PTA Meeting Notes – 2008-09 School Year
PTA Meeting April 14, 2009
Present: Attendance Taken
The PTA meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm
Treasurer’s Report – Pam Ryan
- No new activity
Principal’s Report – Sarah Pinkney-Murkey
Dr Jones: Vice principal
Reported by Sarah Pinkney-Murkey, Principal
- Map R scores were sent to High Schools
- Report Cards were sent home last week
Dr Weast, Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools Congratulated Rosa Parks Middle School and the Rosa Parks Administration of overall achievement and success in the 2008 Maryland
6th and 7th Graders Last Day Events:
- Party Last day of school
- “Party in a Van” (Like Bar-T)
- Same Day – Same Time – Grades are not together they rotate times
8th Graders Last Days Events
- Trying to coordinate the last day at Sherwood High School
- Meet in Auditorium – with counselors- and Sherwood Warriors
- Tour School
- Buses are no expenses , within District
8th Grade Dance
- Saturday May 30th 7:30 pm
- Formed Committee, 5 members
THEME: Red Carpet
8th Grade Trip
- Date for the trip to Hershey Park is Friday, May 29, 2009.
- Hershey Park, 20 Students are not going due to other Commitments that they have
- Money was collected from chaperones, Parent Chaperones are required to pay the $70 fee
- Fundraising required for Teachers and Students in Need
- Looking for parent/community to support those students that can not afford the cost of the trip
Rosa Parks Awards Assembly for 8th graders
- May 27th
Principals Advisory Committee:
Information Posted To Yahoo Board
RP PTA Teacher Representative Report: Gina Woodworth
Project Change is working on events for junior highers
President’s Report – Roni Septoff
Voting on replacement for several PTA positions:
• Voting will be in the new PTA positions at the May 2009 PTA Meeting
• Voting at the May 2009 Meeting on $1000 for Beautification Budget
Principal Search Updates
– Parent are encouraged to join the committee for the interviewing process
– They are down to the top 4-5 choices
– Goal is early May, 2nd week
2nd Crossing Guard Requested Needed:
- Olney Mill bad traffic during school drop off and pick up timeframes
- Reduce damage to property
- Make it safer for the students and the drivers (i.e. students not randomly running into street)
Principal’s Retirement – Sarah Pinkney-Murkey
• Rosa Parks Student Government is also getting involved in Sarah Pinkney-Murkey and is going to contribute
• Plaque in hallway honoring her years of service
• Media center: Named after Sarah Pinkney-Murkey
• Tree named after Sarah Pinkney-Murkey paid for by PTA
Vice-Presidents’ 6th Grade Reports – Carole Levy, MD, Michele Setton
clevymd@yahoo.com
o 6th Grade Report submitted to Yahoo
o OUTDOOR ED, permission slips, sent out and needed back
Vice-Presidents’ 7th Grade Reports –
VP Brad Cady had surgery, VP Cindy Johnstone reported being sick
- End of year Event
- 7th grade Fun Day
Vice-Presidents’ 8th Grade Reports – Jane Nickerson
8th Grade Report Yahoo updated
Hershey Trip
o Date for the trip to Hershey Park is Friday, May 29, 2009.
o Fundraising required for Teachers and Students in Need
Looking for parent/community to support those students that can not afford the cost of the trip
o May 27th is the day for the Rosa Parks Awards Assembly for 8th graders
o Parent Chaperones are required to pay the $70 fee
Committee Reports
Cultural Arts- No Updates Listed
Dances:
April 24th LAST dance for the school year – for all grades
8th grade Dance in planning stage, Theme: Red Carpet
Parent Volunteers always needed!
School Beautification Committee: Don Worm
Don Worm is retiring from School Beautification due to job repositioning
CLEAN UP FOR EARTH DAY:
SATURDAY, APRIL 18 from 9:00 a.m to 12:00. Students can get 3 SSL HOURS.
- Pictures Taken
- Kids placed in teams
- Parents Needed to help manage
Earth Day – Coordinate with Mr. Easton – Mr. Dorsey
Promote: Recycle Reuse
Upcoming: Spring Potomac Watershed Cleanup Group
• Lots of volunteers needed
• SSL Hours!
• Will post more to sites when dates are confirmed
Rosa Park Sign: THANK YOU! Good Earth
- The “GOOD EARTH” is DONATING
- & planting the landscaping for around the sign area in the next couple of weeks
Staff Appreciation the week of May 11 -15, 2009
Carolyn Quinn, carolynquinn@verizon.net
The Staff Appreciation Committee is handling the week :
Volunteers needed for :
• Brunch Items Needed Monday 11th
Casserole or breakfast pastries or muffins for the brunch
- Lunch Items : needed Wednesday May 13, 2009 Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Notes: We need donations of side dishes, desserts, and drinks
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!
New PTA Bylaws Jane Nickerson [jane.nickerson@gallaudet.edu] Sharon St. Pierre
Motion to Pass Bylaws document – it was passed document was approved
Bylaws should be updated every 2 years
Document has to be hand written in – Fill in the blanks (it is PDF file only)
The PTA adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel Maines
——————————————————-
Prior to the February 10, 2009 PTA Meeting was 7pm – 8pm: Presentation and Q&A session on Bullying
Presenter: Fellows, Mrs. Ellen P
Theme: Bullying “IT IS NOT OKAY”
Core theme was Bullying Counseling
Parents BE involved with your student’s texting, Facebooks and E-mail sites
- Talking with the students about prevention
- Prevention is posted on Rosa Parks online
- Form to report bullying- On Rosa Parks Web site
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/230-35.pdf
Rosa Parks has listed:
Suggestions listed online on how to help your student prevent bullying
Rosa Parks PTA Meeting Notes February 10, 2009
Present: Attendance Taken
The PTA meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.m
Jan Minutes Approved: Don Worm , Jane Nickerson
Treasurer’s Report – Pam Ryan
– Budget done $4,000
– Budget to be revised
– Cultural Arts $4,680
Principal’s Report – Sarah Pinkney-Murkey
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:
Sarah Pinkney-Murkey is retiring at the end of the ‘08-‘09 School year
Diversity Training Office is part of Montgomery County
Diversity Training for Students and Parents is recommendation
Semester Finals: are run in 2 hour blocks, High School Exams run in a middle school are difficult to work in the scheduling
MAPR: Reading Tests for on Grade level are in March
NAT: Nations Report Cards
90 8th graders picked
90 minutes
Several Students ran an impressive petition campaign to change the date of the 8th Grade Dance:
Walk for Life at Sherwood High School interferes with date of 8th Grade Dance
– Almost impossible to change the 8th Grade dance date due to Montgomery County scheduling
Drop off and Pick up at Rosa Parks is a mess- Sarah Pinkney-Murkey is meeting with Montgomery County for Grant money.
Principals Advisory Committee:
Information Posted To Yahoo Board
RP PTA Teacher Representative Report: Gina Woodworth
Next week Spirit Week for Project Change
“Anti-bullying” Message sent onto Students
Showing Video at Rosa Parks and Sherwood HS
End of year ½ day – Event for the 6th and 7th Graders
Candy Grams: (Last year $700)
Donations going to Education in an African Village
Parents can get involved in helping
President’s Report – Roni Septoff
New Business
– Nominating Committee needed to Fill PTA Positions, many board members leaving this year
Spirit wear: Roni Septoff gave a report for Stephanie Seabeack
– Samples in RP School Store Sprit wear
– Students take form home and then merchandise is
– Delivered door to door to parents’ home
– Reduced costs
Vice-Presidents’ 6th Grade Reports – Carole Levy, MD, Michele Setton
clevymd@yahoo.com
– 6th Grade Report submitted to Yahoo
– NEED some supplies, ex: paper towels
Vice-Presidents’ 7th Grade Reports – Brad Cady, Cindy Johnstone
– Junior Achievement
– End of year Event – not concrete yet
– Family Fun event for the entire 7th grade and their families
Vice-Presidents’ 8th Grade Reports – Jane Nickerson
8th Grade Report Yahoo updated
Hershey Trip
– Date for the trip to Hershey Park is Friday, May 29, 2009.
– Fundraising required for teachers and students in need
Looking for parent/community to support those students that can not afford the cost of the trip
– Parent Chaperones are required to pay the $70 fee
– May 27th is the day for the Rosa Parks Awards Assembly for 8th graders
Committee Reports
Cultural Arts- No Updates Listed
Dances:
8th grade Dance in planning stage
Successful Valentine School Dance Friday Evening Feb 6th, many 6th and 7th graders attended
- 242 Tickets sold
April 24th LAST dance for the school year – for all grades
Parent Volunteers always needed!
School Beautification Committee: Don Worm
March 28th School Cleanup plan – April 4th Extreme Clean Up
Earth Day – Coordinate with Mr. Easton – Mr. Dorsey
Promote: Recycle Reuse
Upcoming: Spring Potomac Watershed Cleanup Group
• Lots of volunteers needed
• SSL Hours!
• Will post more to sites when dates are confirmed
New PTA Bylaws Jane Nickerson [jane.nickerson@gallaudet.edu] Sharon St. Pierre
Bylaws should be updated every 3 years
There will end up being only a few changes to the original Bylaws document
The PTA adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel Maines
——————————-
Rosa Parks PTA Meeting Notes December 9, 2008
Present: Attendance Taken
The PTA meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
December 1st Roni Septoff became PTA president, Amy Gearheart stepped down
Amy Gearheart addressed the group concerning her resignation.
Treasurer’s Report – Pam Ryan
Budget approved and submitted
o Slightly Low on Direct Appeal
o Membership – is at 420, Directories were sent home with the students
Principal’s Report – Sarah Pinkney-Murkey
1. Principals Hotline
Monday Mornings 8:30 -9:30am, p.301.924.3187
If parents want to ask something please call we will try to keep each call to about 5 minutes.
2. The Middle school exam dates have been changed due to the new Jan 20th Holiday
3. On Jan 20th – schools will be closed due to Inauguration Day
4. We just had our two concerts, they were both very good
5. The Basketball teams were selected
6. The dance was very good on Friday 5th, the DJ was great.
MCPS Operating Budget fiscal year
- State and county funds are very low so things will be done by priority
- Presentation on Middle School Targets , Criteria of 6 targets
-Presentation of the 3 Main School Improvement Goals
-Core Value / Shared Beliefs
- Principals Advisory Committee:
Met this week during school hours
- Core theme was Bullying Counseling
o Talking with the students about prevention
o Prevention is posted on Rosa Parks online
o Form to report bullying- On Rosa Parks Web sire
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/pdf/230-35.pdf
o Suggestions listed online on how to help your student prevent bullying
RP PTA Teacher Representative Report: Gina Woodworth
1. We adopted a school in East Lansing, MI – collecting new unused toys, coats, scarves , We are working with the principal and social worker, deadline is this Friday
2. We are looking to sponsor a school in Kenya
3. We are in the magazine Time For Kids – Rosa Parks and Sherwood, for Project Change
Diversity Training
Gina Woodward- head of Diversity training for Rosa Parks
Race Ethnicity, form Group circles
Several ideas in the works
Students discussing with Teachers
Hire Diversity Trainers – hold sessions during Social Studies classes – work into their class studies
Suggested Reading: Dr Barbara Tatum – From Spellman University
“Can we talk about race?”
President’s Report – Roni Septoff
1. A Rewrite Bylaws is required:
Jane Nickerson and Sharon St Pierre – volunteered to rewrite them
• Review Bylaws
Last bylaw review was completed
2. Dance was successful – Excellent DJ – appropriate music – had lots of volunteers, especially Dads
o THANK YOU PARENT Volunteers
o Dance has to be attended by the students from 7-9 pm due to student safety
3. PTA Fundraising: Economy Theory
o is that Parent Volunteering is going up and the PTA Direct Appeal will decrease.
- Still SEARCHING to fill the Volunteer Coordinator Position
4. Rosa Parks – New School Sign is in its place in the front of the school
5. Spirit wear: newly appointed Stephanie Seabeack
- New spirit wear coordinator is Stephanie Seabeack
- Sprit wear Fire sale
- To be advertised on the RP Web site
- Ads at the RP feeder elementary schools
- Was sold at the Shop till you drop evening.
- Original order was $9000 for sweatshirts, fleece pants, T-shirts, plaid pants.
- The apparel is approved for gym use.
- Stephanie Seabeack offered to delivered it door to door to parents
Vice-Presidents’ 6th Grade Reports – Carole Levy, MD, Michele Setton
clevymd@yahoo.com
o 6th Grade Report submitted to Yahoo
o Olney Theater Field Trip to see Peter Pan
o Outdoor Education is upcoming
o Greek Wax Museum in early January
Vice-Presidents’ 7th Grade Reports – Brad Cady, Cindy Johnstone
o 7th Grade Report Yahoo updated
o End of year Event – not concrete yet
o Family Fun event for the entire 7th grade and their families
Vice-Presidents’ 8th Grade Reports – Jane Nickerson, Roni Septoff
o 8th Grade Report Yahoo updated
- Hershey Trip looking for parent volunteers
o The correct date for the trip to Hershey Park is Friday, May 29, 2009.
o Fundraising required for Teachers and Students in Need
o May 27th is the day for the Rosa Parks Awards Assembly for 8th graders
o Parent Chaperones are required to pay the $70 fee
o The 8th grade bake sale raised $116.30, Fundraising at the Shop till you drop evening — donated baked goods were sold to help raise money for Hershey Park
Committee Reports
Book Fair: Meg Reed and Leah Keilsohn
Very successful
Dec 1-5th, Meg and I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this years book fair a success. To Mark and Ann in the Library who we displaced for the week, Dr. Jones who coordinated the classes coming through the fair, the English teachers who agreed to disrupt their classes in order to bring the students to the fair, the parents who gave of their time and helped at the fair and the building staff who stayed late on Wednesday so that the fair could be opened that night, THANK YOU!!! Without all of your help and hard work the fair would not have been the success that it was.
Shop Till You Drop — Amy Wert and Tanya Ratino jratino@verizon.net
Have a Free cup of coffee that was generously donated by Starbucks
Made approximately $600
20 vendors was Wednesday, December 3rd from 6-9.
20 paying vendors – 2 free the Boy scouts and School Calendar fundraiser
Project Change:
• Battle of the Bands- Project Change
They are looking to organize an event; it has been successful in other arenas
Bullying Theme week
• Starts at RP the Dec 17th and 18th
• RP is working with Project change to help set up their web site
• Focus groups at school, paying student $50 to participate, 1st meeting at Rockville
Cultural Arts- No Updates ListedDances:
Teachers sign-up to chaperone each dance along with our parent chaperones
Adults who sign up for the dance need to attend the dance- they can not bow out at the last minute
Everyone did an excellent job and the students had a great time
DJ was excellent Ticket and candy sales were strong.
Dance was well attended by 6th and 7th graders – since Sherwood was in the Football state finals at Ravens Stadium, not many 8th graders attended the dance
- Disco Ball still needs to be purchased
School Beautification Committee: Don Worm
• School Clean up day November 5th – all went well
• Lots of volunteers
Membership -: PTA Membership has decreased, mixed into the president report
Staff Appreciation – Carolyn Quinn and Beth Toven
Upcoming December Teacher Cookie Exchange – PARENT BAKERS NEEDED- Dec 15th
Teacher appreciation committee is still in need of bakers. If you are able to bake please either drop off the cookies at Carolyn Quinn’s on December 14th or at the school on December 15th before 11:00.
The PTA adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel Maines
————————————————————–
Rosa Parks PTA Meeting Notes: October 14, 2008
Present: Attendance Taken
The PTA meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m
Treasurer’s Report – Pam Ryan
Budget approved and submitted
o Slightly Low on Direct Appeal
RP PTA School Representatives: Adrienne Kelly, Gina Woodworth
Assistant principals present:
Assistant Principal: Donna Redmond Jones
Assistant Principal: James Terry. Heintze
Principal’s Report – Sarah Pinkney-Murkey
1. School Bulletin hard copy is going out, it will be switched to green after this edition, wanted to make sure all parents had access to the first copy
2. Parent Conferences by Invitation only
3. Medieval Times 7th grade
4. October 30th Makeup school pictures
5. School Improvement day – Thursday October 30th at 3pm
6. School will conduct a tobacco survey with select students
7. Report Cards for middle school are going out November 11th to the students, Nov 12th for K-8th
Newly released – Call to Action – for the School Superintendent Annual Report
6 Middle School Targets
· Teacher training essential, 25 hours per reform school
· RP is not listed as a reform school
· Middle school Reform (10 schools)
VOTE to Apply for RP Middle School Reform
1st: Sharon St Pierre
2nd: Michelle Sutton
MCPS Operating Budget fiscal year 2009-10
State and county fund are very low so things will be done by priority
– Presentation on Middle School Targets , Criteria of 6 targets
– Presentation of the 3 Main School Improvement Goals
– Core Value / Shared Beliefs
Red Ribbon Week Oct 27th -31st James Terry. Heintze
· Motto:” Use Your head, Don’t do Drugs”
· Each day, Monday – Friday, is a different theme day that the students participate in
· Skits
· Spirit Week
· Student Pledge cards ( to not do drugs)
Project Change: Bullying Theme week
· Starts at RP the 17th and 18th
· RP is working with Project change to help set up their web site
· Focus groups at school, paying student $50 to participate, 1st meeting at Rockville
President’s Report – Amy Gearhart
Upcoming November PTA Events:
Book Fair Dec 1st – 5th PLUS the Shop til you drop evening Dec 3rd 7- 9 pm
(Vendors either pay flat fee or a % of sales)
1. Back to School was a successful event
2. Rewrite Bylaws is required:
1. 3-4 Member Volunteers are being recruited please let Amy know if you are interested
2. Template to fill in answers
3. Bylaws can hold inplace for 3 years
3. 1st Dance was successful – Excellent DJ – appropriate music – had lots of volunteers, especially Dads
- 365 Ticket sold
- 330 student attended
- THANK YOU PARENT Volunteers
- Dance has to be attended by the students from 7-9 pm due to student safety4. PTA Fundraising: Economy Theory
- is that Parent Volunteering is going up and the PTA Direct Appeal will decrease.
- School Store Volunteering has increased.
- Still SEARCHING to fill the Volunteer Coordinator Position
5. Rosa Parks – School Sign in the front
The New Rosa Parks Sign is going up this month
6. Spirit wear:
Will be sold at the Shop till you drop evening.
Original order was $8000 for sweatshirts, fleece pants, Tshirts, plaid pants.
The apparel is approved for gym use.
7. No PTA meeting in November – due to Veterans Day being November 11th
Vice-Presidents’ Reports – 6th Grade Report
Olney Theater Field Trip to see Peter Pan
Outdoor Education is upcoming
Vice-Presidents’ Reports – Brad Cady; Cindy Johnstone
7th Grade Report Yahoo updated
Vice-Presidents’ Reports – Jane Nickerson; Roni Septoff
8th Grade Report Yahoo updated
- Hershey Trip looking for parent volunteers
Committee Reports
Book Fair: Meg Reed and Leah Keilsohn
Upcoming Dec 1- 4th, Need parent volunteers in the AM for about 30mins
Shop Till You Drop — Amy Wert and Tanya Ratino jratino@verizon.net
Have a Free cup of coffee that was generously donated by Starbucks
Approximately 20 vendors
Upcoming Wednesday, December 3rd from 6-9.Cultural Arts- No Updates Listed
7th Grade Activities: Medieval Times
8th Grade Activities:
o The school is also looking for two 8th grade academic activities
Dances:
Teachers sign-up to chaperone each dance along with our parent chaperones
Everyone did an excellent job and the students had a great time
- Adult chaperones always needed
School Beautification Committee: Don Worm
· School Clean up day November 5th
· Lots of volunteers welcomedMembership -: PTA Membership has decreased, mixed into the president report
Staff Appreciation – upcoming December Cookie Exchange