PTA Meeting Minutes 11.15.16
Campbell PTA Meeting
November 15, 2016
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Approximate # of
Attendees:
30
I. Welcome and Introductions:
Nathan Zee, President
- Nathan welcomed
everyone to the meeting and turned things over to Ms. Nesselrode - Ms. Nesselrode
presented Campbell wear from the PTA to the custodial staff as a ‘thank
you’ for their hard work
II. Family Life:
Dina Berhan, Counselor
- Ms. Nesselrode introduced the
topic and provided examples of learning objectives at the K-3 level. Campbell does not necessarily teach
specific lessons at the younger grades, but rather meeting the objectives
is woven throughout the kids’ learning (e.g., “I respect” supports the
respect learning objective) - Ms. Berhan provided an overview
and specific examples of how she teaches to the 4th and 5th
graders. She draws from APS
guidelines, Virginia guidelines, and has produced a power point she uses
as a baseline. Some specific
discussion points included:
o Discussions
with kids are targeted depending on specific areas of focus
o She
ensures parents are aware of when the learning is scheduled to occur and takes
feedback from parents
o Boys
and Girls may be taught separately (depending on the topic) although the
content is the same
o There
is a “too smart to start” program that introduces refusal skills (e.g., drugs,
alcohol, smoking) – this is taught towards the end of the year and is expanded
on in middle school
o Gender
stereotyping may be a future topic that Ms. Berhan can integrate into her
material
III. Outdoor
Learning: Kevan Miller, Parent
- Kevan provided
an overview of her outdoor learning experience at a nearby preschool where
she spends the entire morning teaching kids in the outdoors multiple times
per month - Each class of 3,
4, and 5 year olds spends two days per month outdoors for the school day
regardless of the weather/temperature - Kevan summarized
recent research on the importance of kids getting outside including
articles in the NY Times, Washington Post, National Geographic and
others. Some key benefits include: - Improved motor
fitness - Improved
concentration and self-discipline - Improved
distance vision - Improved
cognitive abilities - Improved
critical thinking - Lower stress,
anxiety, and depression - Improved social
skills including empathy and connections - Increased
resilience - Increased
creativity and sense of wonder - Increased
independence and autonomy - Increased
ability to recognize and assess risk - Increased
appreciation for the natural world around us - Kevan has seen
all these benefits first hand over the last three years including happier
kids overall who participate in the program - Kevan discussed
some of the barriers to more time outside including time constraints,
proximity to parks/forests, safety concerns, and adverse weather
conditions – she noted that “bad weather always looks worse through a
window” and that once outside it’s usually not as bad as you thought
(especially from a child’s perspective) - Kevan encouraged
parents to try and see things through their child’s eyes and motivate them
to get outside more – you don’t need a specific goal (e.g., a science
lesson) – just get outside and do things (including reading outside) - Kevan provided a
list of resources (will be provided electronically separately) - Ms. Nesselrode
provided an update about how Campbell approaches outdoor learning to
include: - Kids are
reading outdoors during their library time - Miss Christy
takes classes outside rain or shine - Community
Meeting was held outdoors and it was a huge success – we plan to do
another meeting outside in the Spring - 5th
grade just returned from two days at the Outdoor Lab (canoeing, sleeping
in tents, etc.) and it was a fabulous experience
IV. Title I – What is
It: Maureen Nesselrode, Principal and Wendy Pilch, Title I Representative
- Wendy provided
an overview of the Title I Program to include background, statistics,
requirements, and benefits - At the Federal
level, at least 40% of the students must qualify for Free and Reduced
Meals (FARM) for a school to be eligible for Title I status - In Arlington
County, the threshold is 55% of students in the FARM program – Campbell
consistently runs at 58-60% FARM students - 98% of Title I
funding at Campbell is used for salaries – increases the number of
teachers - At least 1% of
the funding must be used for parent/family involvement - 8 schools in Arlington
exceed the 55% FARM threshold: Abingdon, Barcroft, Barrett, Carlin
Springs, Campbell, Drew, Hoffman Boston, Randolph – Patrick Henry recently
left the Title I program - Benefits of
Title I resources include teacher training, supplemental materials, summer
programs, additional reading and math support - At Campbell, we
receive the following specific benefits: - Anne Oliveira
(math coach) is funded ½ time from Title I - 2 extra reading
specialists are funded from Title I - Test
Coordinator ½ time position is funded from Title I - Translation
equipment was purchased with Title I funds - Professional
development - Math tutoring
in 3rd and 4th grade - Note that we
cannot purchase furniture with Title I funds - Ms. Nesselrode
coordinates with the PTA to optimize how funds are applied - Bottom line:
Title I funds are key to Campbell’s resourcing plan
V. Treasurer’s
Report: Jenny Morris , Treasurer
- As of 10/31,
we’ve had ~$19,000 of income and ~$19,000 of expenses. Specific details discussed were:
o October
income included pledge drive donations, amazon, movie night, Project Discovery
and Odyssey of the Mind
o October expenses included movie night, Project Discovery, Outdoor Classroom Coordinator,
K/1 chairs, PTA meeting expenses
o Project Discovery enrollment was higher than projected so
both income and expenses are higher than budgeted. The budget is based on making a small profit,
so there will not be a new vote on increasing income/expenses for project
discovery in the budget as long as income and expenses are generally equal –
same for Odyssey of the Mind (4 teams instead of 2 teams, so we are doubling
the projected income and expenses)
o We have a similar budget situation with Campbell wear – we
have sold much more Campbell wear than projected, so our income and expenses are
higher than budgeted, but they are still canceling each other out as expected
o Our VA PTA dues payment was mailed in November (due December
1st)
o There were no questions from attendees on the budget status
VI. New Business:
Nathan Zee, President
o The
second half of tonight’s meeting was successfully streamed live on Facebook –
all in person attendees acknowledged they were being displayed on Facebook
o Project
Discovery ends this week for Thursday classes and the week after Thanksgiving
for Wednesday/Friday classes
o Principal’s
Chat this Thursday at 8am – interactive activities are planned
o The
Wellness Committee will meet on Friday, December 9th after Community
Meeting at 8:30am
o Apple
Tasting was a huge success
o Socktober
sock donations were well received
o Cyberbullying
discussion will be held on December 15th at 8am – led by Ms. Berhan
and Ms. Decker
o The
Latina Moms group has been officially renamed to “Parents Building Commitment”
o Heads
up that we will be collecting used sports items at the end of winter
o Reminder
to write your child’s name on Campbell wear
o Be
on the lookout for information regarding Tiny Prints / Shutterfly for holiday
card orders
o Picture
retakes are tomorrow (11/16) – bring your old pictures
o Conversations
are ongoing regarding concerns about potential impacts from the Presidential
election (immigration, LBGT, etc.)
VII. Closing: Nathan
Zee, President
- Next meeting is
Tuesday, December 20th - Reminders:
o Please
review Barbara Martinez’s fundraising email
o A
big ‘thank you’ to those who have contributed towards the pledge drive – it
closes at the end of this week (11/18)
o Please
make sure you use the Campbell Amazon link (affiliate) when you do your holiday
shopping