October 11, 2023

Messmore Montessori Association

Parent/Teacher Monthly Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Attendees:

Board: Elisabetta Stupera, Stacee Jones, Paulette Qussar, Amanda Hijazi, Paul Jones

Call to order:  6:16 PM

Meeting Opening

  • Pledge of Allegiance and Peacemaker Promise
  • Approval of September 2023 meeting minutes

Principal’s Report

  • Parent/Teacher conferences
    • Use School Soft for scheduling.
    • Virtual and in-person are scheduled separately.
    • Let your teacher know if you need a different schedule.
    • Conference participation is tracked for reporting to the district.
  • Halloween parade
    • Halloween parade will be held at 11:00 outside, weather permitting.
    • If it’s raining, they’ll have the parage in the gym
    • Pre-school will have a parade on Oct 30th due to half a day on the 31st
  • No school 10/18
    • Due to professional development day
    • Teachers are implementing a new science curriculum
    • Science training first half of the day
    • Montessori speaker second half of day
    • Teachers saw the speaker at the Montessori conference in Boston
    • Dr. Fiema contacted Montessori teacher training institute, Sienna Heights, in Adrian, MI
    • The institute will provide a speaker for a staff meeting. Potential topics include:
      • Developing self-discipline and motivation in our children
      • How to alleviate stress in child’s life
      • Nutrition for children
  • Half days 10/27, 10/31

Treasurer’s Report

  • Closing out September
  • A lot of money hasn’t been distributed yet, which is why the balance is so high
  • PayPal and Venmo get transferred regularly
  • Holding funds for Science Olympiad and Lego Robotics
  • Expenditures: Welcome back to school, signs, décor, snacks, printer ink, subscriptions
  • We covered some of the educational apps used by teachers
  • Paid for the Halloween mad scientist event
  • We’re still waiting to see if the teachers want another 3 year license for the A-Z app
  • We’re getting $30,000 back from Fun Run. That need to be split between teachers and Dr. Fiema
  • Added $200 to Science Olympiad to cover unknown fundraiser from spring 2023

Account Balances

MMA Financial Accounts$83,515.91
Non-MMA General Funds$42,175.08
Executed Expenditures$1,428.96
MMA General Fund Balance$39,911.87

Budget proposal for 2023-2024

  • Field trip busing
    • Dr. Fiema pays for some
  • Teacher appreciation week
  • Field day snacks
  • Décor for committees
  • 6th grade graduation
  • Montessori speaker
  • Author visit for March reading month
  • State of Michigan gaming license fees
  • Teacher and staff support: 10% back from Fun Run proceeds
    • Still need to write checks
  • Welcome mat replacement
  • Learning oasis
  • Parking lot opportunities
    • Need to buy some parking lot signs.
  • Fun Run
    • There was a glitch the first day for donations, so 50 people who donated had to be contacted to repledge.
    • We’re getting $30,000 from the Fun Run
    • Take out teacher’s 10%
    • MMA Fund
    • Dr. Fiema fund
    • 1288 pledges
    • 320 students received a pledge
    • 96 leadership lesson taught by Apex team
    • 15,000+ laps run
    • Pledges from 31 states
    • 71% of pledges made my people who weren’t parents
    • 98% sign-in goal
    • Sending out survey
    • Apex will be giving returning schools $500. Offer ends 11/30. Vote next meeting whether to have Fun Run for 2024-2025 school year, based on survey

Fundraising Report

  • Halloween event
    • Need volunteers
    • Need more trunks
    • Candy wars
    • October 27th, 5-8 PM
  • 6th Grade Pumpkin Sale
    • Not as many pumpkins reserved
  • Restaurant Nights
    • Fuddruckers, Oct 18
    • Panera, Nov 9th
    • Panda Express, Dec 15
    • Chipotle, Jan 22
  • Achatz Pie Coupon Fundraiser
  • Birthday Buddies
    • Under Sunshine Committee
  • MMA Cookbook Recipe Fundraiser
  • Daddy/Daughter Dance, March 3rd
    • Committee is full
  • Mother/Son Event
  • Kalahari fundraiser, Feb 20
    • $179 a room, we get $10 per room
  • Gratitude Grams, $1 per gram

Committee Report

  • Working on Mother/Son event

Old/New Business

  • 3D printer
    • Annie Meninger is researching a donor.
  • Vote on proposed budget, passed
    • Includes parking items

Upcoming Meetings

  • November 15

Adjournment: 7:15 PM

September 13, 2023

Messmore Montessori Association

Parent/teacher Monthly Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Attendees:

Board: Elisabetta Stupera, Stacee Jones, Paulette Qussar, Amanda Hijazi, Paul Jones

Call to order: 7:16 PM

Meeting Opening

  • Pledge of Allegiance and Peacemaker Promise
  • Approval of May 2023 meeting minutes
  • Introduction of board members

Principal’s Report

  • Fun Run Updates
    • Apex guests: Cool Chris and Energetic Evan
  • Destination Imagination
    • Mr. Shah is no longer at Messmore.
    • Dr. Fiema is looking for someone to facilitate DI this year.
    • Teams form in November, competition in February/March
  • MSTEP Parents Report
    • Reports going home September 29th.
    • Taken by 3rd, 4th, 5th ,6th graders.
  • Standard Response Protocols
    • The district is using standard response protocols to handle emergencies which occur at the school.
    • The term Lockdown is now called Option-based Drill.
    • Options include secure in class, evacuating, hiding (locking down),
    • The children have been practicing how to safely evacuate by knowing which exit doors to use and the location of the rally points.
    • There will be three different drills in October.
    • Dr. Fiema will be sending letters home to inform the parents before the drills.

President’s Report

  • No report

Treasurer’s Report

  • End of 2022-2023 school year numbers presented.
  • Budget will be prepared by next meeting.
  • The non-profit status of the MMA has expired. A CPA has been employed to review the situation.
  • Learning oasis is still a pending item. Funds are still being procured.
  • End of 2022-2023 school year numbers:
  • Total 2022-2023 expenditures: $33,135.96

Fundraising Report

  • Current Events
    • Fun Run
    • Mum Sale
    • New spirit wear
    • Pumpkin sale
    • Halloween Fright Night
    • Sunshine Committee
  • New Opportunities
    • Birthday Buddies (extension of Sunshine Committee)
    • Cookbook Fundraiser
    • Special Persons with Donuts
    • Mom Prom
  • Future Needs for committee members
    • Daddy/Daughter & Mother/Son
    • Teacher Appreciation Week
    • Bingo for 2023-2024 school year.
    • International Night will rotate every other year with Bingo.

Committee Report

  • Need committee members for the events detailed above.

Old/New Business

  • 3D printer
    • Annie Meninger is researching a donor.
  • Parking lot cones have been purchased.
  • Backpack vacuum has been purchased for Mr. Phil

Upcoming Meetings

  • October 11, 2023
  • Sunshine Committee meetings are each Friday after school.
  • Halloween Committee meetings are each Friday after school.

Adjournment: 8:16 PM

May 24, 2023

Messmore Montessori Association

Parent/Teacher Monthly Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Attendees

Board: Elisabetta Stupera, Nicole Caruso, Paulette Qussar, Megan Romano, Stacee Jones

Call to Order:  6:01 PM

Pledge of Allegiance and Peacemaker Promise

MMA President Recognition:

  • May Birthdays – Mrs. Barker, Mrs. D. Papandreou, Mrs. Romano, Mrs. Eshaq, Mrs. Sonnenberg

Approval of April 2023 Meeting Minutes

Principal’s Report

  • May 22
    • Parent volunteer breakfast
  • May 25
    • Spring Music Concert and Art Show
  • June 7
    • Alumni Clap out/Breakfast

Need help with providing light refreshments and set up

Special Guest 5/6 Teachers

  • Boston Montessori Conference Presentation

President’s Report

  • Bond and millage passed – THANK YOU to all who voted!
  • Congratulations Science and Social Studies Olympiad Teams!
  • Mrs. Schultz retirement/clap out/Bench dedication
  • Welcome new families/in gym for pre-K and K first day of school
  • Next year’s events (e.g., International Night, Bingo, end of year party), annual or rotate?
  • Adding Special persons/Donuts with grownups event and Mom Prom, or similar
  • Newsletter incoming
  • Important Dates:
    • 5/25 Arts, Beats and Eats Messmore Style
    • 6/1 Field day
    • 6/2 End of Year Carnival
    • 6/7 clap outs
  • Thank you to outgoing board members, Nicole (VP Treasurer) and Megan (VP Fundraising)

Treasurer’s Report:

  • Treasury report to show total financial accounts, highlighting
    • Total of Funds ~$35K
    • Future/Planned expenditures
      • Able to remove $11K expense for front entrance benches
      • Planned near term costs $21K
      • Committees have some funds left over for their programs for next year
    • Good by end of the year carrying over $5K with current planned expenditures
    • Expenditures over the course of the year totaled around $33K:
      • School Welcome Back                                                     $980.00
      • Playground Painting Project                                            $1,307.64
      • Kindergarten Tables                                                        $1,031.00
      • Teacher Appreciation Meals                                           $356.00
      • Teacher Development for AMS Conference                    $2,620.00
      • Committee Support/Advancements                                $1,967.83
      • Fun Run Classroom 10% for Teachers                            $6,394.43
      • Fun Run Split for Messmore’s School Fund                      $16,684.04
      • Teacher Supplies (Specials Rotation)                               $200.00
      • Montessori Speaker, Thomas Haller 3/2                         $595.00
      • Reading Month Speaker 3/27                                         $600.00
      • Teacher Appreciation bench + sign (May)                       $400.00
  • Reserves are still being held in general fund until vote and executed expenditure Totals for 2022-2023
  • Transactions are still under MMA until the official name change is complete and taxes are updated (MMO will be go forward)

Fundraising Report:

  • Recent Successes
    • Bingo Night ($1315 raised, this will help fund Kona truck for the kids)
      • Record attendance for all events this year
    • Chipotle Restaurant Night ($189.52 earned)
    • DQ Night in May ($700 earned)
    • Deneweth’s May 20-21
  • Current/Upcoming Activities
    • Spirit Wear – Possibly in August
    • Fall Fun Run September 11-22
    • Mums
    • Achatz Pies
  • Key Areas of Focus
    • Learning Oasis, benches, playground and school needs

Committee Report

  • THANK YOU to all the volunteers throughout the year
  • Current Events
    • Jun 1 – Field Day
    • Jun 2 – End of Year Carnival
  • New Opportunities
    • Birthday Buddies
    • Cookbook Fundraiser Committee
    • Special Persons with Donuts
    • Mom Prom
  • Future Needs
    • Signup Genius in June
    • Most urgent need is Beautification Committee
    • Fun Run
    • Halloween
    • Daddy/Daughter & Mother/Son
    • Teacher Appreciation Week

Old/New Business:

  • Old Business
    • 3-D Printer produces 10 items and include professional development and 15 student certifications $2,327 and $252 Cartridges ($2,579) proposal submitted by Ms. Miskokomon. Media Center Budget for Messmore is $1,000 and this would be housed in the computer lab available to 1st through 6th graders. *Annie Meininger following up on this with potential donor*
    • $1,400 Proposal for Parking Lot cones by Michelle Khami (Action- Annie to see about donation options)
  • New Business
    • Fundraising suggestions
      • Mom-to-Mom sale or Messmore Bazaar
      • Dodge park Thursdays
    • Backpack/shop vacuum for Mr. Phil suggested by Laura Malcynski
    • Outdoor oasis update and moving forward
    • Bylaws update and vote – rollover of holding funds for events
      • MMA Bylaw Amendment Proposals – May 24, 2023 Section VII – Finances
      • Option 1 – In the event a committee earns an excess of funds, those funds will be returned to the committee for the following year
      • Option 2 – In the event a committee earns an excess of funds, up to $400 of those funds will be returned to the committee for the following year, with the remainder to be sent to the general fund
      • Option 3 – No change to current process, remains the same
      • Voting results:  Option 1 (0 votes), Option 2 (7 votes), Option 3 (9 votes)
        • Option 3 is voted
    • Vote on open Board Positions –Treasurer, VP Fundraising, Secretary
      • New Treasurer – Stacee Jones
      • New Secretary (“Techetary”)– Paul Jones
      • New VP Fundraising – Amanda Hijazi

Upcoming Meetings

  • See you next year!

Adjournment: 7:21 PM EST

April 19, 2023

Messmore Montessori Association

Parent/Teacher Monthly Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Attendees

Board: Elisabetta Stupera, Nicole Caruso, Paulette Qussar, Megan Romano, Stacee Jones

Call to Order: 6:07 PM

Pledge of Allegiance and Peacemaker Promise

MMA President Recognition:

  • April Birthdays – Paulette

Approval of March 2023 Meeting Minutes

Principal’s Report

  • MSTEP Schedule in Messmore Messenger
    • Avoid absences, making sure students are ready for testing
  • Fun Run Funds
    • Update on larger items that were able to be purchased
    • Principal’s account for unplanned expenses that come up throughout the year
    • 5 teachers received membership to American Montessori Society
    • 5/6 grade bus cost for Camp Tamarack
    • Montessori Materials (not covered by the district)
    • Pallet of paper ($1440)
    • Miscellaneous instructional materials for teachers
    • 8 Teachers attending Michigan Montessori Conference
  • 6th grade annual luncheon
    • Need catering ideas for this year’s luncheon (all 6th graders and teachers)
  • May 2
    • Reminder there is no school – Voting Day
  • May 22
    • Parent volunteer breakfast
  • May 25
    • “Arts Festival” Spring Music Concert, Art Show and Book Fair
    • Suggestions needed for food/ice-cream/Kona truck for the event
  • June 7
    • Alumni Clap out/Breakfast
    • Need help with providing light refreshments and set up

Treasurer’s Report:

  • Treasury report to show total financial accounts, highlighting
    • Difference from prior month approximately $2K ($29839 available in funding)
    • Future/Planned expenditures
      • May be able to remove $11K expense for front entrance benches
      • No final wrap-up of daddy/daughter committee
      • Bingo not yet updated – Nicole to work with Amy Martin
      • 6th Grade not yet updated – Nicole to meet with Perla Moncayo
  • Reserves are still being held in general fund until vote and executed expenditure Totals for 2022-2023
  • Transactions are still under MMA until the official name change is complete and taxes are updated

Fundraising Report:

  • Recent Successes
    • March earned 10% of teacher luncheon
  • Current Activities
    • No restaurant nights in April
  • Upcoming Fundraisers
    • Chipotle on May 3, 4-8
    • DQ closer to end of May, will provide a percentage of all sales
    • Deneweth’s Greenhouse May 20-21, Messmore will earn 20%
    • Science Olympiad
      • May 13 Fuddruckers all day, post event, earns 20%
      • May 25 Chuck E. Cheese (same night as concert) – get dates at beginning of next year for future Chuck E. Cheese Nights
  • Key Areas of Focus
    • Learning Oasis, benches, playground, and other school needs
      • Oasis – discussion with Dr. Fiema pending on engineering/architectural diagrams and what we are able to execute per UCS

Committee Report

  • Bingo Night –April 28 – 150 people registered so far
    • At Messmore in the gym, event will need to be limited to capacity for gym and registration will be closed once maximum is reached
  • Sunshine Committee
    • This Friday (top secret) special event for the teachers
  • Teacher Appreciation – Week of May 8-12
    • Question around communication go out to parents to get involved, committee to meet Friday April 21
  • Last day of school June 9
  • Field Day June 1 and End of year celebration on June 2
    • Carnival theme
    • First meeting for committee Monday after school (Mar 20)
    • Bounce house vendor coming out to assess

Old/New Business:

  • Old Business
    • 3-D Printer produces 10 items and include professional development and 15 student certifications $2,327 and $252 Cartridges ($2,579) proposal submitted by Ms. Miskokomon (Action – Annie to reach out for STEM donors). Media Center Budget for Messmore is $1,000 and this would be housed in the computer lab available to 1st through 6th graders. * open item, Annie asked again and is still waiting on confirmation *
    • Media Center was able to obtain lots of new books and items (knicky-knackies per Paulette)
    • Birthday Book Club (Action-Ms. Miskokomon work with Sarah to send out notes on kid’s birthdays) – fliers went home
    • Book Box always available for donations, kids love this
    • Fun Run Survey Results from Parents (Action- Nicole/Megan) – close this out
    • $1,400 Proposal for Parking Lot cones by Michelle Khami (Action- Annie to see about donation options)
      • Dr. Fiema to follow up
    • Rochelle requested posting for specific items before purchasing costly items for the school (Action – Betta/Nicole) – close this item out
    • Preschool letter welcoming to Messmore and sharing MMA information (Action-Paulette/Betta)
      • Physical newsletter to help welcome our new families pre-K/K to help involve them sooner
    • Annual Calendar of typical MMA programs to all parents (Action-Paulette/Betta)
      • Try to have published before new school year
    • Silva requested communication to parents about all the ways to be in touch with MMA and what MMA is (Action- Betta)- Rochelle suggested involving parents to help draft communications.
  • New Business
    • May Bylaw vote on excess funds
    • Nicole and Megan positions opening for Treasurer and VP Fundraising – voting on May meeting and reach out to Betta or anyone on the board if interested in learning more

Upcoming Meetings

  • Next Meeting – Wednesday, May 24, 2023 @ 6 PM

Adjournment: 7:01 PM EST

October 17, 2024

Meeting Minutes

Date: November 13, 2024 Time: 15:04 EST Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan Attendees: MMA Committee, Parents, Teachers

Opening Remarks

  • The meeting was called to order with greetings and updates from participants.

Discussion Items

  1. Decision to Skip the Pledge:
    • Due to the virtual setting, the decision was made to skip the pledge.
  2. Approval of Minutes:
    • Secretary Paul and others discussed the approval of minutes.
  3. Principal’s Report (Dr. Renee Fiema):
    • Safety Drill Recap: Recap of an option-based safety drill held last week, where students practiced responses to emergencies like intruders.
    • Upcoming Drill: Announcement of another safety drill planned for next week.
    • Conference Scheduling: Reminders about using the school platform for scheduling conferences.
    • Updates on Facilities: Updates on benches and the parking lot. Benches are uncertain, but the parking lot will be restriped soon.
    • Benches and Bond Work: Dr. Fiema is unsure about the status of new benches and other bond-related work but mentions updates will be provided by the end of the month. Additional concerns raised by Paulette about bench arrangement if replacements aren’t happening soon.
  4. Treasurer’s Report (Stacee Jones):
    • September Financials: Starting balance of $34,639, ending with $62,144 due to fund run deposits.
    • Expenses: September expenses totaled around $2,100. Holding around $11,000 in funds for various school activities and committees.
    • Future Discussions: Need to discuss the split for fun run funds and issuing checks to teachers.
  5. Discussion on the Budget:
    • Proposed Budget: Stacee Jones presents the proposed budget for the 2024-2025 school year, highlighting allocations for various school programs.
    • Operational Costs: Includes yearly insurance, website hosting, and event costs.
    • Budget Vote: Final suggestions were encouraged before voting on the budget.
  6. New Ideas:
    • Book Vending Machine: Lauren Nardone proposes a book vending machine as a reward system. Discussion on careful consideration to fit with the current system and possible integration with the Peacemaker Awards.
  7. Apex Fundraiser:
    • Results Shared: Profit is $27,957.19 with 1,099 pledges. Total amount raised before Apex’s portion was $44,920.
    • Planning for Next Year: Acknowledgement of the need to decide soon on next year’s event, with discussions on accommodating everyone’s preferences and making timely decisions.
  8. Fundraiser Discussion Continuation:
    • Volunteer Needs: Emphasis on the need for volunteers to manage incentives and logistics.
    • Teacher’s Perspective: Benefits of having external facilitators like Apex noted.
    • Further Research: Plan to gather more details on alternative fundraising methods for discussion in the next meeting.
  9. Ongoing and Upcoming Activities:
    • Fundraisers:
      • Mum Sale: Successful, leading to a second round of orders.
      • Pumpkin Sale: Managed by the 6th grade committee.
      • Achatz Pies Sale: Running differently this year with gift cards, earning the school 15% back.
    • Sunshine Committee: Organizes monthly lunches for teachers and staff, with optional sponsorships available for $20.
    • Other Initiatives: Birthday Buddies, Recipe Cookbook, Daddy-Daughter Dance (committee full), Mother-Son Event (needs more volunteers), Teacher Appreciation (needs more volunteers), and Open Gym Event (planned for MLK Day or a weekend before the New Year).
  10. Committee Chair Volunteers:
    • Paulette mentions that if they don’t find a chair for the International event by the end of the month, it may have to be canceled.
    • Similarly, for the Mother-Son event, Paulette will take over if no one steps up by the end of the month.
    • Teacher Appreciation and International Night also need volunteers.
  11. Box Tops Initiative:
    • Lauren Nardone updates on the Box Tops program and proposes setting up a table at the Halloween event to help parents download the app and start using it.
  12. Kroger Fundraising Reminder:
    • Reminder for parents to link their Kroger accounts to the school for additional fundraising.
  13. Target and Sam’s Club Gift Cards:
    • Lauren secures gift cards from Target and Sam’s Club for upcoming events.

Closing Remarks

  • Emphasis on asking for community donations and leveraging local businesses for support.
  • Acknowledgment of the challenge in finding time to reach out to businesses and appreciation for those who take the initiative to do so.
  • Recognition of the need for timely communication and the impact of tax season on business donations.

Overall Summary

The meeting covered a wide range of topics including fundraising strategies, volunteer engagement, and upcoming events. Emphasis on transparency, community involvement, and timely action. Key takeaways include successful implementation of fundraisers, need for more volunteers, and exploration of new fundraising methods to maximize funds raised for the school. Discussions to continue in the next meeting.