RFES

PTA General Meeting

April 8, 2008

Respectfully Submitted

Attendance: Sarah Achenbach, Mary Beth Beaudry, Maria Blackburn, Francesca Brown, Landie Callanan, Lindsay Conboy, Susan Deise, Susan Drake, Keli Emmons, Anne Ertel, Aimee Grable, Jennifer Helfrich, Amanda Kastner, Rebecca Orendorff, Sue Parts, Rebecca Romeo, Michele Rowland, Trisha Schwab, Ann Marie Sears, Ginny Seyler, Lesley Simmons, Mary Beth Walker, Elissa Zurbuchen.

After an interesting presentation ("Who Said Names Would Never Hurt You?") by Beth Kotchick and Tiffany Garner, Jennifer Helfrich called the meeting to order at 7:50 pm.

Treasurer's Report: On behalf of Lea Ann, Jennifer stated that the PTA's balance as of April 8th is $18,151.61. Jennifer asked that anyone needing to get in touch with treasurer Lea Ann Howard through this Thursday, contact Jennifer instead, due to a death in Lea Ann's family. Jennifer stated that committees which are going to spend funds before the end of the year need to do so immediately, and committees which will have excess funds at the end of the year need to inform Lea Ann so she can finalize her calculations. There will have to be an Executive Committee Budget Meeting before the May meeting, so we can see what money is left in each committee¿s budget so we know if there is any left over. We must form a Ways and Means Committee to disburse excess funds or approve carrying them over to next year. The PTA must publicly advertise that there are excess funds. If you have an idea on how to spend excess funds, there is a form to fill out and give to the Ways and Means Committee, which will be reviewed by the administration, and voted on by the general membership. Jennifer clarified that the Towson High School Scholarship was unused and thus removed from the budget.

President's Report: The minutes from the March meeting were approved. The PTA's last Executive Board Meeting is in June. Any Plans of Work that need approval must be approved at this meeting. Jennifer read the Plans of Work for the Membership Committee and the Back To School Committee. Both were voted on and approved. The Back To School Committee is planning for 60 faculty and 700 students in their preparations for next school year. Jennifer stated that the PTA's corresponding secretary is unable to continue in her position, and the Board must approve a substitute to finish out this year's term. This person will need to produce probably two partial newsletters so we can advertise the availability of excess funds and announce the winners of our May elections. Jennifer agreed to take on this work in the absence of anyone volunteering. The vote, which followed, approved Jennifer taking on this work.

Principal's Report: Mrs. Deise thanked Sarah Achenbach and Krista Collier for a job well done on the Health Expo. She also thanked the PTA for $2,000 worth of materials for first grade enrichment. Mrs. Deise notified everyone that the Parent Volunteer Breakfast has been rescheduled to May 1, due to a conflict with the MSA tests. Mrs. Deise commended Lindsay Conboy on the outstanding achievement of reaching 1,000 volunteer hours this school year.

Vice President of Volunteer's Report: Lindsay Conboy stated that the new log-in software she is hoping to get is on the list Mr. Baldwin compiled for Tech Trek. The program has an initial cost of $800 and a yearly fee of $150. The program would be connected to the Web, self-updating, and has a sex offender check. Lindsay must work with Mrs. Deise to verify if the County School System will approve.




Committee Reports

Health and Safety: Sarah Achenbach thanked all of the parents, staff and faculty that made the Health Expo. A resounding success. 200 families (400 individuals) attended the event. 68 hygiene kits were assembled for Sarah's Hope. She said that the 4th and 5th grade clubs will continue next year, but Krista will need a co-chair. Sarah pointed out the wonderful job the Triggs family has been doing on the lobby bulletin board.

Capacity Study: Jennifer said that Alyson Bonavoglia was unable to attend tonight's PTA meeting because she is at The Board of Education Hearing.

Awards: Ginny Seyler said that the RFES faculty member, whom she nominated for an Educator of the Year award, has been invited to attend the awards ceremony. The ceremony is Thursday April 24th at 7:30 pm. Everyone is invited, and Mrs. Deise will make sure our nominee is in attendance. Mrs. Deise expressed her appreciation of Ginny's letters of recommendation, which garner awards for our school.

Teacher Appreciation: Aimee Grable spoke on behalf of Laura Cole regarding teacher appreciation week. Anne Ertel said that the Hospitality Committee would be involved in the teacher appreciation activities. Mrs. Deise and Lindsay Conboy will advise Laura in planning the events, and Aimee Grable will help coordinate. Typically there is a Monday morning breakfast, Tuesday smoothies, and Friday luncheon.

New Business


Ways and Means Committee: The Ways and Means Committee will consist of Mrs. Deise, Lea Ann Howard, Landie Callanan, Sarah Achenbach, and Trisha Schwab. (Note: After the meeting, Jennifer pointed out that Trisha needs to be replaced with someone who is an Executive Board Member. Sue Parts volunteered to take her place.) Some requests for the excess funds received so far are; 5th grade DVDs (which may be covered already in the Cultural Enrichment budget), reinstating the Towson High Scholarship, and plastic folding tables for PTA use. Jennifer and Mrs. Deise reminded everyone that these requests must be made with a form from the Ways and Means Committee, and will be reviewed by the committee.

Committees for next year: Jennifer said that for next year we need a Lunchroom Coordinator, an Awards Committee Chair, a Health & Safety Co-Chair to work with Krista Collier, and a Web Master. Jennifer said that she has been receiving suggestions for possible changes for next year. She said that at the June PTA meeting all of next year's committees must be finalized. One idea is to create a Master Committee of Arts Enrichment with sub-committees of Cultural Arts, Classroom Art Volunteers, Night of the Arts, Reflections, and possible ArtSteps or similar program. This leaves open the possibility of future music or creative writing sub committees. The Arts Enrichment chairman would be responsible for informing the corresponding secretary and webmaster of events for publication. Jennifer thinks that the current PTA officer position of Vice President of Chairmen overlaps most of those duties. Jennifer suggests that Alyson Bonavoglia and Sarah Achenbach speak to the School Based Management Team, if it can be coordinated and approved by Mrs. Deise about ideas on how this would work. School Based Management has to approve anything that affects the school day, curriculum, space, and staff.

Fundraisers: Jennifer said that the PTA must decide on fundraisers for next year. She emphasized that the PTA is not primarily a fundraising organization, but are advocates for our children¿s education. She suggested we strive for the least number of fundraisers that are the most successful. We should look at Lea Ann's figures regarding which are the most profitable with the least operating expenses. Lindsay Conboy suggested a Healthy RFES Cookbook as an idea. The Sally Foster contract isn't signed yet, but Aimee is in contact with their representative.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 pm.

Announcements: Sun. April 27th Tech Trek 1:00 pm.

Mon. May 5th Teacher Appreciation Week begins

Tues. May 13th PTA General Membership Meeting 7:00 pm.

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