Parent Council Meeting Minutes
October 19, 2015, Hiawatha
In attendance: Gary Kinzer, Dean Bolton, Shruti Gross, June Hicks, Amy Suhrheinrich, Stefanie
Konrad, Anupama Atre, Martha Hentz, Melissa Cochran, Cathy Heath, Dana Flink, Kristin Arnett,
Tiffany Albrecht.
Principal’s Report – Gray Kinzer
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Hiawatha is having an enrollment explosion. It has gone up about 100 students in the
last 3 years. Current enrollment is 474. This is the largest the school has been since
1993. Previous growth concerns of serving lunch, specials, carline, etc. are not
problems. All is good. English Language Learners (ELL) have gone from 8 to 51. This
enriches the school and increases the diversity.
New staff: Kori Cramer – 4th grade teacher (from Bennett Woods), Adrienne Hagon – 1st
grade, Eemma Iseman – ELL
Hiawatha has a new school flag. Had a dedication ceremony.
Fall events: Hawk Walk, Wednesday October 21, 2015. This takes the kids on a 2 mile
walk through the surrounding neighborhoods. Hiawatha Harvest is Friday, October 23
with pumpkins and fall crafts.
Fall fundraiser – Pancake breakfast at Applebees on November 14. Teachers are the
servers, and all money donated goes for buying supplies.
Fall data meetings review screening data for each student. Meetings are run by RTI.
There is a half day for each grade, so they have time to discuss each student. Good fit
groups have started for reading and math.
Stephan Beagle, an OHS student, is doing his Eagle Project at Hiawatha. He is building
an outdoor classroom that will be available for all to use. It will be mulched off with
picnic tables.
High Five Turkey Drive will be right before Thanksgiving. The school collects food for
and feeds 20-25 Hiawatha families. To fundraise, they sell T-shirts and bracelets. They
generally raise about $800-$1,000. Each grade generates a non-perishable food item,
and some donate cash. The 4th graders go shopping for the perishables – good
economic lesson! They deliver the baskets the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
Board of Education Report – Dean Bolton (combined with Superintendent Report for Dr. Ash)
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Enrollment is up 102 students from last year. This increase is all from residents, not
school of choice. The budget had estimated a 45 student increase. With the added
students come added expenses, but this is all good. The Board with get budget revisions
from Mr. Clark in November. There is no change in policy for school of choice, but the
school of choice numbers are down with decreased space in the district.
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Cultural Diversity Committee is still analyzing the survey data from earlier this year.
There are meetings planned. The Board will meet with the Diversity Advisory
Committee. They will work with staff and professional development. There is a
tentative date of January 13, 2016 for a community conversation.
For the Kinawa Drive Crosswalk, Dr. Ash has met with the Administrative team. Both
the East and West Chippewa crosswalks will be eliminated, with a new crosswalk in
between them, closer to the bus circle. This was decided to be the safest crossing
location. The bike location will also change. The site is still waiting for electricity.
There is a calendar change due to an election date. Previously, March 15 was going to
have no school for K-8. That date has been changed to March 8 for the schools to be
available for voting. There WILL be school March 15.
World Language is discussion for the younger grades is being resurrected. In 2007 the
district looked at the topic, but there wasn’t sufficient funding. Patty Trelstad will be
reevaluation with input from staff, parents and the administration. There will likely be a
Board Community Conversation in April.
There has been a non-voting High School member of the board. The process is being
reworked to possibly have one junior and one senior apply for the position. GPA has to
be at least a 3.0, and they have to commit to attend meetings.
Last Monday the Board had a regular meeting and revisited some of the norms, as they
have 3 new Board members.
Last Tuesday they participated in a Town Hall meeting with Sam Singh to discuss
legislative issues. The 3rd Grade Proficiency bill has passed in the House to begin in the
2019-20 school year. There are some exceptions to it (students with IEP, ESL, etc).
October is Principal’s month.
Okemos Education Foundation – Martha Hentz
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The banquet to honor the Commitment to Excellence Award Recipients will be
November 19 at the Kellogg Center. Please advertise this to schools.
OEF approves grants 3 times per year. They just approved a round of grants.
Fundraising drive is in full swing. Any amount helps and benefits students K-12.
OEF will be taking promotional photos of kids October 29 at OHS.
Special Education – Amy Suhrheinrich and Anupama Atre
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Anupama will be taking over the Parent Group
The group is starting a newsletter. It is hard to target a group as there is such an age
range and range of abilities.
o Celebration Corner – highlights a child and accomplishment
o Meet your team
o Calendar of Events
o News Desk – updates on happenings in the district
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The website will have a resource directory
Website – Stefanie Konrad
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Gathered website reps for all parent groups
Requested each parent group site stay current with meeting dates, agendas, minutes,
contact info and activities.
School Reports and activities. This month’s discussion was about what extra-curricular
activities were offered at each school, and what fundraising events were used.
Building Reports – October 2015 District Council Meeting
OHS
OHS Parent Group found a new Executive Committee, President Kelley Foltz, Vice
President Erin Boland, Secretary Amy Stephenson, and Treasurers Mary Doster & Robyn
Robins…we are grateful for their time and commitment.
OHS thanks the Okemos Education Foundation for their continued support! OEF
continues to recognize the excellence that takes place at OHS and extends financial
support to maintain extracurricular opportunities for our students. We are thankful for
all of you who support OHS by donating to the Okemos Education Foundation. The
following clubs and groups are sponsored with OEF funds: ACTION, Political Club, Asian
Club, Quiz Bowl Connect, SADD, Earth Club, Theatre Club, Gay/Straight Alliance Club,
and the World Language Club
OHS is currently scheduling PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES FOR 20152016! Conferences are held 4:30-7:30 p.m. on the following dates: Tuesday, November
10, Thursday, November 12, and Monday, November 16.
"Little Women" will have performances November 4 - 8, 2015, and feature a cast of 10
dynamic and talented OHS students. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or audiences
can skip the line and purchase them online at www.okemostheatre.net.
HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) is a new Club at OHS! Are you interested
in a Health Profession? Do you want to spend time with students who share your
passion for health occupations? Do you want to compete for scholarships and attend
interesting conferences where you can learn more about the opportunities that exist?
The first meeting was held on October 12th. All grades are welcome! Check out this
website if you want to know more, http://www.michiganhosa.org/ or talk to Megan
Heinemann and Ayesha Panda.
Okemos apparel will be available this school year through an online web store. The web
store can be accessed athttps://okemosspiritwear2015.itemorder.com/sale. A youth
section has been added including items for toddlers and infants. Many items are also
available in the school store at the high school. The school store is open during lunch
periods at the high school. ● For the first round of orders, your order must be placed
on or before October 25th. ● Orders will be available for pick up from Johnny Mac's
approximately three weeks after the order closes on October 25th. A person from
Johnny Mac's will contact you by phone or email when the apparel can be picked
up. After October 25th the store will reopen and another round of orders will
begin. Deadlines for the current round are located at the top of the web store.
Chippewa – Tiffany Albrecht & Stefanie Konrad
- 10/09 The Walk-Run Fundraiser took place. The event went well and raised about
$11,500. Not enough volunteers signed up to fill every location. We had to ask some
people to switch from quieter spots to busier locations at check-in.
- 10/09 8th grade band pre-game performance at OHS Football game together with OHS
Marching Band
- 10/15 8th grade took PSAT 8/9
- 10/16 8th grade Tailgate Lunch
- 10/21 6:30 pm Chippewa Parent Group meeting to finalize and approve the budget.
- 10/22 7:30 pm 7th grade Band
- 10/22, 23 & 26 3-7 pm Boys Basketball Tryouts
- 10/27 7:30 pm Halloween Concert by Orchestra at CMS
- 10/28 6:30 pm NUMATS parent meeting (6-8 grade)
- 10/28 7:30 pm Fall Choir Concert (6-8 grade) at Kinawa
- 10/29 7:30 pm Halloween Concert by 8th grade band students at CMS
- 10/30 3-4:30 pm 8th grade Halloween Dance
- 10/31 & 11/01 Auditions for Michigan All State Band & Michigan All State Orchestra
- 11/03 Teacher appreciation luncheon with the theme "Comfort food". We are looking
for volunteers.
- 11/03 - 11/05 Parent teacher conferences (scheduled 5 min meetings)
- 11/14 Solo and Ensemble Festival at Charlottle Middle School
- 11/20 & 11/21 7:30 pm CMS Fall Musical "Annie Jr."
Kinawa – June Hicks
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This year the directory will be online. It will be password protected and there will be
alink on the website to access the directory.
KKM was a huge success. We brought in $16,344. The students will be rewarded
with a DJ party.
The Device rollout went very smooth. Students had to go through training before
they received their devices.
This year we will advertise spirit wear through the online highschool store.
Bennett Woods – Dana Flink & Andria Pincheria
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Fun Run was on Friday Oct. 9. It was a great success. We raised $17,007! The most we
have ever raised with Fun Run. All the students got to spray Mrs. Palasty and the
"Specials" teachers with silly string at the wrap up assembly.
Box Tops will be collected Nov 9-13th.
Classroom Halloween celebrations will be on Friday, Oct. 30.
Next Family Council Meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 12.
Cornell – Melissa Cochran
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Enrollment is strong at Cornell again this year. We have approx. 431 studentsand18
classrooms. Cornell experienced significant growth last year, and our enrollment this
year is very similar.
Cornell held our fall data team meetings for each grade level over the past couple of
weeks and we are excited to start our Best Fit Groups on Oct. 18th. We have a "brand
new" team of three at-risk aides this year, and they are off to a very positive start
learning about our students and the interventions that they will teach.
Teal Pumpkins - The Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) started the Teal Pumpkin
Project™ in 2014 to raise awareness of food allergies and promote inclusion of all trickor-treaters throughout the Halloween season. This year, our PTO will be distributing
Teal Pumpkin posters to anyone would like to display them during Trick or Treating and
who will be handing out non-food treats that are safe for all. In addition to that, PTO
will provide a map to Cornell families showing which homes have Teal Pumpkins. This is
being done as a service to our many families who have children with food allergies.
Hiawatha – Cathy Heath & Erin Boland
October 19th: 4th grade field trip to MSU children’s Garden
October 21st: Hawk Walk- our biggest fundraiser- students walk two miles with class;
families and friends give donations in support! Goal is $10K
October 23rd: Hiawatha Harvest- Fall celebration~ activities, pumpkin decorating w help
from Action, snacks, High-5 Turkey t-shirt sales (fundraiser for Thanksgiving baskets)
October 23rd: 4th grade field trip Detroit Institute of Art
October 27th: Brainstormers Assembly
October 30th: 4th grade Haunted Music Room, Halloween Parade
October: Author Kendra Montante (Booing: A Halloween Tradition) is coming
Other happenings: Eagle Scout Outdoor Classroom Project is under way
Montessori at Central – Kristin Arnett
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Next PTO meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2015 at 6:30 in the library.
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Mrs. Sally has already received 103 Gift a Book donations!!! The original goal for the
year was 65. She is extending the ‘pirate treasure path’ outside the library to hold 125
books. Each time you gift a book that book stays in the library and helps it to grow.
Adding 87 books already is amazing!
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Book fair is coming up November 2-6, 2015
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Parent-teacher conferences are starting on November 2, 2015.
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We have welcomed a new teacher for our PPK class for a teacher who recently resigned.
Her name is Mrs. Beth and we are still getting to know more about her.
OEF – Martha Hentz
Okemos Education Foundation Update: October 2015
The OEF is excited for its upcoming annual awards banquet, held on Thursday, November 19th
at MSU’s Kellogg Center. Please consider joining us as we honor this year’s award recipients
and celebrate educational excellence inour district. This is an uplifting community event and all
are welcome. Tickets can be purchased online at www.oefsite.org or in any school office.
Business sponsorships are also available: www.oefsite.org (Awards: OEF Awards Banquet).
We’ve approved a total of $10,620 in grants so far this academic year:
OEF Grants (up to $1,000):
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Printmaking Art Supplies – Stacey Christensen – Chippewa -- $953.07 – 10/2015
Step Up to Writing (strategies for struggling students) – Lori Mazzullo – Chippewa -- $359 –
10/2015
Digit Whiz Online Math Program – Kathy Sheufelt – Chippewa -- $500 – 10/2015
Living History: Learning about Emmett Till – Jane Phillips – OHS -- $1,000 – 10/2015
S.P.I.R.E. Reading Intervention Program – Erin Brinkley – Bennett Woods - $975 – 10/2015
OEF Micro-Grants (up to $250):
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Art Memory Project (illustrating orphans from photographs) – Rebecca Butler – OHS -- $250
– 10/2015
Spelling City (online subscription for third grade) – BW -- $158.85 – 10/2015
Raz Kids (online reading subscription for first grade) -- Hiawatha -- $99.95 x 5 classrooms –
10/2015
Raz Kids on-line reading program – 3 second grade classrooms – Bennett Woods -- $250 –
10/2015
Part fee for transportation to Impression 5 Big Science Lesson for 1st grade – BW -- $250 –
10/2015
MotivAider (intervention aid for ASD students) -- Paul Doher -- OPM -- $171.80 -- 10/2015
Peer-to-Peer Supplies for ASD students – Elena Mapley -- Kinawa -- $230 – 10/2015
Peer-to-Peer Supplies for ASD students – Lori Mazzullo -- Chippewa -- $135 – 10/2015
Connie Osborn Deits Science Enrichment Grants:
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MSU Seeds of Science Field Trips – All 4th Grade Students -- $3,351 – 8/15
Lee Gerard Professional Development Fellowships
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Improving Professional Development Regarding High-Functioning Autism (conference for 6
OHS staff) – $1,537
Our annual fund drive is in full swing. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated! To
donate, visit www.oefsite.org. Thank you!
Special Education – Anupama Atre
1) The Okemos Special Education Parent Group will focus on two main goals during the current
academic year:
a) Build an up to date and functional website providing resources and information to parents.
b) Establish regular communication with parents about OSEPG activities.
2) The former goal will be met by monthly events designed to crowd source information from
parents and encourage participation by providing incentives such as raffle prizes. The latter goal
is being met by the publication of a monthly newsletter.
3) The first issue of the monthly newsletter THRIVE was emailed to all parents of students
receiving special education services. Also each classroom teacher and service provider was
requested to send a paper copy home with the students.
4) The newsletter will have several monthly features: Calendar of events with all events in
Capital Area for students with special needs, Meet you team introducing a team member from
special education, In your town highlighting a resource or service provider in the area, News
Desk with updates from PAC and DPC, Monthly Spotlight highlighting event of the month and
Celebration Corner celebrating the success of students with special needs.
5) Plans are to unveil the new website in the new year and expand social media presence.
6) If anybody would like to subscribe to our newsletter or receive a copy please contact
sedp@okemosparents.org.
After School Activities and Fundraisers
Kinawa
After School Clubs/Activities
Choir, Morning Strings, Student Council, Drama, Champs Tutoring, Art Club (Archery and Cross
Country OEF funded), Numats, Math (Split with Chippewa)
Fundraising
KKM – 2014- $15,292 2015 – 16,344
Box tops 2014- $704
Meijer Community Rewards - $128
Chippewa
After school activities:
- Student Council (meets during base)
- Peer to peer mentoring (meets during lunch)
- Homework Club (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday after school until 3:30pm)
- Math Circle (Mondays 6:15-7:30pm @ Kinawa, grades 5-8)
- Debate Club (Mondays 7-8:30 pm)
- Coding Club (Wednesday 3-4 pm)
- Art Club (Thursday 3-3:30 pm)
- Math Competition Club (Friday 6-7:15pm, max. 24 students from grade 6-8, screening test in
Sept.)
- Science Olympiad
- Musical Annie Jr. (Sept - Nov)
- Kindness Club (starts Oct)
- Drama Club (starts Nov?)
- Jazzband (starts Nov)
- Volleyball (Sept - Oct)
- Cross Country (Sept - Oct)
- Boys Basketball (Nov - Dec)
- Girls Basketball (Jan - Feb)
- Wrestling (Feb - March)
- Track (April - May)
not Chippewa (but advertised through the school):
- STEAM Geekends (Nov - March)
- Middle School Swim and Dive team
- Water Polo (March - May)
- Football (Aug - Oct)
- Lacrosse (March - May)
Fundraising & Reward programs:
Chippewa Walk-Run:
- About 5 miles through the neighborhood
- Custom-designed Walk-Run t-shirts are offered for $10 per pre-order (actual cost per t-shirt
about $7, staff members pay $5, revenue pays for the cost of the event)
- Students ask parents, friends, etc. for donations (official goal: $30 per student, managed:
$18 per student), each $25 donation gets a raffle ticket, three donation collections, each week
three 7th graders and three 8th graders win a $10 gift card to a local store. The class with the
highest collection average per student receives a $100 VISA card.
- about 80 volunteers involved (mainly sitting at stations along the route)
- every runner and walker gets one popsicle after they finish the Walk-Run
Donations (so far):
- Mathnasium: donated $150 for popsicles for the Walk-Run, helped with two people during
the event
- A parent donated another $150 to cover the rest of the popsicle cost
- Delta Dental: donated 640 bottles of water for the Walk-Run
- Playmakers: donated bags for t-shirt hand-out, provided music and timing during the event
- Meijer: donated $50 in $10 gift cards
- Culver's: donated 27 frozen custard coupons when we bought three $10 gift cards
Reward programs:
- BoxTops: about $550 last school year, (varied between $200 and $1000 the years before
depending on when they were sent in), money goes to the library
- Meijer community rewards: one check last year, money goes to the library
- Kroger community rewards: Just signed up.
- Target RedCard rewards: money goes to the library ($7084 total since sign-up years ago)
- Mathnasium: $600 last school year (used for teacher appreciation week), $100/month this
year so far
- GFS: former reward program
- Schwan's: Student Council tried it last year, did not raise much money
- Terracycling: Mostly drink pouches so far, sent in by one of the Special Education classes,
last years revenues are $120 (pouches are collected by Chippewa and Kinawa), the school is
signed up for energy bar wrappers now as well.
Bennet Woods
After School Activities
Chieftain Champs (OEF sponsored club)
Caring Leaders (Student government)
Ukulele Club (Family Council sponsored club)
Kidz Art (Community Ed event)
Chess Club (Community Ed event)
OSI - Okemos Science Institute (Coordinated by Marsha Chance - District Gifted and Talented
Consultant)
Family Activities
International Café & Movie Night
Science Night
Family Mileage Club Night
Bennett Woods Elementary Fundraising
2014-2015
Fall
Fun Run
$12,914.75
Less: Expense
$ 1,933.91
Net Fun Run Income
Winter Little Caesars Fundraiser
Less: Expense
Net Little Caesars
Spring
$10,980.84
$2,743.00
$1,893.00
$850.00
Family Fun Fair
$10,337.49
Less: Expense
$ 2,033.14
Net Carnival & Auction Income
Mathnasium/Amazon
Rewards/Skate night
$8,304.35
$588.02
Meijer Community Rewards
$105.54
Restaurant Night (Culver's)
$320.97
Target Rewards
$556.82
**Box Tops are collected but all
money goes directly to Bennett
Woods, not through Family Council
Hiawatha
After School Activities:
- Harvest, w/ High 5 Turkey Drive
- Hiawatha Happenings
- International;/ Entrepreneurial Night
- Science Night
- Chieftain Champs (Hiawatha/OHS student mentor)
- Drama Club
- Chess Club
- Kids Art
- Mad Science
- Okemos Science Institute (OSI)
- Girls on the Run
- Kids Club
- Puppeteering (in years passed)
Fundraising: Total 2014-15= $31,715.97
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Book Fair= $9,768.61
Box Tops= $1,475.00
Brick Patio= $155.00
Hawk Walk= $10,136.34
Hiawatha Happening= $2,350.25
Hiawatha Harvest= $713.86
Meijer Rebate= $108.58
Misc.= $164.25
Pancake Breakfast= $2,621.45
Silent Auction= $3,269.12
Spirit Wear Sale= non last year
Target Rebate= $793.19
Used Book Sale= $160.32
Montessori at Central
REPORT ON SCHOOL RELATED AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extra-Curricular Activities:
Culinary Club – this is run by one of the 1st/2nd grade teachers, Susan Black.
Student Council (3rd and 4th graders) – this is approximately 15 or so children who meet
twice a month and focus on school projects that help others.
Safety Patrol (4th graders)
Speed Stacking – this is facilitated by Amanda Dean
Community Ed Sponsored events:
Kidz Art - an afterschool art program.
Chess Club
Fundraisers and amounts raised in school year 2014-2015:
Fall Direct – this is simply a request for money and for the money donated, people can
receive reserved seating at school performances. This raised $3,000.
Mathnasium – Each time a student from our school uses a tutor from Mathnasium they
send us a check for $20.00. This raised $200.
Jumpin Jax – we did one of these last year. This event has vendors that each pay $35.
For each child, the cost is $11 and $6 of that is the fee to Jumpin Jax. The kids get pizza.
We raised $300.00.
SCRIP – people can buy gift cards for themselves and others. These are good gifts or just
for the purchaser to use for everyday needs such as groceries. We raised $500.00.
Spring Auction – the PTO started doing this as an adult only fundraiser. We have a silent
auction with food and drinks. You can buy wine tasting tickets prior to the event as well
as drinks at the event. This brought in $9,500.00.
Box Tops (and Campbell’s labels) – cutting out box tops from certain grocery items.
Each box top is worth $.10. These raised $600 last year.
Target rewards – brought in $300 last year.
Meijer rewards – brought in $250 last year.
Restaurant Eat Outs – the restaurants vary and for each meal purchased the school
receives 10-20% depending on the restaurant. Some places require you to bring in a
flyer to get the money applied, others will just give you a percentage for the all meals
sold that evening. We usually bring in $100 - $200 per evening and we did about 5 eat
outs.
Carnival – this event is typically not a fundraiser, but it has brought in money. Last
year we raised $4,000.00.
Mabel’s labels – People can order labels for EVERYTHING. They are dishwasher safe and
the labels can go through the wash. This brought in $120.00 last year.
Spirit Wear – we sell school apparel at school functions, however we sell this at cost so
there is no profit.
Cornell
Cougar Fun Run- in house fun run, successfully raises about $12,000, kids can order class color
t-shirts, late September
*Restaurant nights- Culvers last month, raised $600, continuing with one a month with various
local restaurants
*Restarting popcorn fridays- believe it could bring in $1000
* Scrip- new app this year, raises $800
* Box tops
* Global Cornell- inaugural last year, crafts, food, various students countries represented,
possible silent auction this year
*Year end Cornell talent show- school wide talent show in gym last week of school, replaces
family fun night talent show
*Earth Club- Mr Mowry helps to organize, growing plants and veggies, sold tree ornaments at
holiday time
* 4th grade market in cafeteria- Economics lesson, all students may purchase items
* Science fair- open to all students, 4th grade must participate
*Green School- recycling during lunch hours
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Enrollment is strong at Cornell again this year. We have approx. 431 students and 18
classrooms. Cornell experienced significant growth last year, and our enrollment this
year is very similar.
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Cornell held our fall data team meetings for each grade level over the past couple of
weeks and we are excited to start our Best Fit Groups on Oct. 18th. We have a "brand
new" team of three at-risk aides this year, and they are off to a very positive start
learning about our students and the interventions that they will teach.

Teal Pumpkins - The Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) started the Teal Pumpkin
Project™ in 2014 to raise awareness of food allergies and promote inclusion of all trickor-treaters throughout the Halloween season. This year, our PTO will be distributing
Teal Pumpkin posters to anyone would like to display them during Trick or Treating and
who will be handing out non-food treats that are safe for all. In addition to that, PTO
will provide a map to Cornell families showing which homes have Teal Pumpkins. This
is being done as a service to our many families who have children with food allergies.