MHS SBMT & Parents Council Notes

December 11, 2006

Welcome & Introductions

Presentations: Class Advisers

Senior Class Adviser – Patrice Clough

• Designing a website for Senior class to inform and communicate all events and activities with families and students
• Goal is to have website up and running by Christmas
• Sr. Class council has 30 active members—groups of 2/3 students are organizing and coordinating events and programs
• First event was the Progressive dinner in November. Three families generously hosted, many volunteers assisted and 100-150 Seniors attended.
• Currently collecting Sr. dues -$100- 4 payments of $25, Oct., Nov., Dec., Jan.
• Must pay dues to get measured for a Cap and gown for graduation
• Cap and Gown measurements in mid January – there are scholarship funds available for students and MHS does order extra caps and gowns for all students
• Yearbook costs $20,000
• Carnival raises $10,000 - $14,000, dates in May
• Talent Show February 15 – auditions in January- held at the PAC this year and raised $2,000 last year
• Senior Week - May 28
• Senior Whitewater Rafting Trip –May 30 & 31-costs approximately $200 per student- collect money in February/March- must be paid for by April.
• !4/15 Chaperones are funded by the Senior class
• Senior Prom last weekend in May- being held at the Hyatt Regency-hoping to have a fixed price for prom ticket
• Graduation Rehearsal and Senior Banquet also held before graduation

Junior Advisor – Deb OπReilly and Sophomore Advisor – Jim Farrell

Not in attendance – Mr. Z reported:

• Junior class planning for Auction and Yard Sale in the spring—April
• Sophomore class raised $3000 with the magazine drive
• Planning Spring car wash and Dinner Cruise on the Charles River

Freshman Class Adviser – Mike Lavender

• Held a successful Parent Breakfast hosted by the MHS Guidance dept. in Sept.
• Open House bake sale raised $600
• Christmas Walk Parade – 10-15 freshman participated
• Freshman officers meet once a week
• Planning for:
• February carnation and rose sale - $2.00 for a carnation and $3.00 for a rose, students deliver to homerooms on Valentines day. Typically raises $400-$500 for the class
• May Plant Sale – generally raises @ $2,000
• Class event – Freshman Picnic

MHS Parent Council Funding Requests

• Judy Luise requested funds for Pizza and drinks for the Youth Drug & Alcohol Summit on Thursday January 11, 2007.
• This is a teenager only event and there will presentations by local teenagers currently in recovery.
• Already spent $155 for printing and mailing notices to students.
• Request was made to encourage Coaches to support event with student athletes and possibly make it mandatory and reschedule practice (if scheduled)
• Approved up to $700 for event
• Library request - 20 copies of In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick, to support the Abbot Library townwide reading program-discussion about other funding that might be available from MHS and library budget—Mr. Z. will check
• Art Department request -20 copies of an Art History book needed for a new course $1393. Approved after discussion about past funding requests for books that should be included in MHS budget. Mr. Z will check budget

Discussion topics, suggestions and presentations:

• MHS Dances – could there be a few more- possibly two more per year. Liz Lipkind will explore costs and other issues and report in Jan.
• Rent the Marblehead Little Theater – $100 fee, offer Movie Nights? Who would coordinate? Class fundraiser?
• Magic Hat Thrift Shop is looking for MHS volunteers Thursday and Saturday mornings- Here is how it works: when a MHS parent volunteers –MHS receives a percentage of the income-have received some funds could receive more! Easy work!
• Friends of Marblehead Schools – Delia Barrett presented information about the upcoming grant cycle for the Friends. February 16, 2007 is deadline for submitting a proposal. Grant application online. Grants serve many students K-12 and the Friends provided funds (close to $500,000) since 1991.
• Connect Ed Phone/Communication system – Chris Linehan presented information about this phone system that many communities have in place for communicating to families and students.
• Costs - $11,000 for the system to be installed. Costs are calculated per student – teachers and custodians are free. Initial $1800 set up fee. Group the district schools by cluster/affinity group- Elementary, Middle and High School
• Discussion – regarding setting up the initial data base, maintaining system, partnering with other school PTOπs, requesting from School Committee, current emergency procedure for informing families.
• Next steps – Chris will inquire about setting up a meeting for Connect Ed to present to School administration/Central Council/School Committee. Amy Drinker will also discuss with School Committee.
• Funding Request Forms- Mr. Z would like to have a formal funding request sheet that teachers and programs fill out and he would review funding requests before sending on to MHS Parents Council.
• Currently need $1200 to ship shoes to Iraq (2,000 pairs of shoes collected/37 boxes) – Parents can donate to ship a box for $18.00 –will put request on Daily Bulletin
• Schedule Changes – Program of Studies and Mission of MHS has been submitted to School Committee for review. DOE 990 Instructional hours regulation very strict and MHS must adhere to this regulation.
• Indoor Air Quality – issue with relative humidity- will try lowering temperature 4 degrees from 70 – 66. Relative humidity should be 19-20% currently at 40%.
• Plumbing & Water- parents and students have observed water in restrooms that continually runs – seems to be a problem with plumbing. Being checked on.
• Library during study halls- question regarding the maximum number of students currently set at 25- could that number be increased? Space is underutilized. Staff supervision needed, students are using computers and accessing games and other non school related sites. Recently MHS sent letters home to students violating computer privileges. Mr. Z will look into getting Ginny more support/help during the day.
• Question about why tests are not returned to students to keep or take home- Mr. Z. will address this with the new curriculum directors
• Request to teachers- parents would like to see MHS teachers use a Gradekeeper program that allows access to student grades with student ID, Middle school currently provides this to teachers and families.