Acorn Minutes for July 7, 2006

Board in Attendance: Wendy D., Lordelyn, Jennifer, and Anna

Members of the public/members/staff: Wendy McCully, Madelyn McGrath, Trina Beargman

Call to order – Meeting opened at 9:15 am

I. Treasury Report

a. Wendy D. reported the current balance to be $5,213.17. Wendy D. made a motion to approve the treasury report. Seconded by Lordelyn. Unanimous vote in favor of the motion

II. First 5 Update

a. Wendy D is waiting for letters of partnership to finish grant application. Grant is due Friday, July 21.

III. Water Testing

a. Wendy D. reported that the cost for water testing is $70 ($35 for microbial testing and $35 for lead testing). .

IV. Fundraising Items

a. Jennifer will work on letters for Acorn scholarships. Letter will go out to organizations and individuals (including Riverbend, Kiwanis, and churches) asking them to sponsor a child for Acorn. We may know by August 14th how much First 5 will give Acorn and that will determine how much we will ask organizations/individuals to sponsor a child.

b. Jennifer will continue to look into Kids First to see if it is an option to apply for a more money for Acorn.

V. Parent Guideline Handbook

a. Wendy D. and Wendy M. presented to the Board their proposed formats for the Acorn parent handbook. We will discuss and vote on the format at the next board meeting.

b. Regarding content in handbook, Wendy D made a motion to include in content that after 4 consecutive absences (without contacting teacher or board on nature of absence, and registrar’s inability to make contact with member via phone call), members will lose their preschool spot. Lordelyn seconded. Unanimous vote in favor of the motion.

c. Wendy D will e-mail contents of parent handbook to board members and asks for any edits by Friday, July 14th.

VI. Registrar Document

a. Anna will e-mail the Board draft registrar documents for review

VII. Breastfeeding Issue

a. Discussion on breastfeeding concern brought up by one of the members

b. Wendy D. discussed with board the California law as follows:

The below statement was taken from Section 43.3 of the Civil Code relating to personal rights (1997)

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mother may breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, except the private home or residence of another, where the mother and the child are otherwise authorized to be present.”

c. Discussion on ways to help members such as fathers feel comfortable around breastfeeding mothers. One suggestion was to let husbands know (if they will be attending with kids) that Acorn has infants in the program and breastfeeding mothers so they aren’t surprised when they attend. Also, another suggestion was made for mothers to breastfeed away from fathers, knowing some fathers may be uncomfortable.

VIII. DRDP assessments, Conferences, Portfolios, Home Visits.

a. Discussion on what type of evaluation/assessment should be used and with what age group. Standardized testing may be best for those going to kindergarten and portfolios for age group 3-5. The big issue regarding evaluation/assessments is staff time to do assessment. Conferences will most likely be held during spring.

b. Further discussion will take place at future board meeting.

IX. Items for Discussion

a. Summer Committees – Wendy M. will send an e-mail out to members to see if they are interested in participating in summer committees.

b. Health notices – will be covered at next board meeting.

c. Classroom environment, daily schedule, themes, calendar, holidays, parent education, art books – Wendy M. passed out proposed daily schedule for next year as well as themes, calendar for next school year. Let her know if you have any comments. Wendy M. suggested that we include a parent education component to Acorn, i.e. car seat safety. She suggested we coordinate with Donna and Michelle so we don’t overlap topics with NET. Regarding art books, Wendy M may include this as a parent job.

d. End of the year celebration – Wendy M. suggested having our end of the year celebration away from school next year (i.e. Dawn Lake, Lushmeadows).

.

X. Next board meeting will be Wednesday, August 9 at 9 am.

Meeting adjourned 11:30 am