August 2019 Minutes
@ The Wild Game -- 5:00pm
August 20, 2019
Meeting was Called to Order at 5:08pm
Attendees:
Crystal Mancini
Yandi LaMascus
Dustin LaMascus
Erin Haluza
Dan Hamm
Stacey Farmer
Brandon Brekke
Carolina Hunt
Madeline Schymanski
Christina Seaman
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes from May 2019 were approved by Madeline Schmanski & Dustin LaMascus.
EHS Foosball Club -- Dan Hamm
Mr. Brekke introduced Dan Hamm, Math teacher for 20 years at EHS. Mr. Hamm is the sponsor of the EHS Foosball Club. Mr. Hamm presented the attached handouts and discussed the growing popularity of the EHS Foosball Club and the need for new adult-size, professional-type foosball tables. He informed the Board that the sport is growing in popularity nationwide and has many benefits for high school students. Mr. Hamm requested funding from the EHS PTSA to purchase new tournament-grade tables for the school. He stated that he is not asking for a specific amount of money, although one table will cost about $1,500 and the school needs approximately 4 new tables (estimated at $6,000). He stated that his vision is to donate the old foosball tables to EMS for their middle school kids. EHS will train the EMS teachers regarding foosball rules, etc.
One board member asked if Mr. Hamm was open to partial funding of a table or tables. Mr. Hamm said “yes”. Another member asked whether or not the EMS PTA was willing to pay for the old EHS tables to help mitigate EHS costs. Mr. Hamm stated that he will discuss that idea with EMS and figure out a rate. Christina Seaman asked if Mr. Hamm considered a fundraising event to help purchase tables. Mr. Brekke mentioned an idea of pairing a Foosball Club fundraising event with a home football game. Mr. Hamm said that he would look into the possibility of a fundraiser. Dustin LaMascus mentioned an idea of the PTSA matching monies earned in a fundraiser to the amount that PTSA gives the Foosball Club. The members discussed how this “matching funds” idea might motivate the club to consider fundraising efforts for their own club now and in the future.
PTSA members concluded with discussion regarding the need to look at the current membership numbers and financials before they consider paying for foosball tables.
Principal’s Report -- Brandon Brekke
Mr. Brekke expressed gratitude and appreciation for those who coordinated and participated in the annual New Parent Breakfast. He felt that it was a very successful event and the event is always held on a perfect weather day to kickoff the beginning of the school year.
He stated that the first week of school had been smooth with no big challenges to handle. He stated that the school testing outcomes data continues to be strong. He also reported that EHS has hired 2.5 new teachers and school is off to a great start.
Mr. Brekke reported that the school’s biggest challenge thus far has been the lack of parking spaces for Junior students. He stated that the parking lottery system, although not perfect, continues to be the best solution for handing out parking spaces. He reported that he will try to look at sibling and twin issues in more detail for issuing parking permits. He also reported that Jeffco has done what they could in terms of adding new parking spaces by the baseball field, but there is simply no space for more parking lots. Christina Seaman asked why Church of the Hills does not allow student parking anymore. Mr. Brekke stated that the church does not want to handle liability issues on their property. Discussion ensued and members complimented Mr. Brekke on the recent email sent to parents regarding the parking problem. Mr. Brekke stated that he will send a follow-up email to Junior parents about the continuing issues around parking. Discussion ensued about the consideration of a “carpool club” for Juniors. Yandi LaMascus volunteered to get together with Junior students to discuss and figure out ideas for parking and carpooling. Dustin LaMascus offered an idea of having a preferred, “carpool only” parking space or car tags. Ms. LaMascus stated that she will come to the next board meeting with input from the students.
Christina Seaman asked Mr. Brekke if he was OK with the PTSA banner that she hung in front of the school. Mr. Brekke said it was a great banner. Ms. Seaman stated that she has removable letters on the banner and they can be changed depending on our PTSA focus. The members thanked Ms. Seaman for all the hard work she has done on PTSA visibility and membership.
Membership Report -- Stacey Farmer
Ms. Farmer reported that the current membership was at 85 members. She stated that the membership push at the New Parent Breakfast was very successful. Ms. Seaman reported that there were still a few members that expressed interest in PTSA membership, but didn’t have time to sign up. Christina Seaman will follow-up with these families. The board members discussed the need to tap into those new PTSA members who are interested in getting more involved with PTSA. The board discussed the fact that these members could then form more committees to further impact the school. Ms. Mancini stated that she will create a PTSA Sign Up Sheet that lists each type of committee to become involved with and new members can be contacted from this sign-up sheet.
Discussion ensued about the need to continue our membership growth. Crystal Mancini stated that maybe EHS should have a membership competition with Conifer HS. Ms. Mancini stated that she will try to get with the CHS PTSA President and see how they are doing with their membership. Madeline Schymanski asked how our PTSA can get Senior students to join the PTSA. Christina Seaman asked if one of our PTSA board members could present membership advantages to the EHS NHS students; or at the Senior Meetings; or at the Senior College Night. Members discussed the need to have a PTSA Sign-up Table at the EHS Back to School Night and Parent/Teacher Conference Night. Most members said that they were available to help during these events.
Madeline Schymanski stated that PTSA needs to purchase a new Google Pay “square” and jack so that membership can be purchased quickly via credit card. Crystal Mancini asked if there was another local PTA that has a square that we can borrow. Ms. Mancini stated that she will look into borrowing one from another PTA. Stacey Farmer stated that she will look into the cost of buying a Google square for our PTSA.
Christina Seaman asked if our PTSA can conduct business via Venmo. Crystal Mancini said that we cannot use Venmo because we are a non-profit organization.
Financial Report -- Stacey Farmer
The current financial report was submitted by Stacey Farmer. Ms. Farmer stated that we need to find another person to replace Betsy Hays for the 2019-2020 Financial Audit sign-off. She stated that Betsy Hays will be out of town until mid-September and the audit needs to be done soon. Ms. Farmer stated that, ideally, the 2019-2020 Financial Audit should be done by the end of August. Christina Seaman and Yandi LaMascus stated that they will find someone to replace Betsy Hays. The person will have to review the Audit Report and sign-off on it as soon as possible.
Ms. Farmer reported that there was a Beginning Balance of $18,311.58 and an Ending Balance of $19,189.79 in the PTSA bank account.
Ms. Farmer stated that she has still not heard back from EHS regarding an invoice for the previously approved disc golf equipment for P.E. She stated that the approval for the disc golf equipment was made last year and the invoice should have been paid on last year’s budget. Discussion ensued and members agreed to set a deadline of 9/15/19 for EHS to give PTSA the invoice for the disc golf equipment. If the invoice is not received by 9/15, then EHS will need to present the need and costs again to the PTSA Board. Crystal Mancini stated that she will follow-up with EHS on the outstanding invoice. Stacey Farmer recommended putting a timeline in place where invoices for PTSA monies should be submitted 30-60 days from PTSA approval.
Teacher Appreciation -- Yandi LaMascus
Yandi LaMascus reported that PTSA received a thank you note from the EHS Clinic for our recognition of National Nurses Day. Ms. LaMascus stated that National Social Security Officer Week is coming up and PTSA will doing something for EHS Security during that week. Erin Haluza asked if we could try to get some of the students involved in thanking the school security team and Yandi said that she will try to get them involved.
Community Engagement -- Carolina Hunt
Carolina Hunt presented a draft flyer detailing many ways that PTSA can offer classes and seminars for students and parents to get involved in current issues. Discussion ensued about the proposed seminars and training ideas. Ms. Hunt stated that Heather from LeanIn is happy to speak to the students and the school about any mental health issues. Ms. Hunt also stated that Heather will not charge for her services, but would like donations to LeanIn. Christina Seaman asked if Heather could come and speak at a PTSA meeting. PTSA could then open the meeting up to all EHS parents and PTSA members. Carolina Hunt said that it should be possible. Ms. Hunt stated that she would like to post the flyer on the PTSA website and have people sign-up via the PTSA website. Ms. Hunt stated that this sign-up method could help increase our PTSA membership and also provide our membership with learning opportunities.
Ms. Hunt stated that she would also like the flyer to go into the School Messenger as well. She suggested that we begin to advertise for each seminar or event approximately two weeks before each event. Christina Seaman stated that Chase Bank has someone who may be willing to speak to parents and students about setting up a student debit card, establishing credit and other ideas. Christina will refer the woman to Carolina Hunt for further discussion.
Carolina Hunt discussed an idea of having an EHS Parent Happy Hour, or “Cougar Hour”at a local restaurant for those families new to the community. The members thought it was a great idea. Ms. Hunt also proposed a community activity on World Snow Day. Discussion ensued and the members agreed that an idea of “EHS Family Tubing Day” at ECHO was a great idea. Ms. Hunt also stated that she is looking into working with EAPL and EHS to bring puppies to the school during midterm week. The members liked the idea and agreed that it needs to be looked into more.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:44pm