PTA Minutes Oct 2008

8/14/2019 PTA Minutes Oct 2008

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Comments from Robin Shindle, PTA President:

Membership drive: Ongoing till October 27. Doing well--better than last year,

which is surprising since we havent been pushing it as much. Need Room Parents

to help sign up people who have not yet joined.

PTA will do two more fundraisers: ice cream sales and sales of flower bulbs.

Trish Halfacresaid we could also sell snacks at Homework Lab, because kids are

hungry after school. But we need volunteers to sell. John Ayers suggested that ice

cream sales and snack sales be assigned by grade level. That idea was well

received, but Trish pointed out how poor participation has been by fifthgrade

parents for valet duty. Trish said shes had to drag kids to do the parent shift, and

its embarrassingthat participation is so hard to get. She has a sign-up sheet right

there in the wagon [which carries valet cones, etc] and cant get people to sign up.

Trish said that were requiring ten hours of volunteering at school per year, per

child, and shes keeping track. November is fourthgrades responsibility for valet.Nadia Yoshioka pointed out that those of us with kids in middle school can have

them help at Beethoven, to earn community service hours required by their schools,

and it could count towards the familys ten hour requirement.

Holiday Basket Drive: Robin Shindle explained that each year we collect food and

toys for needy families at Beethoven, and hand them out before winter break. This

year Robin wants to do it differently, and assign staples by grade, instead of having

random donations. For example, one grade could collectflour, another sugar or

coffee. People could still give otheritems they want to donate. She noted that last

year we had a lot of baskets that people did not come to pick up; thosebaskets were

donated to a homeless shelter. Trish said we also collect things like shampoo and

toothpaste for our holiday baskets. She said the Boy Scouts helped a lot last year

by collecting items for donation. Collection of items will be from about November

11th through December 11th. Gloria Halfacresaid the Girl Scouts will put the baskets

together. Michelle Gardner said the Boy Scouts will help again by collecting items.

A parent who works in video production doing makeup commented on the waste

she sees in her businessall sorts of items being thrown away that could be

donated or recycled; there were suggestions that she approach people on the set

about donating or recycling, and that they would probably be open to that.

PRINCIPALS MESSAGE Comments from Dr. Althea Ford:

Happy to see good turnout today, but concerned that there are some parents

wondering where the meeting is right now, since were not in the library [as we

were for last months evening meeting]. Dr. Ford will talk to Mary Ann [Librarian]

about having the next morning meeting in the library.

School Site CouncilWe have three parent representatives for School Site Council

already: Trish Halfacre, Elizabeth Palser, and Teresa Webster. We need two more


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parentsa total of five. Andrea Andrews and K.C. Robinson volunteered to be the

other two parents on council. David Hofflichwill be an alternate if someone cant

make it. Meetings are usually one Tuesday per month. Today there may be a

meeting, but it is not an official meeting.

Beautification, Yard SaleTookplace this past Saturday. Trish said that the

temporary fence [which was put up for all the beautification work last school year]

was taken down. Joe Anzaiand K.C. Robinson and a few others took it down in the

rain. Now it looks great out there. We also had a yard sale on Saturday and only

made $200. There was very poor turnout, and only the same ten or so parents

showed up to help.

CST ReportsDr. Ford asked if parents had received CST reports [California

Standardized Testing] in the mail. It seems that everyone had gotten them. Dr. Ford

said she is trying to get the Distinguished School logo up today.

FOB BUSINESSComments from Trish Halfacre, FOB President:

Stillneed some more committee chairpersons. We need chairpersons

for Beautification, Fall Bingo (bingo was too much combined with Silent

Auction), and springCar Show. Car show is Mark Sukals idea. Maybe he and

his wife could organize this event which will be in April.

Grants Patti Segura and John Ayersare working on grants. We want to

have new murals painted over the plain light green walls facing the big yard.

The murals will tie in with new picnic benches, and there will be pictures of

trees, etc., so it will look like youre in a park. Trish noted that FOB may have

to match CB grant money. Last year CB didnt actually have the money to

give after it was awarded. John Ayers said he would act as Beautification

chairperson, which was met with applause. Trish said theyre working on

Target grant for field trips. Joanna Woods said she would help with grant

writing if the others findthe grants.

Valet Parents are expected to do two shifts during the month that their

childs grade level is assigned valet duty.

Bearwear Fridays/Field Trips Teachers want kids to wear Beethoven t-

shirts (Bearwear) on field trips. Were trying to set it up so youll be able to

order Bearwearonline. Kids are encouraged to wear Bearwear on Fridays to

promote school spiritbut as a parent pointed out, most people dont know

that .

Room Parent Meeting Comments from Elizabeth Palser: Next Wednesday

night, October 15th at 6pm,there will be a Room Parent meeting. The good

news is that wedo have Room Parents for most classes. Elizabeth has had to

manually add parentsemail/phone information, so its taking a lot of time.

Eventually, when shes finished, room parents will not need to forward the

Beethoven Buzz to their class parentsit will go to them automatically. For

now, you can distribute hard copies of the Buzz to those parents who dont


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get it via email. Elizabeth will leave copies of the Buzz in the FOB box in the

office (one side in English, the other side in Spanish). Dr. Ford mentioned

that we must first get approval by her for any fliers, etc., that we want to put

in teachers boxes for distribution.

Approval of FundsComments from Trish Halfacre: There was a mix-up on

the Anne and Kirk Douglas grant, and we were short $3,400. We have to paythat back.

Also, Trish and Patti Segura are working on getting canvas drop-downs for the

cafeteria area, so it wont be so coldright now the wind just whips through

there on chilly days. They will cost approximately $1,900. They will be

fireproofed, removable. Kids can walk in and out when theyre down. The

installation will have to happen during Christmas break. Trish asked for show

of hands for all in favor. All were in favor; no nayes.

Wrapping paper Fundraiser Comments from Jeanna Kienzle: Goes

through October 16th. Our goal is to net$10,000. Paper is nice quality, made

by a paper company. They have nice candles too. Nothing is over $20. Themoney raised will be used for field trips and school supplies. The kids are

very aware of the prizes! Every $100 of sales will be eligible for raffle of $100

American Express gift card. Robin Shindle noted that we will also be selling

green items later in the year, but we didnt want to conflict with this

fundraiser now.

BearscareComments from Alicia Denchasy: Bearscare is on Saturday

October 25thfrom 10-3. We need to get Room Parents involved, and they will

be liable for their class and its parental involvement. We need parents to

volunteer for 1 hour per child. Every year we raise more money, and its a lot

of fun for the kids. Mar Vistas Big Boo is on the same day. We close the

street for rides. We will have some of the same vendors from last year, such

as the taco vendor. Well have Sandy Candy and facepainting. Last year we

had over 70% of parents show upit was very successful. We also want to

bring in the Mar Vista community. If you know sponsors for rides, let us know.

Dads do the Haunted House, and set it up on Friday night. Nadia Yoshioka

suggested that your older kids can volunteer and earn their community

service hours. Trish said the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will help out.

PhonathonTrish said we wont discuss Phonathon today since Joe Anzai

and Ian Denchasy are not here.

Dr. Ford said she wrote a grant to the Rotary Club for Measuring Up (a

workbook program for improving test scores), and got $2,500 from the Rotary

Club ofVenice. Its for the Language Arts section. She needs $3,000 for the

math section. Shell take it up at Leadership meeting. The program is for 2nd

through 5th grades. The teachers want it. The $2,500 is for this year only;

each year we need more books. Dr. Ford said that the Rotary Club got their

hands slapped for supporting Homework Lab. Trish and some others


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suggested maybe parents buy their own books, or maybe sponsor a class (to

help with those who cant afford it).

Family in need. Trish told us theres a family in need. She will let us know

when she finds out what is needed. Teachers let them know when they notice

kids wearing clothes that dont fit, etc.

Beethovens Night Out. Next one is Thursday, October 16th from 3-9 pm atEl Toritoon Ocean Park Blvd. We get 25% of the proceeds. Bring your flier.

Other comments:

A parent brought up the idea of a movie night showing Kit Kittredge, An

American Girl. She said she saw it recently and it was such a greatfamily

movie, with good values, etc. Trish said the 5thgrade will do a movie night

fundraiser. It was also suggested that this parent talk to Paula Sadler who is

in charge of Martha Foley Friday movie fundraisers.

Parent David Hofflich asked if we can get rid of the old Kindergarten

sandbox. Trish said we can get a newoctagonal one for $500. A discussion

followed as to whether we even need a sandbox at all, but several parentspointed out how much the kids love it. John Ayers motioned that we just vote

on it now, since its been a problem for so long. The ayes have ita new

sandbox for $500 is approved.

Meeting adjourned.

Notes taken by Erin Gafarian

PTA Minutes Oct 2008

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Transcript of PTA Minutes Oct 2008