Meeting Agenda – November 2018

Meeting Agenda – November 2018

2018-19 Horace Mann  PTA Meeting Agenda

November 8, 2018

Agenda Item:Purpose:Who:Time:
Welcome and IntroductionsWhat I wish I would have known as a “X” parent.InformationKarla 5 min
Announcements and Good News MinutesReferendum Thank youPTA Membership Thank you (see back of sheet)Yard sign sales (see back of sheet) InformationIdeasKarlaAaron Litzenberg5 min
Teacher RepresentativesFirst Grade Team Science SpecialistInformationQuestionsMs. TennysonMs. BoosMs. RiceMs. Bosch 10 min
PTA  Purpose and GoalsPurpose/Mission/Vision (see back of sheet)Notecards for New Ideas or OpinionsInformationQuestionsIdeasKarla 10 min
Treasurer’s Report(see back of sheet)InformationQuestionsJackie
5 min
Principal’s Report”Our school grew. What is working well? What needs to improve? How can we provide that small community feel?”InformationQuestionsIdeasPrincipal Litwin 10  min
PTA/HM  Committee Updates: (see back of sheet)Box TopsFamily Volunteer ServiceBook FairSilent AuctionRead-a-thonBoo Bash (see handout)InformationQuestionsIdeasCommittee Chairs  10 min
Respond and  review the comments and direct requests from September/October  meeting. (See back of sheet)Specialist FundingSpeaker UpdatesInformationQuestionsIdeasDecisionsNikki 10min
AdjournNikki

Dates of importance:

  • Halloween Candy/Card Collection November 1st-12th
  • Veterans Day Bulletin Board Sharing November 1st-30th
  • Silent Auction Meeting November 20th 6:30 pm
  • Landscape Committee Meeting November 28th 3:15 pm
  • Make It/Take It Night November 30th 6:00 pm
  • Silent Auction Meeting December 10th 6:30 pm

Horace Mann School PTA Membership 2018-19

Alex Kotz and Theron Kotze
Allen Broderius and Deanna Scher
Allison Broughton and Matt Broughton
Allison Litzenberg
Amie Jones and Justin Christy
Amy Kortuem (T)
Amy Scalise and Jeffrey Scalise
Angela House and Ron Burgess
Anna Witt (T)
Anne Commers (T)
Anne Pavlis and Jeremy Pavlis
Avisia Whiteman and David McKoskey
Becca Wittmer and Matt Wittmer
Becky Clifford
Becky Mayer and Pete Mayer
Beth Judeh and Rashed “Leo” Judeh
Brandon Mason and Casey Mason
Brendan Cummins and Karla Cummins
Britt Moore
Carley  Odens and Brian Odens
Catherine Guglielmo and Steve Guglielmo
Cathy Clyde and Nate Clyde
Celeste Kopacek
Cheryl Holt (T)
Colleen Fridlund (T)
Craig Goldman and Kelli Goldman
Dan Riley and Felicity Riley
Daniel Dressler and Ariel Dressler
David Amos and Muria Kruger
David Palm and Shannon Palm
Dawit Orma and Sebiewongel Ayele
Debbie Thompson (T)
Doris Miller
Elissa Tarnofsky (T)
Emily Bedsted and Christopher Bedsted
Emily O’Neill and Brian Hansen
Emily Sevig and Karl Sevig
Jackie Hippen
Jamie Wheeler and Aaron Wheeler
Jen Pettit
Jenny Malek
Jessica Jandric Tickner and Josh Tickner
Jill Mack
Joan Kempffer and Howard Kempffer

Thank you for your support to Horace Mann and the public school system.

Julie Kim and Chucky Kim
Julie Steiner and Jeff Steiner
Karen Vander Sanden and Samuel Goblirsch
Karey Mason and Peter Harris
Kaisa Johnson and Brad Trevis
Katherine Drake and Alex Drake
Kathy Hedin and Jason Hedin

Katie Sexe and Kevin Talbot
Kirsten Andenas Aligada
Laura Baerthel
Laura Vander Wegen and Polly Foss
Lauren Carlson and Ryan Carlson
Laurie Herrmann and Rob Herrmann
Leah Larson
Leslie Huseby and Jake Huseby
Libby Stanton and Matt Stanton
Lisa Destabramlet
Mai Yang
Mariah Tollgaard and Ryan Tollgaard
Marian Saksena Hatch and Robert Hatch
Mariana Tennyson (T)
Mark Lindskoog (T) and Alejandra Lindskoog
Maya Missaghi and Peyman Missaghi
Meagan Foley
Meg Adson
Megan Czarniecki and Mark Czarniecki
Megan Powers and Drew Mons
Megan Press and Shahveer Press
Melanie McMahon and Scott McMahon
Mike Wodtke and Lisa Wodtke
Nancy Boos (T)
Nicole Brush and Guillermo Hernandez
Nikki Mechelke
Olivia LeDee
Paula Benson
Paula Schwartzbauer
Riley Conway and Andrea Conway
Ryan Jensen and Katie Jensen
Sally Zimney and Andy Zimney
Sarah Bosch (T) and Chris Bosch
Sarah Nylander Deming
Stephanie Taggart
Teri Jackson and Jay Jackson
Terri Shefelbine
Therese Junker
Therese Sherman and Richard Foley


HM PR Committee:  Aaron Litzenberg: Horace Mann yard signs are here! Share your HM pride! Signs are $10, with any proceeds donated to HM PTA. If you’d like one, please email allison.litzenberg@gmail.com to arrange payment and easy pick up on the Litzenberg porch. Cash, check, or PayPal to Allison all work. If finances are a barrier, please contact Mr. Litwin. Let’s get these in our yards for tour and enrollment season! Thank you in advance for supporting this HM PR Committee venture!

Horace Mann PTA Purpose:  The purpose of the Horace Mann School Parent Teacher Association is as follows:

  • To support the school mission (see below)
  • To encourage volunteer support from parents and the community
  • To support public education across the nation
  • To act as a fundraising agent of the school
  • To assist parents in developing the necessary skills to raise,educate and protect their children
  • To support and speak on behalf of children at schools, legislative organizations and other government organizations that make decisions affecting children.

Horace Mann School Mission:  To provide a safe, respectful school community that builds upon our tradition of high expectations for all students; nurtures the uniqueness of each child; and ensures that families are connected, informed, and involved.

Vision:  Imagine every student making a year’s growth or more academically, socially, and emotionally.  Imagine every student prepared for the next academic year, middle school, and beyond–learning how to learn and how to create achievement through effort. Imagine a supportive school community united, learning with and from each other, to achieve this vision.

Principal’s Report:  Jim Litwin:

“Our school grew. What is working well? What needs to improve? How can we provide that small community feel?” I will share things that we discuss on our tours for prospective families and seek parent perspective.

Treasurer’s Report:  Jackie Hippen:  Our bank balance decreased by approximately $10,000 from the end of September to the end of October.  We paid $3500 toward music residencies, over $3000 toward classroom supplies/libraries, $900 toward the buddy bench and $2000 toward Readathon supplies & prizes.  Expect a large jump in the balance during the month of November as Readathon donations are deposited. If you are interested in more details of the PTA budget please contact Jackie Hippen directly at  Jackiehippen@yahoo.com

Committee Reports:

Box Top Committee: Heather Clark:

Collections from the end of the 2017-18 school year and early fall have been submitted for a total of $546.40.  We had a great interest from volunteers to assist with preparing the fall submission. All of the volunteers made light work for everyone involved.   We will coordinate another submission prior to the March 1 deadline. If you have questions or would like to volunteer contact Heather Clark, kamr0009@umn.edu

Family Volunteer Service Night:  Terri Schefelbine: Family Volunteer Service Committee

Family Volunteer Service Night is set for Feb. 22, 2019.  At this event Horace Mann families connect with community partners working with different populations in our city while working on service projects.  We have just started planning and welcome all volunteers. Next meeting: Thursday Nov. 29 at 6:30 or contact Terri Shefelbine to get involved.  terrias@usgo.net 612-237-5959

Halloween Candy/Card Collection for Active Duty Military Service Members/Family Volunteer Service:  Karla Lauerman Cummins: Information: For the sixth year, The Family Volunteer Service Committee organizes a Halloween Candy/Card Collection for Active Duty Military Service Members in partnership with The Clark Extended Family.  Bring in any Halloween candy and/or card donations to the HM Main Office between November 1st-12th. Veterans Day is November 11th and this is a great way to have a conversation about citizenship and service.  Requests/Input from attendee’s:  If you would like to help or have any suggestions to improve this activity please email Karla Lauerman Cummins at Karlaraelauerman@hotmail.com  Questions?

Say “Thank You” and Celebrate our Veterans/Family Volunteer Service:  Karla Lauerman Cummins:  Information:  New this year…to celebrate Veteran’s Day, November 11th, we invite all members of the HM community to honor veterans and active duty service personnel (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Peace Corps, etc.) in your family (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) by writing their name on a paper star and hanging the star on the big Thank you sign located outside the main office. This is a great way to have a conversation about citizenship and service while celebrating family. Requests/Input from attendee’s:  If you would like to help or have any suggestions to improve this activity please email Karla Lauerman Cummins at Karlaraelauerman@hotmail.com Questions?

Scholastic Book Fair:  Britt Moore: The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Horace Mann the week of November 12th!  We need volunteers to make this year’s Book Fair a huge success! We have spots on Monday (set up), Tuesday (during the Fair, Thursday (during the Fair), and Friday (the Fair + take-down) to fill. Kids are welcome to help out as well, if you want to plan around your conference times. Even if you can’t volunteer, be sure to visit the Book Fair – with your kids or without! It’s a great way to get a start on holiday shopping, or continue the excitement about reading now that the Read-a-thon is over. Also, don’t forget to bring your Read-a-thon coupon if your child earned one!  Hours are as follows: November 13 (3-8pm), November 15 (3-8pm), or November 16 (8am-1pm). Finally, we are looking for a few new volunteers to take over the management of the Book Fair for the next two years, as our two-year term is up! Please let one of us know if you’re interested – it’s fun and fairly straight-forward.  Britt Moore britt.I.moore@gmail.com , Annie Deneen annie@deneenpottery.com , Christina Connelly christina.connelly@gmail.com  

Sign up here: https://volunteer.scholastic.com/#/experience/login/KhJJfE8xy

Silent Auction:  Karla Lauerman Cummins: The Silent Auction is our largest PTA fundraiser of the year!  Money raised will fund all of the wonderful PTA enrichment programs and activities that benefit our kids:  including vocal music & band instruction, library and classroom library books,grade level enrichment programs and much more!  The Auction is a fun adults only night out which is held every March, featuring appetizers, drinks and many silent and live auction items.  With various planning subcommittees, there are many ways to help!  Please attend a meeting November 20th at 6:30. Questions?  Please contact Anne Pavlis anne.pavlis@comcast.net.  Hope to see you!

Business Partnerships:  Karla Lauerman Cummins:

****Give to the Max Day 2018 is November 15th

Support enrichment programs for our students:  give to the Horace Mann PTA on Give to the Max Day:  Visit https://givemn.org/organization/Pta-Minnesota-Congress-Horace-Mann

ON November 15th!

****Amazon Smile:  Amazon will donate .5% of your purchases to our school.  Logon to [smile.amazon.com]smile.amazon.com  and designate ‘PTA Minnesota Congress 008740 Horace Mann PTA’ as your charity of choice.  When you shop for birthdays or the holidays, Horace Mann will benefit. It’s that easy!

****Company Match

Many employers match charitable contributions.  Check with your employer to see if the Horace Mann PTA could benefit from your company’s matching funds program.

Please remember these easy ways to support our school, and consider forwarding the links and asking friends & family to do the same!

2018 Read-a-thon – Magic of Reading: Alex Kotze and Karie Johnson:

The 2018 Read-a-thon was a HUGE success! Thank you to all those who read and donated to the month long event. Students and teachers got into the fun by decorating classroom doors and student lockers. Students turned in their reading sheets and donations the week of Oct. 29. They even got a visit from the Menchie’s mascot. The total minutes read was over our goal of 600,000 and we received nearly $27,000 in donations/pledges! We had the closing ceremony on Wednesday, November 7 and Mr. Litwin was covered in “Troll Snot” (glitter slime) as his principal challenge. Students should have received their prizes, including book fair coupons, on Wednesday. Students can still turn in calendars and donations and we will work to get the prizes delivered as soon as possible. We will have a net total amount raised for the next meeting but it looks like we made our budget! Please let us know if there are any questions

Ideas generated from prior PTA meetings:

Direct Requests for discussion and action:

-Comprehensive School Calendar with PTA events (more notice) (noted twice)

-School garden needed.

-We want new ideas for fundraising.

-Network with parents-insight and input-speakers.(On the November Agenda)

-Funding for Specialists (On the November Agenda)

Co-President-Nikki Mechelke, mechelke@comcast.net  

Co-President -Karla Lauerman Cummins, karlaraelauerman@hotmail.com

Treasurer-Jackie Hippen, jackiehippen@yahoo.com

Teacher Representative-Amy Kortuem, amy.eide@spps.org

Co-Communications Secretary-Allison Litzenberg, allison.litzenberg@gmail.com

Co-Communications Secretary-Libby Stanton, enstanton@gmail.com

Recording Secretary-Melanie McMahon, melanie.a.mcmahon@gmail.com

Co-Volunteer Coordinator-Katie Sexe, krs5673@yahoo.com

Co-Volunteer Coordinator-Tracy Riekenberg, tracy.riekenberg@gmail.com

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