HSES PTA Board of Directors meeting

January 8, 2008

HSES Media Center

 

The HSES PTA Board of Directors meeting convened at 7:06 pm on January 8, 2008 in the HSES Media Center. Eight PTA members were in attendance and two administrators.

 

Jeannie began by passing around an agenda.

 

Principal's Report (Glenn Heisey): Two teachers (Urban and Hatcher) will be out on maternity leave in February/March timeframe. Substitution teachers have identified.  

 

The custodial crew has changed. A new night manager is being hired.

 

Next coffee with the Principal is schedule for the last Wednesday of the month, January 30th. Topic will be determined. It may need to be rescheduled since Mr. Heisey may be out.

 

Treasurer's Report (Laura Smith):

Budget has been updated. The 2007 taxes have been completed.

 

Staff Report (Kathy Beavan): None to report.

 

 

Committee Reports

 

After School Programs (Helen Morse): 

Most After School programs started this week. 15 classes were offered and 10 classes are being held.

 

The Smashing ANTS program is tomorrow evening. The program is geared toward helping children develop strategies to overcome negative thoughts and self-esteem issues.

 

Hospitality (Coral French):

The dinner for the teachers during parent-teacher conferences will be held on February 6th. Coral is looking for food donations and people to donate their time. They are serving meat and veggie lasagna, bread, and salad.

 

Membership (Monica Machovec): 

No report.

 

School Spirit (Christine Daugherty):

Permit requests have been submitted for the ice cream social on 2/22. The date for the spring dance is TBD.  The year end picnic is scheduled for Friday, June 6.

 

International Family Outreach (Peter Chang): The International Family Outreach program had two meetings this year. They developed a survey to ask the parents of non-English speaking parents about their interests. Topics included: International Day Celebration at the school, English Conversation Practice, Teacher Trainings, American Culture Night, and International Speakers.

 

They are focusing on English conversation practice where English speaking parents help the non-English speaking parents through casual conversations. It requires only 30- to 60-minute time donations.

 

Ways & Means (Jeannie DeCray for Lisa Greco):  Pizza sales will be held in February.

 

Community Advisory Council (CAC) (Lili-Melendez):

 

There is a concern from the community that there are too many half day school days. It is difficult for teachers and parents. They are considering combining two half-days into one full day.

 

There is a state-wide requirement that for the class of 2009 all students need to pass the HSAs. HSAs are given in 10th grade and the students need to pass before graduation. There was much discussion over High School Assessments (HSAs) and how to implement them. They are considering differentiated diplomas for those who do not pass.

 

Directory (Tien Doan): The distribution of the directory will be on Monday folders.

 

PTA Council (Linda Dombrowski and Vicki Imre): The Council President went before the Board of Education in November regarding on policy and policy violations regarding how the Mr. Hebron renovations were being handled. She asked for a response from the board. In December, Ms. Mikulus responded to each one the Council presidentÕs questions from the earlier meeting with a rather negative attitude directed toward the Council president. SuperintendentÕs budget was presented. It included deferred maintenance costs, expanding ESOL positions, and raising teacher salaries. The budget is $656 million. They are accepting Joan Dykstra Advocacy Award nominations for PTAs that have made a big difference. Winners get $300 for PTA programs. The Council suggested that PTAÕs contribute about $3 per school staff member for the scholarship fund.

 

The PTA council is running a book drive. Hollifield Station is collecting books for ESOL students for age appropriate books.   

 

There is a candidates forum broadcast at 7pm tonight, 1/8. It will be rebroadcast.

 

 

Help Mt. Hebron Committee (Linda Dombrowski)

The 2b annex is now no longer in consideration due to the requirement of additional fire walls that significantly increased costs. A new plan was presented by the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS). There are still series flaws including a large disruption due to construction of a new three-story annex near the existing building. The plan still falls short of the existing guidelines on square footage requirements. A large number of rooms would be renovated. There was no mention of the cost of the new plan.

 

The Committee will host a BoE Candidates Forum sometime in October.

 

 

President's Report (Jeannie DeCray):

 

The fundraising shortfall was $2560. So there was a need to freeze some of the budget items. Funding for several areas was affected including money for prizes, historian supplies, office supplies, PTA publication costs, translation expenses since there is additional help from Peter Chang for translation, new programs, new teacher library, etc. The cuts saved a total $2750. A pizza sale will be kicked off on Monday, January 28th with orders due by February 11. Delivery will be 2/27 for pick-up between 3:30-6:30.

 

Newsletter: Summaries are due to Terry Thompson from each of the PTA committees. It was due today, January 8th.

 

Harbin Farms sold 38 trees to Hollifield parents that earned the school $192.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.