Call to Order - the Meeting Was Called to Order at 7:00 P.M

John Champe High School PTSA General Meeting Minutes 7:00pm, November 6, 2013

In Attendance: Marilyn Betsill, Christi Campbell, Tanika Coates, Mary Day, Susie Donohoe, Martine Edier, Sally Fuller, Christa Geno, Beth Jespersen, Angie Plesce, , Heidi Rackoski, Marie Ricciardi, Rebecca Simmons

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

I. Approval of Minutes - Christi motioned to approve the October minutes, Sally 2nd the motion. A vote was taken, all approved and the minutes were passed.

II. Treasurer’s Report - Heidi presented the updated budget - We have 13,541.92 in checking/savings and we are doing fine.

III. Membership - Marie reported that, as for today, we have 235 parents, 141 students and 45 teachers/staff. We also got $230 extra donations from 5 families – All teachers and staff received their tumblers – Heidi thanked Marie for her great accounting work making her job easier – Christi mentioned the “Welcome Committee” program that 2 students, Calysta and Elea, put up together to welcome new students. Each new student is given a box filled with goodies from Champe: we should insert a PTSA membership form.

IV. Unfinished Business A. Brick Project - We only sold 6 bricks. We need to advertise more on Facebook, Twitter… and set a deadline (January 2014) – We discussed the possibility that next year, the PTSA will ask for a donation as our fundraiser. It will go with the membership form. B. Project Graduation – Mary Day reported that Lifetime Fitness has been secured. The committee finalized a registration form that will go out with the report cards. We have 137 seniors. The “Project Graduation” money should go to a different account. Sally will find out how to do it - Next meeting is next week. C. Stone Ridge 5K – Race was held on 10/19/13. Marilyn Betsill reported she had no trouble finding all 14 volunteers from Champe. We had 102 registrations (11% of our students, 5th among all schools). We don’t know how much we won, books are closed later this month and checks will be sent early December – Silver Sneaker Award plaque will be finished next week – Next year’s 5K is October 18th, 2014. All the board thanked Marilyn for her great work. D. Manhattan Pizza - Will do it after the Holidays E. Scholarship Committee Update – We have 4 scholarships. 2 $1,000 from the PTSA and 2 $500 from Dr. Kravitz – The proposed scholarship guidelines will be posted on Champe PTSA website – Completed applications are due May 1st. F. White House Ornaments – Last day to order is December 6th. Will send a reminder to PTSA members.

V. New Business A. SEAC funds requests – Christa puts in a request on behalf of Shelly Wiederhold, our Special Resources Dept. Chair. She is asking $380 to cover for a $80 magazine, $100 2 teacher lunches and $200 quarterly coffees with parents. Christa motioned to allocate $300 from the Miscellaneous Staff Support and $80 from the Miscellaneous Student Support to the Learning Resources Dept. Sally seconded the motion. A vote was taken, all approved and the motion passed. B. CAMPUS fund request – Christi puts in a request on behalf of Maria Porto from the counseling dept. CAMPUS is a college preparation program for minorities. The program would like to take 35 students to a one day field trip to Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, VA for a total cost of $500. Sally motioned to allocate $500 from the line Clubs & Activities to the CAMPUS program. Heidi seconded the motion. A vote was taken, all approved and the motion passed. C. Cookie exchange – We need a better name and a coordinator. VI. Mercer Report – No report due to no October PTA meeting.

VII. SEAC – October topic was “What Happened at School Today? Effective Home/School Communications”. Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Next one is Tuesday, November 19th and topic is “Inclusive Practices: Creating a whole school culture”. Infos are on Champe website.

VIII. LEAP - October topic was “LCPS Board Member Update and Q&A Forum”. Next meeting is November 13th and topic is “Tools for Success (CLARITY, Vision, Homework Strategies)”

IX. MSAAC - No report

X. Principal's Report Champe survey: we need at least 200 parents to respond – Spirit week was a great weak. Homecoming dance, attended by 520 students, was a great success – We had an inspiring assembly in October against bullying – Athletic success: Champe’s football team beat Freedom, volleyball made it to its first ever playoff, 3 cross country students are going to States – Play “Cheaper by the Dozen” will be on stage this week-end – Federal Impact survey forms are going home this week – November 13th @ 7pm, synthetic drugs presentation (Champe HS) – November 20th @ 7pm, Internet Safety Presentation (Mercer MS Auditorium) – The counseling dept. will organize quarterly coffees to meet with cluster’s new families – The Marching Band earned straight superior ratings at State Marching Assessment.

Remarks – Angie told Christi that removing 2 shield periods toward the end of this quarter was hard for kids to get their assignments done especially if these kids are in athletics. Christi is aware and said it was exceptional. Angie brought up the topic of teacher training on concussions so that they know what to look for and how to handle students with concussions in the classroom.

XI. Adjournment - 8:48 p.m.

Addendum

I. November 25, 2013 - An online Executive Committee vote was taken to cancel the December PTSA meeting. This was approved and the December meeting was cancelled.

II. December 4, 2013 - An online motion was taken to approve funds for an Excellent Options - Boys Book Club. The aim is to narrow the achievement gap for African American Students. The proposal was presented by Monica Spaulding, the chairperson of the Excellent Options Group at JCHS. The request was for $59.90 to provide books for the group. An online vote was taken and the funding was approved