Mission: To provide an exceptional Montessori education
to all children and their families, encouraging a lifelong love of learning and
active participation in their communities and the world.
Vision: We create a more peaceful world by developing
conscientious citizens who approach their world with confidence, creativity and
collaboration.
Values: Diversity, Independence, Joy, Passion &
Respect
1. Opening Thoughts (5 min)
The meeting
opened at 6:20 p.m. In attendance were: Kate McSpadden, Mary Evelyn Bowling,
Elaine Steinbeck, Trevor Eissler, Tonya Hiland, Leigh Anna Martinets, and Karen
Stapley. Colin Bowling was a guest presenter.
Elaine shared
inspirational thoughts. From the latest Montessori journal, she shared the
story of the White Cross. In 1917, Maria Montessori conceptualized the White
Cross Society. It was to bring aid to the children who were victims of the war.
The White Cross worker possessed the skills of a teacher, nurse and
psychologist. Their goal was to help children through the traumas of living
with war.
2. Motion to approve March minutes: Kate McSpadden (5
min)
Kate asked if
anyone had any comments or changes to the minutes. There were none. Trevor
moved to approve the minutes. Elaine seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
3. Children’s Newsletter: Children (10 min)
Colin Bowling
presented the children's newsletter. He shared the process that he, Kira
Bowling, and Grace McSpadden went through to write, edit, and publish it. There
was some discussion about how other children could participate. At the end of
each submission in the April issue is a contact for submitting copy for the
upcoming May issue. There were questions about distribution. Colin indicated
that the children wanted to mail the newsletter to the families involved. The
group decided to request physical mailing addresses. The next newsletter will
come out on Tuesday May 6, at our next Board/Community meeting. The plan is to
mail this one to families. Tonya Hiland has funded the initial mailing.
4. Fundraising: Kate McSpadden (20 min)
Kate
indicated that soon we will need to begin fundraising. She passed out a
presentation titled “Board Roles." She has done some research on the
Board’s responsibility for fundraising. Kate shared the importance of 100
percent participation from board members. Kate shared that fundraising is
critical at this point. We have to have funds to get through the application
phase. Geovanna Ricaldi, our fundraising Charter Development Chair is currently
in the middle of a large campaign. Soon, she will be able to begin working with
us on a more regular basis. We also plan to invite John Lyon, Associate
Director of the Chasco Y, to discuss the Y’s approach to fundraising.
5. Marketing &
Communications Update: Kathy Anthony (5 min)
Kathy Anthony presented the conversation cards that she
created and had printed. Each member may use them when they are in discussion
with others about our mission and goals. They were distributed to everyone
present. Kathy also shared that the website is nearly ready to launch. It will
be a work in progress but we will have something to present soon. Kate
expressed gratitude for the presentation materials that Kathy prepared for the
meeting at the end of March with Southwestern University.
6. Community Outreach
Update (10 min)
Texas State
University: Kate
shared that Joan Morieta from Texas State University was able to talk with the
administration about partnering with us to do a lab school. An endeavor like
that is not in the University's plans at this point. Joan, however, is still
interested in being involved with us. We will meet with her in early April to
discuss the possibilities.
Southwestern
University: Kate
met with Dr. Jim Hunt of Southwestern University. His passion is teacher
training. SU is also not in a position to do a lab school. They have an average
of 12 education students per year. He does intend to put us in touch with the
head of the education department so that we can explore possible ways to work
with them.
United Way: United Way is hosting the Community
Impact Summit on 4/22. Several members plan to attend. We hope to gain
information that will assist us in determining the best location for our first
site.
YMCA of Greater
Williamson County:
YMCA- we are planning on meeting with the Y sometime in May or June. They are
currently in the middle of their annual campaign and all of their resources are
taken up with that.
Project Plan: Mary Evelyn Bowling shared the
Project Plan for the Charter Application. The plan/timeline begins in July of
2013 when the original group of founders began to meet. It goes through the
opening of the first campus in 2016. The plan is very broad at this point, but
gives a picture of what we need to focus on and when
7. AMS Conference
Update (10 min)
The National AMS conference was held in Dallas in March.
There were 2,800 people in attendance. Kate McSpadden attended sessions on
Montessori in the public sector. Kate learned that it is difficult to start a
charter school anywhere. But it is much harder in some places than others. She
attended a session on high stakes testing. Some schools are beginning to oppose
standardized testing, and there is a movement of people who are "opting
out" of such tests. There is a school in Connecticut that that has begun
an official movement opposing this testing. They have a website and Facebook
page. Mary Evelyn added that Kira is writing a paper in Language Arts about
this exact topic. When she finishes the final draft, we will post it on the
blog and Facebook page. We will also give a copy to Trevor Eissler to
distribute amongst the Montessori community.
8. New Business (5
min)
There was discussion about private schools changing to charter
schools and also about ISDs opening charter schools.
9. Adjourn
Mary Evelyn moved to adjourn at 7:50. Trevor seconded the
motion. All voted in favor.
