K.W. Barrett Elementary School
PTA Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2018
Welcome and Introductions
7:05 p.m. – PTA President Dan Wendell called the meeting to order.
Approval September 2018 Minutes
Andrea Shaw made a motion to approve the September PTA Minutes; Michelle Le seconded the motion; minutes approved.
School Board Update, Tannia Talento
· Introduction and explanation of School Board
· Focus on community engagement
· Enrollment growing but has slowed, approximately 27,500 students enrolled in APS, official count from Sept. 30 deadline will be out this week
· School Board Action Plan overview, reviewed every 5 years
o How are we looking at APS over the next six years?
§ https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SB-2018-19-Action-Plan-FINAL.pdf
o School Boundaries/New schools opening overview
§ https://www.apsva.us/elementary-school-boundary-change/
o Construction Cost Study Finding overview
§ On average comparable to nearby counties (Fairfax, DC, Montgomery, Alexandria City)
· School/Facility Naming for 2019: Drew, Montessori, Vacation Lane Site, H-B Woodlawn/Wilson site, Washington Lee
o Barrett parent Ali Chen is a member of the W&L naming committee if you have any questions
· Strategic Plan, performance objectives will be voted on this week – revised every 6 years
o Heavy focus on partnerships
o https://www.apsva.us/strategic-plan/Upcoming Events
· Upcoming Calendar Events:
o No School, Oct. 8
o College & Career Fair, Oct. 9
o Walk to School Day, Oct. 10
o Harvesting Dreams for our Children, Oct. 12
o Middle School Info Night, Oct. 22
o Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences, Oct. 25-26
o Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences, Oct. 26
o High School Info Night, Oct. 29
Parent question: Will TJ be accepting transfers next year? Tannia: Don't know for sure but the hope is all schools will be open for transfers, nothing decided yet, need to see how enrollment gets balanced across the County once the new middle school opens.
· Keep in touch!
o https://www.apsva.us/engage/
o Contact info: 703-228-6015
o school.board@apsva.us (messages to this address go to all School Board members)
o Open Hours every Monday, 5-7 p.m. (sometimes 5:30-7:30 p.m. depending on which School Board member is there)
Parent question: Could you talk about the budget, we're hearing the biggest cuts we've been asked to have are on the table and we're concerned for Barrett, specifically our exemplary projects, how will you be looking at the cuts?
Tannia: There's a projected $43 million APS deficit for next year (and a County deficit of $35 million), actual number will likely be approximately $15 million less, still waiting on final enrollment report to come in from Sept. 30th deadline. Various factors sill affecting the deficit, I do not anticipate us finding $43 million before the proposed budget is released in February. If there's a tax adjustment APS would receive $7 million for every one cent increase, however even if taxes are raised we'll still have a deficit. In the past there have been no discussions about program cuts, look at the various tiers of budget cuts that have been brought forward in previous years – nowhere in these tiers have school programs been affected; central office would see the first round of cuts. Our main goal is to not affect schools directly. Class sizes were on the table last year, not our first choice, but raising class size is a significant savings for us, in addition to staff pay increases.
There's concern on the School Board about our Title 1 schools and making sure their extra funds are used effectively – how are we really helping the schools with the most needs? I don't foresee a concern to program cuts but please stay engaged.
Timing: School Board will receive the proposed budget on February 28, we'll have updated numbers at that time, then we go into work sessions (there will be 7 work sessions from Feb. 28 to May 9 just regarding the budget) then into deliberations, feedback from the community, before final vote in May.
Parent question: How many Title 1 schools in APS? Tannia: There are 11 Title 1 elementary schools, would need to verify how Wakefield is counted.
Reminder to join Tannia at Barrett on Friday, Nov. 2 for an informal "coffee with a school board member" meeting, 8 a.m. in the school library.
Principal Report, Dan Redding
· Ground work update: on Monday a retaining wall was installed to keep dirt and rocks from washing through the fence onto Park Drive at the playground gate
· County permits secured for turf, work expected to begin this week
· On Nov. 6, during voting hours, Barrett will be the site of an Arlington County Emergency Preparedness drill, as part of their simulation they'll be giving out free flu shots
· Lockdown drills were completed in September, required by law to do 4 per year
Parent question: Can you discuss the Discovery Lab rumors? Dan: Nothing has been cut and until we see the budget in February we won't know of any proposals to cut exemplary projects. In 2010 exemplary projects were discussed. We get 2 positions for our exemplary programs – which are extra budget line items.
Parent question: Do you have the capacity to fight for it? Dan: Until the budget is released there's nothing to fight for but parent advocacy is historically very effective. (As discussed tonight with Tannia). I'll for sure communicate with the school what I see in the budget in February. Please don't hesitate to come to talk about rumors, especially as budget discussions progress
Parent question: Can you elaborate on our Exemplary Projects? Dan: Not every school has a full program, only Barrett & Abingdon have 2 full time positions (we used to have 3), they are Dr. Sullivan and Arturo Ramirez; some schools just get flat dollar amounts – we still run 3 programs with 2 positions – creatively filled with half positions (½ art teacher & ½ Tiger TV).
School Counseling Program, Claire Vellente
· Introduction and overview
· I'll be going into all K-5 classrooms twice a month to discuss bullying
· Mental health staff assessments: school psychologist, social worker and myself – the 3 of us will work in small groups, counseling/pulling specific students (self-regulation/calming emotions and social skills groups), 4-6 kids per group/grade
Parent question: How are you identifying the groups? Claire: Since all 3 of us are new to Barrett, teacher recommendations are crucial, we will also accept parent referrals and do our own observations.
Parent question: Are extended day teachers included in teacher recs? Claire: Yes, for sure, we also get emails from them and will definitely accept their referrals.
Book Fair Preview, Jennifer Sauter-Price, The Pajama Mama
· Introduction and overview of Book Fair coming in November
· Last fall I launched a non-profit, READ: Read Early and Daily
o When you buy books from us the money raised will be serving students in need in Arlington
o https://www.readearlyanddaily.org/
· The Barrett Book Fair will now only be 3 days:
o Mon., Nov. 5, family shopping night, 6-8 p.m., with movies and pizza in the gym
o Tues., Nov. 6, during voting hours, 10:30-3:30 p.m., with two story times
o Wed., Nov. 7, 7:30-9:30 a.m., 11:30-1:30 p.m., 3-6 p.m.
· Overall selection will be smaller but highly curated
· If you can't attend there will also be the option to purchase books online!
Teacher Report, Morgan Welsh and Erin Stansel
· Thank you for helping kids adjust with morning drop-offs, everything is continuing to go well
· Thank you also for your patience with the neighborhood parking
· Thank you from Dr. Sullivan for the recent insect exhibit from the VA living museum, it was a big success, the students really enjoyed it.
Treasurer Report, Dan Wendell
· PTA dues trickling in, teacher reimbursements ($125 per class) are the major debits/credits for the month
· PTA t-shirt proposal discussion, this budget item will require a vote
o Will spend $4,500 (or less depending on contributions), hoping to raise $2,000
o Will order 700 shirts for teachers and students
· Official motion: Can we spend $4,500, that we have previously not put in the budget, for the design and purchase of t-shirts for students and staff?
o Bryna Stewart made a motion to approve; Derek Nisco seconded the motion; budget item approved.
· Checking: $75,121.90
· Savings: $16,774.26
New Business, Dan Wendell
· Hispanic Heritage Night, Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
o Students will be bringing home a permission slip to participate in a living museum that evening
· Reminder to check the PTA Web site for all school announcements:
o https://www.kwbarrettpta.org/news
Shout Outs, Dan Wendell, Arturo Ramirez
· T-shirt fundraiser, Dan Wendell & Arturo Ramirez
· Parent Happy Hour, Dan Wendell, Melanie Jones & Suzette McGrann
Adjournment
· The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
· Next meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 6 even though there is no school that day
