Minutes: December 3, 2024 PTO Meeting Date: December 3, 2024
Attended: PTO Meeting Chair: Laurie Kuntz, Megan Gage, Kristin Cooksey, Jill Cox,
Hilda Vazquez, Hien Larson (Principal), Autum Lincoln, Dyan Johnson, Nicole Sachse,
Kate Lord (Treasurer)
Welcome & Intro Vote: Laurie called for a vote to approve the minutes from our
November meeting. Kate moved to approve the minutes and Hilda seconded.
Treasurer’s Report & Budget Review: Kate Lord reviewed the 2024/25 budget review
and outline any changes. Income is almost 19k. We paid for part of bussing and
Grizzly Ranch. It was unexpected because of the weather—projected snow required
charter buses. Kate is working on solving the back tax with the Secretary of State.
Curriculum grants were approved to include sixth grade holiday math and reading
incentives. Fleece jackets for staff from FlyLow for women and men at half off. It will
have embroidery of the mountains and ACMS and ACMS contributed approximately
$2600 which was half. Discuss adding money to Stuco (Student Counsel) expense line
which was a proposal initially. We discussed putting something into the expense line.
Principal’s Update: Hien Larson gave the Principal’s update. She thanked PTO for
transportation to Grizzly Ranch for the 6 th graders. 6 th graders had a good time—the
entire grade went at the same time. We have a rally this Friday and the school needs
tricycles for the rally. It seems like the kids love the rallies and the sprit week activities.
Progress grades go out 12/4 and parents have to view them in Jumprope. Hien says
the emphasis is on work habits and that the school will start doing celebrations each
trimester. She will ask parents to bring food and PTO to provide coffee and tea. It will
be for students who have “3s” in work habits. This Thursday is karaoke and open mic
night at the school. ACMS students and parents are welcome to attend. Winter concert
coming up. The warm coats and toy drive bins are looking empty so Hien encourages
people to donate. Hien thinks the year is going very well.
Grant Requests: Kate Lord reviewed any grant request.
PTO Admin: Our next meeting is scheduled for January 7th. It was discussed whether
we should stick to the schedule and hold it in person at 7:45 am after school drop off
OR hold a Zoom meeting at 6 pm that evening (or pick another date entirely). The
group decided another date would probably work best.
RE: 8 th grade promotional meeting, we discussed when to get going—perhaps February
or March.
Sixth-Grade Outreach: Nicole Sachse had the idea to write a letter targeted
specifically to sixth-grade parents, outlining what PTO does and why/how they can get
involved. We’d roll this out after the holidays–hard copy in backpacks, email/text–with
help from Hien.
Touchdown Tamales: Super Bowl LIX is on Sunday, February 9 . Elvia will check in
with Rosa to see if she’ll cook again. The plan is to run it the same as last year: Last
year, we ordered 12 dozen. Raffle tickets were $10 each, with 10 winners chosen. We
ran a separate (free) raffle for ACMS staff, with two winners chosen. Tentative
Schedule: Blast email on Wed, Jan 29th. Sell tickets through Wed, Feb 5. Choose the
winners on Thurs, Feb 6. Tamales pick up on Fri, Feb 7.
PTO Board & Committee Chairs: President (Laurie K.), Vice President (Brandy C.),
Treasurer (Kate L.), Secretary (Open), Communications (Jill C.), Sponsorships (Brandy
C., Erin V.), Conference Week Lunches (Kate P., Erin V.), Silent Auction (Open), Staff
Appreciation Week (Kristin C.).
Looking Ahead Minimum Day: Wednesday, December 11 Winter Break: December
23–January 3 First Day of School for 2025: Monday, January 6
Adjourn: See you in 2025. Happy holidays, everyone! ✌️❤️

Meeting held on 11/5/24 at ACMS Staff Lounge. Called to order at 7:50am.

PTO Meeting Attendees: Principal Hien Larson, Nicole Sasche, Jill Cox, Kate Parkhill, Hilda
Vasquez, Brandy Christensen, Laurie Kuntz and Sarah Maile.
Welcome and Intro: Laurie Kuntz gave a welcome and discussed the open board positions.
Brandy moved to approve minutes from the October meeting and Jill seconded that motion and
the minutes were approved.
Treasurer’s Report and Budget Review: Kate Lord is absent. The new banners are up for the
sponsorships. We will move the banner in the spring from the gym to the rear of the school.
Principal’s Update: Hien gave a thanks for the lunches during conference week and support.
Hien reports the dance went really well and spirit week the kids seemed really into it. Halloween
week was great with the teachers dressing up and being really into it. Cougar Pride—Hien
wants to give the grade level winners some swag. Hacky sacks are a possibility. Yearbook
photos—please talk to parents about getting them in. Check in/check out system is for safety.
Parents can call 10 minutes before or do it at home. Carnegie parent night for math is Thursday
and the special ed parent advisory is also going on that night. Hien encourages parents to
attend. ACMS is a “School to Watch” which is an award designation. It is a national
recognition and ACMS is the only Tahoe Truckee School to be recognized for this. Hien will be
helping get some families with holiday supplies and she asks that we bring any family needs to
her. The group also discussed Flylow fleece zips for staff and PTO to split the cost
(approximately $3500). Then there was a discussion of Full Belly Deli gift cards Student of the
Month (in addition to the Cougar Cards). It would be approximately $800.
Grant Requests:
Conference week Recap: Thank you to Kate and Erin for all of their hard work! The feedback
was great. Kate will write up a memo of what worked and what didn’t work.
PTO Admin: We are still seeking a 6th grade parent willing to join the Board as a Secretary.
PTO Board & Committee Chairs: Silent Auction:
Looking ahead: 8th grade promotion—meeting is in January and is a joint meeting with PTO.
We need someone to oversee the budget. Next meeting is December 3 rd at 6pm.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:40am.

Oct 1st 2024 at ACMS Staff Lounge, 7:45am.
Meeting called to order at 7:45am.
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Attendees: Hilda Vazquez, Jill Cox, Ari Holt, Dyan Johnson, Michelle Oelkers, Nicole
Sactse, Kate Parkhill, Chris Gage, Brandy Christensen, Laurie Kuntz, Kate Lord, Kristen
Cooksey

Welcome and Intro: Laurie welcomed everyone to the meeting. Kate made a motion to
approve minutes and Hilda seconded it.
Budget: Kate provided a budget update and went over current status of budget.
Principal Update: Hien discussed recent events and positive start to school year, thanked PTO
for purchasing a microwave and coffee maker for staff lounge. Rallys and school spirit is a
focus this year and building pride at school. Cougar Pride cards are a success and Hien hands
out gift cards that PTO funds. Hien needs more gift cards. On the 18 th is the rally and the
dance. ASB fundraising for sports was discussed and how ASB funds are used for
sports/private busses. Dance will now be $20 and there will be 3 for fundraising dances.
Dances are ACMS only; parent chaperones needed. Student led conferences are coming up
and PTO will provide lunches for staff that week. The 6 th grade field trip is upcoming. There is a
new Wellness Specialist—a former Alder Creek student named Kirby Faulk. She went to UC
Berkley and has a wellness based degree.

Grant Request: Laurie discussed process. No grant requests today.

Sponsorships: Brandy gave a sponsorship update. We have $11,600 received of
approximately $15,000 pledged. Laurie discussed how the sponsorship drive is our main
fundraiser in the beginning of the year with an auction in the spring.

Conference week lunches: Week of October 21 st the PTO provides lunches. Kate Parkhill
explained the process for Sign Up Genius. Fuddhism is donating a Mediterranean lunch
spread. Laurie Kuntz will take care of coffee.

PTO Board Positions: We have an open position for Secretary.
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Meeting Adjourned at 8:16.
Next meeting is November 5th at 7:45am in the ACMS Staff lounge.
Meeting minutes taken by Brandy Christensen.

September 3, 2024
Raley’s One Loft, Truckee, 6:00 pm
Present: Laurie Kuntz, Hilda Vazquez, Brandy Christensen, Hien Larson, Dyan Johnson, Kate Lord, Pam Madigan, Kate Parkhill, Autumn Lincoln, Stacey Jacobs, Kristin Cooksey, Erica Garcia
Quorum Present?: Yes
Welcome/Intro, Laurie K.:
-Meeting called to order at 6:07 pm.
-Adopt June 2024 meeting minutes.
-MOTION to approve the June meeting minutes made by Hien L.; Kate L. seconded, passed without dissent.
Treasurer’s Report, Kate L.:
-Quick review of last year and shared copies of last year’s budget. In 2023/24, we focused efforts on sponsorships and the auction, meaning we didn’t have to fundraise throughout the year, except for the Touchdown Tamales raffle before the Super Bowl. This new direction was a big success: Sponsorships brought in $11,300, the Silent Auction, $9,450; and the Open House Kermes dinner, $2,150. Eighth-grade promotion party was wildly successful. Haven’t fully reconciled accounts yet, but the committee brought in over $4,000 to cover the costs of the party.
-Shared copies of the 2024/25 proposed budget. The Board made some minor changes at the end of last year. This is a working document that can/will be amended throughout the year at PTO meetings as needs arise. We increased money for assemblies, SWEP, field trips (transportation costs), student celebrations, and teacher grants for curricula. -The Board would like to mindfully spend down a fraction of our reserves this year.
-MOTION to approve 2024/25 budget made by Brandy C.; Stacey J. seconded, passed without dissent.
Principal’s Report, Hien L.:
-Best back-to-school in years! ACMS got a visit from the Superintendent and various School Board members. Everyone was very impressed with the calm, joy, and excitement of the students. 
-This year’s focus is on building community and celebrating middle schoolers.
-The first rally was held on Friday. Haven’t had a real rally since Covid. Leadership plans the whole event, games, songs, etc. The 8th-grade class was honored, there was lots of competition, many Cougar Pride giveaways, and teachers were super involved. Leadership’s goal is to have a rally once a month. They’re held on Fridays after 2nd period, following the posted rally schedule. 
-BTSN is on Thursday. Parents will report to the gym for Hien L.’s introduction of the staff and information about the school year plans, then parents follow their child’s class schedule. There are about 10 minutes allowed per period to meet teachers and hear about class plans. 
-Site Council: There are three positions open this year and three candidates up for election; please vote. Site Council is a great way to see what’s happening with goals and budget.
-ELAC community meeting on September 18th @ 5:30 pm, jointly with Truckee Elementary (meeting will be held @ TES). PTO will aim to have a joint meeting/social in October if possible and definitely in April before the Open House/Kermes. 
-Thursdays and Fridays are spirit days: Thursdays are college/career days;  wear your favorite college or company shirt. Fridays are ACMS days; wear red or ACMS swag. 
-Leadership will give out Cougar Pride cards for student participation on these days. There will be a bigger class prize at the end of the year for the class with the most participation.
-Laurie K. will get Hien L. more gift cards for Cougar Pride giveaways.
-Picture Day is this Friday.
-Grizzly Ranch: This year, the whole 6th grade going together, two days and one night. Very exciting! It’s the first year since before Covid that has been allowed.
-Sports: XC and basketball starting. Parents need to upload forms to Register Your Athlete, plan ahead, make appointments, and do the paperwork early. The administration is trying to get the word out about the low-cost options for sports physicals, about the necessary timing, etc. Right now, middle schoolers only need sports physicals every two years; once they get to high school, new rules dictate they are needed every year. 
-Suggested donations for sports fees go towards transportation costs and towards subsidizing physicals.
-The new PE teacher, Jasmine Lance, is a BIG hit all around. Kids are psyched, the PE department as a whole is energized, and the locker room looks amazing. It’s going to be a great year for learning lifelong fitness!
-ACMS student numbers are up to 560. New students from North Tahoe, SELS, TEA, and out-of-town.
New Business, Laurie K.:
-Grant request from the administration: Requesting $2,500 to cover half the cost of the Renaissance program (AR tests, etc). Admin was told that this year, money to cover program renewal must come out of the site budget. Other schools have asked for and gotten PTO support, including GES. This will benefit ALL students with goal setting and pushing towards the 1 Million Word Club, and successes will be celebrated at rallies. 
-MOTION to approve $2,500 towards Renaissance renewal made by Kate L.; Stacey J. seconded, passed without dissent.
-Grant request from administration/Leadership: As part of this year’s goal to build community and school pride, the Student Council would like to design and print t-shirts for all students to wear on rally days and on Cougar Pride days. The PTO’s concern is that we have been burned with spirit wear and that if we buy the shirts, they go home, and then kids forget or refuse to wear them when they’re asked to. Could we keep them at school? There was discussion about putting sponsors on t-shirts, but kids are unlikely to wear them around town, at least initially. The original guesstimate was $10/shirt, but Leadership is now trying to get a cheaper quote. Hien L. will return to Laurie K. with an actual estimate, and then PTO will vote (via email) on how much support we can provide.
-Sponsorships: The campaign is live until September 23rd. We have a few returning commitments already totaling about $5,000, with more letters in the mail. Our (very conservative) goal is $10,000, but we would like to beat last year’s $11,300 and have a cushion heading into conference week teacher meals and any unforeseen upcoming grant requests. More effort put here by everyone means less burden on parents throughout the school year. There was a suggestion to also hang a banner in the 7th-grade drop-off area. Laurie K. will speak with Hien L. Seems like a terrific idea.
-Conference Week: Quick overview of what has been done historically. PTO is actively looking for two new people to take over organizing this year’s lunches, coming up with new themed days, updating SignUp Genius with parent food donation requests, etc.
-Board Positions: Laurie K. is President, Brandy C. is Vice President, Kate L. is Treasurer, OPEN position of Secretary, Jill C. is Communications/Social Media, and Hilda V. is the ELAC representative. Hoping a new parent will take on the secretary position. Doesn’t require a ton of effort–mostly taking meeting minutes–however will necessitate the commitment to be at most meetings.
-Big kudos and thanks to the new 6th-grade parents who joined us tonight. And to the other 7th- and 8th-grade parents who were joining us for the first time!
Meeting adjourned at 7:13 pm by Laurie K.
Next Meeting, October 1st at 7:45 am at ACMS
Minutes submitted by President, Laurie Kuntz

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