5/10/22 – PTSA Meeting Summary

The PTSA Board last night heard details about the Garfield Centennial celebration planned for Aug. 27, and discussed the successes of the acution gala/fundraiser and Teacher Appreciation Week.

The Centennial event, which was postponed from summer 2020 because of the pandemic, is being overseen by an alumni committee in partnership with the school and several cultural organizations. Event producer Dick Lee told those at the online meeting that plans include musical performances (alumni and current students), mini-reunions by decade of graduation, historical displays, and other activities, plus food from food trucks. Main events will be in the Garfield gym, supplemented by other indoor and outdoor spaces. Mr. Lee said the hope is to focus not just on Garfield’s past, but also the future, and bring forth the diversity and complexities of the school.

Honorary chair is music-producing legend Quincy Jones (Class of 1950), and organizers hope he will be able to attend. Among others expected to participate are Schools Superintendent Brent Jones, Mayor Bruce Harrell (’76), and Gov. Jay Inslee, whose father taught at Garfield.  

Mr. Lee asked the PTSA Board to help with outreach, volunteer recruitment and financial support. Centennial organizers are hoping to raise most needed funds separately, and also may consider whether the event can help boost funding for purposes now supported by the Alumni Association: Golden Grads scholarships and support for homeless families in the Garfield community.

The PTSA Board last night also heard about:

• Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6) wowed the staff. The Board thanked newly appointed Events Co-Chair Jennifer Marquardt for efforts that included fundraising to enabled bumped-up spending on food, gift cards and more.
• Treasurer Mary Murray is forming a Budget Committee to prepare the 2022-23 PTSA spending plan, which is to be voted on by PTSA members at the June 7 meeting.
• The Annual Fund is nearing its $130,000 goal, and AF Chair Tracy Reed plans to prepare one more round of outreach.
• Communications Chair Cliff Meyer asked for help finding an eBark newsletter editor, to succeed the amazing Heidi Unruh, whose daughter is graduating. People with an interest should email communications@garfieldptsa.org.
• Grad Night, the after-graduation party subsidized by the PTSA, is to be publicized more robustly in the coming weeks. It needs adult volunteer chaperones who are able to stay up really late.
• Three members of the PTSA Nominating Committee have been identified, and will be submitted for online election by the membership. They will recruit 2022-23 Board officer candidates, who also will be elected by the membership, in June (likely online).
• The Spring Soiree party and auction fundraiser was big success!