February 16, 2010

Northwest High School PTSA

Minutes from Meeting

Meeting called to order at 7:10 pm by April Keyes, PTSA President

Minutes fromJanuary meeting were read and approved. Introductions were made. See sign-in/attendance sheet.

Treasurer’s Report >Paulette White

  • budget report for this meeting issued
  • reporting practices discussed
  • Paulette had questions about bank statement; to be followed up by Paulette
  • Need to determine if after prom expenses will remain on the budget report (separated in the past)

Principal’s Report>Lance Dempsey

  • New football coach hired—Bob Hampton. He has lots of experience.
  • Meeting with 9th grade parents was a huge success; lots of feedback
  • January 28, AP academy fair (7pm in cafeteria) was great; booths were run very nicely by students.
  • Registrations for 10th and 11th grades done.
  • Mock SAT’s for all Jrs., Feb. 26, ½ day.
  • International night and battle of the bands to be rescheduled.
  • Meeting at board of education; discussed positive behavior intervention systems (PBIS); telling students these are our expectations and have them deliver
  • Assemblies Jan. 22nd and 23rd; met with all classes; shared data regarding eligibility
  • Northwest is a summer school site this year
  • EFO helps keep incidents down; 3 arrests so far.
  • SGA giving after prom $1000.

Committee Reports:

Grant Proposal>no report

Nominating Committee

  • Need 1 more parent to chair committee
  • Needs to be in place by next month.

SAT/ACT Practice Test>April Keyes

  • Canceled due to lack of participation

After Prom>No report

Reflections>Linda Rubenstein

  • 4 selected to go to local/county level
  • Of the 4, 2 received Award of Merit and 2 received Award of Excellence
  • March 12-county level reception
  • All will be displayed for viewing at upcoming reception for all participants (May 16th meeting)

Staff Appreciation>Karen Sortino

  • Staff appreciation breakfast was a success; thanks to parents
  • Staff appreciative of gluten-free products

Volunteer Coordinator>no report

Brick Sales>no repot

Cluster Coordinator/MCCPTA Delegate>Beth Kennington

  • Night in Annapolis (March 1); bringing parents out to discuss education funding issues; ask for funds for MCPS budget
  • County fined for failure to meeting 2008-2009 maintenance of effort; waiver of the fine requested by Montgomery County Delegates and Senators; failure to pass the waiver for MCPS will have a dramatic effect on staffing
  • New information shared regarding Advanced Courses in middle schools (on grade level, honors, advanced)
  • Resolution introduced (still on the floor-discussion, then vote); recommendedthe “reevaluation” of the MCPS definition of “serious incident” to include bullying and harassment.
  • Only 85 reports of bullying in all of MCPS last school year; most people do not know that there is a reporting procedure
  • Vote taken and approved to have Beth vote yes to redefining “serious incident”
  • Northwest ClusterTestimony offered before County Council on the Capital Improvement Program, Feb 17, 2010 (main focus on CIP issues affecting Germantown ES and Darnestown ES)
  • PTAs contributing to Haitian relief- can donate, but must be properly documented
  • March 8, Sean Taylor will speak on “The 10 Laws for Effective Parenting in the 21 Century”, 7 p.m., NWHS auditorium

Safety Committee>Beth Kennington reported

  • Main concern continues to be drop-off safety; cars need to stop driving through parking lanes and to drop off students only along the school side curbed lane.

Outreach>no report

Technology>no report

New Business:

  • Need nominating committee for upcoming school year

Next meeting is March 16, 2010, 7:00 in the media center.

Meeting adjourned at 8:49

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