Somers High School PTSA

General Membership Meeting

 

September 20, 2007

Somers High School Media Center

 

Members Present:  Laura Braica, Jean Mandirola, Kathy Brewer, Gary Cotzin, John Mayo, Stan Targonski, Theresa Muska, Roberta Kiner, Lynn Tracey, JJ Wassmuth, Terri Henderson, Maynard Suffredini, Laura Stark and Amanda Vesce

 

              I.      Meeting called to order:  7:05 p.m. by Jean Mandirola

 

            II.      Introduction of new staff/administrators:

Superintendent Maynard Suffredini

Roberta Kiner – French teacher

                        Theresa Muska – Special Education teacher

                        John Mayo – Math teacher

                        Stanley Targonski – Math teacher

                        Lynn Tracey – Food Service teacher

 

Each new staff member was welcomed and introduced to group; each provided summary of background and qualifications.               

 

          III.      Previous Meeting Minutes:  No changes; Motion made to accept previous minutes by JJ Wassmuth, seconded by Jean Mandirola.  Unanimously approved.

 

         IV.      Correspondence: 

·        Grower’s Direct requested tax id # for plant sale

·        Internal Revenue Service requested information to maintain our non-for-profit standing

 

           V.      Treasurer’s Report:  See attached summary; JJ Wassmuth reported changes.  Motion made to accept treasurer’s report by Kathy Brewer; seconded by Amanda Vesce.  Unanimously approved.

 

         VI.      President’s Report:

·        In an attempt to provide the freshman, sophomore and junior classes with funding, a letter was send to each class president and advisor.  Letter instructs them to contact PTSA with request summary by October 18th.

 

       VII.      Principal’s Report:  Gary Cotzin reported the following:

·        Great start to new school year

·        AP/CAPT/SAT scores – pending presentation to Board of Educaction (November)

·        E-mail system – have revised system to efficiently send out blanket messages to parents

·        Renaissance Program – explained new SHS program designed to reward/acknowledge students and staff members; designed for all levels of achievement; will be sending memo to parents/community members explaining program and requesting funding

·        Parent Night – October 4th

·        Interims – out on September 28th

 

PTSA September meeting minutes (cont.)

 

·        Date conflict – with PTSA meeting, 3/20 is Professional Dev Day – meeting has been rescheduled

·        Handouts provided – summarizing contacts for NEASC committee members and Blue Ribbon panel members

 

     VIII.      Board Members’ Reports:

Ø      Membership – Nora Kopec (report provided by J. Mandirola)

v     Has 159 paid members to date

v     Will be distributing volunteer lists to each committee chairperson

 

Ø      Safe Grad – Carol Winter (report provided by J. Mandirola)

v     Mohegan bus trip scheduled for Saturday, January 26th

v     Carol needs a co-chair for the Safe Grad committee

 

Ø      Scholarship Fund – Laura Stark

v     Planning a post mortem to discuss business plan

v     One objective is how to obtain additional funding

 

Ø      Staff Appreciation – Kathy Brewer

v     Has obtained contact from Panera Bread who will provide one of the lunches during the staff appreciation week; committee members will provide breakfast items

v     Will suggest to students/parents that e-cards be distributed to teachers (details to follow)

v     Kathy rec’d other suggestions from members – could sell flowers and distribute to teachers; bake and sell cookies with kisses

v     Gary will provide breakfast one morning; need to coordinate

 

Ø      Parent Directory – Kathy Brewer and Jean Mandirola

v     In the process of putting directory together

v     Will be e-mailed to requesters

 

Ø      By-Law Review – committee pending

 

 

 

Ø      Fundraising

 

v     Shopping Spree (Laura & Amanda)

·        Scheduled for November 16th

·        Have several vendors lined up

·        Save-the-date flyer will be distributed at Parent’s Night

 

v     Fruit Sale (Jean, Laura & Nora)

·        PJ’s has been contacted

·        Will operate same way as last year

·        Will start mid-October, through mid-November, delivery Dec 14th

 

 

 

PTSA September meeting minutes (cont.)

 

v     Clean Comedian (Jean)

·        Will consider for later this year or next year

·        Cost is $2,000

·        Comedian requires 90 day lead time

 

v     Mohegan Sun bus trip (Carol & Diane)

·        See above under Safe Grad

 

v     Variety Show concession sales

·        No report

 

v     Mother’s Day Plant sale

·        No report

 

v     Diploma sale (Gail)

·        Gail Hoff has agreed to run again this year

·        The recognition cards need to be printed again as the 2007 class year was put on them.

·        Recommends that the year not be put on this time so leftovers can be used by the next class.

 

         IX.      Old Business:  None

 

           X.      New Business:

·              Dr. Suffredini discussed several ways to obtain information about financing college tuitions, applying for grants and receiving financial aid.  Many members discussed the need for this type of information to be effectively distributed to parents.

·              Discussed PTSA audit procedures for turn over of books at end of each school year.  At this time books are not audited.  PTA has started to audit books and initiate procedures.  Membership agreed that a process should be put in place.  Jean will investigate National PTSA and Kathy Brewer will begin to request information from current and past officers.

 

         XI.      Other Discussions:

·              Potential fund raiser for seniors to defray Safe Grad trip cost – cookie dough/pie sales – Jean will get information.

 

       XII.      Meeting Adjournment:  Motion made at 8:35 p.m. by Jean Mandirola to adjourn meeting; seconded by Kathy Brewer.  Unanimously approved. 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Amanda A. Vesce