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Henry C. Hall Middle School PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD MINUTES
Meeting of Tuesday, February 12, 2002
1:15pm • Hall MUR
Board members present: Ann Arabian, Bob Cone, Karen Deist,
Kathy Grey, Liz Krakow, Ann Morrison, Nicole Muserillli, Jeannie Perry,
Rebecca Sarokin, Barbara Solomon, Susy Vrouvas, Susan Wirta
Math Book Presentation
Heather Henderson from the math department spoke about textbooks.
The teachers reviewed various textbooks for each grade. She went to the
Educational Task Force meeting in Marin County to try and parallel programs
in other schools so that everyone will be at the same level when they
get to Redwood High School. Heather Henderson and Bert Pankler have been
attending monthly meetings with this task force to stay on pace with other
Marin County Schools. From kindergarten to eighth grade there are state-adopted
books. From ninth to twelfth, its up to the teachers, which books they
use. In Marin, we’ve decided to let teachers choose the best book.
We have separate funds for state adopted textbooks and other textbooks.
Ms. Henderson showed examples of books they have chosen, and some math
examples on how they’re teaching solving equations.
- PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
The meeting was called to order at 1:25pm.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the minutes of January 15, 2001 as amended
by Barbara Solomon. This was seconded by Susan Wirta.
- TREASURER’S REPORT — Karen Deist
We are scheduled for our internal audit for February, so I will
be speaking with Susan Wirta who is our auditor. We collected our quarterly
amount for TJs, about $8000, and wrote them a big check as well. We
also paid a big check to school for educational programs. We’ve
had a few bounced checks from parents paying for the lunch program.
These incur about $20 in charges from the bank. Mr. Cone said he would
speak to those who bounce checks in the future. We rolled over our CD
for two months. We may need this $ soon after construction.
- PRESIDENT’S REPORT — Ann Arabian
Old Business
- Community Service —
The students worked at the Contributor’s party. Had plenty
of volunteers. It went very well. The auction is coming up. In the
past we have had eighth graders and Redwood High kids working there.
This year we may have some seventh graders as well. The high school
kids help park cars. In April, we post for each student, the number
of hours of community service that they worked. We encourage them
to do community service, but there is no real requirement until
high school. The deadline for turning in hours is the end of May.
- Career Fair —
Friday is career day. Mr. Rogers did the scheduling. Those students
who gave in their choices on the first day, got at least two of
their choices. Friday morning, they’ll get their schedules.
New Business
- Grade Level Reports—
• Sixth Grade — The Valentines for the convalescent
hospital, Guardian of Greenbrae went great. The kids did a great
job.
• Seventh Grade — Wednesday, May 22 will be the
Merrie Olde England Faire from 9-12.
• Eighth Grade — We will begin working on graduation
soon. Susan Boley led the overnight camping trip (Cougar classic)
in the past. This was a trip overnight to the state park. She’s
gone now and we’re not doing it this year. Kathy Grey spoke
to Dick Whitley of Larkspur Rec and he said we could do it at Piper
Park. Maybe we could have 6th grade parents chaperone the 8th graders
so they wouldn’t have their own parents there. Mr. Cone felt
that without Susan Boley and Dick Whitley, it wouldn’t work.
The kids wouldn’t respect authority in the same way. We decided
to look into various activities we could do instead.
- Nomination Committee —
Barbara should start thinking about finding officers and committee
chairpersons for next year. Bob Cone and Rebecca Sarokin will be
on her committee.
- The PTA is holding the Ca State PTA convention in LA. Is anyone
interested in attending? No volunteers.
- PRINCIPAL’S REPORT — Bob Cone
- Construction is fairly on schedule. On April 1, the locker area
to the MUR will be closed off, so we’ll be more constricted.
I spoke with Mike Slater, and we will look into getting a shipping
container to put freezers and refrigerators in. We could keep the
refrigerated items in there. We’d probably put it by the back
walkway. We’ll figure out the logistics later on. On April
1 the driveway will be blocked off so parking for teachers will
become more cramped. The circular driveway will still be open for
drop off. Ann says we may look into adding a TJ day and dropping
bagel day.
- The budget review task force has been looking into ways of adding
income or reducing expenses. This information will be presented
to the school board on Thursday, February 14. They will see what
is needed to be done. Right now we have no money for salary increases,
not even cost of living increases. The school board will probably
have to make some cuts to give a salary increase. Layoff notices
need to be given by March 15 to teachers, and 60 days in advance
to other employees. Information will be given at the Neil Cummins
PTA meeting tomorrow if anyone is interested.
- TEACHER’S REPORT — Ms. Muserilli
- We have eighth grade volunteers tutoring sixth graders. This has
been going really well. The eighth graders are totally in control.
The supervising teacher isn’t really involved. There are about
6-8 sixth graders each day and same amount of tutors. This program
is an after school program (1 hour).
- A speaker came to PE classes to speak about the benefits of biking
and carpooling to school.
- Thank you for the 6th grades Valentines Day activity. It was great.
MEETING ADJOURNED
Meeting adjourned at 2:30pm.
Submitted by Susy Vrouvas, Secretary
[minutes approved at Executive Board meeting of March 19, 2002]
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