Meeting was called to order by President, Mary Jane Grauso at 7:35 p.m. at the Department of Education
building. Quorum was met. Delegates read the purpose of PTA. Introductions
of guests and school officials were made.
BOE- Ms. Gordon discussed the upcoming operating budget process.
Program-Healthy School Initiative- Sam O’Neil, of the Howard County Health Department,
Linda Wise and Pamela Blackwell, of HCPSS gave an overview of this initiative developed to
recognize schools that have displayed extraordinary commitment in the
areas of 1) Nutrition 2) Physical activity 3) Mental health or 4)
Safety/environment. This year the focus will be for elementary schools
that are encouraged to submit applications for their school doing
something innovative, sustainable and replicable in any of these 4
categories. PTAs can nominate their school by
highlighting key pieces of the program on the application and providing
two (2) letters of support.Deadline
for applications is Feb. 27th. (2 letters of recommendation
also need to be submitted with the application) Winners will be notified by May 1, 2008 and will receive an
Innovation Award at a Healthy Schools Awards Ceremony.” Best practice
ideas” will be shared with all schools.
Minutes from December 3, 2007 were reviewed and approved
as written
Treasurer report- All PTAs have sent in their dues. Thank you to those schools who have
donated money to the scholarship fund. Copies of bonding insurance policies were distributed at
tonight’s mee. Bob Rosenberg, PTAC Treasurer made the following motion. MOTION: that PTACHC move $1,200-$1,500 from the reserve fund to purchase a new
computer for the PTACHC office. ADOPTED
PTACHC Networking Sessionis
scheduled for January 28, 2008 at 7pm. Workshops include frequently asked
questions, treasurer/fundraising workshop, nutrition and health, and after
prom.
Cultural Proficiency Program- by HCPSS has been cancelled for January 9-10 due to lack of participation.
The next 2day workshop is scheduled for May 7 & 8
from 8am -4pm at Loyola Campus 8890 McGraw Rd. Limited to 40 PTA
members or participants.Contact
John Krownapple at DOE- 410.313.1560.
Coat Drive was very successful with over 1,700 coats donated.
Book
Drive- PTAs participating in this drive should start collecting books
at their school during January with distribution at the end of January
into February If you plan to participate please contact Nehemiah Spence (nspence@gpsonline.com).
Guidelines will be emailed out to PTAs. (Action
Item)
Joan
Dykstra Advocacy Award –
PTACHC is shifting focus of this award from leadership
to advocacy. New application forms were distributed tonight and
will be available from our website. PTAs are encouraged to begin thinking
about advocacy programs in their school.(Action Item)
Operating Budget Committee-
President Grauso and other delegates volunteered to help review the budget
in order for PTACHC to give written testimony at the public hearing. Ellen
Giles, BOE will meet with PTACHC budget committee to give an overview of
how the budget is set up and works in order to assist delegates to feel
more knowledgeable of the budget. Public hearing is January 22.
Healthy Schools Day -is scheduled for April 28, 2008.
Insurance- Delegates raised some questions regarding insurance coverage. Mary Jo
O’Neil, past MDPTA President will suggest current MDPTA board present a
workshop on insurance. (Action Item>
Backpack Report Update -Delegate Veronika Carella, GHS, asked what was the
findings of the Backpack Task Force.President Grauso reported with a short synopsis -
a 2 page report from task force was presented to BOE. Schools have
been asked to begin to look at how they can help to reduce the weight of
the backpacks based on suggestions from the report. Contact office if you
are interested in obtaining a copy of the report.
BOE Candidate Forum will be held January 8 and will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 72/Verizon
Channel 42 on
January 26 at 1 and 8 p.m February 5 at 1 and 8 p.m.
February 9 at 1 and 8 p.m.
February 11 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Next Meeting February 7, 2008
Adjourned at 8:45 PM
Minutes submitted by Tara Watts, Recording Secretary
