Eisenhower High School PTSA September 2011, Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order by President Lori Frymier in room 103at 6:30 PM. The sign-in sheet is attached.

Old Business: There was no old business.

New Business:

>> Cadet Connection Freshman Orientation Feedback: Lori suggested that next year it might be worthwhile to consider having the orientation in the evening, and setting up separate rooms for parents to move among. For example, one room could have counselors, one could have PTSA reps, etc. This idea was well received and will be considered for implementation next year.

>> Community Network Project:  Lisa Allison is heading up and effort this year to draw in community members for support/membership in PTSA.  It’s an effort to create a reciprocal support network.

>> Parent Class Liaisons:  PTSA is working on growing this network, and we need all the parent we can get who are interested.

>> Teacher Class Advisors:  The Freshman advisor has not yet been named.

>> IKEPTSA.org website:  The site is up and running and we encourage everyone to sign up for escrip at Safeway.  Also, like us on facebook so we can use it for marketing.

>>Parent Communication:  Everyone is encouraged to use skyward/family access, but use it knowing it’s an imperfect system.

>> Principal’s Report:  Stacey Locke reported there will be a newsletter, both paper and electronic.  The round up is this weekend and student conferences are coming up on Oct. 19.  The conferences take the place of open house.  If we are interested, Jim Wright can come talk to us about lights for the practice fields and other matters, in light of the construction.  There has been a big push at school about awareness of cyber-bullying, proper use of facebook and texting and phone etiquette.  4 P’s is a financial fitness class which offers the option for kids to learn fiscal concepts.  There is also a “personal choices” class available.  Ike hired 20 replacement teachers and is working on a new evaluation system for teachers.  Counselors are now assigned to a specific cohort and they will loop until the kids are seniors. 

>> A general discussion was held regarding the Dream Act and how the school might fit into the idea.

>> PTSA has health and wellness grants available.  Melissa Lemp, a local pediatrician and parent of a freshman, is interested in helping with that.  One idea is to bring in a student or former student who has experienced an eating disorder.

>> thewashboard.org is a website for Washington only scholarships.  Kids can start accessing it as juniors.

>> Mondays at 2 PM are good times to talk to teachers.

>> Host families are needed for the WA state high school leadership conference.

>> Treasurer’s Report:  There was no treasurer’s report.