October PTA Meeting Notes

October 13, 2015
 
President’s Report: China Williams

1. Reviewed budget highlights
   1. 4 assemblies
   2. Increased Green School funding
   3. $1000 for Drama club
   4. $1000 for teacher training
2. Voted to add Schwann’s as 5th Grade Committee Fundraiser
3. Upcoming events
   1. SW Boundary Meeting, Catonsville HS (Oct 14)
   2. Grilled Cheese & Co. restaurant night (Oct 15)
   3. PJ Day with alternative sports team shirts (Oct 23)
   4. Comedy Magician assembly (Oct 23)
   5. SW Boundary Meeting, Catonsville HS (Oct 28)
   6. Wizard of Oz movie night (Nov 6)
   7. Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurant night (Nov 13)
4. Fall Fest (Oct 24)
   1. Please sign up volunteer at http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/496199602092
5. Need a volunteer for Catonsville Christmas Tree Ornaments
   1. Plan and organize craft supplies for students to create ornaments
   2. Theme to be determined
   3. Due approximately November 20th

 
Treasurer’s Report: Stacie Lauer

1. $354 Pajama Day
2. $98 Five Below
3. $1400 Corporate Donations
   1. Real estate Platinum Donor $500 
4. $1276 Individual Donations and Go Fund the PTA

 
Secretary’s Report: Justine Stull

1. 132 members
   1. Goal is to reach or exceed last year’s 187 members
   2. Mr. Palmer requested staff member totals
2. Promotion of Escrip.com online shopping portal as an alternative to dwindling grocery store school support programs

 
Vice President’s Report: Jessica Brown

1. Box Tops
   1. Totals so far: $526
   2. Summer raffle won by 3rd grader
   3. Daily entry sweepstakes online
2. 1. New sheet to be sent home soon

 
Principal’s Report: Mr. Palmer

1. Thank yous to PTA and community for support
2. Finishing up MAP assessments
   1. Can only compare results for each individual child; not across children
   2. Will send home reports for parent review
3. PARCC pilot results from last year will be released sometime in next month
4. Behavior Management Plan
   1. School Leadership Team meeting today focusing on student behavior and implementation of plan by faculty and staff
5. Grade level teacher meetings coming up for teacher to review assessments, classroom data, professional development, and behavior management plan
6. Drop Off and Pick Up procedures
   1. Thanks for flexibility and patience
   2. Will be converting bus loop to two lanes and adding a car rider lane into grassy area by flagpole
   3. More info to come when changes are implemented
   4. No changes to walker procedures
7. To revisit traffic issues like turns, curb cuts, and speed bumps after new building opens
8. October 16th: MSDE Convention for teachers/staff
   1. No school for students
9. November 13th: Conference Day
10. November 16th – 20th: American Education Week
11. Construction updates
    1. Changed contractor and compacted schedule with extra crews and extended work hours in effort to meet deadlines

 
Boundary Committee Report: Kecia Johnson

1. Get involved, follow the progress, provide feedback via website form (http://bcps.org/construction/southwest/feedback.asp) and email (bdystudy@bcps.org)
2. SW Area Construction website: BCPS.org/construction/southwest
3. Boundary Committee
   1. Meeting schedule available at
4. 1. Boundary Committee meetings: October 14, October 28, November 11, 6:00 in Catonsville High School cafeteria
   2. PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION November 18, 7:00 at CHS with release of online public survey
      1. Survey ends at midnight, November 29
   3. Boundary Committee meeting: December 9, 6:00 at CHS
   4. Recommendation to the Board of Education Tuesday, February 2, 7:00, Greenwood Building E
   5. Board Hearing February 17, 7:00, location TBD
   6. Board decision March 1, 7:00, Greenwood Building E
5. Concerns
   1. Enrolment numbers do not include PS/Pre-K
   2. Crossing Route 40
   3. Boundary change criteria and how draft maps address or fail to meet them
   4. Equity of involved schools
   5. Goal is to reach 98% capacity for all schools
   6. How middle and high school districts may adjust in future

 
Boundary Research: Sarah Fondelier

1. Survey to be released Wednesday, November 18 thru November 29 at midnight
2. Submit questions and feedback to Westowne’s committee members (WestowneBoundary@gmail.com), BCPS/Cropper (bdystudy@bcps.org), and elected officials (limited role but engaged in process)

 
Boundary Map Software: Matt McKnight

1. Created map software that allows community to develop alternative maps (http://production.bcps-sw.divshot.io/#/)
2. Does not have access to FARM and minority data for planning blocks

 
Boundary Feedback: Delegate Sydnor

1. Please keep him apprised of concerns

 
Boundary Feedback: Principal Palmer

1. Encourages attending meetings and providing feedback
2. Will welcome all incoming students
3. Hopes for balanced student population
4. Provide a data oriented argument with us of feeder patterns, planning blocks, road names, etc.

 
Teacher Liaison: Ms. Robey

1. Westowne will always welcome new students.