Were you totally overwhelmed at this jam packed back to school week? Were you stuck at soccer practice? Did you not realize that there was a PTA meeting tonight and are so bummed that you missed it?
It's cool. I gotcha ;)
(warning: it was a long one. to attend, to type, to read... brace yourselves! lol)
Meeting called to order by president Paula Nathan at 6:09pm.
Slide show of various Emerson events by Kryssie Booth. (it was rad. i'm biased. cuz it's me. side note: didn't realize the word d*mn is in the song I'm Yours [even though i sing it all the time] until I put it in my slideshow at a PTA meeting. sorry.)
Rehearsals are held either in the morning or afternoon, outside of school time and typically last 45 minutes to 1 hour. Costs are still being figured out but will stand somewhere between $65-$75 for choir and $95-$115 for instrumental instruction. The Jazz Angels do have limited grants available, there is an application process and decisions regarding recipients will be made by the Jazz Angels Board of Directors.
Welcome to the new members. An outline of the organization is given. PTA is not a fundraising organization, rather it is an advocacy organization that advocates for children’s rights at every level. Important programs have been instituted throughout education’s history thanks to the PTA. We try to increase numbers to act as a collective whole, it gives us a powerful voice when it comes to our advocacy efforts. At the unit level, we provide and support programs that benefit children and help to provide a well rounded educational experience.
5th grade speakers from last year’s promoting class fondly recalled program after program that was offered and or supported by the PTA. Moved by that, we are trying to add more activities and community building events. The PTA has specific rules and guidelines at the unit, council, district, state, and national levels that must be observed in order to maintain our charitable trust status. It is unable to directly pay teacher or staff salaries like a foundation can. Emerson PTA will continue to work with and support the efforts of Emerson Foundation to provide the best educational experience possible for our children.
Nominations were made to fill vacant board positions after the election process concluded last year. They included: Kelle Erwin for VP of Fundraising, Paula Barrow for VP of Membership, Yvonne Santos for Corresponding Secretary, Felice Sparks for Parliamentarian, and Peggy Walker for Hospitality.
President, Mrs. Paula Nathan. Mother to 5th grader that has attended special day classes at Emerson since Kindergarten. This is her last year at Emerson.
Executive Vice President, Mrs. Cynthia Antonette. 2nd grader and a daughter that graduated from Emerson last year and has started middle school. Was the former treasurer for two years.
VP of Fundraising, Mrs. Kelle Erwin. Has a 3rd grader and a 10th grader at St. John Bosco.
VP of Activities, Mrs. Stacie Cardena. Has two girls at Emerson
VP Teacher Liaison, Mrs. Pam Harmon. Has a 1st grader and a 9th grader at Milikan.
Treasurer, Mrs. Jeanna Luzzi. New to Emerson, kindergartener in Mrs. Sees class.
Financial Secretary, Mrs. Tamara Burke. Has 1st grader at Emerson, a just graduated from Emerson son who is in middle school and a 3 year old who will attend Emerson in the future. Total expected years at Emerson = 14!
Recording Secretary, Mrs. Kryssie Booth. 2nd grader in Ms. Norko’s class.
Parliamentarian, Ms. Felice Sparks, was not present at the meeting but has a 2nd grader at Emerson.
Hospitality, Mrs. Peggy Walker. 5th grader and 8th grader
Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Yvonne Santos, has a 3rd grader.
Auditor, Mr. Rene Justin, was not present at the meeting but has a 2nd grader at Emerson.
VP of Membership, Mrs. Paula Barrow and Membership Chair, Mrs. Erin Moland have tallied more than 340 memberships already. Past membership expires in October, please renew. Emerson was one of 3 schools in the council to receive a 100% membership award last year. Membership does not require attendance, it is a show of support for the things that the PTA organization advocates for and provide to the students at our school. For membership questions, please email membership@emersonpta.com
The ME projects will be as follows:
09/14 Drum Circle
10/12 Hip Hop Dancing
11/09 Aquarium on wheels
12/14 Chalk murals and chalk artists
01/11 Mad Scientist science experiments
02/08 Sculpting with different mediums (marshmallows, play dough, etc.)
03/08 Two parts. Week 1 ceramic creating. Week 2 painting projects after they have been fired
04/12 Animal Encounter
05/10 Mobile Planetarium
Mrs Kerns would like volunteers to attend and report on various district forums and committees. It is a great opportunity to get involved and will give a grander picture on the situation we find ourselves in at the school and district level. For each committee/forum there are approximately 6 meetings a year and they typically last an hour and most are held at the Board Building. Please contact Mrs. Kerns if you are interested in becoming involved this way, your time is truly appreciated.
This Wednesday’s packet will include the first of “Waldo’s Words” and principal to parent communication letter that will come home at least once a month that talks about the goings on of the school. This week’s Waldo’s Words will have the new bell schedule on the back.
Back to School night is this Thursday, 09/13. It is a chance for parents to meet their children’s teacher. You are encouraged to attend this event without your child, they will get the opportunity to show you what they have worked on at Open House in the Spring.
Traffic safety is an issue. Due to our increase in enrollment (approximately 720 students), please allow extra time to find parking and walking children to the school. Please DO NOT drop children off in the center of the street. If you would like to drop off, utilize the coned off valet area in front of the school on Josie Ave. We will look into having volunteers help to streamline the valet process and will also look into potentially setting up an additional valet on the small, one way, inner section of Willow.
We have a new secretary in the office. She has been working very hard to bring the website/calendar/roster up to date, the office appreciates the patience of parents as they continue their efforts.
The grassy area will only be available for lunch picnics on Fridays. Blankets or sheets should be sent with your student if they would like to picnic on the grass. The cafeteria is also now open for students to have their lunches there.
The staff parking lot should be reserved for staff during school hours.
Back to school bash will be Friday, 09/21 from 4pm-9pm (or at the conclusion of the movie). There will be booths by Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, the Emerson Market, and the Bee Authentic Fundraiser. The featured movie, “The Lorax” will begin approximately at 7:15, around sunset. Bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the movie on the grass with your old and new Emerson Friends. Please be mindful of picking up the trash around you.
Reflections Art Program has begun. It is a national program sponsored by the PTA. Entries in any of the following categories will be accepted by October 19, 2012: Film Production, Visual Art, Photography, Literature, Dance Choreography and Music Composition. The 2012 Reflections theme is “The Magic of a Moment”.
Family dinner nights will begin with Panda Express on September 26, 2012. The fundraiser will run from 10am-10pm. Please refer to the flyer that was sent home in your Back to School Packet.
Tuesday Recycling started today, 09/11. Our first day we made over $100. Volunteers are ALWAYS needed. It is not a glamourous job but Emerson raised $1500 last year doing something good for the environment. We collect #1 plastic bottles (please rinse and remove caps), aluminum cans, and foil juice pouches. Consider gathering the aluminum cans and plastic bottles at your weekend sporting events.
Fresh and Easy Shop for Schools program kicks off tomorrow 09/12 and will run though 12/31. Receipt totals need to exceed $20 after discounts and coupons. Receipts can be turned in and Emerson will receive $1 for every increment of $20 on a single receipt.
School Cents at the Center Malls (Stonewood Center Mall in Downey, Lakewood Center Mall and Los Cerritos Center) begins Saturday 09/15. Turn in original receipts (they can be returned to you if you choose) from any of the stores on the mall property (including Costco, Costco gas and all establishments on “Restaurant Row”, the stores on Candlewood between Clark and Lakewood) and Emerson will receive points. 100 local schools participate in the program that ends on May 15, 2013. Based on the amount of points we collect, we will receive a portion of $50,000. Last year we were 8th out of 100 and received $954. Please visit shoppingpartnership.com and sign up to receive communication from the program (less than 1 email per month) and Emerson will receive 1,000 points for each email signed up.
6:00pm in the Auditorium.
Oh my goodness... that was a crazy long meeting. Come next time, it won't be this long! ;)
and if there are typos, my bad. lemme know and I'll edit. It's late.
