Minutes- B-CC PTSA General Meeting 11/19/02
Present
Alan Joice Dan Vincent Jean Catherwood
Andrew Ireland Lucy Swartz Janet Clifton
G. Moses Randy Stewart Bonnie Luken
Veneeta Acson Susan Eriksen Jil Sneider
Barbara Levine Katy Harvey Nancy Wolfe
Pat Esslinger Marcie Meditch Nancy Leopold?
Ellen Gerecht Karen Nichol Bob Loesche
Linna Barnes Robin Lawson
Cindy Gray David Hoagland
Budget Report
Bob Loesche reported that the PTSA has collected about $75,000 this year and spent $80,000 on Giant cards, which will be recuperated. We collected $303 for a fund for a student whose father recently died. We also raised $890 for the first teacher appreciation, the remainder of which will be used throughout the year. A fundraising letter will be going out to parents shortly.The group voted to approve the financial report.
Minutes
The minutes from the October meeting were approved as corrected, with changes showing that Jil Sneider and Lucy Swartz were both present.
Principal Katy Harvey discussed the continuing problems of absences and lateness to school by many students. Many are coming in late very casually to first period. There is also a problem of students returning late from lunch. She urged parents to stress to their children the importance of being there, and on time. Even Seniors need to be discouraged from slacking off when tempted by "senioritis". This problem is mainly among juniors and seniors, but exists in the other classes as well. Being late to 5th period class ( the one right after lunch) is another problem. This past fall, the number of Loss of Credit warnings that went out was "huge", she reported. Loss of credit is equal to failing the class, although the student is still required to attend. This is the Marylyand State policy that we follow.
Parents need to know that five unexcused absences in a class results in loss of credit; three unexcused "tardies" equal one unexcused absence; and these penalties carry over from one quarter into the next. So, a student who already had 3 unexcused absences and 3 tardies at the
beginning of this quarter has a total of 4 unexcused absences and will receive a loss of credit if they obtain one more during this quarter. There is also a problem of students with large numbers of "excused" absences (i.e. written by parents). The student handbook outlines what
are acceptable absences according to MCPS policy. Mrs. Harvey emphasized the detrimental effect to students' overall education and test scores that result from missing large amounts of class time. Some students have as many as 15 or more absences. The attendance office will be calling parents when students do not come to school.
As a result of these problems, Mrs. Harvey explained that attendance regulations are being strictly enforced .When a student is late in the morning, or from lunch, he or she must
sign in first in the attendance office. The result so far has been a decline in tardiness.
B-CC has recently practiced a "Code Red " drill, Mrs.Harvey announced. This is the highest alert in cases of a possible intruder in the school (possibly with a weapon). Mrs. Harvey has stressed to the students that if she announces "Code Red" they are to respond immediately, go to classrooms and follow instructions, including moving away from open windows. Classroom doors are all locked. School staff check every door for security.
The “Cyber Café” is coming along well. This concept is to help equalize opportunities for all students to have access to computers in a pleasant atmosphere. The café will be open at lunch and after school, hopefully beginning in Janury. Nancy Evans is helping to get it together.
David Hoagland, Vice President, and Andy Ireland, Treasurer, reported on SGA future activities. There will be a Super Friday on April 11, the day before Spring Break. They are working on what activities to offer. The SGA representatives said they are looking into certain policies, such as those where students can be punished for behavior outside of school, and whether they violate student rights.
The Music Boosters are currently selling citrus fruit. If interested, call Mari-Jo Soloman 301-585-3780. (or download order form from the PTSA website.)
A toy and food drive for needy families in the community is being held. Please bring donations to hallway outside of main office. Contact: Desiree Magney (301) 986-0133. ( Or see some of her emails for the past 2 weeks on the enet). Twenty-five holiday baskets are also being filled for distribution. The hope is that these activities will become tradions.
Dec. 4, from 7:00pm – is the 9th, 10th, 11th grade Parent Peer Meeting. The focus is information on preparation for SAT, PSAT, SAT11, or ACT tests. It will be held from 7-9pm in the cafeteria. The format is that of a mini-fair with various prep companies, and B-CC and MCPS courses included. A parent panel will also discuss their various experiences with these programs.
Dec. 7 – From 10am-2pm – A poinsettia sale will be held at school to benefit the Sports Boosters.
Dec. 11- Herme Davis, financial advisor, will speak about college
Financing and the FAFSA forms at 7:30pm in the auditorium.
Janet Clifton reported that the 11th grade’s plans as follows:
Jan.- a social gathering
March – College visits
May – College application process.
Barbara Levine announced that on Sunday Feb. 2 there will be a used book sale and café as a fundraiser.
Pat Esslinger demonstrated to the meeting the newly designed B-CC website, including the PTSA site and the Counseling Dept. site. The Counseling Dept. (formerly "Guidance") was designed by parent Karen Nichols and the PTSA site by Sam Hoaxie. The B-CC Counseling Department website is: http://mcps.k12.md.us./schools/bcchs/guidance. Or it may be accessed from the main B-CC site.( http:// mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs) There are links to the Career Center, various aspects of the college applications process, forms, financing information and much more. Students and parents can also find who their guidance counselors are and how to contact them.
The PTSA website was also revised with much more information included. You go to the main website and click on the PTSA link there. All the PTSA activities, booster clubs, old PTSA minutes, Banter articles and much more are there.
Report on the Media Center.
Brian Filano made a very impressive and informative presentation on the resources available to students at the Media Center. He handed out lists of the online resources on topics throughout the curriculum and links that go directly to sites that correspond to specific units. He also distributed information about how students and parents can access these from home. Some important sites to know are:
Media Center Resources: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/departments/media/interres.htm
B-CC website: http://mcps.k12.md.us./schools/bcchs.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy Wolfe