Aladdin Al Katheri - Loudoun County Public Schools
PTA MinutesSeptember 10, 2015Attendees: Linda Smith, Sherita Wilkins, Chella McMahon, Jennifer Rule, Sharon Bornarth, Uni & Chad Ueetchy, Eileen Lutero, Jen Wike, Michele Duley, Debbie Kates, Rebecca McCloud, Caroline Wizeman, Nahid Hairdari, Angie Ignazzitto, Wendy Love, Allison Buytenhuys, Jenna Choe, Tara Nelson, Liliana Martinez, Aladdin Al Katheri, Jim Potter, Marco A. Paredes, Mike Strange, Irena Kordi, Carrie Pellegrino, Adriana Radu, Nada Al-SharraBadi, Linda AblesThe meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. Aladdin Al Katheri motioned for approval of the June 10, 2015 minutes; Sharon Bornarth 2nd that motion; all approved.Report of OfficersPrincipal’s report – Jenny Rule Mrs. Rule covered several topics:Staff Changes - New teachers for Kindergarten, 2nd and 3rd grades, ELL and Autism classes. New Parent Liaison, Kindergarten Assistant and Student Assistant.Full day Kindergarten site - 2 full day classes. Priority slots for ELL and financial need students and all others via lottery system as space permits. Both classes are full. Have 1 traditional half day Kindergarten AM/PMVisitor Sign in equipment - staff has key fob for sign-in.New Initiative One to the World - problem based, real life learning, using Skype, to name a few.New grading system - Phoenix replaced ClarityFlex time is now called Power Up - time allocated for those who need additional supportCopiers have been moved - 1 in front office for staff, 1 in teachers lounge, 1 in computer lab hallway for volunteersNews equipment - to be delivered soon; new state of the art equipment with green screenGoing Green, no longer issuing newsletters - e folder is now available on the school website. Information will be updated every ThursdaySearch program was for K-3; now includes 4th grade. Futura for 4th and 5th graders.Mrs. Rule gave an overview of the school website - school profile, school improvement plan, eFolder and Parent VUE. She discussed the Virginia and Federal accreditation process; which focuses on the English and Math scores. For 2015, Potowmack scores are English - 81 and Math - 84. The overall pass score for the state of Virginia: English - 75 and Math - 70. Federal accreditation is based on pass rates by specific student groupings making adequate yearly progress (AYP) by subject area. This year, we passed all groupings and subject areas, except that we did not meet the Economically Disadvantaged Students English AYP benchmarks. The School Improvement Plan addresses how Potowmack will make improvements. B.Vice Principal’s Report – Nahid HaidariMrs. Haidari talked about the Parent VUE program. It is much easier to use than Clarity. It goes live on September 13. The site has a quick tips link that parents are encouraged to use. Parents do not have to change login and password every year; no longer need a separate account for each child. Parents can change passwords; update parent information. Changes will be approved by front office.C. Treasurer’s Report – Sherita WilkinsSherita submitted the following document for review and approval: Audit2015-16 Budget ReportJuly BudgetAugust BudgetLinda Ables made a motion to approve the above mentioned documents and Mike Strange 2nd the motion. Sherita also discussed other changes to the budget:ASP now has 2 sessions; ASP budget reducedAll Restaurants are now listed on budgetAdded new teachers for allotments$700 income for Supply Kits; need a new volunteerD.Corresponding Secretary – Jen WikeJen read a thank you note from Dr. Copeland. She discussed the Foreign Language Directory - this directory is used by teachers and staff, and list parents who speak other languages and can assist the students as needed. She has been collecting forms submitted by parents and hopes to provide teachers with the directory in October. She also talked about My Favorite Things Book - teachers and staff complete a form that list their favorite restaurant, color, candy, etc. Parents can use the book for holiday, teacher day, and other gift ideas. Book is available at the front desk beside the check in computer.E.President/Vice President – Michele Duley/Allison BuytenhuysMichele and Allison welcomed all the returning parents and the new parents to the meeting. Michele will be using Face book to keep our Potowmack families informed. We plan to have a great year.III. Special Reports A. Teacher Representative - Sharon BornarthSharon thanked the PTA for the wonderful back to school brunch. And for all the wonderful work the PTA does for the students and teachers.B.Parent Liaison – Liliana Weinberg. No report.C. Loudoun Education Alliance of Parents (LEAP) - At September 9th meeting, a school board candidate forum was held. Each candidate running for office had the opportunity to answer pre-selected questions that were submitted by the public and LCPS parents. Next meeting will be held on October 14. Topic of discussion - Communicating with your child's school. Points of Contact - Denise Washington and Rennea ButlerD. Minority Student Academic Achievement Committee (MSAAC) – Linda Ables gave an overview of the program and invited all to come to the meeting. The first meeting for 2015 will be Wednesday, September 16th. Points of Contact - Linda Ables and Linda SmithE. Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) - No Report. Points of Contact - Danielle Bischoff and Jackie BakerIV. Reports of Committees A. PTA Membership - Currently have 118 paid members; 19 from the Potowmack staff. Membership dues have been raised $.50, from a $1.75 to $2.25. The $10 annual membership fee did not change. Mrs. Rule asked if envelopes for teachers to join could be made available one more time, since not as many teachers have signed up as usual and there was some confusion over receiving the envelopes. Points of contact - Raluca Nicolae and Adriana RaduB. By-laws Committee - Jim Potter gave an overview of the changes to the current by-laws document. There were revisions mandated by the Virginia PTA and proposed changes by the Potowmack by-laws committee. Jim Potter made a motion to submit the draft 2015 Potowmack Elementary School PTA by-laws for the 30 day required review by PTA members; and for the document to be considered for adoption at the November PTA meeting. Mike Strange 2nd the motion. Points of contact - Jim Potter, Linda Ables, Mike StrangeC. Spirit Wear - last day to submit orders is Sept. 11. The website for orders is (and go to School Stores tab, next to Potowmack Elementary tab). Point of contact - Elizabeth TollefsonD. ASP - Online registration started Sept 1. New classes are being offered. Many of the classes are almost at the 8 student minimum. Recommendation - we offer scholarships to fill a class when we are short of meeting the 8 student minimum. Points of Contact - Linda Smith and Adriana Radu.E. Walk-a-thon - Will be held on Friday, October 23. Monies raised will be used for technology resources. Raffle tickets are given to students who submit donations; in turn, they can win prizes, such as an iPad, TopGolf of Loudoun gift card, and restaurants gift cards. Points of contact - Christina McGeehan and Chella MaMahon F. Odyssey of the Mind (OM) - Overview on the OM program. Discussion on the kick-off meeting; considering Sept 30. Hemanth will work with Mrs. Rule for building request, date and time. Point of contact - Hemanth ShettyG. Watch DOGS - Kick off is Friday, September 18. Watch DOGS dad will be given a list of additional duties they can perform on their appointed day. Points of contact - Beryl and Wendy LoveH. RWTS - Program is for boys and girls grades 1 - 5. Practice will be held Monday and Thursday, 2:40 - 3:40 on school track. Points of contact - Lina Opiola and Karen PotterI. Grocery Receipts/Box Top/Labels - Box tops are due by October 25. Potowmack received two $250 visa gift cards for the Label for Education program. All links can be found on the Potowmack website. Point of contact - Chella McMahonJ. Picture Day - October 9. Need 2 volunteers. Adriana Radu and Raluca Nicolae volunteered. Point of contact - Mrs. HaidariK. Amazon - remember to go to the Potowmack website and click on the link for Amazon.Other updates:Directory - Still accepting ads; connectED will go out soon. Majest Martial Arts will have an ad in the directory. Will continue to be a sponsor for the Walk-a-thon. Offer free month ($59) to new students. All proceeds will go to the PTA. Last day to submit forms is Sep 30. Point of contact - Adriana RaduGirls On The Run (GOTR) - Practice will be twice a week, Tuesday and Friday, 2:40 - 3:40 p.m. Points of contact - Jennifer Rule and Caitlin McDermottV. Unfinished Business - School Supply Kits and Reflection chairs are still vacantVI. New Business - Working with Bluemont Nursery to have pre-sale plants available next spring. More information will be available in early January. Plants will be available for pick up after Mother's Day. Plants can also be donated to Potowmack. 2nd week of February will be the deadline for orders. Point of contact - Chella McMahon.Marco Paredes has been instrumental in beautifying (planting flowers around the flag pole, etc) the front of the school. This activity is being completed as a gift to the school from the fifth grade class of 2014-2015. They will soon add a plaque near the flagpole area as well.VII. Announcements: PTA Meetings will meet alternately between 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. every other month VIII. Upcoming Events - Information for events available on Potowmack website9/18 Watch DOGS Pizza Night (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.)9/30 - 10/1 Vision & Hearing Screening10/6 Mobile Dairy Classroom exhibit10/9 - Fall pictures10/23 - Walk A Thon10/23 - Costume BingoMeeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m. ................
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