The Expedition School Community Association Steering Committee
Date November 3, 2014 | Time 7:00 pm |
Steering Committee Members
Nicole Judice, Co-Chair | Aimée Hobby Rhodes, Co-Chair | Gina Rhoades, Committee Coordinator | Casey Russell,
Committee Coordinator | Jennifer Juhlin, Room Parent Coordinator* | Heather Rael, Room Parent Coordinator |
Charity Mathews, Community Liaison | Jonathon Weisenfeld, Communications Coordinator | Alison Quillin,
Secretary | Bonnie Cadyln, Treasurer | * = unable to attend
Time
Item
Owner
7:00 pm
Discussion: Full Community Association Meeting (December 1, 2014)
Nicole & Aimee
7:10 pm
Game Night
Gina
7:30 pm
Discussion: Mobilizing Community Interest & Volunteers
Charity
7:45 pm
Committee Updates
Gina & Casey
8:30 pm
Room Parent Update
Heather
8:45 pm
Communications Update
Jonathon
Treasurer’s Report:
Bonnie
Bonnie distributed copies of the TESCA Income/Expense Statement to date. Currently, TESCA has two accounts: an account at
Yadkin Bank and petty cash. TESCA has a line item in the TES budget to collect funds from fundraisers such as Razu, GoFundMe,
Radius Pizza, Red Robin, etc. because TESCA does not have 501c3 status at this time. This is not considered cash available, but is
TESCA money to be used at TESCA’s discretion.
TESCA has received an invoice for the recorders. Collection of funds will be coordinated by Jennifer Juhlin.
It was resolved that any committee member who will collect funds on behalf of TESCA will give Bonnie 24 hours’ notice to
coordinate pick-up/deposit of the funds prior leaving them in the TESCA box in the TES workroom as money cannot be left on the
school premises overnight.
Full Community Association Meeting (December 1st):
Nicole & Aimee
Tammy Finch will give a presentation at the beginning of the meeting.
A “Save the Date” for the event will go out in Sunday’s newsletter (Jonathon) and will be posted on the TESCA Facebook page
(Jonathon). Jennifer and Heather will coordinate with Room Parents to remind parents via class email list.
Aimee & Nicole will coordinate the introduction of Steering Committee members, as well as a presentation illustrating goals and
accomplishments of the Steering Committee.
Gina & Casey will coordinate inviting committee chairs to the next Steering Committee meeting (November 17, 2014).
Game Night:
Gina & Casey
Coordinators expressed concern regarding low response rate and lack of volunteers to date. Gina will talk with them about sending
another email requesting participation, as well as sending a flier home in student folders.
Mobilizing Community Interest and Volunteers:
Charity
The Steering Committee is soliciting ideas for ways to make the school more welcoming for parents, grow the relationship between
staff members and parents, as well as increase the ease of communication of teacher needs (materials, etc.) to the parent
community.
Gina suggested a purchasing a marquee and will look into pricing.
Communications:
Jonathon
TESCA email currently going out once a week with a 76% open rate.
Discussion with committee chairs at the Nov. 17th meeting will include a request to plan events to allow for a maximum amount of
notice to the school community beforehand.
Gina proposed amending the event request form to allow for an explanation from the Steering Committee when an event is not
approved. Aimee and Nicole will write a description of the approval process for events for distribution at the Nov. 17 th meeting.
Committee Updates:
Gina & Casey
Grounds:

The Grounds Committee proposes to shift money from the gaga pit fund to fund 2 soccer goals. Patricia approved the
addition of the soccer goals. The cost of gaga ball pit is $600; total raised thus far is $135; the cost of the proposed soccer
goals is $400.
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
The Steering Committee voted NO to shift the funds from the gaga ball pit to fund the soccer goals, but encourages the
Grounds Committee to submit a proposal to fund the soccer goals from the TESCA general fund. Nicole will discuss this
with Janel.
Care Committee Proposed:


Some TESCA members have approached the Steering Committee with the idea of developing a Care Committee to assist
families in times of crisis. The Steering Committee and school administrators have concerns regarding confidentiality which
would be difficult to surmount without a school counselor or social worker to coordinate.
The Steering Committee resolved that no committee will be formed, but that individual cases will be handled as needs arise.
Social:

Next event is “Game Night.”
Arts:



Tiffany Hanbright and Stephanie Tippett have agreed to serve as co-chairs of the Arts Committee.
Tiffany and Stephanie are creating a survey for distribution to teachers during an upcoming staff meeting (pending Tammy
and Patricia’s approval) to determine their needs related to the arts.
They are working to establish goals and will present their ideas at the Nov. 17 th meeting.
Grants:


The Grants Committee currently consists of 4-5 people.
The Committee will submit a proposal to the Orange County Arts Council on Nov. 20 th to provide the 5th/6th grade with a
creative writing residency. The grant would fund $500 and the 5th/6th grade would be expected to raise funds to match that
amount.
Fundraising:



Committee has set a goal to have one major event every quarter and HTR event every 2-3 months.
Casey and Bessie are submitting a proposal for a Book Fair in the spring.
Casey will follow up on gathering information about a Read-A-Thon.
Yearbook:


Heather Rael
Money that comes to TESCA for yearbooks from ad sales needs to be earmarked.
Approximate cost to print the yearbook is estimated between $16-$18. The committee is looking to sell the books for no
more than $20 each. The yearbook will be hardbound, printed in color.
Room Parent Update:
Heather
Patricia has found a service that will complete background checks for $11. The cost is still the responsibility of the volunteer at this
time.
There continues to be a need for classroom volunteers to assist with monitoring lunch and/or recess.
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