Kimball Elementary PTSA

Kimball Elementary PTSA

Meeting notes

54 meeting notes

General meeting

PTSA meeting: clubs, budget and school spirit

  • Fall club registration was open. Discussion focused on inclusion, clearer cost breakdowns, scholarships, and making the program financially sustainable.
  • The notes reported after-school program losses of $3,000 the prior year and $11,000 the year before, alongside $50,000 in registration fees including $7,000 in scholarship donations the prior year.
  • School-support allocations discussed included $300 per teacher, $750 per grade for field trips, $1,200 for fifth-grade promotion, and $4,500 for fourth-grade outdoor education.
  • Spirit Wear sales were planned from October 13 to mid-November; a possible updated shirt design for a spring sale was discussed.
  • Families were invited to help with constituent-group liaison roles, volunteering, and fundraising ideas.
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Planning session

Planning meeting: fall kickoff and family support

  • Organizers prepared a September 30 meeting agenda covering PTSA introductions, the principal update, recent events, clubs, fundraising, school supplies, and family liaison roles.
  • Interpretation, food, and childcare were discussed; the notes identified a $250 food budget and follow-up on childcare arrangements.
  • A tentative 2026–27 meeting schedule listed November 18, January 20, March 24, and May 26, with a mix of virtual and in-person meetings.
  • Follow-up tasks included kindergarten T-shirts, the meeting agenda, club coordination, food volunteers, childcare, and invitations to past meeting participants.
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Planning session

Planning meeting: back-to-school preparations

  • Organizers planned school-supply messaging, PTSA materials, welcome brochures, and kindergarten packets with T-shirts and a letter.
  • Fundraising communication discussed voluntary school-supply contributions of $30–50 per student and ways to explain the PTSA budget.
  • The August 31 back-to-school event was planned for 5–6:30 p.m., with pizza, popsicles, popcorn, a PTSA table, and volunteer tasks.
  • Planning also covered the September 30 PTSA meeting, class WhatsApp groups, Cougar Connection, Kimball Kitchen, and a possible spring Art Walk.
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Planning session

Planning meeting: meeting schedule and family outreach

  • Organizers discussed the 2026–27 meeting schedule, including a fall kickoff, an early-December meeting, and spring budget meetings.
  • Discussion focused on sharing agendas, growing Cougar Connection participation, communicating volunteer needs, and explaining PTSA-funded activities.
  • Plans included PTSA outreach at Popsicles on the Playground and kindergarten welcome packets with a flyer and T-shirts.
  • Action items covered officer introductions, school-calendar coordination, brochures, supply requests, event volunteers, and monthly PTSA messages.
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General meeting

PTSA meeting: school budget and 2026–27 leadership

  • The principal presented a building budget supported by additional Title I funding and the Distinct program, including an additional teacher and instructional assistant.
  • The notes reported an additional $60,000 for instruction and professional development and discussed possible uses such as tutoring.
  • The PTSA budget passed by unanimous vote with a reported $10,000 deficit, requiring additional fundraising or reduced expenditures.
  • Aki Peterson was identified as the next secretary, with Sandra Herrera and Katie Pasichnyk identified as the new co-presidents.
  • A May 12 virtual Seattle Special Education PTSA event featuring Dr. Ross Greene was announced.
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General meeting

PTSA meeting: winter events and fundraising

  • Planning covered Math Night on January 29 and Lunar New Year on February 27, including food, supplies, volunteer needs, and publicity.
  • Move-a-thon planning and SESSFA communication were discussed. The notes reported a 7% give-back provision and SESSFA funding comprising about 60% of general funds.
  • Fundraising ideas included event QR codes and a planned February 23 restaurant donation dinner benefiting Kimball and Beacon Hill Elementary.
  • The notes reported a $6,000 budget gap and discussed existing commitments, fifth-grade promotion, Kimball Kitchen, and teacher appreciation.
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General meeting

General Meeting: Programs, Fundraising, and Volunteer Planning

  • The PTSA discussed Kimball Kitchen, families-of-color programming, and after-school offerings.
  • After-school classes were planned from November through May on a pay-what-you-can basis.
  • SESSFA participation, meeting cadence, communications, and a family directory were reviewed.
  • The group identified volunteer needs across communications, language access, events, and class-parent roles.
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General meeting

PTSA meeting: school budget and program funding

  • The meeting reviewed a school staffing change involving two special-education instructional assistants.
  • The notes recorded an $11,000 request: $8,000 for Team Read and $1,500 each for two other programs.
  • The attendees voted unanimously to support Team Read and the two programs; snack costs and school-supply partnerships were also discussed.
  • A second Islandwood grant was reported to remove the need for the budgeted $8,000 trip contribution, leaving stipends closer to $4,000.
  • The PTSA had budgeted about $46,000 and paid about $18,000 at that point, with some expenditures still outstanding.
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General meeting

General Meeting: SESSFA MOU and Move-A-Thon Funding

  • The meeting reviewed the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance and Move-A-Thon model.
  • The notes recorded roughly $39,000 raised across 15 schools in the prior year and roughly $23,000 received by Kimball.
  • The proposed MOU included returning 5% of independent fundraising to the shared pot.
  • The PTSA voted to join the MOU for that year and contribute 5% of independent fundraising to Move-A-Thon.
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Committee

Core Team — community introduction and volunteer roles

  • The core team planned a public introduction for new staff, families, and prospective volunteers.
  • The group discussed volunteer pathways, including classroom parents, general and lunchtime coordination, and social media support.
  • Monthly core team meetings and a first broader PTSA meeting were proposed, with interpretation prioritized for community meetings.
  • The team considered onboarding practices, meeting frequency, facilitation, and continued use of Color Brave Space norms.
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Committee

Core Team — PTSA leadership responsibilities and transition

  • The core team reviewed the PTSA president role and responsibilities for parent, school staff, community, compliance, and communications work.
  • The group discussed distributing leadership responsibilities across a team and welcoming families into volunteer roles.
  • The meeting identified follow-up on website membership information, in-person family events, shared documents, and outreach for a Building Leadership Team representative.
  • Family connectors and translated communication were included in the leadership and community-connection discussion.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — budget, IEP guide, and core team update

  • The working meeting reviewed the school budget, including reduced fundraising emphasis and a vote approving the recommendation.
  • The group received an update on a family-to-family special education guide intended for translation into multiple languages.
  • Online school-supply donations had reached $1,848 toward a $2,500 goal, with excess funds planned for the school.
  • The group discussed class-photo costs, after-school activities, future events, and shared leadership responsibilities.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — Move-A-Thon, school supplies, and fall planning

  • The group planned continued Move-A-Thon collection through June 30 and reported approximately $202,000 raised at that point.
  • School-supply contributions, family communications, and a possible repeat of the event in the following school year were discussed.
  • Beacon Hill Youth Soccer described fall registration and efforts to reach underserved neighborhood families with translated materials.
  • The meeting considered incoming officer responsibilities, early-year events, after-school activities, and ways to support Free and Reduced Lunch form completion.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — Move-A-Thon, staff appreciation, and after-school activities

  • The meeting reviewed the Move-A-Thon, including a $150,000 initial goal, student prizes, and feedback on field-day logistics.
  • Staff Appreciation Week planning included food, flowers, cards, and coordination with school staff and parent volunteers.
  • The group discussed AANHPI Heritage Month learning, family participation, and classroom resources.
  • After-school programming was reviewed, including the need to identify a coordinator before considering a restart.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — AANHPI month, advocacy, and sustainable leadership

  • The group planned AANHPI Heritage Month activities, including classroom resources, possible museum visits, storytellers, and a May 28 family gathering.
  • Members prepared statements and questions for a legislative town hall and discussed school advocacy connections with state representatives.
  • The meeting considered sustainable PTSA leadership, shared work, formal officer requirements, and balancing community, advocacy, and fundraising responsibilities.
  • Art Walk volunteer needs and possible after-school and community events were also reviewed.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — budget, advocacy, and Take Back PTA discussion

  • The group reviewed fundraising income, underspent expenses, reserves, and an early 2022–23 income budget.
  • Budget discussion covered school requests, soccer goals, water bottles, staff support, and the relationship between PTSA funding and public funding.
  • Advocacy planning connected the PTSA with the Racial Equity Team, classroom learning, AANHPI Heritage Month, and legislative participation.
  • The Take Back PTA discussion considered a gradual shift toward community building and advocacy while preserving essential family and school support.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — staffing, Move-A-Thon, and leadership planning

  • The principal reported on the finalized 2022–23 budget, posted first-grade and special-education openings, and spring COVID testing plans.
  • The group planned Move-A-Thon field-day stations, volunteer roles, and outreach for approximately 20 parent helpers.
  • Art Walk planning included a June 3 event, neighborhood businesses, Black History Month murals, and a community-building focus.
  • The PTSA recorded a Treasurer transition and discussed a nominating committee, shared roles, and clearer expectations for leadership commitments.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — budget asks, reserves, and advocacy priorities

  • The group reviewed a proposed budget ask covering intervention support, family support, nursing time, school supplies, Raz-Kids, IslandWood, events, and classroom and field-trip funds.
  • Members discussed reserves, including a plan to reduce reserves over several years while funding near-term school needs.
  • The meeting considered AANHPI Heritage Month, classroom advocacy education, and an African American Parent Involvement Day event.
  • A tentative decision supported matching the school’s request for school supplies beginning at $6,000, with further community input planned.
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General meeting

Meeting — school budget, staffing, and officer search

  • The meeting reviewed enrollment projections, staffing allocations, Free and Reduced Lunch eligibility, special education and ELL ratios, and school equity tiers.
  • Members discussed nurse coverage, Team Read, Raz-Kids, school supplies, Family Support Worker funding, and the interaction between school and PTSA budgets.
  • The group considered a gradual shift toward advocacy and more equitable public funding while continuing essential school and family support.
  • The meeting also reviewed student voice, legislative advocacy, a Treasurer search, and the timeline for budget decisions.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — Take Back PTA goals and community advocacy

  • The working meeting set priorities for reviewing the mission, communicating a focus on advocacy and community building, and gathering family and staff input.
  • The Take Back PTA discussion addressed fundraising inequities, community engagement, fund sharing, and support for sustainable public funding.
  • Small groups considered gradual implementation, BIPOC family engagement, clearer advocacy language, and the role of non-money community events.
  • The group planned to refine goals with an outside education and equity advocate at the next working meeting.
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Committee

Advocacy Team — Take Back PTA goals and equitable engagement

  • The advocacy team reviewed a proposed Take Back PTA framework centered on community building, advocacy, and equitable fund sharing.
  • Discussion covered sustainable PTSA structures, clearer advocacy definitions, ELL and family connections, and stronger engagement with BIPOC families.
  • Members considered advocacy calendars, partnerships with community organizations and other schools, and a separate crisis-response function.
  • The group emphasized community input before reducing PTSA spending and reviewed follow-up work for the next goals discussion.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — staffing shortage, school safety, and advocacy

  • The meeting addressed a substitute shortage, staff coverage, safety concerns, and district criteria for moving school operations remote.
  • Members discussed how staffing and attendance data affected district decisions and identified possible system responses to the substitute shortage.
  • The advocacy update described a gradual transition toward fund sharing and advocacy for equitable school funding, including support for staff and supplies.
  • The group reviewed upcoming advocacy meetings, a levy renewal motion, and a unanimously approved endorsement.
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General meeting

Community Meeting — family feedback, PTSA priorities, and levy advocacy

  • Families discussed positive experiences at Kimball and questions about communication, classroom visibility, after-school programs, safety, and access to school information.
  • The PTSA presented a focus on relationships, racial equity, special education advocacy, and equitable fund sharing across Southeast Seattle schools.
  • The school reported levy support for a Family Support Worker and additional Title I funding for part-time tutors.
  • The meeting reviewed levy renewal, vaccine-clinic volunteer logistics, special education snack support, and a coat-drive process.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — school operations, values, and fundraising

  • The meeting reviewed classroom-volunteer clearance, a planned school vaccination site, and conference sign-ups with interpreter access.
  • Members discussed Color Brave Space values and how relationships, listening, and shared goals support school community work.
  • Fundraising planning focused on classroom grants, Kimball Kitchen, local restaurant partnerships, and an adopt-a-street cleanup.
  • The agenda also included a Black families gathering and future volunteer and community-building opportunities.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — special education staffing, safety, and fundraising

  • The meeting discussed special education staffing changes, program ratios, and the effect of proposed cuts on student supports.
  • Members considered letters and school-board participation before the planned staffing changes took effect.
  • COVID lunch safety, ventilation, transportation shortages, and the interim-school walk-zone context were reviewed.
  • Fundraising plans included combining Move-A-Thon and Walk-A-Thon elements, a Kimball Kitchen event, and addressing a projected $12,000 fundraising gap.
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Committee

Fundraising Meeting — annual calendar and community-centered events

  • The fundraising group planned an annual calendar to reduce repeated work and coordinate event timing.
  • Members considered combining Move-A-Thon with a field-day format and using Kimball Kitchen for community building and fundraising.
  • The group compared historical proceeds, discussed direct email campaigns, and considered reducing labor-intensive auction work.
  • Planning emphasized sustainable future PTSA practices, clear asks and reporting, and preserving community traditions where possible.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — advocacy priorities and meeting design

  • The group reviewed advocacy priorities including a fully funded Family Support Worker, equitable funding, translation, transportation, outdoor lunch, ventilation, and family communication.
  • Members discussed gathering input from BIPOC families and using multiple communication methods to make participation more representative.
  • Meeting formats, delegation, affinity groups, and the balance between working and community meetings were considered.
  • The group connected advocacy with family support, special education, transportation, and sustainable PTSA leadership.
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Committee

Advocacy Meeting — transportation, family support, and PTSA priorities

  • Transportation access was identified as a leading advocacy priority, alongside a permanent Family Support Worker and equitable school funding.
  • The group reviewed the PTSA’s shift toward advocacy and its existing District 7, SPS PTSA, SESEC, grant-writing, and affinity-group connections.
  • Members proposed a community survey with translation and paper and electronic options while continuing to address immediate needs.
  • The meeting documented priorities including language access, winter gear, transportation, outdoor lunch, food, ventilation, and timely family communication.
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Committee

Fundraising Meeting — Move-A-Thon, traditions, and Kimball Kitchen

  • The group reviewed prior fundraising results, including approximately $193,000 raised through Move-A-Thon and $14,500 allocated to Kimball from the prior event.
  • Members considered how to combine or sequence Walk-A-Thon, Move-A-Thon, Art Walk, Spring Fling, and Kimball Kitchen.
  • Historical fundraising figures and community-building goals informed discussion of which traditions to retain or adapt.
  • Action items covered a fundraising calendar, Move-A-Thon reporting, and exploring fall or winter Kimball Kitchen and Art Walk options.
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Planning session

Working Meeting — family connection and inclusive participation

  • The meeting considered transportation concerns, relationship building, and ways to make PTSA participation more welcoming to BIPOC families.
  • Members discussed affinity groups, shared roles, and combining working and community-building approaches.
  • Examples from other organizations informed ideas for family events, shared leadership, and accessible ways to connect.
  • The source records the date as September 8, 2021 in a following paragraph rather than in the heading.
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Committee

Advocacy Team — funding equity, outdoor lunch, and family connections

  • The advocacy team identified permanent Family Support Worker funding, fully funded education, outdoor lunch, and centralized translation and interpretation as key issues.
  • Members discussed shifting District 7 PTSA work from fundraising toward advocacy and equitable funding.
  • Family-connection planning included accessible directory sign-up, translated outreach, Open House participation, and coordination with school and family-support staff.
  • The group considered meeting frequency, parent-leader representation, outdoor-lunch support, and volunteer and communications logistics.
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