Manitou Springs Elementary School
Parent Action Committee (PAC)
Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Committee Members Present: Jan Rose, Todd McClintic, Julie Lavigne and Jennifer Kuzbek

Parents in Attendance: Teri Christman, Alyssa Flett, Cybil Cooper, Charstin Sheffield, Lisa Panlein, Laurie Sellers and Yvonne Conrad

School Staff: Russ Vogel, Leatha Hay

Presenters: Shanti Toll, Kari Boozell, Candy Mowery, Derek Blanton

• Co-Chair Jan welcomed everyone and made introductions, thanked Todd for all his hard work on the new PAC website; thanked the front office personnel and kitchen personnel for providing snacks.
• Co-Chair Todd discussed the calender on the website which will feature all of the upcoming PAC events as well as access to forms for people requesting grocery certificates. The hope is that the website will make the PAC more accessible to everyone and work toward becoming a greener committee.
• Kari Boozell, music teacher, requested a donation to help her purchase instruments for her ORFF instrument based curriculum in her classroom for all of the elementary students. On her wish-list is 27 different instruments for a total of $3,602.00. Retail price for the instruments is $8000. Ms. Boozell currently has 5 of the instruments. She has applied for a few grants and has been denied. The PAC has a complete list of all of the instruments requested. Some suggestions were made to Ms Boozell to maybe find some alternatives and revise a list to include the instruments she would most like to have if we could purchase some but not all. No action was taken at this time. Parents are more then welcome to take the class if they are interested.
• Candy Mowery from Destination Imagination explained the program for the nonprofit organization. It is either a competitive or non-competitive team challenge that involves 7 student teams; kindergarten through college to solve 5 challenges. There is a program at Ute Pass Elementary in their TAP program of 5 teams with 35 students and they are always looking for adult volunteers to supervise. Cost for national enrollment is $195 plus $70 in tournament fees. There was a suggestion made that she approach the faculty about a TAP program and possibly a link on the website.
• Sensei Derek Blanton who heads the Karate program stopped by to explain more about his work and the benefits of the program; that the program provides character development for all students. It has helped with behavioral issues with some troubled students. ◦ PAC receives part of every month’s tuition, and also grants scholarships for students who apply. There is a separate program for kindergartners if enough students sign up.
• Shanti Toll from Green Kids and the Climate Protection has 435 bulbs to distribute to children. He is asking for parents to volunteer during parent/teacher conferences in distributing the bulbs. Todd McClintic offered to be the liaison with Shanti.

Other Business:

• Discussion regarding Skate City. They will donate a birthday party for a fundraiser.
• Halloween Carnival discussion:
  • Sodas were donated by parents last year
  • Kiwanis worked the food stands
  • 500 Halloween bags can be donated
  • TP donation for mummy wrap
  • Need to follow-up whether there is a popcorn machine in the school

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday October 13th 6:30-7:30pm in the Commons