Grace Church School

Parents Association Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Welcome

Thank Yous

First grade class parents for a successful Used Uniform Sale.

Upcoming Events

•  Mayfair Haul-it   on March 1

•  Scholarship Auction

The auction is on March 9.   Tickets are now on sale.   You can buy your tickets early, and save time at the door.   In addition, there will be express check-out this year to make things easier and more pleasant.   Please read auction emails for updated information on this event.

Thanks to all those who are helping with the auction.   More volunteers are needed, especially the last few days before the auction and on the day of the auction.   Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board.   If you are inclined to place a journal ad in the auction catalog, please bring it with a check to the development office.

State of the School – George Davison

•  Faculty Changes

Ms. Henry (6 th grade) is retiring.   Mr. Reilly will move to the 6 th grade and teach the whole grade history.   Ms. Blei is leaving GCS to work full time on her book and Ms. Saccone will move to the 3 rd grade.     As a result of these changes, there are head teacher openings in the 2 nd and 4 th grades.   These openings may be filled with strong assistant teachers currently at GCS who are applying for the positions.     Ms. Johnson (Science) is leaving to relocate to Denver.   In addition to being an excellent teacher, she is a terrific girl's basketball coach.   Ms. Johnson's position will be difficult to fill.

•  Construction

Approvals are currently in place.   The large equipment will arrive soon.   We are awaiting the installation of a tunnel monitor, required by the Transit Authority, so that digging deeper than 5 feet can begin.

•  Uniforms

The Uniform Committee will convene to evaluate a new provider that may be more efficient than Land's End.

Featured Speaker – Abby Rosen, Occupational Therapist

Ms. Rosen has 23 years of experience in private practice on the Upper East Side.   In addition, she is a consultant not only to GCS, but to PS6 and The Episcopal School.   GCS is on the cutting edge to have an OT at the school.

Occupational Therapists work with fine motor development and grapho-motor mechanics, including visual perception.   For children, occupation is play.   The exploration of play – and the ability to shift and go from one activity to another is essential for play and learning.

Sensory or perceptual issues can interfere with this.   Sensory issues are when children have difficulty with loud noises or too much visual stimulation.   Some children grow out of sensory issues, but miss a lot while they're learning to deal with them, and some do not.   Perceptual issues can interfere with a child's strong foundation for higher learning.

Ms. Rosen is at GCS every Wednesday in the morning to support the teachers.   Her role is evolving, but involves identification of issues, as well as developing and helping to implement different strategies that benefit the entire class.   She'll work with the teachers to try things in the classroom before referring for a full OT evaluation.   Handwriting is her area of expertise.   Currently, she is going through different ways of supporting handwriting in the kindergarten.   She also goes to other classes through the 4 th grade and evaluates where the breakdown is.  

“I view OT as the foundation, so that higher learning can occur.   It works on the brainstem level – the roots.”   Parents can help below the foundation level.   Some of the things that parents can do to help your child with learning are as follows:

•  Sleep

Sleep is essential.   Children without adequate sleep have a more difficult time paying attention, are more irritated, and have a more difficult time dealing with stress.   Strategies for good sleep include bathing just before bedtime and bathing with Epsom salts (natural soother).

•  Hydration

Water is essential for children.   Providing your child with a water bottle not only hydrates, but sucking on the bottle can minimize fidgeting.

•  Nutrition  

Protein is important.   Children need protein (in an amount the size of their palm) at every meal.   Kids that eat protein often have an easier time at school than those who eat carbohydrates.   To ensure adequate protein at breakfast, try protein or MLO powder in smoothies or oatmeal.  

Omega 3s are fabulous for kids.   There is connection between Omega 3s and attention, depression, etc.   Omega 3s can are in Omega 3 enriched eggs, flaxseed oil in cottage cheese, or vitamins/fish oil (Nordic Naturals brand does not have mercury).   For more information, Google Omega 3 or read the Omega Connection or LCP Solution.  

Next Meeting:   March 7 with featured speaker Catherine Steiner Adair on the topic of self esteem.