Somers High School PTSA

General Membership Meeting

 

March11, 2009

Somers High School Media Center

 

Members Present:

Laura Braica, Kathy Brewer, Gary Cotzin, Gail Hoff, Jean Mandirola,

Amanda Vesce

 

          I.    Meeting called to order:   7:35 p.m. by Laura Braica

 

 

        II.    Treasurer’s Report:  presented by Kathy Brewer

·         Reviewed profit and loss statement

·         Checkbook balance - $5,611.30

·         Reviewed consolidated information from November – February

·         Reviewed summary of each account/fundraiser

·         New format is very comprehensive

 

 

       III.    Approval of Minutes:

Minutes reviewed and approved without any changes from 2/12/2009 meeting.  Motion made to accept minutes made by Gail Hoff, seconded by Kathy Brewer.  Unanimously approved.

 

      IV.    Principal’s Report:   Gary Cotzin

·         CAPT testing continues through 3/17 (due to snow day); new format (1 test per day vs. 2 per day) seems to be working smoothly  -- has received positive feedback from students /teachers although testing is spread across several extra days

·         Parent/Teacher conferences (for those who requested)  - 3/12

·         Junior/Senior Variety Show – 3/19

·         Budget update – Gary continues to advocate for positions to the Board of Education; attended the state budget presentation on 3/10 – very grim forecast

·         March Madness assembly – 4/3; will be putting proactive measures in place so there will not be a repeat of last year’s issues

·         Dance – same evening – 4/3

·         Last day of school / Graduation – Monday, 6/22

·          

 

       V.    Correspondence:

·         Received invitation from CT PTA for annual conference – April 2 – 3, 2009 in Waterbury, CT.  Anyone interested in attending, notify Jean Mandirola

      VI.    Board Members’ Reports:

 

Ø  Membership – Nora Kopec (report by Laura Braica)

·         Presently have 104 members

 

Ø  Safe Grad – Gail Hoff

·         The date of the trip is now being planned for graduation day (6/22); boat has been reserved

·         Waiting to hear about the Subway donation – in past years, Subway has donated all of the sandwiches for the trip – may need to pay for a portion or all

·         Current fundraising is in line with projected expenses and student donations

 

Ø  Scholarship Fund – Trish Olynciw (report by Jean Mandirola)

·         Received 3 applications for the Nutmeg scholarship

·         Scholarship applications were reviewed by Jean and Laura and one was submitted to the CCC office; CCC will submit to state PTA organization

·         Did not receive any for the CT PTA Christa McAuliffe scholarship

·         Have not received any for our PTSA scholarship; not due until mid-April

·         The PTSA scholarship application is available through the CCC website; click on Naviance; PTSA link

 

Ø  Staff Appreciation – Sue Peck (report provided by Laura Braica)

·         Appreciation week is scheduled for May 3rd – 9th

·         Sue Peck is coordinating committee along with 3 volunteers

·         Have already received some raffle donations

 

Ø  Parent Directory –

·         Directory was sent out electronically several weeks ago to PTSA members

 

Ø  Fundraising

 

v  Variety Show – Jean

§  Preparations are coming together

§  Martha Barry-Plotkin coordinating ice cream purchase from Friendly’s (no donation available this year)

§  Have received 9 donated cases of water; looking for couple more; Kathy Brewer and Amanda Vesce will donate

§  Kathy and Amanda will conduct 50/50 raffle

§  Gary distributed electronic flyer to parents

§  Jean placed ads in the Reminder and I-town section of the Hartford Courant

v  Clothing Drive  -- Jean

§  Jean Mandirola coordinating along with PTA president, Chris Gay

§  Drive will be from April 20th – 26th at Avery Storage facility

§  Flyer going out to staff and parents

§  Jean and Chris recruiting volunteers

§  Stay tuned for more details

 

v  Salute to Seniors Diplomas – Gail

§  Will be mailed during the first week of April

 

 

 

     VII.    Old Business:

 

v  Increasing Membership dues – Laura

Laura Braica made a motion to increase Somers High School Parent Teacher Student Association membership dues from $7 to $10 for an individual or $17 for a family.  Motion was seconded by Kathy Brewer; unanimously approved.

 

 

v  Recruitment of Board Members – Jean

Nominations being taken in April for Executive Board of Directors – all positions are available (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary)

Anyone interested in joining the Executive Board of Directors, please contact Jean Mandirola.

 

 

 

   VIII.    New Business:  None

 

 

 

      IX.    Other Discussions:  All

Request was made to Gary Cotzin by the group -- a calendar with all of the school activities by class.  This would be especially helpful for parents of seniors to track all of the necessary payments/activities.  Gary will give the request some thought.

 

 

       X.    Meeting Adjourned:  8:35 p.m. by Laura Braica