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Theodore Judah PTA General Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2015
Meeting was called to order at 6:08 p.m.
Welcome and Board Introductions
Rob opened the meeting, welcomed members and introduced the members of the Board.
Secretary Report/Approval of Minutes
Debi provided a brief recap of May meeting and also noted that the hope is that the minutes provide a
good summary of the meeting for attendees, as well as those who weren’t able to attend. The PTA is
working towards greater transparency, including posting both the General Meeting minutes as well as
the Board Meeting minutes on the PTA website.
Coach Kay moved to approve the minutes, Lavell seconded the motion and they were approved by all
members present.
Officer/Committee Reports
President’s Report: Rob noted that he would be providing the updates for Principal Celeste, Susan and
Shannon and made some opening remarks:
Safety moment: We’re trying to foster a component of kindness, through safety. We really can help one
another to assure that all kids are safe. Bike riders should use their lights and reflective gear.
Thought for the day: "You can argue as strongly as you want for your opinion as long as you are equally
vigorous in encouraging others to disagree." Ron McMillan, social scientist.
So far everyone is still excited about the start of the school year. Staff is now set for the year and
extended thanks to those have been flexible and understand for the situation in some classrooms.
School App: This is a wonderful communications tool and we already have 600 plus users and we
welcome feedback on ways to improve.
Point West Rotary awarded TJ a grant for The Exploring Science Center to provide instruction to 1st
through 6th grades and Early Engineers will be providing classes to all kindergarten classes. Additionally
this includes a free family STEM night.
Arts Alive
The working artists program is still going strong and we are seeing a lot relationship between Common
Core and the art lessons, for example the monochromatic art lesson correlates directly to the math
lessons. The professional artists are laying the groundwork for when the parents will be coming into the
classrooms. Additional notes:
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911 Ink has finished the creative writing workshops with 5 and 6 grades and there was definitely
some interesting dialogue during the workshops.
B-Squad Comics is going to be doing classes to build on the skills worked on last year.
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Art docent training will be held on September 29 after drop off or at 5:30.
Art Docent assignments and orientation is slated at end of September to have a seamless transition
from the working artists and the docents stepping into the classrooms in October.
Lessons will be loaded onto the Google Drive.
Science and Garden
The following were the updates from science and garden:
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A new bean trellis has been installed in the Paw Patch Garden over the summer.
Planted some winter crops in the raised beds (3 types of squash, kale, spinach, lettuce, peas, carrots,
beets and radishes).
Worked on the native garden over the summer.
The Garden Work nights went well. We accomplished a lot in the front of the school and in the
Native Garden. Note: maybe if we title the work night School Clean-up or Back to School Readiness
we might get a larger turn out.
Completed a major cleanup in and around the shed to prepare for the beginning of school.
The tree in front of the garden shed has become sick because of the drought; the team is working to
heal it. Mrs. Celeste and team discussed removing some more asphalt from around the perimeter to
help it get more water.
We lost a tree in the kinder-yard due to disease and folks have asked if we are going to replant
anytime soon. With the drought it is not recommend it at this time.
Working on some new signage for the chicken coop, compost, worm bin and garden.
We lost Oreo to natural causes over the summer. We have been offered a replacement chicken (at
no charge) and will start that process after the holiday. Ms. Ly’s class has begun taking care of our
little egg laying friends.
The team is looking forward to working more closely with the staff and is excited to get our new
teachers up to speed on our awesome program.
Emailed our old garden docents to see how many of them will be returning. Team will start working
on getting some new docents the first weeks of school.
The science closet has been reorganized
Mrs. Gambirazio’s class has added eggs to the butterfly pavilion.
The teachers attended a lunch time training where all the lessons were reviewed that relate to the
scientific method.
Principal’s Report: Rob provided the update on Mrs. Celeste’s behalf:
We have had an excellent start to the new school year and are now fully staffed for our teachers in all of
our classrooms. We also welcomed new staff as others have moved on or retired. The following people
are new to our instructional team or who are working in a new capacity:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mai Ly- Early Kinder (formerly Kinder)
Holly Hein- Kinder (formerly 1st grade)
Vanessa Rule- new first grade teacher, room 11
Jennifer Ryerson, excellent long term sub for Mrs. Gonsalves who is out on leave
Laura Pearson, excellent long term sub for Mrs. Brown, who will return after Thanksgiving Break
Jennifer Gravvat- new second grade teacher, room 9
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7.
8.
9.
10.
Claudia Wong- new second grade teacher, room 18
Randy Kennicutt, new 4th grade teacher, room 22
Tony Duke, new 4th grade teacher, room 23
Jed Brewer, moved to 5th grade to join team with Sandra Gambirazio. Mr. Brewer is in room 27, the
temporary portable. He was formerly in 2nd grade.
Thanks were extended to everyone for their patience as we worked to build our team and to address
our staffing changes and needs systematically. We are excited for a great year.
Test Scores: There are some early reports coming out about the new test scores and state-wide testing
system. This is the base line year, and Judah came out with a very strong start comparatively districtwide, and recognized staff for their hard work to prepare our students for this significant change. There
is much more measure to a school’s success in working children than simple test scores. Work is being
done to analyze these scores as an instructional team and to use it as a data point, along with our other
achievement information in the classroom, to guide our work with our students and families. More will
be presented at our next meeting.
New Building: Moving along with plans and will keep the community updated.
Goals for the 2015-16
Rob reported that the Board has been working on defining goals for this year and outlined the priorities
adopted by the Board.
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


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Maximize vendor contracts
- Awareness
- Determine duplication of efforts
Continue to support and share best practices amongst programs
 Art
 Music
 Garden
 Theater
Prioritize strengths and sustainability of our core/supplemental programs
- Establish vision statement
- Establish mission statement
Increase transparency
- e.g. post agenda and minutes to website 10 days in advance of meetings
- Decision matrix – so when we come out with an announcement on how money is being spent it
will be clear how that determination was made
Support positive, safe school culture and climate
The PTA Board will model the behavior that we expect from our students
Revise by-laws and Board roles and responsibilities. We will be updating the bylaws this year and
one of the changes will be to change the historian position to the Vice President of Volunteerism to
emphasize that role and to ensure we are recognizing everyone who contributes time and money.
Increase awareness of TJ with key stakeholders via print and technology
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Treasurer’s Report: Lavell will give his report under new business.
Communications Report: Pettit talked about the goal of providing timely, consistent information on
events and to also show the membership where their money is going, be able to share stories and
provide update on the construction. We will use different modes of communication, including
newsletters, marque, Inside East Sac, through new media (texts and the app), updates on the website
and through social media. Moving forward as you are on social media use the hashtag #welovejudah to
show community support.
Events Report: Paige provided an update on events.
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Taste and Toast is this weekend and there is still time to get tickets. This is a great event for kids and
for the first time looking to have magicians year and there is still a need for volunteers to help with
set up and clean up.
Harvest festival is on October 23rd and more information will be coming out soon, but there will be
lots of activities.
Garden Dinner will be during the school year this year on Sunday, October 25. We are pairing up
with St. Johns at Plates Café which is their training center. This is a great partnership with women
and children to help them rebuild their garden and great opportunity for all the kids to share with
one another. Goal of this effort: to promote service learning and raise some money. We already
have a title sponsor and the proceeds will be split 50-50. The goal is to sell 100 tickets.
Jog-a-thon has new chairs - Cortenie Garis and Luna Coleman. There have been conversations with
the Kings to create some good experiences and working on stretching the goal for the kids by
providing them an opportunity to play on the floor of the Kings arena. The event will be Friday,
November 20 and there is a need for lots of helpers.
Gala planning is occurring and looking for volunteers to serve on the committee and ideas for the
theme.
Reminder that these events are our only fundraisers and we don’t sales of any kind.
Music Program Instructor’s Report: Ms. Holly reiterated that this has been a great start to the year.
This year our major change in focus is the result of the reserve spending. The xylophones are a hit and
been used with some of the classes already. All students will have an instrument in their hand. Another
expansion is the boomwhackers and we will be purchasing more. These are a great way for kids to
understand how the sounds are made through different lengths and different things. There is a lot more
focus on hands on instruments in the primary classes. We will still do movement and singing, but a lot
more emphasis on this and the performances will reflect what we are doing in the classroom.
There was a question about how many different instruments will kids see in grades K through 6 and Ms.
Holly noted that they get a heavy dose of percussion, strings and wind, so well rounded exposure in how
sounds are made and how that can apply to their instruments.
Email any questions to [email protected]
New Business/Approvals
Discussion and Approval of 2015-16 Budget (see attached): Lavell discussed the proposed budget for
2015-16, noting that we are starting with a deficit, but we also started last year with one. We have a few
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new events including restaurant nights, tea party, school app, Kindness Revolution sponsorships that are
bringing in additional funds.
New activities include, bringing more events to school, which can reduce the number of field trips, the
Kindness Revolution, the foyer photos and the multicultural event that is currently undefined.
Kinder yard improvements: There is some left over reserve spending since the amount budgeted was
higher than the actual expense. Since this not part of the reserve spending process we are seeking input.
The Board is recommending that an amount not to exceed $1,100 be approved for the kindergarten
yard; the intent is to not use the entire amount.
There were concerns expressed that have other things that need to be taken care of, such as mounting
the TVs, which are a safety hazard. Other comments were expressed about what the need was in the
kindergarten yard and this seemed like a lot of money for what might be needed.
Jordan moved that the PTA use savings from the reserve spending not to exceed $1,100 for the
kindergarten yard and this was seconded by Tom. Discussion on the motion followed.
There was discussion around equally dividing the funding between the kindergarten yard and mounting
the TVs, this also included where to put the TVs (such as the auditorium and library) and shouldn’t
paying to mount the TVs be something the district pays for. Rob commit that by the next general
meeting there would be a plan.
Coach Kay moved that we use some of the reserve funds for the installation of the TV, which was
seconded.
A vote was taken on the first motion to utilize an amount not to exceed $1,100 for the kindergarten yard
and there were 26 yes votes and 0 no votes.
A vote was taken on the second motion to divide the funding between the kindergarten yard and
mounting the TVs. That motion failed on a 12 to 14 vote.
Lavell also noted that the Art and Music Festival was changing and the auction would be held at the Gala
so there is a difference of projected income for that event.
Lavell made a motion to pass the 2015-16 PTA budget, Jordan seconded and it was approved by all
members present.
Kindness Revolution: Paige, Laura and Donna talked about plans for the Kindness Revolution and
provided materials. This has been show to improve the culture at schools where it is has been
implemented. To launch the effort at Judah, it has been piloted and tested with some staff and included
a free assembly by the River Cats. The teachers have had further conversations in the classroom and
students have filled out pledge contracts. The team has worked hard to establish the groundwork so
that it aligns with what teachers are doing and supports their work.
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For this to work it is important to get buy in from the students and be student-led, so using Kindness
Ambassadors to help launch it. Ambassadors were nominated by teachers and will help get the
messages of kindness out. There will be monthly meetings, during the lunch break in the library and will
include conversations with them about character and traits from the school handbook will be the focus
of those meetings
Orange is the color that has been selected to symbolize the Kindness Revolution. There will also be red
buckets and books for all classes with the buckets represent being a ”bucket filler or a bucket taker.”
This will also include components on service, which started with the supply drive on the class list day. On
October 1st from 6:00 to 7:00 there will be a parent workshop about being a bucket filler.
There were questions and comments from the members around:
- The costs for the program, which are for the assembly, shirts for the Kindness Ambassadors, buckets
for each of the classrooms, wristbands, and other supplies. The program does have sponsors, but it
is important that the PTA also make an investment as it represents a value for the program.
- Concerns that this might create a “haves and haves not” with those who are Ambassadors and those
who are not. The intent is for the Ambassadors to be help launch the effort, be a leader for kindness
and generate peer-to-peer involvement with opportunities for all students to participate.
Open Forum/Q&A
Rob opened it up for other questions.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
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Attachment 1
Theodore Judah Parent-Teacher Association
Fiscal Year 2015 Revenue and Expense Report
Theodore Judah PTA Board,
This year’s budget is predicted to have another record year in fundraising revenue. The current budget
forecasts a budget deficit, however last year’s budget deficit did not come to fruition and the year
actually ended with a budget surplus. The plan is to assess revenue and expenses throughout the year
and adjust the budget as needed.
For the September 8, 2015 PTA Board Meeting, the following items will need to be discussed:
 New Bank Account Number- 424-136-419, routing number is still the same.
 Reserve Spending Savings- Sound system and Umbrella bases savings combined equal
approximately $1100.
 Kinder Yard Funding
 Increasing Holly Harrison’s Salary- For additional duties & equity with Science Alive.
 Direction of the PTA Newsletter- Do we still need a print edition with the App? Annual printing
costs are $1,300.
 Kindness Revolution- Can we lower the cost by reducing the number of T-Shirts from 300 down
to 50 for the staff and kindness ambassadors only.
The details of the PTA’s finances are presented below. The actual numbers are through August 31,
2015.
Regards,
Lavell Bryant
Lavell Bryant, Treasurer
(916) 420-4127
Theodore Judah PTA
Theodore Judah Elementary Parent Teacher Association
Statement of Income and Expenses
For Fiscal Year July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016
Fund Raising Revenue
Art and Music Festival
Donations
Gala
Harvest Festival
Jog-A-Thon
Membership
Garden Dinner
Comptons TJ Taste & Toast
Science Alive Plant Sales
Jamba Juice Sales
Grants
T-Shirt Sales
Wish Wall
Santa's East Sac Adventure
Big Spoon Sales
Restaurant Nights
Tea Party
School App
Transfers In From Savings
Other (Non-Budgeted Fundraisers)
Total Fundraising Revenue
Non-Fund Raising Revenue
Sacramento Theatre Company/ School House Rock
Music Instrument Fees
Interest Earned
In-Kind Donations
Total Non-Fundraising Revenue
Administrative Expenses
Bank Charges
Insurance
Meetings and Conference Expense (Babysitting & Pizza)
State, District, & National Membership Dues
Tax Return Preparation
Supplies and Printing
PTA Newsletter Printing
Inside East Sac Advertising
Total Administrative Expenses
Actual FY 2016
Budgeted FY 16
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$57
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,189
$0
$136
$1,382
$2,500
$1,500
$45,000
$8,900
$30,000
$6,000
$9,000
$5,000
$900
$500
$0
$2,500
$2,500
$5,000
$330
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$7,680
$2,500
$134,310
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$5,600
$400
$2
$0
$6,002
$25
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$25
$400
$250
$1,500
$900
$700
$250
$450
$3,600
$8,050
Theodore Judah Elementary Parent Teacher Association
Statement of Income and Expenses
For Fiscal Year July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016
Fund Raising Expenses
Art and Music Festival
Garden Dinner
TJ Gala
Harvest Festival
Jog-A-Thon
Talent Show
Taste and Toast
T-Shirt Sales
Wish Wall
Santa's East Sac Adventure
Membership BBQ
Other
Total Fund Raising Expenses
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,500
$1,000
$10,000
$1,000
$2,500
$50
$1,000
$1,500
$150
$3,000
$500
$0
$22,200
Theodore Judah Elementary Parent Teacher Association
Statement of Income and Expenses
For Fiscal Year July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016
Program Expenses
After School Programs & Scholarship Programs
On Campus Assemblies
Kindness Revolution
TJ School App
Foyer Photos
Multicultural Event
Arts Alive
$0
$0
$227
$500
$0
$0
$0
$250
$3,000
$4,795
$2,000
$100
$900
$7,400
Class Allowances
Harvest Festival Net Proceeds for Teachers
Finger Printing
Membership Drive
Music Instructor
Music Program (Supplies+LinkUp+Smack Grant)
Science Alive Coordinator
Science Alive Supplies
Family Dance Night
Sacramento Theatre Company/MTI
Teacher Appreciation Week
Movie Nights
First Day of School Welcome
TJ PTA Website Purchase
Residual Expenses from Prior Fiscal Year
Kinder Orientation
Robotics Program
In-Kind Donations
Cash Reserve Expenditures
Play Ground Equipment
Event Custodial Support
Total Program Expenses
$306
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$800
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$40
$0
$230
$0
$0
$3,506
$0
$0
$5,610
$10,800
$5,900
$150
$300
$26,222
$4,000
$32,000
$6,900
$225
$5,000
$300
$450
$300
$40
$200
$250
$100
$0
$7,680
$900
$500
$120,662
Total Revenue (Fundraising and Non-Fundraising)
$1,382
$140,312
Total Expenses (Administrative, Fundraising, and Program)
$5,635
$150,912
-$4,253
-$10,600
Net Income (Total Revenue Minus Total Expenses)
Theodore Judah Elementary Parent Teacher Association
Statement of Net Assets
As of August 31, 2015
August 31, 2015
Assets
Chase Bank Business Checking
Chase Bank Savings
Cash for Events
Pay Pal Credit Balance
Estimated El Dorado Savings- Savings Account
Teacher Supplies Account (Held by SCUSD)
Total Assets
Liabilities
Outstanding Checks
Estimated Outstanding Payroll Through August 30, 2015
Possible Payments for Teacher Reimbursements
Possible Program Expenses
Pending Payments to SCUSD-Transportation Services
Encumbered Funds (Reserve Spending)
Total Liabilities
Net Assets (Assets-Liabilities)
$17,839.98
$14,124.61
$100.00
$0.00
$1,300.00
$1,600.00
$34,964.59
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$4,700.00
$4,700.00
$30,264.59