SY 2023-24

1/18/24 Council Meeting Minutes
Horizons K8 School
Meeting Agenda: Skylines - Google Docs

Call to Order:  5:38 PM

Facilitator: Mike Tadros
Notetaker: Michelle Bargo

Introductions

Hawk Happenings: 

Carol Schwendener provided a STEAM update!  Various grade levels are moving through coding, digital safety, 3D design, and engineering projects.  She wowed us with  some amazing “Twirlers” that the ⅞ students designed.

Karen Dimetrosky and Kristy Shoemaker provided a Learning Lab update!  They work with K-4 students doing Tier 2  Orten Gillingham reading instruction.  They provided us with a show-&-tell including a sensory sand tray, books, and letter/ word cards that they use with students.

Committee Updates:

Development - Theresa J & Lauren Y

• Mod Market is giving 30% back on orders for tonight!  

• The Krispy Kreme donut fundraiser raised about $170 last week!  

• Total fundraising this year has reached more than $72K, which is more than was raised at the same time last year for both family participation and dollars raised.

• Pancake Breakfast is looking for volunteers 1/26/24 in the cafeteria before school.  

• Spring Gala is 5/4!  We are working very hard on gathering donations for the silent auction.  There is a Spring Gala meeting tomorrow morning, 1/19/24 at 8:30 in the cafeteria.  This group is having TOO much fun!!  Come join us!  

Celebrations:  Yay shade structure!!  We are also hoping to have a gender neutral bathroom installed by 2025, or even sooner if possible.

EDB - Christine Shoemaker 

• Reading to End Racism - Emmy’s mom is helping support this program on 2/13/24.  Classrooms will receive curated library books on diversity topics and some community volunteers will come to the classrooms to read and engage students in discussions.  We are looking for parent volunteers to pick up books for this program.

• Taste of Horizons - Stay tuned for more info!

• Care Closet - Aleka is organizing this closet that includes a variety of clothing items and outdoor gear to support students having what they need to be comfortable.  Students can borrow or keep what they need.  We are collecting clothing, outdoor items, and toiletries.

• Banned Book Club - We are reading a book that has been banned  each month.  

• “Be the Change” - This is a new blurb that will run in Skylines.  Currently the request is that community members sign up for the carpooling website.

HCG - Barb 

• The next HCG Steering meeting is 2/9/24 at 8:30 in the cafeteria.  We are working to create great community events for Horizons!

• The next liaison meeting is next Tuesday 1/23/24.  We are working to gather new ideas for the liaison role.

• Pancake Breakfast is next Friday 1/26.  We are looking for volunteers!

• Continue to encourage families to sign up for classroom cleaning!

• Would it make sense to have faculty attend HCG meetings?

• How can we increase parent involvement in our community?  Julie spoke about community involvement from a historical perspective.  Could we advertise key decisions that will be made at upcoming meetings?  Could students make presentations to increase interest?  Can we seek out additional training on marketing or community building? 

DAC - John 

• DAC did not meet as a group this month because we were asked to hold sub-committee meetings.  

• There is a district initiative around “FET” which stands for Families and Educators Together and promotes inclusion of everyone. 

• Question regarding whether the influx of newcomers immigrating to CO will ultimately impact BVSD enrollment.  We do not have a clear answer to this.

Special Education Parent Community Advisory Board - Not discussed.

New Business: 

Horizons just hired a new band teacher, James, who will  hold an instrument “petting zoo” soon!

Adjourned:  7:29 PM

4/18/24 Council Meeting Minutes

Horizons K8 School

Meeting Agenda:  Council Meeting Agenda (Detailed) April 18 2024 - Google Docs

 

Call to Order:  5:40 PM

• Quorum was initially not established, but ultimately achieved.  
• Brief discussion about how to increase attendance at Council.

Facilitators: Mike Tadros
Notetaker: Michelle Bargo

Hawks Happenings: 

• Lynn - ⅚ - Presented the Traveling Notebooks that students began back in October.  It’s an integrated project that ties together writing, geography, poetry, and more.  The notebooks are mailed out into the world to 3-4 friends or relatives who add entries about the places that they live.  

• Natalie - Kinder - The book fair was a big success for us getting new books for our classroom.  The Poet Tree performance is next week on Friday!

• Julie - ¾ - The Oregon Trail Project has been very exciting!  Today’s events included  a water moccasin bite, unexpected weather, eating 8 buffalo for lunch, and other rugged adventures.  

Horizons Budget Proposals - Jasmine GBC: 

• Last Thursday the Board voted to recommend the 24/25 Council Budget Proposal and to adopt the 24/25 Fund 11 Budget contingent on the Council Budget vote.  

• 24/25 Fund 11 Proposal  

  • In 23/24 we balanced the budget due to increased fundraising and Outdoor Ed fee collection, the cuts made last year, and a variety of other factors.

  • This 24/25 proposal is based on a student enrollment of 375.

  • 24/25 staffing costs: We budgeted for increases in annual leave costs, counseling FTE (from .4 to .75) , para hourly pay, and expenses to cover subs for instructional coaching.  Instead of a math interventionist there will be increased professional development.  

  • In 24/25 BVSD will decrease reimbursement for SPED by .5 FTE..

  • In 24/25  there will be a balanced Fund 11 budget!  Fund 11 will ask for a Council transfer to cover professional development, a middle school playground upgrade, experiential learning, etc.  These expenses are typically covered by a Council Transfer.

  • Parent suggestion to consider a GT para to support students on ALPs.  Kate B.’s role is GT Coordinator (as opposed to GT teacher).  Her role is to test and identify students who qualify as GT as opposed to directly teaching them.  Classroom teachers are responsible for implementing GT programming.   

• 24/25 Council Budget Proposal  

  • In 23/24 we are doing better than expected on our fundraising goals!  Thank you parents!!!

    • Horizons earned approximately $3000 extra by participating in CO Gives.

  • We reviewed planned earnings and expenses for 24/25.

  • This year’s auction is still coming up on May 4!

  • We are winding down the gift card program that is not profitable but continuing the grocery fundraiser that continues to earn money for Horizons. 

  • Several Impact on Education grants have been earned in 23/24 and we hope to earn more in 24/25.

  • We are expecting a balanced 24/25 Council Budget.

• What do the teachers want funded when we have available funds in the Council budget? 

  • Some Council members plan to attend the Friday 5/3 faculty meeting to discuss faculty member suggestions for what to fund with available Council funds.

Committee Updates:

• Development - Kristin - Come to the Out of This World Gala on May 4!!  There are amazing auction items and you do not need to be present in order to bid.  There will be an end-of-year report from the Development Committee to provide a summary for the committee’s work this year.  

• EDB - Allyson - The banned book club reads a different banned book monthly.  Next Wednesday the YWCA is presenting How to Talk to Your Kids About Racism.  This is an amazing opportunity to learn more about this important topic!  

• HCG - Barb will be running HCG next year.  Upcoming events include the Plant Sale, Spring Swap, Spirit Week, Teacher Appreciation Week, and Watermelon Picnic on the last day of school.  The end of the year will be extra fun!  

• DAC - No update

New Business: 

• Curriculum Ask for READ Act - GBC - We needed to comply with the READ Act this year at grade levels 1 & 2.  For  24/25 we need to purchase more consumable materials (e.g., workbooks).  We also need to purchase a new BVSD-approved curriculum (Into Reading) for 3rd grade.

  • Motion for Council to fund the $20,000 in curriculum materials we are required to purchase for the READ Act. - Barb

  • Second: Kevin

    • Concorded.  

• Tree Proposal - GBC - Edging & mulch are needed for the Gambe Grove.  Cost $150.  Treatment for 3 beautiful ash trees is needed and will cost $575.

  • Motion for $725 for trees - GBC

  • Second: Jim

    • Concorded

Adjourned:  7:40 PM

9/21/23 Council Meeting Notes
Horizons K8 School
Meeting Agenda: Council Meeting Agenda (Detailed) – September 21, 2023.docx - Google Docs

Call to Order: 6:05 PM
Facilitators: Jasmine Graves Black-Clemons, Mike Tadros
Notetaker: Elizabeth Parady

Congratulations Chili Cook Off winners!!

Welcome and introductions

Review of Horizons Communication Agreements: Kristin Hauger

Review of Horizons Mission, Vision, Values: GBC

Review of School Finances: GBC

Parent Board Election: Kristy Lewis spoke to the community and was elected to the Horizons Board

Committee Updates: Wanna know what’s happening and when?:

Add the school’s calendar to your iCal or GCal using this link: https://ho8.bvsd.org/calendar/calendar_602.ics 

Committee Updates:
EDB - Equity, Diversity and Belonging Meeting Notes - Google Docs
HCG - Steering Committee meeting tomorrow to find a replacement leader for the group
Development Committee (Formerly Fundraising Committee): Discussed structure of fundraising at Horizons; 1st Wed. of the month but 2nd Wed. only in October

New Business: Request for Sensory Toolkit Funding:

• Motion GBC
  Second
  Concorded

New Business: October Council Agenda includes committee work: Mike Tadros

Adjourned: 8:00 PM

 

Council Meeting Notes
10/19/2023
Agenda: Skylines Copy Council Agenda 10/17/23

Call to order:  6:07 PM

Introductions: Led by Mike Tadros - We introduced ourselves, our roles at the school, our children, and what books we have on our nightstands.

Unity Box:  Horizons sees everyone and the many difficult issues in the world.  Community members can share your respectful thoughts by putting letters into the Unity Box and reading letters that others have written.  The box will be in the office so that all can contribute.

Hawk Happenings: 
Kim Poplawski (Kindergarten Teacher): Slideshow Kindergarten students took a field trip to the WOW Museum related to their EL unit.  This was their first yellow bus experience!  Great photos!  Yay!
Kristin: “BVSD Is the Place to Be Showcase” - Slideshow.  It was a very successful night and every visitor to the booth got attention from our wonderful staff and volunteers.  There was plenty of swag including very popular Horizons’ branded fidget balls.
Mia Seymour (¾ Teacher): Curiosity Hour” - This is a new program for 3/4 classes in which students get to explore whatever topics they are curious about.

-Congratulations Mia!  Impact on Education Grant for Innovation in Multiplication!
-Congratulations Kate!  Impact on Education Grant for Neurodiversity!

Parent Board Chair Election: Mike Tadros is the sole candidate for this role.

• Motion to Elected Mike Tadros as Parent Board Chair.
  Second
  Concorded

Committee Introductions: 

• FRC: Financial Review Committee: Committee that reviews Fund 11 and Council Budgets to be sure actuals align with what was budgeted.  First Thursday of every month, 2:30 - 3:30.

• Development Committee (formerly Fundraising): Having fun together as we prepare for our annual Artastic event, CO Gives Day (11/1 through 12/5), and figuring out how to leverage corporate employee matches to increase our donations.  How can we build fundraising excitement among the entire community?  Will there be a dunk tank for GBC and Kristin?  A pie throwing booth?  Get involved to make your ideas count!  First Wednesday of every month 2:30 - 3:30.

• EDB: Equity, Diversity, & Belonging: EDB brings professional development to staff, hosts a Banned Book Club, and hosts a Horizons Book Fair.  We had a very engaging discussion about transportation options for our school that would enable children with transportation barriers to attend.  How can we get community responsive programming?  Second Tuesday of the month.  In an effort to allow more participation EDB decided to vary the meeting times. Even months (Oct, Dec, Feb, Apr) 2:30 - 3:30, Odd months (Nov, Jan, Mar, May) 5:30 - 7:00.  

• HCG: Horizons Community Group: Builds up the Horizons community!!  Enlists 2 parent liaisons per class to help with classroom & school wide engagement.  HCG also organizes so many fun events like the Fall Dance, Coffee Connections, Pizza Fridays, Spirit Week, Parent Engagement Evenings (11/15 is the next one!), speakers, and so much more!  Liaisons meet on the last Tuesday of the month 8:30 - 9:30.  The HCG Steering Committee meets a few times a year.  Anyone can attend either meeting or become a liaison!  It takes many volunteers to make our events great.  Join us! 

  • Email Horizonscommunitygroup@gmail.com to find out more

• DAC: District Accountability Committee: John Bogosian is our representative to the district.  The last DAC meeting was focused on declining enrollment across BVSD.  We engaged in a group discussion about how to get more district funds for a reimbursed FTE (special education teacher). First Tuesday of the month evenings   

New Business: 

• Open Enrollment: We are planning 3 events: 2 morning and 1 evening open house.  The morning  events will start at 8:45am and the evening event will start at 5:30pm and will have a tour stop at Council so prospective parents can get a feel for the level of community connection and participation that parents are asked to engage in at Horizons  the November Council meeting.  This will help prospective families understand how special Horizons is, and also the commitment that Horizons involves.

• There was a suggestion for after the November Council meeting to shift the start time to 5:30 pm to make them more accessible.  

Adjourn: 8:10 PM

11/16/23 Council Meeting Minutes
Horizons K8 School
Meeting Agenda: Council Meeting Agenda (Detailed) – November 16, 2023.docx - Google Docs

Call to Order: 6:05  PM
Facilitator: Mike Tadros
Notetaker: Michelle Bargo

Open Enrollment Tours: Tour groups stopped by the Council meeting for a Q&A session.  We had engaging conversations about Horizons  with prospective parents from various grade levels.  Thank you, Volunteers!

Hawk Happenings: 

Rachel Clionsky -  ⅚ - Presented a slide show on the SCOPE Program from CU which brought diverse CU scientists into the classroom to lead a microscopy lesson!

Teran Sittner ⅞ - Presented the Podcast projects her students recently completed on a huge range of topics including the justice system, true crime, cooking, pop culture and more!

Committee Updates:

• Development - Meets on the 1st Wed. of the month at 2:30 - We have been focused on CO Gives (now through December 5), Artastic (December 1st), Spring Auction (May 4, 2024)  Thank you, Volunteers!!
• EDB - Meets on the 2nd Tues. of the month, alternating 5:30-7:00 or 2:30-3:30 - We host a banned book club, plan a new selection of books for the school, bring the annual book sale in the spring, and are gathering outdoor supplies to support OE and Winter Sports for community members. Watch for bite-sized ideas in Skylines!
• HCG - Planning a new community potluck for February to celebrate Horizons’ diversity by inviting everyone to share a meaningful dish.  The  fall swap was very successful!
• DAC - John was able to connect with superintendent Rob Anderson about some issues that are important to Horizons.  Another round of Impact grants open in December.  GBC would like to get SAC up and running for next school year.
• Going forward, can we add updates from the district level Special Education Parent Community Advisory Board that  Michael Joseph is attending?

 New Business: 

• Let’s try changing the Council meeting start time to 5:30 to see if attendance increases.
• Upcoming Council - December 21 from 5:30 - 7:30 - We will have a dine & donate so everyone can pick up carry-out if they would like.  There will be a community cookie exchange. 
• Aperture night - Preferred date for ⅞ team falls on the May Council meeting.  Can we combine the May Council meeting with Aperture Night?

Adjourned: 7:47 PM