Meeting Minutes for 5/12/2026

BLE PTO General Meeting
Tuesday, May 12, 2025
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Library
Attendees
Lisa Carrell, Secretary/Treasurer, Parent
Colin Machado, Parent, Website Manager
Gabi Jones, Teacher
Avery Butler, Vice-Principal
Alan Hans, Parent
Maely Keeling, Parent
Matt LeMies, Parent

Treasurer’s Report, Lisa
Income for April: $4,133.24
Expenses for April: $4,969.18
Ending Balance: $18,929.93
ACTION (REPEAT): Gretchen to find the bylaws and send them to Kyle.

Google Space
Discussed concern about not being able to communicate / interact outside of the monthly PTO meetings. Colin shared that non-profits can get a free “Google Space” that can be used by a group like ours (different logins with different access levels, place to house documents, etc.). Group was in favor of going ahead with this.
ACTION: Lisa to check on 501c3 and EIN paperwork so Colin can get us set up.
ACTION: Colin will get this setup.

2026-2027 Budget, Lisa
Discussed concerns about not bringing in enough funds to cover all the things that we would want to include in the budget. Initial budget had about a $7k shortfall. One cost of concern is Reflex/Frax, which is about $6k. One solution is to do more fundraising. Discussed multiple options including adding back in the Read-A-Thon, nights at local restaurants/ice cream places, and other options.
ACTION: Avery/Gabi to talk to site team about how important Reflex/Frax is to the teachers.
ACTION: Maely to check with some restaurant businesses in the area about doing one of those events where a portion of profits goes to the PTO (Chipotle, Panda, etc.)
ACTION: Alan is willing to go to grocery places to ask for donations (Winco, etc.).
ACTION: Lisa to check on letter that Alan can use to ask for donations.

Garden Day
Scheduled for May 30th.
ACTION: Gabi to check on gravel connection.
ACTION: Gabi to make a flyer that tells people to come between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and bring shovels, gloves, gardening tools (sheers/loppers), etc.
ACTION: Matt to take care of benches and may be able to help with gravel if Gabi can’t get that figured out.
ACTION: Gabi will ask if there is anything that needs to be done with garden beds now that the new ones are received and already put together.
ACTION: Chelsi to check on infield dirt?

2026-2027 Event Schedule
Set tentative schedule:
September 8th - Java Jitters (since it’s the first day of school for all parents, we’ll probably need to open it up to all parents)
September 9th - Ice Cream Social (5:30 p.m. start time)
First PTO Meeting - September 15th at 5:30 p.m.
Fun Run Kickoff - September 24th (Avery said school set this)
October 9th - Fun Run (Avery said school set this)
October 30th - Boo Bash
December 17th - Flaky Fun
February 19th - Parents Night Out (5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.)
April 23rd - Books & Bingo
May 22nd - Garden Day (10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)

Next Year
Would like to get a flyer to families about the PTO. Would be great to include in mailed information as well as in packets for strong start. Have an option to turn in a form for signing up to be on PTO Directory or do this online (QR Code).
ACTION: Lisa to ask Jen about timing for getting a flyer out to families in the mail.
ACTION: Lisa will put together a flyer of information about the PTO for teachers that will be provided at their August staff day when PTO provides lunch.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 9th at 5:30 p.m. in Library

Meeting Minutes for 4/14/2026

BLE PTO General Meeting

Tuesday, April 14, 2025

5:30 pm - 7:15

Principal’s Office

Attendees

Chelsi Yarger Weedon, Vice-President, Parent and BLE Para

Lisa Carrell, Secretary/Treasurer, Parent

Valerie Machado, Parent

Colin Machado, Parent, Website Manager

Gabi Jones, Teacher

Kyle Grudenfelder, Principal

Books & Bingo

Scheduled for April 17th.

South Sound Literacy dropping off boxes of books.

ACTION: Gabi to see if a couple teachers can come.

ACTION: Valerie and Lisa to be the parent volunteers.

ACTION: Gretchen to do a costco run for snacks.

ACTION: Chelsi to coordinate the set up the tables at the end of the day.

ACTION: Chelsi to get some little prizes.

Treasurer’s Report, Lisa

Income for March: $234.40

Expenses for March: $1,774.17

Ending Balance: $19,765.87

Additional Expenses for this year:

What are we spending $ on? What is budgeted?

Books & Bingo: $150

Garden Day: $150

Field Day: $150

Staff Appreciation: $1,500

Self Manager Celebration: $900

Carol Long Scholarship: $500

Kindergarten Tea: $200

Science Assembly: $1,400

Family BBQ: $50

Field Trips (2nd Grade - HOCM, Preschool?, 4th Grade?): $600 for 2nd Grade +More?

Yearbook Stipend + Potential Loss: $1100

SBA Testing Snacks: $750 (maybe less with gift cards)

5th Grade “Account”: $3,000+

Total Budgeted: $10,450+

Discussed the cost of OJP. Will wait to see how the money plays out for now.

We’ll need to adopt our budget for next year at the May meeting.

ACTION: Lisa to find the bylaws and send them to Kyle.

Teacher Appreciation

Debrief St. Patrick’s Day Teacher Appreciation: This went well. It was well received. We want to do more of this throughout the year in the future.

Teacher Appreciation Week scheduled for May 4 - May 8.

Schedule:

Day 1 - Breakfast & Coffee

Day 2 - Chair Massage / Supplies

Day 3 - Lunch (Vic’s Donation) - Pizza and Salad

Day 4 - Desserts

Day 5 - Room Service

ACTION: Matt to coordinate the Vic’s order. He will place order, pick it up and bring it to school by 11 on 5/6.

ACTION: Chelsi to put together the SUG for breakfast day and desserts day and any other needs for the week. Consider an Amazon wishlist for things too.

ACTION: Gretchen will coorindate Body Mechanic’s to come on Tuesday, 5/5.

ACTION: Chelsi will be getting snacks for room service and drinks for the week.

Garden Day

Scheduled for May 30th.

Ideas: Garden Beds, Gravel for track, In-field baseball diamond, Benches

Matt has a crew that can help with benches and/or garden beds.

ACTION: Gabi to check on gravel connection.

Tumwater Education Foundation

They are doing a spring gala. PTO is being asked to sponsor an auction item. We approved $150 to help do a basket.

2026-2027 Event Schedule

Need to set schedule.

Yearbook

Chelsi is doing it.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 12th at 5:30 p.m. in Library

Meeting Minutes for 3/10/2026

BLE PTO General Meeting
Tuesday, March 10, 2025
5:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Library
Attendees
Gretchen Archuleta, President, parent
Lisa Carrell, Secretary/Treasurer, parent
Valerie Machado, parent
Ashley Locken, teacher, parent
Maely Keeling, parent
Matt LeMier, parent

Treasurer’s Report, Lisa
Income for February: $2,118.73
Expenses for February: $1,559.99
Ending Balance: $21,305.64

Parents Night Out Debrief
Madness but everyone had a great time.
Could be more organized for check-in / check-out.
Stations were great > library, more low-key (games and crafts). Gym in half, scooters and balls. Outside > gaga ball.
Radios worked well for calling out kids when it was time to leave.
Could consider doing name-tags for kids.
Need to make sure we communicate about who can attend > K-5. Might need a parent to attend too if there are behavioral / support concerns.

Science Options
Lisa checked with Gabi Jones and she said that the site team is working on scheduling.

Books & Bingo
Scheduled for April 17th. It would be great if someone could volunteer to be the number caller.
ACTION: Gretchen to contact the South Sound Literacy group about bringing in books.
ACTION: Chelsi to make a flyer for the event.

SBA Testing
The school wants snacks for SBA Testing.
ACTION: Gretchen will see what we can get for this using our Winco gift cards.

Teacher Appreciation
We are doing a teacher appreciation thing on March 17th on St. Patrick’s Day (“We’re so lucky to have you”)
ACTION: Lisa to send out the communications and sign up to the list of parents we have emails for.

Teacher Appreciation Week scheduled for May 4 - May 8.
Ideas:
Coffee Truck or Coffee Deliveries (Sweet Magnolia, Ember Goods, Dutch Brothers)
Room Service Order
Lunch (could be Vic’s)
Breakfast
Humble Cow or Sophie’s Scoops
Massages (Body Mechanics)
Supplies - consider doing an Amazon wish list for supplies
Tentative Schedule:
Day 1 - Breakfast & Coffee
Day 2 - Desserts
Day 3 - Lunch (Vic’s?)
Day 4 - Chair Massage / Supplies
Day 5 - Room Service
Themes: You’re out of this world, Star Wars
Twinkle Lights in the staff room.
ACTION: Colin to make a flyer for “PTO needs you” to try to get some people interested in helping, in general, and specifically for Teacher Appreciation. Colin can make a google form for this.
ACTION: Matt to check on Vic’s.
Goal is to have everything decided and a SUG ready to be sent the week after spring break.
ACTION: Gretchen to ask Kyle about how to get information sent out to the school about teacher appreciation. What are the rules and the timing?
ACTION: Gretchen will contact Body Mechanic’s to see if they can do Teacher Appreciation.

Garden Day
Scheduled for May 30th.
Interested in figuring out the garden beds. Do we want to have this be a sensory garden?
Matt has a construction company and could bring man-power to this project.
It would be nice to have new benches.
ACTION: Maely is interested in being in charge of the garden bed project.
ACTION: Gretchen to talk to Buildings & Grounds to ask about what is needed.

Request, Mrs. Locken
Wants to have every kid recognized for their birthday and for new kids.
Wants to have a birthday cart with stickers/pencils/etc. for kids to come get something fun.
Start-up would be $350. Annual upkeep would be $200.
Would start this up next year.
Mrs. Locken will organize and keep it going.
We approved the request.

Screen Time at Lunches
There was discussion about screens at lunchtime and discussion about maybe needing volunteers at lunch to avoid the need for screens.

Yearbook
Tabled for next month.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 14th at 5:30 p.m. in Library

Meeting Minutes for 2/10/2026

BLE PTO General Meeting
Tuesday, February 10, 2025
5:30 pm - 6:25 pm
Library
Attendees
Chelsi Yarger Weedon, Vice-President, parent and BLE Para
Lisa Carrell, Secretary/Treasurer, parent
Valerie Machado, parent
Alan Hans, parent
Kyle Grudenfelder, BLE Principal
Matt LeMier, parent

Treasurer’s Report, Lisa
Income for January: $212.37
Expenses for January: $315.75
Ending Balance: $20,746.90

Parents Night Out, Chelsi
Scheduled for Friday, February 13th.
Deadline for kid sign-up is Wednesday, February 11th.
ACTION: Chelsi to ask Jen Spray to send out an alert to families to remind them about the event and the deadline of February 11th to register.
ACTION: Chelsi to check the list of approved volunteers against those who have signed up.
ACTION: Chelsi to ask staff to volunteer.

Science Options
Staff opted for Alex Zerbe. Lisa checked with Gabi and she is following up with folks to make sure this is happening.

Books & Bingo, Chelsi
Scheduled for April 17th.
ACTION: Gretchen to contact the South Sound Literacy group about bringing in books.

Teacher Appreciation, Chelsi
Teacher Appreciation Week scheduled for May 4 - May 8.
Want to do special recognition for different groups of staff.
Something each day would be great.
Also would like to do something for the teachers in March - Maybe March 17th on St. Patrick’s Day (“We’re so lucky to have you”)
ACTION: Valerie to put together some communications about asking for help with that.

Garden Day, Chelsi
Scheduled for May 30th.
Valerie’s Girl Scout Troop would like to participate.

Yearbook, Chelsi
Chelsi will start working on this soon to establish the 5th grade club. This starts after spring break. Meets every other week to make some of the important decisions.
ACTION: Chelsi will request pictures from teachers before spring break.

Next Year’s Fun Run, Mr. G
September 24th is Fun Run KickOff; October 9th for Fun Run.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 10th at 5:30 p.m. in Library

Meeting Minutes for 1/13/2026

BLE PTO General Meeting
Tuesday, January 13, 2025
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Library
Attendees
Gretchen Archuleta, President, parent
Chelsi Yarger Weedon, Vice-President, parent and BLE Para
Lisa Carrell, Secretary/Treasurer, parent
Alan Hans, parent
Maely Keeling, parent

Guest: Meagan Dawson, Assistant Superintendent

District Report, Meagan
Shared information about the levy funding. This is a replacement levy and is not new. The rate will be lower than it has been. This will support safety and security in our schools, technology, and repairs and renovations at schools. Project list is available on District website: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1767821166/tumwaterk12waus/y99wjsmflx6v9rmvuqob/CPLevyProjectsbyschool.pdf.
Vote ‘Yes’ for schools signs were picked up for distribution. Ballots are due 2/10/26.
Additional discussions about ‘Welcome Home’ program changes.

Treasurer’s Report, Lisa
Income for December: $5,751 (mostly wreath sales)
Expenses for December: $4,567 (mostly costs for wreaths, $623 for Flaky Fun)
Ending Balance: $20,850

Flaky Fun Debrief, Chelsi
A really good event and everyone had a great time.
Cookie Feedback: Get sprinkles that have sprinkling containers, rather than dumping. Avoid marshmallows.
Games Room Feedback: Maybe a few more games would be good, especially for K-1. Snow was messy, but cleanup isn’t difficult. Play-doh might be good.

Science Options
Two things we’ve done in the past: Science on Wheels through Pacific Science Center and Alex Zerbe.
ACTION: Lisa to send Gabi questions about what we want to do for science stuff this year.

Parents Night Out, Chelsi
Scheduled for Friday, February 13th.
Two Areas: Art & Creative / Movie Playing, Gym
Halfway through > costco pizza, snacks, juice boxes
$5 per kid donation encouraged
Deadline for kid sign-up is Wednesday, February 11th.
ACTION: Chelsi to get sign-ups going for parent volunteers and kid signups.
ACTION: Chelsi to create flyer.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 10th at 5:30 p.m. in Library

Meeting Minutes for 12/9/2025

BLE PTO General Meeting
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
5:30 pm - 6:15 pm
Library
Attendees
Chelsi Yarger Weedon, Vice-President, parent and BLE Para
Lisa Carrell, Secretary/Treasurer, parent
Colin Machado, Website Manager and parent
Matt LeMier, parent
Rori Hans, parent

Treasurer’s Report
Discussed what we’d want to be shared monthly:
What’s currently in the bank
What came in during the last month
What was spent during the last month

Flaky Fun
Scheduled for Thursday, December 18th during the school day
Permission Slips and Volunteer Sign-ups went out
3 Zones - Students Pick Only One:
Crafts and Cookies (holiday themed requires permissions slips)
Gym Big Movement Activities
Low Key Games & Bingo
ACTION: Chelsi will inventory what we have for crafts and will ask for help for what is needed.
ACTION: We’d love for people to come to help decorate the night before on Wednesday, December 17th from 5:30-7:30. Lisa and Colin think they can help some.
None of the cookie donation efforts panned out.
ACTION: We’ll need to get cookies and candy canes.

Science Options
ACTION: Talk to Gabi about what we want to do for science stuff this year.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 13th at 5:30 p.m. in Library

Meeting Minutes for 11/18/2025

BLE PTO General Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm
Library
Attendees
Gretchen Archuleta, President, parent
Colin Machado, Website Manager
Gabi Jones, BLE Classroom Teacher
Valerie Machado, parent
Nate Burgher, parent
Alan Hans, parent
Matt LeMier, parent


Agenda Items
Recap Boo Bash: Boo Bash was a huge success. We stayed well under budget and only spent around $400 (still pending any reciepts from Chelsi) One parent who enjoyed sent an email volunteering to run it next year.
Next event: Flaky Fun Dec 18th
To - do:
Seek out cookie donations. Gabi volunteered to try Wagnors, Valeri Luvsand -Matt - Blue Heron (gluten free options)

Add allergy notification for permission slip

Donations needed for Candy canes, frosting, popcorn garland, reindeer food
Popsicle sticks - pictures kiddos - or picture stickers, ornaments, christmas cards.glitter spray

Surprise for teacher in lounge during flaky fun. -body mechanics.
Other items up for discussion at next meeting:
Possible event ideas for spring, science fair? Garden Tea party. Science - reach out Angela.

Meeting Minutes for 10/14/2025

BLE PTO General Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm
Library
Attendees
Gretchen Archuleta, President, parent
Chelsi Yarger Weedon, Vice-President, parent and BLE Para
Lisa Carrell, Secretary/Treasurer, parent
Colin Machado, Website Manager
Kyle Grudenfelder, BLE Principal
Gabi Jones, BLE Classroom Teacher
Sarah Haseman, BLE Classroom Teacher
Valerie Machado, parent
Nate Burgher, parent
Monica Carlson, parent
Ellie Gochenouer, parent
Alan Hans, parent
Matt LeMier, parent
Brandon Weeden, parent
Maely Keeling, parent

Guests:
Kevin Bogatin, TSD Superintendent
Laurie, Wiedenmeyer, Director of Communications & Community Relations

Agenda Items
Intro to PTO (Gretchen & Chelsi)
District Update (Kevin & Laurie)
Boo Bash (Gretchen & Chelsi)
Other Topics

Intro to PTO (Chelsi & Gretchen)
We’re here for a common goal
We’re happy to have everyone here
We welcome fresh ideas and new ways of doing things
All contributions are welcome, no matter how big or small

District Update (Kevin & Laurie)
Laurie shared that she was excited to be meeting with parent groups around the district so that we can meet her and know that we’re welcome to reach out.
Kevin talked about ways to maximize resources and have better facilities, the potential to have just 1 high school in the district and more.
Kevin talked about some of the different funding options and needs going forward.
A bond could be put to a vote (requires 60% to pass) and this could only be used for the big project it was intended to fund.
A capital & technology levy is expected to go to a vote in February. This is mostly funds for capital upgrade and technology and may cover minimal staffing to support tech.
An ongoing EP&O (Educational Program and Operating) levy is also coming up. This fills in the gaps for what the state doesn’t fund - employees, paras, transportation, and more.
Kevin explained that they had to cut $6M from their budget this year.
Kevin showed that they worked on a new strategic plan that was developed over the last year and is now being rolled out.
Kevin responded to a question about equity in athletics. He shared that he and the Board will continue to follow state law.
Kevin responded to a question about the future of technology in the district.

Boo Bash
Scheduled for October 24th from 6-8
Family event
We need a DJ.
ACTION: Gabi to check on a DJ
Discussed some new options for costume contests. Decided on a secret scout that will select a few winners secretly.
ACTION: We need a teacher to do this. Chelsi to check on who can do this.
Chelsi lined up Mrs. Calabrese to run bingo in the library.
Chelsi lined up Mrs. Johnson to do a balloon arch for the photo booth.
We need supplies and a speaker for the cake walk.
ACTION: Chelsi will buy supplies for this using Winco gift cards.
ACTION: Gabi will bring a speaker for the cake walk.
We need prizes for bingo and costume contest.
ACTION: Gretchen will purchase these prizes.
We need candy donations, trunk sign-ups, volunteers for set up, working the event, clean up
ACTION: We all need to continue to push the sign-ups for these.

Other Topics
Lisa brought up the idea of room parents or grade parents. Need to define this role more before we think we can get people to take this on.
Lisa mentioned that she will plan to bring treasurer reports going forward to increase transparency in the PTO’s finances.

Meeting Minutes for 6/9/2025

BLE PTO General Meeting
Monday, June 9, 2025
5:00pm - 6:20pm
Library

Attendees:
Gretchen Archuleta, President, parent
Linda O’Shaughnessy, Interim Principal
Lisa Carrell, parent
Angela Burke, BLE Classroom Teacher

Agenda Items
BLE Events:
Family BBQ - Debrief
Garden Day - Debrief
Ice Cream Social - During first PTO meeting in September
Java Jitters - Discuss potential for new event
PTO Recruitment
Other Business

Family BBQ - Debrief
Mrs. O’Shaughnessy doesn’t have the numbers on this yet.
Do we need to consider having the PTO be more involved in the future or getting volunteers?

Garden Day - Debrief
We cleaned out the PTO shed.

Ice Cream Social Open House - 9/9
We’d like to bring this back. In the past, PTO would dress up as ice cream people and serve ice cream. Would be great for parents and students to be able to meet the new principal.
Potentially could make this a PTO Recruitment event and hold this during the first PTO meeting.
Consider having a box for people to submit ideas to.
We need volunteers to scoop ice cream. Would love to have teachers help with this and dress up in ice cream costumes.
Can we get any ice cream donations - from Sweetlees? Humble Cow? Baskin Robins?
Simple topping options.
Plan to have sign-ups for all the PTO roles during this event.
ACTION: All teachers are at BLE on August 27th. Needs to be brought up to teachers that we need volunteers on this day. We should tell Kyle about this. Mrs. Burke made a note about this too.

Java Jitters (New Event to Bring in Kindergarten Parents) - 9/8
This is an idea for kindergarten parents who can meet other kinder parents after drop off on the first day (Monday for kindergarteners) and have a cup of coffee and a donut. Goal: Meet other parents, intro to the PTO.
ACTION: Check with the new principal to make sure he likes this idea.
ACTION: Have kinder teachers hand out a flyer for this at strong start conferences.
ACTION: Lisa to coordinate the event.

PTO Recruitment
We could do a room parent for each classroom who serves as the liaison between the PTO and classrooms.
ACTION: Put something out at the strong start conference. Consider giving something out to room parents - maybe a free yearbook?
Gretchen put together a list of roles.
Would we like to have grade levels be in charge of events? Could be an idea if we don’t get enough parents to help.
Could be helpful to have a digital directory. Have them fill out a google form.
ACTION: Have a QR code to scan that’s given out at strong start for people to signup for the directory.
ACTION: Planning to share info about PTO and an invite to the first PTO meeting during the Strong Start Conferences.
ACTION: Make a flyer to include Info about ice cream social, Digital directory sign-up, Room Parents
ACTION: Separate flyer to Java Jitters.

PTO Annual Actions
Gretchen elected president.
Chelsi elected vice-president.
Lisa elected Secretary / Treasurer.
ACTION: Gretchen and Lisa to meet over the summer to change banks and set the budget.

Other Business / Reports
Request from Mrs. Burke for a steamroller for life skills. PTO approved expense and planning to include this in the fundraising goal for fun run in the fall.
ACTION: Mrs. Burke to work with life skills about the timing of this order.
Tumwater Hill has a cool resource with lots of FAQs for teachers. We should have something like this and add in some PTO questions.
May need to consider stipends for a few other groups- preschool, etc.
Fluency Flight through iready might be able to replace Reflex (addition and subtraction). Might still need the fraction program.
ACTION: Mrs. Burke to talk to teachers about their opinion about making this change.
Last year paid $3500 for science program. Did a different show instead this year and it cost list. Could consider doing the science program every other year.
ACTION: Mrs. Burke to talk to teachers about rotating things.
We need to buy new flags.
ACTION: Gretchen to contact Lori W to get new flags.