Pierce PTSA Minutes

September 12, 2012

9:05 am, Multipurpose Room

  1. Principal’s Report – Jim Lalik
  2. Pierce Path / Character Education: Core Values: Respect Responsibility, Kindness and Cooperation
  3. Spirit Week: To reinforce Pierce path and Character Education at the start of the year, Spirit Week has been moved to fall vs spring. Fri, 9/28 - Fri 10/4. Meeting with committee Fri. 9/14 to finalize things like Hat Day, Stuffed Animal, Wear Pierce spirit wear or blue shirt. Donate a quarter to support a cause.
  4. Fun Run: To tie into Spirit Week, the Fun Run has also been moved to the fall vs spring. Raising money for a walking track around the play field. More sponsors are needed. Sheryl Shenefelt and Kristin Cronin are key representatives.
  5. New parking lot: The new parking lot is completed with two new drop off loops. They are working out a few minor kinks in the new system. Pierce Kindergarteners (approx. 120) are still not using the loops as of yet because with all in EDK, this is the first year all kindergartners are present for arrival and dismissal. Communication to follow on when that will begin.
  6. PTSA Sponsored Purchases: Discussion began at the Aug PTSA meeting on where last year’s PTSA surplus might be used for the 2012/13 school year.
  7. iPads/cart for the 3rd grade classes to share 20,000 investment
  8. round lunch room tables 2,000 to obtain an assessment
  9. Enrichment Program Night September 24, 6:30 to introduce all of the enrichment programs sponsored by Pierce , to name just a few on today's agenda
  10. Accelerated Reader (Grade 2-5)
  11. Battle of the Books (Grade 4-5)
  12. Math Pentathlon (Grade K-5)
  13. Reflections (Grade K-5)
  1. Welcome – Jeni Beckeman/Cortney Herschelman
  2. Introduction of names/positions
  3. Approval ofAugust meeting minutes
  4. Beth Keifer motion
  5. Cortney Herschelman 2nd
  6. Approved
  7. Bonanza/Welcome Back Coffee/New Parent Coffee:
    Thanks to Service, Marla Kaftan and Lucy Chinoy, for a great 1st day Welcome Back Coffee.
    Next year Bonanza will be renamed.
  8. Committee volunteerspreadsheet: Between 150-170 volunteers BEFORE curriculum night. Jeni is managing list, will add curriculum night additions, and distribute to appropriate committees upon completion. Some committees that had upcoming events received early version i.e.: carnival.
  9. Sign Up Genius/VolunteerSpot.org: Room parents have received the okay to use online/e- sign up software.
  10. Oldest and Only-volunteer needed. Discussed at August meeting, Marla Kaftan reported in the works.
  11. Pierce Elementary School Facebook page- Over 200 Likes: Pictures from Pierce Events should be sent to Ingrid Haddock/Comm. Ed.
  12. A discussion was held regarding the purchase of 25 ipads and 1 recharging cart for a cost of no more than $20,000. The ipads and cart will be dedicated to third grade. Enough ipads will be purchased so that an entire class can all use one at the same time. Fourth and Fifth grades already each have a cart and approx. 25 ipads. With this purchase, all three Ignite grade (3, 4, 5) classrooms will have access to ipads.
  13. Motion to approve $20,000 to purchase 25 ipads and a recharging cart

for 3rd grade use: Barbie Bell

  1. Second: Sarah Cvetanovski
  2. Approved. Jim will begin purchase process.
  1. A discussion was held regarding investigating the purchase of round lunchroom tables.
  2. Round lunch tables all the children to interact more with their peers and have a better lunchtime. Jim reports the purpose is for sound and greater sense of community. Also, we now have 120 kindergarten students that are full day, and participating in lunch. Storage for the round tables vs. rectangle could be an issue. Mr. Lalik would like to hire a company to assess our current lunch room to develop the best plan possible. The estimated cost of the study is $2,000. Because we do have lunch tables, the district will not cover the study.
  3. Motion to approve up to $2,000 to study/create a plan for the lunch room: Amy Margolis
  4. Second: Ryan Abney
  5. Approved. Jim will begin process of scheduling an assessment. If PTSA/Parents know of companies that might donate their time, or simply recommend companies, forward the information to Jim.
  1. Executive Board
  2. Vice President(Room Parents) – Beth Kiefer
  3. Curriculum night(s)
  4. Directory: deadline for submitting/confirming information online drawing to a close. Directory will pull class lists for Room Parent distribution to individual class.
  5. Any information Committees would like Room Parents to forward should go to Beth Kiefer in an effort to not duplicate communications.
  6. Kim LaBarre recommended a final Eblast to confirm Curriculum night DAYS and TIMES, since there were multiple sessions, and some confusion from parents. Jim reported the multiple sessions were to be considerate to some of our teachers that had conflicts with their own children's curriculum nights.
  7. Vice President(Website) – Rika Khouri
  8. PTSA Website can be found by navigating through the Pierce website Home Page, PTSA Website link on the left side.

c.Treasurer’s Report - Hannah Rhodes/Shelli Adams

  1. 2012-2013 Budget: Final Budget December 1st. Each committee should review last year’s budget. Amy Margolis noted some things under Academic: Field Day, 5th Grade graduation that may be in error. Side meeting to address.
  1. Direct Donation update: already at $17,002 Donor family names(flowers) posted on bulletin board across from office conference room door. Thank you to all the families that donated!
    2011/12 - 17,000

2010/11 - 12,000

2009/10 - 7,000

  1. Academic– Amy Margolis
  2. Math Pentathlon
  3. Chairperson found - Steve Anderson.
  4. Teacher coordinator is still needed.
  5. Need a volunteer for each class/grade, 1 volunteer for every 4 students
  6. Discussion about the change from lunch time, to after school. Facilities for lunch as well as volunteers during lunch are issues.
  7. All grades will be same day.
  8. Rika Khouri resurrected Math Pentatholon 2 years ago. Reminded there is a tournament in the spring. Others commented about the benefit of the program. Further discussion in separate meeting to finalize time and location.
  9. Battle of the Books chairman needed: Amy Margolis reports Ms. Bell handles most of the planning and administration, and the chairman mainly handles the potluck (?) reception.
  10. Reflections- Chairpersons-Paula Shatzman and Sandy Patel, Amy Margolis reports:
  11. Last Year's Posters- would like them as reference. Check with Nancy Unger, Cortney Herschelman volunteered.
  12. Theme this year is "The Magic of a Moment"
  13. Submissions due around Thanksgiving in 6 categories. Better Definition of Categories is recommended.
  14. Kim LaBarre, Yearbook chair at Pierce, also sits on the District PTSA, extends the need for Reflections Co-chairs at a District Level. Dianna Patterson accepts.
  15. Related to Kim's participation in the District PTSA, the Education Council is also in need of volunteers for 2 committees
  16. Report Card Committee: 1 x per month commitment, 6 total
  17. Curriculum Committee: 1-2yr commitment 1 month Thursdays
  18. Accelerated Reader: Meredith Carrel, Hannah Rhodes, Sue Wright
  19. AR needs to be added to the Enrichment Brochure
  20. Harvest Schedule is in the works
  21. 2011/12 school year, 375 participated, and 82 qualified for the Bounce
  22. Kim LaBarre said it was a struggle to get kids in before or after school. What is the availability of the Media Center for times outside of am/pm? Lunch, class time? Volunteers should coordinate with teachers to bring kids down at a specified time once a week, month, etc...

E.Legislative – Maura Lindstrom:

  1. Birmingham Education Fund Campaign Drive Oct - December. Largest Fundraiser is the Unabashed Bash Townsend on Feb 9th. Connect with Jeni Beckeman if you are interested.

ii. Additionally if you donate to BEF, write Pierce school in the memo line.

F.Service – Lucy Chinoy/Marla Kaftan

i.Recycling chairman needed, Marla reports Thursday mornings, for only 30 minutes

  1. Spirit Wear-Sarah Johnson, Lucy reports:
  2. New vendor, 6 different logos 15 items, company handles everything. Due date for orders is Sept 21st.
  3. Items on display at Curriculum night, but Sarah is not available.
  4. There will be another order in the spring
  5. Discussion of designated 'Piercewear' day every week- Wacky Wednesday idea
  6. There will be a Spiritwear booth at the carnival. Encourage students to WEAR EXISTING Piercewear at the carnival, or just blue.
  7. Consider pictures on the Facebook page, or additional e-blast
  8. Pierce Directory-Diana Brown
  9. Last day to enter information for the Directory is Fri. 9/14, preschool is now included
  10. Sign in desk first two weeks of school-Tina Weber, Susan Causey.
  11. Scheduling for 2 hour shifts, 15 volunteers 1x week, 30 even less.
  12. Dianna Patterson mention this is a good way for NEW Pierce families to meet parents.

G.Social– Christine Graham/Meredith Richardson/Robin Eikenberry

  1. Carnival- SEPT 19TH
  2. Carnival was moved to fall vs spring because of conflict with Birmingham Carnival, and spring sports.
  3. Dad's Club Ice Cream Social has been incorporated into carnival.
  4. Wristbands are being presold at discounted pricing, slow presale thus far.
  5. Not a drop your kids off event, parents must attend.
  6. Volunteers are need for 45 windows of time, 133 volunteer slots. Have asked that Room Parents get 3 - 4 per class via curriculum night.
  7. Welcome back staff lunch-Robin Eikenberry coordinates all staff lunches/dinners. Please volunteer for this one, or the dinners associated with conferences.

H.Fund Raising- Traci Nix/Chad Speller/Ryan Abney

  1. School Supplies-Traci Nix
  2. Thank you to Traci Nix for managing distribution during Back to School Bonanza
  3. Increase in numbers purchased each year. Comment about extending the deadline, Jeni reported 95% of the orders come in during the last 48 hours, but we can always try different approaches.
  4. If we make a commitment to the same company= 7% discount for 2012/13 school year
  5. Motion to commitment to same school supply vendor for 2012/13 school year, Tina Weber seconds, approved.
  6. Discusson of black barrel markers in kindergarten. Jeni will check because vendor was VERY accommodating about filling EXACT supplies requested
  1. Winter fundraiser-Carnival/Casino/Auction-Chad Speller/Ryan Abney, Ryan reports:
  2. Cookie sale at carnival
  3. Decision being made on 3/8/13 Fundraiser/Parent event: Casino, bowling
  4. Troy Gymnastic - Pierce Pounce 2 sessions, Dec 1st, and a spring session (Traci Nix) Parent social event during organized or impromptu
  5. Birmingham Winter Market weekend of Dec 3rd- Kristin Cronin reports there are 2 non profit slots available.
  6. Could split proceeds and manpower with iMatter
  7. Booth is built and lit by the Winter Market,Pierce needs to Decorate, and Man the booth over the course of the event.
  8. Kids club could create crafts
  9. Kristin Cronin, Sheryl Shenefelt, and Ryan Abney to have separate meeting for further planning.
  10. Target/Kroger/Plum rewards
  11. Jeni Beckeman reports 1700 received from Target Red Card this year. Sign up the card, and they send us a check for percent of purchases.Managemyredcard.com
  12. Pierce ID number needed for Kroger and Plum reactivation, Cortney Herschelman following up.
  13. Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt Company -Jeni Beckeman reports Pierce family(Lisa Young and David Schmier) are owners. Willing to participate in future activities, or sponsorships.

I.Dad’s Club – Ken Bell/Jason Unger, Bob Shenefelt reports

  1. Ice Cream Social at Carnival
  2. Dad's Club Social at Dick O Dows on Oct 1st
  3. Garage Sale Fundraiser-October - Goods to be picked up Sept 25th
  4. Please contact: Sue Simmers 248-672-9292 or Email:
  5. You will receive a tax donation receipt for all donations.

J.Wellness Committee – Sheryl Shenefelt

  1. Fun Run-Oct 4th
  2. Help is needed with sponsors and fundraising donations. Som of the current sponsors for 'goodie' bags are Goldfish Swim School, Primetime Plumbing.
  3. Online fundraising, submit grade/teacher
  4. There is a fee for using Crowd Wise, small percent
  5. Fun Run is raising money for the walking track discuss by Jim in Principal's section.
  6. Track is 20,000. Likely multiple fundraisers to accomplish.
  1. New Business
  2. Trish Olevnik reports parent Susan Collins inquired about more permanent name badges for parents in and out of the school multiple times a week. We would still require sign in.
  3. More display for Spirit Wear
  1. Upcoming Events (informational)
  2. Sept. 19, Pierce Carnival/Ice Cream Social
  3. Sept 20, Late start day
  4. Sept. 28 & Oct. 1, 4Spirit Week –
  5. Oct 1, Dad's Club Social Meeting
  6. Oct 3, School pictures
  7. Oct. 4, Fun Run
  8. Oct. 10 at 9:05 am Next Principal’s coffee/PTSA meeting-

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