Ellis Elementary

The regular monthly meeting, held at the Ellis playground, was opened at approximately 6:20 p.m., by President Ralph Cumberland.

• Welcome to new Humanities Coordinator, Peggy Jurgs. Shirley, the office secretary, has decided to take a position at Lowry. Shirley’s replacement is Malvin Curry. School renovations are almost ready. The school is still looking for a kindergarten teacher, a math coach, and a science coach.

• Importance of PTA is getting families involved, focus on the kids, improve test scores, good nutrition, and getting speakers.

• Prepared a Faculty Survey to pass out to all Ellis staff to find out their needs and what’s working and not working. Also prepared a Parent Survey to determine their needs. Would like PTA to get more families to be involved and think outside the box. Need to ask Irina and Francesca to translate surveys in Spanish and Russian.  Beth will tally surveys.

• Will prepare master calendar for school year so that PTA can coordinate events and meetings without conflicts.

• Back to School Night is August 31, 2006, from 4:30-6:00 pm, followed by a school/community picnic from 6 to 8 pm. There will be lots of hot dogs and other food available. Plus safety programs by fire and police departments.

• Krisana Park Home Tour on September 10, 2006 will raise money for a new stage curtain. (Helen handed out posters for home tour.)

• Talked about the School Partners Program.  The law firm of Holland & Hart has adopted Ellis to assist with supplies, reading to classes, or whatever is needed.  We will be giving them a wish list.  Ellis can also use their building for meetings, parties, etc.  Beth Cumberland suggested Holland & Hart give PTA memberships to all families and/or textbooks for parents to help with homework.

• A grant has been approved for the Lights On After School Program (LOAS). Consists of technology classes for grades 3-5. After completion of classes, each family may get computer.

• 4 Mile Family Resource Center and Lutheran Family Services – wrote grant for second language kids (primary) and adult ESL.

• District is pushing attendance this year. Volunteers are needed to help teachers with attendance and tardiness.

Connie mentioned that all volunteers may need a background check. She will check into this. Maybe police could bring fingerprint tools to Back to School Night so that people can volunteer.

• The PTA Info Sheet prepared by Helen was approved as to wording and format to hand out at registration.

• Helen handed out PTA membership forms. All officers need to join.

Suggested that teachers possibly get room parent for each class.

Budget (Helen Leaver):

• Before budget can be approved, would like to get teacher input on budget items, Community Resources in particular.

• State PTA wants to see local funds budgeted and spent on goals, not kept in bank.

• Ralph and Helen will meet regarding the budget.

• E-books. Helen gave everyone a list of all vendors that will be in E-books. The lists will be given out at Registration.

• Ralph would like to keep budget around parent involvement, kids, and speakers. Ralph thinks PTA should not be supporting Secretaries’ Day. Instead of Staff Appreciation Day, he suggests we should have a Parent-Staff Appreciation Day.

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• Get paver for Molly Kirschling. PTA voted to pay for the paver out of PTA account.

• An Ellis PTA Communications handout was provided.

• Math and literacy fun nights – Khoa will talk to staff and they will handle it.

• Khoa says to get shelves for PTA closet. Ralph will talk to Pat in the office about it.

• Helen brought up the Safeway Program – some of the money earned by early September will be sent to Ellis.

• We’re out of youth t-shirts. Khoa suggested we use up the adult shirts we have – can also use them as gifts or thank yous. Maybe students can have competition to design Ellis shirts.  Consensus was to postpone ordering more shirts at this time.

• Helen also provided a handout on Healthful Celebrations at Schools.

• Next PTA meeting will be September 14, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. We’ll meet on 1^st floor. Khoa will let us know which room. Child care will be in Room 105