December 2022 Meeting Minutes

Global Arts PTA Meeting Minutes 

12/12/22 at 6:00 pm 

Attendees: Chreese Jones, Dawn Puroway, Stephanie Stegman, Danielle Beck, Jason Johnson, Mike Taylor, Sarah Norby, Emily Harer, Lynn Burgoyne, Kaylan Otte, Michelle Klemmer, Kler Way, Cara Weston, Julie Manthe, Hanan, Damien, Maria, Michelle Klemmer

Meeting called to order at 6:02 pm by Dawn Puroway 

Introduction Discussion - Dawn Puroway 

1. Expectations - mute when not talking, put your name in the chat for attendance

2. Explanation of why we use Robert’s Rules of Order

3. Questions - share in the chat or ask and we will answer now, at the end of the meeting, or get back to you, or at the next meeting

4. Recognize the diversity in your community, openly discuss intentions to be inclusive, and encourage people to voice their concerns.

Secretary’s Report - Maureen Mullaney Vu

1. Approval of November Minutes - Cara Weston abstained

Treasurer’s Report - Stephanie Stegeman

1. Discussion of budget and discussion of money to be given to artist residencies

2. Direct Ask Letter

   1. 110 individual donations have been given with one week left. 

   2. Question as to whether we should extend the deadline. Jason Johnson advised that would be fine.

   3. Stephanie raised a concern about families being asked for money every time they come to an event.

Fundraising Update - Kaylan Pundsack

1. A Fundraising Committee was formed. Good mix of families from upper and lower campus. 

2. Discussion of upcoming Plant Sale

   1. We will need help from upper campus parents and students for plant sale. 

3. Looking into square one

4. New ideas- looking at grants. 

   1. Reaching out to Ms. Rasheed to see what she has already applied for and get those added to the list.

5. Community building events coupled with fundraisers. Looking for ideas - taking the burden off of families and reaching out to communities. 

6. Cara Weston asked if there is already a physical area at either campus where people are honored for contributions. 

   1. Could there be an effort - of donating a certain amount of money and you would get an honorary? 

   2. Principal Jones said we can check with facilities. We have a showcase near our dance room. Or something that is moveable. 

   3. Jason Johnson - could there be a PTA bulletin board? Potentially on the PTA website. 

   4. Damien added something could be added to yearbook

7. Fundraising committee meets virtually Fridays at 11am. Has been weekly but will reassess if weekly is necessary

Principal’s Report - Chreese Jones

1. Upcoming theater production of101 Dalmatians. Students are very excited

2. Update on Lower campus - taiko drumming

3. 6th grade just finished photography residency. Event is this week on Thursday

4. Tightening things up with residencies.

5. Are looking into Student council for upper campus

6. Establishing club day - excitement around clubs and excited for teacher support.

   1. Sustainable, equitable for those attending clubs and not attending clubs

7. Athletics is happening thanks to Ms. Asia and Ms. Conner. 

8. Working with the building coach and the schools SPED supervisor. Looking at case loads, needs of students and teachers. Partnering with families. Kudos to SPED teams! Lower campus SPED teachers are tired. Need for winter break for rest for teachers.

9. Schools need volunteers.

10. Ms. Harer - Penny wars started for different homerooms. Students collected $2,200 in coins for the toy drive. Can PTA benefit from this kind of fundraising? Generating excitement might help for direct ask. 

11. Further discussion about need for volunteers

    1. Julie  Manthe talked about a need for a PTA coordinator. Hanan will step up to be volunteer coordinator. Surveys will go out to teachers regarding what times and kinds of volunteering they need.

    2. Principal Jones expressed a need for an orientation for chaperones.. We need active supervisors not mere observers. 

    3. Question as to who Hanan should be in touch with regarding survey and background checks. Ms. Manthe - volunteer coordinator would be great. Direct parents to volunteer coordinator. 

    4. Principal Jones- we have librarians in both libraries but they are also looking for volunteers.

    5. Stephanie Stegeman emphasized focusing on recurring volunteer spots first then filling in the volunteer spots that come up 

Small group discussion 

1. What are your hopes for what the PTA will do this school year and in future school years?

2. We are a diverse inclusive community.  How does fundraising fit into our PTA’s goals for our community?

3. Principal Jones - we need to be mindful of arts integration costs. Creative ways to offset those costs.

4. Stephanie Stegeman - our breakout room discussed bringing back family potlucks

5. Grade level baskets - brought in money at carnival . Keeping fundraising equitable and inclusive.

6. AP Beck - conversation went out increasing diversity within members. Ways we can grow PTA and support small inexpensive community events.

7. Cara Weston stated thoughts about white people hold the majority of responsibility in working for equity for everyone else. Not everyone is working two jobs. We are not both working multiple jobs. Community events should be for everyone. People who have free time available put in work.

Community Building Discussion

1. Parents or caregiver from each family at campus to increase connections between classes. Jason Johnson - A school like Saint Anthony Park has these two functions in two different groups--a foundation for money raising and handing out, as well as a Site Council for school and equity issues.

2. Winter social event after a gathering one day that would also be a book drive. Looking for volunteers for that committee.

3. Classroom connector for each classroom at lower

1. Pre-K

2. Kinder - Michelle Klemmer (Cruz)

3. 1st - Dawn (Griffin)

4. 2nd - Annie Becker Peterson (Haneo), Nora and Pondie Taylor (Gallo), 

5. 3rd - Jason Miller (Norby)

6. 4th - Kira Appelhans (Gunnston)

8. Volunteer opportunities

   1. Donations to Nurses’ supply of personal items for students

   2. Make or bring cookies for 6th grade residency gallery on Dec 15

   3. There is a need for Carnival coordinators - Cara is up for it. Someone off facebook also expressed interest.. 

   4. Volunteering at school during the school day 

      1. Volunteer coordinator - Hanan will be coming up with a survey for teachers to fill out with their needs

         1. Examples: Make copies for literacy teachers

         2. Parent volunteers in the lunchroom

   5. School garden

   6. Spirit Wear - we had decided on a shirt for everyone. Is there a conversation in order here? The upper campus has a lot of turnover and no one knows it’s spirit wear friday. Principal Jones wants new gear. It’s been a long time since we’ve had it. It is a morale booster for staff.

Stephanie Stegeman - “Any meeting worth having is worth evaluating”. 

1. Encouraged meeting participants to include one word in the chat to indicate how they  felt about the meeting. 

2.   Words included: Thankful, overwhelming, grateful ,optimistic, thoughtful, hopeful

Meeting Adjourned At 7:25