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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FRIENDS/PARENTS TEACHER ASSOCIATION OF THE BESG HELD ON
MONDAY 12^th MARCH AT 7:00PM IN THE SCHOOL HALL

Those present

Apologies

Opening Remarks and Welcome

1. Suzanne opened the meeting by reviewing the minutes of the previous meeting; several issues were addressed:

A. Dawn commented that item 4 of the minutes implied that the parents were required to purchase costume items for previous years’ Christmas productions and that it was not true. Suzanne disagreed and a small discussion incurred with the group concluding that the item should remain as is.

B. Suzanne noted that the Pancake Day brought in YTL 248.50 and commented that similar “small” events made more money for the school and were more enjoyable for everyone involved.

C. Suzanne reported that the Ambassador and Caroline agreed on April 27^th for the Cheese and Wine Evening. The event will be less formal than a dinner and more like an end-of-year meet for parents. Suzanne noted that music still needs to be obtained for the event.

D. The committee next discussed the Summer Fair and the need for a theme. Everyone liked the idea of an environmental theme but agreed to wait one month for input from the Student Council on any other possibilities. Suzanne asked staff representatives to ask the Student Council.

E. The committee discussed DVDs of the Christmas production. It was determined that Alon Saar had made a nice video of both the infants’ and juniors’ productions. Ann volunteered to make copies of the DVDs as parents wished.

F. David Draper asked Dawn to raise the parking issue in his absence. It was noted that the work in front of the gate was to continue for at least three more weeks and that traffic, both on the street and on the narrow staircase leading to the gate was continually congested. Several ideas to alleviate the problem were offered including: a “walking bus” programme; a staggered drop off; and, a “breakfast club” in which the school would open the gate prior to 0820. Suzanne noted that this issue was not in the FPTA’s hands and could only be suggested by the committee to the school’s front office. Additionally, she worried about the viability of each of the suggested ideas, especially the walking bus programme where a parent could organise students at the top of the steps and then escort them down. Suzanne feared that, in a worst case scenario, a child could fall and liability would fall to that parent.

Approval of Previous Minutes

2. After much discussion, the Committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 12 February 2007.

AGM

3. David Draper requested in an email to Suzanne that the date of the AGM, schedules for May 31^st, 2007, be changed. The current date conflicted with the Year 4 trip and several staff would therefore be unable to attend the AGM. Suzanne noted that proxies could be nominated instead and proposed no date change.

EASTER EGG HUNT

4. The Easter Egg Hunt is schedules for 25 March 1200-1300. Ann suggested that leftover BESG mugs be used as prizes.

Suzanne brought back Cadbury crème eggs fro the U.K. and planned to distribute them in baskets for each class.

It was determined that the price of admission for the Egg Hunt would be 5YTL per child and that included juice and a snack.

Eggs would be hidden in the woods and the school hall and separate areas would be cordoned off for infants (hall/infant’s playground) and juniors (woods).

There was consideration for an Easter bonnet competition but the idea was dropped.

Suzanne said that there would be a raffle of Easter prizes at 1YTL per ticket.

A committee was formed for stuffing the eggs on Saturday March 24th and hiding the eggs on Sunday 25 March. The committee included Angelica, Steffi, Ann, Emmanuelle, Suzanne, Mark and Peter.

Table Top Sale

5. Someone requested that the FPTA sponsor a table top sale. The idea was seconded and it was decided that a Saturday morning in May or early June would be appropriate.

Walking Patrol

6. Ann volunteered to walk kids down to the gate if someone were to group kids at the top of the stairs.

Wish Lists

7. Suzanne mentioned the items currently on the school’s wish list. Wishes included:

Summer shades for the playground and/or green pitch
Markings on the infant playground for hopscotch, etc.
Carpets for the book corners in the library
More equipment at playtime (including Skipits, basketballs and jump ropes)

Dawn said she would liase with Jane concerning the cost, materials, and details involving the playground markings.

Suzanne noted that the Wish List remained open to further requests.

Accounts

8. David read over the current standing of accounts and requested an YTL 1000 buffer be built into the school’s cash on hand. David noted that such a buffer would prevent reimbursement delays such as those experienced during the Guy Fawkes celebration.

Journal/Year Book

9. Pictures for the journal are schedules for 28 March and photo order forms will be sent home soon thereafter. Proceeds form the photo orders will offset journal production costs.

Suzanne noted that compiling photos for the journal would be a time consuming task and volunteers were needed. Additionally, she noted that the graphics for the journal would be needed. Because the journal would not be subsidized this year, graphics would be simpler this year with few colour pictures (except for the class and group photos).

The FPTA approved the go ahead to obtain and commit to graphics.

Suzanne noted that she would take the journal over as Bobbi Nelson would be unavailable after March 31. She also suggested as per usual that Year 6 design the front cover of the Journal.

A second date for class photos is needed for May.

Any Other Business

10. Dilek noted that the 23^rd of April is Children’s Day and suggested that something could be done to celebrate this. Dilek suggested the Turkish flag and she will obtain one for each pupil and volunteers will provide Sigara Borek for a snack.

11. Meeting closed at 20:45.