March 2024

MARCH MEETING MINUTES

MOUNT SCOTT ELEMENTARY PTO

LOCATION: MOUNT SCOTT ELEMENTARY LIBRARY

DATE: March 14, 2024

TIME: 6:30 pm

ATTENDANCE:

IN-PERSON: Tracey Kebede-Berhanu, Jeremy Black, Hilary Rogers, Sarah Baker, Jeff Green

VIRTUAL: Khristina Powell

Meeting called to order by Tracey Kebede-Berhanu at 6:36 pm.

Approval of minutes:

February 2024 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.

Old Business:

1. Community Sale:

   1. Presented by Tracey Kebede-Berhanu

   2. Feedback: Sarah Baker reported that the community sell went well. It promoted community and there were a variety of items available to purchase. Jeff Green mentioned that it had a really nice feel. He suggested to shorten the time period as it was a really long day.  Jeff Green also suggested that next year student leadership have other responsibilities along with selling bundt cakes. Khristina Powell suggested that a comprehensive list of vendors be published. She is looking at it from the Happy Valley’s Farmers Market which will provide customers an opportunity to plan ahead

2. Big Splash:

   1. Presented by Tracey Kebede-Berhanu

   2. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu reported for Casey Killinger stating that the event was a big success. It was estimated that between 500-600 people attended. This is an event that has been done several years in a row. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu stated that PTO will continue with this event for next year 

3. Book Swap:

   1. Presented by Tracey Kebede-Berhanu

   2. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu stated that this event just happened. She observed that the event looked very organized and all of the books were donated. There was a steady flow of people. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu feels that it was another community building event and a huge success. Hilary Rogers suggested starting the event after school instead of waiting until 4 pm, maybe have it from 2-5 pm. Jeff Green expressed that it was really cool to have the Happy Valley Library in attendance

4. PTO Website:

   1. Presented by Jeremy Black

   2. Jeremy Black reported that we have had 116 users site hits. The NCSD website does have the correct link for our website. Kelsey Bennett has updated all of the internal links 

Board Position Reports:

1. President – Tracey Kebede-Berhanu:

   1. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu reported that the board is meeting next weekend for the second annual planning retreat. She is very thankful that the district calendar is out. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu asked the members in attendance tonight which events they would like to see or remove for next year

2. VP - Jesus Cruz: Nothing to report

3. Treasurer – Casey Killinger:

   1. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu reported for Casey Killinger that the teacher and classroom stipend letters went out and if anyone has any questions they can reach out to her directly. She did her best to include the extra $100 to teachers that have attended the events based on our new model. As of today, PTO has $33,000 in our account but a lot of it is budgeted and slated for upcoming events like carnival and the remaining teacher stipends but PTO is in a good position to start off next year. Hilary Rogers asked a question on the budget; PTO is not doing the auction this year so there is no fundraiser in the spring. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu replied that no one volunteered to lead the auction so instead of the auction, PTO did the community sale. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu stated that she will reach out to Rachel Wullbrandt about the P&L for the community sale

4. Secretary – Sarah Baker: Nothing to Report

5. Volunteer Coordinator – Lex Black: 

   1. Jeremy Black presented for Lex Black that there is a book event this Saturday at Barnes & Noble. Jeremy Black created a wish list from all the teachers. The sale continues up to a week after the event. The money raised from Barnes & Noble sales could be used to purchase any remaining items on the teacher’s wish list. Jeff Green stated that Scouters Mountain did a similar event at Barnes & Noble and one of the questions that was asked is, does the parent deliver the books to the teachers or do they bring it to school. Jeremy Black reported that Key Club will be at every exit with a bin so that families can leave the purchased books with them

6. PR – Karen Ricoy: 

   1. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu reported that Bianca Savala’s children are no longer going to this school so she is no longer on the board. Karen Ricoy’s last child is a 5th grader so we need a PR representative desperately. Khristina Powell relayed that she would be interested in some PR work

7. IT – Jeremy Black: Nothing to report

8. Teacher Liaisons – Melissa Pfaff and Amy Pederson: Nothing to report

Committee Reports:

1. Dining for a Cause:

   1. Chair: Tasha Cruz

   2. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu reported for Tasha Cruz that the next dine out is in April at Happy Valley Food Hall and Shantel Yamada is in charge. There is not a date yet but will be picked soon. The MOD Pizza dine out brought in $233.76

2. Square One Art:

   1. Chairs: Casey Killinger and Amy Pederson

   2. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu reported for Casey Killinger that all the artwork is shipped and on the way for processing. A huge thank you to Amy Pederson for all her help and being a communicator between the teachers and Casey Killinger. All of the artwork and stickers are scheduled to be back to us by 4/01. PTO has two weeks to order art. The fundraiser order deadline is 4/15 but art can still be ordered after the deadline

3. Read-A-Thon:

   1. Date: March 11-15, 2024

   2. Chairs: Lex Black and Sara Schroeder

   3. Reported at the beginning of the meeting

4. Glow Party:

   1. Date: May 3, 2024 6-8 pm

   2. Chair: Melissa Pfaff

   3. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu reported that the date has changed from April 5th to May 3rd due to a schedule conflict with the DJ. The board decided that PTO will stick with the booked DJ as he has already been paid

5. OBOB:

   1. Date: May 17, 2024

   2. Chairs: Tasha Cruz and Jen Goodrich

   3. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu reported for Tasha Cruz that Tasha Cruz and Jen Goodrich are meeting the first week in April 

6. Garden Club:

   1. Chair: Rob Michaud

   2. Jeff Green reported that he helped Rob Michaud bring in cedar planks and there are stakes in the ground with measurements

7. Yearbook:

   1. Chair: Rachel Wullbrandt

   2. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu reported for Rachel Wullbrandt that flyers went out this week so everyone can purchase their yearbook

8. Teacher/Staff Appreciation:

   1. Date: May 6-10, 2024

   2. Chair: Lex Black

   3. Nothing to report. Jeff Green would like this week to be an all-staff appreciation instead of recognizing the individual days

9. Carnival:

   1. Date: May 31, 2024

   2. Chair: Lex Black

   3. Sarah Baker asked if PTO wanted to have the pie eating contest at the Friday Morning Meeting with the teachers. The group felt that it is a good idea to help bring community. Jeff Green is always looking for ways for the kids in student leadership to help with the event. Hilary Rogers stated that maybe have student leadership be part of the commentators

10. Field Day:

    1. Date: June 7, 2024

    2. Chair: Still seeking a chair

    3. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu reported that there will be inflatables and probably have Kona Ice. Jeremy Black asked if PTO will pay for all students to get a shaved ice. Hilary Rogers asked for the reason for the switch from popsicles to Kona Ice. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu stated the reason is just for fun

New Business:

1. PTO is seeking board positions for the following:

   1. Treasurer elect

   2. Secretary elect

   3. Volunteer coordinator elect

   4. IT elect

   5. PR

Principal’s Report:

Jeff Green reported that February was a challenging month. The ice storm was pretty disruptive. The school and staff have been working with the kids to be caring and kind. There was an uptick in behaviors and there have been some discussions. He is very appreciative with the SEL program. It is about conflict resolution. Allowing kids an opportunity to partner and talk with other kids that they may not partner with. The buddy system is set up with intentionality. The teachers have done an amazing job figuring out the buddy. Discipline: there is a new system that is set-up to track what kids’ needs. It’s much better than oops tickets. The school has been working with Marie Claire, who is the district’s SEL director. She has helped with the regulation room, supporting behavior and creating community, restorative conversations and better tracking. Eagle prides turned into a transaction. Instead of eagle prides, the school is rewarding students in a different matter. Explaining to students why and how their behavior and actions helped. Hilary Rogers asked if Friday Morning Meetings would be able to meet every other Friday? Jeff Green is open to ides of staggering the meetings but needs to weigh the pros and cons. Hilary Rogers asked because in the years past, each grade would put on performance for the entire school. As a parent perspective, it was exposing children to be able to get up in front of an audience to build confidence. It was reported to Jeff Green that the performances were not liked. He is open to the idea but he wants it to be authentic. Khristina Powell asked if Mount Scott would be able to stream the FMM and if there was a way to advertise an agenda? Jeff Green reported that online streaming might be tricky as there are a few students that are not able to be filmed. He is on board for publishing the agenda. Tracey Kebede-Berhanu stated that she does miss eagle prides and smencils. 

Thank you to the parents and staff for attending. Thank you to Jeremy Black for his IT assistance.