SHMS PTO Meeting Minutes

SHMS PTO Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

6:30 P.M.

In Attendance:

PTO Board and Chairs: / Administrative Staff:
Jane Atkins,President
Rachel Pritchard, Vice President
Nassim Hough, Secretary
Nisha Patel, Treasurer / Jodi Day, Principal
Bill Gulgert, Assistant Principal
Nicole Herndon, Acting Assistant Principal
Ben Shewbridge, English Teacher
Robin Cox - MSAAC Representative
AnithaRadhakrishnan, LEAP Rep
Melody Nowotny, Spirit Nights
Sharon Mola, Membership
Heather El-Zein, Hospitality Chair
Debbie Harris, Hospitality
Carmela Matias, School Store
Sangita? / Farah Imam, Acting 7th Grade Dean
KarynO’Neil, 8th Grade Dean
Sabrina Lindsay-Law, 6th Grade Dean
Jennifer Alberth, 7th Grade Counselor
Robyn Lawrence, Teacher Band
Robert Roche, Teacher Band
Barbara Rust, Teacher Keyboarding
Kelsey Struder, Teacher, Art
Diana Miller-Nguyen, Librarian

Call to Order: 6:32pm

Special Guest Speaker

Robin Vander Voortspokeabout the Academies of Loudoun which is slated to open in the fall of 2018. The new Academy will housethe Academy Of Science and Monroe Tech which are both slated to double in size, in addition to the newAcademy of Engineering and Technology. Capacity of 2000 – 3000 students total.

IPrincipals Report

• Ms. Day is a huge supporter of the new Academies of Loudoun. SHMS had 21 kids that got into TJ and 18 for AOS last year.
• Have invited the teaching staff to come to the PTO meetings and they will rotate through the months.
• Back to school night and open houses were very successful. Parents with kids in multiple grades expressed that it was hard for them to get to their kids classes. Ms. Day was trying to relieve the staff by having the open houses on one day. There will be some changes made.
• Parents are encouraged to get involved and attendcommittees this year, such as the data collection committee, 15-16 committee, and the School Improvement Plan committee held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
• Making a huge effort to communicate via multiple media: Facebook (stonehillmiddle2014), twitter (stonehillmiddle), remind (specifically geared toward grade levels), connect-ed emails, and the school website.
• Ms. Day’s introduced the administrative staff, some of whom are new this year: Nicole Herndon, 7th Grade Dean, is acting AP whileKatie Clark is out on maternity leave. Bill Gulgert returned as AP. Karyn O’Neil is the 8th grade dean. Farah Imam is acting dean in 7th, and Sabrina Lindsey-Law is our new 6th grade dean.

IIVice Principals’ Reports

Mr.Gulgert’s focus is to prepare our students for the 21st century and the digital age.SHMS is one of the only schools that lets their students use their handheld devices in the school. He reminded us that in October activity buses will be starting, and clubs will be posted on the school website.

IIIDeans Reports 6-7-8 Grades

Deans have spoken with the entire student body about expectations, setting the foundation for a successful year, letting the students know they are a resource for everybody, working with the teams to come up with ideas to stretch our skills and progress through the curriculum. They would love to work with us and support us on PBIS and SSA.

SHMS is one of the only schools to still hold three deans due to the budget cuts. Mrs. Day asked parents to pay attention to what sort of relationships come out of our children’s interactions with the deans. We need to be aware of how much of an asset they are to our children and the school.

IVCounselor’s Report

Mr. Kevin Glenn and Mrs. Patti Bagdasarianwere introduced as new counselors. Mrs. Alberth mentioned the department is working with the RAMP process. She also asked the PTO to provide rising 6th graders with something that will help them identify as a new Stingray, and thanked the PTO for being supportive of the programs that are being run like the parents coffees. Parents have expressed a desire to have some of them in the evening.

VPresident’s Report

• PTO’s fall fundraiser will be from Oct. 1 – 15.
• Lace Up For Learning (9% of the proceeds come back to us) is a way we can support SHMS.
• Basketball game with Trailside Middle School is in the works and will probably be in February.
• Spirit wear fall order this year was significantly lower than last year.

VIVice President’s Report

• Spirit wear will be distributed next week.
• We have made an effort to bring new people on to chair PTO committees this year, to include: Sharon Mola, Membership chair, Robin Cox, MSAAC Rep, AnithaRadhakrishnan, LEAP Rep, Heather El-zeinand Debbie Harris, Hospitality chairs, Melody Nowotny, Family Fun Nights, Carmela Matias, Rays Reef school store, and Janiece Mullins as Box Tops chair.

VII Treasurer’s Report

The budget was passed out and discussed. Our net income is $9,870.59.

VIIICommittee Reports

School Store: The store is up and running Tuesdays – Fridays 8 – 8:30 a.m. Students are very excited about it. New this year will be the opportunity for the students to work at the school store.

Spirit Nights: upcoming Tuesday, September 30 from 5 – 9 Fuddruckers, October: Layng’sPumpkinfest, November: Chipotle (flyer must be printed or mentioned, giving back 40% to PTO), December: possibly Scotto’s.

Box Tops: no report

Hospitality: Heather El-zein gave an overview of some of this year’s activities such as a Teacher luncheon in November, the Cookie Exchange in December, and TAW in May.

Fundraising:no report

LEAP Representative:no report

MSAAC: no report

Budget Items: Jane made a motion to approve the purchase of three benchesat a cost of $824, and two tables at a cost $488 for the school. They were approved. Also a motion was made and seconded to reimburse Mr. Roche’s purchase of a used clarinet.

IXNew Business

Diana Miller-Nguyen, librarian, asked for $1000 funding for Battle of the Books, and $833 for the Virginia Readers Choice books. All of these books will be added to circulation at the end of the year. The programs start October 8th.

Ben Shewbridge and Farah Imam are putting together a community volunteer fair where volunteer organizations will talk with students about how to help and become involved with the community. They are asking for our time, support and any contacts that we may be able to give them. This is the first of its kind in Loudoun County. “Be The Change” will be held at SHMS November 5, 6, and 8th. They are looking to raise at least $15,000 to run this event.

Mr. Shewbridgementioned the 2nd annual Read-A-Thon which will be held on October 24th from 6:30 – 8:30pm. The students will read and participate in group activities.

Mrs. Imammentioned the Student Government Association will start up again this year with the end goal being a completely student run association. She also hopes to repeat last year’s spectacular International Night. More parent volunteers are needed to help with the potluck dinner, “talent” show, and booths

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 28th.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:03pm.