Parent Organization News
The Nominations Committee of the PO has been hard at work this spring developing a slate of officers to lead the PO in the coming school year. By the time you read this, you should have received an e-mail ballot asking for your vote on the following slate of nominees:
- President: Bonnie Bokman
- President-Elect: [TBD]
- Past President: Regina Imbsweiler
- Treasurer: Howayda Fayyad
- Secretary/Communications: Laurie Martin/Amy Rotival
- 4K Rep: Romy Kapoor
- 5K Rep: Ruth Rieker
- Primary School Reps: Kim Gallagher Valeri and Carolin Binder
- Middle School Reps: Sue MacGregor and Dawn Klempf
- Upper School Reps: Veronica Scott and Jacqueline McGraw
Welcome also to the new room parents and grade level representatives!
Bonnie and I have had a great partnership and a productive year as a team with all members of the Parent Organization. We have raised the funds for our own budget under the leadership of Christina McCarthy and Diane John chairing Sally Foster. The new chairs will be Sarah Asher and Elizabeth Dobbs. Anita Leopold is already working on producing another astonishing and beautiful WorldFest. Ginger Gidden and Amy Rotival will be active with volunteers and communication while Deede (Mercedes) Murrell will join the Health, Safety and Security Committee, together with this year’s Barb Pettitt. Lucy Ke will support the CAS program and Ayesha Siraj will continue the extraordinary recycling program she launched this year. Cindy Rees and I will be heading the new Parent Programs Committee.
The Healthy Cafeteria Committee worked to present a report and make recommendations that were approved by the PO Council on May 17:
- Short Term: There are ten short-term steps that can have a big impact on our cafeteria for this and next year, including menu changes, changes to the vending machines, and healthier food preparation.
- Medium Term: We recommend that the current dining hall be improved as soon as possible; that a Primary School student garden be started as part of the curriculum; that family/international recipes are featured on a weekly basis; that the Booster Club reviews items sold at home games; and that a full-service cafeteria is included in the new PS building plans.
- Long Term (after 2006): We recommend implementing a school-wide lunch program that is part of the tuition fees. Other ideas include setting up food stations in the main cafeteria with themes (soup and sandwich; salad; hot choices etc.), and setting up a food station model in the SAC for PS students until the new PS cafeteria opens in the new PS building.
The Health, Safety and Security Committee reviewed playground accidents, leading to the decision to limit the use of the tall “monkey bars” to children from the Grade 2 and up. There are two AEDs (defibrillators) at AIS, one in the main hallway of the Secondary School, one in the SAC. Adequate signage leading to the devices will be installed, and training for faculty will be included in the planned CPR training for Secondary School faculty. The installation of keypads for all entry doors is planned for the summer, with access to the school only possible through the main door. Fencing and completion of gates around the perimeter need to be completed. The next goal is the purchase of a school wide communication system to be able to alert everyone in an instant.
The Parent Programs Committee invited a speaker for the April US meeting, Lynn Mandelbaum, who spoke on teenage behavior relating to sex, drugs, and alcohol. Parents worked on different scenarios in groups and practiced dealing with those situations. The PO also invited Dr. Roosevelt Thomas to present his suggestions to manage diversity in organizations. The presentation, called “Whose House is This?” led to a spirited discussion within a small but engaged group of parents.
After organizing the first parenting seminar on the Love & Logic method in February/March, the next class will be offered starting in September. In addition, we will offer the Parent to Parent program as a four-week course, addressing the need to increase parenting power specifically in the face of risky teen behavior. Cindy Rees will be the facilitator, and the PO is purchasing the facilitator kit and workbooks.
As leaving president I would like to thank all the parents who have contributed to this year’s success with their support for the school, their ceaseless engagement and community spirit. It has been a year for growth, gaining clarity, putting things into place and building lasting relationships. Have a great summer!