Ottawa Hills Schools Parent Association

Membership Meeting

May 4, 2011

8:30 a.m. Community Room

Attendees

Patti Robb, Laura Randall, Becky Hauck, Cathryn Cason, Kevin Herman, Kevin Miller, Ben McMurray, Debbie Dolgin, Alli Wray, Olive Wu, Tere Kaulfus, Anne French, Lisa Lay, Jen Muse, Allison Johnson, Kathy Miller, Ronica Neuhoff, Joyce Stengle, Sandy Hupp, Maideh Gore, Yoli Calderon

Welcome – Patti Robb

  • In Lisa Brown’s absence, Patti called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone in attendance.

Model U.N. – Students, Greg Tracy and Nirbhay Jain

  • Greg and Nirbhay spoke of their 2 year involvement in Model U.N., a club where students debate world topics and role play international issues.
  • The process involves 1 – 2 months of preparation which includes research leading up to the regional competition.
  • The club is open to all high school students
  • Cathryn Cason added that the club has grown drastically through the years.
  • The students thanked the Parent Association for their support and presented a card signed by all the participants.

Administrators’ Reports

Superintendent’s Report – Kevin Miller

  • Announced that his secretary Linda Costell is retiring on July 1. Karen Mayfield, the current Instruction and Technology secretary, will replace Linda.
  • The Community Facilities Group will meet and tour both buildings to assess what updates are needed. The goal is to develop a long-term plan for our schools.
  • He has met with Margot Estes, Green Bear Ball 2012 chair and Boosters reps, John Day and Sandy Brown to discuss what items/improvements the event will possibly fund.
  • The district is keeping an eye on what is happening in Columbus regarding budgets.
  • Announced he would be a participant in the dunk tank at the upcoming carnival.
  • Tere Kaulfaus asked about the status of the elementary school parking project. Dr. Miller stated that after being put on hold last summer, the project will be completed this summer.

Junior/Senior High Principal – Ben McMurray

  • Announced he would like a rematch with Kevin Herman over the recent griller contest at our spring fundraiser!
  • Thanked OHSPA for their support of the Race to Nowhere movie. It was well attended and a great event.
  • Also thanked everyone for their support of the Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat musical. He recognizes that the rescheduled timing of the show was not the best due to some testing going on. They are working on the schedule for next year with the hopes of avoiding major conflicts.
  • Reminded everyone about OH Connections and how important it is to be sign up for this email service. This is the main way for the school to communicate with parents.
  • Presented 2 funding requests – one for Power of the Pen and the other for Yearbook Camp. The necessary paperwork for the Yearbook Camp was not available, so that will be voted on at a later date. See the Treasurer’s report for the vote on the Power of the Pen request.
  • The Green Bear Relays will be held Friday night, May 6 and volunteers are needed.
  • Arts Alive will present Toledo Ballet on Friday May 6 at 12:00 for the junior high students.
  • The Smart Show will be held on Wednesday, May 18. It will be modeled after Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize. Art will be displayed throughout the school and visitors can vote on their favorite pieces of art. AP students will present their portfolios.
  • OAA and AP testing is currently being conducted.
  • In an effort to increase students’ security and safety, the OH police department has given the school a police radio so the school can instantly contact the police department if needed. Ben also suggested that parents and educators remind students of safety issues.
  • Last week, a tornado warning sounded and although it happened at the lunch hour, all went well.

Elementary Principal – Kevin Herman

  • Currently conducting DIBLES testing to determine strengths and weaknesses in reading. This is the 3rd time the test has been administered.
  • A pizza party will be held on Monday, May 16 for all students who have completed the after school intervention program.
  • OAA testing currently being administered to 4th and 6th graders.
  • Staff Appreciation Week – student council wrote a poem to the teachers and staff. The poem was read during the announcements and also given to each teacher with a flower.
  • Changes for next year include:
  • Lisa Marinelli will teach foreign language to 4th, 5th and 6th graders

and English as a Second Language (ESL).

  • High school teacher, Matt Chapius, will work with 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders on foreign language enrichment.
  • Promoting positive behavior will be encouraged and students who go above and beyond to do positive things in the school will be rewarded.
  • Looking at number of students at each grade level to determine how many teachers for each grade.
  • Thanked OHSPA for their constant support. The school could not do all the activities that they would like to do without the organization. Also, thought the merger of the old PTO and MSG was a good thing and it has worked out well.
  • Upcoming dates:

May 9 (week of)Kindergarten screening

May 9 (week of)3rd grade chick hatching

May 13Carnival (Mr. Herman will participate in the dunk tank)

May 174th grade recorder concert

May 191st grade circus

May 245th grade field trip to the Mud Hens game

May 25Safety Patrol party

May 31Kindergarten Kaleidoscope

May 312nd grade field trip to the zoo

June 15th grade field trip to Greenfield Village

June 16th grade graduation

Kevin added that OHSPA’s support has a big impact on many of these events.

Officers’ Reports

VicePresident – Patti Robb

  • Announced new committee chairs and the executive board for the 2011-12 school year which consists of the following:

President – Patti Robb

V.P. – Alli Wray

Treasurer – Laura Randall

Secretary – Tere Kaulfus

Past President – Lisa Brown

  • Thanked all current chairmen for all they’ve done this year.
  • Reminded everyone to resign up for the Kroger Card. Renewals are required every April.

Treasurer – Laura Randall

  • Presented the 2011-12 Budget. One question was raised regarding the budgeted amount of $500 for the spring staff luncheon. After a brief discussion, the line item amount was reduced to $250. Laura moved to accept the 2011-12 budget as revised; Ronica Neuhoff seconded. Motion passed.
  • Earlier in the meeting, Dr. Miller spoke on the need for a mobile computer lab for the elemtary school, which the excess OHSPA funds would go towards funding. The mobile computer lab would contain 30 Apple laptop computers. The portable lab can be shared by teachers so that any classroom can become a computer lab.
  • Laura moved to approve the allocation of $25,000 for the mobile computer lab; Alli Wray seconded. Motion passed.
  • Laura presented the request of $1300 for the purchase of reusable lunch trays and miscellaneous accessories/supplies needed for washing, drying and storing the trays. Manhattan’s staff would wash the trays. Laura moved to approve the request for the lunch trays; Ronica seconded.
  • Anne French asked what the trays are made of, are they recyclable and if the need arises, can we purchase additional trays at a later date. Jen Muse responded that the trays are made from polypropylene but she is not sure if they are recyclable. Yes, we would be able to purchase more trays later if needed.
  • Motion passed.
  • Laura presented two additional funding requests:
  • Mr. McKee has requested a donation for 6 new Body Sox to be used by 250 students. Laura moved to approve the donation and Maideh Gore seconded.
  • Power of the Pen requested $315 to cover the cost of the state tournament ID badges for 4 junior high students and 1 staff member and also the hotel room for the 1 staff member. Laura moved to approve the donation and Ronica seconded.
  • Both motions passed.

OHPAC – Debbie Dolgin

  • The Town Hall held on April 20 went well and had a panel of experts who spoke on such topics as bullying, the teen brain and eating disorders. Diane Larson moderated and Audrey Friedman and Claudia Day chaired the event.
  • Debbie and 6 students received scholarships to attend the Pride World Drug Prevention Conference held on April 14 & 15. They heard speakers and attended workshops on drug prevention
  • Challenge Crew will be holding an after school series for 6th and 7th graders every Thursday in May. Activities include painting t-shirts, cooking, dodge ball and messy Olympics.
  • Challenge Crew will serve a pancake breakfast at Salem Lutheran Church on May 21. Adult drivers are needed.
  • Challenge Crew members are also volunteering at the upcoming carnival on May 13 and also participating in the Make-a-Wish walk at Olander on May 14.
  • OHPAC is sponsoring The Melting Pot at the upcoming Smart Show. Challenge Crew members will set up booths representing different cultures to help broaden people’s knowledge and understanding of different cultures.
  • OHPAC has received a $1500 grant from the Spring Green Foundation for Rachel’s Challenge, which is scheduled during Red Ribbon Week (October 26). It will be an evening community event. The program typically costs $2500 but by agreeing to invite 10 representatives from other school districts to attend, Debbie was able to get the program for $1500.
  • Sixteen Challenge Crew members have visited the 5th grade YES program classes during April to discuss Peer pressure.

Committee Reports

Annual Membership Luncheon – Kathy Miller

  • Kathy thanked those who attended the luncheon. The luncheon drew a crowd of 65 and netted approximately $565 profit.
  • Amy Rowe won the raffle.
  • Brian Kennedy, the TMA director, spoke on visual literacy.
  • Kathy also thanked Joyce Stengle and Beth Rotman for helping with the planning of the event.

Spring Staff Appreciation Luncheon – Allison Johnson

  • Allison made a request for additional volunteers to provide salads or sandwiches.

Elementary Lunch Program – Jen Muse

  • Announced Kindergarten Roundup, which is an opportunity for incoming 1st graders to try the lunch program before next year.

Carnival – Lisa Lay

  • Announced that the carnival is still in need of volunteers and baked goods for the goody wheel

Announcements

  • Spring Staff Appreciation Luncheon – Friday, May 6
  • Carnival – Friday, May 13
  • American Frame Check - $139.04 donation
  • OHMTA – Barrow’s greenhouse flower vouchers are available in increments of $10/$20
  • Fall Festival – save the date for September 24, 2011
  • Drop in Coffee – 3rd Tuesday of each month. Last one of they year isTuesday, May 17 at 8:30 a.m. at Biggby’s

Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Becky Hauck

Secretary