March 2019 Meeting Notes

Date:        Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Time:        5:30pm-6:30pm
Location:     BES Library

People present: Ali Dabica, Jenni Utter, Ali Gibson, Mara Urban, Meg Greenleaf, Elizabeth Lewis, Grace Wingfield, Audrey Beckwith, Elyssa Boisselle

1.FOBES News

Checks now made to FOBES due to new account (IRS)
Ali D, Mara U and Ellysa B. on the account

2. Parent Workshop
OK You’ve Got this (CSAC)
4 week resilience series for parents/community
FREE, light snacks provided
Thursdays or Fridays the last week of March-April.
6pm in the Cafeteria

3. Cafeteria Tables
Wheelchair accessible, kindergartners are having trouble navigating, not good for body posture, food consumption, etc. PT guidance. Cafeteria fits 17 tables (121 bodies)
Can the PTO help in some way?
Ali found a source for less than $2500 for 4 tables.
Jenni will speak with Kevin. PTO will attend meeting regarding tables.

4. Sensory Stickers
Stickers placed around school for regulation or deregulation. Helps get energy out, with transitions. At this point this isn’t something this facility can handle because of the waxing/refinishing process
Not possible for BES at this time. When is the next time the floor needs to be retiled or when can we discuss this option again?

5. Artist- in-Residence grant
Ashley Wolff-Ali Dabica applied for a grant to bring her. Tom B., Marita and Ali met to plan for the day/illustration lesson. Museum walk at night/showcase to community. $750 from the grant. We would cover the rest.
End of May.
Waiting to hear from Grant

6. Teacher/Staff appreciation
Reach out to community vendors, Jenni draws names for gifts, a week of raffle.
A breakfast/lunch served to faculty/staff. School board comes to make a gesture of thank you (when it was a BES school board-Krista Siringo, Alison Sturdevant). Is breakfast too rushed?
Massages? AnneMarie Altadonna (she will donate some time, we would cover the rest). Maybe something from their students? Appreciation flowers.
How do we want to solicit donations?
The week of May 13-17?
Ask people to make/donate food. Ali to send email.
Survey the teachers on what they would like to make them feel appreciated?
Cathy Turner will help.

7. Indoor recess cart grant
Items/supplies that gets kids moving during recess time. Tactile. Carts divided into classes.
Ali D. applied for a grant

8. A. Urban’s PTO request
Taryn absent-has sent articles.
Taryn, Aurelia and Chris to set a meeting with Kevin asap.

9. Trophies
$187 spent for trophies
Will have them for their ceremony

10. Fun Day
Ali Dabica and Kathy have a meeting Thursday, March 14th at 2pm

11. Comments, concerns and questions
Grass restoration, turf cost? Especially the soccer pitch? Playground could use new life, structure, green space, trees
We will revisit this topic in April.
Jenni will locate property map for playground

12. From last meeting 2/5/19
*gender sports question
*Prevent Child Abuse VT
*Fun Day
*Chris Urban will have lots of ideas about green restoration/nature space
*Forest use-can we increase, promote, use that space more. What is the culture around this space? What are the barriers? Configuration of classes? Volunteers to help them get outside.
*How can we improve the frozen space? Drainage?

13. Closing
Next meeting: Tuesday, April 9, 5:30 PM, BES Library