Hanover Parent Teacher Alliance Agenda for September 19, 2013 General Meeting

Executive Board Reports

1) From Stephanie Hernon, President: To facilitate communication within HPTA as well as the at-large community, we ask that all school network reps: Prepare a connect-ed to be issued in the Fall and Spring updating parents of how their donations are spent. Please contact Lynne Hash (joppatowne10@comcast.net) with any questions. To understand where funding issues may occur, we would like the school networks to provide the Executive Board with budgets for their annual events. This can be as simple as an email to KC Cowing (Kathleen.cowing@analog.com ) indicating how much each school network plans to spend on school specific events (Science Fair, Prime Time, Memory Day, etc)

Executive Board meetings We would like to invite parent reps from all schools to attend our Executive Board meetings. These are typically held the Friday (7 p.m.) before our general meeting. There are five remaining meetings this year, so please come, listen and add your input! Please contact Stephanie Hernon (bshernon@verizon.net) if you plan to attend. Future meeting dates are as follows: October 18, December 6, January 24, March 7, April 25 Facebook page

A district wide HPTA Facebook page has been created. If you have not already done so, like us at www.facebook/hpta Kellie Puleo (jkpuleo41@gmail.com) is the main administrator of this page, but we request that one rep from each school also be designated to post notices. It is our hope that parents will be able to have one location to search for updates for all schools.

Hanover Parent Teacher Alliance Agenda for September 19, 2013 General Meeting

2) Treasurer Report from KC Cowing:

Currently Quickbooks is crashing newer computers. We may need to purchase newer software. We can view history but we cannot key in new items. We are currently running excel parallel, and this glitch is not interrupting check-writing. Kerry Delahunt suggests checking with accountant to be sure excel spreadsheet is sufficient for reporting purposes. Mr. Ferron offered the services of the business manager to assist with financial matters. Receiving payment

To make check processing more efficient check requisitions should be submitted to Treasurer KC Cowing on the 15th and the 30th of each month. We understand, however, that emergencies do occur and these will be handled as needed.

School Reports: Cedar School - Jen Gallagher Family Fun Fest was a success last Friday the 13th. We had over 500 people attend. Curriculum night is Sept. 25th at 6PM. Photo Day is Sept 27th. Center/Sylvester - Joanna McCormick School year is off to a good start. PTA provided lunch for the Staff on Tuesday 9/3 Our Welcome Back Ice Cream Social was held on Friday and was well attended Picture Day is Monday 9/16 Volunteer Sign ups will begin the week of 9/16 First Open PTA Meeting 10/4 PTA Spending thus far Staff Luncheon - ~ $250.00 Ice Cream Social ~ $200.00

Hanover Parent Teacher Alliance Agenda for September 19, 2013 General Meeting
Middle School Lynne Gelly

So far the year has started out great. We are really excited and hopeful that the new administration has a willingness to work with us, explore new ideas and have some energy. The Open House went very well. It was highly attended and we had a good amount of sign ups for the Stop & Shop and Target rewards programs. Unfortunately, there is SOOOOO much going on that it is difficult to get everyones attention. Our first round of events will begin this September 27th. There will be a 5th and 6th grade social from 2:30 -4:30 and a 7th and 8th grade dance that evening. We will be supporting Mr. Benitez and the student council in this event and will be looking for volunteers. We will be starting preparations for Harvest Fest soon which is another large event requiring many volunteers.
Mr. C, principal was complimented on improved emails and communications. High School Dianna Shaw

We have two events coming up in September. Picture Day on September 25th and Open House on September 26th. Two new parent seats are available. Election will be held on Sept. 26th.
Committee Reports: Membership - Karen McNally / Jae Picard Membership and Direct Donation forms are being collected at this time. They will be logged and water bottles/decals will be distributed in the next few weeks to homerooms. Box Tops - Joanna McCormick Met with the new Cedar Coordinators on 9/9 Meeting with the new co-coordinator at C/S on 9/26 MS Coordinator remains Jeanne Ryan. Would like to find a new co-coordinator there. 1st contest will run during the month of October

Hanover Parent Teacher Alliance Agenda for September 19, 2013 General Meeting
Spring Fundraiser K.C. Cowing Nothing to report. Childrens Programming Cedar School Nothing to report Center/Sylvester Nothing to report Middle School Nothing to report

Scholarships Laura Bete / Lucy Losordo Nothing to report Grants Kerry Delahunt and Tilynn Wakefield

The grant committee has delivered all of the granting applications to the schools. Deadline is October 4th (not the 5th). Grant schedule has changed from the Spring in order to meet the needs of teachers during the school year..when they need it. Dr. Raab spoke about teachers submitting to him first to be sure if they are requesting something that should come from operating budget, hell handle it instead of submitting a grant for it.
Fall Fundraiser Rae Ann Fein Meadow Farms Fall fundraiser is underway! Please spread the word to parents to check in student backpacks for the brochure! Orders will be accepted until September 26th for delivery to school. After that date, orders can be placed online for delivery to home. Please see Rae Ann Fein for questions (raefein@aol.com). We will be selling
cookie dough again and it is to be noted that they have a new cookie vendor (Davids Cookies). Along with the meadow farms paper and household products, we will be selling their science and nature line products.

Meadow farms has offered an ipod touch as incentive to a top seller. We will raffle off to students who have sold at least $150 in sales. The name can be drawn at the October pta meeting. Delivery date of goods tbd. Still looking for individuals to help out with this fundraiser.

Hanover Parent Teacher Alliance Agenda for September 19, 2013 General Meeting
Open Forum

Parent representative responsibilities and HPTA Charter

Stephanie introduced the Board and explained how HPTA is set up and how we operate. Opened the floor to discussion about fundraising. Kerry Delahunt brought up history; Kathi Thompson also spoke to how direct donation started (parents were surveyed, etc.) Parents are agreeing that one big fundraiser is better than a bunch of tiny ones. Mrs. Mancillas is asking about direct donation funds going directly to each school, or is it lumped and split four ways? Direct (one-time) Donation is school specific. Spring/Fall fundraisers are lumped together and split between all the schools. Kerry brought forth the confusion of town-wide pta vs. local school level. Its a good idea to post on FB about where funds are spent. This information is shared as ONE PTA! We are ONE body! All fundraising should benefit ALL schools. Dr. Raab spoke about the HS lack of participation in fundraising...except for Fall/Spring fundraisers which raises funds for scholarships. He does want to participate in biggies, but the HS does plenty of their own grade-level fundraising. Mrs. DeGrenier confirmed the process of moving towards one-time donation (to avoid tapping parents constantly). Turkey Trek made $11,000. Rae Ann suggested making it a town-wide event that promotes health, community and FUN! Cedar is onto something; should this replace the spring calendar? Mr. Ferron offered the help of his office. Teachers should not really being going to PTA for budget items. The PTA should be focusing on enrichment and the overall experience for each child. You should not be fundraising for items that should come out of the budget. Push passive opportunities like Stop & Shop and Target rewards. Look into corporate sponsorships. Stand out in front of HMS with a big sign What the Heck, Write a Check!

Hanover Parent Teacher Alliance Agenda for September 19, 2013 General Meeting
Acknowledges that PTA is its own entity, legal organization. Will not dictate what PTA does or does not do, but would love to work together at every opportunity. Lynne Gelly asks about using the high school as a town-wide social venue. (silent auction, chili cook-off, hypnotist, open-mic night). Dr. Raab shares that on Nov. 2nd The Gay Mens Chorus is coming and town is welcome to attend. Mr. Ferron comments on communicating that there is autonomy between the schools; money should be distributed fairly but the culture can be different.

ACTION: Define what fundraising is acceptable. Write it up to be voted on at the next meeting. MOTION: Are we in agreement that we continue to proceed keeping HPTA operating as is with Direct Donation and two town-wide fundraisers? TABLED
In attendance: Board Members: Stephanie, KC, Anne and Kellie Matt Ferron, Jane DeGrenier, Risa Mancillas, Adam C., Dr. Raab, Kerry Delahunt, Two in the back row from Cedar Jae Picard, Janet Fourtier, Joanna McCormick, Kathi Thomson, Rae Ann Fein, Lynne Gelly, Jodi Phillips, Jen Gallagher