FoDDS meeting minutes September 28, 2018 (7:30am)

 

1. Welcome and Introductions – Co-Presidents Kisha Ortiz and Mikhail Vafeades

 

  2. Administration Update – Principal Pam Kirk

 

• School year off to good start, establishing school structures and culture

• Working on getting word out on school sports so that there is more participation

• Parent handbook is now available on the school website and will be coming home soon

 

   3. Financial Update – Treasurer Jann Engelstad

 

• $49,000 in account, currently no immediate needs for fundraising

 

  4.   Fun Run – Lead Jann Englestad

 

• Postponed due to scheduling conflicts

• Fundraising by sponsoring kids in laps for participation

• Discussion on timing during the day and perhaps bring in DJ and ice cream

• Perhaps push off until the Spring 2019

 

  5. Critical Needs – Lead Alex Schroeder presented by Ann Margaret Williams

 

• Discussion of Weekend Food Bag Program, basic information on how the program functions and the pantry and space is shared with Swigert

       Application info went out on Deets

• Numbers are increasing, estimate is currently 12 families, will possibly need volunteers to make up committee

• Current participation in partnership with the 8th annual Stapleton Community Food Drive from September 28th-October 8th

       www.stapletonfooddrive.com will help stock the food pantry and asking for volunteers to supply canned goods directly to the school, deliver and              picking up bags from Stapleton homes or make a cash donation directly to our school

• RealGiving created by local Realtor Jay Epperson runs a campaign during the Thanksgiving season to provide King Soopers gift cards, $70 to each family. DDS is usually invited to participate on behalf of their critical need families.

• There will be a giving tree/sign up for donations for providing gifts for our weekend program and critical needs families

​

  6. School Dances – Lead Mikhail Vafeades and Kisha Ortiz

 

• Winter Dance – December 7, 2018

• Spring Dance – May 17, 2019

• 8th grade Dinner Dance: TBD

 

• Volunteers will be solicited from staff and student families for chaperones, check in tables and set up/take down

 

  7. Staff Appreciation Committee – Leads Tally Flint and Keyonyu O’Connell

 

• Teacher Appreciation tentative dates: October 18th, November 14th, February 14th, and April 16th

• Possible Thanksgiving teacher appreciation, in the past pies and wine solicited from families

• Teacher Holiday gift collection, solicit donations from families

• Teacher Appreciation Week – May 6 – May 10, 2019

 

  8. DDS Dinner Fundraisers – Lead Kelly Proctor presented by Mikhail Vafeades and Liz Muth

 

• Chipotle: October 2nd

• Papa Johns: November 6th

• Dog Haus: December 4th

 

  9. Remaining needed Committee members needed

 

• Communications – need someone to announce in Deets and Facebook for FoDDS specific agenda and communications

• Marketing/Corporate Sponsors – need lead

• Amazon Smile/King Soopers – need lead to track and advertise the programs

• Holiday Gift – need lead

 

  10. Future FoDDS meeting dates still TBD

 

FoDDS Meeting – March 21, 2018 (last meeting of the school year)
 

1. Principal Talk, DDS progress and plans – Pam Kirk & Michelle Ziesman

   • Near-final Bell Schedule for 2018-19 now available

   • 2018-19 DDS school calendar had been released: mirrors DPS calendar except for Sept 21st & Feb 19th (DDS days off for parent/teacher conferences)

   • Received a grant for one extra week of professional development in summer

   • Applied for grant for additional professional development at beginning of year

   • City Year (similar to AmeriCorps) in 2018-19. DDS will be assigned 8 young adults to support our students. They will be onsite at DDS to work with students (every student will be assigned to one of the City Year leaders and have ongoing engagement). City Year leaders will also be in classrooms offering added support. They plan to sponsor parent events too. The partnership includes options with Discover Link’s before/after school program. Stay tuned for a flyer to come home after Spring Break with more details. Cost will be $150/mo for age-appropriate activities such as cooking or yoga.

   • Rachel’s Challenge Kick-off Event was very powerful for students. Afterwards Students created vision boards supporting “Dream Big and Set Goals”. Shauna Veen (school counselor) started a DDS club to continue Rachel’s Challenge lessons. One the club’s first ideas is to start a Clothes Closet for kids who need extra weekend clothes.

   • Registration fees for 2018-19: Wanting to bring down costs to parents. Expeditions cost a lot, so DDS is actively exploring alternatives that are far less expensive, such as a rope course (no sleepover trip).  They may take school supplies out of registration fees and have families purchase their own supplies. It may be necessary to include a technology fee for Chrome book replacement, as many are significantly outdated. Note: It is a requirement for testing that we have 4G (fortunately there is some bond money available to cover this).
      

2. Financial Update – Julia Stelloh

   • Over $46K currently in the bank. Another $6K anticipated to come in before year-end.

   • Goal is to leave $40K in account to start next school year.

   • DDS leadership is developing proposed plans on how FoDDS funding will be spent next school year. Current options include teacher salaries and possibly developing a DDS communication app, which costs $3-4K (+ ongoing maintenance fee of around $2500/yr). We would model our app after other schools like McAuliffe and area high schools. Since DDS doesn’t have any tech support and Swigert does, Pam will approach them to see if they want to share tech support at a reduced cost for both schools.
      

3. Received Community Garden Grant of $2K

   • Starting Student Garden Club, led by Jessica Massie (Restorative Justice) & Alexis Morris (7th Grand Math)

   • Plan specifics still TBD. Will need summer maintenance support (parent volunteers in past).

   • May be able to find landscaping company to help donate some items, if needed.
      

4. Teacher Support & Retention

   • Reimbursement for teacher-purchased supplies comes through the office. Teachers will be reminded to come to DDS leadership with any classroom needs.

   • Upcoming Teacher Appreciation Luncheon on April 27th led by Carrie Muerer

   • Teacher Appreciation Week –  Mikhail Vafeades to coordinate and solicit parent volunteers

   • End of Year teacher gifts to be coordinated by Carrie Muerer
      

5. Fundraising:

   • Recent fundraiser at Next Door earned $800.

   • On-site Ice cream event (teaming up with Little Man Ice Cream) tentatively planned for May 23rd or possibly to be combined with Fun Run.

   • End-of-year Fundraising Event: FunRun/Jog-a-thon to be led by Jann Engelstad
      

6. 2018-19 FoDDS Board Nominations: Accepting both self-nominations or nominating another parent we can approach. No experience necessary.

   • President: Mikhail Vafeades open to co-president; need one other person

   • Treasurer: Jann Engelstad considering this role

   • Secretary: open

   • Vice President (to become President the following year): open

   • Past President for Mentoring/Support: Ann Margaret Williams

   • Plan welcoming event for 6th grade families to encourage participation in FoDDS

 

 

FoDDS Meeting Minutes – January 19, 2018 (7:30am) 
 

1. Introduction from Principal Pam Kirk

• Mother of 3 kids: son is a paraprofessional at Carson, oldest daughter is applying to graduate school, youngest daughter is a Junior at University of Georgia.

• Her Kids had dramatically different learning styles, so differentiating needs in the classroom is key to her leadership.  

• Obviously changes must be made at DDS, but it is too soon to share specifics. She is digging in and wants to have some decisions made and announced by the beginning of February. Any potential daily schedule changes would be announced at that time, but not implemented until next school year.

• Teacher Hires are going well. DDS has hired the following:

  • 6th grade Social Studies teacher

  • Special Ed teacher

  • 7th grade Science teacher

  • 2 new Spanish teachers (starting in the near future)

  • Note: Still working to secure a 7th grade Math teacher

 

2. Upcoming DDS Community Building Events:

• Meet & Greet Potluck with Principal Kirk (Feb 6th @ 6pm) More details to come.

• Prospective Student Open Houses (TBD Feb) - School Choice deadline Feb 28. Dates coming in the January 19th Orbiter.

• Pam did an interview with the Front Porch, to be released soon.

• Pam is drafting a letter to DDS parents that will come out the week of January 22nd.

 

3. FoDDS Celebrations

• Critical Needs Families:

  • Recent Grant of $3,000 from CenturyLink. This should take care of our DDS food pantry for the rest of the school year.

  • Holiday gifts were provided to critical needs families from DDS parents & King Soopers.

  •  Winter gear needs for 8th grade expeditions were donated or purchased

• Teacher appreciation & retention:

  • Holiday bonuses paid by FoDDS were provided to staff on the last day before winter break

  • Teacher luncheons: Wendy Barclay to coordinate Feb 13th teacher lunch, Carrie Meurer to run March luncheon (April & May appreciation lunches TBD)
     

4. Financial Update

• Raised $81K YTD from families, sponsorships, Colorado Gives Day ($3K grant) & $3,300 from Colorado Gives Day.

• Funds granted to DDS since Aug 2017 is $68K. Approximately $30K is held in reserve by DDS and the remaining $38K was applied towards expedition trip funding shortfall, math intervention & theatre support, school supplies, and teacher recognition/holiday gifts.

• Current bank balance = $38K. FoDDS started the year with $44K in the bank.

• Goal is to have $40K in bank for start of next year.
   

5. Future Fundraising Calendar

• Ongoing efforts: Amazon Smile, boxtops, & King Soopers giftcards (Contact Liz or Tamara Smith if you want a King Soopers reloadable giftcard.) We will try to have them at the Feb 6th potluck too.

• Electronics recycling – need to identify a parent volunteer; could be very lucrative

• Jan 24 – Dine for DDS (15%) at #Hashtag (7am – 2:30pm) & Los Chingones (3pm – 9:15pm)  (SupperBell last month made $148 for DDS)

• Jan 25 – Mom Up Project, 4pm at Stanley (advance ticket purchase $25)

• April – Possible Direct Giving party (lead: Marissa & Justin Ross)

• April/May – FunRun/Jogathon (seeking implementation volunteer; plan completed)

• Parents - Start thinking about your roles for next school year. We need more involvement.

• Direct Giving Suggestion - Better not to time fundraising with registration fees, uniforms purchases. Active fundraising will begin in early March.
   

6. School Cleanliness - DDS is not clean enough. Two primary reasons:

• District is not giving us enough facilities/maintenance for the size of the school building. We share this staff with Swigert.

• Kids need to be more engaged in cleaning up after themselves. For example, Facilities Managment does not have responsibility to wipe down desks.

  1. Pam has ideas from other middle schools on how to engage kids in the cleanliness.

  2. FoDDS will also consider inviting kids to stay after on an early release day to clean (maybe as soon as Jan 26th) with pizza for those who participate.  
      

7. Black Student Alliance (BSA) Events

• Sock Drive. For every 300 new pairs of socks donated, students get a dress down day. Socks donated to the Crossing, a Denver Rescue mission offering transitional housing & life skills training.

• Movie event on early release day of Feb 16th (playing Hidden Figures)

​

8. Future FoDDS meetings - trialing alternative times to see if it increases participation

           2/22 at 6:30 PM (DDS library)

           3/21 at 7:30 AM (DDS library)

           4/26 at 6:30 PM (Stanley Marketplace)

​

 

FoDDS Meeting Minutes  – Nov 1, 2017 (6:30pm)
 

1. School Performance Framework (SPF) – Principal Ellis

• SPF is an annual evaluation by the State of Colorado for all DPS schools. Assesses PARCC & CMAS test scores (reflects student body from previous year), plus survey input from DDS community & students. SPF groups learners into two categories:
          a) “Keep-up Kids” (kids who met/exceeded standards last year) – Try to maintain/grow
          b) “Catch-up Kids” (kids who didn’t meet standards last year) – Try to reduce this group

• Findings: Overall DDS dropped just below the bar from “Green” (in 2016-17). This means DDS is now technically in “Yellow” (2017-18), despite results not dipping too significantly from last year. DDS needs improvements on Discipline/Behavior and a stronger focus on supporting “Catch-up Kids.”

• Next Steps: State sends in specialists to evaluate classroom activity and support our school in creating goals/objectives to get back to a “Green” status. Primary objectives will include training teachers on behavior management/discipline and culture/diversity, reducing classroom sizes as able, and staffing adjustments to better utilize teachers’ untapped talents. Implementation towards these goals will include both immediate changes, such as the teacher training on Friday (11/3), as well as building strategies to achieve long-term growth.
   

2. Financial Update – Julia

• So far for this school year we have raised $71K (net), of which $65K was already granted to DDS.

• Goal is to raise $135K, which also allows us to start next year with a $40K balance. 

• This translates to a fundraising need of $65K-$70K for the rest of 2017-18 school year. 

• We should be able to grant DDS another $15K - $20K before the end of 2017.

• FoDDS’s strategy this year has been to choose fundraising efforts that are expense-free. We want every penny to go to the school.

• 30% of DDS families have donated financially. Please don’t forget company matching; please check with your employer when making your donation.

• Principal Ellis explained that expeditions/experiential trips for next year will be bid out competitively and possibly shortened to further reduce costs in future years.

3. Critical Needs – Leslie Kelly

• Food pantry currently supports 18 families who are supplied with grocery items every weekend. So far, everything in food pantry has come from donations. NPRE Stapleton Food Drive helped immensely.

• Special Thanksgiving grocery gift cards will be given to these families in November (donated & organized by Stapleton Realtor, Jay Epperson.)

• In December holiday gifts for these families will be organized by Keyonyu O’Connell. Stay tuned for more information on how you can contribute a gift.
   

4. Fundraising Calendar Overview – Ann Margaret  

• Fundraising Survey to come out in Orbiter (lead: Sara Murphy)

• Ongoing Fundraisers:

  1. King Sooper Grocery cards & Amazon Smile ( Tamara Smith) $2K-$3K

  2. Electronics Recycling (lead: Carrie Brambaugh) goal $5K-$10K 

  3. Boxtops, Tyson food labels, and community coffee (lead: Carrie Brambaugh)

  4. Direct Giving online

• Dec 15 – CO Gives Day (lead: Ann Margaret Williams) goal $3K-$5K

• Jan – Sponsorship Breakfast w Keynote Speaker (lead: Alisa Martin) goal $1K-$2K

• Jan 25 – Promote “Mom’s Night Out” at Stanley  (lead: Ann Margaret) goal $200-$700

• Feb – Themed Direct Giving party (lead: Carrie Brambaugh) goal $10K-$20K

• April – Direct Giving party (lead: Marissa & Justin Ross) goal $10K-$20K

• April/May – FunRun/Jogathon (Emily Gerson may lead this; plan completed.) goal $3-$5K

• May – Soccer Camp  (lead: Sonya Black)

• Auction is not currently planned. Last year it wasn’t very effective, as earnings only slightly outweighed costs. Sharikia Towers will consider leading a Spring Fling and get back to FoDDS if able.

• Kid Candy Sales – Sharikia Towers volunteered to run this. (Timing TBD)

5. Community Building – Ann Margaret

• Need better community awareness that FoDDS does much more than fundraising. We want to make sure FoDDS continues to promote a healthy balance that includes community building, teacher appreciation, etc.

• Ice Cream Social on Monday, Nov 13 (lead: Ann Margaret Williams)

• DDS Community Garden – 2 Grant Applications in progress (leads: Carrie Brambaugh & Jennifer Shermer) Grants for up to $2K each. Funds to be awarded by the end of 2017.

• Prospective Students Open House: Tues, Nov 7, 5:30-7pm (current DDS families also welcome)

• Stapleton Foundation has asked if we could support/encourage a group of parents to go to DSST Conservatory Green High School.

• Need to identify a Community Building co-chair to partner with Joanne Stilwell.

 

6. Open Volunteer Roles – Please contact Ann Margaret Williams if you are interested in helping at any level.

• Fundraising

• Community Building – co-chair
   

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2018 Future FoDDS meeting dates – trialing alternative times to see if it increases participation

           1/19 at 7:30 AM (DDS library)

           2/22 at 6:30 PM (DDS library)

           3/21 at 7:30 AM (DDS library)

           4/26 at 6:30 PM (Stanley Marketplace)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FoDDs Meeting Minutes, Sept 7,2017

1. Introductions of Board: Ann Margaret Williams & Alisa Martin (co-presidents), Julia Stelloh (treasurer), Jodi Maturo (secretary), Dana Ellis (Interim Principal)

2. School Budget Update (Principal Ellis) - DDS financial management last year was poor and the school overspent by $250,000. DPS has graciously cleared our deficit from last year, but Dana is instituting best practices to ensure a balanced budget for the future.  

   • DDS must align expenses with our funding. We have at least $116K in projected spending for the current school year that is not yet funded. Difficult decisions will be made.

   • Each grade’s expedition costs DDS $35K-$40K, despite parent contributions. Issues: Fees charged last spring did not cover 100% of the cost, even for those who paid in-full. Many families on payment plans, paying in arrears. Over half of DDS families are completely unable to pay for their student’s expedition. Solution: The camp is very willing to work with us, once we notified them. Dana was able to negotiation cost-savings to reduce the overage to $15K per trip. Future expeditions will need to capitalize on grants.

   • DPS funding per student. Issue: DDS will lose $100K in district funding by Sept 17th due to missing paperwork from families who have not yet registered their DDS student. Solution: Staff has been communicating the importance of this paperwork to these families on a daily basis. New approaches tried daily. Home visits are a potential last resort.

3. FoDDs Budget Review (Julia Stelloh)

   • Provided $30K to DDS to start the year, leaving only $16K in FoDDS bank account (not ideal to start out the school year). Fundraising needs to bring in another $120K this year.

   • Annual Budget Overview: Fundraising target is $146K for this school year.  Better not to entirely deplete FoDDS account before next year to help the ’18-’19 school year off to a strong start.

   • Fundraising Sources to Date: $22K in Direct Giving received or committed over the next 9 months; $16K in sponsorship already secured.  We need more sponsors.

4. Discussion on “How to Raise Money?” FoDDS will continue to use previously successful strategies, but plans to expand thinking to be more inclusive of our diverse population/cultures.

   • Fundraising Lead identified (Sara Murphy, parent of 8th grader). Still need a parent lead from 6th and 7th grade to support Sara.

   • Direct giving goal is $500 per family. Need creative ideas to target Free and Reduced Lunch families with a more realistic ask. Only 64 DDS families have given to date.

   • Direct Giving Parties: Two 6th grade families have volunteered to spearhead a party. Need 7th grade families. Contact annmargaretwilliams@icloud.com to help host a party.

   • Community Potluck/BBQ with a nominal suggested fee. Leads: Wendy Barclay & [insert other mother’s name]. Builds a sense of community, while raising funds.

   • Soccer Camp/Event with proceeds going to DDS (Oct 1st or 15th). Lead: Sonya Black

   • Race/jogathon proven successful at other schools. Lead: Jodi Maturo

   • Must take advantage of grants. Identified a grant writer (Jennifer Shermer)

   • Need greater participation and volunteers to execute fundraisers. Contact annmargaretwilliams@icloud.com to offer your talents. Big and small roles still available.

​

Tuesday, February 28, 2017 Meeting

Attended:  Ben Lusz, Alisa Martin, Matt Morgan, and Kristen Spaeth

Treasurer’s Report

• Cash account balance $13,569.11

• Looking for funds raised at the direct giving, believed to be approximately $4,500

• Principal Atwood is requesting $120,000 for 2017-2018 school year

• FODDS curious about year-end expenses

School Dances

• FODDS is curious about the specifics of the March 10 dance

• May 12th dance, will have a Hollywood Theme. Hopeful activities to include: selfie station, glow jewelry, photos with a limo.

  • FODDS is curious if the art classes could be involved in building decorations (e.g. Oscars, Hollywood sign, etc.)

  • FODDS is searching for a volunteer photographer

  • FODDS is wondering if the spring dance could combine the three classes into one dance

Teacher Appreciation

• Recommended to give gift cards at the end of the year

Marketing

• Looking forward to the DDS interest piece in the Stapleton Front Porch or Park Hill paper.

• FODDS is curious if there is a Facebook page manager for DDS

Restaurant Nights

• FODDS recommends evaluating and deciding the minimum amount raised to make these fundraisers successful

• March 12th is the next night at Cuba Cuba in Northfield

Critical Needs

Community Involvement

• FODDS believes the kickball event was huge success last year, and recommends duplicating

• FODDS also recommends starting parent community building nights early in the school year

2017-2018

• Who is returning to FODDS?

• Who is interested in committees: Spring Fling, Critical Needs, Teacher Appreciation, Student Activities, Community Building, Fundraising (sponsorships, direct giving, etc.)?

 

November 14, 2016 Meeting

1. Welcome & Intros- Alisa Martin

   • Attendees:  Alisa Martin, Abby Reynolds, Matt Morgan, Ben Lusz, Julia Stelloh, Amy Smeester, Gretchen Pilcher, Lynn Burnham, Roza Walimchele, Evan Clingan, Jason Brooks

2. Treasurer’s Report – Matt Morgan

   • Goal for the ’16-’17 school year is $150K; $98K raised as of 11/14/16, approx. $9K from sponsorships.

   • Matt shared the FODDS budget for the year.  The $98K is spent with the remaining 10% earmarked for critical needs, the new garden, specials (robots) and the Spring Fling.

3. School Dances

   • Fall Dance is Dec 9th and will be planned by the Student Council

   • Amy Smeester is planning to contact Scott Esserman (parent SC sponsor) to determine parent volunteer needs for the Dec 9th dance.  A SlyReply sign up will be sent out once this is all determined.

   • 6th graders and 7th/8th graders dance times will be separate. Exact times tbd; 1/5 hrs per dance. 

4. Teacher & Staff Appreciation – Getchen Pilcher/Lynn Burnham

   • Monthly lunches provided by DDS parents are going well and receiving positive feedback. Teachers and staff appreciate healthy food items.

   • Thanksgiving treats – collection of wine and pies underway.  As of 11/14/16, FODDS was short on items although several requests were sent out to parents to fill the gap.

   • Holiday bonus fund – discussion re the best way to request donations.  Decision made to include flyer in student’s grade packets distributed 11/18/16.  Abby Reynolds created a sign up link via Greater Giving for families to contribute to the bonus fund.  Students will be encouraged to make cards for their teachers.

5. Marketing – Amy Smeester

   • The Front Porch is publishing an article about DDS in the December edition.  Parkhill neighborhood newspaper also contacted with no response.

   • The Whole Foods grocery bag program was discussed.  DDS supporters who use reusable grocery bags when shopping at Whole Foods would request 5 cents/bag be donated to DDS.  Amy is planning to obtain more info on the fundraising/marketing opportunity.

   • DDS Yard Signs – free for pick up in the office! DDS swag (hats, magnets) will be given out to new students, families vs. sold.

6. Community Building – We need new volunteers for this role!

7. Fundraising

   • Evan Clingan is Spring Fling chair.  Host families are needed and volunteers in general to help with the various tasks. Evan is being paid $2K by FODDS to plan the event.

   • Overall approach to fundraising discussed. Direct Giving viewed as a more efficient way to raise money and considered for the fall.  More discussion to come on this and a Direct Giving committee was proposed.

   • Fundraising per grade – each grade selects a specific item or program they would like to support.  Items would provide classes to leave a legacy and so forth.

   • Movie night in the spring considered. Could be held on school grounds with food trucks and potential approval from DPS to sell alcohol.  Also viewed as a great community event.

   • Pool night in the spring. Rental rates are $200-$400/hr.

8. Restaurant nights – Monica George/Carrie Meurer

   • Jim N Nick’s night 12/7/16.  Info supplied in Orbitor.

   • More early release events planned – tbd.

9. Critical Needs – Ann Margaret Williams

   • Backpack program – backpacks are frequently not returned to school.  Donations of used backpacks requested.

   • Holiday baskets for families will be distributed – movie and museum tickets, etc.

10. Sponsorships – Angie Berens

    • Abby Reynolds to reach out to Angie for status.

13.  Upcoming FODDS Meeting Dates – 1/24/17, 3/14/17 and 5/9/17

​

August 30, 2016 Meeting  (Upcoming FODDS Meeting Dates – 11/11/16, 1/24/17, 3/14/17 and 5/9/17)

1. New committee members were introduced - Alisa Martin

   • Princ. Atwood, several existing members along with new DDS parents attended.

   • Volunteers to lead the Spring Fling are still needed.

2. Treasurer’s Report – Tamara Smith/Matt Morgan

   • Goal for the ’16-’17 school year was $150K; approx $85K-$90K was raised.

   • Principal Attwood requested $65K with another $20K to be requested before the end of the year to fund student Exhibitions scholarships and other needs.

3. Marketing – more focus and help requested to spread the DDS message

   • School tours for the middle school choice process begin in September.  Parents are encouraged to post a review on DDS’ Facebook page, Great Schools.Com, etc.

   • DDS Magnets, yard signs and hats will be sold at Back To School Night on 9/15/16

   • Abby Reynolds to coordinate gathering at potential 5th grade family homes (one per elementary school), Princ. Atwood will speak, etc.

4. Community Building – Molly Jacques/Brooke Neville

   • Two school dances - December and the spring, one formal and one casual proposed.  Exact dates may have been set, need to contact Evan.  Suggestion was made to find parent volunteers to help decorate, etc.

   • Other ideas thrown out included gatherings at Station 26 - more to come on this.

5. Fundraising

   • Spring Fling is an important school community event and should continue.  Discussion around more emphasis on buy-a-share items and direct giving contributions at the event.

   • Contribution request letter will be sent out to families after Back To School Night

6. Restaurant nights – Monica George/Carrie Meurer

   • Dates will be published in the next Orbiter.

7. Teacher & Staff Appreciation – Gretchen Pilcher/Lynn Burnham

   • Monthly lunches on Fri 1/2 days

   • Collection for the holiday gift fund will start in the Oct. timeframe

8. Garden – Lea Ann Adkins

   • New fence and student-designed compost bin are both installed.

9. Critical Needs – Ann Margaret Williams

   • Letters re the Friday Backpack program were sent out.  A suggestion was made to begin asking families to contribute food to this program.

   • Unclaimed lost & found uniforms have been laundered and will be sold at Back To School Night.

10. KS Cards – K. C. Perkins

    • Clarification that fundraising, via KS cards, for the 8th Exhibition trip can begin in the 6th grade yr.

    • Reach out to grandparents for a Kroger card.

11. Sponsorships – Angie Berens

    • Spread the word to new 6th grade families

 12. Grant Writing – What grants would DDS qualify for?  Get a story regarding the Compost project in the Front Porch, etc.

​

Attendees:

KC Perkins, Julia Stello, Abby Reynolds, Dina Schoultz, Alisa Martin, Ben Lusz, Matt Morgan, Monica George, Lynn Burnham, Gayla Cisneros, Brooke Neville, Carrie Meurer, Gretchen Pilcher, Ann Margaret Wiliiams, Angie Berens, Kristen Atwood, Tamara Smith, Kristen Spaeth

 

​

January 8, 2016 Meeting

 

1. Budget

• Tamara presented budgets
• Discussion about Atwood requests
• Atwood revised the requests she initially made.  Tamara will update budget.
• Enrichments will enrich the entire curriculum not just “specials”
• $150k is our fundraising goal for 2016-2017 

 

2. 8th grade expedition

• Kristen presented Global Travel Alliance options  (Moab & Mesa Verde) and board decided to have Kristen look at BackCountry expeditions ​and travel to Colorado somewhere ($300/per child maximum)

 

3. Spring Fling

• Cindy will reach out to Abby and will get a group of people together to discuss specifics

• Reach out to 6th grade families to help host

• Make big ticket auction items instead of small ones

• Increase teacher items

 

4. Community Building

• Dina will send a blurb to Kristen to send out to 8-10 moms

 

5. Teacher Appreciation

• End of year gifts – table for now

 

6. Critical Needs

• Nothing

 

7. Definition for FODDS

 

8. Transition/Recruiting for FODDS positions

 

9. Administrative

• We should use Giving First

 

10. Abby will schedule next meeting for February

 

 

November 10, 2015 Meeting

 

1. Introductions

 

2. Treasurer’s Update:

• Tamara gave an update

• We hit our 88k goal!!

• We are in fantastic shape!!

• Expense reimbursement form – Tamara will send it electronically

• Form we use to show what we are giving back to school

• Molly will get the FODDS grant form from Steck

• We will wait to give the form to specials teachers once we get the results from the survey

• 8th grade expedition – feasibility.Abby will talk to Kristen about forming a group

 

3. Teacher Appreciation Update:

• Monthly events are going great!

• Molly’s paypal program is paying for itself – asking parents to contribute

• Poppy & Pine donation- $500 – ideas – herb gardens, rosemary tree, wreaths

 

4. Critical Needs Update – Ann Margaret Williams

• NPRE hosted Stapleton Food Drive – we will receive $ from them. Stephanie Groutas will give that to us soon!

• There are coats in the DDS closet that can be used for kids that might need them

• Jay Epperson – Real Giving Campaign. Hopefully each critical need family at DDS will receive a $70 KS gift card

• The giving tree – Betsy Washburn will be getting the wish list from critical needs families

 

5. Community Building Update – Taler Martin wasn’t present

• Shorten the time?

• Earlier?

• Maybe a study hall or setup committee?

 

6. Fundraising – don’t need to push any more until Spring Fling

 

7. Garden Update – Ellie gave an update

• $180 made at the farmer’s market

• Ellie will talk to Leslie about getting seeds for the spring

 

8. Future of enrichments – Terri gave an update

• Survey will go out tomorrow in the orbiter

 

9. Teacher Bonuses

• Agree we should do this through Teacher Appreciation

• Alisa will send Molly a blurb for teacher bonus sign up

• Molly/Abby will look at qGiv to see ifthe fees are less – call it “teacher holiday gift”

• Special orbiter

• Molly will see if Poppy & Pine can give us gift cards instead of a lump sum of $500

• Alisa will follow up with Kristen to let her know what we decided on

 

10. Qgiv vs. paypal – Tamara will look into this

• Personal thank you notes to all sponsors – Angie will do this

• Generic Tax ID Letter – Ann Margaret will get from Tamara

• In-kind donation letters – Tamara will send to Staci Egloff

 

11. Next meeting location - TBD

 

 

September 15, 2015 Meeting

 

1. Budget 

• Decrease Teacher Appreciation to $500 and increase Community Building to $1000.

• Board approved the $88,0000.00 budget.

 

2. Poppy & Pine Sponsorship

• Abby will link Molly Paul & Poppy & Pine for TA needs.

• We will use the $500 in kind.

• Abby will talk to Kristen about having the Evergreen & Poinsettia sale.

 

3. King Soopers Cards & Target Red Card Dividends

• Board decided we will not track individually by family

• Target Red Card dividends will go back to school from Kristen

 

4. Chair positions

• Dina will email group that attended coffee to see if they are interested in volunteering.

 

5. Back to school night

• We have talking points for Kristen

• How we differ from other middle schools in area

• Amount we’ve raised

• $575 is a lot but you can give $10

• Engineering & Enrichments

• Critical Needs

• 3 tables – FODDS, KS cards, Volunteer

 

6. Dress down days

• Alisa will talk to Evan/Kristen about dress down days

 

7. Enrichments

• Looking at sustainability

• Beef up our specials

• Trimester per grade

• Adding onto registration

• Terri will collect data and schedule a meeting to discuss options

 

           

August 31, 2015 Meeting

 

1. Goal of $88k was our ask at Spring Fling

• Breakdown:

• $70k instructional

• $18k cultural

 

2. Critical needs

• Camp scholarships - $9,000

 

3. Engineering

• Will need an additional $10,000

 

4. Expeditions

• No expedition chair needed

 

5. Process for Kristen requesting $

• Dina will come up with a form

 

6. Discussion regarding Gretchen Pilcher

• A decision was made to give her a banner

 

7. Kristen’s request for $1,000 for critical needs uniforms was granted

 

8. Board decided that a letter from Kristen should be sent to all families after back to school night, pushing one more time for families to give