PTA Meeting Minutes 2/6/2019

César Chávez PTA Meeting Minutes

February 6, 2019 – 5:30-7pm

César Chávez School Library

Chair: Keiona R Connor

1. Keiona R Connor called the meeting to order at 5:47 pm. Quorum established.
2. December 2018 meeting minutes were reviewed by the membership and approved as written.
3. New business –
   1. Keiona R Connor welcomed everyone and discussed announcements listed on agenda, she also let everyone know about the March for our Students on 2/18/2019 in Salem at the capitol to advocate for funding reform for education in Oregon, children are welcome and lunch will be provided. Also Cesar Chavez administration has sent out the Successful Schools Survey, and are recommending everyone fill out the survey to give PPS feedback.
   2. Donovan Feather, 4th grader presented about the playground. He is asking for a swingset, he has researched the cost, and it will cost about $2000. He is recommending that we do the next Run for the Cyclones to raise funds for playground equipment, he also suggested we collect cans and/or we sell spirit wear to raise funds.
   3. 8th graders presented to discuss 8th grade promotion – They are asking for help with the cost of the 8th grade promotion and field trip. They are asking that we help them by providing a donation, they are also asking for bottles and cans and help dropping bottles and cans to the bottle drop. Their goal is to raise $2000, they are asking for $200 seed money for the week before Chavez day to make tamales and for a bake sale. They are also wanting to have a carnival on Chavez day and raise some money that way. They are looking into different locations for their 8th grade trip. In May or April they are thinking about doing a car wash. Friday’s in April they are looking into selling food every Friday of the month. Latino Network is working with Nike and they are providing 10 volunteers for the carnival. The students are also asking if they can attend the next movie night to sell some food in addition to the food and snacks that PTA sells.
   4. 2019-2020 school year budget and calendar – Keiona invited everyone to let the board know what you would like to see added or changed to the calendar next year and if there are any budget requests, if so please email a PTA board member or ask one of the board members.
   5. Secretary and Co President election – Election will happen in May and the board is looking for community members interested in filling these positions.
4. Committee Reports
   1. Auction – Auction will be April 27th, donations are being accepted, you can reach out to Marlon Broussard if you have donated items. Items can include services, donations from organizations that host birthday parties or provide other services, or baked goods. There were questions about child care at the event. Marlon said we have questions about whether we can have childcare in a space where alcohol is being sold and he will look into it further.
   2. Transportation and Safety – William Francis gave an update – we have a safety patrol up and running and there are 8 participants so far this year, the program will be stronger next year he predicts. If parents want to get involved can email: william@communitycyclingcenter.org. We recently got a $2000 grant from America Walks, there was a parent planning meeting last week. Looking at implementing 4 different projects – colorful crosswalks in the parking lot, safe crossing at Haven and Willis, a fidget zone / play area outside of the kinder entrance, and a no idle car campaign. Walk bike and roll to school day coming up – aiming for March and in May. Second week of April through SUN school he is doing another bike club for 4th and 5th graders, 2 days a week during SUN over 12 weeks teaching kids safe biking skills. New bike parking in the back that is super nice, looking to incentivize its use.
   3. Membership – Leah gave a report the PTA has 61 members, asking for new members to join, it is $10 and there are scholarships available if you are unable to pay the membership fee.
5. Treasurer’s report – discussed SCRIP program we have raised $192 from SCRIP so far this year. SCRIP fundraising going to teacher grants. $50,713.59 current balance in bank account.
6. Principal’s report – TJ Fuller and Mr. Scott Whitbeck (the area superintendent of the Roosevelt cluster) presented about the spaces and boundaries letter that went out last week. The main issues are space within the school. Fall of 2018 they started looking at reducing enrollment here so that the kids here can fit. Scott and TJ and others were working on that, then the school board/PPS began working with an outside organization FLO Analytics looking at boundaries, they are working on that and will come up with a plan in December 2019. This work may impact all of the school boundaries, so TJ and Scott decided to wait one more year and follow the plan of the district. Scott is asking that we are a priority for this addressed next year. TJ said looking at enrollment next year there is one classroom that can be used next year. Goal is to not add another portable. The board is considering moving our school from K-8 to K-5 or to make a immersion school Fall of 2020 with the goal to have something in the works for the long term. Rosanne Powell is the person to contact at the school board if families have feedback for PPS – Mr Whitbeck recommends a letter being sent to the board with many signatures is as effective as a bunch of individual emails/letters. Information from past meetings are being given to the board to make decisions. Per Mr. Fuller we will be okay next year as far as space goes. Also, discussed recent radon results. Remediation for radon should begin in the next 3 weeks. The rooms that have high radon are not current classrooms.
7. Meeting adjourned at 7:04 pm by Keiona Connor.

Minutes submitted by Leah Hinson, secretary.