FEBRUARY 2014 MPC Meeting Notes

Mather Parent Council Meeting
February 26, 2014

• Thanks to Jack Pelletier, Lynne Chevoya and Melissa Curran for providing food
• Introductions

• Guest speakers: Alice Gomes & Zahra Ohldin – Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts   Discussion of family support services provided.  E.g., parenting, early education/literacy, social worker, parent-child playgroups at UP Academy, infant massage classes.  Focus on helping all families – not just families in crisis.  New law – “Child Requiring Assistance” – by law must be in every county.  Zahra Ohldin (also present and speaking at meeting) is the new liason to Mather (started 1/1/14) – this is a new position and still defining scope of duties, therefore welcome comment from parents/families as to what needs are.  Zahra works w/ school support staff to ID families in need.  Zahra works to coordinate family needs w/ available community services.  Also works to help schools relate to various cultural groups.  (This is state-funded program, that is currently funded for 2 years and then will be reviewed.)  MPC recommended that Alice/Zahra attend tag sale (1st annual in March) and/or Spring Fling to set up resource table.  617-265-8900 x231.  zohldin@familynurturing.org and agomes@familynurturing.org  617-474-1143

• Site Council update.  Last Site Council meeting was canceled due to weather.  Next meeting (3/15), Site Council will discuss K-8 pathway.  One option is to have k-8 entirely in this building, but Site Council prefers two buildings (to keep same number of strands here at Mather).  Another option is k-12 in two buildings.  Current plan is for 2015.  This will be presented to staff for 2/3 vote (likely a vote in December 2014).  The school might have to become an “innovation school”, which will affect staffing/union rights.  

• Fundraising – Box Tops – recent tally is approx. $750 (twice-plus last year total).  Ms. Settles’ class is winner.  Box Tops collection boxes will again be placed in classrooms for collection for remainder of year.  Stop and Shop cards – total generated this year is currently $282.  No tally yet as to Target card revenue.  

• Intellijam – Mather Parent, Corey, is attending tonight Brookline Literacy Partnership Board Meeting.  When MPC receives info of Intellijam concert this year, we will circulate in school.

• Updates to Mather website – Marie & Sierra are working w/ Kim Connelly to add MPC relevant materials/info to website.   Sierra pushing for calendar to have info of complete range of school activities (e.g., field trips)  Kim Connelly will attend next month MPC meeting for feedback for website. 

• Playworks:  Concern that BPS will not fund PW at all next year.  Coach Dawn asks MPC parents for statements of support – tonight – for continued funding of PW.  Also, Playworks Fun Run is scheduled for May 3.  

• Parent Retreat:  At Zemler-Wu home scheduled for March 9th.  Evites went out a few days ago (if you haven’t received it, check your “spam” folder.)  Topics: possible Dot Day Parade involvement for MPC.  

• Afterschool: (Alicia)  Looking into possible National Arts Foundation grants.

• Tag Sale:  Sierra, Marie & Annette working on it.  Date is Saturday March 29th, but there will be MUCH set-up activity Friday evening, March 28th.  Likely will ask Mather Ambassadors to help w/ set up.  MPC will sell food.   

• 375 Updates:  This spring - tons of planning for events this fall.  Hopefully the invite-video made it to Pres. Obama.   Soon there will be social media blitz to create buzz.  Fundraiser Breakfast in Feb @ Ashmont Grill.  Went well. 

• City Sprouts/Whole Foods: Shop at Whole Foods on 3/11, and 5% of all sales will go to support City Sprouts.  (There are 4 BP Schools in the program, so Mather will get ¼ of that $).

• MCAS ELA testing:  March 18-28th.   MPC has supported testing in the past.  More info to follow.

• Next MPC is March 20.  

• The inaugural meeting of Wellness & Environmental Committee will be soon.  (Lynne Chevoya will attend and will report back to MPC.)  Rodent concern in the building.  Discussion that this is matter to be referred to Facilities Dept.

IMPORTANT DATES    (also check out matherelementary.org/school-calendar.html for updated events)

• Friday, Feb 28th: African Heritage Celebration 10AM (Mather's Girl Scout troop, will be selling for the last scheduled time, Girl Scout cookies that morning)
• Tuesday, March 11th: 5% of sales from JP, Symphony and Charles River Whole Foods goes to City Sprouts which helps Mather grow
• Sunday, March 9th: Parent Retreat at the Zemler Wu's 4pm
• Thursday, March 13th: Site Council meeting  5pm in the library, 
• Monday, March 17th: Evacuation Day: No school
• March 18-28th: MCAS ELA testing 
• Thursday, March 20th: MPC meeting
• Saturday, March 22nd: Intellijam Concert at Brookline High School, fund the Brookline Literacy Partnership at Mather 
• Saturday, March 29th: First annual Tag Sale at the Mather  9:30-1:30