PTA Meeting – September 2021 Meeting Minutes

  • Brian Fleisher introduced the PTA Board.
  • Approval of May 2021 PTA Meeting Notes.
  • Principal’s Report – Erika Pierce
    • Staffing Update
      • Serious challenges with staffing.
      • Many teachers, especially Math teachers, are teaching 6 periods, instead of 5 periods. Want permanent quality teachers instead of long-term subs.
      • Art position – Ms. Flack is a certified art teacher. She is covering as a short-term sub with the hope for her to be hired as permanent staff.
    • Outdoor Lunch
      • Logistics are going very well.
      • Three tents – Mr. Brown has done an amazing job getting them up and down every day. Additional tents are on order.
      • PTA wants to fund gates at bottom of deck.
        • Submitted to Central Office (CO) the proposal on the gates.
        • CO is amendable for the PTA to donate the funds for the gates but the details need to be approved by Buildings & Grounds (B&G).
      • Quality of Food Service
        • Called Pomptonian with the quality issues. They stated they would look into the issues with uncooked food, moldy bread, etc.
        • No plastic wear available.
          • If students are bringing their own lunch, they must bring their own utensils. Pomptonian, the food service vendor, only has utensils for who are receiving hot lunches.
        • Please encourage your student(s) to memorize or write down their student ID number. Students need this number when purchasing food. Will help with moving the lunch line faster.
      • Advisory Periods
        • Work in progress. Trying to tailor it to the needs of the staff and students.
        • Not DEER anymore – it is now called Advisory and the activities are only once a week. It’s fluid process – working out how best to use this time.
        • Staff need a bit more time for training/PD on how to discuss with the students on the tough topics. Counselors will be working with teachers to do the PD.
      • Afterschool Activities + Late Buses
        • Full plan on the 0 period and 10 periods. 0 period is going well.
        • 10 period was for jazz band and orchestra.
          • Confusion on who was responsible to order the PPE for orchestra.
          • Cannot have any instrumental music inside without the PPE.
          • Outdoor playing – on deck – requires more time to get all of the equipment outside – stands, music, amps, etc.
        • Can the PTA assist in procuring the PPE needed for orchestra and jazz band?
        • Afterschool Clubs
          • Cannot start until November until the Title 1 funding comes in.
          • Need to post internal positions to staff the clubs.
        • Robotics + Science Olympics
          • Will move forward and take late bus since they do not need PPE.
        • GSA Meetings
          • Weekly on Fridays. Erika will confirm schedule and follow up with district on transportation.
        • PTA Budget – Amira Williams
          • Fiscal year started on July 1st
          • Budget – Income/Revenues
            • $528 in memberships
            • $585 in donations and annual appeals
            • $1,400 at the ice cream social in spirit wear sales
          • The PTA has funds since we have not spent a lot of money over the last year.
          • The PTA holds funds for related arts and Houses – working with them to determine the correct amount needed.
          • Annual Appeal – no target amount yet. Need to get clarification from CO on costs/estimates. Once we receive the details, then we will put it out to the community. Might be around $10-20,000.
        • SATp – Kimya Nilsen
          • 125th Anniversary Celebrations
            • 20+ volunteers
            • Logo contest in process. Students will compete to design a logo and art department will select the winner.
            • Gill is spearheading a lot of the activities – photos, statements from the Glenfield community will be collected around the holiday time.
            • Spring – several activities and a Glenfield reunion in the park.
          • Events/Activities Ideas – Parents/Student Events
            • Orange and Black dance – attendance is starting to wane.
            • Monthly or Bi-Monthly Socials with Houses?
              • Picnics?
              • Outdoor Halloween costume party on the deck?
            • District Updates/PTAC
              • Schedule – board of estimates meeting tonight.
              • PTAC Council is urging them to pass bond funding.
              • COVID mitigation protocols – a lot of discussion among BOE and administration, such as shield use, 3 feet of distance cannot be maintained, etc.
                • District’s plans for pool testing
                • PCR testing sites – at Hillside and Nishuane
                • Ventilation – mechanical and the open windows. More air purifiers was suggested by
                • Robert Kelly – facilities presentation on Hurricane Ida and how well the staff did on fixing the schools, etc.
              • Glenfield Clubs – want to offer the same number of clubs as Buzz and Renaissance
                • In district budget – Glenfield was not taking funds within the budget.
                • Because Glenfield is a Title 1 school, we can use the Title 1 funds to run clubs.
                • Some activities – such as the play, Model UN – are done during school.

 

Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 27th at 8:00pm

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.