La Jolla Elementary School PTO Meeting Minutes
PTO Meeting, September 10, 2024
• LJES PTO Meeting Called to Order at 7:34 am
• Meeting adjourned at 8:15 am
Executive Board Members Present: Dana Hourani, Sarah Topol, Cher Jabbari, Christal Duimstra, Virginia Price, Stacey Gubernator, Kaitlin Barr, Amani Bernstein, Georgina Gaerin, Dorothy Tse, Liz Copperman, Rebecca Jacob, Erin Sullivan, Dr. Stephanie Hasselbrink
Absent: Carolina Tiller, Megan Roeske
Co-President’s Report: Dana Hourani and Sarah Topol
Co-presidents shared news of the family social. Vendors donated 10% of proceeds totaling $300 which went back to the PTO. Feedback was shared among members of the committee regarding the Family Social: including questions about the clarity of the name change from Family Picnic to Family Social, the limited space and the possibility of moving to a larger space last year, having designated spaces that classroom parents can meet.
The goal of the new school year is to get more family engagement, particularly new engagement. If committee members want to provide feedback, they can submit them through the anonymous suggestion box.
Principal update: Dr. Hasselbrink
Opening of School/Misc.
* Super smooth opening - the best we’ve had! Current Enrollment - 562 students (557 projected, 527 last year); The work we did last year on our “LJES Respectful Practices” to foster a positive culture/climate is evident - we are looking forward to continuing to build off the work
* New Staff: 1) Associate Principal: Rachel Alexander - Her background is in Special Education (SPED); she has been a huge asset to the SPED team. It’s been great having her, as she’s positive, happy to be here, eager to jump in and support in any and every capacity. 2) New SPED ESN Teacher, Tara Geier - Our Extensive Support Needs (ESN; formerly Mod/Severe) SPED classroom has been without a teacher since last November; we are SO grateful to have her here!
La Jolla Elementary School PTO Meeting Minutes
Gillispie Visit
* Yesterday, admin team came to visit - wanted to check out our construction and asked questions in light of some upcoming work at their school; Impressed with school; wrote an email after: “Thank You for hosting us this morning! It was a pleasure meeting you and seeing the incredible job SDUSD and you all did to update LJE. Everything is so thoughtful, clean, modern, vibrant. Congrats. What an amazing addition for all of our young students coming-up through the system.”
Run Club - Before School
* Discussed and voted as a staff prior to school starting; Decided not to implement at this time; will revisit in Dec/Jan; Reasons: With morning Run Club, teachers/staff noticed: Increased student conflict/behavioral challenges (Students are calmer at the beginning of the day when they come to class); Unhealthy amount of competition among students; Longer morning transition and parents visiting classrooms/speaking with teachers took time took time away from the instructional day; Considered alternatives (but decided against); Certain grades (what about siblings?); One Friday a month (can of worms about other Fridays/days)
After School Care
* We now have the YMCA Character Builders (CB; tuition-based) and YMCA PrimeTime (PT; tuition free) programs after school; New CB supervisor, Jared, is amazing - all about the kids and school; have a great staff; PT has strong leadership and vision; team is new and continuing to get trained and be supported by YMCA PT leadership
Teacher’s report: Erin Sullivan
Smooth, fun, warm start. Teachers thank the PTO for the welcome back lunch.
Treasurer’s Report: Christal
Budget: decreased funding in some areas and went higher in other areas to account for extra students. Added funding of anti bullying program. Came in over revenue and under expenses last year!! Working on tax returns and numbers will be sent to Virginia soon for Auditing. Check request forms sent to everyone. Please submit them to Christal by email. If you want to print them, please let Christal know that you are putting it in her box, so she knows to grab it.
Auditor’s Report: Virginia Price
No update, waiting on numbers from Christal.
La Jolla Elementary School PTO Meeting Minutes
Communications VP (Social Media): Liz Copperman
Everything is going well. Liz made recommendation that we have a list of ljes committee emails in addition to the personal emails of committee members (i.e., pizza Wednesday, eblast, tidings, social media, welcome/social)
VP Programs Report: Amani & Georgina
Construction is over, which makes it significantly easier to shuffle kids around. Chess club nearly did not work out but the ladies did their magic and were able to get it started. Let them know if you hear any feedback about the program. \ Parents want more programs, but it’s a space issue. We can’t have vendors in classrooms and all free space is being used. Girls on run is on Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 2:45 (3rd-5th). They teach empowerment and being an ally, and there is a 5K in end
Yearbook: Cheryl
Last year there was trouble getting pics for events and classrooms. It was mostly being provided by the same few people, many of whom will be gone next year. We need more people taking pictures and class photographers sharing pictures with Cheryl. Class links of photos can be sent to her
Friends Liaison Report and Co-Chair VP Volunteers Report: Kaitlin
Farmers market back on campus. No road closure staring this Sunday. Family gardening 9/15 10am-12pm. Annual giving is still going on, please donate! So far they are on track. Special gala unveiling 11/7, at The Lot for $80.
Need some volunteers/ people to train to take over for the following committee positions: tiding, afterschool programs, yearbook and bookfair.
VP Communications Report – Dorothy Tse
If you want an eblast posted please send the Final 2 days in advance. Eblasts are sent out Mondays and Thurs. There is also a PTO section in the Weds eblasts
VP Tidings - Megan & Rebecca
They are working on our 1st Tidings issue which they hope to have out at the end of September. We are set for content EXCEPT: 1. We have sent a few emails but have not heard back from 5 (out of 7) new staff members for our interviews with the new LJES staff section. Dr. H will reach out to them to see if she can get them to respond. 2. They need someone to write a short article (a few sentences) about the Family Social to include in Tidings. Please send the article to tidingsljes@gmail.com. Deadline: 9/16/24;
La Jolla Elementary School PTO Meeting Minutes
3. Finally, they need a volunteer that they can train to do Tidings this year so they can start taking over next year. If anyone knows of someone who is interested, please let them know. Formatting done elsewhere. It’s easier than it looks!!
If there is any content that the PTO Board would like included in this issue or a future issue of Tidings, please email it to: tidingsljes@gmail.com.
VP Room Parents Report – Stacey Gubenator
Quite a few new families became room parents this year. She paired new room parents with seasoned room parents. Trying to limit communication to monthly. The communications will be based on meetings, so let her know if you want something communicated to room parents. A new photo clearance form was created, but yearbook was accidentally left off. Stacey will likely ask room parents to gather that data from their classrooms.
PTO Membership - Cher Jabbari
As of Monday 9/9, PTO had 100 members, totaling $5290 raised. This has already surpassed last year’s total of $4800. Hoping to keep this trend going. PTO Board and Committee members are encouraged to support the PTO as well.
Misc. Items:
Georgina raised a question to Dr. H regarding A/C issues in classrooms. Dr. H shared that there are several classrooms in 4th and 5th grade as well as room 2 and 3 that are having issues with A/C. Teachers were relocated as a result. An emergency request was placed, and someone came out yesterday. Rooms are better now.
For events: Kaitlin suggested that for changes to events, there be a board vote. Dana clarified that over the summer she and Sarah realized there was no committee member for the Family Social and so they had to make decisions regarding the Family Social before the PTO Board meeting and that it was not their intention to not include the board on the decision-making process.
Motion to approve above minutes – ____ motioned first, and _____ seconded – all in favor. Approved at 8:___am on October __, 2024.
PTO Co-President Signature: ______________________________________
PTO Co-President Signature: ______________________________________
Date Signed: ________________________