In attendance: Mr. Gainous, Ms. Linda Wanner, Fran Rothstein, Betsy Scroggs, Kathi Yu, Sonni Mallinoff, Susan Silverstein, Dave Ottalini, Evelyn Joy, Sara Rosen, Deborah Stoll, Ron McClain, Anne LoPiano, Jay Goldman, Isiah Dupree, Kate Kelley, Shewit Woldu (SGA Vice President), Ann Collins
Meeting called to order 7:36
Update on Staff given by PTSA President Fran Rothstein
1. The staff has formed a Communication Task Force on Outreach and Communication.
1. Their goals are:
1. 100% PTSA membership
2. Eligibility pilot
3. Establish a relationship with people and businesses in the community.2. Dennis Heidler is the Chairperson
3. This force appears to be in the organizing stages
2. Pursue funding of electronic marquee for messages in 3 languages and possibly 2 so that both sides of the street can see the messages.
3. Other major issues--staff wide discussions on the new grading policies, other policies, etc.
4. Discipline Committee--striving for consistent and even enforcement of the rules.
1. Prioritize rules
2. More visibility of security--widen their boundaries to some of the businesses across the street such as Starbucks
3. Pam Bryan is the Chairperson
5. There is a third committee, Instructionally Related Activities Committee headed by Sundra Mann.
General Discussion of Communication
A short discussion ensued about communication through BEN and some of the frustrations around doing this. There seems to be a problem in getting information from the departments to Peter Hammond. It is confusing to figure out what people are in charge--the students who are supposed to be helping, Peter Hammond? How can this be improved? Mr. Gainous will look into this and see if there can be improvements.
1. Another way to communicate with parents may be through the Plan Book, Spanish radio, bus ads, religious leaders?
2. PTSA is striving for 2 liaisons fro each grade. Right now we have Lena Zezulin for one of the 12th grade liaisons.
3. What about school wide recognition such as honor roll breakfasts, improvement assemblies, etc.?
Principal’s Report
1. Communication Task Force--Mr. Gainous expanded on the school’s desire to come up with a doable and affective plan
2. Enrollment--as of 6/7/04 the count for the fall is 3392
3. New SGA administration--Mr. Gainous is most enthusiastic about the new SGA board and feels that the students have already affected positive attitudes in the student population
4. Mr. Gainous shared how much he and the staff appreciates the PTSA successes of the past year: The PTSA’s advocacy of the administration and staff, After Prom, Silent Auction, the meals, the appreciation efforts, the grants, etc.
Successes this year
1. E-mail, and snail mail efforts this year have made the school board take note of Blair. We urge everyone, even now, to e-mail the board in regard to special ed staffing, overcrowding and eligibility. The Assistant Superintendent is listening.
2. Team building was a goal and there is wider participation on the part of the PTSA and the staff.
3. Sonni Mallinoff, treasurer reported that we had an income of $41,800. Membership brought in $14, 277 before paying dues to the state and national levels. Credit card usage has been a success and we hope to use it for membership and perhaps some other areas.
4. David Ottalini The listserv now has over 500 people signed up! Hopefully this will grow in the fall with the membership drive.
5. Kathi Yu, Vice President of Academic Affairs--appreciated the support of the co-presidents and is continuing to learn the ropes. Would like to get a list of all academic support programs in the school and how they are utilized.
6. Anne Kelleher--Newsletter--This was her first year and it was a very time consuming job. Would like to consider alternatives and creative ways to distribute, perhaps through Silver Chips, perhaps fewer editions. Carol Lindemann is willing to do the layout. Could we get students involved?
7. Kate Kelley, single handedly has put together a 9th grade handbook. Distribution is now the goal.
8. Deb Stoll, Cluster Rep--because of the Down County Consortium, the concept of Cluster Reps is being restructured. The DCC cluster rep group is attentive to our issues of overcrowding, our resources outstripped, etc. but how this will play out politically is yet to be seen.
9. Deb Stoll and Evelyn Joy, Counseling Advisory Committee, meets on a monthly basis. Karen Hunt, counselor, prepared some great programs but they were very sparsely attended. What can we do about it--mailings to parents, pairing them with other events? Students should be on the committee and the hope is to generate e-mails on BEN to inform students and their parents who have BEN accounts.
10. Sara Rosen, Silent Auction--goals are to streamline the process and make more money!
11. Ann Collins involved with teacher appreciation. Going well. Richelle Meer will be involved as well next year.
BUDGET DEVELOPMENT
A budget will be developed over the summer. If anyone wants funding, the proposals with A budget should be submitted to Sonni Mallinoff BEFORE the next meeting.
BREAKOUT GROUPS
The two breakout groups were headed by Kathi Yu and Ron McClain. Kathi Yu, as Academic Vice President lead the Academic discussion and Ron McClain, committee chair on Communication, lead the other group on Communication.
Ron McClain, as chair of the Communications Committee is looking for liasons with each grade. If you are interested, you can reach him through the listserv.
NEXT MEETING
July 20th from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Location in the school to be announced.
REQUESTS FOR MONEY FOR NEXT YEAR SHOULD BE SENT TO SONNI MALLINOFF mgiovanniellosem@comcast.net or call her at 301-589-4948 BEFORE THE JULY 20TH MEETING. BE SURE TO SUBMIT A BUDGET WITH YOUR REQUEST
Meeting ended at about 9:20 p.m.