September 17, 2019 - General Meeting Minutes

Post date: Sep 18, 2019 10:48:55 PM

Introduce ourselves/members of the board
1. Three new board members: Roxana Bailey – Co-President; Katie Gross – Fundraising Coordinator; Luis de la Riva – Volunteer Coordinator
2. Bienvenidos a todos!
Meet the amities: Becca Patenaude – Amity Intern Coordinator
1. 4 amities for the 2019-2020 year
  1. Amities are young teachers from Spanish-speaking countries
  2. Help in kinder and 1^stgrade
  3. This year: 3 women – Paula, Marta, and Cathy – from Spain; 1 man – Fransisco – from El Salvador
2. 8 families will, over the course of the year, take them in and provide them with a room, food, and invite them into their families
3. Please consider hosting an amity next year – it’s a wonderful experience!
  1. We will start looking for next year’s host families in January – connect Becca if interested at (612) 861-4193
  2. If you cannot host, you can assist by inviting them to your home for a meal, inviting them to attend an event with your family, inviting them to babysit or to tutor your children, donating winter clothing – especially men’s clothing (size Medium) - rides to and from RDLS/school activities if an amity lives in your neighborhood.
4. Amities will likely attend next evening meeting and introduce themselves J
2019-2020 PTSO Budget
1. Emily explained this year’s projected budget
2. What does PTSO fundraise for?
  1. A “savings account” for the school – when there is a need in the school, PTSO can step in to fill the gap and we do.
    1. Field trips, classroom needs, special equipment for the school, etc.
3. When does the district step in to pay vs. PTSO?
  1. Marta: I am given $40,000 that I have to make last/budget for the entire 10 months of the school year. When things come up that were not budgeted for, I often ask the PTSO to assist.
4. Budget for the 2019-2020 year was voted on and approved.
New ideas for PTSO meetings
1. November meeting will include a puppet show for the kids on bullying. Kids can watch a puppet show while parents meet.
2. We might bring in specialists to talk to parents around certain topics, like screen time…
3. If you have an idea for a PTSO meeting, please speak to Polly or Roxana!
4. Creating Facebook events for PTSO meetings are helpful - Nikki will do.
Fundraising dates
1. Glow Dance – October 25, 6:00-8:00pm
  1. Need parent volunteers to sell popcorn and pizza, make sure kids are bring safe
  2. We ask for volunteers by Facebook and personal invitation/email.
  3. Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents and have fun with your kiddos!
2. Cherrydale – Anne Schuette is the contact
  1. Fundraiser through a fundraising company
    1. September 26^th– begins
    2. October 8^th– last day
    3. Items delivered - November 21st
3. Family Movie Night – December 6, 6:00-8:00pm
Announcements from Sra. Marta
1. Kitchen construction: done in 2-3 weeks; serving line and refrigerators will be behind a wall now – will reduce the amount of noise in the cafeteria during lunchtime.
2. Pick-up and drop-off: we need everyone’s help to keep everyone safe! If you are walking, make sure you make eye contact with drivers as you cross; drivers slow down; only cross in designated area
  1. We have to be careful - pay attention - as a community
  2. The drop-off and pick-up procedures will be the same when construction is done! The construction vehicles will be gone and lines will be painted, but the procedure will be the same.
  3. We are working with STEM to ensure we have the safest process possible in our shared parking lot.
3. Construction update: offices ready by Friday, gym ready by the 30^th, media room done by end of October ßmedia room is the last project! (These are projected dates.)
4. “Snow mountain” will be a big problem this winter now that student drop-off and pick-up is in front of the building; is a big hindrance to visibility all winter.
  1. District contact - Dan Kretzinger. Parents should contact getting “snow mountain” placed someone else!
Adjourn