Washington High School PTA
Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2006
Vice-President Candy Vance called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Twenty five people were in attendance. The meeting began with a program given by Dr. Plagman introducing more new WHS staff, including Nicole Rowland, a new Science teacher and Sarah Dorpinghaus, a new Social Studies teacher. Dr. Plagman continued the program with a discussion of the latest ITED results. Dr. Plagman fielded general questions and answers for about fifteen minutes.
Executive Committee Reports
Secretary The minutes of the December meeting were circulated and approved.
Treasurer Lisa Thirnbeck asked that people with expenses please find sheets in the PTA mail box or print one from the PTA website and turn them in.
Vice-President Candy Vance has nothing to report.
Staff Comments
Dr. Ralph Plagman Principal, updated the progress on the 50 th anniversary project, stating that the fundraising has now gone over $170,000. The total goal is $250,000. Sara Sauter has done a great deal of work to reach all 50 classes and has sent mailings out to all class reps who in turn have sent out mailings to as many alums as they could find. A mailing will go out to all current WHS families as well. The names of the contributors will be displayed on the open wall adjacent to the entry doors to the gallery. The gallery is actually nearing completion and it is hoped that the Kanesville mural will be moved into place in February or March. This mural is mentioned in many pieces of literature concerning Grant Wood. John Fitzpatrick would like to bring in two scholars for a public seminar about Grant Wood.
Dave Coates Guidance counselor, stated that current juniors have done their scheduling of classes for next year in their social studies classes. Current freshmen had a planning session with parents last night and will fill out schedules in their L.A. classes. Current sophomores will have a (parent involved) planning session on Monday, Jan. 23 rd and then will fill out schedules that week. By the end of January all schedules will be turned in. Help is needed to do computer inputting of schedules on Jan. 13 th ( done) and 16 th ( done) and 30 th and 31 st . Junior planning conferences begin on Monday, January 16 th and will continue through January and February. ***All juniors and their parents are encouraged to call the counseling office to arrange an appointment if they have not already done so. Midterm is this Friday, Jan. 13. The ITED assembly is January 26 th . February 6 th is the annual Junior College Planning night at 7:30 in the IMC and Freshman and Sophomore College Planning night in the Little Theater at 6:30 .
Dr. Peggy Hardesty Faculty Liaison and 9 th grade Counselor, has been visiting the middle schools and will begin meeting with current 8 th graders in the next few weeks. February 2 nd will be orientation night for those incoming 9 th grade students.
Committee Reports
Cookie Sales The next cookie sale date will be in March with a spring theme.
Fundraising A few more Blue Chip donations have come in and the list of donors will appear in the ITED assembly program. Judy Baird, in charge of School Cents, stated that this coming Saturday will be the ceremony with the final check at Lindale Mall.
Health Ed Lynn Dennis reported that the nurses are in the 9 th grade L.A. classes this week and the students have been very attentive. RAP will also be here to do some follow-up. In February ASAC meets with 10 th graders and the evening workshops for parents will be presented. At the February PTA meeting Tanea Moreland, an ASAC presenter, will be here to answer questions about the ASAC program. The Senior panel date has changed to March 14 th . The student evaluations continue to show a strong majority recommending the health-ed programs to future classes and many good comments are coming in on these evaluations.
Hospitality Bobbie Pearson sent a sign-up sheet around for donations to the upcoming conference night chili dinner for the staff on Monday, Jan. 16 th . Also, the PTA meeting treat list has a few holes to fill 2 spots open in March and 1 spot in April.
Reflections Sorina Abernathey reported that the deadline for Reflections entries was past and 12 (correction from the meeting I had reported 10) entries were submitted which was triple the number we had last year. They will be judged and those deemed fit for submission will be sent on to the State contest. A call for an assistant or co-chair for next year was answered by Jenny Becker who kindly volunteered to help.
Volunteer Coordinator Leslee Rambo asked for PTA volunteer hours to be recorded. She is still seeking help with the Senior follow-up records and passed a listing of 2005 grads around for members to review and confirm college choices made by last year's seniors. As stated under Dave Coates' notes, volunteers were being sought for the computer inputting of new schedules for the counseling office.
Old Business
• None
New Business
• Monument staff asked the PTA to help out financially by sponsoring a page in this year's yearbook. The page sponsorship idea is new and we have not done this before. The board put out a recommendation to give the Monument $50. Discussion followed as to the amount PTA donates to similar groups and it was agreed that the typical amount was $100 therefore a motion was made to give the Monument $100 to put WHS PTA on the list of supporters. The motion passed. It was suggested this item be considered a permanent budget item for next year.
• A nominating committee is needed to select PTA officers for next year. Three at-large people can serve on this committee. Please let a board member know if you are interested in serving on this committee.
Announcements
• Mary Jarvey announced that people can donate items to the PPA garage sale for a general performing arts student fund instead of for a specific student if they put #166 on the donation form.
• Founder's Night will be February 9, 2006 at 6:30PM in the Washington cafeteria.
• Dr. Plagman announced that WHS has been selected as one of 20 participants in the Iowa High School Project. This project will allow our school access to a great deal of expertise in several areas.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:49 AM followed by Q & A with Dr. Plagman.
Sorina Abernathey, Secretary