PTA Meeting Minutes: 4/16/24

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE 

Renee Hartnett – Co-President 

Courtney Sievers – Co-President 

Jess Templeton – Vice President 

Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 

Stacy Rose – Assistant Treasurer 

Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary (zoom) 

Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary 

Meg Herscher – Communications chair (zoom) 

Kate Scher – Communications (Website/Wildchat) 

Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair 

Glenda Elley – Fundraising Co-Chair 

Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair 

Anjean Vanden Bosch – Volunteer Chair & Membership Chair (zoom)

Meg Pietz – Family and Community Engagement – Events Chair 

Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair

Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair 

Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory 

Jon Overman – Legislative Representative (primary) 

Molly Firth – Legislative Representative (secondary) 

Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 

Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair 

Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large 

John Shaw – Tech Support 

David Peabody – Move-a-thon 

Mendy Minjarez – Spirit Gear 

Jess Twardzik – Fall Festival Chair (shared with Melissa Ivancevich and Laura Zingg) Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator 

Brie Gardner – Spring Fling (zoom) 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE 

● Sarah Hartsfield 

● Katie Stiver

● Kellie Pecoraro 

● Rachel Sidles 

● Melissa Caviezel (zoom) 

● Todd Simonson (zoom) 

● Rachel & Brian Wold, PTA members (zoom) 

● Elan Wang Simonson (zoom) 

● Jamie Dunckley, PTA member (zoom) 

● Megan Wildenradt, PTA member (zoom) 

● D Curran, PTA member (zoom 

Meeting Called to Order at 7:02 PM 

WELCOME 

● Core Values 

● Ice Breaker 

● Approval of March PTA Meeting minutes 

○ Jess motioned, Meg P. seconded 

■ Approved, no objections or abstentions 

APPRECIATIONS 

● Morning coffee – Emily Schweiger 

● Spring Fling Committee 

● Exec Committee 

● Programs – Laura & Jennifer 

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES 

● Spring Fling 

○ 101 tickets sold 

○ Cool items 

○ SignUp Genius coming out 

○ Looking for good donations, vacation home stays, etc. 

● Move-a-thon (David Peabody) 

○ 10 days away!! 

○ Need some cleanup volunteers, water, snack 

○ Need chalk stick 

○ $9,899 raised so far 

○ Transportation permit obtained 

● EDI Committee 

○ Events 

■ 1000% Me Growing Up Mixed film screening 

■ Drag Queen Storytime 

■ 4/18 Racing to Equity Workshop (at Loyal Heights Elementary)

● Hospitality 

○ Lots of events and staff appreciation underway 

○ Supplies, events, hosting graduation (solidifying going forward) 

● Other Events 

○ 209 Mariners tix sold so far 

PRESIDENT’S UPDATES 

● Math Agency recap/discussion if desired 

○ Had a special session April 1st, sent recording 

■ Question from Sarah L: What happens if we don’t meet our fundraising goals? ■ Kate Sher: did we share the treasurer bookkeeper role? Should be about 3K ● Budget committee still needs to come together to establish goals (in the coming weeks) 

○ The following question was put to vote (by paper ballot and online via google forms): Do you approve the Whittier PTA Executive Committee recommendation to fund the Math Agency in the amount of $60,000 for the 2024-2025 school year? 

■ Kathleen motioned, Jennifer seconded 

● Results: Approved (31 yes, 2 no, including votes from Google Forms poll 

sent out through Zoom) 

TREASURER’S REPORT (MICHELLE NEMETH) 

● March 2024 Financial Report 

○ Money Spent 

■ $2500 EDI 

■ $1500 School Celebration 

■ $6200 Massive Monkeys 

○ $259K balance currently 

PRINCIPAL WATTERS 

● Thank you to Ashley and Glenda for the School Celebration – received very positive feedback

● Massive Monkeys – success, working on layout/viewing for next year (maybe in the round?)

● Bike Week starts next week 

● 2 minute talent show coming up in June, no parents: 

○ K/1 

○ 2/3 

○ 4/5 

○ Live or video 

● Wildcats Wonder (in place of a Career Day) – probably a day in June 

○ Ask the kids what problems they want to work on, sort in topics, then source from community/connections people that are working on those problems to come in and talk about it 

○ Needs some co-conspirators

○ Cindy needs another week or so to put thoughts together 

● First Enrollment numbers are in: 340 kids on rolls – missing 8 kinders of incoming families. Will probably land around 350. May 8 school board meeting, they’ll announce plans for closures and consolidations for 2025-26 school year. Cindy’s hope would be that there would be boundary shifting to increase enrollment to around 375. Won’t be getting teachers back no matter what the numbers will be. 

● 5th Grade overnight trip (next year) 

○ Probably going to Islandwood on Bainbridge, in December 

○ It’s closer and they have more purpose-built facilities 

○ 3 nights instead of 2 

○ Need to “accrue points” to get in with them, maybe get a better spot 

○ Accommodates neurodiversity, kids can come out for the day 

● Reimbursement for 5th grade families from this year’s trip 

● 5th Grade Adventure Day 

○ Private movie screening @ Majestic Bay (walk from Whittier) 

○ Popcorn, Soda 

○ Salmon Bay Park 

○ Pizza 

○ Year Book 

○ Specialists come for the last hour 

● Math Agency – thank you for support, we’ll have some great opportunities next year, and likely some extension (advanced learning). 

Meeting Adjourned 7:59 pm