McKinley Elementary PTA Meeting

April 4, 2017, 7:00 PM

In attendance: Gina Boller, Eric Myers, Mary Kadera, Danielle Rampton, Scott Plimpton, Suzanne Plimpton, Julie Bolin, Maren Mapp, Kristen Bartholomew, Jessie Wagoner, Matthew Locke, Kirsten Walleck, Colleen Fredericks, Carly Kelly, Kelly King, Eileen Wentzel, Colin Brown.

Kelly King, president, welcomed the group and shared the agenda.

A motion was made for the approval of the March minutes. Seconded. Approved.

The three teachers in the music department summarized their recent trip to a national conference for music educators in Ohio and thanked the PTA for providing the funds for making thisconference possible.

Science fair recap: Julie Bolin thanked Suzanne Plimpton for her years of service in leading the science fair and announced that the school had purchased a new digital microscope and it is engraved with her name acknowledging her great efforts.

Principal’s Report: Colin Brown reviewed some upcoming activities; the 5th graders will visit Swanson on 4/19, the month of April will focus on disability awareness, extended day registration now seems to be working, and there are several APS surveys happening where feedback is encouraged.

Teacher’s Report: Kirsten Walleck said teachers were looking forward to staff appreciation week and were aware that the third and final round of grant distributions was coming soon. Thanked parents for their help with the art show and the2nd grade performance. The recorder concert will be 4/27, followed by more choral and instrumental concerts.

Treasurer’s Report; Kelly King reported for Elisa Rosman: $83,687 checking, $53,721 savings. No purchases currently planned as we are waiting to see what APS will cover with the remaining money in the construction budget.

Related to construction, Mr. Brown remarked a few finishing touches will happen soon: parking lot improvements, basketball hoops, shelving for classrooms, no u-turn, handicap parking signs, kiss & drop signs being reinstalled.

Committee highlights:

  • Final session for enrichment is under way (Enrichment Matters will continue to be vendor next year)
  • Food Bus launched with relative ease
  • Variety Show 4/20, still looking for videographer help
  • Staff appreciation week. Gina Boller reminded everyone that it is the first week in May. They have had one meeting and the next is April 19. It will have a super hero theme. Families can help participate by providing raffle donations and there will be a sign-up genius.
  • Volunteer Appreciation breakfast at end of May. Please attend!
  • Fun Fair, May 6, 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Can get tickets in advance. Lots of helpers needed. This will be an opportunity for people to purchase raffle tickets for some items that may typically have been reserved for the auction.

APS News: McKinley still waiting on 10 year projection numbers.

Carly Kelly attended recent meeting to discuss admissions and transfer policies as well as plans to acquire 1300 new seats for high schools. Reed will be opening with 720 elementary seats by 2021. What has yet to be determined is whether it will be a neighborhood school or an option school.

Transfer options: they are looking at many things including removal of guaranteed admission to cluster schools, improving transparency, considering eliminating transportation, changing lottery for immersion schools to maintain 50% native Spanish speakers, allocate spots to HB based on each school, and conduct blind lotteries to options programs where families would elect to opt out should they not want to participate.

Another proposal being discussed is to divide the County east/west with each having a designated school site for options like IT and immersion. Then at the MS level each MS would have a focus, for example, Swanson focus might be IB, Kenmore might be STEAM, Williamsburg might be immersion. This is being discussed now but NOT in the decisions being made by the end of this year.

APS is making the decision on the 1300 seats for the new secondary program by the end of the school year to include the location and the program. Options still include: Ed center 9th grade academy for Washington-Lee, convert Kenmore to a high school and move the middle school to another location such asVirginia Hospital Center urgent care site; Arlington Tech expansion with more spots on that campus devoted to that program. There is still time to submit your thoughts. The link has been included in Cardinal Notes.

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Danielle Rampton

Secretary