Catonsville Middle School PTSA Meeting Notes

January 11, 2012

  • Approval of December 14 meeting notes – bylaws were presented and approved
  • Administrative Report – Mr. Thorne

Principal’s Report for the January 2012 PTSA Meeting

Respectfully Submitted by Michael Thorne

Thank You

Thank you for the holiday gift cards!

We would like to thank the PTSA for supporting our fourth annual Vocab. Smackdown program this year! The Smackdown ended on December 23. Thanks to the PTSA’s support, we were able to reward nine homerooms with pizza parties as they demonstrated outstanding achievement in their vocabulary acquisition!

Upcoming Events

  • The VocabOlympics have begun in P.E. classes. The championship game will take place on Friday, March 9.
  • Thursday, 1/12Geography Bee (periods 9 and 10)
  • Monday, 1/16Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday—Schools Closed
  • Tuesday, 1/17Home Basketball Games vs. Ridgely M.S. (4-6 pm)
  • Friday, 1/20Celtic Ensemble Trip to Carver Center

Last Day of the Second Marking Period

  • Monday, 1/23Professional Day—No School for Students
  • Tuesday, 1/24Home Basketball Games vs. Golden Ring M.S. (4-6 pm)
  • Thursday, 1/26Market Day Pick-up (7-8 pm)
  • Tuesday, 1/31Home Basketball Games vs. Old Court (4-6 pm)
  • Thursday, 2/2Distribution of Second Quarter Report Cards
  • Wednesday, 2/8PTSA Meeting (7 pm)

State Testing Dates for 2012:

Grade 6 Mathematics MSA – 3/12, 3/13

Grade 6 Reading MSA – 3/16, 3/19

Grade 7 Mathematics MSA – 3/14, 3/15

Grade 7 Reading MSA – 3/20, 3/21

Grade 8 Mathematics MSA – 3/20, 3/21

Grade 8 Reading MSA – 3/14, 3/15

Grade 8 Science MSA – 4/18, 4/19

Algebra Data Analysis HSA – 5/23

Faculty Updates

Mr. Dungey will go on paternity leave for 5 weeks beginning the second week of February. A long-term substitute teacher will be hired to teach his classes.

Welcome to Mr. Walt Brown, our long-term substitute in the school counseling office. He will be with us until Mrs. Margulies returns from leave on January 26.

Condolences to Ms. Kim Embry on the passing of her uncle.

We now have three engaged teachers: Mr. Nazelrod, Mr. Jaffey, and Mr. Ambrose. Congratulations!

Welcome to Ms. Meghann Sexton, our new acting cafeteria manager.

  • Teacher Report – Thank you for subway gift cards.
  • Treasurer’s Report – Blanket sales are up, current balance over $14,000.00, $100.00 more profit than planned for fall fundraiser. Second food night at Peace A Pizza – made $251.00.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

  • Mulch Sale – March 17th. We will need lots of volunteers, order forms being sent out.
  • Donuts for Dad – March 28th
  • Blankets – doing inventory to sell what we have left in PTSA closet
  • Straight A Breakfast – February 15th – 7:30 – 8:00 am in the gym.
  • MSA snacks – Barbara Bates will do with a committee of helpers.
  • Student Service Learning – Discussion/explanation in health class, requested that Denise Zacharski attend 5th grade orientation to provide information to incoming parents, requesting that Denise Zacharski put together an email to be sent out to parents to clarify approval process and suggestions for sites to do SSL hours.
  • PTSA membership low (down about 80 memberships from last year). Ending registration in February.
  • Baltimore County PTSA Council Award – nominating CMS teacher
  • Community Event discussed – will survey to see what parents/students would want included

NEW BUSINESS

  • Green School/court yard – plan diagram shared, request for help from a master gardener and anyone who has been through this process before.
  • Aliza Worthington – Southwest Advisory Council: discussion of their monthly meetings, parents have until January 27 to give input on Superintendent search – link on BCPS website.

Next PTSA Meeting – February 8th at 7:00 pm