AgendaNov 14, 2018 Meeting

• Welcome/call meeting to order – Liz

• Sept Minutes approval – Theo

• Budget update and approval – Andrea

• Current year highlights and requests – Liz

• Fall Fest update - Liz and Ayana

• Fundraising plans and current opportunities – Taryn

• PTA survey results - Michelle Musgrove

• Committee updates - ALL

• PTA elections - VP and assistant treasurer – Liz

• Looking for help: Gala planning committee recruitment –Liz

• Close the meeting – Theo

1

PTA Highlights so far…Support for Teachers

• PTA Teacher Assistance Funds – fulfilled requests for classroom equipment and materials and spent $1000 in Q1

• Field trips - covered 3rd grade and PK-4 trips in Oct and Nov

• Teacher Wish lists - increased budget based on Fall Fest funds; paying out after budget approved at tonight’s meeting

• Monthly Teacher and Staff Appreciation Breakfasts - started in Oct and each grade has a month

Fundraising

• Fall Fest Success – raised close to $17,800 gross (almost double our goal) and netted bout $11,000

• New/renewed Fundraising efforts - Box Tops, Amazon Smile, Primary.com, Flipgive, Lynch Creek Farms, more Shepherd gear

• Coming Soon: twice monthly restaurant nights at local DC and Silver Spring spots

• Gala planning is starting now – date is Sat, April 26, 2019

• Parents Night Out@Shephed – planned for Fri, Dec 7

Communication

• Parent Survey

• Email open rates for weekly The Mustang and the PTA Wed Bulletin

• Facebook reach and engagement

• Website updates

• Bulletin Board updates2

Launched PTA Teacher Assistance Program

GOAL - Formalize and bring more equity to teacher requests for PTA support (includes classrooms, specials, teams, etc.).

PTA Teacher Assistance Program Support – Q1

• PK3 - supplies/materials for both classes

• PK4 - magazine subscriptions for both classes; VGA cord for Mrs. Holt

• PE - basketball pump

• Music - 30 headphones for keyboards in the music room

• Special Ed - reading intervention program (for all grades)

• Budget - $1000 per quarter

• Next deadline – Dec 15

3

Launched Field Trip Support

GOAL – Make sure every student goes on at least 1 field trip this school year.

PTA is covering 1 field trip per grade this year; $1000 per grade level budget allocation

PTA has paid for:

• PK-4 – transportation and entrance fees to the pumpkin patch (Oct)

• 3rd grade – transportation to the U.S. Capitol (Nov)4

Let’s Build Our Classroom Libraries

GOAL: Build a comprehensive collection suited to the typical range of readers at each grade level and bring in texts that match interests and reading level of actual kids in each class.

Libraries should include:

• Variety of genres (fiction: historical, realistic, mystery, traditional tales, short story…) (nonfiction: biography, expository, narrative)

• Range of formats (anthology, chapter books, series, reference, …)

• Array of topics (animals, history, science, sports, history, innovators, funny, …)

• Elements of kid appeal (amount of text, chapter length, illustrations, effort to reward ratio, …)

• Additional considerations (craft elements, diverse characters/settings, layered characters/plot, clever/witty, critical acclaim, …)

5

Example of Classroom Libraries

6

Where we need your help…

Join a Committee – Fundraising, Spring Gala planning, Parent Engagement, Academics, Health and Wellness, etc.

Volunteer to help at events – Bake Sale, Movie Nights, Paint and Sip, etc.

Support the 180 Fund – get a tax deduction before year-end

Testify and attend upcoming DCPS Budget Hearings – Dec 12 – to push for more support for Shepherd

Connect with your teachers and room parents to offer your time and/or expertise…and share their needs with us!

Encourage parents to sign up for AtoZ Connect so they get the weekly emails

7

Fall Fest by the Numbers

GOAL: Put on a great community event that MAKES MONEY for the school

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Spent $6000 and raised $17,800

• GREAT room parent coordination!! THANK YOU!

• KEPT things SIMPLE

• Went cheap on what we spent money on

• Didn’t nickel and dime parents as much BEFORE the event

• More than 65 Family Sponsors

• Dunk Tank a HUGE HIT!

8

Fundraising

GOAL: Provide various opportunities to MAKE MONEY for the school

• Shopping for Shepherdo Lynch Creek Farmso Amazon Smileo Primary.como FlipGiveo Shutterfly.com

• 180 Fund

• Movie and Restaurant Nights

• Upcoming Eventso “Parents Night Out” – Dec 7o Paint & Sip Nights – First one is Nov 30o Other events in 2019 – Volunteers welcome!

• Spring Gala – Call for Committee Membership

9

10

SHEPHERD ELEMENTARY PTA S URVEY

2 0 1 8 2 0 1 9 S c h o o l Ye a r :

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 8

11

Respondent Data

Data Overview

• Shepherd Elementary has approximately 380 students. 95 parents responded to the survey. Slightly less than half of respondents have more than one child at Shepherd. Most grades are well represented in the survey, with the exception of 5th grade.

12

20.00%

17.89%

25.26%

17.89%18.95%

24.21%

13.68%

7.37%

PK3 PK4 K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

In which grades are your children?

57.89%

37.89%

4.21%

1 2 3

How many children do you have attending Shepherd Elementary?

Data Overview

• Half of respondents are relatively new to Shepherd (i.e., first or second year families).

13

25% 25%

18%

16%

12%

2%1% 1%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10

How many years has your family attended

Shepherd Elementary?

Insights

14

What do you understand to be the purpose/goals of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA)?

15

• Support

To support teachers, parents and school is the

most mentioned response to this question.

• Fundraising

To raise money for the school.

• Community

To advocate for kids and school programs and

build up the school community.

• Liaison

To communicate and become liaison between

the school administration and parents.

“To support the teachers in

educating the students at

Shepherd.”

“Bring families together and

create community through shared

experiences and activities.”

“Raise money and organize parents

to enhance the school experience

for kids and teachers and staff.”

“I was never really too sure of the PTAs

goals in previous years. There seemed

to be endless efforts to raise money we

never knew where the money went.”

“Support the parents,

teachers, and students

within the school ”

“To support Shepherd staff, create

opportunities for families build relationships

as a community and ensure the entire

Shepherd community is on one accord.

“Serve as liaison between

the community/parents and

SP staff, parent advocacy.”

Overall, how satisfied are you with the purpose/goals of the PTA, as you understand them to be?

16

23.40%

41.49%

21.28%

4.26%

1.06%

8.51%

Very satisfied Satisfied Neither satisfied nordissatisfied

Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Don't Know

Overall, how satisfied are you with the purpose/goals of the PTA, as you

understand them to be?

Sample Comments…

• The PTA should consider getting

more involved in ensuring

instructional tools (e.g.,

computers) are available in the

classrooms

• PTA should ask each teacher

what they need as well as poll

parents in each classroom and

make sure our funding priorities

are aligned with those

preferences

In general, parents are unaware or satisfied with the activities of the PTA. A few parents mentioned, however,

that they would like to see the PTA 1) better support the teachers and align activities with specific classroom

needs and 2) be more inclusive.

Overall, how satisfied are you with the content and frequency of communications from the PTA?

17

47.87%

35.11%

12.77%

2.13% 1.06% 1.06%

Very satisfied Satisfied Neithersatisfied nordissatisfied

Dissatisfied Verydissatisfied

Don't know

Overall, how satisfied are you with the content and frequency of communications from the PTA?

Parents expressed overwhelming appreciation for the improved communications this year. However, some

parents expressed a desire to hear more about specific issues facing the school and not limit communications to

activities and fundraisers.

Sample Comments…

• So far this year it has been

amazing

• I’d like to hear more about

changes afoot in the

school, specific goals you

have, funding issues.

• None of them explain what

issues are arising at the

school or what the PTA is

doing to solve them

Overall, how satisfied are you with the affordability of PTA events?

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45.16%

31.18%

11.83%

2.15%0.00%

9.68%

Very satisfied Satisfied Neither satisfiednor dissatisfied

Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Don't know

Overall, how satisfied are you with the affordability of PTA events?

Parents who commented would like for the PTA to consider how to tier requests for funding, i.e., ask more from

people who can afford to give more. There is a sense that some families can give a lot more than what is

asked, but this should be done in a way that does not alienate parents who are unable to contribute larger

amounts.

Sample Comments…

• Tend to think PTA should ask

more from those who can afford

to give more, but should

acknowledge receipt (e.g., thank

you email) and tell parents how

funds will be spent

• I think we should work harder to

get more from parents who can

afford it rather than setting the

bar to accommodate everyone.

Maybe would work to tier is what

I mean. Not to exclude!!

Overall, how satisfied have you been with Shepherd PTA events that have occurred in the past 6-12 months?

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26.60%

38.30%

15.96%

2.13% 2.13%

14.89%

Very satisfied Satisfied Neither satisfiednor dissatisfied

Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Don't know

Overall, how satisfied have you been with Shepherd PTA events that have occurred in the past 6-12

months?

Parents note an opportunity for the events to be better organized and would like assurance that the fundraising

efforts (e.g., Fall Fest and the Gala) raise significant funds for the school given all the effort that goes into

organizing these events. School Beautification Day was well received this year, but last year’s events received

mediocre reviews.

Sample Comment…

• Last year’s fall fest felt a bit

disorganized and like a lot of

work for only a little fundraising.

The spring gala was nice but,

once again, the last minute date

change and program felt

disorganized and like a lot of

effort (and expense) for only a

small amount raised. School

beautification day was

fantastic—well organized with a

wonderful, positive, and

immediate impact on our school!

Do you participant in parent-focused activities and/or events at Shepherd (e.g., Black History Month, potlucks, classroom volunteering)?

20

73.91%

26.09%

Yes No

Do you participant in parent-focused activities and/or events at Shepherd ?

Most parents have a desire to be involved in classroom activities, but busy work schedules often preclude their

participation. Parents ask that teachers given as much advanced notice as possible re: classroom activities so

that they can coordinate their schedules to attend events. There is a strong desire to support the teachers,

understand wants going on in the classroom and be a part of the school community.

Sample Comments…

• Work obligations do not allow me

to be in the classroom during

school hours

• It is a great chance to meet other

parents

• I want to have a relationship with

my child’s teacher and an

understanding of what’s going on

in the classrooms.

How can we better support the teachers and your child’s education this year?

21

• Better Communication

Many mentioned keeping or improving communication.

Some also mentioned that they didn’t know what

teachers need, thus it’s necessary to encourage more

effective communications with teachers or setting up

teachers’ wish list.

• Classroom Supplies

Many responses mentioned teachers need more

resources in the classroom, like more computers and

additional equipment and materials.

• Science / STEM teaching

Some asked for more science projects and STEM

related teaching materials.

• Field Trips

Some mentioned supporting more field trips.“Understanding what teachers need and what

help they would like; facilitating the

communication from teachers to parents so

parents understand what the teachers need

and want for their classrooms and students.”

“ I would love to

see more

science (hands

on programming

for students).”

“offering teachers more direct

support like supporting field

trips and buying them

supplies.”

“Help the teachers buy materials and

supplies that improve the classroom

experience”

“Teachers need more dedicated resources

(more computers, additional classroom

materials so teachers don’t have to print out

materials but can provide individual workbooks,

more frequent science instruction time).”“Have targeted "wish lists" of

things teachers need.”

What would you most like to see improved at Shepherd Elementary?

22

• Increased and improved communication from

school and teachers

• Teachers’ aides

• Increased supplies in classroom – more books

• Full-time Spanish teacher

• Better safety and security

• Overall school cleanliness

“the communication is a

bit wonky. Most of what I know comes

from other parents telling me things.”

“Yesterday I walked into the

building at 10:30 am.

The front door was unlocked

and the guard was not at the

desk. We need better security.”

“Additional in classroom support

for teachers. The classes

are too large to just have 1

teacher and it doesn’t allow

teachers to provide the level of

personal attention needed to

each child. A dedicated

instructional aide for those

classes would be ideal.”

“At an earlier PTA meeting last

year several parents complained of

a lack of communication from the

teachers.”

“ I would LOVE to see an full-

time Spanish teacher hired that

really challenges the kids.”

“the overall cleanliness of

the school.”

“More books available in

the classrooms.”

Are there any programs or initiatives that you have observed at other schools that you think would benefit Shepherd Elementary?

23

Only 75% people responded this question, and about 37%

of them couldn’t think of other beneficial programs.

• Fund Raising Events

Galas, more creative fund raising campaigns

• Parents / Family Engagement

“Learning showcase”, Family Day, etc.

• Social Events

“All school date night”, board games, etc.

• Wellness Activities

Soccer team, separated gym, Color Run, etc.

• Science & STEM

“#SkypeAScientist”, STEM programming, etc.

“Galas are bigger fundraising

events. A welcome picnic at

the beginning of the year.”

“Stem teacher.”

“We have been at a school that did a "Learning Showcase" every

trimester, where teachers would display students work around the

classroom and all families would come to the school with their

children to view what they'd worked on over the past trimester.”

“More robust and focused

giving/fund raising campaigns.”

“All school date night. Provide an evening

of fun for kids for a fee while parents get to

go out for a couple of hours.”

“maybe a morning fitness class w/ Mr

Langrock, or a schoolwide Color Run or

Neon Run or a sleepover fundraiser at

school or a night run on the track”

“Science lab.”

Recommendations

25

• Ensure communications reach all parents

• Develop communications that address school issues and school programs, not just events and fundraising

• Provide information re: how funds raised are spent

• Find ways for the PTA to be more inclusive

• Solicit higher level donations from those parents who are able

• Create ways for the PTA to support the specific needs of the classes, not simply general school needs

• Provide better support to teachers who are in need of supplies and tools in the classroom

Opportunity Areas