Past PTA Minutes Washington High School PTA
Meeting Minutes
December 14, 2004
Prior to the meeting President Tracy McPartland called upon those in attendance to participate in small group responses to the Superintendent's Questionnaire. Twenty-five people were in attendance. Dr. Plagman's 15-minute question and answer session was next with the business meeting beginning at 9:45 .
Secretary The minutes of the November meeting were approved following one correction. The November minutes under Volunteer Coordinator should read that Lori Doyle has tutors for the program, but there is still plenty of availability for students who would like to schedule tutoring.
Treasurer Judy Baird summarized the treasury report for the month of November.
Mr. Dave Coates , Director of Guidance, reported that the guidance department is beginning to prepare for incoming freshmen. They will also begin soon scheduling all junior students and their parents for individual conferences to plan for senior year. The counselors are all busy assisting with senior college applications.
Mr. Scherrman , Guidance Counselor, presented the video on the college tour to Colorado , and thanked PTA for their support.
Dr. Peggy Hardesty , Faculty Liaison and 9 th grade Counselor, reminded PTA of upcoming dates February 3 is freshman orientation and on February 7 incoming freshmen will be bussed to Washington for the annual activities fair that highlights extracurricular opportunities.
Dr. Ralph Plagman , Principal, announced that we may be adding Arabic 1 to foreign language offerings for next year. It would likely be a 2 year program. Regarding the future Grant Wood gallery here at WHS, the decision has been made to retain room 128 as a conference/meeting room since it is such a heavily utilized room. Instead, the Student Center which is across the hallway from the main office, will become the Gallery. That space will be easier to renovate for several reasons. The climate control will be less complicated and it will be more secure with no access via outside windows.
Academic Success Kathy Anderl reported that after sending a flyer promoting tutor availability with the 9 th grade report card mailing, she received 5 new tutor requests from students. Lori Doyle requested additional funds in order to give gift certificates to the volunteer tutors instead of a party at the end of the year. Suggestions were made to instead give the tutors the WHS t-shirts that are used for academic awards and to hand-write thank you notes either from students or the tutor committee. It was decided they will work with the budget as it stands now.
Cookie Sales The next cookie sale is tomorrow, December 15. Thank you to all who are volunteering.
Health Ed Lynn Dennis reported that the feedback from the 10 th grade sex education sessions was positive. The 11 th grade sex ed sessions are next week. Discussion of birth control will be included with an emphasis on abstinence and protection. The freshman sessions will be in January. To restate, the goal of the health awareness sessions sponsored by the PTA is to provide students with accurate facts in order for them to make informed choices.
Surveyor Ad Our ad space this month was used to congratulate the 9 th and 10 th grade honor roll students; next month will be the 11 th and 12 th grade list.
• School Cents Thank you to Phyllis Cooper-Besong for attending the school cents meeting to receive the WHS check. If you would like to volunteer to attend the final ceremony on Saturday, January 15 at 11:30am please let Tracy McPartland know. tracymcp1@mchsi.com
• Founder's Night Nominations WHS PTA will honor Leslie Rambo and Nancy Sullivan-Jacobs as our Founder's Night volunteers.
New Business
• Community Briefing Hosted by the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, Jan 7, Beems Auditorium, 12 1 pm , What is the Real Impact of No Child Left Behind?
• Student Senate along with Bill Altorfer and Patrick McPartland is hosting a fundraising concert for Ms. Cain 6:30 pm , Dec 21, WHS Auditorium
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m. followed by Q & A with Dr. Plagman.
LaNae Ceryanec, Secretary