Minutes of PTSA Meeting
Arcadia High School
Thursday, February 7, 2008
President Kay Kinsler called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m. in the Apache Pit.
Terry Leahy led the flag salute.
President
Kay welcomed all those in attendance, introduced Janet Chew and Lori Phillipi, the school board members in attendance and Sandhya Ravi, Arcadia Council PTA President at today’s meeting.
Assistant Principal
Craig Wiblemo greeted and welcomed everyone. He reminded us that today is the first “late start” professional development day for the second semester. Class begins at 9:20 on these days.
Parent Question: Why do students who are enrolled in zero period classes have to come so early. Answer: SSLT kept zero period classes in place because teachers are in professional development activities and cannot teach during that hour and a half.
Mr. Wiblemo recommended that parents pick up a monthly pink curriculum office calendar to stay informed about curriculum events at AHS. You may get these from the Curriculum Offices.
CAHSEE testing in May will be juniors’ and seniors’ last opportunity to pass this year. All sophomores will be tested in March on the 11th and 12th.
AP testing will take place from May 5 – May 16. Sales begin February 11 and continue for two weeks. Parents and students will be able to purchase AP tests online at the ASB web site.
STAR testing will take place the week of April 22 and we encourage all students to do their best on this most important test. A major component of our school’s API score is the results of the STAR test. AHS is the 42nd highest high school in CA.
Question: We were named in the top 500 high schools of the nation in US News and World Report we are a silver medalist by their standards. We are compared to magnet schools throughout the nation and still fare well. Newsweek also has an America’s Best High Schools report.
Fall semester grade reports will be mailed out on February 12.
Activities Director
John Tung spoke about the exciting weeks since our last PTSA meeting. With Mirai Nagasu a National Figure Skating Champion; our Academic Teams in competition; and athletic teams doing well; we have a great start on the new semester. Also, senior Xuanji Wang was named a semi finalist in the Intel Science Awards program and will share her project with interested staff and students at. 3:15 today in room E-8. Bonnie Cao, a senior, made the teen challenge on Jeopardy will will be televised from February 22 though February 29 on ABC from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
For additional updates, go to www.ahsasb.ausd.net
The upcoming Sadie’s Dance contracts are out now and the dance is on March 15 in the North Gym.
Deans
Keith Kerney reported that his request for a traffic light at Campus and El Monte has been denied. We were also denied a valet lane along Campus for drop off of students. The next plan for alleviating traffic in the morning is to approach clubs to work a two week stint during the school year. The club members would sign up and wear safety vests, each one sets out cones and helps students out of the cars and keep traffic moving.
Keith also said he will work with Apache News to alert students regarding driving too fast around campus and other traffic issues.
Counseling
Sharon Sandoval addressed the group regarding the upcoming calendar of dates for programming students for the 2008-2009 school year.
She also acknowledged Karla Kroesing for her help with computer entry during the programming process and helped schedule volunteers for the past several years. Karla is now passing the “baton” to Carla Heer who will be taking over the task for the counselors. A clipboard is circulating to sign up volunteers to help with the process this spring.
Counselors will begin the first of March with grade level assemblies and evening parent meetings. A letter will be mailed to all homes notifying parents of the upcoming dates.
Individual student programming sessions will begin after the assemblies. It takes approximately 2 ½ months to complete the process.
Edith Wong will be meeting with all ELD students beginning the week of February 11 to take them through the College and Career search programs in the Career Center.
Counselors are working right now on the mid-year reports required by private colleges.
Sandy McLaughlin, junior counselor, spoke about an upcoming spring break trip for juniors to visit east coast colleges. The trip will cost $2185.00 which includes air fare, meals, lodging and college visit costs. As of right now, no students have signed up and Sandy wanted to be sure the PTSA knew about the trip.
Comment from Parents: students feel pressured by the need to stay home that week and prepare for AP tests and class projects due. Perhaps a trip like this is just too overwhelming?
Facilities Manager
Kathy Patterson reported that parking Lot B will be open to students after 1:30 p.m. in particular for student athletes who leave school for games and return after dark.
The first move of classrooms into the portables will be this Saturday. Four classrooms will be located in P1, 2, 3, and 4. Fencing has been put up for construction of the Data Room where the Little Theater office was located.
Recording Secretary
Copies of the January minutes are on the entry table at this meeting and have been approved by a committee. If you would like to receive the minutes and do not currently get them via e-mail, please let Terry Schreiner know tschreiner@ausd.net
President
Kay Kinsler introduced former AHS student, Marisa Romo, who is here to speak to us as a member of the Anti-Defamation League. Shelly Romo, her mother, is also a former AHS PTA parent and is now enjoying being a grandmother to Brianna.
Clipboards are going around for Traffic Safety Week, March 24-28. Each morning we will need eight parents to help direct traffic; a clipboard is also circulating with a log sheet for your volunteer hours, please be sure you enter your volunteer hours for each month, or you can go online to submit your hours.
Lisa Lucas was awarded the Council PTA Honorary Service Award and Terry Leahy has been honored with a Golden Oak Award from PTA Council. Congratulations, Terry and Lisa!
Thank you goes to Marisa Romo for joining us today, to the Nominating Committee and Lisa Lucas for the great job they did, and to Teresa, Rita and Brenda for the fabulous treats today.
We will now be meeting at the City Council Chambers for our PTSA meetings at 9:30 a.m. for the remainder of the year. The only requirement is that no food or drink is taken into the meeting chambers.
A motion was made by Lisa Lucas and seconded by Ruth Legace to accept the agenda as amended for today’s meeting. The motion carried.
Kay reminded everyone of the upcoming Convention and since it will be held in Long Beach this year, she is hoping that we have a great turn-out of parents attending. If you would like to volunteer at the Convention, please pick up a form from Kay.
We need to have volunteers for the Honorary Service Award Committee for AHS PTSA. This Committee looks at the nominations, selects winners, writes up the bios and plans the presentation. Terry Leahy, Jenny Tsouvalis and Kathy Yamane volunteered, thank you!
Treasurer
Sherry Liang reported the balance in our account as of February 7, 2008 is $16,002.65.
A motion was made by Terry Leahy and seconded by Lori Phillipi to ratify checks #1068-to Jeff Laun for the newsletter, 1069-to Hospitality, and 1070-for White Christmas. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Terry Leahy and seconded by Lori Phillipi to release funds for the staff appreciation luncheon, and the PTA filing fee. The motion carried.
Mei Tan reported that as auditor, she examined our books and found them to be correct. Lisa Lucas made a motion, it was seconded by Lori Phillipi to accept the auditor’s report. The motion carried.
Parliamentarian
Lisa Lucas thanked the committee, especially David Vannasdall whose phone calls made all the difference in getting people to volunteer for positions on the board. Lisa read the by-laws regarding the board member elections. Kathy Yamane read the slate of officers. A motion was made and seconded to accept the slate as read.
SCRIP: Tina Chiu reminded everyone to buy SCRIP!
Terry Leahy and Liz Westphal reminded us that the next GRAD NIGHT meeting will be held on Monday March 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the Apache Pit. Call either Terry or Liz Westphal if you'd like to help.
The theme for Grad Night is “California Dreamin” any contacts you might have for decorations would be greatly appreciated.
Staff Appreciation Luncheon
Alice Chan told us that the luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12 and we need donations of main dishes, salads and desserts to be dropped off that morning before 10:30 a.m.
Music Club Liaison
The Orchestra Benefit Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, February 23 and there are still some seats available at $40.00 per person.
Athletic Boosters Liaison: Ruth Lagace reported that we have a US National Figure Skating Champion and that Kevan Walker has signed a letter of intent with Oregon State.
She also gave us a rundown of all the games being played this week.
Terry Leahy reported that the girls’ softball teams were hosting a car wash at Holly Ave School this Saturday from 9:00-3:00 p.m.
CPBC: Ophelia Ha reported that 27 tables were sold for the New Year Party. Pick up your ticket from Kay Kinsler if you purchased earlier.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 with a reminder that lunch will be at Matt Denney’s today after the meeting. All are welcome to attend the no-host event!
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Schreiner
Recording Secretary
Next Meeting: Thursday, March 6 at 9:30 a.m. in the Arcadia City Council Chambers.
widget.hideFooter();
widget.hideButton("Comments");
widget.hideButton("Edit page");
widget.hideButton("New page");
widget.hideButton("Files");
widget.hideButton("Add features");
widget.hideButton("Help");
