Somers High School PTSA

General Membership Meeting

 

October 16, 2008

SHS Media Center

 

Present:

Jan Martin, Rob Kapner, Tammy Bley-Gowash, Laura Braica, Jean Mandirola, Karen Arakelian, Penny Bryzgel; Nora Kopec, Kathy Brewer, Elizabeth Chatis, Sue Peck, Karyn O’Donnell, Taylor Bidmead and Amanda Vesce

 

              I.      Meeting called to order:   7:05 p.m.

 

 

            II.      Treasurer’s Report:   presented by Kathy Brewer

·        Reviewed Profit and Loss Statement

·        Checkbook balance – 4,896.05

·        Kathy will be depositing the PTSA membership checks

 

          III.      Approval of Minutes: 

Minutes reviewed and approved without any changes.

Motion made to accept minutes by Amanda Vesce; seconded by Jean Mandirola.  Unanimously approved.

 

 

         IV.      Principal’s Report:    presented by Rob Kapner, Assistant Principal

·        Week of October 13th – 17th – Ally week in support of the Gay/Straight Alliance.  Buttons worn by faculty and students

·        October 21st – Annual College Fair – all students (grades 9 -12) attend the fair during lunch period.  Fermi High School will be holding a college fair in the evening.  (NOTE – Fermi’s fair rescheduled to October 29th at 6:00 p.m.)

·        October 24th – Annual Halloween Dance (all attendees will be breathalyzed)

·        October 28th – Mock election held by Social Studies Dept.; students will register to vote (using copy of same form) and will then cast vote

·        October 29th – 1st quarter ends (There will be a change in the look of report cards because of a new district-wide reporting system.)  Cards will be distributed through the Student Advisory Program and goals for the students will be set at that time

·        October 30th – Annual POPS concert presented by Somers High School Band, Chorus and Jazz Choir.  NOTE:  There is only one show being performed this year.

 

           V.      Correspondence:    none

 

         VI.      Committee Reports:

 

Ø      Membership – Nora Kopec

·        Currently have 86 PTSA members; up from 70 last year

·        Nora has given Kathy Brewer the membership checks to be deposited

 

 

Ø      Safe Grad – Karyn O’Donnell / Gail Hoff

·        First meeting recently held – targeted members and asked for their attendance/support

·        Researched many alternative sites for Safe Grad party, including:  SHS gym and Health Trax.  The issue is SHS graduation date – we do not have a set date until all of the snow dates have been accounted for.  Alternatively, other high schools in the area, i.e., Fermi, Enfield, Stafford  have preplanned graduation dates.  Therefore, the best Safe Grad trip remains the Boston Harbor cruise since they are flexible on the dates.

·        The boat and bus companies have been contacted.  Peter Pan provided the most cost efficient contract for the bus – a $750 deposit will be sent by Kathy Brewer

·        The group is also researching new types of activities for the boat

·        Next meeting scheduled for October 28th in the Perrault Center

 

 

Ø      Scholarship Fund – Trish Olynciw

·        Safe Grad and Scholarship committees are combining the fund raiser letter being sent to area businesses.  In past years, each committee sent out their own letter

·        Trish will be contacting members for the committee

 

 

Ø      Staff Appreciation  --  Chairperson position open

·        We are still recruiting for the head of this committee.  Sue Peck will contact Joy Squillace to discuss the possibility of co-chairing the committee together

 

 

Ø      Parent Directory  -- Chairperson postion open

·        Ana Popielnicki is willing to update the directory; looking for another member to assist with the updating and proof reading

·        We are also still recruiting for the head of this committee.

 

 

 

Ø      Fundraising

 

v     Comedy Show – Jean Mandirola

November 21, 2008; 7p.m.; SHS auditorium

Jean Mandirola along with members of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions – advisor Tammy Bley-Gowash) have worked hard to organize this fundraising event.  To date – tickets and posters/flyers have been printed; posters will be put up this week; flyer will be on the PTSA and SomersNow websites; yard signs will be made and put up after the election.  SADD students will be selling tickets during lunch and at specified times at the library.  Tickets are also available from PTSA executive board members or by calling Jean Mandirola at 763-4818. 

                                                PLEASE JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF LAUGHS!

 

v     Fruit Sale – Laura Braica

Sale started and continues through November 23rd

Laura Braica has organized this sale; flyers will go out with reports cards in early November – Laura can be contacted for orders either by calling 763-4748 or e-mailing –

Fruit pick-up is December 13th at the State Trooper’s Office at 451 Main Street, Route 190

 

 

v     Mohegan Sun bus trip – Gail Hoff

Best price provided by Post Road Stage – still working with them to try to keep this year’s price same as last.  Trip is scheduled for January 24, 2009.  Gail contacted the Booster Club to ask if they want to sponsor a bus again this year.

 

v     Variety Show concession sales -

No report at this time.

 

 

v     Salute to Seniors Diploma sale -

No report at this time.

 

 

       VII.      Old Business:

 

v     Parent Volunteer Program – Penny Bryzgel

Teachers were polled to determine what volunteer parents are needed to perform.  Tasks ranged from making copies, chaperoning trips, cafeteria duty, etc.  Penny will send an e-mail to the PTSA membership list asking if any parents would be interested in volunteering.

v     Donation request – Jan Martin, Advisor SHS Scriptura student literary magazine

Jan Martin and senior Karen Arakelian represented the magazine to request funding for printing.  The magazine is printed three times per year and is a very creative vehicle for high school students to have an opportunity to display their writing and drawing.  Their board consists of approximately 15 – 20 members and their role is to review submitted works from the students.  Typically, 30 submissions are reviewed each time and approximately 2/3 are accepted into the magazine.  The cost of printing the magazine has increased substantially although they now print in black and white instead of color.  Each issue costs approximately $250 to print 100 copies.  Copies are distributed to students on a first come, first served basis. 

A motion was made by Jean Mandirola to provide $250 to Scriptura; seconded by Kathy Brewer.  Unanimously approved.

 

v     SADD – assist with Comedy night

See above under Comedy night for additional information.  The SADD group represented by Tammy Bley-Gowash, Advisor and seniors, Taylor Bidmead and Liz Chatis discussed how they will assist the PTSA with the Comedy night fundraiser.  The group (whose membership has grown dramatically in the past year – from 6 to over 40 students!) will sell tickets and coordinate a bake sale for that evening.  For their efforts, the group will receive a percentage of their ticket sales and 100% of the profit from the bake sale.  The PTSA members are very excited about the SADD group’s participation and are impressed with their eagerness to help!

 

v     SADD – donation request for Spring program

SADD is fundraising for their Spring program typically put on the day of prom.  They hope to have “Scotty Rock” perform again – he performed several years ago.  Scotty (who is a former drug addict) performs solo -- his theme is making good life choices.   The group will accept a donation of any amount to secure the date and put down the deposit.

 

     VIII.      New Business:

None

 

         IX.      Other Discussions:

Next meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 13th

High School media center

 

           X.      Meeting Adjourned:  8:55 p.m.