Nishuane Elementary School PTA

The Gifted & Talented Magnet

PTA Meeting Minutes – Dec 3

December 3, 2020, 6:00 PM

Via Zoom

 

Agenda

  • Call to Order

 

  • Intro/Welcome
    1. Next meeting will be January 14, 2021 at 6pm.
    2. Marissa May expressed on behalf of the staff that teachers want to be back in the classroom with their students as soon as possible. There is a lot of work behind the scenes to make that happen.  Important for the community to hear this message and perspective from the teachers.

 

  • President’s Update – Reggie Valentine
    1. Thanksgiving food drive is going very well: about $6,000 raised.
    2. School Spirit masks will be available Dec. 14
    3. Great turnout at the Principal’s Tea
    4. Virtual Art Fair was a success
    5. Trivia Night

 

  • Principal’s Welcome – Dr. Jill McLaughlin
    1. Echoed Ms. May’s comments about teachers wanting to be in the classroom with their students
    2. Parent/teacher conferences are next week
    3. Report cards come out Dec. 23
    4. School building re-opening planned for Jan. 25
    5. Mentioned that the PTA has created a sense of community during this remote time
    6. Question on use of tents. Answer: tents may be used for outdoor lessons, snack time, and bus drop-off and pick-up
    7. Question: Is anyone allowed in the building? Answer: Volunteers are allowed in as long as they follow safety protocols
    8. Pickup for Art Fair will be Dec. 9-10 from 3-5pm each day, in the school parking lot

 

  • Treasurer’s Report – Diane Tehranian

Screenshot below:

 

  • Class Partner / Teacher Liaison Update – Daniel Garcia-Pedrosa and Marissa May
    1. Holiday gift guidelines
      1. Class Partners organizing Class Gift only for the main teacher
      2. PTA is organizing collection for the SNAP teachers and paras this year
      3. Collection via Zelle/Venmo/Paypal suggested. Electronic gift cards preferred as it’s difficult for teachers to receive anything mailed to the school.
    2. Class reimbursement
      1. $75 per class has been approved, for activities that the entire class can participate in (nothing requiring transportation that some students may not be able to join).
      2. Email Diane and Daniel for approval in advance
    3. Parents are excited about Grow Lab

 

  • Committees and Events – Susan Gardner Zartman
    1. Thanksgiving food drive was a big success
    2. Holiday gift drive
      1. Chaired by Allison Silverstein and Justine Moncrief
      2. 60% of coats/boots/gifts have been selected
      3. Dec. 14 deadline
      4. For staff wanting to help, there will be a Signup Genius on the PTA page and a mention in the Nishuane Newsletter
    1. Trivia Night
      1. About 50 families participated
      2. Raised over $700 for holiday gift drive
      3. Next Trivia Night will be Dec. 19 vs. Hillside
    1. Currently 132 PTA members
    2. After January we may be able to plan in-person events
    3. Pop-up Shop sold $175 in Spirit Wear. Another one in December TBD

 

  • Questions and announcements
    1. Eder said he is excited that the PTA will help to by playground balls, hula hoops, and jump ropes. Families that need these items can fill out a form on Seesaw or email him directly.  He may need help delivering to families.
    2. Eder is working with Alison Tribus on the Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds initiative. Parent vs. child fun competitive activities such has healthy cooking. Mr. O’Connor’s class is participating next Tuesday.
    3. Question on in-person drop-off time for families with both Nishuane and Hillside students. McLaughlin recommends dropping off at Hillside first and the reverse for pick-up, because the older kids can wait outside. She will check with Hillside leadership on their arrival/dismissal procedures.
    4. Brainstorm topic for next Trivia Night. Should be appropriate for families.

 

  • Approval of previous meeting minutes and adjournment

 

 

Attendees:

  1. Jacqueline Ahern
  2. Jazmyn Allen
  3. Jessica Estriplet
  4. Daniel Garcia-Pedrosa
  5. Danielle Greenberg
  6. Denise Kolenovic
  7. John Laing
  8. Kim Marsh
  9. Marissa May
  10. Jill McLaughlin
  11. April Murphy
  12. Deneka Poku
  13. Lindsay Prevette
  14. Rachel Rajaram
  15. Nimisha Shah
  16. Jenna Sier
  17. Allison Silverstein
  18. Reggie Valentine
  19. Josie Williams
  20. Wise
  21. Susan Zartman
  22. + 2 anonymous participants