BISB PTA MEETING - 16th October 2014 In attendance: Gina Panarisi Phelan (Chair), Donna Scharpf (Secretary), Katja Legien-Schifferer (Treasurer), Anna Denisenko (Grade/Year Rep Coordinator), Radka Doubravska, Ivana Novakova, Sylvia Lim, Carmen Castano, Minjeong Kim, Katarina Bujnakova, Nele Van Peteghem, Marjo Kuusilehto, Adin Mercan, Tiziana Aleandri, Yumi Park, Natalia Verbraeken, Petra Van Der Hoek, Sanja Kezic, Jen Hoo Lee, Khan Seo, Moonhee Cha, Eun Hee Kim Teachers/Administrators Present: Beverley Caddington 1. Opening of the meeting: 8:30 AM Gina opened the meeting, welcomed all attendees 2. New Board Members: Gina announced that Andrea Szuchy Klein and Nishi Shetty will be the new co-Class/Grade Rep coordinators for the PTA. She said they’ve met with Grade/ Class representatives already and that the list of coordinators for each class/grade are now posted on the bulletin board as well as the PTA page of the school website for anyone looking to find out who their class rep is. 2.Treasurer’s Report: Katja gave a treasurer’s report. We’ve earned approximately 200 euros each from the two bake sales so far and have allocated some funds for napkins, plates, and other supplies for the bake sales, which gives us a Total Account Balance of 2,575 Euros. 3. Last Year’s PTA Funded Events: Gina listed the events, which the PTA sponsored last year. She reiterated that there is a form posted in the Faculty Lounge (or which Donna Scharpf can send to anyone), whereby teachers, staff, and parents may request funds for a particular project or event they feel that the PTA should consider funding. Nele and Katja brought up a funding idea for school or the PTA to pay for extra footballs and uniforms for the U8s and U10s since uniforms are provided for U13s, U15s, and U18s. ACTION: Donna contacted Mr. Cox and Mr. Cook. They assured us that there are already footballs in the outdoor locker and uniforms for the smaller players. They will communicate this to the U8 and U10 coaches. 3. PTA Committees: a. School Food Committee: In Ms. Kanclirova’s absence, a parent member of the School Food Committee updated the PTA on its progress. The new contract is still in the “tender/bidding” stage. The school and committee are reviewing local laws dealing with school cafeterias in Slovakia (including a law which requires only approved recipes to be used), and it’s not been an easy task to take into account the wishes and cultural eating habits of all the nationalities at the school. The committee is meeting regularly and will report each PTA meeting. b. International Day (October 24th): Ms. Caddington, chair of this committee, reported on the schedule of events for that day: The Primary children will visit and participate in four 45-minute workshops from 8:30 - noon. One of the workshops will be created and run by Secondary students. Another workshop will be the “International Cafe” where parents will host tables of food and cultural items in the small gym. The International day workshop will open at 8:50 AM. Parents will have time to set up at 4 PM on October 23rd and the morning of October 24th before 8:50 AM. Secondary students will visit the International Cafe from BISB PA MEETING 10:15 - 10:45 AM. Slovak Roma Dancers from Karlova Ves, a Drum expert, and hopefully a Flamenco dancer and a martial arts demonstration will occur at a general assembly. At 1:15 PM there will be a parade with 35 flag bearers of all the countries of the school. Parents are encouraged to come. The PTA will provide plates and napkins and small cups. Drinks and soups are discouraged unless they are a very unique cultural thing. Otherwise, country reps are asked to bring only room-temperature, small finger-food, easy-to-eat items. ACTION: The office will send out a detailed letter to all parents and staff announcing the event and schedule for the day and inviting parents to participate. c. Primary School Events committee: No report this meeting. d. Secondary Events Committee: No report this meeting. e. Booster Club (Sports Committee): No report this meeting. 4. PTA Groups PTA Facebook Group: Gina announced that the private PTA Facebook group is up and running and is called “British International School Bratislava PTA Parents Corner.” If you send a “friend” request to https://www.facebook.com/groups/838597836184564/ and don’t get accepted soon, please email [email protected] to be added to the group. Women’s Tennis Group: Anna Denisenko is Chair. More ladies are encouraged to join Friday mornings at 9 AM. Men’s Soccer Group: Ohad Freund is chair, Sundays, 4 PM - 6 PM, at the school for all BISB Fathers to join. English Conversation Group: Gina Panarisi will start after half term, Thursdays after drop off in the canteen. Those interested in practicing and improving their English skills should come. English speakers encouraged, too, to help keep the conversation going. 5. Upcoming Events: a. Bake Sale hosted by Year 3: PTA is asking Year 3 parents to donate cakes (homemade or store-bought) and bring in to school by 11:30 AM on Friday, 7 November. Sellers are wanted, too, that day from 11:30 AM - 1:45 PM. RSVP to [email protected] if you are a year 3 parent who can bring in goodies and/or help sell that day. ACTION: Gina will send out reminders to the Year 3 parents and ask for Year 3 parent volunteers to help sell. b. Springtime trip to Theater for Primary students: Ms. Caddington said that there will not be a Christmastime theatre trip like last year but a springtime one. The school is getting in touch with the SND (near Eurovea) to organize a day-time showing with English explanation/translation for the opera The Magic Flute. Details to be announced in the future. Donna volunteered to give contact details for the director there, if the school needs it. 6. Questions for Teachers/Administration: a. When will be the Annual Secondary Drama/Musical Production? Ms. Eastwood replied that The secondary Production of “Fame” is in the school calendar as the 26-27th May 2015. 9. Meeting Adjourned — The meeting ended at 9:10 AM. Next meeting will be November 20th at 8:20 AM in the Canteen. Respectfully Submitted: Donna Scharpf