BBE PTO MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday September 13, 2023
9.30AM
In Attendance: Sierra Jefferson, Nicole Polit, Erin Grace, Tara Phillips, Elizabeth Miceli, Emily Hickman, Letty Gonzales, Munira Jiwani, Janet Livesey, Elsa Tung Rodriguez, Anne Tseng, Erica Knighton, Andrea Rhodes, Stacy Zwerneman, Laura Timmons, Lilian Cruz, Jana Nassar Aschkar, Elaine Sia, Jessica Huang Snelson, Suzanne Bull, Joe Veliz, Catherine Writer, Priya Majmundar, Cyma Yousuf, Yasmin White, Shannon Fields, Dr Felicia Bolden
1.Sierra call to order: 9.45am
2.Welcome and introduce board members. Erica volunteered for the empty MA position.
3.Communication – facebook, email etc . There is also a Next Door group for those who don’t have Facebook.
4. School rules & etiquette reminder
5. Bylaws – Nicole: if anyone wants to look at them they’re on the PTO website under Documents. Vote to approve the Bylaws.
Stacy motioned to vote, Tara seconds. All in favor. Motion passes.
6.Every Friday wear school spirit shirt.
7.Treasurer report – May & June financials: $3,963.48 received. Paid $29,395.44 out.
Vote to approve the report.
Andrea make a motion, Nicole seconds. All in favor. Motion passes.
8.May minutes – Stacy motioned to vote, Munira seconds. All in favor, Motion passes.
9.Sima – July & August incoming was $2,936. Largest was sponsorship. Expenses $2,205 paid out, majority for car tags, hospitality (welcome back lunch), majority of the $ brought in/spent was in August.
Stacy motioned to vote, Tara seconds. All in favor. Motion passes.
10.Budget- also on PTO website if you want to take a look. Will come back to at the end of the meeting.
11.Calendar:
9/15 - Early release 12.10pm
9/18 – CPAC meeting at 5-6pm
9/22-28 - Champ bucks store
9/29 - Teacher workday, no school
10/3 – Picture day and Spirit night at Gringo’s
10/9 – No School
10/10 – Teacher workday, no school
10/11 – October PTO meeting PM
12. Volunteer opportunities:
- Friday popcorn
- Car lunch and recess duties
- Sunshine cart – 9/26 (snack donations drop off on Fridays, amazon wishlist)
- Fall Festival Fundraiser (10/26)
13. Dr Bolden’s remarks:
Need volunteers for duties. Super excited for the fall festival. Appreciated coffee with principal attendees and already acting on some of that feedback.
Fall festival – super excited.
14. Mrs Fields remarks:
Thank you for thinking of and supporting the teachers, we loved Gringo’s. Wants to do 3-4 big events for the kiddos this year that kids can earn via ChampBucks and other ways. Fun and silly things for the kids to participate in, maybe popcorn for the kids one day? Please share ideas to help make some bigger ticket items happen, that will hopefully attract the older grades.
15. Nicole P – question for Dr B regarding dress up days? There are many, maybe too many? Dr B will process that and ask staff what they think.
Dr B vote on pull back on dress up days, about half the group.
Mon – college &jeans, Wed – camping theme, Fri – Spirit shirt.
Q – dress up days on school calendar website? Maybe add to the website too, instead of scrolling thru the weekly newsletter.
Janet – make sure it’s clear that its optional for the kids.
Dr B – it helps the kids feel connected to the school and each other
16. Committee remarks
Ways & Means – no comments.
The Fall Festival is essentially a fundraising event, outside (rainy day backup). Volunteers will be needed with stations/booths/activities and have shifts for parents. Silent aution, cake walk, turnk or treat, pizza dinner, face painting, x2 bounce houses, prizes. 5.30-7.30pm
Hospitality – 9/15 Chuy’s, 10/10 appreciation lunch (please share ideas on who we can partner with).
Anne – idea about book/toy donation, maybe can use Champ bucks to purchase those items?
Sponsorship – Upped our top sponsor tier from $300 to $1,000 / $700 (most popular) and so on. Please can everyone ask their favorite local businesses for donation items and let Andrea know if you collect anything.
Membership – Nicole: less than 10% of school families have signed up for PTO, and 90% of staff. Please encourage everyone you know to sign up, only $6 and it makes a big difference.
Program development - 10/3 Gringo’s
Parties – Holiday 12/14 and end of year 5/20
Field Day –3/28 , changed from last year due to the hot weather.
Yearbook – Keep uploading photos please on the yearbook website please. Submit ALL pics and, any volunteers please take photos of what you’re doing!
JA & MA – need more parents and helpers to sign up please.
DADS – need more Dads, big brothers, uncles.
17. Budget – any questions or concerns?
Priya: What if we go to Universities or hospitals for sponsorship? Bandages, First aid kits, teacher, partner with nurses? Fund spelling or writing competitions? TCH pediatrics network?
Erica: her jobs is research based curriculum, free of charge as long as kids take a Yes/No survey at the end, can provide many free services. Health & wellness types of treats and info sessions. Chef programs, age appropriate.
Emily: PTO can pick a volunteer each month to gift/reward somebody
Emily motioned to vote, Letty second. All in favor, motion passes.
18.New Business
19. Adjourn: 10.31am