Somers High School PTSA

General Membership Meeting

 

May 15, 2008

Somers High School Media Center

 

Members Present:  Jean Mandirola, Laura Braica, Kathy Brewer, Nora Kopec, Laura Stark, Carol Winter, Gary Cotzin and Amanda Vesce

 

              I.      Meeting called to order:  7:08 p.m. by Jean Mandirola

               

 

            II.      Previous Meeting Minutes:  No changes; Motion made to accept previous minutes by Kathy Brewer, seconded by Carol Winter.  Unanimously approved.

 

          III.      Correspondence: 

·        Received fundraising possibility from The Garden Barn; $20 gift cards – receive $4 profit from each card; need to sell minimum of 25 cards.  At this time, membership is not interested in participating in program.

·        Jean Mandirola read thank you notes from the teachers and administration for the wonderful luncheon put on by Kathy Brewer.

 

         IV.      Treasurer’s Report:  phoned in by JJ Wassmuth

·        $11,460.02 balance

·        Discussed anticipated income vs. anticipated expenses – income, diplomas approx. $1k; expenses – safe grad $4,484 (trying to defray cost by donations of food and gifts from local businesses and parents)

·        Based on anticipated numbers; will have appropriate funding to start 2008/09 year

 

           V.      President’s Report:

·        Jean Mandirola attended CT State PTA Convention.  Obtained many good ideas – see Other Discussion section

 

         VI.      Principal’s Report:  Gary Cotzin discussed:

·         New guidance counselor – Karen Reagan (replacing Lynne Cigal retiring)

·         Interviewing for Tech teacher and .6 Math teacher

·         Junior/Senior prom scheduled for Friday, May 23rd

·         Senior activities:  Outing to Fenway Park (beginning of  June); Sr. Banquet at Log Cabin (June 10th); Graduation June 18th (last day of school)

·        Academic Awards Night:  June 3rd

·        Sports Awards Night:  June 16th

·        Wellness Committee – meets quarterly to semi-annually to discuss health issues; have recruited two students; looking for one to two parents and staff members

       VII.      Board Members’ Reports:

 

Ø      Membership – Nora Kopec

v     no additional members; total remains at 103

 

 

 

Ø      Safe Graduation – Carol Winter

v     See Treasurer’s section for expense discussion

v     Have 8 chaperones; looking for more

v     Have received confirmation from Subway that they will provide subs

v     11 parents signed up to donate food

v     Sent e-mail to parents requesting donations of small gifts

·        NOTE:  next Safe Grad meeting TBD

 

Ø      Scholarship Fund – Laura Stark

v     Received 15 applications

v     Selection committee in process of reviewing applications; committee members:  Liz Iadarola; Trish Olynciw and Rose Zachary (none are parents of senior)

v     Current scholarship awards: 2 / $500

v     Discussed increasing numbers of scholarships.  Motion made by Kathy Brewer to increase the number of $500 scholarships from 2 to 4; seconded by Laura Braica.  Unanimously approved.

 

Ø      Staff Appreciation – Kathy Brewer

v     Luncheon was a success

v     Received many thank yous from staff

v     Received donations from Geissler’s ($25 gift card); Somers Garden (potted flowers) and Friendly’s (sundae cups)

 

Ø      Parent Directory – Kathy Brewer and Jean Mandirola

v     No update

 

Ø            Fundraising

 

v     Clean Comedian (Jean Mandirola)

·        Scheduled for Friday November 21, 2008

·        Will hopefully use this event as one of the major PTSA fund raisers

·        Further planning to be discussed during the summer and September and October meetings

 

v     Diploma sale (Gail Hoff)

·        Card sale is in progress

·        Cards were mailed to senior parents with instructions

·        Contact Gail Hoff – 749-1660 for cards or questions

 

 

     VIII.      Old Business: 

·              PTSA purchased a brick for the SHS Booster Club – will state “Somers High School  PTSA”

·              Laura Braica finalized and the members reviewed the by laws.  Carol Winter made a motion to submit the updated by laws to the CT State PTA; seconded by Laura Stark.  Unanimously approved.

 

 

 

 

         IX.      New Business:

·              Jean Mandirola submitted reimbursement ($60) for attending PTA Convention

·              Executive Board slate of officers presented and unanimously approved for 2008/2009 year:

a.      Jean Mandirola & Laura Braica – Co-Presidents

b.     Kathy Brewer – Treasurer

c.      Amanda Vesce - Secretary

·              Will further discuss structure of committees / fundraisers during the summer to have a plan in place for the 2008/2009 school year

·              Members discussed other ways in which to effectively use remaining funds.  Decided to provide $1,000 to teachers / administration at the high school.  Gary Cotzin will be contacted and asked to help determine best use of funds.  Motion made to provide $1,000 to high school made by Amanda Vesce, seconded by Kathy Brewer.  Unanimously approved.

 

 

           X.      Other Discussions:  Jean Mandirola presented information from the convention:  including fundraisers, programs (safe driving, nutrition, self-defense), networking with local hospitals and fire/police and most importantly how to involve students.  Will discuss incorporating at future meetings

 

         XI.      Meeting Adjournment:  Motion made at 8:45 p.m. by Laura Braica to adjourn meeting; seconded by Nora Kopec.  Unanimously approved.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Amanda A. Vesce