Duveneck Elementary School
PTA Meeting
February 11, 2008
Held at Duveneck Library
Present: Kristin Feitzinger, Xenia Hammer, Marie Drez, Isabelle Cole, Kathryn Weller, Sheryl Klein, Catherine Crystal Foster, Jennifer Seto, Laura Wolfe, Kathleen Meagher, Pearl Chow, Angela Mogielski-Cassini, Sue Purdy Pelosi, Melissa Fassler, Susie Hwang, Liz Darby, Linda van Gelder, Kim Robins
Absent PTA Executive Board Members: Gretchen DeAndre, Julie Dyson, Jennifer Buenrostro
I. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 in the Duveneck Library.
II. New Treasurer. The current treasurer, Chitra Swaminathan, is stepping down for personal reasons. Pamela Wagner has agreed to take over—finishing out the current year and being posted on the slate for next year. Pamela has met with Chitra. Xenia Hammer (former treasurer) is also helping with the transition. Motion to approve Pamela Wagner as treasurer was approved by the Board.
Audit Report (Jennifer Seto). The signed audit report was distributed. For next year, it was suggested that standardized sheets for deposits and expenses would be helpful. These could be accessible from the Duveneck website. The motion to accept the audit was approved by the Board.
Approval of Minutes. The 1/14/08 minutes were reviewed and approved by the Board.
Treasurer’s Report. Check reports for November and December (approved at the previous meeting) were distributed along with the January check report. Motion to approve the January check report was approved by the Board.
VI. President’s Report (Isabelle Cole)
Constant Contact. The idea of changing eNews distribution from the district server to an outside vendor (Constant Contact) was discussed. Melissa Baten Caswell discussed the product and answered questions. Comparative benefits include: improved reliability, greater ease of use, enhanced formatting options, and the ability to share political comment (e.g., information re bond measures). Switching costs are minimal. Subscription cost is $30 per month for the current number of eNews subscribers, with available prepayment discounts. The Board decided to engage in a one month free trial for Board members to evaluate benefits. It will discuss the proposal again at the next meeting, when the budget picture will also be clearer.
Remaining reserves. While the exact figure is not yet known, the PTA will likely have about $30,000 remaining reserves to spend if it wants to get to the $50,000 reserve level recommended by the PTA Council. Ideas include MP room improvements (curtains for stage, fans, banners, chairs) because it is likely that MP improvements will not be part of the capital improvements funded by the June bond measure. Xenia Hammer clarified that the PTA Board may choose to spend these funds this year or in a future year. Upcoming state budget cuts and their potential effect on Duveneck were also discussed.
Mural. Current Duveneck parent (Jennifer Simoni) has proposed to paint a mural for the school. There will be a meeting with teachers to discuss. They are brainstorming ways to involve the children in an organized fashion and may also solicit input from the community re content.
Staff room furniture. Much of the new staff room furniture has arrived and has been well received. Isabelle distributed thank you notes signed by all the teachers and aides.
VII. Report on June school bond measure (Catherine Crystal Foster). The community will be asked to vote on a $378 million school bond measure, primarily for capital improvements, this June. The school community will be asked to assist in many ways. In particular, if anyone is interested in being one of the school coordinators for Duveneck, he or she should contact Catherine or Jon Foster.
VIII. Principal’s Report (Kathleen Meagher)
Queen Bees. Kathleen thanked the parent ed reps for a great event. In particular, the chance for parents to share experiences was great.
Incoming Kinder Visits. 40 parents visited Duveneck on 1/31. The event went well. Those who were unable to attend will have another opportunity in April,
Kid-by-Kid. The school completed its most recent kid-by-kid meetings last week. There were great conversations, particularly around reading.
Asia Fantasia. The entire school had the opportunity to attend a fabulous storytelling presentation last week. Content was great and the story teller was incredibly engaging. Kids at all levels loved it.
Book Club. This month’s book club presentation, held last week, was put on by the student leadership team. The theme was cooperation, and the students put on a skit regarding the new recycling program. That program is being implemented for grades 3-5 and includes composing. Once the older students get hang of the program, it will be rolled out to the younger grades.
Math Curriculum Parent Ed Event. On April 16th, from 6:30 to 7:30, the school will be hosting an event to educate parents regarding the math curriculum.
IX. Parent Ed (Kim Robins and Sheryl Klein).
A. Queen Bees. The presentation was well received. About 50 people attended. They are thinking about ways to expand the pool of people attending parent ed events.
B. Madeline Levine (author of the Price of Privilege). Madeline Levine is speaking at Gunn in April. Duveneck is an event co-sponsor. Admission is free, but interested parents are encouraged to get there early as it will likely be standing room only. The idea of having a post-event discussion group at the Starbucks near Gunn was discussed.
C. Future events. Kim and Sheryl are looking into future events, in particular a presentation by the Parent’s Place regarding raising boys to complement the recent Queen Bees discussion regarding girls.
X. New Business. None.
XI. School Community (Sue Purdy Pelosi). The previously proposed idea of building sandboxes is not feasible because they require cement forms. An alternative idea of building the May Fete Parade float cart was discussed, along with other projects like cleaning tables and spreading mulch. The idea of soliciting participation from fathers in particular was discussed, along with ideas to make the event fun (e.g., coffee, bagels, basketball). The proposed date is currently April 12th.
XII. Parliamentarian Report (Kathryn Weller).
A. Thank yous. Kathryn and Isabelle thanked the nominating committee for its hard work.
B. Proposed changes to structure. The nominating committee has proposed changing the structure of the current PTA President position. The Presidency would be shared between a President and an Executive Vice President. A new position, President Elect(s), would also be created. The President Elect(s) would not have formal PTA responsibilities other than learning the role of President. Former PTA Executive Board members would not be required to serve as a President Elect prior to serving as President or Executive Vice President. The number of VP positions would be increased from the current four to five under the new proposal. The new VP position (Chairman of Leadership) would be created for the President Elect. The Board discussed the proposed changes. Proposed changes will be posted and communicated to the greater school community. Any member of the community can express interest in any of the Executive Board positions and can be placed on the ballot for the vote on 3/19/08.
B. Proposed slate. The proposed PTA slate was read. It will be posted for the community on 2/14, enabling the community to view it for 30 days prior to voting on it at the Science Fair on 3/19.
C. Proposed changes to bylaws. Kathryn distributed proposed changes to the bylaws (attached), most of which pertain to the proposed change in the structure of the current PTA President position. Proposed bylaw changes will be voted on at the next PTA meeting.
XIII. Faculty Report (Melissa Fassler).
A. Asia Fantasia. Melissa echoed Kathleen’s comments regarding the great assembly and shared a thank you note from her class.
B. Carol Dweck (author of Mindset). Over half of the Duveneck teachers attended the recent discussion.
C. Staff Development Day. The subject for the 2/19 development day will be math and will be led by Duveneck’s district math network participants.
XIII. Site Council Report (Linda van Gelder). Survey questions have been finalized. A flyer will be distributed on 2/22 regarding how to access the survey. It will be primarily online, but hard copies will be available to those who need them.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm.
Next meeting is scheduled for Mon., March 10, 2008 in the Duveneck Library
Respectfully submitted,
Kristin Feitzinger, Secretary
