MS 54 Booker T. Washington Middle School
Meeting called to order at 7:19 pm Larry Woods, PTA Co-President, Presiding
a. Auction Committee meeting Monday, 11/28 at 8:30 am. Parents are encouraged to attend and help out!
b. School Leadership Team (SLT) meeting Friday, 11/19 at 7:00 am in the library. Parents welcome to observe meeting.
c. Parents needed to help with holiday Teacher Appreciation Breakfast. Contact Anne Pejovich.
d. Yearbook meeting Thursday December 1 at 3pm in room 244. 8th grade parents encouraged to attend and help out.
II. Minutes (10/20) reviewed; motion to adopt minutes, seconded; passed by show of hands.
a. Request that minutes be made available prior to meeting to parents. Agreed that minutes will be posted on the MS 54 website (www.ms54.org) in future. Minutes will also be backpacked; two parents volunteered to translate.
a. Parent Teachers had a great turnout, suggestions are appreciated on improving the process. Teacher contract allows only 5.5 hours for conferences; some teachers have 140 students. Parents can contact teacher for separate discussion if needed. Suggestions can be sent to Dr. Elster. Should also be forwarded to executive board member or Joseph Gurvets (jgurvets@gmail.com); will be put into next MS 54 email update. Teachers will be included in discussion. Will be put on agenda for next PTA meeting.
b. Most report cards have been distributed; please sign the envelope the report card came in and return to your child’s teacher. Parents may keep report card.
c. Outdoor lunch for 7th & 8th graders is being reviewed. Issue of safety and widespread lateness.
d. Schoolyard is scheduled for reconstruction starting in March. Expect construction to list 6-12 months. Working with local authorities to see about closing street during recess.
e. School Uniform is being considered. There is a dress code, but many students are coming to school dressed inappropriately.
f. Final tours next week
g.
Student Id’s.
About half of students have been photographed. Goal is to have all ID pictures taken by 11/18/05.
h. Richard Reardon, Author of “The Lightning Thief” spoke with sixth graders today.
i. Reminder that outerwear is not worn in building. Children should bring sweater or light jacket if they are chilly. Outerwear is stored in the homeroom.
Co Presidents Report
a. There is a UPA workshop on 11/19
b. Reminder that Campaign for Fiscal Equity/Alliance for Quality Education is meeting with parents in various locations, “Making Money Matter”. Political Action critically important this next year, particularly with state elections next year. Lobby Day in Albany in March.
Treasurers Report
c. Financial report distributed
d. $720 received from parent-teachers bake sale. Thank you to those parents & students who assisted.
e. Capital drive still under way, another letter will be going out shortly. About 15% of families have contributed so far.
f. Requisition process being implemented
a. Auction. Next meeting 11/18 at 8:30 am. We need parents to help out. If you cannot make the meeting, please contact Anne Pejovich to be put on auction mailing list.
b. International Dinner. Need parents to chair and organize. Due to construction, we will be unable to use the school building on weekends. Need suggestions as to when/where to have dinner. This will be a school-wide pot luck, not a fund raiser; a community building event.
a. No Nominee presented. Vote postponed to next meeting.
b. The BTW MS 54 Track Team competed in a meet this past Saturday with some high-speed results. Henry Liebman placed first, and Seth Bixler and Liam Trotzuk placed in the top 10. Congratulations to the students and their coaches!
c. The BTW MS 54 Chess Team played very well in a Veterans Day Chess Tournament. Aaron Landesman and Zach Weiner both scored a perfect 4/4 in their sections. Zach won a $100 scholarship for his first place performance in the Open division. Aaron tied with 2 other players who also scored 4 in the reserve section. Congratulations to the players and their coach!
Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 pm
RAFFLE FOR GYM BAG (raffle for attendees of PTA meeting): Winner is Gennie Perez