November 16 PTA Meeting Minutes

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11.16.16 PTA Meeting

Download the PowerPoint from the meeting

Yvette — Parent Coordinator Update

  • We are starting a food drive for a church on 9th St. Nov 9 – 21st to drop off canned goods, then we’ll drop it off. Please don’t bring anything that’s in a glass jar.
  • Unicef — Thank you to all who participated. It was resurrected this year — orange boxes still coming in — still fine to bring them in.
  • Second cup of coffee — will meet every third Friday of the month. First meeting this Fri, room 101, 8:30am. This is for parents who have children who have IEPs and are looking for ways to support kids at home. All families are welcome. It’s a way to come together and exchange ideas.
  • Mon, Nov 28, 8:30am — Middle School Parent Panel
  • Thanks to attendees of middle school panel. Representatives from District 15 middle schools gave presentations to 4th and 5th grade parents.Two schools couldn’t make it — will try to have them come again. Another event coming soon with parents of middle schoolers whose kids went to TCS. They’ll talk about their experiences (51, Mark Twain, New Voices, etc.)
  • Have computers set up in Yvette’s office for parents without internet at home — parents can come there. Can also come and talk any time.
  • Send in lunch forms if you haven’t. The lost and found is overflowing in cafeteria. PLEASE label your child’s clothing.

Principal Ms. Rosa’s Update

  • Interim acting Assistant Principal Rosa Perez-Leonetti introduced. Job has been posted. Rosa will go through the AP hiring process.
  • Parents should all get pamphlet of family events that happen at TCS. It includes all responsive classroom, parent-participation, PTA, etc. events.
  • Ms. Rosa started a principal’s advisory group for teachers to come and talk about stressors, complaints. It has one teacher from each grade level, and is a way for Ms. Rosa to hear from everyone.
  • The election. We have teams here that are working on best ways to talk with children about it — reach out if you are having a difficult time. The chancellor has put out several resources she can share with parents.

PTA Co-President Nina Crews

  • Thank you to all parents who participated and organized the Roots & Community event. It was a fantastic, fun event.
  • Today is second day of book fair. Also at the ASD site. First time we have parents and staff running book fair at ASD site. Many kids put books are on hold. You can come by Thursday morning before 10:30 to purchase any books on hold.
  • Next diversity committee meeting: Thursday 6pm at Pacific branch of the library.
  • There is a new committee —  The Wellness Committee. First meeting Dec 6, cafeteria, 8:30am. Will look at health of kids — how we handle snacks, etc. If you are interested, join us.
  • Winterfest Dec 21: Two sets of performances — younger kids and older kids perform in a holiday celebrations. There will be a bake sale. Younger kids perform in the morning, older kids in afternoon.
  • No PTA meeting in December.

PTA Co-President Steve Eustace – PS 372 Annual Appeal

The Children’s School Annual Appeal is one of the largest sources of funds for PTA — it raises about a third of the total budget. (Pizza Friday and Auction are other large ones). We request a donation of $180 per child ($1 per day). We’d like to get our participation rate up. Letter will go home this week. Contributions are tax deductible and can be made online (even in monthly installments).

The PTA funds many things, including: classroom grants, supplies, enrichment programs, trips, graduation.

When you are doing your holiday shopping, use the Amazon link on Inclusions.org so we can get some money. You can also sign up at Target to give a percentage of your purchases at Target. Also, use search.com on inclusions.org.

Mini Grant Report

One School, One Book: Monthly read-aloud in classrooms. $3000.

Report from Steve Quester: Thank you to the PTA for making it possible for us to do this curriculum initiative. Thank you to those who helped, and to Ms. Rosa.  It came out of the Undoing Racism group — we decided that in order to meet staff where they are at, we should do a school-wide effort that teachers can incorporate as they wish.

  • We also created a Google Doc with information.
  • Mr. Ben created a PPT about our September book, which was “The Best Eid Ever.”
  • For October, our book is about the Puerto Rican librarian who revived celebration of Three Kings Day.
  • November: Native American heritage month; our book is about Native American Lenape life.
  • We are drafting an email with the list of the books to send to parents.
  • Rai: Could we get an email when a new book is starting?
  • December: We’re all born free. Human Rights day.
  • January: Sit-in.
  • Feb: Eight Days.
  • March: In Our Mother’s House (LGBTQ)
  • April: My Brother Charlie
  • May: The Case for Loving (50th Anniv. of Loving v VA Supreme Court)

Foley Firs. We have participated in this Christmas tree sale program for about four years with TCS. If school reaches 10% participation, Foley Firs donates money to school. They have a farm up in Canada and trees are fresh. They do free delivery and setup (no extra charge). He has three kids — this is his way of giving back. All you have to do is mention a school’s name when you buy a tree, and he’ll add a signature to his book. Last year, 39 signatures, got $585. Foleyfirs.com – you can reserve a tree there.