Oxford Montessori Schools

Parents’ Meeting 14 March

Minutes: Kathy Shaw

• PLEASE SEE MARCH / APRIL EMAIL NEWSLETTER FOR SCHOOL RESPONSES TO MOST POINTS.
  

1. World Café

   • The school has requested that some funds from the World Café be put toward the climbing frame in the barn and to purchase some scooters. These requests came out of the children’s democracy meetings. All present at the meeting approved. Current total of WC fund is approximately £400. There was a request last term for carpet for the primary. This was donated by a parent.

   • Rota – next WC will be on 28 March. Kathy and Clare will operate this one. Request to have rota distributed again. Lisa mentioned that she would like to do something after school every other week, commencing after the Easter break.

2. Update on the elementary School – ‘mantle of the expert’: No Update.

   • Senior School Presentation on 15 March to present plans for the senior school starting in September.

   • Parents at the meeting would like some more info on the plans for the senior school.

3. AOB:

   • MUSIC in children’s house: Parents requested that music classes were reinstated in the children’s house, with many present commenting they would be willing to pay for them.

   • FEEDBACK: Parents stated they would like some feedback on music lessons and from other peripatetic teachers similar to parent teacher meetings. All were looking for something more formal than a ‘drop in and chat’ sort of thing.

   • BARN: All were interested in knowing when the barn would be back in action. Also interested in knowing if there has been any interest by other schools/organizations using the facility.

   • ART WEEK: In response the request for volunteers, parents wanted to know when it is. What sort of volunteers are needed and for how long.

   • MUSIC CONCERT: 28 June. Parents would like more information.

   • Parent/Teacher Meeting feedback: All thought useful and valuable, but would like to be able to schedule longer timeslots with the teachers.

   • COMPUTERS: no further updates, but Kathy Shaw still to enquire.

   • COWLEY Road Carnival:

Parents expressed interest in having the school participate in the carnival. Lisa is to gather more info such as dates, will there be a parade, is there a theme – and get back to the group. Lisa to discuss with Da/Judy and Joanna. Kathy will talk to Rita. Kiron will speak with Jenny/Lora. Clare to Emma and Victoria. The hope is that if there is interest in participating, it could become a project, of sorts, in the classroom. Questions were asked on whether the school or parents, through fundraising, would fund it (entry fee, if one and any materials that may be needed).

• More Fundraising/social events: There was a request to see more fundraising / social events start up again. Is there anything planned for this summer – barn dance, bbq, camping? Perhaps something tied to music concert? Next steps?

• COLD Classrooms: the temperature in Rita’s classroom is very cold. Can the heater please be fixed. A parent would be willing to get an electrical engineer in to check in out, as well as checking out the lights for the carpark.

• Playgrounds:

• Parents are interested in knowing how often the nursery uses the big playground.

• Concern expressed over the state of the little playground/courtyard. Very ‘splintery’.

4. Next parents’ meetings: 9 May and 4 July.

5. Updates provided from Judy and Dan:

• Thanks to all for support for the parent group and world cafe

• A reminder about Sat 15th's Senior school presentation for anyone interested

  • It will be a low key thing, but interesting we hope

  • Clare has offered to be one of the parent willing to give tours of the school, if others are willing that would be great, just in case we are busy. We have no real idea how many are coming!

  • Lots of information on the web pages about the new department

    • http://montessori.squarespace.com/senior-school-presentation/

• Action this month, last month, next month! ...

  • Organic gardens are ready for planting, well ahead on last year thanks to lots of help. Clare dug the globe artichoke bed!

  • The green house is ready too and being planted out now

  • Music lessons:

    • My notes regarding these sessions are available for all to see at...

      • Sorry about the horrible long web address! The notes are just that, a basic structure for work we have done this term

      • Parents are welcome to come and see me if they would like individual feed back about the session. I can say the children have been a real delight to teach and I think the cross curricular communication between Emma, Victoria, Nick and Tim this term has really given music a boost.

      • The children are working very hard on a collection of contemporary songs to play at a small concert we plan in the summer, hopefully involving some current Oxford Bands too!

  • The Barn: Please let everyone know why the barn is currently our of action

    • Work has started on a new climbing wall

    • The tennis net is up.

    • Mesh is being erected to keep the balls in place.

    • New screens have been put up to cut down the wind flow

    • General tidy and planting

    • Staff are meeting on Monday to discuss use of the barn.

    • We would really appreciate parents encouraging their children to leave it tidy of bikes / balls etc. Its become something of a major job tidying up after everybody.

  • The new art space / senior classroom

    • We have started to clear this area, the only part of forest farm undeveloped. We HOPE to have the basic work done for the May's art in action where local artists, the children and Edward Ardizzone's work will be show cased.

    • The Music Concert and Art weeks have a special theme - all art is intrinsically valuable. Artists or musicians may come and work or play for us as long as they give the children's contributions equal prominence.

• Any feed back from the parent teacher meetings would be valued.

• We had some kind offers of computers at the last meeting. Any more news?

Minutes of the parents meeting 28.10.2007

Time of the meeting: 9.10 – 10.20am

Attendance: 9 plus Judith Walker and Daniel Aridzonne (part)

Chair: Mary Miller

Items discussed:

1. School bus. If put in place the bus service would operate from a pick-up/drop off point in Oxford. It would be available to children in the elementary. (If children less than five years old travel on the bus they would need a supervisor in addition to the driver.) At present, three families are interested in considering this proposal. Dan will develop the proposal and put it forward for consideration. It is anticipated that the cost will be in the order of £140 per month. That cost may decrease if other families are interested.

ACTION: Daniel Aridzonne to develop the proposal and bring back to parents

2. Breakfast club. There was much discussion of the time at which children could be dropped off at the start of the day. Elementary starts at 8.50am while nursery starts at 9.00am with a facility to drop children from 8.30am. Children dropped to elementary before 8.50am are essentially unsupervised. A register where children are signed in might document childrens arrival at school. A further suggestion from Dan and Judy was to fence in the area in front of the school office so children could be asked not to leave this designated area. It was brought to the school’s attention that even local state schools offer a supervised playground session before school.

Four families from elementary are interested in a breakfast club. Only two families are able to commit to a rota for parents to supervise the children, which makes it impossible to cover each day.

Parents who need to drop children before 8.50am and who are unhappy to leave their children unsupervised before school may make a formal arrangement with Rita Skitt for their child to be looked after in the nursery.

ACTION: Families in elementary to make an individual arrangement with Rita Skitt as necessary

3. Website. The website is out of date due to problems with access to the server. A new website is in development and will shortly be available for use.

ACTION: Daniel Ardizonne to email the new website address to Mary Miller who will circulate to parents on the email list and put it up on parents section of notice board.

4. Language policy in elementary. Judy and Dan explained that their philosophy is to introduce the children to a variety of languages (French, Mandarin and Spanish) aiming to stimulate interest in language rather than develop skills and proficiency in one language. Parents present fed back a summary of the meeting in elementary where many parents were worried about changing language rather than continuing with one. Dan and Judy commented that they are continually reviewing the situation and will evaluate at the end of term seeking the children’s view, teacher’s view and that of the parents.

5. Help from parents. Dan and Judy are seeking help in arranging the annual bonfire night at Forest Farm. Louise Colling in the school office has a list of jobs which parents may be able to help with. The date is to be confirmed, possibly 5^th November.

Parents volunteered to help with the open day for both the children’s house and elementary. This will take place in November on a Saturday. The date is to be confirmed. The options discussed were the idea of a parent’s booth, children acting as tour guides and demonstrating Montessori teaching materials. It may be possible to organise a world café on the day. The leadership team is working on the project. The European school is taking its last pupils. It was mentioned that this represents an opportunity for Forest Farm as parents from the continent may be interested in this model rather than mainstream education.

ACTION: Any parents available to help with the bonfire to approach Louise Colling

6. Further update from Judy and Dan. Leadership team is meeting every fortnight. Dan let everyone know that Louise Longson is on sick leave and is unlikely to return. The computer system is being changed so apologies from Dan in advance as communication may not run as smoothly as is usual.

Thanks was expressed for the pruning of the hedgerows to the side of the drive.

7. Bank account This has proved difficult to open as 3 signatories are required to attend the bank together to open the account in addition to a minimum deposit of £2000. It was therefore decided to spend the money each term to avoid a large build up of funds.

8. World café. Currently there is £353 in the fund. It was discussed that at each parents meeting information about money raised and spent be available for the parents. Allen agreed to provide this in his role as treasurer.

The volunteers to run world café for the next year are Clare Miller, Dorothee Franzen, Kathleen Shaw and Mary Miller. The schedule of a cafe twice a month on Fridays mornings will continue. Mary Miller will devise a rota.

9. Parent representatives. Clare Miller to continue as representative for elementary. Keiron Bradley will act as representative for the younger classes in children’s house and Anandi Hathangadi will act as representative for the upper class in the children’s house. Mary Miller and Kathleen Shaw will undertake secretarial duties on alternate meetings.

10. Eco park. This was discussed at the last meeting. This is on hold at present. Allen Shaw will speak to the children about energy conservation with a speaker from solar solutions.

11. Date of next meeting. 30.11.2007

Mary Miller

29.09.2007

 

Welcome Letter from Mary Miller (Parent Group Secretary 2006/2007)

Dear parent,

Welcome to Forest Farm. We hope that both you and your child enjoy the many benefits of this Montessori nursery and school.

The parents group is open to all. The group aims to support the school, foster a community spirit and provide a rich environment within which our children’s education can take place. Each area of Forest Farm has a representative (that is elected for the coming school year). Minutes from previous meetings may be seen on the website www.oxfordmontessori.co.uk, look for the link 'minutes and agenda' under 'Parent Democracy'.

Parents contribute by running and supporting World Café, see poster on parent’s area of the notice board...

• Getting involved with classroom activities such as reading to the children
• Helping with school events. Bonfire Night / Summer Party (Barn Dance) etc.
• We also have links with the management team at the school, the body that takes key decisions regarding the shape of things to come
  

Would you like to join the group? If so please send us an email to MIllermcarthy@aol.com

Next parents meeting: Friday, 28th September 2007. 9 – 10.15 am in the art room. If you have any queries or need any help from the parents group please feel free to contact me in the first instance, (Mary Miller, secretary to the group 2006/7, email address is Millermccarthy@aol.com

Yours sincerely,



Mary Miller

Time of the meeting: 9.10 – 10.20am
Attendance: 9 plus Judith Walker and Daniel Aridzonne
Chair: Mary Miller


Items discussed:
1. School bus. If put in place the bus service would operate from a drop off point in Oxford. It would be available to children in the elementary. (If children less than five travel on the bus they would need a supervisor in addition to the driver.) At present, three families are interested in considering this proposal. Dan will develop the proposal and put it forward for consideration. It is anticipated that the cost will be £140 per month. That cost may decrease if other families are interested.

ACTION: Daniel Aridzonne to develop the proposal and bring back to parents

2. Breakfast club. There was much discussion of this point. Elementary starts at 8.50am while nursery starts at 9.00 with a facility to drop children from 8.30am. Children dropped to elementary before 8.50am are essentially unsupervised. A register where children are signed in might document childrens arrival at school. A further suggestion from Dan and Judy was to fence in the area in front of the school office so children could be asked not to leave this designated area. It was brought to the school’s attention that even local state schools offer a supervised playground session before school.

Only four families from elementary are interested in a breakfast club. Only two families are able to commit to a rota for parents to supervise the children, which makes it impossible to cover each day.

Parents who need to drop children before 8.50am and who are unhappy to leave their children unsupervised before school may make a formal arrangement with Rita Skitt for their child to be looked after in the nursery.

ACTION: Individual families in elementary to be aware and to make provision as necessary

3. Website. The website is out of date due to problems with access to the server. A new website is in development and will shortly be available for use.

ACTION: Daniel Ardizonne to email address to Mary Miller who will circulate to parents on the email list and put up on parents section of notice board.

4. Language policy in elementary. Judy and Dan explained that their philosophy is to introduce the children to a variety of languages (French, mandarin and Spanish) aiming to stimulate interest in language rather than develop skills and proficiency in one language. Parents present fed back a summary of the meeting in elementary where many parents were worried about changing language rather than continuing with one. Dan and Judy commented that they are continually reviewing the situation and will evaluate at the end of term seeking the children’s view, teacher’s view and that of the parents.

5. Help from parents. Dan and Judy are seeking help in arranging the annual bonfire night at Forest Farm. Louise Colling in the school office has a list of jobs which parents may be able to help with. The date is to be confirmed, possibly 5th November.

Parents volunteered to help with the open day for both the children’s house and elementary. This will take place in November on a Saturday. The date is to be confirmed. The options discussed were the idea of a parent’s booth, children acting as tour guides and demonstrating Montessori teaching materials. It may be possible to organise a world café on the day. The leadership team is working on the project. The European school is taking its last pupils. It was mentioned that this represents an opportunity for Forest Farm as parents from the continent may be interested in this model rather than mainstream education.

ACTION: Any parents available to help with the bonfire to approach Louise Colling

6. Further update from Judy and Dan. Leadership team is meeting every fortnight. Dan let everyone know that Louise Longson is on sick leave and is not expected to return to Forest Farm. The computer system is being changed so apologies from Dan in advance as communication may not run as smoothly as is usual.

Thanks was expressed for the pruning of the hedgerows to the side of the drive.

7. Bank account This has proved difficult to open as 3 signatories are required to attend the bank together to open the account in addition to a minimum sum of £2000 to deposit. It was therefore decided to spend the money each term to avoid a large build up of funds.

8. World café. Currently there is £353 in the fund. It was discussed that at each parents meeting information about money raised and spent be available for the parents. Allen agreed to provide this in his role as treasurer.

The volunteers to run world café for the next year are Clare Miller, Dorothee Franzen, Kathleen Shaw and Mary Miller. The schedule of a cafe twice a month on Fridays mornings will continue. Mary Miller will devise a rota.

9. Parent representatives. Clare Miller was taken up on her offer to continue as representative for elementary. Keiron Bradley will act as representative for the younger classes in children’s house and Anandi Hathangadi will act as representative for the upper class in the children’s house. Mary Miller and Kathleen Shaw will undertake secretarial duties on alternate meetings.

10. Eco park. This was discussed at the last meeting. This is on hold at present. Allen Shaw will speak to the children about energy conservation with a speaker from solar solutions.

11. Date of next meeting. 30.11.2007


Mary Miller
29.09.2007

Hi,

I wanted to remind you that there is a parents meeting on Friday 28th September from 9 - 10.15 in the art room.
Have you any contributions / suggestions for the agenda?

Would you like to be a class representative or secretary for the group?

Matt Forster has moved on, Noel McCarthy and Lisa Lane wish to step down. Clare Miller has been a representative for the elementary school and is happy to continue or step down depending on interest from other parents. There is no official position as secretary but I am happy to step down or continue as decided at the parents meeting. The parents group needs two representatives from the children's house, one / two from elementary and possibly a secretary. Would you be interested?

Items for the agenda that I am aware of are;

• Representatives +/- secretary
• Breakfast club
• Lunchtime supervisor
• Matters arising from minutes - 29.06.2007 (on OMS website and blog)
• Any others?
• Feedback from Judy and Dan at 10am

I am happy to co-ordinate the agenda. Posters re meeting will go up on Monday


Best wishes,


Mary Miller