Minutes from the October 4,
2007 Meeting
Meeting was called to orderby President, Mary Jane Grauso at 7:40 at the Homewood School
Cafeteria. Quorum was met. Delegates read the purpose of PTA.
Introduction of school officials and guest.
Program
School Safety - Steve Drummondfrom the
Department of Education (DOE) spoke of safety programs in place in our schools which include inside as
well as outside the buildings. These include internet safety, anti drug/
gangs programs, physical security such as closed circuit TVs, hand held
radios and police radios in all schools. This year new trespassing signs
have been posted at schools. Ron
Miller (DOE) reported that all schools’ updated school emergency
response plans were due to central office by October 1.Schools have been
participating in training for evacuations, sheltering in place and
multi-hazardous incidents. In case of emergency, parents are encouraged to
obtain information from the radio, news, Comcast cable channel 72 or
verizon cable channel 42,
e-school news (To receive e-school news, parents must sign up at www.eschoolnewsletter.com).
Evacuation plans to other facilities will depend on the nature of the
incident. Parents are instructed not to go to school to pick up your
children and not to call the school for information. For further
information see www.hcpss.org emergency preparedness
Neighbor to Neighbor(n2n)is a grassroots program
to inform the community on how individuals and families can be better
prepared before an emergency happens. Individuals and families should be prepared to survive until help arrives. Parents can do three
things to prepare their family for an emergency: 1.) Make a family
emergency plan 2.) Make a family communication plan and 3.)Prepare an emergency supplies kit.
This
organization will come to your organization or neighborhood to speak about
emergency preparedness. Emergency Planning and Survival Guide for Families
were distributed.For further
info contact N2N Coordinators-Joan Driessen at jrdriessen@n2nhc.org or Becky Marten atbmaerten@n2nhc.org.
Coat Drive - Nathan Tresnak, who is working on his eagle scout badge, has volunteered to help PTAs with the annual coat drive for
needy students and their families. A flier with further information will
be emailed to each PTA President and delegate. Nathan has offered to make
signs, drop off and pick up boxes as needed. He will also help sort and
clean coats for distribution. PTAs are encouraged to collect at their
schools the following items: new or gently used coats as well as gloves,
scarves, hats, boots, snow pants, and heavy sweat shirts for high schools
students. Deliver items at the Nov. 5 General Membership Meeting. Please
contact PTACHC Office (ptachc@erols.com) with an approximate number of
coats collected in order to better handle the donation volume on Nov. 5.
Pupil Personnel Workers will then distribute the coats to students
in schools. Last year over 1,000 coats were distributed to students and
their families.
Facilitative Leadership: Tapping the Power of Participation - Gail
Coffin, Department of Education (DOE) has invited 6 PTA individuals to
participate in this 3 day leadership program. Program will be held
December 4, 5 and 6 from 8-5pm at Faulkner Ridge Center. Parents must
commit to attend all 3 days from 8 am to 5 pm. PTAs will benefit from this
free leadership training. Contact PTACHC for sign up.
If more than 6 PTA members sign up, PTA Council will use a lottery
to select attendees.
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Homewood School - Principal Tina Maddox and teacher Jill Donnelly thanked PTAs for
supporting them this past year and requested staff appreciation support
again this year. Homewood School does not have their own PTA due to being
a transition school for those students not able to succeed in the regular
classroom setting. If your PTA is able to donate snacks, luncheons,
breakfasts, mailbox treats for 100 staff members during the school year
contact Jill_donnelly@hcpss.org.
or 410.313.7081. PTAs are also welcome to attend their family dinner night
on January 23 from 6-8:00pm.
Applications and Research Lab (ARL) - Principal Mary Day welcomed PTAs to help support her
staff of approximately 30 by the way of donation of mailbox treats,
luncheons, breakfast please contact her at mary_day@hcpss.org . Principal
Day is also interested in speakers and mentors for student research
projects. ARL and Career Academy Open House is scheduled for November 26
and 27. Note: ARL also does not have a PTA as students are bussed there
for part of the school day.
Howard County Library- Rita Snyder reviewed some of the library services available to the public.
Students just need a library card in order to access into the database,
free on-line tutor programs or 24/7 AskUsNow research questions and
information needs or LearnATest online Practice exams and study courses.
Library will come out to your school to present information about
services or free enhancement programs. Folders with available services
were distributed to delegates. Contact libraries for further information.
Meeting Protocol-President Mary Jane Grauso reviewed parliamentary procedures to be used
during PTA Council and local PTA meetings. Delegates can “Call the Order
of the Day” if discussion is too long or deviates from the agenda,
or “ Call the Question” if a motion is on the floor and
discussion has gone on too long. Delegates were encouraged to review their
PTA Council Delegate Handbooks that were previously distributed for
further information on delegates’ responsibilities and roles in addition
to parliamentary procedures. If you have not received a copy of the
handbook, contact the PTACHC office (ptachc@erols.com)
Minutes from September 5, 2007 meeting were reviewed, approved, and filed.
Treasurer’s Report- The monthly budget report was reviewed,
approved and filed. Delegates were
reminded that Council dues, bonding insurance and state/national PTA dues
are due November 1. Council audit was completed and forwarded to MDPTA.
All PTAs were reminded to forward a copy of their audit of their budget to
Council.A treasurer’s workshop by MDPTA will be held on Saturday
Oct. 27 from 8am –4pm. More
information on this will be sent to PTAs.
High School Assessment (HSA) - PTACHC emailed testimony to MD Department of Education
on HSAs. Two Howard County parents gave verbal testimony at the Baltimore
regional hearing on HSAs.
Turf Valley-Marc
Norman reported that Council
Bill 60-2007passed requiring testing of golf courses before developing.
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Maryland PTA Local Unit Achievement Award-application has been extended to October 15. PTAs are
encouraged to submit documentation for this award. Each PTA President
received the packet of information regarding awards.
Bylaws are coming/past due for the following PTAs-Atholton HS11/07, Burleigh
Manor 5/07, Clarksville 11/07, Cradlerock 10/07, Glenelg High 12/07,
Hollifield Station 11/07, Jeffers Hill 1/07, Manor Woods 9/07, Mt. Hebron
12/07, Murray Hill 4/07,Oakland Mills High 5/07, Patapsco 5/07, Phelps
Luck 5/07, Stevens Forest past due, Thunder Hill 5/07, Bryant Woods past
due and Clarksville past due. All PTAs with bylaws coming due are urged to
attend the bylaw workshop held by PTACHC on Oct 29 7-9 at Faulkner Ridge.
Bring a copy of your bylaws. (Action Item)
Cell Phones - Motion from Deb Wessner that PTACHC President send a letter and communicate
formally with the Superintendent requesting that all school administrators
be reminded that cell phones held by students are for emergency use and
students should not be instructed nor encouraged to keep cell phones in
their lockers, but that they should remain off during school hours: and
provide school administrators with some suggestions for appropriate ways
to deal with students who use their cell phones inappropriately during
school hours. FAILED
PTA Council of Howard County Fall Workshop -
PTA boards are encouraged to attend this training
session scheduled for October 29 7-9 at Faulkner Ridge. Workshop agendas
were distributed and will be emailed to Presidents. Topics include
Frequently Asked Questions, Treasurers and Fundraising, Family Involvement
and Promoting Volunteerism, Bylaws and After Prom.
Upcoming Dates
- Healthy Food Vendor Fair - Oct.
15, 2007 from 7-9pm at Faulkner Ridge
- PTA Presidents and Principals Luncheon - Oct. 16, 2007
11:30am -1:30pm at the Gathering Place
- MDPTA Regional Training at WSSC facility in Laurel Oct.
20, 2007 8am-4 pm.
Next MeetingNovember 5 at 7:30pm at the Department of Education -
Coat Drive Drop-Off before the meeting.
Meeting
adjourned at 9:50 pm.
Minutes submitted by Tara
Watts, Recording Secretary
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