Meeting was called to order at 9:04 a.m.
Welcome by the PTSA Presidents Stacey Levitt and Allison Bok
Administrative Reports
School Board Representative-Brian Ellis
• Board working with letter to the community, ways to lessen the impact and taking the approach of not going down without a fight.
• Kevin Phillips went to Lansing to advocate. Stressing why this change in Prop A is devastating to public education.
• Plan to hand deliver the petitions signed by our community.
• Hopefully something less severe will be passed.
• EGR had a 2% property value increase due to our schools. We were the only ones in Kent Co. with an increase.
Teacher Representative-Mary Billman
• Cameron Burnette was selected through her performance at State Solo and Ensemble Festival to be a member of the statewide Honors Orchestra at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in May.
• The EGRHS AP Biology class will be presenting their research projects which were designed and completed with the assistance and guidance of Marty Coon from the Education Outreach section of the VanAndel Institute. The presentations will take place at the VanAndel Institute from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 17th. Twenty-three students from EGR are participating. Their research is varied and shows some original ideas, as well as, confirmation of research from other scientists.
• Choir Festival was a huge success. Chamber-Superior, Men’s Varsity Chorus-Excellent, Women’s Chorus -Excellent, Bella Voce-1st Division (perfect score), Madrigals-2nd Division.
• The choral Departments of all the EGR schools held the 37th annual Melodies in March. This concert featured 4th-12th grade choir students singing together in one venue.
Principal-Jenny Fee
• Busy organizing and getting ready for all the end-of-year activities.
• Mr. Fisher working with all the college decisions.
• List of senior’s scholarships and awards due to guidance by May 6th to be included in the Honors Assembly.
• Next year’s schedules for 8-11 graders are being worked on. Looking at how many students requested specific classes and determining what classes and the number of sections needed for the upcoming school year. Parents will receive an email with their students requests. They should meet with a counselor and their student if changes need to be made.
• We the People going to compete in DC at the end of April.
• Phantom a huge undertaking. $40-50,000 needed. Money made in ticket sales, Booster funds and fundraising. (Usual amount to raise is $20,000) 125 students involved.
• Greg Dale from Duke University will be here to speak to students and parents about their roles in high school athletics. It will be held on May 23rd in the PAC.
Guidance-Larry Fisher
• 950 college apps have gone out.
• Sign ups for AP exams at an all time high of over 350.
• MME results were good. Over 14 students got a 30+ on the SAT section. Some will take SAT again in
May or June.
Guest Speaker
Cathy Szivan-Director, Youth Development
• Cathy gave an informative slide show about Youth Development and it’s history. (It was also to be shown at the Parent Forum for incoming Freshman parents).
• It’s main goal is to build relationships and mentoring student to student.
• Return to the same classrooms 3-4 times per year.
• Current high school students can remember specific memories of when they were in elementary and the impact the older students coming into their classrooms had on them, even to this day.
• Take a voluntary abstinence pledge.
PTSA Executive Board Reports
Secretary-Laurie Mahdasian
• Minutes from the March 8, 2011 meeting were approved.
Treasurer-Linda Fotieo/Susie Gerow-Assistant Treasurer
• Not much activity this month.
• 2 SBRs were approved. One for Steve Seth a school social worker and the other for the english department’s trip to Stratford Ontario.
President’s Report-Stacey Levitt and Allison Bok
• Proposed slate of officers for the 2011-2012 school was read. Vote taken. Slate was approved.
Lynn Yardley-President
Rebecca Chuba and Laura Fabrizio-Vice Presidents
Susie Gerow-Treasurer,
Susan Levine-Assistant Treasurer,
Nancy Doyal-Corresponding Secretary
Laurie Mahdasian-Recording Secretary.
Installation will be at the next meeting May 10.
• SCRIPT special order will be taken 5/1-5/11 for graduation gifts. Deliveries will be made the next week.
• Next PTSA Meeting will be May 10.
• High School/Middle School Schuler Book Fair is Saturday and Sunday May 14-15.
Booster Group Reports
Music Boosters-Robin Easley
• The painted instrument fundraiser is now called Replay. It is a fine arts collaboration benefitting the art and music programs. Over 25 artists will have transformed musical instruments into works of art. A silent auction will begin at the spring concerts the week of May 16 in the PAC. The instruments will be on display at Studio 654: 5/19 7-9 pm, 5/20 4-6pm, 5/21 11-2 and 5/22 2-5pm. You can check out the instruments on Face book at ReplayEGR, or on the Music Booster link on the HS PTSA newsletter.
• Other Dates:
May 16-Spring POPS choral Concert, 7:30 pm
May 17-Band Spring “Senior Recognition” Concert,7:30 pm
May 18-Orchestra Spring “Senior Recognition” Concert, 7:30 pm
May 19-Choral Cabaret Dessert 7:00 pm MS
• Bringing Second City back for a performance on March 10,2012.
Stage Boosters-Robin Easley
• Phantom of the Opera. Performances April 27-30.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 a.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Laurie Mahdasian, PTSA Secretary
