Author: Kathy Austin

Bryant PTSA General Meeting Minutes – June

Kathy Austin

Attendees: Amy Shanafelt, Julie Ohrazda, Kim Love, Nelly Goodnoe, Jennifer Mahlum, Whitney Griesbach, Kim Larsen, Kate Speizer, Janie Booth, Shelley Prosise, Jean Charette, Mary-Britt Love, Ann Sonnen, Michelle Ireton, Lauren Abraham, Katie Salisbury, Dan Sanger, Julie Pearson, Same Fogg, Brita Willis, Leeann Huntington, Jen McCormick, Rachel Gleeson, Rachel Projansky, Tammy Shore, Kevin Orr

7:02 Welcome: Amy Shanafelt & Julie Ohrazda

7:07  March General Meeting minutes approved by General Memembership

7:08 Officer Standing Committee Reports

  • Treasurer’s Report : Jennifer Mahlum (7:08 – 7:10) – Blast came in above target.  YE will be presented in Fall.
  • Legislative Chair Report: Shelley Prosise (7:10 – 7:13)  – update on SPS moving to 2 tier bell time for 2017/18.  Sam Fogg gave update on Education funding and budget in the Legislature
  • Bryant Leadership Team: Amy Shanafelt (7:13- 7:14) – mtg postone until June 15 due to waiting for updated budget figures from SPS.
  • Principal’s Report: Dan Sanger (7:14 – 7:17) – Master schedule being re-evaluated

7:17 New Business

  • PTSA Budget 2017-18: Jennifer Mahlum (7:17- 7:20) – motion by Jennifer Malhum, second by Sam Fogg.  Approved by General Membership as presented.
  • PTSA Board Slate 2017-18: Michelle Ireton (7:20- 7:24) – Motion by Michelle Ireton, second by Shelley Prosise. Approved by General Membership as presented.
    Co – President Julie Ohrazda
    Co – President Kim Love
    Vice President Liz Arjun
    Co – Treasurer Nelly Goodnoe
    Co – Treasurer Brita Willis
    Co – Secretary Whitney Griesbach
    Co – Secretary Jen McCormick
  • LASER: Manna Ghandi (7:24 -7:28) – update on mission/ vision; communication plan with Bryant community; hiring practices;

7:35 Volunteer Awards

Golden Acorn
Kevin Gallagher
Amy Shanafelt

Volunteer Extraordinaire
Julie Ohrazda
Samantha Fogg

Unsung Hero
Lauren Abraham
Jessica Belzberg
Kristen Rosen

Special Awards: Fundraising Effort
Annual Campaign – Rachel Gleeson, Kim Larson
Online Auction – Sarah Fox, Sharla Wilson
Bryant Blast – Julie Ohrazda, Ann Sonnen, Hilary Peterman, Kim Love

8:23 Meeting adjourned

Send supportive words & donations to our friends at Sand Point Elementary

Kathy Austin

Card-making and donation station 
7:35-7:55 a.m. Wednesday, June 21
Bryant schoolyard
Accepting donations of Safeway gift cards,
and checks made out to Sand Point Elementary PTA

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard by now about Charleena Lyles’ fatal shooting at her home in Magnuson Park. The Sand Point Elementary (SPE) community is asking for support for their students living at Magnuson Park’s Solid Ground Housing (Brettler), many of whom lived near Charleena’s family and witnessed her violent death as well the traumatic events that followed.

You may have seen a list of supplies circulating to support the SPE community while they recover, and the well-meaning response has the potential to be overwhelming. Chandra Hampson, SPE PTA Community Engagement Chair, is working with the family and the community, and asks that donations of Safeway gift cards and straight monetary donations be made out to Sand Point Elementary PTA so they can determine the best way to support their students and families.

Please join the Bryant community tomorrow, Wednesday, June 21, at morning drop-off to show support for Sand Point Elementary. We’ll be making cards and sending words of love and support. You can also drop off monetary or gift card donations. If you’re unable to join us but would like to help, you can send your donation through kid mail (checks should be made out to Sand Point Elementary PTA) in an envelope marked ‘Bryant PTSA.’

There may also be ways to help support Charleena’s family and community throughout the summer. We’ll keep you posted through the Big List as we get a clearer picture of their needs.

If you’re struggling with ways to help your child deal with community violence, the website Look Through Their Eyes is a thoughtful resource.

Field Day volunteers needed

Kathy Austin

Come join the fun at Bryant Field Day on Friday, June 17th! Volunteers are needed to help with events for K-2nd grade from 8-10 a.m., and 3rd-5th grade from Noon-2 p.m.

If you’re not able to attend Field Day, but would still like to help, we also need families to fill water balloons (provided), donate sidewalk chalk, and loan large plastic tubs.

***Please complete the SPS volunteer requirements if you wish to volunteer for Field Day. Find the volunteer forms and links on-line or pick them up outside the Bryant office. All volunteers receive an email confirmation once they are approved. Questions about volunteer requirements? Please contact Ann Marie Patterson, Volunteer Coordinator.

Please feel free to contact Julie Matz or Erin Johnson for more information or questions regarding Field Day.

Can you make a plant ID chart?

Kathy Austin

We need a volunteer to make a plant identification chart with photographs of plants and weeds in our Learning Landscape. The chart would need to list common invasive weeds in one section and native plants that need to stay in our Learning Landscape in another section.

Having this chart would make it easier for classes to come out into the Learning Landscape, and for volunteers who would like to work in the Learning Landscape on their own schedule but want clarity about what can stay and what should go.

If this volunteer opportunity is of interest to you please contact Sam Fogg and Pamela Kuhtz.

Three ways to help garden at Bryant

Kathy Austin

Contact Sam Fogg or Pamela Kuhtz  for information about how to help with Bryant’s Gardening programs.

Weeding Volunteers Needed

Did you know that the Learning Landscape is maintained by parent volunteers? The school district mows the lawn and occasionally will prune larger trees, but all weeding and managing of the grounds is done by volunteers! Please, help us keep our Learning Landscape. Just dig in and start weeding, or come to a Fun Family Gardening meeting on Fridays after drop off.

Join us for Fun Family Gardening!

Every Friday after drop off, meet in the Hands on Garden for organized group gardening. Help us keep the Learning Landscape ready for students! No experience required and younger siblings are welcome.

If there is a rainy day dropoff, we will not meet that week.

Classroom Garden Volunteers Needed!

We’re looking for volunteers who are able to help garden with classes during the school day. Please let us know if you’d be willing to help out! Contact Sam Fogg at samantha.fogg@gmail.com or Pamela Kuhtz at pamela@kuhtz.eu

Blood Drive at the Blast, May 13

Kathy Austin

Bryant’s 4th graders encourage eligible people in our community to sign up for our Blood Drive. Our goal is to reach 45 donations so we can give life-saving blood donations to our community! On May 13, the day of the Bryant Blast, we welcome participants to donate a pint of blood in the Bryant Library any time from 11 am to 5 pm (closed for staff lunch between 1 and 2 pm).

Our 4th graders have composed persuasive, heartfelt letters, posted on the Bryant Library website.

Sign up and make your donation appointment ahead of time.

Questions about eligibility? Visit the Bloodworks Northwest website. Other questions? Contact Anne Aliverti.

Bryant PTSA Board Meeting Minutes – April *DRAFT

Kathy Austin

Approved Feb Board Meeting Minutes

Treasurer

  • Online Auction raised $27,000
  • Update on budgeting proces

Bryant Leadership Team

  • Budget
  • Staffing

Principal Report

  • Funding was restored for:
    • for two teachers
    • Fulltime librarian
    • Vice Principles
  • Still at risk of not be able to fund
    • Math specialist
    • 2 teachers
  • Great that we’re coming out of the dark but this does not mean our budget crisis is resolved. Our work is not done and we need to continue to push for state funding of public education.
  • Expecting an update on enrollment numbers in June which may add more funding

Special committee reports

  • Online Auction
    • Original goal was $12,000 we bumped it up to $18,000. Total raised was $27,000.
    • Worked well to split the workload between 5 or 6 people
    • Suggestions for next year to form the committee May/June
  • Bryant Blast
    • All key volunteers have been recruited
    • No theme, no t-shirts, no crazy hats
    • Blood drive: sign-up @ BryantSchoolLIbrary.org. Donate get free entry!
  • Nominating Committee Open Positions
    • Vice President
    • Co-Secretary
    • Co-fundraiser
    • Co-volunteer coordinator
  • Laser Member Chad Barnes
    • Board is in Mission/Vision statement process
    • Moving towards a paperless systems for parents night out, camps,
    • Sign-up for Laser will be online, look for info in May
    • Still availability in Spring Break and Summer Camps

New Business

  • Ms. Salisbury asked for an additional to fund 4th grade class fieldtrip to the Zoo $650 – Approved
  • Nelly asked for $63 to support 5th grade Book-it – Approved

Bryant PTSA General Meeting Minutes – March

Kathy Austin

Minutes approved

Treasurer report – no new business (Jennifer Mahlum)

  • Mid-year financial review – we were found in compliance

Legislative Report – Update on Levy cliff (Shelley Prosise & Jean Charrette)

Principals report (Dan Sanger)

  • Low enrollment is having a significant impact Bryant’s funding and as a result the number of teachers and class sizes and new north end schools will continue to draw enrollment away from Bryant
  • Bryant’s approach to differentiated learning has reduced attrition of highly capable students by 75%
  • Critical that we keep the pressure on the state to fund public education

Special Committee Reports (Julie Orhazda)

  • Bryant Blast: May 13th, no special theme, no shirts, Need help with Raffle baskets
  • Bryant Auction: $27,000

Special Order

  • Approved survey monkey vote for additional $150 for Speaker Series (Whitney Criesbach)

New Business

  • Approved Nominating committee: Michelle, Lauren and Jannie
  • Donation for memorial for Jessica Belzberg “Just for kids art fund” Memorial fund to help organize and impact kids and art. Approved motion to donate $250
  • Global Reading request: ask for approval to increase the budget to $125 in the event that additional funds are needed.
  • Call for Budget Committee Members: Looking for volunteers who are interested to know where your money goes (First meeting last week of March)

K-3 Science Night: Weekly experiment for Mar 21

Kathy Austin

Still Plenty of Spots Left for K-3 Science Night – Thursday, March 30

K-3 Science Night is just around the corner, but there are still plenty of spots available. So, don’t be shy young scientists! I know you can’t wait to dazzle us with your experiments and demonstrations. K-3 Science Night will be held on Thursday, March 30, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Bryant gym/cafeteria. The deadline to sign up is Monday, March 27.

This week’s featured demonstration is for all of our young engineers. Here’s an opportunity to build your very own hovercraft using items you probably have around the house. It’s an especially great project for using those weird, round, metallic-looking objects called CDs that your parents may still be holding on to. You can find detailed instructions for building your hovercraft at this great Science Bob website, where you can also find ideas for many other easy and engaging projects.

For more information on K-3 Science Night, or to find links to great resources for experiments, please visit the K-3 Science Night webpage.

Natalya Yudkovsky, K-3 Science Night Organizer

Bryant PTSA Board Meeting Minutes – February

Kathy Austin

February 14, 2017 7:00pm
Bryant Library

Bryant PTSA Speaker Series:
Birds + Bees + Kids, Amy Lang

Welcome and Introductions, Amy Shanafelt & Julie Orhazda

Approve January Meeting Minutes
Approved with changes – need to still update online minutes with Principal instead of president

Officer/Standing Committee Reports

  1. Treasurer’s Report, Jennifer Mahlum & Nelly Goodnoe
    • Nelly sent all teachers a note about how much $ they have left to spend from their annual teacher amount.
    • Still need to receive school district invoice.
    • Not much activity on accounts
    • Amy will schedule mid-year financial review in the next few weeks.
  1. Legislative Report, Shelley Prosise & Jean Charette
    • Reported they sent about 200 cards to our House Representatives – will plan on doing another round of email/ postcard campaign

Special Committee Reports 

  1. Testifying in Olympia, Sam Fogg
    While we were discussing Legislative updates, Sam gave her update on her testimony in Olympia. Went to Olympia to testify in favor of extending the “levy cliff.” HB 1059. Now stuck in committee and does not appear to be coming out in order for Senate to vote. Could mean that Seattle schools will loose a huge source of funding. Bryant stands to loose 2 teaching positions and half a librarians. Very possible our class sizes will increase to 30 students per class
  2. Bryant Leadership Team, Amy Shanafelt
    • Reviewed budget discussions that would impact Bryant.
    • Emphasized that PTSA’s role in tough budget times is to stay true to our mission: provide enrichment opportunities for our kids. We are not here to make up for district shortfalls.
    • PTSA budget will start in March after the building has made its requests of PTSA.

New Business

  1. Opening new bank account for Online store (9:15- 9:20) Nelly Goodnoe
    1. Bryant PTSA needs a separate bank account to take online payments. This helps protect our main bank account from any online fraud.   Nelly motioned, Anne Sonnen seconded. Motion approved.
  2. Temporary Online Store – approve best practices, Nelly Goodnoe
    • Best practices were passed around and reviewed. No one had any objections. Best Practices were adopoted for a temporary online store
  3. Script card donation to Bryant Blast, Michelle Ireton
    • Michelle Ireton explained that PTSA has been carrying $350 in scrip cards from TJ Maxx, Lands End, Michaels, and LL Bean for several years.  Michelle motioned to donate unused scrip cards to the Bryant Auction first and any purchased cards to the Blast. Shelley Proise seconeded.. Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned 9:20