Parent Advisory Committee Review

Parent Advisory Committee

Review from 2/5/13 Meeting

The first thing I’d like to say is Kudos to The Lobbestael PTC for all their hard work and commitment to supporting the children, teachers and parents of Lobbestael.  I spoke with a mom from another school’s PTC at the meeting last night and they have only 2-3 people attend their meetings and have a lack of parent involvement.  So, hat’s off to all of you for your dedication!

Title 1 (31A Funds)

-          Title 1 is a federal education supplemental resource (student specific) which is allocated per school based on need of reduced/low income.  The goal is to provide additional funds to schools/children to assist in funding for such things as: additional teachers, parent involvement plans, staff development, early interventions programs, materials (ipads/technology) and paraprofessionals.

-          To receive funds, each school must provide a plan to incorporate and have it reviewed annually. 

-          Lobbestael is not a Title 1 school

-          Within the last 5 years Lanse Creuse ‘Free/Reduced’ or low income has increased from 18% to 35%.

Review of previous meeting’s Foundations vs. Bridges

-          See attached two documents.  There are five advisory committee’s (Parent, Student, Teacher, support services and community feedback) that participated in identifying strengths and weaknesses within the district.  By reviewing you can see the commonalities across the board.

-          Top Strength/foundations are found in the middle color coded block for the Parent Advisory Group.

o   Top Strength varied but included facilities buses, parent portal, great teachers, quality programs etc.

-          Top weakness/bridge can be found in the 2^nd page which is also color coded for the Parent Advisory Group.

o   Top Weakness was class size.

§  The group had a long discussion on this issue. The district knows this is a problem but it is not easily fixed.  For example, average class size is 35 students by taking one child out of each class would incur approx.. $350k in additional funding, by taking 5 children (which is really what we would need) the additional funding raises to approx.. 1.7 million.  The district is losing funds constantly due to various laws and proposals being passed (proposal 1 stopped ability to hire new teachers, cannot use millage for it, required money to go to technology etc.).

Budget Talk (the next meeting is all about Budget, this was a small portion and was discussed due to our discussions of district weaknesses)

-          District receives $7,398 per child

-          Last year the largest revenue loss was due to the district losing 238 children of these 117 children lost in the K-12 and the remainder in the Alternative School.  It was explained that the alternative schools enrollment requirements were not strict enough and after reviewing the successfulness of these students the district has updated their Alternative School enrollment requirements to avoid issues like this in the future.

Curriculum Changes

-          The new Common Core Curriculum is being followed by almost all states.  First to be implemented will be English and Math followed by Science and Social Studies.

-          The goal of this new curriculum is to simplify the curriculum overall.  This allows less requirements so teachers can get in depth on more important topics.  Issues rose in the past because there were so many requirements; teachers were not able to dive into subjects like they needed. 

-          Other top rated countries utilizing common core include Finland and New Zealand

-          Next year will be the last MEEPS testing and will be replaced with Smarter Balance Testing.  Go to www.smarterbalance.org to learn more about it.  It is very different, what is tested, how it’s tested etc.

-          New curriculum and testing will be a challenge but they are cautiously optimistic

-          Mrs. Polega, please give us an update on how the pilot programs in Lobbestael are doing.

AP vs. Duel Enrollment Classes

-          At the high school level parents are frustrated in knowing how to advise their own children whether they should take AP or Duel Enrollment classes because of colleges not accepting credits. 

A college night will be held on April 18^th at 6:30pm in the Pankow Center.  There will be 100 colleges represented.  This will be a great forum for any high school student to learn more about this.

Food and Nutrition – Tanya Nofs

-          This took the discussion back to a unanimous weakness of longer elementary lunches.  One of the main causes of these short lunches which include recess is due to the union contracts which allow teachers 30 minute lunches which translate to the children getting 30 minutes.  Obviously the younger children need more assistance getting food, opening containers etc. and by the time this happens their 10 minutes are up.  A main concern is that we are not teaching our children to have a positive relationship with food.

-          Again, this is a challenge and there are no easy answers, by extending lunches etc. would mean pulling time from other required programs and/or extending the school day which directly impacts the need for additional buses etc.

-          It was stated, it is much better for the students to have Recess first than lunch but classes need to rotate through the cafeteria which requires some to eat first than recess.

-          Ms. Nofs discussed the changes in federal requirements implemented via the current administration.  These requirements do not fit the true nutritional needs of students. 

-          If anyone would like more information regarding this, I can get more data for you.

Superintendent CHALLENGE

-          It’s easy to complain and to point out issues, bridges etc.  She is challenging us to help turn district talk from negative to positive.  Check out the Facebook Page and see positive stories.  Get the word out to other parents to start talking in the community about the positives going on in the district, approx. 35% of the community has children in school so the only way to get the word out to those not directly impacted is to talk up how great we are!

Parent CHALLENGE

-          Teachers need more recognition.  Currently, many budget changes, curriculum changes and many other challenges can cause moral to decrease.  It was suggested that we do our best to send a note or do something to show them they make a difference…even as a simple verbal thanks.

o   Suggestion – when the PTC puts on the teacher appreciation lunch…prior, send out note to parents asking to write a story or a thank you to a particular teacher/support staff etc. which would be distributed at this time.  These messages could also be posted on the district FB page.  

To print this collection form, left click on the photo above. Then right click on the photo and select print picture.

Box Tops Sheet

To print this form 1) left click on the form above 2) right click and select print picture.
Hard copies Box Top Collection forms can be found on the PTC bulletin board at Lobbestael.

Check Request Form

To print form left click on the form above. Then right click and select print picture.

PTC Request Form

Have a new idea for our PTC to fund / plan / host? We would love to hear from you. If you have a new idea or want to keep a traditional favorite please see below.

1) Complete the Request Form (below)

2) Submit form to the PTC President, Dace Day, or email info to lobbestaelptc@gmail.com

3) Attend the next PTC meeting to discuss the proposal, answer questions from the PTC members and vote as a PTC group on the proposal.

4) If approved, the event will be put on the agenda for the next meeting and planning can begin.

To print this form, step 1) left click on it, step 2) right click on it and select print picture.
A hard copy of this form can be picked up at Lobbestael in the main office.
Please use this form as a guideline when presenting ideas at upcoming meetings. 

February Meeting Agenda

PARENT –TEACHER CLUB

LOBBESTAEL ELEMENTARY

PTC MEETING AGENDA

February 13, 2013 @ 6:30pm

1. Welcome & Introductions: Susan Silich

2. Norms: Susan Silich

1) Begin the meeting on time

2) Please turn off cell phones

3) Be respectful

4) One speaker at a time

5) Stay on topic

6) Discussions shall be limited to the set agenda

7) Motions will be made and seconded

8) Majority vote passes motion

3. Mission Statement: Susan Silich

The Parent Teacher Club’s agenda is to lend support, both moral and financial, to cooperate 

with the teachers, the administration and the community to promote a positive 

attitude towards learning and education.

4. Secretary Minutes: Jenica Tremberth

5. Treasury Report & Budget Meeting Follow Up: Dace Day

6. Principal Report: Ms. Polega

7. Parent Advisory Committee: Kelli W.

8. Old Business

                 a) Restaurant Night (follow-up) – Lisa L. &Louise L.

                             Fri, Feb, 15th– Bath City Bistro

                                      Tues., March 12^th – McDonald’s

                                      Wed., April 3^rd – Stevie B’s

                                      May - TBD

                 b) Box Tops & Campbell Labels – Tammy F.

                 c) Ice Skate Event (follow-up) – Jennifer H.

                 d) Kindergarten Round Up (follow-up) – Susan S.

                 e) Spring Conference suggestion box (Thurs, 3.21.13) – Dace D.

                 f) Scholastic book fair (Thurs, 3.21.13) – Kristen W.

                 g) Bake Sale – (Thurs, 3.21.13) Ann U.

                 h) Basket Raffle (Thurs, 3.21.13) – Jenica T.

                 i) Golf Event / End of year celebration (tent. Tues, 6.4.13) – Jennifer

                 j) Roller Skating Party (Fri, 4.26.13) – Lisa L. & Dace D.

                 h) Swim night (Fri, 3.8.13) - Tiffany

9. New Business

        a) Main Fundraiser for 2013-2014 school years

        b) PALS week (Parents Appreciate Lobbestael staff)

        c) Event/Budget Form

10. New Budget requests

        a) Flower of the Month Fundraiser - Kelli

        b) 5^th Grade Field Trip – Mr. O

        c) Science Olympiad – Earl Fuller

        d) Razz Kids
 e      e) Harriet Tubman Presentation 

11. Open Topic forum

12. Agenda Items

13. Adjournment

        Next meeting is March 13, 2013 @ 6:30pm

January Meeting Mintues

Lobbestael Elementary

Parent Teacher Club

Meeting Minutes

January 9, 2013 @ 6:30pm

Attendance (11): Jenica T., Tammy F., Dace D., B. Polega, Kris D., Lisa L., Amy L., 

Susan S., Jodi P., Jennifer H., S. Thieme

1. /2. Welcome, Introductions, and Norms: Susan S.

·         Begin meeting on time.

·         Turn off cell phones.

·         Be respectful.

·         One person speaks at a time.

·         Stay on topic.

·         Stick to the agenda.

·         Motions will be made and seconded.

·         Majority vote passes motion.

3. Mission Statement: Susan S.

The Parent Teacher Club’s agenda is to lend support, both moral and financial, 

to cooperate with teachers, the administration and community to promote 

positive attitudes towards learning and education.

4. Secretary Minutes: Jenica T.

Motion to accept minutes as presented w/ the correction to the Kdg. Journal 

amount, $72.05: 1^st Dace and 2^nd Jennifer. Motion passed unanimously.

5. Treasury Report: Dace D.

Motion to accept budget as presented: 1^st Kris and 2^nd Jenica. Motion passed 

unanimously.

6. Principal Report: Ms. Polega

a) This month is ‘Board Appreciation Month’.

b) Kindergarten Round Up is Feb. 6^th at the JAPAC Center. The district is 

sending out information, waiver and registration for the new laws regarding 

date-of-birth and enrollment eligibility.

c) Lobbestael had been selected to be a pilot school for a higher level of security.

 A person was placed at the school entrance to watch the door and greet all 

visitors. SAC had been directed to another door. This pilot test is complete and 

the school is returning to prior procedures. Administration is working on new 

processes addressing security during SACC pick up at the Cafeteria doors. 

Installing a window in the doors as well as placing a camera and monitor 

has been discussed.

d) Lobbestael welcomed 5 new students, our new total is 449 

(preschool thru 5^th grade) 4 - 5^th graders and 1 - 4^th grader. 4 new families.

7. Parent Advisory Committee: Kelli W. (Kelli W.)

Committee did not meet, no report.

8. Old Business

Restaurant Night Lisa L., Louise L., Ann U.

·         Chuck E Cheese (Wed, 1.16.13) – The  Chuck E. Mouse is 

visiting 1.16.13 @ 2:45pm

·         Bath City Bistro (Fri, 2.1513) – Asking for 10% of sales all day

·         McDonald’s(Tues, 3.12.13)or Stevi B’s.

·         Stevie B’s (Wed, 4.3.13)

·         May (TBD)

Box Tops & Campbell Labels – Tammy F.

·         1,400 labels were recently counted! (Thank you!)

·         Last Sunday’s paper has a bonus sheet for labels, please check 

this out.

·         BOX TOPs will be sent in next week to ensure money will be 

included in the April 15th check.

Ice Skate Event (Sat. 1.12.13 @ 3:30-5pm) Jennifer H.

·         RSVP is at 120 people, planning for 150.

·         A couple volunteers are needed for the door, to collect $1 and 

give entrance sticker.

10. New Business

Kindergarten Round Up (Wed. 2.6.13)

·         PTC to include a flyer in the packet.

Spring Conference Idea Box (Thurs, 3.21.13) Dace D.

·         Encourage brainstorming and new ideas from parents and students

·         Try to recruit more people to visit the blog and sign-up for emails 

from the PTC

Bake Sale (Thurs, 3.21.13) Ann U.

·      Verify with Ann if Heather M. intends to co-chair the spring event.

Book Fair (Thurs, 3.21.13) Kristen W.

·         Verify with Kristen if Erin P. is still interested in helping out again.

Basket Raffle (Thurs, 3.21.13) Jenica T. & Amy L.

·         A raffle license will need to be purchased. Dace to work with 

Ms. Polega on this.

·         Each basket must be under $500 in value.

·         Ticket prices as follows: $1=1 ticket, $5=6 tickets, $10=13 tickets, 

$20=25 tickets

11. Budget Requests

Roller Skating Party – Lisa L. & Dace D.

·         Pricing secured at $2.75 per skater at Great Skate, 100 skater 

minimum up to 500.

·         A motion was made to accept the request and provide $650.00 

to cover the event (amount based on previous attendance and 

current enrollment) 1^st by Lisa L., 2^nd by Kris. Motion was passed 

unanimously.

Golf Event – Jennifer H.

·      One Putt Portable Putting Course based in Mt. Pleasant.

·      Rent an 9 Hole course for 8 hours for $800 (black light $900)

·      If 2 parents agree to help set up company will discount cost $50. 

$750 ($850 for black light option)

·      Group discussed possibility of combining this event with other 

games/activities and making it into end of year celebration. 

Possibly serving hot dogs and ice cream.

12. Open Topic Forum

No topics were brought to the table.

13. Agenda Items

Old Business/Follow-Up: Restaurant Night, Box Tops, Swim Night, 

Spring Conf. Idea box, book sale, bake sale, basket raffle, roller skating, 

golf event/celebration

New Business: PALS week, Razz kids

14. Adjournment – 8:00pm

PTC Meeting (2.13.13), 6:30pm in the media room