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