Board Members in attendance
Gabe Slough-Cummings
Lindsay Semph
Heath Davis
Justin Hollister
Joy Tennent
Rebecca Shepard
Joanna Miner
Amanda Eich
Caitlin Sobotka
Nicole Dalesandro
Start 7:00PM
Funding Requests Nothing new or outstanding since our last meeting, skipped this section
New
Outstanding
Update from Principal’s Meeting (Gabe)
Funding Priorities: Main goal is to confirm what meets scope of FOGS vs. other methods
Marquee
Digital marquee with dual language capabilities, allow messages from desktop version
Asked La Spata for funding, had some ideas but needs to dig in further
Media Room: Need space, may be reliant on annex
Shelved for now due to space restrictions
Would allow for kids to be involved in news updates and filmed news straight to the classroom
May be reliant on additional funds and annex re-build
Turf: Interim plan, Iris funding, roundtable
Brought in expert from community for advice, no solid plan at this point
La Spata coming to school next week to visualize
Pods will most likely be on hard top playground area to impact field use
Anything done will need to be interim due to the annex potentially digging out turf
Budget pains
Recess coverage: $16k/year ongoing
Will require 3 people over lunch/recess
Paid positions $15/hour equating to 16K/year
This would be new hire under Goethe school rather than external
External would be more expensive, mainly due to the flat fee for training
Need to follow up with principal on the indoor recess impacts
Parent mentor program used in other locations/ instances, Gabe to follow up on this as a potential solution. LSNA Miss Carmina is the liaison for this program
Also need to follow up on legislative/regulation requirement impacts to recess
New office furniture: assembling a list
Potential budget cut (enrollment)
This could still change until budget hits in November, but there could be an impact
Technology voids (chromebooks): No more funding from CPS
Lack of functionality exists for some Chromebooks that is leading to issues
Security needs: Cameras, walkies
There is currently issue with cameras and supply of walkie-talkies, and signage for kiss-and-go
Equity in the school: parent training
This training occurred last year for the school, and cost $25K for 25 parents to train on what it means to be a parent advocate
May need to seek less expensive alternatives
As FOGS we may need to present alternatives or push the school to look for alternatives
Annex: “Lobbyist” on FOGS?
Suggestion was made for member of group to push for opportunities to fund the replacement
Spoke with LaSpata today to push for support to pick up where we left off before pandemic.
Want to get politicians involved previously back in the loop
Infrastructure bill money could be helpful for this effort
Recommendation to ask LSC members (Amanda and Theo) who had previously worked on this to coordinate within LSC.
Work with a designated member of FOGS for a joint effort. Gabe to serve as FOGS representative with Lindsay service as backup
We can add a landing spot on the website for information on our website
Need to get updated version of list of things to get done/what has been done
Gabe to set up a meeting to talk through this information page on the website
Gabe to propose to add and LSC based committee with support from FOGS
“Pillars”: STEAM, LGBTQ+, Equity, Sustainability, Dual Language
Looking for commitment pillars for the school to assist in grant requests
Nader and Crystal to think through these topics
Heath requested:
That we no longer fund computers/chromebook and look for alternatives that are more sustainable to travel with students up to 8th grade year.
Can we partner with an organization to fund this for future sustainability
Equity/Inclusion training: can we reach out to organization local to Chicago (Howard Brown Center, Center on Halsted)
Getting in front of teacher asks
Educational handout for teachers
Amanda is working through this, including photos/examples.
Can use this for external meeting kit
Attending November staff meeting
Gabe will be attending on Nov 3rd (rough date) with a town hall meeting in the gym
Intro on what FOGS is and how to work with us
Coordinate with 8th grade/all teachers for advance notice
Flexible seating - ensure use and identify greater need
Nader and Crystal to talk to teachers to ensure use and needs
Report requests from teachers back to P/VP
Monthly meeting with FOGS P and P/VP - First Wednesday
Gabe will attend this meeting along with volunteer participation from board
Title 1
65% to 59% in one year - 40% threshold
Funding is $250K for this designation
Preventative measures: maintain core community, roundtable
Have translators for all meetings, take into account the culture of our school community
Forming a roundtable of people who represent the core community and ensure we maintain focus on community
Have teachers onboard for this opportunity
La Spata Meeting
Update to Funding Request Form and priorities
Funding Requests:
Prioritize:
School pillars
Percentage of school affected
Short term vs long term
No CPS funds available
Not achievable through teacher fundraiser
Funding is not an open request elsewhere (Nader)
Teacher requests must be cc’d to office
Ask how requestor is aiding in fundraising
Balance funding sources:
Monthly giving (the WBEZ way)
Event based giving (LBOTS)
Periodic appeals (Giving Tree)
Goethe Store
Cait and Mike to meet with Gabe on this item to determine best next steps to bring back to the group
Project Template
Helps with organization, transparency, and preparedness for next year/future chairs
Goethe Fest team to put together template for next meeting for team feedback
Turf Update
8th Grade Volunteers
Available for future events, should be engaged for use for future
8th Grade Lunch Budget
Gabe working with Genevra on this item, looking to extend money for this year
Fun run: FOGS site would intake fundraising
To vote on next meeting
Holiday Raffle
To run with the holiday bazaar, to discuss on next meeting
Potential to run as a STEAM benefit
Meeting end: 9:37