Jackson Middle School PTA
General Meeting
September 4, 2018

The general meeting was called to order at 6:44pm on Sept 4, 2018 by President Jessica Christiansen. Jessica Christiansen, Kathy Jennings, Michelle Marsden, Marci Forbes, Kristin Beauchamp, Annie Lindekugel, Principal Kevin Crochett and many Jackson Middle School parents were present.

Joelle Alexander motioned to approve minutes from August 2018 meeting. John Kern seconded.

Joelle Alexander motioned to approve agenda for Sept 2018 meeting. John Kern seconded. No changes required.

Sun School: Elley Cannon the Jackson Sun School Coordinator spoke about fall activities and needs. Sun School at Jackson provides after school opportunities and wrap around social services for kids and families at Jackson Middle School. Jackson M.S.’s numbers have increased this year. Elley is seeking additional parent volunteers to meet student demand, eliminating need to turn students away. Parent volunteer commitments are for 8-10 weeks, during the week. It could be 1-2 days a week. Email Elley for more info. Fall term starts Oct 1^st, 2018.

Introduction of Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Coyne, both 6^thgrade teachers.

Principals’ Report:
Multiple opportunities to participate at Jackson M.S. Coffee chat, @ 9:30am first Friday of the month, is an opportunity for informal conversation, good donuts and coffee. Jackson is on a three-year growth spurt. There are 110 additional students this year. We have 770 enrolled, with 756 in classrooms to date. We are continuing to work on busing issues. An updated schedule for busses 217, 228. 216 is still in review. Bus 235 also had time changes. Please continue to share challenges with transportation if you have issues. If you call, wait until 10am. We had a very successful 6^thgrade Jumpstart Day.

Treasurer’s Report:
Kathy Jennings presented the 2018-2019 budget. There are three main buckets, artful learning, chrome initiative (last year bought 2 carts and replaced 30), and the general fund.

Income Side:
Cookie sales exceeded expectations last year.

Fred Meyers Rewards, Amazon Smile, corporate matching donations are all ways to donate as well.  Rat Race – for arts and technology. The Bernstein Bash – end of Nov.

Expense Side:
School Support – operation budget for artful learning. End of year they let us know how much they have left over and we refill it. Make sure we always have 25,000 in reserves for spending as well.

Culture day – one day event.
Staffing
Counselors
Teacher Expenses

Savings Statement ending balance – 9/3/2018 – $44,750.39.
Checking Account 9/3/2018 – $29, 261.65

Chrome book funding – Fanno Creek Medical Clinic, PTA 60% and school budget 40%. Last year grant from Avid folks. School has given 2/3rds of equity funding. Full Chrome objective has been completed.

60 devices needing to be replaced by summer. Want to add one more cart or two. Purchases come from Principal’s suggestion. Joelle Alexander motioned to approve budget. Jon Kern second. Budget approved unanimously.

Standing Rules: Board spending limit is up to $500 without PTA approval. Standing Rules have to be updated each year. Heather Kramer motioned to approve. Joelle Alexander seconded. Standing Rules approved unanimously.

Back to School Night: Please contact Kristen, volunteer coordinator, if you are free and willing to help out.

Outdoor School– Sunday – Friday (get back on Friday mid day). October 2018 for all 6^thgraders.

October meeting: Our principal Kevin Crochett will perform the “Kev Talk” covering things you might not know about having a middle schooler; social growth, management of technology, etc.

Membership: Membership online Jackson PTA.org or on paper. A portion of th membership fees go to state and national PTA.

Fall Volunteer Needs:

• Recess time and library support – weekly commitments to volunteer.
• Volunteer needs for the following:
  • PTA Clothing Closet – for families in need. Run out of Marshall H.S. building. Sept 27^th– 9:30am – 1:30pm. Help kids shop and pick out clothes. Looking for 5-6 volunteers. Donations are needed as well. Almost new items needed. Donations can be sent from Jackson office to clothing center.
  • Sept 27^th– Picture Day
  • Sept 28^th– Cookie Dough Launch. Need help sorting orders for kids to pick up at end of day on Friday.
  • JMS Staff Appreciation during conferences. Set up, clean up, cooking, donations.
  • Cookie dough sales- $35,000 last year. Jackson MS – 50% profit. Sept 7-21^st 28^thdough arrives to school and distributed. Firm deadline. Must have them in by the 21^st.
  • Bernstein Bash – 11/30 – Multnomah Arts Center – If you have great connections to beer, wine, etc. please let Jess know. Teacher ran parties to sign up at bash. Will stay open until they sell out or event takes place.
  • Scholastic Book Fair – need a volunteer to run this. It will require time the week before the conferences and the week of conferences.
  • West Portland Park Neighborhood Association is looking for non-perishable food donations for monthly food drives.
  • Fun nights @ Jackson: They are held two times a year (Dec/May). We are in need parent volunteers for this night. The Jackson website will give you a blurb about what you can expect for this.

Melissa Kenney (Melissa@ismach.org/ 503.726.6737– Ainsworth PTA Member – Actively involved in SW Portland. Tasked with PTA to assess danger of cross walk situation at Jackson and mentioned the Jackson crosswalk safety initiative. The map came out in back to school packet. Make sure to drop child off at upper parking lot. Community compliance and how the drop off and pick up is important. Expectation in afternoon is a little unclear.

Adjourned 7:57 pm.