1. Parent-Teacher Organization 2009-2010 “Kick-Off Meeting” September 15 th, 2009

2. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 Welcome Back to 2009-2010 School Year!

3. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 Introduction of PTO Leadership Team, Project Team Leaders and new parent participants.Introduction of PTO Leadership Team, Project Team Leaders and new parent participants. New BusinessNew Business –2009-2010 Continuing Programs –Classroom Parent Representatives – Karen Neuhaus – Back To School Night – Monica Matlis Selling of food items – Group – need volunteers to coordinate and setupSelling of food items – Group – need volunteers to coordinate and setup Sign up sheet for classroom parents – Karen NeuhausSign up sheet for classroom parents – Karen Neuhaus Sell pencils – GroupSell pencils – Group Kids Coupon Book? – Liz WeinbergKids Coupon Book? – Liz Weinberg EITC and PTO PresentationEITC and PTO Presentation –How parents can help – be involved –Class room parents, Scholastics book sales, Purim Baskets, –AHA School/Family Directory – Monica Matlis/Nancy Wiggins –Sukkot Acdtivity-Family Fundraiser – Jessica Strom –2009-2010 Budget Approval – Monica Matlis –Anything else that we may do this year? –Social events Color Me Mine, Parent’s Morning Coffee to catch up?Color Me Mine, Parent’s Morning Coffee to catch up? Old BusinessOld Business New ActivitiesNew Activities Questions?Questions? PTO 2008-2009 Meeting Agenda Items

4. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 PTO – 2008-2009 Programs – Thanks! Recruting Classroom Parents – Karen Neuhaus Scholastsics Book Fairs - Meryl Widensky Parent Teacher Conferences – Refreshments & Dinner for Teachers – Dalit Berlin Purim Mishloah Manot Baskets – Liz Weinberg Ladies Nights, Nursery Events, Color me Mine Event – Sheri Goldstein Box Tops – Donna Paul Challah Program – Michelle Schachter Art Raffle Gift Basket – Tova Meles Chanukah Store – Dalit Berlin/Monica Matlis Awareness Programs – Misc AHA School Directory – Nancy Wiggins, Rachel Blumenthal, Meryl Widensky, Jessica Strom, Monica Matlis DD Person – Rachel Blumenthal Back To School Picnic – Monica Matlis, Rachel Blumenthal, Sheri Goldstein

5. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 PTO Committee Based Leadership Team & Goals – Slide from our “Kick- Off” Meeting 10/28/09 Goals of the new PTO leadershipGoals of the new PTO leadership –Partnership with Teachers, Parents and school Administration to ensure a successful learning experience –Raise the school AHA School Spirit ONE Abrams Hebrew Academy Family!

6. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 The 2009-2010 goal for the PTO is to increase parent participation in school activities during the year. It is the best interest of the parents to participate in school activities because: –Networking opportunity – meet other parents –See what happens in the school during the day –Help the teacher’s with their classroom activities –You can help the administration in making decisions that affect the school’s environment –Bring ideas, comments, concerns to the AHA Board –Ensure the best education possible for your children For the PTO to be successful, we need parent participation, new ideas and enthusiasm! PTO Leadership Team & Goals – 2009-2010

7. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Leadership Team: Mónica V. Matlis, PTO Chairperson & Board Representative Karen Neuhaus, Secretary Sheri Goldstein, Nursery Chairperson Rachel Blumenthal, Middle School Chairperson Jessica Strom, AHA Administration Liaison & Director, Open Positions: –Elementary Chairperson –Treasurer The role of the leadership team is to assess the needs of the parent, teachers and administration and develop activities that will address these. These include: social, holyday, fundraising and networking activities. Additionally, the PTO leadership team strives to maintain a strong partnership with the teachers, administration and board members. We are all volunteers and parents of AHA students! September 21-22, 2009

8. New Business

9. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 New Business – Continuing 2009-2010 Programs Classroom Parents – Karen NeuhausClassroom Parents – Karen Neuhaus Teacher/PTO Meeting – Karen Neuhaus/Monica MatlisTeacher/PTO Meeting – Karen Neuhaus/Monica Matlis Scholastics Book Fairs - Meryl WidenskyScholastics Book Fairs - Meryl Widensky Parent Teacher Conferences – Refreshments & Dinner for Teachers – Dalit BerlinParent Teacher Conferences – Refreshments & Dinner for Teachers – Dalit Berlin Purim Mishloah Manot Baskets – Liz WeinbergPurim Mishloah Manot Baskets – Liz Weinberg Nursery Events, Color me Mine Event – Sheri GoldsteinNursery Events, Color me Mine Event – Sheri Goldstein Box Tops – Karen NeuhausBox Tops – Karen Neuhaus Challah Program – Michelle SchachterChallah Program – Michelle Schachter Art Raffle Gift Basket – Tova MelesArt Raffle Gift Basket – Tova Meles Awareness Programs – MiscAwareness Programs – Misc AHA School Directory – Nancy Wiggins, Monica MatlisAHA School Directory – Nancy Wiggins, Monica Matlis Participation at school events – Picture Day, School shows, etc.Participation at school events – Picture Day, School shows, etc. School Administration & Teacher’s Holiday and Year-End Gift ProgramSchool Administration & Teacher’s Holiday and Year-End Gift Program New Program – Bar/Bat Mitzvah Breakfast – Sheri Shevlin & Iris Gold***New Program – Bar/Bat Mitzvah Breakfast – Sheri Shevlin & Iris Gold*** More Social events – TBD *** New Program – fundraiser!

10. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 We need to identify parents ASAP. We have a document stating the roles and responsibilities (may need some modification based on the lessons learned from last year). Have a sign-up sheet at both back-to-school nights Send out an email to ask parents to be “Classroom Parents” Notify teacher’s immediately and post results on the website – also an email to parents to let them know. New Business – Classroom Parent Representatives

11. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 The PTO will be presenting at the Meeting (Monica) –Talking about how the parents may help the PTO –Why they should be involved –How they can help the school (EITC) Need to have a table with all of the brochures, sign up sheets, sell pencils and food –Sign-up Sheet for: Classroom parents, book fair, parent-teacher conferences –Sing up sheet for: Challah Program –Sell: Pencils and Kids-Coupon book –Sell food: need to order, purchase soda/water – need coordinator for both nights –Need help setting up the table and working it! New Business – Back-To-School Night (s) – Sept. 21& 22nd

12. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 New Business - AHA School Directory 5770 Nancy Wiggins is already working on it.Nancy Wiggins is already working on it. Need help labeling and sorting them by grades.Need help labeling and sorting them by grades.

13. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 October 6 from 4 – 7 p.m. Food, crafts, games, raffles – fun for the whole family! $12 per adult/$8 per child (in advance) or $15 per adult/$10 per child (at the door) Open to the public; invite your friends, relatives and neighbors! This is a “fun”draiser for Abrams – all proceeds benefit the school. Sponsorships are available from $36 and up; contact Jessica Strom for details on sponsorships or for advance tickets. New Business – Sukkah Festival - Family Fundraiser

14. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 New Business – Social Events We want to increase the participation of parents in school activities Need to develop easy social events that will attract parents We need to assure that the events are: –Not held on Thursdays and away from the Holydays Some ideas may be: –Color Me Mine – ladies –BINGO? –Anything else?

15. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 New Business – Budget Review and Approval

16. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 New Business – Budget Review and Approval

17. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 New Business – Budget Review and Approval

18. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 New Business – Budget Review and Approval

19. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 New Business – Budget Review and Approval

20. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 Old BusinessOld Business –Summer Projects Teacher’s Lounge “Make-Over”- Liz WeinbergTeacher’s Lounge “Make-Over”- Liz Weinberg Kashrut Policy - Meryl WidenskyKashrut Policy - Meryl Widensky Lunch Program – Dalit BerlinLunch Program – Dalit Berlin PTO Leadership Team Reorganization – Monica MatlisPTO Leadership Team Reorganization – Monica Matlis Old Business – Summer Project

21. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 Teacher’s Lounge “Make-Over” – Liz Weinberg/Karen NeuhausTeacher’s Lounge “Make-Over” – Liz Weinberg/Karen Neuhaus –This is not a renovation… it is a “make over” –Budget has been allocated UPDATE:Put on hold due to renovation in the buildingUPDATE:Put on hold due to renovation in the building –We need parents help to complete the project New Business – Summer Programs

22. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 AHA Kashrut Policy - Meryl WidenskyAHA Kashrut Policy - Meryl Widensky Deploy a new process for the AHA 2009-2010 School year that will assure that all food brought on to the school premises (school activities, birthday parties, etc.) meets the highest standard possibleDeploy a new process for the AHA 2009-2010 School year that will assure that all food brought on to the school premises (school activities, birthday parties, etc.) meets the highest standard possible This assures that children from all observance levels are comfortable participating at all school eventsThis assures that children from all observance levels are comfortable participating at all school events Work with Rabbi “O” and Rabbi “T”Work with Rabbi “O” and Rabbi “T” How do we enforce it so that parents are aware that the standards have to be met?How do we enforce it so that parents are aware that the standards have to be met? –Train Teacher’s and Parents on how the process works UPDATE: We will be sending a kashrut update to parents at home.UPDATE: We will be sending a kashrut update to parents at home. New Business – Summer Programs

23. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 Lunch Program - Dalit BerlinLunch Program - Dalit Berlin Program needs to be improved to “Break-even”Program needs to be improved to “Break-even” Three options: Upgrade the program, outsource the program, eliminate the programThree options: Upgrade the program, outsource the program, eliminate the program Team approach – will make a recommendation to the boardTeam approach – will make a recommendation to the board We need 75-100 families to use the lunch program – commit to consistencyWe need 75-100 families to use the lunch program – commit to consistency Provide healthy lunchesProvide healthy lunches The lunch program is a Marketing tool for new studentsThe lunch program is a Marketing tool for new students UPDATE: The administration was updated on recommendations. The administration decided to modify the recommendation and implement a slightly different program.UPDATE: The administration was updated on recommendations. The administration decided to modify the recommendation and implement a slightly different program. New Business – Summer Programs

24. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 PTO Leadership Team Reorganization – Monica MatlisPTO Leadership Team Reorganization – Monica Matlis Have additional members on the teamHave additional members on the team Succession programSuccession program Program LeadersProgram Leaders UPDATE – We are trying to recruit co-chairs to assist the leadership team with the workload.UPDATE – We are trying to recruit co-chairs to assist the leadership team with the workload. New Business – Summer Programs

25. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 Money was allocated from the 2009- 2010 PTO budget for the purchase of teacher directed items.Money was allocated from the 2009- 2010 PTO budget for the purchase of teacher directed items. UPDATE – Teacher’s are still purchasing toys. They have started with $500 each and will purchase additional items when they are needed. They want to assure they spend the money accordingly and on what they need. They are also going to purchase items for the media room.UPDATE – Teacher’s are still purchasing toys. They have started with $500 each and will purchase additional items when they are needed. They want to assure they spend the money accordingly and on what they need. They are also going to purchase items for the media room. New Business – Nursery

26. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 Questions, Comments, Suggestions, Ideas?

27. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 Thank You!!! Next PTO meeting will be held on: Wednesday, November 18 th, 2009

28. PTO Meeting 09-15-09 Happy Fall!