Parent Class Representatives’ and PA Committee meeting 15.09.10

2 meetings took place - one at 8.05am and the second at 7.30pm. The same agenda was followed in both, and this report amalgamates the discussions that took place at both meetings.

Cindy van Velzen thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. She also thanked the class reps in recognition of all the hard work and diligence shown over the last 12 months. Feedback and ideas from parents has been very good and it was felt that due to the good work by class reps, communication had improved greatly, making the work of the PA much more relevant for the whole school.

Providing information for parents in 3 languages is still a priority for the PA, and thanks were given to parents for their patience when occasionally translations were late.

It was understood that contacting new parents at the beginning of term was very difficult for class reps, and it was recommended that class reps should do whatever they can until the first parents’ evenings when the new class lists were made.

2009/2010 summary:
It has been an excellent year with a successful class reps and teachers’ New Year Dinner, Project week and Open Day, “Tanz in den Mai” party, Summer Fest, InterSport sponsorship and cooperation (a discount InterSport customer card is planned for ESK parents later this year) and Welcome Back party with Bike ride. The PA were especially pleased to have introduced a school subject “book prize” award ceremony on Open Day, as well as the launch of the EuroBoutique, with a range of clothes and accessories with the school logo.

Year 2010/2011
The appointment of the new deputy director for the Oberschule - Mr Periklis Pialoglou - was welcomed and the PA committee are looking forward to working closely with him on the goals that the PA have outlined in the previous 2 years (lost hours, ligne directif/bullying etc., languages/ communication/community and canteen).

The new school year starts again with the Welcome Back party (2nd October) which will start with the traditional bike ride from KA Hbf. This is an opportunity to meet the new deputy director. There was a short discussion for ideas to encourage students from Oberschule to attend the Welcome Back party - these included a fitness challenge in the sports hall and a student flea market. Other social events are also planned for later in the year.

The PA wish to make parents more aware of Interparents this year, as this is going to be an important year due to ESK PA’s direct involvement in major ES Board of Governors meetings in 2011 and 2012.

European Schools’ EuroSport competition is taking place in March 2011 in ESFrankfurt and the PA would like to give full support for the ESK teams attending. Mrs Maryvonne Cantinelli very kindly agreed to be the PA coordinator for EuroSport.

Class Reps’ reports
It was requested that this year, feedback from parents and students about the success of project week and Open Day is made possible, perhaps via the website, so that the value of the event can be qualified.

It was requested by parents that a workshop/presentation be given to parents one evening to show how the interactive teacher/parent/homework programme on the school website works. It was felt that this facility has been very much underused by parents in the past.

Maths Calculators for class 4 and class 6 in Oberschule - it was agreed that due to the high level of technology involved and the cost of the calculator, parents should take sole responsibility for purchasing the item at the best possible price.

Class reps would like to see more help and guidance given to student class reps. Also, the procedures for the organisation of the AbiBall by class 6 OS should be re-examined to ensure maximum success for the students.

General disappointment was expressed about the lack of student parties at the school. It was felt that such social occasions help encourage integration between sections and years, and promote responsible behaviour overall.

Parents’ Evenings
The PA committee asked all class reps to promote membership of the PA. Support of the PA is not just about volunteering and being involved, but also the membership fee of €15 per family goes towards the costs of activities that the PA promote for the benefit of all students at ESK.
Parents’ Evenings are an opportunity for class reps to explain the roles and responsibilities of the PA. However there is often little time during the evening to do this, and there is only time to do the new class rep voting procedure. It was requested that in Oberschule, (unfortunately, it is not possible in KiGa and GS) the classrooms be opened 30 minutes before the teachers arrive so that PA business can be done. This includes:
• distributing PA notices
• membership forms
• sorting of school photos if available
• general advice

This would only be done on the initiative of the class rep and in agreement with the parents of that class. Cindy van Velzen will confirm the possibility of opening the classrooms early with Mr Hoyem and Mr Pialoglou.

Annual General Assembly 2010
Due to a very busy and full start of term, the date for the PA Annual General Assembly has not yet been set. Full details will be sent to all parents as soon as possible.

Cindy van Velzen
President PA
 

Present: Nicole Müller-Goldschmidt, Teresa Klusek, Anja Strehle, Barbara Bellosa, Nathalie Beroard-Barth, Patricia Veer, Norma Wilcox, Jutta Schöfer, Letizia Dalle Donne, Sheila Doucet, Anne Buchel, Clarita Zappia-Riva, Fotini Morakis, Cristina Dugand, Ann Sierig, Caroline McKoen, Barbara Weiner, Tatjana Griffith, Peggy Weir, Maryvonne Cantinelli, Ana Gorey, Cindy van Velzen, Sarah Winthrop