PTSA Meeting Minutes

January 23, 2014

Meeting called to order at 8:34 am by Jodi Jackson – Co- President

Executive Board in Attendance: Katie Arney, Jodi Jackson, Sue Koeneman, Lori Peljovich, Jennifer Key, Carol Shutley, Whitney Lea and Jill Segal. General Members in attendance: Beth Hodges, Donna Wise, Evangeline Agbogu, Anne Rieger, Kimberly Woodward, Lyn Poulos, Stacy Christie, Debbie Cook, Pam Jones, Brigitte Mabry

Sallie McKinley, Linda Staten, Sandra Alexander, Colette Steel, Joy Walker, Beth Hawks, Kimberly Oliver, Stacy Boyd, Jody Nathan, Lisa Wilson, Noa Folami, and Teesha Washington.

  1. Welcome by Jodi Jackson
  1. Principal’s Report – Dr. Shaw
  1. Quiet Second Semester! Attributes it to students knowing what is expected and the students living up to those expectations.
  2. Riverwood Update: Data Walls will be posted throughout the school and on the website. Graphs show SAT scores have gone down. We own the good and the bad. ESOL is moving up showing learning within that program. EOCT Scores are heading in the right direction as well.
  3. February 3 is the due date for teachers to turn in their Unit Plans. New process implemented by Dr. Shaw for teachers to plan according to the questions “Where are you going?”
  4. Bell Schedule – sorry no decision yet but meeting today with consultants. Need to focus on two areas:
  5. Teachers have largest workload of any high school in Fulton County and this may cause good teachers to leave Riverwood
  6. Programs that are available at Riverwood need to be kept so that kids that attend here specifically for these programs will still be able to take them.
  7. Fine arts and Athletics are going strong – Wedding Singer musical will be great! Basketball and wrestling are doing well also
  8. Question about Classroom Structure was raised – Why are there so many teacher absences and substitutes and to you have a core group of subs that you call upon? Answer: Teachers are out for various reasons – personal illness or illness of a child, professional enrichment and meetings. We have 4-5 core subs that we call on and trust but honestly it is hard to find good subs. We are working on it though.
  9. Comment from a parent-kudos to Opie Blackwell for his AP Presentation last night!
  10. Question from a parent: Will there be any new offering or ways to present classes in the Fall? Answer: Nothing on the horizon right now
  11. Sue Koeneman thanked Dr. Shaw for his informative emails about what is happening whether good or bad at Riverwood. Dr Shaw said he wants to share what he can, legally he cannot share everything but wants the students to know that we care and we want them at school.
  12. Question from parent: Teach for Excellence – will it ever be offered for all teachers? Answer: It is expensive and right now cannot be given to all teachers. It works for some while it does not work for others. Teach for Excellence is basically “Coaching for teachers.” Dr. Shaw along with the Admin Team, Department Chairs and teachers are already doing internal training and analysis of what is needed for them to succeed in the classroom regardless of having this program in place.
  1. Nominating Committee for 2014-2015 – Katie Arney

Nominating Committee needs to slate the Executive Committee only. Slate will be up in March and April for 30 days to be voted on at May meeting.

Katie Arney proposed the Nominating Committee of Courtenay Collins, Kaye Mulkeen and Edie Cohen with Alternate of Laura Stevenson. Pam Jones made a motion to accept and motion was seconded by Lori Peljovich. Motion passed unanimously.

  1. Scheduling 2014-2015 – Opie Blackwell AP

Scheduling Consultant meeting today to help survey all the data. We have all the surveys and other feedback to present. We are on hold until after the meeting today but need to get things going asap.

Question: What are top problem that you are trying to solve? Answer: Overload on teachers and students and Lunchtime being too long.

Question: Would we ever go to block scheduling? Answer: Not really any money for that but we would consider it if money could be found (Costs more because kids would need more classes and therefore we would need more teachers)

Process for Spring scheduling for Fall 2014: (This info is on the RICS website as well)

They will start meeting with students by grade level next week to:

  1. get them THINKING about elective and world language classes, meeting magnet requirements and any new classes that will be offered
  2. Have them do RESEARCH by looking in the academic catalog, talking with teachers etc.

On February 12 students will choose classes “Elective Day” in advisement classes, they can speak to teachers at lunch and then cards will be collected at the end of the day.

February 10-14 Teachers will make recommendations about core courses.

March 3rd- April 4th - student input and make changes. Make any and all changes you want at this time.

March 5th (Tentative date) Parent Evening for course verification.

We hope to know our bell schedule for 2014-2015 by February 12th.

Incoming Freshmen will have a similar process but do this in the classrooms at RCS with their counselors and teachers. They will have their own night at Riverwood 3/4/14.

  1. Treasurer’s Report: Sue Koeneman
  2. December 2013 report shows what was spent.
  3. July-June 2014 – shows YTD what we have spent and the budget for the year.

Income at 81.2% met – Need all students to be members and need donations from parents. Budget is always a guess based on projections. We have income that trickles in from corporate matches, parking spaces etc.

  1. Previous Budget items – paperwork did not go through in time to pay out for items we budgeted for in 2012-2013 but now they are paying out.
  2. Goal is to leave money for new year
  3. Motion to approve the report was presented by Jodi Jackson and seconded by Pam Jones. Passed unanimously.
  1. Committee Updates –

1. Mini Grants – Katie Arney

We have given out $22000 approved in October

We will give out another $8000 for Spring Semester that will go to mini grants presented in February

All students will benefit from these mini grants. Jill Segal wants everyone to spread the word that you can donate all year long to the PTSA to help support all the programs we provide to the school.

2. Teacher Appreciation Week – Lori Peljovich

Ideas: Gift card collection for the teachers to pick from a raffle. Drop off in the Office labeled PTSA

Notes to teachers, send stuff in for the teachers

At the Holiday Luncheon, PTSA gave Riverwood totebags filled with items to all the staff.

3. Beth Hodges said to find out important information Like Riverwood PTSA on Facebook

4. Graduation – Katie Arney

Senior Tab on the RICS Website has all the info but Ellen Marman could use some volunteers for Senior Week.

5. Colette Steel – Thanks to her for the Online Directory! First year with online directory. Colette suggested that it be included in the dues next year as there is a lot of confusion as to whether or not they qualified to get the directory when they join PTSA. Cost to purchase the software can perhaps be added to the budget next year.

6. Need volunteers for the MYP Night April 2nd. Contact Crystal Clark if you are available.

  1. Foundation Update – Pam Jones

Foundation supports long term goals – Teach for Excellence is an example.

Foundation raises funds outside of the school from corporations and other foundations through grants. We are pursuing a grant for $25000 from Georgia Power and received a grant from the Sandy Springs Society for $7000 last year.

March 7 will be a school wide career fair including SSPD, Armed Forces, Corporations etc. Some with jobs available for our students during the summer. If you have any companies or people that would like to participate, please let Pam Jones know.

Meeting adjourned by Katie Arney at 9:38 am.