demo blog

bla bla

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

MINUTES OF THE P.T.A. GENERAL MEETING

        CORNERSTONE MONTESSORI SCHOOLS

Minutes of the Parent -Teacher Association General Meeting held on Thursday, 18^th October, 2012

The meeting started at exactly 3:00pm, with the opening prayer said by Mrs. Aduloju Gbemisola.

The chairman addressed everyone present and prayed for a brief and fruitful meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting were read by Miss. Ojo Ayodele and adopted by the house following a motion for adoption by Mrs. Balogun and seconded by Mrs. Adebowale.

MATTERS ARISING

Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Ibrahim wanted clarification on the summer class and was told it is designed for every end of session.

MONTESSORI SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

The director explained the Montessori system as one that regards every child as being unique. She explained that children learn at different paces and that every child should therefore be given the opportunity to move at his/her own pace. According to her, 2 ½ / 3 year old pupils will spend three sessions in the nursery class before moving to the primary. She advised that parents should not compare their children to others. If your child can write at age three, fine; if not, let him/her be, there is no need to push them. She further stressed that it is necessary to create a conducive environment for children to learn and develop and that this is the mission of Corner Stone Montessori Schools.

SCHOOL CLUBS

The head teacher encouraged the parents to enroll their children for the different available clubs in the school. She went ahead to list the paying and the non-paying clubs in the schools as follows

NON-PAYING CLUBS

1.     Drama

2.     Science

3.     Art and craft

4.     French

5.     ICT

6.     Mathematics and

PAYING CLUBS

1.     Mad science club - N13,000 per term

2.     Dance club -             N6,000   per term 

3.     Public speaking -     N5,000   per term

4.     Karate -                     N7,500   per term

She implored parents to check the notice board for regular updates on club activities.

SCHOOL PREFECTS

The head teacher informed the house that school prefects have been selected from years four (4) and five (5) pupils and that their names and posts will be made public as soon as the badges are ready. She listed some of the upcoming events for this session as

1.     Nursery week,

2.     Class assembly,  to start  next term,

3.     Spelling bee competition at the end of every term,

4.     Edu-fare will come up third term and

5.     What we can do with our shapes

She also informed the house of the employment of a Physical and Health Education teacher; hence the first inter-house sports will take place this session.

FINANCIAL REPORT

The treasurer, Mrs. Alfred told the house that though many parents have paid for the PTA project, some are yet to. She then went ahead to announce the amount in the account.

The PTA chairman Mr. Akintunde pleaded with all parents to pay the PTA levy thereby assisting the school in its growth.

Mrs. Idajili wanted to know if the payment was per term, to which the chairman answered that it is once ,and  per family.

The call by the chairman to know the capacity of generator that will be suitable was responded to by Mr. Francis Adi who said that he would need to go round the school to make an estimate. Mrs. Alfred and Mr.  Adeyinka Adewale volunteered to work with Mr. Moses Oluwole to check the electrical appliances used in the school. Mrs. Alfred suggested a familiar electrician be made to join the team.

It was agreed that the school will need a generator of a suitable capacity.  The chairman wanted to know if the feasibility study would  be concluded in one week and the generator installed before the end of the year and possibly commission it.

He asked for suggestions as to how to make the other parents who haven’t paid the PTA levy do so. Mrs. Ene Sofia enjoined parents to pay up since it is for the benefit of their children and that one of the reasons for choosing the school for her children was because it has air conditioners. Mrs. Biola Olumodeji  also encouraged parents to pay  and that those who have financial challenges can speak to the management to pay by installments.

The Head teacher implored parents to work with the school in giving the pupils qualitative education by paying for extra enrichment materials whenever the need arises. The Director further explained that there are some books that the pupils will find very useful but that the school has just one copy of each. The school can however make photocopies, bind and sell for a token. Willing parents can then buy for their children. The books are enrichment materials and so are optional. Mrs. Ihedigbo supported the extra resources by saying that it is better to get resources from the school than hire lesson teachers who may end up confusing the children. Mrs. Chioma Onashapor opined that it would be nice if such resources can be in the school library so that every child can have easy access to them. Mrs. Attahiru suggested that all work sheets be put in a booklet form for easy management. She also advised the school to have a complete first aid box and ensure absolute cleanliness of the environment. She was told that the school has a first aid box but will endeavour to upgrade it.

COMPLAINTS                                                                                                                             Mrs. Olumodeji complained about giving short notices of events to parents, as well as inadequate information dissemination by the school. Mrs. Balogun expressed displeasure with the change in plans concerning the nursery colour week. According to her, parents were not duly informed about what the children should  wear for the event. She also complained about the late information concerning the Independence Day celebration.

Mrs. Durojaiye asked if the communication book is meant for all pupils, and if so, she would like to know why her child didn’t get one. Mrs. Idajili added that though her own child has, nothing has ever been written in it and that teachers do not even read nor acknowledge what parents write in the book.

 Mrs. Longe apologized on behalf of the school concerning the delay in the supply of school uniform, especially to the new pupils. She explained that the fault was from the manufacturers and suppliers who mixed up the specification, so the school had to return the ones sent and is still expecting new sets.

Mrs. Ene Sofia, a new parent wanted to know why the school doesn’t allow children to take juice in the school. Mrs. Longe responded on behalf of the school by explaining that due to increased cases of juvenile diabetes, the school is trying to help curb the risk of such an ailment in children. She also encouraged parents to make children drink more water, yogurt and milk as advised by the school.

Mrs. Nosa Igbemudia expressed her dissatisfaction with the way and manner in which the after school care is being handled. She complained that her child is always left uncared for and all children are put in the hall with their bags scattered all over the place each time she comes in to pick her child. She was of the opinion that there was lack of proper supervision and planned activities for the children. The Head Teacher explained that the school has planned after school care/ activities and that there are always teachers on duty to take care of the children.

Mr. Enobong Samuel advised that teachers should always appear neat and presentable at all times, so that prospective parents on enquiry visits can have a good impression about them and the school. He cited a not-too-encouraging example. The head teacher promised that all the complaints would be looked into.

Mrs. Ihedigbo whose children are in the nursery class wanted to know how she can assist her children at home without textbooks. She said that, as busy parents, it is difficult to know what to do with the children without textbooks to guide them. The director told her that children don’t use textbooks at this stage and that they don’t need a lesson teacher either. 

Mr. Oluwole needed help with teaching his child letter sounds. Mrs. Longe  said that she too used to have that challenge but found a  book and CD she bought from the school shop very helpful.. She also stressed that young children do not need lesson teachers. She however counseled parents to listen more to their children and observe them. Mrs. Idajili was also of the opinion that there is no need to confuse the children with a lesson teacher who is not familiar with the Montessori curriculum, but rather talk to the school authority to clear their doubts .

FIELD TRIP/EXCURSIONS

It was unanimously agreed by all members present that the school should embark on a field trip this session but be careful in the choice of where to visit.

BLOG AND WEBSITE

The chairman, Mr. Akintunde told the house that the school blog is for better communication (www.cornerstonemontessorischools.blogspot.com). He advised parents to write out their e-mail addresses clearly so that the school can communicate with them through email, in addition to SMS. Mr. John Oke volunteered to assist the school in updating its website and further work on the school blog.

Mrs. Longe is not too satisfied with the way the blog is programmed. She said that information that should be for only parents, staff and pupils can actually be accessed by everyone who opens the blog. She said that it would be nice if confidentiality can be ensured.  In view of this, Mr. John Oke suggested a login password for parents and teachers to access vital information on the blog.

APPRECIATION OF TEACHERS                                                                                         The chairman encouraged parents to appreciate the teachers whenever the need arises. He also thanked everyone present thereby bringing the meeting to an end.

The meeting ended by 5:05pm with the closing prayer said by Mrs. Joy Uwa.

ATTENDANCE

1.     SAMUEL ODU

2.     ESOSA LONGE

3.     AGEDE OYEDE

4.     KOLADE BAYODE

5.     ENE SOFIA

6.     KEMI DUROJAIYE

7.     CHIOMA ONOSHAKPOR

8.     FRANCIS A.ATI

9.     CAROLINE IYONSI

10.                         ADULOGU GBEMI

11.                         MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI

12.                         NGOZI IDAJILI

13.                         MAVAL JITUBOH

14.                         BLESSING SAM- IONEMBER

15.                         CHRISTIANA IBETO

16.                         BADIYYAM M. YARADUA

17.                         IJEH CHINYERE .E.

18.                         GRACE ELVIS

19.                         Dr. FAVOUR .E. ORJI

20.                         LADY IJEOMA AZUBIKE

21.                         JOY UWA

22.                          Mrs. WAKAMA

23.                         Mrs. OBI ANGELA

24.                         OYENIKE WALE BALOGUN

25.                         FATE GAMBA AETAHIN

26.                         RACHEAL WJEH

27.                          RUTH SWOMEN

28.                         G ALADIMA FEN .D.

29.                         IGBEMUDIA NOSA

30.                         MOSES OLUWOLE

31.                         Mrs. MERCY OSEKWUYE-ATOI

32.                         ASARI ARIKPO

33.                         ADEGOKE L.O

34.                         UCHE UDEH

35.                         OKUSAGA BUSOLA

36.                         HENRY OMONIYI

37.                         CLARA  AMEH

38.                         F. KEHINDE

39.                         RAKIYA OGAH

40.                         MIDAH LAMINGA

41.                         PAT MBAKWE

42.                         ANYA NWOCHA

43.                         JOHN OKE

44.                         GLORIS IHEDIGBO

45.                         KIKELOMO ISMAIL

46.                         VICTOR-NWDIGO LINDA

47.                         GBENGA ODUBAYO

48.                         OGHOYONE UFOMA QUEEN

 Mrs. NNENNA GREY OKEHI

PTA GENERAL MEETING

MINUTES OF THE PARENT -TEACHER ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, 7^TH JUNE, 2012

The meeting commenced at 1:58pm and the opening prayer was said by the chairman. The chairman addressed the parents in attendance and appreciated them for their support to the school and enjoined them to keep up the good work.

REACTIONS

The chairman demanded to know if everyone got the minutes of the last meeting.    Mrs Durojaiye, a new parent, signified that she didn't get one probably because she is a new to the school.

Many parents complained about the new school policy of shutting the school gate by 8:00 am and turning back late comers. Mr Olaonipekun applauded the decision but frowned at the approach. He said he understands that the decision is to instil discipline in the children at this tender age but, insisted the school should devise other means of punishment or sanction rather than send them back home.

Mrs Longe suggested that children should be made to go to bed early as this will help them wake up early, prepare them and get to school on time.

Mr Ahmed suggested that the children should be allowed into the school but the number of days of lateness be recorded in the report card.  He also suggested that the school be liberal and reconsider its stand on this.

Mrs Agede, Mrs Oluwatayo, Mr Spiff and Mrs Okorie applauded the new policy but, pleaded that the pupils should be allowed into the school. They however, suggested that pupils be delayed outside for a few minutes before being allowed in or make them miss the first lesson which starts by 8:15am.

Mr Laminga expressed his disapproval of the policy and further stressed that parents should be blamed and punished and not the children since parents are the ones responsible for bringing children to school. Some parents suggested that the resumption time should be adjusted to between 8:10 or 8:15am.

After much deliberation, the chairman Mr Akintunde told the house that the decision of the school on this is irreversible.

Mrs Onwughalu and Mrs Ogbunude also supported the new policy and admonished all parents to adhere strictly by adjusting their schedule.

Mrs Ola (the Director) however informed the house that as regards the issue of standard and school setting, punctuality is of utmost importance. She also intimated them that the first lesson starts at 8:15am and pupils who come late would be sent back home. She emphatically stated that this is the best time and the first place to instil discipline in the children.

It was finally resolved that after 8: 00 am of every school day, the school gate would be shut and the decision would not be reversed.

AGENDA    

The headteacher Roberts NN read and explained items on the agenda to the parents thus:

      

EDUCATIONAL FAIR

She started by educating the parents on the Educational Fair (Edufair). She explained that the broad theme for this year’s ‘Fair’ is tagged EVOLUTION. The ‘Fair” will take place in the school as each class will talk on Evolution in different fields like Banking, cooking, Law, Medicine Music, Clothing etc. Each class will look at the history of a particular profession from what it was then and what it is today. She also told the parents that they can advertise their products (educational items, children’s collections like kids’ wears, books, and educational materials) as they will be given maidens for free. She however, solicited for sponsorship in form of branded gift items, books and other educational items from the parents and other corporate organizations they know of.  Interested sponsors and exhibitors are to see the Head Teacher for further discussion.

EXCURSION

She also informed the house that the school is planning an excursion to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Almost all parents were against any form of excursion at this time until the security situation of the country improves.

END OF THE YEAR CONCERT

The school is planning to put up a concert to celebrate the end of another successful school year. She calls for support from parents in form of cash, provision of food, snacks and other items.

    

SUMMER SCHOOL

The school is organizing  Summer School starting from 30^th  June -24^th August 2012( 4 weeks ) The fee is N 40,000.00 per participant and parents are encouraged to register their children as this is going to be an educative, informative and fun -filled event.

    

MENTAL MATHEMATICS FOR PRIMARY SESSION has also been introduced to help improve the numerical skills of the children. Mental Math is about learning the ideas, formats and basics in mathematics and being able to work out numerical problems without using pen and paper most times.

    

MONTESSORI HAS BEEN UPGRADED

The Montessori curriculum of the school has been upgraded and this will take effect from next session. Children will be doing more work in reading, writing science, social studies etc.

MUSIC, ART AND P.H.E TEACHER

The school’s Music School will kick off next session. For this, the school will be employing a seasoned Musical Director to tutor the children in playing some musical instruments every Saturday for an extra fee.

 An Art Teacher will also be employed to assist in developing the artistic skills and creativity in the children. The P.H.E teacher will train the pupils in different areas of sports in preparation for our first Inter-House Sports competition coming up next session.

KITCHEN

The chairman informed the house that the old committee on food inspection has been dissolved for the fact that the children of these parents do not take school lunch but bring their lunch from home. Mrs Durojaiye and Mrs Maikai volunteered to do the inspection, thereby constituting the new committee.

    

PROPER SCHOOL DRESSING:

The head teacher reminded parents about the proper and correct dress code for pupils as most of them come to school with the wrong shirts, cardigan, and shoes hair styles etc. It was unanimously agreed that pupils should not wear beads at all to school but, a neat plait with a little attachment is allowed to keep the hair neat and longer lasting. Every hair style should be kept away from the face as much as possible.

     

LATE PICK-UP

The issue of late pick-up has been over flogged during our P.T.A. Meetings and Newsletters sent home regularly. The school is disappointed in the sense that most parents still pick their children late even after the time has been extended to 2:45 pm from 2.30 pm.

     

DISCIPLINE AND PARTNERSHIP

The Head Teacher solicited for partnership with the parents in the area of discipline as the home is an integral part of the school. She further stressed that discipline should be a combined effort of everyone and a collective responsibility of the school, home, and the community.

COMMENTS

Mr Ahmed commended the school especially on the Montessori System and its effect on the pupils and demanded for an introduction of the system in the primary school. He also talked on the grading system of scores given to the pupils and wants them checked and corrected. He suggested that more attention should be paid to Mathematics so we will not be producing only poets but also scientists. This view was supported by Mrs Maikai and Mrs Onwughalu.

Mrs Okorie suggested the teaching of Nigerian heroes be infused into the curriculum. She also wants pupils in the primary school to be taught sex education.

Mr Ahmed and Mrs Longe asked for clarification on Edufair by the head teacher.

Mrs Ezirike wanted to know when the school would start the music school as she is interested. The head teacher told her it will commence next session.

The Director informed the house that the school is looking forward to inviting parents to come and have lunch with their children. Parents welcomed the idea and wanted to know if it will be for free but, she said they will have to pay for their lunch.

The school informed the house that there has been a positive improvement in the payment of school fees since the implementation of the ‘NO PAYMENT, STAY AT HOME ‘policy. Most parents paid up all their fees on the first day of the policy.

Mrs Oluwatayo pleaded with the school to come up with a more   convenient payment plan to ease the burden parents go through in paying fees. She suggested instalment payment especially for parents with more than one child. This was supported by Mr Ahmed.

Mrs Ogbunude commented on the proper dissemination of information concerning school activities. She suggested text messaging and an eye- catching notice board. This view was supported by Mrs Maikai.

Mrs Anosike asked if parents whose children are for dance club on Monday and Thursday which holds between 2-3pm pay are supposed to for late pick-up. She was told by the Headteacher that parents of participating children in any after school club will not have to pay for late pick-up. 

APPRECIATION

Many parents were happy, satisfied and appreciated the effect of the Montessori System on their children. Mr Ahmed, Mrs Maikai, Mrs Ogbunude, Mrs Longe. Mrs Akindahunsi , Mrs Nike Balogun, Mrs Onwughalu, Mrs Oluwatayo and many more appreciated the school and its uniqueness. Mrs Onwughalu pleaded with parents to return to the school any item found with their children which does not belong them. She also urged parents to seek redress from the appropriate authority in the school anytime a child comes home with a report about another child rather than come to the school to threaten another child.

The vice chairman Mrs Amir also asked parents to join her in thanking the school for her primary four son’s success in the last Common Entrance Examinations. She commended the teachers for their efforts and applauded the school for the quality of education given to the children. Also, Mrs Oluwatayo spoke about her son Charles in year 4 who also attempted the Common Entrance Examination and is expecting a very good result.

CONCLUSION

Mr Akintunde finally appreciated all in attendance and prayed for them and appealed to them to continue to support the school. Meat pie and bottled water were served to all in attendance. Forty nine persons were in attendance. The meeting ended at 3:58pm with a closing prayer said by Mrs. Lawan.

MR AKINTUNDE      

CHAIRMAN

MISS UCHE                                                                                                                             

SECRETARY