Katie Rosenberg Donna Atkinson Phyllis Kass
Nancy Leopold Toby Singer Ellen Gerecht
Ruth Polan Linna Barnes N. Weinstein
Barrie Barnett Doborah Dokken Susan Eriksen
Cindy Gray Ben Beach Rubin Lawson
Suzanne Richman Karen Degerberg Susan White-Haag
Terri Lukas Lexy Mueller John Carrigan
Janet Clifton Peggy Robbins Joyce Somsak
Margaret Go Joann Waiter Katie Vita
Katy Harvey Linda Simon Marcy Frosh
Nancy Lieberman Carole Brand Matt Vita
Celia Shapiro Toni Babbitz Paula Ott
Amy Ross Veneeta Acson Pat Young
Stephanie Lynn Gerri Carr Jil Sneider
Peggy Schwartz Lucy Swartz
Joann Stern Nancy Wolfe
AnnouncementsGiant Cards – Pam Feinstein handed out flyers explaining the program to newcomers present at the meeting. She explained that funds raised from Giant, along with PTSA dues, basically support the PTSA. Such items as the newsletters, special scholarships, books, teachers wish lists and much more is paid for from these monies.
Students in need – Two 9th grade girls with a mother who is quite ill and 4 other siblings are in need. They are ESOL students from Eritrea. This is our second student outreach of the year. Any contributions would be most welcome.
After-prom - Peggy Robbins says that this important activity is in need of additional contributions, especially for prizes, which are what helps keep the kids there throughout the night.
Cluster Summer Academy – Nancy Leopold reported that this 2-week program helps support students from throughout the cluster who have been identified as needing extra academic help. Last year all the cluster schools contributed as well as MCPS, but this year there will be no funds from the county. Private contributions are essential.
Fri. 25 May – 6:30 Aud. Talent Show with some 30 acts
May 2 -- B-CC annual plant sale, the biggest ever. This year the Jr. class and Freshman class are joining in with the Sports Boosters to offer plants, flowers and mulch.
Katy Harvey welcomed the parents of current and incoming B-CC students to the evening’s events, which include a presentation by Carol Blum of MCPS about the new High School Assessment Tests and Chris Foland of B-CC’s Guidance Dept. to discuss details on registering for B-CC classes, interpreting the High School transcript, and how a students’ grades and courses affect their college acceptance. She announced that B-CC has received one additional counselor for a total of six. Students keep the same counselor throughout their 4 years at B-CC.
Katy told the group that the incoming 9th grade class stands at 396 students at this time and that 9th grade schedules are currently being closely scrutinized. Chris Foland added that by the end of May, students will receive a list of their course selections and this will be an opportunity to make any changes. Ninth graders are encouraged to take P.E., and to take Health by the 10th grade in order to get those singleton classes over with early. Incoming 9th grade parents were also informed that they will receive the last copy of the B-CC newsletter,
the Banter, which will include a list of summer reading requirements.
Katy informed the group that, with severe budget cuts looming in the horizon, the school will be as “creative” as possible in dealing with class size. English classes have a cap of 28 but some AP classes are among the largest. Math classes run between 18-30 students and Social Studies has 30-32 students. She noted that only 32 desks can fit in a classroom.
May 3 – Prom. Junior parents Janet Clifton and Peggy Robbins head up this gargantuan task. They have sold 400 tickets so far.
June 2 – 7pm – Graduation. 320 students will graduate. The name of the commencement speaker will be revealed soon.
PTSA co-President Jil Sneider introduced Carol Blum, Director of Instruction of MCPS, who discussed the new High School Assessment ( HAS) test. Most of her information can be found on their web site. Ms. Blum noted that results of these tests, unlike their predecessors, will be released. She said that the HAS tests for this year, affecting mostly freshmen and sophomores, include: English 9, biology, algebra 1, NSL (National, State and Local) government, and geometry. The old functional math and English tests will be phased out when these tests go into full effect.
The She discussed all the standardized tests that Montgomery Co. students are required to take, including the High School Assessments, required by the state of Maryland; the Maryland School Assessments, required by the Federal “No Child Left Behind” mandate; County-wide final exams ( for English 9, Algebra I, Biology, Geometry, and NSL Government; and the PSAT’s, taken by 10th graders as practice for the “real” PSAT and later, the SAT (often required for college entrance). Other tests students may take (not required) include : the SAT, SAT II, English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); International Baccalaureate (IB); and Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Ms. Blum handed out folders with detailed information on all these tests.
Questions may be addressed to her at: Carol_Blum@fc.mcps,k12.md.us.
Ms. Foland, who is the Resource person for the Guidance Dept., handed out a sample High School transcript showing a student’s grades for all 4 years, just as it is sent to colleges.
She noted that it helps to see the rationale for students taking the most rigorous courses they can handle. By the end of 9th grade, students should remember, the permanent record of their success in High School is already one third accomplished. The cumulative grade average shown on the transcript is shown as “weighted” (ie – more points added for higher-level courses) and unweighted. Colleges then recalculate the averages into their own system so that they have a more standardized view of grades coming from students in many differing school systems. She noted that colleges do see 12th grade grades – at mid-years and the end of the year; and that they have been know to rescind acceptances of students who have succumbed to”senioritis” after being accepted.
For incoming students, Ms. Foland noted that Middle School grades from High School level courses are calculated in the GPA. After next year, these grades may not be removed from a student’s record, as is currently the case. In case of poor grades a student would be advised to re-take the course during the summer.
Representative of B-CC’s parent “Booster” groups spoke briefly about sports, drama, music. They noted that many details of these activities can be found on B-CC’s website. Http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs, or simply type in “Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.
The budget and the minutes from the March 18th meeting were passed and the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Wolfe