PTA Meeting
Called to order, 6:30
Principal's report (Chris Morningstar
1. Start of School Update
• School enrollment is at 428 students.
• Powerful Schools program starts next week.
• The tutoring starts mid-October after SIT and referral process.
• The parking lot by KidsCo is being used as drive-in drive-out turn around during drop off / pick up each day, which is unsafe even though the school does have a crossing guard. Next week between hrs 2:30 -3:30 the gate will be closed.
2. Bullying programs Mr. Rollosson (school counselor) handout of GH Bullying Policy, which comes from the school policy handout.The parents were asked to review bullying policy, on bulletin board in hallway, with children and use same language to reinforce policy.
• Mr. Rollosson walked through the definition of bullying and how the school uses Kelso’s Choice and Steps to Respect to teach kids about big and small problems that help define bullying.
• There is a bulletin board in hallway about bullying.
• Mr. Rollosson also talked about what happens when a bullying issue occurs and the discipline form the school uses. The incident is put into a database that tracks frequency / locations of bullying acts that the school then uses to make changes to locations or specific times of the day when bullying occurs.
• State law requires bullying policy and requires a 2010 review of policy.
3. International Walk to School Program –
• Starts next Monday 10/4 although the official day is Wed 10/6, which is picture day. At the Monday Morning Assembly the Seattle Police Dept. is doing a pedestrian safety presentation and Fed Ex is doing a large truck safety.On Monday 10/4 at 8:40 all walking students are asked to meet at designated spot to walk to school, there are parent volunteers to walk with kids and the kids will get miles for walking.
• The Mile Club program starts Monday also. The staff will challenge the students to a competition.
• October also kicks off a food drive that will go through Fall Fest - Oct 29th, Fed Ex will truck all food to Food Bank for GHES.
• Julie spoke about a $25,000 grant written for the school (GHES is the only school on Westcoast to get funding – and one of 25 schools nationally).
• The purpose of the grant is to try to identify structural modifications that will assist in pedestrian safety. Areas of study are the front of the school to assist traffic control, repaint cross walks, other ways to slow cars down. The school lost funding last year; please fill out a Title 1, Free/Reduced lunch application form. This will bring thousands of dollars to our school if we can re-qualify.
• Can also get miles during PE and other activities.
Presidents Report - Deena McClosky
1. Last Meeting Minutes Review/Approval
• Deena requested approval of 5-11-2009 meeting minutes. Josh Johnson voted, wasseconded by Scott Ringgold.
2. PTA Goals for 2010-2011 –
• The PTA has three additional stretch goals this year: to increase net fund raising by $15,000,to grow membership by 20%, to fully support GHES in getting Title 1 funding back. Please get involved in helping GH raise funds
Join your PTA. Turn in your membership form today! More forms available at the school Get your GH t-shirt in October, Spirit Fridays start in November.
The PTA is also initiating School Spirit Fridays to build stronger community.
3. Nominations and Vote for Board Members. Board Elections –
Leo Gilberteaux as co-VP,
• Ethan Broga as Treasurer
• Erika Levin as Secretary.
Voted and approved.
4. The PTA Standing Rules need to be approved –
Scott motioned to approve, Murphy seconded. The motion was voted, and was approved.
5. Deena reviewed GHES PTA Mission – same as last year.
• New families to introduce themselves.
4. Free & Reduced School Lunch Program
• Title 1 Free/Reduced lunch forms available; please fill out if you feel you will qualify.
Treasurers Report-Ethan Broga
- 1. Budget Review
• The approved budget is available as a handout;
it has been simplified this year by categorizing
for easier reading.
2. Budget Request/Reimbursement Process
• Reimbursement forms are available in the
office PTA box.
Volunteer Opportunities – Beth Jacoby/Diane
Bushley
- 1. Shop to Benefit GH –Safeway & PCC programs –
• 125 people signed up for program – compared
to mid-50s last year! eScript is a matching
program, so any little bit is doubled,
• anyone can sign up – grandparents,
aunts, uncles etc. eScript will also register
credit/debit cards, the web page is
www.escript.com . Please fill out e-script form, available at
the PTA table by the office. Or sign up
online at www.escript.com . You need to
have your club card number, if you don’t
contact Beth Jacoby for directions on
how to get club card number.
2. Turn in Volunteer Forms – Volunteer forms came in
the PTA Packet. All opportunities for volunteering
are on form.Please turn in your PTA Volunteer form
TODAY!
3. Room Parents Needed
• Room Parents are needed and current Room
Parents can use additional assistance – can be
any level of help.
4. Diane – PCC Script Program – PCC will donate
5% of your grocery bill to Graham Hill. Need a
PCC Script Card ($10) – can spend that $10 on
groceries at PCC – just recharge card as needed. Get your PCC Scrip card today!
Contact Diane to get a card:
moc.liamg|yelhsubd#moc.liamg|yelhsubd
PTA Team Chairs Intro/Report/Action time
Hospitality Team – Christine King – coffee hour and
new family welcome.
Communications Team – Megan Haile –
communications to families and yahoo group – wiki.
Legislative Team – Dan Eder –
- • There are Ballot Measures on the November Gen
Election that will benefit the public education
system; a Levy for $48M to be spent over a 3-yr
period from a property tax Levy that will cost home
owners about $45 / year for medium priced year;
and an Income Tax Initiative 1098 where couples
earning more than $400K or individual earning
over $200K will pay no taxes on that that portion
of money, but they will pay taxes for monies over
above said monies. Motion to support as PTA both
initiatives, Memo 2nd and the vote was approved.
Fundraising Team – Ana Schoenecker & Scott Ringgold
–
• Overall goal for fundraising is $70k this year, and it
is attainable. Scott reviewed fundraisers, Auction,
Chinook Books, direct donations, eScript, possibly
catalog sales, possible grants. There is a meeting
at Geraldine’s at 6:30 on Thursday to discuss other
fundraising opportunities – open to all.
• Chinook Books are available for $20 for book full
of useful coupons; the school gets $10 for every
book. Scott asked families to buy extra books to
sale to friends. At the Coffee Hour tomorrow there
will be a coupon swap for last year’s books, they
are good for one more month.
Events Team – Joela Maggio & Debbie Leonard (Fall
Fest) –
• Debbie spoke to Fall Fest (10/29). At Fall Fest
kids are encouraged to dress in costumes, there
is a book fair, a potluck dinner, games, a pumpkin
walk, etc.
• Debbie needs coordination help now, asked
for volunteers to sign up to coordinate tasks:
decorations, photo booth, face painting & clean-up.
Auction Team – Najat Cola –
• This year is the 3rd annual auction. The auction is
largest fundraiser for school and will be held March
26 at the George Town Ballroom. Volunteer forms
are coming out this week for the Auction. The
goal is to raise $50k ($42k last year). The Auction
supports programs that ALL children benefit
from; school supplies, Mandarin program, school
counselor, playground equipment, etc.
• Najat also introduced Spirit Fridays, new this year,
all students will get an order form in their backpack
next week. Each month will be themed for fun
(wacky socks and school T-Shirts).
Community/Membership Team – Leo Gilberteaux
Grounds Team – Cambria Cox & Rachel Harrison –
• The Grounds Team focuses on the exterior
landscaping and playground, gardening
coordination, composting program.
• One goal for the Grounds team is to help the
school move towards a WA Green School award
(district funding for being a Green School).
• Cambria asked for volunteers for class projects,
playground equipment replacement, grant funding,
murals, classroom activities, etc. The Grounds
Team Blog will also be incorporated into Wiki Site. Contact Cambria Cox to assist with
Grounds Team projects to improve
Graham Hill
Arts Team – Rachel Risley –
• Graham Hill is participating in the Reflections
Program this year.
• The Arts Team goal is to increase the arts
presence at GHES and promote the importance of
arts in education.
• The Reflections Program is themed with 6
categories this year, and the deadline is Oct 29
for submissions. The Arts Team wants to create
designated art area to display children’s art, and
promote art as a career, to help teachers with art,
and to promote that March is National music and
art month. Encourage your child to participate in the
reflections arts program. Deadline to
submit work is October 29th. Turn art into
your child’s teacher.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Staff Prof Development, 2 hour early dismiss - Sept 29
Walk to School Day – Oct 4
Picture Day – Oct 6
Professional Development Day – Oct 8 – no school for
kids.
PTA Board Meeting – Oct 26 – open to public
Staff Prof Development, 2 hour early dismiss – Oct 27
Fall Fest – Oct 29
Math Festival – Nov 4 @ Rainier Community Center
Next PTA General Meeting – Nov 9
Spirit Fridays every week starting - Nov 5 Coffee
hr tomorrow morning, Megan asked for volunteers to
help put packets together.
1.XX. Adjournment
Graham Hill Elementary School PTA
