NO Summer School?!

March 17, 2008

Dear Parent/Guardian:

As the Board of Trustees of the Ross Global Academy Charter School, we would like to take this opportunity to explain some recent programming decisions. The Board and Administration have been working on the program and budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2008. This exercise involves examining all aspects of educational programming, curriculum development, facility planning, regulatory compliance, expansion of grades and the impact these changes will have in the upcoming year on the human and fiscal resources of Ross Global Academy.

It is clear that the focus of our faculty and administration this summer needs to be on middle school, planning for the expansion of grades for next year and on the continued development of the curriculum and professional development of our faculty. Additionally, this expansion is necessary to ensure the continued financial sustainability of the school.

As a result of our analysis of the combination of financial, facility and human resources available to the school, we have concluded that we can no longer offer a Summer Program. This means that no summer program will be offered in 2008. The Board and Administration believe this decision least affects the educational programming that takes place during the school year.

At the meeting of March 13, the Board also decided to continue the Saturday program for the remainder of this academic year, but no longer will require attendance of the students. Dr. Clagnaz has been asked by the Board to conduct a series of focus group meetings that include parents, faculty and students to examine the structure and educational value of a Saturday program for next year and beyond.

We want to ensure the Ross Global Academy Charter School remains financially sound while providing the best programming for our students. While budget and programmatic decisions are always difficult, we believe we have made decisions that least likely affect the educational success of our students as compared to alternative options.

We look forward to a long future where the continued success of the School and its students is the focus.

Sincerely,

Nicolas W. Combemale
Trustee,
On behalf of The Board of Trustees
Ross Global Academy Charter School

PICTURE DAY! Monday April 14, 2008!

It's picture day! Remember to press that collar and seam, slick that cowlick down and keep that winning smile bright! Check your child's back pack for more info on the available packages and other details.

Your liaison at RGA is Ms. Candice Ifill, you can contact her via email at cifill@rossglobalacademy.org. You are also welcome to post a question here at the blogspot by using the comments option!"

Magazine Fund Raising Drive

Ross Global Academy is now participating in a Magazine FundRaising Drive conducted by QSP/Reader's Digest in order to support student activities and other worthwhile projects. 40% of every dollar spent will be kept by the school for its educational budget and is considered a tax deduction. This fund raiser's success will depend on your participation which will often require only minimal out-of-pocket expenses.

You can participate in 1 of 2 ways:

1) Order magazines, music and books through the Internet by going to http://www.qsp.com/, click on "Shop Now", enter our account #425054311 and onceagain click on "Shop Now".

2) Submit a list of email addresses of friends and relatives that may becontacted to support our school. Go to http://www.qsp.com/, click on "RegisterNow", enter your email address, your name and your child's name, and ourschool's account #425054311. Then click the "Register" button followed by"Send E-mails" and type away!

Finally, in order to receive your prize, remember to fill out the prizeslip tearoff sent with your original packet and return with a printedreceipt of orders by Thursday, April 10th.

Thanks so much for your help!

Proposed New Changes for RGA PA Bylaws

Xavier Chavee, our PA treasurer introduced a few proposed changes to our Bylaws at the last PA meeting. Please review the following and share your comments here. If you would like to receive a copy of the current PA Bylaws, you can write to jiinsblog@gmail.com for a pdf copy. We will discuss these proposed changes at the next PA meeting. Please check your email or check back to this website for the next PA meeting date.

RGA BYLAWS – PROPOSED CHANGES FEB 2008

1. Article IV – Membership

OLD - Section 1: Membership

A person in parental relation is defined as one who is directly responsible for the care and custody of a child on a regular basis in lieu of a parent and legal guardian. A person may only qualify as a person in parental relation if no other eligible person applies as parent or guardian.

Any determinations about who constitutes a person in parental relation must be based on the individual circumstances surrounding guardianship and custodial care of the particular child, and shall include consultation between the PA executive board and the Principal.

NEW - Section 1: Membership

A person in parental relation is defined as one who is directly responsible for the care and custody of a child on a regular basis in lieu of a parent and legal guardian, as long as the relationship is not being challenged by the parent or guardian. Typically this would include grand parents and direct family members, and partners.

Any determinations about who constitutes a person in parental relation must be based on the individual circumstances surrounding guardianship and custodial care of the particular child, and shall include consultation between the PA executive board and the Principal, with the Executive Board having the final decision authority on such matters.

2. Article V - Officers and Elections

OLD - Section 1: Number, manner of selection and term of office

The officers of the Association shall be:

One (1) President or two (2) Co-Presidents
One (1) or two (2) Vice-President(s)
One (1) or two (2) Secretary(ies)
One (1) Treasurer
One (1) Board of Trustees Parent Representative - who can also fill another elected position

Each of the above officers, except the Board of Trustee Parent representative, is to be elected at the General Meeting of the Association in June for a one (1) year term. Term of office shall begin July 1st and end on June 30th. The Board of Trustee Parent Representative will be appointed by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

NEW - Section 1: Number, manner of selection and term of office

The officers of the Association shall be:

One (1) President or two (2) Co-Presidents
One (1) or two (2) Vice-President(s)
One (1) or two (2) Secretary(ies)
One (1) Treasurer
One (1) Board of Trustees Parent Representative – this position is to be filled by the elected President. If 2 Co-Presidents have been elected by the general membership, one of these will be elected by the Executive Board to fill this position.

Each of the above officers, except the Board of Trustee Parent representative if there are 2 Co-Presidents, is to be elected at the General Meeting of the Association in May for a one (1) year term. Term of office shall begin July 1st and end on June 30th.

3. Article V - Officers and Elections

OLD - Section 3: Manner of conducting elections

3.1 Nominating Committee

a) A nominating committee will be formed (*). The nominating committee shall consist of three to five (3-5) members to be elected by the membership at the March meeting. The majority of the members of the nominating committee must come from the membership. The nominating committee shall choose one of its members to serve as chairperson. No person employed in the school shall be eligible to serve on the nominating committee.

(*) For the academic year 2006/2007 it is proposed that as a one time exception, the elected parent representatives (assisted by other parent volunteers) will solicit officer candidates amongst the general membership, and will organize the elections, including the acceptance and counting of the votes, and the announcement of the voting results.

b) Members of the nominating committee are not eligible to run for office. An eligible member of the nominating committee may be considered as a candidate if she/he immediately resigns from the committee in writing.

NEW - Section 3: Manner of conducting elections

3.1 Nominating Committee

a) A nominating committee will be formed for the duration of the election process (*). The nominating committee shall consist of three to five (3-5) members to be elected by the membership at the March meeting. The majority of the members of the nominating committee must come from the membership. The nominating committee shall choose one of its members to serve as chairperson. No person employed in the school shall be eligible to serve on the nominating committee.

(*) For the academic year 2007/2008 it is proposed that as a one time exception, the elected parent representatives (assisted by other parent volunteers) will solicit officer candidates amongst the general membership, and will organize the elections, including the acceptance and counting of the votes, and the announcement of the voting results.

b) Members of the nominating committee are not eligible to run for office. An eligible member of the nominating committee may be considered as a candidate if she/he immediately resigns from the committee in writing. Once the elections have been finalized, the members of the nominating committee become eligible to volunteer for positions not filled by the election or for positions that have been vacated by previously elected officials, except for the President/Co-President position(s).

4. Article V - Officers and Elections

OLD - Section 4: Duties of the Officers

4.1 President or Co-Presidents:

The president or designated co-presidents shall preside at all meetings of the PA and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. The president or co-presidents can propose chairpersons of PA committees and shall encourage meaningful participation in all related activities. The president or co-presidents shall communicate regularly with the executive board members in accordance with these bylaws to plan the agendas for the PA meetings. The president may be one of the signatories on the PA checking account. He/she will also attend the Board of Trustees meetings, and shall serve as the alternate for the appointed Board of Trustees parent representatives. If the President is chosen as the Board of Trustees Parent Representative, (one of) the Vice Presidents shall serve as the alternate parent representative to the Board of Trustees and shall attend the Board of Trustee meetings.

NEW - Section 4: Duties of the Officers

4.1 President or Co-Presidents:

The president or designated co-presidents shall preside at all meetings of the PA and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. The president or co-presidents can propose chairpersons of PA committees and shall encourage meaningful participation in all related activities. The president or co-presidents shall communicate regularly with the executive board members in accordance with these bylaws to plan the agendas for the PA meetings. The president may be one of the signatories on the PA checking account. He/she will also fill the Board of Trustees representative position (BoTrep), as described by RGA’s charter application. In the case of the election of Co-Presidents, one of these will be elected by the Executive Board to fill the Board of Trustees position, and the other Co-President shall serve as the alternate for the appointed Board of Trustees parent representatives. The BoTrep will attend all the Board of Trustees meetings. If only 1 President is chosen as the BoTrep, (one of) the Vice Presidents shall serve as the alternate parent representative to the Board of Trustees and shall attend the Board of Trustee meetings.

5. Article V - Officers and Elections

OLD - Section 5: Vacancies

A vacancy occurring in the office of president or co-presidents shall be filled by the vice-president for the remainder of the term of office. In the event that the vice-president does not wish to assume this position, the vacancy shall be filled by a special election process.

A vacancy occurring in any other position shall be filled by a special election process. Officers who wish to resign their positions once an election has been certified, must do so in writing to the secretary. If the officer has records in his/her possession at that time, the records shall be turned over to the secretary. In the event of the resignation of the secretary, he or she must transfer records to the president or a co-president.

NEW - Section 5: Vacancies

A vacancy occurring in the office of president or co-presidents shall be filled by the vice-president for the remainder of the term of office. In the event that the vice-president does not wish to assume this position, the vacancy shall be filled by a special election process amongst the general membership. Until a special election of the general membership could be convened, the Executive Board of the PA, will vote in one of the remaining executive board members to serve as Interim President. The special election should be held within a period not to exceed two (2) months from the date of the vacancy.

A vacancy occurring in any other position shall be filled by a special election process amongst the PA’s Executive Board members. Officers who wish to resign their positions once an election has been certified, must do so in writing to the secretary. If the officer has records in his/her possession at that time, the records shall be turned over to the secretary. In the event of the resignation of the secretary, he or she must transfer records to the president or a co-president.