February 2024 Meeting Minutes

Global Arts PTA Meeting Minutes 

2/12/2024 at 6:00 PM

The mission of the Global Arts Plus PTA is to foster and engage the diverse and creative Global Arts Plus community in order to fulfill the school’s mission of infusing arts into the curriculum. This can be accomplished through funding arts programming and sponsoring community building opportunities.

Meeting Participants: Dawn Puroway, Maureen Mullaney Vu, Stephanie Stegeman, Kaylan Pundsack, Wah Moo, Steve O, Maureen Nystrom, Pawmoo Sawhtoo, Kate Christiansen, Judy St Cyr, Molly, Alicia Ramirez, Anthony Wittman, Talesha, Raina Linnerson, Ariacela Sanchez, Kate Allen, Meghan Scully, Michelle Klemmer, Carl Olsen, Magdalene Welp, Lesle Rumsey-Rogers, Lisa Zinnel, Jim Bierma, Leslie Caballero, Yuri Matute, Alyssa Olness, Stephanie Anderson, Victoria Martinson

1. Welcome, Introductions, and Report - Dawn Puroway (PTA president)

   1. Dawn, Stephanie and Maureen are finishing their 2nd year in their positions on the Executive Team. Looking for new executive team members

   2. Dr. Morris - has recommended having 2 principals at both campuses and should have a decision made by the end of the month.

   3. Lisa Zinnel - she reached out to Dr. Morris and talked to him and asked that he have that information communicated out to families before the school decision date. So that people have that information.

   4. Yuri - parent was not aware of that information. This is her first meeting. Sometimes her son has been hit and she had been hurt. She had heard from the nurse. There are two kids in her sons class with the same name and its getting confusing.

2. Secretary’s Report - Maureen Mullaney Vu (PTA secretary)

   1. Leslie - voted, Seconded by Meghan

3. Treasurer’s Report - Stephanie Stegeman (PTA treasurer)

   1. PTA Website - some changes made and better organized

   2. Treasurer’s Report & Budget as of 1/31/24

      1. 10,000 check will be written out to Global Arts for Residencies

      2. 27,000 roughly in bank account between savings and checking

      3. 10,000 is in savings, 9,000 will be left in checking after 

      4. Comment from Molly in the chat about the field - discussion about working on the field

4. Volunteer opportunities

   1. Volunteering during the school day and need a background check - email Ms Lily (lily.vang@spps.org) with your name, email address, and which campus you want to volunteer at.

   2. Lead for Health office clothing organizer position is needed

   3. Family Dance at Lower Campus - March 7th

   4. Meal for staff before conferences

5. Principal’s Report - Principal Jones (10 minutes)

   1. New washer and dryer at upper campus. PTA will offer some financial support to install washer and dryer.

   2. Restorative Circles were the week before last Friday. 

   3. One of our 1st graders was a victim of a mauling from several dogs. She is now in need of plastic surgery. There is a GoFundMe page from our staff. 

   4. Mr. Bierma - average Behavioral Referrals have gone down 60%. This is reflective of how the learning environment is getting more positive. 

   5. Conversation about examples of tiers and ODRs in the school.

   6. Upper Campus dance was a lot of fun. New backdrop - they had a great time taking photobooth pictures

   7. Global Arts is the only middle school that has never had a school support liaison. We welcome a new School support liaison coming from Washington - he is there to support safety and students. 

   8. Kate Christenson - would like to know more about the snacks that had to be canceled for the middle school dance. Who made that call? Do we have more information about the approved snacks for future events? Dawn responded the PTA helps support the upper campus dance. The PTA was asked to help front the money for the snacks. Any of the money made would go to pay us back for the snacks.

6. Parent and staff discussion (admin will leave at this time)

   1. SPFE representative update - Stephanie Anderson - update on Strike vote and other issues relating to SPFE

7. Restorative circle information sharing - Ms Vika Martinson

   1. Discussion about what the Restorative circle entails.

   2. Next one is Friday, February 23rd at 2:30 in the Lower Campus Gym. 

   3. There will be robocalls and robotexts sent out to Lower Campus families. 

   4. Lisa - question. Does the community circle idea involve everyone in the community? Are staff and administration not a part of the circle? Vika responded she thinks it’s important to share community for the parents as well. Further discussion of who should be invited to attend upcoming circles and what day and times are most convenient for people.

   5. Lisa Zinnel - Discussion about survey being distributed to parents to see what their concerns are at GAP. Concerns about teachers leaving GAP etc.

Feeling Words - Contemplative

Future meetings - Monday, March 11, Thursday, April 18, and Monday, May 13

Respectfully Submitted by Maureen Mullaney Vu