DIS PTO Passage to India Live Auction
My very bad video from my little camera
2007-04-15
2007-04-17
2007-04-20
International School of the Peninsula’s Passage to India Gala
Congratulation to the Palo Alto’s International School of the Peninsula
Looked like it was a rocking time !
Album: Portraits |
Album: Dinner and Auction |
Album: Dancing |
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2007-04-21
Top Universities Post Free Materials Online
Top Universities Post Free Materials Online
Getting into college may be tougher than it used to be. But top schools are offering a growing number of courses free online.
Following the lead of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other highly competitive schools, more institutions are posting online everything from lecture notes to sample tests, and even making audio and video files of actual lectures publicly available. The sites attract anywhere from thousands to more than one million unique visitors each month.
The moves–which differ from the “distance learning” courses that many schools offer for credit and charge for–come as colleges and universities say they want to democratize education, making the best resources available to more people. But they also hope that it leads to more interest from potential applicants and inspires alumni in far-flung locales to make a donation…more
Getting Paid to Pass Tests
Getting Paid to Pass Tests
Jessica Stark, a 17-year-old from Abilene, Texas, earned $600 for some hard work last year. It wasn’t flipping burgers or waiting tables. She made the money for passing six of the toughest examinations in high school at $100 apiece.
Ms. Stark is part of a movement that is going national: paying kids to take Advanced Placement tests. Success on these exams, administered by the nonprofit College Board, often gives students college credit and sometimes encourages them to pursue study and careers in the field. Ms. Stark plans to become an engineer and has already been admitted to the Colorado School of Mines. “I do homework all the time,” she says. “I don’t have too much of a social life…. Study parties–we’re pretty good at those.”
A new initiative, aimed at encouraging careers in math and science, plans to replicate these AP bonuses across the country. Teachers get them, too–at times, $5,000 annually or more–for helping their kids pass AP classes in math, science and English. The money is provided by a network of private donors. Along with cash, students in Texas sometimes get gifts, such as iPods, as door prizes for attending weekend prep classes…more
2007-04-25
General Assembly #3 - Allocations
Buses for Field Trips 2007-2008: $ 9,500
This allocation request will cover the cost of buses for 2 field trips per class for the primary and additional trips for the secondary classes.
Allocation will be managed by Sophie Davis.
Allocation expires June 1, 2008
Annual Subscriptions for Both Libraries: $ 3,000
This allocation request will cover the cost of the annual subscriptions for magazines in both libraries
Allocation will be managed by Sophie Davis.
Allocation expires June 1, 2008
Spanish Textbooks: $ 9,500 www.santillanusa.com
Text books and Activity Books for the new Spanish curriculum taking the children from Maternal III – CM2. Maternal III Comienzos Kit 20 student activity books, Teacher’s guide and CD, classroom library etc. $ 813.95
CP. Classroom Kit 20 Student books and activity books, Teacher’s guide and CD, classroom library etc. $ 1,791.95
2nd.Grade Classroom Kit 20 Student books and activity books, Teacher’s guide and CD, classroom library etc. $ 1,844.95
3rd. Grade Classroom Kit 20 Student books and activity books, Teacher’s guide and CD, classroom library etc. $ 1,800.95
4th. Grade Classroom Kit 20 Student books and activity books, Teacher’s guide and CD, classroom library etc. $ 1,540.95
5th. Grade Classroom Kit 20 Student books and activity books, Teacher’s guide and CD, classroom library etc. $ 1,528.95
Allocation will be managed by Ilse Garcia
Allocation expires June 1, 2008
Primary Computer Equipment and Furniture: $ 5,550
Equipping the main computer lab (desks only, no chairs) was approximately $3500$1000 (projector), $250 (cart), $500 (screen) = ~$1750Allocation will be managed by Sophie Davis
Allocation expires June 1, 2008
Class Sets of Novels: $ 2,500
French series of novel or short stories to study
CE1: 25 copies of “En sortant de l’école” (25x 5,5 euros= 137.50 euros)
CE2 : Octave et le cachalot or Le doigt magique (50x 8,4 euros= 420.00 euros)
CM1 : Cabanon de l’Oncle Jo’ (25x 6 euros= 150.00 euros)
CM2 : Bibliobus 4 short stories by book: N2,N4, N5, N7, N9 (150x 6,9 euros= 1,035.00)
Allocation will be managed by Martine Delcroix
Allocation expires June 1, 2008
Art & Music Festival: $ 5,000
Funding for this year’s Art & Music Festival. this will cover the cost of performers, materials for the craft workshops and materials for each class to make costumes and projects.
Allocation will be managed by Tracy Kozah
Allocation expires June 1, 2008
MLF Network Theater Festival Funding: $ 5,000
DIS would host different schools in the US MLF network to perform theater pieces. This would cover the leasing of a theater, any special set pieces and scenery, some meals for the visiting students, and a bus to transport the visitors.(the other school s will pay for accommodations and travel).
Allocation will be managed by Pierre Vittoz
Allocation expires June 1, 2008
General Theater Needs: $ 3,000
Scenery, props and costumes for our own productions (Shakespeare,
French play, end of year plays).
Allocation will be managed by Pierre Vittoz
Allocation expires June 1, 2008
Propose Bylaw Revisions
Greetings,
Our Bylaw is woefully outdated. We hope to start some minor revisions in prelude of more work next year. This will be all in one package. Yes or No for the entire 12 items. Our expectations are to subtract some non-applicable items, clarification of membership definition and assigning earlier deadlines in hopes to better organize the functionality of our organization. Please take some time to review the proposals.
Proposed Bylaw Revisions..sum…rev
Bylaw Committee: Liz Pasquinelli, Eileen Wolfe and Albert Chia
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Original
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Suggested revision
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PTO Comment
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| 1
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DIS-PTA
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DIS-PTO
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Updating the name of our organization in our bylaw
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| 2
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GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL MESSAGE BOARD PURPOSE
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Delete entire section
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Section no longer applicable
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| 3
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Article IX Section 8 part b): Health and Safety Committee
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Delete entire section
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Health and Safety concerns are being captured by the School Council
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| 4
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Article X Section 1: The fiscal year of the DIS-PTO shall begin June I and end May 30.
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The financial year of the DIS-PTO shall begin June I and end May 30. The PTO’s fiscal year shall correspond with that of Dallas International School
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For accounting purposes, The DIS fiscal year ends at the end of December. DIS-PTO will need to provide a fiscal summary in correspondence with DIS
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| 5
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Article VIII Section 2 part f): “$1000 “
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$2,500
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The allocation limit was raised and approved at the 2nd General Assembly of the 2005-2006 school year.
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| 6
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Article IV Section 1: and Teachers
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All employees of Dallas International School
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Clarification of “membership” definition. Previous language possessed contradictions between Article and Section. The languages we introduce define the teacher portion of the PTO as all employee staff of Dallas International School. Encompassing the assistances and support personnel excluding contractors
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| 7
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Article IV Section 3 part b): and their spouses
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All employees of Dallas International School
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Clarification of “membership” definition. Previous language possessed contradictions between Article and Section. The languages we introduce define the teacher portion of the PTO as all employee staff of Dallas International School. Encompassing the assistances and support personnel excluding contractors
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| 8
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Article VI Section 8 part a): “October“
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Submit a plan of work to the Board of Directors for approval no later than the August Board of Directors meeting in the year of their election
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We believe the October as a deadline would be too late. We suggest May as the ideal target month but August would be the latest month those plans needs to be finalize
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| 9
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Article VI Section 8 part c): “the meeting at which their successors assume their duties“
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2 weeks before the last day of school
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We believe the success of future PTO boards require the need to transfer the official material at least one month prior to the end of the school year. The bulk of future committees and plans for the pending school year should be planned prior to the end of the current school year.
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| 10
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Article V Section 2 part c): “on June 15 “
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Officers shall be elected at the final General Meeting of the School year, and assume their official duties the last scheduled day of the school year
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We believe the success of future PTO boards require the need to transfer the official material at least one month prior to the end of the school year. The bulk of future committees and plans for the pending school year should be planned prior to the end of the current school year.
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| 11
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Article V Section 2 part b: “on June 15“
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45 days prior to the end of the school year
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We believe the success of future PTO boards require the need to transfer the official material at least one month prior to the end of the school year. The bulk of future committees and plans for the pending school year should be planned prior to the end of the current school year.
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| 12
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Article V Section 2 part d) “May“
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2 weeks before the last day of school
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We believe the success of future PTO boards require the need to transfer the official material at least one month prior to the end of the school year. The bulk of future committees and plans for the pending school year should be planned prior to the end of the current school year.
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Are You Eligible to Vote for the April 27th General Election?
This school year, PTO membership has been extended to all DIS families. Each family no longer needs to join the PTO; instead all DIS families are now automatically members. The General Election will be held this Friday, April 27th , for the 2007-2008 PTO Board. The procedure will be to hand each adult a ballot when they sign in for the meeting. The list we will use is the RenWeb directory list. Thus, if you would like to vote, your name must appear on that list. Please check the RenWeb directory list and if your name is not there, you must contact Sheila Kelly by 6pm Thursday April 26, to add your name. If your name is not on the list, you will not receive a ballot. We encourage each adult to verify that their names are listed. This will be each voter’s responsibility.
While we do have a slate of candidates, anyone attending the General Election will be allowed to submit their names that evening to run for a position provided they are on the RenWeb Directory list. There will be time allotted for each candidate to say a few words to introduce themselves. We encourage anyone interested in serving the PTO next year to consider submitting their names.
2007-04-26
DDC - DIS Dad’s Club
DDC
4/25/2007
Drop your business card off at the receptionist area and join the DIS Dad’s Club and LinkedIn Network
http://www.linkedin.com/
Purpose:
The Dad’s Club was established to encourage Dads to spend time with their children in the school environment, provide positive male role models at school, reinforce the importance of education, create a network of active Dads at school, and provide assistance to the teachers and the PTO.School Projects
At the end of the school year, Mr. Vittoz will sit down with faculty and staff to identify a wish list of projects, purchases, and repairs for the school. The Dads Club will review each of the requests and determine which items to take on.Suggested Events
Father Daughter Dance
Father Son Event
Gala Participation
Area Dad’s Club:
St. Monica: www.smsdadsclub.org
St. Alcuin: http://www.saintalcuin.org/parentsclub.asp
Ursuline Academy: http://www.ursulinedallas.org/waysofgvng/volunteering/Parent_Organizations.htm
AWTY: http://www.awty.org/parentsADC.php
DIS-PTO Teacher Care Committee
Proposal:
· To create a Teacher Care Committee in the DIS PTO.
· Eileen Wolfe volunteers to lead this committee for the 2007-2008 school year.
· This committee would report directly to the PTO Vice President.
· Due to the timing of the suggested events at the beginning of school year 07-08, this committee would need to be formed by late June or early July 2007, at the latest.
Rationale:
1. A well-supported faculty at any type of school:
· experiences less turnover, which saves the school money in recruitment costs
· is able to recruit high-quality teachers
· creates a more consistent learning environment for the children
· provides stability for the school, which promotes growth
· creates an atmosphere of joy and open communication (parent-to-teacher, administration-to-teacher, teacher-to-teacher, teacher-to-child)
· adds motivation for teachers to “go the extra mile” for DIS.
2. Funds for many of the budgeted items below have:
· been acquired by the school in the past via allocation request (e.g. Holiday Dinner).
· or been allocated by vote of the PTO Board (e.g. Orientation Luncheon)
Establishing a committee for Teacher Care would eliminate the need for itemized allocation requests and would lighten the workload of the administration in planning and executing such events.
Possible Responsibilities of a Teacher Care Committee: The first year of this committee would be somewhat experimental in nature. Items from the list below might be tried and then abandoned in future school years, if deemed unsuccessful. Other items on the list might not be put into action at all. The following list is only a list of possibilities. A specific action plan for 2007-2008 would be created by July 2007.
· Teacher Orientation Luncheon (August)
· Recognition of Years-of-Service to DIS (5, 10, 15, etc.) (timing/format set by the school administration)
· Provide meals for Teacher Meetings as follows:
o Maternelle/Primary—10 evening meetings per school year, approx. 36 people @ $6.60 per person
o Secondary—10 lunch meetings per school year, approx. 15 people @ $6.60 per person
· Holiday Dinner (December)
· National Teacher Appreciation Week (or day) in May
· Create a teacher support/appreciation article in Le Courrier each time it is published (could be brief such as quotes from students about their teachers)
· Help the Le Courrier editor with gathering info for the “Have You Met…?” article highlighting a faculty/staff member in each issue of Le Courrier.
· Provide support in times of grief or stress such as illness or prolonged disability (e.g. Get parents to provide some meals for the teacher and his/her family.)
· Create/Provide welcome baskets for new teachers (August), pending approval of Veronique Fally.
· Support Veronique Fally (at her request) if she needs assistance with new teachers’ assimilation into DIS/Dallas life.
· Recognize teachers and staff on their birthdays in some small way, such as with a greeting card and a $10 SCRIP card given “from the PTO.”
· Create/Maintain a “Helping Hands” program in which parents create classroom materials for teachers (cutting, assembling, copying, making playdough) either monthly or weekly.
· Help (somehow!) to relieve the awkward situation that comes up each year re: teacher tickets to the Gala
· Solicit donated gifts and/or gift certificates from DIS parents who own small businesses to be used perhaps during Teacher Appreciation Week in May.
· Support the schedule of and funding of periodic teacher social functions (off-campus, outside of school hours)
General Assembly #3 - Agenda for the Evening
7:00 pm: Welcome (Albert Chia)
7:05 pm: Election (Victoria Gylys)
7:30 pm: Gala final report (Beth Zucker)
7:35 pm: Financial report (Tufan Arikan)
7:40 pm: Allocations (Albert Chia/Ashley Reynolds)
7:50 pm: Teacher Care Committee (Eileen Wolfe)
8 pm: resume to potluck dinner (Albert Chia)
Speaking In Teen
8 simple rules for communicating better with your kids
By Hugh O’Neill, Best Life
If there’s a teenager in your house, you might have noticed that grown men and 15-year-olds aren’t always in sync. The problem is not just that you’ve got antipodal interests—theirs: instant-messaging friends; yours: roads not taken—but that your minds work differently. Your brain tries to subdue anarchic feelings, while their brains urge the chaos front and center. When you add in the crossing hormonal shifts—theirs surging; yours on the ebb—oddsmakers rank fathers and teens talking right up there with Villanova taking out Georgetown in ‘85.
Still, those are the bets worth winning, right? After all, any dolt can dig the company of an 8-year-old who mistakes him for a god. But it takes a man in full to court a sullen 16-year-old who appears indifferent, maybe even disdainful. Once again, I’m wiser now than I was back when my teenagers were still living down the hall. Offered in keen hindsight, here are a few thoughts that might help, whether you’re trying to savor a happy child or to steady a wobbling one….more
2007-04-28
Summer movie guide
By CHRIS VOGNAR / Movie Critic
De La Soul claimed it was the magic number. The late John Ritter found it to be good company. And of course there’s the Holy Trinity.But this summer, as movie studios embark on their annual quest to make their tent poles stand up, the number three will mean piles and piles (and piles) of cash. Never have so many Hollywood franchises scurried behind the line of risk aversion and hoisted up a trey. The sports world long ago introduced “threepeat” to the national vocabulary. Now it’s time for the threequel.
FC Dallas Family Packs Return
This Sunday FC Dallas Family Packs Return
4/29 FCD vs. New England Revolution @ 2:00pm
4 Tickets, 4 Sodas, 4 Pizzas:
Midfield East = $95 (additionals = $23.75)
Sideline East = $83 (additionals = $20.75)
Endline = $67 (additionals = $16.75)
Call Evan Mitz Today at 1 214 705 6752!!!
Other Family Pack Dates (4/29, 5/20, 6/9, 8/4, 9/1, 10/11)
DIS PTO would like to thank the members of the Election Committee
Great Job ladies
PTO Election Committee:
Veree Brown
Denice Golden
Victoria Gylys
Natasha Ksendzov
Louise Meymand Pelletier
Diana Warnecke
Introducing the 2007-2008 DIS PTO Board
Congratulations !
President - John de Papp
Vice President - Mimi Farhat
Treasurer - Valerie Keyaerts
Secretary - Maria Rosen
Fundraising Chair - Karen Smith
Maternelle Room Parent Coordinator - Maryann Aguiari
Primary Room Parent Coordinator - Debra Dryburgh
Secondary Room Parent Coordinator - Karen Laday
Primary Teacher Representative - Anna Saffren
Secondary Teacher Representative - Charlotte Tomlinson
DIS PTO Passage to India Galagram
2007 Wrap Up Galagram
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
The 2007 Gala has been full of change. Some changes worked very well.and as a result, we are pleased to announce that this year’s Gala will contribute $140,000 to DIS, surpassing our goal of $100,000 by a wide margin.
Thanks to many, many people, this Gala broke every possible record:
- revenue reached a new high of $209,000 (from $136,000 last year)
- corporate and personal sponsorship hit a record $88,000 (from $65,000 last year)
- raffle revenues delivered $7,200 or 4 times as much as last year
- attendance surpassed 400 people for the first time
- auction revenues per person averaged $245, up from $150 the year before
The best news is that we are already planning how to sustain this year’s success with future Galas. We’re actively organizing next year’s committee and creating continuity in both our volunteers as well as our activities. It has! been an honor and a privilege for the 3 of us to get to lead the Year of India gala. We’ve laughed, we’ve worried, we’ve pondered and we’ve learned. We learned from you, from the wonderful DIS staff, teachers and students, and we walk away better for that. We continue to be awed by your generosity and kindness, as we have been so many times this year.
Finally, we want to again thank the entire Gala Committee. In deed, the success of the Gala goes way beyond the 3 of us. We had a fantastic, dedicated and devoted group of parents who took on big tasks and small to make this Gala the largest fund-raiser for DIS. Their energy, humor, positive attitude and unrelenting dedication to the Gala’s fund-raising goals have been an inspiration to us throughout this year.
With warmest regards,
Beth Zucker, Marilyn Naylor and Liza Tatum
2007 DIS Gala Co-Chairs
2008 Gala Organizational Meeting - May 9th at 8:30 in the upstairs cafeteria
2008 Gala Organizational Meeting - May 9th at 8:30 in the upstairs cafeteria
If you want to get involved in the 2008 Gala, please join us for an informational meeting on May 9th at the upstairs cafeteria after drop off. The following people have already volunteered to serve on next year’s committee:
Beth Zucker
Pam Colquitt
Jennifer Woods
Marilyn Naylor
Amanda Ward
Diana Warnecke
Jennifer Woods
Tammy Cotton Hartnett
Nathalie Lemmon
Geraldine Brown
Valerie Grebonval
Maria Rosen
Frankie Branham
Jill MacCorkle
Melissa Sauvage
We are looking for more volunteers! If you are interested but can not attend the meeting or just want more information, please contact Beth Zucker at bzucker2004@yahoo.com .
DIS PTO Mom’s Club will meet on Friday, May 4th in Churchill Park right after morning carpool
The Mom’s Club will meet on Friday, May 4th in Churchill Park right after morning carpool. In case of rain they will meet in the Galleria Shopping Mall at the play space upstairs near Nordstrom.
Allocation and Bylaw Revision Results
- 64 members registered
- 59 official allocation ballots.
- 44 vote for approval of Bylaw revision. 1 no vote. 19 left blank. “Bylaws may be amended at any regular General Meeting provided a quorum is present, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting.” 2/3 of 64 is 42.2. The revision was passed
- All Allocations Passed
| Allocation | Yes | No | Left Blank |
| Buses for Field Trips: $ 9,500 | 58 | 1 | |
| Annual Subscriptions for Both Libraries: $ 3,000 | 58 | 1 | |
| Spanish Textbooks: $ 9,500 | 58 | 1 | |
| Primary Computer Equipment and Furniture: $ 5,550 | 55 | 3 | 1 |
| Class Sets of Novels: $ 2,500 | 56 | 3 | |
| Art & Music Festival: $ 5,000 | 55 | 4 | |
| MLF Network Theater Festival Funding: $ 5,000 | 50 | 9 | |
| General Theater Needs: $ 3,000 | 53 | 6 |