PTA General Meeting

March 11, 2008

Respectfully Submitted

Attendance: Sarah Achenbach, Cathy Berger, Alyson Bonavoglia, Francesca Brown, Lindsay Conboy, Susan Deise, Susan Drake, Beth Foster, Aimee Grable, Jennifer Helfrich, Sue Parts, Rebecca Romeo, Michele Rowland, Trisha Schwab.

Jennifer Helfrich called the meeting to order at 7:28 pm. Introductions were made.

President's Report: The minutes from the January meeting were approved and will be available on the PTA website. Jennifer announced that the PTA Council of Baltimore County is holding its General Meeting on Thursday March 13th at 7:30 pm. at Loch Raven High School. The topic is “A Night With Superintendent Hairston”. On the same night The Central Area Advisory Committee is holding a Pre-Budget Meeting at Dumbarton Middle School at 7:00pm. The Board of Education has a meeting tonight, during which a solution to school overcrowding may be discussed.

Vice President of Programs: Aimee Grable is confirming continuation of chairpersons for next year. Those who will not be continuing are encouraged to find their own replacements. Aimee can assist with finding replacements.

Vice President of Volunteer's Report: Lindsay Conboy stated that she would like to add a Kindergarten Art Coordinator, an Office Helper, and an Art Helper for Mr. Lyons. The Board of Directors will decide on committees for next year at the next meeting.

Principal's Report: Mrs. Deise reported that Mr. Baldwin would be leaving RFES for a private industry position. His last day will be April 3rd. He will be missed greatly. A substitute will fill in until the end of the year, and Mr. Baldwin will be participating in Tech Trek in April. Lindsay will look into some farewell gestures. Mrs. Deise will remind teachers to spend their $100 classroom enrichment funds from the PTA before the end of the year.

Committee Reports

Health and Safety: Sarah Achenbach said that the Health Expo is Friday March 14, from 4-6:30. There will be booths in the cafetorium and kindergarten hallway, programs in the library and gym, and fire trucks in front of the school. The 5th grade club is making hygiene kits for a local shelter. Items can be brought in to school this week or dropped off at the Health Expo. Sarah announced that the speaker for next month's PTA program would be Dr. Beth Kotchik presenting a workshop for adults only entitled "Who Said Words Can Never Hurt You?" Krista Collier will need help to carry on with next year's Health and Safety Clubs.

School Supplies: Jennifer reported on behalf of Beth Bugg that the teachers can no longer ask parents to pay for the planners used by the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Beth researched adding the planners to the SchoolKidz school supply list, but did not like the planners they had to offer. Options are 1) The PTA buys the planners and asks parents to sent the money to the PTA for reimbursement. 2) The PTA buys the planners and gives them to students without asking for reimbursement (like the red take home folders). The cost is approximately $1,700.00. To make things equitable in regard to kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students, the PTA could provide 2 marble composition books for each child in these grades. It was decided that the PTA would pay for the planners and marble composition books for students.

Awards: Jennifer said that Ginny Seyler has submitted the name of a RFES faculty member for an Educator of the Year award. (Name withheld here because IT'S A SECRET!).

Yearbook: Jennifer pointed out that the deadline for submissions has passed, and she has heard of no problems thus far.

Capacity Study: Before leaving our PTA meeting in order to attend The Board of Education Hearing, Alyson Bonavoglia said that tonight the Board will be voting on whether or not to approve a 400 seat addition to the Ridge Ruxton School to relieve overcrowding in Towson’s elementary schools. Mrs. Deise said that she would share any information with parents as it becomes available.

New Business

Cathy Berger has found out that the PTA can apply for grants, but some of the information on the grants has to be filled out by an instructor. She will review this with Mrs. Deise and teachers to determine if the burden of follow-up will be too much for the teachers.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Announcements: Fri. March14th Health Expo 4:00 pm.

Tues. April 8th Health & Safety Program 6:30; PTA Mtg. 7:30 pm.

. Mon. April 21st Kindergarten Registration

Tues. April 22nd New Grade 1 Registration