PTSA General Meeting Minutes, Monday, Sept 9, 2013

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DeKalb School of the Arts
PTSA General Meeting Minutes
Monday, Sept 9, 2013

Call to Order: 7:01 pm
Welcome/Introduction: Carla Jackson, PTSA Vice-President

  • Inspiration to volunteers

Student performance: Star spangled banner – Heighleit

  • Pledge of allegiance

Review of Minutes: Monina Klevens, Secretary

  • Previous minutes approved unanimously.

Presidents Report:

  • Responded to questions:
    • What is the PTSA website? www.ptsa4dsa.org
    • Curriculum night will be Oct 7th.
    • Positive feedback about how PTSA is handling communication about the DSA Foundation.
    • PTSA is undecided about a Facebook presence.
    • AP testing fees for students unable to pay should be funded by PTSA, even if a special fundraiser is necessary.
    • Volunteer parents have not been contacted by committee chairs – some committees lack chairs: Concessions (2), Back Stage Event Supervision (2), Box Office (1), Scenery Saturday (1), DSA Campus Beautification (1). Announcements for volunteers will still be sent out through email, and volunteer coordinators (Terri Reid and Latarsha Gray) are a resource for parents wanting to contribute.
    • Reflections chair will be Mr. Steve Vellines. This is a national, state, and regional art contest sponsored by the PTA. This year’s theme is ‘believe, dream, inspire’. Winners received a cash award last year from the DSA-PTSA and at this meeting, winners at the state level received certificates of recognition.
    • Spirit wear has not been ordered this year.
  • Sign-up sheets for meeting attendance and membership cards were available outside the auditorium.
  • Premiere weekend will be Sept 20-22
  • Scenery Saturday usually takes place the Sat after the PTSA meetings; this month it will be on Sept 14.
    • Mr. Nealer described these efforts as all activities required to prepare the theater for a production. Schedule is from 10-4 or 5, clean up starts at 3:30pm. Parents should enter through the shop doors in the back of the auditorium. There will be a sign in sheet for volunteer credit. Students are welcome.

Old Business:

  • None

New Business:

  • None

Treasurer’s budget review and report: Harold Archie, treasurer

  • There were a few changes to the structure of the budget; mostly merging items into categories that were more broad (e.g., moving teacher support items together).
  • The balance of the bank account will be constantly updated and appear at the bottom of each budget.
  • Membership exceeded expectations (at the time of the meeting there were 452 members).
  • Enrichment fund received many contributions.
  • Electronic payments likely improved participation and contributions.
  • The budget and the report were unanimously approved.

Principal’s Report:

  • Recognition of staff
  • The ‘giveattarget.com’ program is ongoing. Please go to the website, select DSA and ‘like’ once a week. DSA will receive gift cards. Last year these were helpful in acknowledging support staff. Publix has a partner card program – no new cards are available, but parents can continue to use the ones they already have.
  • There is an open seat on the school council. Each appointment is for 2 years, the commitment is to participate in 4 meetings/year. Any interested parents should come on Monday, Sept 16th at 5:30pm.
  • Mr. Winchester made the following announcements:
    • Teacher parent conference night is the 26th. These work by signing up for a 10 minute meeting using the sheet posted outside each teacher’s room. Schedule is 4-6.
    • The juniors will take a national writing skills test this month; PSAT will be on Oct 16th. 8th and 9th graders wishing to take the test should speak to the Counselor and pay $15.
    • Seniors will have Oct 16th for college visits.
    • SAT scores increased by 22 points.
    • Timeliness is important to everyone; warnings will be sent home with students who are chronically late.
    • The parent portal ‘eSIS’ is an important way for parents and students to be aware of grades before progress reports are published. New families should create accounts. Contact Mr. Winchester if any difficulties arise.
    • Ms. Hill, the media specialist, is having a library card drive on Sept 10.
  • Oct 7th will be curriculum night.
  • Officer Brown was reassigned and our new security professional is Ms. Sherry Gilbert.
  • Premiere weekend will be the weekend of Sept 20-22; there will be 4 shows. The telephone number for the box office to reserve tickets is 678.676.2552.
  • Look for more communications via ‘dsathisweek’. Subscribe if you haven’t already.

Other:

  • The student performance served to preview Premiere Weekend. Mr. Williams shared the availability of student performances for special events and for a voluntary donation. To book a performance, contact Mr. Nealer.
  • There will be volunteer opportunities for parents in the box office, concessions, backstage security, spirit wear.

Student Performance: Dance and vocals of ‘Footloose’ coordinated by Mr. Williams.

Next General Meeting Oct 7, 2013 – 7:00 pm
Meeting adjourned 8:00 pm
Minutes taken by: Monina Klevens, PTSA Secretary