Lincoln Parent Staff Group (LPSG) General Meeting
6:30pm, Nov 5, Lincoln Elementary Library
Welcome/Introductions
Icebreaker: What is your favorite place to eat in Vancouver?
General Membership Participation: 5 minutes for questions, comments, and suggestions from all in attendance. Example: questions/comments/suggestions/discussions about Lincoln, the LPSG, school district, a recent Lincoln event, a concern which the commenter is willing to help solve, newcomer questions, etc.
Q: What is a PTO/PTA/LPSG?
A: We’re the parent group here at Lincoln, a PTO. Explains differences between PTA and PTO. We rely heavily on resources from PTO today. We do fundraising, general meetings every other month, Board meetings every other month. Board makes decisions about the finances and budget. Volunteer opportunities and committees explained.
Q: Where to find a list of events?
A: On calendar on website, should be at least a “save-the-date”.
Meeting Minutes: Confirmation/Approval of minutes from previous meeting.
Change "meeting every 6-months” to “every other month" and spellcheck "principles" to "principal's" .
Q: On the Treasurer’s Report - Do we have a deficit?
A: John - We ran a deficit last year. Started out at 30k and ended with 24k. Being a new treasurer, not sure what exactly caused it, but a lot more was spent on the 6th grade party last year. We have a good start this year with trying to get ourselves back in balance. Have previous records, but nothing looked too out of the ordinary. Just spent more than we earned. Some events we put on don’t make money (son event/daughter dance). Money get spent on events, understaffed with volunteers, and money get spent just to make the event happen. We’re setting budgets and being more careful with spending for each event now. John gave Treasurer's email address if anyone wants more detailed information about report. Rebuilding year, we have more people on the board this year, more organization, access to PTO Today resources.
Q: What is a PTA versus a PTO?
A: PTA - Dues, national organization. PTO - no dues, every parent of a Lincoln student is automatically a member.
Vote on minutes. “Robert's Rules” explained. Motion to approve meeting minutes. Approved.
Principal’s Report: Craig Homnick - Title 1 Parent Involvement Plan
Title I School - means that 50% or more of kids are free and reduced lunch - 1 indicator of poverty. Get federal dollars, around 50k per year. It has gone down significantly and used to be over $100,000. Used to pay paraeducators. We have 5 paraeducators. Have requirements: to share information at meetings, School Improvement Plan (SIP). SIP is posted in a few places in the building - Making sure they are transparent on what they’re working on and what their goals are. See the columns on 2nd page of the handout.
Talked about data notebooks. Every student in K-5 has their own notebook. A trifold where teachers and students collect data. Can take with some year-to-year to see growth. Action step #1: Trying to find ways for students to care about their learning and show off through assessments. #4 under “Revisions”: Help kids to prep with SBA's. Interims are ways kids can practice the SBA.
Academic school-wide vocabulary list. With math and literacy.
Goal to increase math by 20% to be ready for SBA and i-Ready. i-Ready is 3 times per year.
ELA goal is 20%. Vertical team meetings twice per year. Lots of teacher communication between teams and grade levels. Purchased “Lucy Caulkins” (the new writing curriculum) - professional development day next Saturday to learn about new curriculum.
Increase student attendance rate. Still have issues with tardies and absences.
Q: What does SBA mean?
A: Smart Balance Assessment
Q: School academic vocabulary list - have not seen list for 3rd grade?
A: C. Homnick :Academic Achievement Coach, Stephanie Nicloson, is heading this and is still working on the list. Weill be released to parents and hope to post it in the school. Still don’t put a lot of emphasis on spelling. J.Blatt comments: they practice in terms of making sure that they're modeling and correcting as needed, kids corrected on their spelling are less likely to write and do the work. Have kids adventurous in their writing and explore and make small critiques are they go. No particular spelling list. C. Homnick comments: New technology and spellcheck, spelling is less important than it used to be. That is why is going by the wayside. M.Haagen: Reading program, HD word, supports a lot of spelling with vowel sounds.
Q: Should parents not focus on spelling at home?
A: Would prefer kids to write and explore rather than focus on spelling. Kids were inhibited in creative writing because concerned with spelling.On SBA there is a spell check button.
Also required to have a Parent participation plan with Title Funds. 4-6 weeks to make adjustments and revisions based on feedback. This is a document with ways parents can get involved in our school.
Formal way to complain against the school district. Also on the school district website. If you want to make a formal complaint there is an OSPI (Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction) in Olympia.
Brochures available to explain what is Title I. Also brochure for Parents rights to be informed of Title I.
Q: School funding resources cut in half, half as many para educators?
A: They try no not cut back in supervision, patrols, supervising recesses, cafeterias. Definitely less paras in the classroom supporting teachers on a daily basis. Federal dollars based on our count. Some schools get twice as much because they have twice as many kids. Not as much funding to give, at the federal level, not based on free/reduced lunch count.
Q: What is our percentage of free and reduced lunch?
A: One indicator of poverty, big difference in household incomes to get free and reduced lunch. Ranges high 50’s - high 70s depending on time of year. October 1st is when they look at data. Now around 65%. District is around 50%. Some schools are in the 90’s.
Q: 50k is for five paras?
A: Paras get funded in other different ways.
Money to fund 2 full-time counselors, money to fund Angela (math support). Allocated money for Playworks. Kids don’t know how to play. A person from Playworks comes to school a week each month to work with Mendoza. Kids learn to play games. Junior coaches meeting tomorrow. Giving responsibilities to help organize games.
Q: With only 5 paras - is there parent involvement to fill in?
A: Need volunteers to help 1 on 1 with flash cards or reading group. The 5 paras are allocated to every grade level.
Q: Other districts have gone to LAP?
A: Hough went under 50%. They are accessing district LAP funds and no Title I funds. LAP (Learning Assistant Program). LAP Reading teacher is Christine McClafferty.
Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) Report: Judit Torrents
Continue programs partnering with Trinity, All Saints, Lincoln Neighborhood Association (LNA). Connecting with families needs. Bridging that gap with housing or food resources. Holiday food drive with daily announcements for canned goods.. Family engagement -Watchdog kickoff. Had 70 dads that day. On Thursday, Love and Logic, so far 20 people interested.
Q: Green food bag program?
A: Goes to school pantry through LNA.
Q: What is All Saints?
A: Parents of Jenna Lee. Another church organization. Games in January with Trinity. Walking field trip to play board games. Trinity board games.
C: Easy way to support. Box tops, Fred Meyer rewards, Amazon. Meeting next week, Judit will share info.
Teacher’s Report: Jessica Blatt
Doing good. Loved the book fair, went smoothly. Teachers excited to get free books. Happy to have free popcorn.
C: Love getting teacher feedback from the surveys, we read and try to use information.
Officer Reports:
Treasurer - John Holmstrom
September 1st was the start of the fiscal year. John goes over the budget from a print out, fundraising totals, and donations.
Money related to book fair in budget is not really income. We collected and deposited cash into LPSG account and paid a check to Scholastic book fair.
Went over expenses: spiritwear, moneyminder, childcare, ice cream social, teacher appreciation, welcome back breakfast, Latte Da luncheon, general meeting expenses...
Average daily attendance for teacher stipends. Number of kids in each classroom?
C. Homnick: Based on allocations for the year - October. Added a whole new classroom.
Stipend designed for teachers spending out of pocket.
Book fair was for books for the library.
President - Teresa Vick
Working on LPSG Officer Manual for board members
Processes/procedures/forms
Association Bylaws and organizing documents
Officer job descriptions and timelines
Online ways to submit institutional knowledge (post event summaries)
Committee Reports:
Old/Past Events/Business
Boxtops - Lauren Staples
Just submitted fall clipped box tops. Totals down from years past. Made $140. Last year the total amount raised was $360. We are getting more from people using the apps and scanning receipts. Will get additional $33 from app. Will draw winner for gift basket.
New products may not be on box. Always scan receipts. Can get receipts from people to scan if they don’t want to. Set up to scan box tops receipts at stores.
Teacher Appreciation (teacher lunch) - Lauren Staples
Catered from Latte Da.
Q: how many people use app?
A: No idea. Can only see what store the receipt came from.
Amazon Smile, Fred Meyer, and Grocery outlet also have programs.
Popcorn Day - Katie Riley
Popped 475 bags of popcorn from 9:30 - 12:30. Where initially concerned about littering, only 2 bags found outside.
C: Recommend Regal cinemas. Can hold on to popcorn.
Q: Turning it into a fundraiser?
A: Yes, want it to be accessible to all students. Maybe give them the option to buy with logger slips. Ideas are $10 subscriptions, Popcorn Fridays, selling at events like Christmas performance, alternating days of Student Store.
Spirit Wear - Katie Riley
Kids love bows and having on hand spirit wear and selling old inventory. Socks at Santa's workshop, bows, key chains, incentives, online spirit wear. Currently trying to set up, but we would like to keep a small amount on hand and if we have to store it.
Q: Can we have a sponsor?
A: Trying to partner with a different company to have smaller batches.
C: Small batch embroidery. $50 cost to get in software. Bring your own clothing.
Scholastics Book Fair (benefiting school library)
Went well. Will purchase sets and collections that are higher dollar items, want to get numbers in the newsletter to thank parents. Contributing to literacy. $2,500 we get to keep half of the proceeds and a 5% bonus after taxes. We got a little over $2,500 that will go to the library.
Q: Book fair income and expenses are the same on income statement?
A: We just take in the cash during the book fair, deposit, and write a check for the same amount back to scholastic. Not income, we don’t make any money, just volunteer.
Fun Run
Snacks, chalk, fun course inside gym while other groups ran. Different company than last year - more profits go to school, all the kids got to participate. Out of town family that want to support can donate because payback books are local.
Letter of apology written by a student at fun run. Read by John: Spent $55 he raised from fun run and worked weekends to repay the money.
Payback books - Teresa Vick
Start earlier in the year - maybe start the third day of school. Sell at Santa's workshop.
New/Upcoming Events/Business
Introduce/Vote on 5th Grade Committee Leader & helpers
Received 2 interest form: Fundraising for the arts (Janet Lindsley) and 5th grade committee. Explain 5th grade Committee. Voting in those people doing that - maybe Kelly Sanders. Nicole Taylor did it last year and would be a resource. LPSG gives $600 starter funds for 5th grade. 5th grade day, t-shirts to wear throughout the year, licorice sales, Jamba Juice cards, Burgerville, bath bombs...
Santa’s Workshop - Katie Riley
Two evenings after holiday performances, also having open after school. Need volunteers.
Possible Community Caroling - Teresa Vick/Erik Smith. December 9th through 13th. Eric on board. Start at school, just for fun, not a fundraiser. Maybe have it at Latte Da instead of walking around the neighborhood? Safer, covered area, fire combined with a toy drive? For choir and non-choir kids.
Q: Emailing other teachers about wishlist book up to $15 value.
A: Jessica Blatt will pass on - write to volunteer Coordinator.
Jen Baker wins Latte Da gift card and Jenny Bock wins Box Top gift basket.
Closure/Adjournment: Next General Meeting - January, 7, 6:30-7:30pm
General Meeting - Sept 3, 2019
Lincoln Parent Staff Group General Meeting
6:30 p.m. September 3rd, Lincoln Elementary Library
Welcome and Introductions
5 minutes comments/suggestions/ideas from general members
Drop off and how kindergarteners are getting to the gym. Using Mr. Watkins and 5th grade patrol to escort them. Helps so that parents are not taking kids directly to the classrooms or gym.
Someone asked for an overview of what the meeting is for. Teresa - this is a general meeting. They happen every other month. We are a PTO not a PTA which is a national organization. No membership dues and everyone is automatically a member. Everyone has a voice and a vote. Explains everything on the agenda. Explained “Robert's Rules of Orders”
Confirmation/approval of minutes of previous meeting - approved
Principal’s Report - Craig Homnick
Good and normal start to the school year.
Kids are figuring things out. Working on building relationships, teaching procedures (walking in the hallways & anchoring), expectations in locations - cafeteria, playground and bus. Went well. Assistant principal - Scott Sartorius coordinated that effort.
FCRC Report - Judit Torrents - New FCRC Coordinator
Liaison for families, clothing, school supplies, housing, employment, utility assistance. Goal is family engagement. Help support and organize events for families and youth enrichment, programs like Watch Dogs and lunch buddies.
Teachers Report - Jessica Blatt & Jennalee Garcia Montero
Jenalee - Kindergarten jumpstart. 40 students. Jumpstart was 10 days. Kids got to know teachers. Families Home Connection Conferences - meet with parents through September. i-Ready testing window starting next week in the computer lab.
Jessica Blatt - 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade doing the same. i-Ready testing as early as possible to intervene as early as possible in reading and math.
Eric Smith - Sees all the kids. Camaraderie in the kids, home-like atmosphere, kids are comfortable and showing up to school excited and willing to step up more than they normally would. Having the same staff as the last few years is making it close as a group and work well together. Best start ever at Lincoln.
Treasurer's Report - John Holmstrom
Finish the fiscal year which runs August 1st through September 31st. ITS (Intergrated Tax Service) in downtown - Lauren Cousins is contact.
Just keeping an eye on money, bills paid, people reimbursed, and taxes.
September 1st started $32,000. $8,000 loss. Used to make the new budget. Cutting things, adding new things to help the budget.
$600 budgeted to 5th grade.
We're in a rebuilding year for the Board.
Tentative budget based on numbers from the last three years numbers.
Teresa - We can vote on it as with a deficit and hope to have new parents leaders who want to spearhead fundraising some of this can be offset. Or are we going to spend from reserves?
Fundraising need to take charge or specific fundraiser.
Question: Jessica. How are school support totals calculated. Huge expense and very little income? Answer: Lifetouch (School Pictures), Barbecue and entertainment, Ice Cream Social, Art, Teacher Appreciation, Welcome Back Breakfast, Teacher Potluck during conferences.
Eric - Does Art have its own line item? We are still figuring it out.
Holiday programs, musicals, Lincoln Neighborhood Association - $500 from community for 2020. Need to know what $500 is being used for, need volunteers for Easter egg hunt.
Question: Can individual donors make designated donations? Could get hard to track and manage.
Vote: Do we take a deficit this year? Cutting things with the hope to have more fundraisers. All in favor.
Officers Report - Teresa
Working on organizing processes in place, records, public and accessible. Getting teacher materials in place.
Currently no chair for Daughter event, Son events, 5th grade. Will be cut if no parent participation.
Google G-Suite for nonprofits free. Old LPSG email was a personal account, switched to G-Suite. Gives Drive account. Info can be passed to future board members. Permissions can be passed on as well. info@LPSGvancouver.com. Most things are on the website.
Organization
Bylaws
Processes and procedures
Future board institutional knowledge
Co-volunteer coordinator Kirby and Nick
Classroom pod parents - a contact person in each classroom. Carnival.
Committee reports
Old/Past events/Business
Stuffing student folders
Back to school staff breakfast on the 22nd.
Back to School Ice Cream Social Open House - John Holmstrom or Nick Evans
450 bars of ice cream, 50 popsicles. $102 for all of the ice cream. 4 cases of 12 were left over. Supported by the LPSG.
New/Upcoming events/Business
Payback Books Fundraiser -Teresa. First fundraising event, teacher stipends, comes from the general funds. Assembly on Thursday. Payback book demonstration. Half of cost goes back to Lincoln, goes home on Friday, share it now. Two full weeks plus two weekends. Any extras no later than October 4th. Books not sold need to be returned.
Fun Run (general fundraising) - Eric Smith. Katrina Hoover came up with the schedule, last fun run was very good. Small upfront fee. Three different stations on Tuesday. Will make online database, Facebook link, $10 per kid goal, 390 students could make $4,000. Cash or check. We keep 100% of the CASH proceeds. Spreadsheet of names to have on web page. Health fitness and creative movement, facilitate what teachers need. Fundraising in October.
Fun Run is general fundraising.
Scholastic's Book Fair benefiting School library - LPSG supports it with volunteers. October 17th and 18th in the library. We provide board members to take funds.
Teacher Appreciation - Conferences/Favorite Things Book - Lauren - binder for teacher info.
Conferences - Usually a potluck. Reaching out to businesses to donate food. Katie Riley is lead. On the 17th of October, need volunteers to set up.
Box tops Lauren - need a coordinator to lead. Basket to win, new app, no clipping, save receipt.
A Title I School could make $10,000.
Fred Meyer Rewards - Reach out to Trinity Lutheran.
Closure/Adjournment - meeting ends at 7:43 p.m.
General Meeting - June 4, 2019
Lincoln Parent Staff Group
Minutes - General Meeting - December 4th 2018
Introductions:
Principles Report (Craig Homnick):
2 Levy's on the February ballot - to maintain programs and services
Education and operations levy (funds things like classroom supplies, text books, equipment, programs, special services, sports, extracurricular activities....etc.)
Technology Levy (would maintain or renew the iPads in grades 3 through 5 and laptops in grades 3 through 12. For years 2020-2025
No new taxes. Just to maintain programs and services that we already have in place.
Q: are these levies that expire?
A: these are expiring 2019. These will be in effect 2020-2023.
Haven't lost a levy for VPS since 1964. Lincoln neighborhood typically the higher yes votes in all of Vancouver public schools. Technology Levy is going to be $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The education and operations Levy is a dollar fifty per thousand dollar of assessed property value. These two levies are up for vote in February. Need two parents on Monday December 17th, 4 to 5 p.m. at warehouse 23 - citizens committee for good schools will be there.
Still a Title I School. Means that more than 50% of our kids qualify for free or reduced lunch, allows for extra money to have more para-educators. One of the requirements is to have a parent participation plan. *Read plan aloud*.
Minutes from last meeting in October approved.
FCRC report: Enrique is not present.
The giving tree: Christmas tree in front lobby has warm accessories like gloves and hats. Up until the 20th of December. The donations will be distributed to Lincoln students and the Salvation Army.
Fiesta Navideña: December 13th. For Hispanic families, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., on the 13th.
Winter food boxes: December 21st will distribute. Food, clothing items, household, and hygiene items. Contact Enrique or he will be in contact with families.
Q: Does he need donations?
A: canned food drive goes towards this. Trinity Lutheran supplements since Lincoln donations have been very inconsistent. Someone suggested doing a raffle for can goods. Lincoln swag.
Teacher update:
Holding a holiday performance during the daytime so that students can see their classmate perform. For students and parents who can't make it at night can be present during the day.
Literacy night for preschool through 1st grade, February 21st, 6 to 8 p.m.
Students are now involved in the morning announcements. Usually it's live on the PA but now it's pre-recorded video, utilizing green screen, and editing is done on the iPads. Fourth and fifth graders will begin editing their own videos.
Q: Can parents see the videos.
A: Not currently. Someone suggested showing the videos during literacy night/performance.
LPSG Updates:
Scholastic book Fair: We did very well. Approximately $3,400 made, $200 bonus, and if Mrs. Lewis decided to do another book fair she would receive a larger percentage or BOGO. Was 50/50 it would go up to 65/35.Usually we do the Barnes & Noble book fair but it's a lot of work for the teachers and to also put on student performances. Worked very well to do it during the conferences. Vancouver Pizza company coupons were also very popular.
Spirit Wear:
A few weeks ago we ran in online spirit wear store. We sold 51 items over the course of two or three weeks. We hope to get them before Christmas break. Should arrive at the school on the 10th of December. Will do it again in the spring.
Box Tops:
Fall box tops raised $226 which is more than we made all last year. There will be another submission in the spring.
Fifth Grade Promotion:
Did a licorice sale. Supplies were $48.67, made $73.25. 1 1/2 tubs of licorice left oh, we'll probably do another one soon. Tried bath bombs. 12 kids participated and they sold $1,328 worth. The profit was $531.20. Waiting to receive the check from bath bomb people. The kids also receive their t-shirts. In January they'll have another 5th grade meeting. Amanda mentioned that everything is already booked. Ian needs to be called because the dates changed. DJ is not done. Photo booth and speaker still in question. They have about $700 after fundraising.
Upcoming:
Santa's Workshop:
Being held in the library. On a Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. Need volunteers and Wednesday and Thursday in the evenings.
Daughter Dance:
Enchanted Forest theme, January 24th a Thursday night. If families can't afford to go contact Enrique. There will also be donated dresses.
Q: Do we have any plans for a Son Event?
A: There is a date set aside. Someone suggested science theme, someone else suggested bowling. Long discussion about hosting sun event at a bowling alley... pros and cons. Food and bowling cost was an issue. it was suggested to just do a party package at the bowling alley. Also talked about getting licensing to view movies at the school since we are charging for the event.