Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Meeting --- December 19, 2006

Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

December 19, 2006
PTSA Membership Meeting

Present: Janet Ishimoto, Melissa Yorks, Shanthi Chandra-Sekar, Susan Leibenhaut, Linda Simon, Carol Smalls, Valma Yearwood, Samuel Stokes, Diana Vidutis, Kathy Lee, George Slenkovich, Glenn Villadsen, Sue Tao Wang, Sally Taber , Lynn Grasso, Betsy Scroggs, Linda Willmott, Herenia Lopez, Leta Holley, Anne Kaiser, Deborah Stohl, David Ottalini, Robert Gillette, Philip Gainous

Facilitator: Deborah Stoll
Time Keeper: Dave Ottalini
Recorder: Robert Gillette

Deborah called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm .

Membership minutes from November were approved. All members are reminded to CLEARLY print their name on the sign-in sheet for each meeting.

Principal’s Report: There has been a meeting with the Parks & Recreation department about the after school program at Blair (BSA). There will be approximately $20,000 in funding. More will be needed. Last year there was also a grant from the state as well, but this year MCPS did not apply for the grant. Additional funding for the program will be needed from the county, and/or the state. Anne Cullen and Peter Englemann, both nationally certified (one in English and one in Math, respectively) are available to the program.

Blair is still in the running as one of the additional artificial turf fields.

Pedestrian Safety: Sam Stokes explained the proposed new student drop-off on the University Blvd side. At this time, student drop-off is STILL only permitted on the Colesville Road side of the school, which is at capacity. Mr. Funk's plan is to make part of the bus lane the drop-off. John Matthews of MCPS does not want to mix buses with dropping off cars. Blair is the biggest high school in the county. A resolution was made to provide a letter to the MCPS expressing concern about safety and requesting that MCPS create an official drop-off area on the University Boulevard side of the school by the beginning of the third marking period. A discussion of other pedestrian safety and crossing safety issues ensued. The resolution was unanimously passed by the membership.

Treasurer: There was no treasurer’s report, due to Nancy ’s absence. December Finance Report

After Prom: It has been decided that this year's After Prom will have a "beach" theme and SGA has come up with the slogan "Sunny Side Up.”

Unfortunately, the Borders Books gift-wrapping After Prom fundraiser was not as successful as in years past because the store changed its policy on how it would disperse the days/times to different groups and also there were issues with the coordination of the dates/times provided to Blair.

Graduation Venue: Although BOE President Nancy Navarro is interested in helping, we are running out of time, with the January 10 deadline quickly approaching. We already have a deposit in at the Equestrian Center as a contingency.

Beautiful Blair: There is a lot of trash around the school. Students, teachers, and staff are reminded to pick up their trash! In addition, Charlie and his committee will be combining planting with trash removal. A request for volunteers was issued.

Reflections: A national PTA program/competition in the arts – literature, visual arts, studio arts. Four pieces are chosen in each category. The competition takes place at the county, state, and national level. The PTSA would like to have this program grow at Blair. This year we had 9 participants, ideally we would like 20-30 participants.

Painless Fundraising: If receipts are received by the January 14 deadline, Blair could win $10,000. The organization with the most points ($ dollars) at each mall wins $5,000. There are ten runner-up prizes of $1,000 each as well at both malls. Please leave your receipts at the school for Carol Smalls to pick up. The first 2 months of our Giant receipts program has netted Blair approximately $2000.

Citrus Sales: One of our most successful sales, yet! $9100 profit with over 3100 pounds of fruit donated to Shepherd’s Table.

Volunteers: Blair has reported more volunteer hours than any other high school in MCPS. 1500 hours for October/November and 2000 hours for December. We are still being beat for total hours by several elementary schools.

Silent Auction: The PTSA Silent Auction will be held during Blair Fair on April 27, 2007 .

Choral Interlude: A choral interlude was provided by the Chamber Choir, Jazz Band, and InToneNation. Snacks were provided and consumed.

Dates to remember:

1/16 – PTSA Exec Board Meeting 7:00 pm in the Media Center

1/16 – PTSA Membership Meeting 7:30 pm in the Media Center . Community Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison will be our guest speaker.