Rosa Parks Middle School PTA

PTA Meeting Notes – 2011-12 School Year

Rosa Parks Middle School PTA Meeting

May 8, 2012, 7pm

Attendees:  Tea West, Dr. Redmond Jones, Nancy Hull, Ginger Twombly, Cindy Keating, Pauline Foster, Tammy King, Maureen Dymond, Kellie Blake, Amy Katzman, Stephanie Clark

Reading of Last Month’s minutes:  Nancy read the minutes and they have been read, voted upon and accepted into our report.

PRINCIPAL REPORT: 

• Career Expo – this Friday
• 8^th Grade Awards – Thursday, May 24^th, AM periods order change: 2,3,1    8:15am about 45 minutes
• School Improvement Plan Review – Thursday May 24^th    3 – 4:15pm
• 7^th Grade Awards – Wednesday, May 30^th, AM periods order change: 3,2,1  8:15am about 45 minutes
• 6^th Grade Awards – Thursday, May 31^st   8:15am about 45 minutes
• Hershey Park trip, Friday, June 1^st
• 8^th Grade Dance, Saturday, June 2^nd at Sherwood HS Cafeteria, 7:30-10pm
• Spring Talent Show May 17-18^th, 7pm. Adults $10, students $5; Tickets sales at door at 6pm, seating begins @ 6:30pm. Contact Ms. Natalie Roots for additional information at Natalie_L_Roots@mcpsmd.org
• Last Day 6-8^th Grade Carnival, June 12^th, half day
• Incoming 9^th graders have orientation at Sherwood HS Thursday before first day of school.  Buses pick up in AM regular time.
• Incoming 6^th graders have orientation at RPMS MS Thursday before first day of school.  Buses pick up in AM regular time.
• Spring Concert, May 24th
• Yearbooks passed out Friday, June 8^th.  Monday, June 11^th is a free day if students don’t have exam to make up. So, great day to get yearbook signed.
• All financial obligations have to be cleared by end of May for 8^th graders.

OLD BUSINESS:  Volunteers for 8^th grade Awards reception. Set up the cookies and punch prior to end of ceremony. Need 7^th or 6^th grade parents to help out. Contact Tea West.

Treasurer’s Report – Maureen Dymond. Budget accepted.

NEW BUSINESS:

• 8^th grade “Legacy Project”.  8^th grade project that they are leaving to RPMS.  Great parent support. All monies due by May 18^th.
• MCCPTA – report on the “Burden of Proof” resolution passed.
• Voting for New PTA Candidates
• President, Cindy Keating                           
• Secretary, Paulene Foster
• 8^th Grade VP, Tammy King                        
• 7^th Grade VP, Kellie Blake & Amy Katzman
• 6^th Grade VP, Ginger Twombly

Unanimous voting for all candidates

• Calendar/dates for program – International Night canceled for May 3^rd,
• Staff Appreciation Week – May 7-11 (ice cream social, breakfasts, certificates & gift cards & notes)
• Career Day, May 11^th, all day.  New and expanded this year.  Most of the day the kids will have guest speakers in their classes, adults and RPMS alum.
• PTA President’s and Principal Dinner is May 17^th, 6-9pm   Training for new offices in June. Email to go out soon.
• SHS $500 scholarship given to a RPMS alum who is a senior at SHS being given May 22^nd. Scholarship donated by RPMS PTA.
• Principal Intern next year, Rick LauRocca from Poolesville HS. Welcome!

 Meeting Adjourned 8:10pm

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Rosa Parks Middle School PTA Meeting

March 13, 2012, 7pm

 

Attendees:  Tea West, Dr. Redmond Jones, Nancy Hull, Linda Silverstein, Sue Strosnider, Ginger Twombly, Cindy Keating, Pauline Foster-Whitmore, Maureen Dymond

Reading of Last Month’s minutes:  Nancy read the minutes and they have been read, voted upon and accepted into our report.

PRINCIPAL REPORT: 

• Community Superintendent, Beth Schiavino-Narvese was just appointed Deputy Superintendent.  Myra Smith will assume the Acting Community Superintendent role.
• MSA’s are underway this week.  Attendance for test is great. Schedule is on the website.
• PEP rally was a real success. Staff and kids had a good time and Popsicle distribution was a big hit.  Thanks to Tammy King who helped out with sound.
• Fire Alarm on Monday afternoon. It happened at change of classes, smoke in boiler room a mechanical issue.  Fire Dept. gave an all clear and now working on getting a backup pump.  Kids missed most of 7^th period.
• Career Expo – May 11, 2012 – We need more volunteer presenters. Every year, opportunity for parents and guests to talk to kids about their jobs and careers.  Still need presenters to speak as long as you can.
• Community Forum: Protecting Our Kids, Facebook 101 and Beyond. Hosted by Attorney General Doug Gansler, Winston Churchill High School, Tuesday, March 20^th, 7-8:30pm.
• March 22^nd, Sherwood Cluster PTA Meeting at Rosa Parks, 7:30pm
• March 24^th, Clean-up Day at Rosa Parks, 4 hours, mulch planting
• April 10^th, PTA Meeting
• April 16^th -20^th , Book Fair in the Media Center
• April 16^th-May 4^th, MSA Science Testing for 8^th grade only.
• April 17^th, County Orchestra Festival
• April 19^th,  County Band Festival
• April 20^th, Spring Dance
• April 26^th, Spring Portraits thru PE classes

OLD BUSINESS: 

Bylaw Committee: Already mailed to state of MD to be approved

Black History Month presentation on February 23rd, very good turnout with standing room only

Treasurer’s Report: reviewed.  

School Beautification project: Approved up to $50 for weeding tools and another $200 for replacement of shrubbery only if donations don’t come through as expected.

3^rd Annual Choose Respect Montgomery: Teen Dating Conference, free and fun event for students in grades 6-12, their parents and youth service providers, Saturday March 24^th, 2012, 10am-1:30pm.,Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus of Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center.

NEW BUSINESS:

• MCCPTA report: Ginger Twombly scheduled to give final testimony April 11^th. MCPS Operating Budget not going to be voted on until Annapolis deals with pension shift issue. Second issue is an amendment, House Bill 1412, Emergency bill to fund Maintenance of Effort. 
• Nomination of new board members: nomination slate presented in April PTA meeting and voted in May PTA meeting. Nominating Committee (3 person) will do flyer to get new people to join. Open positions include:  President, Secretary, 2 Vice Presidents of 8^th grade, 2 Vice Presidents of 6^th grade (list not complete).  Contact Tea West if interested in serving RPMS PTA.
• Spirit Wear, next order goes out in March. Currently we don’t do online sales because it requires a large dollar amount upfront and minimum ordering is 12 pieces.  We are now ordering piece by piece. One order in the fall and one in the spring. Back To School and 6^th grade orientation are best nights to sell. 6^th graders are biggest buyers.
• Direct Appeal:  RPMS still needs one or two more cameras in hallway.
• NAACP 37^th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner, Sunday, May 6^th 5pm, Bethesda North Marriot
• Fundraiser: Brax Spirit Cups and Popcorn buckets were a proposed idea for 8^th Grade Legacy project.  Tabled as a fundraiser idea until next month.
• International Night: May 3^rd at 6:30pm.  To be advertised right after Spring break.
• 8^th Grade Hershey park trip, Friday June 1^st.
• 8^th Grade dance is June 2^nd. Awards Ceremony that week as well.
• Membership/Directory Update:  Done and distributed.
• RPMS 20^th Anniversary Celebration next school year.  Tabled for next meeting.

Next PTA MEETING: April 10^th, 7pm

Meeting Adjourned 8:45pm

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Rosa Parks Middle School PTA Meeting

January 10, 2012, 7pm

Attendees:  Tea West, Dr. Redmond Jones, Kellie Blake, Nancy Hull, Cindy Keating, Shawn Krasa, Stephanie Clark, Alice Kelly-Enright, Tina Valazquez, Tammy King.

Reading of Last Month’s minutes:  Nancy read the minutes and they have been read, voted upon and accepted into our report.

PRINCIPAL REPORT: 

·         Introduction of Shawn Krasa – Vice Principal in charge of 8^th grade and 6A team, Testing Coordinator.  He passed around Exam schedule and opened up for questions.  Study Hall is a time for self-study, not really an opportunity to go to the Teacher for assistance.  Exam schedule Thursday, January 12^th – Wednesday, January 18^th.  Exam makeup day will be Thursday and Friday, January 19^th and 20^th.

·         2012-2013 Course Registration Parent Meetings.  The courses that the students sign up for, drives the staffing needs for next year.  Jan 19^th at 7pm parent meeting for rising 6^th graders.  Very strong attendance expected.  Earlier 6pm meeting, same day, for students receiving special education services.

•          Jan 25^th: Parent meeting for rising 7^th and 8^th graders in Media Center, 7pm.

·         Jan 26^th: Parent meeting for rising 9^th graders, 6:30pm at Sherwood HS

·         Little Shop of Horrors, musical: students $5, general admission $10; Jan 26 @ 7pm, 27 @7pm, and 28^th @6pm.

·         Jan 31^st at 7pm, Superintendent Panel Book Club, Central Office. Dr. Redmond-Jones and Kim St. Johns were invited to participate on the panel.  Book: Drive by Daniel H. Pink. Author will be at book club. Small studio audience. One more book club offered in April.

·         January 11^th is MCCPTA testimony at CESC, 7pm

·         Community Service Project: Students from area middle schools (public and private) are currently meeting about a community service project.  Students will be collecting a variety of items: toys, etc.  Items will be donated to both Montgomery General Hospital and to Children’s Hospital.  Each middle school will be collecting something different.  This project will be publicized soon.

·         January 17^th: Parent & student basketball game, Gym at 3pm

·         Harris Teeter is now participating in the Together in Education Program. RPMS School code 1400.  Please participate.

·         January 12^th, 7pm, Sherwood HS: Cluster Principals and NAACP representatives will meet to discuss activities and programs for the remainder of the year.

OLD BUSINESS:

Bylaw Committee: no major changes from old Bylaws.  MD State PTA has made changes and we need to incorporate those into our Bylaws.  One item that has been reiterated: check signing needs 2 signatures.  MD State Bylaw Chairman also noted that a number of PTA’s that are in good standing has decreased. Each PTA needs 25 PTA members to be in good standing. RPMS is in good standing.

Motion, Seconded.  Submission of our revised Bylaws will be mailed to MD State PTA.

NEW BUSINESS:

MCCPTA: Operating budget is being presented Wednesday, 1/11/12.  Biggest concern for the Sherwood Cluster is the removal of several Counselor position due to budget cuts. We need to reinstate our Counselors from now Part-Time back to Full-Time positions.  If the position was cut, then we need to put the position back to Part-Time.  Counselors in the school are necessary for the social and emotional need of our children and it is crucial that these Counselor hours are back in the school budget.

Teacher Awards: Veterans Teacher Award.  PTA nominated Mrs. Van Patten for this award and Tea West and Dr. Redmond-Jones will be doing the paperwork involved.

Parent Award: PIMA (Parent Involvement Matters Award)

Nominations of Parent: Susan Donsky, Tammy King, Roni Septoff, Ginger Twombly, Tina Valazquaz.

Parent nomination vote will be tonight and by email to Tea West (teaspot2@yahoo.com), PTA President by Wednesday, January 18^th. Please participate in the vote.  All of these nominated parents have put many volunteer hours into bettering our school.  Please email Tea West as soon as possible with your vote.

Spirit Wear:  Tea spoke with Karen Kahn Spirit Wear Coordinator and the next order will go out in March. A spirit wear sale happened twice in November and December. Tea will check with Karen regarding making the spirit wear available online.

Direct Appeal: RPMS has bought 5+ cameras last year with PTA money.  Cameras are functioning and providing greater coverage for inside the building. Thank you to the PTA for this donation.

Box Tops: New students have joined the Box Top club which meets once/month.  Last year we raised $430 from box top money.  The goal this year is to raise $800. The next deadline is 1^st week of March and that check will be mailed to school before school lets out in June.  Several drop-off locations: TAP class (preferred) or in front office.

Concession Stand Fundraiser:  Roni Septoff came up with the good idea to start selling food at a concession stand at the basketball games. i.e. Candy, potato chips, water, juice box.  Will sell everything for $1.  Tea West volunteering to spearhead this additional fundraiser.

Black History Month Dinner, Feb 23^rd, 6:30-9pm at RPMS Cafeteria.  Open to all and there will be a guest speaker, Dr. Bell. Live student band and no charge at the door.  We expect about 200+ parents, children, and teachers.

International Night, Thurs, May 3^rd at6:30pm.  Parents bring a cooked dish from their family’s native country.  Information about this event will go out by mid-March.

Projects for 8^th Grade Legacy: table until next month’s PTA meeting. Ideas: something to help celebrate 20^th anniversary of RPMS.

Treasurer’s Report: will be published as a separate attachment

Next PTA MEETING: March 13^th, 7pm

Meeting Adjourned 8:30pm

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Rosa Parks Middle School PTA Meeting

November 8, 2011, 7pm

Attendees:  Tea West, Mrs. Redmond Jones, Maureen Dymond, Nancy Hull, Cindy Keating, Linda Silverstein.

Reading of Last Months minutes:  Question about the how to have the Bylaws presented and voted on in time for the March 9^th deadline.  Without a December PTA meeting, can’t present new bylaws and vote both at the January meeting. Tea will refer questions to newly formed Bylaw Committee.  Tea is considering presenting the Bylaw DRAFT through email sometime in December. Cindy Keating is also reviewing and will contact ByLaw Committee with additions.

 Principals Report: 

• Red Ribbon week presenter was fantastic.  Very well received by parents.
• Spirit Week fun.  Prizes for participating coming out this week.
• Dance: low attendance 125. Breakeven number was 100 so SGA didn’t lose money on the event.  Perhaps publicity could have been better. Next dance is in mid-December and will have some “glow” items to sell. Perhaps we can put a student run steering committee together to investigate reasons why.  DJ could have done more contests as well at the dance. Dr. Jones thinking about a student survey to be handled by SGA. 
• Community service project with area local schools (public and private) to collect toys for MGH and possibly Children’s Pediatric Ward.  Collection will be after holidays, Jan-Feb.  This will be a student run project.
• Student/Teacher Conferences this Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon.  By invitation only, but if you want a conference, please contact the teacher personally.
• Report cards mailed Thursday.
• Book Fair in RPMS Library the week of November 14^th. Leah Kielsohn is Coordinator. No evening hours although it will be open to students during lunch. Tea to ask Leah to publicize Book Fair and its hours on the Yahoo ListServ.
• School Improvement meeting next week, Thurs, Nov. 17^th 3-4pm.  All parents invited. MSA focused and RPMS making adequate yearly progress.  This group meet quarterly.
• Superindent’s Listen and Learn Seminar for Sherwood Cluster, November 21^st, 7pm at Sherwood HS. Childcare is available.
• Field Trip for 8^th graders, Smithsonian, November 22^nd.
• Outdoor Ed for A team Nov 28-30, B team is Nov 30-Dec 2.
• Winter Orchestra Concert, 7pm December 6^th
• Winter Band Concert, 7-8:30, December 7^th.
• Interims mailed for Q2, December 14^th
• Winter Dance, 7-9pm on December 16.  PTA sponsored.

Treasurer’s Report: P&L attached.  Money came from Spirit Wear sales and School Store. Minor reimbursements this past month for paper. 449 memberships sold.  Membership is higher this year.  Treasurer will work on separating out Direct Appeal money from Membership money on P&L. 

MCCPTA Report:  voted on a MCCPTA Legislative Platform 2011-2012.  Attached.  Unanimous vote with 6 Ayes. 

Box Tops: Ms. Davis TAP class had the most students that sent in Box Tops and their prize is a Doughnut party, $180 dollars collected from Box Tops. 

Spirit Wear Purchases:  Karen Kahn is the Coordinator and you can contact her with questions. Also, Tea will ask Karen to give an update on the RPMS Yahoo group. We discussed the possibility of a new vendor, local mom, who will be invited to the PTA meeting in January.

 Project Rosa’s Hope:  is an idea to collect food, toys, and clothing for the community during holiday season.  Problem is that RPMS and Olney area schools are also doing a project in January (see Principal Report).  The two community service projects are too similar and would confuse the donators.  Group decided to nix the Project Rosa’s Hope this year and readdress it next year.  We also don’t want to interfere with good works done by Project Change.

 Dessert Social for the January PTA meeting.

 8^th Grade Legacy Project:  we tabled it until January PTA meeting

 No Selling Fundraisers:  looking for ideas on what to sell or collect that will bring in PTA dollars without selling products.  Giant, Target, Harris Teeter, Campbell Soup Labels, Capri Sun are programs that give money back to school.  Idea was to compile these ideas and hand out package to parents at Back To School night and on the Yahoo group.

 

PTA Meeting Awareness:  no electronic sign that displays PTA information.  Should use Yahoo group to advertise the PTA Meetings.

 

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RPMS PTA Meeting Minutes 10/11/11, 7:00pm
(sign in: 17 members, Principal)

• No Minutes from last meeting (August) to approve

• October budget was approved

• Furniture came in that was purchased for Media Center and staff training lounge

• Membership: Sue Strosnider
Directory distribution last week of October
50 extra’s printed
30 extra membership cards this year.  Maureen to order more cards

• Principal’s Report

• By Laws: Appointed committee; Tina V, Maureen Ponci,. Cindy Keating

• October 27th: Training for Bylaw Update.  Tea will attend

• Scheduling:
February 23rd Black History Meeting
International Night is May 3rd

• 8th grade legacy discussion.  Quilts, Benches, more to come…

• Staff Committee gearing up for 20th Year Anniversary.  Will run all year long next year.

• PTA Meeting Dates: Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan, Mar, May

• Coordinating a service project with local private schools.  Dr. Jones working with this.

• May 11th: Career Expo Date.

• Voting of Resolutions from Delegate

• Meeting Adjourned 8:30pm.