JOHNS CREEK PTSA BOARD MEETING MINUTES

August 19, 2014

9:30 a.m.

Meeting began at 9:34.

Attendees:

Kathy MeyersMona KrugDenise AbramowAnn Seidman

Marisa OwensMadhu IyerLynn GillenCindy Tromer

Stephanie MitraLeslie FoxNancie NoltonLisa Shanklin

Jen FreyerBeverly HensonStephanie BondMonica Gleerup

Robin SpiegelKaren AndersonAnn Marie CassidyMerry Swan

Principal's Report – Gail Johnson

  • Since Fulton County requires so much compliance work in the first ten days of school – Ms. Johnson made a recommendation to conduct the first PTSA meeting outside the first ten days of the year.
  • Projected at 2022 students attending
  • School year started smoothly – good attendance, all have books, opening scholars lounge, using PTSA donations to create learning commons (congregate in quiet atmosphere) much like a college campus.
  • Sports off to a good start
  • Arts programs kick off dinners going well
  • Giving feedback to individual teachers, she can see the departments with fresh eyes
  • Thank you for continued support.
  • Mr. Maley promoted to Virtual Learning position and no longer at JCHS
  • Encourages all to work towards having trust and confidence in our teachers – some will be promoted (Ms. Clower promoted to administration). For evaluating a teacher, she cannot use anonymous letters. Evaluations of teachers are specific to individual teacher—no set timeline. Ms. Johnson advocates for the best possible instruction students can have. She deals with competency issues with dignity and positive attitude.
  • Twitter account – JCHS Principal - most should be able to connect to teachers' accounts through website which went live today.
  • Virtual Learning – If a student takes a VL course which is the same as a course we offer inside the JCHS building, students cannot take that VL course within the school. The student's schedule is fixed so that he/she can come in after first period or leave one period early. Accommodations are being made for students on a case by case basis if they cannot leave campus. If the class is not offered at the school, students should have supervision provided for them. Karen Hudson can address those cases. Guidance counselors/teachers need clarification on that point. Committed to address all concerns within the counseling department. Our registration process with VL, dual enrollment and in-house courses are disjointed which will be worked on.
  • Website – currently not updated on mobile version
  • Food – Senior treats-we can serve these, but not sell.
  • Parking Lot Passes – Many juniors did not get these. What about dual enrollment students? Ms. Johnson is bringing in a site engineer to find ways to provide more parking for special cases—possibly bus lanes restriped. This is a long term issue.

JCHS has approx. 700 students who can drive and many need to drive. Currently working on providing additional passes.

  • JCHS Hub has been discontinued. There is a minimum amount of information that is required for each teacher’s website.
  • PTSA can possibly offer a Current Technology Workshop - Twitter-fcboe – Fulton County Account / Dr. Avossa

Approval of Minutes – Karen Anderson

  • Stephanie Bond made a motion to approve the July minutes
  • Minutes approved

Treasurer's Report – Stephanie Mitra

  • Treasurer will request board member signatures as needed after every PTSA board meeting.
  • 2014-15 Budget

◦New line item – Custodial Support

◦$500 moved from Mini-grants to Legislation

  • Motion to approve budget with change – Kathy Meyers made the motion
  • Motion Approved
  • Electronic Database/Directory

◦Data Clerk cannot give PTSA a list of students until end of Sept.

◦Cannot contain much of the extra information we usually put in the directory.

Membership Report – Kathy Meyers and Ann Marie Cassidy

  • $45,635 already paid
  • $495 donated to scholarship

◦Will pursue more student memberships, particularly through the newscasts

◦Distributed names of volunteers to all board members

  • Spoke with Ms. Matheson to request extra set of books for certain membership levels
  • Raffles – October board meeting we will do the drawing. Will advertise at senior night, freshman night, morning news, etc.

Presidents' Report – Lynn Gillen and Cindy Tromer

  • Curriculum Night Video – taping on Friday. Reflections reminder, Student Accident Avoidance
  • Food – Cafeteria has restrictions, but we can provide snacks and food
  • Brick Sales – Drama Club considering doing bricks in the front into the theater. Could be conflicting with our “Brick” offer. Drama could possibly offer a large recognition plaque to hang in the auditorium/theater - “Support the Arts” - might appeal to all JCHS Arts groups (orchestra, band, chorus as well as drama). PTSA agreed to ask for a non-competitive fundraiser.
  • Linda McCain's meeting was held at the Fulton County Water Treatment Plant. Acquiring Epson Smart Boards being discussed. Her meetings are usually on a Tuesday.

Officer Reports

  • Student Activities -– Monica Gleerup and Stephanie Bond

◦Senior Celebration – Merry Swan

Much like a carnival, being offered for the seniors (see flyer), to be held on the Friday before the AP exams in place of Project Graduation. There could be future discussions about safety on the graduation night through PTSA Health and Safety, possibly advertising safety rules in March.

◦Senior Treats – only the students who pay will be given the treats. Families who cannot pay are identified privately and included.

◦Yard Signs – concern over having name on sign for safety issues. Ms. Johnson expressed her personal opinion that names should be left off for safety. Final decision was made to not personalize signs with student names.

  • Health Services – Marisa Owens

◦Red Ribbon Week – largest program “Love Yourself, Be Drug Free” Oct. 28-31 including dress up days and Friday activities during lunch. Students will sign pledges, experience drunk goggles. Looking into collaborating with SADD. (Homecoming is Oct. 24-25)

◦Race to Nowhere movie showings

◦Lunch and Learns for parents possible

◦Speakers to address students – possibly Coach Cloy

◦Accident Avoidance – program has run twice already. Possible dates Nov. 1 and 2, 2014. In-house instruction would be done the preceding Wednesday.

  • Academic Enrichment – Beverly Henson

◦Reflection Dates – Oct. 17 is deadline. Would like volunteers to advertise in cafeteria

◦Honor Roll – Shikha Gupta

◦Wall of Recognition is being worked on currently

◦PSAT snacks – will streamline delivery system

  • Legislation – Denise Abramow and Ann Seidman

◦Voter Registration for the students on Sept. 30.

◦Candidate Forum on October 23rd. Governor Deal will be invited along with Candidate Perdue and Candidate Nunn. Will possibly have a data base of student volunteers to help. Also invited will be Senator Albers.

◦School Governance Council (SGC) – Report on website. Focus areas, short-term goals and initiatives to reach those goals. Very comprehensive.

  • Teacher Support – Robin Speigel and Marion Silverman

◦Beginning of Year Breakfast was very well attended—very successful. Lots of volunteers. Using Sign-up Genius and followed up with phone calls.

◦August 28th – Boxed dinner before the Curriculum Night begins will be provided and sponsored by Jason's Deli.

  • Communications – Jen Fryer and Nancie Nolton

◦Distribution List updated

◦E-blast deadline to submit information is Tuesday of each week. Eblast will go out on Fridays.

  • Administrative Support – Madhu Iyer and Mona Krug

◦Jenny Harmon – new attendance manager

◦Patty Schultz – College visits – start first week in September

◦Media Center – still needs volunteers – new rule: the only volunteers allowed in school are those who have students enrolled here.

◦Met with Counseling Chair, Mrs. Wiley, who is open to new ideas. Has asked for specific speaker requests for Junior Night.

◦GCIS – to take the place of GA411. Good scholarship resource.

◦Possible new ideas: Career Center moves to Counseling Suite, Scholar Lounge?

◦E-blasts will continue to advertise scholarship opportunities.

◦Scholarship Plans/Promotion – will have a concrete proposal for additional scholarships. All students must be members by December 31 in order to apply for PTSA scholarships. Deadline must be advertised on website, e-blasts, etc. immediately.

Important Dates:

August 20 Senior Night/6:30 p.m.

August 28 Curriculum Night

September 16 September PTSA Meeting at 9:30 a.m.

Meeting adjourned: 11:50 a.m.