Malibu High School PTSA General Associates Meeting

October 20^th 2005

Heather Anderson called the meeting to order at 8:40 in the school library and welcomed everyone.

The minutes were approved with some corrections, PTSA endorsed a NO vote on 76 not 90.

Cathy Egner- Treasurer’s Report.

Grant Requests (see attached)

Joe Dimercurio explained his request to the meeting.

A grant request must first be approve by Dr.Kelly. Technology/computer requests are referred to the technology committee and Dr. Kelly.

Laura Rosenthal made a motion to grant the grant proposals. Passed unanimously.

Sonia suggested new teachers to the school need an additional supply allowance. Cathy informed the group it could be worked into the budget. Laura Rosenthal made a motion to add $600 to the supply accounts of new teachers. Gena seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Checks to ratify (see attached)

Motion to ratify checks passed unanimously.

Cathy reminded the meeting that Arts Angeles and the Booster Clubs are separate from the PTSA.

Heather Anderson – President’s report.

Homecoming is next week. Football game is November 4^th. Elementary schools have been invited. It should be a wonderful event, consider coming with your family.

It was felt that the PTSA should have a presence at the event. It was decide that the PTSA would collect unwanted candy from Halloween and then the cheerleaders distribute them during the homecoming game. Trash boxes clearly labeled for Halloween candy will be place in the fax room.

Dr. Mark Kelly- Principal’s report.

About 50 students will take the High School Exit Exam on the 1^st and 2^nd November. It is important that everyone takes it. Some of these students are new 11^th graders to MHS. There are no waivers; even for special ed. everyone must pass. Study books and after school classes have been offered to help.

Seniors need to be on top of applying for colleges and signing up to take SATs etc. Tests need to be completed by December. CSF and CJSF students need to sign up for scholarships. Counselors will be contacting seniors to make sure they are on track for June. They will also be asking for feedback on how MHS worked for them. It was brought up from the floor that this may be hard for some students who will be asking for recommendations and fear making negative comments may jeopardize this. An anonymous survey was suggested.

“Safe Schools” took approximately 45 students to the boys and girls club where they studied role-playing and strategies. The adults involved will meet every two weeks with students to discuss how their strategies are working.

There have been thefts of 6th grade ipods and money, Dr. Kelly reminded everyone not to let their students bring valuables to school. It is a very challenging situation to find the thieves. Using Ipods is banned in school. Cell phones must be turned off.

If anyone has problems with report cards, first line of action is talk to the teacher. Then proceed to the administration. Teachers grading system will be evaluated. The school does not republish report cards. Only the school board and the teacher can change the grade.

MHS is the only school in the district not fully implementing the pinnacle online grading system. In November’s newsletter instruction on how to use this system will be given. Dr. Kelly feels once it has started all the teachers will “jump on board.”

A request from the floor to have a no homework policy on “College Information Night” in Santa Monica. Some students didn’t go because they had too much homework.

The school calendar was discussed. Some parents felt we started the school year too late and consequently had a lot of work to do before AP tests were taken. It was pointed out that it was parents who demanded that schools go back after Labor Day. Dr. Kelly said that the test was taken after a certain number of days instruction.

Dr. Kelly is trying to get the semester changed and have the first semester finish at the same time as winter break. The advantages of this are that students will get a real break for the winter holidays He also feels that January is usually a wasted month, as students have to go over work and take tests. He feels it is a better use of instruction time. The only down side is the two semesters will not be the same duration.

It was brought up how had it was for Jewish students to join in the family religious traditions recently because of schoolwork. Kathy Wisniki informed the group that it had already been take care of and it stemmed from problems at the district level not realizing that both religious occasions were during the school week. Usually one is on the weekend.

There have been no other incidents in the parking lot. Dr. Kelly feels there isn’t any threat. The community uses the MHS campus for many other activities.

Karen reflections contest. PTSA national competition for the arts. The committee will exhibit the works in the library. Entries will be judged just before the exhibit. Prize ceremony during homecoming week.

Roberta Boge-Amazon.com has a wish list for MHS. Click on wish list in top right hand corner, type in MHS and the list comes up. Once you have donated your book, an email will be sent to Joe and the book shipped right to the library. The item will be removed from the list. So far 25 books have been donated. You may also donate gently used books that are on the wish list.

Thanks Roberta and Joe, great idea.

Kathy Wisnicki – Malibu Foundation and Family Director. The Foundation started the boys and girls club as an outreach program, teen center. Lots of volunteers started the club but the foundation is now ready to take it to the next level. The club is attracting mostly middle school students. The foundation is looking for ways to get the High School students involved. On Saturday November 19^th, from 9:30AM to 2PM the foundation will be holding “A Community Summit” to discuss the issues facing the community at MHS auditorium. There will be guest speakers and breakout sessions. Some of the topics will be intervention programs, community partnerships, and family resource center. Jennifer Waterhouse Pietro, executive director said there will be child care available and also a teen session from 12PM-1PM. Jennifer remind the meeting that the staff are always available for them.

Laura Rosenthal informed the group that they didn’t do a traditional red ribbon week. She is looking for more appropriate speakers.

Requests for donation to the Shark Fund were made. In a few weeks plan to hand out envelops at pick up and drop off.

There is approximately space for a hundred lockers. For addition lockers we would need eaves to cover them.

Equity fund paid for an intensive intervention summer program.

Colleen O’Beirne Brydon MHS PTSA Legislative Chair spoke about the upcoming special election on November 8^th. The States PTSA has made a formal stand of NO on proposition 76. (See attached talking points)

PTSA was created to support or oppose legislation, not individuals.

A motion was made by Heather to contribute $1300 from the legislative budget to go towards a mailer to be sent out by the Council of PTAs on proposition 76. Seconded by Sandy. Passed unanimously.

Please check you are registered by October 24^th on www.ss.ca.gov

Absentee ballots no later than November 1^st.

If you have not got a sample ballot you are probably not registered.

If you have students away at college make sure they can and do vote.

New legislation will ban 50% of all junk food sold on campus by 2007 and by 2009 this will be 100%.

A new State Bill is being sponsored by the State PTA regard procedures school administrators must follow if a police officer wishes to interrogate a child during school hours. (see attached).

Next meeting will be November 15^th at 7PM. The plan is to have breakout meeting to discuss topics such as pinnacle grading system, bathroom task force, etc.

Meeting adjourned 10:20

Respectfully submitted

Fiona corrigan