PTA Meeting Minutes Tuesday October 16th 2018

Lamar Elementary School

PTA Meeting Minutes

Tuesday October 16th 2018

The meeting was called to order at 6:03 by Interim PTA president Becky McMains

The Pledge led by Lorie Campos

Becky McMains is the interim president of the PTA. The previous PTA president is no longer at Lamar. Please reach out to Becky or any board member if you would like details on that transition.

Meeting process overview: Becky: In general the purpose of PTA meetings is for updates on calendar and budget etc. Goal of PTA executive board is to be transparent and open and to share what’s going on.

Reading of PTA mission statement “PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering and families and communities to advocate for all children”

Introduction of PTA executive board members

·      Ms. Ureta –pre-k Teacher Liaison

·      Monica Marquez (internal fundraising)

·      Chris Balthrop (aide to president)

·      Habiba Noor (secretary)

·      Ira James Mendoza (Tiger Dads)

·      Brian Sparks (Principal) Ms. Bazaldua steps in when Mr. Sparks isn’t present

·      Lorie Campos (external fundraising)

·      Rebecca McMains (interim president)

Old Business

1. Treasurer’s report – Lorie    
1. Income
1. PTA Membership Dues        $598.50
2. Donations – General use     $1,000.00
3. Donations – Art Projects      $100.00
4. T-Shirt Sales (fundraiser)    $2,720.00
5. Art in the Park (fundraiser   $180.00
6. Donation–Grace Fellowship $900.00
7. Parent Donations                 $494.00

Total Income:                          $5,992.50

2. Expenses
1. PTA Membership Dues        $598.00
2. PTA financial software        $100.00
3. Pizza – Open house 8/29     $100.00
4. Pizza – Open House 8/31    $150.00
5.  T-Shirts cost                         $1,120.00
6.  Art in the Park Supplies       $60.00
7. Carnival Prizes                     $699.25

Total Expenses:                    $2,827.75

     B. Update on fence – Mr. Sparks

Last year the APEX run raised money for a fence for Pre-K play area. A few years ago, there was an idea to have a separate play area during flooding times. It would fence in the back gym door. Black wrought iron was too expensive so the plan was to make a wood fence. SAISD didn’t approve of the wood design. Now we are moving towards a chain link fence and with a gate on the end. The PTA is handing over the fence money to the school to finish the project. We need $1500 to complete the fence. Mr. Sparks asked the district foundation to help pay for that. Brian is hopeful that it will be done by holiday time. People in the past had specifically raised money for that project so we are committed to seeing that through. But in the future we need to keep in mind that technically speaking PTA should not go towards capital projects – this will be the last one.

New Business

1. Status of executive board- and treasurer vacancy: Becky

i. We need a parliamentarian. A parliamentarian offers guidance and helps meeting.

Ii. We need a treasurer by November 1. Our new treasurer will need to  get a training from our PTA field representative and should use the financial software for managing the finances. The treasurer will need to put in several hours figuring out the position, but after that he or she will be required to attend executive board meetings and member meeting

2. Carnival Update – Becky

Carnival is on Saturday October 20th. Carnival is the biggest PTA fundraiser and usually brings in about 4,000. There will be food booths and games. Grace Fellowship has sponsored each students to have 5 tickets to play games.

                                            ii. Thank you Grace Fellowship! They are also sponsoring some of the booths. They are bringing 40 volunteers to ease burden on teachers and parents. Many of these volunteers are mentors at the school.

c.     Vote to approve PTA meeting dates:  Tuesdays November 13th, Mar 5, May 7, June 11th.

                                              i. Motion to approve meeting

                                            ii. Motion approved by majority

d.     2018-2019 budget – Lorie (see below)

                                              i. this budget is for the 2018-2019. We need to have a passed budget in order to have a carnival.

                                            ii. We had a discussion on APEX Fun Run: APEX is an organization that does ‘healthy fundraiser’. It’s a big fundraiser, but only 25% of the kids raise funds. The problem is that it can be polarizing because some kids can raise, some kids can’t raise. Another issue raised by a parent is that APEX charges a high fee for their services.

Motion: Executive board should identify options other than APEX fun run.

 Motion seconded

   Majority voted in favor

                                           iii. We do not anticipate that the expenses will go into the negative – the existing ‘income’ section of the budget does not include the funds we hope to raise from external fundraising.

                                           iv. A question was asked: are we locked into each of these items on income and expenses side?

1.     We can propose amendments to the budget and present them at future PTA meetings.

                                             v. A suggestion was made to leave expenses in broader categories.

                                           vi. There were some questions around the relationship between the treasurer’s report and the budget.

1.     Proposed budget communicates the anticipated funds raised and outlines how these funds will be spent. The financial report describes the details of the balance, income and expenses.

                                          vii. Motion to approve this budget as it stands with amendments to be presented.

1.     Motion seconded.

2.     Majority approved.

Highlights on Campus from Mr. Sparks:

MAP assessment:

Every child in grades K-12 takes a Measures of Academic progress (MAP) test on a computer.Students take the test at the beginning, middle, and end of years.  Tests  gives teachers areas for intervening. Teachers don’t ‘teach’ to the test. Expect to hear about your child’s results during fall conferences. Scoring is done by computer. The report ranks kids nationally. It also scores based on growth. Expect to see reports sent home.Test happens district wide.  LAP 3 is the test given to Pre-K students. This is our 3rd year as a district doing MAP text. The results give a graphic on progress and predictors for STAAR test. If there are major drops in results its possible that the kids are ‘clicking’ really fast.

What do teachers do: 

If you ever want to visit your child’s classroom you are always welcome, please set it up with Sparks, Bazaldua, or Pum.

Project Based Learning Units:

 Students will complete three project base units during the course of the year. Every unit has a driving question.

 Snapshots of current projects

                                              i. 1st: Modified from last year: Busy Bugs (pollinators)

                                            ii. 2nd – Market Day and Service learning – money goes to service animals

                                           iii. 3rd – where does my food come from?

                                           iv. 4th – Food Deserts

                                             v. 5th- Invasive Species

                                           vi. 6th- Financial Literacy

                                          vii. Projects can also cut across grade level. There is a school wide project theme on immigration. This project will end with Culture Day

As we move forward we need to find ways more ways to integrat units with standards.

 DESSA is a social emotional measurement tool. Its not based on a test but its based on classroom teacher observation. Every kid will have a teacher administered assessment based on classroom observation. The assessment measures: Self management, social awareness, relationship skills, personal responsibility, decision making, optimistic thinking, self awareness on social emotional learning. 

Based on data the Lamar results are:

54% typical

16% need for instruction

 30% strength

 In fall conference we should hear about PBL, DESSA, and MAP

People often ask, how can we help with the campus? Please consider mentoring a student if you have time. Mentoring should take about 15-20 min/week. Mentorship is one of the most positive interventions that the school can provide. We need more men and we need more positive role models.

Upcoming events PTA sponsored and school

Oct 20th Carnival

Nov 13th Math and Science Night

Dec 13th winter concert

Meeting Adjourned at 7:11pm

LAMAR ELEMENTARY PTA
2018-2019
PROPOSED BUDGET
REVENUE
Opening Balance	$1,820.18
Physical Activity Fundraiser (previously APEX)	4,300.00
Carnival	4,500.00
Chocolate Sales	3,300.00
Fiesta Day Concessions	350.00
Movie Night Concessions	225.00
Winter Pictures	500.00
T-shirt Sales	5,550.00
PTA Dues (Escrow)	$ 405.00
External Fundraising	$ 5,600.00
Art in the Park	$200
Box Tops	$450.00
Spirit items	200
Donation	200
TOTAL REVENUE	$27,600.18
EXPENSES
After school programs	$500
Art in Park	$200.00
Bank Fees	60
Carnival	1,800.00
Chocolate for Sale	2,700.00
Culture Fest	400.00
Decoration for photo op's	25.00
Donuts for Dad	400.00
Earth Day	400.00
Field Trips	2,000.00
Fiesta Parade	250.00
Fiesta Shirts	3,800.00
Green Eggs and Ham	200.00
Mascot	-
Movie Nights	400.00
Muffins for Mom	300.00
Insurance	195.00
Pine Car Derby	500.00
Printing	$500
PTAvenue	300
PTA Dues	405.00
PTA dinners	1,200.00
School Beautification	250.00
STARR	450.00
Spirit items	$350.00
Student Incentives	2,100.00
T-shirt Printing	2,900.00
Teacher Appreciation Week	400.00
Teacher Bathroom/Workroom supplies	200.00
Teacher Gifts	2,500.00
Welcome back for Parents	350.00
Winter Pictures	50.00
TOTAL EXPENSES	$26,085
Ending Bank Balance	$1,515.18