MS 54 BOOKER T. WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOOL

PTA GENERAL MEETING

February 9, 2006

DRAFT MINUTES PENDING RATIFICATION

Meeting called to order at 7:15 by Larry Wood, Co-President

• Announcements
• Parent Teacher conferences set for 2/16: 12-2 pm, 5:30-8 pm. No change in format from previous conferences. Parents will receive report cards home on 2/14 so they will have time to review and identify the teachers they need to see. Administration is open to working with parents and teachers on improving for next year.
• There will be a bake sale during parent teacher conferences; we need parents to contribute baked goods, paper goods, plates, drinks, etc. Contact Betsy Lind or Anne Pejovich
• Lobby Day 3/14. We need parents to go to Albany and advocate for our children!
• Councilman Jackson will be holding a press conference on steps of City Hall on 2/13 at 12:30 to protest proposed cuts to education in state budget. Parents requested to attend if possible.
• There are still open classes in afterschool; please see Anne Pejovich for information.

• Previous meetings minutes (1/12/2006) reviewed and approved with corrections.

• Principals Report. Dr. Elster unable to attend. Larry Wood and Anne Pejovich reporting on her behalf.

i. Issue of three dismissals with new schedule. Parents should contact BOE & let them know of concerns with new dismissal times. Will be monitored by CPAC, Presidents Council for success, negative impacts citywide. Feedback needed from parents.

ii. Question of tutoring possible in morning? Was this looked at? Issue of attendance in morning. Attendance is being taken and monitored currently.

iii. Based on feedback and success, may be changes in fall schedule.

iv. Teachers vote on how to structure extra time (e.g., 3 or 4 afternoons, mornings, etc.)

v. Security. Three MS 54 students mugged on Wednesday 2/8 in playground during lunch by 10 students, primarily from other schools. One child was hurt physically. Police responded immediately. Perpetrators were arrested, charged and will be arraigned. It is expected that the perpetrators will be suspended.

vi. Parents will meet at school Friday morning 8:15 to speak with Dr. Elster, then go to police precinct.

vii. Few monitors in schoolyard. Question of teachers working during lunch/recess time: it is part of contract. Issue of early dismissal at 2:05 with afterschool classes starting at 3:30. Possible parent safety patrol at lunch? We are short one guard.Gate to yard left open during lunch. Should be locked. Need to be in touch with Parks Department.

viii. School Construction authority. Tile work is progressing well and is somewhat ahead of schedule.

• Co-Presidents Report

a. State has draft budget, which contains significant cuts to education. Losing construction money for new schools.

b. Lobby Day. CPAC and Presidents Council are recommending a boycott of the city’s Lobby Day and will be scheduling a separate lobby day on March 14. UFT and AQE will be supplying buses, materials. Issue is making sure that parents’ concerns are heard, not just city’s. WE NEED PARENTS TO ATTEND!!!

• Treasurers Report, Bo Elfving
1. Budget distributed; Chancellors Interim Report distributed
2. We have exceeded our capital fund drive goal. We encourage parents to contribute if they have not so far. Only 230 out of 1,045 families have contributed. Our goal is full participation –and everything we raise goes directly to enhance our children’s education.

• Committee Reports

c. International Dinner: Juanita Douglas reports dinner is set for 3/23 from 6-8:30 pm. This is a potluck dinner for the entire family. Please bring a dish to feed at least 4 people. We need parents to help out: setup, cleanup, etc. A free event, there will be a 50/50 raffle to cover costs. PTA to supply paper goods, drinks. There will be music.

d. SLT: currently amending last year’s CEP to accommodate new reporting requirements. Committee meets at 7:15 am every two weeks on Wednesday morning. Next meeting is _____

e. Auction. Set for 5/5 at Synod House, St. John the Divine. We need parents to get donations in and help out!

f. 8^th grade dance. Discussion of inappropriate dancing. 8^th grade dance has been postponed until April. Students complained that dance was scheduled too early, too short, too much money and their choice of dance music was inappropriate; students boycotted original date. Suggestion of getting outside professionals to lead children in fun dances.

i. 6^th grade dance: 3/17, 4-6 pm; 7^th grade dance: 3/10, 4-6 pm

g. Graduation Committee: need help. Have not decided on location for graduation dance. Contact Betsy Lind or Juanita Douglas.

i. Get forms in for yearbook ads or for ordering your copy of yearbook

II. Old/New Business: None

Meeting ended at 8:30 pm

NEXT PTA MEETINGS:

All meetings at 7 pm unless otherwise specified; ask at guard desk for location

March 9, 2006 April 6, 2006

May 11, 2006 June 8, 2006