Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Meeting --- December 18, 2007

December 18, 2007
PTSA Membership Meeting

Present:  Robert Gillette, Dave Ottalini, Debra Reed-Gillette, Kathy Lee, Amy Federman, Beth Martin, Carol Smalls, Sam Stokes, Jeanne Philbin, Ada O'Donnell, Nancy Newton, Andrew Partan, Linda Simon, Lisa Gabriel, Janet Chang, Rosanne Singer, Jose Treminio, Peggy Ottalini, Eva Sullivan, Tina Hou

Facilitator: Dave Ottalini       
Time Keeper:  Bob Gillette
Recorder: Debra Reed-Gillette

Dave called the meeting to order at 7:33 pm.

All members are reminded to CLEARLY print their name on the sign-in sheet for each meeting.

This is a very brief meeting so that we can move on to our Holiday Mixer.

After Prom:  B&N Update --  32 books were donated to the Media Center through the Barnes & Noble fundraiser.  As soon as the total amount of money raised is known, we will announce it.  We appeared to have a very good turnout according to the Barnes & Noble contact.

Treasurer's Report:  Nancy reported that we had a VERY successful Citrus sale with over  $9500 brought in, which exceeded the projection.  All December expenses have been paid out to date. 

Painless FundRaising:  Carol reported that we have 368 Giant donators and 376 eScrip donators.  Snider's receipts for 2007 are due now – they are collected on a calendar year basis and must be tallied and grouped.

BeBOPs:  BeBOPs announced their annual Spring Fling for April 12 at 7:30 pm in the SAC.  Save the Date flyers were handed out.  This is a fundraiser for the Blair Instrumental programs and includes dancing to the sounds of the Blair instrumental groups, gift baskets, food and free dance lessons.

Principal's Report:  Blair had a very successful accreditation review by AFG and Blair should pass without stipulation.  The AFG review committee was very impressed with the opening program.  They had never seen anything like it. 

Today was our 2^nd Annual Academy Day and was very successful.  This year there was better communications and more speakers for the various academies.  There were three rotations of speakers for most academy groups. 

Blair will be organizing an Alumni Day to have a panel discussion with Blair graduates for students to understand "life after Blair".  They will be organizing a staff college alumni day so that staff can wear their college colors to class to bring recognition of options for students. 

Mr. Williams was not ready to discuss the details of the $50 graduation fees for students.  He handed out the senior class handout outlining the fee structure.  He announced that three schools, including Blair would be using the Comcast Center because it was the only venue offered by MCPS that would house the size of the graduating class, faculty, and guests.  Schools using Comcast will be required to provide an additional $5000 to help defray the costs for using Comcast.  Comcast has raised their fees this year.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm to enjoy entertainment provided by the MBHS Chamber Choir, Intonation, and the MBHS Jazz ensemble.

There is currently a budget freeze and a hiring freeze.  There will most likely be staff cuts next year concerning these freezes.  Expected staffing levels will probably be announced in March by MCPS.

• Dates to Remember:  

• Dec 18:  Academy Day for all grades
• Dec 24 – Jan 1:  Winter Break – No School
• Jan 3:  Advisory Day
  CAP Alumni Night 7pm SAC
  9^th Grade Magnet Parent Meeting 7pm Auditorium
• Jan 7:  PTSA BoD Meeting 7:30 pm Teacher's Lounge
• Jan 8:   10^th Grade Magnet Parent Meeting 7pm Auditorium
• Jan 9:   Registration Meeting for Parents & Students
  Grades 9-11 7pm Auditorium
• Jan 10: 11^th Grade Magnet Parent Meeting 7pm Auditorium
• Jan 11: Choral, Guitar, and Symphonic Band Concert – 7:30pm Auditorium
• Jan 10-11:  Exam Review Days
• Jan 14-18:  Final Exams
• Jan 15:  PTSA Meeting 7:30 pm Media Center
  Parent Academy Presentation
• Jan 18: 2^nd Marking Period Ends
• Jan 21: MLK Holiday No School
• Jan 22: Professional Day – No School for Students
• Jan 28-Feb 1:  Pre-Registration Class visits by counselors
• Jan 30: Report Cards Distributed__