PTA October Meeting (10/21) Recap

Here’s What Happened…

Members approved the Consent Agenda which included (1) minutes from last meeting, (2) checks to be ratified, and (3) plans for a PTA Membership Raffle featuring four tickets to Disneyland as grand prize.

Special Guest Speaker: Jennifer Larson, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

Ms. Larson gave an engaging 30-minute talk about Proficiency-Based Education, an approach to evaluating student progress which the District has formally adopted and SJMS teachers have begun to use with our students. More information can be found at these links:

Proficiency-Based Education at NUSD

Jennifer Larson’s Presentation Slides

Reports and updates were given on the following standing topics:

Hispanic Heritage Fiesta was a great success, enjoyed by students, teachers and parents alike. Many Hispanic parent volunteers stepped up to help with food and decorations, Ms. Mastro worked with the student leadership team to organize traditional games, and a professional mariachi band visited and played for the students. We hope to make this an annual tradition.
Fall Enrichment Activities are now underway, with over 40 students participating weekly in after-school programs for Archery, Cooking, Flag Football, Coding, and Tutoring. The PTA was able to extend scholarships to roughly ten (10) students, enabling them to participate. We expect to know the specific financial results of Fall Enrichment over the next few weeks, once we receive registration income from Electivity and pay instructors. Private Tutoring was the hardest program to get launched; the greatest need is for Math tutors, and there seems to be a shortage of qualified tutors. However, PTA has now engaged two Math tutors who will both start this week – one will be serving as a substitute teacher at SJMS. We are now able to extend this program to more students and are exploring the possibility of adding small group Math support during the school day.
School Site Council has elected two new leaders: Lucianna Castelluci as President, and Lisa Devora as Vice President. The leadership circle is widening to include more new parents and we a positive movement beginning.
Principal Casper shared briefly about a rumor of racial bias that has circulated on social media. SJMS PTA leaders affirmed our strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for all students, and expressed appreciation for the Principal’s candor. We look forward to the findings from the investigation. In the meantime, we would like to assure all students and parents that the leadership of San Jose Middle School stands firmly for racial and socioeconomic justice.
Treasurer Liza Aoanan shared the Treasurers Report.
Membership Chair Leigh Young reported we have 141 PTA Members to date, versus our goal of 300. Two local schools have managed to reach 100% parent participation. Volunteers are needed to assist on a Membership Task Force, which will meet on Wednesday, October 27th at Marin Coffee Roasters at 8:30am after drop-off. Strategies will include the Disneyland raffle, and promoting membership at the upcoming Halloween Movie Night.
Parent Education Chair Haven O’Halloran shared that the evening with Dr. Christine Carter is being rescheduled for the Spring. Planning is underway for several other Parent Ed Nights including a session in March dedicated to high school preparation and a session in May focused on summer activities for middle school youth. Also proposed is a “Parent Circle” focused on changes during the middle school years, sharing the wisdom of parents with older teens with those of 6th and 7th graders. Details forthcoming.
Auction Chair Lucy Madarasz reported that we are tentatively targeting Saturday, March 12th for the Auction, pending confirmation that date doesn’t conflict with 0ther major events. A tentative hold is placed at HopMunk Tavern in Novato. The first Auction Committee meeting will take place on Monday, October 25th at 6:30pm at Lucy’s home. Email Lucy Madarasz to get involved at [email protected].

New Business:

Halloween Movie Night is scheduled for Friday, October 29th. Originally proposed as free to PTA members, with an admission fee for non-members, the membership decided to make the event fully free for all. PTA will promote membership and sell raffle tickets and glow sticks at the event, while Drama Boosters organize a Bake Sale, and Music Boosters organize a Cafe and Beverage Bar to benefit their respective programs.
The following New Business items were tabled for discussion at a future meeting:
• New Activity & Position: Mother Flocker!
• New Activity: Teacher Appreciation Day in November (week of 11/15?)
• New Activity: Holiday Wrapping Service Fundraiser