Montgomery Blair High School PTSA

Minutes of PTSA Meeting --- October 21, 2008

Blair PTSA Meeting Minutes

October 21, 2008, 7:30pm
Location: Blair Media Center

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

Attendees:
Jeanne Philbin, Benjamin Sawo, Chih Chow, Bob Gillette, Andrew Partan, Katya Partan, Linda Kahn, Maureen Turman, Tina Hon, Beth Martin, Eileen Hoggarth, Dave Ottalini, Peggy Ottalini, Carol Muskin, Le Darcy, Sally Taber, Sudha Murthy

Meeting called to order at 7:30pm

Minutes of September 16, 2008 Blair PTSA Meeting approved

Minigrants - By Gail Peck and Linda Kahn
- 2007: 63 applications requesting 23K for available 10K PTA minigrant budget
- 2008: 66 applications requesting $18,550 for available 10K PTA minigrant budget
- Review by Exec Board, Donna Franklin, Mr. Williams
- Exec Board: Don't fund existing line items: Silver Chips and HSA's
- Significant follow up with applicants to clarify funding requests
- Asked multiple requests to prioritize (committee generally followed request)
- Avoid stipends to professionals or community members ---- should be able to find people to do for free
- Encourage in-house capacity for technology issues (conversions to DVD etc.)
- Encourage sharing of equipment cross-department
- Critical eye on field trips
- Long-term investment of funds (avoid one-year infusion of cash that will have to be replenished each year)
- For form next year:
- Clarify partial funding question
- "Limiting" language for how many applicants should submit to determine priorities
- Add department identification
- We get multiple applications.  We ask them to prioritize them.  The teachers are accommodating.  If they don't spend money within a certain day, PTA leadership will relocate it.
- Everyone receives the procedures.
- Did not fund HAS incentive since PTSA budget was more than doubled.  The line item will be reviewed and adjusted based on Mr. William's input.

School Report - MBHS staff:
- Quarter ends this week.
- No news on HSA or AYP.
- 9-11 graders took PSAT.
- 12th graders met with college reps.
- 134 potential students to take 90 projects as part of the bridge plan to graduate.

SGA - Sybil Brown
- Homecoming is on Nov 7th and the Dance is on Nov 8th
- 5 or 6 parents needed to standby doors on the 8th.  There is a signup sheet.
- Spirit Week - There are class themes on Movie.  Freshman (Western), sophomore (Sci-Fi), Junior (Superhero), Senior (Animated/Cartoon).  There will be five Spirit days with different dress up themes.  Hall Night is October 29th.  Students can decorate Blair Blvd.  There will be a Battle of classes with two girls and two boys from each grade.  The tryouts are on Oct 28 and 29.

Committee Reports and Old Business
- Graduation details not finalized yet.  We need parents to write letters to Steve Bedford.  Jeanne Philbin would lead the effort to write the letter.

Parents' Toolkit - Edline and homework - MBHS Teachers
- Ms. Sandra Ivey demonstrated the use of Edline to parents.  It can be used to check Homework assignments, any missed class work.  Has a calendar with all the activities for each class.  It also has resources for students to refer and get additional help.
- Mr. Freeman showed the combined calendar.
- Parents can contact the Media Center by calling 301-649-2831 if they need to get an Edline account.
- On the top left parents can also access the Private reports to check students' grades.  On the reports, X means exempt and Z means it can be still turned in.
- Edline also has information on Course objectives, syllabus, grading rubrics.  Each teacher does it differently.
- Most students seem to have access to Edline.  The teachers can check who has accessed Edline.  Kids access Edline more than parents.
- The Math department wanted students to come during 5A/5B lunches for academic support.  Honor students are available to help.

MCCPTA - Chih Chow
- Resolution on MCCPTA Operating Budget Priorities for FY2010 was voted and approved.
The Resolution -
- Whereas, MCCPTA's mission is to speak for children and without question our highest budget priority is education;
- Be it resolved that the MCCPTA Delegates approve the following operating budget priorities for the organization to concentrate on this budget year.
- Appropriate teacher/student ratios,
- Safe, secure, clean, healthy, modern school facilities,
- Sensible developmentally appropriate, fully supported curriculum roll-out,
- School-based community outreach, and
- Remediation and support for all students who need it.

Cluster - Jeanne Philbin
- The Board of Education Candidates Forum, which was held on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Takoma Park Municipal Building, will be re-broadcast on the Takoma Park cable channel.
- The Takoma Park City TV is on channel 13 on Montgomery County cable service provided by Comcast and RCN/Starpower, and on channel 28 on the Verizon FIOS system.  The program is 90 minutes long and includes all 5 candidates who are running for BOE seats.
Replays of the Forum will be played on City TV:
Friday, October 24, 2008 - 8:00 AM Board of Education Candidate Forum
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 - 6:00 PM Board of Education Candidate Forum
Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 5:30 AM Board of Education Candidate Forum
Sunday, November 2, 2008 - 11:00 PM Board of Education Candidate Forum

Volunteers - Beth Martin
- We had 700 hours and 130 volunteers for September.
- We had a lot of parents for Promethean board setup.
- El Golfo Night is on Election Night.  25% of proceeds go to PTSA.  If you are part of a neighborhood listserv, please spread the word.
- We still need a Painless Fundraising Chair.

Citrus Sale - Amy Wasserman/Annie Rohlin/Becky Smith
-We had 102 orders for $3068.
- 37 baskets donated.
- $250 to PTA
- We should pick up speed in November
- More volunteers are needed.

Grants
- Had first meeting.  No way to poll teachers to see what they want.
- Barnes and Noble Fundraiser on Nov 23rd.  10% of the purchases go to Blair.  There will be entertainment by the Blair Chorus.  Parent volunteers needed.

New Business
- Senior Parents flyers for graduation costs have been posted.
- Because of the economic meltdown, more students are applying in-state.  It is good to apply early.

Meeting adjourned at 9 pm