March 2023

El Camino High School PTSA Meeting

March 1, 2023

El Camino High School Library

7:00-8:00pm

Meeting called to order at 7:00pm by Tracie Hewitt. Introduction of attendees.

Those present: Shannon Fox, Dana Radovich, Jennifer Flohr, Michelle Fawver, Katie Morgan, Julie West, Heidi Parod, Stacey Bell, Wendy Nelson, Ellie Nelson, Hannah Fawver, Holly Fales, Carly VanAlfen, Tracie Hewitt, Becka Stephensen, Melissa Haworth, Evelyn Wellborn, Amber Guess, Luci Atuniz, and Gabriela Gomez-Baranda.

Approval of Minutes from last meeting (2/1/2023): Motion to approve by Jennifer Flohr, seconded by Tracie Hewitt.

Admin Report by Evelyn Wellborn, EC Principal: WASC update - Teachers are developing action plans around three areas of focus. 1. Systemic, collaborative, ongoing process that continually analyzes student data, creates interventions and/or adapts instruction to student needs, and monitors results. 2. Need for more support and specific strategies to address the needs of EL (English Learner) students. 3. Need for strategic site-wide professional development with a focused and intentional plan for implementation of intervention and support strategies for all students.

Teachers will work on these during Professional Development times on Thursday (early out day for students).

President Report by Tracie Hewitt: Nothing new to share. 

Vice President Report by Shannon Fox: 

• She gave her key to the PTSA closet on campus to the teacher appreciation chairperson, Holly Fales. The PO Box key was given to Tracie Hewitt. 

• Formal Clothing Donation Collection has been arranged with Jane Smith for room 24 on the Mondays in March before school for students to drop off dresses, suits, shoes, etc. 

• Amber Guess said that student government was just talking about this and wanted to make it bigger and collect nail polish, jewelry, perfume, etc. 

• Shannon Fox touched base with Sara Turner (Student Gov’t teacher) regarding students making posters to advertise. It will be done after the March 3 Mardi Gras dance.

• She is in need of more email addresses for the PTSA newsletter. She will ask Boosters for their list of email contacts from purchasing Crab Feed tickets, as well as collect incoming freshman’s parent’s emails at the March 14 class sign up event.

Treasurer Report by Becka Stephensen: She has access and inherited old documents and budgets, went through to find out what was “real” needs that are current. Presented an updated budget for approval. Voted unanimously to approve it. As changes are made we will re-approve. She is on the Bank of the West online account, as well as Shannon Fox. They will go down tomorrow, Thursday (March 2)  to officially get her added as a signer of checks and one the account.  

Becka introduced the reimbursement request form, passed around a sign-up sheet for those who would like view-only access to the spending, and shared her very organized tracking of all things budget related. She will share on a google drive.

Student Report by Ellie Nelson: member of Track (sprints), EPI (Pre-Engineering). She really likes the EPI program because the companies they go to give the students a problem and the kids solve and present it. From there they are offered internships and jobs. She is looking forward to a fieldtrip to a mine to see welding and molten metal being poured.

Student Report by Hannah Fawver: Member of EPI, Volleyball, Wrestling and Softball Team.

Committee Reports:

Hospitality Committee Report by Holly Fales: The upcoming theme for March is the circus. They are looking for a hula hoop, which Dana stated she has and can donate. They will be doing a popcorn bar and having their teacher appreciation on the 28th of March. 

For April and May, due to Spring Break and the formal “Teacher Appreciation” week, they will combine the final theme since they are also going to do 5 days of recognition and treats. 

Holly Fales and Summer Porter volunteered to do the Senior Honors Breakfast. Stacey Bell has contacts for a speaker. She will touch base after the meeting with Holly. The event is on May 25 from 7:45 -8:30am in the small gym.

All Night Grade Committee by Jennifer Flohr & Stacey Bell: There are 73 tickets sold and $5,175 has been deposited towards this event. It was a $12,000 buy out charge for Country Club Lanes so we need to sell more tickets. Sign-ups will go out after the Crab Feed for adult helpers. Seniors do not want their parents there. They will also be collecting monetary donations, as well as raffle donations for the Seniors. Jennifer passed out a list of donations they are trying to acquire and also had a donation letter for those who wanted to assist in collecting donations. They are looking for entertainment for the evening, specifically Karaoke.

Undergrad Awards Night by Carly VanAlfen (EC Counselor): This is a special event for both students and parents. They have divided up the event into 2 mini events:

• Event 1 is during lunch on April 26 to recognize those with a 3.5 GPA. There are approximately 400 students who qualify for this. 

• Event 2 is an evening event that is department awards and will be held on May 3 at 6:00 pm in the PAC (Performing Arts Center) so parents can be present.

PTSA help is needed for goodies for the lunch time event, as well as help setting up and passing out (they’d like it to be Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free). Help is also needed for the evening event to provide a dessert reception, as well as help setting up and cleaning up.

Scholarships Report by Melissa Haworth: She is working with Tara Armstrong on this event. She needs access to the google drive and will contact the rep at Morgan Stanley. His name is Ayo Akinwande and his contact information is 916-444-8041 or ayo.akinwande@morganstanley.com

We need to update who the PTSA contact is and who has access. 

New Business/Action Items: 

March 14 (Tuesday) is incoming freshman night and course selection. PTSA needs to have a table to welcome families, get them involved, and collect email addresses. Be there by 4:30pm.

March 11 is the Crab Feed put on by Boosters.

March 25 Senior Car Show is actually open to anyone. We need more information about it. Someone suggested that we advertise on www.norcalcarculture.com to have better attendance. Contacts at the school level are Mannigard and Ahlgren.

Wrestling is in desperate need of new mats. The cost is $10,000. The school has agreed to pay ⅓ of the cost, as well as Boosters to pay ⅓ of the cost. PTSA needs to fundraise or help with the other ⅓ of the cost. This is an urgent matter as the mats are in bad shape, and we now have a very active girls team, too. Frank (Senior) just went to state or nationals, so that’s great.

Next Meeting is scheduled for March 29, 2023 at 7pm. This is a change from our “normal” time. The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 pm by Tracie Hewitt.