HSES PTA Executive Board meeting

August 29, 2006

HSES Media Center

 

HSES PTA Executive Board meeting convened at 7:10 on August 29, 2006 in an HSES classroom after first convening in the Media Center. 21 PTA members were in attendance.

 

The agenda began with the PTA mission, welcome and introductions.

 

Principal's Report (Glenn Heisey):

 

Mr. Heisey introduced the two assistant principals, Gwendolyn Jones and Paul Owens. This is a new position for Paul Owens. Currently there are 782 students enrolled including kindergarten and preschool. This was a drop of 20 students from last year. The only difference is in the kindergarten, which came in 25 lower than last year. Therefore there is one less kindergarten teacher this year.

 

Two staff updates: Ms. Julie Brusio (kindergarten) has serious family health issues requiring her to be absent. A substitute has committed to being there to substitute teach in her absence. Other teachers will be taking over for assessments. Mr. Joel Trumper sustained a serious leg injury and will be out. Substitute teacher has been lined up.

 

The first few days of school went relatively smoothly. Two students got on the wrong buses on first day and one student on the second day took the wrong bus. The procedure is to return these students to the school.

 

There is a total of 104 staff members which includes IAs, secretaries, and 16 student interns which will rotate in from Towson University. There are 61 certificated staff members.

 

The ratios for the class are as follows: 5-kindergarten (22:1), 6-first grade (19:1), 6-second grade (25:1), 5-third grade (25:1), 6-fourth grade (25:1), 6-fifth grade (25:1)

 

In the fourth grade the Gifted and Talented (G/T) program begins. A G/T teacher has moved to teach third grade math. It is NOT an accelerated math program but it is the highest math group. Most of these students will transition to the G/T program next year. This assignment will not be continued next year.

 

During kindergarten recess three IAs will split the class between kindergarten play area (front of school) and the blacktop.

 

Staff Report (Lisa Hairston-Jones)

Suzi Mason and Lisa Hairston-Jones are working on internship in administration and supervision. As part of the internship program, Ms. Hairston-Jones worked this summer on a Bullying program. A new HSES pledge has been established: ŌBe Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready. IÕm one of HollifieldÕs best.Ķ Ms. Hairston-Jones created a handout on bullying and behavioral expectation forms that contain the procedures for handling bullying incidences. The goal is to educate children to be the best that they can be. Bullying policy will be presented to PTA presentation during the general meeting on 9/5 and also as a slide show on back to school night.

 

There will be a bus driverÕs breakfast and talk to them about Bullying policy, 9/13, 9-10 am.

 

Treasurer's Report (John Anania):

The treasurer position has transitioned from Patricia Wicks to John Anania. There has been an independent audit and the transition is complete. The draft budget will be presented at next meeting. John was waiting for final enrollment numbers. Procedures for check requests will remain the same. There is a new reimbursement form, which will be emailed out to the committee chairs.

 

Committee Reports

 

Health and Safety (Marnice Sigur):  The focus will be on internet safety this year. We will again promote the TV free week. This committee will offer healthy snacks during PTA events.

 

Historian (Kelli Dicks):  Kelli Dicks will again serve as the historian.

 

Hospitality (Alisa Kindall): Looking for suggestions for ideas for the dinner that is hosted every year. Suggestions included: hors d'oeuvres night and ethnic night.

 

Membership (Kari Schumm): Flyers went home to the parents in first day folder. Early signups were available at the table outside the cafeteria during student orientation, open house, kindergarten orientation, which lead to 94 members signing up. Many other members have signed up through the student sign-in. $2.25 of the $6.00 is kept for the local school. Encourage both parents to enroll.

 

School Spirit (Lydia Smith): Back to school will be Friday, 9/8 from 6:30-8:00 pm on the blacktop. Popsicles and lemonade will be available as well as Kangaroo Kids for entertainment. Future plans include Bingo in November and the Ice Cream Social.

 

Volunteer Coordinator (Carey Kendrick): There will be a single form on volunteers for specific events.

 

Ways & Means (Jeannie DeCray): Spirit wear is in front case. Orders are due by 9/13. Vicki Imre is leading the spirit wear fundraiser. QSP/ReaderÕs Digest gift catalog will be offered as the fundraiser. Items include: flowers, gift-wrap, jelly belly candies, chocolates, Mrs. Fields, etc. There is a prize campaign for students who sell 10 items by October. Online ordering is available. The campaign starts on Sept 26. An overview to kids will be given on Sept 25th. Hollifield gets 50% of profits. Pizza will be done next year.

 

Yearbook (Karen Jury):  The yearbook committee is looking for volunteers.

 

President's Report (Kelli Dicks):

 

A general meeting will be held on Sept 5 before the bullying presentation that is being sponsored by the PTA.

 

Executive board meetings are usually held the second Tuesday but there are a couple of conflicts. Dates will be 10/10, 11/14, 12/12 (Party – no business), 1/9, 2/13, 3/13, 4/17 (moved due to spring break), and 5/8. JuneÕs date is TBD, which will be the end of year party.

 

This year is HSESÕs 10th anniversary. A celebration is being planned. Ideas include giving the school a mascot (Steam Engine) sign. PTA received guidance that the money should be used for something tangible. 

 

Kelli provided guidance to the PTA committee chairs regarding communicating to the press. As the PTA president, Kelli is the spokesperson for PTA.  Please refer any contacts from the press to her. This establishes a single point of contact. 

 

Enrollment is down slightly. The budget committee waited until end of first week to complete the budget. Any extra budget will be used at HSES. Forward forecasting is being used to cover any possible shortfalls during the three years following the redistricting due to drop in enrollment to ensure a continuation of all programs.

 

The line item budget will be presented at OctoberÕs executive board meeting. The budget will be presented at a general meeting and vote will occur. Bills can be paid prior to the approval of the final budget. 

 

Kelli and Glenn Heisey are part of the naming committee for the new school. Submit any suggestions to either of them. Howard County schools cannot be named for people.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.