Radnor P T S A
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Radnor High School PTSA Meeting of September 19, 2006 Minutes WELCOME: The meeting was called to order at 8:10pm by Robin Kaney. Robin introduced the board and welcomed the new parents to the first meeting of the school year. Robin noted that the format of the PTSA meetings will now be a guest speaker presentation and that following the presentation, the speaker and any parent who wishes to leave will be able to do so. Suggestions for guest speakers are welcome and should be directed to Robin Kaney. Tentatively scheduled for the October 11 meeting will be Stephanie Sturdivant, Senior Project Coordinator and Jenny O’Rourke discussing the Radnor Abroad program. GUEST SPEAKER: Principal Joseph Cannella introduced ten new teachers to the high school. The new teachers have over 100 years of collective experience and are excellent additions to the staff. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: The minutes of 5/10/06 were approved by motion and second. (Please note all minutes are available for review on radnorptsa.com) TREASURER’S REPORT: Trean Bock distributed three reports and reviewed each. The PTSA’s main source of revenue is the sale of the directory. Main expenses are gifts and grants. The first report reviewed the 2005-2006 school year budget. Second report reviewed the past seven years of actual and this year’s budget. Third report reviewed activity to date for this school year. Special note – Stephanie Metter did a fantastic job on the directory. She has already covered the cost. Budget was approved by motion and second. SCHOOL STORE: Kathy Enicks presented. Store has been open daily and very busy with sale of gym uniforms. The store has made the $1,000 gift to the freshman class. Currently, the store is fully staffed however, if a parent would like to volunteer, please email Kathy. A sub list is being developed. STUDENT REPORTS: No student representative attended. FACULTY REPORTS: No faculty representative attended. PARENT COUNCIL REPORTS: Lisa McGrath reviewed role of Parent Council and urged parents to get involved at their student’s grade level. Parent Council meetings are held by grade level at 7pm directly preceding the monthly PTSA meeting. Freshman Council did not meet this month. First meeting is prior to the October PTSA meeting. Sophomore Council discussed holding a class trip. Focus this year is on fundraising for prom expenses. They are reviewing a number of service project ideas to select one that will involve all class members. Discussion is being held on moving the Sophomore semi dance date from March 24 to another date to be determined. This discussion is taking place to ensure that there are no conflicts with sporting events, etc. A sophomore class t-shirt is being created and designs are now being reviewed. Junior Council noted that the class is in charge of the pre-Homecoming game BBQ. They adopted the African Education Project last year as their senior project but also are looking to add a service project closer to home. A committee is being organized to select a senior prom site. Senior Council – Field House is painted with the 007 theme. First service project is raising dollars and clothing donations for an AIDS organization. Homecoming, LM week, Battle of the Bands, Senior Semi, prom and post-prom party are key areas of focus. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: The mission this year is to bring in speakers every month and to keep increasing communication through the further development of the email distribution list. To add your email, send your address to Joan Sullivan in the main office at joan.sullivan@rtsd.org The Guidance Office informational email is distributed by Skip Shoemaker and email additions for this should be directed to him at skip.shoemaker@rtsd.org The PTSA still needs chairpeople for E-scrip, School Health Council, Nominating Committee and the Planner committee. Contact Kim O’Neill to volunteer at 5oneills@comcast.net. COMMITTEE REPORTS: (Sign up for committees at radnorptsa.com by contacting the chair of the committee.) Radnor Education Foundation will be holding its gala on February 9, 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge. There is a planning meeting on October 3 at 9:30 in the faculty dining room if interested in participating. The foundation is actively soliciting grants at this time. ABC House – Ellen Epps is seeking volunteers for the Sunday dinner program. The House is the home for 10 students who attend RHS. Staff Appreciation Dinner – This annual tradition takes place on Monday, November 20 this year. Dinner is served to teachers on the first day of conferences. Tricia Maud is chairing and is seeking volunteers. Directory – Finished, delivered and ready to be sold at the Open House. Directories are $10 each. Drug and Alcohol Task Force – This is not a PTSA sponsored committee but is a joint effort with the Middle School and the High School administration and parent volunteers. If interested in getting involved, contact Debbie Gibbons-Neff. PRINCIPAL’S REPORT: Joseph Cannella introduced himself and provided a comprehensive review of the many activities that have taken place over the past month as well as a number of initiatives/goals. Back to School dance was attend by over 600 students and was a great success. Schedule changes continue to be a challenge. There are 1262 students and the office has processed 408 changes to date. The assistant principal search continues – there are 3 viable candidates and the goal is to have a final candidate to introduce to the board on the 27th. Student Parking – there are only 160 student spaces. If a student does not have a permit displayed, they cannot park on school property. Parking in the area around campus places the car at risk for being towed. New Student Open House was held on 8/31 – this is a new tradition that allows new students and freshman to tour the building with their schedule to locate classes, etc. New Parent Orientation was held the evening of 9/6. Well attended and well presented by assistant principal Anthony Stevenson. Goal of evening is to “demystify” Radnor and explain cycle and block days as well as general rules and expectations. Activities Fair took place on 9/13 and 9/14 – over 60 clubs were represented and a 20 page-plus directory of clubs was distributed. College Information Night was held during the evening of 9/13 for seniors and their parents. Junior class will have a college information night in the spring. 2006-07 Goals/Activities were reviewed. These include: Curriculum and Instruction – development of a Professional Resource Center for teachers, Data team to review student performance, New Direct Instructions Skills courses, Help Center, continue Science/Math work, begin English/Social Studies work, further Project Lead the Way phase planning (pre-engineering core courses – adding some more). AP audit. Guidance Review (20 recommendations from last year’s survey – begin implementation) Project 720/Dual Enrollment (certify courses and get college credit) Use of Time Study (scheduling questions) Tobacco Survey (Radnor is one of 15 high schools in PA participating) Formative Assessment Pilot (ongoing assessment raises student achievement) GPA Review (weighted versus unweighted) Long Term Goals Comprehensive Help Center Peer Tutoring and Volunteer Service Program Increased partnership with community Professional learning communities, Critical Friends Groups Teachers & Students as leaders Upcoming Events 9th Grade Bagel Breakfast (9/21) Open House (9/27) Interim Reports (week of 10/2) Homecoming Game (10/6) Homecoming Dance (10/7) PTSA Meeting (10/11) Meeting adjourned at 9:15pm Melinda Smith Next Meeting: October 11, 2006 |