Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Meeting --- February 20, 2007

February 20, 2007
PTSA Membership Meeting

Present:   Dave Ottalini, Deborah Stoll, Debra Reed-Gillette, Andrew Partan, Katya Partan, Melissa Yorks, Tsega Hailu, Karen Powers, Sam Stokes, Margaret Khan, Barbara Tobias, Betsy Scroggs, Sonni Mallinoff, Nancy Newton, Sally Taber , Diana Vidutis, Bonnie Malkin, Carol Smalls

Facilitator: Deborah Stoll                     
Time Keeper: Dave Ottalini
Recorder: Debra Reed-Gillette

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

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

Treasurer:  A plateau has been reached on membership dues.  We have had a $1000 anonymous donation.  In addition, $241 in Silent Auction checks was deposited.  Routine expenses have been paid.  The audit is scheduled to take place on Monday, February 26, 2007 .  The Reflections program came in $300 under budget.  We have approximately $5000 in additional funds available for mid year disbursement.  We will receive $730 from the Sniders receipts fundraisers, and so far have earned $300 from eScrip and $16 from CafePress the online Blair store. February Finance Report

Principal's Report:  After school and lunchtime tutoring intervention are now in full swing.  The big difference this year is anticipating those students who will have difficulty graduating due to their performance on the HSAs and course work.  Each student is identified and a program is setup to monitor the interventions, etc for each student.  Student participation is also monitored.  Letters are being sent out, Robodial is being used, and personal contact is being initiated with all of these at risk students.  Bus services are not provided, but the students can use the Metro and RideOn busses free with their student ids.  All students at risk will be identified by Thursday, February 22.

Approximately 25,000 students across the state may not graduate according to state data due to not passing the HSAs.

Update on Exam Issues:  The county policy on testing and exams is under scrutiny due to the ongoing issue of testing students on content that they have not been taught.  Many exams are "testing" tests that have not been pretested enough and are not in sync with the curriculum, or are testing a curriculum in process.  The Physics First classes were caught up in this ongoing issue.  Bonnie has posted her testimony to the board (BOE) on the list serve.  Dr. Lacey's response to the issue will be sent in writing.  There will be a curriculum adjustment to only allow 9^th grade students who are enrolled in Algebra 2 or higher to be enrolled in Physics as 9^th graders.

Graduation Venue:  Graduation will be on June 4^th at 9:00 am at the Comcast Center .  The information coming out of the budget process for next year is that schools with over 500 in a graduating class will use the Comcast Center and will have to raise $5000 for their use of the Comcast Center .  Currently there are 7 schools with graduating classes exceeding 500 students.  Budget money was put in for only 4 schools.  The PTSA will consider adding to the budget to help defray some of these expenses for next year's graduating class.  (As a side note:  Mr. Gainous said that contrary to what has been reported, he did NOT agree to absorb the $1500 deposit lost at the Equestrian Center, and he refused to pay an additional $7000 to use the Comcast Center for this year).

Pedestrian Safety:  Mr. Funk has reported that everything is on track to repaint the new lines, etc. for the new drop off.  It will then be announced for use.  Staff will be directing traffic and show everyone how to proceed.  Mr. Funk is also working with the county on sign placement for the new sign on Colesville Road .  The Old Blair sign, which was at the corner of the school, will be relocated to the entrance near the firehouse.  The state highway administration is in charge of clearing the sidewalks along University and Colesville Roads during inclement weather.

Painless Fundraising:  $2000 was received by the Westfield Shop To Care Campaign.  $730 has been earned from Sniders.  Giant has brought in approximately $3600 thru the end of January.  Giant funds are paid directly to the school.  eScrip will continue all year with Safeway plus shopping thru the eScrip website.  We also have a program with Verizon for long distance calls and Target.  Sign up to raise funds for the school.

Staff Appreciation:  We will have a staff appreciation luncheon for the Lunar New Year.  We will need 15 people to setup/serve/ cleanup and to donate items.  Items may be dropped off at any time in the morning of February 27.

Silent Auction:  The PTSA Silent Auction will be held from 5:30 – 8:30 pm during Blair Fair on April 20, 2007 .  They will be accepting new items for donation as well as services – no white elephants or used items will be accepted.  There will be a planning meeting on February 22 at 7:30 pm at 325 Branch Drive . 

Volunteers:  Blair's committee heads and booster groups continue to report between 900 and 1000 hours of work from their volunteers for each month.  Thanks to everyone for all that they do.  Special thanks go out this month to the volunteers who made the effort to get to Blair and work the county-wide wrestling tournament this last weekend despite snow and ice.  In the coming weeks, we'll be recruiting for the silent auction, interim preparation and the staff appreciation luncheon.

Blair Education Foundation/MiniGrants:  Aaron Klein remains interested in creating a new Blair Education Foundation.  We can take $5000 from the old BEF to create a new mini-grant program.  This would be an additional $5000 that is in the current PTSA budget.  It is hoped we could fulfill and fully fund the grants previously requested.  In addition, all of the academies are in need of funds for mentoring, lectures, and field trips.  It is hoped that some of this additional money may be used for that purpose.

Magnet:  Magnet Open House for accepted students is March 7 & 8.  Letters will be sent out on March 1.  Blair Science Bowl Team will represent Maryland in the National Competition.  Reminder:  Any student can take Magnet Science electives if they have the appropriate prerequisites.

Blair Coat of Arms:  The Arts and Humanities Council looked at the Coat of Arms at the old Blair High School (now Silver Spring International Middle School ).  It is likely that we will have to get a new Coat of Arms created as removing the old one from its current site would destroy it.

Announcements: 

• A by-laws and incorporation committee is being formed.  Incorporation is now required for all PTSAs. 
• A Nominating Committee is now being formed for next year's PTSA officer slate.  The slate of officers needs to be filled by April, with elections in May.
• Athletes' parents are asked to join the Blair Athletic Boosters.  The Boosters needs parents from all sports to assist in fundraising, concessions, etc.
• Counseling is now meeting with all students concerning course selection.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm .

Dates to remember:

3/20 – PTSA Exec Board Meeting 7:00 pm Media Center
3/20 – PTSA Membership Meeting 7:30 pm Media Center
4/20 – Blair Fair/Silent Auction
5/27 – AfterProm
6/4 – Graduation