September 21, 2011

Participants:

Sue Sheehy, Marta Nissen, Celeste Karski, Sonia Dahl, Scott Soucy, Jeni Courounis Leonard, Cindy Clarke, Mrs. Mitchele, Kim Coumas, Kristin Mendoza, Beth DeRego, Michelle Motta Deleone, Michelle O’Malley, Lisa Anderson, Tammy Graser, Alison Nardone, Ellen Valade, Dave Valade, Kelly Courounis, Francine Richardson, and Meghan McCarthy

The meeting began at 7pm.  Introductions were made, and then Sue Sheehy covered the group’s mission and the activities that the Parent Group organizes.  Celeste provided a list of members for review and update.  The list will be available at the next meeting for distribution.

Various positions are available on the group – please consider becoming a coordinator of one of the events and taking the lead.  It is very helpful to spread the tasks among members.

Mission: The St. Christopher Parent Group works to provide a variety of fun and educational enrichment programs for St. Christopher students, as well as a number of community building and fundraising events for families.

The activities encompass the following areas: enrichment, community events, teacher appreciation and fundraisers.  At each event a photographer is requested.  The pictures are used to create the bulletin board as you enter the school.  Sonia Dahl and Dana Keegan update the board.

Publicity:

The A-frames are available for promoting the various Parent Group, school and parish events.  Some events will have permanent signs others will display posters.  These signs are placed at the dismissal points so that parents and students can be reminded of our events.  Flyers are also sent home in the Wednesday envelope.

Enrichment Programs:

Various events are scheduled throughout the year and are on the school calendar.  Participation is needed by members to serve as photographer and help organize.  Bridget Gigliotti serves as coordinator.  If you have ideas or time to help, please contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

PBS Night – Wednesday October 19^th 6:00pm – 8:00 pm Church Hall

Food Science Night – This is a fun, community building event.  Participation is FREE.

Marta will make the flyer.  A response is needed for number of participants.

Historical Perspectives – Tuesday November 8^th all school assembly 9:30am

Harriet Tubman

Jeni will take photos.

Enrichment program requests are accepted from the teachers.  Mrs. Mitchell has requested assistance for a 5^th & 6^th grade trip to McAuliffe-Shepard Center.  Discussion held and approved for $200.00.  Mrs. Tasonni has requested assistance for a 1^st & 2^nd grade Christmas Holiday project.  Discussion held and approved for $188.00

Fundraisers:

Scott and Sharon Soucy serve as coordinators for fundraising activities.

Poinsettia Sale – Sale begins on October 26^th The plants will be available for pickup on the day of the Christmas Chorus (Dec 13^th & 15^th).  Deliveries will be made for orders of 5 or more plants upon request.

Family Game Night – Wednesday November 2^nd 6:30pm Church Hall

This is a great night to learn a new game and meet with friends.  The games are available for purchase and make great presents.

Discussion on holding a Leda Lanes night and the Easter Van Otis Chocolate sale was held.  Scott will be looking into Leda Lanes for a February event.  Jeni is organizing the chocolate sale and will need helpers.  This was a great success last year.

Restaurant Nights:

These events are eat in or take out and help support our enrichment programs.  We try to plan one event per month.  If you have suggestions, please pass them along to Dave and Ellen Valade at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and Jeni Couronis at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  These events have become very successful and contribute to our funds.

Jeannotte’s – has offered to host monthly.  Oct 12^th, Nov 16^th, Jan 18^th, Feb 15^th, April 18^th &    May 16^th are planned.

Jeni – organizes and has created the menu/order form.  Sub pickup will be at 3pm in the foyer.  Please contact Jeni if you are able to assist with these events.

Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse – Thursday Oct 6^th 4 -10:00pm

No coupon necessary – just deposit receipt into the St. Christopher basket on the way out and St. Chris gets 15% back.  Great fundraiser and fun time to invite family and friends to support St. Chris.

Applebee’s Pancake Breakfast – Saturday Nov 19^th 8 – 10 am

This event requires many volunteers.  We are the servers for the breakfast.  Applebee’s provides the food and the Parent Group does the rest.  Please sign up at next meeting to help.

Villa Banca – plans being made to host 2 nights

Valentino’s – plans being made

Ongoing: DW Pizza in Merrimack (located near the YMCA) – 10% of the bill will be donated to St. Chris whenever someone mentions St. Christopher School.  They will donate on a monthly basis.

Teacher Appreciation:

Dana Keegan and Paula MacLellan organize these events and will ask for assistance throughout the year.

Before/After School – The Parent Group provides goodies and drinks for the teachers and staff that cover the before and after school program.  A sign up sheet will be available at the next meeting.

A Welcome Breakfast was held for the teachers during the first week of school.  The teachers and staff were very appreciative of the wonderful food.

The idea of the Parent Group taking on Christmas Shopping fundraiser and the Spaghetti Supper was brought forward.  Further discussion was held on Sept 30^th.  It has been decided that the Parent Group would support the projects if asked to recruit volunteers, but not to run the events.

Next meeting Wednesday October 12^th 7pm in the Library

PARENT GROUP MEETING MINUTES

May 18, 2011

Participants:

Sue Sheehy, Marta Nissen, Kathy Moraros, Celeste Karski, Bridget Gigliotti, Paula Nickerson, Lorirce Bedard, Michelle Deleon, Linda Haytayan, Miss. Wefers, Dave and Ellen Valade, and Kelly Courounis

Barbecue – Friday June 3rd

Kathy is coordinating and Dave is learning for the next year.  We need MANY volunteers to assist.  Setup begins at 3pm.  We also need Bakers and Watermelons!

The invitations to the new families have gone out.  We need assistance with making phone calls to encourage their attendance.

An email is being sent to the room parents to ask if they can assist with greeting new families and helping them feel welcome.

Face painting – need about 5 people – contact Jeni.  Helpers so far – Jeni, Bridget and Sonia

If you have easy up tents – please bring.

See separate email to add your name to a list of helpers, bakers, face painters, and phone callers.

Enrichment Programs:

Wingmasters – Tues May 31^st

Grades 3 – 6 will participate

Jeni to assist with setup and picture taking

Michelle’s Menangerie – Tues June 7^th

Grades Pre-K – 2^nd

Need assistance – anyone available in the am see Marta

Next year Enrichment planning 2011-2012:

Bridget has lined up several events for next year:  Still looking for an upper class assembly and possible Sept event.

Oct 19^th – PBS night topic to be decided / will be 6:30 in Church hall

Nov 2^nd – Game Night 6:30 in Church hall

Nov 8^th – Harriett Tubman All school assembly 9:30

Feb 1^st – for Catholic Schools week Junk into Funk or alternate music presentation

May 29^th – TBD for grades 3-6

May 31^st – Michelle’s Managerie preK – 2^nd

Fundraisers:

Restaurant Nights:

These events are eat in or take out and help support our Enrichment Programs.  We try to plan one event per month.  If you have suggestions please pass them along to Jeni, Ellen and Dave.

Sue and Jeni will meet to discuss assigning the months and generally planning

Jeanotte’s – has offered to host monthly

Look for posters and flyers in the Wed’s news.

India Palace – waiting to see the amount raised; the turnout was good.

Giorgios – waiting to see the amount raised

Villa Banca – Wed June 8 - All day event

Jeni is making the signs

Ongoing: DW Pizza in Merrimack (located near the YMCA) – 10% whenever someone mentions St. Christopher School.  They will donate on a monthly basis.  It was discussed to have the first restaurant night at this location.

Van Otis Chocolate Fundraiser – thank you to all the helped and supported.  $1000 was raised!

Book Sale – another great success.  We raised $729

Teacher Appreciation:

Before/After School – thanks to all that have assisted.  The teachers are very appreciative.

Teacher’s Luncheon – held on May 20^th.  The teachers enjoyed their special time and the food (as usual) was awesome.  Thank you Paula M., Dana and your team of helpers.

Financial Report:

Paula Nickerson provided a financial summary for the past 5 years.  Approval to help support the sixth grade filed trips and luncheon was agreed upon.  We have donated $630 to their events.  $700 was donated to the Faith Outreach Project.  Being able to sponsor enrichment programs, classroom field trips and plan for the next year is a great accomplishment for such a young group.

Marta attended the Teachers Luncheon to share the process to request funds for special enrichment programs for an individual class.

If you are coordinating an event that either needs funds or produces funds, please email Paula Nickerson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with amounts.  This will help to keep our finances in line.

Next meeting June 27^th – hoping to meet at Villa Banca (This is a buy your own dinner event.)