MINUTES
Northern Heights Elementary PTA
General Membership Meeting
September 15, 2015
Opening of General Meeting - Co-President Lisa Bates
Lisa called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. PTA Board Members introduced themselves and welcomed
those in attendance.
Notice of this meeting was sent home in backpacks, posted on the school reader board, posted the
Northern Heights PTA Facebook page, included in the printed “Paw Print” newsletter and sent by email.
In Attendance
Melissa Melsa, Laura Hinds, Pam Pottle, Hale Hanaway, Teresa Bowers, Julie Zurcher, Robert McCoud,
Roxanne McCloud, Liz DeVries, Tarra Hollins, Jayna Ericson, Jeanne Gaffney, Barbara Fisher, Lisa
Bates, Kylie Fleming, Annique Quinn, Melissa Yuryevich, Meredith Mitchell, Marilee McKnight, Jen Aune,
Sjana MacSwan, Angie Roetz, Jennifer Hebert, Celina Tate, Lynnsey Heaton, Krissy Norton, Karen
Buckner, Jenn Tuininga, Brad Tuininga, Tabithah Schwandt, Toni Ladner. A Quorum was present.
Minutes & Approval of Board Members
The minutes from the May 15, 2015 General Meeting were approved as presented. Motioned by Krissy
Norton and second by Annique Quinn.
Since there was no nomination for President when the slate of Board Members was voted in at the May,
2015 meeting, Lisa presented an updated slate of officers which was approved. Motioned by Meredith
Mitchell, second by Liz Devries.
Operation Recess - Hale Hanaway, Assistant Principal and 3-5 PE Teacher
Assistant Principal Hanaway shared his experiences with the PlayWorks program at Silver Beach
Elementary and his implementation plan at Northern Heights.
 PlayWorks is based on safe play, inclusive play, healthy play, and respectful interaction. It is a
district wide program and implementation decisions are made locally.
 He described the “All Gather” - a whistle-initiated way to quickly group the kids in case of
emergency and deliver recess-related messages.
 In the coming year, there will be some zones established on the playground (i.e. football,
dodgeball, soccer); these may change throughout the year.
 He and Pam will be soliciting student input regarding changes to recess and they will be
developing signage and clearly posted rules of core games (four square, bump, soccer) so all
students have shared understanding.
 Mr. Hanaway invited parents to volunteer during recess to support kids, encourage healthy play
and help referee games. Mr. Hanaway answered parent questions.
Treasurer Update – Meredith Mitchell
Treasurer Report: As of August 31, 2015: Main Checking: $13,417.38 Savings $14,224.15 SCRIP
Checking: $503.55 Total $28,145.08
Co-Treasurer Meredith Mitchell presented the Treasurer’s Report for the period July 1, 2015 - August 31,
2015. She provided an overview of income including fundraisers such as the Husky Run and box top
program and expenses which currently consist primarily of the up-front purchase of SCRIP cards.
SCRIP Update – Annique Quinn
Annique provided an overview of the SCRIP program, the second largest fundraiser of the year. Last year
we raised about $6,000. Would like to encourage more participation and standing orders. Holiday order
forms include many additional businesses and will be sent home in November or December. Annique is
also the PTA Co-Treasurer and Past President Jacey Wheeler asked for another parent to consider
assisting with coordinating the SCRIP program or we may have to discontinue this fundraiser in the future.
Husky Run Update – Jacey Wheeler
 Husky Run Co-Chair Jacey Wheeler provided an overview of the event taking place on Friday
September 15. This is our largest fundraiser of the year; last year we brought in $25,000.
 We need volunteers, especially to count laps, please send in the volunteer forms sent home
in student back packs.
 All kids will get a t-shirt this year, thanks to generous sponsors. Size request form needs to be
turned in by Sept. 15.
 Jacey thanked the Husky Run sponsors, many are businesses owned or operated by
Northern Heights parents including Schmidt Orthodontics, Optometric Physicians NW,
Architectural Elements, Stella & Dot, Samson Rope, Barkley Company and Jr. Fit.
Enrichment - Laura Hinds
 Laura shared that Enrichment is relatively new at Northern Heights. This is the fourth year of
programming and it’s always a work in progress. She is open to suggestions and would be
interested in having someone else be Enrichment Coordinator.
 Provided an overview of fall programs: Wild Whatcom, Theatre Program (EduArts), Girls on
the Run (YMCA), Creative Dance (EduArts), Jr. Fit (X Fit), Origami (former NH parent),
Martial Arts (Torque Martial Arts), Choir, Creative Theatre, Yoga, Lego Club, Art Club. Will
likely add additional offerings such as Rubik’s Cube Club and Spanish later in the year.
 New website with offerings: http://nhptaenrichment.wix.com/nhpta-enrichment. Eventual goal
is for registration to be available online. Look at PTA rack outside the display case for flyers
(also sent home in backpack).
 Scholarships are available, most programs pro-rate so students can begin late.
 Strives to find a reasonable price point
 Send in registration forms ASAP if you are interested in having your child participate. If you
wait until the program starts it might not run (if minimums not met).
 If you are good with websites, could use a volunteer to help setup PayPal, etc
Membership Report - Barbara Fisher
Barbara introduced the new Member at Large role focused on Membership and Communications
which she will share with her husband Joe Fisher.
 Membership: Reviewed the benefits of membership including a vote on decisions including
the PTA budget and receipt of a school directory. Membership dues are only $10/person or
$18/family and some of those dues go directly to Northern Heights. Last year we had 95 PTA
members. We have 70 at this point and the goal is 120. Emphasized that no volunteer
commitment is required or implied by becoming a member.
 Communication: Minutes will be posted under PTA section of the “For Families” section of the
NHPTA website and in the display case in the school hallway. A new monthly newsletter
called the “Paw Print” will also be sent home in backpacks. Volunteer opportunities will be
shared to email group via Sign Up Genius.
 Sign up to receive PTA emails ([email protected]) and follow us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Northern-Heights-PTA-141437647846/timeline/ .
Box Tops - Sjana MacSwan
 Sjana explained the Box Top program. Box tops are collected twice per year in November
and in the spring. Northern Heights receives .10 per box top. Must be cut out precisely along
the dotted line or they won’t be accepted. Please collect throughout the year and check
expiration dates. There will be a school-wide box tops contest; whichever class gets the most
will earn a party.
Yearbook - Sharon Newbold
Sharon shared that we plan to produce an all-school yearbook again this year in addition to the fifth grade
yearbook. She encouraged parents to volunteer to serve on the committee and to take/submit
photographs. We will be looking for sponsors and other ways to offset the associated costs.
Upcoming Events & Board Updates – Lisa Bates
 Fifth Grade Committee meeting, 7-8 pm, NH Library. Also have a FB page, please join if you have
a 5th grader
 Grades 2/3 Curriculum Night: Sept. 17, 6 pm
 Grade 4 Curriculum Night: Sept. 22, 6 pm
 Pre K/Grade 1 Curriculum Night: Sept 23, 6 pm
 Husky Run: Sept 25, all day
 Picture Day: Oct. 2
 Books and Breakfast: Oct. 16, 7:50 – 8:20am, NH Library. Adults are required to accompany
children, younger siblings are welcome. If you have a reader to recommend, please let Books and
Breakfast Chair Jen Aune know.
Principal’s Update - Pam Pottle
Pam believes in instilling responsibility and helping students to take ownership of decisions, wrong or
right.She is involved and working with children so you child might mention meeting with the principal
but if something major happens related to safety a call home will be made. She shared three key
learnings so far as Principal.
1) Love the families of NH. Especially appreciates safety-mindedness during drop off and pick-up.
2) Love the teachers of NH.
3) Love the kids at NH.
Closing Adjournment
The PTA General Membership meeting was adjourned at 7:36 pm.
Next meeting October 20, 2015, 6:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Gaffney
NHPTA Co-Secretary