Parents' Association Meeting Minutes
	September 20, 2011
	Present: Angie Reynolds, Shirley Lanphear, Debbie and Mitch Kates, Davis Bates, Mary Ann and Lionel Romain, Amy Patt and Keith Czerwiec, Johanna Swartzentruber, Jennifer Eremeeva, Regina Mooney and Carson and Grace Orellana The Meeting took place at Jennifer and Dmitry Eremeev’s house in Northampton, MA. A reception with wonderful food and visiting took place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. before meeting started. A big thank you to Jennifer for hosting such a wonderful evening. At 6:30 p.m. we tried to set up Polycom system and the access code would not work. Leann Blair tried on her end in Boston and it wouldn’t work for her either. Unfortunately no one was able to call in. Regina will be contacting them with our apologies: Michael Chung and Youn Mee, Catherine Stryker, Leann Blair and Geraldine Ortiz, Betsy Nordell, Christina Lord and Dean DiGregorio. The problem was identified and repaired in the office the following day. Introductions were made and there was an overwhelming sentiment how much SBS has made a positive impact on the daughters of all who attended. Mitch suggested we invite other parents to share their stories and to share ours – suggestions were: through recruitment, video testimonials, Skype messages from international parents, email… Culture Family Buddies was also brought up. Jennifer agreed to head a committee to look into a possibility of the PA heading this up. (Action: An event at the beginning of school that partners international families with domestic was suggested. Jennifer will be looking into this as part of the Culture Family Buddies program.) Ideas for getting more members to join the PA and attending meetings were: more meetings in members’ homes, Keith knows some local celebs and getting them to make an appearance, College speaker like Deb Shaver to speak at a meeting. (Action: Regina will call Deb Shaver, Smith College Director of Admissions, and try and get her to come for our November meeting.) Class representatives were suggested and the following were agreed on: 7th grade – Amy Patt 8th grade – Davis Bates 9th grade – Grace Orellana 10th grade –Melissa Logan (she will be asked) 11th grade – The Romains (they will be asked) 12th grade – Debbie Kates 50/50 Raffle…tickets getting printed, will be sold during Fall family weekend, Shirley Lanphear will sell at a table both days, Angie suggested help with selling tickets to give Shirley a break, Davis volunteered some time depending on Nolka’s schedule, Angie will also volunteer, other parents should be asked that did not attend the meeting. It was asked if anyone would be the Chair for the 50/50 and no one volunteered so Angie will head it until someone can be found. Roland Merullo & Pat Mangan were suggested. (Actions: Angie will contact both and see if there is any interested. Need to set up other times to sell tickets, when to send home with girls, etc. Also ask John Larson about giving a prize to the grade that sells the most tickets, such as no dress code for a week.) Dinner/Dance…..The date of the dinner/dance was talked about extensively. Friday or Sat of Spring family weekend were the two choices. (Action: Ultimately Saturday was decided on but Regina going to to talk to Sally about the schedule for the weekend.) Opinions were that Saturday needed more on the schedule to get parents to stay. Ideas. Change performance to Saturday or some other event. Committee was formed: Angie, Shirley , Amy, Keith, Grace and Leann. We will need lots of volunteers for the event to work so that will be part of the PA’s job to find other parents to participate. We need items for the raffle like Ipads, Ipods, computers, cameras, etc. . . (Action: Amy Patt going to start looking for donations.). (Action: Also ask John Larson about dunk tank) Meeting was adjourned at around 8:00pm. Thank you to all who attended and to Jennifer and Dmitry for sharing your home with us. For those of you who were not able to attend this meeting we hope to see you at the next being held at Stoneleigh-Burnham School on October 18th at 5:30.