PTA Council Minutes

PTA Council of Howard County

                                                 General Membership Meeting

                Draft Minutes of May 3, 2010

Meeting was called to order by President, John Hannay at 7:40 pm

The minutes from the 4/12/2010 meeting were discussed, voted and approved as-is.

The PTA mission was read by a delegate.

Treasurer’s Report: Scholarships and Summer Conference line items were increased. An offer for the PTA Summer Conference register and pay for one get one free.

BOE Report: Mrs. Pat Gordon reported BOAST proposal did not pass. Mrs. Gordon attended an Integrated Arts class and enjoyed it very much. Several Howard County Elementary schools are participating in this program along with several Howard County Middle schools. Mrs. Gordon also attended a curriculum proficiency program which helps to make the community aware of our cultural richness and diversity.

Office of Superintendent Report: Patti Caplan reported the Howard County Executive released his 2011 budget, there is not a lot to be cut. The education operational budget meets the maintenance of effort. The Howard County School system received $1.8 million more than what was anticipated. Total budget = $70 million. Reminder that May 14, 2010 is a full student day.

Nominating Committee Report: Committee Chair, Cindy Haller reported to have a lead on a recording secretary and a treasurer.

The following slate of officers was announced for election June 7th:

President: John Hannay

Exec. VP: Terri Chiu

VP of Operations: Chaun Hightower

VP of Issues: Venu Iyengar

Corresponding Secretary: Tom Comeau

Treasurer: Open (nominations accepted from the floor)

Recording Secretary: Open (nominations accepted from the floor)

President’s Report: John Hannay reported on local PTA’s requesting support.

MD PTA Membership awarded Mt. Hebron HS PTSA an award for a 50% increase in their PTA membership.   The Maryland League of Woman Voters has invited the PTA Council to participate in the election forum. PTACHC needs local input and requests your ideas and issues you want discussed. The Maryland Conference on Universal Design for Learning will be rescheduled.

Presentation on New “Career and CollegeReady” Standards from Ms. Linda Wise, Ms. Maria D’Angeles and Ms. Lisa Boarman, Howard County Public School System. Ms. Wise said reform is coming, 4 Visions they are embracing. Curriculum is being revised will be assessed and there will be accountability. A hand out was presented, The Howard County Public School System, College and Career Readiness Indicators. Statewide technology infrastructure to track progress of students and their achievements. Prepare, develop and evaluate teachers and administrators, this will be based in part on student achievement not just on tests, 3 years of tenure will be required versus 2 years. School improvement process to assess schools in need to work together to have all children working at or above grade level. Children in 7^th grade now will be required to have 5 years of math beyond algebra II. 89% of students go onto college, Howard County wants all their students to either go onto college or a career/technology school and to be able to take credit bearing courses and not have to take remedial classes. Howard County School System wants each student to be able to enter a job with a career track and have the employer realize hiring this person will be an investment for the future. This Readiness Indicator can be found on the BOE site under documents. Ms. Wise and her team are working on having all this information more accessible through the communications office via Ms. Caplan.

Committee Reports:

Curriculum: A report was given on the ongoing efforts for foreign language to be incorporated into the curriculum starting in elementary schools. The Advocacy Group for Elementary School Foreign Language Program in HOCO Schools met with BOE members and are working on their next step by preparing a draft report to be presented to the Howard County BOE.

Family Involvement: The book drive has collected 12,266 books and they are still being counted. Prepare for Success is the next drive for June 2010. Nehemiah Spence participated in a webinar, Transforming Schools Through Family, School, and Community Engagement. It was very informative and anyone can download the presentation for viewing and information at http://www.nationalpirc.org/engagement_webinars/

Back pack donation link: www.prepareforsuccess.org/

Legislative: Faenita Dilworth gave a written and oral report. Information on the legislative session can be found at: www.mlis.state.md.us/

Safety: No report

Scholarships: 28 applications received. The committee meets on 5/10/10 and will select winners. $10,500 will be awarded between 7-10 applications.

Reflections: 4 Howard County participants are moving on to the National level.

Wellness: Healthy Howard Day is June 6^th, please participate and showcase your individual school initiatives, link: www.healthyhowardday.org/   May 19 is the 3^rd Annual Healthy Schools Innovation Awards Ceremony at the Florence Bain Center, please RSVP by 5/13/10. Brian Meshkin will step down as Wellness Chair and recommends Lisa Regnante as chair next year.

Safe After Prom: No report except Proms are going on all around the County.

Other Issues: 5/10/10 fundraiser to raise funds for a set of Chesapeake Watershed science books for each school.

PTACHC Volunteer awards –PTACHC has three awards that they are taking nominations must be submitted before 5/20/10. Applications are on the website www.ptachc.org

Meeting adjourned at 9:38 pm

Minutes submitted by Mollie Shea, Corresponding Secretary

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