Summary and action items from the November 2025 PTA general meeting.
PTA General Meeting November 2025
Summary
Financial Health & Fundraising
• Recent successful fundraising: Bake sales ($1,136), Movie night ($999)
• Critical shortfall: Only $3,895 raised toward $35,000 annual donation goal (11%)
• Less than 5% of families participating in monthly giving
• Upcoming Fall Fling and Thanksgiving Pie Sale critical to bridging gap
• Major expenses paid: $20,000 (first payment for K-1 TAs), ~$7,000 (Studio in a School first payment)
New Food Pantry Initiative
• Launching in partnership with Trinity Church to support District 1 families
• Response to delays in SNAP benefits following government shutdown
• Located in lobby, accessible to all families in building (open-access model)
• Parent Coordinator Denise organizing operations, ordering equipment
• Staff volunteering initially, parent volunteers anticipated later
• PTA soliciting non-perishable donations at Fall Fling
• Donations of turkeys and chickens secured for families
SLT Strategic Priorities
1. Diversity & Recruitment
• Developing strategies to attract more local Black and brown families
• Addressing perception that charter schools better meet academic needs
• Focus on communicating school's academic strengths and inclusive environment
2. Math Instruction Crisis
• Acknowledged school-wide weakness in math literacy
• Unlike reading (supported by 2 dedicated staff), no equivalent systems for math
• Teachers need more professional development for curriculum implementation
• Call to action: Parents must lead advocacy efforts to secure funding
• Goal: Fund professional development AND dedicated math support staff position
• Advocacy "road map" being developed, parent-led math committee proposed
3. Evaluation Transparency
• Problem: Narrative-based assessments converted to numerical grades for middle school applications
• Process described as "murky" and unclear to parents, students, teachers
• Impacts 4th-grade families (only ~5% of middle schools require numerical grades)
• Lack of transparency means families unaware until 5th grade with no "runway to improve"
• SLT working to establish clear guidelines and communication
PTA Operations & Governance
• Meeting format: Alternating morning in-person and evening Zoom (6:30 PM)
• Data collection ongoing, potential spring vote on preferred format
• Bylaws update: Digitizing paper files, consolidating with DOE template
• Community Agreement being formalized (condensed from SLT language)
• Amendment circulated for feedback, vote scheduled for December PTA meeting
Community Advocacy
• CEC resolution supporting Parent Coordinator pay equity and union representation
• Parent Coordinator Denise testified at CEC meeting on unpaid overtime and expanding responsibilities
• Resolution sponsored by TNS parent and CEC member Alejandro Torres
• Discussion on school's reading philosophy and child-centered approach
• Historical success: 8 years ago concerns about 3rd grade reading, now students consistently graduate at/above grade level
Action Items
• Increase monthly donation participation from <5% of families
• Donate non-perishable food items at Fall Fling for food pantry
• Volunteer for food pantry operations (contact Denise)
• Review and provide feedback on proposed Community Agreement amendment
• Vote on bylaws amendment at December PTA meeting
• Support CEC resolution on Parent Coordinator pay equity
• Join parent advocacy efforts for math instruction funding
• Participate in math committee formation (if interested)
• Attend Principal's morning hour to discuss reading philosophy
• Ensure proper winter clothing for children (hats, gloves, coats, snow pants for younger kids)
Notes
Meeting Structure Update:
PTA experimenting with alternating schedule to maximize engagement:
• Morning in-person meetings alternating with evening (6:30 PM) Zoom meetings
• Data on attendance and engagement collected over several cycles
• Potential vote in spring to formalize preferred format
Meeting Norms (reinforced):
• Questions should be general and relevant to wider community
• Specific individual concerns addressed outside group setting
• Be mindful of sharing conversational space ("one two three then me")
• Avoid side conversations
Bylaws and Community Agreement:
• Previously disorganized paper files now digitized
• Refreshed document based on DOE template
• Community Agreement language developed by SLT, condensed for PTA bylaws
• Goal: Clear, shared understanding of behavioral expectations for adults
• Amendment being circulated for community review and feedback
• Final proposal and vote at December PTA meeting
• PTA bylaws could potentially be added to staff handbook
Winter Recess Policies:
Grade Level Recess Time Policy
Lower Grades (through 3rd) 50 minutes daily Go outside unless raining. Hats, gloves, coats essential. Snow pants recommended for younger children.
Upper Grades (4th & 5th) Two shorter recesses (morning & lunch) Must bring coats but may remove if hot.
Principal's Report Highlights:
Student Life:
• School solicits parent input on friendships for spring class placements
• Every effort made to honor requests, but not always possible due to balancing factors
Food Pantry Details:
• Partnership: Trinity Church ensuring every District 1 school has pantry
• Operations: Lobby location, mirroring Star Academy's open-access model
• Point of Contact: Parent Coordinator Denise
• Equipment: Ordering refrigerator, shelving, bins
• Staffing: Staff volunteers preparing bags initially, parent volunteers later
• Donations: Non-perishables at Fall Fling, turkeys and chickens secured
Financial Report (Treasurer):
Recent Fundraising:
Category Item Amount Notes
Income October Bake Sale $610 Halloween-themed
November Bake Sale $526 Election Day
Movie Night $999 One of four planned for year
Total Recent $2,635
Expenses Teaching Assistants (K-1) $20,000 First payment of $40,000 annual
Studio in a School ~$7,000 First of four payments
Direct Donations Analysis:
Metric Status
Year-to-Date Donations $3,895
Annual Goal $35,000
Progress ~11%
Monthly Participation <5% of families
Key Message: Monthly donations provide consistent, predictable revenue for budgeting. Families encouraged to contribute at any level and reach out to extended networks (grandparents) for support.
SLT Report (delivered by parent member Kara Springer):
A. Diversity, Recruitment, and Retention
CEP (Comprehensive Educational Plan) goal: Explicitly address diversity through recruitment and retention.
Challenge:
• School lacks strong representation from local community
• Many local Black and brown families choose charter schools
• Perception that public schools won't meet children's academic needs
Strategic Approach:
• Counter negative perceptions through outreach and messaging
• Ensure school environment is "genuinely inclusive"
• Make academic rigor evident to all families (despite progressive assessment without traditional grades)
B. Addressing Math Instruction Deficiencies
Identified Issue:
• School highly effective in reading (only 20% K-1 students start at grade level, vast majority at/above by upper grades)
• Math literacy acknowledged as area of weakness
Root Cause:
• Structural and funding-related problem
• Reading supported by 2 dedicated staff for intervention
• No equivalent systems or personnel for math
• Teachers need more professional development to implement math curriculum effectively
Call to Action:
• Teachers explicitly stated parents must lead advocacy efforts
• Goal: Fund professional development AND dedicated math support staff position
• Advocacy "road map" being developed
• Parent-led math committee proposed
C. Improving Grade and Evaluation Transparency
Problem:
• School doesn't use traditional testing/grades
• For ~5% of middle schools requiring numerical grades, 4th grade work converted
• Process "murky" and unclear to parents, students, even some teachers
• Families may not know child's standing until middle school application process (5th grade)
• No "runway to improve" once families learn about process
Impact:
One 5th-grade parent expressed frustration at learning about process so late.
Proposed Solution:
SLT will establish clear guidelines and communicate effectively, ensuring all stakeholders understand how evaluations are conducted and translated when necessary.
Community Advocacy - Parent Coordinator Resolution:
Issues:
• PCs (created during Bloomberg administration) lack formal union
• Significant pay equity issues
• Extensive unpaid overtime
• Constantly expanding responsibilities
Testimony:
School's PC Denise spoke at recent CEC meeting highlighting challenges of the role.
Action:
Resolution calls for more just system. Community encouraged to educate themselves and support advocacy.
Resolution Details:
Sponsored by TNS parent and CEC member Alejandro Torres (also serves on SLT). Full document available at end of briefing.
Discussion on Reading Philosophy:
Historical Context:
Parent recalled period 8 years ago with community concern that children weren't reading by 3rd grade. Current data shows students consistently graduate at/above grade level.
Pedagogical Approach:
Consensus among veteran parents and staff: School's success lies in child-centered approach supporting each student on individual developmental path without "pushing kids before they're ready," meeting "each child where they are" so they can follow their own developmental path.
Parent Education:
Suggestion to use next principal morning hour to further clarify school's philosophy and methods. Strong interest expressed.
Attendance
Angela Bednar, Brooke Moreland, Clayton Lamar, Deandra Avilez, Denise Soltren, Dyanthe Spielberg, Elena Matt, FelEsia Rodriguez, Jharred Williams, Joseph Hellebusch, Kara Springer, Kristen Majewski, Leigh Magnum, Malia Baker, Mario Bastianelli, Milya Zakirova, Robert Murtfeld, Ruth Maksymowicz, Sarah Seidman, Stephanie Cardi, Stratford Wallance, Tatiana Prisco, Yuisa Principe
Appendix: CEC Resolution on Parent Coordinator Support
Resolution of the Community Education Council of District 1
In Support of NYCPS Parent Coordinators and the Need for Pay Equity, Professional Recognition, and Systemic Support
Sponsor: Alejandro Torres
Key Provisions:
• Full review of current salary structure, job descriptions, and classification
• Updated guidelines defining roles, responsibilities, and professional development pathways
• Establishment of Parent Coordinator Task Force with CEC, Advisory Council, UFT, DC37 representatives
• Per session compensation provisions in next collective bargaining agreement
• Continued advocacy in advance of 2026 mayoral control legislation renewal
• Copies sent to Chancellor, Mayor, City Council Speaker, NYS Board of Regents, NYS Education Department, relevant officials
Supporting Evidence:
• Chalkbeat (2023): "NYC parent coordinators are essential school workers. Many feel undervalued and underpaid."
• New York Times (2016): "The Title: Parent Coordinator. The Job: Whatever Needs to Be Done."
• WNYC (2013): "Note to New Mayor: Show Some Love to Parent Coordinators in the Schools"
• amNY (2004): "A look at parent coordinators one year later"