South Anchorage High School PTSO

Meeting Minutes 9/4/2007

Attendance

Mikki Hoover, Dawn Brower, Bo Seward, Mike Ronchetti, Samantha McNelley, Leslie McNelley, Chuck Fannin, Brian Hosken, Janie Ellerbe, Renee Wood, Sara Gantt, Dana Stewart, Liese Munter, Jill Liverance, Mary Beth Falcone, Erika Denman

Call to Order

President Bo Seward called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.

Prior Meeting Minutes

May 15, 2007 minutes were approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report

Mike Ronchetti provided a treasurer’s report.  The 2006-2007 Budget revisions are needed based on the budget versus actual.  Additionally the 2007-2008 Proposed Budget required several line item revisions.  Sara Gantt made a motion to accept the 2007-2008 proposed budget.  The motion passed.

Counselor Post Secondary Planning Presentation

Steve Polk provided an excellent overview of South High’s post secondary (life after high school) planning materials.  First Steve clarified that the prime directive of the Counseling department at South is to make sure students graduate from high school.  But the counselors also assist in post-secondary planning process.  (See Attachment “Post Secondary Planning at South Anchorage High School An Overview”).

Counselors begin to meet with each of their students starting as freshman.  They steer students toward appropriate classes based on their interests.  Steve indicated he has a notebook for tracking each student when they visit him (300 students) just to make sure they graduate.  South also provides students the “Options after High School” pamphlet in the Career Resource Center.  It has a lot of information for students evaluating careers/colleges, financial aid, applying for college, and for obtaining letters of recommendation at South.  South also is testing various ways to train students to use the AKCIS for researching occupations/careers that match their skill set.

A senior planning assembly is planned for September 27 during periods 3-4.  Additionally a presentation for parents will be given in the library on Tuesday October 9^th at 6 pm.  Beginning in September the Career Resource Center will be staffed from 6-8pm on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays of every month to answer parent/student questions.  In support of career planning the PTSO is paying for all 10^th graders to take the PLAN test.  An AKCIS training program being developed by counseling will be provided to all 10^th and 11^th graders and a trial program with some of the 9^th graders.

Steve indicated that currently it appears that about 20% of students go on to college.  However there is limited tracking data and a better post secondary tracking system may be something else to consider.  Bo Seward recommended that the PTSO provide funding and a mechanism to bridge the gap between students/parents and opportunities/preparation requirements for programs after high school.  The state sponsored “Advantage” program materials that were provided to students during registration were very informative to parents/students.  It was suggested that we could set aside an evening at school to bring in specialists of various areas that could provide a broad and/or focused view (e.g., a loan or financial aid specialist).

Chuck Fannin indicated that the PTSO could provide a generalized kickoff meeting and then have a series of evenings covering specific areas for students on a variety of different tracks (such as college versus vocational education). 

Several areas that could be covered include: Ivy League schools, Military schools, Two year programs (e.g., advanced technical schools), and Finances.

Chuck Fannin indicated that his primary concerns about providing students planning assistance were:

• Making sure the information is accurate
• Making sure the people providing information have the appropriate credentials

Bo mentioned that there are a series of PTA mentors that would also be available to assist in guiding students.  Chuck indicated that we would need to make sure there is some sort of disclaimer for parents that spoke (e.g., information presented is from personal knowledge/experience, not official representation from a particular school).  Mike Ronchetti indicated that he would like to make sure that any program initiated by the PTSO this year was continued on for the next couple years.  Chuck indicated that after the PTSO firms up an idea of what they want and find the experts to put it together and then you can evaluate.

A committee for post secondary planning was initiated.  They would meet next Monday September 10^th at 6 pm in the SAHS Library.

Student Report

Samantha McNelly provided a student body report. 

• Homecoming.  Each class was currently working on putting together their homecoming floats.  They were also working on plans for the all school breakfast Friday morning.  Saturday morning they will set up for the homecoming dance. 
• The student government has had one lunch activity – the poetry slam.  It turned out very well.
• The PTSO requested that the student government bring forward any proposals that they may have that would need monetary assistance from the PTSO.  Money is available if it is put to good use. 
• The student government is also working on the junior/senior prom this year which will be put on by the Juniors.
• The students have a new sponsor for student government this year, Mrs. McCarrey.

Presidents Report

• Goals for next year

1.   Post Secondary Planning was discussed and will be one of the key PTSO goals for 2007-2008.

2.     Volunteerism was the second PTSO goal discussed for 2007-2008.  Bo indicated that she would like the PTSO to encourage as many students and parents to get involved in volunteering this year.  One mechanism to encourage participation is hosting a volunteer fair at South during one evening in mid to late October.  It is important for students to volunteer to be active members in the community and it will only help them when completing college applications or making resumes.  It was suggested that the PTSO provide Pizza during the volunteer fair. 

Bo will modify last year’s PTSO goals to add post secondary planning and volunteerism to the 2007-2008 goals.

• Store Coupons for Teachers.  About half of the store coupons have been received from teachers.
• General Membership meeting.  Bo also suggested that we have the PTSO General Membership Meetings before the board meetings because only 3-4 additional people come to the General Membership Meetings.  This would mean that the next General Membership meeting will held 10/9/07.  This information will be provided in the next school Newsletter.
• Lowe’s Toolbox Education Deadline.  The deadline approaches (10/12/07).  No projects have been identified to date.

Principals Report

• Traffic.  South has 4-5 people to help traffic during start and end of school.  The mornings seem okay.  But will always be a wait in the afternoons.  We plan on keeping four folks out to help with traffic all winter and use cones.  There was discussion of a possible additional exit to help with the school ingress/egress.
• Enrollment = 1785 students
• Classroom.  Classes have turned out pretty well thanks to Mr. Hosken.  We have 8 or 9 new teachers this year.  We need the same FTE next year and will make due with staff that we have.  The AP classes have made tremendous gains.  Student enrollment in AP Lang/ AP Comp are up while in AP Chem it is down.  Overall the AP classes enrollment looks much better.
• Accreditation.  South did outstanding in Accreditation.  Cross curricular lesson plans have done well.  Social studies is still being looked at for vertical teaming. 
• Seminar Program – is believed to be full.
• Student Planners have been handed out.  All core classes are using them in 9^th and 10^th grade.
• A Goal Planning Committee meeting will be held the first part of October.  The committee consists of the school Department Chairs, Couple of teachers At Large, two board members, two parents, and two students.  This committee will evaluate and vote on areas for improvement and communicate best practices and trace them back to standards.

Mini Grant Requests

• Dave Wilson requests two new permanent garage cans at $348/each for the front and the gym area with logo and “donated by PTSO”.  He also requests 6 to 12 lids for existing garbage cans at $98/each.  Plus shipping and handling.  Liese Munter moved to give Dave up to $2000.  Dana Stewart seconded.  Motion approved.
• Bo requested $100 on behalf of Susan Boisen for four griddles and utensils for the PTSO to use at All-School breakfasts.  Sara Gantt moved to contribute up to $100 for griddles and utensils.  Bo Seward seconded.  Motion approved.
• The Lorax Club requested $1000 for trash bins and pickup to initiate a cardboard/paper recycling program at South.  Sara Gantt motioned to authorize up to $500 for recycling for 1^st semester and that the Lorax Club report back to the PTSO on the recycling efforts in December and to request additional funds at that time.  Liese Munter seconded.  Motion approved.

Committee Reports

• School Store.  There have been good sales so far about $400/day.  Chuck Fanin went out to bid on new vending machines for the school.  Will consider any language in the bid process where it such machines would be competing against the PTSO. 
• Membership.  Nothing to report.  Registration went smoothly.  Having the PTSO at the back worked much better.
• All School Breakfast.  Approximately 35 volunteers.  Will meet at 7:30 pm Thursday to setup and 6:00 am Friday to cook.
• Volunteer Coordinator.  Sixteen parents showed up the first day of school.  It is going well.  Email off and running already.
• Curriculum.  There are concerns about loss of the 6^th grade pre Algebra program from middle schools.  Several parents are trying to put together a program for sixth graders.  The Administration pulled this program from the middle schools and put this at the elementary level.  This may have a large impact on the number of math students prepared to take AP mathematics in future years at South.

Adjourn

Meeting adjourned 9:24 pm.