CMS-PTO March Meeting Minutes

  1. Meeting called to order at 6:31pm

2. Secretary: Motion to dispense with reading of last meeting’s minutes. Second. Vote. Motion carries. Motion to adopt the last meeting’s minutes as written in email distribution. Second. Vote. Motion carries.

3. CMS-PTO Election Update: Need new VP Programs, Secretary. Bernie moving from VP Programs to Co-VP, Fundraising. Combine Secretary/Parliamentarian role (Heather Marklein to reach out to Julie Crane .

4. Officer Committee Reports

President’s Report

Dr. Baker Meeting Wednesday, March 6

Review & Update on CMS-PTO Election & Timeline: election next meeting. Anyone who is interested in running (or rerunning  for a position needs to let May Bakken know ASAP.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Update (AVP Jean Wang : changes proposed re: Bernardo with

SRTS team. Talked to Sunnyvale SRTS coordinator. Reviewed suggested routes. Discussed area by Starbuck’s, Trader Joe’s, Wells Fargo; going to adopt recommendations for CMS students to use same routes as publicized by Montclaire Elementary. Reevaluating traffic issues on Helena. Reevaluating path by the Union 76 gas station. Jean Wang working on

distributing maps and pamphlets to various schools for their distribution.

VP Communications Report: discussion of ways to improve Communications for next year to reach school community. Right now limited access to parent community. Want to add an “opt out” form in school materials. Better visibility of CMS-PTO on CMS web site. We should publicize the CMS-PTO donation to new band equipment – flyer, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

VPs Fundraising Report: biggest push needs to be at back to school events. More credit card swiping, giveaways. Lots of opportunities for parents to give. Need to find people to take over fundraising position. Also push Box Tops donations during back to school period. Fundraising table at Spring Fling, with iPad, chip scanners. One more Dine Out event. Give flyers to teachers to distribute/post in their classes. Need list of fundraising events completed this year, so we can start planning for next year. Same with events. Will soon have planning session for next year to flesh this out.

Co/Treasurer’s Report: Helen: $88,031 in total donations.  Corporate matching up 40% over last year. Total contribution increased by $20,000. See attached report.

VPs Community Programs Report:

CMS-PTO Talk: Summary of past speaker session.

• Discussion: How can we get more people to register for and attend CMS-PTO talks? Opt out email form.

Mike C: 4 speakers per year. List dates even if you don’t have speakers chosen. Publicize select CMS-PTO Talks on Nextdoor or Yahoo! Groups.

• Topic ideas: preparing for high school. Panel: entering middle school. Panel: entering high school. Angst moving screening with Dr. Leena.

• TBD  Gaming Addiction  Dr Ili

• Wed, May 8th: CMS-PTO Talk: Financial Advice

• Wed, April 10th: CMS-PTO Talk: Joyful Parenting N Elisabeth Stitt. Author and owns Joyful Parenting Coaching

• Spring Event update: Spring Fling event. Games and what teachers are going to do are set. Dance presentation. Will ask Maddie Lehman re: leading group warmup. Have Mexican food truck. May Bakken to ask Kona Ice. Flyer to put in teacher’s mailbox. Need PTO table for donations, etc. Raffle off Disney tickets.

Principal’s Report: Jeanine – Yosemite trip. New accommodations.

New Business: Teacher Appreciation Week. CMS-PTO appreciation breakfast. Need to determine date. Informal CMS-PTO board planning meeting 3/13 at May Bakken’s house.

Meeting adjourned: 8:00pm

Items needed for CMS Spring Fling

CMS-PTO needs to borrow some items for the CMS Spring Fling on Friday, April 5, 2019. If you have any of these to loan, please contact Bernie Urbina at programs@cms-pto.org.
 
* 4 Canopies
* 4 Water Jugs, like the large Gatorade dispensers
* Corn hole set
* Board games (checkers, chess, etc.)
 
Thank you!

Upcoming CMS-PTO Talk: Where Did My Baby Go?

The next CMS-PTO Talk is April 10, 2019, from 6:30-7:30pm in the CMS Library.

Are you sick of backtalk, disrespect, laziness, lack of motivation, arguing, swearing, lack of cooperation, lying, dark looks and mood swings?

In this workshop that focuses on adolescent behavior, learn

• the key job of parenting a teen.

• how you can manage the behaviors that make you feel like someone has replaced your child with an alien.

•how to keep a close child-parent bond while at the same time giving your tweens and teens the increased freedom that they need.

•how to handle a teen’s need for risk and rebellion.

Elisabeth Stitt is the author of Parenting as a Second Language: A Guidebook for Joyfully Navigating the Trials, Triumphs and Tribulations of Parenthood and the founder of Joyful Parenting Coaching. A teacher in the Redwood City School District (Redwood City, CA) for 25 years, Elisabeth brings over 50 thousand direct contact hours with kids of all ages. Having taught over 3000 students, she has seen all kinds of kids and all kinds of families.

Please RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cms-pto-talk-where-did-my-sweet-baby-go-tickets-58612539684

CUSD Funding Challenges and Strategies – A Talk with Dr. Craig Baker, CUSD Superintendent

Please join us Wednesday night (March 6) at 6pm in the CMS Library to hear Dr. Craig Baker, CUSD Superintendent, discuss our district’s funding challenges and revenue enhancement strategies.

Band parents: Dr. Baker should be finished by the time the band concert starts, so you can attend the talk and the concert.

Please RSVP for Dr. Baker’s talk at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-the-future-holds-for-cusd-a-talk-with-superintendent-dr-craig-baker-tickets-56145071420

What the Future Holds for CUSD – a talk with Superintendent Dr. Craig Baker

Please join us in welcoming Superintendent Dr. Craig Baker on March 6 at 6:00 PM in the CMS Library for a conversation about OUR District and the work ahead to ensure all students benefit from a quality education. Dr. Baker will share information about the District, CUSD goals and priorities, while also providing a District budget update highlighting strategic next steps. As the leader of our District, Dr. Baker’s focus continues to be on providing opportunities, experiences, and resources to all of our children at each of our 25 schools. CUSD25 – We are in it together!

Please RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-the-future-holds-for-cusd-a-talk-with-superintendent-dr-craig-baker-tickets-56145071420

Homestead Rd. Corridor Safe Routes Study Meeting 2/25/19 @ 6-8pm

You are invited to the final community meeting for the Homestead Road Corridor Safe Route to School Study is on Monday, February 25, 2019, from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Homestead High School Auditorium.
 
In June 2018, the County Board of Supervisors approved one-time funding to secure a consultant to develop a multi-jurisdictional conceptual plan for additional on-street safety improvements on the Homestead Road corridor for students coming to and from West Valley Elementary School, Cupertino Middle School, and Homestead High School.
 
The overall objective of the study is to identify near-term pedestrian and bicycle improvements on Homestead Road, from Grant Road to N. Stelling Road/Hollenbeck Avenue, and to seek funding for the identified improvements through various grants.
 
The purpose of the community meeting on February 25, 2019, is:
Provide an update to the community on the study status;
Present proposed concepts;
Receive community feedback on the proposed concepts that have been developed based on input received from first community meeting; and,
Review next steps.
 
Homestead High School is located at 21370 Homestead Rd in Cupertino. Parking will be available in either of the lots on campus. https://hhs.fuhsd.org/about-us/general-information/map-and-directions
More information about the study can be found at: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rda/PnS/CP/Pages/Homestead-Rd.aspx
For questions regarding the study ​or to contact project team, please send an email to: RDA-HomesteadRoad.Study@rda.sccgov.org

CMS-PTO Meeting: Wednesday, Feb. 6

Please join us for this month’s board meeting. It starts at 6:30pm in the office conference room.

Here is the agenda:

Board Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, Feb 6, 2019

6:30 – 8:00pm

Venue: Office Conference Room

  1. Meeting call to order
  2. Review and approve draft minutes from last meeting.
  3. Officer & Committee Reports

    • President’s Report (5min.)
      Dr. Baker to present our March CMS-PTO meeting |*Note: Beginner Band and A Band performance

Review & Update on CMS-PTO Election & Timeline

Update: Safe Routes Update – Traffic Congestion and Safety at drop offs (Julie Crane)

    • Communications Report (5min.)
    • Treasurer’s Report (5min.)
    • Community Programs Report (10min.)
      1. CMS-PTO Talk – Survey Update from last event
      2. Spring Event update (Share in event agenda; solicit parent and student volunteer help)
    • Fundraising Report (5min.)
      1. Fundraising Update
      2. Announce winners from donation raffle drawing
  1. Unfinished Business (10min.)
  2. Principal’s Report (5min.)
  3. New Business (15min.) – Including Proposals and Announcements
  4. Q&A
  5. Adjournment

Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 6 – 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Board Meeting Minutes: FINAL Wednesday, Feb 6, 2019 6:30 – 8:00pm Venue: Office Conference Room

Meeting called to order at 6:34pm. Quorum is present.
Presentation of Batik print from Lusie Apriliana, a parent who supervised the Indonesian booth at the CMS-PTO Fall Family Night in 2018. We will post a message and photo on Facebook re: print and Fall Family Night.

A. Officer & Committee Reports

Secretary’s Report Motion by Heather Marklein to dispense with the reading of last meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Jackie Grapa. Motion carries. Motion by Heather Marklein to approve the minutes from last meeting as distributed via email. Motion seconded by Jackie Grapa. Motion carries.

President’s Report Dr. Baker is meeting with 25 different parent groups to get feedback about all schools in our district. He started at Meyerholtz; going to all schools by the end of March. Dr. Baker to present at CMS on March 6. Will discuss funding and enrollment issues.

Discussion of CMS-PTO election and timeline. Heather Marklein (Secretary) to talk to Nanette Jackson re: ballots, etc., in preparation for upcoming CMS-PTO election.

Safe Routes Update: Traffic Congestion and Safety at drop offs (Julie Crane)

Treasurer’s Report
See attached.

Co-VP’s, Community Programs Report
CMS-PTO Talk R Survey update from last event. Spring Fling event update (solicit parent and student volunteer help).

Co-VP’s Fundraising Report CMS-PTO Dine Out pizza event: low turn out. Will publicize more through the teachers. Will give flyers to teachers to post in their classrooms. Continue to advertise on Facebook and Bear Bulletin, etc.
Box Tops: We collected 972 box tops. That generates $97.20 for CMS. We expected to collect more given the size of the school. Also, parents need to check the expiration date since some Box Tops were expired. Box Top totals by grade:

6th R 225
7th R 250
8th R 273
As a result of collecting the most box tops, the 8th grade will receive lollipops as a prize. We will tally Box Tops again on May 3rd. We will prepare a notice with the date to share with others. If we do this twice a tear we would generate an additional $200 in fundraising dollars.
Bernie Urbina suggested we explore the Benevity app as a potential fundraising source as well as others. CMS-PTO Disneyland Raffle: Betsy Slattery (VP, Communications) will publish the winning families’ names. Drum up excitement. We are considering publishing on the Facebook site, the school website, and the Bear Bulletin.

B. New Business Proposals

See table below. All proposals were voted upon and accepted.
Julie Crane suggested we publish the funding of these proposals specifically to the parents of the affected students (e.g., those in band) to show how CMS-PTO is positively impacting their students.

Proposals

Item#

Bucket

Requested By
DEPT

Detailed Information/ Itemized Cost

Total Cost

Drama Dept Anna Kirsch

1

Anna Kirsh is asking for an “on campus” experience from

the “Blush” group to come to her drama classes to provide stage make up training and to give the kids a “kit” for stage makeup.

Artist Day Rate (School Visit) $ 765.00

Customized Curriculum Development $ 375.00

Mini Artist’s Kit x 60 students $ 825.00 Additional Supplies $ 185.00 Transportation Cost (round trip) 1 $ 50.00 Total $ 2,200.00

Anna is requesting half ($1,100)

This event would be for 7th and 8th graders.

$1,100

2

Mike Cellini

CEEF Donation

Mike Cellini: Previously, different organizations provided

$250

money for the CEEF gala, which was operating in a

deficit. The gala no longer exists. Superintendent Baker

is working with CEEF as a District fundraising group.

Their current initiative is titled “25 for 25.” Since the PTO

is new, he wanted to propose that we fund CEEF. It

would become a yearly request.

3

Jeff Yaeger/ Asa Stern

Music dept. is asking for funds to purchase new instruments.

The band instruments are very old and used. For example, some bear the name of schools that are no longer in existence. One$half of the students at CMS are in band or choir. The Treasurers clarified that this final request should be amended to include taxes and shipping not to exceed 15%.

Item

Cost

Needed

Fox Renard 41 Bassoon

$4,841.50

2

Yamaha 321 Euphonium

$1,932.57

2

Yamaha Student Double Horn YHRR567

Yamaha student Alto Sax Yas 200AD

$2,511.36

3

Yamaha student oboe, with Left F key

$2,735.90

2

$1,090.00

1

Jupiter Bass Clarinet

$1,800

2

$14,911.33

$14,911.33

Total Cost of Proposals

$16,261.33

C. Misc.

Our two guests (husband and wife) were welcomed and invited to talk. They shared that they were previously at ChristaRMcAuliffe school and attended because they were interested in learning more about the PTO. They discussed how low the contribution ($$$) rate is among our parents even though the “ask” is significantly more at elementary schools. Mike Cellini said that Dr. Baker will encourage contributions for all kids across the District.

There was also a general discussion about why teachers may be reluctant to ask for additional funds from the PTO.

City of Los Altos Family Emergency Preparedness Workshop

Thursday, January 31, 2019 – 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Family Emergency Preparedness Workshop

As part of the City’s work to improve our community’s ability to respond and recover from emergency and disaster situations, the City has partnered with the Los Altos School District and Santa Clara County Fire Department to offer complimentary Family Emergency Preparedness Workshops.

Captain Denise Gluhan from Santa Clara County Fire Department will present emergency preparedness information customized for families covering preparedness at home, emergency kits, family emergency communications plans, the basics of home fire safety planning, evacuation planning and more.

Workshop Dates/Times

January 31, 2019
7 – 9 p.m.
Egan Junior High School, Gymnasium
100 W. Portola Avenue, Los Altos

February 7, 2019
7 – 9 p.m.
Loyola Elementary School, Multipurpose Room
770 Berry Avenue, Los Altos

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

https://www.losaltosca.gov/police/page/family-emergency-preparedness-workshop

Dine out and support CMS-PTO on Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Take a night off from cooking and support CMS-PTO! Go to Pizza My Heart on Tuesday, February 5 from 4pm-9pm. 30% of proceeds will go to CMS-PTO to support our students and staff.
 
Valid only at the Pizza My Heart at 20530 Stevens Creek Blvd. in Cupertino. Please note that you must mention the CMS-PTO fundraiser while ordering and before you pay.