MS 54 Booker T. Washington Middle School
Meeting called to order at 7:10pm Larry Woods & Juanita Douglas, PTA Co-President, Presiding
a. Auction Committee meeting Monday, 12/12 at 8:30 am. Parents are encouraged to attend and help out!
b. Parents needed to help with holiday Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on 12/16 at 7:15am. If you cannot attend, please make sure to bake or buy breakfast items. Contact Anne Pejovich.
a. Thank you to PTA for support
b. All students had practice ELA tests this week
c. Darryl Stitchcomb, Assistant Principal, will be at MS 54 2 days/week due to budget cuts.
d. SLT has been meeting, working on laptop issue
e. Tile replacement has been going forward at a reasonable pace
f. During freezing weather, students are allowed in the building at 7:30 am (6th grade), 8 am for upper grades. There is no outdoor recess during freezing weather; students are watching videos in the auditorium. Discussion of possible alternatives for children.
g. Discussion of improvement on parent teachers conference. Parents can forward suggestions to Dr. Elster, eelster@nycboe.net. Should also be forwarded to executive board member or Joseph Gurvets (jgurvets@gmail.com); parents should keep in mind that the UFT contract allows only 5.5 hours for conferences twice a year. Many of the ‘specials’ teachers can have up to 180 students. If parents can make a separate appointment with teacher if needed.
h. Discussion of Outdoor lunch for 7th & 8th graders is being reviewed. Issue of safety and widespread lateness. Dr. Elster is seeking feedback from parents.
i. Discussion of graduation and possibly limiting activities. No decision, Dr. Elster is looking for feedback from parents. Currently expenses are about $85/child for graduation, including ceremony at Riverside Church, cap & gown, graduation picture and yearbook.
j. New UFT Contract will impact student schedules. Teachers will be working 37.5 minutes additional per day for remediation for students in need (scoring 1 or 2 on tests). Options are: spread time throughout day, adding minutes to all classes; change dismissal time for students Monday-Thursday or Tues Weds Thursday, where those children in need of remediation will stay for an additional period, and those students not in need of remediation will be dismissed from school earlier. Finalized 12/14, new schedule will start 2/5. Currently have 367 students in school scoring at 1 or 2 on reading and/or math.
Co Presidents Report
a. Please pick up CFE letter and write your local politicians!
b. Juanita Douglas reports that SLT has formed several subcommittees that will address various issues in the school. Need parents to assist on committees. Some committees currently being formed include: curriculum; safety; technology; finance; building/facilities; calendar; special populations. Will be announced in weekly email.
c. Juanita Douglas reports that the C30 committee has interviewed candidates for position of principal at school, recommendations have been forwarded to Superintendent.
Treasurers Report
d. Financial report distributed
e. Capital drive still under way, we are about 70% to our goal (last year: we were 30% at this time). Another letter going out this week. About 15% of families have contributed so far. Goal is 100% involvement, so give even if it’s $1.00. We’ve had a pledge as small as 50 cents.
f. Boys’ basketball uniforms have been purchased, girls’ uniforms will be purchased shortly.
g. Additional expenditures made for library, operating expenses and school supplies.
h. Teacher grant checks will be out this month.
i. We will have expended approximately 30-35% of budget by end of December.
a. Auction. Next meeting 12/12 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. Working on budget & establishing a ticket price. Current proposed budget puts price at $50. Working on revision. Need parents to secure donations. Date is 5/5 at Synod Hall
b. International Dinner: Juanita Douglas to chair. Community builder, not fundraiser. Targeting date in March during ‘March Madness’. May be able to have at school after all. Need parents to help out
a. DOE has added another day off for students on June 8. Will need to reschedule meeting.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:35 pm
RAFFLE FOR Camera Bag (raffle for attendees of PTA meeting): Winner was Liz Goldfarb