Thursday, February 17, 2011

 Levittown Council of PTA General Membership Meeting February 17, 2011 Minutes Call to Order 7:30 Pledge, Attendance President’s report‐ See Attached 1st VP‐ No Report 2nd VP‐ See Attached Recording Secretary‐ Minutes approved from November 2010 and January 2011 Corresponding Secretary‐ Get well card sent to Diane Shapiro Treasurer’s Report‐ See Attached. Angela List made a motion to use from miscellaneous $150 for Get A Voice Jamboree. Motion was seconded, no discussion and motion passed. Historian‐ No Report Superintendent’s Report‐ Dr. Sirois went over dates of budget meeting. March 16 the CAC and PTA Budget Committees are supposed to meet, but we are working on extending that date. The agenda will be gone through at each meeting until all items are gone through. He spoke at great length regarding the state budget cuts and how it will affect not only our school district, but most school districts, as well as the tax cap which is scheduled to be implemented for the 21012/2013 school year. He spoke about the mandates increases for Health Insurance, the NYS Employee Retirement system and Teachers retirement system. And about the increasing the tax levy and expenditures, along with optional cuts to our budget, as well as implementing full day Kindergarten with it’s monetary benefits. Arts in Education‐ See Attached Audit‐ Monthly Audit and Mid‐year Audit were both done and everything was found to be in order. Council Budget‐ Met approx. 4 times, so far have gotten answers to questions from Ron Kister, Darlene Rhatigan and Mark Schissler, not from Mike Hahn or Linda Haas. Feb 28th is next meeting Elementary Curriculum‐ No Report Health, Safety, and Environment‐ Committee met with Gary Hudes. He explained the process of snow clean up. rd 1st nd
stage is the make roads passable for emergency vehicles, 2 is so a car can drive down the center of the street and 3 is back to the original state. Please allow 24 hours after the storm, if you see a problem, send Gary Hudes and email. List of hot spots with pictures was given to Gary. Pre Prom workshops letter is going out soon. They are on 3/10, 3/21 and 3/29. Been carrying in the budget $100 for AIDS Awareness, working with Todd to use it. Legislation‐ See Attached Procedures‐ No Report Secondary Curriculum‐ Asked membership Do we go to numerical grading policy? 10‐Yes, 20‐No, 1‐abstention. Questions regarding the numerical grading policy: What would the point be in having a numerical grading policy if it didn’t get included in the average? What is weight of the grade? What about a student with a medical reason not to participate, how does that affect participation portion of the grade? What about Special Ed students, like those who have a problem understanding direction, need 1 on 1 support or those with ADHD? See Attached Nominating Committee ‐ Slate for 2011 ‐2012 School year presented: Pres – Cindy Mulz; 1st VP – Patricia Genco; 2nd VP – Dawn Nocella; Rec. Sec. – Eileen Petrullo; Treasurer – Angela List; Corr. Sec. – Mary Rickard; Historian – S. Haas. No nominations from the floor. Corresponding Secretary, Angela List, casts all in favor vote on behalf of the unit. Scholarship Dinner Dance‐ Debe Howe presented pricing for flowers. Petite 2 is 9.50/3.50, Lou’s is 10.00/5.00, Phils is 10.00/3.50 and Carol is 10.00/3.00. Motion made by Diane McPartland to use Petite 2 florist for flowers for Honorary Life Dinner Dance. Motion Second. Discussion took place, 1 opposed, motion passed. Only received pins from East Broadway, Lee Road and SEPTA. All units have received invitations and working on getting people to attend. AIS – See Attached Capital Project/Bond Watcher – No Report District Budget – No Report Dollars for Scholars – Next meeting is 3/1 here at LMEC. Need building Reps. Only have for Lee Road, Salk/MacArthur, Abbey and Division. Several members have been around for a while, need new men and women from younger families. Since began in 2001 handed out 112 scholarships at $1000 each. A fundraiser was sent to all elementary schools. Enrichment – See Attached Food Service‐ See Attached GC Tech – Skills Competition was combined with the Open House. Students are meeting with guidance counselors getting classes together for next year‐if interested in program they should call to set up a tour or sit in a class. March is Regional competition against LI Tech Schools at SUNY Farmingdale, 1‐day conference. April in Syracuse against all NY schools is a 3‐day conference. LEADD – LEADD with Talent. Dr. Sirois is Grand Marshal, Division is Andrea Gonzalez, MacArthur is Zach Shapiro. Wear Red, no T‐shirts sold this year. No Poster/Essay Contest. Need Volunteers to hand out buttons and coupons from 10‐
1:30. Kiwanis Breakfast in morning. Northside is doing a comedy show and Gardiners a skit on bullying. Council Scholarship – Applications are at High School Guidance office. Deadline is 4/15‐need 1 volunteer from each school. Sr. Citizen Prom – Friday 5/13 @LMEC from 6‐9:30 for those 60 +, will need volunteers at next meeting. Theme: Wild, Wild West. Menu: Tumbleweed Salad, Chuck Wagon Chicken, Beef Stew, Rodeo Carrots & Apples, Cowboy Beans and Huckleberry Pie. Culinary students prepare food. MS/HS Honor Society volunteers SEPTA‐ See Attached Teacher Center – See Attached Transportation ‐ See Attached Wellness – Next meeting is in March. There is a Wellness Seminar at Adelphi University on 4/13‐see Nassau Region PTA Website for flyer. New Business – Diane McPartland spoke about Reflections and a contestant on American Idol from Merrick who started out as a Reflections Winner at his Middle School. He won at his school level, Nassau Region level, State Level and then was forwarded on by NYS. During his interview he spoke about how Reflections gave him the confidence to keep going with his talent. Pat Genco – wanted to add to committee reports for snow closing. Did ask that President bring back to your PTA meetings and let the parents know that when they change their phone number (home or cell), the connect‐ed messages only go to the youngest child on the list. Please be sure to update your phone numbers for all students in the district. Dates to Remember: 3/24 – GC Tech Community Recognitions Dinner, 3/26‐Nassau Region PTA Legislation Brunch, 3/27 LEADD Walk & LEADD Fair, starts with Kiwanis Breakfast, 3/31 Council Scholarship Dinner Dance. Adjourned 9:26pm ‐ Minutes prepared by Angela List