PTO Meeting, November 5, 2024
• LJES PTO Meeting Called to Order at 7:33 am
• Meeting adjourned at 7:48 am
Executive Board Members Present: Dana Hourani, Sarah Topol, Cher Jabbari,
Christal Duimstra, Stacey Gubernator, Kaitlin Barr, Dorothy Tse, Liz Copperman,
Rebecca Jacob, Megan Roeske, Erin Sullivan, Dr. Stephanie Hasselbrink
Absent: Carolina Tiller, Virginia Price, Amani Bernstein, Georgina Gaerin
Approvals
October 2024 Financials approved at 7:33 am. Megan motioned first, Kaitlin seconded – all in favor.
October 2024 Meeting Minutes approved at 7:33 am. Megan motioned first, Kaitlin
seconded – all in favor.
Co-President’s Report: Dana Hourani and Sarah Topol
A big thank you to Linda for making Wellness Night such a success. The turnout was strong, especially given all the events that weekend. For next year, we might consider moving it up a week, as it landed the weekend before Halloween and on the same day as the Muirlands cocktail party. - This year’s Wellness Night featured a slightly new format with a fun run, a nutrition talk, family yoga, progressive relaxation, and some great giveaways.
Up next is Family Movie Night! We’ll be showing Inside Out 2. Doors open at 5:00 PM, and the movie starts at 5:30 PM. Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring blankets. The 5th-grade promotion committee will be selling pizza, popcorn and snacks. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Kim is working on teacher t-shirts, supplier canceled but now re-ordered. Should be
here in a week.
Principal update: Dr. Hasselbrink
* GATE informational meeting - tomorrow, Wednesday, 11/5 at 5:30pm via teams:
What is GATE?; GATE programming; GATE testing; Interpreting scores; Appeals
process; Intent to enroll process; GATE testing; 5th grade - November 18-19 (only students who qualify based on GATE score and CAASPP scores, students new to SDUSD, or have approved appeal for retest); 2nd grade + 3rd/4th who are new to SDUSD - likely in the Spring (all students) Budget
* 2025-2026 - $176 million deficit; Declining enrollment; Deficit prior to Covid;
Reduction in funding; Increased student need; Solutions: reductions furthest away from classrooms; Centralized costs reduced to mandated services; Maximizing all funding sources; Attrition model and vacancy savings (offering retirement incentive); Increasing revenue.
Summer School
* Much smaller this school year - using fewer school sites; Our students will attend
Sessions; Eligible students; “Unduplicated” students: multilingual/English learners, low SES, homeless/foster; Students receiving special education services who have
Extended School Year in their IEPs - typically, students with moderate to severe
disabilities who will regress without services over the summer; Dates: June 4-July 3,
2025 (no school June 19th & 20th); Hours: 9 Hours Daily = 4 hours Academic/ESY + 5 Hours - PrimeTime/Level Up
Teacher’s report: Erin Sullivan
Really busy and fun week last week with conferences and Halloween. Nothing to report.
Treasurer’s Report: Christal Duimstra
A few larger items were added to the budget under office supplies. The new laminator was purchased. Additionally, the library contributions from the Warwick’s event was added, and yearbook deposit was made.
Communications VP (Social Media): Liz Copperman
The Warwick’s event was a big success: This year $2000 was raised for the school,
which is a big jump from last year’s earnings of $1300, thanks to volunteers and
teachers who participated in the event, the funds will be used to buy new books for the school library.
Friends Liaison Report and Co-Chair VP Volunteers Report: Kaitlin Barr
Annual Giving is still going on. They are hoping to get 100% family participation.
Harvest festival was great success. The next OAM event is the Winter carnival on Dec 15th. OAM needs Yelp reviews. Please review the OAM after visiting!! Friends has received $65,000 from Business partnerships with the school. Ulka has been doing a great job with the partnerships. There have also been applications put in for 3 grants for the maker space, auditorium, and garden. Gala tix are going on sale November 12th!!
VP Communications Report – Dorothy Tse
Nothing to report. Next eblast will be for movie night.
VP Tidings - Megan & Rebecca
Last issue is out, next issue will be in December. They already have quite a bit of
content for this issue but are always open to other content ideas. They got pictures from Halloween thanks to teachers. PTO members commented on how great the new staff features were in this latest issue.
VP Room Parent – Stacey Gubernator
The next Mom’s Night is coming upon 11/14, from 5:30-8. It is a shopping event taking place at Salty Cali, owned by a LJES parent. A percentage of sales goes back to the school. Next year the VP Room Parent position will be vacant. Please send any recommendations for new members to Stacey and Dana/ Sarah. Stacey will be moving to Tidings!!
Additional Updates
Katie Cates will be co-chair for the book fair next year, taking Georgina’s place.
The yearbook flyer is being worked on.
A suggestion was made that the meeting have a start time of 7:30.