Monthly Meeting Minutes
April 2026 Meeting Minutes
🎉 April Highlights from Briarcrest PTA 🎉
Our April board meeting focused on spring events, year‑end planning, and preparing for a strong start to the 2026–2027 school year. President Jessica Tjhin Southworth opened the meeting with updates on upcoming Shoreline PTA opportunities and a continued call for volunteers to fill next year’s open board roles, including Fundraising, Race & Equity, Membership, After School Enrichment, Spirit Wear, and Popcorn Wednesdays.
Treasurer updates confirmed that cash flow remains stable and finances are reconciled through March. Board members were reminded to submit outstanding receipts, and monthly financial reports continue to be available online.
Principal Lisa Gonzales and Dean Sadrina Dorn shared updates on Open House planning, including a welcome program, PTA and Cafecitos introductions, and announcements about yearbooks, Noche de Culturas, 5th Grade Camp, and Lost & Found. The team also discussed staffing support for the Ice Cream Social, office chair donations, and early planning for a sensory area painting project this summer.
Committee updates highlighted strong membership growth (now at 136 members, up 46.7% from last year), the search for new After School Enrichment leads, Staff Appreciation Week plans, and early brainstorming for future fundraising events. Family Services announced the launch of The Works donation drive for socks and underwear, and Yearbook confirmed that all student yearbooks are PTA‑funded and on track for late‑June distribution.
Spring events are underway:
Ice Cream Social – April 16
Popcorn Wednesday – April 29
Noche de Culturas – May 7
STEAM Carnival & Book Fair – June 6 (with Patty Pan mobile grilling)
Updates shared on the Talent Show and Golden Acorn/Apple Awards
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March 2026 Meeting Minutes
🎉 March Highlights from Briarcrest PTA 🎉
Our March board meeting centered on spring programming, committee updates, and preparing for upcoming schoolwide events. We officially welcomed our 2025–2026 Nominating Committee, elected by the membership: Carlene Deits‑Lebehn, Mario Rosa, and Joann Kim. With several board roles still open—including Fundraising, Race & Equity, Membership, and next year’s After School Enrichment Chair—their work will be essential in identifying strong leadership for the coming year.
Treasurer updates confirmed that finances are reconciled through February 27, and teachers were encouraged to continue submitting reimbursements and using their classroom grants.
Principal updates highlighted incoming kindergarten enrollment (19 dual‑language and 24 overflow students), along with a joint effort between the school and PTA to clear and reorganize the stage area. The old popcorn machine will be removed, and a work party will be scheduled in March. The school also requested consideration for broadening the paper and office supplies budget line for next year.
Staff shared appreciation for ongoing support, and a special request from Señor Rosa for $43.98 in chess timers was approved through the Cafecitos/club budget.
Membership remains strong at 136 members, and After School Enrichment launched spring registration on March 6 with eight programs. The team continues to seek volunteers and someone to shadow the program for next year. Staff Appreciation is preparing for April’s celebration week, and Newsletter is gearing up for its final issue of the year in May.
Fundraising continues with the Mariners Game on March 29, and Family Services is planning a socks and underwear drive after spring break. Lego sorting has begun for Art Docent, and Lost & Found, Yearbook, and Testing Snacks continue their regular work.
Spring events are in full swing:
Popcorn Wednesday returns March 25
Spring Bowl & Skate Night took place March 6
High Trek Reading Challenge is underway
Bulldog Breakfast is scheduled for March 21 (two volunteer shifts)
Ice Cream Social is coming April 16
STEAM Carnival + One‑Day Book Fair is set for June 6, with hopes to bring in Patty Pan Cooperative as a grilling vendor to support next year’s 5th Grade Camp
📅 Next meeting: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 — General & Board Meeting
Looking forward to a vibrant spring full of community connection and student joy! 💙🐾
February 2026 Meeting Minutes
🎉 February Highlights from Briarcrest PTA 🎉
Our February board meeting focused on leadership recruitment, spring planning, and supporting key student programs. Several board roles remain open—including Fundraising, Race & Equity, Membership, and next year’s After School Enrichment Chair—with the Nominating Committee now the top priority to fill so we can begin identifying next year’s PTA leaders. We also celebrated Kinderfest tabling support and continued strong community engagement.
Treasurer updates included a mid‑year budget review, reconciliation through January, and a $150 increase to the popcorn budget. Corporate matching from Bulldog Boost is still coming in, and we welcomed Mary Romig as our new auditor.
Principal and staff updates centered on 5th Grade Camp fundraising, including exploring a $5,000 neighborhood association grant and allocating STEAM Carnival concessions toward camp. Teachers also shared appreciation for PTA support and requested help promoting costumes for the spring play, The Big One‑Oh.
Membership remains steady at 135 members (up 46.7% from last year), and After School Enrichment is already planning for spring sessions while seeking someone to shadow the program for next year. Staff Appreciation received a $50 Starbucks card from National PTA for membership growth and is preparing for Teacher Appreciation Week in April.
Fundraising efforts continue with the Sodam Chicken dine‑out on Feb 24 and the Mariners Game fundraiser on March 29, which has already brought in an impressive ~$1,700. Family Services launched a hygiene drive for The Works, collecting deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes through March 6. Yearbook is expanding by four pages due to strong photo submissions, prompting a small budget increase.
Spring events are lining up quickly:
Kindness Challenge (Feb 2–13)
Popcorn Wednesday (Feb 25)
Spring Bowl & Skate Night (Mar 6)
High Trek Reading Challenge (March)
Bulldog Breakfast (Mar 21)
Ice Cream Social (Apr 16)
STEAM Carnival + Book Fair (Jun 6)
The board also discussed digital safety and reviewed PTA advocacy guidance related to supporting immigrant families, reaffirming our commitment to safe, inclusive school environments.
Four motions passed:
Increasing popcorn budget by $150
Adding a restricted line item for 5th Grade Camp
Increasing the yearbook budget to $6,800
Increasing the testing snack budget to $1,100 to support MLL testing
📅 Next meeting: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 — Board Meeting
Excited for a full spring of community, enrichment, and student support! 💙🐾
January 2026 Meeting Minutes
🎉 January Highlights from Briarcrest PTA 🎉
Our January board meeting kicked off 2026 with strong momentum across membership, enrichment programs, fundraising, and winter events. The Nominating Committee process officially began, focusing on identifying and recruiting future PTA leaders to keep our board strong and sustainable.
Membership continues to grow—now at 135 members, a 46.7% increase from last year. After School Enrichment sessions launched on January 12, with additional school‑run programs like Green Team, Chess Club, and Jump Rope Club also underway. Parent chaperones are still needed to support these offerings.
Staff Appreciation treated teachers to a January 8th continental breakfast, with February’s drop‑off gift already in planning. Testing Snacks reviewed budget needs for SBA vs. MLL testing, and Yearbook received 51 cover contest entries, selecting five winners.
Fundraising is gearing up for a busy season with a Sodam Chicken dine‑out on February 24, the Mariners Game fundraiser on March 29, and ongoing coordination for 5th Grade Camp support. Movie Night returns on January 30, complete with a Lost & Found rollout. Spring events are lining up too—Bulldog Breakfast (3/21), Spring Bowl & Skate Night (3/6), Ice Cream Social (4/16), and the High Trek Reading Challenge running all March.
Other updates included the January newsletter release, popcorn scheduled for January 28, Kinderfest on January 31 (volunteers needed!), and ongoing Lego collection and art docent projects.
The board also added Digital Safety as a topic for next month’s agenda.
📅 Next meeting: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 — Board Meeting
Looking forward to a fun and full spring season with our Briarcrest community! 💙🐾
December 2025 Meeting Minutes
🎉 December Highlights from Briarcrest PTA 🎉
Our December board meeting was full of updates as we wrapped up 2025 and geared up for a busy winter season! We reviewed the Shoreline School District’s upcoming Replacement Levies for the February 2026 ballot and confirmed next steps for a general membership vote. The board also approved the Washington State PTA Bylaws updates and began outreach for the Nominating Committee, which will help recruit next year’s PTA leaders. Ridgecrest PTA reached out about a possible volunteer swap for spring auctions, and several board positions remain open, including Fundraising, Auditor, Race & Equity, and Membership.
Treasurer updates included clarity on support staff grants, approval to shift 4th/5th grade flex seating to a school‑wide flex seating model, and a small budget adjustment for the new 4th/5th grade play. Spirit wear continues to move forward with both Printify and bulk‑order options planned for future years.
Principal Gonzalez shared celebrations from the Glow Dance, upcoming Winter Sing‑Along, and early planning for 5th Grade Camp fundraising, with a call for more parent volunteers. Staff thanked the PTA for the art docent project and a newly approved reading support app for 1st grade.
Committees reported strong progress:
Membership is at 132 members—up 43.5% from last year.
After School Enrichment expanded offerings and kicked off registration.
Staff Appreciation is hosting a December potluck and take‑home treats.
Winter Coat Drive wrapped up with 100+ coats donated.
Yearbook Cover Contest ends December 12.
Spirit Wear arrives mid‑December for distribution before break.
Fundraising celebrated a huge $30,267 Bulldog Boost total, plus Snapdoodle and dine‑out earnings.
Lost & Found, Art Docent, Movie Night, and Testing Snacks all shared updates as well.
The board passed three motions:
Approving debit card use in the bylaws
Renaming flex seating to be school‑wide
Adding $100 to the Spirit Wear budget line
📅 Next meeting: Tuesday, January 13, 2025 — General Meeting
Thanks for helping us finish the year strong, Briarcrest! 💙🐾
November 2025 Meeting Minutes
🎉 November Highlights from Briarcrest PTA 🎉
Our November board meeting was packed with updates and plans to keep the momentum going! We confirmed open board positions (Fundraising, Auditor, Race & Equity, and Membership) and celebrated Bulldog Boost’s success—raising $25K and counting! Membership is up 34.8% from last year, and the school directory flyer is live.
We approved flex seating and discussed upcoming events: extra Popcorn Wednesdays (Nov 12 & 19), Family Game Night (Nov 20), and the Glow in the Dark Dance (Dec 5). Principal Gonzalez shared updates on gym A/V installation, safety drills, and exciting volunteer projects like tree planting with Girl Scouts.
Committees reported on staff appreciation lunches, art docent projects, and the Art Reflections contest (theme: I Belong). Yearbook cover contest kicks off Dec 1, and the Winter Coat Drive continues through Dec 19. Spirit wear orders are open, and the new popcorn machine is already popping!
📅 Next meeting: Tuesday, December 9 @ 6:30PM (Board Meeting)
Let’s keep building community and fun! 💙🐾 Briarcrest PTA 2025–2026
October 2025 Meeting Minutes
🎉 October Highlights from Briarcrest PTA 🎉
Our October general meeting was full of updates, action, and community spirit! We celebrated successful events like MOD Pizza Dine Out, Movie Night, and Popcorn Wednesday, and looked ahead to Bulldog Boost, Fall Skate Night, and Art Reflections. We approved the 2025–2026 budget, welcomed new volunteers, and passed motions for a new popcorn machine and flex seating. Principal Gonzales shared school improvement goals, and committees reported strong membership growth, a live school directory, and plans for staff appreciation and winter coat drives. Yearbook planning is underway, and the Glow in the Dark dance is coming soon!
📅 Next meeting: Monday, November 10 @ 6:30PM (Board Meeting)
Let’s keep building joyful momentum! 💙🐾
September 2025 Meeting Minutes
🎉 September Highlights from Briarcrest PTA 🎉
From kindergarten onboarding and movie night planning to budget updates and Bulldog Boost prep, our September board meeting was packed with momentum and meaningful action. We welcomed new volunteers, tackled open roles, and brainstormed ways to boost membership and dad engagement. Catch up on all the updates—including spirit wear, staff appreciation, and upcoming events like Curriculum Night and MOD Pizza Dine Out!
📅 Next meeting: Tuesday, October 14 @ 6:30PM (General Meeting)
Let’s keep the energy going! 💙🐾