Meeting Minutes: June 6th 2011

June 6, 2011

Uniform meeting

MacArthur Cafeteria

Committee Attendees:   Kate Munson, Eugenio Fischer, Ann Tucker, Elizabeth Jones, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Holliman, Ms. Caldera, Vincent Penoso, Ms. Merbeth, Crystal Gaines, Jeff Lane, Carolyn Ostermann-Healey, Kathleen Kuehnast, Chad Sarchio, Julie West, Karen Avery, Deanne McNulty

Out:  Sally Eastman, Pilar Latorre, Ms. Norman

(Members: Stacey Caldera, Ms. Norman, Ms. Merbeth, Chad Sarchio, Dena Battle, Dara Surratt, Deanne McNulty, Jake West, Sally Eastman, Eugenio Alberto Fischer, Pilar Latorre, Vincent Penoso, Elizabeth Jones (Chair), Carolyn Ostermann-Healey, Agandi Mulahi, Crystal Gaines, Rena Brown, Ann Tucker, Jeff Lane, Karen Avery, Kathleen Kuehnast, Christina Lytle, Kate Munson, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Holliman)

Meeting times:  For the future meetings, should we meet at 7 or 6:30?  The teachers and administrators like 6:30 because it’s a long day for them.  Perhaps we’ll switch it around each time.

Timeline:

Some of the points on the timeline that we need to be prepared for is Back to School Night and the date to send out the next survey. 

Back to School Night:  it would be a good time to present the work of the uniform committee to date.  Possibilities are to have kids model potential uniforms (or have pictures available).  Mrs. Thompson thinks anything done at Back to School night needs to be more informational.  The parents really want to get into the classrooms.  So this night would be to introduce the idea and give people an idea of what a voluntary uniform might look like.  The topic would only get 5 – 8 minutes at Back to School Night, but it’s an opportunity to get the widest exposure.  Put in people’s hands a fuller explanation of where the uniform process is. 

There was general agreement that the Back to School Night information was not sufficient to inform the parents, and therefore there should be a couple of meetings dedicated to the uniform issue.

In communicating the uniform issue, especially to incoming kindergarten families, there needs to be information given to them during k-prep and in any other ways so they are not surprised.

These and other issues will be dealt with in the communications subcommittee.

Survey timing:  When is the best time to get it out?  If we get it out at the middle of October, there is plenty of time to follow up on responses before thanksgiving.  One possible last ditch effort is reminders in the first quarter report card envelopes that are required to be signed and returned.  This is usually the middle of November.

Ideas for communication: We could look into a Robocall for a reminder to complete your MacArthur Voluntary Uniform Survey. We would need to contact the central board for information on a Robocall.  Gene would be willing to do a robocall message in Spanish.  However many phone numbers in the school’s database are wrong.  Another option for reaching out to the vast population is through emails in the directory. 

Ideas for communication for the population that may not have email addresses:   Mrs. Katzer has a Latino parents meeting in early October, this could be an opportunity to discuss uniforms and the survey.

Another opportunity for parental involvement: We will have one information session about uniforms after Back to School night open to all. We need to give dates for this session at Back to School night.  This needs to be an information session as well as an opportunity for parents to give speak at the meeting.  Prior to any sessions, we must get out a FAQ. 

Communication will come from The Committee on the Voluntary Uniform Policy.

Discussion of Elizabeth’s Process email:

Survey Subcommittee:  The final survey should be released to all families at MacArthur by mid-October.  Getting the student and teacher voice is also important but not required per the ACPS policy.  In the first committee meeting, the Brozmann Family mentioned doing some type of a professional survey. We need to contact them to see if this could be a viable option for this survey. The final survey should have the type and colors of uniform we are recommending.

The Logistics Subcommittee: This subcommittee  should really focus on the various places to purchase uniforms, the cost and work with PTA on developing a clothes closet for students in need. The logistics subcommittee will look into bulk purchasing for uniforms. We must have all of this researched and documented by the beginning of school.

We decided to discuss the colors with the whole group at this meeting tonight (mtg 6/6/11). The colors should be limited to three colors on top and two colors on the bottom so that we do not have to revisit this issue at a later date.

Colors for uniforms discussed: Dark Blue and Khaki bottoms, this includes pants , shorts, jumpers, skorts, and skirts. This will follow the current length dress code guidelines (finger length to the knee). This will include cotton-type pants (or yoga pants, cargo pants) but no jeans. Blue sweat pants or sprit wear will be acceptable for gym day.

Tops-  the tops will be plain, with no graphics.  The preferred top is a collar shirt, in red, white and blue.  Slight variations on dark blue will be acceptable.  Sweaters within the uniform color scheme are acceptable.

Other items discussed:

Foot wear should follow the same policy as our current policy..

The group will not speak to hair accessories or hats.

A Motion was made on the following:

Navy or khaki pants or shorts for boys. No jeans.

Navy or khaki skirt, skort, dress, jumper, pants (including yoga pants or cargo) for girls

Navy sweats/shorts for gym days

Dark blue, red or white collared shirt with no graphics or logos

Shoes/sneakers will follow the current policy, however the new policy will discourage light up shoes.

Any colored socks are acceptable, preferably white or to match top but we will not limit colored socks.

Vote on Motion:  Unanimous vote with Chad Sarchio abstaining.

Misc Notes:  Elizabeth will attend the PTA meeting on 6/7/11 to discuss the uniform update.  A suggestion was made to link to FAQ on the MacArthur webpage.

Vincent discussed the Google groups, to make sure everyone is clicking the bottom link once to sign in. 

Elizabeth will discuss the pros and cons of uniform at the next meeting. Many members discussed articles out there to review on this issue.

The committee could have an information booth in the front lobby during first quarter conferences for report cards. This was a suggestion by Mrs.Holliman.

After tallying the calendar, August 22 is a potential date to meet as a majority group before school starts.  The subcommittees will work during the summer via email.

Meeting adjourned 8:22pm.