Takena Elementary
Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting
September 12, 2012
Agenda and Minutes
CALL TO ORDER: Co-Presidents Jen Rouse and Beth Hoffman called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
ATTENDANCE:
Officers Present: Jen Rouse, Beth Meaney Hoffman, Tera Boring,
Principal Present: Chris Equinoa
Takena Staff Present: Kim Daugherty, teacher
Members Present: Kirsten Patterson, Sarah Mack, Kristi Murphey, Shannon Guerin VanDeusen, Hedie Manske,
Tera Boring, Ken Fandrem
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS/OFFICER ELECTIONS: It was noted that at the August PTC meeting CoPresidents Jen Rouse and Beth Hoffman volunteered and it was voted they would serve as co-chairs for this
school year. Jen requested volunteers step up as Treasurer and Secretary. It was noted that Heather Slocum and
Rebecca Bond volunteered for these positions, respectively, and all in attendance agreed.
TREASURY REPORT: Current balance is “just shy of” $2,500. It was noted by Co-President Jen Rouse that
recently receipts for School Year 2012/13 included Costco $70.95 and Fred Meyer $73.00, which were used to
replenish the extra clothes supply used for student emergencies, soda fundraiser for the staff room, and the
kinder first day parent breakfast meet and greet.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:
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Enrollment is at about 158 students. Takena is welcoming new staff members, including our new
kindergarten teacher Lisa Lange. Bonnie Johnson was transferred full time to Clover Ridge only about a
week before school started. Lisa had been a long-term substitute at North Albany Elementary in the past
and was recommended by the principal there. She has a long history of teaching, both in Albany and in
Molalla. She has been a great addition to the staff! Christine McCulley is teaching music to all students
every Thursday. We have also added Mike Mondale who is teaching PE teacher every Tuesday to all
students.
There is some new equipment within the building this year. Five out of six classrooms have a pole vault
digital projector system, and all 6 classrooms have a projection camera and an interactive SmartBoard.
Staff are continuing to learn about changes to the district’s elementary curriculum, in preparation for a shift
in the statewide common core curriculum standards, which will go into effect in 2014.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
From the Co-Presidents: Current balance is “just shy of” $2,500.
Receipts so far for School Year 2012-13 include Costco, $70.95 and Fred Meyer$ 73.00 funds, were used to
replenish the extra clothes supply, soda fundraiser for the staff room, and the Kinder parent breakfast meet-ngreet; and $200.00 for 4 new sets of walkie talkies used for school security.
CURRENT BUSINESS:
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During the 2011/12 school year Kim Daugherty requested VersaTiles on behalf of the teachers. VersaTiles
are used as manipulatives for learning math curriculum. Currently the school has three sets, the teachers
would like to purchase first-grade and fourth-grade sets. The cost would be about $315. After discussion, a
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motion was made and carried to purchase the two sets requested for First and Fourth grades. Total will be
$630 with the discount.
On behalf of Mandi Sawyer and Brenda Webb, Mr. Equinoa requested $100 to replenish the PBIS (Positive
Behavior Support Program) supplies – this is a district-wide behavior program using incentives for good
behavior. Students are given wolf pack tickets when “caught” showing good character trait behaviors.
Teachers have many opportunities to catch students doing the right thing and PTC members raved about
the program as their children are eager to earn wolf pack tickets. Mr. Equinoa’s phone calls for outstanding
students were also mentioned as a great positive reinforcement for the students. A motion was made and
carried to approve $100 for needed PBIS incentive rewards.
DISCUSSIONS ON FUTURE PLANNING:
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Mamadou Thioub, West African Rhythms and drumming residency October 15th – 19th. This program
is available as a result of a joint effort between Takena and Central Schools. A grant request from the
Linn County Cultural Coalition in the amount of $1,200 was approved to provide funding for the
program. Takena approved up to $200 toward the cost of the program which will come out of this year’s
budget. Central School PTC president Amy Berry, Beth Hoffman, Jen Rouse and Mr. Equinoa will meet
to discuss details for the week. Parents may be needed to assist with transport of supplies, and assisting
with children. Kudos to Beth for getting a hold of this artist, this will be a great opportunity for Takena
students.
Jog-A-Thon, October 26th, times vary. This is a great fundraiser for Takena. Students collect pledges for
the number of laps they run around the gym. Parents will be needed to help keep track of the number of
laps, keep the kids motivated and hydrated. This is a fun and healthy fundraiser the students enjoy
doing.
Santa’s workshop – providing gift giving opportunities for Takena Students. A collection tub will be set
up at Takena to donate new or gently used small items for students to give as gifts to a sibling or parent.
Children will be able to purchase some items for a small fee (around .50 cents to $2.00). Other items
will be available for them to choose for free. PTC may purchase some dollar store items to fill in as
needed. Wrapping assistance will be provided so the gift can truly be a surprise for the recipient.
Read Across America week (February 28 - March 2). This was a fun week for kids last year with guest
readers from City Hall, the Fire Department, the Democrat Herald and others throughout the
community. Please be thinking about who you might know that would be a good guest reader and go
ahead and ask them. Please keep in touch with Jen Rouse and Beth Hoffman if you would like to “book”
a reader. Other events include the “Read In” where students wear pajamas and bring their favorite
pillow and blanket to lounge in the hall while enjoying a good book. The fundraising portion works just
like the jog a thon where students get pledges for a number of minutes read. Beth Hoffman presented
information about storytellers from Salem Art Center and an illusionist Curt Nelson from Corvallis.
PTC members encouraged Beth Hoffman to reserve Mr. Nelson for reading week, ideally Monday as
there is a discount for Mondays.
Jen Rouse has been in contact with Seth Morvay, Takena parent and horticulture student at OSU, who
would like to establish an educational garden or orchard at Takena. He is currently looking into grant
opportunities available and suggested the courtyard would be a good site to begin with. Several benefits
were discussed from teaching kids about soil and water conservation to picking and preparing produce.
Trees will need maintenance and care particularly for the first three years. Seth has agreed to make this
three-year commitment. Further discussion held regarding the cost of a drip irrigation system ($250) is
something the PTC could consider funding. Mr. Equinoa explained that the school district saves money
by not watering school grounds during the summer months. Heather Slocum has been working with
Albany School children for 6 years in water education and has made arrangements this year to work
with Mr. Conrad and Mrs. Obermeyer’s classes. She is interested and available to help with the water
conservation and education portion of this project. Jen has not yet heard from families wanting to adopt
a flowerbed.
Grants: Beth Hoffman has been looking into possible field trips that would be appropriate for the entire
school (one or two classes at a time). She presented several options. She is pursuing a grant fund
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available through Target specifically for school field trips. PTC agreed that potential funds from this
grant source could be earmarked for a trip to the Avery House in Corvallis. This could be varied to serve
different age levels with different optional activities including a trip to OSU campus for the wave
research center, veterinarian school tour, or an insect exhibit. A brown bag lunch in the park would
significantly reduce the cost of the trip. Mr. Equinoa estimates that transportation to Corvallis for a half
or full day is about $90 to $100.
Increasing experiences for Takena Students. Mr. Equinoa and Mrs. Daugherty agreed that the teachers
would love to have more opportunities for their students to learn outside the classroom. Takena PTC can
help teachers offer more of these experiences to their students by researching opportunities, funding
sources, and helping to set up the details. Beth Hoffman also suggested a field trip to a Knights Game in
the spring could be fun and affordable.
Downtown Twice Around Holiday Parade and Community Tree Lighting will be held on Sunday,
December 2nd, 2012 in Downtown Albany. The parade begins at 5pm with tree lighting to immediately
follow. Takena PTC discussed ideas for involvement in the parade (possible float) and interest in
helping coordinate children’s ornaments for the tree (along with central school PTC). Rebecca and Mr.
Equinoa will meet with Central parents to coordinate efforts/ideas for tree decorations. Please feel free
to contact them with any suggestions or ideas. Parade ideas can be brought to Beth or Jen. One
suggestion was to incorporate the holiday songs the students are learning in music class. Mr. Equino
addressed a question regarding the rules of content in holiday songs explaining that the winter concerts
have incorporated songs from multiple holiday traditions. Respecting the traditions and values of others
is an important character trait encouraged in Takena students.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be Wednesday, October 10th @ 6:30 p.m.