Present
Yvonne Turro, Valzey Frietas, Robert Maeshiro, Julie Aoyagi, Anne Marie Duca, Lois Upton, Steve Jenkins, James Garrett, Greg Leong, and Cheryl Papaia.

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:20 p.m.

Approval of Minutes
Lois moved and Anne Marie seconded that the Sept. 21, 2005 minutes be approved. Motion was carried unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report
Julie distributed the Balance Sheet as of Sept 30 2005, showing a balance of $XXX.XX.

President’s Report
Yvonne reported attending a Castle Complex PACT meeting this past Monday evening. The group is made up of other PTA groups in the Castle Complex area. The group discussed many interesting ideas. She shared that many organizations are getting on board and stressing the 5R's. Anne Marie added that the PACT comes under the Family Guidance Center.

It was discussed at the PACT meeting that if any legislative lobbying effort were to be made that it would be done as a group to be more effective. The next Castle Complex PACT meeting will be held on January 23, 2006 and all are invited.

We are now officially PTSA members. Yvonne distributed membership cards to Ohana members. Our by-laws still need to be brought in line with the PTA's by-laws.

Vice President’s Report
None

Committee Reports:

a. Shirts
None

b. SCC
Lois stated that SCC members received their official handbooks and binder. It contains the 3-year Strategic Plan. She mentioned that the SCC is very interested in determining how to improve parental participation and will be conducting a survey. Even teachers will be surveyed to get their ideas.

The SCC is waiting for the DOE to submit the budget information so they can begin formulating the budget. It looks like Ahuimanu will be losing a lot of money. This due to the change in the formula used to calculate the funds. Also contributing to this loss is the school's declining enrollment.

Anne Marie commented that we still need to try to see how we can provide more parental comprehensive support for all students. Lois added that we are very lucky to have a strong parental participation base.

c. Workshop
A Drug Prevention workshop will be held on October 26, 2005 with Gary Shimabukuro of Lau Lima Hawaii. Anne Marie mentioned that Kahaluu, Waiahole, Kaaawa, and Heeia Elementary schools have been invited to attend. She said that the presentation would be child appropriate. Desserts are welcome for the workshop.

d. Membership
None

e. Student Council
Anne Marie reported next week is both "School Spirit" and "Red Ribbon" week. Different days are reserved for different types of wackiness. Examples: Tuesday will be "Bad Hair Day," Wednesday will be "Red Ribbon Day." She also shared that the Student Council raised money for the Katrina victims at this year's fun fair.

f. PCNC
None

g. Fun Fair
Greg shared that this year's Fun Fair was the highest grossing ever. It even surpassed another fundraiser held that day topping over $XXX.XX. Yvonne stated that the Ohana food booth also did very well making over $XXX.XX in sales. Considering that most items were donated, costs only amounted to about $XXX.XX.

Anne Marie said that while people may not be able to volunteer their time, many make up by donating food items. She also shared that setting up the booths in the parking lot was a very good idea. Steve echoed that setting up in the parking lot was a good idea and that it should be continued in the future - rain or shine. He said it was just amazing how the weather turned out considering how heavy it was raining the night before.

Greg mentioned that in the future everything should be done in scripts. We should always try to stay away from handling cash. That always opens up unnecessary temptation. He also welcomes any idea of how we can secure the integrity of the script system.

h. Fall Fundraiser
Yvonne reported that the Cookie Fundraiser did very well. Julie reported that it grossed $XXX.X. Greg mentioned that if the time limit were a little longer he would have been able to sell a lot more cookies. The Ohana recognized Teresa Duran for doing a great job coordinating the successful effort.

i. Spring Fund Raiser
None


k. Faculty
Steve shared that the 6th graders kicked off their Christmas Tree Fundraiser. They will be getting the information out to the entire school. Anne Marie suggested that they get the information out onto the Marquee for the community to see. The monies raised will go towards funding and reducing the cost of the 6th graders annual Kauai trip. Anne Marie passed around a flyer showing there are other Christmas items available such as wreaths and door charms.

l. Administration
Anne Marie stated that the overall goal of the school is to improve student achievement through standards based education. They were worried about test scores last year. But scores improved dramatically this year. Two grade levels jumped from 11% & 16% to gaining a rating of 30%.

The "Arts in the School" program is underway covering conflict resolution through drama.

Student Kyle Wong won the essay contest "Thank You Very Much Lex Brodie." He was surprised and honored at lunchtime, receiving a cash prize, hotel stay, and a donation to be made in his name to a charity of his choice. Tiny Tadani did a spot of Kyle for his television program. He was also invited as a guest to read his essay on the Perry and Price show.

The Lions will be back this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to build more benches around campus. They welcome all volunteers from the community.

Discussion took place on the new GLO (General Learner Outcome) system and how it could be related to the traditional grading system. Anne Marie shared that even down to simple quizzes, no letter grades are given. Only progression ratings are made such as: moving towards achieving the standard, etc. Yvonne did mention that officials are currently working on a way to equate the old grading system to the GLO.

m. Communications
James is still in the process of getting Fun Fair pictures on the Ahuimanu website.

Request for Funds
Anne Marie requested that the Ohana share in acquiring a container to store the school's physical education equipment. Ohana gave vocal approval to research for the best container price.

New Business/Parental Concerns
None

Adjournment/Next Meeting
The next official meeting is Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at 6 p.m. in the library. The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:
Robert Maeshiro, Recording Secretary