A regular meeting of the EMS Parent Group was called to order by PTO President Molly Brennan in the Office Conference room at 7:07 pm.

Attendees: Principal Ken Sanders, Molly Brennan, Sue Reynolds, Angela Beauford, Lori Heiden, Jacqueline James, and Sue Coscarelly

Approval of minutes: The minutes from the November 2007 meeting were approved.

Principal’s Report:
Come see Mr. Toth, Mr. Vermullen, Mr. Brown, Mr. David, Mrs. Frith, and Mr. Sanders play with staff from Power against the staffs of Dunckel and Warner to raise money for the Farmington/Farmington Hills Neighborhood House. The 3rd Annual Battle of the Middles Basketball Game is Monday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students, or $1 with two canned goods or free with a new, unwrapped toy. Come help us raise money, food and toys for those families in Farmington that are in need during this holiday season.

The Presidential primary is January 15 and school will be in session. It would be nice to have some parent volunteers to help monitor the voters coming in and out of the building to prevent any unwanted visitors from wandering the halls. Let Sandy in the office know if you can help. Mrs. Blanzy, Ms. Johnson and Mrs. Thompson are training peer mediators this week to replace those that have moved on to the high school. They hope to add (20) 6th and 7th grade peer mediators.

Mid-term progress reports will no longer be sent home by the school. This is the progress report that looks like a report card, not the ones that teachers may send home with students. These grades are always available for view through Family Access. The Outstanding Citizens field trip is Monday, December 17. Contact Sue Reynolds to volunteer as a parent chaperone. We will need 7 parent volunteers and will be seeing the movie Enchanted.

Upcoming East activities:
Boys’ Basketball
Mon. 12/03/07 Abbott (home) 4:00 p.m.
Thurs. 12/06/07 Orchard Lake (home) 4:00 p.m.
Tues. 12/11/07 Power (away) 3:30 p.m. - 8th plays first
Thurs. 12/13/07 Warner (away) 3:30 p.m.
Tues. 12/18/07 Warner (home) 3:30 p.m.
Thurs. 12/20/07 Power (home) 3:30 p.m. - 8th plays first

East Concerts:
Friday, 12/21/07 Winter Wonderland Assembly - 8:00 a.m. (8th grade choir, band, orchestra, Encore)

Have a happy holiday season (no school 12/22/07-01/01/08) - School resumes 01/02/08.

Active Committee Updates:
* Spirit wear - more forms are needed in the office. East should consider contacting the business that now prints SFBI items as they may give additional spirit options.

* Council Rep. Melody Herr posts the quarterly report on the East website. .

Old Business:
Trees: Steinkopf put the three trees in the ground today; dedication plans are pending. “Math Counts”: There are 12-15 kids currently involved in this club.

New Business:
* Concern was voiced regarding a physical fight between students during the recent play production. Two kids were removed from the play and one student was allowed to perform in the play. The students’ parents were involved and disciplinary action was given.
* The results for the 8th grade placement tests for high school will be released mid-January. The Harrison High School counselors will come to East to talk to the 8th graders about choosing classes for next year. Information will be sent home to the parents. East 8th graders will register for classes online in the media center in mid-February and will have assistance during the process.

Next Meeting: The next meeting of the EMS Parent Group will be in the LGI room on Monday, January 14th at 1 p.m.

This meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by A. Sue Coscarelly