Perry Hall Middle School PTSA

Executive Board Meeting - March 14, 2006

Minutes

?        Call to Order:  7:01 pm

?        Attendance:  Jeanne Biemer, Teri Bibeault, Terri Sierakowski, Deb Kozlowski, John Wisniewski, Allen Zink, Brandon Hurn, Barbara Hurn, Brenda Graf, Terri Smith, Jim Ports, Margie Burgess, Glenn Kraus, Helen Kostakis, Kathy Phillips, Mike German, Marcie German, Jeanne Schoennagel, Earle Thomas, Carole Erpenstein, Meagan, Erpenstein, Lisa Garriques, Diane Gaither, Pat, Kramer, Glenda Gilbert, Ayodeji Olorunsola  (Original sheet attached.)

?        Welcome from Deb Kozlowski to 5^th grade parents.  Introduction of officers.

?        Review of meeting minute from December 2005, January 2006 and February, 2006.  Correction to add date and location to December's minutes.  All minutes approved and filed.

?        Treasurer's Report - John Wisniewski

o       Revenues short for year.  Spring fundraiser to bring us back in line. 

o       Teacher requests down on expense side. 

?        President's Report - Deb Kozlowski

o       Letter from Gardina requesting BCPS perform audit on non residents attending BCPS. 

o       Mail folder being circulated.  Many thank you's for the science center assembly.

o       Open committee list circulating.  Highlighted committees open due to 8^th grade parents leaving.  Encouraged incoming 6^th grade parents to become involved.

o       Final General Membership meeting to be held May 25^th at 6^th grade concerts.  New officers will be sworn in.

o       On March 23^rd the 8^th grade Leopard Band will perform "Moscow, 1941", the commissioned work paid for by the PTSA to honor Mr. Bonder, PHES music teacher.

o       PHMS hosting PTA Council of Baltimore County awards program on May 18.  Teri Bibeault is coordinating.  Looking for 4-6 volunteers for evening.  Will work with Terri Sierakowski and Sue Crispens for baked good donations.

o       Volunteer Binders circulating.  Please record hours.

o       Discussion of work done by committees requiring in school presence and those done mostly at home/evenings.

?        First Vice President Report - Terri Smith

o       Distribution of PTSA materials.  Suggested that Mr. Zink instruct teachers to actually distribute rather than let children take.  Deb K has already addressed this.

?        Guest Speaker - Terry Krummel, PHHS Band Booster President

o       Encourage parents to become involved in PHHS organizations such as Band Booster and PTSA.  Stressed importance to students and advantage of knowing what's going on with school

?        Committee Reports

o       Fundraising - Bonnie Schaeffer absent.  Report given by Deb K.

?         Spring Fundraiser to bring in approx $8,880-$9,000 in profit from sales of approx $22,000.

?         Pick up on April 5^th.  Looking for parents to help, especially from 3-4 pm

?         Looking for someone to train next year, since her youngest is in 8^th grade parent

o       Hospitality - Terri Sierakowski

?         For benefit of 5^th grade parents, highlighted committee's objective and needs.

o       Volunteer Committee - Terri Sierakowski

?         Stressed importance of recording hours

?         As of 3/6/06, there were 1,170 volunteer hours recorded, although suspected many more hours went unrecorded.

?         Volunteer Lunch is May 23

?          

o       PHMS Liaison - Jeanne Biemer

?         Reminder:  Internet Safety Seminar - March 30, 2006.  PHHS will use their automated call system to reach every parent at the high school.  Other PTAs offering similar programs are Franklin H.S. on May 8 from 7-9pm and Cockeysville M.S. on April 4 at 7 pm

?         Vacancies on PHS PTSA Executive Board:  Recording Secretary, Second Vice President and various committees

?         Art Auction to Benefit PHHS Art Dept on March 17.  Tickets are $25 and you are guaranteed an original, signed piece by either a student or teacher.

?         PHHS PTSA is selling discounted Hersheypark tickets.  Flyers distributed.

o       Legislative - Jim Ports

?         Very little education legislative activity in Annapolis this year.  HB141 about makeup of Board of Education requires 2 public school parents. 

?         Completed nomination form for PTA Council recognition of best legislative program.

o       Print Shop - Pat Kramer

?         Discussed purpose of print shop:  assisting teachers and administrators with copying need to free up their time for education prep

?         Looking for replacement as she is moving on to HS next year.

?        Principal's Report - Al Zink

o       On 2/21, PHMS recognized at MSA Awards Breakfast.  PHMS was one of 72 schools in Balt Co as having excellent scores in 2005.  Received 2 citations.  Also recognized by Nancy Grasmick as one of 18 schools showing achievement increases in all subgroups of tested students.

o       MSA testing underway.  6^th grade halfway finished, 7^th grade underway, 8^th grade begins tomorrow.  All testing will be finished by end of next week.

o       Connect Ed phone system used this week to alert parent of MSA testing.  Reached over 1100 families in just over ? hour.  Will use it more in future.  Offered its use to the PTSA to highlight events, etc.  System was paid for by county, not aware of additional cost per use.

o       Course offerings will change next year.

?         Statistics show that about 85% of students in the basic or just into proficient range on 8^th grade reading MSA are not successful on the English HSA taken in 10^th grade.  Alternatively, over 90% of the kids in the mid to hi proficient and advanced range pass the HSAs.

?         About 100 of the approx 500 students in each MS grade will be given additional instruction in reading and math to better prepare them for the HSA which the student must pass to receive a HS diploma.

?         Other courses will be cut; there will be a meeting to discuss which ones.  Recognizes the continuing need for PE class as regards fitness levels, so cuts will probably come in art/music/family studies.

?         Teachers keep binders on all kids scoring basic, which includes all tests in reading and math to monitor performance.

?         In response to question:  Special Ed students take same tests in MS.

?         In response to question:  Additional instruction is a full year commitment, not fluid like current Math Challenge program for Alg I

?         In response to question:  MSA test scores are used as benchmark testing does not have adequate history

?        No Faculty Report  - on medical leave

?        No School Resource Officer Report

o       Mr. Zink explained purpose of SRO for benefit of 5^th grade parents who have no experience with police officers assigned to schools.  Officer Gebhardt teachers the D.A.R.E. program, does counseling and will intervene in more serious issues requiring police presence. 

o       Incidences are few and all middle schools have SROs.  PHMS was one of the last MS to get one full time.

?        Student Report - Brandon Hurn

o       7^th grade doing MSA review and testing, reading The Taming of the Shrew, working on I-Search, wrapping up the study of WWI and WWII.

?        Special Requests - Moratorium until spring fundraiser revenue available.

?        Next meeting on April 4^th, one week early because of spring break.

?        Meeting adjourned 8:05 with Deb K.'s thanks to everyone.

Meeting Minutes submitted by Jeanne Biemer in Kathy Sexton's absence