Acorn Minutes for September 6, 2006

Board in Attendance: Wendy D., Lordelyn, and Michelle

Members of the public/members/staff: Wendy McCully

Call to order – Meeting opened at 9:15 am

I. Treasury Report

a. Michelle reported the current balance to be $11,006.11. Wendy D. made a motion to approve the treasury report. Seconded by Lordelyn. Unanimous vote in favor of the motion

b. Discussed other items we need for preschool: 6-8 blue chairs, curtains, valances, hooks for blinds. Wendy M. to price out.

II. First 5 Update

a. Wendy D. received the first installment check $8,100.00 and will deposit it into our account.

III. Water Testing

a. Doug Bassett is checking the results of the water testing. He says he heard it passed and will get back to us with more detail. In addition, Doug B. will talk to custodial staff about mopping our preschool room.

IV. Parent Meeting

a. Recap of parent meeting and how we can improve next time

b. Current roster has 34 kids

c. Waiting list – Those who turn in all of their paper work will officially be on the waiting list.

d. Date to be decided on make-up session for those who missed the parent meeting.

V. Book Order from the Tobacco Grant money

a. Wendy M. met with Sarah regarding lending library and books to order using the tobacco grant money.

VI. DRDP assessments, conferences, portfolios, home visits, etc

a. Further discussion on evaluating Acorn students. Wendy M. will use September 25 and September 28 to work on the kids 3-5 DRDP evaluations.

X. Items for discussion

a. Tips for classroom volunteers handout – Reviewed and revised tips for classroom volunteer handout

b. Birthday crowns – Wendy M discussed making birthday crowns for kids on their birthdays

c. Special occasions treats – Wendy M said that parents can bring healthy snacks on their child’s birthday and she’ll give examples to parents what types of snacks she recommends.

d. Field Trips – Discussion on possible fall field trips – Pumpkin patch (Planada or Hibpshman’s pumpkin patch) on a school day early in October. We will also look into the Country Herb Farm for spring.

e. Thursday/Monday jobs – Wendy will organize so members are doing Monday/Thursday jobs as noted in the parent handbook. Those attending only one day a week will only be assigned their days.

f. Configuration sketches of the room set up: before/after for guidelines, sketch of trike shed storage. Wendy will come up with a diagram for trike shed, and for the room before/after set up.

g. Children’s Fair Booth – The Children’s Fair will be September 30th and attending will be a parent job. We need 2 people to attend and represent Acorn. We’ll need picture boards, a sign, and a kids activity (i.e. play dough) , poster with First 5 logo, etc. For future, Wendy M suggests that we consider an Acorn Cooperative Preschool banner.

h. Front road signage due by October as per Madelyn

i. Sand box cover – Sarah expects it to be in place by Monday September 11, if not by the first day of school, September 7. We’ll also need 10 bags of sand. Kids will not be able to use sandbox on the first day of school.

j. Cash box – Wendy D bought a “cash box” for Acorn.

k. Thank you notes - Jennifer Lura to send Thank you notes to George Matlock, Scott Fornaciari, and the Lutheran Church.

l. Pregnancy leave policy – Discussion among board members about pregnancy leave policy and membership dues during leave. Wendy D made a motion to amend the parent handbook to add that maternity leave from ACP follows state law: 12 weeks off from membership without paying dues, and spot will be held during that time period. Daily jobs and set up tear down will also be delayed during the first 3 months for normal pregnancies. (May be longer if there are delivery issues i.e. hernia, cesarean that isn’t healing correctly, etc) Student can also come with a designated adult. Michelle seconded. Unanimous vote by e-mail on September 7, 2006 in favor of the motion.

Next meeting will be Friday, October 6, 9 am. Meeting adjourned 10:15 am