time they would probably be completed. It was decided that Class Reps will be invited - waiting for volunteers takes too long to organise. The PTA questionnaire had just been circulated and the committee will report on the results next time.	KT, CF, FMC KT, CF and FMC to propose names
3. After school activities	There was no report about negotiations with GP about Judo and Capoeira at Urca, although it is understood that he has provided several arguments against. Yanira and LD to follow up. The ping-pong tables have been purchased for Botafogo and were due to be delivered the following day.	YN, LD
4. Website	CF has requested all new sub-committees to check their entries on the website and submit changes and updates where necessary, especially Catering and News. Everyone please to check the website regularly and report changes and corrections to CF.	ALL
5. Events	Founder's Day Beads to be R$1 each. Entry fee R$3. Donations do not exempt people from entry fee, but they will get one bead as a token of thanks. Most of the hired games will cost R$2, whilst fishing and hoopla will be R$1. Marita Carpinteiro to organise seniors to help on stalls and beads in return for a donation towards their graduation party. Lists will go up in Staff rooms for volunteers on the bar and stalls. More food trains to be contracted. LM volunteered to try and hire a Bahiana for the day. LD not able to organise the talent show but will talk to MC and Miss Claudia to see if they are willing or able. CF will order banners for both sites. KT will produce a folder, or possibly a letter to be circulated with the PTA folder, asking for donations and sponsorship. Raffle prizes are needed.	MC DP LM CF KT ALL
6. Any other business	Archives sub-Committee CF wished to clarify that she was not on the Archives committee, which gave rise to discussion about the aims of this committee. In the absence of Rodrigo Morais, the Chair, it was felt that the proposals need more discussion and review, as there is a danger of committing ourselves to providing services that we may not be able to fulfil. The committee and its activities are suspended pending further discussion. Jubilee celebrations SM asked for, and received, confirmation of the PTA's support and involvement with the community's Jubilee celebration on 15th June. As it will be so close to Festa Junina time, SM suggested a display of a Quadrilha as one of the items. It was also agreed that the PTA would provide a food stall with typical food for the time of year as well as a game stall of some kind. A Capoeira display was also suggested. The PTA will consolidate its ideas and return some suggestions next meeting.	LD, Events sub-committee

There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 9.20 p.m.

NB - Date for next meeting: MONDAY, 6th May 2002, 7 pm

JB 04/04/02

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