MS 54 Booker T. Washington Middle School

PTA GENERAL MEETING – DRAFT PENDING RATIFICAITON

 

OCTOBER 12, 2006

 

The meeting was chaired by Mary Beth Walsh and Mark Diller, and began at 7:40 a.m.  The following were available for distribution:

     -  Announcements bulletin

     -  Auction solicitation form

     -  Meeting agenda

     -  Financial report from Treasurer

 

I.  Minutes of our last meeting on September 14, 2006 were reviewed and the floor was opened for comments.  None noted, Mark Diller requested that the group adopt the minutes subject to any comments or requested changes to the minutes emailed to him by Friday, October 13th.  The meeting adopted the proposal.  No comments were received by that date, and thus the minutes presented at the meeting have been deemed adopted and approved.

II.  Principal’s Report - Dr. Elster

A.      Technology– Dr. Elster thanked the PTA for the new printers, scanners and cartridges for the classrooms, and for the teacher grants, which were distributed last week. 

Thanks to the efforts of many parents who formatted and delivered the printers, and the fundraising efforts of the PTA last year and into the current year, every classroom in the building now has at least one working printer.

B.      Standardized Test Scores from last year are in.  Dr. Elster needs some time to evaluate them and compare to last year.  In 2005-06, for the first time, all students took tests designed and created under the aegis of the State Department of Education, whereas in previous years only the 8th grade test was State-wide, and the 6th and 7th grade tests were City-wide exams.  The change in administration and format of the tests make comparisons of scores between years more tricky than usual.  The LEAP report will be released in December, which will provide additional breakdowns of test result data by various ethnic and racial subgroups.  Overall, in Reading, 64.4% of our students were at or above grade level while 24.7% were below grade level.  In Math, 62% scored above grade level and 17% were below grade level.  The individual results will go home next week.

C.      Report Cards will be going out the second week of November.  Please contact any teacher that you feel you need to talk to, Anne Pejovich can help you contact teachers, or you can try and see them at the Parent Teacher Conferences on November 14.

 

III. The Delta Program – Fred LaSenna and Andrew Bergen

A.  Overall:  Mr. LaSenna welcomed the parents, explained that his having retired was a payroll and record-keeping matter, and does not mean that the Delta Program at MS54 is in danger.  In fact he assured the group that the philosophies and goals of the program are in place.  Changes could come from the Region, if, in fact, they dissolve the “middle school choice” option.  He introduced Mr. Bergen, and reiterated the fact that the teachers at Delta are the best, that they have been hand-picked for the program by Mr. LaSenna and Mr. Bergen, and all have remarkable credentials.  Mr. LaSenna has no immediate plans to retire fully any time soon.  He thanked Dr. Elster for having provided him with Mr. Bergen as an additional leader to support him and the program. 

B.   Parent Questions: Mr. LaSenna opened the floor to parent questions:

-  Why was the configuration of the building changed, i.e. so now Delta and Core students are in classrooms next to on another?  Mr. LaSenna said that the 6th graders are still by his office, and that other grades were moved so that all grade teachers would be next to each other.  Dr. Elster confirmed that classes were always structured by grade level and not by program.  This should in no way affect test scores, and although some teachers were resistant to the changes, the building is now, overall, much better. 

-                       Lunch/Recess:  Dr. Elster explained that the off-premises lunch decision was hers; and due to too many behavioral incidents; safety issues like muggings, fights, and traffic accidents.  The children are safer now.  It was raised by a parent that the kids would be happier, however, if they could sit by their friends.  This will be considered.

-                       -  A few parents complained/raised the question about the quantity of homework and it was suggested that the teachers try more of a coordinated communication of the amount of homework given on particular nights.  Mr. LaSenna reiterated the Delta policy of ½ hour of homework per night per subject, and he also stated that he discourages a lot of homework on weekends, and encourages none on vacations; he will speak to the teachers again about this.

-                       -  Many parents were upset about the change in the Math program, and the quantity of Math homework.  Parents, in general, seemed confused as to why the Delta kids are focused on Math A Regents and not things like Music and Language.  Mr. LaSenna explained that the Math teachers needed more time and more classroom time serves to smooth the different backgrounds of Math students (i.e. some have studied Chicago Math, some Turk Math….)  A parent addressed the issue that one Math teacher, Ms. Hecht, doesn’t have her own classroom, and will she get one?  Mr. LaSenna explained that there are just not enough classrooms now so some teachers must “ travel” .  

-                       -  Other Issues:  A group of parents expressed strong objection to the manner in which children are spoken to, disciplined, and managed during lunch and recess.  Dr. Elster emphasized the need for strict disciplinary code on the playground.   The PTA is continuing to monitor this situation and work with the administration on these important issues. 

A parent asked about securing transportation for her child, Mr. LaSenna did not know of any accommodations for General Ed kids, but Dr. Elster said she would investigate and help that parent with her busing needs. 

Lastly, the issue of communication was raised, and how parents can get in touch with Mr. LaSenna and/or others concerning their child, the Program, and related issues.  The best way to reach Mr. LaSenna is through his email which is FLASENN@schools.nyc.gov.

 

Other:  There are school counselors available to all 8th graders for help with high school admissions processes.  The counselors are also available as an additional communications link to the school, especially in the event of an emergency if other avenues of communication are busy or unresponsive.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 a.m.  The next General PA meeting will be in the evening, November 9, at 7:00 p.m. 

2006-2007 Executive/General Membership Meeting Calendar Dates:

September 14     October 12  November 9December 7              January 11    February 8             March 8            April 19             May 10             June 7

Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month unless there is a conflict on the school calendar.   Executive board meetings are at 6pm prior to the general meeting unless noted (September 13, 7:30 am; October 11, 7:30 am)

If a meeting needs to be changed due to an unforeseen reason, a notice will be sent out as early as possible to let you know of the change.

Want to be up-to-the-minute on upcoming school and PTA events?  Join the MS 54 E-mail update:  subscribe to the BTW e-mail alerts by sending a blank e-mail to:   BTWMS54PTA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

 

Not able to make the meeting but want to keep up with events?  You can access previous months’ PTA meeting minutes at:  http://www.ms54.org/PTA.htm