2. Dr. Efe Agbamu SPPS Assistant Superintendent for Multilingual Learning

January General PTO meeting, Thursday, January 10, 2017, from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Lower Campus Library (1305 Prosperity Ave.) Number of attendees: 19 1. Welcome – PTO President, Julie Bowen 2. Dr. Efe Agbamu – SPPS Assistant Superintendent for Multilingual Learning Dr. Agbamu, who has been an integral part of building and improving immersion programs in the district, was able to provide insight on why immersion programming looks like it does, the future she is striving to help build for immersion programs in SPPS, and the role families play in strengthening immersion programs. 1. District is fully committed to the French Immersion Program and Pathway (specifically, beyond LNFI). 2. There are 90 students in the program at Ramsey Middle School - it started at 40 so it is growing. 3. SPPS has a grant from the CARLA Institute at the University of Minnesota to train language immersion teachers. It is for anyone who is eligible to get a license in Language Immersion. It also provides professional development for current immersion teachers and immersion building administrators. 4. The district always has its eye out for French Immersion teachers. Regarding immersion class options at the middle and high school levels, it is difficult to find language immersion teachers who are licensed to teach science because of the different sciences taught in each grade. Social studies immersion teachers are easier to find because of the looped curriculum (the classes are grade level-specific). The district does not look for immersion math teachers because of the multiple levels of math at the middle and high school level. Although difficult, finding qualified teachers is and will become easier because there will be more and more candidates that have a French Immersion background themselves. 5. A new French Immersion teacher is in the process of being hired at Ramsey. She/He is working as an ESP until all the paperwork is finished. 6. The Language Immersion Programs are not connected to the English Language Learners program. They have their own budget. 7. Ramsey Middle School - Parents of prospective students are encouraged to come and visit the school and ask questions. The principle at Ramsey has made a lot of changes that have positively affected the school climate. 8. Dr. Agbamu noted that French Immersion students create their own world at Ramsey, staying connected to their LNFI friends while also meeting new friends. 9. There has been positive feedback from current French Immersion students and their parents about the social climate and academic rigor at Ramsey. 10. Dr. Agbamu encourages parents to call her directly if they have any questions about the program. (A quick Google search will pull up contact information.) 11. She emphasized the importance of parents sending their children to Ramsey in continuing to keep the French Immersion Program strong. She stated that “if you don’t send us your children, we don’t have capacity.” 3 . Principal’s Report – Mme. Lemtouni 1. Mme Lemtouni discussed plans and timing for a Kermesse. This is a school-wide event and fundraiser. There will be food, games, student displays, music,, and classroom art. The PTO will be in charge of fundraising during Kermesse, which will include a silent auction and family Great Gatherings like had traditionally been offered at the Spring Party. The date has not been set yet but it will be either on May 5, May 12, or June 2 (the teachers think June 2 might be the best date) and will start around 2:00 or 3:00 pm and will go into the evening. Parents will be encouraged to be involved in the planning and at the event. 2. Feb 2nd is the Francophone Festival (in conjunction with the School Showcase for prospective parents).. 3. We are looking ahead to Grand Old Day (students, parents and staff being in the parade) and hope to have a booth at Cinco De Mayo.

4. Committee Updates a. Intern Committee – Chairwoman, Andrea Plautz 1. Host family recruitment for the 2017-2018 school year has begun! This year, the number of host families we have signed up by March 31st - in conjunction with the available funding - will determine how many interns we recruit in April or May. If we have sufficient funding, we would like to again aim for ten interns. This will require 24 host families committed by the end of March. All families who fill out an application by 1/31/17 will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card for the newly-opened Revival Restaurant in St. Paul. Please visit the Intern Section of www.lnfi-pto.org for more information or to fill out an application. Questions about hosting should be directed to Tracie Berniard (tracie.berniard@lnfi- pto.org). 2. Interns are doing great in the classrooms. They are gradually taking on more responsibilities and will start taking over leading some lessons in the next month/six weeks. 3. Interns will be moving to their new host families by the end of January (two interns are staying with the same host family for the whole year). 4. Many thanks to everyone who dropped of winter clothes for the interns. We really appreciate it!

b. Social Committee – Chairwoman, Libby Hilsendager 1.The next social event is next Friday, Jan. 20th for Roller skating at Saints North. LNFI gets the entire rink to themselves!! Admission fee is $5 and that includes 2 hrs of skating a quad skate rental. Blade rental is available for $3. People can also bring their skates/blades. Bowling date is set for Sunday, March 5 from 2-4pm at Sun Ray Lanes. Libby has a couple of other parents helping this year coordinate the event. They will be trying something new this year where families will be assigned to lanes. This is to better distribute the numbers of families that show up to the number of bowlers per lane. Cost is $7 per bowler and includes 2 hrs of bowling and shoe rental. 2. DGT Family Service Fair will be held April 18 from 6-7 or 7:30pm at lower campus. This event is FREE! Fifth graders going on the field trip to France will be selling dinner at the event to raise money for their trip. If you’re interested in helping with this event, contact Libby. We will only have as many stations as there are volunteers willing to host the stations. Libby is currently in the process of contacting last year’s volunteers to see if they are willing to help again this year. Student leadership will be assisting prepare for the event. Libby is looking for someone with either graphic design experience or similar design experience to help create passports for students to use this year at the event. If anyone is interested or knows someone that might be willing to help, they should contact Libby.

c. Fundraising Committee – Chairman, Ray Kirsch Ray discussed scheduling for a spring LNFI Fun Run. The goal is to run outside (weather permitting) at each campus. Spring break is April 3-7; Kermesses is possibly scheduled for May 12. Thus, a possible slot for the Fun Run would be the week of April 24. Our intent is to work with MyFunRun, a company that supports independently run fun runs with websites and payment processing.

d. Communications – Chairwoman, Becky Erickson (newsletters, class liaison and teacher newsletter information, website upkeep, PTO emails, backpack flyers) 1. It would be great if we could find two parents (one at lower and one at upper) who do parent drop-off or pick-up and who would be willing to hang up backpack flyers and notices on the bulletin boards near parent pick-up. If anyone knows someone to contact, please let me know. 2. ‘Brief information about the Minnesota Arts Board Grant was put in the PTO newsletter to see if any parents are interested in pursuing the grant. The grant application is very lengthy. The grant would require a 10% match from the PTO and non-monetary support from the school administration. If we can find a parent lead, there are teachers willing to help and at least one other parent who can help, but can’t take the lead right now. 3. No new updates - PTO emails, PTO newsletters, class liaison emails continue to go out. Facebook and the website are updated periodically by a few of us when we have time. I would like to find someone to go through the student list and identify families without email contacts in the PTO directory.

e. Finance Committee - No update. 5. Old Business – PTO President, Julie Bowen a. The November and December minutes were approved upon a motion by Julie Bowen that was seconded by Ray Kirsch. 6. New Business - McKenzie Mahoney has volunteered to be our new Arts Adventure Coordinator!

The meeting was adjourned by Julie Bowen at 8:00 pm.