|
|
Henry C. Hall Middle School PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD MINUTES
Meeting of Tuesday, September 16, 2003
1:15pm • Hall Middle School
Board Members Present: Barbara Solomon, Kathie Cummins,
Jeannie Perry, Claudia Gropper, Rebecca Sarokin, Liz Krakow, Scottie Spurzem,
Susy Vrouvas, Ann Morrison, Ann Arabian, Daniel Norbutas.
Board members absent: Susan Wirta, Diana Putterman, Cynthia
Peterson, Anna Gravley.
Guests: Bob Cone, Becky Reed, Marianne Rafter, Anne Doyle,
Patty Fitch.
WELCOME:
Meeting was called to order at 1:15pm by President Barbara Solomon.
MINUTES:
A motion was made to approve the minutes from the last executive
board meeting on May 20, 2003 and the last general meeting on September
11, 2003 by Jeannie Perry. Scottie Spurzem seconded it.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
Bob Cone thanked everyone for a wonderful “Back to School”
night.
He reviewed recent budget news, including the school board’s recent
approval of “unaudited actuals”, the odds and ends that need
to be cleaned up after the official budget is approved. He also explained
that mid-year budget cuts last year were less than expected, because the
Legislature did not “take back” 85% of excess property taxes
from “basic aid” districts, including Larkspur, as proposed
by Governor Davis. Some loss of property taxes is anticipated, however,
and despite the passage of the supplementary parcel tax last June, cuts
will still have to be made in the coming year. The board is looking at
cutting the motor skills program for grades K–2 and the science
specialist position for grades 3–5. He will keep us posted, and
will attend as many executive board meetings as he can.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
See attached report.
Projected total income: $33,100.
Projected total educational program expenses: $28,150.
Projected total organizational expenses: $4,950.
Kathie Cummins reported that we’ll make more money than projected
because pizza Thursday was not factored in.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
- PTA Fund-raiser: TJs will be starting next week ~
Pasta Monday & Mexican Tuesday. One parent volunteer is needed every
Mon. & Tues. to collect student’s cards & return them
to the office. TJ’s prices have increased, so students will now
pay $5.25 per TJ lunch ~ a 25 cent increase from last year.
– Barbara Gossel still needs volunteers for Jamba Juice Wednesdays.
The price will remain at $3
– Two former St. Pat’s moms are co-ordinating pizza snack
day on Thursdays. They are also looking for parent volunteers.
– A pre-order form has gone home in backpack mail. Students will
be charged $2 per slice.
- Membership: 118 families or individuals have joined
PTA, which is 36% participation.
- Jobs to be filled: Elssy Rifkind & Lori Lerner
have agreed to chair 8th grade Graduation. 8th grade VPs need to “jump
in” & help them.
- Chalk Festival: Anne Doyle & Patty Fitch, Chalk
Festival Co-chairs, reported that it will be held on Friday, Oct. 3rd,
immediately after school from 3:15 to 5:00. A rain date is set for Oct.
17. The theme is “Chalk-a-lot” & chocolate candy will
be sold, as well as pizza & drinks. They asked if anyone has a “chocolate
connection”. They’re in good shape with volunteers ~ 20
so far. Four artists will arrive at 1:30 to begin drawing in the marked
off squares, located on the black top in the back of the school. Anne
is trying to secure the a cappella group, “Til Dawn”.
- QSP Magazine Sales: An all school assembly will be
held Oct. 9th to explain the magazine sales. Volunteers will be needed
for the 2 turn in dates, Oct 16 & Oct. 23. Student Council will
help decide what the “big prize” will be.
- Chaperones: 10 to 12 chaperones are needed for the
7th/8th grade dance on Friday October 24th. Rebecca Sarokin & Claudia
Gropper, 7th grade VPs, will advertise for chaperones. Dick Whitley
will be running this dance, then “retiring” from “dance
duties”.
- Finally, we received a letter from Redwood High School Graduation
Committee, thanking Hall PTA for $100 donation to last year’s
“Safe & Sober Graduation Night”.
- Bye Bye Birdie Report: Becky Reed, BBB Director,
reported that 32 student actors have signed on for the musical. She’s
still recruiting and hoping for about 10 more participants. She won’t
spend anymore that what the play takes in. Actors will be on body mics
(not the overhead mics), which will increase the expenditures. District
parent & musician, Nancy Spottiswoode, will be the pianist. She
will be paid the amount she’s “taken away” from private
lessons. Becky is aiming to bring in $1,000. The cost per student to
participate is $65. $50 goes directly to PTA, $10 is for the Cast Party
& $5 is for rehearsal snacks. PTA will also make money from the
sale of tickets ($8 each) & the concession stand.
- VP Reports: The traditional 6th grade pumpkin carving
will take place on October 31st. 6th grade VPs, Ann Morrison, Scottie
Spurzem & Diana Putterman, will advertise for 10 to 12 parent helpers.
Principal’s Report:
Daniel Norbutas reported that it’s been a great few weeks….everything’s
been running extremely smooth. He’s very happy!
- A District Technology Committee has been formed to look at the technology
in the district from a curriculum, administrative, website, and parent
communication standpoint. They’re looking at curriculum at both
schools, how we size up to state standards, and how we prepare our students
for high school and beyond.
- Student Council campaign is in full swing. Campaign speeches will
be made at an assembly on Friday, Sept. 26th.
- Daniel is looking into forming lunchtime clubs. He’d like to
see lunch time “revitalized & energized” with clubs
and intramural sports. A Bridge Club is starting this week. He would
like PTA to provide parent volunteers who would enjoy being involved
with lunchtime sports or clubs. The fields won’t be done until
next year. Daniel & the P.E. department are looking at how best
to stripe the blacktop area. They’d like to see tetherball poles,
a handball wall & a simple climbing structure for the 6th graders.
He could use parent volunteers to drill holes for the tetherballs.
- Debbie Wolman, & Chris Samet, the after-school sports coach at
Hall and the lunchtime sports coach at NC, are willing to organize intramural
sports during lunchtime on Tuesdays & Thursdays. They’d be
paid for this. PTA’s role would be to provide parent volunteers
& to donate money to buy sport equipment.
- Sixth grade teachers have created an academic support opportunity
for 6th graders. Ms. Fagan, 6th grade math/science teacher, will be
teaching an enrichment class called “Learning Power” for
small groups of 6th graders. The class will focus on helping students
learn & practice the skills they need for success in the classroom.
- Daniel presented us with a modification to the skateboard/rollerblades
on campus policy. Response was positive & he will take it to the
faculty.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:28pm.
Submitted by Ann Arabian, Secretary
[minutes approved at Executive Board meeting of Nov. 3, 2003]
|
