Museum School Site Council Agenda

March 14^th, 2007

1) Introductions

2) Student Council Presentation - Carwash and Breakfast Stand for 6^th Grade Camp
-Kiva, Tabitha and Zahra presented the idea for a carwash (6^th Grade Camp fundraiser) on May 6^th from 9am-1:00pm. It will take place in the Museum School parking lot. There will be a breakfast stand with bagels, muffins, etc.

3) Parent Survey Follow up / Rotation Progress Reports
-Phil finished going over parent survey.
-Parents commented about the department progress reports – they found them helpful. Phil went over parent suggestions for new subjects to be offered at the Museum School. Some of those were foreign language, acting, public speaking, debate, gardening. A parent asked about foreign language. Phil said we need to look at our budget and schedule, and figure out where we could fit that in.
-Discussion about behavior at school. Phil shared about what’s been happening at school. (Steps that are being taken to remedy disrespectful/defiant behavior and steps to foster a positive culture/community at school.) Lois suggested that we put in quick note how the week went so that parents can talk to their kids.

4) Budget Update
-Rent for new school – not positive, but it’s looking like we won’t have to pay rent?
-Cabinetry – Priority for the new site. Preliminary budget between $30 - $40,000
-Copier – Approx. $264 monthly
-Data Com Installation – Approximately $6000 to install
-Furniture – We can certainly make use of what we have, but it would be nice to have some new furniture to incorporate
-Teaching Media – Document Readers and Projectors
-Computers – 10 imacs @ $1100 each

If anyone has any connections for donations/sponsors for cabinets, etc. please let us know.

5) Fundraising
-Art Auction Committee – Meet on March 27^th @5:30 to discuss venue/date
-Rosemary, Brian, Lois, Catherine, Lindy will start up process
-Car Wash for 6^th Grade Camp
-Host a Dinner – possible auction item? Maybe tweak it a bit.
-Garden Grants – State & Lowe’s
-Parent suggestions: Read-a-thon, walk-a-thon

6) Curriculum Committee Proposal
-Discussion: Several parents discussed that it seems unnecessary to add another committee meeting, in that the same people would attend our school site council meetings, and those discussion can take place in that venue.

7) Children’s Museum Update
-New Board – Laurie Mitchell – President, Pediatrician
-Children's Museum Fundraising is going well
-Possible naming opportunity for the school will bring in funds for the building
-New Executive Director – soon to be announced

-Phil shared that there are a lot of really positive changes happening with the Children’s Museum. His goal is to educate the new board about the school, to make sure that the board understands that the Museum School began (and hopefully will continue as) a department of the Museum. The Museum School was created as a part of the Mission and Vision of the Children's Museum, and is not an independent "tenant". We need to re-establish the ties with the Children’s Museum so that when we move back downtown we are strongly connected.

8) Gamelan
We received our new Gamelan today. We are letting is air out for a week or so before our kids get to play it.

9) Other Business
Parents to volunteer for Parent Orientation
March 15^th – Joe Nagase
March 20^th- Joy Coyler
March 22^nd- Shannon Jarrell

3-14-07: TH/GLB