Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Board of Directors Meeting --- September 10, 2007

September 10, 2007
PTSA BoD Meeting

Present:  Laura Brown, Rosanne Hurwitz, Nancy Newton, Carol Smalls, Jennifer Kempf, Bob Gillette, Dave Ottalini, Debra Reed-Gillette, Angela Botzer, Nina Corin, Lisa Gabriel, Jeanne Philbin, Beth Martin

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

Dave called the meeting to order at 7:20 pm

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

The minutes for the August BoD meeting will be posted this week for corrections

Treasurer's Report:  Receipts from the Back to School Night memberships were down.  Receipts for $8050 were received.  Last year's receipts were $9220.  There appeared to be many people filling out forms and we were much more organized.  Why the receipts are down is not clear.  A discussion of the 2007-2008 school year budget ensued.  At last year's levels our total disbursements to support programs would be $51,150.  Expected receipts at last year's levels would be $46,210.  We have a planned draw down of savings of $5000 to cover the difference.  A discussion of line item reductions and planned reductions in the coming years determined that various line items would be reduced, including minigrants, if revenues from memberships were not forthcoming.  The budget will be presented to the October BoD with a plan for a vote at the October Membership meeting

Jennifer Kempf/Academy Coordinator:  A very informative discussion about the academies was led by Jennifer Kempf.  Takeaways from the last academic year:

• The academies were designed to support smaller learning communities within Blair.  The PTSA can help by providing parental support in terms of parent liaisons by academy in the same way we provide grade level liaisons.  It is envisioned that the liaisons would meet with the academy lead teachers and Jennifer Kempf periodically to discuss issues, suggestions from the parents and students.
• Because there was no effective means of communicating with students, the Advisory period was envisioned as a means to touch base with each student individually.  More extended than the home room, it would also serve as a focal point for the Capstones and internships.  Students will have the same advisory teacher each year, barring staff turnover or change of academy.
• More, clearer, simpler information is being posted and updated on the academy website: http://academies. mbhs.edu/ .  Soon the information concerning the internship journal rubrics will be posted.  Also Capstone project information will be posted.
• May 1 & 2, 2008 are the tentative dates for the Capstone presentations.  This year the Capstone projects include a presentation, journal, and reflective essay. 
• There are over 70 students working on internships this year.  Other students are taking advantage of college courses in lieu of the internship.
• Dec 18, 2007 is Academy Day.  Academy Day was a success last year.  It will be refined this year.  This year it will also include the seniors and provide them information on the completion of their Capstone experiences.
• Another way that the PTSA can help the Academies is to help with internship contacts and to serve as internship mentors for students.  Internships can be either during the school year or during the summer preceding the senior year.  If students want to get credit for an internship they would also sign up for the internship class.  A 1 credit internship requires 100 hours of service.  A 2 credit internship requires 200 hours of service. 

President's Report:  This year's Back to School Night was very successful.  A large thank you goes to Deborah Stoll for providing us with many alumni parents to staff the tables while current parents visited classrooms.  We are in need of a new membership chair.  Recruit!  Recruit!  Recruit!  We also are in need of a Grants coordinator.  Some of the items on the PTSA programs support could be funded via Grants; however we need someone with that expertise to lead the effort.  We are still attempting to get the original sign for Blair (prior to the electric sign) installed at the entrance on University Blvd.  Two phone lines have been ordered by Mr. Funk.  MCCPTA training is coming up.  Please attend for your position.

Mini-Grants:  The Minigrants deadline is September 28.  See forthcoming information on the website, listserve, and InfoFlow.

Painless Fundraising:  Look for information soon on the listserve about the eScrip 10% summer savings.  Giant will be opening their program soon.  Look for information on Office Depot, Sniders, Giant, and eScrip, as well as other opportunities on the ListServe as they gear up this fall.  There is a need for someone to lead the collection of used cell phones and ink cartridges.  Contact Carol Smalls for additional information.

Dates to remember:

• September 18:  PTSA Membership Meeting 7:30 pm Media Center
• September 20:  CAP Parent Meeting 7:30 pm SAC
• September 27:  12^th Grade Parent Meeting 7:00 pm SAC
• September 28:  Early Release Day
• September 28:  Free and Reduced Lunch Applications Due
• September 28:  MiniGrant Application Deadline
• October 8:  Parent Visitation Day
• October 16:  PTSA BoD Meeting 7:00 pm Media Center
• October 16:  PTSA Meeting 7:30 pm Media Center (Topic:  Counseling)