Wiesbrook PTA General Meeting Minutes September 4, 2014

Call to Order: 1:30 p.m.

Present: Michelle Brejla, Janet Alman, Kris Dale, Jodi Elliot, Dawn Cahill, Angie LaFratta, Brian Turyna, Jim Vroman, Beth Sekera, Jackie Snyder, Kathy Gotter, Tracy Hayes Warren, Ana Capuano, Jennifer Yu, and Janine Kastro.

Approval of minutes from 4/10/14: Hearing no objections or changes, the minutes stand approved.

Principal’s Comments: -We have had a great start to the school year. We have wonderful relationships with parents and the community. -Introduced Jim Vroman, school board member, who lives in the neighborhood and has been assigned Wiesbrook as one of three adoptive schools. He will attend our general PTA meetings. -On Friday, August 22, 2014, at 6 a.m., Terry Tavine notified Dr. Turyna of flooding in the school. Water seeped into the 2nd and 5th grade classrooms and the 5th grade hallway. Many people offered assistance and cleanup was underway, but, at 8:10 a.m., Dr. Turyna decided to cancel school because it was not safe for the kids and faculty. *Restoration company worked to dry, sanitize, and disinfect. *The main damage was to carpet and baseboards. John Robinson from facility services has measured to replace carpet and tiles that were damaged in the flood. We will need to schedule a time for installation, possibly over a long weekend. *John Robinson and Bill Farley to discuss with the City fixing the drain tiles around the school. -Neighborhood construction was a surprise. Dr. Turyna received notice the Thursday before it started at 2:15 p.m. The timing of the construction is frustrating, but we are told it is related to the receipt of grant money. The construction caused congestion during morning drop off. Dr. Turyna called the construction supervisor, who will try to stop work for a short period during the morning drop off period. -Ice Cream Social: Impetus to hold it before school started was both because the calendar presented the opportunity and to lessen student anxiety. Feedback was largely positive, with the complaints relating to the time of the event as it impacted working parents. The time was not teacher driven. We will consider changing the time for next year, if the calendar allows. -This is the third year that teachers will be meeting together in grade level professional learning committees. Looked for a creative way to find time for those committees to meet and, so, they will do so, if they wish, during cultural arts assemblies. Those assemblies will be monitored by PTA volunteers. -Writing emphasis will increase this year. Faith Dahlquist is working on grade level writing expectations. Dr. Turyna will be visiting all classrooms. -The elimination of spelling tests is driven by the fact that research does not support tests as an effective method of learning spelling for writing implementation. Students will instead be challenged to correctly spell words in their writing and will have access to tools for researching words and definitions. -Currently, the information teachers must teach is uniform (the “what”) but the methods used to teach the information can vary (the “how”). However, even the “how” is becoming more uniform with the development and implementation of best practices guides. -Flexible grouping within the class or across grade levels begins in Kindergarten and is used by each grade level. This method helps to provide enrichment or assistance for kids at their appropriate levels. In addition, there are specialists assigned to some of the groups. -Dr. Turyna met Dr. Schuler, who has now started as superintendant. Dr. Schuler will visit Wiesbrook on September 19, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., to meet with Dr. Turyna and tour the school. This is not a parent meeting. -Enrollment is currently at 516, reflecting an expected decrease.

Treasurer’s Report: -The audit report, reflecting a balance of $27,831.47, was read by Janet Alman. Motion to approve the report seconded by Beth Sekera. Motion passed. -The budget was circulated. Motion to approve the budget was seconded by Kris Dale. Motion passed. We will work to spend down some of the excess funds and are open to ideas for doing so. -To be reimbursed for committee expenses, an expense form is necessary and it must be signed by the committee chair.

Membership Report: -450 members (225 families) and 12 staff, for a total of 462 members. This is more than we had at this time last year. -September 19, 2014, will be the membership cutoff date to be included in the directory and app.

Ways and Means: -Target- $3,340.20. We have 106 REDcard holders. -Hopefully starting next week, we will be using Amazon Smiles to replace the loss of Dominicks. -Run-A-Thon will be September 16, and 17, 2014, and we are accepting online donations.

Correspondence: -Contact Dawn if you have any events or committee information that should be put on Facebook or the outside sign.

Committee Reports: -Spirit Wear (Kathy Gotter): The first sale is over and we received 55 orders for clothing. There will probably be a second sale near the holidays. Spirit Wear took a bit of a hit at the ice cream social, as compared to last year. Additional selling opportunities would be great, but Kathy needs volunteers to help. -5th Grade Finale (Kathy Gotter): The program will be similar to years past, with a party at Wheaton Sports Center, a recognition ceremony, and possibly a memory book. The 5th graders will complete service projects, including planting perennials outside of Wiesbrook and helping with Humanitarian Service Project’s birthday box program. -Ozzie Reading Club (Beth Sekera): Last year, the reading program took place in April, but the program overlapped with the Raging Waves incentive program sponsored by P.E. Accordingly, this year, the reading program will take place in January and the games will be on May 2, and May 25, 2015. The forms will be available online. -School Beautification (Jackie Snyder): Thanks to everyone who helped to spread mulch. Thanks to Home Depot Carol Stream for donating plants and manpower. This year, the Kindergarten playground area needs clean up and new plantings. Maybe the 5th graders can help? Fall cleanup is coming. Jackie will see if the City can deliver more mulch for early October. Dr. Turyna will see if perhaps the City can mow away from the beds, so that grass clippings do not land in the beds, and if the City will trim some dead branches on trees, as they are hazardous.

President’s Report: -Friday Facts submissions are due Thursdays at noon. -Chairperson and Room Parent meetings on September 11, 2015, at 1 and 2 p.m. -PTA and school calendars are available on those websites. -Calendar Updates & Dates to remember:

*Assembly – 9/12/14, 9:30 & 10:30

*Run A Thon Days – 9/16 & 9/17

*Picture Day – 9/18

*1st RAT Turn in – 9/19

*2nd RAT Turn in – 9/25

*Next General Meeting is 1/8/15 at 7:30 p.m. in the LLC

New Business: -Gym lights are being replaced.

Adjournment: 2:32 p.m.