Patapsco Middle School Minutes
1/16/2019 PTA Meeting
Patapsco Middle School PTA, Inc.
General Membership Meeting
January 16, 2019 7-8 pm
President - Cherrie Webb
First Vice President - Amanda Buckler
Second Vice President - Keefe Hogan
Treasurer - Anjali Kumar
Recording Secretary - Jessica Smith
Call to order: Motion by Deanna Collin, 2nd Keefe Hogan
Attendees: Keefe Hogan, Deanna Collins, Kellie Mason, Jon Booth, Marta Lagoueyte, Robin Cohoon, Jason Bashura, Jessica Smith, Cherrie Webb, Amanda Buckler, Anjali Kumar
** Pat Saunderson- HCPSS, Community Superintendent
President Update:
● Need for nomination committee: Presidency open. VP #1 Open.
● May 15th- elections of officers
● Hospitality, 8th grade committee, PTACHC will be open that we know so far/ The board will consider eliminating chair of Best Buddies, as has been vacant. New Howard County Drug Advisory Rep needed as well.
● PTA will advertise to the community with /flyer/newsletter/Facebook.
Treasurer Report- Anjali Kumar Treasurer
● We still have a shortfall in membership but cultural arts made up for it, we saved 800.00 from last assembly event.
● School spirit- ahead on spending. 8th grade will have 1300.00 + shirt profit to spend up to 2100.00 on end of year activities.
● National PTA possibly adding 1.50 more in dues next year depending on if it is approved.
● Grants are all paid up except the staff spirit, which will be paid end of year.
Committee News-
School Spirit/ Family Fun Knights- Michaela Muffoletto
● Jan 25th 7-9pm Winter Fun Knight-Teacher band will be playing. DJ Ray is coming at no expense. Spring date is in the works with a possible off-site event. Please contact Michaela with any ideas or suggestions.
Hospitality- Robin Cohoon
● Jan/Feb- mailbox treats
● March- Career Day support for teachers
● Teacher appreciation week- early May
● Looking for a new chair for HOSPITALITY!
8th grade committee- Kellie Mason/ Deanna Collins
● A survey will be implemented to collect input on having either a Dance in the gym OR a fair type event with games and activities outside.
● May be able to do both ideas. Donations for food and help would be asked for.
● 7th grade parents- We will need a chair for next year!!
●
Community Outreach- Keefe Hogan
● Looking into possibly hosting a family style dinner at PMS, a catered community event. Hollifield Station enjoyed a successful dinner just recently and it would be great to host this at PMS.
● Tickets would be around $12.00. This would be a nice event to bring the community together.
SECAC(Special Educ. Citizens Advisory Council)- Annie Kalis could not be here tonight. Please feel free to contact her with any needs or questions.
Spirit wear- Sabrina Knickelbein and Kellie Mason
● All spirit wear went home last week. Hats were a hit! There is a little extra so we may use extras as bingo prizes for the upcoming fun knight.
Sir Prize Store- Melissa Oak- opened 9/25. Has $144/ month to stock store. Going great!! Thank you
volunteers!
Cultural Arts- Yogini Dahiwadkar
● Thank you for your support!
● Very successful assembly with Tatyana McFadden. This was a huge hit, the students were engaged and well behaved.
● Leftover books may be incorporated into 7th grade Language Arts as it coincides with the curriculum or possibly 6th grade. Have enough for 3 classes to use.
Website/ Social Media- Jon Booth and Lori Robinson
● 2019-2020 chair Akemi Parker
● Transitioning is going well for next year.
Community questions/ concerns:
● PMS Electronics concerns- the administration will be posting the PMS electronics policy on the webpage soon. At the next town hall meeting, staff and admin will reassess rules and re-focus. A few concerns were mentioned, such as, why are electronics allowed at lunch and who is checking for any inappropriate material being shared? Also, why do students get to use electronics during “free time” or during Faire Day?
o Mr. Babe comments: HCPSS policy has not changed in last 6 years, it's something to work on the evolving global issues regarding electronics. Lunch policy- cell phones are allowed. He has watched the student’s interactions and hasn’t heard any negativity or anyone using their phones inappropriately. Speaking with staff about not letting students use “free time” on their phones and finding other activities.
o Mr. Saunderson comments- One of the biggest challenges come at the high school level, with parents communicating with their kids during school. This is a very challenging topic and the county is on top of it. Naturally, there are pros and cons for using phones at lunchtime, less behavioral issues, but also less social interaction.
o Discussion on Faire Days- free time on phones is a concern. Mr. Babe has observed these days, pros and cons. Faire days will be cut down to only 2 days a year instead of 3. They will involve more small group activities, as well as, more supervision. Will be used to build up our student community.
● A concern was raised about middle school students only being able to choose between chorus, band or the reading module and why is this the only option. Often, students choose chorus because they do not want to be put in the reading module but are not interested in chorus at all.
o Mr.Saunderson comments- HCPSS is actively addressing this issue, as many schools complain about the same. Pilot programs at 5 schools have added to the list of choices, including a full year of ART, a music tech class, world language, and a pre-engineering class- Project Lead the Way.
o World Languages- would allow the opportunity to finish language requirements sooner. More options are coming; however, these options are costly. Possible dance and theatre classes may be offered in the future. There are lots of pieces to put together but the board is working towards these goals.
o Reading module would still be available for kids that need it.
Admin update- Mr. Babe
● Ravens pep rally was amazing! Kids did great, respectful, super well behaved.
● Town Hall meeting will consist of- setting goals/academics/gearing 8th graders up for High school.
● Honor Roll celebration- students loved the ice cream! Will continue.
● New initiative called Rising Star- Outstanding Students recognized, even those that have struggled with grades but are working hard to achieve or have achieved positive outcomes- nominations would be from teachers- later this Spring.
● Pep Rally after PARCC tests- outside, calling it ONE PATAPSCO DAY- bands/choir perform- maybe get marching band from MHHS as well.
● MHHS- Delta Scholars- possibly starting a program at PMS as well. Mentors for engineering. A group from MHHS won for their 3D printer! High school students would lead this program.
Adjorn- Motion by Deanna Collins, 2nd Jason Bashura
Next Meeting: 7-8pm Media Center
March 20
*May 15
Elections of Officers and Chair positions designated
General Membership Meeting
January 16, 2019 7-8 pm
President - Cherrie Webb
First Vice President - Amanda Buckler
Second Vice President - Keefe Hogan
Treasurer - Anjali Kumar
Recording Secretary - Jessica Smith
Call to order: Motion by Deanna Collin, 2nd Keefe Hogan
Attendees: Keefe Hogan, Deanna Collins, Kellie Mason, Jon Booth, Marta Lagoueyte, Robin Cohoon, Jason Bashura, Jessica Smith, Cherrie Webb, Amanda Buckler, Anjali Kumar
** Pat Saunderson- HCPSS, Community Superintendent
President Update:
● Need for nomination committee: Presidency open. VP #1 Open.
● May 15th- elections of officers
● Hospitality, 8th grade committee, PTACHC will be open that we know so far/ The board will consider eliminating chair of Best Buddies, as has been vacant. New Howard County Drug Advisory Rep needed as well.
● PTA will advertise to the community with /flyer/newsletter/Facebook.
Treasurer Report- Anjali Kumar Treasurer
● We still have a shortfall in membership but cultural arts made up for it, we saved 800.00 from last assembly event.
● School spirit- ahead on spending. 8th grade will have 1300.00 + shirt profit to spend up to 2100.00 on end of year activities.
● National PTA possibly adding 1.50 more in dues next year depending on if it is approved.
● Grants are all paid up except the staff spirit, which will be paid end of year.
Committee News-
School Spirit/ Family Fun Knights- Michaela Muffoletto
● Jan 25th 7-9pm Winter Fun Knight-Teacher band will be playing. DJ Ray is coming at no expense. Spring date is in the works with a possible off-site event. Please contact Michaela with any ideas or suggestions.
Hospitality- Robin Cohoon
● Jan/Feb- mailbox treats
● March- Career Day support for teachers
● Teacher appreciation week- early May
● Looking for a new chair for HOSPITALITY!
8th grade committee- Kellie Mason/ Deanna Collins
● A survey will be implemented to collect input on having either a Dance in the gym OR a fair type event with games and activities outside.
● May be able to do both ideas. Donations for food and help would be asked for.
● 7th grade parents- We will need a chair for next year!!
●
Community Outreach- Keefe Hogan
● Looking into possibly hosting a family style dinner at PMS, a catered community event. Hollifield Station enjoyed a successful dinner just recently and it would be great to host this at PMS.
● Tickets would be around $12.00. This would be a nice event to bring the community together.
SECAC(Special Educ. Citizens Advisory Council)- Annie Kalis could not be here tonight. Please feel free to contact her with any needs or questions.
Spirit wear- Sabrina Knickelbein and Kellie Mason
● All spirit wear went home last week. Hats were a hit! There is a little extra so we may use extras as bingo prizes for the upcoming fun knight.
Sir Prize Store- Melissa Oak- opened 9/25. Has $144/ month to stock store. Going great!! Thank you
volunteers!
Cultural Arts- Yogini Dahiwadkar
● Thank you for your support!
● Very successful assembly with Tatyana McFadden. This was a huge hit, the students were engaged and well behaved.
● Leftover books may be incorporated into 7th grade Language Arts as it coincides with the curriculum or possibly 6th grade. Have enough for 3 classes to use.
Website/ Social Media- Jon Booth and Lori Robinson
● 2019-2020 chair Akemi Parker
● Transitioning is going well for next year.
Community questions/ concerns:
● PMS Electronics concerns- the administration will be posting the PMS electronics policy on the webpage soon. At the next town hall meeting, staff and admin will reassess rules and re-focus. A few concerns were mentioned, such as, why are electronics allowed at lunch and who is checking for any inappropriate material being shared? Also, why do students get to use electronics during “free time” or during Faire Day?
o Mr. Babe comments: HCPSS policy has not changed in last 6 years, it's something to work on the evolving global issues regarding electronics. Lunch policy- cell phones are allowed. He has watched the student’s interactions and hasn’t heard any negativity or anyone using their phones inappropriately. Speaking with staff about not letting students use “free time” on their phones and finding other activities.
o Mr. Saunderson comments- One of the biggest challenges come at the high school level, with parents communicating with their kids during school. This is a very challenging topic and the county is on top of it. Naturally, there are pros and cons for using phones at lunchtime, less behavioral issues, but also less social interaction.
o Discussion on Faire Days- free time on phones is a concern. Mr. Babe has observed these days, pros and cons. Faire days will be cut down to only 2 days a year instead of 3. They will involve more small group activities, as well as, more supervision. Will be used to build up our student community.
● A concern was raised about middle school students only being able to choose between chorus, band or the reading module and why is this the only option. Often, students choose chorus because they do not want to be put in the reading module but are not interested in chorus at all.
o Mr.Saunderson comments- HCPSS is actively addressing this issue, as many schools complain about the same. Pilot programs at 5 schools have added to the list of choices, including a full year of ART, a music tech class, world language, and a pre-engineering class- Project Lead the Way.
o World Languages- would allow the opportunity to finish language requirements sooner. More options are coming; however, these options are costly. Possible dance and theatre classes may be offered in the future. There are lots of pieces to put together but the board is working towards these goals.
o Reading module would still be available for kids that need it.
Admin update- Mr. Babe
● Ravens pep rally was amazing! Kids did great, respectful, super well behaved.
● Town Hall meeting will consist of- setting goals/academics/gearing 8th graders up for High school.
● Honor Roll celebration- students loved the ice cream! Will continue.
● New initiative called Rising Star- Outstanding Students recognized, even those that have struggled with grades but are working hard to achieve or have achieved positive outcomes- nominations would be from teachers- later this Spring.
● Pep Rally after PARCC tests- outside, calling it ONE PATAPSCO DAY- bands/choir perform- maybe get marching band from MHHS as well.
● MHHS- Delta Scholars- possibly starting a program at PMS as well. Mentors for engineering. A group from MHHS won for their 3D printer! High school students would lead this program.
Adjorn- Motion by Deanna Collins, 2nd Jason Bashura
Next Meeting: 7-8pm Media Center
March 20
*May 15
Elections of Officers and Chair positions designated
