PAC Meeting Minutes

1 Call to Order

Mr. Menard called the meeting of the Senn Parent Advisory Council to order at 7:00 p.m.

2 Action Items

Approval of March 2026 Meeting Minutes.

The PAC agreed that future minutes and agendas will also be prepared in Spanish.

3 PAC Updates

• Parent Survey results. Three key priorities surfaced: college and career planning, mental health and well-being, and "Know Your Rights." The survey collected over 85 email addresses and phone numbers; 85% of respondents want to stay connected. 80% cited work schedules as the main barrier to participation, with most preferring later evening meetings. 45% had never heard of the PAC before.
• Laptop and storage update. The budget transfer was confirmed for purchasing a laptop. Discussion focused on laptop specifications and the need to access school-licensed software. The library was identified as a location for storing PAC materials in a secure cabinet, following a tour by Friends of Senn (FOS) representatives.
• Library update. Discussion regarding transforming part of the library into a dedicated parent resource area with furniture, multilingual informational materials, and PAC storage. FOS has scheduled volunteer days (tentatively May 30 and June 6) to organize books and set up the space. The library also offers a sound booth that could be used for multilingual communications.
• Know Your Rights workshop update. Catherine Vitron-Vera, who led last year's workshop, is available to lead another free session. The group discussed timing (after 4 p.m. on Tuesdays/Wednesdays, or possibly Saturdays) and format. There was interest in adding immigration rights information regarding the legal process.
• End-of-year event planning. The group proposed combining efforts to host an end-of-year parent event featuring a workshop, potluck (cultural dishes), and community celebration, coordinated with FOS and potentially the library volunteer days.
• College application workshop resources. Ms. Denny reported challenges finding parent-focused college application resources, as most are directed at students. She submitted a request to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for a "supporting your high school student" presentation. Ms. Curtis mentioned a CPS strategic scholarship program workshop that may offer additional resources.
• Pierce Parent Night at Senn. Mr. Menard discussed promoting the PAC on May 6, 2026, for Urinetown / Peirce Parent Night. Ms. Clark will also attend.
• Parent coordination and communication. Discussion regarding the importance of coordination between Senn parent groups and Senn/Peirce parents, and access to information across multiple administrators. The group discussed creating one website to simplify information access, a uniform parent calendar, and other strategies for improving communication.

4 Adjournment

Next meeting set for May 19, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. (location to be confirmed). Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

1 Call to Order

Mr. Menard called the meeting of the Senn Parent Advisory Council to order at 6:00 p.m.

2 Action Items

(a) Approval of the PAC Meeting Agenda for March 17, 2026.

(b) February 26, 2026 PAC Meeting Minutes. Approval tabled until the April 21, 2026 meeting.

(c) Election of PAC Officers. The following persons were nominated as officers:

• Jason Menard — Chair
• Katie Denny — Vice Chair
• Steve Larosiliere — Community Outreach Officer
• Kathryn Clark — Secretary

(d) Budget Approvals.

3 PAC Updates

• $6,000 PAC budget. Discussion of allowable uses (roughly half for furniture, supplies, and equipment; half for services such as seminars and training), budget lines (including requesting and creating new ones for food and drinks), and the spending process: the PAC votes on spending, the Principal must approve, and the Principal submits it to the CPS Budget Department for approval. The group reviewed timing for these processes.
• PAC records storage. Storing PAC records, binders, and other materials at Senn, including a dedicated cabinet and space for agendas, minutes, budget summaries, and inventories.
• Outreach channels. Senn parent website (sennparents.com), the Senn parent Facebook group, and the Senn parent survey (29 responses to date, aiming for over 50).
• Report card pickup. PAC representation at report card pickup on March 18 at Senn, including collecting survey responses via a laptop.

4 New PAC Business

• Obtaining a laptop for the PAC.
• Parent survey takeaways so far: supporting student mental health, event communication, workshops on college applications, financial aid and career planning, technology help, and Know Your Rights workshops are important to parents.
• Future PAC meetings. Targeting 7:00 p.m. start time and potentially a meeting place outside Senn. Notice and other requirements were reviewed: posting the agenda with the meeting location, a quorum of at least five Senn parents, and approval by a majority of Senn parents at the meeting.
• Coordinating and funding parent training and informational sessions on Know Your Rights, student mental health, college readiness, and potential free resources.
• Continuous Improvement Work Plan, the Senn strategic plan, and parent engagement.
• More consideration, discussion, and approval of PAC fund use to be addressed at the April 21, 2026 meeting.

5 Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.