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SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL PTSA
FINAL MINUTES OF ASSOCIATION MEETING May 10, 2005
Samohi Cafeteria

Co-President Cheri Orgel called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM and introduced Monicka Guevara, who will provide simultaneous Spanish translation for tonight's meeting.

Minutes have been approved by committee.

Treasurer's Report: Chris Thornton presented the Treasurer's Report and Kim
Eyler moved that it, including the bills paid, be ratified. Roshan Nozari seconded and the motion passed.

Co-President Cheri Orgel expressed her thanks to those PTSA members whose children are graduating and who will have no more children attending Samohi.

Approval of 2005/2006 Slate Changes: Nancy Holland moved to approve the following slate change:
Co-Recording Secretary: Lori Horn
Co-Corresponding Secretary: Lupe Dixon
The motion was approved.

Installation of 2005/2006 Board: Karen Dickerson called up, introduced, and installed the next school year's PTSA Board:
President: Maria Rodriquez
Executive VP: Cheri Orgel
Co 1st VP: Randi Hutchinson and Reiko Alemania
Co 2nd VP: Janine Brownstone and Shawn Berry
Co 3rd VP: Tammy Montanari and Stacy Scharf
Co 4th VP Barry Snell and Terry Zakzook
Co-Recording Sec: Amy Neiman and Lori Horn
Co-Corresponding Sec: Lauri Crane and Lupe Dixon
Financial Secretary: Barbara Whittenburg
Treasurer: Debbie Mulvaney
Auditor: Roshan Nozari
Historian: Deb Love
Parliamentarian: Kim Eyler

Honorary Service Awards: Janine Brownstone introduced the parent recipients of this year's Honorary Service Awards. Donations in their names are made to the PTA, which is the largest advocacy group for children in the country. They are:
Karen Dickerson
Cheri Orgel
Helene Phipps

Dr. Straus presented the Principal's Report:

Samohi is currently in the middle of administering California Standards testing, AP Exams, and the make-up High School Exit Exam.

  • There are currently 22 teacher openings to fill for the next academic year. Samohi is looking to increase diversity in order to better reflect the makeup of the student body. Openings in chemistry, math, and English are the most difficult to fill.
  • The Prom is coming up this Saturday night. It is being held at Sony Center, and last year had more than 800 in attendance.
  • Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff is opening soon, and playing for five nights.
  • Concerts are coming up for choir, orchestra, band, as well as Jazz Fest.
  • Summer School will not include get-ahead courses. It will include over 1,000 students and take place from July 5th through August 12th.
  • Grad Nite will be held on June 23. It is part of our commitment to make sure that our kids stay safe. It will include a slide montage, food, prizes, and Karaoke. Help is needed for two-hour shifts throughout the night.
  • The WASC accreditation team spent 3 1/2 days at Samohi and made recommendations that Samohi must follow for its six year accreditation. Some of our strengths include our small learning communities and houses, our Pinnacle on-line grading program, the low 275 students:1 advisor ratio, and our on-site counseling program. Areas to develop in the Action Plan are: 1) Enrollment in advanced level courses needs to accurately reflect diversity on campus, 2) Common semester assessments - courses must be similar and rigorous, and must be lined up to state standards, 3) Students should be more involved in the decision making process, 4) Staff needs to develop strategies to use data to influence instruction, and 5) Communication should be increased between all stakeholders (e-mail, phone messages, Viking Voice...).
  • As follow-up from the Incident of April 15, changes in security have been instituted. Student IDs are checked at gates. Teachers are being reminded to lock gates behind them as they leave. Video cameras have been installed (although two have been broken and they will be hung higher) and we are awaiting District Policy and Board approval to start using them. Two additional security guards will be considered by the School Board. Groups of students are working on a peace rally in June which will include cultural presentations and a goodbye to Seniors. In-school suspension being reinstated is being considered. It would include study, campus cleaning, and peer mediation. In addition, student leaders including leaders from the BSU and Mecha are meeting with Dr. Straus. A student group is giving input regarding hiring and will sit on a hiring panel, and other students are working on improving Freshman Seminar for this Spring.

Short-wave radio experience: Cheri Orgel asked if anyone has such knowledge. If so, please e-mail her.

Staff Appreciation Luncheon: Janine Brownstone requested desserts. Sign up on the clipboard and drop the desserts off at her home, or bring them to Samohi at 10:00 am on May 18th.

Progress Reports: Cheri Orgel reported that Progress Reports will be mailed home next week.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm for breakout into small group sessions: "Samohi: Where are we and where are we going?" At the next PTSA meeting on June 14, a report will be presented on what the Action Plan looks like.

Respectfully submitted by,

Leslie Frischer
Co-Recording Secretary