Parent Support Group Minutes

Tuesday September 8th 2009

  • Enrollment
    • Charles noted that two families didn’t arrive as expected and that the Dent and Amparan family would be leaving shortly. Risa’s family will leave in a few weeks and Jo’s family will be leaving at the October break. Both Risa and Jo mentioned how much they had enjoyed knowing DAIS families and being part of the school. Everyone thanked them for everything they had done for the school and wished them well in Houston and London.
    • With the non-arrival of families and the departure of two families the school has openings in: PreK, Grades 3-4, and Grades 7-8
    • It is possible that the Fall PDC may identify new children for the school.
    • Charles was asked to send home class lists and parent contact information for DAIS families. Parents are asked to check that their information is current.
  • School Events in September: Swimming Gala & Peace Day Activities
    • Gala
      • Charles explained that the Gala would not be a traditional gala that had only races but would have a number of  activities more appropriate to our setting. Teachers had been spending time improving children’s swimming skills and next week the children will practice the games they will play on the day of the Gala.
      • Middle School are working hard to develop their Synchronized Swimming routine after initially being shocked about doing such a thing.
      • PreK-Kg water confidence appears to be good and next week they will go to the pool for the experience of being in there together and listening to instructions. Charles asked that anyone who wishes to help by either standing at the pool side or by getting in the water is very welcome to do so.
      • Charles hopes that he can find some fathers to help with one of the activities.
      • It is possible that the start time for the Gala will be later than originally intended due to the weather being cooler than expected at this time of year. A final time will be decided shortly as we look for any changes in the weather. Parents to ask friends in the community if they would object to a later time on Saturday.
    • Peace Day Activities
      • The children would be involved in a variety of activities on September 21st in recognition of International Peace Day. The school hopes to have a display of the children’s work in the lobby.
  • Dombra & Dance Classes
    • Dombra: This year we have an increased number of children wishing to learn dombra and so Ms. Nurgul, our dombra teacher, will come to school five mornings a week.  Parents who have children taking dombra classes have been informed about the days their children need to be at school for the 7:30 lessons.
    • Dance: Classes start on Thursday 10th at 3:30pm. Classes with Ms. Zhanna will be in the aerobics room with the younger children starting at 3:30pm and the older children’s class is at 4:15pm. Parents have been given the class groups.
  • Helping each other keep the children healthy in school
    • Charles explained that as we move into the cold & flu season the school will try to make sure the children are aware of appropriate behavior when they cough or sneeze and the importance of washing their hands. The school will also occasionally send home information that may be of help to parents. Following a conversation with TCO it has been confirmed that as per school policy children should remain out of school for 24 hours after their fever has ended.
    • A question was asked about the amount of “missed” work a child should be given for them to make up if they had been ill and away from school. Charles noted that parents had varying expectations about how much work their child should be asked to do and so there was no single answer. Charles would talk with teachers about this question.
  • Brown Bag Schedule
    • A schedule was passed around and completed by parents. It was decided not to use the blue baskets to collect lunch boxes each Friday but to allow the children to take back their lunch boxes to their lockers/pegs before going to the library or to the gym. It was hoped that fewer lunch boxes would then be left at school.
  • Update of parent contact information
    • The current parent contact list was passed round and modified appropriately. Parents to be asked via the Gazetta for other contact updates.
  • AOB  
    • Saturday Sports
      • Mr. Ruffcorn is putting together the new Saturday Sports parent supervision schedule and requested parents contact him if they wished to take part. Saturday Sports to begin on September 12th.
    • Fall Festival / Halloween
      • Charles was asked to remind everyone about the Fall Festival / Halloween activity via the Gazetta. At the moment parent volunteers are needed to lead the organization of the event. Debra Laidlaw and Nancy Sizer led the activity last year. Debra won’t be in town this year but can advise, Charles to check with Nancy if she could advise or be part of the organizing group again.
    • DAIS-QSI Shared Activities
      • Charles confirmed that we will continue to have shared activities with QSI. Teachers are currently in touch with QSI with a view to holding a Middle School event in October.