March 2, 2010-- CAHS PTA Meeting Minutes

Friends of CAHS PTA

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Location: CAHS, Room 128

Introductions: President Stephanie Ludwig started the meeting by introducing herself and each PTA member introduced themselves and the name of their child and grade level.

REPORTS:

Principal’s Report: Talisa Dixon

Sarah Childers presented the findings of her dissertation to the staff last Monday (Feb. 22). Staffing and budget cuts: Due to budget cuts, decision was made to cut two staff positions for the fall: foreign language and physical education. There are 33 juniors needing physical education 2; four need both PE 1 & 2; and seven-need health. Dr. Dixon will work to get the students through Columbus Virtual HS. There will be no PE next year. There may be the option of bringing PE back in the 2011-2012 school year. The Chinese teacher was cut however, they have learned it takes many years to learn the language. The language is something that should start in the 6^th grade. As they think about the MYP IB program, this may be an option in the future. There will be 718 students next year. The current enrollment is 630 students. There are 185 senior, 133 juniors, 200 sophomores, and 200 freshmen. There will are plans for a two week summer camp/workshop. All freshmen will be required to attend. All new 10^th graders (approx. 55) will be required to attend to assist in adjusting to CAHS. Dr. Dixon and staff is looking at how to increase enrollment numbers in the IB program? The IB program is made up of five percent of the student population. The program is very expensive. How do we grow that program? April 1 is the Student Olympics (student driven activities), which is a half-day of activities before Spring Break. The Student Senate is planning and organizing the programs.AP and IB exams are also coming soon. There are five students interning with the Columbus Museum of Art. A podcast will be created for the showcase scheduled for May 2, from 1 to 2 pm at Studio 35 following with a reception at the Museum. They are working in collaboration with a charter school. The podcast will be available on iTunes and they will try to link to the district website.Mr. Dodrill has been working on a number of grants and believes in multi-culture globalization. He was able to secure a grant to bring a Taiwan administrator to the school in April for two weeks (April 15 to April 29). Mr. Dodrill has to set a schedule for the administrator to experience is PTA meetings, sporting events, and other school culture.During the summer, Mr. Dodrill will go to Southeast Taiwan to reciprocate the experience for two weeks. He has been asked to sit on a panel to judge locations to send other Chinese educators.A motion was made to move April’s PTA meeting to April 20. The motion passed.

President’s Report: Stephanie Ludwig

Stephanie asked if anyone is interested in developing ideas to increase IB enrollment and getting a grouP together let Stephanie know. March 26 and 27 is the Robotics competition in Cleveland. March 29 is the IB Art Show, 7 – 8:30 pm in the library.

Secretary’s Report: Tracy Taylor

The minutes for January and February’s meeting minutes were presented. A motion was made to accept the minutes as amendment to Mr. Liebesman and Jacob Manser names. Old business in February, the minutes will reflect that Mr. Kaufman advised Michele Sherman that the Chess Team did not want proceeds from the November event.

Treasurer’s Report: Toni Dodge

February’s report includes balance for Chorale [REDACTED]. The [REDACTED] for scholarships from the anonymous donation, and there are still monies available from the national PTA grant. The front page includes Jan and Feb totals. The last two pages includes actual year to date expenses vs. budgeted amounts for the year. The next quarterly check from Kroger’s ([REDACTED]) is on the way.

Auditor Committee Report: Trish Geoghagan

The accounts balanced. Jeff Sherman submitted the report from first quarter, July 1, 2009 to Sept. 30, 2009. The second quarter report was submitted. A motion was made to accept the audit report for the second quarter. The motion was approved and passed.

Activity Coordinator’s Report: Carolyn Rhodes

The next bake sale is scheduled for March 19. There was no bake sale in Feb.

Chorale Committee Report: Mary Ellen Sinclair

Chorale raised [REDACTED] funds. Chorale will need to rent a backdrop for the spring show. A motion was made to not pay for the backdrop from PTA general fund. There was one opposed vote to the motion. There was an open discussion about alternative ways of paying for the backdrop including collaborating with other schools groups.

Columbus Council Representative Report: Genia Marshall

No report this month.

Fundraising Committee Report: Trish Geoghagan and Ann Laubach

To date Friends of CAHS has received [REDACTED] in donations; [REDACTED] has been designated to Mr. Fleming.

Grant Writing Committee: Toni Dodge

Toni attended a grant writers’ forum, which was a continuation of the last one, discussing what grant awarders are looking for from non-profits including unique ideas and collaboration with others.

Hospitality Committee Report: Michele Sherman

(Teacher breakfast – April 19)

The staff breakfast was held last week (last week in February). The next breakfast is scheduled for Friday, April 16.

Membership Committee Report: Michele Sherman

The membership total for the year is 111.

Publicity Report: Carla Wiltshire

There was a story in the newspaper about Heroes to Heroes, the IB play (You Can’t Take It with You), the Robotics competition, and the variety show on the PTA website. Stephanie also sent some information via email.

Robotics Report:

Ms. Bell took some students to the robotics competition at COSI.

School Board Report: Lemuel Harris

There was a long discussion at the Board meeting around credit recovery. CAHS has discussed the situation and addressed the situation. There is a total of 25 students in credit recovery – juniors, some sophomores, and no seniors. There has been some concern in the past that students were earning a credit recovery diploma. There are now other options in place to help students recover those credits needed. Lemuel was asked to join the Columbus School Board External Affairs committee.

Old Business

Chess Tournament: March 6^th – Michele Sherman

If anyone is interested in working during the tournament let Michele know. If available in the afternoon, stop by.

Heroes For Heroes – Mark Hill

The event was a success; Mark will regroup and try to come up with some other ways to involve more parents and next steps. Suggestion were made to make the event a standalone program: maybe guest speakers, once a month or once a quarter. There were 23 attendees w/ 11 dads and 12 students.

NEW BUSINESS

Nominating Committee:

A nominating committee was formed for next year officers.

Voting will take place in May or June. A motion was made to nominate three people for the committee: Mark Hill, Julia Harrison, and Michele Sherman. The motion passed. If you are interested, you can let one of them know you want to run for a position.

Stratford Trip Scholarships

The trip is scheduled for Oct. 13-15. In the past, PTA sponsored and awarded four scholarships of [REDACTED] each. No money has been specifically set aside for Stratford. There is money available to award. A motion was made to award four full scholarships in the amount of [REDACTED]. The motion was withdrawn. Another motion was made to table the discussion to next month after Dr. Dixon has a discussion with the teacher.

Freshman Welcome Luncheon

The luncheon is scheduled for May 15 at 12 noon, for incoming freshman students. If anyone is interested in helping out see Jeff or Mary Ellen.

Heritage Festival

This agenda item was tabled until next month.

Summer Reading Student Tutoring

This agenda item was tabled until next month.

Gift Card Drawing

March card winner: Judy Cohen