Rosa Parks PTA Meeting Minutes
April 22, 2010
Meeting called to order, minutes approved.
Everyone welcomed and introduced themselves.
Parent Survey Results: Lilly MacRae spoke about the results of the school/PTA/SGC survey, especially the parts related to the PTA. Responses numbered over 200 and data was looked at from different angles, including sorting responses by language spoken at home, age, ethnic background.
One major theme that emerged was that more diversity was wanted at PTA meetings and events. One Spanish speaking parent suggested a separate meeting in Spanish and we’re planning to break into smaller discussion groups at the next meeting in part to address this. We need help to outreach to people for next meeting.
More Academic Support was also wanted - tutoring help, math support and extra-curricular academic challenges, i.e. science fair/chess club.
Better communication - planning to create PTA Communications group with school-wide monthly newsletter, list of volunteer opportunities, room parent/volunteer coordinator (needed). There may also be interest in computer classes - need to look into what is available at the computer lab, especially in the coming year when it may be needed as a classroom.
2. Kathy Hatzke, Principal, spoke about upcoming issues, as well as plans for next year’s budget and requests for support from the PTA.
STAR Testing - for 2nd-5th grades to begin in May. We need lots of pre-sharpened #2 pencils - give to Alicia as soon as possible.
Native Spanish speakers in 2 way Immersion and who have come to the US within the past year will also take the STS - a similar test in Spanish.
Those who miss testing will be able to make it up another week. Children need to arrive ON TIME during testing or they may not be able to go into their classroom.
If discussing the test with your children, try to stay low-key; teachers are being matter-of-fact in talking with their classes about this.
SCHOOL BUDGET - Total allocation for RP is $27,000 less than last year. SGC to vote this month on how to spend funds available to us (basic teacher salaries are allocated separately). Decisions also being based on the results of parent surveys.
Principal’s budget outline is attached to the minutes - below are notes on her comments during meeting:
ELD and Literacy coaching are still priorities
ULSS refers to Coordinator who ensures there is a teaching plan in place for each child who needs extra support/assistance - hoping to have system be more efficient.
PD = Professional Development - required as a budget item for all schools in program improvement.
Playworks - cost rising from 23.5 to 25k next year - hoping PTA can pay balance. May have to consider alternatives to this program if/when RP is no longer a Title I school (Title I funds are given to schools with 50% or more families that qualify for free/reduced school lunches)
PIQE - Parent Institute for Quality Education - successful program started this year to encourage more parents to engage in their children’s education - has led to ELAC forming again.
MOSAIC - Camp costs $350/child; they charge us about $200/child but not all families can afford this. Some parents could contribute more. There will be 70 4th Graders next year.
Tutoring - amount comparable to budget for this year. Need more focus on reading. Could use parent volunteers?
Parent Involvement - pays for child care and food for events, and training to Kid’s Village staff re: working with non-KV kids during events.
Lunch Enrichment - Karla coordinating this year, need more parent volunteers!
Field Trips - New item this year - PTA also funds
Student Planners - book/binder for kids in 4th/5th grades to keep track of work
LHS Family Math Night - Also new for coming year, building on success of this year’s Family Engineering night.
Wish List - requests for funding from PTA (see budget outline for amounts):
More for Playworks and Mosaic (if needed),
K-2 Vocal music - JJ is leaving this summer but still want to offer program next year with new teacher.
Art Support - RP won’t be funding Arts Anchor teacher this coming year, but still would have art Point Person to help teachers prep and plan art with kids, infuse more art into regular curriculum. Also could use parent support with this. Ms. Gadway will not be doing arts anchor next year.
Suggestions from Meeting Participants:
- Have ALL teachers (as well as Administration and Science teacher) give parents a wish list and update it throughout the school year - something for Room Parents to set up.
- Parent volunteer(s) to help with art projects for teachers
3. CARNIVAL: Miriam Agrell (chair) presented - needs a partner, ideally someone who speaks Spanish, to help coordinate
e-mail:
Date: 6/6/10, Noon to 4PM
Need to start serious planning. Need volunteers for many parts of the event including:
- Publicity - in advance
- Ticket Sales
- Prize Booth staffers/coordinator
- Cake Walk co-coordinators
- Set-Up/Take-Down
- Food - Dan Abrahamson to coordinate
- Classroom Booths - all families hopefully to help with these - start planning NOW!
Nancy Hinds (510) 334-3030 to coordinate
- Quilt Raffle - printing and putting together packets
Also discussed having a talent show, and performers - ask Alma Romero if Mexican dance group available to perform. Flyer to come out in Weds envelope and on bulletin board.
4. PTA Leadership and Volunteer Opportunities: Maria discussed how she came to be President, positions we need to fill for next year. Dan Abrahamson volunteered to help as Communications chair.
5. Budget/Fundraising: going well overall.
Read-a-thon raised over $16,000 - very successful! Strong family support for reading.
Rummage sale: Raised $1600 Gross - discussed how to decide in future which events to put energy into, factors that interfered in rummage sale - weather, publicity especially. Rummage sale does help school connect with local neighborhood/community. PTA planning to help with FRC Community building events, such as Tour of the World, to have school-wide community building events.