PTA Meeting Minutes 12.20.16
Campbell PTA Meeting
December 20, 2016
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Approximate # of
Attendees:
20
I. Welcome and
Introductions: Nathan Zee, President
- Nathan welcomed
everyone to the meeting and turned things over to Ms. Nesselrode
II. Diversity:
Maureen Nesselrode, Principal
- Ms. Nesselrode
introduced the topic and explained that this topic was selected from last
year’s survey questions. Campbell incorporates diversity subtly into
content, as well as celebrating diversity in the following ways:
o
Morning Meetings during “Share” students share events, input
ideas, and experiences that reflect who they are as individuals and often give
a window into the diversity in each classroom.
o
Career Café-families from
different cultures, gender, and backgrounds present about their career and
specifically-chosen to help break stereotypes and show students the many
possibilities for all.
o
Community Meeting-Students from
different cultures are highlighted and present about their work.
o
Story of My Plate (K-1 expedition)
focuses on how the food we eat reflects our culture and where we come
from.
o
Culture Posters-sending home
flyers about culture (2nd Grade)
o
Founding Fathers Lead the Way (3rd
grade expedition) has an end project requires students to reflect on the
freedoms we have in America, many of which focus on our ability to honor
diversity.
o
Cultures Collide (the 4th
Grade Jamestown expedition) focuses on comparing the three cultures (Powhatan,
English, and African) and how although conflicts arise, we try to adapt and help
each other. The initial kickoff is a
family survey which requires families to talk about times they’re moved,
hardships they’ve faced, and how they have benefitted from neighbors living
nearby.
o
Interest Surveys conducted by
teachers early in the year, help teachers understand student likes and dislikes
and what makes them different.
o
Home visits to gain an
appreciation for the diversity of families (VPI and some others)
o
Thursday Mom Group
o
Multicultural Night
o
School counseling program-
teachable moments and explicit lessons
o
Home interviews between students
and families
o
FACE Team – Family and Community
Engagement, new project: Turtle Tube!
o
Inviting families or staff to
field trips considering family comfort levels
o
Cultural foods at PTA and other
events
o
The personal narrative unit allows
students to share their stories about their life in writing to foster
appreciation of their experiences with their peers.
o
Books in the library and classroom
library books intentionally feature diverse characters/themes
o
Students learn about Hispanic
culture in FLES
o
Students learn about artists and
art from around the world
o
Musical selections and instruments- in music class from around
the world
o
Courageous Conversations training
for staff – countywide; book clubs and other opportunities
o
Hire diverse staff
·
Areas for continued improvement:
o
We are always looking to increase authenticity when we use
multi-cultural resources
- Ms. Nesselrode
handed out a copy of a passage from “Educating for Diversity” for the PTA
to read and discuss. Main themes were: - Beliefs about
students matter (teacher’s own biases can affect classroom behavior and
expectations) - Content and
materials matter (diversity should be woven into content and stories told
from different perspectives) - Instructional
approaches matter (for ex.: teachers learning what apps students are
using so that they can better connect) - Educational
settings matter (Campbell’s lottery system serves the goal of diversity) - Teacher
education matters (self-fulfilling prophecies) - Does the race
and ethnicity of teacher matter? If there are two equal candidates, opt
for diverse staff; hire teachers who are culturally competent - Ms. Nesselrode
opened the floor to questions and comments: - Q: Do students
notice whether staff is diverse? A: Not really in the lower grades;
older students seek out allies who are culturally competent (even if not
same race) - Q: How do we
handle linguistic diversity? What’s the approach to valuing home
language? A: Translations of all printed materials, interpreter at all
events, conferences offered for parents in their language w/translator
for the English speaking teacher; FLES pull-outs for native speakers,
teachers stress to parents that language matters, but not which language
because speaking and reading in ANY language is what is most important. - Comment: Could
the term “Founding Fathers” be changed to “Founders” to be more gender
inclusive? Response: We can take some feedback on the term. - Q: How do we
talk about Native Americans? How do we handle the Thanksgiving Day
holiday or Columbus Day, particularly in the younger grades? A: Because
of Virginia’s history, Native Americans feature prominently in the 2nd
and 4th grade curriculums. With older students, we can give
more context; it’s a fine line to walk with younger students (for
instance, it would not be developmentally appropriate to discuss Thomas
Jefferson and Sally Hemmings with Kindergarten students). We avoid
celebrating some individuals, like Columbus, as heroes, and avoid
appropriating native dress. There is room for improvement in being
culturally authentic (to use materials that are culturally responsible
and appropriate) - Q: How do we
talk about nontraditional families? A: Library books and stories with
representations of nontraditional families, through Morning Meeting and
other times where students share about their lives. - Q: Religious
diversity? A: Not really part of the K-5 curriculum, but students share
about it, and it becomes part of the conversation in that way; it is not
a taboo subject and children are free to share. - Comment: The recent
HS Boundary process demonstrates that the students “get it” and
understand the value of diversity - Comment: The
coat drive demonstrated that many are willing to give generously to
support and celebrate Campbell’s diverse population; Campbell is
purposely diverse and those who seek it out are seeking out a diverse
learning environment and we are committed to the process of continually
improving the process of learning about different cultures and
experiences
III. Treasurer’s
Report: Jenny Morris , Treasurer
- As of November
30, we’re at ~$32,000 of income and ~$26,000 of expenses. Specific details discussed were:
o During
the month, we were paid for the Zumba class that meets at Campbell on
Saturdays, $256 of income; Amazon payment for $184, two payments from Silver
Diner for $584, and $284 of that was from their “Eat Well Do Well” cards,
remember to sign up for that if you haven’t already; Election Day Bake Sale
made $488 after expenses
o Have first sponsorship for Fun Run this spring
o Wrapped up Project Discovery income, came close to breaking
even. The remaining amount will go towards Odyssey of the Mind, which has some
ongoing expenses.
o We had our final amounts for the Pledge Drive come in; we did
well.
o There were no questions from attendees on the budget status
·
Funding request
from Wellness Committee to do provide an hour of wellness and mindfulness
experiences for the teachers as part of a teacher appreciation/benefit event,
to help them feel grounded and appreciated, as well as give them tools to
promote wellness in their classrooms. There will be several different
activities, but total expenses expected to be $120.
o
Questions from floor:
o Q:
Is this an event that teachers want? A: Yes, very much so. It was requested by
staff when Wellness Committee asked them how they’d like to be supported
o Motion to approve funding $120 toward Wellness
Event. Motion seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
- Q: Are there any
major funding requests expected this year? A: We don’t have any
large-scale project (like the Pond redo) that we’re aware of, but we will
discuss at an upcoming PTA meeting so that there aren’t any surprises at
the end of the year
IV. New Business:
Nathan Zee, President
- Nathan opened
floor to questions, comments: - Q: Would a new
PA system for Community Meetings be something for us to consider funding?
A: Ms. Nesselrode will look in to the history of the current system (who
paid for it, how old it is, etc.) - Q: Have we ever
done a “Donor’s Choose” event? A: Yes, for smaller ticket items;
individual teachers have done this in the past; we have used EdBacker to
fund the greenhouse - Thank you to Jenny
Ozawa for all her hard work on the coat drive, and to the over 50
families who donated; thank you to all the families who donated to the
staff baskets (aiming to give out two baskets, wound up being able to
give out six!!), and the staff appreciation breakfast - Q: Is it too late to bring in items for
the coat drive? A: No, it’s not too late. Donations of new items
welcomed still - Q: is there
not Parent Center that has donated clothes for a child who get a rip in
their pants, or if someone needs a few extra items of clothing? A: Our school
social worker can help families get new clothing if needed; there is a
limited supply of “extra” clothing for accident situations due to
storage space constraints
VII. Closing: Nathan
Zee, President
- Next meeting is
Tuesday, January 17th