Apple Newsletter

Lisa Regehr

APPLE NEWS

Franklin Elementary

NOVEMBER 27, 2002

“HAPPY THANKSGIVING”

What’s New or Happening....

 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OPENING 

We will be voting for a new executive committee member at the December 3^rd Apple Action Meeting.  The new member would take over starting in January 2003.  If you are interested in being on this committee or know of someone you can contact any one of the executive members before the next meeting.

HOURS UPDATE

Sometime during the last week of school in December you will be receiving a letter from your Classroom Coordinators showing the number of hours and meetings you have accumulated through November 30^th.   Please review carefully and contact our hours coordinator Evelyn Hamann for any discrepancies.

APPLE WEBSITE

Check out our new and improved Apple Website!  Thanks to Jim Wilkey our website is very user friendly.  You can check out the latest newsletters, see what’s for lunch, check out homework assignments and much, much more!  So visit our site when you have a chance.

COMING THIS JANUARY!

The MCT (Missoula Children's Theatre) will be here for the week of January 6 – January 11, 2003.  We are in need of underwriters to help us defray our costs, families to provide housing for MCT tour directors, an accompanist, videographer and miscellaneous volunteers to put together the program, sell tickets.  Look for audition information to come home the first week of January.  You can check out their website at:  www.mctinc.org/tour/school.  Our show title is: Treasure Island and our access code is: TISCH25.

IMPORTANT DATES

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

 NOVEMBER 2002

(no APPLE Action Meeting this month)

November 2 – Whitworth Writing Rally

November 5 - VOTE

November 11 - Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL

November 13 - PTG Meeting 6pm / Site Council 7pm

November 21-27  - Conference week - Early dismissal 1pm

November 28 - 29 - Happy Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL

DECEMBER 2002

December 2 - HUB - Family Night Ice Skating Riverfront park 6:30-8:30pm

December 3 -  APPLE ACTION MEETING 7pm

December 11 – PTG Meeting 6pm / Site Council 7pm

December 19 – 9:30am -12noon - Ice Skating at Riverfront park 

December 20 – Last day of School for 2002!

December 23 – January 1, 03  - NO SCHOOL

JANUARY 2003

January 1, 2003 Happy New Year!

January 2 - Back to School

January 6 - Missoula Children’s Theatre Auditions

January 7-10 - Missoula Children’s Theatre Rehearsal

January 11 - Missoula Children’s Theatre Performance

January 14- Feb  4 - Every Tuesday & Thursday  Love & Logic Parenting Class

January 15 - PTG Meeting 6pm / Site Council 7pm

January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday NO SCHOOL

January 21 - APPLE ACTION MEETING 7pm

January 31 - Assembly “Jack & the Beanstalk”

APPLE ACTION MEETINGS

FOR 2002-2003 SCHOOL YEAR!

Mark your calendars now for the school year so as not to miss any meetings!  Remember you are REQUIRED to attend 4 out of 7 APPLE ACTION MEETINGS.  These meetings are the ones from 7:30pm -9pm.  The classroom meetings are held first from 7pm -7:30pm with either your classroom teacher or the classroom coordinator.  It is in your best interest to attend ALL meetings so that you can keep abreast of events happening in the APPLE Program! 

All meetings are held on Tuesday Evenings, the dates are:

     December 3, 2002(election night) 

January 21, 2003   February 25, 2003   April 15, 2003  

 May 20, 2003(election night)

Election nights are when we vote for new executive members.  There are no meetings in November or March.  However, the APPLE Auction will be held on March 8, 2003. All families are needed to work this event. 

Childcare is available in the hallway by the gym during these meetings.  Tables will be set up for QUIET  activities.  Good examples are books, coloring, puzzles, board games, homework, etc.  If you are interested in volunteering you will earn DOUBLE APPLE hours!!!  You can contact James Choate-Deeds for more information.

HOURS! HOURS! HOURS!

A friendly reminder to all that all APPLE hours are due in on the 8^th day of each month.  The rule of thumb is 10 hours per month September - June to get all 90 hours! That’s 2.5 hours each week. 

The classroom meeting with your classroom coordinator is from 7pm - 7:30pm and the large APPLE Action Meeting is from 7:30pm -9pm in the Gym.

 Classroom Coordinators

First / Second Grade Coordinator:  Dale Johnson

Third / Fourth Grade Coordinator:  Nancy Janzen

Fifth / Sixth Grade Coordinator:  Jill Poland 

Executive Committee

Greg Jones      Mark Iverson       Jema Delistraty 

Unsure, need questions answered??? 

They are here to help you make your school year a successful one! 

 Final Budget

ICE SKATING CELEBRATION

This year the annual all APPLE Ice Skating Celebration will be from 10am - 12noon on Thursday, December 19, 2002.  We will be departing Franklin at 9:30am and return from River Front Park at 12:30pm . All Students will be riding the school bus both ways.  Since we will arrive back at school after lunch all students will need to bring a sack lunch to school that day.  We will eat lunch in the classrooms upon our return. We will need parent volunteers to chaperone as well as provide snacks, APPLE provides the hot cocoa .  Please let your Classroom coordinators know if you can bring a snack and if you are available to chaperone.  There are seats available for the chaperones to ride the bus.  IMPORTANT: If you provide a snack with peanuts please label clearly.

AUCTION NEWS

Things are falling into place for the auction which is March 8, 2003 at the German American Hall. During our last meeting we came up with a system which we believe will streamline the check-in process and help us avoid the confusion at the door which we experienced last year.

We are also working to get projects for the classroom auction items planned and materials in place before we leave for winter break. Darla Eaton from program planning is working with the teachers to try to incorporate some of the work on the projects with curriculum. This should be exciting.

It's a good time to think about what sorts of goods or services you might have access to as auction donation items. Home baked treats, handcrafted items, and personal services are all wonderful donations that don't involve having business contacts.

We can still use your time and talent making this event a success so if you'd like to sign on please call Dawnelle Shaw. Our next meeting will be December 14, 9:00 at Dawnelle's. We'll find a place for you.

Remember that the auction is an adult function (must be 21 to attend) so please include child care in your plans."

GOODBYE TO THE AKANBI FAMILY

For those who are not aware the Akanbi family has left the program.  Jide took a new job in Minneapolis.  We are very sad to see Arielle and Jake leave the program as well as DeeAnn and Jide.  We wish them success in their new venture.

WELCOME NEW STUDENTS!

The two openings left by the Akanbi family have been filled.  Please welcome into our APPLE Family the following two new students:

Darin and Gladys’s daughter Marissa Evans to the third grade, her brother Donald is  in the first grade and  Tyrus LaRocca to the first grade.  We look forward to meeting our new students and the parents of Tyrus.

THE FRIENDS OF SIRONKA

The Massai tribes people performed for Franklin Elementary School on October 30.   The whole school as well as several parents were present.  Several students as well as parents got to try there skills at their traditional dancing!  It was a wonderful performance.  Students also got to participate in braiding, beading and painting on bark. Thank you to Darla Eaton for her hard work in making this opportunity happen!

Also, thank you to all the parent volunteers during our week on Africa.  It was successful because of you!

APPLE Action Meeting Agenda

For December 3, 2002

Opening (Greg Jones)                                                            1 min.

Elections (Greg Jones)                                                            10 min.

·        selection of Executive Committee Officer

Business (Greg Jones)

Auction (Dawnelle Shaw)                                                 5 min.

Program Planning (Darla Eaton)                                     5 min.

Celebrations (Lisa Regehr)                                              5 min.

·        Ice Skating, December 19^th

Other Issues (Greg Jones)                                                5 min.

·        Bussing situation

District Policy in regards to APPLE (Mark Iverson)            45 min.

·        Hours

·        Program Diversity

·        Update on Expansion

·        Recruitment

·        Open Discussion

·        Meeting in January with Nancy

APPLE MEETING MINUTES

October 22, 2002

Jema Delistraty, Executive Committee called the meeting to order at 7:45pm.  A correction to the September meeting minutes that there were two attending Executive Committee members (Jema Delistraty and Mark Iverson) with Greg Jones absent, was made.

Robert Van Halderen, Treasurer distributed the current year’s budget for approval.  There were two requested changes from the last budget.  An additional $100 was allotted to the Foreign Language Committee and $700 was added to Program Planning to contribute to the PTG’s sponsoring of the Missoula Children’s Theater.  Apple has committed $1000 to the event.  There is concern that the budget will fall a couple of hundred dollars short this year and Dawnelle Shaw was asked if the Auction Committee could work at shaving expenses and produce more revenue.  Dawnelle stated that this should not be counted on since the economy is in a recession and we may find it hard to meet last year’s success.

A lively discussion took place regarding the funding and the choice of paying the PTG through the Program Planning budget line.  Becky Davis, PTG/Apple explained the history of the decision and how the PTG is funding the all-school event which is planned for January 6-11^th.  Currently the project cost is $2400 for the basic program, $1000 covers the cost of including all children in the production and $400 to rent performance space at Ferris.  The worst-case total cost could be as high as $3700.  PTG is considering all options that will finance the event most cost effectively.  There is no projected profit but there may be some revenue generated through ticket sales and videos.  Lisa Regehr stated that Duane will be donating the production of a professional quality video to be sold following the performance.  Some proceeds from that could possibly be put back into the Apple budget.  Becky stated that there may be some money that could be directed back to Apple but there are too many variables to make that promise yet.

Darla Eaton, Program Planning voiced opposition to the use of their budget for the donation to PTG.  In the past, program planning did not generally use the allotted funds due to lack of leadership.  This year there is a strong committee who are making plans for full use of their $900 budget.  It is also confusing to pay out any amount to an event that is not directly related to program planning’s themes for the year.  In the future program planning would be willing to contribute to an all-school event that is planned to correspond the themes for that school year.

Robert proposed that he could move the $700 from the Program Planning budget line and add it to the $300 existing in the PTG donation line, which would satisfy the total $1000 donation that is to be given to PTG.

Dawnelle moved that we commit $1000 to PTG for the expense of bringing the Missoula Children’s Theater to Franklin.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

A motion to approve this year’s budget of $9280 was made and seconded.  It was unanimously approved by a show of hands.

Darla gave a report on the upcoming Africa Week theme scheduled for October 28^th through November 1^st.  Nine men and one woman of the Massai tribe from Kenya, Africa will be performing songs, dances and stories for the entire school on Thursday October 31^st from 10am to 2pm.  Everyone is encouraged and invited to attend.  In addition, there will be activities related to Africa throughout the week in the Apple classrooms.  Parent support is greatly needed.

A short break was taken to allow for attendees to signup for the Africa Week event and PTG.

Jema reconvened the meeting and announced that all committee chairs need to mentor their replacement if they are in the final year of chairing.

A recorder of meeting minutes for Apple Action is needed for next year.  This is Terry Watanabe’s final year with Apple and now would be a great time for someone to begin training.   Christine Kovacevich is recording the minutes for this meeting in Terry’s absence.

Greg Jones took the floor to announce the leaving of the Akanbi family.  Jide has accepted a job offer in Minneapolis.  Jide, DeeAnn, Arielle and Jake have made tremendous contributions to the Apple Program and will be greatly missed. We wish them well.  Unfortunately, they were not in attendance at the meeting, but a round of applause was given in their honor.

Mark Iverson gave a report on the District Apple Committee.  Currently the three Apple sites operate very differently from one another.  The sites need to get together and agree on how to become alike and consistent.  The Red Book needs to be revised to reflect these ideas and reduce liability.  There is a one hour meeting tomorrow (10/23) at 3:30pm.  On the agenda is the 90-hour volunteer requirement of Apple families.  There have been claims that this discriminates against lower income families because they have less time available than more affluent families.  The second item is expansion/reduction of Apple.  While Logan is not experiencing success with Apple and may need to close, Franklin is proposing to add three more classrooms and build on our success.  The group meeting consists of Nancy Stole, two parents from each site and one teacher.  We can make recommendations to this committee and it’s important to convince the District of our ability to expand.

Jema talked about the issue of busing as it relates to fieldtrips.  The District is looking at a possible variance for Apple/Montessori to help ease the problem of transportation for fieldtrips.  Anyone willing to help come up with a proposal is encourage to contact Jema.  Currently city buses are being used and the cost of fieldtrips is extremely high.

Dawnelle and Matt Miller gave an Auction Committee update.  It’s time to begin considering donations.  Big-ticket items are sorely needed for the loud auction.  Right now is the time to approach businesses for their donations of cash or merchandise since many are currently in the process of setting next year’s budget.  A pre-printed letter for businesses is available through Dawnelle.  A reminder that small items, such at mugs, books, gadgets, that could be included in gift baskets should be set aside and saved for the auction.

Lori Humphrey gave a Spring Event update.  She is working with Darla to incorporate the last Program Planning theme into the Spring Event.  The theme will be related to the Native American theme with emphasis on local tribes.  Many ideas are being explored, including spending the night in a teepee.  Volunteers are needed.

The next Apple Action meeting will take place December 3^rd.  At that time, an election will be held to replace Jema Delistraty’s position on the Executive Committee.  Nominations may be made through any Executive Committee member.  Nancy Janzen has nominated Christa Arguinchona.

We are also in need of an Apple PTG representative.  This person would function as the liaison between PTG and Apple, voice support for Apple and would receive Apple hours for their PTG involvement.

Merrie Dehmer talked further about Franklin Apple expansion.  Nancy Stole is due to visit Franklin to check out the spaces designated for expansion.  A survey will be done to find out where kids attending Franklin Apple would be, if not here.  The hope is to have all issues cleared up by the end of January, gain approval, start orientation in February and then begin enrollments.  It’s looking fairly positive that this could happen.

Jema Delistraty adjourned the meeting at 8:45pm

APPLE MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 17, 2002

The September Minutes were received to late for the October Newsletter. Here they are.

            President, Mark Iverson introduction and two other executive committee people not in attendance; out of town.

            Meeting will be kept to 1 hour and stick to agenda listed.  Welcome and introductions of new family to apple program.

            (1)  Family must attend 4 meetings per school year.

            (2)  Voting process takes place at the meetings.

            One half class room cord introduction.  New parents.

            Attention:  New location for core room behind space Mrs. Calkin’s old room.  Apple information little red school house.

            New principle introduction;  Mary Sean.

            Beth Calkins and other teachers stated it is wonderful to work with your children and you parents.

            Use of Apple Child Care Rules:

Parents will sign child in and out to ensure the child is safe and to help keep track of children using the service during the class room and meeting and group meetings. 

Double hours for child care.

Also parents that provide child care are to sign up that they attended the meeting. 

More information about rules and child behavior during apple meetings.

            Sign up for committees; auction date is March 8 – Big fund raiser all parents needed for volunteers.

Celebration – email website. 

Newsletter Lisa Regehr.

4 celebrations per year.  Next one a pot luck.

            Expansion – Merrie Dehmer.  Next school r 1^st grade teacher; then additional teaches the next two years.

            Enrollment – January, open house

            Orientation:  Duane Sunwold – Work in summer months; May, June,  August; then one more meeting.

Spring event. – All apple kids tied into program for the last year get to go to Silverwood.

            Hours:  Volunteer program you must sign in.

            See Treasures hand out for Budget.

            Evelyn Hamann – Apple hours contracts must be signed.  90 hours per school year due the 8^th of each month.

            Lyla Rapelje – Hub specialist spoke about program needs.  Volunteers – Program for 5^th-6^th grades.  Can use hub hours for apple hours., 

            Grants were written for 5^th-6^th grades.

PTG president James Choate:  Deeds Library funds given from PTG.  PTG Fund raisers bought the climbing wall in the gym.

            Please come join PTG cost 5 dollars and PTG hours are counted for Apple.      

            PTG wants to replace playground equipment but is only ½ way on it’s goal.

            Sign up for PTG.

Debbie Lemley           

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Spokane Public Schools

Spokane School District No. 81 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities.  The people listed below have been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, compliance efforts, and discrimination complaints or concerns.  They can be reached at the school district office, 200 N. Bernard Street,  Spokane  WA  99201-0282.

Ivan Bush, Equal Opportunity Officer, (509) 354-7344

Dave Petty, 504 Officer, (509) 354-7207

Randy Ryan, Title IX Officer, (509) 354-7348