SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL PTSA
ASSOCIATION MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2004
SAMOHI CAFETERIA
Dana Danesi, English teacher from I House and Leadership Advisor, spoke on ASB.
Barry Snell spoke about AAPSSSG. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Their first meeting is on 9/21, and everyone is invited.
There was no SOL/ELAC report.
Karen thanked Bill Wishart and Running With Speakers for being the sound crew tonight.
Cheri announced that minutes of the last PTSA meeting, held on June 8, 2004, have been approved by committee. Copies are available on the Web.
Chris Thornton provided the Treasurer's Report. Debbie Mulvaney moved that it be approved and Louise Jaffe seconded the motion. It will be filed for audit.
Chris Thornton presented the 2004/2005 Association Budget. This year's budget is aggressive; note that Direct Donation is our only fundraiser. Please participate. Louise Jaffe moved that the budget be approved, and Nancy Holland seconded the motion. The budget was approved.
Lynn Naliboff and Chris Thornton reported that the College Fair will be held on Tuesday, October 5, from 6:30-9:00 pm and be co-sponsored by the PTSA and the Future Center. Over 150 colleges and universities from across the country will be represented in the south gym. Please sign up to volunteer. This is Lynn and Chris' fourth and last year to co-chair the College Fair.
Cheri Orgel thanked all who brought snacks. Please sign up to bring snacks to future meetings; Janine Brownstone has a clipboard for that purpose.
Joyce Smith discussed the College Hosts program. Please sign up to be present during the presentations by particular college representatives when they visit Samo.
Cheri Orgel introduced Candidate Forums. The PTA is non-partisan and does not endorse candidates. However, the PTA does care about issues and ensuring that voters are educated. The League of Women Voters and the PTA are coordinating several upcoming Candidate Forums. The Community for Excellent Public Schools is hosting a forum on September 20.
Nancy Schmidt, Legislative Chair, announced that the Civil Rights Club is registering students who will be 18 years old by the election. Registration will take place on campus outside Barnum Hall. Please also make sure that your college students are registered.
The PTA has taken positions on the following propositions:
Prop 61: Children's Hospital - Support
Prop 63: Mental Health Services - Support
Prop 68: Gaming Revenue Act - Oppose
Heather Callahan, Delians advisor, spoke. Registration for the honor society has started, and flyers are available. Registration in room B100 will take place on:
9/29 - 10/1 for Seniors
9/23 - 9/27 for Juniors
9/20 - 9/22 for Sophomores and Freshmen
Carol Jago, head of the English department, discussed Summer book selections with a panel of five English teachers. A program in Chicago inspired the City of Santa Monica which in turn has inspired Samohi to adopt a school-wide reads program. This year every 9th -12th grader read Yellow Raft, Blue Water. 27 people in the English department agreed on this book, and they're taking suggestions for next year's book.
Dr. Straus presented the Principal's Report.
__A hold has been placed on all permits. 11 teachers were lost since last year due to budget cuts, and as a result there are 55 fewer classes. Classes are very large, up to 44 students. A few classes may still be added and a few may be dropped.
__This year has brought changes in 10th grade PE and in Freshman Seminar. There is a new repeat and a new tardy policy.
__Thank you to Maryanne Solomon for maintaining and updating the Samohi website.
__The cell phone policy is being examined. The current policy is that cell phones must be turned off all day; there is discussion about allowing them to be turned on at lunchtime.
__The governance committee has approved outside security cameras in concept, for the purpose of reducing graffiti and vandalism. The school board will still need to approve this and funding will need to be secured.
__Dr. Carl Hammer, Assistant Band Leader, is out on paid leave while an investigation is underway. Temporary substitutes are in place for now.
__Friday is the last day for balancing classes
__There are still several staff openings, including Special Ed aides, a Special Ed teacher, and a clerical opening for a house secretary.
__Dr. Kelly, Assistant Principal here at Samo last year, is now Principal at Malibu High.
__Pinnacle codes for the on-line grading system are the same as last year's for continuing students.
__Last year's testing results has been very positive. The API has gained 25 points, and 89 - 91% of all 10th graders passed the high school exit exam on their first round.
Dr. Strauss introduced Janine Avner, who spoke on the upcoming governance election. New house reps are needed. Joyce Smith was elected to continue on this year as the alternate rep.
Dr. Strauss introduced Catherine Baxter and the leadership teams for each of the six houses.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm for breakout sessions by house.
Respectfully submitted by,
Leslie Frischer
Co-Recording Secretary