OTA Parent Foundation Council Report - Board Updates for 1/18
Our January meeting had approx 18 attendees between in person and zoom. The updated speaker solution for the room was a huge improvement to the online experience! Thanks to this change we were able to hear all online participants and they were able to hear everyone in the room, thanks for making this happen! Ongoing Meeting Agendas and Minutes can be found on the website under the Foundation’s About Us section.
Upcoming Events
January 26, 2023 6:00pm - Home and Away
OTA Social for current and prospective volunteers - Mix and Mingle
January 27, 2023 3:30-4:30pm - OTA Campus Garage
February 7, 2023 6:00pm - OTA Campus or Zoom
OTA Parent Foundation - February Monthly Meeting
February 10, 2023 6:00pm - Kensington Community Church
Grants and Awards
As mentioned last month, our first payout under the Capital Project Grant was transferred to the school to cover the bathroom and facilities upgrades. We took time at the last Foundation meeting to tour the spaces and the work looks amazing! We are requesting confirmation from the school and the board on who is running point to keep and gather supporting documentation on the project. We do want to make sure we as a group are prepared for the April 2023 report out.
There are several grants in the works we expect to hear back on in April as well and the Grant Committee is seeking ideas from our teachers about top priorities.
Initial survey results from the teachers indicate their top priorities are to gain additional funding for Art Supplies and Math and Science Manupulatives.
The next Monthly Grant Review and Planning meeting will be held on February 23.
Fundraising Updates/Future planning
At this point you should have received a save the date for the Gala at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Old Town for May 20, 2023. The theme will be the Grand Ole’ Osprey! There are a lot of fun and engaging activities being planned for the event and we are really looking forward to it!
Classroom Events
3rd grade hosted the Staff Lunch this month. Thank you to the Room Parents and families involved for all their hard work. The classes and Room Parents are doing an amazing job supporting our school and classrooms.
The Middle School Dance is coming up soon! The theme is a masquerade ball and the 8th grade has been working really hard on this event. The mask decorating contest has some fierce competition and everyone seems super excited!
Additional Information
As mentioned in last month’s board report, we recognize that there are items coming to the Foundation that are best addressed at the school and/or board level. We are doing our best to redirect items as they are raised to the Coffee with the Principal Meetings and/or to the Board Meetings as appropriate. We will share items raised for transparency, but are encouraging parents to bring specific items directly to the appropriate venues.
Facilities concerns that we have referred to Coffee with the Principal include requested updates on portable air purifiers, graffiti on the gate panels, security lights, additional lighting and better locks for the gate entrance, repairs to the Free Little Library in the front of the school and the water refill station in the garage.
School operational items that have been referred to Coffee with the Principal include STEM teacher updates, requests for Art/Spanish and Robotics updates and the ongoing requests to understand field trip plans.
As we refer requests, please share any feedback if we are sending families in the wrong direction, we want to ensure we are helping route requests to the best possible source, so we value any feedback the school or the board can share.
Community Corner - Old Town and surrounding area updates
As a result of recent redistricting, Old Town San Diego has changed Council Districts. Our community is now a part of Council District 2 represented by Dr. Jen Campbell.
Also there is free admission for locals on Old Town Trolley Tours in January. The offer began on January 2 and runs through January 31. As part of locals month, they were offering free admission to all residents of San Diego County at Old Town Trolley Tours, Ghosts and Gravestones Frightseeing Tour and the historic Whaley House Day Tour, right here in Old Town, but had to scale back offerings due to overwhelming response so please ask before you go!
As always, all are always welcome to attend the Foundation meetings which are now held on the first Tuesday of the month. We welcome input and new voices and ideas!