|
|
Henry C. Hall Middle School PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Meeting of Tuesday, March 16, 2004
1:15pm • Hall Middle School
Board members present: Barbara Solomon, Liz Krakow,
Susan Wirta, Susy Vrouvas, Claudia Gropper, Rebecca Sarokin, Diana Putterman,
Kathie Cummins, Ann Arabian, Jeannie Perry, Daniel Norbutas & Trish
Mihalek.
Board members absent: Ann Morrison, Scottie Spurzem,
Cynthia Peterson & Anna Gravley.
Guests: Bob
Cone & Marianne Rafter.
Welcome:
Meeting was called to order at 1:22pm by President Barbara Solomon.
Minutes:
The minutes from the last Executive Board meeting on February 24, 2004
were approved as written.
Treasurer’s Report:
See attached report from Treasurer, Kathie Cummins.
President’s Report – Unfinished Business:
- Signboard: The new Hall signboard will be installed
next Tuesday, March 23rd.
- Bullying Workshop: Barbara invited everyone to
a workshop on bullying, and a documentary film, entitled “Let’s
Get Real” on March 30th from 3 to 5:00pm at the Marin County
Office of Education. In the film, young people speak openly about what
it’s like to be targeted, to bully others and to stand up as
an ally when they witness harassment.
- Drug Workshop: Neil Cummins PTA & Hall PTA
is co-sponsoring a drug related workshop on Thursday April 22nd at
7pm at Neil Cummins. A panel of experts, and a recovering student and
a parent, will talk about youth access to drugs in our county. It’s
very “hands on” & Barbara highly recommends it.
- Beautification: Beautification chair, Maija Norstad,
is a one woman power house! Barbara sang Maija’s praises
with all the new plantings, benches and green grass that are sprouting
up all around the Hall campus. Barbara suggested that the 2004
8th grade gift to the school be a bench with a plaque. She thought
the old front of the school, at the circular driveway, would be
a perfect spot for it.
- Hospitality: Hospitality chair, Kappy Reed, is
planning the Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday May 4th in the
Hall Library. Kappy is the new Hospitality chair at Redwood HS.
- Health & Safety: Health & Safety chairs,
Bonnie Kaiser & Mary Connolly, are coordinating a Hall emergency
drill in conjunction with the countywide emergency drill on April 7th.
They are still in the planning phase, but as it stands now, school
will end before our regular 3:10 dismissal. This will allow Hall to
test its emergency phone tree system and all aspects of an actual emergency
and student release procedure. If anyone would like to volunteer
to help, please contact either Bonnie or Mary.
- 8th Grade Graduation: Graduation preparations
are moving along. The jobs are slowly filling, a DJ is lined up & a
letter to parents will soon be sent with all the graduation details.
VP Reports:
On April 9th, the 6th graders will
decorate donated Paradise Food bags in an “Earth Day” theme. The
bags will then be used at Paradise Foods to bag customer’s groceries
in honor of “Earth Day”. Students will be encouraged
to be creative. Markers and colored pencils will be purchased by
PTA, & will be left for 6th grade teachers to use in their classrooms.
The 8th grade VPs will advertise for chaperones for the next 7th/8th
grade dance on May 7th.
Superintendent’s Report:
Bob Cone complimented
Barbara on her Hall Bulletin article about the Roundtable Plus Committee.
He thought it was great that the Hall PTA President was “getting
the word out” about
this committee. It is composed of representatives from all sectors
of the District. They reviewed the budget process, current budget
projections, and the budget development calendar for the 2004-05 school
year.
Parliamentarian Report:
Parliamentarian Jeannie
Perry reported that “everything is really
falling into place”. PTA board positions are being filled,
as well as committee chairs for the 2004-05 school year. The most “glaring
openings” are: Treasurer, Hall Bulletin Co-Editor, Membership,
Parent Ed & Hospitality.
President’s Report - New Business:
Barbara
proposed to donate funds raised from a spring restaurant fund-raiser,
plus $1,000 of unallocated monies in PTA’s “to be determined” column,
to the district to help purchase a new Hall play structure once the blacktop
is redone this summer. The structure would be geared towards 6th
graders & up, would incorporate circuit training & be used in
P.E. classes to improve upper body strength and would complement our
new year round multi-use field. It was moved by Kathie Cummins
that we give $1,000 of our “to be determined” funds, plus
funds raised from a spring restaurant fund-raiser, to the district to
help purchase a new play structure. It was seconded by Susy Vrouvas. All
were in favor, so the motion passed.
Teacher Representative Report:
- Trish Mihalek reported
that a number of 8th grade students need assistance in purchasing
the $32 Hall yearbook. Barbara asked that Teacher,
Nicole Muserelli write a letter to PTA requesting scholarships, and
PTA will pay for the yearbooks.
- The 6th grade Exploratorium field trip was a huge success. A huge
thank you to the parent drivers!
- A 6th grade Bay Ecology Field Trip is scheduled for May in Tiburon.
- The student council sponsored 6th grade social will be held on May
21st from 3:30 to 5pm.
- Trish said how much the teachers appreciate the treats from PTA throughout
the school year.
Principal’s Report:
- Mr. Norbutas was very
pleased with the great parent response to his math problem in the Hall
Bulletin a couple weeks ago. He’s
also very excited about the CML School Foundation’s upcoming Auction.
- He has submitted several very fun auction items
that will definitely be “hot tickets”.
- Mr. Norbutas reported that the new field is a joint effort with the
Larkspur Park & Recreation Department. The school district
is considering installing a new play structure and a handball wall
when the blacktop is reconfigured this summer. Additional funds are
needed. August 15, 2004 is the designated date of completion
for the project.
- Mr. Norbutas shared a final draft of Hall’s “Academic Honesty
Policy”. The policy now says that if a problem occurs within
a grade level, then the grade level team of teachers decides how to react
to the problem. This policy will be sent home before the end of
this school year & then will be included in next year’s Binder
Reminder.
- Mr. Norbutas is looking into installing an enclosed fence area to
lock student bikes. There have been 9 bicycle thefts over the past
couple of weeks; none of the bikes were properly locked.
Diana Putterman shared the sad news of Joe Vasquez, a respected father
in our school community, who passed away of a heart attack last Friday. A
memorial fund has been set up in his name, at the Bank of the West, in
Larkspur. His wife, Claudia, and two sons, JoJo & Benny, will
benefit from community support and prayers. A memorial service
will be held this Saturday at St. Rita’s in Fairfax.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:38pm
Submitted by Ann Arabian, Secretary
[minutes approved at Executive Board meeting of April 20, 2004]
|
