March 16th, 2004
Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, PTSA Meeting, held in the Media Room at Bethesda Chevy Chase.
The BCC PTSA president, Paula Ott, called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.
Those in attendance were: Katy Harvey, Paula Ott, San Dee Ostrach, Sarah Elblihng, Liz McLeod, Nancy Leopold, Ben Beach, Francie Brady, Carol Brand, Kevin Lowrdes, Julian Mansfield (B-CC Foundation), Debby Friedman, Marcy Frosh, Joyce Somsak, Peggy Schwartz, Peggy Robbins, Bob Loesche, Pam Feinstein, Lucy Swartz, Jil Sneider, Ellen Gerecht, Nancy Wolfe, Suzi Walsh, Nancy Zeller, Katie Rosenberg, Linna Barnes, Terri Salus, Donna Atkinson, Janet Clifton and Chantel Greene.
Treasurer’s Report: Bob Loesche distributed a cash in/cash out and a financial report (attached.) He noted that the PTSA received $29,509 including $6,160 in senior activities & after prom pass through money and $30 in BCC cluster pass through money. We incurred $27,364 worth of expenses, including 24,050 in Giant Card expenses and one teacher wish list request for $1,000. Our cash on hand for this month is $35,311.
Bob noted that Chris Hanrahan has requested additional funds for the Banter Budget. Currently the Banter has ~$1,200 in unused (budgeted) funds; however, Chris estimates that the last Banter issue will cost $1,700.
Motion to Approve additional funds of $500 for the B-CC Banter: The motion to approve an additional $500 for the Banter budget was made and seconded, all members in attendance voted in favor, none voted against. The Motion was passed.
Paula Ott noted that if any committees are in need of additional funding, the chairperson should let her know as soon as possible. The PTSA cannot provide funds outside our approved budget, so additional (or non-budgeted) monies must be voted on before Bob can write a check.
Principal’s Report: Katy Harvey reported that MCPS has a Green Schools Program, which BCC participates in. Jennifer Kidder and a group of BCC students have been active in evaluating BCC’s energy consumption and looking for ways for BCC to limit unnecessary energy consumption. According to Jennifer Kidder and her students, BCC is the 3rd top user of energy for the MCPS list of Green School participants. In the short time that Jennifer and her students have been working on this, BCC has had an 11% decrease in energy use.
Sadie Hawkins dance was very successful. Approximately 700 students attended. The theme was the 80s, and the outfits were wonderful. International night was also very successful, and this year it included dancing, a fashion show. Many families attended.
Career Day was the best BCC has ever had. Marcy Frosh was the chairperson for this year’s event. The choices for sessions were driven by student surveys; though this was complicated, it worked out really well. We hosted ~90 speakers and utilized 24 moderators, all organized by Vickie Wood, Janet Clifton and approximately 10 to 12 dedicated volunteers. The PTSA paid $500 to have Cedric Jennings come speak. The whole day worked very nicely, many members of the Chamber of Commerce attended; it was a very professionally executed program.
Juilan Mansfield, of the B-CC Foundation, is working with Chevy Chase Bank to help fund the Summer School program. Chevy Chase Bank has already committed $5000 for this year’s Summer Academy (plus an additional commitment of $5,000 for three additional years of the Summer Academy.)
Registration is continuing as scheduled. Today (3-16) was the last day for AP class registration, and at this point all counselors have met with all BCC students, and registration cards are all in. There is some time to change schedules, but at this point BCC is starting to look to their 2004/2005 SY staffing needs. April 2nd MCPS high schools get their staffing news from the county. BCC’s estimate is that we will go up at least 100 kids next year.
Currently, BCC has 8 students from DC. We review their transcripts before accepting them as out of county students; however, MCPS has a fairly liberal transfer policy. If you can demonstrate a hardship, then you can get into BCC. I personally review all requests, but in the end we have very few out of county students.
We’re still hoping to offer a summer class for entering AP Government students (10th grade.) We hope to help these students with outlining and critical reading skills. We’ll learn more as we move closer to the end of the school year. Ms. Tremente is a good contact for information on this topic.
This summer we’re hoping to double the Summer Academy students to 50 or 55, using 2 math teachers, 2 English teachers and 1 coordinator.
President’s Report: Paula Ott began the business meeting with one piece of quick business, thank you goes to Donna Atkinson, Marcy Frosh and Peggy Schwartz for agreeing to serve as the nominating committee for next year’s PTSA. Paula asked for a motion to elect our nominating committee members.
Motion to Elect Donna Atkinson, Marcy Frosh and Peggy Schwartz to act as the Nominating Committee for the 2004/2005 PTSA: The motion to elect Donna Atkinson, Marcy Frosh and Peggy Schwartz was made and seconded, all members in attendance voted in favor, none voted against. The Motion was passed.
Tonight’s meeting is a fund raising forum so that all BCC support groups can get together and discuss their individual (and collective) fundraising efforts. Right now, BCC has several groups working together to aid BCC in its mission to educate our children. Included in this list are: PTSA, BCC Education Foundation, All Sports Boosters, Music Boosters, Drama Boosters and 9th/10th/11th/ & 12th Grade Classes raising funds.
PTSA: Paula Ott reported that we raise $ through membership, contribution drives, BCC bricks, Giant Coupons, Book sale, school pop, practice SAT & directory sales.
Foundation: Julian Mansfield reported that the Foundation raises funds typically through a twice-yearly direct mailing campaign to parents, alums, and incoming parents. Currently, the Foundation is embarking on a capital campaign focused on business partnerships (such as the Chevy Chase Bank’s commitment to fund the Summer Academy.) This year the Language Lab is a funding priority, and we see the language lab campaign as an extension of the Technology Campaign. The Foundation also provides grants for teachers for professional development. This year the first direct mailing was very successful. Typically, the Foundation expects approximately $30,000 in the first mailing and approximately $20,000 for the second. The first mailing this year brought in $62,000.
Sports Boosters: Nancy Zeller reported that the Sports Boosters has three purposes: promote team spirit, communication and perform fundraising in support of the first two efforts. Typically, the winter sports funds are at the break-even point; whereas, the fall tends to make a bit of money. The Sports Boosters have several fundraising efforts: plant sales, advertising banners at games, membership money, BCC clothing, individual team fundraisers, an anticipated 10K run next year, and a hope that next year we can begin to reach out to alums. The Plat sales occur three times a year: September, December and April 24th. In April we sell plants, and the 10th grade class sells mulch and the 11th grade class sells azaleas. Many of the teams have team-sponsored fundraisers. Any team that does a fundraiser keeps 75% of their funds and donates 25% to the Sports Boosters to help support other BCC teams. Boosters provide a stipend to each team, and now team coaches can request $ for coaching training.
Music Boosters: Carole Brand reported that the Music Boosters raise money in several ways: Cabaret fundraiser, Fruit sales, ads in entertainment books, concession stands at concerts, contributions, and restaurant nights (like the Jazz event at Pannera in Bethesda.)
Drama Boosters: Debbie Friedman reported that the Music Boosters isn’t really a fundraising organization. Peter Pan starts Friday (4-19) and there are five performances scheduled. The Drama Boosters is primarily a support group that helps with sewing, provides food, construction support. However, the boosters do run the concession stand and flower sales at performances. The Boosters used to have memberships, not so much now.
Language Lab: There are several events planned in support of the Language Lab fundraiser: a Foreign Films Festival on April 17th, an Antiques Road Show appraisal, and a Books for Beach Reading book sale on May 15th and 16th. In addition, a letter campaign is planned to go out to local businesses; three grant proposals have been submitted; and the students have been conducting fundraisers of their own (pizza sale, bake sale, ESOL contributed $ from their car wash, and this years senior class gift is a contribution to the language lab.)
Class Fundraising: Each class runs individual fundraisers also including: Battle of the Bands, car washes, flip flop sales, and cheese cake sales.
PTSA Teacher Appreciation Committee: Reported that they need an increase in their budget. Currently they have $880 in remaining funds. They provide snacks, fruits, desserts after faculty meetings at the end of each marking period. They’ve spent $1,600 of their allocated funds but will need an additional $1,000 for the last two meetings.
Motion to add an additional $1,000 to the Teacher Appreciation line item in the Budget: The motion to add an additional $1,000 to the Teacher Appreciation line item in the budget was made and seconded, all members in attendance voted in favor, none voted against. The Motion was passed.
After Prom Report: Peggy Robbins reported that we need some 10th and 11th grade parents to help with the after prom party, to be held at Dave & Busters from 1:30 to 5:30 following the Senior Prom at BCC. After Prom is designed to provide a fun, safe environment for seniors to go after their prom ends. Last year the majority of kids came to the after prom and stayed. We need lots of donations for door prizes, etc, and we need lots of parent involvement. This year we’re having trouble finding donations for the prizes. We will need approximately $1,200 to cover the whole night. On March 24th we’re hosting a California Tortilla fundraiser. You have to go in and say “BCC Rocks” for BCC to get credit for your purchase.
Cluster Report: BCC Cluster Summer Academy is now called Summer Scholars. This is a program for elementary school kids. There is an upcoming MCCPTA Grading and Reporting Meeting.
Membership Report: We collected a couple of checks tonight. We did better than last year.
Giant Card: BCC has 402 registered card users. We expect to make ~ $5,000 this year. We have 213 E-Scrip members; we’re getting ~ $200 a month from that.
Final Note:
Ø Paula Ott noted that next meeting (April 20th) we’ll have a better idea of how much, if any, additional monies the PTSA will have available for distribution.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Chantel Greene, Secretary