November 2018 Parent Meeting Minutes

PCEP PARENT MEETING MINUTES

November 13, 2018

MAPLEWOOD COMMONS

7:04 – 7:55

CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: Mr. Jourdan

The Meeting called to order by Mr. Jourdan at 7:04 PM. Mr. Jourdan welcomed everyone and thanked everyone who was on the surplus committee. Mr. Jourdan shared the surplus work got done and he appreciated those who submitted proposals. Surplus, family involvement and those who come together to support committees are some of what makes Maplewood special. Mr. Jourdan asked for a round of applause. Mr. Jourdan also shared he would be forming a small committee to look at policies, procedures and guidelines. Mr. Jourdan asked those interested to send an email indicating their interest in a few sentences. Mr. Jourdan indicated his contact information is on the website. Ms. Farah asked about the deadline for participation in the committee in reviewing guidelines. Mr. Jourdan indicated it would depend on interest and that information would follow in the Newsflash. Mr. Jourdan would like to have the committee formed prior to winter break.

PCEP News & Announcements

Book Fair & Pie Social: Kristie Larsen

Ms. Larsen spoke on behalf of Cymmie Knutsen to share about the book fair. The book fair was an amazing success due to our parents, we met our sales goals and have $2,500 in new books for the school in addition to the books that went to the classroom and to our home libraries. Ms. Knutsen wanted to thank everyone who shopped, brought pie and volunteered and the families who volunteered were verbally acknowledged. Ms. Larsen asked us to clap for Ms. Knutsen and Mr. B. Ms. Larsen also acknowledged Steve Schafer for his audio/visual support for the school.

Drama Week: Lindsey Sims

Ms. Sims shared drama week was a huge success and we had 100 kids involved. Ms. Sims put together a slide slow and wanted to thank the PCEP for giving this to our kids. Ms. Sims also said a special thank you to Molly, Ryan, Janice and Julie for all their help.

Mr. Jourdan thanked Ms. Sims for drama week and shared that Ms. Sims brought it to the board many years ago and it gets better every year.

SCHOOLHOUSE REPORT: Michelle Mathis

Ms. Mathis thanked everyone for being in attendance and shared it was a pleasure to see everyone. Ms. Mathis also thanked Ms. Sims for the drama week. Ms. Mathis shared that it has been busy since the last time we were gathered. Ms. Mathis shared about a student with a big, courageous voice on literary character day, which was a great event. We also had a Veteran’s Day Assembly and we had a speaker, one of whom we met at the ACT Training. He left the children with three messages: 1) Make Your Bed – When you get up in the morning and make your bed you are taking the first step to take action 2) Accept Responsibility for Yourself and Others 3) Teamwork

Ms. Mathis shared Shannon Sessions came to talk about online safety and discuss responsibility for online behaviors.

Ms. Mathis shared Ms. Brinck was beyond smiles about the great attendance at the Book Fair.

Ms. Mathis also spoke about the successful clothing drive, which brought in 1000’s of pairs of new underwear and socks to be donated for children in need. Service and reciprocal learning are an important part of the clothing drive, so the reward for the class who brought in the most clothing gets to go on a field trip to clothes for kids and learn behind the scenes what goes on their and learn the impacts on our community.

Ms. Mathis also wanted to touch on responsibility and words matter. Ms. Mathis loves her job and when kids are at their best. Ms. Mathis wanted to talk about teachable moments and the language they are using it and how they are using it. Ms. Mathis shared it is still a bullying behavior if we say just kidding or I didn’t really mean it. Words really matter, really challenge stereotypes and gender-based biases. Ms. Mathis is hearing words around trauma, assault, profiling and rape and topics she would rather not have her kids hear, but they are hearing them in the media, YouTube, etc. and asked us to be steadfast in recognizing biases and stereotypes. Ms. Mathis then shared a quote by Dr. King. Ms. Mathis also shared November is Native American Heritage Month and shared a proverb Treat the earth well, It was not given to you by your parents, It was loaned to you by your children. Ms. Mathis then thanked this community for their contributions and turned it over to Ms. Frary, Administrative Intern and Co-ASB Leader.

Ms. Frary introduced the Maplewood ASB Officers and asked them to share the new Maplewood Clothing. The students shared items, sizes, colors, logos and cost of the clothing. Order forms were passed out and will also be attached to the Newsflash. Ms. Mathis shared they tried to keep the costs low to not generate revenue, but to generate pride and spirit.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Brian Johnston

Mr. Johnston shared that he gets the opportunity to present the surplus and Maplewood Madness numbers. He also mentioned the Treasurer position is open next year and he would love to tell anyone interested about this great job.

Maplewood Madness crushed it with an income of $22,504 and Mr. Johnston thanked the team who put on the event, everyone who came out and participated, played games, bought food and tickets.

Mr. Johnston shared about the surplus proposals. Eighteen proposals were submitted. One of the proposals was a teacher resource book, which was funded out of the school house, so that brought us down to seventeen. Another one taken out was funding for a neighborhood school based on our PPG’s, it was a great idea and people were behind it, but the surplus was not the place to fund it. There is some movement out there to fund playground and PE equipment for College Place Elementary. Reach out to Ms. Zackey if interested in supporting this effort. That left us with sixteen proposal items and the committee and board approved those moving them forward to the parent group tonight. Mr. Johnston reviewed each item and asked us to start thinking of items for next year, because he believes more than likely we may have surplus next year. Forms can be turned in throughout the year and saved for next year. Mr. Johnston asked for a motion to approve this years’ surplus. Mr. Brett Jackson motioned to approve. Mr. Mark Lucas seconded. Mr. Johnston called for a vote and the surplus was approved unanimously with no abstentions.

Mr. Johnston then shared some slides of children in their classrooms with items purchased with surplus dollars, including noise-cancelling headphones, materials for building stem boats, and smart white boards.

Parent Education: Vanessa Stedman

Ms. Stedman and a colleague presented a Be SMART presentation a conversation about kids, guns and safety. http://besmartforkids.org/about/

The acronym SMART stands for:

S – secure guns in homes and vehicles

M – model responsible behavior

A – ask about unsecured guns in other homes

R – recognize the risks of teen suicide

T – tell your peers to be smart

ADJOURN:

With no further business to discuss, Mr. Jourdan adjourned the meeting at 7:55 pm and reminded us there is not a meeting in December.

Submitted by Laurel Blanco.