PTA Meeting Minutes 9.12.17

By Katherine Novello | October 6, 2017

Campbell PTA Meeting

September 12, 2017

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Approximate
# of Attendees: 54

I.     Welcome
and Introductions/Ice Breaker: Nathan Zee, President 

  • Nathan
    welcomed everyone to the meeting and initiated an ice-breaker

  • Every
    attendee introduced themselves, their children (ages and teachers), and
    shared why they chose Campbell

 

II.    Overview
of 2017-2018 Plans: Nathan Zee, President

  • Nathan
    introduced the topic and turned over the floor

  • Programming
    highlights (Paige Hamrick, VP Programming)

    • Paige
      introduced herself and briefly described her role, then highlighted the
      main programming events that are planned for this school year:

      • Garden
        Work Day (Saturday, 9/16)

      • Back-to-School
        picnic (Friday, 9/22)

      • Spirit
        Week (three days prior to the October Fun Run)

      • Movie
        Night

      • Family
        Game Night (new this year; will be held in lieu of school dance)

      • Class
        Colors (also new this year, colors won’t change)

        • Pre-K: Purple

        • K: Orange

        • 1st: White

        • 2nd: Yellow

        • 3rd: Blue

        • 4th: Red

        • 5th: Green

    • Volunteers
      are welcome and needed to assist with events; attendees invited to
      sign-up for any volunteer roles they’re interested in; this is the FUN
      committee)

  • Fundraising
    highlights (Sean Doyle, VP Fundraising)

    • Two
      main fundraisers:

      • Fit-and
        Fun Run, coming up on 10/20

        • Can donate online or by check

        • There will be school-wide and individual incentives

      • Wetlands
        Festival in the spring

        • Dunk tank, bands, food, silent auction

    • We’ll
      need volunteers to help organize and staff these events

    • Also
      looking for opportunities for community partnerships

    • Other
      fundraisers that are coming up are:

      • Restaurant
        Nights (10/17 at Dogfish Head, 11/15 at Four Courts)

      • Square
        1 Art (in December)

  • How
    to Get Involved (Barbara Martinez, VP Communications)

    • Sign-up
      on Announcements to get communications

    • Sign-up
      to volunteer on a committee

 

III.   State of the School: Maureen Nesselrode,
Principal

·        
At the beginning
of each year, I like to share our school plan and our goals for the year. Here
are the highlights:

o  
435 students
enrolled

o  
Low staff
turnover

o  
Additional
student services support

o  
Updated carpet
and paint (work done over the summer)

o  
SOL scores
improved again; closing achievement gaps

o  
Ms. Christy is
full time at Campbell this year; we’re increasing Outdoor learning time

o  
Outdoor Garden
Orientations are underway

o  
Countywide adoption
of TC Reader’s Workshop model; we were already doing it to some extent, but
we’ll increase implementation to meet county expectations

o  
Additional
Reading Specialist support (Title 1 funded); Reading Specialists help with
enrichment and build classroom libraries

o  
Installed
additional Smart Boards,; replacing Bulletin Board w/Flat Screen TV for
announcements/Twitter Feed at entrance

o  
New format for
Back-to-School Night

o  
Sound System
upgrades being installed this week (PTA funded); may use it at this Friday’s
Community Meeting

o  
Updates in APS
include

§ 
Reorganization of
Central Office

§ 
Canvas (a
Learning Management System) is replacing Blackboard

§ 
School Talk (text
message alerts) is being updated  

§ 
Revised School Boundaries:
new schools are opening and lotteries are being redesigned; more information
can be found on the APS website under “Engage with APS”

IV.  2016-2017
PTA Audit Review and Vote: Jenny Morris, Treasurer

·        
Over the summer,
members of the PTA Executive Board met with members of the Audit Committee and
conducted an audit of our PTA’s finances

·        
Members received
an electronic copy of the audit last week, and tonight we need to vote on
whether to approve the audit

o  
Motion to approve
audit; seconded; approved unanimously 

V. Budget Review
and Vote: Nathan Zee, President

·        
We’ve had a
successful few years

·        
We’re budgeted at
a loss this year to spend down some of our surplus funds

·        
Budget highlights
include:

o   Reduced PTA amount going to Outdoor Learning
Coordinator because she’s now fulltime through APS

o   Paid for upgraded Sound System

o   Increased amount for teacher appreciation and
teacher support

o   Outside experts and Outdoor Classroom amounts
increased

o   Changed budget to grade-level support to
encourage teachers to spend the money we’re making available across all grade
levels

·        
Any
questions/comments?

o   Q: Why was VPI line item funding decreased? A:
Because they are well-funded through the Early Childhood initiative and
therefore don’t need as much

·        
Motion to approve
2017-2018 Budget; seconded; approved unanimously

·        
Funding requests:

o   Ms. Decker, School Librarian: $400 for First
Reader books, one for each Kindergarten student (for a “Book Garden” for
incoming students, based on last year’s successful “Book Garden” for graduating
5th Graders)

§  Motion to approve funding; seconded; approved
unanimously 

o   Ms. Dooley, Interlude: $225.29 for sensory
toys, a room divider, headphones

§  Motion to approve funding; seconded; approved
unanimously 

o   Ms. Peterson, Music teacher: $140 for five new
ukuleles

§  Motion to approve funding; seconded; approved
unanimously 

o   Funding request: $230 to neuter Paige, the
school bunny

§  Motion to approve funding; seconded; approved

 

VI.  New
Business: Nathan Zee, President

  • Membership
    reminders will wind down in about a week

  • The
    Back-to-School Picnic will be held next Friday evening

  • Reminders:

    • Dogfish
      Head Restaurant Night coming up on 10/17

    • Fun
      Run to be held on 10/20

    • Four
      Courts Restaurant Night coming up on 11/15

    • Thursday
      Morning Parent Group meetings are open to all; they’re conducted in
      Spanish, but English translation is available

  • We’ll
    identify a nominating committee in November to begin the process of identifying
    the next set of PTA officers; four Executive Board members’ terms will
    expire at the end of this school year, so we’re looking for people to step
    into these roles

  • Any
    new business from anyone else?

    • Q:
      Can you talk a little bit about the process of bringing forward new
      business or idea/suggestions? For instance, how will we identify what we’re
      hoping to focus on this year as a PTA? Will you conduct a survey? A: We
      conducted a survey last May, and this year’s priorities, events, and
      budget are based on the results of that survey. We are always open to new
      suggestions and all are invited to provide comments/input at any time. We
      want to be as inclusive and transparent as possible.

 

 

VII. Closing:
Nathan Zee, President

  • Thank
    you for coming! .

 

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