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PTA Board Meeting Minutes – September 14, 2021

Whittier PTA Board Meeting
September 14, 2021
7pm via Zoom

Board Members

  • Tina Lilley
  • Kristen Ramer-Liang
  • Kate Scher
  • Kathleen Donahoe
  • Courtney Sievers
  • Sara Lukas
  • Renee Hartnett
  • Tricia Schalekamp
  • Amy Bryan
  • Megan Wildenradt
  • Kellie Pecoraro
  • Brad Nelson
  • Leah Lansberry Austin
  • Anjean Vanden Bosch
  • Susan Hernandez
  • Katherine Abraham
  • Megan Herscher
  • Cindy Watters
  • Kate Mathews
  • Ashley Schiavone
  • Lauren Carey
  • Charlie Cartwright
  • Laura McLaughlin
  • Stacy Rose
  • Joanna Silverstein
  • Kristin Laughlin

Meeting Called to Order / Land Acknowledgment at 7:02pm

Principal Update:
Big welcome to Principal Cindy Watters! She expressed thanks to the families, for purchasing outdoor lunch mats, and for keeping kids home when they are sick. She noted that so far we are the only school without an outbreak. Then she took some questions:

Q: How are the staff doing, how can we support them?
A: Our staff are amazing, but the staff do have a high level of anxiety over keeping everyone safe. First, we know we are in tension with parents, because parents have their child in clarity, while staff have to see all kids equally. Parents are the best advocates for their students, and it helps staff to know that parents will communicate additional needs with them. Second, the most tangible thing we can do to support teachers, is to tell teachers when they do things well. Meaningful notes of acknowledgement or thanks go a long way. Additionally, supplies and coffee are always appreciated. Education is under-funded, and teachers shouldn’t have to buy supplies themselves.

Q: Will we have a VP this year?
A: Yes! Starting on Thursday, we have a new VP, Nooria Miskell. She will be .5 time as an Assistant Principal at Whittier and we are also getting a social worker at .5 time.

Q: Who is notified when there’s a student that tests positive?
A: Each case is individual, and there’s guidance for each case from SPS. New guidance is constantly coming out. Cindy asks parents to make good choices for our community in the hours outside of school.

President/VP Update

  • President Tina Lilley and VP Kristen Ramer-Liang updated us on the current Board/Volunteer positions. The executive committee appointed Kate Scher as interim communications chair until official vote at the next Community Meeting.
  • There was a vote to rename the Legislative Chair to Advocacy Chair, (motion by Amy Bryan, and Renee Hartnett seconded) which passed.
  • Co-President / VP positions are still needed! If you’re interested email Tina here.
  • Time to recruit room reps: email Membership@whittierptaseattle.org to be a room rep
  • We’ve launched a new website and there will be a new PTA Newsletter. We feel it will have great potential to reach our families, provide support and community, and advocate for essential issues.
  • 5th graders from 2020 raised money that they couldn’t use for their Nature Bridge trip, and have decided to donate it for a buddy bench on the playground, and a funnel ball tower.
  • Spirit Gear is available! Online store can be found here: All orders can be placed online and for the next 2 weeks qualify for free shipping to school.
  • Lastly, there was a vote to approve the use of sales revenue from Picture Day for gear inventory (Kristen Ramer Liang motions, Kellie Pecoraro seconded) which passed.

Treasurer’s Report

We currently have $126,000, with money still due to SPS as we await the Q4 invoice from Seattle Public Schools for last year’s school year. This covered staffing support grants, staffing, and instructional supports for the 2020-2021 school year. The rest of the money is allocated for the budget that was approved by the PTA community back in May, and our current status can be seen here. Additionally, as
an organization we are now aiming to spend what we raise in each school year, rather than roll over an extra amount each year.

PTA Goals/Fundraising

  • Kristen Ramer-Liang led us through some informative information on the history, and current
    status of PTA fundraising in Seattle, including national and local conversation about what is the
    role of the PTA in schools. This is the first year since 2016 that we are raising funds for the same
    budget year, and we are continuing the conversation as an organization as to what our goals
    and priorities will be moving forward. Our goal is to begin the conversation now, so that we can
    be prepared to set the budget at the end of the school year and have a cohesive decision as to
    what we want to represent as a PTA.
  • Our fundraising chairs led us through the fundraising goals for this year. The plan is to have 3
    fundraisers, with the following goals: 75k from the annual give, 30k from the spring fling, and
    15k from the jogathon. We are reminded that when we set a budget in May, that directly
    impacts our fundraising goals for the year, unlike previous years where we could rely on a
    reserve.
  • We still need a spring fling chair!

Thank you!
➢ Anna, Megan, Kellie, Kristen, Sara, Tina, & Todd – Back to School Prep and Picture Day
➢ Kathleen & Courtney – Teacher Welcome and First Day Kindergarten welcome packets
➢ Brad & Erin – Website
➢ Kristen – Spirit Gear
➢ Anna – Graphics design for spirit gear and stickers Chair Updates
➢ Communications: Currently working on strategy for the Wildchat email.
➢ Membership: Lots more parents are joining! We are always looking for more volunteers, Including a volunteer position. Email Tina to learn more.
➢ FACE (Events/Hospitality/Outreach): Working on creating Fun First Friday! Every first Friday the PTA would host a covid friendly community event outside the entrances. Hoping to do staff support events as well.
➢ Advocacy: Working on getting state reps to come to a meeting. Nov 9th is a possibility.

Opportunities
There are still some exciting positions available for those who want to get involved!
➢ Nominating Committee: help select next year’s board members! Email if you’re interested in joining the Nominating Committee.
➢ Be one of Whittier’s voting delegates at WSPTA Legislative Assembly (Oct. 23-24)

Meeting Adjourned at 9:09pm

Resources
❖ Standing Rules
❖ PTA Mission Statement: “Our mission is to advocate for families and teachers to create an equitable environment, resources, and opportunities for kids to excel and reach their full, unique potential.”

❖ 2021-22 Budget
❖ Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Toolkit (for Nominating Committee)
❖ PTA meeting schedule / shared calendar

Next Board Meeting Tues, Oct. 12; Community Meeting Tues, Oct. 19

Whittier PTA’s Konstella Help Guide

Feeling lost when it comes to Konstella? Here’s a helpful how-to so you can make the most out of your Konstella connection.

(Sign-up for a Konstella account by clicking the “Request to Join” button at the bottom of this page: https://www.konstella.com/school/Whittier%20Elementary/5d4339cee4b01aeb06e39472/)

Join a Classroom

At the beginning of each school year, once you find out which classroom your child is in, you will need to add your child to the correct classroom in Konstella. From a mobile device, tap the gear in the upper left corner and then your name. From a web browser, simply click your name in the upper left. Then select Your Children. Near the bottom you’ll see Classroom, and you’ll want to Add Classroom. Select your teacher from the list.

Using a Web Browser

How+To+Add+Your+Child+To+A+Classroom+-+Web+2.png

Using a Mobile Device

How-To-Add-Your-Child-To-A-Classroom-Mobile.gif

Sync Your Calendar!

One of the coolest features of Konstella is an integrated calendar containing all of the classroom and school-wide events that are relevant to you. No more hand-entering dates into your personal calendar, you can now simply sync from Konstella and get updates as they occur. Similarly, you can choose to sync your “participation” calendar, including any events or volunteer positions that you sign up to work for. No more forgetting where and when you are supposed to show up for volunteer jobs.

Sync once and you’ll stay up to date all year long.

Mobile App: From your main feed, tap Calendar and then tap Sync just to the right of the month name. Note that if you are a Google calendar user, you cannot choose to sync to a Google calendar. Please use the web version in this situation. 

Web Browser: Click Whittier Elementary from the main menu, click Calendar, and then click “Sync To My Calendar” just to the right of the month name.

Understanding Groups

Konstella offers 4 different kinds of groups: classrooms, committees, social groups, and private groups.

Classrooms are associated with students. Classrooms are named and sorted by grade level with teacher name.

Committees are PTA-led volunteer groups. We have many committees available including Spring Fling, Communications, First Friday Fun, and more. You can view detailed job descriptions and time commitments, and sign up for different positions. Committee members can message the group, create events and sign-ups, and share files and photos in the committee. Committee Leads can sign up and withdraw others, edit the committee, and will get notified when others join and leave the committee.

Social Groups are generally started by parents or extracurricular groups. It’s a great way for parents to mingle and share information on a topic of interest. Like other groups, parents can message each other, create events, sign-ups, and share photos and files. Parents need to actively join one or more of these groups (you are not automatically part of these groups). Social groups are available to anyone who wishes to join and must adhere to PTA’s Konstella Usage Policy for appropriate behavior. These groups are not monitored by school administrators or PTA leaders, they are purely for convenience.

Private Groups are created when users send messages to one or more parents who are not in the same group. In this case, a private group is created. Like other groups, parents can message each other, create events, sign-ups, and share photos and files.

Get Informed About a School Activity

Mobile App: Tap on “School” in the bottom menu to view your home page.

Web Browser: Click Whittier Elementary in the menu on the left to view your homepage.

The homepage (aka “school” in the app) shows 3 main elements:

  • “Feed” shows all announcements, upcoming events, sign-up. Tap items in the feed such as a signup listing for more information.
  • “Calendar” shows all upcoming events. Remember to sync your calendar!
  • “More” allows you to see only announcements or sign-ups, and get access to files and photos.

You can see a filtered view of this homepage for your classroom(s) or committee(s). You can select a classroom to filter your feed for that class or leave it set at the top level to see news from all classrooms you’re in. You will also see committees you have joined on the left and can filter news or the calendar for that committee or leave it at the top level to see all your news in one convenient place!

Mobile App: Tap the rainbow filter icon to change your view from All School to a specific classroom or committee.

Web Browser: Simply click your classroom or committee name from the menu on the left side of the page.

Sign Up For Events

When an event is happening and volunteers are needed, you’ll receive a sign-up in your Feed. Depending on your notification settings you may also receive an email. Simply click on the sign-up in the feed or email to register yourself for the event.

Find Parents In The Directory

If you know the name you’re looking for, use the search box on top of the screen, type the name and you’ll easily find name of the person (parent, staff, teacher) you’re looking for and the information this person agreed to share (e.g. address, phone number, email)

If you’re looking for someone in a specific class or a staff member and you’re not sure of the name, click on Directory on the left side panel.

Then select the classroom you’re interested in or the staff (including teachers), and you will be able to see all the information this person has agreed to share (e.g. address, phone number, email)

Join a Committee

Please carefully read the committee descriptions and position details before signing up. Some committees require chair/lead approval to join.

Mobile App: Click the “Directory” tab at the bottom.  Click “Browse Committees” to browse and sign up for the committees.

Web Browser: Click the green “Committees” link on the left-hand menu to browse the committees. Click on a specific committee to learn more and/or sign up or remove yourself. 

Once you join the committee, all committee specific details will now appear in your main feed including any events, signups and messages.

View or Download Files

At the school level you can view files relevant to the whole school.

Individual classrooms and committees may also choose to share files or links.

Mobile App: Tap school to view your main page and optionally tap the rainbow icon to filter to a classroom or committee. Tap More and then Files & Links to view available files and links.

Web Browser: Click any classroom or committee. Choose More, and then Files & Links to view available files and links.

Send a Message

Mobile App: The “Messages” tab at the bottom shows all of the groups you are in. Click any group and start typing at the bottom.

Web Browser: The left-hand menu shows all the groups you are in: The classrooms your children are enrolled and the committees you have joined.

Click on the group: on the right side of the screen, you will see the list of persons part of this group. For a classroom, you can see:

  • The teachers
  • The room parents (Leads)
  • The parents

By default, the teachers are part of the discussion, however, if you want to send a message to parents only, use the option “message subgroup” on the bottom of the list.

Name it explicitly for all parents to understand who is part of the discussion, and select the parents, excluding the teachers.  Type in the text area to post a message.

On the left menu, the new conversation group appears under ‘Private Messages’, as well as on top of the text area. Now that the group has been created you can continue messaging this group from the Private Messages area.

Send a Message to an Individual or Group

Mobile App: On the “Messages” tab, click the “+” at the top right corner.  Choose “Send a Private Message.”

Web Browser: Click the “+” sign right next to the “Private Messages” label on the left-hand menu.

Summary of Mobile App Navigation

School Tab: Shows announcements, events, and sign-ups in your school and classrooms.  The rainbow icon on the right allows you to filter based on specific classrooms or committees.

Messages Tab: Shows the groups you are in and the messages in the groups.

Directory Tab: Allows you to look up parents, browse committees, and Social Groups.

Settings Gear: (at the top left corner )Account settings.

Summary of Web App Navigation

Main Menu on Left: Contains your account, your school, your classrooms, your committees, the school directory, the Committees menu where you can view all committees and signup to join them, social groups, and private messages.

Menu Across The Top: When viewing Whittier Elementary (your consolidated feed), or when viewing a classroom or committee, across the top you see Feed, Calendar, and More (Click to view Announcements, Sign-Ups, Files & Links, and Photos).

Privacy and Notification Settings

You have control over your personal information, privacy settings and how you want to be notified when things are updated in Konstella.

Mobile App: Tap the gear icon in the upper left corner to view and set up your account.

Web Browser: Click on your name in the upper left corner to view and set up your account.

Stopping Notifications or Cancelling Konstella

Are you a graduated Whittier family looking to discontinue Konstella notifications or delete your Konstella profile? Administrators cannot do this on your behalf, so please follow the steps below:

  • To delete your Konstella account and its associated data, Konstella requires you to contact them: feedback@konstella.com.
  • You can also remove yourself from Whittier Elementary’s Konstella without deleting your Konstella account altogether. To do this, click on “Your Roles” from your name in the upper left (or Gear icon on mobile) and click on “Remove” next to Whittier Elementary. This will effectively stop all Whittier Elementary Konstella notifications or activity.
  • To stop notifications, you’ll want to click on your name in the upper left (or Gear icon on mobile) and go to “Account Settings.” From there, select “Notifications” and adjust each option.