MSMHS PTO Minutes January 9, 2013

Welcome

Motion to accept minutes from previous PTO passed with no corrections to the notes

PTO Finances

Details on finances found on Agenda

Fencing Update -Presented by Mike Regan

MSMHS can be part of ECC next year and as such have a regular schedule of matches

Currently there are 5 matches on the schedule, waiting to finalize 3 or 4 more

  • Including an inter-squad match at the school

With 14 boys and 9 girls on the team we are one of the largest fencing programs in the state

A strip has been laid out in the great hall for practice, with room for one more

Wish list includes another set of scoring equipment

Motion made, seconded and passed to provide $1,500 to the fencing club for scoring equipment and entry fees

Non-Profit Status

Form has been filled out

Next step is to send it to the IRS within the next 3 weeks

Motion for $400 application fee made, seconded and passed

Principal Report

Safety and security

  • Evacuation point been changed from Westside to the firehouse down the street
  • School resource officer splits his time 50/50 between MSMHS and Westside Middle
  • Lockdown procedures are in place
  • Students will receive a survey to gauge their feelings about the culture and climate of the school

Grit

  • Character education
  • Has been introduced to freshmen; sophomores and juniors will receive next
  • PTO members watched a report by Brian Williams on Rock Center regarding this topic
  • Persistence, willingness to work hard
  • Everyone will struggle at some point, the key is learning how to get through it

CAPT Weeks

  • March 4- 7 Writing, Reading portions
  • March 11-14th Science and Math portions
  • CAPT boot camps will take place weekly
  • 40 minutes for each topic

Drama club

  • Will hold a coffee house with $5 admission to raise funds for a stage
  • Club hopes to do an improv show at the end of February
  • The school is trying to add some arts curriculum
  • Next year, the senior class will have an arts component

Winter Formal

  • January 25th, 7-10 pm
  • Tickets are $10
  • Theme is Night at the Oscars

Schedules for next year

  • Encouraging juniors and seniors to have a study hall
  • Recommendation for placement in classes next year will happen in mid-March

Students can participate in non-CIAC sports through MSMHS and remain eligible to do CIAC sport in their home school district

  • Non-CIAC sports include women’s ice hockey, bowling, crew, sailing, fencing

520 applications so far for next years freshmen class

School-to-parent newsletter is still in development

  • Will include PTO updates
  • Working on posting agendas and minutes of PTO meetings on line

Intramural sports

  • Nice to have, not a priority at this time
  • Have to go through same approval process as fencing did

Some feelers will be put out to Conn College, USCGA, Noank Rowing Club about involving MSMHS students in crew

SAT subject matter tests

  • Current juniors probably not ready at this time to take these tests

CAPT breakfast

  • Parent food donations to provide a good breakfast for students taking test
  • Juniors can come in at 10am on test days
  • Sign up sheets for parent volunteers will be available at the next PTO meeting

Next PTO meeting dates

  • Feb 6th, 6:30 pm
  • March 6th, 6:30 pm
  • April 3rd, 6:30 pm

Spelling Bee sub-committee meeting

  • March 27th at 6:30 pm