Fairview Parents
Parent involvement has been a vital component of Fairview since the inception of the program. Below are some of the things you can do to keep Fairview a "School of Excellence." All parents are encouraged to attend the LSDMC meetings and/or GEBAS meetings whenever possible. Even if you do not have an issue you would like to address, it is a great way to find out what is going on with our school. It is also a good way to meet other parents. We have talented parents with ideas and resources to share. Please get involved and help Fairview continue to be the best school in Cincinnati.

GEBAS (German English Bilingual Alternative School)
German English Bilingual Alternative School (GEBAS) is the parent fundraising group of the school. GEBAS is a non-profit foundation. GEBAS is like a Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO) in that it raises funds and is tax exempt. However, parents must join a PTO by paying dues; in GEBAS, every Fairview parent is a member. GEBAS is comprised of parents serving as board members. The GEBAS Foundation is responsible for maintaining accounting records and providing financial reports much like a PTO. Both organizations can apply for tax exempt status. This years board members are: Jane Bray (President), Patty Donnelly (Vice President), Rebecca Goodall (Treasurer) Jill Coleman (Financial Secretary), Clarence Hughes (Special Events), Bill Reid and Anne Cushing Read (Greenspace/Facilities), Marietta Drost (Recording Secretary), Beth Koenig (Travel/Exchange), Kristen Walters (Public Relations/Recruitment), Rick Harmon (Ways and Means), Vikki Blount (Corresponding Secretary), Jodie Zultowski (Volunteer Coordinator). GEBAS meets the second Monday of each month from 5:3 0-7:00 in the school library. All parents can attend any GEBAS meeting. All parents are invited to the annual meeting is held in April. At this meeting new board members are elected. The annual meeting is scheduled for Arts Night. More...

ILT (Instructional Leadership Team)
The Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) is a school commit-tee also mandated by Cincinnati Public Schools. The ILT is made up of teacher representatives from K-6, a teacher representative from Art/Music/PE/Library/Gifted, a teacher representative from German, a teacher representative from special education, two civil service representatives, the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers building representative, principal, and two parents. The ILT members share leadership in the areas of the instructional program, school operations and procedures that impact instruction, staff training, school budget, and safe and orderly school environment. The meetings are held two Tuesdays per month from 8:15 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. in the school library. If you are interested in being a parent representative, please email Patty Donnelly at p2dna@fuse.net or call and leave a message for her at school (363-2100).

LSDMC (Local School Decision-Making Committee)
The Local School Decision-Making Committee (LSDMC) is a Cincinnati Public School mandated body. The LSDMC is formed by specific district guidelines. It is made up of community members, parents, teachers and non-teaching staff. Representatives serve a two-year term on LSDMC. The LSDMC is the primary local decision making body to develop a vision and mission statement, set goals for the school, ap-prove the local school budget, and select the school principal when a vacancy exists in that position. The parent representatives are elected by GEBAS. Parent representatives on LSDMC are Patty Donnelly (Chairperson), Michael Mann and Linda Tong. All LSDMC meetings will be held in the Fairview Library on the first floor of the old building at 5:30 pm on the following dates for the school year 2007-2008: Sept. 25, Oct. 25, Nov. 29, Jan. 3, Feb. 28, March 20, April 24, May 22.

All parents, staff, teachers, community are invited to attend all of these meetings. We discuss, make recommendations, and approve such items as the annual budget, school pro-gram, facility issues, school goals and policies, student achievement. Come learn and contrib-ute. Anyone wishing to address the committee needs to sign up for a three-minute time slot prior to the start of the meeting. All past agendas and approved minutes are available in the school office for review.

Fundraising
Fairview holds many fundraisers throughout the year. Our parent group, GEBAS, sponsors all of our fundraisers. First thing in the fall, we kick off our two biggest fundraisers; Wrapping Paper and Magazine Sale. We also have many smaller fundraisers that run throughout the year where parents earn money for Fairview by shopping at certain stores and purchasing certain products. More...

Volunteering
Math/Science Night, Save the Arts Fundraisers, Used Book Sale also are upcoming. In addition, Fairview's GEBAS organization (parent board) will hold elections in April to fill several positions (including mine, Volunteer Coordinator) for next year. Please don't read this and assume others are going to do all the work. At the risk of sounding desperate, we need every one of you to volunteer for something to make these events happen with the success and pride that we expect at Fairview. (At least get on my email list to receive more updates, ZDjsn@aol.com). See below some of the volunteers we need immediately:

Volunteer Opportunities
Coordinator of Fundraising, Planning and Design of the Outdoor Areas of Our New School
The budget for the new school landscaping was cut way back so that it barely covers a few trees and shrubs in addition to the ground cover/grass. The site is 6+ acres of rolling topography which would look beautiful with additional landscaping and areas designed for enjoyment by students, families and neighbors. If you are interested, please call Linda Tong (Vivian’s mom, 6th grade) at 513-751-5763 or email lindalouisetong@msn.com.

Campbell's Labels and Box Tops Coordinator Still Needed
Please think about heading up this easy fundraiser for our school and our children. You can contact Patty Donnelly (559-0969 or p2dna@fuse.net) if you are interested or have any questions. (See below)

Fairview Ambassador Committee
If you like to extol the virtues of our school and would like to introduce others to the great programs Fairview offers, then you may be just the person that should be giving tours to prospective parents! The Fairview Ambassador Committee is a group of parents that offers group tours during school hours to prospective parents. If you have the interest, we can train you in the facts and details. The time commitment is a few mornings a month during our busy time (October through January) and an occasional morning at other times. Please call or email Amy Morand to volunteer or ask questions. The job is very gratifying and a great way to increase your knowledge of Fairview. Contact Amy Morand for more.