POTOMAC FALLS PTSO

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

MINUTES

February 2, 2009

Call to Order – 7:13 p.m.by Bruce Tulloch

Review of January Meeting Minutes-- Motion made to accept; passed- with 2 corrections made.

School Administration Report – David Spage, Principal

  • This Friday there will be 2 assemblies for Black History Month
  • This Wednesday night there will be a parents’ orientation for rising 9th graders
  • Schedules will be locked in late March/Early April – reiterated that it will be very hard to make changes once the schedules are locked. Carol Diniega asked how it is being communicated to parents that they will most likely have to pay for the A/P classes. Mr. Spage said that at this time, that should be the assumption and they will determine a way to communicate this. It will also be mentioned at A/P night.
  • February 11- Mr. Potomac Fall Pageant
  • February 13 & 14 – Symphony of Design, sponsored by the Band Boosters and includes the Winter Guard
  • February 26 – A/P Night
  • March 2 – The Board of Supervisors will recognize PFHS as having achieved within the Highest Tier for the Governor’s Index of Performance.
  • March 11 – College 101
  • March 14 – Night at the Falls
  • April 15- Staffing decisions begin
  • Mr. Spage discussed the book “Influencer: The Power to Change Anything”.

Treasurer’s Report – Michael Wyers

  • Distributed current financials; report adopted into the record

Faculty Grant Requests – Michael Wyers

  • The Journalism Department (Tracey Sauer-McNulty) requested $1,584 for 15 yearbook staff members to attend the 85th annual national CSPA convention at ColumbiaUniversity. This amount would cover the registration fees for the students and 1 adviser. A motion was made to fund the $1,584. Motion passed.

Programs Report –Jennifer Wells

  • SAT class prep class begins this weekend.
  • Dr. Otten is tentatively scheduled for March 5.
  • The scholarship information will be in the newsletter. The deadline is March 1.

Fundraising Report – Michele Dillistin

  • Michele is working with Verizon on the new fundraiser. She is waiting to receive the flyer back from Verizon so that it can go on the website.

PTSO Committee Reports:

Hospitality –Nancy Lasik: Cookies and punch will be provided this Wednesday evening for the rising 9th grade parents.

LEAP – Carol Diniega: The theme of the last meeting “Making Sense of the Senses: How Some Students Process Differently.” The February 11 meeting will review our current instructional programs, including remediation/programs in place to improve reading skills. The March meeting will discuss Magnet programs and the possibility of bringing Magnet programs to LoudounCounty.

Membership Report –Cindy Seebeck

  • 398total members; 342 family members, 56 staff members

Night at the Falls – Carol Kee

  • NATF will be March 14.
  • The theme is Welcome to our Jungle
  • They need fake silk ficus trees to decorate. Contact Sheila Reilly or Carol Kee if you have any.
  • Julie Belin suggested that they use paper to decorate like they did a few years ago. She noted that they did a very nice job with it.
  • They still need help with concession stands, auction, basketball, clean-up, set-up and ticket sales.

Project Graduation – Pam Pietraszko

  • It will be held at the high school. They will participate in NATF with children’s games.
  • Kathy Lague suggested they look into Dave & Busters for the future.
  • Bruch Tulloch and Mr. Spage are also going to talk to Diane Ryburn from the PRCS to see if they can work something out for the future.

New Business:

  • An additional $250 was received in donations. 10 $25 gift cards were given to Mr. Spage to distribute as he deemed appropriate.
  • Carol Diniega asked about the possibility of not allowing drinks such as Red Bull at the High School. Mr. Spage noted that he probably cannot ban the use if they are being sold freely in the supermarkets. However, he will let parents know if it is being abused.
  • Kathy Lague suggesting eliminating the use of excess paper at the PTSO meetings and relying more on the use technology. We will try this for the next meeting.
  • Kathy Lague noted that Fairgrade was likely to happen now that FairfaxCounty had approved it.
  • The next school board meeting is February 10 at 6:30.

MSAAC: Kathy Lague noted that the Feb 18 meeting will go over Fair Grade Initiatives.

Adjourn–8:16p.m.