5-26-21 Meeting Notes

Individuals Present: Rachael, Megan, Steph, Adam, Mike, Mr. Brown, Mr. Gerwer, Nikole

Agenda Items:

1. Updates from Principal G

2. Finance report

3. Presentation and approval of HSA budget for 2021-22

4. Project updates

5. New projects

6. Summer meeting dates?

Notes:

1. Updates from Principal G

   1. Move up days

      1. 8th grade - June 7th @ West Philly High

      2. Kindergarten - June 8th in the small school yard

      3. PreK moveup - June 9th

   2. New start times? Looking at possibility of changing to 9am due to busing situation at the District level (other option would be to have the kids who take the bus start and leave later) - currently in talks with the school’s building committee to come to an agreement

      1. Discussed need for before-school programming

   3. Summer programming at Penn Alexander - most spots filled

   4. Additional summer programming at Powel

   5. PD sessions wrapping up

1. Finance report

   1. Total $ Available: $3,796.15 ($188.86 in cash +1 $10 gift card)

      1. ~$600 in swag and cash book fair income

   2. Scholastic dollars available: $3322.53 (has not yet been updated with totals from the fair, that will occur after all online orders ship)

1. Presentation and approval of HSA budget for 2021-22 school year

   1. Regroup in August to plan for the first fundraiser?

1. Project updates

   1. Book fair debrief: Really successful! Overall, our total sales were similar to a regular year. Our take-home will be a little less than normal because online sales get us a smaller percentage. It was very easy to set up - they streamlined it and we ordered the smaller version than we typically order. We learned a lot this time around.

      1. Scholastic has us tentatively down for next fall (week before Thanksgiving) and spring (same time as this year in May).

      2. Having it in the auditorium would make it even easier so that we wouldn’t need to set up and tear down every time.

      3. Kids really enjoyed it!

      4. Hopefully they’ll keep the small-scale option since we can sell more of our Lea swag.

      5. IDEA: Lea spy pens?!

      6. Option to use our Scholastic dollars to use it to purchase free books for kids at the fair. In the past, we’ve offered vouchers to teachers for kids they know need it. Some teachers nominated a lot, others didn’t. Next time, perhaps we could do a lottery system. We could also solicit small donations to purchase books for kids who can’t afford them. What if we used our dollars and donations to give every kid one free book that they could choose? What about recruiting some 6-8 graders to work the bookfair to help other kids pick out books, etc.?

1. Student meet-ups

   1. Add Nikole (K) and Mike (K or 3)

   2. Send it one more time

   3. After we get all the names, Steph will reach out to a point person per group and let them go to town.

   4. Basketball hoops will ideally go back up in August but Mr. G needs to verify this. Mike might be interested in supervising open play.

2. Funding end of year celebrations: 14 requests

   1. Up to $75/request reimbursable after being cleared by Principal G; will plan to reach out Friday

1. New projects

   1. Graduation gifts for 40 eighth graders - stickers and pop sockets

      1. Rachael will bring swag in to the school on Friday morning

   2. Playdate for incoming kindergarteners - school admin will plan

   3. Bench donation for playground

   4. August fundraiser:

      1. School supplies?

      2. Health and wellness related?

         1. Garden in the old L wing area?

         2. Little school yard playground?

         3. Supports for athletics?

         4. Comfy spaces in classrooms (like beanbags)? Yoga mats? Resources for mindfulness?

      3. Funding FUN! Building a bank to fund projects to improve students’ mental wellness, health -- and just be kids again.

      4. Put out a poll for ideas before the end of the year?

1. Summer meeting date(s)?

   1. Definitely early August: Wed. August 11 at 7pm in person somewhere!