Montgomery Blair High School PTSA
Minutes of PTSA Meeting --- November 15, 2005
Minutes of November 15, 2005 PTSADeborah Stoll brought the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Those in attendance: Bonnie Malkin, Beth Martin, Annete Joynes, Fran
Rothstein, Deborah Stoll, Elissa Lichtenstein, Karen Powers, Chris Simpson,
Cindy Allen, Ray Scannell, Rachel Vanaiskall, Dave Ottalini, Barbara Tobias,
Manuela D Silva, Carolyn Lichtenstein, Linda Simon, Sonya Malinoff, Sara
Rosen, George Slenkovich, Madeleine Fletcher, Marie Dipple, Linda Wanner,
Ron McClain, Peggy Ottalini, Berta Castro
The minutes were approved with David Ottalini moving that they be accepted
as found on the listserv. Beth Martin seconded.
Treasurer's report -- Sonni Malinoff
1. Deposits--$9940. This includes citrus and membership. Membership
is approaching its goals.
2. Expenses-- $6418--Water Fountain, dues to national and county PTSA,
promotions for membership.
3. The balance in the checking account is $44,000
4. Nancy Newton, has volunteered to be an assistant to the treasurer.
Principal's Report -- Mr. Gainous
1. Blair has completed all the requirements for HSAs and AYP.
Congratulations to the staff and students. Students were treated to a drink
from the cafeteria to celebrate.
2. There have been more weekend incidents of house parties without parental
supervision resulting in police involvement. This seems to be happening
every week. There has been a stabbing, drunkenness, and arrests. PLEASE BE
SURE THAT YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR CHILD IS GOING AND THAT THERE IS ADULT
SUPERVISION ONCE HE OR SHE GETS THERE!. Although the kids hate this, it is
essential for their safety. This is happening to the better students as
well as students already at risk.
3. As a result of one of the articles in Silver Chips in which
marijuana usage is discussed amongst seniors, Mr. Gainous will ask Silver
Chips to do a survey about how prevalent it is at Blair.
4. Mr. Gainous asked that there be a PTSA program in the future about
how parents can help kids cope and how parents can fight back against this
tide of alcohol and drug abuse.
Blair Sports Academy -- Fran Rothstein
1. The County gave the Recreation Department $168,000 to run a year round
program (*We now know that it was actually for a 22 week program starting
right after winter break.)
2. This is a gang alternative program and anyone can attend. If the
student has a point average below 2.0 they will be required to attend
academic support.
3. 1 1/2 staff people are part of the budget to administer the program.
Translation Equipment -- David Ottalini
1. It's arrived. Thank you, David!
Individual Action--David will post the availability to the school and where
it will be secured on the listserv
Mini-grants -- Cindy Allen
1. The committee met and made decisions about where the $7,000 would go.
Requests totaled $8600.
2. Anyone wanting to know the details, can contact Cindy Allen.
Membership -- Carolyn Lichtenstein
1. Membership is at 441.
2. The English department had 30 teachers join. The committee will try to
find ways to encourage other departments to join.
3. Watch for membership reps at various school events.
Citrus Sale -- Chris Simpson
1. $12,000 worth of fruit was ordered. $6,000 will be paid out to purchase
the fruit.
2. There was $500 in outright donations and staff person gave $100. There
was an increase in purchases for Shepherd's Table.
Fundraising -- Marie Dipple
1. Marie is coordinating fundraising. This is a new position and she is
exploring the breadth and depth of the job. She hopes to coordinate all
groups within the school that are doing fundraising.
Volunteers -- Beth Martin
1. Postings on the listserv for volunteer opportunities.
Special Education -- Maureen Feely
1. Maureen has attended meetings and can arrange for advocates for parents
and students with special needs
2. There was a misquote in a Silver Chips article. Special Education
faculty do attend Special Education meetings.
David Ottalini moved that the mini-grants as reported by Cindy Allen be
accepted. Sonni Malinoff seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
To sum up, $7,000 in minigrants were made to faculty, students and a few
community people. For details, contact Cindy Allen.
Jennifer Craft did a presentation of the new Grading and Reporting Policy.
The visuals she based her presentation on are on the MCPS website. Go to
the home page at www.mcps.k12.md.us and click on most requested under short
cuts. Then click on grading and reporting under F-P. It will explain what
Ms. Craft explained. She feels that the new policy asks teachers to do what
they have been doing all along with more structure. Because it is new
teachers, students and parents feel overwhelmed.
Continuation of the meeting
Blazer -- Barbara Tobias
1. The deadline for the Blazer is today.
Announcements:
1. Madeleine Fletcher invited people to sign a petition on Military
Recruitment in the schools. If you have feelings about the school providing
home contact information to the military recruiters and the aggressive
marketing techniques they use and that they are targeting students by race,
ethnicity and socioeconomic status criteria please e-mail the following
information to Madeleine at madeleinefletcher@yahoo.com :
Your name, your MCPS school, your affiliation (e.g. student, parent,
employee, alumnus, community member, county resident, etc.), your e-mail
address, your telephone number and any comments you might have.
2. Silver International is collecting money for a school in Pakistan.
Please send your check made out to Silver International with Pakistan in the
memo line and send it to the school.
3. All school committees are open to parents. The staff is anxious to have
parents on all of their committees.
4. The December meeting will be a social with appetizers from El Golfo.
1. The January meeting will be Guidelines for Coping skills for
students and their parents.
2. February at this point will be a straight business meeting.
5. Blair PTSA has applied for a grand from the Carl Freeman Foundation to
help pay for the translation equipment.
6. On December 1, 2005, First Class will be replaced with an Outlook
Express program for sending e-mails to staff members.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.