Washington High School PTA

Meeting Minutes

January 9, 2007

Vice-President Jenny Becker called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. Twenty two people were in attendance. The program was given by Mike Becker who presented information on the SILO tax vote coming February 13 th and showed a short video about the infrastructure and technology needs.

Executive Committee Reports

Secretary – The minutes of the December meeting were circulated and approved.

Treasurer – Lisa Thirnbeck reported that a line item will be made to show the matching funds brought in even though they do not go through our account. Also, please turn in any expenses.

President – No report.

Staff Comments

Mrs. McDermott, Director of Guidance, reported that 4 th week progress reports were out. So far 70 junior conferences have been held. They will continue through January. 512 college transcripts have been sent to date. Mid-year reports are now being sent for those who sent in transcripts before the first trimester grades were added. A college planning night will be held on Feb. 5 th at 7:00 in the little theater for freshmen and sophomores and parents. Juniors will be registering for senior year classes on Jan. 10 and 11. Freshmen will register for sophomore year classes on Jan.16,17 and 18. Sophomores will register on Jan. 24 th , 26 th and 29 th for their junior year classes. A sophomore planning session will be held on Jan. 22 at 5:30 in the cafeteria. Calling the counseling office after Feb. 14 th with questions about student's registrations would be preferred because by then all the information will be in the computer system. “Fill in the FAFSA” will be held by appointment on Feb. 13 th between 12:00PM and 8:00PM . Make an appointment by calling 558-2142. Parents need to bring completed tax forms, w-2 forms for all, and the student's driver's license number. All of this can also be done at the College Planning Center on Blairs Ferry Road . The counseling web-site has links to the FAFSA web-site. Scholarship opportunities are routinely added so keep checking the web-site. Note that there are some scholarship opportunities for juniors. There is a new policy for dropping a class. Students can drop a class in the first three weeks of a trimester and regardless of the grade, it will not be placed on the transcript. A student may now drop a class up through the 7 th week and regardless of the grade, it will be placed on the transcript as an “N” (no grade, no credit, no effect on grade point). A student may drop a class in the 8 th through 11 th week of class with the grade on the transcript being determined by the student's grade at the drop point. A passing grade results in an “N” and a failing grade results in an “F”. *** Teacher choices will be offered later on - an announcement will be made to students and will be open for a week.***

Dr. Peggy Hardesty, Faculty Liaison and 9 th grade Counselor, was gone but had spent two days at McKinley with 8 th graders and will not be available much in the month of February due to scheduling incoming freshmen.

Dr. Ralph Plagman, Principal, explained that the teacher choice opportunity is unique to this school and is hard to do with computer scheduling.

Committee Reports

Academic Support - no report

College Panel - Washington will host a College Panel every year (next fall will be on Monday Sept. 24) and committee members are being sought for this PTA project. Please e-mail Jenny Becker - jbecker@rockwellcollins.com if you are interested in this rewarding project.

Cookie Sales - cookies sold out at the last sale.

Fundraising - The School Cents ceremony is this Saturday. A huge “Thank You” to all who turned in receipts.

Grounds – no report

Health Ed – Lynn Dennis reported that the nurses are in the building for 9 th grade presentations. The students have been attentive and enthusiastic and are very comfortable with the nurses. No parents have contacted Norma to question the sessions. ASAC will be meeting with 10 th graders in February and will focus on Marijuana. The under-age drinking ad was in the Surveyor and the yellow sheet ad aimed at parents was mailed with the newsletter. The Task Force will meet again this Friday. Keg registration has been in the news. Linda Langston and Lu Barron can still be urged to back this legislation.

Hospitality – Bobbie Pearson sent a clipboard around for conference food sign-up. She also thanked everyone again for the cookies.

Reflections - Six entries had been received so far.

Volunteer Coordinator - Jade Hart sent the hours clip board around. Not much else is going on. Computer input volunteers will be needed soon.

Old Business - none

New Business - a nominating committee is being sought to select officer candidates for next year. The vote will be in April.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 AM followed by Q & A with Dr. Plagman.

Sorina Abernathey, Secretary