HSES
PTA Executive Board meeting
March
14, 2007
HSES
Media Center
The
HSES PTA Executive Board meeting convened at 7:05 pm on March 14, 2007 in the
HSES Media Center.
An
agenda was distributed at the meeting. Kelli Dicks opened the meeting by
welcoming the members. Publication of last monthŐs meeting minutes will be
published on the website.
The meeting began with a
discussion regarding the sign for front of school. To be included are the HSES
mascot (steam engine train), the name and date the school was established. Paul
Jacques of Atlantic Signworks spoke to us about options. He could router out of
wood and paint or out of metal. Metal costs 40% more but looks good for longer,
with the cost coming in around $3000. Kelli let us know that we only have $1000
in the budget for the sign. Several options were considered regarding the type
of material. Paul Jacques
recommended layering the image in 3D onto the board which costs $18-20 sq ft and
will last 8 – 10 years. An example is at Mt Hebron whose sign is 87
inches. We have very compressed logo compared to Mt Hebron. Installation is not
part of the cost which will run an additional $500. Mr Heisey added that the
school system would require its own employees to put up the sign so probably
not an issue. We need to decide on colors for the sign and the font. We will
get mock-up before we have to decide. Karen Jury volunteered to use her software to provide
a picture for us.
Principal's
Report (Glenn Heisey):
We are up to June 20th
for the last day of school which will be a half day. Teacher retreats and summer school is scheduled soon after,
so thereŐs a hope that we do not have anymore cancellations.
Kindergarten Registration
– There are now approximately 60+ students registered for kindergarten.
Last year we had 40 at this time. Typically approximately 25-40 students are registered
over the summer. Currently we are
staffed for 100 K students.
13 positions were declared to be
surplus:
We will keep 1.5 Media, all
special Ed, all ESOL teachers.
Basket Bingo is sold out for Friday
night. Doors will open at 6:00 pm.
The money raised will be used to purchase new risers for chorus.
Staff Report (Lisa Hairston-Jones):
The School of Excellence
re-certification process is nearing an end. They are currently writing the
summary, which is due mid April. MSA testing has started. The Science Fair for
the primary grades will be held on Thursday, 3/18 and for grades 3-5 on Wednesday,
3/28.
Treasurer's
Report (Kelli Dicks for John Anania):
There was no TreasurerŐs report.
We are on target. There are a few
outstanding check requests from the teachers. The recess game money has been
expended. After school classes are a bit behind this year but the purpose of
the program was not to make money so there is no real difference on budget
bottom line.
PTA Council (Will
Straube):
June is the backpack drive. We can collect monetary donations or
collect supplies and backpacks. The Get Active Howard County program will be
kicked off at Supreme Sports.
With regard to recent Howard County
staff sexual impropriety issues, an explanation of screening process that
occurs prior to hiring Howard County staff was provided.
There was some discussion of Mt
Hebron renovation. There is likely
not a lot of support for our preferences from the PTA Council.
Yearbook (Karen Jury):
There is one more page until
printing. We will be switching Companies for next yearŐs classroom pictures and
yearbook to Classic Photography.
Next year we project we go from
9% to 16% FARM. A question was raised on whether we should reduce the price of the
yearbook or keep the same and put some money away from a fundraiser. Glenn
could possibly identify children who couldn't afford and we could buy a
surplus. We are sold out but Lifetouch usually sends 20 extra books that we
don't pay for unless we sell them. Linda mentioned the trouble in past years
with PTA assuming the cost of providing all FARM students with free yearbooks.
Policy was changed to one for Nurse, Front office, PTA Historian, Media Center,
and Guidance office.
Ways and Means (Jeannie
DeCray):
The Pizza sale was over goal at $3,380.50.
The pizza vendor called to let us know we were two pizza kits short of earning a
additional $.50 per kit. The Ververs agreed to purchase two kits which resulted
in additional $150 profit for HSES!
Health and Safety (Marnice
Sigur):
A full presentation of internet
safety will take place after the regular PTA meeting on 4/17.
March 28 will be the last day of
the Hollifield Hikers walking program.
Even though the students couldn't walk every week, we picked this time
of year specifically because kids are less active now. Marnice is considering organizing a community
walk at the end of the walking program.
Teacher appreciation (Alisa
Kindall):
We need something for the teacherŐs
every day. Help was requested for
determining the gifts. The CarrabbaŐs catered dinner cost $1300. The committee
collected about $1000 in donations.
Teachers loved it.
Citizens Advisory
Committee (Lili Dendy-Melendez):
There was a delay in action on
the additional two ½ days of school for next year.
Regarding the Howard County
Bridge to Excellence plan, overall there was a strong performance in math. Some subgroups still need improvement (FARM,
Special Education, ESOL, Hispanic and African American). Information is
available on-line.
Regarding the
Health and Wellness policy, they are looking for parental feedback on its implementation.
Per Mrs. Hairston-Jones, teachers
are supposed to follow a procedure which includes them giving a list of party
food items to the Cluster Nurse who will determine the if the selections will
be acceptable. It is hard to be
consistent between all grades.
Patapsco Liason (Linda
Dombrowski):
The mulch sale coming up.
There is a change of schedule with
no more block classes and a return to regular shorter instruction time on
subjects each day.
On the Mt Hebron Renovation,
they are asking the Board of Education to delay decision until a true
assessment of plans can be made. Other older high schools are beginning to show
support of us. A Board of Ed meeting
will be held on 3/22, and the Mt. Hebron committee is looking for parent
support to attend the meeting.
PresidentŐs report (Kelli
Dicks):
Kelli met with Frank Aquino, a new
Board of Education member. Five of the seven School Board members are new this
year but all get along well. Kelli recapped the coffee PTA recruitment event
that took place prior to PTA meeting that was planned to help encourage new parental
involvement in PTA. A morning coffee
session for PTA involvement/recruitment is scheduled for 3/26.
The civility policy is listed on
web site.
A vote was made on the Nominating
Committee for next year. Jeannie DeCray, Lili Dendy-Melendez, and Cass Anania
were nominated. Linda Dombrowski made a motion to approve the nominees. Mr.
Heisey seconded the motion and the committee was approved.
There was discussion of a possible
PTA donation to St John's Lane. Per Mr Heisey, traditionally sending schools
PTA donates Ňseed moneyÓ to the new school. In the past $1000 has been sent in the past.
We need to check with St Johns
about how their gift to Veterans will affect their budget. Kelli will get more
information.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00
pm.