Malibu High School PTSA General Association Meeting

February 16^th, 2006

Heather Anderson called the meeting to order at 8:35 in the school Library.

Heather Anderson – Presidents Report. The meeting was changed to the morning time because Dr. Kelly teachers a class at UCLA to-night.

Minutes were approved from the previous meeting.

Sonia and Cindy were thanked for bring snacks.

Cathy Egner – Treasurers Report. Checks to Ratify 3719-3756 (see attached) Passed unanimously.

Grant requests (see attached)

1. Calculator Presenters are calculators that can be hooked up to the big screen. Money to come from teacher’s grants

2. New furniture for the library, which will cost $3,300. The money will come from campus enrichment.

Motion to approve these two items passed unanimously.

Nest month a longer budget report will be given when more accurate numbers will be available.

Kelly McShane – Parliamentarian. The procedure to elect the new board was commenced. Volunteers were called for from the floor to form the next nominating committee. They are Sonia Ottusch, Brigitte Hanson, Rhonda Mosser, Fiona Corrigan and Cathy Egner. Alternates Beth Pugh and Hope Brown.

Heather Anderson- Spring Break 10^th-21^st of April. Independent study forms must be filed out by March if student are planning to take an addition 5 or more days off for spring break. It is preferred students do not take time off but it is understandable if it is a once in a lifetime event.

Some of our Reflections winners did well at the district level and will go on to the regional level.

Dr. Kelly –Principal’s report

Over the weekend a pipe broke in the D building causing flooding and damage in 5 classrooms, we had to reshuffle classrooms. Clean up is underway and it is hoped it will be resolved by next week. It appears that in future tile would be better than rug. A query from the floor regarding the safely of the existing tile and should it be tested. Dr. Kelly informed the group that this had already been brought up and it was felt it was safe. New tile will go down in the summer. Any rumors that students caused the flooding is untrue.

The school has started a Drop-In-Tutoring Program before school and after school a place where students can get help in areas that they are struggling in. (see flyers for details) The equity fund is paying for this service.

Another program that has been started is an Assistance Center. This is a program for struggling students who would be unable to avail of other after school programs and takes place during the day. The students have independent P.E. or give up their elective. All the students chosen for this program along with their parents are very supportive.

The next meeting for the District’s Master Plan takes place at SAMOH February 25^th 9:30.

The staff has continued to discuss the possibility of a block schedule and how it would be implemented in the middle and high school. A teacher vote is planned in the near future. There are pros and cons, much depending on the subject taught. Dr. Kelly can argue both ways.

The option at the moment for the HS is 105-minute blocks with a 55-minute “enrichment period” at the end of the day.

The Middle School would be 100-minute periods with nutrition and lunch and a 30-minute “enrichment period” before lunch. It would be 2 days block and 3 days regular.

The school had a good showing in a recent academic decathlon with 5 students winning medals.

The school has 4 National Merit Finalists this year. (The most ever)

Ayde Gonzalez- Our School Plan (see brochure attached)

Ms Gonzales informed the meeting about the Master Plan. The District is planning to update the schools facilities. They really want Malibu to participate and would like one or two representative from each school. The goal is to have a plan in place by June with a possible bond measure. The first big meeting has taken place, now it will be broken down into 4 more meetings. The next meeting will take place February 25^th from 9-12:30 at Santa Monica High School.

For more information go to www.ourschoolplan.com

Beth Pugh- representing the Santa Monica Malibu Ed Foundation. Raffle tickets are on sale, prizes will be announced at the Stairways to the Stairs. They hope to use the money raised to introduce a dance program.

Mr. Green (safety and security) was asked to speak to the meeting about his job. He was full of informative information about what goes on at MHS.

One of the subjects he discussed was what he does about thefts. He gave an example of a recent theft just before Christmas where a student had $420 stolen. He had one and half days to retrieve the money. Mr. Green says he speaks to any and every student he thinks might have information no matter what grades. He is eventually able to whittle his way through the information, even if he cannot actually catch the thief, sometimes the money gets returned as it did in this case.

Mr. Green says that theft is way down. Most thefts occur in the girl’s locker room. Some are not reported. He advises not to bring anything valuable to school. Mr. Green feels he bends over backwards to treat the students well. Sometimes there is just nothing he can do about it. It takes an emotion and physical toll on him.

Drugs are still a major problem but Mr. Green feels it is not happening as much on campus. The solution of dogs was suggested but dogs are not allowed up in the car area and this is probable where the drugs would be. He also cautioned that students always find loopholes. Dogs will be discussed further at the next PTSA meeting. He feels it is just marijuana as students not going crazy.

Some advice for parents, be concerned about younger kids hanging out with older students, their peer group, parents of your children’s friends need to have the same attitude towards drugs as you do.

Mr. Green also feels that this group of students is the most respectful he can ever remember.

Mr. Green finished by giving his opinion on the traffic situation. We have tried everything. He believes we should use the whole of the front of school for drop off, including teacher’s parking lot as teachers have already arrived by 7:30.

Tori Eldridge gave an interesting talk on Empowerment. See attached notes.

Meeting Adjourned 10:20

Respectively submitted

Fiona Corrigan