Center Middle School PTA

General Meeting

Tuesday,September 13, 2011

Call to Order: A General Meeting of the Center Middle School PTA was held on Tuesday, September 13, 2011in Room 147 of the Annex. The meeting was called to order by President Jane Ludwig at 1:00pm. A quorum was present.

Reading of the Minutes: There were no corrections and the minutes of the May General Meeting, 2011 were accepted as written.

Secretary’s Report: Marie Falkenberg

No News to Report.

Membership Report: Jane Ludwig

Jane Ludwig is currently handling the membership. We would appreciate it if anyone is interested in volunteering to take over this task. Jane is currently entering the information to the “Just Between Friends” Website for PTA.

Treasurer’s Report –Avril Isernia

The Audit Committee (Toni Hegyi, Chris Lizanich and Marie Falkenberg) met in September and found the books to be in order. The 2010-2011 beginning balance on hand was $4,686.54. Income was $13,596.61 and Disbursements were $13,905.29. The ending balance is $4,377.86. Audit was submitted and signed on September 6, 2011. A motion was made by Barb Handloser to accept the Audit. Kelly Farmer seconded the motion. Motion was passed to accept the Audit.

Avril reviewed the Budget for 2011-2012. Barb Handloser made a motion to accept the Budget for 2011-2012. Chris Lizanich seconded the motion. Motion passed to accept the Budget.

Forms for reimbursements are in the PTA Folder in the Nurse’s office including tax exempt forms. The report of the Audit Committee has been accepted.

Teacher Representative Report – Mrs. Gundlah

Mrs. Gundlah reviewed the project that she coordinates, “Giving Week”. History of project is that 8 years ago the Teachers and Staff saw a need to help families within Center that are struggling around the holidays. The teachers coordinate:
Gift Basket Sales ($25.00-$30.00 each)and make them available during Choir, Orchestra and Band concerts.
Chain Links students make for $.25
Candy Gram December 5-9
Last year we had over 40 gift baskets and made over $3,300 that was given in the form of gifts and gift cards to 17 anonymous families within Center Middle School.
We are looking for PTA volunteers to work with Mrs. Gundlah to coordinate the three projects. Anyone interested, can contact Mrs. Gundlah. Kelly Farmer did volunteer to help coordinate the Candy Gram project at the school.

1st Vice President – Toni Hegyi

Nothing to Report.

Principal’s Report – Mrs. Pelko

Every Friday a newsletter is sent out via email. Please email me at if interested in receiving this newsletter. You can also click on Center website.
PASS System information was sent home to each student. 90% of teachers are using this for grades, assignments and homework. If a teacher is not using, email teacher directly.
Our School Report Card went up from “Effective” to “Excellent”. We went from 98.3 to 100.1. We attribute to new rating to our improvement in Science. We are still rated “Adequate” in Special education which we will continue to work on. Also, our main goal is still Reading.
State Test will be held again this year in April, 2012.
Picture day will be 9/23. Yearbook orders will also take place with the picture day forms.
TDAP Shots – 60 students have not brought in records and will be receiving calls at home.
$750 was given to us by Target and we will be using toward our Technology fund.
Academic Recognition is a program where each grade period, students are awarded ice cream/pizza during AA for Grades of A/Bs. Since we now have AA in the middle of the day we need to come up with some creative new ways to award the students. Julie Walcher volunteered to work with Mrs. Pelko on this initiative.
Internet Safety – we will have a program for 7/8 grade students January 17th. May look into combining Center/Albion and decision needs to be made if have parent night since last year not well attended.
Levy – Mr. Lampert discussed at Meeting. This 6 Mil (7.6 Mil Annually) is a renewal with NO TAX INCREASE. They will have Nov., March and May to pass the levy. If it does not pass, possible results will be:
Minimum course offerings
Athletic program reduced or eliminated
Extra clubs/activities go away
Close Bldgs in evening – No use of gyms for Rec programs
Remove Food Service program
Gifted program reduced
Since 2007 we have reduced employees from 914 to 771 employees with further cuts if Levy does not get renewed.
There will also be a District Facilities Task Force which will be chaired by Mr. Donnelly, Busines Services Director. The goal of the Task Force is to collect data on each building and come up with a strategic plan to address what each building will need in the future. If interested, please send email to Mrs. Pelko. Mtgs are very casual and will take place in Dec/Jan timeframe.
Spirit Day will be held October 17 – 21. Student Council does food drive that will coordinate with Mustang Bowl.

President’s Report – Jane Ludwig

Welcomed all that attended meeting.
Strongsville Council PTA will now be offering Grants to be awarded to the Strongsville schools. Council has $7,500 for grants. Mrs. Pelko will be working with teachers to coordinate grants needed for Center Middle School.
Reminder that we will need additional chairperson for committees and if you are interested contact Jane Ludwig at . You are required to be a PTA member.
Copies of any items need to go through publication which is right next door. Copy costs have changed to .05 for single sided and .08 for double sided.
Mustang Bowl is going to be held October 5 for Volleyball and October 26 for Football. This is an event between Albion and Center Middle School. We are looking for a volunteer to help coordinate with Albion. Kelly Farmer and Patty Whitlock volunteered to help coordinate this project with Albion.
In the Survey that Mrs. Pelko sent out last year requesting feedback about the school, one of the issues brought up was that PTA Meeting are held during the day and parents are not able to attend due to work. Our next PTA Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 11th at 7:00 PM in the Annex Building, Room 147.
Our Book Fair will be conducted October 18, 19 and 20th. Michelle Faust is the Chairperson for this project. Will check with Michelle on identifying if we can accept the profits with books and monies to go to PTA.
Standing rules/bylaws have areas that need updating.
Next meeting we will spend more time reviewing each committee and where we will need help.

Council Delegate Report – Jane Ludwig Attended for Council Delegates (Chris Lizanich and Amy Shannon)

Strongsville Council PTA

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011

General Meeting

Board of Education Building

Call to Order – President Karen Rebholz called the meeting to order at 9:33 a.m. Pledge of Allegiance recited. Karen introduced herself. Officers present were Karen Rebholz, President; Lisa Thacker, 1st Vice President; Laura Housum, Corresponding Secretary.
Roll Call/Introductions – All units present except for Strongsville Early Learning Preschool.
Recording Secretary’s Report – Anna Kidwell (absent), Cathy Larsen filling in today.

Approval of Minutes from May 5, 2011 - no changes, minutes approved as written.
Council Directory Information – please fill out the templates that have been emailed to all the units and email them back to Anna Kidwell no later than Oct. 1st.
Volunteer Hours Reporting – please keep track of all your council volunteer hours and if possible, report them on the signup sheet every month at the council meeting, otherwise report totals at the end of the school year to Recording Secretary so that they may be turned into Ohio PTA.

Treasurers Report – Mary Ellen Ruch (absent)

Audit Report – Colleen Morgan, Teri Shoff, and Karen Rebholz –this audit committee met to review the financial records of the Council PTA for the financial year July 1, 2010- June 30, 2011. After a thorough review, we found the records to be accurate and complete. No adjustments were needed and no recommendation for improvement needed to be made. The balance of the bank accounts are as follows: Money Market Account - $28,666.70; Checking Account - $9,402.82; Ending Cash Balance - $38,069.52.
2011-2012 Budget – Lisa Thacker, 1st Vice President – went over the budget. Changed the budget for scholarships to $16,000. Colleen Morgan made a motion to approve budget as presented with the scholarship change. Vicki Maloney seconded it. All in favor, motion approved.

Corresponding Secretary’s Report – Laura Housum – Laura read several thank you notes received.
1st Vice President’s Report – Lisa Thacker – Lisa has nothing to report today.
Superintendent’s Report – Mr. Lampert – Mr. Lampert welcomed everyone back and noted that our State Report Card got an Excellent Rating again this year. We will be working on getting better and raise the bar even higher. Regarding the levy that did not fare well on the ballot, it will be pulled off the ballot. We are now just focusing on the renewal levy that does not raise any taxes. That will be on the ballot in November. Please support the renewal as it is very critical for our district. Goals for 2011-2012 are: Academic Excellence first and foremost; secondly, to be Fiscally Prudent; thirdly, Community Engagement – to partnership with the community better and get people involved in our district; finally, Facilities – to look at our facilities and have a vision on how to move this district forward in respect to facilities. Mark Donnelly is here today to speak about our facilities. Mark said he wants the community to get involved by coming to some meetings to tell them about how the facilities are being used and what is working and not working. He needs to know about all the issues in the district and how the community sees the use of the buildings so he can gather the info and report to the board. Mr. Lampert finished with thanking everyone and said to please call or email with any questions.
President’s Report – Karen Rebholz – Karen welcomed all to the meeting and gave background on herself. Mail she has received and is available - information on a Ohio PTA Convention in Columbus, Chamber of Commerce information regarding a golf outing in September, “Run for your Local School Board” flyer, Strongsville Chamber of Commerce newsletter.
Standing Committee Report –

Advocacy – Open
Bylaws and Procedures – Moira Cohen – A motion was made by Moira Cohen to change Standing Rule #13, by eliminating the standing committee of “Parent University” and adding the committee of “Enrichment Programs”. A motion was made by Moira Cohen to change the Standing Rules Committees descriptions, by eliminating “Parent University” and adding “Enrichment Programs – Coordinate Educational speakers and programs to benefit the parents, students, and/or teachers of our school district”. Barb Handloser seconded it. All in favor, motion passes.
Founders Day – Gail Jackman and Shari Godinsky – will be held on Feb. 2, 2012 at the Ehrnfelt Rec Center. If you have any suggestions for changes, email them.
Grants – Beth Venter and Lisa Thacker – they have 10 people on their committee right now. Gives each unit a chance to apply for a grant that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to fund from their unit. Right now their budget is $7500. Please tell your units that there is money available to them. Grant deadline will be Nov. 16, 2011. Voting will be on Dec. 9, 2011.
Health and Safety – Dee Yezbak – (absent) – Karen and her will be meeting in two weeks to get a plan of action going for this committee.
Hospitality – Colleen Morgan and Kim Stout – Colleen reported we got a new Keurig coffee machine from Green Mountain coffee. They will give it free to 501 c corporations. Also is taking signups for food for the meetings this year. Please contact her if you can help with this.
Membership – Vicki Maloney – Please start using JBF – Just Between Friends – for your membership. This way you can send out information on email rather than using postage. Can also use JBF for sending out your newsletters. Vicki wants the name and email of every unit’s membership chairperson. Ohio PTA wants the information also…names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.
Parent University – NOW called Enrichment Programs - OPEN - Council is looking for a chairperson for this committee. Got an idea from the HS Principal about a program called Rachel’s Challenge. Rachel was the first person that was killed at Columbine HS. Jane Ludwig talked about this program which tries to get kids to be nice to each other and to see how your actions impact other people’s lives. Council is thinking of pursuing this but will need to find out costs, logistics, ect. This is one idea – but still need a chairperson to do this. Audra Thompson has agreed to be this chairperson. Thank you.
Publicity – OPEN
Reflections – Anna Kidwell – (absent)
Rockin’ at the Rec – Cindy Vaccariello – Flyers are out with all the dates and themes. She has a signup sheet for ticket sellers and chaperones. If you volunteer, you get a free ticket for your child. First dance is Sept. 9th at 6:30-9:30 pm. The only change they made for this year is that the final dance will only be incoming 6th, 7th and 8th graders. The outgoing 8th graders are not allowed at this dance. There is too big of an age difference for this dance. Cindy needs a rep from each school for Rockin’ at the Rec. Will also have posters at the next meeting to hand out.
SELF – Eileen Clymer – Eileen would like to make a motion to designate at least one $1000 Scholarship will be a Self Scholarship for the 2011-2012 school year. Barbara Dutton seconded it. All in favor, motion passes. Also SELF Outreach is available to non-PTA members also in the community. September 14th, at 11:00 a.m. is their first work session. First partner meeting is on September 21st at 1:00 pm.

Special Committee Reports - None
Advisors & Contact Report –

DARE – Marie McManus – Will be interviewing and picking Dare Role Models from the High School soon. Also will be getting out the Halloween Dare dance information soon.
Special Education – Teresa Karsnak – There will be an informative meeting to discuss special education in Strongsville City Schools. Please plan on attending to share your ideas with the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 7-8 pm at the Board of Education Building in Room 104.

New Business
Announcements and Adjournment – meeting adjourned at 11:32 a.m.

September 1 – JBF Workshop at Muraski Media Center at 6:30 PM
September 5 – No School – Labor Day
September 9 – Rockin’ at the Rec – 6:30-9:30 PM
September 15 – President’s Meeting – 9:30 AM – Small Conference Room at the Strongsville Library
October 6 – Council PTA Meeting – 9:30 AM – BOE Building – Room 104
October 12 – Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 13 – Secondary Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 14 – NEOEA – No School

Committee Reports:

Book Fair – Michelle Foust
Will be held October 18, 19 and 20th.
Ways and Means – Toni Hegyi
First fundraiser will be pizza night from Romeos. We need to discuss at next meeting what fundraisers we would like to coordinate for the year. We talked about possibly having Bake Sales in evenings to coordinate with Concerts. Also, need to decide if we want to continue with Malleys Fundraiser in Spring.
Yard Signs – Michelle Foust
For any sport/band – contact Michelle Foust to purchase yard sign.
Red Ribbon Week – October 23rd – 28th - Toni Hegyi
Coordinate with guidance counselor
DARE Dance – Toni Hegyi –
7/8th Grade Dance held Thursday, October 13. Any volunteers to help…contact Toni Hegyi at .

Adjourn 2:30 PM

DATES TO REMEMBER:

SEPTEMBER

13Romeos Pizza

23Picture Day

October

5MUSTANG BOWL – VolleyBall 4:00, Strongsville HS

6Council PTA Meeting 9:30 AM, BOE Bldg Room 104

7Rockin at the Rec, 6:30 – 9:30 PM

11PTA General Meeting, 7:00 PM. Center MS, Annex Room 147

12PSAT

13 Conference Day – NO SCHOOL

13 DARE Halloween Dance, Michauds, 6:30 – 10:00, $10.00

14NEOEA – NO SCHOOL

18,19,20BOOKFAIR – Contact Michelle Foust – 238-8119,

23-28RED RIBBON WEEK

26MUSTANG BOWL – Football, Catan Stadium, 4:00

28END OF FIRST QUARTER

Submitted by Marie Falkenberg.

CMS PTA Secretary