November PTA Meeting Notes

Guest Speaker: Daniel Landel, 3rd Grade

1. Student-Centered Learning
2. PTA to share presentation with parents

 
President’s Report: China Williams

1. Voted to remove Art to Remember from Fundraising and Art program from School Support-Program Services due to school directly handling Art to Remember funds
2. Filed Maryland Charitable Registration; current until 12/31/16
3. eScrip online shopping portal
   1. Potential source of revenue from online shopping and local dining
   2. Sign up online: shopping.escrip.com
   3. Mr. Palmer to share via Words to the Wise
4. Upcoming events
   1. SW Boundary Meeting, Catonsville HS (Nov 11)
   2. Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurant night (Nov 13)
   3. Rails to Trails Cleanup (Nov 15)
   4. American Education Week (Nov 16-20)
   5. Public Information Session, SW Boundary Meeting (Nov 18)
   6. SW Boundary Online Survey (Nov 18-29)
   7. PJ & Crazy Hair Day (Nov 20)
   8. Catonsville Tree Lighting (Nov 28)
   9. Jingle Bell Run/Walk (Dec 5)
   10. SW Boundary Meeting, Catonsville HS (Dec 9)
   11. Staff Holiday Luncheon (Dec 15)
5. Need to move Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres assembly due to conflict with Holiday Shoppe
6. Fall Fest, Raffle, and Silent Auction - thanks to everyone who helped!
   1. Will do Pie in the Face on the stage next year
   2. Will move Pumpkin Decorating Contest ballot box to craft tables for oversight next year
7. Boundary Update
   1. Preferred draft maps accommodate nearly entire current Westowne boundaries
   2. 82-85% capacity will provide space for 6 CALS classrooms and all staff
   3. Unclear whether to expect student movement across Route 40 in either direction in upcoming draft maps
   4. Next meeting tomorrow night (Nov 11)
8. Catonsville Christmas Tree Ornaments
   1. Thanks, Adele and Mary for planning and organizing!
   2. Supplies have been given to teachers
   3. Room parents, please contact teachers to ask about need for assistance with project
   4. Due November 19th
   5. Event November 28th
9. Holiday Shoppe Donations needed
   1. Set up and sale volunteers needed for labor intensive event
10. First round of class directories were distributed
    1. Google Form for additional participants and corrections: http://goo.gl/forms/VN5by2L9Ys 
    2. Second round to go out late November

 
Treasurer’s Report: Stacie Lauer

1. $380.90 October Pajama Day
2. $150 sweetFrog
3. Fall Festival
   1. $972 admission revenue
   2. $1192.15 Silent Auction and Raffle revenue
   3. $424 Pie in the Face (paid to school for technology)
   4. $200 discrepancy in monthly due to paying cash for pizza
   5. $670.29 5th Grade Concessions

 
Secretary’s Report: Justine Stull

1. 177 members
   1. Goal is to reach or exceed last year’s 187 members
   2. 17 teacher members
   3. 11 additional staff/faculty members

 
Vice President’s Report: Jessica Brown

1. Box Tops
   1. Expecting over $1000 check in December

 
Principal’s Report: Mr. Palmer

1. American Education Week
   1. PTA offering refreshments
   2. Suggestion to offer PTA memberships if possible
   3. Set classroom visit times, but contact teachers to arrange alternatives
2. Drop Off and Pick Up procedures
   1. Smooth introduction to changed procedures
   2. Student name signs should be displayed in car windows in pickup line
3. Construction updates
   1. Three separate crews working on three parts of the building
   2. Aiming to have roof in place in January
   3. Continuing to work toward opening day for start of next school year
4. Behavior Management Plan
   1. Behavior matrixes unified for all settings (classroom, bus, cafeteria, etc.)
      1. Will share in next Words to the Wise newsletter
   2. ClassDojo app/website being implemented at gradual pace in classrooms
   3. Fading out use of behavior ladder
   4. School focusing on raising expectations and providing consistency
   5. BCPS One behavior management feature is not complete or being fully utilized

 
5th Grade Committee: Jen Nyland

1. Fall Festival concessions went well
2. To determine if Drama Club/Wizard of Oz concession sales are possible
3. Will do February Movie Night concessions
4. Schwan’s earned approximately $170
   1. Continues at 5% for 90 days
   2. Mr. Palmer to share via Words to the Wise

 
Teacher Liaison: Ms. Robey

1. Gently used book collection through Thursday