MINUTES

DECEMBER 16, 2009

Attendees:

Beth G Katey
Lisa De S Amy L
Casey Pam P
Sarah Lisa J
MINUTES

Corinna John C
Courtney Onno
Alison Eva J
Abbe
Patrice
Lisa L A
Kathleen
Randi
Melanie N
Scott
Debra W
Stefania

ITEM REMARKS COMMENTS

Principal’s • Department of Education Quality Review; this took

Report place in the school on Monday December 14th and
Tuesday December 15th . The reviewer from the Board of
Education was unfamiliar with the idea of progressive
education, instead focusing on test scores, quantitative
data and the usual DoE methods of assessments, so the
first day was difficult. However, Tuesday started with a
meeting with several parents and there were
conversations with teachers and students, and classroom
observations, and Alison was able to explain what The
Earth School is all about, and ultimately, the reviewer
was very impressed. The school was awarded the highest
level possible; “ Well Developed”; there are 3 possible
grades, “ Under Developed” , “ Proficient” and “Well
Developed” . Thanks to all involved and their efforts in
this process.

MINUTES
DECEMBER 16, 2009
Political • Pre-K to Kindergarten Articulation.
Advocacy • Beth and Corinna reported that the DOE announced at a
CEC-District 1 meeting last week there will be a seamless
transition for all students to pass from Pre-K to
Kindergarten. Last year several Pre-K students were not
granted admission to Kindergarten because Kindergarten is
considered the official point of entry into the NYC public
school system. Several Earth School parents attended
meetings to protest this policy and as a result of much
effort on the part of the CEC (including Corinna and Lisa
Donlan) this policy has been changed. There is a list of
priorities regarding re-admission to Kindergarten on the
DoE website (NYC department of education.gov). This
heralds a huge victory for parents, educators and elected
officials.
• Additionally, in response to our commitment to diversity in
our schools, the DoE is planning to hold district-wide
school fairs for the parents in the community to learn
about the different school options for their children. There
will be a campaign to distribute leaflets to advertise the
fairs with the hope that the greater the outreach, the
greater the chance for diversity. Individual schools will be
asked to have their own communities help distribute leaflets
and post flyers. Beth will advise more details as she gets
them.
Sarah announced that the PA’s fund raising efforts are on track
Treasurer’s for the year; our full year budget goal is $114,000 and so far
Report we have raised $52,000. For an up-to-date detailed budget
report, please go to the PA room (room 104) where it is posted
on the bulletin board behind the PA computer

Hot Topic • Bent on Learning

• Courtney Mc Dowell, an Earth School parent, is involved
in the Bent on Learning yoga in school program in which
our students participate. It started in Spring 2009 for
grades 1-3 and Special Needs. It is a weekly program that
takes place in the classrooms, and introduces the students
to the practice of yoga, with a focus on breathing and its
connection to emotions. The students receive their own
yoga mats, free of charge, to take home. Bent on Learning
is a non-profit organization that is limited only by funding
and space so will be having fund raisers in the coming
months to help expand the program to 4/5th grades.
Courtney showed a short movie that was filmed at the
Earth School showing a 1/2 class taking a yoga class.
For more information, or to make a tax-deductible
donation, contact Courtney at

MINUTES
DECEMBER 16, 2009
Courtney@bentonlearning.org.

Lobby • Patrice has been discussing, since last year, the idea of
Mural renovating the school lobby mural, and Selime Okuyan, a
1st grade parent who is a gifted portrait artist, has kindly
volunteered her time and talents to paint a new mural. The
total cost of materials is estimated to be $1,000, $200 of
which will be taken from Patrice’s PA class allotment, so a
vote was made to use PA funds to pay the remaining $800
and was unanimously approved.
Garden to
School Cafe • A collaboration between the NYC DoE, The Sate Dept of
Ed, NYC Parks Dept and the school’s Green Committee
and Nutrition Committee has resulted in approval for the
school to use produce from the school garden, (located
alongside the exterior of Abbe’s room and the cafeteria),
for students’ consumption in the school cafeteria. Each
month a different dish will be featured or an item of
produce will be used; for example, in January, salad
dressings will be made using herbs from the garden.
Next • Wednesday, January 13th 2010 at 8:30am; location to be
Meeting announced