Meeting Minutes
Friends of CAHS PTA October 6, 2009
President, Stephanie Ludwig, called the meeting to order at the Columbus Alternative High School at 7 pm. In attendance were 24 people present (constituting a quorum). Those present introduced themselves.
Principal’s Report:
Dr. Dixon reported that CAHS was awarded a triple crown award again from the Ohio School Board Association’s Central Region for making the best schools in America list with both Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report magazines. CAHS is the only Columbus City School to make the list this year. Open House next year will be held the first week of school; Ms. Bell organized Club Day this year and with representation on Facebook, signups, members, agenda, and advisor. Dr. Dixon is the advisor for the75 member Recycle Club; Student Senate is active with student engagement; Internships begin on October 7; There is a 75% to 80% placement; 80% - 90% of juniors and seniors placed; sophomores 70% placed. Students will take the PSAT and then attend school the rest of the day. The CAHS teaching staff overwhelmingly voted yes to offer the Middle school IB program. They will not go to the school board for approval. The staff is trying to decide between with 6th or 7th grade next year or begin with 8th grade next year. Beginning on October 7th and on Wednesdays, special education students will take elective courses.
President’s Report:
Several people signed up for memberships at the Open House. Stephanie read two letters one sent anonymously and the other from the CAHS Class of ’99 committee members. The anonymous letter included a check for [REDACTED] and latter will submit a check for [REDACTED]. Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 10th, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm and November 11th, 3:30 to 7:00pm.
Secretary’s Report:
Tracy Taylor presented the meeting minutes from the FOCAHS Board meeting August 11 and the September 1 FOCAHS meeting. A motion was offered to accept the minutes with corrections. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report Report:
Toni Dodge reported as of September 30, the checking account balance is [REDACTED] and the savings account is [REDACTED]; a [REDACTED] from the checking was added to the savings account.
Activity Coordinator Report:
Carolyn Rhodes reported that [REDACTED] was raised at the first bake sale for the year. More brownies are needed for the next bake sale. A motion was submitted to schedule the next sale for Thursday, October 15 outside the gym. The motion passed.
Audit Committee Report:
Trish Geoghagan reported all accounts balanced, including an outstanding check. A bank resolution was submitted to the membership to vote on giving FOCAHS the authority to accept money, checks, and authorize the treasurer to go online and transfer funds. The motion passed. The budget report will be submitted in November.
Chorale Committee Report:
Mary Ellen Sinclair reported she would be reporting to FACAHS when necessary.
Columbus Council Representative Report:
No Report
Fundraising Committee Report:
Trish Geoghagan reported three teachers submitted request. Dr. Dixon will review to determine if the school could purchase the items instead. Trish will draft a No-Phone-A-Thon letter. The letters will be sent with report cards in November.
Grant Writing Committee Report:
The committee attended a grant writing forum. The forum provided some ideas to raise funds. Committee chair Toni Dodge presented a motion to attend a grant writing workshop. The motion passed. The committee chair and several committee members will meet with the Columbus Foundation to discuss ways to discuss ways to enhance opportunities to raise funds.
Hospitality Committee Report:
Michelle Sherman reported October 23 is Teacher Appreciation Day and breakfast items are need at 7 am. A signup sheet is being passed around.
Membership Committee Report:
Michelle Sherman reported there are 67 members since the Open House and the last meeting. Fees were sent to the National PTA and since the submission was sent before September 30, an Early Bird award was given. There are discounts available for members listed on the back of the membership card. Membership gives the holder voting rights at FOCAHS meetings and entry into the month drawings when present.
Publicity Report:
No report
Meals On Wheels (MOW) Report:
Toni Dodge reported a check was received from MOW for [REDACTED].
Author Series Report:
Joe Mackall author of “Plain Secrets: An Outsider Among the Amish” will be offered in the Spring. Andrew Hudgins will be at CAHS on Tuesday, November 17, at 2:45 pm. He is the author of Saints and Strangers (1985), which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
Alumni Committee Report:
Committee chair Lemuel Harrison has set the goal for the committee to build alumni awareness.
School Board Report:
Lemuel Harrison attended today’s meeting. The meeting was shorter than usual because first reading for new policies: School Board Governance Policy amendment. There is also a Special Education Policy change. Voting will take place on Oct. 20. The Board has a new auditor Carolyn Smith.
Old Business
Student dance or other activity:
A simple survey was prepared and tallied by the president of the CAHS student Senate. There were 450 responses: 130 for costume, 125 non-costume, 100 Halloween, 80 holiday. The overall result was a Costume party with pizza in the fall in the courtyard. There was a brief discuss that resulted in a motion to contribute [REDACTED] for the a fall dance. The motion passed. There was a amendment: Student senate will provide a detail description, and budget. This amendment did not pass.
Update on T-shirt Sale: Stephanie Ludwig
T-shirts were distributed; there are eight T-shirts remaining in sizes medium or large. Stephanie will bring the remaining to the Parent Teacher Conferences.
Used Sound Equipment purchased for Robotics Team
A motion was introduced for Jeff Sherman will take the equipment to Sound Idea to find the value and then place on EBay . The motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Chess Tournament at CAHS – Mr. Kaufman
Mr. Kaufman introduced himself and explained he started the Chess Club 12 yrs ago. They travel state- and nationwide; In the past they have received a grant. The CAHS Chess Classic will be held at CAHS on November 1 (Sunday). He is here today requesting Friends of CAHS (FOCAHS) to run the concession stand. Motion: Friends of CAHS to run the concession booth for the Chess Tournament, Sunday, November 1. There was some discussion about dividing the profits based on the work committed by FOCAHS. Motion Passed. Another motion was presented : The concession would be held in a classroom and serving pizza as the only hot food. Motion Passed.
Pegasus of the Month Program:
Ms Bell introduced several student recognition programs listed in tonight’s handouts including: annual All-School Awards Night event, annual CAHSmic Scholar Award; quarterly Honor Roll, quarterly CAHSmic Character Award and monthly “Pegasus of the Month”. A motion was induced for the PTA to donate [REDACTED] to setup the student awards as detailed in the letter submitted by Ms Bell. The motion was passed.
The fall play, The Crucible is set for November 5, 6 and 7.
Gift Card Drawing Winner: Dr. Dixon is the winner for October.
