To: kvpta@iitb.ac.in
From: ptaboard@iitb.ac.in
Subject: Minutes of meeting with parents (classes 3-5)
X-Mailer: MH-E 7.82; nmh 1.0.4; GNU Emacs 20.7.1
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The meeting (held on Sunday, Feb 20, 2005) had about 60 parents. It was
indeed heartening to see parents so enthusiastic about making KVIIT THE
school to be.  The meeting started with an introduction by the PTA
secretary.  

Several points were raised.  They are listed here in NO particular
order! Please do not take it for granted that there is uniform support
for all the points mentioned here.

For the draft agenda for the teacher meeting please see the pta web
page. 

--------------------------
I Communication

a. Communication regarding events in school/class must be improved.
b. Open day is chaotic. Need more structure and privacy. Can we
   an open day after each unit test?

    Suggestions
    1. Two big notice boards near both gates where the teachers can stick
       notices regarding holidays, competitions, field trips etc.(if making
       copies for all students or supervising diary is difficult).
    2. A good format to handle open days needs to be developed. Time slots
       based on roll numbers and each parent can be individually called at
       teacher's desk to talk about his/her child's progress. Strongly
       implement the format so that the parents get the idea.
       Need parent cooperation.
    3. Diary usage can be improved.
    4. Have open days after every unit test.


II  Teaching.  Overall ok, some suggestions.

a. Lesson plans should be clearly spelled out.
b. For some reason, lots of books in the school bag; thus heavy bags!
c. Spacing of the second term exam needs to be worked out better.
d. Bunching up of HW 
e. Projects could be more creative
f. Projects are not displayed but dumped in the class rooms


    Suggestions.
    1. CW and HW books can be combined?
    2. Adopt better planning processes and communicate the term or weekly
       plan to the parents (what will be covered in the next few weeks,
       what materials are needed from the student etc.)
    3. Make use of term books - but this may lead to a loss of flexibility.
    4. Less homeworks during vacation 
    5. Projects should be done "at" school as group activity. Complex
       projects that need parental involvement should be given as vacation
       projects (long term).
    6. A good display or even a year end exhibition for the primary classes
       where the models and charts they make are show cased.


III Facilities

a. Classroom doors are not open early enough. Children carry bags and
   wait.
b. Bathrooms could be maintained better - not clean and hygienic
c. Desks are not maintained well. Bags do not fit into the desk.

IV. Discipline

a. More control between classes (in the absence of teachers) needed.
b. Rushing and trampling before assembly and when school is let out
c. Monitor issues.

    Suggestions:
    1. Rotate monitors. 
    2. Have senior students/prefects monitoring the lines.
    3. Stagger the time of release for each class.

V. Extra Curricular

a. Non-uniform selection of children for activities.
b. Annual Day for all children on one day (too long)
c. PT period is generally a wild card period. Sometime the teachers use
   PT period to teach other subjects.

    Suggestions:
    1. Split annual day into Primary/Middle Section and Secondary section.
       That way can get more children to participate.
    2. Have at least one period as "outdoor" period where the children are
    taught games like soccer, football formally
 
VI. Miscellany
a. Black vs Brown vs White shoes on PT days.
b. 5 days a week is too much. If that is not possible make Saturdays a
   "lite" day where the students are doing hands on projects or other group
   activity.
c. Computer class is not being handled properly.