Radnor High School
PTSA Minutes
September 8, 2004

WELCOME
PTSA co-president’s Ronnie Hittson and Debbie Gibbons-Neff called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of 5/12/04 were approved by motion and second.

TREASURER’S REPORT
The PTSA account was reviewed by Trean Bock. The budget reflects the distribution of approximately $5,000 at the end of last year. Motion was made, seconded and carried for the PTSA to fund a principal’s discretionary fund and to approve the treasurer’s statements. A volunteer is needed to audit the treasurer’s books.

Don Caldwell reviewed the school store account. Motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the school store account statement.

STUDENT REPORTS
Erica Jahnle, Executive Director, Student Government reported the new students picnic on 8/31/04 was a successful event. Freshman elections for student government will be held this month. Student volunteers will again act as guides for Open House on 9/30/04. Homecoming is 10/15/04 and LM week is the first week of November. The senior class has almost completed painting of the field house. Graduation will be held on a Friday evening in the future as it is very difficult for underclassmen to perform in band and orchestra for graduation on a Thursday evening and then take finals the following day. The senior magazine sale will begin soon.

PARENT COUNCIL REPORTS
Ilene Goldis and Ms. Kunda will be freshman class faculty advisors. Sara Geary reported for the sophomore class parent council which had a great turn-out for their earlier meeting tonight. Kyle Dilworth reported the junior class is working on locations for their senior prom, continuing their relationship with Andrew Jackson elementary school and a Day of Service is being planned. Kathy Enicks reported the senior class will begin their magazine sale shortly and are working on the many events connected to senior year.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Debbie Gibbons-Neff distributed the proof copy of the directory for anyone present to edit if needed. The newsletter advertised the athletic passes for $30 which is an economic way to gain admission to athletic events. Passes are available through Phyllis Toll in the Athletic Office. Fund raising ideas are being explored with one being in conjunction with the Radnor Education Foundation and Bloomingdales. Details regarding purchase of $10.00 available on sheets being distributed at the meeting. For the Genuardi e-script, members must re-instate where their funds should be directed every year-it does not carry from year to year.

Office Support Staff Volunteers: Lori Martin will chair this committee. Volunteers will be on-call as projects arise. E-mail addresses will be used to contact volunteers.

Chairs are needed for the following committees:
Genuardi purchases: Not a time-consuming commitment
Open House: Refreshments are provided and tables are manned by parent volunteers. Directory sales are performed by this committee.
Staff Appreciation Dinner: Takes place 11/22/04.
Holiday Baskets: Distributed before Thanksgiving and Christmas. Coordinate volunteers to prepare baskets for distribution.

COMMITTEES
School Store: Kathy Enicks reported the store is open and planners are going quickly.
ABC House: Ellen Epps prepared sign-up sheets for volunteers to cook Sunday dinners.
Guidance Office Support: Missy Parkin has a volunteer staff in place, however, if any additional parents would like to volunteer, they are welcome too.

Parent-Teacher Conference Scheduling: Kristen Lawe is chair of this committee.
Drug & Alcohol Task Force: Dan Sherry & John Schulte addressed the freshman parents this evening. The Task Force has begun a successful working relationship with RMS to attempt to reduce at risk behavior of this age group. New members of this committee are vital if the group is to continue as those chairing the Task Force have senior students. The next meeting is 9/22/04 at 9 AM. A parent voiced concern about violent behavior exhibited by Radnor High School students at various sites in Wayne also known to be areas where the sale of drugs takes place. Her sons were assaulted at knifepoint. Joann Eby addressed the use of drugs and alcohol as a definite problem in our district, but also in the entire country. Many incidents of violence occur when students are abusing alcohol or drugs. She will be working with Dr. Gary Cooper on ways to get ahead of the problem. Bev Galloway questioned whether forums/brainstorming could take place with Radnor police, PTSA and other community members to inform the public of these problems and to become involved in alleviating the problem.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Mrs. Eby reported the beginning of school has gone well with the number of students totaling 1,123. Multiple changes in staffing have occurred including the hiring of an Athletic Director/Assistant Principal. Freshmen no longer have Open Campus as a more “gradual release” is planned for this privilege during students’ high school years. Sophomores have study halls for the first quarter and if their grades are satisfactory, they will have Open Campus after that time. Parking is a huge problem on the high school campus. There is not enough parking for all seniors and none for juniors or sports. A change has been made in the handbook to have faculty using one uniform grading scale.

Homeroom locations have changed so that all classes are grouped together in a particular area of the building. It is hoped this will ease communication. The AP Honors committee is continuing to work. Page 39 of the handbook has a page for parents to sign if they do not wish their child’s information to be released to those agencies allowed to request such information.

NEW BUSINESS:
Chris Kingsberry reported for PTA Coordinating Council that an opening exists on the school board due to the resignation of Nancy Dixon. 11 candidates have applied and there will be a public meeting to introduce the candidates on 9/13/04 at 6 PM in the Activities Center.

Judy Stahl announced the soccer car wash is on 9/12/04 from 1-4 PM in the upper parking lot.
Bev Galloway inquired whether PTSA could accept ads from tutors for the Directory if those tutors had not had a security check performed by the district. Information will be obtained for the next meeting.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Rosemary S. Browne