LBMS PTA General Meeting
October 13, 2015
Meeting Called to Order: 12:08 pm
Attendance: 13 (Amy Havelka, Betsy Kaiser, Bev Wilkinson, Cheryl McBride, Gina Redinger,
Janine Finucane, Jean Thorpe, Jessica Kim, Kathy Woolner, Pam Hook, Mr. Paul Wilson, Stephanie
Fitzpatrick, and Suzi Khawaja)
President: Suzi Khawaja
Suzi welcomed all attendees, including guests Carol Winter and Joe Kraft, candidates for Westlake
City School Board. Each candidate spoke for three minutes. They remained for the meeting.
Suzi announced a Reverse “Trick Or Treat” event is set to occur at the Lutheran Home on Oct. 30
afterschool.
On Nov. 23rd LBMS students will hold an indoor garage sale.
On Nov. 5th, the “Career Day Speaker” series will begin with Jessica Dill and Tony Garbo, discussing
their careers in Journalism/Photo Journalism/Marketing/Community Relations with Fox 8 News.
The series will continue until February, with events held in the LBMS Media Center after school.
Suzi is planning to include the following careers: banker, architect, veterinarian, computer
programmer, and real estate developer. Additional speaker suggestions are welcome.
Westlake PTA “Star Players” of the month are Lisa Klima and Janine Finucane.
1st Vice-President: Jessica Kim
Jessica thanked Suzi for the wonderful food celebrating Hispanic Heritage month according to the
Ohio PTA Diversity Calendar.
2nd/3rd VPs (Fundraising): Cheryl McBride, Michelle Tobin
No report.
4th /5th VPs (Membership): Janine Finucane, Lisa Klima
Reported that 85 additional memberships were received with $2,005 additional dues deposited.
Total for the school year is 206 dues-paying members and $4,830 in direct donations.
Recording Secretary: Kathy Woolner
Please sign-in on the attendance sheet.
Corresponding Secretary: Christine Brown
A thank you note was received and presented.
Treasurer: Bev Wilkinson
Bev presented the financial update (attached). Please put receipts in the PTA mailbox.
Council Delegates: Lauren Backus, Connie Sinreich
Amy Havelka reviewed the Dean’s Nursery fundraiser for the entire month of October. She
encouraged parents to attend the Oct 20th “Hidden in Plain Site” program at the Parkside building.
Childcare is available during the program, as no children are allowed in the presentation.
Committees:
8th Grade Candy Sale: Suzi Khawaja
No report.
Administrative: Paul Wilson, Principal
Mr. Wilson introduced Ms. Beth Dagostino, new Assistant Principal.
Thank you to the PTA for the 7or 8 staff grants given already. Thanks to Suzi for lunch.
Spirit Week was successful. Fall sports participants were recognized along with a cheer
competition.
Boys/Girls Basketball, wrestling, and ski club are beginning. Builders Club, Math Madness (online
competition), Academic Challenge, and Science Olympiad are getting started.
Mrs. Blahnik’s class is practicing life skills by making and selling dog treats to students in school.
In honor of National Good Neighbor Day, LBMS says “hi” to the Lutheran Home.
The new front walkway landscaping is the result of Patrick Lee for his Eagle Scout project and
plants from Dean’s Nursery.
As a new opportunity for communication, Mr. Wilson will hold informal chat sessions (one per 9week session) beginning in early November. Parents are welcome to come.
New football seating rules are working well to maintain student safety. Suzi thanked Mr. Wilson for
supervising at football games.
Great job was done by Mindy Clark, who coordinated the WHS Homecoming Parade.
Please check Twitter and the LBMS website for daily announcements.
Advocacy: Elayne Newcomb
No report.
Audit: Kim Mather
No report.
BOE Rep: Amy Havelka
There was a BOE work session last night. The strategic planning listening sessions are completed.
Shortly there will be online surveys. A search firm is assisting the Westlake School Board to find
superintendant candidates. Board of Education meetings are on the calendar. Westlake City
Schools administration is moving into the Parkside building by December 2015.
Book Club: OPEN
No report.
Box Tops: Roberta Rence
No report.
Burneson Blast/Social Media: Lori Jolliffe
No report.
Blue/Gray Cotillion Refreshments: Cheryl McBride, Elaine Newcomb, Lauren Falcone,
Jennifer Rujawitz
No report.
Blue/Gray Cotillion Ball: DeeDee Hlavin, Debbie Ryba, Ellen Hartup,
No report.
Directory: Ingrid Atkins
Amy Havelka reported that the data is being tested at one school.
Founders Day: Jessica Kim
No report.
Health/Safety: Betsy Kaiser
No report.
Hospitality: Lauren Falcone, Tina Wasserbauer
No report.
Library Coffeehouse: Jessica Kim
Jessica continues to investigate what fundraiser options are available for food at the Coffehouse
event.
Music Boosters: Emily Lockshine
No report.
Reflections: OPEN
No report.
Science Olympiad: Janine Finucane
On Saturday, January 9th, Westlake will host a Science Olympiad competition at WHS and is looking
for volunteers. Fundraisers include selling beverages at Bassett’s Harvest Day, dining at Mooya on
Nov. 2nd, dining at Max & Ermas on Nov. 14th, and selling Westlake-branded Tervis cups.
Scholarship: OPEN
No report.
School Support: OPEN
No report.
SNAPS: Stephanie Fitzpatrick
No report.
Staff Grants: Ingrid Adkins
Jessica Kim is assisting Ingrid to review applications. Grants totaling approximately $1700 have
been approved for the first half of the school year.
Volunteer Coordinator: Janine Finucane, Lisa Klima
No report.
Website Coordinator: Kim Mather
No report.
Westlake Athletic Boosters: Gina Reddinger
Gina provided an overview of Athletic Boosters (money for equipment, gear, and uniforms at LBMS
and WHS) and encouraged people to join for $25. Meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of the
month at the WHS Red Brick Room. Fundraising includes memberships, tailgates before home
games, and working at Browns Stadium.
New Business/Unfinished Business:
None.
Announcements:
Next general PTA meeting will be November 10 at 12:00 Noon.
“Hidden in Plain Sight” event on October 20th.
Reverse “Trick Or Treat” on Oct. 30th.
Meeting Adjourned: 12:56 pm
Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Woolner
Recording Secretary 2015-16