Parent Meeting June 1, 2008, 11:45am
Rolands Abermanis, Linda Beiniķe, Daina Birnbaums, Daira Cilnis, Pauls Keire, Linda Leitis, Irene Olson, Jānis Kramēns, Aija Stapars, Zinta Šmidchens, Jānis Šulcs

Class groups in 2007 – 2008 (class in American school, fall ’08)

I. grupa – Guntis Šmidchens
Nils Bērziņš (1st grade)
Alnis Šmidchens (1st grade)
Imants Šmidchens (pre–K)

II. grupa – Gija Galiņš
Marga Galiņš (5th grade)
Nora Keire (1st grade)
Stefans Lūsis (2nd grade)
Larisa Šulcs (3rd grade)

III. grupa – Jānis Kramēns
Roberts Keire (3rd grade)
Lukas Leitis (6th grade)
Krišjānis Lūsis (4th grade)
Tālis Zommers (5th grade)

IV. grupa – Aina Uskurs
Andra Atvars ( 8th grade)
Helena Abermanis (7th grade)
Edgars Kalsons (7th grade)
McKenzie Reynolds (7th grade)
Jūlijs Pružinskis (8th grade)
Katriāna Zommers (7th grade)

V. grupa – Pauls Keire, class graduated in spring 2008
Andris Abermanis
Konrāds Leitis
Diāna Atvars


Kurkulīšu play-group (age)
Richards Christopher (2 yrs)
Markus Kalsons (4 yrs)
Lilja Purs* (3 yrs)
Dylan Sheaffer* (3 yrs)
Aina Šulcs (3 yrs)
Keita Uldriķis* (3 yrs)
Laila Zommers* (3 yrs)

* these families had newborns this past year – these parents have expressed an interest in having a pre-school program for the 3 yr olds, but they also have infants to care for. Although this wasn’t discussed at the parents’ meeting, perhaps some of the recent graduates would be interested in helping in the infant room, so that the parents can take turns leading activities for the 3 year olds.

Discussion about the school’s past and thoughts on the future
Describe the past
Teachers have had autonomy over defining
As a whole, the school hasn’t been following ALA guidelines for the past several years; only tie to ALA program was the 8th grade exam and use of history textbook
Previous principal served as figure-head, adjusted schedule if a teacher was absent, led morning announcements

What do parents wish for the future? (thoughts from around the table)
need a starting and ending point for the year
Latvian as a Second Language: use existing materials that support this approach
having a progression in home-work; want to be able to know how home-work fits in with the year’s plan
focus on cultural aspects
language basics
social aspects, wanting to return
feeling engaged
feeling pride in the culture
feeling membership / ties to a Latvian community
would like to see more Sundays – for kids to associate more with the community and the church
some like Saturdays just fine ;)

Parents need to define
purpose statement; goals; what parents want their children to get out of Latvian school:
what academics are important
social connections
emotional ties
what is the value of a diploma or certificate

From the students’ perspective
when the students return, do they feel like they are amongst their own
school need a clear goal - how to define this for the kids to buy in
has to be some fun; has to be some motivation
has to be a reason for them to be a part of this

Challenges
varied in skills and behavior
conflict with extra-curricular schedules
ALA exam comprises a comprehensive view of academics, but difficult given the language skills of the school’s students
ALA History books 7th 8th grade have worked well – students are successful only if parents are involved;
Literature textbook not yet available – still in development at ALA

Ideas – some old, some new
propose Latvian as a Second Language stream; start with testing /some assessment
the school is too small to compartmentalize into too many classes/groups
need to change structure to reflect language abilities and needs, emotional development
look at school program as a whole; classroom teachers would not be able to operate autonomously
what kind of homework: reading logs? read orally with child 3 x 20mins at home
want to create a program where all can succeed; could there be an English version of ALA exam?
how we make the children feel – endorse their importance; reading at school with a mentor
embroidery, baking – interacting with other generations in community
sports as a connection to language
maybe Sundays are better avoids dilemma of sports vs school
if held on English-speaking Sundays then Daira would address the children in Latvian
how to bring kids to the level where they can do the ALA exam as a goal
incentives for children: Sveika Latvija as a goal
sponsors /incentive to go to Latvia

Conclusions and Next Steps
Parents meet at the end of June to lay out calendar frame-work for 2008-2009 (school breaks, etc.)
All-important, all-hands meeting at the end of July. This meeting must be attended by all parents and teachers. The school’s new direction will be laid out. All families must be represented.

3 Saturdays / 1 Sunday each month
Propose Sunday September14th to start – in church with kick-off breakfast, introducing new principal
Regular school days: arrival 8:50am, start at 9:00 with morning prayers
Saturday, 21st December for Christmas event

Sveiks everyone,

Just when we thought this weekend will work in the garden here comes again.....Burbulishu Brunch!

I will be in Latvian club on Saturday at 3:00 to work on setting up the brunch for Sunday and like always more hands make things easier with a great results.
We will be setting up the tables, centerpieces, cutting, cooking, slicing and you name it...or just stop by for moral support!
If some folks can not make it on Saturday we can use your help early / starting 7am / on Sunday morning.
Don't forget to bring your apron.....and smile!

Visu labu!

Artis

More information...

Calling all Chef assistants!
Grab your britches and come on down to help Artis this Saturday.
I know we all have things to do, however, the end of the school year is closing fast. So, those of us who can, please do!
Saturday around 3:00 will do just fine. Remember, this is our key fund raiser.
Arti, what time do you need help to show up on Sunday?
Dad's remember our attire for Sunday is; black pants, white shirt and wild tie.
P.S. My Mom flies in today, so I have to be on my best behavior. (Tu doma?) Ne!

Rolands J Abermanis

This Saturday, April 26, the Seattle Public Library will be hosting the
annual Baltic Rites of Spring, featuring Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian dance groups.
The event runs from 2-4pm, at the central location in the Microsoft
auditorium, Level 1. Price of admission is free and parking in the central library garage is $5. The line up will be as follows:
Seattle Dance Group - the Seattle Estonian folkdance group
Lietutas - the Seattle Lithuanian folkdance group
Trejdeksnitis - the Seattle Latvian folkdance group
More information can be found at the Seattle Public Library website at
www.spl.org under Calendar of Events.

Meeting Minutes...

Rolands Abermanis, Valdis Atvars, Daina Birnbaums, Artis Kalsons, Jānis Kramēns, Edmunds Leitis, Linda Leitis, Lisa Pružinskis, Zinta Šmidchens, Jānis Šulcs, Aina Uskurs, Andris Zommers.

1. Minutes of previous meeting
Accepted with no changes
2. Leadership Reports
Principal – Aina Uskurs is stepping down from Principal’s post at the end of the school year. Parents discussed recruitment for a new principal; will continue discussion by email over the next couple of weeks. Topics to be addressed include objectives, expectations, remuneration. Results of email discussion will be summarized and finalized in a meeting of the parent committee in the first week of June.
We still need to see anticipated expenses for 07/08
Treasurer
Financial books to be reviewed by Andris Pružinskis with the church’s audit committee before transitioning the books to Kristīne Kalsons this summer
status of tuition payments (and registration forms) still not known
3. SLS Topics:
School Calendar
school ends May 10
Special School Events – and Coordinators
Final Exams Sunday, May 4
Burbuļbrančs fundraiser, Sunday, May 4;
Artis Kalsons has prepared a menu (distributed at meeting) subject to change based on market prices; Artis will talk to Selga regarding use of the center’s table-cloths; Jānis Šulcs has offered to launder the table-cloths; Artis has already purchased plates.
Chafing dishes – Inta Bērziņš, Artis will bring sternos; Vakarētājas have offered use of their equipment if needed
All parents are asked to bring coolers with ice, garden flowers for tables (spring theme)
Champagne flutes 6 oz. – Lisa Pružinskis will arrange rental;
Sat. afternoon or evening parents come for prep and set-up. Artis will send out time by email
Coffee – Lisa will buy
dress-code: black pants, white shirt crazy tie
at the door Andris Zommers will take money at the door; need tickets for raffle Daina Birnbaums thinks there may be some that can be used
Champagne Inta Bērziņš will bring
status of advertising – Andris will check with Inese Graudiņš to ensure it gets sent out to the big email list; Inta Bērziņš will place flyer in bathroom stalls to advertise among Rummage Sale workers
status of baskets – could still use pīrāgi, raffle will ask older children to sell
Graduation Ceremony May 10, 11:00pm
9:00am everyone meets downstairs, for clean-up and rehearsals
status of invitations – Gija has taken care of sending them out
dress-code students to wear traditional clothes
program will include singing, folk-dancing, slide-show, a skit by each class, graduates each give a speech
Valdis will put together program sheet; teachers need to provide Valdis with title and author of their group’s skit, names of dances, etc.
status of gifts – packs selected; will have custom laminated tags
logistics for set-up, refreshments – 2 plate pot-luck
Wild Waves changed to May 31? need to RSVP to Jānis Šulcs by Wed. April 23
$17 entry + $10 meal
4. Kurkulīši – Tadpole playgroup
no news
5. Community Events
LBVŠ Lietoto mantu tirgus /Rummage Sale Thursday, April 24 – Sunday, April 27.
3pm Sunday parents are asked to come for break-down
November 18th, 2008 – 90th Anniversary of Latvia’s Independence. Andris Rogainis on LBVŠ organizing committee;
6. Special Projects
First floor bathroom construction is under way! What is status on volunteer help?
7. Next Parent Meeting
first week of June, date TBA