September 2019 Minutes

PiE Monthly Meeting

9/17/19

HCS Flex Space

7-8:30 pm

Meeting Minutes

In attendance: Aimee Frost, Suzan Locke, John Pointus, Jim Goldsmith, Jenny Wilkinson, Jamie Cudney, Mary Hong, Anita Howard, Aubrey Gardner, Julie Zack, Doug Stewart, Kim Gordon

Notes from our Principals:

·         PR for meetings

o   Aimee will put the sign out on PiE meeting week to remind parents.

o   Add PiE meeting announcements in the Viking

·         PiE grants:

o   Suzan and John be involved to preview grants before they go to the committee to set aside those that can be addressed through school funds.

o   Melissa will send Suzan and John the details of what information is needed on the grant application. Applicants will be expected to contribute a detailed written explanation on the application in leu of coming to the PiE meeting.

Family Support Discussion- Opportunity to generate balance of filling a unique need but not duplicating what is out there. Does not have to be a monetary donation but community supports.

1.    Food insecurity-Meal balance due. Available for families who are eligible but not applying for free and reduced lunch.

a.    Getting the word out to those who may qualify for free and reduced lunch.

b.    Support is available to assist parents fill out forms for free and reduced breakfast/lunch.

                                         i.    Hinesburg does not qualifies for grants because of number of free and reduced lunch.

c.    District is addressing food issues would need to coordinate.

d.    Backpack program- Hunger Free VT is the contact –

Steps to take:

                                         i.    Focus is for families in need over the weekend.

                                        ii.    Parents would coordinate (pack bags, distribute to teachers) and a staff would distribute to students in need.

                                       iii.    Suzan and John will meet with teachers, school social workers, school counselors, and Deb to support identifying families in need.

                                       iv.    Mary will put a request for parent volunteers in the Pie enews letter to recruit volunteers to organize bags, food collection to spearhead this as a trial.

                                        v.    Aimee to alert Rachel Kring with this plan.

                                       vi.    Fairfax elementary school has rolled out a similar program-(research is needed to identify point person and inquire how this program works).

e.    Feedback from Rachel Kring-there is a gap during summer, they have volunteers

f.     Summer lunch program-could Hinesburg be a location (Research is needed to identify contact person)

g.    Next steps- John and Suzan will describe to staff the number of free and reduced lunches and come to the next meeting with numbers.

  Next need-Nurse Shelly requests hats, boots, mittens as the weather gets                          colder.

a.    Challenges include ranges of sizes and space to store items.

b.    Suggestions to meet need:

                                         i.    Leftovers from Friends of Families clothing swap.

                                        ii.    Jim will pursue roundup at Lantman’s.

3.    Equitable support for siblings who don’t qualify for funding of activities. Anita can contact sources for food.

Other ways PiE currently supports families in need:

1.    PiE partners with the Hinesburg resource center and contributes funding for vacation meal bags.

2.    STAR fund used for scholarships, sports, music instruments and other student interests that they would not participate because of financial constraints.

a.    Coaches, teachers, request funds to co- principals for various items.

b.    Gift cards to stores are purchased for families around the holidays.

Community Event Discussion-

In leu of the harvest dinner which was a community event, PiE would like to do a

Best Attributes of Harvest Dinner included:

·         Drew in families for older students.

·         Community partnered with the school earlier in the fall, the seasonal food was delicious.

·         Unified arts- students made food from scratch and center pieces, helped in kitchen and served.

·         Exposed younger HCS kids to club activities (CVU Jr. Iron Chef)

·         Not marketed as a fundraiser which made it more low key.

Ideas:

·         Move Jr. iron Chef for the fall and hold a Community Dinner in the fall-Students coordinate pot-luck.

·         Poll email list by voting on activity in November e-news letter.

·         Students to participate in and most likely to help.

Fall

o   Trunk or treat with a dance following

o   Election day bake sale 11/6

o   Fun run in the spring or fall

o   Student organized pot luck

o   Waffle breakfast is no longer occurring - Jr. Iron Chef make breakfast

o   Rock paper scissor

Winter Jan-Feb

o   Coffee house music night (CVU Jr. Iron chef could provide food) students provide music

o   Talent show

o   Spring April

o   Empty bowls-community artists donate bowls, community members buy bowls and fill it with Chili.  Maybe as a kickoff to “backpack” project.

o   Coffee house music night (CVU Jr. Iron chef could provide food) students provide music

Any

o   Italian night-dinner theme night

o   Waffle breakfast is no longer occurring - Jr. Iron Chef make breakfast

o   Trivia Night (location at NRG)-pay for a table- pot luck and drinks- winning table gets a prize

o   Movie night in the gym (family or babysit)

o   Rock paper scissors event

Next steps:

Voting-deadline, open list on idea, would be willing to help

Upcoming Activities

·         Friday 10/19 PiE Staff Grant Application

·         10/26 First Box

November 2019 PiE minutes

PiE Meeting Minutes

11/21/19

7-8:30

Attendance: Aimee Frost, John Pontius, Suzan Locke, Rachel Kring, Kristin Niebur, Jim Goldsmith Jamie Cudney, Melissa Levy, Emily Raymond

Agenda Items

1. PiE Grants

• 10 proposals totaling $7,600, funding amount is $3500

• Process-Mellissa and Tanya look over applications then the list is brought to the administration for the final recommendation

• Geography software Ann Pius (digital tech) $239.00 - Admin to fund

• Art manipulatives Rebecca Gove $300-Will ask for items FPF and/or admin funding

• Snowy day Lisa Stanton $700
• Science set Mary Muraski $500 - 50% of cost funded by other budgets

• Ukuleles and supplies Danielle Sertz $1469
• Cash register play money, air hockey toys, graphic novels, marble run Vicki Nelson $350-Will ask for items via FPF

• Puppets in Education Vicki Nelson $750
• Concrete ping pong table Anne Broussard (HCS parent) $400
• “Crankie” Kerri Wallis $800
• West African Drummers Anika Luna $1500

• Funding decisions Totaled $3500
• Vote by PiE members approved the following Grants:
• Snowy Day, Science set, Ukuleles, Puppets in Education

• Suggestions for 2020/2021 year: Add to guidelines: 
• For parent requests, recommend they partner with a staff member to submit grant
• Reiterate that grants are more likely to be awarded when they impact more students or last more than one year (like supplies or curriculum investments) 
• When announce grants inform teachers of full amount of grant money available

2. Snack program-

• Snack drive is up and running! (thank you Jamie) 
• Suzan and Jim passed on that there is support from the superintendent
• 7&8 take on a project to learn about themselves.  A group of 7th grades focused on a food drive. Half of the money went to buying food, the other half went to a cash donation to the Hinesburg Food Shelf. 
• Program will start with families who receive support from social worker then add more 
• Direct Ask letter 
• Jim passed out a sample letter 
• The timing of the letter could go out anytime with the goal of getting the letter out before the 2019-year end.
• Where the donation money goes- Suzan will reach out to the accountant on how to logistically get invoiced
• The money could go into a PiE account OR
• Direct to the school to a “snack program” account. Food would be bought by Deb Bissonnette and invoiced. 
• Could this be a sustainable funding source?
• Other options are using thea reserve in the PiE account that could be used as “seed money”
• Melissa volunteered to research grant sources as well
• Next steps-
• Suzan and John to review letter language
• Want to emphasize that the money raised stays in Hinesburg
• Before sending need to figure out how the money is received and how snacks are purchased (Susan will run this by the accountant)
• Form a Committee of parents (Rachel Kring) and school member (Deb Bissonnette) to could plan allocation of money/snacks
• Start in January

3. HCS Spiritwear Sale

• 34 pieces were sold. The sales ended 11/17 to be sure the items would be received in time for the holidays.
• There will be a second sale in the New Year

4. Fundraising Projections

• Projecting to raise $13,600
• As a group, PiE is trying to get away from fundraisers orders and more toward events
• Would like to add another fundraiser:
• Raffle idea that has been successful in other schools within the district
•  Kids buy tickets to do things with different tasks (play basketball with a teacher, eating lunch with a teacher)
• Requires staff details such as: when would this take place-after school?
• Aimee will reach out to Shelburne and Williston

5. PiE directory-When to get this going?

• Projected timeline: Late winter/ early spring 
• Suzan and Jim relayed that the concern is that with the new computer system the information may not be accurate.
• Work is being done to complete this project.

6. December PiE meeting- 12/19 location and time TBA

March PiE meeting minutes

March 21, 2018 Meeting

7:15-8:00 pm

Meeting Minutes

Attendance: Jim Goldsmith, John Pontius, Suzan Locke, Tanya Jones,  Mary Hong, Aubrey Gardner, Suzie McCoy, Anita Howard, Doug Stewart

1.    Welcome and Introductions

2.    Family Dance

·         Raised $4,300, best event ever!  Thank you everyone, especially sponsors!

·         Feedback-suggestions for next year

o   Raffle baskets-more outdoor themed baskets aimed toward Men such as: BBQ items, outdoor theme for camping, hunting, etc. Food baskets containing pies, cakes, fruit bars, breads, etc.

o    separating baskets into grade not class. Some baskets were so large they could have been separated into 2 baskets.

·         Select next year’s theme-Student contest/Student vote- suggestion box

·         Separating revenue having a lock box

·         Need more loose change specifically, $150 in ones

·         Corporations such as Costco and Shaw’s will donate but will need 30 days prior notice

·         Increase Ice cream containers-Vanilla ice cream ran out early.

3.    Screenagers- (John)

·         March 26th, Door open at 6:45 screening at 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the flex space. Discussion following the video.

·         Refreshments served by PiE

·         Lots of interest from parents, many parents are bringing students

·         Screenings for grades 5-8 throughout the week.

4.    Apparel Fundraiser (Tanya)

·         Lots of interest from students who previously bought sweatshirts.

·         Online store: trucker hat, short sleeve, sport tech, sweatshirt

o Contest to design or creative graphic

o Someone to design front (color green or grey, logo)

o Orders will likely be sent to the school for pick up.

·         Fundraiser should roll out in late August, early September.

5.    Lake Monster Fundraising Update

·         Jamie Cudney is leading, thank you Jamie!

·         Tentative sales dates May 6-24

·         Event date:  Wednesday, 6/19 7:05 game v. HV Renegades

·         K/ 1st grade “Take me out to the Ballgame”, school band (may) play national anthem

·         May do 50/50 raffle, Jamie to confirm

·         Want to help?  contact Jamie

6.    Staff Appreciation-

·         Possible dates: 5/7 or 5/14, 4:00 gathering at HCS then food at  Hinesburg Public House to follow

·         Activity Ideas: Massages, Breakfast coffee, chalk art or note for teacher (if weather is nice) on the sidewalk and walk way up to the school, Cards to teachers.

7.    Open Mic

·         Grant follow up-

o Jim reports there have not been many requests for money for grants.

o There may be a delay from the book keeper

o Jim will send an email to administration

·         Graduation-

o Questions: Does PiE contribute to 8^th grade graduation?

o No, there will be a Slide show, 7/8 grade Dance that follows, 7^th grade parents provide decorations and refreshments.

·         8^th grade Montreal trip-

o Every year the question arises: ‘should PiE contribute?’

PiE has not donated funds in the past.

·         Reflections from administration on district consolidation

o comprehensive 10-year plan is being designed with administration and Tim Peete the head of facilities

o equity funds will contribute to:

§  Maker Space

§   score board in the gym

§  gym floor will be repainted and relined

·         Administration will check into timeline of repaving of parking lot.

·         Pilot vacation meal bags-

o  School counselor and social workers gather a list to target 10 families and generate a letter to families inquiring level of interest next week. Once this list is generated, meal bags will be discretely put into student’s cubby’s/lockers Every Friday until end of the year.

Upcoming Activities

·         Tuesday, 3/26/19 Screenagers Community viewing at HCS 6:45-8

·         Thursday, 4/18/19 PiE meeting: Staff Appreciation