General Membership Meeting Minutes — February 8, 2022

Call to Order

Jackie Winkelvoss, President and Andrea Alvarez

Bilingual instructions for how to get into the interpretation room: Christian Lindstrom, Treasurer and Andrea Alvarez
Why is translation and interpretation important: Christian Lindstrom

David Horak, Principal

March 3-4 Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled; the main office will coordinate times for families with siblings
Starting February 10, the indoor lunch periods will be held in the cafeteria (i.e. full grades will be in the cafeteria vs. their classrooms; even the largest grades will only reach a max of 48% capacity in the cafeteria).
Students’ lunch periods will continue to be outside as much as possible.
ACCESS testing for English language learners will take place shortly; impacted families will be contacted.
SOL schedule for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders is as follows:
- 3rd grade: Reading Friday, May 20, Math Thursday, May 26.
- 4th grade: Reading Thursday, May 19, Math Thursday, May 26, VA Studies Thursday, June 2.
- 5th grade: Reading Wednesday, May 18, Math Wednesday, May 25, Science. Friday, June 3.
COVID-19 exposure emails will continue to be sent as needed when school is in session
HVAC systems in the school building have not been working at peak efficiency; administration has developed plans to accommodate moving students to other classrooms as needed; administration is in close contact with facilities to make adjustments as needed in a timely manner
Approximately 120 students have opted in the the voluntary weekly COVID-19 testing; this accounts for about 20% of the school population
APS recently distributed two rapid COVID tests per student for at-home usage, as well as 1 KN95 mask per student

Sara Carr, Secretary

Approximately 30 PTA members took a survey to help PTA best methods of reaching and supporting families, data and narrative survey results available

Ken Venable, ACTL Representative

Special Cardinal Courier to be published with report results

Meredith Greene, Events Co-Chair

Winter Wonderland is Saturday, February 12 from 1-3pm at the Abingdon school parking loop and field; fliers continue to be posted in Tuesday folders and on social media, volunteers are still being accepted

Meredith Greene/Ashley Farrugia

Scheduled appreciation events include:

School Bus Driver Appreciation Day & School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week (February)
School Counselor Appreciation Week (February)
School Librarian Appreciation Day (April)
Administrative Assistant Day (April)
Teacher Appreciation Week (May)
School Nurse Day (May)
School Lunch Hero Day (May)
Speech Pathologist Day (May)

Sara Carr

Amazon Wishlist Community Donations include snacks and coffee for the teachers lounge, new playground equipment such as balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, bubble machines, and new packaged masks.

Sharon Burd

School Social Worker Margarita Zwisler has been distributing coats on an as-need basis; if your Abingdon student is in need of a warm winter coat and/or other winter accessories, please contact Ms. Zwisler at margarita.zwisler2@apsva.us or by cell 571-619-6632 (text or call).

Jackie Winkelvoss/Clare Rosenberger

Upcoming events:

Read-a-Thon March 21-April 21
- Contact Clare at clarejr@gmail.com if you would like to help volunteer.
Boon Supply Bags (April-May)
Spirit Nights partnering with local restaurants TBD

Dan Burd

Taking volunteers for the Nominating Committee to help appoint candidates for next years’ PTA board, email abingdonptamembership@gmail.com

Christian Lindstrom, Treasurer

Approved by membership - move $2000 in reserves to staff appreciation
Approved by membership - move $850 (previously $500 proposed) funds for student masks

Next PTA Meetings:

Tuesday March 8 at 6:30pm: Presentation by Ann Dolin, M.Ed. of Educational Connections on Gaps in Learning due to COVID
Tuesday April 19 at 6:30pm: Meeting with Cristina Diaz-Torres, APS School Board Member