Montgomery Blair's PTSA - Meeting Minutes --- April 18, 2006

The meeting came to order at 7:35 p.m.

David Ottalini moved that the minutes of the last meeting be accepted as sighted on the listserv. Linda Simon seconded it and it was passed unanimously.

Treasurer's Report Sonni Mallinoff
1. Since the last report there have been two deposits: $595.00 for the El Golfo fundraiser $410 for membership.
2. Disbursements have totaled $1793.32 for printing, credit card fees,
staff appreciation, MCCPTA insurance, and postage.
3. The accounts are looking forward to the Silent Auction giving the funds a boost.
4. There is $17,000 is savings.
5. The new items on the budget this year are physical infrastructure,
community outreach, and community activities. These new items need to be reviewed and reconsidered for next year.

Web Site and Defibulator Barry Johnson
1. There is plenty of room on the PTSA website to put committee
information.
2. Using the website for membership sign up is a little tricky. There are ways to do it through various programs, some of which cost money. A few don't charge but they are limited in flexibility.
ACTION: Barry will explore the various options with the membership
committee concerning the ability to charge membership fees over the website.
3. Barry is an EMT with the Fire Department and understands what is involved in having a defibulator in the school. The Automated External Defibulator (AED) shocks the heart when a sudden arrest takes place. It is easy to use. It must be available to everyone and has to be accessible within 5 minutes. There would have to be more than 1 at Blair. The law left it up to the school systems as to how they would implement the law. The school systems will need to supply training and provide the equipment. An AED is about $3500 each.

ACTION: Barry will contact MCPS to discuss their intentions as well as Delegate Bronrott and State Senator Sharon Grosfeld. Linda Wanner will contact Brian Porter at MCPS.

Principals Report Linda Wanner

1. An Esol student, Helen Alemu, died at home after falling in the bathroom. She suffered from a seizure. Grief counselors were made available.

2. The school is gearing up for High School Assessment tests. There will be a 3 hour delay for those who don't have to take them. May 18 & 19 are senior exam review days. May 22nd senior exams begin along with the HSAs. The school buses will run on their regular schedule so the students have to find their own way to school. The PTSA requested that this information go home sooner rather than later.

3. The Senior parent meeting is April 20.

4. The 11th grade meeting is April 27th. All are welcome and students are encouraged to come.

5. The PTSA asked about Ride On bus availability for late arrival days during HSA testing.

ACTION: Fran Rothstein will write a letter to the Ride On people to find out if they are willing to help with this.

Nominating Committee

1. Nothing new to report. Now is the time to volunteer if you don't have a job in the PTSA. If you have a special interest, please contact Ron McClain or Fran Rothstein.

2. Deborah Stoll is willing to continue as a co-president. The job is doable with 2 people so someone will need to come forward to be a co-president.

3. Elections will take place at the May meeting.

BSA and Extracurricular Activities

1. The PTSA has established an Extracurricular Activities committee. If interested, please contact Ron McClain at rmcclain@parkmont.org

Pedestrian Safety--Sam and Sally Stokes, not in attendance

1. Silver Chips did a front page article

2. There are some fears about traffic backing up, but the Stokes feel that with security helping to direct the cars that things will be better. It is certainly worth a try.

3. Sally met with Mr. Green, the new Pedestrian Safety Coordinator in the county. She will report about this meeting in May.

Silent Auction

1. Catalog closes but can still donate.

2. Personal services are very popular.

Mentoring Program--Bonnie Malkin

1. The YMCA has agreed to recruit volunteers to be mentors. They have other mentoring programs and are really experienced with this. The Y will partner with the PTSA and will help with the program for free.

2. There is still some things to be worked out such as how mentees will be identified.

3. The expectations of a mentor is to commit to at least a one year relationship and 1 hour a week.

4. Research has shown that a mentoring relationship offers a likelihood of success in school and in staying out of trouble.

5. The program will start as soon as mentors are identified and trained. Hopefully it can start this fall.

6. There is a possibility of coordinating with the Blair Sports Academy. Perhaps some funds from the Sports Academy can be used.

Media Policy Linda Simon

1. The new policy involves the banning of the use of all PG-13 films in middle school and all R movies in high school.

2. Richard Montgomery, Blake, Northwood, and Churchill have requested the Board rescind the regulation policy.

3. The MCCPTA Curriculum Committee has put forth an alternative policy. Their change in the policy would involve teacher judgment.

4. Another recommendation included getting parental permission every time a teacher wanted to show a film not on the accepted list.

5. Barbara Tobias moved that the Blair PTSA support the idea of allowing teachers to use their judgment. It was seconded by Sonni Malinoff. It was passed unanimously.

Upcoming Events

1. April 22 NAACP Parent Council Event at Northwest High School

2. April 29th The Child Youth and Family Forum on Gangs at Blair from 1-4:00p.m.

3. June 20 Career Technology Education Conference. Parents are welcome.

4. College Parents of America are trying to reinstate the deduction for college tuition that has expired. The deduction was for up to $4,000 for a single parent making $65,000 or a couple making $130,000. George Slenkovich moved that we send a letter supporting the reinstatement and Barry Johnson seconded it. It passed unanimously.

A cafeteria worker who sustained multiple family deaths needs to get home. Donations from the school have already started to come into the office. The SGA has given money. David Ottalini moved that the PTSA give $200. Ron Taylor seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. It was suggested that there be a donation line on our budget for next year for things such as this.

Unfinished Business for Next Year

1. Fundraising

2. Budget item for giving when tragedy strikes.

3. Graduation site. The graduation is at the Equestrian Center this year and there is some interest in having it in a different place.

Artificial Turf Barbara Tobias

1. Blair is on a list to have its fields replace by artificial turf. The recent meeting involve making a decision as to who will be first to get them. Park and Planning will be voting in May about this. Park and Planning right now is responsible for the maintenance of the fields but they are not doing an adequate job. Artificial turf will help with water drainage and bring a lot of interest.

2. Please write to Park and Planning in support of Blair being first in getting this artificial turf.

3. Barbara Tobias moved that the PTSA write a letter in support of Blair getting the artificial turf. Linda Simon seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Date for the June meeting. June 20th is too late; school is already out. June 7th is the tentative date for the last meeting of this school year.

Cluster Ray Scanell

1. CIP and operating budget comments deadline is June 1, 2006.

Translation guidelines David Ottalini

1. David will again get them to the school and they should be attached to the equipment and sent to all faculty.

Trailblazer packets will be going to all 11th graders. These are guides for getting ready for college.

David Ottalini asked that if anyone knows of any organizations that might use the Old Blair Auditorium, to please contact him at david.ottalini@verizon.net

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m

Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Meeting --- April 18, 2006