DRAFT Meeting Minutes: 4.10.2013

This is a first draft of our meeting minutes from the April meeting. They’ve not yet been approved for the “official” record.

The meeting was called to order at 7:09 pm.  There were 8 in attendance.

Secretary’s Report: Melanie Smith

Minutes of the March 6 meeting were presented. Casey Wright moved to accept the minutes as written. Karen Gedeon seconded. The motion carried.

Principal’s Report:  Casey Wright

There are a lot of things going on around the school at this time of the year:

• Those being recognized by the Superintendent’s Award were notified this week.  The award is for students with a 3.8 GPA and above for 7 semesters of the high school years.  Each student names the staff member who most impacted their academic career.  The award has a big impact on our staff.
• A student leadership conference is scheduled the weekend of the 18^th.
• Juniors will go to Camp Y-Noah for the high ropes course and leadership activities. About 200 students participate.
• Lots of things coming up soon:  AP Testing, Prom, Senior Awards Night, Underclassmen Awards Night, and all of the dinners – Band, TI, Etc.
• Senior Internships begin May 3. May 23^rd is the official last day, when the seniors present to senior teachers. We have 150 kids participating this year. The most ever.
• The week of prom we will make a concerted effort to educate and inform our student body, particularly seniors about the dangers of drinking and driving.
  • Monday, May 3: The sheriff’s department will reenact a drunk driving accident. This will not be your typical “here’s a crashed car” reenactment.  We will have student actors, will employ the Jaws of Life to cut a “victim” out of a crashed car, and a helicopter here to simulate a life flight.
  • The Grim Reaper:  To illustrate that someone dies every 45minutes from a drunk driving accident, we’ll have a “grim reaper” that will walk into classrooms and “tag” a student, who will then stand up and share some information and statistics about drunk driving, and will wear that tag all day.
  • Members of our law enforcement and legal community will be here to conduct a mock trial of the accident the kids witnessed earlier in the week.
  • All of the major news outlets have been notified of this effort and will be here.
  • They’re making a movie out of it to share with all of the schools in Summit County.
  • Last Monday our community’s first responders conducted active shooter drills here.  We learned from this exercise.  This Monday, we met with them to debrief and to learn about additional safety measures we can take to ensure that our school is as safe as it can be. Both Mr. Tanner and Police Chief Golden are now A.L.i.C.E. training certified and can now teach others what to do when an intruder threatens.  They’ll teach our teachers first and then our high school students.
    • Next year, after the training, we’ll practice and learn about three types of lock down:
      • In the morning, barricade.
      • During period change, evacuate or barricade.
      • Lunch time, evacuate or flight.
      • Afternoon, do the whole thing.
• There are more things being done behind the scenes to make the school more safe that won’t be made public to potential intruders.

• We then discussed academic awards. Presently, the N award and the P award are based on three quarters of academic achievement.  Could we think of a way to make that four?  A student could have a bad first quarter, but a stellar fourth quarter and not be recognized for this improvement.  It was suggested that those students could be recognized by a letter from the principal at the end of the school year or in the fall. Casey said it was a good idea and that he and his team would look into it.
• The Principal’s Award of Excellence.  This is a new award designed to recognize kids who do extraordinary things outside of the school.  What kind of things?  Maybe they win a national equestrian award, or they rescue a boy from drowning, or they get a perfect score on their ACT, etc.  These students will receive a written letter from Casey and white varsity letter with the word “excellence” embroidered on it.

Treasurer’s Report:  Karen Gedeon

No new items posted.  Our balance is $7770.91 with an additional $150 in petty cash.

Council Report:  Mary Kotnik and Pam Letterle

• Installation dinner is scheduled for May 1.  Doors will open at 5:30.  Dinner at 6:00.  Program at 6:30.
  • Invitations will be sent out electronically to each delegate to forward as appropriate.  Traditionally, each unit invites this year’s officers, next year’s officers, award winners and guests.
  • Council pays for 4 council positions, school board, and superintendent.  The cost is $15 per person.
  • The theme is “Inspiring Students to Value Learning, Community and Excellence.”
  • RSVP by April 24.
  • Slate of Council Officers for next year:
    • President, Pam Letterle
    • Vice President, Stacy Lacey
    • Treasurer, Tracy Strong
    • Secretary, Jean Bond
    • Mrs. Tylicki is being recognized with the Ohio PTA’s Educator of the Year Award in Columbus.  Council voted to pay one night hotel accommodations for her and her husband for this special recognition.
    • Dr. Clark presented information about the new local report cards from the Ohio Department of Education.  A good resource for more information is www.PARCC.org.

Membership: Karen Gedeon

No new memberships.

The last book club meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, April 18 at 7 o’clock, discussing chapters 13,15,16,19 and 21.  But Karen can’t lead it, so it may be cancelled.  So far, no one has RSVP’d that they’re coming

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Elections

 

At previous meetings, we discussed the possibility of a student holding board positions which handled money.  Anne contacted the Ohio PTA and read an e-mail that  Jeri Gookin sent, commending us for considering a student board member, and confirming that a student can hold any board position except treasurer.  Here’s the text of that e-mail:

From: Jeri Gookin [mailto:jerigcr@sbcglobal.net]

Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 12:31 PM
To: Bruno,Anne F
Cc: Sue Owen; Gloria cazan; Lisa Weaver
Subject: Re: PTSA guidelines for student officers

 Anne,

 It was a pleasure speaking with you this morning.

 First, I would like to commend your PTSA for including students in your unit and also for considering them for a job on the Board.  I like that you “put your money where your mouth is”.

A student can hold any job, even those that handle money on the board except treasurer.  They will be covered on your Bonding Insurance which is required for you to have.  Students should handle money the same way that parents do.  Two people count the money and sign off on it.  It is recommended that you receive payments in check form, but if someone pays in cash, a 2 part receipt should be given. All monies are then turned over to the treasurer, who also counts the money, then deposits it in the PTSA’s bank account.

 Again, I applaud you for considering entrusting a position on your board to a student.

 Jeri Gookin, Ohio PTA, Administrative Director

 

 Discussion followed about the risk and reward of entrusting a student to a position with some financial responsibility.  It was pointed out that we have good controls in place that would make malfeasance unlikely. It was agreed that providing our students with this opportunity for real world experience was important and valuable.

 It was also pointed out that we may have different criteria from our bonding insurer, and that allowing a minor to handle money may open us up to liability.  Mary Kotnik said that she would contact our bonding insurer, Sindelar, to clarify.

 A slate of officers was presented for next year

                President, Karen Gedeon

                Vice President, Vacant

                Secretary, Paige Knapp

                Treasurer, Cindy Chaffee

                Membership, Catherine Bruno

                PTA Council Representative, Vacant

                Student VP, Vacant

Casey moved to accept the slate and Melanie seconded. The motion carried.

Ohio PTA Achievement Award Nominees

Nominations were read for Casey Wright and Denise Armstrong.  Casey attempted to remove himself from the nominees, but was denied.  Voting followed, resulting in a 4 to 4 tie.

Staff Appreciation Week:  May 6 – 10

We have a $200 budget.

• Monday,  Cupcakes by Catherine (sounds like a trendy cupcake shop!)
• Tuesday, Note day. Melanie and Micheala will put these together.
• Wednesday, Lunch.  Hoping a chiropractor will provide. Casey’s working on it.
• Thursday, Water bottle day. Bottle of water with a drink mix and a tag.
• Friday, Breakfast. Mary offered to make a fruit salad. Casey suggested to contact Panera.

We’ll work on the details.

 Grants

The deadline for applications was today. We received one from Ms. Christie, asking for help sending students to the TI State Youth conference at Capital University.  Nordonia would like to send 15 students. Tuition is $225 per student.  Karen Gedeon motioned that we provide tuition for two students, $450.  Seconded (and thirded) by Catherine and Michaela Bruno.  The motion carried.

Awards Night, May 8 and 15

PTA hosts the refreshment table.  More to follow.

NEW BUSINESS

 

Winter Festival

To clarify, we support Winter Festival 100% and want this great community event to continue.  We’re also committed to the tradition of Santa Breakfast.  With our small number, we can’t coordinate both with excellence.  We would like to see a Winter Festival Committee form, so the overall coordination of the event won’t fall on one unit. With this year’s event, we estimate that four of us from the high school committed 150 volunteer hours to the effort.  It was intended to be a money making event, but we ended up in the hole.  We learned a lot from this year’s event, and we’re certain that next year will be even better.  We just need to ensure that the work is evenly carried for the second annual event.

Next Meeting

Will be held in the new school year!

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.

 

Don’t Miss This Important Presentation

Meeting Minutes, 1.8.13

DRAFT COPY

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm. There were six in attendance.

 Secretary’s Report:  Melanie Smith

The minutes of the December meeting were presented and accepted as written.

Principal’s Report: Casey Wright

• We’re back from break, and moving into exams next week. The exam schedules and early release forms are on the school website.
• The high school is hosting a blood drive this Friday, January 11 at the Middle School from 3 – 7 pm.
• CVCC Parent Meeting on January 17. If your student plans to attend there, it’s important that you attend this meeting.
• Friday, January 18 is records day. No school for students.
• Monday, January 21 is MLK day. Everyone’s off.
• January 21 is also Prom Fair, a fundraiser for the After Prom.
• Guidance is planning scheduling assemblies for next year.
• A plan for weighting classes will be in place by the end of the month. The debate now is whether to implement weighting for all students, or to start with incoming freshmen.
• There will be a community service component for incoming freshmen.
• We’re investigating dual enrollment options, talking with Stark State and UA. The goal is to offer college credit to students during their senior year.
• Ohio House Bill 555 (http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_555) is a big change for education.  One of the things it does is change the way that high schools are rated.
  • Ratings ask, “Are students college and career ready?” Looks at number of AP courses offered, post-secondary, etc.
  • It changes how teachers are evaluated. “Value Added” assessments are 50% of the teacher evaluation.
  • School building security has been a big focus.
    • Existing protocols have been reenergized and reinforced.  For example, all classroom doors are locked when classes are in session.
    • We did a walk through with the chief of police, looking at what changes might be needed for doors, cameras, which doors are open, which are monitored in the morning.
    • The parking lot has been heavily monitored.
    • We’ll conduct an active shooter simulation over spring break. ALiCE training is in the works. http://www.uakron.edu/safety/police/services/training.dot

 Treasurer’s Report: Karen Gedeon

• We changed the scholarship line from $500 to $1000.
• Winterfest income was $969.80.  Expenses were $942.69. Profit of $27.11 (barring other late expenses.)
• Make a Difference Day donuts and water – $14.23

Membership: Karen Gedeon

1 additional affiliate member and three new memberships were added. Total: 113

President’s Report:  Anne Bruno

The National, State and Local PTA’s all reached out after Sandy Hook with ways to help. Our schools made snow flakes and more.

1^st Vice President’s Report: Catherine Bruno

A conversation started regarding the scheduling of exams after Christmas break. Some teachers are cramming an unreasonable amount of reading material into a short time.  Why not assign that reading over break?

• Casey explained that there’s been discussion about changing that so exams would fall before break, but it would require starting classes five days earlier.

 Old Business

Book Club will meet Thursday, January 17 from 7- 8 pm in the conference room.  We’ll discuss chapters 5, 6, and 14.

Winter Festival Wrap Up Anne read a nice letter from Dr. Clark thanking the PTSA for our work on the event.

Scholarships

• Due Friday.
• We have budgeted for two $500 scholarships
  • The John R. Wright Community Service Scholarship was unanimously approved.
  • The Big Idea Scholarship was discussed and we decided to give it another try.  (Last year, this scholarship was offered but not awarded.) Melanie will update a flyer and we’ll send it out to teachers to try to generate more interest.

Recruiting PTSA Leaders for 2013-14

With much of our board “graduating” we need to recruit parents for next year, or our organization will not survive. Anne has reached out to some people she knows with incoming freshmen.

New Business

Student Organization Handbook

There’s an Activities Fair in conjunction with Freshmen Scheduling Orientation, Thursday, January 31 from 6 – 7 pm.  Casey has asked us to update the Student Organization Handbook. Melanie will work on that.

• There was discussion about the district calendar, published in the fall, and how that could be used as a way to improve communication between organizations. (Listing contact info for groups, etc.)

Bullying Awareness Presentation for Parents

6 pm Thursday, January 24. Will include a play and panel discussion to raise awareness about bullying.

Hidden in Plain Sight

Date TBD in February, this is a drug awareness program for parents. Parents will have the opportunity to walk through a model of a typical teenager’s bedroom and will learn to identify trouble signs of substance abuse.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 6

The meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm.

Meeting Minutes 12.5.2012

Couldn’t make it to the PTSA meeting? Here are the unofficial meeting minutes!

Nordonia High School PTSA Meeting Minutes December 5, 2012

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm. There were 9 in attendance.

Secretary’s Report:  Melanie Smith presented minutes from the last meeting, 11/7/12. Minutes were accepted as written.

Principal’s Report:  Casey Wright

• Senior Meeting was held on Tuesday. The Senior Shadowing Experience was explained. This is a name change from Senior Internships, to better clarify the program for employers. Cap and gown orders were taken.
• CVCC Orientation tomorrow during school for sophomores.
• Winter Festival all day on Saturday. It’s going to be wonderful.
• December 13 Financial Aid meeting for seniors. Plan to attend. 7 pm.
• Winter break starts soon. Last day is Friday 12/21. Back to school 1/7. Exams a week after that!
• Interim reports. The school runs D/F reports at this time.

 Treasurer’s Report:  Karen Gedeon

Not much change in finances. Took out $150 for petty cash for Santa Breakfast. Paid $100 for insurance to NHCSD. Ohio PTA membership paid as well.

 Council Report: Denise Armstrong

• Dr. Clark is looking forward to Saturday.
• Strategic Planning tomorrow.
• Dr. Clark recommending a change to spring break for the 2013/14 school year to 3/31 – 4/4 because of testing.
• Council donating four $25 gift cards to Winter Festival.
• Reports from each unit.

 President’s Report:  Anne Bruno

Winter Festival is all consuming.

 Vice President’s Report:  Catherine Bruno

• Has been working with Leadership Council and Honor Society for student volunteers.
• Making 100 cupcakes for kids to decorate at the event.

 Membership:  Karen Gedeon

• 109 total members. 13 new.
• Book club had first meeting. Second meeting is 1/17, covering chapters 5, 6, and 14 here in the conference room, 7 – 8 pm.

 WINTER FESTIVAL

 Santa Breakfast

• Pancakes, sausages coming from Bob Evans.
• Dunkin Donuts giving their standard discount of 25% off
• Have ordered apple juice, orange juice and milk from the cafeteria.
• Coffee coming from Caribou. We have tea service left over from last year.
• Getting a case of water.
• Mini cereals.

Santa

• Scheduled breaks to visit concerts.
• Photography students to take pictures.
• Pictures will be posted on line.

 

Friday Night Set Up Areas Assigned

• Council: Book Fair
• Melanie: Book tree, Santa Photos
• Ann: Pre-setting the breakfast, decorating tables.

 

New Business

• Scholarships.
  • Budgeted for $500 total, but last year we had two $500 scholarships available. Only awarded one.
  • A proposal was made to name a scholarship after Casey’s dad.
  • Motion made and carried to amend the budget to $1000 for scholarships.
  • Will revisit the scholarship issue at the January meeting.
• Educator of the Year Award
• • • Applications coming out soon.
    • Will set a deadline and send it.
    • Catherine to spread the word to students through NHS, Twitter, etc.
• January Meeting Date:  School is not in session on our scheduled meeting date. Council meeting January 9, but Anne not available then, and there’s an After Prom meeting that evening.  Motion made and seconded to move the meeting to 6:30 pm on Tuesday, January 8.

Announcements:

• Prom Fair is Monday January 21
• Board of Education meeting is December 10 at  7 pm

The meeting was adjourned and the Winter Festival committee moved to the Cafeteria to make plans for Winter Festival set up.

 

Winter Festival, Saturday, December 8!

The first ever Nordonia Winter Arts Festival will be held Saturday, December 8. Please plan to spend the day at Nordonia High School enjoying a variety of activities and experiencing some incredible art and music from Nordonia students.

Schedule of Events: (Subject to change)

All Day: Art Show & Book Fair
9 am -12 pm: Breakfast with Santa
9 am -1 pm: Santa Photos
10:00: Rushwood Holiday Concert
11:00: Ledgeview Holiday Concert
12:00: Northfield Holiday Concert
1:00: Lee Eaton & High School Choirs
2:00: Middle School Choir & Nordonia Youth Chorus
4:00: Lee Eaton & Middle School Bands
5:00: High School Bands

The art show will include art from all the buildings and will be placed throughout the front lobby of the HS, the main hallway leading to the cafeteria and the hallway leading to the auditorium.

The activities in the cafeteria will include:

·        Winter Festival shirt sale and basket raffle

·        Make it and Take it Holiday crafts

·        Nordonia Temporary Tattoos

·        Family Photo Booth

·        Candy Sale

·        Santa Breakfast

·        Book Fair

·        Poinsettia Sale

·        Concession and Bake Sale

·        Memo Board Sale and a make it and take it craft

·        Friendship bracelet and buckeye necklace make it and take it craft

 

Please come visit the Winter Arts Festival on December 8!

 

 

Meeting Minutes, Nov. 7, 2012

DRAFT

Nordonia High School PTSA, Meeting Minutes

November 7, 2012

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm. There were 9 in attendance.

Secretary’s Report:  Melanie Smith

• The minutes of the October 4 meeting were presented. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as written. The motion carried.

Principal’s Report:  Casey Wright

• The school’s blood drive on October 29 was a huge success. We were at capacity, and had as many donors as the Red Cross could take.  We are one of the biggest blood drives in Summit County.
• Dr. Wallace’s bully task force.
• There was a PTSA membership drive for staff on November 2.
• The 1000 positive phone calls program continues and is expanded.
• Report cards went out. The second parent/teacher conference night is tomorrow. We had some technical problems with the scheduling system for the first night, but it all seemed to work out fine.
• The National Honor Society inducted 47 new members today. To qualify, a student must have a GPA of 3.5 or above and they must also demonstrate leadership, community service, character and honor.
• The annual Veteran’s Day Assembly is this Friday. The VFW Lodge is coming in for a folding ceremony of both the American Flag and the POW flag.
• Friday is also “Knight for a Day” a day when St. Baranabas eighth graders (who do not have school that day) can come to the high school and experience NHS.  They come in at 9 o’clock for a meeting in the IMC, and then are assigned a student to shadow. At the conclusion of the day, they meet in the IMC again where we have a panel of NHS students who attended St. Barnabas available to answer questions.
• Point Break tournament is Friday, November 16. We are in need of some sturdy chaperones to help with this exuberant annual event.  The administrative team, teachers, and security will be there, but we could use some more help. The kids are fired up for this event, which is a fundraiser for Knights Caring for Knights.
• That takes us up to Thanksgiving Break, November 21 – 26.

Treasurer’s Report:  Karen Gedeon

• Just a few changes to report.
  • We took off the council dues ($210) which are not required this year.
  • PTA Memberships were processed and sent off.
  • We had a few line item expenses:
    • Art grant
    • Bonding
    • Stamps
  • Balance on hand is $8,232.15

Council Report:  Mary Kotnik

• Art Teacher, Lisa Dressig, was at the meeting to talk about:
  • Winter Festival: K – 12 Art will be displayed.  Lisa is working with student groups to get them involved, too.
  • Knight Life:  We’re reviving the tradition of school involvement in the Community Expo on March 23
• Council is spending down their balance of $4,000. A proposal is on the table to send the money back to the schools. Units were asked to come to the next meeting with input. Should the money go back to the PTA units? A few hundred dollars each, probably.
• Melanie told the group about the $25 gift card raffle idea for the Winter Festival and it was well received.  (Each group contributing a $25 gift card will get a share of the raffle profits.)
• There was a discussion of the two school board members who voted against putting a levy on this election’s ballot.  Were they aligned with the Anti-Levy PAC?  The answer is no. They each had their own reasons for voting against putting the levy on the ballot (money should be spent on bussing; it’s too soon after the last levy.)
• Council wants all units to come to the next meeting with suggestions for the dollar amount to be awarded through Council Scholarships this year.
• Anne Bruno’s wonderful presentation to the school board about Knights Caring for Knights made a big impression, and the school’s support staff are coordinating their own food drive for the cause because of it.

President’s Report:  Anne Bruno

•  Winter Festival, Saturday, December 8
• Set up at the high school Friday, Dec. 7. Time TBD.
• • We’ve had a respectable response to our call out to groups to participate. So far, though, almost all have come back with fundraising ideas and not with activities for the kids. Here’s who we’ve heard from so far…
    • Council: Book Fair
    • HS PTSA: Santa Breakfast and Photos
    • Rushwood: Chinese Raffle and Souvenir T-shirts
    • Middle School: Participating, not sure how yet.
    • ?: Nordonia Tattoos
    • Band Aides: Concession Stand/Bake Sale
    • Choir Parents: Also interested in a bake sale
    • Girl Scouts: Activity and sell something
    • Need to get word out to other student groups this week. Mrs. Dressig is talking to some of them now.
    • Our planning committee will meet soon to hash out the details. Probably next Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 6 pm at Panera.)

1^st Vice President’s Report:  Catherine Bruno

• National Honor Society inductions were today
• Last week, we had the play-off game pep rally, where we marched around the school with the band.
• The football team and band went to states.
• Jeff Yalden came to speak with the school and the school loved him. He continues a Twitter connection with many students.
• The Make a Difference Day food drive contributed approximately 1000 pieces to the Knights Caring for Knights program.  The program is working great, and the kids are really appreciative.  We have a lot of participation from the community.
• Drama Club held a dinner theater last Friday and did a great job.
• The new a cappella choir is very active. They performed at Solon High School last week and are going to Kettering High School in the Dayton area  next weekend for a clinic with the group Delilah (as seen on NBC’s “The Sing Off”)
• Alpha Leadership Group:  17 kids participated in the first Saturday session. They focused on being a leader vs. managing and the differences between doing the right thing and doing things right. They took the Myers Briggs personality profile and will get the results at the next meeting. They met for about 2 ½ hours. The group is facilitated by Paul Peddleton and Russ Hamm. “A very good program.”
• NEOMed HPAC:  Medical students are working with NHS students to start a mentoring project with Nordonia 6^th grade students. The goal is to assign a mentor to each 6^th grade student. They may focus on themes such as risky behavior, fitness, peer pressure, social media, etc. It’s a pilot program with Nordonia and 33 of our kids are participating.
• The Knight Readers Book Club is in full swing. Some months, the participants all read the same book. Some months, they choose a genre and each of them come to the meeting with a book they have read in that genre. About 10 – 15 kids and teachers came to the meeting last month.
• Casey Wright said that there’s a lot going on in the school, with the goal of there being something for every kid.

Membership:  Karen Gedeon

• We had 5 new regular members since the last meeting.
• We need to get the book group moving. Need to pick a date. Thursdays seem to be good. The books are here!

Important Dates:

November 8: Evening Conferences

November 21 – 26: Thanksgiving Break

December 5: Next PTSA Meeting

December 8: Winter Festival

The Meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm

A Message from Nordonia Schools Superintendent, Dr. Joe Clark

Hi, everybody. I’m hearing rumors regarding the levy that I want to clear up.

If the levy passes, it will:

• Restore transportation to all students in grades K-12 who live one mile or further from school. The increased transportation will start after drivers are hired, buses are inspected, and routes are drawn, which will likely be in January.
• Restore foreign language to the middle school for the 2013-14 school year, likely Spanish and Chinese.
• Allow us to hire four additional teachers for the 2013-14 school year to help reduce class sizes in the most pressing areas, which are yet to be determined.
• Cost the owner of a $200,000 home $15 per month, with collection starting in January 2013.

Have a great week!

Joe Clark, Ph.D.

Superintendent

Nordonia Hills City Schools

Follow me on Twitter @DrJoeClark

http://twitter.com/DrJoeClark