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Henry C. Hall Middle School PTA
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Meeting of Tuesday, October 18, 2005
1:15pm • Hall Middle School
Board Members Present: Anne Gilberg, Claudia Gropper,
Barbara Kelly, Robin Moller, Daniel Norbutus, Elizabeth Pascuale, Rebecca
Paul, Jeannie Perry, Valerie Pitts, Rebecca Sarokin, Monica Sherman,
Sara Spero, Scottie Spurzem, Ted Stoeckley, Linda Sudduth, Paula Turner
Board Members Absent: Ann Morrison
1. Welcome:
President Rebecca Sarokin called the meeting to order at 1:20pm.
2. Minutes
⇒ MSP to approve
the minutes from the last General meeting of September 15, 2005.
⇒ MSP to approve the minutes from the last Executive Board meeting
of September 20, 2005.
3. Treasurer’s Report
Not all of the lunch orders have been received yet, but it looks like there
will be a large profit this semester. The membership drive is complete, with
an income of about $4,500 — as projected. The chalk festival made a few
hundred dollars profit. Music theater receipts are coming in.
4. Teacher-Representative Remarks - Ted Stoeckley
- The LHS field trip went well. Most students paid the requested amount,
with only a small donation requested from the PTA.
- The staff has suggested that the courtyard outside the staff room
is underused. Discussion about this area included improvement ideas
such as site furniture, planters, a water feature, and floor mats.
It was also mentioned as a possible 8th grade gift.
- 6th grade pumpkin carving will take place on Friday, October 28th.
5. President’s Report - Rebecca
Sarokin
- Budget Sub Committee Report (see attached)
- Recommendation. Rebecca, Scottie, and Barbara met with Daniel
and Valerie to discuss the large balance PTA carried forward from last
spring. They developed recommendations in three areas: technology, construction,
and programs. Their final recommendation is to use the money in the technology
area to develop an expanded computer lab in the library to accommodate
the increased computer demands resulting from the relocation next year
of 5th grade to Hall. The lab would include about 20 additional computers,
related furniture, and electrical work. The District has agreed to pay
the costs not covered by the PTA donation, and to decide “which
computers go where” (the computer lab, the library lab, and into
classrooms). Discussion included requests for more Alpha Smarts, and
that some computers be “retired” and made available to students
without computers at home.
⇒ MSP
to spend $23,000 of the “balance forward” money
for a computer lab in the Hall library.
- To be determined for “Teacher Grants”: discuss
this next month.
- Teacher Patio: discuss next month.
- Parent Ed — (Jeannie Perry) Working
on next event
- Chalk Festival — went well
- Logowear — will be on display this
Thursday; order form will be coming home in backpack mail next week. “Broke
even” last year.
- Bulletin redesign — Editors may shorten articles in
order to limit the Bulletin to one piece of paper in the future. There
is ongoing conversation regarding format for publishing it on-line.
- Candidates Forum — went well.
- 6th Grade VP Report (Claudia Gropper and Monica Sherman) — Paradise
Foods is not able to donate pumpkins again this year. It was agreed
to purchase pumpkins out of the “school activities” fund.
Make-up picture day went well.
- 7th Grade VP Report — (Anne Gilberg and Paula Turner) — No
news.
- 8th Grade VP Report (Ann Morrison and Scottie Spurzem) — They
are getting chaperones for the dance on November 4th. Will consider
the “teacher’s courtyard” as a class gift to the
school.
6. Superintendent’s Report - Valerie Pitts
- School reconfiguration Task Force and teams are busy. Check
the website for meeting updates and recommendations. Construction is
on schedule for the spring.
- Attendance 96% District wide. As a revenue limit district, full attendance
makes a difference in funding. Valerie would like to see it increased
to 98%. She will publicize this in an upcoming Superintendent’s
letter.
7. Principal’s Report - Daniel Norbutus
- Wellness Committee — would like a PTA representative on this
District-level committee to help develop and implement a wellness policy.
Probably 4 meetings per year, in the afternoon. Suggestions included
Jean Suliteanu, Jan Smith, and/or a 5th grade parent. Rebecca will
announce in the Bulletin.
- After School Academic Support Program — starting a program
of 8th graders tutoring 6th graders, managed by Art Nelson and Norma
Shaner.
- Halloween — plan to lift the costume ban this year. Will send
home guidelines soon.
- Rainy Day Lunch — 6th graders will stay with their colleagues
in classrooms, 7th and 8th graders will eat in the gym. After eating,
50 will be excused to go to the library.
- Reconfiguration Planning — Spent a SIP day working on how it
impacts curriculum and delivery (including meeting with Kent School,
which made this change 16 years ago). Have decided the 5th grade program
next year will continue generally as it is now, in a self-contained
setting. May make changes in a subsequent year. Plannned changes include
giving “grades” or modified grades, switching 5th grade
to a quarter system to match the 6-8 model, one school-wide lunchtime,
one school-wide recess, and scheduling usage to avoid “overlap” as
much as possible. Still looking at drop-off and pick-up arrangements.
Major facility decisions should be complete by December so that site
improvements can begin in March.
8. Open Discussion
- Sara will bring snacks next month.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:35pm.
Submitted by Robin Moller, Secretary
11/4/05
[minutes approved at Executive Board meeting of November 15, 2005]
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