Washington High School PTA

Meeting Minutes

September 6, 2005

President Sara Clark called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Introductions were made.

Thirty-one people were in attendance.

Executive Committee Reports

Secretary – The minutes of the May meeting were circulated and approved. All members that have signed up this year will receive the minutes and a PTA meeting reminder monthly.

Treasurer – Lisa Thirnbeck provided copies of the proposed budget for 2005-6 year as well as a report on activity during August. Judy Baird, previous treasurer, explained the changes in the new budget that had been discussed at the May meeting. Discussion was made about our financial responsibility for Founder's Night which we host this year. Sara Sauter will look into past responsibilities. A motion to approve the budget was made and seconded. The budget was approved. Lisa noted that Blue Chip donations – the PTA's only real fundraiser – will be accepted any time. Also, anyone needing an expense slip can find them in the PTA box or on the Wash PTA web-site.

President – Sara is still looking for someone to fill the Legislative Representative spot.

(Jann Baustian has kindly volunteered since the meeting.)

Staff Comments

Dr. Ralph Plagman, Principal, recognized two individuals who have put in a great deal of time and effort over the summer and the past year to better the look of Washington High School inside and out. Laurie Stewart has done a large number of framing and reframing projects for the office and adjacent spaces and has repainted the office to better set off what is being hung on the walls. Marsha Stickle has cleaned hallway display cases all around the school and added many items to our outdoor landscape around the arcade area.

There are currently 1659 students enrolled and it is possible that that number may decline by about 20 or so. The freshman and sophomore classes are some of the largest in 10 years with 469 freshmen and 482 sophomores (40 of these are actual juniors classified as sophomore status). There are 420 juniors and 325 seniors.

The freshman class has adjusted well so far.

The 50 th anniversary committee is in full gear and a news letter will be sent out updating the projects and giving tidbits of history with the second page listing all current donors. The campaign is very close to reaching its halfway mark.

Mr. Dave Coates, Director of Guidance, announced that SAT and ACT sign up (primarily for seniors) is currently ongoing. Deadlines are posted on the Washington calendar. The PSAT signup for juniors (and sophomores who wish to take it for practice) will begin around the 1 st of October. The PSAT will be given on a Wednesday this year instead of on a Saturday. A letter will be sent out to sophomores about the PLAN test. This testing all falls around the same time as the ITEDs and you may want to talk to your child about which optional tests they may or may not want to take. Note: The Kirkwood College fair is Wednesday, September 21 st at 9am .

Dr. Peggy Hardesty, Faculty Liaison and 9 th grade Counselor, reported that 48 new freshmen had enrolled as of August 12 th . She thanked the Hospitality Committee for their part in helping with the Freshmen Orientation. So far, one new student has come from New Orleans .

Committee Reports

College Panel – Jenny Becker reports that the College Panel will be held on September 26 th here at Washington H.S. The panel this year will be made up of admissions staff from Coe College , University of Iowa , University of Chicago and Grinnell College . ** NOTE: this is the correct listing of representatives. An incorrect listing was printed in the “Early Fall Reminders” letter that was sent out.

Cookie Sales – Sara Sauter announced that the first cookie sale will be on Halloween, Monday, October 31 st . A sign-up sheet will circulate at the next meeting.

Data Entry – Judy Baird has membership and volunteer lists up to date.

Fundraising – La Nae Ceryanec reported that Blue Chip donations are a bit under where they were last year. A current donor list will be in the Open House program and in future programs and mailings. Laura Mattison reported that we will be getting a check for $2,076 from the Target Visa program – just from the last 6 months of activity. Target is willing to send a representative to do a presentation on this program. It was decided to ask if this rep. could be at our Open House next week to address a broader number of parents. Judy Baird has enrolled us in the School Cents program again this year.

Graduate Follow-up – Tracking of the most recent graduates has not begun yet but Leslie Rambo asks for volunteers to help with these phone calls. Please contact her at iowarambos@juno.com if you can help.

Grounds – Barbara Stone reports that the Grounds Committee could use more volunteers.

Contact Barbara at barbstone3@mchsi.com if you would like to help with this committee.

Health Ed – Lynn Dennis announced that Health Ed is in its fifth year at Washington . Volunteers are in place and are eager to start. A sign-up sheet was passed around to help provide lunches for the volunteer presenters. New this year is a student/parent workshop being offered through ASAC beginning on Tuesday September 20 th called “Parents and Teens: Reducing the Risks”. Parents should feel comfortable coming alone if their child cannot or does not want to go. Information about this workshop was mailed home.

Hospitality – Bobbie Pearson thanked those that helped with Freshmen Orientation night. Conference dinners will be coming up in October and volunteers will be asked to provide salads and desserts. A sign-up sheet for PTA treats was passed around. Bobbie asked if PTA needed to offer water and coffee at the Open House this year since very few people take any and most don't have time between visits to classes. It was decided that we not provide the water and coffee at the Open House but we will provide coffee at the Parent Coffee.

** NOTE: it was called to our attention by Jodie Anderson that the calendar for the month of March 2006 has been misprinted. The PTA meeting will be on Tuesday, March 14 th – not on Tuesday, March 7 th .

Membership – Jann Baustian is our membership chair and reports that things are going well. PTA memberships can still be turned in.

PTA Website – Lisa Thirnbeck has things up to date on our website.

Volunteer Coordinator – Leslie Rambo asks that if you are new to Washington , or to volunteering here, that you fill out a yellow volunteer card. She thanked volunteers who helped stuff mailings this August – the job got done very quickly.

Old Business

• Audit information – The audit was done and approved.
• Framing project – As was previously mentioned, Laurie Stewart has done a fantastic job framing items for the office and conference room walls and painting some of the walls.

New Business

• Homecoming parade – The Homecoming parade is Wed. September 15 th . We will, once again, have the use of the Sauter's golf cart but some people are needed to decorate it and drive it in the parade. We would also like to have some people to walk along side it to throw candy. Lisa Thirnbeck volunteered to help.

Announcements – Mary Jarvey announced that Friends of Debate are putting on a “Washington Idol” contest as a fundraiser for Debate. It will be held only one night, Thursday, September 29 th . (The Wash. Calendar mistakenly lists it for Friday night also.)

Please encourage your students to sign up.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 AM followed by Q & A with Dr. Plagman.

Sorina Abernathey, Secretary