PTA Meeting Minutes

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

• Kate Lindsay Scher – Co-President 
• Allie DeLong Thomas – Co-President 
• Renee Hartnett – Vice President / Spirit Gear 
• Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary 
• Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary 
• Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
• Meg Herscher – Communications Chair 
• Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair 
• Jess Templeton – Fundraising Co-Chair 
• Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Jess Twardzik – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Meg Pietz – Events Chair 
• Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair
• Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory 
• Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair 
• Jon Overman – Legislative Representative 
• Anjean Vanden Bosch – Membership Chair 
• Kristin Laughlin – Volunteer Coordinator 
• Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair 
• Jill Muscatel – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Co-Chair 
• Megan Wildenradt – Website Editor 
• John Shaw – Tech Support 
• Brie Gardner – Back To Business Co-Chair 
• Leah Lansberry – Back To Business Co-Chair; Yearbook Co-Chair Anika Anand – Yearbook Co-Chair 
• Jared Cortese – Fall Festival Chair 
• Anika Anand – Yearbook Co-Chair
• David Peabody – Move-a-thon 
• Elan Simonson – Spring Fling Chair 
• Rena Giannoulakis – Spring Fling Co-Chair
• Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator 
• Nicole Kaczmarek – Member at Large 
• Lana Sturmer – Member at Large 
• Courtney Sievers – Member at Large

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

• Principal Watters 
• Hanni Pichel 
• Aisling McCarron (PTA member) 
• Rachel Wold (PTA member) 
• Haydee Wali 
• Katie Stiver (PTA member)

Meeting Called to Order at 7:08 PM 

WELCOME

Agenda 

• Link to Agenda 
• Link to Meeting Presentation

Welcome

Table & Zoom Chat Informal Introductions

PRESIDENT UPDATES

• Dashboard Review 
• Budget updates 
• Investment Work Session update

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE

• Enrollment numbers for next year forecasted 
• Teacher allocation will be announced 2/25
• Massive Monkeys coming in March

TEAM AND CHAIR UPDATES

Nom-Com 

• Lots of openings for next year, particularly executive committee
• Nominating Committee will reach out to those who regularly attend to see if interested 
• If you have any recommendations, please share with Nominating Committee (Renee, Sara, Kathleen)

EDI 

• 2/25 EDI Committee Meeting 
• 3/4 Parenting at the intersections 
• 4/3 Drag Queen Bingo & Stories 6 – 7 
• Recruiting for a co-chair

Move-a-thon 

• 4/4 Move-a-thon 30 minutes 
• Donations likely moving from 99 Pledges to Givebacks 
• Swag ideas/leads 
• Each grade level will design a logo for a logo competition for the bandanas
• Run location 

Spring Fling: 

• Saturday, May 31st 
• Volunteer needs – core committee roles: Online Auction Coordinator; Marketing & Communication Coordinator; Live Event (Day of) Coordinator, class-art project volunteers, class buckets 
• Theme/Logo/Website update – Cruise for a Cause 
• Hosted Parties plan – Sara Lukas happy to help with ideas if someone wants to host but doesn’t know what to do 
• Teacher and staff experiences will open online auctioning on May 1st 
• Requests for help from other teams

Programs 

• Winter Program update: Off to a great start! Most clubs had strong enrollment. We had low enrollment in CraftLab and Bricks4Kids. We added Hip Hop dance for K-2.
• Spring Program update: 
• Registration opens: 3/17 – 3/28 
• Programs start: 3/31 
• Programs end: 6/2 
• Skip dates:
• 4/14 – 4/18 (spring break) 
• 5/26 (Memorial day) 
  • Note: No break between winter and spring sessions 
  • Coordinator help update: HUGE SHOUTOUT to our new volunteer Aisling McCarron who has been crushing it on Tuesday afternoons. 

Events: 

• Wildcats Ice Skate Report (Bonnie) 
• Whittier Mariners game update (Fri April 25th) – Promo is a captain’s hat ○ Co-Chairs needed for Family Dance & Game Night (Thurs, March 20th) 

VP: 

• Nominating Committee
• Reflections 

Hospitality 

Treasurer Report 

■ Income: 

• Events, Programs, Interest: $2,016.46 
• Annual Give Donations: $2,116.30 
• Annual Give corporate match: $8,519 

○ Budget Committee needs volunteers 

Volunteers (all open positions): 

• Winter After School Programs Assistant (1/27 – 3/28) 
• Family Dance & Game Night Co-Chairs (last call!) 
• Budget Committee members 
• Spring Fling committee positions 
• Nominate yourself for next year’s PTA board! 

Advocacy – WSPTA Advocacy Week

• Advocacy Day Monday 2/17 
• Sign up for WSPTA Action Alert 

Communications:

• Thank you for submitting with notice through the Submission Form! Lots of quality messages getting out to families without a lot of churn – thank you!

Community: Funding Proposal

• Proposal to “Bring Whittier Spirit to the Cafeteria” – an art installation with a photo collage 
• $1,800 + $30 for plastic smoothing tools 
  
  

Belonging Practice 

• Embrace Race Color-Brave Caregiver Framework – embracerace.org/caregiver-framework
• Consider how to engage your kids on these topics at home. Ideas? Obstacles? 

 VOTING FOR PTA MEMBERS

• January Meeting Minutes 
  • Motion: Hanni Pichel 
  • Second: Emily Schweiger 
  • Approved

Exec: Spirit Gear funding – $200 

• Motion: Kate Scher 
• Second: Allie DeLong Thomas 
• Approved

Kudos & Thank Yous 

Open Floor for Community

Meeting Adjourned 8:34 pm

• BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE
• Kate Lindsay Scher – Co-President 
• Allie DeLong Thomas – Co-President 
• Renee Hartnett – Vice President / Spirit Gear 
• Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary 
• Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary 
• Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
• Meg Herscher – Communications Chair 
• Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair 
• Jess Templeton – Fundraising Co-Chair 
• Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Jess Twardzik – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Meg Pietz – Events Chair 
• Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory 
• Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair 
• Jon Overman – Legislative Representative 
• Anjean Vanden Bosch – Membership Chair 
• Kristin Laughlin – Volunteer Coordinator 
• Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair 
• Jill Muscatel – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Co-Chair 
• Megan Wildenradt – Website Editor 
• John Shaw – Tech Support 
• Brie Gardner – Back To Business Co-Chair 
• Leah Lansberry – Back To Business Co-Chair; Yearbook Co-Chair Anika Anand – Yearbook Co-Chair 
• Jared Cortese – Fall Festival Chair 
• David Peabody – Move-a-thon 
• Elan Simonson – Spring Fling Chair 
• Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator 
• Nicole Kaczmarek – Member at Large 
• Lana Sturmer – Member at Large 
• Courtney Sievers – Member at Large

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

• Principal Watters 
• Hanni Pichel 
• Dafna Amster Kahn 
• Gustavo Franco 
• Rena Giannoulakis (Spring Fling Co-Chair)
• Rachel Wold (PTA member)

Meeting Called to Order at 7:02 PM 

WELCOME

Agenda 

• Link to Agenda 
• Link to Meeting Presentation

Welcome

Table & Zoom Chat Informal Introductions

PRESIDENT UPDATES

• Goals and Meetings Reviews 
• Dashboard Review 
  • Exceeded annual give goal by almost $4500 (goal: $130,000; raised $134,448.40)
• Monthly meeting format adjustment 
• Budget Priorities/strategic planning survey results 
  • 46 responses 
  • Staffing and educational enrichment are top priorities 
  • Specialists supported 
  • Math Agency overwhelmingly supported 
  • Fundraising – people want to keep it as is, though there was more interest in a higher annual give option 
  • Preference for Zoom – plan to offer hybrid, but open to other ideas (alternate months?)
  • Principal Watters – most likely communication to be read, followed by class rep
  • Lots of interest in after school programs 
• Levy Overview 
  • Special election February 11th 
  • BEX VI 
  • EP&O 
• Advocacy Work Session update 
  • Billion Dollar Bake Sale (created by North Beach parents to raise awareness about education funding), work being done by the Salmon Bay community 

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE

• MLK Activities Friday
• Math Agency 
  • Over 50 kids involved (27 intervention, 25 in extension) 

• Recess supervision updates – more teachers outside and goes well 
• Hiring two more teachers 
• Wildcats wonder April 25th, 2025 – need keynote speaker 
  • Theme: We want to make our world safe, healthy, fair, and fun
  • Also looking for speakers ~90 minute time commitment 

● 5 new families have joined Whittier – getting them added to class lists, etc.

TEAM AND CHAIR UPDATES

Move-a-thon (David): 

• Friday April 4th 
• Need new ideas for swag 
• Logo contest, maybe it gets printed on a bandana 
• Might need more than $2/kid to get this made 
• Could use a donor/sponsor that might donate money to the event and then have their name on things 

Hospitality (Kahtleen): 

• Stocking the teacher’s lounge next week 
• 2 dream items on the Wish List – air fryer and ice machine(?)

After School Programs (Laura): 

• Registration opened 
• Space available in 3-4 programs primarily K-2 
• Hip hop dance class 
• Parkour class 
• Clubs start Monday Jan 27th and go through mid March

Book Fair and Winter Performance grades (Anjean): 

• Book fair was a success! 
• Total raised at Book Fair: $6,865 (up from last year’s $6,019) 
• Waiting for Phinney Books total sales 
• Seeking feedback for next year’s planning

Spring Fling (Elan): 

• Start planning in earnest for February 
• Looking for 1-2 more core committee volunteers – procurement, marketing & communications 
• Timing is late in the year 
• Entertainment 
• Experiences, vacation homes, awesome donations

 EDI (Jill): 

• Author Jaya Ramesh March 4th 
• Drag Queen Story Time and other events coming up 
• Come to the next EDI meeting!

Advocacy (Jon): 

• Check out advocacy website on PTA site 
• Kudos to Kate 
• Legislature – state revenue not looking as good as projections 
• Need constituents emailing and calling 
• Rainy Day Resource podcast (overview of school funding issues) 
• Feb 10th – 14th WA State PTA focus on advocacy

Comms update (Meg): 

• First Wildchat of 2025 scheduled for distribution tomorrow!

Events (Kate): 

• Whittier Mariner Game (Friday, April 25th) 
• Tickets secure; should be announced/available this week! 
• Co-Chairs needed for Family Dance & Game Night (Thurs, March 20th)

Volunteers (all open positions)

Outreach: 

• Helping Hands Report – 120 gift cards

EDI Belonging Practice (Kiana) 

• How can we apply inclusion to Whittier events specifically?

Treasurer’s report (Michelle): 

November 

■ Income–Annual Give $8005 

■ Expense–Whittier Support Grant $25,011, Fall Festival $3277, Membership $1909 

December 

■ Income–Annual Give $8056 

■ Expense–nothing of note

 VOTING FOR PTA MEMBERS

• November Meeting Minutes 
  • Kathleen D Motioned 
  • Seconded 
  • Approved 

Kudos & Thank Yous 

Open Floor for Community

Meeting Adjourned 8:40 pm

• BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE
• Kate Lindsay Scher – Co-President 
• Allie DeLong Thomas – Co-President 
• Renee Hartnett – Vice President / Spirit Gear  
• Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary 
• Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
• Meg Herscher – Communications Chair 
• Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair 
• Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Meg Pietz – Events Chair 
• Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement
• Outreach Chair Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory 
• Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair 
• Jon Overman – Legislative Representative 
• Anjean Vanden Bosch – Membership Chair 
• Kristin Laughlin – Volunteer Coordinator 
• Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair 
• Jill Muscatel – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Co-Chair 
• Megan Wildenradt – Website Editor 
• John Shaw – Tech Support 
• Brie Gardner – Back To Business Co-Chair 
• Anika Anand – Yearbook Co-Chair 
• Jared Cortese – Fall Festival Chair 
• David Peabody – Move-a-thon 
• Elan Simonson – Spring Fling Chair 
• Nicole Kaczmarek – Member at Large 
  
  

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

• Principal Watters 
• Melissa Caviezel 
• Mary Ann Rozance 
• Haydee Wise-Pinson
• Ashley Sullivan 
• Brianna Mercker 
• Rachel Wold 
• Brian Wold 
• Katie Stiver 

Meeting Called to Order at 7:06 PM 

WELCOME

Agenda (transition from meeting with Director Clark) 

• Link to Agenda 
• Link to Meeting Presentation

Belonging Practice 

PRESIDENT UPDATES

• Goals and Meetings Reviews 
• Dashboard Review 
• Lots of Events November December 
• Membership is at 166 
• Budget Priorities survey 

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE

• Whittier will benefit from Bex and a grant from the state when we get a new roof
• School wide celebration 11/22 
• Conferences 

TEAM AND CHAIR UPDATES

 EDI: 

• Inclusion and belonging 
• Creating opportunities for people in marginalized communities to be heard and seen 

Events: 

• Caregiver Happy Hours report (Meg P)
• Wildcats Ice Skate (Bonnie) 52 people registered (so far less than last year)
• Friday April 25th Mariners vs Marlins 
• Book Fair and Winter Performance grades 3,4,5 (Anjean) in partnership with Phinney Books 12/5

Treasurer Report:

• October Financials 
• Income: Annual Give October, Fall Festival 
• Biggest expense: $20,000 (⅓ payment) to Math Agency 

Hospitality: 

• Awesome ice cream bar for teachers on 10/17! 
• Mexican taco bar by 4th grade families on 11/20! 
• Planning a “gift of time” for teachers in December 
• Any Rosellini’s connections for discount/gift cards? (or other nearby places- met market?). 
• Will be planning spring events; please share any fun ideas if you have them.

Financial Review Committee results summary (Elan) 

• Happens every year 
• Accountability 
• Satisfies insurance requirements 
• No unusual findings 
• Impressed with accomplishments with a small budget – for example funding specialists, nurse hours, etc. Smart decisions such as no longer carrying inventory for hoodies (not having to manage sales tax collection) 
• Bumps in the road mostly administrative (for example last year’s budget wasn’t available), google drive posed challenges with permissions and navigating a directory – this may have been solved by getting together earlier in the summer. 
• Thanks to all the committee members 

VP: 

• Reflections – no submissions yet (need to get the word out to more parents) Theme is: Accepting Imperfections 

Nominating Committee: 

• Need volunteers, will be voting tonight on initial members 

Outreach: 

• Helping Hands Drive details 11/20 – 12/13 (paypal in by 12/12) – grab a mitten on your way to conferences 
• Helping Hands assistant volunteer 

Fundraising: Annual Give summary (Ashley Schiavone) 

• Closing out annual give $122,839 (89% of goal) 
• CatShark Delivery Service 
• 73% participation 

Fall Carnival (Jared) 

• John Shaw, Dunca, Lana
• Big success, getting the community together 300 – 350 students 
• Met budget of $1500 for expenses (costs offset by concessions sales) 
• 52 volunteers, including siblings and highschoolers 
• 16 activities and games 
• 2 Food trucks, beverages and cotton candy 
• 2 hrs instead of 2 hrs 30 min years past 
• 25 families used vouchers to enjoy event without barriers 
• Make popcorn 1.5 hrs ahead of time next year 
• Volunteer requests for January-March activities 

Advocacy: 

• WSTPA Legislative Assembly update 
• Seattle Rezone update 
• Legislation is going to be huge this year 

Secretary: 

• AIM Insurance Renewal 
• Our policy, which renews annually, expires 11/30 and will be $485 assuming there are no changes. 
• PDFs are in the Secretary’s shared folder: AIM Insurance Summary and AIM Insurance Expiration Notice 
• Recommendation would be to renew the policy as-is unless anyone on the board has reason to propose increased limits in any of the categories. For background, last year we added the media liability policy. 
• Emily can pay/renew by logging into our online account and then will submit a reimbursement form to Michelle. 
• Once we have the updated insurance certificate, we will need to review to confirm SPS is listed as an additional insured for building rentals, and then 
• upload the updated certificate to the Master Library reservation system. 

Communications: 

• PTA Comms Activity 9/02 – 11/15 
• 25 activities / events / topics 
• 110+ promotions 
• 3 Primary Channels: Wildchat, Konstella, Take Home Tuesday 
• Room Rep support and partnership with Cindy (Community Update) 
• Average 5 promotions per event 
• Meetings/Smaller Events: Avg 3 
• Community Events: Avg 8 
• Max: 17+ for Annual Give 
• School Days without Wildchat or Konstella Emails to Families: 22 

Programs: 

• Winter program line-up 
• Coordinator help for our Winter Session (1/27 – 3/28)
• Duties: 
  • Unlocking classrooms 
  • Helping with attendance and pick-up 
  • On-call to support instructors, if needed 
  • Mainly hang out in the school building and read a book, catch-up on work, or just enjoy some quiet time 
  • The Program team will help you complete an additional background check. You will also receive a scholarship to enroll your student(s) in one of our winter programs 
• Volunteer slots 
• Monday – 2:10 – 3:30 
• Tuesday – 2:10 – 4:00 
• Thursday – 2:10 – 3:30

VOTING FOR PTA MEMBERS

• Nominating Committee Sarah, Kathleen, Renee 
  • Meg Piets Motioned 
  • Ashley Schiavone Seconded 
  • Approved 
• October Meeting Minutes 
  • Kathleen D Motioned 
  • Mike Seconded 
  • Approved 
• Board: Financial Review Results 
  • Anika Motioned 
  • Board member Seconded 
  • Approved

Meeting Adjourned 8:36 pm

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

• Kate Lindsay Scher – Co-President 
• Allie DeLong Thomas – Co-President 
• Renee Hartnett – Vice President / Spirit Gear (zoom) 
• Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary 
• Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary 
• Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
• Meg Herscher – Communications Chair 
• Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair 
• Jess Templeton – Fundraising Co-Chair 
• Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Jess Twardzik – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Meg Pietz – Events Chair 
• Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement
• Outreach Chair Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory 
• Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair 
• Jon Overman – Legislative Representative 
• Anjean Vanden Bosch – Membership Chair  
• Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair 
• Jill Muscatel – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Co-Chair 
• John Shaw – Tech Support 
• Brie Gardner – Back To Business Co-Chair 
• Anika Anand – Yearbook Co-Chair 
• Jared Cortese – Fall Festival Chair 
• David Peabody – Move-a-thon 
• Elan Simonson – Spring Fling Chair 
• Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator 
• Nicole Kaczmarek – Member at Large 
• Courtney Sievers – Member at Large

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

• Principal Watters 
• Collin Provence – 5th grade teacher 
• Julia Massey – IA 
• Ms. Steph – specialist 
• Lauren – Social worker 
• Brianna Mercker (PTA member) 
• Ashley Sullivan 
• Dafna Amster Kahn (PTA member) 
• Aisling McCarron (PTA member) 
• Therese Miranda-Blackney (PTA member; a Math Agency coach) 
• Rena Giannoulakis 
• Haydee Wali 
• Tanya C 
• Gustavo Franco 
• Melissa Caviezel (PTA member) 
• Katie Stiver (PTA member) 
• Gretchen Snoey (PTA member) 
• Rachel Wold (PTA member) 
• Brian Wold (PTA member) 
• Lindsay Murphy 

Meeting Called to Order at 7:03 PM 

WELCOME

• Welcome and Call to Order 
• Link to Agenda 
• Link to meeting presentation 
• Belonging Practice (EDI led) Belonging & Othering

“The More You Know” Panel + Q&A with Principal Watters, Ms. Lauren, Mr. Collin, and More

• Communication: be clear in the purpose of the communication 
• Teachers & staff have a commitment to respond in 24-72 business hours 
• Important communications (i.e. change in pick up that day) should go to the front office as well because they are monitoring those communications throughout the day
• Life events should be shared in terms of letting staff know about how these things may impact the child at school. Cc Lauren if you would like some assistance. Again, caregivers should indicate the desired results – what are they looking for as far as actions and next steps. 
• Important to let the front office know if your child comes home and shares that they were hurt at school and didn’t notify staff, want children to know that they should go to the front office – it’s a safe space. Smart devices should be used after school (students shouldn’t be communicating with parents about being sick and needing to get picked up, etc.) 

Q: Playground incidents – how do we handle them? Try to connect with the other parent if you know them? 

A: We’re in a community, and if you know them, yes you can start there. Also, sometimes it’s good just to let the staff know about the story that came home, just as an FYI for the staff. Ask your kid, “how would you like me to help you solve this?” 

Q: So, should I be asking my teacher what extension my scholar is getting who tested advanced learning for reading? 

A: Ask your student, “how are you feeling challenged at school?” Then communicate with the teacher about areas your child might need more of a challenge. Curricula is good at differentiating. Please advocate for more funding to support advanced learning. 

Q: Coming (election) season – what kind of age appropriate conversations might be happening at the school to prepare for that and support kids? 

A: We want to promote dialogue not discussion. Allowing multiple perspectives to live in the same space. We’re going to bring core values into the classroom about respect, responsibility and safety. We have opportunities to practice democracy in the classroom. Expression without harming others. 

Q: How can we better support teachers? 

A: Whiteboard markers. Having respectful dialogue is the best way. The more information “team wildcat” has, the better they can support students. Say hello to staff and acknowledge them. Write your legislatures (engage in advocacy, stay engaged). Tell the school board that making budget cut decisions on the backs of schools that already don’t have enough is not an acceptable solution. What is the “minimum floor” for education?

PRESIDENT UPDATES

• Overview of what happens at PTA meetings 
• Dashboard Review 
  • Have raised 43.7% of overall fundraising goal so far 
  • 161 members today 
• Standing Rules 
• Math Agency update 
  • Approved funding for 30 students, 50 students identified as needing intervention/extension 
  • The Math Agency providing the services to the extra 20 students for $0 
  • scholarships 
• Well-Resourced Schools Update & Advocacy Opportunities 
  • Advocacy page on the Whittier PTA website 
• Book Fair update 
• Annual Give party check-in/opportunity 
• November 22nd – will the PTA help?
  • Need an event lead, volunteers day of 
• 10/1 Work Session results + 11/5 poll 

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE

• Words of affirmation and kindness important for teachers and staff 
• Any questions about well resourced schools, Cindy is happy to answer questions
• Would like advocacy to include Principals in discussion about well resourced schools 

TEAM AND CHAIR UPDATES

• Fundraising 
  • Annual Give has raised $99K, but goal is $140K 
  • Campaign extended to 10/14 – should we extend further? 
  • Class-specific messaging planned next 
  • Possible that the potential school closures/redistricting is impacting families participating in annual give 
• Advocacy 
  • Lots of good information on the Advocacy webpage of our PTA website on Well Resourced Schools (thanks, Kate!) 
  • Jon will be attending the WSTPA Legislative Assembly at the end of October. At the 10/8 meeting he’ll update the PTA on the state PTA’s legislative agenda 
• Events 
  • Chucks happy hour for 4th and 5th Room Reps  
• Communications 
  • Weekly Wildchats are in effect! Quick, easy to digest information allowing us to proactively communicate and rely less on constant Konstella blasts. 
  • Weekly format allows content to run multiple times and can be updated with more relevant info as we get closer. 
  • Please submit publish-ready content and images using the Submission Form 10 days in advance. 
• Volunteer opportunities 
• Treasurer 
  • Will send an email with financial information 
  • Financial review committee update will also be sent out via email 
• Fall Carnival (10/25 from 5-7pm)
• Working on the ability to pre-purchase concessions tickets 

VOTING FOR PTA MEMBERS

• Revised Standing Rules 
  • Sara Lukas Motioned to Approve 
  • Rachel Wold Seconded
  • Approved 
• September Meeting Minutes 
  • Anjean Vanden Bosch Motioned to Approve 
  • Ashley Schiavane Seconded 
  • Approved 
• Revised 2024-2025 Budget – accounts for paying bookkeeper
  • Meg Pietz Motioned to Approve 
  • Renee Hartnett Seconded 
  • Approved 

Meeting Adjourned 9:01 pm

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

• Kate Lindsay Scher – Co-President 
• Allie DeLong Thomas – Co-President 
• Renee Hartnett – Vice President / Spirit Gear (zoom) 
• Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary 
• Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary 
• Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
• Meg Herscher – Communications Chair 
• Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair 
• Jess Templeton – Fundraising Co-Chair 
• Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Jess Twardzik – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Meg Pietz – Events Chair 
• Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory 
• Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair 
• Jon Overman – Legislative Representative 
• Anjean Vanden Bosch – Membership Chair 
• Kristin Laughlin – Volunteer Coordinator 
• Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair 
• Jill Muscatel – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Co-Chair 
• Megan Wildenradt – Website Editor 
• John Shaw – Tech Support 
• Brie Gardner – Back To Business Co-Chair 
• Leah Lansberry – Back To Business Co-Chair; Yearbook Co-Chair Anika Anand – Yearbook Co-Chair 
• Jared Cortese – Fall Festival Chair 
• David Peabody – Move-a-thon 
• Elan Simonson – Spring Fling Chair 
• Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator 
• Nicole Kaczmarek – Member at Large 
•  
• Lana Sturmer – Member at Large 
• Courtney Sievers – Member at Large

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

• Principal Watters 
• Bonnie Smith (PTA member; Kraken ice skating event) 
• Katie Stiver (PTA member; Mariners event) 
• Sarah Ruben 
• Josie? PTA member 
• Therese Miranda-Blackney 
• Anna & Gabriel Bond 
• Rena Giannoulakis 
• Mike K 
• Brian Wold (PTA member) 
• Haydee Wali 
• Bingbing Zhu 
• Rosario Sethi 
• Nichole Maiman Waterman 
• Jessie 
• Rohit Rege (PTA member) 
• Jeanette 
• Hanni Pichel (PTA member) 
• Bri 
• Tanya Cunningham 
• Jessica Rigby 

Meeting Called to Order at 7:35 PM 

WELCOME

• PTA Dashboard (slide presentation) 
• Board & Member Introductions

PRESIDENT UPDATES

• 2024-2025 Goals 
• Dashboard Review – 118 members today 
• Meeting Structure Overview – 2nd Tuesday of the month PTA meetings, with an optional work session on the first Tuesday of the month at 7. Next month’s topics are brainstorming a future potential goodbye to Mr. Pule. Open to all 
• Standing Rules Updates – Kate will pass around, will vote on next month
• Curriculum Night (9/19) Table: Ideas & Volunteers  

TEAM AND CHAIR UPDATES

Chair Updates

• Hospitality report on pre-school start activities and upcoming (tears and cheers, curriculum night staff dinner, October 5th grade staff appreciation sign-up)

Programs 

• We’re adding a Lego robotics club to our fall lineup for grades 4-5!
• Kong Academy for grades 1-2 
• View all fall programs here: https://bit.ly/whittier-after-school-programs
• Registration opens 9/23 
• Clubs begin week of 10/7 (M,T,Th; ~2:15-3:30/4pm) 
• Clubs conclude 12/9 
• Various promos going out over the coming weeks (thank you, Meg!)

Room Rep Coordinator: 

• Room Reps full! Need to support Faith and Rose and other extended resources.
• Training & Get Together scheduled for 9/17 

Elan – Spring Fling Co-Chair – 

• Seriously looking for a co-chair 
• Rena Giannoulakis wants to help 
• Start thinking about donations and connections 

Communications 

• Still working on refining the process. Support family participation in Whittier and PTA activities by providing relevant information through accessible channels at a sustainable frequency. 
• Monday: (Community Update – Watters) 
• Tuesday: Take Home Tuesday – PTA Channel / (Infrequent Konstella)
• Wednesday: WildChat – PTA Channel 
• Thursday: Konstella – PTA Channel 
• Friday: (Teacher Weekly Newsletters) 
• Submit all requests through the Submission Form 10 days in advance – can be found on the website 
• Plan Your Communications 
• Example One 
• Example Two 
• Make a Copy of the Examples to use for Yourself! 
• Meg Traveling 9/9 – 9/13; first Wildchat will be 9/18 or 9/25 

Annual Give 

• $38,715 (28% of goal) – great for first week 
• Doesn’t include employer matches 
• Most participation gets Sharkcat 
• Trying to wrap up by end of September 

Membership: 

• Board members all renewed memberships 

Treasurer’s Update (michelle) 

• New bookkeeper – Courntey with Day By Day Bookkeeping
• Approved budget from last year will have changes and those will be reviewed at the next meeting. 
• Michelle will email everyone what their approved line item budget number will be. People will send reimbursement requests to Michelle 
• 6 people on Financial Review Committee – still in progress, will have update in October 

KUDOS AND THANK YOUS

• Brie and Leah – Back to Business Chairs 
• Angie – Visual design 
• Ashley and Jess – Annual Give Kickoff 
• Laura and Jennifer – Programs Planning and flyers 
• Emily – Popsicle Playdates, Kinder Pizza and Shirts 
• Campus Clean-up Volunteers 
• Back to Business Volunteers 
• Staff Lounge Restock Donors 
• Kathleen and Jess – Staff Lounge, Staff Welcome Treats and Gifts, Kinder Tears & Cheers
• Anika – Back to Business Info Copyediting 
• John – transition and Google Accounts support 
• Angie – incredible visual design! 
• Laura – Student Directory planning and flyers 
• Megan – Website updates 
• Anjean – Great early membership push! 
• Sara – Great drive for Room Reps! 
• Meg – Working with Bonnie over the summer for Ice Skating, Grade-level Happy Hours 

VOTING FOR PTA MEMBERS

• Approval of Executive Committee Addition – Allie Delong Thomas
  • Katie Stiver motioned to approve
  • Sara Lukas seconded
    • Approved 

• (Executive Committee) Approval of Board of Directors 
  • Allie DeLong Thomas motioned to approve
  • Sara Lukas seconded
    • Approved
• Approval of May and June 2024 Meeting Minutes 
  • Kate motioned to approve
  • Sara Lukas seconded
    • Approved 

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE

• Curriculum Night next week – students will be your guide
• School closure options will be provided tomorrow at 3:30pm
• Will include an interactive website
• Whittier could potentially add 3 or 4 more homerooms in the building
• Custodial budget got cut, now we don’t have the late evening shift. Cindy is taking out the garbage 

Work Session Round Up – Minimum Floor Definition

• Minimum Floor Definition 
• Objective, Current Results to Review 
• Use and Next Steps (Please add to it before 9/29!)

Conversation: EDI & Belonging

• Book recommendations including Design For Belonging 
• PTA group activity prompt: What is a moment in your life when you felt like you truly belonged?
• Discussed moving this topic up in the agenda for subsequent meetings

Meeting Adjourned 9:01 pm

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

• Renee Hartnett – Co-President 
• Courtney Sievers – Co-President 
• Jess Templeton – Vice President (running reflections contest) 
• Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
• Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary (attended vida Zoom) 
• Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary 
• Meg Herscher (New communications chair) 
• Kate Scher – Communications (Website/Wildchat) 
• Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair 
• Anjean Vanden Bosch – Volunteer Chair & Membership Chair 
• Meg Pietz – Family and Community Engagement – Events Chair 
• Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair 
• Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair 
• Laura Zingg-Wadsack – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory 
• Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair 
• Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large 
• John Shaw – Tech Support 
• David Peabody – Move-a-thon 
• Jess Twardzik – Fall Festival Chair (shared with Melissa Ivancevich and Laura Zingg)
• Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator 
• Brie Gardner – Spring Fling 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

• Kristin Laughlin 
• Kellie Pecoraro 
• Anika Anand 
• Allie Thomas
• Leah Lansberry Austin 
• Jared Cortese Elan Wang Simonson

Meeting Called to Order at 7:29 PM 

SIGNERS NAMES AND ROLES 

Check signers for this year (2023-2024): 

• Renee Hartnett, Co-President 
• Michelle Nemeth, Treasurer 
• Courtney Siever, Co-President 
• Jess Templeton, Vice President 

Check signers for next year (2024-25): 

• Kate Scher, President 
• Emily Robertson, Co-Secretary 
• Renee Hartnett, Vice President 
• Michelle Nemeth, Treasurer 
  
  

PRESIDENT UPDATES 

• May minutes to be approved in August 
• Highlighted the year’s successes 
• Anjean volunteered to organize the book fair in 2024-25 
• David Peabody will do Move-a-Thon next year 
• Anika will do yearbook next year 

Meeting Adjourned 8:40 pm

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 
• 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

• Melinda Nett 
• Lana Sturmer
• Kellie Pecoraro 
• Katie 
• Yifat 
• Amaya 
• Dre
• Emily

Meeting Called to Order at 7:02 PM (recorded) 

WELCOME

• Core Values 
• Approval of April PTA Meeting minutes 
• Jess Templeton motioned to approve the minutes, Courtney seconded the motion
• Approved, no objections or abstentions

APPRECIATIONS

• Move-a-thon – huge thanks for a big draw, hype videos 29K (shout out to communications, Anjean, Ashley helping with volunteer sign ups, Ms. Monica and Rebecca for helping with logistics) 
• Budget Committee (Renee, Ashley, Kate, Annika, Michelle) 
• EDI Committee Staff Appreciation Week (Emily and Kathleen)

NOMINATING COMMITTEE 

2024-45 Slate of Executive Officers 

• Kate Scher will be co-president (need co-president) – Kate does a lot of lifting with comm
• Renee VP 
• Secretaries – Melissa and Emily 
• Treasurer – Michelle will be assistant 
• Communications – Meg will continue 
• EDI co-chair needed

Vote: Motion to approve the executive officers (I missed who this was), Courtney seconded the motion 

Results: Approved, no objections or abstentions 

TREASURER’S REPORT (MICHELLE NEMETH) 

Financials 

• 262K bank Balance end of april 
• Main income annual 3700 
• Main expenses about 1200 finishing gaga ball and party for annual give 

Committee – 5 people, 4 hours, line items on budget 

• Prior to meeting, Michelle asked line item owners about this and next year
• Majority of line items stayed about the same 
• Some went up, some went down 

Highlights 

• Income – biggest numbers were what do we expect for the fundraisers (annual give, spring fling and move-a-thon)? 
  • Spring fling 75K 
  • Move-a-thon 20K 
  • Annual Give a bit of a question mark, but we know we have to go up a bit more to support staffing grant and math agency – around 130K 
  • New line item for programs (a bit extra) 
• Expenses – 
  • Next year we’re planning to pay for an accountant 4650 for accountant and quickbooks $1100 
  • Line item 4800 Taxes 
  • Line item 7750 Wild Cats Read increased for “Book Break” – has a different author come online every month. Plus some $500 to $1800 
  • Whittier support grant, similar to last year (includes 4th quarter from this year) 
  • Math Agency 
  • Fragile families, item 7150 
  • Massive Monkeys 
  • Author Visits 
  • There’s a number of items that are zeroed out 

Bottom Line – assuming we follow this budget, our net income puts us at around -22K. Last year we thought we’d be at -24K and we were positive 70K. End of year bank should be at around 230K, so we may have to dip into this a bit. 

Budget Proposal 

Vote: Ashley motioned to approve the proposed budget, Jess seconded the motion 

Results: Approved, no objections or abstentions 

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES

 Spring Fling 

• 195 tickets sold so far 
• Friday, catalog will be available 
• Art preview Friday 
• Next week huge communications push – thank you, Meg and Sarah for reaching out
• Volunteers needed, gaps for clean-up etc. 
• Push for tickets 
• People need a bid number 

EDI Committee 

■ Drag Queen Story Time

Hospitality 

• Showering staff with love and attention – flowers, barking dog lunch, smoothie bar, custom tumblers, donuts, dress like your teacher 
• Celebrating 5th graders 
• Microwave broke, Michell helped coordinate replacing it 

Membership 

• No membership updates, end of school year 
• Memberplanet platform changing to Giftbags Jun 30, 2024 migrated over. More user friendly, similar to Konstella. Lots of capabilities for coordinating volunteers, spirit gear sales, etc. 
• Look out for renewal notification in July or August 

Outreach (Emily Schweiger) 

• New kindercat June 12, 5-6p – going to have a question table 
• Popsicles 
• Pizza party 

Jess – Golden Acorn 

• If anyone has nominations email Jess 

PRESIDENT’S UPDATES

• Transitions 
• Job Descriptions – will share out document 
• Trainings

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• Spring Fling day/night of help 
• Kinder welcome event

Meeting Adjourned 8:04 pm