December 2022 Meeting

FOM 2022-2023 Board Meeting

December 7, 2022 

6:30pm - 8pm

Attendance:
Julie Schulhof 
Rowena Dumes
Frida Brooks 
Roona Shah 
Jen Jones 
Rhyan Sperling 
Nell Kolpin 
Kaye Muench 
Jacki Van Hout 

Danielle Drayton 
Sarah Roche

Not in Attendance:
Molly Sundby 
Chris Ring 
Al Haber

Introduction – Julie Schulhof

Thank you to all for your work over the past month. We had so much going on - the Book fair, sponsorships, School Clean Up, teacher conference luncheon, etc.

Minutes – Jacki Van Hout

Minutes Approved
Not open points to discuss.

Pledge Drive – Julie Schulhof

  •  Two weeks left in the drive

  • $140,000/27% Participation – Far behind from where we were from last year. 20% are giving the requested $1800. Average donation is less than last year. 

  • Participation reward/celebration seems to increase the donation amount.

  • Funding is going to support overall school extras listed in the pledge drive communication to keep the teacher to student ratios low and have Montessori training. 

OPEN POINT: What is the deadline? You can always donate outside of the pledge drive. 

  • Would it help if Principal Drayton or the teachers in their communication to parents? Sending an email? Teachers list what they received last year. 

  • Can there be better communication on where every dollar goes?

  • What do you think about competition/feedback from kids?

  • Can we add a graphic in communication to compare previous years for where funds go?

  • Feedback was unclear for where the donations are going, email may not be clear enough.

  • Inflation may be impacting the overall donation requirements. 

Budget – Frida Brooks

Biggest changes in the budget are related increases to the pledge drive, invoicing occurred with $12,000 to the teachers wishlists.

Teacher Reps – Jen Jones

10 teachers participated in the meeting, willing to talk about feedback on pledge drive, wish list, field trips. Lunch was provided to the teachers over conferences

OPEN POINTS: Agenda/Topics/Notes should be included in the January meeting. 

  • How can we teachers be more included in the benefit? Should a donation to teachers be considered?

Communications – Roona Shah

Calendar meeting occurred earlier this week to determine the spring semester.

Sponsorship – Erin Hickey

November Update

  • Partnership with Vanilla completed - $240 raised.

  • Partnership with Building Blocks – Didn't meet the minimum, had conflicting discounts.

  • Velocity Games – great start to the partnership. 

Book Fair – Kaye Muench

  • Participation was great, sales will meet if not exceed previous years fundraising.

  • Younger grades books sold out, older grades did not. Looking to use remaining funds to buy books for the older grades and library

  • Crafts and reading were fun for the families. 

Philanthropy – Jacki Van Hout

  • Mayer Grounds clean-up happened on 11/12 with over 50 people attending. Event was a collaboration with Ambassadors of Change and Friends of Mayer. Another event is planned for April.

  • Esther’s Friends Drive occurring now. Daily donations are between 5-10 bags. Flyers are usually included in the bag.

School Engagement – Rhyan Sperling

  • Mayer Spotlight - School newsletter goes out tomorrow to highlight like two teachers interviewed by students. Next one will be in January/February

  • Guided Reading Level Library – For the teachers to select books for the classrooms. New shelving/envelopes will be needed to support the library. $3,000 - $4,000 required for budget approval to support the library initiative. Estimated timeline for completion is TBD.

  • Lost and Found – Successful with sending items home, remaining items donated to Salvation Army. Specific items stayed at the school and were washed to be used in the classroom.

  • Bulletin board – Changing to winter theme. 

OPEN POINT: Can the Guided Reading Level Library be incorporated into the Pledge Drive?

Spirit Wear – Kaye Muench

  • Online sales for the holiday season begin next week, pick up to be the week after. 

  • Squares will be used going forward to streamline inventory. 

  • Spirit Wear to be sold during the skating event. 

OPEN POINT:  Is there a cost to using squares?

Benefit/Auction – Rowena Dumes/Julie Scholhof/Erin Hickey

  • Official date is March 10th, venue will be the Carter (same as the previous year). 

  • Theme of the night is “Night at the Oscar”, a Blue Carpet Event.

  • Working on food donations (5-7 restaurants) to start before we supplement from the venue. 

  • Sponsorship incentive plans have been developed based on movie categories. Virtual sponsorship booklet to be included. 

  • Swag bags included where advertising can be included

  • Band vs DJ is being discussed; need a new auctioneer. 

OPEN POINT: Should sponsors have tickets included? 

  • Can we extend the invitation to future families?

Meeting adjourned.

Next FOM Meeting: January 11th, 6:30 pm  

Rowena Dumes