The John Muir PTC

PTC MEETING MINUTES

Called to order by Katherine Holden, PTC President at 13:06

Recorded by Patti Ruiz

ITEM:  Request for Earth Teach equipment.  Marcia requested a budget to purchase backpack covers to protect our quality school equipment from mud, rain and contamination from Poison Oak.  She also requested a budget to purchase sleeping bag stuff sacks with compression straps. Sleeping bags are a critical piece of camping/safety equipment. Providing these sacks will improve the student’s ability to make use of pack space and better distribute the pack weight across their backs more comfortably.

RESOLUTION:  The PTC approved a budget of not more than $350.00 for these items.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  EARTH DAY PLANS  (AKA John Muir’s Birthday)

Thursday, April 22 is Earth Day.  The entire school will focus the courtyard restoration and repair.  Parents are asked to bring a donation of flowers or plants to school.  Restoration work will be done on the Cobb Wall and Cob oven area (?) when the weather is warmer.

Pre Earth day preparation work will be done on SATURDAY, APRIL 19^th, from 10AM-12N. Parents are encouraged to come and see simple machines at work.

FINANCIAL REPORT

There is approximately $1500 remaining in the PTC account for the remaining year. The PTC Treasurer, Lauren Fennell, gave a detailed report of expenses and income.

UPDATE: JMS Cooperative Garden – FAMILY PARTICIPATION NEEDED

Patti Ruiz reported the JMS Garden Group received a City of Ashland Grant totaling $2500.  Funds will be used to build a deer fence with the remaining monies for plants or supplies. A flyer and email went out today asking for family participation. Information received over the next two weeks will help the garden group determine how much support we can provide in the way of fresh produce to the local food services group for our cafeterias.

ITEM: - PTC SECRETARY Our co-secretaries are sometimes unable to make the PTC meetings.  If there is anyone else out there who would be interested in serving the PTC in this capacity we would greatly appreciate your help.  Please contact Katherine at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Responsibilities are limited to attending the PTC Meetings the 2^nd Tuesday of the month, typing notes while in attendance, and emailing them to the correct parties.

ANNOUCEMENT: JMS TOWN HALL MEETING – APRIL 27^th – 5:30 P.M. – AMS CAFETERIA

This meeting has been called to allow all members of the community to participate in helping our school grow in a positive way.

The recent changes in staffing, impending changes to the music program, changing elements of the school culture and teacher burnout have all highlighted the need for JMS to develop a more sustainable program base.

Special attention will be given to the 3^rd through 8^th grades music program.  The administrative staff and teachers will present a draft proposal designed to increase music options, art options, increase teacher preparation time, and increase the time teachers can spend with their entire class.  This draft proposal keeps in mind the current PTC & District budget allocations.

A plan for an outdoor program support coordinator will also presented.

Parents will be asked to work in small focus groups with either a teacher or staff person to review, modify and present ideas based on guiding questions provided staff/teachers.

ITEM – No Screen time week

Pauline Black requested time at the next PTC meeting to present a proposal for a “No screen time week”.

ITEM – Bike to School Month

Camille asked about the feasibility of joining the Bike Transport Alliance (BTA) of Portland in holding a month long bike to school campaign.  Because we are a magnet school, it was generally felt that many students come from too far a travel distance for this to be a viable school project.

Yearbook Update

Kids found out that it will be $15 per book for printing at printfast

The Yearbook would not be a hardbound, would be spiral and soft paper. Looking for recycled glossy paper. Haven’t looked online yet. Suggestion was made to look into Medford company and online printing sources. $15 is the highest price we think it will be for the yearbook.

There was a discussion about different types of paper to use, and making space for the kids to do their own artwork and sign on the book

There was discussion about who would do the layout. One parent talked about needing the design program, so the kids can be photoshopping photos and parent could help. Photoshop and Indesign are what would work best. There was discussion about using a webbased program – is there anything like that? Nobody knew of any. Suggestion was made to contact Tara Cottle, who is our tech contact person. Email is Tara.Cottle at the schools email.

There was discussion about having a yearbook committee and working out the design details in committee. Also, there might need to be a scholarship fund for those kids that can’t afford the cost.

Reimbursement – Marcia

Marcia wants to buy a hand wash station up at EarthTeach, it’s about $40, a hands free setup. Also, with her study of ancient India, she’s working on taking kids to Three Rivers, she ends up putting her own money in because not all students turn in money. He’ll do lunch for the kids for about $5. Finally, she wants to hire her partner back to reinstall the old handrails to the loft – a piece of art – so it can be installed somewhere in the school or courtyard. It is just collecting dust in the staffroom. It should be about a couple hundred dollars for the powder coating and other materials, labor would be donated.

A parent advocated we do that. Pat suggested it might be good outside the music room windows.

Vote to approve all three, all passed.

Treasurer – Lauren

Lauren is willing to be treasurer for next full year.

Secretary – Jennie & Tracy

Jennie & Tracy committed to sharing the secretary position. Jennie is primary and Trace will be backup.

School Board Meeting –

There was a letter presented at the School Board meeting expressing support for Doug and just asking for more of Doug’s time. Our appreciation for Doug was noted, and there was an opportunity to dismiss the notion that John Muir doesn’t care about academic standards. Juli DiChiro made some positive and supportive remarks about John Muir school, she was very supportive about Doug remaining in our principal’s role and an expansion of that support.

Site Council Update

The site council met last week. The big thing is what to base the school improvement plan on. The site council decided they wanted a much more holistic approach to student improvement that goes beyond just state tests. Doug investigated and found that John Muir students are out performing non-JM students at the high school. They also decided they wanted to highlight what makes JM special. One of the outcomes of that, in addition to Doug’s work, is to look at a “growth portfolio” to analyze what the strengths are in the curriculum, and looking at making the portfolio electronic.

Patti Ruiz presented a draft survey that the Site Committee has prepared, for the purpose of determining what our core values are, and then how those are reflected in our education and improvement plan.

The district owns a survey tool that will allow for feedback and anonymity.

The purpose of the survey is to inform the site council so they can make decisions about the school improvement plan, so those values will be incorporated into the school improvement plan.

Patti discussed the survey and the rankings. Patti said the goal will be to make the survey as comprehensive as possible and also allow comments or completion of an essay part. It was discussed that having a comment section after each category would be a good idea.

Measure 66 & 67 –

There was discussion about Measure 66 & 67 and what it would mean. After a 3.5 million cut last year, we’re looking at another million plus cut if the measures don’t go through. This could mean that school year could be reduced by another 3 weeks. One parent pointed out that Oregon kids go to school the least out of any state in the Country. And it could mean much larger class sizes than we have now.

Farm/Food Survey –

Trace talked about surveying kids and parents for the farm to food program. There was a discussion about how to reach everybody and get 100% participation from the JM community.

The farm to food committee has to have their final report to the district by March because that is when the Sodexho contract expires.

There was a request to include the farm/food survey, which is only 3 questions, into the site council survey.

There was a discussion about trying to survey JM kids and parents, the whole community, within 1 week.

Sock Hop –

There was discussion about the Sock Hop and making a final push before the sock hop – only 10 days to go!

Parent Participation, Suggestion Box

Christiana said some parents have approached her about parent comments and some not feeling comfortable with direct communication, and having a parent suggestion box. There was general discussion that anonymous communication does not foster open dialogue, which is what John Muir wants to promote.

Class Liaisons are Pat’s class - Christiana and Katherine

Marcia’s class – Lysa McDowell

Camille’s class – Katy and

Matt’s class – Grant Ruiz

Email Communication

Financial Update – Lauren gave financial report. See attached financial report

Announcements

PTC approves hiring of Tim Brandy for our field trip to Klamath Falls.

JMS PARENT TEACHER COLLECTIVE

MEETING MINUTES

DECEMBER 8TH, 2009

JMS Administrative Structure/Principal, Sock Hop, Parent Participation, Class Liaisons, Financial Update, Art Week December 14-18, Solstice Celebration December 18, Announcements

All staff members and many new parents along with continuing parents were present.

YEARBOOK

Facie Graham started the meeting with a proposal for the 8th graders to do the yearbook this year.  Many students would like to participate and have a hard copy to keep.  Many parents agreed this is a great idea.  Faci will return with more information and an estimated budget and plan.  The PTC agreed to help fund the project.

SITE COUNCIL

Doug Geygan talked about the roll of Site Council.  It is a group formed of teachers, parents, administration, educational assistants and students.  One of the jobs of the site council is creating the School Improvement Plan.  This has to do with, but not limited to, approving student achievement in school.  The Site Council this year will include more student voice and communication with all groups in school.  We have the opportunity to explore beyond the basic measurement of how to assess our students.  We need two to three parents for the site council.  The meetings are open to all parents.  They will take place once a month.  The first meeting is  December 1, 2009. All parents interested should come to the first meeting.  This is a great opportunity to be involved.  Site council representatives will be designated at the Jan. PTC meeting.

STATE REPORT CARD

The John Muir School state report card is now posted on the Ashland School District web site. A copy will also be posted on the Parent Bulletin board.  Doug briefly explained the report and answered questions.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Lauren  Fennell gave the financial report.   A copy of the report is posted on the Parent Corner Bulletin, which includes monthly deposits, withdrawals, and current account balance. Emy Phelps has been paid for the year.  Again, Scrip and Escrip are an easy way to make money for the school.  A lot more families could sign up!  You pay nothing. The participating stores pay a percent to the schools when you shop at their store.  Please come before or after school to sign up or let your teacher know you want to and we will contact you.  Lauren thanked the parents who have come forward to help sell scrip.  It helps to sell every day and we could use more help!

SOCK HOP FUNDRAISER

The committee announced the Sock Hop will be 6-8:00p.m. on Jan. 22, 2010.  Fliers will be sent home and posted this week.  Donations for the Raffle are due by Nov. 23. E-mail the info. to Katherine Holden.  Raffle tickets will be available to sell November 25.  Tables will be available to sell raffle tickets on December (5/6 & 12/13).  Volunteers are needed to man tables.  The silent auction will also be included, headed up by Tracy Harding. More info on the auction will be posted after Thanksgiving break.  The PTC agreed if the committee needed money for a grand prize, up to $400 would be approved.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Web site committee will meet on Thur. Jan 19th at 3:30p.m.   Please contact Steve Rice if you are interested.  We need parents to help maintain the site.

Courtyard has been weeded, composted,  and new granite on the paths.  Thank you parents and students!

Cob Wall is being assessed on how to repair and tile the most efficient way.  More information will be out soon.

The John Muir Garden has been put to bed for the winter.  Thank you Kaela, Hawkeye, Patti, Grant and all the parents who participated this year!

The Parent Teacher Collective officer positions will be open starting January.  Interested parent s please come to the next PTC meeting or contact the current officers:  Pauline Black, Lauren Fennell, and Maribeth Beaudoin. The President, Treasurer, and Secretary respectively.

Emy Phelps will perform with her former band Borderline on Nov. 18th @ 8:00p.m. at Tease and again on Nov. 19th @ 7:00 p.m. at Paschal Winery.  Both performances are benefit concerts for Reid Honeywell.

Monday, November 23 at 10:00 a.m., Hanneke Cassell will perform  at John Muir School.   She is an incredible fiddle player.  Parents are welcome to join.  This is a special performance set up by Emy.  Hanneke Cassell will be in town for a workshop and performance Sunday, November 22 @ 7:00 p.m. @ Paschal Winery.

John Muir School will celebrate Solstice on December 18th.  The celebration includes songs and a labyrinth made out of pine boughs.  The event includes the whole community.

More information in December.