General Meeting 11-13-25 5:30 pm
Lincoln Library
Executive board members introduction; Jennalee Garcia Montero, Skyla Boivin, Julie Taylor, Nicole Hryciw, Julie Bowman, Jenny Grimaldi
Julie Bowman explained our access to Blazers Tickets and offered parents attending the meeting an opportunity to sign up for tickets to attend a game.
Green Team report:
Parent and green team member Dan Thompson introduced us to Jane Tesner Kleiner from Nature Play designs, and how they met. Jane is a Landscape Architect and has helped many schools in the district develop, design, and facilitate district approval for outdoor learning and play spaces. Dan gave us background on the projects they worked on at his school where he is a teacher. He shared with everyone what the green team has accomplished so far, including a pollinator garden and a plan to plant trees in April. Jane spoke about her history working with many schools, the importance of campus improvements being safe and that they should directly add to curriculum as well as many benefits socially and emotionally. She went over the map of our outdoor areas at Lincoln and the ideas we have for this year. The city is interested in adding trees, and we are wanting to decrease heat on our playground. By adding a shade/canopy area, our playground becomes safer and there are many learning opportunities with different tree species. April is the time for tree planting around Arbor Day, and we are including the 5th grade ecosystems unit. Jane shared that when kids are involved, vandalism goes down and pride in ownership goes up. Other ideas are a walking loop path, which is great for the surrounding neighbors, accessibility for the school, and can be utilized by PE teachers for measured distance walks/runs. We discussed future plans for an outdoor learning area under the oak trees and a futsal court. Principal Graham added that there is a grant to help match and double what money we fundraise for that.
We discussed student involvement and ideas and to continue to get input from them. Our Paras are interested in how this will improve recess. A parent shared her kiddo interested in a mud kitchen. Jennalee explained how her kinder are interested in a fairy garden, and how that can be accomplished much sooner. A parent asked about how it gets going, and how long the process is. We explained it is a slow process getting district approval, but that we have great momentum going. Jennalee shared that she has a grant writer if we find the right grant.
Treasurer’s Report
Checking account balance is $16,395.20
Savings balance is $10,043.81
Recent expenses Since last meeting; Logger laps Prizes, office supplies, pizza with the principal, money minder, and fish tank maintenance.
Recent Income since last meeting; $1407 (Logger Laps cash/check), $2,783 (Logger laps zeffy), $1,055.07 (Chuck E Cheese), $73.80 & $62.15 from Kroger for this fiscal year.
We have been sponsoring pizza with the principal for students who have received character trait of the month award. We need to vote to continue funding it. There can be up to 16 kids a month depending on the schedule. It is $76 a month to continue, unless it’s a shorter month. Vote approved unanimously.
Logger Laps Update
Logger laps was the most successful year ever. We appreciate all the help and volunteers. It was switched to the fall and it went very well. We were able to double the amount of prizes allocated. Of the funds raised, $600 goes to holiday market scholarships and the remaining goes to the teacher reimbursement fund.
We are currently working on a dinner night fundraiser. Chuck E Cheese was successful as always, and another is planned for the spring.
Bike Bus
Kaylee Moreno (locallinkspnw@gmail.com is a social worker who started Local Links in Vancouver. She explained her role in facilitating a bike bus program in our community, which is starting at Hough elementary. A bike bus is a group of trained adults and parents who ride along a set route on specific mornings and “pick up” youth to ride, walk, or scoot to school - much like a school bus. There are many fun health and social benefits for youth.
Several adults lead the front and back of the bike bus down a predetermined safe route. Helmets are required and rules of the road followed. Communication comes through the school and neighborhood sign ups. They take up the whole road and try to avoid two lane roads. Some join by driving to the route. It has to be implemented by the PTO.
Waste connections are helping with donations.
Jason Cromer founded Cycle Vancouver and spoke about how great it is for kids and the community. (jasoncromer@gmail.com)
Maggie Derk is the Senior Transportation planner with the city and spoke about how the city is on board. The city safe routes to school program is new. They can help the school to educate, support, get access to helmets, and reflective vests.
Parent Dave Cummings teaches at Columbia river and they started this. He had the idea to cycle down equipment for kids who are graduating.
Our Principal asked about cost for bike racks and the city said that would need to be determined.
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
Judit spoke about the opportunity for cooking classes for students and their parents at Lincoln through Washington State University. For each segment, there will be 9 classes and our space can hold as many as 16 participants. Each class is 90 minutes long and will teach nutrition, safety, planning meals, grocery shopping, and recipes.
Principal graham shared that a lot of kids are making their own food at night. She would like to see more parents involved. Judit explained that it will be a parent and child cooking class. It is planned to start in January and have two separate groups. We discussed an idea to have one group right after school and the next segment later in the evening.
Art club proposal
Lincoln student Alice Cummings proposed starting a crochet club after school. She and her friends began crocheting on the playground and asked to have time indoors once a week on Thursdays. Jennalee can facilitate since it is still in her contracted hours from 2:30-3:00. It will be held in maker space, but parents need to know Jennalee would be in the pod.
Voted and approved.
Ways to give
Lincoln and the district has started “student’s care”
Lpsg has a giving opportunity - we are making sure that we gather funds for families who need it. Any funds raised for the holiday season or other needs. Judit will connect funds to families who need it. Last year we had the biggest need ever for Holiday Market scholarships. This is where kids can shop (everyone can shop) for their families. More than 60% needed the scholarships. When envelops come home, there is a place to add in a scholarship for another student. All Saints collects plate donations in November and December and it comes back toward our scholarship fund. We are looking to aim for around $800 to support the holiday market scholarships.
Volunteer opportunities
Maker space is now run by LPSG and needs volunteers. It is open for students Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and is staffed by Skyla and Jenny of the board.
Spiritwear orders closes next wed 11/19
Reviewed Read NW and the Lunch buddy program. Both programs need volunteers.
Meeting adjourned 7:00 pm.