Malibu High School PTSA General Association Meeting

March 16^th, 2006

Heather Anderson called the meeting to order at 8:340 in the school Library.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Ellen and Brigitte were thanked for refreshments.

Cathy Egner -Treasurer’s Report.

Grant requests (see attached) approved unanimously.

$18,000 left to spend in budget (see attached) The reason the science budget needs to be increased was because they have been upgrading their equipment; addition equipment has been purchased, and because of the expanding curriculum. Department heads and Dr. Kelly approve grants before being presented to the association. Motion to pass grants passed unanimously.

Checks to ratify #3769-3800 approved unanimously

Heather Anderson- President. If anyone has any ideas for next months please bring them forward. Barry said that more trashcans are needed on campus, about 15-20.

Plastic owls were recommended to keep the seagulls away. Mirrors, hand dryers receptacles for bathrooms. Missing doors are to be done by the district. Bent doors by school.

Transition night is on March 30^th for incoming 6^th, 9^th and 10^th graders. Volunteers welcomed. 6^th graders venue is planned for the chorus room but the PTSA have asked to have it in the auditorium, as it is a nicer venue.

March 30^th Spring Boutique. 30 vendors in old gym. There will be student entertainment, Demores Pizza, A Taste of Paradise (coffee and smoothies). Parking has been reserved for the black top.

Site Governance Council is sponsoring an ice cream party, Hawaiian Shaved Ice and a band will, play. for all students to commend them on their great showing at last years state testing and to encourage them to take seriously and try hard on this years tests.

On March 23^rd MHS will be presenting to the School board which is taking place at Webster at 5:30.

The PTSA will be honoring volunteers. Please fill out forms to nominate a volunteer. There are levels, community, continuing and Golden Oak.

Mary O’Leary Hughes- Gardening Angels. This Saturday they will be meeting at 8:30. They plan to plant 27 trees and do maintenance. Please bring your own tools.

Laura Rosenthal- Shark Fund. There are three fundraisers planned.

Friday April 28^th at the Sunset Grill, a Bingo Night. (to volunteer see Laura)

Saturday 29^th and 30th, A Surf -A-Thalon (already sold out) but your welcome to come and watch. (to volunteer see Hope Brown)

May 1^st, a golf Tournament at La Tierra Reharda Golf Course. (to volunteer see Quentin)

Dr. Kelly – Principles Report. Report cards will be sent home tomorrow.

The process of adding new lockers is well underway.

Two new tennis courts are to be added. The rest of the tennis courts are to be refurnished by the City of Malibu.

The computer lab under the library is going to be upgraded.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday will be the High School Exit Exam. Students must be here.

There is drop in tutoring Monday thru Thursday.

Please do community service hours.

Last Thursday all students were reminded of the drug policy. Dr. Kelly provided the teachers with a 2-page set of talking points.

Teacher’s appreciation lunch was really appreciated! Thanks Nan and Heather.

“Lovely Bones” the book chosen to be read by all High Schoolers for multi grade discussions has some parents concerned. The following is the discussion had.

Bonnie Thoreson (language arts teacher) came and spoke to the meeting to give the background and her opinion on the selection of the book. Lovely Bones

The reason a book for the whole high school is chosen is because it is good to have all students read the same book and have mixed grade discussions on the book and talk about it. Last years book was problematic because the author was accused of plagiarism.

The process by which the book was chosen was driven by, a sheet for suggestions circulated at back to school night. The edited list went to the student counsel who narrowed the list to 5 books. Sylar Cozen worked hard on this process. The book was checked to see if an approved book. The students then voted and chose this book.

Bonnie said the reason why she stands behind the book is life is not nice, lots of books have sensitive subject matter, including Lord of the Flies, books on the Holocaust etc. Many people have to deal with what violence can do to a family. The book also ends with something positive. She feels the students selection should be honored and respect for the literary work. Bonnie also says she has a sensitive daughter and understands parents concerns. All students are expected to read it but they are able to opt out. Bonnie said in the future it might be better to have parent involvement.

A question from the floor asked how were the teachers planning the conversation for the book.

The teachers plan to divide up the students and maybe do the discussion questions at the end of the book but don’t know yet what they are going to do.

Heather Anderson spoke to the district librarian and asked how they approved books. Basically if it is approved by the California Education Department it is approved. Heather also noted that this book came with a caveat that is was an adult book and teachers to be sure of the child given it.

Barry Schoenbrun- asked why if it is adult material was it recommended for 9^th to 12^th graders and why after last years problematic chose wouldn’t the department have lightened up this year.

Roberta Bogie-suggested using the enetwork, publish the list of 5 and a vote could be done.

Cindy Dorn- chose a book that doesn’t have so much adult material in it.

Beth Bardovi- doesn’t believe in telling the teachers how to teach but has concerns about 14 years olds and 18 years old discussing this book together. There is a vast difference in development in this age group. Apart from the rape and dismemberment, the sexual scene towards the end is also problematic. Beth felt that this message of finding your “aliveness” is through sex is not a good message at this time. Is this the message our school is giving?

Karen Quartz- stated that she does respect the process but it needs to be more inclusive and parents should be involved. She suggested the process should be revisited using a committee between parents/students/teachers. Is it already too late for this year?

Cathy Egner -as a sensitive person remembers waiting outside the classroom and still feels haunted by some of the things she was exposed to too early. She wonders will some kids when they are having sex for the first time be haunted by this book. Do we really have to do this? Do we really need to expose everyone to every experience?

Laura Rosenthal- suggested we could do a school wide book as the City of Malibu does.

She feels that our kids are exposed to so much, adverts, films etc but they never get a chance to discuss it with an adult, at least a teacher would lead these discussions.

Joanna McPartlin thanked both Bonnie Thoreson and Dr. Mark Kelly for taking the concern seriously. She then went on to say, that she is trying to be a good nurturing parent. She wants to protect them. She feels this is not the time or place to have different children with different levels of maturity reading and discussing this adult book. It is hard to have children opt out, as they feel left out. She would like to go with Karen’s idea of an inclusive committee.

Bambi Young- said that now her son is a junior she would not have a problem with him reading the book but not before. She also said it is very hard on the child to have them opt out.

Laurel Thorne - an advocate for special needs students and a teacher feels this subject matter is very touchy and could haunt a child. She personally felt haunted by the book. She has taught children with posttraumatic syndrome and sees this book as dangerous for some children, some just starting puberty. It is more than just the first chapter that is inappropriate. Children need to be uplifted, too much is expected of the students from this book. We really need to go beyond what books the district approves. She questions the literally value also. She thanked the meeting for letting her express herself as this has been upsetting her for a while.

Jill Thone- points out how parents were trying to protect their children from matters described in this book, controls on the TV, computers etc and then it turns up in a school endorsed program.

Shelley Weinstock- would love to have her son opt out but he would be under a lot of pressure. She requested a different process.

Karen Zethraeus felt that parent involvement in the process would be a good idea.

Beth Bardovi thought it should come from the teachers as may never get a consensus form the parents.

Heather Anderson felt that had the students been reminded who the readers would be 9^th grade to 12^th that they may not have chosen this book.

Ellen Shane if it is a school endorsed book, it isn’t a chose. She doesn’t believe in sheltering students but believes there is a line.

Laura Stutsman thought that students don’t have the breath and knowledge of literature to choose a book for the whole school to read and would it not be better to have the teachers choose. There are so many great books out there.

Gina Vurrell who says her children are great reader would benefit from having a teacher lead a discussion. It would provide a real enriching experience.

Dr. Kelly said that this is the second year of the program and all input would be taken seriously and we can definitely improve the process in the future.

Bonnie concluded that after further discussion with other teachers a letter would be sent home with the issues and options.

Dr. Kelly thanked everyone for being respectful

Heather Anderson said there is a general lament that parents don’t care as much about protecting children. She felt that this time parents had come forward with very strong feelings. She felt it was time for the teachers to listen.

Dr. Kelly cautioned that if a matter doesn’t work out a particular way, it doesn’t mean they weren’t listening but that they came up with a different conclusion.

Beth said she gets that but when it comes as school approved it sends a message positively or negatively.

Brigitte Hanson on behalf of the PTSA Nominating Committee announced the nominees for the year 2006-2007.

Meeting adjourned 10:20