TEAM Meeting Minutes for March 5th, 2026

Thurs, March 5, 13:09 (1 hr)

Roll Call: Alba Galindo, Becky Keeler, Arlette Oblaza-Ochocinski, Jessica Engelking, Christina Suarez, Liz

Financial Updates and Fundraising Results

  • Current balance reported as $20,881.

  • Still awaiting a check from the pizza party.

  • Scholastic has not cashed the book fair check (Book Fair ran Sept 12–19).

  • Amount of the uncashed Scholastic check confirmed as $3,317.

  • Concern raised about having to “remember” the check could clear at any time, especially with an upcoming large purchase.

  • Discussed options: confirm check validity window with Wintrust, potentially cancel and reissue the check, or explore alternatives like card payment/money order.

  • Alba volunteered to connect with Ms. Vahey (who is already working with Scholastic) to determine status and whether a new check/payment methodis needed.

Fundraisers: Double Good, Classroom Supplies, Connie’s Math

  • Double Good: need to follow up with Ms. Luzzi regarding a plan to reward/thank top sellers.

  • Suggested sending a reminder via Sue to families to submit receipts/orders so kids receive the free recess incentive.

  • Classroom supplies: only one new request (3rd grade); Alba said she would handle it.

  • Ms. Rivera’s wipes request was confirmed completed (Alba delivered them upstairs).

  • Connie’s: receipts indicate a check coming for $325, while expected earnings based on submitted family receipts were $127; likely explained by Sue and her husband placing additional large orders.

  • Noted bookkeeping challenge because only 7 families submitted receipts; one participant ordered ~$50–$60 but did not submit receipts.

Penny Wars Logistics

  • Request for volunteers to help count coins. 

  • Plan set to meet tomorrow at 1:30 to count; later clarified that three people would be sufficient if one person can’t make it. 

  • Alba to adjust Penny Wars sheets for grade band changes and print them.

  • Penny Wars end date confirmed as March 16. 

  • Additional counting planned for March 12 at 2:00 so standings are updated without conflicting with the Big Ten event day. 

  • Kids are excited, but some frustration reported about choosing between spending coins at the book fair vs. Penny Wars.

Big Ten Event, Auction Items, and Ticket Sales Push

  • Auction status: 21 items currently on Givebutter; with two newly confirmed teacher parties plus Slime Museum pending, total expected around 23.

  • New items added/confirmed: Taylor Swift bracelet-making party (Ms. Feranges & Ms. Lyden); Slime Museum item pending info from Alba.

  • Last year’s benchmarks referenced: $2,300 from auction; $4,100 total from the event.

  • Noted fewer school “experience” items this year due to no award ceremony and only Kinder/8th grade parking needs.

  • Discussion of additional teacher-led experiences to recruit: soccer with Mr. Baca, gaming day (unclear if Baca vs. Francisco), laser engraving with Ms. McKittrick, cookie decorating with Ms. Jenna, and others.

  • Strategy change: require teachers to lock in dates upfront; typical time slot mentioned as 2:45–4:30. 

  • Ms. Jenna’s cookie/chocolatier classes were highlighted as popular; Becky emailed to ask her to return.

  • Vehi’s high-priced STEM offerings discussed (3-day LEGO robotics up t

  • o 12 kids at $100/kid; micro:bit programming $65 up to 10 kids) as potential “buy it now” items.

  • Ms. McKittrick’s laser engraving didn’t sell last year; idea to market it to younger grades and/or offer more spots.

  • Arlette agreed to talk to Ms. McKittrick and confirm number of kids and a specific date/time if she agrees.

  • Ticket sales: to match last year’s ticket revenue, need 40 tickets sold; at the time of discussion ~7 sold, leaving 33 to sell in ~1 week.

  • Request to have Sue promote ticket link frequently (every second day).

  • Plan to launch some Givebutter items immediately (e.g., 50/50, Wingspan raffle, “buy it now” ice cream) and hold true auction items closer to event.

  • Volunteers needed early at the venue (around 3:30; possibly earlier due to beer release and heavy game-day traffic).

  • Givebutter goal: group agreed to reduce displayed goal from $10,000 to $5,000 to feel more attainable.

  • Donation outreach updates/ideas: liquor/wine/beer baskets in progress; seeking more gift cards for potential gift card basket; Anti-Conquista asked for coffee beans + gift certificate; plan to ask Zinn’s Flowers (possibly a Mother’s Day bouquet); Jess to try to secure oil change donation again.

Simone’s Lotería Night (April 20)

  • Event date confirmed as April 20; proceeds from bingo cards ($5 each) go to the school.

  • Expectation that it’s typically very busy (“packed out front room”), so could be a significant fundraiser. 

  • Needs identified: confirm event time (conflicting info: 5–9 vs 7–9), create/print/laminate QR codes for payment, and have two representatives present. 

  • Becky raised possibility of enabling Venmo (and/or Zelle) payments via Givebutter to simplify $5 collections; Speaker 2 volunteered to explore Givebutter options.

Leadership / Next Meetings

  • Noted transition: this was implied to be Alba’s last meeting as president; expectation was Pauline would step in starting April. Board will confirm with Pauline that she has the capacity for this role at this time.

  • Planned “wrap-up” meeting after the Big Ten/Parents’ Night Out event to capture lessons learned, close out winner communications, and reconcile finances.

  • Wrap-up meeting proposed for March 16 at 1:30–2:45, with Penny Wars final counting to happen after school (~2:45/3:00 onward).

Suggested Action Items

  • Alba to contact Ms. Vahey about Scholastic check status and whether a replacement payment is needed; report back.

  • Confirm with Wintrust the validity/handling of older uncashed checks and decide whether to cancel/reissue the Scholastic check.

  • Follow up with Ms. Luzzi about Double Good seller rewards/appreciation plan.

  • Ask Sue to send a reminder to families to submit receipts/orders for the free recess incentive.

  • Alba to fulfill the 3rd-grade classroom supply request.

  • Penny Wars: count coins tomorrow (time planned 1:30) and again on March 12 at 2:00; Alba to update grade-band sheets and print.

  • Auction: Alba to provide what Slime Museum needs so the item can be posted. 

  • Arlette to speak with Ms. McKittrick about laser engraving (increase spots, target younger grades) and lock a date/time (2:45–4:30 window noted).

  • Becky (and/or others) to follow up with Ms. Jenna to confirm cookie decorating/chocolatier classes.

  • Outreach: pursue additional donations (Zinn’s Flowers, oil change, gift cards, wine/liquor contributions, coffee donation follow-up).

  • Big Ten: push ticket sales (ask friends/family/basketball fans); ask Sue to promote the link every other day; launch select Givebutter items early (50/50, Wingspan, buy-it-now items).

  • Simone’s Bingo (Apr 20): confirm event time, create signage and laminated QR codes, and assign two reps to attend.

  • Check in with Pauline about April leadership; Jessica to step in if needed. 

  • Schedule and hold March 16 wrap-up meeting (1:30–2:45) and Penny Wars final counting after school.

These minutes were compiled by CUE, an AI tool and reviewed by a board member before posting.