Washington High School PTA
Meeting Minutes
March 14, 2006
President Sara Clark called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Twenty six people were in attendance. The meeting began with a program given by Connie Watson from the city PTA, talking about the upcoming state PTA convention being held here in Cedar Rapids on April 21 st and 22 nd . Information about the convention can be found on the State PTA website. Dr. Plagman also gave a brief tour of the new gallery.
Executive Committee Reports
Secretary – The minutes of the February meeting were circulated and approved.
Treasurer – A motion was made to approve $60 to send one to two representatives to the State convention. The motion was approved. (We received an “early bird certificate” which allows us to send two representatives for the price of one.)
President – Sara Clark just added her reminder about the convention – anyone who is a PTA member may go - the cost after March 15 th is $75.
Staff Comments
Dr. Ralph Plagman – Principal, gave a brief run-down of all the exciting things happening at Washington , currently. He is making many trips to Des Moines this month. We have the distinction of being the only school in the state's history to claim repeat winners in the state debate championship, with the team of Matthew Jarvey and Kyle Vint. We are looking forward to the Rev's appearance at the state Jazz Band championship in April. Approximately 640 AP exams have been registered for this year, over Dr. Plagman's goal of 600. The academic assembly held March 13 th included some great entertainment, including a wonderful performance by our visiting Japanese students. Gospel choir also gave a great performance, after an absence of several years. Numerous academic teams were recognized at this assembly. Dr. Plagman referred to his FYI newsletter for the listing of the many faculty and staff departures at the end of this school year. That list includes Dave Coates, Mike Coates, Lynne Garner, Ellen Johnson, Jim Kern, Kathy Kilbourn, Jan Netolicky, Dr. Norma Wenzel and Denny Goettel. He said there will be a slight increase in staff next year due mostly to increased enrollment.
Dave Coates – Guidance counselor, reminded that teacher preference forms will be available after spring break (probably the week that PTA is held) and will be on the announcements. Have your students be aware of this so they can pick up the form. Summer school sign-up will be in the next few weeks. The next ACT sign-up deadline is May 5 th and the SAT deadline is in late April. AP test sign-up is done. Summer PE will be offered again and several students have already indicated that they plan to take that option. The Senior Panel presentations are going on today (Mar. 14 th ) in the little theater and are going very well thanks to excellent planning by the Health Ed. Committee. *** NCYL applications for juniors are being taken until the quota of 50 is filled. *** Juniors and seniors have until April 4 th to get their Adastra applications in to Mr. Schnoebelen.***
PeggyHardesty – Faculty Liason and 9 th grade counselor, reported many calls from incoming 9 th grade parents the past few weeks. Mock Trial teams are doing very well – two of our teams won 1 st and 2 nd place in the regional in Ames , with Ames getting 3 rd place. Mock Trial is taking two teams to state and will use its budgeted $100 for room rental fees. Peggy also reported that she has enrolled 70 students from outside of the McKinley and Franklin 8 th grade student bodies.
Committee Reports
Cookie Sales – The next cookie sale date will be March 22 nd with a spring theme. One or two more 7:30-9:30 slots and 9:30-11:30 slots need to be filled. Call Sara Sauter (364-3958) if you can help that day. Please bring a bag of spring themed candy to use for decorating.
Fundraising – Blue Chip had one more donation come in. The last listing of Blue Chip donors was in the Academic Assembly program. The Target check for the last 6 month period was for $1,995. Thanks to all who have signed up and use the Target Visa card.
Health Ed – Lynn Dennis reported that the last night of the ASAC workshop would be held tonight (Mar. 14) and that Tanea Moreland said families were very encouraging in their appraisal of the workshop. They noted a need to find a better way to get the word out about the workshop if it is done in the future and noted that e-mail notices worked very well. Currently, as Dave Coates noted, the “Life After High School” sessions for the seniors are going on in the little theater. These very valuable sessions cover sexual health issues, money management issues, and other things. Last year many brochures had to be purchased in order to get information into the hands of students. This year the Health Ed committee designed their own brochures to be handed out to all seniors. These excellent brochures, titled “Nothing to Snicker About”, were handed out, each with a small Snickers bar. The other item of note is that the Adolescent Health and Wellness Taskforce, comprised of representatives from Mercy Medical Center, St. Luke's Hospital and CR area school districts continues to assess current sexual health education offerings in the metro area school districts.
Hospitality – Nothing going on currently. Next month there will be a sign-up for the dinner for Teacher Appreciation week .
Volunteer Coordinator – Leslee Rambo sent the hours sheet around. The “Building Volunteer of the Year” honoree, Marsha Stickle, will be honored at a school board meeting at the ESC in May.
Old Business
• LaNae Ceryanec announced that the nominating committee had selected its Officer nominees for the 2006-2007 school year. The slate is as follows: President – Candy Vance
Vice-President – Jenny Becker
Treasurer – Lisa Thirnbeck
Secretary – Sorina Abernathey
The slate will be voted on at the next meeting.
New Business
None
Announcements –
• A benefit concert is being held tonight (Mar.14 th ) for the Henry Davidson youth center. A donation of $2.00 or two canned goods is the admission.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 AM followed by Q & A with Dr. Plagman.
Sorina Abernathey, Secretary