Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Meeting --- November 18, 2008

Blair PTSA Meeting November 18, 2008

November 18, 2008, 7:30pm
Location: Blair Media Center

Facilitator: Bob Gillette
Time Keeper: Pete Lafen
Note Taker: Sudha Murthy

Attendees:
- Not available

Meeting called to order at 7:30pm

Principal's Report - Principal Darryl Williams

Security:
- There had been one incident in the school building and two incidents in the community. The school has responded to the situation well.
- There were grief counselors available at school.
- It is important to note that we may have differences, but we still need to respect each other. The Principal talked to students, staff and parents on separate occasions. We cannot allow the morale of the school to go down and we need to unify to build up our school's reputation.
- The delay between the announcement and the incident helped the police find the item. The school had been in code blue so that no one could leave the classrooms.
- The students are still healing. The school is still working on making each day a regular day.
- The school is working together with SGA to promote efforts against violence.
- Security officers were available to answer parents' questions.
- The security officers do walk around the school to make their presence known.
- Some students have troubled backgrounds that the school system is not able to support or handle. The school system can educate them, but for some behaviors, the school does not have the resources. They are just 1-2% of the student population.
- The SGA/PTSA leadership can indicate what kind of programs we can have for students to vent, have peer mediation etc.

Enrollment:
- Blair has 2699 students enrolled as of Friday. Largest class is 9th graders.

Graduation:
- Graduation date is June 3rd 9o'clock at the Comcast center.

Performance:
- 1256 students made honor roll (292 - 9th graders, 319 - 10th graders, 319 11th graders, 316 12th graders).
- 213 students had Straight A's (37 - 9th graders, 42 - 10th graders, 64 - 11th graders, 70 12th graders).
- Blair made AYP this year.
- Next year's budget will be worse.

Other security related questions:
- Even if a student is suspended, the school has to provide educational services. We have an extended day suspension from 2-6 when the student is with a security person and has to do work.
- There is a perception that there is increased aggressive behavior this year. But the security thinks there has not been an increase.
- What is needed is more conversation and encouragement to the students.
- Students use language that is not acceptable, we do need to correct them.
- Parents have to work in partnership with the school. Parents should not just send students to school and let the school take care of it.
- Students' residency is checked to make sure they are from Montgomery County.

Chih - Nothing to report

Cluster Report - Jeanne
- There was a testimony on capital improvement - it was just for emergencies.
- People interested in being involved in an anti-crime summit can contact Jeanne. There is a meeting in Silver Spring on Nov 23rd.
- No decision if Jan 20th school is open.

SGA - Christina - PTA liaison
- Homecoming was a success.
- The SGA is taking steps to act against violence.
- SADD (Students against Destructive Decisions). We will have a movie or concert to promote this.
- The SGA has raised $5000 for Tai Lam's family. They are planning to have a memorial.
- SGA has a canned food drive from Nov 22nd - Dec 23rd.

Volunteer coordinator - Beth Martin
- We had 1300 hours with 147 volunteers for October.
- Volunteers needed for Barnes and Noble fair. If anyone is interested, please contact Dave.
- El Golfo on Election Night, we made only $250; last year it was $600. We will try to do it again in January.

Membership:
- We have about 468 members. We have $5100 in donations with a total of $11000. We have 16 faculty and 14 students in the PTSA.

Grants - Dave
- All Safeway cards have been renewed.
- Snyder - receipts can be placed in the mailbox.
- Giant - individuals have to assign the schools.
- Dave has taken over Escrips too.
- Book Fair at Barnes and Noble - $10,000 - we get 10% and $15000, we get 15%. Friends and relatives can go to any Barnes and Noble store and mention that it is for Blair and the school gets the money.

Budget
- Need to add a new line item to support new mothers program.

No meeting in January

Bear goes to Carol Smalls

New business - Pete Lafen
- Consider doing something like a scholarship in memory of Tai Lam. SGA concurs. Anybody have other ideas on this can contact Pete.
- Project Exile is a program, which is about guns in the community and has been started in Richmond and Baltimore. We in the Down County/NE Consortium if we make a request can have an impact.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20