[PTA Meeting Minutes]: Campbell PTA Meeting 4.14.2015

7:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Number of
Attendees:  21

I.     Opening
Remarks:  Beth Cavey, PTA President

• Opening Exercise:  Participants introduced themselves and
  answered the question, “Why do you come to a PTA meeting and what do you want
  to hear about?”

  • Answers generally included: connecting to the
    Campbell community, to learn what is going on, to volunteer and help out, to
    share ideas etc.
    

II.    Continuing
Business

• Garden Fun Day and Playdates: Sunday, April 26^th
  (3-5 p.m.); May 9^th (9-12 p.m.)

• Read-a-thon Update: getting close to goal of 100
  students turning in forms and raising up to $3000; last day to turn in form is
  Friday, April 24^th; Extra recess and treat is Monday, April 27^th
  for kids who turned in a form (no donations required)

• Square-One Fundraiser:  We raised $1100; orders in by May 1^st

• Wetland’s Festival Update:  May 2^nd (4-7 p.m.)

  • Lots of great auction items; to donate items or
    services, contact Rachael Schroeder at vicepresident2@campbellschool.org

  • Volunteers still needed for help on day of
    event.  To sign up, click here.

  • Food: lots of great food available for sale
    (burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, salad, fruit, mint lemonade, Menchies
    frozen yogurt and more)

  • Entertainment: 
    3 bands performing; Long Branch Nature Center will be there with
    critters; and lots more

  • New Wetland’s T-shirt available for sale – preview
    here. 
    

• Nominations for next year’s Executive Board and
  Committee/Event Leads:  If you are
  interested in running for a position on the Executive Board (President, VP of
  Programs, VP of Fundraising, Secretary, and Treasurer) or a Committee/Event
  Lead (see full minutes for a list of the different positions), please contact
  Jennifer Robertson at jenrobertson@earthlink.net.  A full slate will be presented and voted on
  at the May 12^th PTA meeting.
  

III.   Principal’s
Update, Maureen Nesselrode, Principal  

• Updates were given on the status of
  construction, the kindergarten lottery, nomination of Florence Dale, among
  other updates.
  

IV.  Open
Discussion Item:  “What is your vision
for the Outdoor Classroom?”

• The Outdoor Classroom consists of several
  components: the Wetlands, gardens (both the growing and ornamental beds), play
  spaces, and programs designed to utilize these areas for instruction, including
  in our classroom expeditions and in Christy P’s (our Garden Docent’s) work.   Campbell staff and the PTA are always open
  to ideas and suggestions about how to incorporate these outdoor areas into the
  curriculum. 

• The PTA would like to develop a priority list for
  the Outdoor Classroom to help guide where to focus its time and resources next
  year.  To that end, a survey will be
  going home soon that provides background information on the Outdoor Classroom
  and requests feedback from PTA members on their priorities and ideas for these
  areas. 
  

• Participants shared their views and ideas about
  the Outdoor Classroom – including what else could be incorporated and how it
  could be integrated into existing forums – current curriculum, classroom expeditions,
  Christy P.’s Garden Docent Work, etc. (see attached minutes for a more detailed description of the discussion)
  

V.    Funding
Request

• MOTION APPROVED to fund $800 to help subsidize a
  2^nd grade field trip to the Baltimore Zoo.