MS 54 Booker T. Washington Middle School
PTA GENERAL MEETING – DRAFT SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
June 8, 2006
Meeting
called to order at 7:05 pm Larry
Wood & Juanita Douglas, Co-Presidents, presiding
I.
Minutes of the 5/11/06
meeting reviewed and approved.
II.
Principal’s Report
a. Thank you to the outgoing Board members who have
worked so hard for the school and our students. Many thanks also to those Board Members continuing on the Board
next year, and to those parents who have volunteered for next year.
b. Official test results for state tests are delayed, but
the school has been informed that 97% of our 7th graders
have met promotional requirements based on their scores on the ELA. This is an increase over last year. Exact scores have not been released as yet.
c. Changes for next year.
i.
Start time will change
for next year. The exact times are
dependent on the UFT vote.
1.
If the UFT approved
extended day for the morning, the
following schedule will be in effect (times approximate):
a.
Extended day classes
start at 8:02
b. All students not in extended day will start at 8:40
c.
All students dismissed
at 3:00 pm
2.
If the UFT does not
approve extended day for the morning, the following schedule will be in effect:
a.
All students start the day
at 8:20
b. Students not in extended day will be dismissed at 2:20
c.
Students in extended day
will be dismissed at 3:00 pm
ii.
Merging of
programs.
1.
Dr. Charles Drew,
Morningside Heritage and Manhattan Valley programs will be merged. This will provide greater flexibility within
the new program to meet our students’ needs.
2.
There will be a focus
group for parents of children in these programs to talk about how better to
serve their children’s educational needs.
Contact Dr. Elster or Anne Pejovich if you are interested in
participating.
3.
The two programs will
each comprise roughly half the student population; 550 in Delta, 450 in the new
program.
iii.
Outdoor Lunch/Recess
1.
There will be no outdoor
lunch for 7th & 8th graders beginning in the
fall.
2.
The yard should be finished
by September. Many thanks to all the
parents who worked to make this happen.
Thanks also to our Council and Assembly members, the Parks Department
and the construction firm for their cooperation and assistance.
3.
There will be three
lunch periods, between the hours of (approximately) 11 am – 1pm
4.
Teachers will be
assigned to lunch duty
5.
PTA is looking into
lockers for students.
6.
Parents may wish to keep
pressure on over summer to make sure yard is completed by the start of school.
iv.
Graduation
1.
Graduation is 6/15 at
5:30 pm at Riverside Church. Students
must be at the church and ready by 5 pm
2.
Caps & gowns and
tickets will be distributed 6/13 at school.
The yearbook will be distributed shortly, date to be arranged.
3.
There will be a
two-ticket limit per student. You must
have a ticket to enter the church.
4.
The official diploma
will not be given out at the ceremony.
Students may pick up their report card and official diploma on the last
day of school.
5.
Graduation dance will be
at the Lighthouse at Saturday 6/17.
Contact Betsy Lind for more information.
v.
Last day of school.
1.
All text books and
library books must be returned before students receive their report cards.
2.
Dismissal will be as
follows: 6th grade: 11 am;
7th & 8th grade 11:15 am
III.
Executive
Board Report
a.
Co-Presidents
Report
i.
The
Region is hosting a Town Hall meeting this Saturday, 6/10. There will be a lot of interesting workshops
for parents. If you can only attend one
workshop, consider going.
ii.
Advocacy. CFE has won the capital money suit. Pressure must be kept up on politicians. Many are up for re-election this fall.
iii.
Cell
phones. There is a pending law
suit. If you wish to participate in
this suit, there is an informational meeting on Wednesday, 6/14 6:30 pm at the
offices of Morgan Lewis & Baccios.
You must rsvp in order to attend, contact Norman Siegel at least 24
hours in advance: 212-532-7586 or siegelnorman@aol.com
b.
Treasurers
Report
i.
Current
budget and proposed budget for 2006-2007 distributed
ii.
Review
of actual budget. Current expenses
include $4,000 for technology upgrade.
Yearbook expenses $7,200; somewhat over budgeted. PTA will pick up difference. Overall expenditures for 2005-2006 within
budget.
iii.
Review of proposed budget.
Significant increase to income includes: Capital drive increased to $60,000. Auction income anticipated at $60,000 for next year. Will have a surplus of $80-90,000 due to
auction income this year.
Expenses. Teacher grants doubled
to $12,000. Largest increase for
programmatic expenses, which includes programs for Drug & Alcohol
awareness, mediation training, recess.
Technogy line increased.
1.
2006-2007 budget:
motion to approve by Mark Diller, seconded by Laura Rittenhouse. Approved by show of hands. Budget passes
IV.
PTA ELECTIONS
a.
Review
of slate of candidates for PTA Executive Board for 2006-2007. Calls for nominations from floor. The slate is as follows:
Co Presidents:
Mary Beth Walsh, Mark Diller
Delta
Vice President: Joe
Gurvets
Co-Vice Presidents, New Program: Tahira
Howard, Norma Rosado
Corresponding Secretary: Valarie
Bennett
Recording Secretary:
Robin
Klueber
Treasurer: Bo Elfving
Assistant Treasurer:
Pam
Fairclough
Motion to accept PTA Executive
Board slate by Ruth Miller, seconded by ?? .
Approved by a show of hands.
Congratulations to our new board and thank you!
V.
SLT ELECTIONS
a. The following parents will continue on the SLT for
next year: Miriam Baskin, Tahira Howard, Norma Rosado and Laura
Rittenhouse.
b. Three openings for SLT, with the following candidates:
i.
Michelle Parker
ii.
Theresa Jacques
iii.
Sharon Patterson
c. Discussion of what constitutes legal guardian. Vote for SLT in two votes:
i.
Vote to approve Michelle Parker and Theresa Jacques
for SLT: motion by Ruther Miller, Meryl
Weiss seconded. Approved by a show of
hands.
ii.
Vote to approve Sharon Patterson to SLT, pending
determination of whether or not Ms. Patterson is considered a guardian of child
in MS 54, per SLT bylaws: motion by Evan
Naba, Norma Rosado seconded. Approved
by a show of hands.
Congratulations
and thank you to our SLT members!
VI.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. A committee chair to organize back to school BBQ in
fall is needed. Contact Anne Pejovich
b. Grants Committee:
Melissa Vivarito, new Assemblymember, will be allocating $3,000 to
school via member Items.
c. Safety:
Following up on Teacher’s College presentation. Need to find out what they can provide and
at what cost. Safety committee members
have been attending the monthly community meetings at the 24th
precinct; parents are encouraged to attend.
We need more police presence around our schools.
Raffle was won by
_____________________________ Meeting
adjourned at 8:30 pm
DID
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