October 2024

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Haley SPC Meeting Notes 

Agenda:

• Q&A with Principal Sullivan 

• Introduction to the SPC & Presentation 

• SPC Elections

Q & A with Principal Sullivan

1. Questions came up about the cafeteria. Icania Cueco (lovingly known as Chef C) was in attendance.

   1. It is clear that Chef C and cafeteria staff work hard to make connections with individual Haley students and to accommodate students’ needs in terms of eating and nutrition, as well as connection and social/emotional development. The cafeteria staff offer fresh meals, teach kids to try new foods and be open to eating healthy, and encourage children to advocate for themselves about what they like and need. 

   2. Chef C reassured parents that she knows who their children are and what their specific needs are in the cafeteria. 

   3. A fundraiser idea was shared by Principal Sullivan - have parents come to the school to experience the delicious cafeteria food that is served to their children. 

2. A parent noted that her child is coming home and saying that he really likes new theater teacher, Mr. Hicks-Santos. Kudos were offered to Principal Sullivan for hiring and maintaining such a strong staff. 

3. Principal Sullivan noted that she meets with the Haley team of specialists weekly as these are the teachers in the school who service the whole school and have to understand the many different aspects of the whole school. 

4. Principal Sullivan mentioned that work has begun on the upcoming special events for the year - Turkey Trot, Winter Concert, Spring Play, Spring Arts Festival.

5. Talent Show - next week - Thursday, October 24 – 6pm to 7pm. This event is open to the school community. Popcorn and drinks will be sold.

6. The BNC has offered to host the Spring Spectacular, and the SPC will consider moving the festival back to the BNC as a main fundraiser for the year. In December, the Spring Arts committee will start to meet again and plan for the event. 

7. The SPC asked what Principal Kathleen hopes to see this year. She would like to bring back a strong network of Room Parents. Room Parents are meant to support and meet the needs of their child’s classroom. Some tasks may include: 

   1. Organize volunteers for field trips, 

   2. Organize and facilitate activities and/or read alouds in the classroom,

   3. Be a liaison with SPC to communicate SPC and classroom needs,

   4. Support the teacher’s message and direction in the classrooms.

   5. An idea was shared around asking teachers and Room Parents to have monthly 15-min check-ins with each other. 

   6. There was discussion about a possible liaison position that would help the SPC support Room Parents as needed. 

   7. Kathleen will reach out to teachers to ask for Room Parents. A  suggestion was made for teachers to add this request to their weekly newsletter.

SPC Elections

Jaza Broadwater, BPS citywide family engagement specialist, attended the meeting to support Angelique Husbands and the SPC around this election meeting as well as general community engagement at the Haley.

Nominations and subsequently elected representatives are as follows:

Haley SPC:

Co-Chairs – Kim Marshall and Ally Dowds 

Treasurer - Kerianne Hourihan 

Secretary – Amy Todeschini

Districtwide roles:

Citywide Parent Council (CPC) Representative – Amy Todeschini will fill this position until another parent is able to be an official representative

Special Education Parent Action Council (SPEDPAC) Representative - Yvenel Benjamin

District English Learner Advisory Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) (multi-lingual positions open) – Icania Cueco (Chef C)

School Site Council representative - Wendy Skelton

If you would like to be in touch with School Parent Council, please email haleyparentcouncil@gmail.com anytime.