Harmony Elementary PTA meeting
January 15, 2019
Members in Attendance:
Jessy Maggard
Kendra Wiegand
Rebecca French
Lorraine Whitney
Caryn Weferling
Holly Wood
Megan Vogt
Sue Hackmiller
Dani Reich
Keli Ulferts
Call to Order at 6:30 p.m.: by President Jessy Maggard
Motion made to dismiss reading of December 2018 minutes. Approved.
Jessy reminded attendees that minutes are always available for review n the PTA binder
Principal’s Report – Sue Hackmiller
- MAP testing DRA winter assessments going on now until Feb. 8. Classes are using Chromebooks and iPads. Enough to handle one class at a time for testing.
- Gateway to Arvin begins tomorrow — 4th grade GATES go to Arvin center. 5th grades go next week.
- New hire: 4th grade — Seth Fowler. NOHS grad/UofL grad. We have a good on-boarding plan.
- Three teachers set for family leave in March — three guest teachers lined up and are getting ready. All begin in March.
- 32 tickets went out to Father/Daughter dance to free/reduced lunch students, thanks to PTA.
President’s Report – Jessy Maggard
Fundraising Idea – guest Mega Vogt
Megan Vogt works for Louisville City FC. As a fundraiser they can issue an access code to groups of 20 or more for discounted tickets, and then for every ticket sold Lou City FC donates $4 to the organization. Can be set up to benefit HES only or the entire North Oldham campus and school-specific.
Discussion — could offer this twice — once in the spring and once in the fall. Much like the “dining out” fundraising. Could also be set up for continuous use of the code. Jessy will get with Megan to set some dates. No need for board approval because it falls under “family fun night” which has already been approved.
Box Tops Blitz
Jessy gave update on the additional box tops blitz. We had leftover free kids meal cards to Texas Roadhouse so they were used as incentive for the box tops.
Basketball Mania Concession — fundraiser option
Date for Basketball Mania is March 5. Waiting to find out if North Oldham boosters are doing the stand, if not we may be asked to do it. We have turned it in as a fundraiser for approval in case it comes our way. We need to find out if we are supposed to supply everything and we keep the profits, or if there is another set up.
Oldham County Community Scholarships
Jessy went to community meeting last week and inquired about the criteria for the HES sponsored OCC Scholarship.
Student must:
Have attended Harmony
Min. GPA 2.0
Member of NOHS PTSA
Jessy proposed that we delete the requirement of being a member of the PTSA. Most high school students are not members.
Kendra suggested to continue to include Liberty Elementary because there are still kids in high school who attended Liberty.
Motion made to remove the PTSA membership requirement. Discussion about the benefits of keeping that requirement. Motion Approved.
Teacher events upcoming
Feb. 1 – Third grade, second grade.
Feb. 15 – K-2 grades. Even though it’s not a school day, Dani reported that it’s already half full but parents may not have realized no school day
March 1 – First grade
All money goes back to host grades.
Events must be held before Spring Break
Board Positions for 2019/2020
Diedra Weber will be VP of Programs
Becky French will be Treasurer
Still open: Recording Secretary, Harvest Chair
Discussion about Donations Chair. Jessy felt that each activity took care of its own donations. Worked well when we were trying to get general sponsorships. It was a trial position, most agreed that we just have to be sure that we aren’t asking same places.
Motion to remove Donations Chair. Passed.
Crosswalk Safety
Jessy said it came up in the Oldham County Schools Community Council meeting, the safety of crossing 1793. Other schools had same concerns about student safety crossing roads in the high volume traffic. Superintendent Schultz recommended contacting Sen. Ernie Harris who is on the Transportation Committee for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Discussion about letting parents know how to reach Sen. Harris, maybe put an article in PTA newsletter.
Discussion of requests to improve North campus. Ms. Hackmiller commented:
Sidewalk parallel to 1793 that connects to front porch of HES
Caution on 42 at back driveway.
Crosswalks to Longwood neighborhood
Also discussion of putting a light in at the high school on 1793 so sidewalks could be added to the Longwood side of the road to direct walkers to the light and crosswalk.
To address the issue of crossing guards (high school staff are doing this but not supposed to) then contact Oldham County Sheriff Steve Sparrow.
Agreement from all members that HES does a terrific job at running carpool line in the morning. Keeping it safe and keeping it moving.
Treasurer’s Report, Holly Wood
- 2018-2019 Harmony PTA Budget _January
- PTA has funded additional $7,000 for education enhancement /technology. Overall more than $18,000 has been donated to HES from PTA, which includes funds rolled over from last year.
- Teacher events have raised more than $12,000 this year. Budget was $11,000.
- Kendra obtained an additional grant from Meijer.
- $3,049 additional profit from auction. Need approval to add this to budget and then disperse to technology fund. Motion made to approve additional funds. Approved.
- 90 devices (chromebooks or ipads) between 4th and 5th grade. Goal is about 125.
- Teacher events are also funding chromebooks.
- Gaming license – won’t let that lapse this year. Being renewed by end of this month.
- Boxtops doing great. $923 so far this year.
- Coupon books closed above budget. Next meeting will have numbers for approval
- Motion to approve budget made. Approved
Committee Reports
- Father/Daughter Dance. Feb. 8, 6:30 to 9:00. Olive Garden dinner. Asking for additional items: drinks, desserts, paper products. Tickets are $20 which covers food, DJ, photo booth, Interstate Studio photo is $5. Sign up went out for volunteer workers and volunteers to donate.
- Beautification – Kendra Wiegand. Proposed School Garden in the area of the kindergarten windows. Square-foot gardening plan. Two ideas on how to build boxes presented by Kendra. Seeking feedback.
Open discussion
Teacher appreciation on Feb. 13.
Question if donated desserts for fundraising events should be homemade or purchased. Sue Hackmiller said either is ok. All gets eaten.
Next meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 9 a.m. in cafeteria