Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Meeting --- March 20, 2007

Present: Debra Reed-Gillette, Deborah Stoll, Dave Ottalini, Nancy Newton, Carol Smalls, Annie Rulin, Sam Stokes, Anne Kaiser, Rosemary Hodges

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

Dave called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

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

A brief executive board meeting was called to order to discuss the new by-laws, and amending the budget to include extra funds for mini-grants and/or the academies.

Treasurer:  A new budget was presented to the Executive Board for approval to present to the membership.  This modified budget includes the additional funds received/projected from Painless Fundraising as well as actual money received from the Citrus sale.  The new budget includes line items of $1000 per academy for each academy, regardless of academy size.  It was discussed that materials costs for planning would be approximately the same without regard to the size of the academy.  It was decided that no additional funds would be awarded to mini-grants until it was determined why some of the mini-grant money was going unclaimed.  Anecdotally it was thought that some grants could not be used until they had received full funding.  Suggestions were that in the future a smaller number of grants would be funded, but that they would be funded at the full amount requested. 

An update of the new by-laws and incorporation process was presented.  The incorporation process is underway and the new by-laws will be presented for approval at the next membership meeting.

An update was provided by Dave on the water fountain installation at the athletic fields.  The installation will again go out for bid.  It did not move forward as a work order.  It was suggested that the fountain also allow for access for watering plantings installed by the beautification committee.

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March 20, 2007
PTSA Membership Meeting

Present: Debra Reed-Gillette, Deborah Stoll, Dave Ottalini, Nancy Newton, Carol Smalls, Annie Rulin, Sam Stokes, Anne Kaiser, Rosemary Hodges, Andrew Partan, Diana Vidutis, Katya Partan, Beth Martin, George Slenkovich, Linda Willmott, Jennifer Craft, Yvette Butler,Vijay Baharani, Camille Meeks, Les Rogers, Linda Rogers, Karen Powers

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

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

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

Membership minutes for the February meeting were approved as amended and posted.

Blair Beautification:  Les Rogers, Astronomy teacher, and Linda Rogers, Woodmoor Garden Club, made a presentation on the installation of a labyrinth at Blair.  The labyrinth would be installed by the astronomy class, and supported and cared for by Blair Beautification and the Woodmoor Garden club as a joint venture between the school and community.  Mr. Gainous has already expressed support for the project.  The PTSA also endorses the project.  Sources of funding are being discussed, but it is hoped that the full cost of the 11 circuit, 60-foot path will be available from funds from all sources.  Costs range from $903 to $1660 depending on size and stone type selected.  See Silver Chips Article at:  http://silverchips. mbhs.edu/ inside.php? sid=7314. 

NAACP Parent/Youth Council:  Camille Meeks and Yvette Butler presented information on the upcoming NAACP-MC Multicultural Youth Summit:  "Creating Change."  The summit will take place at Kennedy High School on Saturday April 21 from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm.  Registration forms are available in the Career Center and the Counseling Office.  This summit is available to all students in grades 7-12 of all ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.  It will discuss topics such as dating and relationships, stereotyping, racism and discrimination, the influence of media on teen violence, bullying, and other topics of interest to teens and their parents.  Transportation is available for all students needing it. 

Yvette Butler, adult advisor for the NAACP Youth Council provided information for the ACTSO competition for scholarships.  Forms are available in the Career and Guidance offices.  Students in grades 9-12 will compete in 5 categories on Aprils 29 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm.  See http://www.montgome rycollege. edu/actso/ actsomain. htm for more information.

International Studies Academy Opportunity for all MBHS Families:  Marc Grossman, MBHS Social Studies teacher, presented information on hosting a foreign exchange student for the summer, June 25 – July 25.  Fifteen students from all parts of Spain will be arriving in the area and are in need of host families.  The students are to practice their English skills – knowledge of Spanish is not required for the host families!  Students are between 14 and 18 years of age.  Students will have required activities to attend Monday – Thursday each week, including English Classes and excursions in the area.

Blair Fair:  Blair Fair will be held on Friday April 20, 2007 from 5-8 pm.  The SGA will be hosting a Carnival Day which will include a rock climbing wall, cotton candy, moon bounce, tattoos and games for students in elementary through high school.  The SGA is asking for 25 adult volunteers (parents or teachers) to assist with Blair Fair supervision.  Please contact Vijay Baharani to volunteer.

School Report/HSAs:  Linda Wanner, assistant principal, and Jennifer Craft, staff development teacher, presented information on the upcoming HSAs, the new HSA requirements, and the processes Blair is putting in place to identify and help students in danger of failing the HSAs.  Blair has teamed with BSA, Blair Sports Academy , to offer after school intervention and tutoring services Monday through Thursday and also at lunch.  Every department within Blair has administered practice tests and used all available data to identify at risk students.  All 4 HSAs are getting equal attention.  More than 500 students are currently taking advantage of the BSA for HSA intervention and other tutoring services.  All parents in attendance were provided with an HSA Parent guide, and information on graduation requirements with the new HSA score requirements.  Information was also provided about HSA on-line prep course available to all students for Algebra and English 10.

It was also noted that current budget proposals will result in a reduction of 11.4 teachers and 1 counselor, and a reduction of secretarial hours.  There is no school on March 27.  The new Arabic and Japanese courses appear to have enough enrollment to move forward for next fall.

Treasurer's Report:  $5000 is being considered to provide the academies money for planning materials.  The PTSA income tax forms have been filed, incorporation papers have been filed, and the PTSA applied for the sales tax permit for the Silent Auction.  Currently there is a total balance of $29,127.41 in all accounts.  There is discussion as to how to handle the credit card machine which we lease.  It may be more cost effective to just have a PC connected to the internet to have charges made via our web payment portal.  Barry Johnson will be contacted to determine if this is possible. March Finance Report

Painless Fundraising:  Totals to date:  $4579 directly to the school from Giant, $730 from Sniders, $2000 from Westfield , $1083 from eScrip, $629 directly to the school from Target.  Enroll, Enroll, Enroll!  This is an easy way to provide much needed money to the school in a painless way!

Pedestrian Safety:  The new drop off plan for the University Blvd side of the school will begin on April 10, following Spring Break on a trial basis.  Flyers are being distributed to those parents already dropping off illegally on that side and signs are begin erected and surface painting is occurring.  Students have protested the reduction of 7 student parking spaces due to the new drop off.  The county has installed a new green school sign on Colesville Road when approaching the school from Silver Spring .  The old Blair Sign will be installed near the Fire Station Entrance on University Blvd. 

Staff Appreciation:  Kudos to all who volunteered and donated items.  The staff appreciated it greatly.

After Prom:  An After Prom Fundraiser is currently being held at Jerry's 4-Corners.

Silent Auction:  Please donate items or talents to the Silent Auction.  Forms are available from the PTSA and will also be mailed home.  Volunteers are needed to man the Auction as well on April 20.

Nominating Committee:  Nominations for next year's slate of officers are being recruited.  We need a co-president to serve a two year term of office.  Please see any PTSA officer to volunteer your time and talents to the PTSA.

Announcements:  Maryland Day will be at UMCP on April 28, 2007 – all day!  Café Press is up and running to purchase Blair athletic wear and memorabilia.  Proceeds benefit the PTSA.  Sarah Josey's Piano classes will be showcasing their projects of compositions to video.  There was also an excellent article in the Gazette highlighting this project:  http://www.gazette. net/stories/ 032107/silvnew20 3807_32320. shtml.

Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, April 17:  PTSA Membership Meeting 7:30 pm Media Center – Executive Board 7:00 pm

Friday April 20:  Blair Fair/PTSA Silent Auction/MrMs Blazer

May 7:  Executive Board Meeting 7:30 pm Staff Lounge

May 15:  PTSA Membership Meeting 7:30 pm Media Center

May 27:  After Prom

June 4:  Graduation – COMCAST Center

June 6:  PTSA Executive Board and Membership Meeting 7:30 pm – NOTE NEW DATE!