May 3, 2018 Parent Group Meeting Minutes

  

1.       Welcome

a.       Jil Hartman provided Strawberry Shortcake for the meeting.

b.       Childcare provided!

c.       Deanna Kraak, incoming Parent Group President for 2018-2019 thanked Jil Hartman for her years of dedicated service, commitment, enthusiasm, and passion for the students at ZQuest.  Jil was presented with a bouquet from Edible Arrangements and a gift card.  Thank you Jil for everything that you have done for ZQuest.  Jil will continue to serve ZQuest in other capacities.

2.       Vice President Vote

a.       Candidates:  Dee Worley, Rene Koenig, Nicholas Holland.

b.       Each candidate gave a speech about themselves, their background and why they were interested in the Vice President role.

c.       A ballot vote occurred and was tabulated. Dee Worley will assume the role of Vice President for the 2018-2019 term.

d.       The candidates were all thanked for their willingness to volunteer to serve the parents and students of ZQuest. We still have ways for them to be involved in many other ways!

3.       Volunteer Leaders Recap:

a.       Parent Ambassadors -No report.

b.       Box Tops for Education Coordinator- Anne Kollen- No report.

c.       Shoparoo Cheerleader- Mindi Windemuller.  No report.

d.       Color Run Leader- Mindi Windemuller, Felicia Holland- No report.

e.       Fork it Over Leader- Kyle Murray, Sarah Mullins, Kari Thoreson.  No report.

f.        Quality Car Wash Leader- Tom Smolinski, Krista Schopmeyer.  Tom gave a report that the Quality Carwash Fundraiser made $924.00.  This amount was significantly less than last year’s fundraiser, which was attributed to the change in the way that the fundraiser is structured by Quality Car Wash.  There was interest in trying another fundraiser with Quality in the fall and we will examine ways to make it more profitable.

4.       End of Year Celebration Planning

a.       Planning is underway for the End of Year Celebration Day (Field Day) scheduled this year for Wednesday, June 27. Kyle Murray is soliciting ideas via the Parent Group Facebook page and has a survey there for parents to give input on what activities their kids liked most about the last 2 years. The idea of checking into local camps who might be able to be hired to facilitate a Field Day was also discussed. Nicholas Holland knows someone in management at Camp Geneva and he will contact this person to see if this is a service that they offer. Contact Kyle if you have any questions, suggestions or ways that you can help.

b.       Kyle Murray is working on fundraiser ideas for 7th and 8th graders. They have not had much time to begin to fundraiser since we started the idea of the classes fundraising yearly to save for paying for their big Washington DC trip. Contact Kyle if you would like to help.

5.       Planning for upcoming 3 months

a.       Review May

                                                               i.      Observance:  Memorial Day Parade.  Scheduled for Monday, May 28, 2018.

                                                             ii.      Social Activity: Teacher Appreciation Week May 7-11, 2018. 

1.       There is a Signup Genius to help with this event.  Go to the website www.zquestparents.com and click on the Sign Up Genius Central Link.  Individual ambassadors are organizing appreciations for the teachers of their classes.  Check with your Parent Ambassador if you need more information.

                                                           iii.      Fundraising Events: K-4th Pizza Fundraiser

1.       Organizer(s): Jennifer Kroll, Sarah Mullins.  The kindergarten through 4th Grades are in full swing, using this as a PBL and fundraiser.  Students are signed up to help at the event, and have been learning things and using skills related to it during class.  Kindergarteners have been having a restaurant, learning about the Service industry, making menus etc.  Other grades have been doing posters and publicity.  There is a Signup Genius both to attend and to help with this event.  They can be found by going to www.zquestparents.com and clicking on the Signup Genius Central link.

b.       Plan June

                                                               i.      Celebrations:  End of School Celebrations- June 27, 2018

1.       Organizer: Kyle Murray.  See above.

                                                             ii.      Social Activity: Pop-Up Park Playground

1.       Organizer: Jennifer Kroll, Kristin DeWitt.  More info to come.

                                                           iii.      Fundraising Events: The Color Run

1.       Organizer(s): Mindi Windemuller, The Color Run Cmte

c.       Plan August

                                                               i.      Social Activity: Pop-Up Park Playground

1.       Organizer: Jennifer Kroll, Kristin DeWitt .  More info to come.

                                                             ii.      Enrichment: Curriculum Night

1.       Organizer: Leslie Rindfliesch.  More info to come.  In the planning stages.

d.       Plan September

                                                               i.      No discussion about this.

6.       Educational Speakers for next year: Jennifer Kroll and Sarah Mullins are working on bringing in speakers on a variety of topics for the coming school year. It is desired to have speakers on topics that are of high interest to parents, such as internet safety, ADHD, etc. A survey for parents is being created to get information on which topics would be of the most interest. A survey for teachers is also being created to get information on which topics that they would like parents and/or students to have more knowledge in, and which topics they would be interested in attending themselves. There is a possibility that high-interest events could be opened up to other PTO groups in the district.

7.       Parent question on a STEM teacher.  Anita Saenger noted that Holland Public Schools has a position for a STEM teacher.  It is a specials class that students attend on a weekly basis, like art, gym, spanish and music.  She inquired if this was a possibility at ZQuest.  Leslie responded to the question by noting that at ZQuest, teachers incorporate (and are learning to incorporate more) STEM activities into their PBL lesson plans.  If ZQuest wanted to further explore the route of a stand-alone teacher, then a current specials class would most likely need to be dropped d/t lack of time.

8.       Robotics for ZQuest Inquiry-  A parent asked if Robotics after school would be a possibility for ZQuest.  Leslie responded that we would LOVE to have this as an option, but it would require a parent to facilitate and run the program.  Thus far, no one has volunteered for this. Middle School students are eligible to join any Creekside Middle School clubs, and they do have a robotics club.  Other options are a parent volunteer to arrange for an existing club at the High School or Middle School level to come to ZQuest and do an after school Enrichment activity.  Any parent wishing to volunteer for this can contact Deanna Kraak.

Next Meeting:  September (To Be Determined), 2018.  6:30-8:00pm (all meetings are also publicized as Facebook Parent Group Events).

March 8, 2018 Parent Group Meeting Minutes

	Discussion
	Welcome ·       Thank you to Jil Hartman for providing the cupcakes and beverages! ·       Thank you to Tomieka VanNoord for providing childcare for the meeting!
	Other Business The ZQuest Parent Group Board will shift positions for the 2017-2018 school year.  Jil Hartman will step down as President and Deanna Kraak will move from Vice President to take her place as President.  This leaves a vacant Vice President position.  Please contact Jil Hartman by March 24 if you are interested in filling this position.     ZQuest is still looking for LEGO donations.  Please watch garage sales, second hand stores and other     places and purchase them if possible to donate to a Lego collection for ZQuest to be used by teachers for     class projects, math or after school enrichment activities.
	Volunteer Leaders: ·       The Color Run-  Scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 2018.  The Color Run team is up and running getting ready for this major fundraising event.  There will be an assembly for the school on the Friday prior.  There sill be a DJ on the day of and a dinner the night before.  The class going to Washington DC will be doing the serving and cleanup and will benefit from the profits of the dinner.  Felicia Holland and Mindi Windemuller ·       Fork It Over- Thank you to everyone who donated and came to the event.  We raised just under $8000 for ZQuest.  We are going to have the students make out thank you notes for people/businesses that donated and those that attended.  The notes will include their thoughts on what the money means to them and their education. ·       Quality Car Wash Vouchers- Tom Smolinkski reported that we will be having the sale right after spring break (April 10-24, 2018).  They will have cards printed off with the ZQuest logo.  We will distribute those. When the card is used when purchasing a carwash, a portion of that transaction will be donated to ZQuest. The cards can be used to purchase multiple vouchers but must be purchased within those 2 weeks.
	Events Planning                   February 2018 ·       Celebrations:  Celebrations Around the World -Wednesday, February 14.  ·       Service:  Teddy Bear Drive and Shoe Donation to benefit “Safe Families”.  Rachel Lauraine explained this organization and the collection of teddy bears to benefit children newly placed in emergency volunteer foster care.  The shoes (no flip flops or high heels) are donated and the proceeds also go to benefit Safe Families.  For more information on Safe Families visit https://www.bethany.org/other-services/safe-families-for-children.  Informational sheets will be coming home soon and information will also be available on the website. ·       Social Activity:  A Roller Skating Party ·       Enrichment: Stranger Danger Martial Arts Safety.  Rachel Anthouai from Chan's Martial Arts presented a check for $1100 that was raised from the event.  The 4th grade class benefitted from the course.  Future offerings on different subject matter are being planned due to the success of this event.  March 2018 (March is Reading Month) ·       Celebrations: ??PI Day (March 14 celebrating 3.14.  Volunteer needed for this or any other celebration desired. ·       Service:  A Book Drive was suggested by Kyle Murray and Jil Hartman.  ZQuest now has its own JRL library.  Please go through your closets, bookshelves and under the beds and bring in any books that you have outgrown or would like to donate. If you want to know what level a particular book is, you can go to Scholastic Book Wizard online and check.  There is also a Signup Genius for helping organize the Roosevelt Library.  Also, the Scholastic Book Fair is this month and there will be a Signup Genius to help staff the book fair.  ·       Social Activity:  A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen. ·       Enrichment: “Wooing Wed Widing Hood”.  Sandra Griffin will release information about auditions for 3rd-8th Graders for this play.  Rehearsals will be Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.  The play will be performed and Lokers Auditorium at Cityside Middle School on Friday May 25, 2018.  Details on www.zquestparents.com. April 2018                ·       Celebrations:  A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen.                ·       Service: Earth Day.  There may be a Disney Earth Day moving coming out with perhaps the students                     attending.  Stay tuned.                ·       Social Activity:  ANYBODY can make a social activity happen any time.  If you and your family are going                      sledding, bowling, ice skating etc., we encourage you to post an invitation on the Parent Group Facebook page.                       Going to the movies and want some company?   Post the invite.  Also, if you want to plan a larger activity that is                      planned in advance, just see Leslie to inquire about the best dates.  We want YOU!                ·       Enrichment:  “Wooing Wed Widing Hood”.  Sandra Griffin                ·       Enrichment:  ??Growing Seedings with Maggie.  Jil Hartman and Kyle Murray                ·       Classroom Events:  ??International Jazz Day 4/30/2017.   ?Jennifer Kroll                ·       Fundraising Events: A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen.           May 2018       Observance:  Memorial Day Parade.  Leslie working on details.        Service:  A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen.        Teacher Appreciation Week- Jennifer Kroll will be putting out a Signup Genius to help celebrate our teachers.        Enrichment: A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen.        Classroom Events: A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen.        Fundraising:  The Wood Fired Pizza night benefitting K-3rd Grade will be Saturday May 19, 2018 starting at 4:00pm.  A Signup Genius will be coming out. Jennifer Kroll, Sarah Mullins.         June 2018      Celebrations:  End of School Celebration       Service:  A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen.       Social Activity: A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen.       Enrichment: A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen.       Classroom Events: A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen.
	PARENT LEARNING ·     None tonight.
	NEXT MEETING: ·       Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 6:30-8:00pm ·       Location:  ZQuest Expanded Education Space, Roosevelt Elementary. ·       Tuity Fruity! Snack of fresh fruits while contemplating the possibilities! ·       Link to the Facebook Event

January 11, 2018 Parent Group Meeting Minutes

       

	Discussion
	Welcome ·       Thank you to Jil Hartman and Leslie Rindfliesch for providing the hot chocolate with all the fixings! ·       Thank you to Tessa Rindfliesch and Maggie Hartman for providing childcare for the meeting!
	Budget ·       Leslie gave an update about where some funds that we had in excess for 2017 have been used: o   They are exploring implementing Apple TV and Apple classroom with all of the ZQuest Classrooms.  Marcy Blowers is piloting and testing this system in her middle school classroom to see how best to utilize it.  Mark Washington (Zeeland Tech Director) is working with the Chromebooks to ensure that they will “talk” to the Apple TV.  This system will allow teachers to be able to “push” whatever site or screen that they chose out to all of the students iPads or Chromebooks.  It will also allow the teacher to view all the student’s screens at once, to ensure that all students are working on the sites that they are supposed to.  Beyond that, there are many features and educational opportunities for using this system o   Leslie has purchased a “green screen”.  After attending a conference, she learned about other schools where the green screen and a camera are set up for student use.  Many students come into the principal’s office throughout the day to use the equipment to do a book report blog, to talk about a topic that interests them or to use the system in other creative ways.  It gets students enthusiastic about sharing what they have learned in a safe environment. o   Every teacher received a $200 clasroom grant to use on item(s) for their classroom that would provide enrichment for the whole class.  One of the teachers purchased a “CSI Detective Kit” that the students can experiment with in a hand’s on manner. ·       A goal for 2017-2018 budget year is to be able to work towards purchasing another set of Chrome Book laptops. ·       In addition to the purchases listed above, funds raised by the PTO are put toward field trips, enrichment activities and speakers and other things as outlined in the budge.  If you would like view the budget, please contact Leslie.
	Volunteer Leaders: ·       Parent Ambassadors:  Coordinated the recent classroom Christmas parties and festivities.  Parent Ambassadors will be coordinating Valentine’s Day festivities in conjunction with the “Celebrations Around the World” event on February 14.  Classrooms will rotate through the different world holidays, one of which will be Valentine’s Day, where the students will learn about the history of the holiday and celebrate with their class.  Ambassadors will be working with their classroom teacher to see what that looks like for their class.  Sarah Mullin ·       Boxtops for Education- Boxtops are collected on dates throughout the year that are announced  and earn us "bonus" money.  Send boxtops in a baggie labeled with your child’s name and teacher.   For more information,  visit boxtops4education.com.  Anne Kollen ·       Shoparoo- So far, Second Graders are in the lead for the month of January.  The ginormous trophy will move to whichever class racks up the most points on Shoparoo for the month.  We have already earned over $100 in “free” money!  Keep scanning!   For more information,  visit https://www.shoparoo.com/. Mindi Windemuller ·       The Color Run-  Scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 2018.  The Color Run team is up and running getting ready for this major fundraising event.  Stay tuned for further information being released soon.  Felicia Holland and Mindi Windemuller ·       Fork It Over- Scheduled for Friday March 2, 2018.  This team has been meeting since August.  Major donations are usually required to be 6 months notice or more, so they are working on soliciting donations for this fun night out for parents.  If you have an item to donate, know someone or work for someone who has a business that is willing to donate an item or a service, please contact Kyle Murray, Sarah Mullins, or Kari Thoreson.  The next planning meeting is scheduled Monday January 15 at Tripleroot around 7pm. ·       Quality Car Wash Vouchers- Tom provided an update via a You Tube Video, since he was unable to be in attendance.  Due to changes by Quality CarWash in the way they operate their fundraising, we were unable to do it in December.  The spring is being targeted to implement this fundraiser, in perfect timing for spring cleaning of your car!  Tom Smolinksi
	Upcoming Events Planning         January 2018 ·       Service:  Teddy Bear Drive and Shoe Donation to benefit “Safe Families”.  Rachel Lauraine explained this organization and the collection of teddy bears to benefit children newly placed in emergency volunteer foster care.  The shoes (no flip flops or high heels) are donated and the proceeds also go to benefit Safe Families.  For more information on Safe Families visit https://www.bethany.org/other-services/safe-families-for-children.  Informational sheets will be coming home soon and information will also be available on the website. ·       Social Activity:  ANYBODY can make a social activity happen any time.  If you and your family are going sledding, bowling, ice skating etc., we encourage you to post an invitation on the Parent Group Facebook page.  Going to the movies and want some company?   Post the invite.  Also, if you want to plan a larger activity that is planned in advance, just see Leslie to inquire about the best dates.  We want YOU! ·       Enrichment: Chess Club had its first day this week on January 10, 2018.  Over 25 students are playing and learning chess.  The Reese Family ·       Fundraising Events:  Spork It Over School Carnival has been canceled at this time.  Watch for alternate events. February 2018 ·       Celebrations:  Celebrations Around the World is scheduled for Wednesday, February 14.  Jennifer Kroll has volunteered to organize this activity.  Volunteers are needed to pull this off.  Please visit the signup genius to volunteer:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090944a5ad2da57-20171 ·       Service:  A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen.  ·       Social Activity:  A Roller Skating Party is being organized by Elsie Levandowski, Lisa Koppenol and Kim Marsh.  Details will be released when it has been planned.  ·       Enrichment: Stranger Danger Martial Arts Safety.  Tom Smolinkski has volunteered to coordinate this wonderful opportunity.  Master Sidney from Chan’s Martial Arts will be leading a session every Tuesday immediately after school and until approximately 4:30pm (final details to be announced).  The sessions will focus on teaching Stranger Danger, some Karate in Self Defense and will be presented in the gym.  The cost is $25 for all 4 weeks, and a portion of the proceeds will be given back to ZQuest as a fundraiser for the 3rd and 4th Grade classes.  If this is well attended, there may be additional sessions teaching other topics in the future, with proceeds to benefit other grades.  Tom presented this via You Tube Video https://youtu.be/IdLrEwZSwXQ.  Informational fliers will be coming home soon!  If you have any questions, contact Tom at tom@tomsmolinski.com ·       Classroom Events: Valentine’s Day.  Classroom Ambassadors will be doing this in conjunction with Celebrations Around The World. ·       Fundraising Events:  See Enrichment above. March 2018 ·       Celebrations:  ??PI Day (March 14 celebrating 3.14.  Volunteer needed for this or any other celebration desired. ·       Service:  A Book Drive was suggested by Kyle Murray and Jil Hartman.  Details to come. ·       Social Activity:  A proposed activity and a volunteer to make it happen. ·       Enrichment: “Wooing Wed Widing Hood”.  Sandra Griffin will release information about auditions for 3rd-8th Graders for this play.  Rehearsals will be Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.  The play will be performed and Lokers Auditorium at Cityside Middle School on Friday May 25, 2018 ·       Fundraising Events:  Fork It Over is scheduled for Friday, March 2, 2018.  Whether you have $5 or $5000, you have the chance to win fabulous prizes in the ticket raffle, the 50/50 raffle, wine sale or the live auction.  Regardless of if you can spend money, please come out to enjoy a night of getting to know other ZQuest parents at this Adults-Only evening.  Bring an appetizer or other finger food and your favorite adult (or other) beverage.  Invite friends, family and neighbors (especially if they are wealthy and like great causes).  Can’t attend but would like to contribute?  Checks are accepted also!  All proceeds support the many wonderful opportunities the Parent Group provides to all of our students.  Contact Sarah Mullin with questions! April 2018                ·       Celebrations:  ??Day of the Young Child in Zeeland                ·       Service: ??Earth Day?                ·       Social:  ____________________________                ·       Enrichment:  “Wooing Wed Widing Hood”.  Sandra Griffin                ·       Enrichment:  ??Growing Seedings with Maggie.  Jil Hartman and Kyle Murray                ·       Classroom Events:  ??International Jazz Day 4/30/2017.   ?Jennifer Kroll                ·       Fundraising Events: __________________
	PARENT LEARNING ·      If you would like to learn how to have a Google Login, but keep your old, non-gmail email address, contact Jennifer Kroll.  Google has many free benefits such as backing up your pictures, subscribing to Google calendar, Google Drive and much more!
	NEXT MEETING: ·       Thursday, March 8, 2018 from 6:30-8:00pm ·       Location:  ZQuest Expanded Education Space, Roosevelt Elementary. ·       A variety of muffins will be the refreshment provided by the Parent Group. ·       Link to the Facebook Event