September 13th Meeting Minutes

East Grand Rapids High School
PTSA Minutes
September 13,2011

Meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m.
Welcome and introduction of the board by PTSA President Lynn Yardley

Student Council Report-Ian Kelly

• Working on Homecoming. Pixar will be the theme. Floats by grade.
• Dance will be held in the auxillary gym. Student DJs.

Administrative Reports
Teacher Representative-Mary Billman

• Students have a positive feeling about the dance.
• Science department very excited about new equipment due to a large grant last year.
• Teachers appreciate SBRʼs.
• Senior Retreat was a big success. Thanks to Rachel Wiener who did a great job. There was a good turn out of students.
• Mrs Tombre still looking for a donation of a sofa.
• Jenny Fraizer is receiving the Barbara Ort-Smith award this fall which is a lifetime achievement award for outstanding contributions to world language education in Michigan. It is the highest award recognition a world language teacher can receive in the state.
• Kim Ibara will be taking students to Europe in 2012. Information can be found on her website.
• When are SBR requests due?

Superintendent-Dr. Sara Shubel

• Welcome and thank you to the PTA and the council as well.
• Beginning of school year has gone well. First day of school visited every classroom at all levels K-12. Makes for a busy day.
• Staff opening day went well with a theme of “Beautiful Oops”. Learn from mistakes and turn them into beautiful moments. How to turn them into learning opportunities.
• July brought Administration changes. Wealthy has a new principal Mr. Anthony Morey. Bill Behrendt has taken over at the MS as assistant principal. Nick Hopkins is the interim Athletic Director at the HS. Laurie Johnston has filled the open position in the HS Guidance office.
• Website is redesigned and is more user friendly.

School Board Representative-Brian Ellis

• Thank you to Dr. Shubel. It was not easy to fill four administrative positions in such a short time. It is a credit to her and her team. Kudos on all selections.
• We are in great shape this year in operating day to day. Looking to next year there is a $4 million hole in a $28 million budget. Most severe we have ever had.
• Looking for all employees to pay 20% of health care plan. Administration has already volunteered to do so. This change would save $600,00.
• Legislation in the works for a mandatory full day kindergarten next fall. $900,00 cost to district.
• Looking at some changes in “school of choice”. Question is who determines what “capacity” is? We need to monitor this.
• State would like to consolidate all elections to November. School issues are non-partisan and there is fear that they would get swept up into partisan politics.
• State talking about a ban on “lobbying”.
• Our state rep is not returning our calls. We are not going to give up, we will keep plugging away.
• Please keep an eye on the district Legislative Website. You can access it through the HS website.

Principal-Jenny Fee

• Changed to he registration process to the one the MS uses. It went very well. It allowed the first day of school to be
instructional.
• Difficult time for the counselors working with the schedule changes. Sections are planned based on what students plan on taking in March, then comes Fall and they want to change. There is not always an adequate number of slots available.
• There has been a change is the cell phone policy. Students can now use them in the cafeteria during lunch hour.
Also teachers have the ability to determine use of technology in the classroom tied to instructional use.

Guidance-Lori Johnston

• Have been working on scheduling.
• College applications and visits continue into late fall and then pick up again in the spring.
• Good idea to come and meet the college reps who visit because they may be the ones who read your childʼs application and essay. Good to put a face with a name.
• Family Connections our new system. Seniors have already received info. It can monitor whatʼs been sent, received,
when, where and what is still outstanding in the college application process. Will roll out to all later.
• Junior planning meeting will be Oct. 4.
• Freshman Survival will take place in classrooms.

Assistant Principal-Craig Weigel

• Last years new tardy policy has brought average tardies per student from 7.5 to 5.2. There will be an invitation to
“Saturday School” for those who miss their detention. Mr. Weigel or Mrs. Fee will facilitate so students can get caught up.
• Hearts of Gold has raised $150,00 in the last two years. There are t-shirts and caps for sale for this years game.

Youth Development-Stacey Trierweiler

• Due to budget, the director position has been cut. A group of parents stepped up to fill in.
• New name is Leadership and Youth Development. Adding leadership to the name will allow us to tie into local college programs.
• Senior Retreat had 204 of the 223 seniors attend. Hired Rachel Wiener to coordinate. The space has already been booked for next year due to the success.
• Changes have taken place in parts of the program.
• Healthy High will be 9/24 and the cost is $20.
• Looking for teacher advisors and college interns.
• Program is coordinated solely by volunteers in the community, we rely on 100% on financial and in-kind support from the community, corporate partners and parents.

PTSA Executive Board Reports
Secretary-Laurie Mahdasian

• Minutes from the May 10,2011 meeting were approved.

Treasurer-Susie Gerow

• Presented budget for the 2011-2012 school year. Vote to approve will be taken next month.
• Explained SBRʼs and that Susan Levine will coordinate. $5000 given out last year. SBRʼs are one of the main goals of the PTSA. (hand out of last yearʼs SBRʼs)

President-Lynn Yardley

• Reminder of the Paper-Gator in the back parking lot of the HS.
• Need volunteers to sign up for the Homecoming parade to act as crossing guards.
• PTA Memberships and volunteer opportunities mentioned.

PTSA Committee Reports
Newcomers-Laura Paschall

• 18 new families this year and 21 new students.
• 9/21 informal get together before Open House.

Scrip-Julie Schultze

• On going fund raiser. In stock card program of 14-15 popular vendors.
• Call or email Julie. Forms also in the HS office. Can be dropped off at the HS office or delivered right to your home.
• Printable form on the website.
• Reps at each school: HS-Stacey Levitt, MS-Patty Malewitz, Wealthy-Brooke Dillane, Lakeside-Elizabeth Loos and Breton does not yet have one.

Booster Reports
Academic Boosters-

• Please come to the Academic Booster meetings to learn about and advocate for academic excellence in our schools.
• Meeting Oct. 6 at 9:00 a.m. In the HS Media Center.

Music and Stage Boosters-Eileen Chamberlin

• Brooke Dillane to chair joint fundraiser Second City. First meeting will be 9/20 at 7 p.m. In Media Center conference room. All welcome.
• Ham Sale approaching. Students will get forms in late Oct. And delivery will be 12/9. Outside of second City this will be the only fundraiser.
• Early stage of planning a 10th Anniversary event for the PAC in the fall of 2012 or winter of 2013.Looking for people to serve on that committee. Looking to bring back acts from 10 years ago as well as new ones.
• 9/22 7th grade band/orchestra demonstration. 2/27 Choral kick-off.
• 10/15 24 Hour Theater
• Fall play-The Legend of Sleepy Hollow 11/3-5.
• EGRHS drama students will perform in Alan Carrieroʼs entry on 9/25 at 4:30 at St. Cecelia Music Center.

Team Boosters

• Need volunteers for concessions.
• Donʼt forget Raffle Ticket.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 a.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Laurie Mahdasian, PTSA Secretary