|
|
Henry C. Hall Middle School PTA
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Meeting of Tuesday, January 17, 2006
1:15pm • Hall Middle School
Board Members Present: Board Members Present:Anne Gilberg, Claudia Gropper, Robin Moller, Daniel Norbutas, Rebecca Paul, Valerie
Pitts, Rebecca Sarokin, Monica Sherman, Scottie Spurzem, Linda Sudduth, Ted Stoeckley,
Paula Turner
Board Members Absent: Barbara Kelly, Ann Morrison, Elizabeth
Pascuale, Jeannie Perry, Sara Spero
1. Welcome:
President Rebecca Sarokin called the meeting to order at 1:15pm.
2. Minutes
⇒ MSP to approve
the minutes from the last Executive Board meeting of November 15, 2005.
3. Teacher-Representative Remarks - Ted Stoeckley
- “Character Counts” — is being considered as a district-wide
character education program. Program includes staff training, school-wide
meetings.
- PTA Materials Package — staff is considering a start-of-school
package of must-have items similar to Redwood’s “Right Stuff.”
Package would include logowear, lock, binder reminder, PE uniform,
yearbook, (school supplies?). Discussion included concerns regarding
logistics, hand-me-downs, and inventory. As far as school supplies
are concerned, the goal now is that each grade level develops a materials
list to be included with Daniel’s summer letter.
- Directory — Discussed how to get it out earlier; sending home
stickers for updates.
4. Superintendent’s Report - Valerie Pitts
- New Construction — on schedule, but very tight. Staff will need
parent support at the start of the year, as they will have very little
time to prepare their classrooms. Valerie is looking for members for
the building committee, which will be meeting soon. She will be meeting
with the architect and the project manager on January 30.
- Healthy Kids Committee — will complete a draft policy by the
end of March (must be in place by July). Hall impacts: lunch snack
program will need to be adjusted to meet federal guidelines. The draft
goals regarding nutrition and physical activity will be on the website
soon.
- Vision Development — the Board may be holding an open, special
meeting regarding their long-term vision for the District. The date
will be posted on the website.
- Informal coffees with the Superintendent — Valerie is thinking
about hosting coffees as a way to get input from parents about the
district. General enthusiasm for the idea, either at Ward Street Café,
Il Fornaio, or at someone’s home, 9-11am.
5. President’s Report – Rebecca
Sarokin
- Lunch program — going well. Had a problem with one vendor. Chef Joel
from the Mt. Tam Racquet Club is going to replace him.
- Logowear — will arrive at the end of January. 167 orders (320
students at school). Discussion included the benefits of including
a logowear shirt for each of the staff (morale, unity). Suggested that
this be a budget item next year, and not be dependent on the fundraising
success of the student logowear program.
- Man of Steel — (Linda Sudduth) Receipts are not yet final. There
is a cast party planned at the Lark in February. Linda Sudduth and
Lori Glass would probably like to produce the musical theater program
again next year.
- Career Day — programming is on track for February 19. Rebecca
will set up a meeting with Daniel and the committee chairs. Valerie
volunteered to be a presenter representing educators.
- Parent Concerns
- Backpack Weight – general discussion regarding transporting heavy
backpacks, sports equipment, and musical instruments. This effects
drop-off/ pick-up traffic as well as back health. Ted will bring
backpack weight back to lead team to discuss, including suggesting
various methods of frequent “purging” of binders. Valerie
will bring this to the reconfiguration committee as it impacts
pick-up/ drop-off, especially during the construction period. [Someone
should speak with Mr. Brungess regarding the practicality of having
a set of “school instruments”
to remain at school.]
- Parent and child Internet access to daily homework assignments
and weekly grade reports – Ted will bring this back to lead team
for discussion, including possible links to teacher websites. Password-protect
so the information is available confidentially to the student.
This would support earlier communication/ intervention between
teachers and parents.
- Homework – Parents and staff are continuing to have discussions
about quantity. Parents with concerns should speak with the appropriate
teachers.
- PTA Jobs for next year — Rebecca Paul and Rebecca Sarokin
will pursue volunteers.
- VP Reports on Grade Level Activities
- 6th Grade – Valentine’s Day is coming up. Will pick a date
for the activity.
- 7th Grade – had a successful field trip to the mosque in Mill
Valley
- 8th Grade – graduation committee is gearing up
- Parent Ed — there will be presentation about Internet
safety on February 9 at 7pm.
6. Principal’s Report-Daniel Norbutas
- Marijuana Use Presentation — February 6, 7-9 PM, RHS Little
Theater.
- Students of the Month — congratulations!
- District Calendar — Roundtable has started looking at next
year’s calendar. Start date may be August 28, days off may include
the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Winter break will try to mesh
with TUHSD.
- Communication — should be improved between PTA and Site
Council. Would like to have a PTA representative on Site Council.
- 5th Grade — in the past the Hall principal has done 20-minute
interviews with each incoming 6th grader. This year there will be
two year’s worth of incoming students, precluding such a time-intensive
delivery method. Daniel is considering grade-level assemblies, offering
sign-up times for those interested in individual appointments.
- Gym sound system — money was raised for it at the last Auction.
Daniel would like to meet with those interested regarding necessary
specifications. People to include: Linda Sudduth, Lori Glass, Amy
Hatch, Jeff Butler.
7. Open Discussion
- Tam Bond — Robin Moller informed the Board regarding a serious
consideration by the TUHSD Board to place a facilities modernization
completion bond on the June 6 ballot. The final decision is scheduled
for February 28. Volunteers are needed. For additional information
contact Jeff Freiberg at 388-4785.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:30pm.
Submitted by Robin Moller, Secretary
1/25/06
[minutes approved at Executive Board meeting of February 14, 2006]
|
