East Grand Rapids High School PTSA Minutes October 11, 2011

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

Student Council Report-Ian Kelly

• Homecoming went well.
• Over 500 students attended.
• In Nov. Working on the Art & Craft Fair. Help vendors to move in. Big fund raiser for the student council.

Administrative Reports
Teacher Representative-Mary Billman

• The East Vision has been re-visioned this summer with a whole new design. Always looking for advertisers and subscribers. Can also be followed on Twitter@TheEastVision.
• The choir students are preparing for the big Autumn Concert to be held Oct. 24. The title of the program is “Music to Soothe a Savage Earth”. This program features all five choirs singing choral music specifically chosen to address the issues of modern society.
• The orchestra is preparing for the 4th annual Daniel Pearl tribute concert, Harmony for Humanity. We are joining forces with the HUB orchestra from GRPS. Our charity fundraiser will be to raise money to help rebuild the music program in Joplin, MO Public High School, completely devastated by last springs tornado. The concert is 10/20 at 7:30 p.m.

Superintendent-Sara Shubel

• MEAPS begin for the next 2-3 weeks. Please be sure students come to school on time and well fed.
• Homecoming went smoothly. No issues came to the Superintendents level. Thank you to the safety patrols for the parade.
• The School Board is watching legislation, there is a lot on the table. Concerned to find that our two state representatives had not read all the bills. They did not know the implications of the bill long term. They are only seeing short term.
• The Parent Empowerment bill has some lasting implications. Parents not just the superintendent need to be in touch. The message will go further with parents involved.
• Look at the legislative blog on the district web site.

Principal-Jenny Fee

• PSAT 10/12. 308 juniors and seniors will be taking. It is not a required test.
• MEAPS for 9th grade Social Studies next week.
• PLAN test in November.
• Homecoming dance went well. It was a three year process to change over the student attitudes to the changes.
• 300 plus college apps have been done.

Clubs and Activities
Jenny Fee-

• Students may start any club that they have an interest in.The process is to go to Mr. Weigel, get an advisor and fill out the form.
• Clubs come and go depending on student interest and involvement.
• No formal process for announcing clubs existence or meeting times. Students just put 81/2x11 sheets up all over the building announcing time and place. Also the big calendar in the hall may have it but most of the advertising is word of mouth, morning announcements and posters.
• At Freshman Survival the students are told bout the clubs that exist.
• Some have links on the website.
• Club sports have an affiliation with the high school. They are supported by the Boosters and use the facilities. The funding comes from club parents and students.

Pam Steers-Drama Club

• There is information about Drama Club on the website.
• Any student can come to the monthly meeting.
• No student is turned away from being involved in 24 Hour Theater.
• Students involved in drama collect points for participation. Based on the points accumulated the can be members of the International Thespian Society (10 pts.) as a senior, or receive a varsity letter (20 pts.).
• There are student run productions and students were even invited to be a part of Art Prize this year.
• There is also a yearly trip to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
• November 3-5 Fall Play Performance at the PAC.

Sara Edleman-Key Club

• About 50-60 students at the meeting.
• Used to be affiliated with the Kiwanis. The Purpose of the group is to volunteer in the community. There are opportunities to do things like tutor or visit residents at Heather Hills Retirement Community.
• Students must contribute at least 10 hours to be able to list Key Club on their college applications.
• You can Like Key Club on Facebook.

PTSA Executive Board Reports
Secretary-Laurie Mahdasian

• Minutes from the September 13,2011 meeting were approved.

Treasurer-Susie Gerow

• Presented the 2011-2012 PTSA proposed budget. Budget was approved.

Assistant Treasurer-Susan Levine

• There is a new flyer available listing the Fundraising Programs at EGR.
• The new Yes card at D&W can be tied into EGR HS so money will be automatically donated to the HS during D&W Days. You can go online or to the service desk at D&W to sign up.
• Book Fair December 3 and 4 at Schuler’s Books.
• SCRIP still an ongoing program.
• Check website for others.

President’s Report-Lynn Yardley

• Book Fair is a big fundraiser for us. Mention EGRHS at check out and we will receive a % of sale.
• November 8 PTSA meeting will be a shorter one due to the Veterans Assembly.
• Parent Teacher conferences coming up in November. There will be a PTSA table and we need volunteers to help there.

PTSA Committee Reports
Scrip-Julie Schultze

• Julie will have a table to sell Scrip at conferences and could use some help.
• Sold $1,900 worth of cards in the first month of school. Some yield a high % return and some a lower, but they all add up.

Booster Group Reports
Academic-Stacey Levitt

• At the first meeting an admissions officer spoke. Jenny Fee addressed the top to bottom ranking.
• Next meeting Nov. 3 and Lori Johnson will speak about Family Connections and how to navigate the site for students in each grade level.
• Two fundraisers this year-Progressive Dinner and Winter Whirl (dance).
• Website egracademicsboosters.blogspot.com

Team Boosters

• Investigating the idea of hiring a monitor for the weight room. This would allow for students not involved in athletics to also use the equipment as well as the community.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Laurie Mahdasian, PTSA Secretary.