Jim Bridger PTA Meeting Minutes – February, 2012

Jim Bridger School
7910 SE Market Street

Portland, OR 97215
www.bridgerpta.org

Jim Bridger PTA Meeting Minutes – February, 2012

1. Call to order ……………………………………………….……………………………………Ellen
- Meeting called to order at 6:30pm with 35 people in attendance (see sign-in sheet below)
- The PTA thanked Katherine for all of her work at Bridger. She was hired as the Vice President of
Kelly. Katherine thanked everyone and said she enjoyed her time at Bridger and appreciates the
Community.

2. Hot Topic: Bridger as a K-8………….…………………………………………………………Tanya
- Tanya Mead shared past conversations about Bridger as a K-8. A meeting was held last year
about building and sustaining the K-8 program at Bridger. Tanya shared that this isn’t a decision
for the PTA group or even Bridger, but a District decision. Families shared pros and cons of
middle school programs and K-8 models. Brenda shared what Bridger is doing to serve middle
school students: They have 3 electives, 1 teacher teaches Language Arts & Social Students and 1
teacher teaches Math & Science. There are smaller class sizes and 1st period is approximately 40
minutes. This period has 6-8 students and they focus on study skills: Cornell Notes, organizing
their binders and goal setting. The students still want lockers. Brenda has spoken with Facilities
about this and they are looking into it. Maybe PTA could purchase them?

3. Approval of Minutes………………………………………………..…………………………..Denise
- The minutes were reviewed, a motion was brought up to approve the minutes, it was seconded
and approved by the majority.

4. Financial Report …………………………………………………………………………………Jeanne
- Jeanne shared with the group that there is approximately $11,500 of available funds. The group
reviewed last funds financial summary.

5. Principal Report ………………………….……………………………………………………..Brenda
- Brenda, Kat & Luis Lopez addressed questions that have been posed to the group regarding
bringing back groups such as Young Rembrandts. They shared that the school staff wasn’t really
happy with the group: they left the room messy and they didn’t have a strong academic
connection. Because Bridger now has SUN, they need to ensure that any program that comes in is
something not offered during the school day and something that can be equitable for all. Kat is
open to considering any outside programs, if they can work within the SUN format. If PTA was
able to sponsor some positions, that possibly might be an option.
- Brenda also shared that Run for the Arts raised approximately $3,925 this fall and with the spring
amount there is about $8,360 in the fund. Because the schedule was changed to the fall, it is
making it hard to find an organization that can come in because most have been scheduled out
already.
- Brenda shared that about 70 teachers will be funded across 6 school districts. They are still
unsure how it will impact Bridger.

6. Committee Reports
- Green Team: If classrooms are interested in doing any planting, they can help with getting dirt,
seeds, etc. Let the Green Team know.
- Student Council: They shared that the Penny Drive has been really successful and they hope to
continue it. They are making Booboo bunnies. They are also still collecting pull-tabs. They can
be turned in at the office or the Student Store. They also shared that on 2/20 the Spirit Day will be
Mismatched & Backwards day. Student Council will be going around to classroom to show kids
what this means.

- Auction: Jen shared that tickets are on sale now: 1 is $15, 2 for $25 or a table for $100, which is 8
tickets. The group is still collecting donations for grade level baskets. Wall of wine donations are
still needed and deserts for the Dessert Dash.

- Volunteering/Community Outreach: Deb shared that there are volunteer opportunities coming
up: There are spots available for the kindergarten round-ups, stuffing backpacks at Grace Baptist
and the auction. Please connect with Deb is you are interested.

7. Announcements and Adjournment
- Tanya shared that on 5/18 there will be a family event at Mt. Tabor. SAVE THE DATE!!!
- 4th grade is raising money for the Oregon Trail field trip. They will be selling coffee in the
morning, so stop by.
- The next meeting will be on Weds. March 6th.
- Ellen adjourned the meeting at 7:59.

General Meeting Sign-In Sheet 2-6-2013

# Name Member (Y/N)
1 Jeanne Barrett Y
2 Kat Bonham Y
3 Jennifer Carlson Y
4 Deb Dimoff Y
5 Heather Dohrmann Y
6 Janey Forsberg Y
7 Romanna Flores Y
8 Ellen Lancaster Y
9 Sarah Ferrante Y
10 Denise Wright Y
11 Frank Legallo Y
12 Crystal Legallo Y
13 Rebecca Green Y
14 Brenda Fox Y
15 Naomi Levin-Greenhaw Y
16 Merieke Mertz Y
17 Megan Kirsch-McMaster Y
18 Diana Marshall Y
19 Meredith McLanen-Clemons Y
20 Rachel McDermott Y
21 Tara West Y
22 Tanya Mead Y
23 Jamie Morse Y
24 Katherine Polizos Y
25 Nicole Vulcan Y
26 Luis Lopez N
27 Amy Angel N
28 Yesenia Colon N
29 Rick Humphrey N
30 Giovanna Gioffe N
31 Bones N
32 Aurora Crosetti N
33 Shelly Lufkin N