PTO Meeting Minutes: November 13, 2006

Attendees: Gene and Pang Escalona, Pang Moua, Pai Vue, Enedina Guaman, Martha Huerta, Maria Huerta, Bendu Kiazolu, See Vang, Mackey Tugba, Nan Brown, Amy Watkins, Kim Winkelman, Sandy Sivertsen, Julie Linder, Todd Tischer and Tonya Allen

Introductions were made.

Amy Watkins: Turkey Bingo is this Friday, November 17 th from 5:30p-8:00p. We still need volunteers for clean-up.

Treasurer’s Report (Kim Winkelman):

* She had computer problems and wasn’t able to print the budget for the meeting. If anyone would like a copy, let Kim know.

* Club’s Choice profit was $3,132. Jevonte’ Green won the grand prize.

* There will not be a poinsettia sale this year. Malmborg’s needed orders 2 weeks earlier this year due to a growers problem. We couldn’t get orders out and back in time.

* Club’s Choice Spring Sale – Kick off will be March 28 th NO ASSEMBLY! Orders are due April 18 th. It’s a long sale time because spring break falls in there. Delivery will be May 17 th. Kim has requested a permit.

Site Council (Amy Watkins):

* One more parent is still needed. Let Todd or Amy know if interested.

* The next meeting is December 4 th at 4:30p at Garden City.

* At the last meeting they discussed their two year goals (they are in the 2 nd year).

1. Increase reading achievement.

2. Improve parent and community involvement.

Family Project (Sandy Sivertsen):

* Sandy brought up that she, Pang Moua, Tonya Allen and Chiana Loreti from GC are attending a workshop this Friday called the Family Project. The purpose of the workshop is to help schools bring diverse communities together to get more involvement from parents at school. This will support the Site Council’s second goal (Improve parent and community involvement).

Volunteer Coordinator Report (Julie Linder):

* In October we had 264 volunteer hours.

* Help is still needed with Turkey Bingo. Contact Julie if you are able to help.

Principal’s Report (Todd Tischer):

* We had 98% participation for fall conferences. Our goal for winter conferences will be 100%.

* November 3 rd was Treats and Talk with Mr. Tischer. Thirteen parents and three toddlers attended. One parent commented on the safety procedures at Garden City. She was pleased when her sister came to pick up her child that she was asked for a note from the parent and her ID was checked.

* As Amy stated, the Site Council goals are reading achievement and more parent involvement. Todd stressed that reading to your child, in any language, is very important.

* Fast Track is our after school program Mondays - Thursdays targeting reading and math. We have 140 students enrolled.

* Fun Squad is an after school program in conjunction with Brooklyn Center Parks & Rec. Classes are offered Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday. We have 120 students enrolled.

* Turkey Bingo is Friday.

* On Monday, November 20 th, an American Indian Dinner and Presentation will take place in the district from 6:30p-8:30p. Todd was not sure of the location.

* There is no school on November 23 and 24 as well as December 1 and 8.

* MCA scores from last year will be released to the public on November 15 th.

Hopes/Dreams and Other Comments:

Pang Moua: There will be a SE Asian Cultural Celebration at the Adult Education Center this Saturday, Nov 18 th from 11a-3p. Some GC students will be performing and some of their artwork will be displayed. Asian food will be sold.

A parent asked about Fast Track and Kindergarten. It was shared that last year it was opened up to K in January. Not sure if that will happen this year. Parents were told to watch Wednesday envelopes as that is where it will be announced if it will be offered to kindergarten this year.

A parent brought up that at Beard and 65 th kids are hanging out after school and throwing their jackets into the street while buses are coming and trying to turn. Safety in general was discussed for a few minute. Nan and Todd said they would make sure patrols were told to report that type of behavior if they are still on duty when it happens. Amy Watkins commented that as adults in the community we need to confront unsafe behavior when we see it happening to keep kids safe.

Future Meetings/Speakers : Amy asked parents for ideas on speakers for future meetings.

*Amy has a speaker planned for the December meeting. She will share the details later.

* Sandy said a presentation on the Family Project workshop would be done.

*Kim and Amy thought a presentation on parenting/defiant kids from someone at ECFE would be worthwhile.

The next meeting is Monday, December 11 th at 6:00pm in the Media Center