Minutes to HMS PTA Board Meeting                         December 9, 2009

Attendees: Sam Davis, Erin Thurnes, Alicia Bowen, Jim Armstrong, Mary Jo Fischer, Kerry McGowan, Joanne Ashton  
Parent Guest: Susan Costenbader

I.                   Introductions

II.                President’s Report – Erin Thurnes
a.       No update

III.             Treasurer’s Report – Jim Armstrong
a.       Fall Fling was our only activity.  We spent about $570 and made about $65 for the event. 
b.      Additional memberships have been received.
c.       We have had activities that have not withdrawn the expenses from our account.  Once those events have satisfied their amounts owed then we will balance the account.

IV.             Membership Report –
a.       No update

V.                Secretary’s Report – Joanne Ashton
a.       November meeting minutes were approved
b.      In the event there is a snow date on a scheduled PTA meeting, the meeting will be rescheduled by the President.

VI.             Principal’s Report – Kerry McGowan and Sam Davis
a.       Pride fundraiser will be held on December 16 and Chick a Fill, Fulton.  Gift Cards will also go toward the fundraiser
b.      Spelling Bee has been rescheduled to January 23, 2010, from 5 – 7 pm
c.       Fall Fling went well.  Thank you to everyone who volunteered and participated at the event.
d.      Ms. Page is working with Teresa DePinto and a local farm to begin the Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) program at Hammond
e.       Introduced a possible new wellness program to be sponsored by the PTA.
                                                              i.      Susan Costenbader and Lisa Martin, program director spoke about the Girls on the run program.  Helping girls in grades 6-8 deal with issues that they are facing development, social and other issues.  This is a 10 week program, meeting twice a week after school.  At the completion the girls run a 5 K race.  Parent volunteers are needed to help run the program.  There is a cost associated with the program, more details will follow or go to www.hocogirlsontherun.org.

VII.          Volunteer Coordinator
a.       No update

VIII.       PTAHC Update
a.       No update

IX.             Old Business
a.       Fundraisers
                                                              i.      Restaurant Nights – Uno’s is coming up.
                                                            ii.      Sandwich Wraps – The PTA will take pre-orders for the sandwich wraps.  The program will be tied to the Recycling program.
                                                          iii.      Subway – Subway has a program that maybe of interest for the school.  Joanne will check into the details of the program.

X.                New Business
a.       Spring Fling – Discuss in 2010 

Next Meeting – January 2010

Minutes to HMS PTA Board Meeting    November 11, 2009 

Attendees: Jim Armstrong, Mary Bowden, Staci Speierman, Alicia Bowen, Erin Thurnes, Mary Jo Fischer, Ina Hirsh, Sam Davis, Jeff Robinson  

I.                   Introductions

II.                President’s Report – Erin Thurnes
 Erin will be attending the PTA convention

III.             Treasurer’s Report – Jim Armstrong
 An updated budget report was presented.  We have received more PTA memberships which are not included in the budget.  The Fall Fling and Spirit Wear allocations do not reflect all monies due to vendors and will be reallocated when the final payments are received.  Jim is preparing the 9-90 Tax form which is due 11/16/09. 

IV.             Membership – Staci Speierman
 We are reaching our end goal.  There is no cut off, we are happy to always accept new members. There are new memberships to be added to the roster.  HMS Teachers are being encouraged to join through their Team Leaders. 

V.                Secretary’s Update – Joanne Ashton
 There is one typo on the minutes from 10/14/09 that will be corrected.  The minutes were typed in an updated version of MS Word.  Most Board members could not open the document.  Future minutes will be typed in a friendly version of MS Word.  The minutes were approved.

VI.             Principal’s Report – Sam Davis
·         Pick A Time has opened for parent conferences.  There may have been some glitches when the system first opened.
·         11/18 8^th Grade Chorus performed
·         The 7^th Grade will participate in the MD Measurement of Math Literacy.  It is a 20 minute Computer Literacy measurement to see where the student’s knowledge falls.  Their parents will receive a score which is NOT reflective in their report cards.

·         11/20 Music Assembly during the day. 

·         PRIDE Assembly

11/20         8^th Grade

11/24         7^th Grade

11/30         6^th Grade

Students Awards:

Grade Point Average; Silver, Gold, Bronze

SPOT, “Student Present On Time: “0” days absent and late

·         Parent Teacher Conferences:  November 23, 24, 25

·         PTA will feed the Teachers on the 23^rd “Thank You”

·         12/3 Concert at Reservoir High School

·         12/4 8^th and 7^th Grade Field Trip – Medieval Times.  Course program on the study of Europe

·         National Blue Ribbon Banners are posted in front of the school

·         Flu Shot Update - Permission slips have been sent home.  If your child does not return the approval for he/she will not receive the H1N1 Flu shot.  The school only receives a 10 day notice of when the team will come to the school.  Parent volunteers will be needed to assist with the process.

·         There was a water main break at the school which affected the cafeteria.  The administration would like to send out “Kudos” to the students who were very flexible and responsible during the disruption.   

I.                   Volunteer Coordinator – Ina Hirsh
Volunteers are needed to work at the following events:

·         Book Fair will receive a discount. 8a – 7p     

·         Feeding the Staff 11/23/09

·         Basket Bingo – Donations are also needed

·         8^th Grade Egg Shuttle – Earth Science classes

                  Parents are encouraged to help out in any way they can.  Contact Ina to be placed on her email list for opportunities to volunteer.

 II.                PTAHC – Mary Bowen

·         There is a push to start charging for facility usage in 2010.  This falls under policy 10020.  This is necessary to cover charges for electricity, maintenance, etc.  The PTA is exempt from the facility fee.  There is a new form required to reserve a facility.

·         PTAHC is always looking for volunteers to participate.  Your talents can be used on various committees.  The PTAHC Board can use you to keep track of the PTA

·         Event leadership training is available for the PTA.

·         The Coat Drive has ended.  The next drive will be for Hats, Gloves, and Scarf’s.  HMS PTA is interested in participating in this program. 

III.             Staff Appreciation Dinner –  November 23, 2009

Volunteers are needed for set up and clean up.  3:30 – 4:30 for the PTA Appreciation Dinner.  The Principal’s dinner for the teacher’s is on November 24^th.       

      X         Old Business

                   Student and Family Activities

·         Variety Show – We need to set a date, preferably in February.

Minutes to HMS PTA Board Meeting

October 14, 2009

Attendees: Erin Thurnes, Alicia Bowen, Mary Jo Fischer, Jeff Robinson, Cheryl Duquette, Staci Speierman, Jacquelyn Horvath, Ms. Garant, Kerri McGowan, Jim Davis, Joanne Ashton

General Discussion

*Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) Program - Student Teresa DePinto spoke to the PTA with concerns about what the students were eating at lunchtime.  In her survey she found out of 100 7^th grade students 31 brought lunches with fruits or vegetables.  Not many of the students who bought lunch ate fruits or vegetables.  She has been working with Ms. Page to get fruits and vegetables in the schools and to the students.

The CSA program offers a program with locally grown produce for families and the school who are committed to purchasing locally grown produce.  The program is similar to Market Day that brings available fruits and veggies to the school.  Families would commit to $136 per month and on weekly basis would pick up the produce.  Currently 3 schools have 100 families each participating in the program.

The PTA agreed this is a great program.  There were additional questions and suggestions that would help involve the community.  There is more research required on the program.  Teresa was asked to work further with Ms. Page on the research and report back to the PTA.

*Any announcements or communications to the HMS Community should be sent to Kerry and Copy her admin for distribution

Agenda Items

Treasurer’s Report

1.        Alicia Bowen provided the treasure update for Jim Armstrong.  The official budget was sent to PTAC.  Some line items were adjusted or removed.  If we do better with the programs they can be added back in by a vote of members. 

2.       Basket Bingo is very important to our fundraising efforts.  Update is provided further in the minutes. 

Membership Report

1.       Staci Speierman reported to date there are 271 members in the PTA (additional memberships have come in and are not in the count).  11 of those are Teachers and Staff.  We have currently have $5,564 in membership funds.  We have not reached our goal and we are looking forward to having additional families to join the PTA.
 

Secretary’s Report

1.       The Minutes from September 17, 2009 were approved by the PTA Members at the meeting.

Principal’s Report

1.       Kerry McGowan reported the HMS Middle School will be featured on the HOCO Education Connection cable channel tonight at 8 pm and 10 pm.  The program will also be shown on Saturday and Sunday.  The program spotlights the school, students and parents.

2.       October 27, 2009 a number of African American Students from HMS will be recognized at a ceremony for students who advanced on their MSA’s.

3.       December 3, 2009 The Winter Band Concert will be held at Reservoir HS.

4.       Geography Bee will be held at HMS.  Rocky Seagroves will chair this event.

5.       Mr. Davis accepted the Green School Award for HMS.

6.       The Teachers are sending a big THANK YOU! To all of the parents for everything that you do.  The PTA Volunteers were great during Vision program.  Thank You in advance for conference week dinner.  We are all very excited!

Volunteer Coordinator

1.       Ina Hersh was not available to provide an update.

2.       There are many opportunities for the HMS Community to volunteer at the Fall Ball, November 13th and many more.  Visit the PTA Website to sign up.

PTAHC Update

1.       Jeff Robinson provided an update on PTA HOCO budget.  P. Gordon discussed budget cuts that will transfer the teacher pension back to the counties which will reduce funding for the schools.

2.       School Calendar is being discussed.  A HCPSS Newsletter went out with a survey to determine the start date of school for 2010.  There is a proposal to start school one week earlier which will end school around June 9^th (not including snow days).

3.       Flu Shots are still TBD. 

4.       PTA Convention will be held in Frederick November 13th & 14^th we should send the President or Vice President. 

5.       Homewood School does not have much of a PTA they are looking for teacher support.  We should adopt the school with gifts, cards etc. 

6.       There is PTA Treasure training on October 24, 2009 in Hartford County.

7.       Recognition to the ECO Team for Waste Free Wednesday.  Ms Page and her program has been an inspiration.  The students are getting better.  To further the program the school will begin to recycle like you do at home.

8.       Talent Bank – if you have a talent and are interested in helping out the county in anyway complete a Talent Bank form and submit it to help out>

9.       Coat Drive – There is a HOCOPSS Coat drive that ends on November 2^nd.  Further information will be provided on the website.

Minutes to HMS Board Meeting     September 17, 2009 

Attendees:
Ina Hirsh, Alicia Bowen, Polly Khoury, Kerry McGowan, Jim Armstrong, Jeff Robinson, Joanne Ashton, Mary Jo Fischer

 General Discussion: 

• PTA Meeting dates are the 2^nd Wednesday of the month at 7 pm.  If the president is not available the next person in charge is required to conduct the meetings.
• The committee will need to review the by laws to understand the rules and others that impact a majority of the executive committee.  
• The student population has decreased the current student body count is 580.
• The PTA has a storage cabinet in HMS. It is orange & green in the teacher’s area.
• Ms. McGowan is to be call “Kerry” at all of the PTA Meetings
• The prior meeting minutes were approved

 Agenda Items 

Financial Report - Budget 

1. Jim Armstrong reviewed the budget with the committed and discussed each of the line items to gain an understanding of each item.  Line items that had no activity in the past two years were removed. 
2. Jim will prepare a consolidated budget and present it to families at Back to School night.  A more detailed budget will be available for view on the PTA website. 
3. The attendees that were present agreed on the budget in the current form and approved the recommendations.

PTA Membership 

1. Many have already joined the PTA
2. Membership is $15 Single, $25 Family and The Viking Fund is available for direct donations.

Back To School Night 

1. The budget will be presented at the meeting.  No copies.
2. A message will go out through HC News to direct families to the website.
3. The committee should arrive 15 minutes early and sit in the front row, seats are reserved.

 Spirit Wear 

1. Jackie Horvath is leading this activity and has met with a vendor.  She will present a selection to the PTA for approval soon.
2. Details on distribution to the students and when need to be determined.

 Fall Fling 

1. Susan McPherson, Chair
   1. Found two DJ’s, a selection needs to be made
   2. Event takes place in the cafeteria from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
   3. Refreshments are served.  An admission fee is charged to cover the cost
   4. Volunteers are needed to assist with the event, see Ina for a possible list of volunteers.
   5. The SGA will help with the sale of tickets during lunch.

 Fundraisers 

1. Additional Fundraisers are being added to generate more income and family involvement. 
2. Various events are being discussed more information is needed on the details
   1. Basket Bingo – Cheryl Duquett
   2. Winter Indoor Garage Sale – Erin Thurnes
   3. Restaurant Night – Mary Jo Fischer

                         i.      Possible 3 locations 

Cultural Arts Program 

1. We need a volunteer to run this program for the school.  Additional funds were added to the program so that we can attract a more interesting and creative program.
2. Jim Armstrong can connect the program chair to Chris Armstrong who has a list of artist that could meet our needs.

Student Directory 

1. Looking for someone to chair this program.  There are a few possibilities that were mentioned.

HMS Update – Kerry 

1. October 6, 2009 GT Orientation for incoming GT parents, 6:30 pm
2. Followed by Family Life presentation