Washington High School PTA
Meeting Minutes
October 11, 2005
President Sara Clark called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m. Thirty-one People were in attendance. The meeting began with a short program by Dr. Plagman as he introduced six of the new staff that joined the school this year. That list includes: Tim Fisher Math; Kiley Ingerslev Math; Kayla Bahl Math; Kristina Dvorak- Art and Photography; Eric Prevo Math; Danny Yuska Language Arts (also theater and speech).
Executive Committee Reports
Secretary The minutes of the September meeting were circulated and approved.
Treasurer Lisa Thirnbeck noted that our Blue Chip Goal has been met but the PTA is still taking checks and encourages anyone who has intended to send in money to still do so.
President Sara Clark has nothing to report.
Staff Comments
Dr. Ralph Plagman Principal, reminded that the Academic Letter assembly for juniors will beheld on November 3 rd . He noted a few items in his staff FYI newsletter that was available at the meeting. Open house numbers continue to rise possibly due to better communication via e-mail and phone messages. Dr. Plagman also briefly discussed the proposed increases for graduation requirements.
Mr. Dave Coates Director of Guidance, stated that this is test month with ITEDs for all students, the PLAN test for sophomores, the PSAT for juniors on October 12 th and an ACT test date later in the month. Over 100 juniors had signed up for the PSAT. College reps are showing up on a regular basis from many different colleges. View the Wash website for current information on upcoming visiting colleges. It is well worth the student's time to go in for a few minutes and visit with these admissions reps. The counselors will be going on their annual college visit trip in early November. They will be visiting eastern colleges this year with a focus on the numerous colleges in and around Boston . Some of the colleges to be visited are Boston College , Boston University , Harvard, Tufts, Bentley, Smith, Mount Holyoke , etc.
Dr. Peggy Hardesty Faculty Liaison and 9 th grade Counselor, thanked the PTA for the staff dinner during conferences Monday, Oct. 10. Ninth graders will be getting copies of their schedules for next trimester in their L.A. classes so that they can look them over.
Committee Reports
College Panel Jenny Becker reported that the Little Theater was full to overflowing on the night of the College Panel. The college reps did a great job of delivering the information and answering questions and Dave Coates did a great job moderating the event. It will be Kennedy's turn to host it next year they will be advised to use a larger space. Dave Coates added that the panel reps enjoyed the opportunity. He noted that e-mail and phone messages help increase participation.
Conference Scheduling Sara Clark reported that about 600 conferences had been scheduled the same number as last year.
Cookie Sales Sara Sauter passed around a sign-up sheet for those interested in working at the first cookie sale of the year to be held on Halloween, Monday Oct. 31. Presale coupons were also passed around. The cookies will be $1 same as last year.
Fundraising LaNae Ceryanec will have Blue Chip donation forms in the Academic Letter assembly programs. More donations are still being sought. LaNae and Jann Baustian will do the Thank You notes on Friday, October 21 at 9 am at LaNae's house. A sheet was passed around for anyone willing to sign up to help. Judy Baird announced that the School Cents program started October 1 st at Lindale Mall. Receipts from mall purchases including the food court can be turned in for points at the drop box in the center of the mall. Receipts must be marked C.R. Washington as Washington H.S. in Vinton also participates. If you want to keep your receipts cards can be filled out at the center court booth to deposit instead if the actual receipt. Watch for special double and triple points weekends. Purchases made at the Collins Road HyVee and many eating places surrounding the mall also count. Laura Mattison keeps track of the Target Card donations and has seen 10 new accounts added since July. We have earned $500 since September.
Health Ed Lynn Dennis reported that the lunches for the mental health presenters went over well. The feedback from the mental health presentations was good. Bookmarks with information and phone numbers regarding mental health help were handed out during these presentations. Brochures were purchased for the resource area in the counseling office so that students have access to them. Only four students and parents attended the first substance abuse session so they were discontinued for the time being. A new series will be scheduled for this coming February and March for parents only. It will be opened up to all metro area schools. The February PTA meeting program will feature the ASAC presenters talking about substance abuse. The sexual health peer leaders are getting organized and will present to the sophomores after the nurses presentation in November.
Hospitality Bobbie Pearson thanked all who brought food for the teacher conference dinner and thanks those who will bring food to the next one. There was a great turn out by the teachers but plenty of food.
Reflections Information is currently going out for the Surveyor ad with Reflections contest information and information will be posted on the PTA website and e-mailed to the art, music and L.A. staff. Students are encouraged to participate it is a great addition to any college resume.
Volunteer Coordinator Leslee Rambo has arranged the volunteers needed for the ITEDs. Dr. Plagman did question the staff about the usefulness of parent help and found that it is helpful in most cases to simply have an extra adult in these rooms.
Old Business
• Homecoming parade - Our decorated golf cart entry in the homecoming parade was successful thanks to Lisa Thirnbeck and Jenny Becker and their daughters who threw the candy. Thanks also to Sara Sauter for the use of the golf cart.
New Business
• Founder's Night It is our turn to host the annual city PTA Founder's Night on February 9 th , 2006 . This is the recognition program for outstanding PTA volunteers from each school in the district. A coordinator is needed for this event. Most preliminary work has been done but someone is needed to coordinate desserts and decorations for the cafeteria that evening. There are very detailed notes from our last coordinator, Jade Hart, and will make this an easy job to do especially if you are unable to participate in other Wash PTA volunteer opportunities. Please contact Sara Clark if interested @ 364-2362.
Announcements A survey was sent out by the district asking for feedback on two distinctly different 2006-2007 calendar options. After discussion it was decided that one e-mail would be sent back stating a consensus had been reached by those attending the meeting that we preferred the first option which basically mirrors this year's calendar. That e-mail was sent via the survey comment box.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM followed by Q & A with Dr. Plagman.
Sorina Abernathey, Secretary