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Henry C. Hall Middle School PTA
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Meeting of Tuesday, September 20, 2005
1:15pm • Hall Middle School
Board Members Present: Anne Gilberg, Claudia Gropper,
Robin Moller, Ann Morrison, Daniel Norbutus, Rebecca Paul, Jeannie Perry,
Valerie Pitts, Rebecca Sarokin, Monica Sherman, Sara Spero, Scottie Spurzem,
Ted Stoeckley, Paula Turner
Board Members Absent: Barbara Kelly, Linda Sudduth
1. Welcome:
President Rebecca Sarokin called the meeting to order at 1:20pm.
She distributed an updated Roster, PTA Calendar, and 2005-06 Budget.
2. Minutes
⇒ MSP to approve the minutes
from the last Executive Board meeting of May 17, 2005.
3. Treasurer’s Report
We carried a $29,000 balance forward into this school year because we generated
more income than expected last year. Rebecca suggested forming a committee to
come up with a spending proposal. Some items to take into consideration include
the impending move of the 5th grade to the Hall campus, Hall staff and administration
requests, and the magnitude of the amount available, which provides a unique
opportunity for a large-scale purchase. Ideas already mentioned include a mobile
computer lab or a lunch area structure to provide shade (and rain?) protection.
Ted and Daniel will discuss this opportunity with the rest of the staff. Scottie
volunteered for the committee.
4. Teacher-Representative Remarks - Ted Stoeckley
- The 6th grade is taking a field trip to the Lawrence
Hall of Science on October 7th for a Faults and Geology exhibit. Ted
requested that the PTA fund the entry fee, toll, and parking, about
$750. This was discussed and it was concluded to instead ask the parents
to pay these costs, giving them a payment deadline. If people don’t pay, Ann Morrison will follow up with them, offering scholarships as needed. PTA will cover the costs of those who don’t pay.
- The 6th grade pumpkin carving activity will be on October 28th. Ted
reminded us that the carving knives are in the ladies bathroom in the
staff lunchroom. Student council members will assist with the activity.
5. Superintendent’s Report - Valerie Pitts
- School reconfiguration planning is proceeding (for 2006-07).
Building plans are available. The Reconfiguration Planning Task Force
will be meeting on October 6 at 6:30pm at Neil Cummins. Dozens of issues
have been identified. A Building Committee will start meeting soon
regarding interior planning, and landscape and site planning issues.
- Wellness Policy regarding fitness and nutrition must be completed
by July. Marin has a higher-than-the-state-average childhood obesity
rate. Input is being solicited from the PE teachers, health teacher,
lunch program chairs, and others for a board-approved policy statement.
- Transportation – the Board is continuing to work with GGT to
meet the District’s transportation needs. There is no NC bus
on Wednesdays. There has been a problem with the NC kids who have to
wait 45 minutes for the bus to come from Hall. The bus may be re-routed
to pick them up before the Hall students, as they are released earlier.
Daniel will mention bus etiquette in the Hall Weekly Bulletin.
- Board Election – there are four applicants for three seats, so there
will be an election this year. Candidates are Bernt Von Glassnap, Sally
Blatt, Bruce Friedricks, and Monica Bonny.
6. President’s Report - Rebecca
Sarokin
- Lunch program — is off to a good start, appears to be well
above last year’s income. It starts on Monday. The Governor has
signed a bill to “trim obesity in schools” (see attached
article). The guidelines will affect next year’s lunch program
plans.
- Musical Theater — lots of students are participating.
Lori Glass is very well-organized and enthusiastic. She has communicated
to the students that “schoolwork comes first”.
- Chalk Festival — Jenny Schwartz and Dany Phillipes
are doing a good job. They are having a permanent announcement sign
made. It will be after school on October 7.
- Parent Ed — (Jeannie Perry) Three events were
held last year (Phoenix Academy presentation, book discussion, and
a two-speaker panel from Apple Family Center). What do we want to do
this year? Ideas that sparked a lot of interest included internet issues
(e.g. myspace.com, site blocking, privacy) and drug education. It was
suggested that the computer classes (if they don’t already) include
internet safety education. It was also mentioned that Brenda Bercun
has offered to make a free presentation for divorced parents. If people
sign up for her fee-based program as a result of the presentation,
she will make a donation to the PTA. Jeannie will proceed with planning
some events.
- 6th Grade VP Report (Claudia Gropper & Monica
Sherman) — Photo
day went well. The pumpkin-carving activity is coming up.
- 7th Grade VP Report (Anne Gilberg & Paula Turner) — Lost
and Found is growing and will be donated soon. Anne and Paula will
help the 7th grade teachers and grad night volunteers.
- 8th Grade VP Report (Ann Morrison & Scottie Spurzem) — The
graduation committee is being chaired by Lori Calzaretta, Lori Glass,
and Eladia Leddy.
- Budget — Rebecca will put together a committee to propose how
to spend the $29,000 carried forward from last year.
- Candidates Forum — the PTA will host a candidate’s night
on October 18, 19, or 20. Location to be determined. The League of
Women Voters will provide a moderator. The election will cost the District
$10,000.
- Snacks — Individuals signed up to provide snacks
for each meeting. (Jeannie will do October.)
7. Principal’s Report - Daniel Norbutus
- Back to School Night — good turnout. Having a general
session provided an opportunity to meet the Superintendent and hear
presentations by the PTA and the Foundation. He plans to have a general
session for Open House too.
- Enrollment — now have 362 students, including many new
7th graders.
- Student Council Elections — will be held this Friday.
The documentary filmed during last year’s elections is expected
to be screened at the Sundance Film Festival.
- Site Council Representative — Have one volunteer (Robin
Gaspar), needs one more. Commitment is 3:30-5pm, once monthly.
- Safety — Barbie Frasier is the new committee chair.
She will check the classroom backpack supplies, inventory the storage
containers and develop a phone tree for use in emergencies (taking
bilingual issues into account). Daniel will update the evacuation,
release, and lockdown plans.
- Career Day — Two 6th grade parents and two 8th grade
parents have started planning the event.
- Campus Staff — Jose works 10-1 as Campus Supervisor
organizing intramurals at lunch, helping in the office, and at recess.
Daniel is still looking for a Classroom Aide in the learning center.
8. Open Discussion
- 5th grade Transition — many issues have been
identified, including career day and gift wrap sales. People generally
like the idea of identifying the schools as the “upper campus” (Hall)
and the “lower campus” (NC).
- Washington, DC trip — There was a suggestion
that the parent meeting for this trip take place on a night different
from Back to School Night in order to avoid the “runover” problems
that occurred this year.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:30pm.
Submitted by Robin Moller, Secretary
10/1/05
[minutes approved at Executive Board meeting of October 18, 2005]
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