MSSM Parents Advisory Council - March 30, 2004
Augusta City Hall

Attendees: Georges Berube, Nigel Calder, Alice Chartrand, Terrie Frisbie, Jane Karker, Dottie Martin, John McCann,

Thanks to Donna Lerman who arranged for the Augusta City Hall Conference Room

Old Business:
New MSSMPG Communications chair announced: Paul Meyer, Farmington (unable to attend meeting)

Coffee House/Events:
Tropical Penguin Mystery weekend huge success. Jane Karker and Terrie Frisbie thanked.
Other parents who made it possible: MaryBeth and Ken Pride, Dale Gordon. MSSM staff. Norma O'Keefe, Alyson and RA's were very helpful as well.
Donations still needed (contact Jane ). Jane expressed concern at ongoing morale problems and punitive atmosphere in residence hall.
Plans (Jane) are hopeful for periodic weekend coffeehouse at same furnished basement of Kelly's Restaurant.
Disc: start up plans for membership card/fee, limit to MSSM students at first (small capacity), purchase of tables and chairs,

Prom:
Discussion re several decorating ideas will be forwarded to parents helping w/ Prom (Alice)
Dottie ok'd candles on dinner tables if students wish (Alice)
Dottie will get back to us on decorating bus and availability of digital camera.
Parent Prom gathering from 8 on (no parents allowed at Prom after 9) at Residential Hall Gym. Dottie will arrange for tables and chairs. Chef Tom supplying hot water for drinks.

Parent Volunteers Needed:
Support RA's/Residence Hall (contact Alyson)
Help chaperone a mall/movie trip (eg Fri or Sat evening)
Drive van for short trips around area (may allow extra van to be put in service)- parent needs to fill out a form for school insurance purposes.
Spell an RA in the Residence Hall as a proctor (not behind desk)
"RA night out" to be planned in future

Habitat for MSSM:
Volunteers needed to spruce up buildings and grounds eg yard work/painting. Can be done w/ students. May plan event together during Parents Conference weekend in fall.

Parent Panels/Hosting:
Regional meetings for interested prospective parents, open houses, Career Fair during a themed weekend: Parents' careers to be presented
Faculty/Clubs may have projects that need parental help
Lobby Appropriations Committe to reinstate the $32,000 cut from MSSM's budget for next year (Alice to get names for parents)

Recruitment:
About 30 prospective students are expected at upcoming interview day.
MSSM has a marketing firm that helps advertise/promote.
Suggestions given to Dottie re press releases/letters to the editor being promoted via parent contact.
Jane offered discounted printing for one job this year.
Parent volunteers needed for regional promotional meetings and panels at open house.

Host Families: volunteer forms being worked on w/ legal assistance. Dale Gordon ( is Chair MSSMPG Host Family Ad Hoc Committee.

Emergency/crisis protocols - discussion deferred to next meeting

Continuity of MSSMPG:
Need to finalize mission statement (Jon?)
Need for bylaws- examples from other magnet schools given to Terrie by Dottie
Keeping past presidents/active parents involved in future years
Elections/changing responsibility mid-year

Recruitment:
Table at Move In Day: Incentives for sign-up, more detailed registration form needed, list and timetable of volunteer activities available
Organizing by regions w/ 6-7 area representatives (Alice make map)
Parent Conference Fall weekend

New Business:
College Planning: parent desire for timeline early in Junior year.
Concerns expressed that visits and college essays need to start slowly happening spring of Junior year due to time pressure in fall Senior year.
Dottie to forward suggestions to Norma. Norma is meeting individually w/ juniors right now. If Norma is at next meeting will discuss further.

Gladfly due date April 15. MSSM Staff willing to copy for mailings if good copy can be emailed or faxed.

Next PAC date: May 10, Mon. 1pm Augusta City Hall