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COLUMBINE PARENT CIRCLE
The Parent Circle is a volunteer group
of parents and teachers who work on projects to make Columbine a better place. As Suzanna Valdez put it.."Volunteer.
Your child will feel more a part of the community if he/she sees you at the school and at school events, and you
will be contributing towards the school where your child spends so much time, and which is such an important part
in shaping the adult your child will become."
Leadership Committee: Cheri Rifkin, Jodie Klumpenhower, Bev Vaughn,
Mandy Saddler, Lucy Bryson (school board liaison)
Meeting Notes: Thursday,
March 25, 2010
Attendees: Teresa Malone, Bob Winkler, Beverly Vaughn, Jodie Klumpenhower,
Lisa Ferrell, Angela Minerich, May Oles.
This meeting began with a comment that the newsletter needs to include the note every week of how parents can get
on the school email list for announcements such as this meeting - (by sending an email to parents-request@columbinechristian.com).
May Oles wanted parental input on questions to go in the written Parent Survey to be sent home, in a way that would
best solicit input on how the school can improve. Questions generated included:
1. What attracted you to CCS? (and how did you hear about it?)
2. What's keeping you here?
3. If you could change one thing, what would it be?
4. In what grade is your child, and how do you feel about the academics in the classroom?
5. Have you had any discipline problems and how to you feel about how the issue was handled?
6. Given the fact that we are a Seventh Day Adventist Christian school, how do you feel about the spiritual lessons?
7. How do you feel about special events put on by the school?
a. Chuck Wagon
b. Christmas Play
c. Cascade Lodge
d. Ski Days
e. Spud Lake Hike
f. Wilderness Days
g. Etc..
8. How do you feel about the fundraiser?
9. Would you rather pay more tuition and have less fundraisers? Any other suggestions about fundraisers, economic
issues?
10. How do you feel about the communication regarding fundraisers and our school's financial needs?
This was followed by a general discussion of fundraising and the school. Some suggestions included a Family Dinner
at Mutu's (one local preschool made $1000 in one night). Another suggestion was to give out info at the beginning
of the year regarding the school's funding:
--- Church gives ___%
--- Tuition covers ____%
--- Fundraising covers ___%
Discussion moved to the Parent Handbook, and the idea of an expectation/agreement of parent fundraising ($250?).
Another suggestion was to ask what parents wanted the weekly newsletter via an email (or a link in an email.) Parents
also discussed ways of setting up a link so that people could donate online via Pay Pal or another secure service
(despite Pay Pal charging 2% or more for its service.)
The final subject was Hot Lunch.
Ideas to both improve it and parental participation included a weekly catered meal from Zia's or a Chinese restaurant
at a fixed cost similar to pizza days. Other ideas included planning meals and just having people sign up for them,
requiring every family to cover (somehow) one hot lunch a year, or every class. Another suggestion for the newsletter
was that the Hot Lunch schedule not just for the week but for the upcoming month be listed, so that people could
see gaps. The sign up sheet is not very visible to parents who don't come into the main building for pick up. Again
the idea came up of pairing new parents with seasoned ones to help out.
Website. Someone suggested that the newsletter include some teasers for the website, instructing kids/parents to
find certain things in the website or newsletter to generate readership.
School Calendar: Several parents commented that Spring Break was too early. CCS followed 9-R in this, and 9-R is
set to reconsider their next year's calendar at their May meeting. More info to follow.
Meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.
Meeting Notes: Thursday,
October 15, 2009
October 15th Attendees: May Oles, Mandy Saddler, Karen Gerst, Angela Minerich, Bev Vaughn, Jodie Klumpenhower,
and Aaron Hatfield.
1. Playground: Reminder that the playground is closed before school and is not open until first recess. Gary Oles
and Ted Rifkin have worked on the playground structures and Robert Gerst and Mandy Saddler used Bob Winkler's pipe
insulation to make great (and good-looking) padding around the metal poles. THANKS! Jodie Klumpenhower reported
that the Rec League uses simple sandbags to anchor their kids' soccer goals on Saturdays, and someone (perhaps
Jim Hughes?) will take care of this for our soccer goals. Bev Vaughn will talk to the extension office about the
best way to do thistle and prairie dog control and to care for our small dry land pasture (the playground).
2. Garden: The garden project is on hold until next spring.
3. School Buyer: Angela Minerich is doing a great job in this position. Teachers need to contact her about buying
supplies in bulk. Many kudos to her for procuring the peaches!!
4. December Christmas Play: Jennie Albert and Lucy Bryson have offered to help with this.
5. February Cascade Lodge Trip Coordinator: Lucy Bryson, who will solicit other help as needed.
6. Monthly Community Building Events: We still need some people to take charge of various school events throughout
the year.
November: Thanksgiving Special Assembly help
December: Christmas Play reception
January: Soup Supper or Popcorn Movie/Game Night
Feb./March: Ski Day
April: Night of the Notables or Education Fair
May: Mother's Day Recital Gentle Auditioner (must be a dad.)
May: Graduation Reception
May: End of School Picnic
7. Kitchen Renovation Team: May and Gary Oles, Angela & Steve Minerich, Anita Albright, Cherian Rude, Matt
& Ivey Patton, Laura and Dean Robinson.
Many thanks to the many, many people who have worked on our kitchen, especially Gary Oles. The work is 90% complete.
We are still trying to obtain a 36" commercial-sized refrigerator, and then the last cabinet will be attached
to the wall once we have exact dimensions of the fridge. There is the possibility of purchase of one in Albuquerque,
with Tim White to pick it up. We are also waiting for John Albright or Gary Bennett to hook up the dishwasher and
garbage disposal. Other needs are for a bread machine and 2 commercial-sized electric roasting pans. Contributions
are still needed to finish paying for the new countertops. Jodie has volunteered to help with (discretely) labeling
and providing drawer organization.
THANK YOU TO: JOHN ALBRIGHT AND HIS TEAM FOR PLUMBING! TERRY BOWERS FOR PEST CONTROL AND REPLACING INSULATION AND
LOOSE FLASHING! CARL HEIDE, STEVE MINERICH, MATT PATTON & GARY OLES FOR COUNTLESS HOURS OF WORK! JIM HUGHES,
KAREN GERST AND GRANT ANDREW FOR LAYING THE FLOOR! KAYLEIGH ___FOR DESIGN HELP! BEV VAUGHN, ANGELA MINERICH, AND
JODIE KLUMPENHOWER FOR PACKING UP THE KITCHEN! MAY OLES FOR UNPACKING THE KITCHEN! If I missed your name and you
helped, we still appreciate it!
8. Fundraising Committee: Bev Vaughn, Angela Minerich, Cheri Rifkin, Connie Rebarcek, and Mandy Saddler.
New student enrollment has recently helped with funding. Bev Vaughn has agreed to work with Grant Andrew to nail
down the school's exact current financial needs. Previous year's shortfalls have been due primarily to families
defaulting on tuition. Jen Williams is going to supervise the Smart Tuition program to prevent that this year.
One school need is for a new 11 passenger van to replace the old one, or a gently used Suburban. Ideas were discussed
about how students can make attractive homemade thank you cards for River Clean-up donors. Other fundraising ideas
included coffee sales, flower bulbs, kids' artwork. The local DEVO team uses Desert Sun organic coffee as a fundraiser.
Other ideas included Pura stainless steel water bottles and coffee mugs to go with the coffee.
9. School Systems Coordinator (safety issues and emergency procedures): Karen Gerst, Mandy Saddler
Aaron Hatfield said that the church is looking into new hinges that run the full length of all the doors so that
they close properly. May Oles reported on the Safety Walk report given us by the Durango Sheriff's Department.
The officer reiterated that safety comes not from good locks but from good procedures and communication. Recommendations
were 3 sets of rechargeable walkie-talkies for teachers to communicate on playground and in an emergency. She also
said that we're going to experiment with locking the doors once the OG's leave at 9:15, with a doorbell into Mr.
Hughes' and Mr. Andrew's classrooms. (Jodie K. will still help with door stickers when needed). Home Depot has
good Schlagge key pads for $150, but we're not sure those are the best idea right now. The students are also practicing
emergency procedures (soft lock down) as a game so as not to scare the younger ones. Another emergency drill idea
is an Over the Hill one where parents will pick up kids after school at Core Values or Bread. May is also checking
to be sure that all staff know how to use an Epipen. Other safety news: We now have all the horseshoes we need
for safe coat hooks, but they need to be hammered flat and sprayed black with Rustoleum. May mentioned setting
up a station at recess where kids could hammer horseshoes (if an adult volunteers to supervise). Karen Gerst reported
that Jaime Locke at the Sheriff's Department or a special group in Denver could help with the Internet Safety seminar
if we want to go ahead with that.
10. Communications Committee - Coordinator: Bev Vaughn; Website developer: Bob Winkler; Database and School Directory:
Jodie Klumpenhower; Faculty Blogs & School Newsletter: Jeni Graham
Bob Winkler has updated much of the website, with a few additions still to come. Thanks Bob!! Jodie offered to
help with getting Ivey Patton's bio to Bob. Bev Vaughn said that she'll see about getting the Durango Herald to
do an article on our Place-Based Education program. He also needs 10-12 pictures from each teacher of this year's
classes.
11. Service Learning Coordinator: Jodie Klumpenhower volunteered to take responsibility for being the information
clearinghouse for service projects and for supporting staff by help and regular newsletter updates on projects.
We discussed the possibility of having the director the Durango Family Center come speak at a staff meeting in
the near future.
12. Room Parents: Preschool: ___________, Kindergarten: Leah Gray; 1st and 2nd: Bev Vaughn; 3rd and 4th: Anita
Albright; 5th and 6th: Angela Minerich; 7th and 8th: Rosalie Dvirnak (?). The Room Parent's responsibility is to
organize class parties and to establish a phone tree to help the teacher quickly contact all the class in special
circumstances. He or she also can organize get-to-know-you events for the families in the class.
13. Teacher Appreciation Coordinator: Laura Robinson. If anyone wants to keep the teachers supplied with coffee
and cream for the coffee pot in the OG's office, please coordinate with the Laura Driver.
14. Office Greeters (OG's): Wednesday morning volunteer still needed to replace Sue Austin after Christmas. It
was mentioned that Jeni Graham should add this to the newsletter.
15. Other business: May mentioned interest in having the Durango Family Center present a Love and Logic parenting
class at the school.
Meeting Notes: Thursday,
September 3rd, 2009
September 3rd Attendees: May Oles, Bob Winkler, Bonnie Gnehm, Amy Lochte, Karen Gerst, Steve and Angela Minerich,
Bev Vaughn, Jodie Klumpenhower, Tim White.
o Volunteer Coordinator: Bonnie reported that she had compiled Parent
Interest Surveys, and volunteered to be the Volunteer Coordinator.
o Hot Lunch: Due to her new position on staff, Ivey Patton
has relinquished her volunteer role as Hot Lunch Coordinator. Bonnie reported that Lucy Bryson has offered to replace
her. Ivey noted in the past that the school still needs two commercial-sized roasting pans.
o Playground: The first comment was May’s information that
the playground is closed before school and is not open until first recess. Next, we heard that Simon Gnehm, Gary
Oles and Ted Rifkin are available to repair and tighten the playground structures. Jim Hughes has said that he
will anchor the soccer goals, and Mandy Saddler is working on padding for the posts. Bob Winkler mentioned that
he has some pipe insulation that might fit. Jim Hughes is also going to be requested to drag the field for prairie
dog holes by September 18th. Bev Vaughn will talk to the extension office and others regarding dry land pasture.
o Garden: The garden project is on hold until next spring,
with the only immediate project being the wrapping of the trees so that deer won’t destroy them this fall and winter.
(I think this has been taken care of.)
o School Buyer: Angela Minerich is doing a great job in this
position. Teachers need to contact her about buying supplies in bulk. Many kudos to her for procuring the peaches!!
o December Christmas
Play: Jennie Albert
and Lucy Bryson have offered to help with this.
o February Cascade Lodge
Trip Coordinator: Lucy
Bryson, who will solicit other help as needed.
o Monthly Community
Building Events: We
still need some people to take charge of various school events throughout the year.
# September: Chuck Wagon: Lavenia Taylor Date TBA
# November: Thanksgiving Special Assembly help
# December: Christmas Play reception
# January: Soup Supper or Popcorn Movie/Game Night
# Feb./March: Ski Day
# April: Night of the Notables or Education Fair
# May: Mother’s Day Recital Gentle Auditioner (must be a dad.)
# May: Graduation Reception
# May: End of School Picnic
o Kitchen Renovation
Team: Tracy Deffenbaugh
(event planner), May and Gary Oles, Angela & Steve Minerich, Anita Albright, Cherian Rude, Matt & Ivey
Patton, Laura and Dean Robinson. The kitchen wall plumbing is about complete. Now the wall can be re-closed and
the sink and countertops laid. Funding is still needed for part of the linoleum, part of the countertops, and a
wider refrigerator.
o Fundraising Committee: Bev Vaughn, Angela Minerich, Cheri Rifkin,
Connie Rebarcek, and Mandy Saddler. The peach fundraising went well, but with more volunteers needed if the sales
were to continue on Monday (Labor Day). This seemed to be a very profitable event, which with more planning could
be bigger for next year, including a presence at the Wednesday afternoon Farmer’s Market at the Durango Fairgrounds.
o School Systems Coordinator (safety issues and emergency procedures):
Karen Gerst, Mandy Saddler. The issue of locked doors was discussed at length. Right now the idea of two keypads
on the front doors is cost prohibitive,because it would require replacement of at least one of the entire doors.
Discussion revolved around keypads on the rear doors between the two buildings, locked front doors with a doorbell
and intercom into one or two of the classrooms. Jodie agreed to work with May in designing a sticker for the doors
instructing visitors how to contact someone if doors are locked.
o Karen Gerst reported that the Sheriff’s Department Safety Officer will be doing a walk-through of the school
on September 9th at noon.
o Also, May would like to have an Internet Safety Meeting for parents. (The school has an internet filter in place.)
o Communications Committee
- Coordinator: Bev
Vaughn; Website developer: Bob Winkler; Database and School Directory: Jodie Klumpenhower; Faculty Blogs &
School Newsletter: Jeni Graham.
Jodie reported that the new directory will be distributed soon, with a format identifying phone numbers for the
first time (as cell, home, etc.). She agreed to get this information to Bob as soon as possible so that he can
design email groups for each class teacher. Bob Winkler has updated much of the website, with a few additions still
to come. Thanks, Bob!! Bev volunteered to help Bob get the remaining information he needs from staff members: (some
of this may be completed by the time the notes are published)
Ø class schedule from Laura Driver,
Ø new parent packet whenever it’s completed,
Ø class schedule from May
Ø Smart Tuition information from Jen Williams - as well as her contact information for the website, or an
email address that people can send to ask her questions about tuition - ,
Ø and a brief bio from Ivey Patton.
o Jodie volunteered to help Jeni Graham get the newsletter into a .pdf file easily so that it can be uploaded to
the website each week.
o New Parent Orientation
Packet: Suzanna Valdez
& Tracy Deffenbaugh. Suzanna was not able to make the New Parent Orientation meeting, but has done lots of
work on the packet, which was used in the presentation to new parents. The official packet is still in progress.
o Service Learning Coordinator: Jodie Klumpenhower volunteered to take responsibility
for being the information clearinghouse for service projects and for supporting staff by help and regular newsletter
updates on projects. Lucy Bryson has the idea to have Grant’s class volunteer at the Durango Heritage Days Ball
in October. Other ideas include Sunshine Gardens, Family Center, etc.
o Room Parents: Preschool: ___________, Kindergarten: _____________;
1st and 2nd: Bev Vaughn; 3rd and 4th: Anita Albright; 5th and 6th: Angela Minerich; 7th and 8th: __________________.
The Room Parent’s responsibility is to organize class parties and to establish a phone tree to help the teacher
quickly contact all the class in special circumstances. He or she also can organize get-to-know-you events for
the families in the class.
o Teacher Appreciation
Coordinator: Laura
Robinson
o Office Greeters (OG’s): Wednesday morning volunteer still needed to
replace Sue Austin after Christmas. May Oles volunteered to clarify some confusion in OG duties.
* Other business: May mentioned interest in having the Durango
Family Center present a Love and Logic parenting class at the school.
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