WT Page ES PTA Meeting Minutes

January 5, 2010 at 7:00 PM

Media Center - WT Page

13400 Tamarack Rd.

Silver Spring, MD 20904

 

The Executive Board of WT Page PTA met on January 5, 2010, at the WT Page Elementary School Media Center.  The president called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm.

Attendees: 

 

Rob Paulsen, Emily Tollefson, Deeann Klingner, Yolanda Stanislaus Blucker, Aimee Ly, Adrian Whipple, Deb Berner,Wendellette Groomes,  Jacqueline Sherry, Gretchen Cook-Anderson, Roxane France Woods,Rosita Santos, Marjorie Sans, Amelia McGhee,  Ms. Austin, Debora King, Sheila Holmes

Meeting Minutes

 

Alex Skowronski

 

Tabled until the February meeting

President's Report

 

Rob Paulsen

 

Nothing new to report

Principal's Report

 

Debra Berner

 

We are doing a daily math facts game with students over the morning announcements.  Dr. Hammond has provided many math fact questions that Principle Berner uses.  Students approach her during the day with answers.  A ‘word of the week’ game will start in a similar track.  The words will focus on those found in the standardized testing directions so that students are familiar with them.

The MSA is the week of March 1, 2010 and the Terra Nova is the week of April 26, 2010.

The holiday dance was good although there was a real need for parent volunteers to maintain hall monitoring and make sure students were safe.  This was a topic of general discussion – need to brain storm some new ways to get more volunteers.

There is a renewed effort to get the Ice Page online version as the primary distribution method to reduce paper waste and connect the community.

There will be a choral concert next week (Jan 11-16) but there was a sing along at school on 1/5 in place of the event cancelled by the snow.  Kudos to Ms. Hines for getting the kids hyped to sing and her ‘Hooting’.

Treasurer's Report

 

Veda Russ

 

 

Special Guest

 

Ms. Johnson – Principal BCMS

 

BCMS is generally +10% in math scores over the previous year and +12% in reading scores according to the MSA.  Some groups do better than others.

6th grade is a grand transition year, rigorous both academically and socially for students.  Principle Johnson feels Middle School is a very critical time in education maybe even more than elementary and high school because here the students really learn to succeed.

 

2/3 BCMS counselors coming to WT Page to talk to students.

2/9 Parent night at BCMS – no students – parent orientation.

2/12 Student registration due

 

There was significant question and answer on the ‘on grade’ issue.  Principal Johnson reiterated that every student is worked with and just because a child is not in a GT class does not mean they are learning disabled.  On grade level is fine and there are many, many opportunities to succeed in middle school.

Yearbook

 

Sheila Holmes

 

January 19th is candid  picture and group picture day.  Ms. Santos delivered a cd of images from the holiday dance for use on school site and the yearbook.

NAACP Report

 

Sheila Holmes

  Students in grades 3-6 are invited to join Sunday Scholars beginning Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010 for small study groups to prepare for the MSA tests in the spring. This program will run for 5 Sundays. The cost is $40 for study group materials. Groups meet at Ross Boddy Community Center in Sandy Spring, MD at 2:15- 4:30. Classes are small and fill up fast.  An added feature of Sunday Scholars is our Parent Talks. Parents of students in Sunday Scholars are invited to take part in discussions with experts in a variety of fields related to student achievement, parenting, and more. Contact Sherwood ES parent, Sharon Mosley-Ramsey at alljazz105@aol.com or 301- 351-9165 for more information.

 

 NAACP also discussed potential county budget cuts in education.  Numerous MCPS Budget  board meetings are coming up in January.

Black History Month

 

Sheila Holmes

WT Page celebration will be held on Feb. 2nd at 7 pm.  The speaker is still unknown but Blake High School will be providing some entertainment and Page students have been readying performances too.

 

Spirit Wear

 

Roxane France-Woods

 

Page can get a slight reduction in cost if the spring spirit wear has ‘Field Day 2010’ printed on it.  General membership present agreed that anything that reduces costs is good.


Book Fair  Committee Report

 

DeBora King

 

DeBora King noted that without volunteers we can not really do the book fair.  Scheduled for the first Monday in March depending on volunteers.  Special ConnectEDs will be produced to ask for volunteers and let parents know that the directory and PTA membership cards will be distributed at Black History Night. 

Some discussion that we need to inform volunteers that they can help the school without becoming PTA members if money is an issue.  Ms. Santos suggested we contact parents directly too.

Adjournment

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.