POMS
[ Meeting Minutes ]
Parents Of Montessori Students (POMS) is a parent teacher association for West Seattle Montessori School (WSMS). It is a support group comprised of the parents/guardians/family members of students attending WSMS, the teacher, staff, and administration of the school.
PURPOSE
POMS’ goal is to join parents, guardians, family members, faculty, staff, administration, and students into a support system for the school and each other, to encourage positive interaction and communication between the groups.
GOALS
- Educational-to address special interests of parents by providing speakers and programs relating to those issues; to foster positive and meaningful parent and family education.
- Social- to provide a means for parents to meet each other and participate in making the school community a positive, warm environment; to provide various social and fundraising events allow parents to work together, and socialize as families throughout the year.
- Monetary – to raise funds that are spent to enrich the educational experiences of the children (classroom enrichment curriculum, music/drama, physical activity, technology); to support the general maintenance of WSMS and WSA (playground equipment and building needs).
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers serve the school in a project-oriented capacity. All parents are urged to work on committees or projects that match their skills and interests.
Each year the parents who volunteer in some capacity at WSMS provide vital services to the school and enjoy a form of participation, which is not attainable any other way. Parent participation provides a richer environment for the child, the parents, and the teacher. A child’s education is a cooperative effort in which volunteers have become an essential part. Our deepest appreciation to those generous people who participate in the fullest!
THE BOARD
The POMS Board is comprised of elected Officers, school Administrative Representatives, and the Director of WSMS & WSA.
President, Brenda Griswold
Vice President, Dawn Dort
Secretary, Chihana Schiffer
Treasurer, Michele Heck
Administrative Representatives: Dolores Atwood & Maari Falsetto
Director of WSMS & WSA: Angela Sears
MEETINGS
Board meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. All parents are welcome to attend the board meetings and are strongly encouraged to attend the general POMS meeting.
General POMS meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in the school’s multipurpose room. An Administrative Report will be given by one of the Administrative Representatives or the Director at general POMS meeting, as necessary.
Committee meetings are held at the discretion of the committee chair, and at 6pm on the third Tuesday of each month, 30 minutes prior to the general POMS meeting at WSMS. Progress reports from the committees are made to each board representative and at general POMS meetings.
COMMITTEES
Social Events Committee
*Arranges and organizes various events, including staff appreciation and the end of the year All School Picnic.
Fundraising Committee
*Arranges a variety of fundraising events, including Dinner for the Arts and pre-performance refreshments.
Auction Committee
*Organizes our all-school auction in the spring.
Friends of the Greenhouse Committee (A new committee this year!)
*Organizes and maintains our beautiful Greenhouse throughout the year. Works with the fundraising committee to plan and organize the annual Plant Sale in May.
A list of our elected committee chairs and contact information will be distributed at our first POMS meeting in September.
DO WE HAVE AS MUCH SENSE AS A GOOSE?
Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in “V” formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if the bird flew on its own. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go at it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. If we have as much sense as the goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going.
When the lead goose gets too tired, she rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It pays to take turns leading and lending support.
When the geese in front seem to slow down or need motivation, the geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. It is imperative to encourage one another and keep our eye on the mission of our school!
And finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot and falls out of line, two geese fall out with him until he is either able to fly or dies. Then, they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group. We must stick by each other, leaving no one behind or uninformed.
Get Involved! Your participation at West Seattle Montessori School & Academy makes our school community & environment a richer experience for your child.
