Arcadia High School
PTSA Meeting in the Apache Pit
Minutes
Thursday, October 4, 2007
At 6:30 PM, a potluck dinner was ready for all attendees. A large crowd filled the Apache Pit for the combined PTSA CPBC meeting.
President Kay Kinsler called the meeting to order at 7:25 PM.
The Flag Salute was conducted by Terry Leahy.
President
Kay Kinsler welcomed everyone and was especially pleased with the turnout for this meeting. She asked if any clipboards were going to be passed tonight and indicated that a Volunteer Hours and White Christmas clipboards are being sent around tonight. SCRIP forms are also available to fill out so every time you shop, a % of your sale is given to AHS.
Principal, David Vannasdall
thanked everyone for coming out tonight; and a big thank you for supporting Back to School Night. It was a very successful evening even though some of the preparation details left with John Tipton… sprinklers and air conditioning and the like!
Artist renderings are posted in the back of the room tonight so you can see what AHS will look like after building is completed. Portables will be coming in January and will be placed in the parking lot. We will be moving out from Janaury through June and construction will begin June 16, 2008. The ceramics classroom, dance studio and admin buildings will be bulldozed first to allow construction of a new Administation complex with classrooms; and a new Science complex with labs and lecture halls. It is projected that both projects will be completed in 18 months. Other projects in the works during that time will be updated walkways, a new quad with bigger shelters and landscaping. The cafeteria (Apache Pit) will be enlarged to incorporate both the Pit and Café 2 and will look like a college cafeteria with stations and booths.
The Principal spoke with the students about showing Apache Spirit at the all school assembly at the beginning of the school year. At that time, students modeled most of the clothing items available from the Trading Post (our student store). School spirit is not just the fun stuff, it is important for students to understand that we are all part of something bigger…nothing can be accomplished in isolation. We are all part of the APACHE TEAM and to visibly support that, we all wear cardinal and gold on Fridays each week. Please encourage your students to wear the Arcadia colors!
With the Staff Development days under way, teachers continue to work collaboratively on curricular maps and common assessments.
Our biggest challenge presented in our last WASC review is to provide increased access by students to AP and Honors courses. It has been our policy to adhere to written prerequisites; we don't want to eliminate prerequisites but to encourage students to take the challenging courses and stretch their ability.
SSLT is now filled and the first meeting will be next Wednesday at 3:00 where we will continue diaglogue on AHS policy and philosophy regarding staff development.
Craig Wiblemo also thanked everyone for attending tonight. He had three things to report tonight.
- The ZONE will be opening soon for the after school tutoring program.
- CAHSEE for juniors and seniors who have not passed one or both parts of the exam will be offered in November. Sophomores first opportunity to take the CAHSEE will be in March.
- At the Department Chair meeting recently, it was decided that no student grades would be changed to reflect their scores on AP or CST results. A few teachers were making changes, and it was discussed and determined that this would no longer be allowed.
Kathy Rapkin spoke for the counseling staff. She thanked everyone for the wonderful students that we get to work with. The counselors have met with all student and given them packets containing pertinent information for their grade level.
She reminded everyone that the COD (Counselor of the Day Desk) is open every day from 7:30 - 3:30 for parents and students. If you wish to speak to a counselor, the number to call is 821-8370 X 1081 for the COD.
Starting October 1, Cal State University applications are being accepted, while UC apps begin on November 1. Cal State and UC workshops for students began today.
We are fortunate to have a full time College and Career Counselor, Laurie McQuaid, who is able to assist our students in a variety of ways in regards to their college and career development. Currently, she is creating a list serve of students in order to e-blast specific information relevant to their grade level and interests. For questions regarding NCAA eligibility requirements, students can see Mrs. McQuaid in the Career Center.
This is the season for college admissions and requesting letters of recommendation. Letters are required by private colleges only. Most private institutions require one or two teacher letters plus one counselor letter. A workshop was held for students on how to open a file to request counselor recommendation letters and counselors are now accepting requests for college recommendations. November 1 is the deadline for requesting letters. Counselors are available in the Career Center every Tuesday and Thursday at lunch in order to assist students and their parents in all areas of student development. Parent Financial Aide workshops will be on November 3 from 9 - 11 in the North Gym for junior and senior parents and December 3 from 9 - 11 in the South Gym for senior parents only. .All students, grades 9-11, will be scheduled for the Bridges/CHOICES college and career program in to the Career Center, which allows for student self assessment, potential job skills, career options and interests, college majors and identification of colleges which offer those majors or areas of student interest. After using the program at school, students and parents will have access to this program at home.
Keith Kerney - Dean of Students
He welcomed everyone and introduced he and Linda Mackessy, the Deans of Students. Keith reminded parents that the most frequently stolen item is IPods. Please remind your students to keep backpacks with them at all times. Leaving them unattended is asking for problems. Expensive items i.e. IPods, phones, calculators, go to the Deans Office when they are found. All other items go to the Lost and Found in the Health Office.
John Tung - Activities Director
Currently, ASB is working on Freshman Class and Homecoming Royalty elections. Finals for Freshmen will be Friday, October 5. The results will be announced on the 9th.
Homecoming Dance will be held at the Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood. The theme this year is “Back Stage Pass for Two.” Ticket sales will begin October 10 for ASB card holders and all others can purchase their tickets between October 11 through 16. Late sales will be on October 17. If you would like to chaperone the dance, please contact Mr. Tung at 821-1749.
The school is chartering 31 clubs this year and at least 30 more will be re-chartered. We encourage all students to get involved in some area of school activity. Clubs are a great way to begin that involvement.
Mr. Tung reported on the status of our sports and performing arts groups.
Recording Secretary
Copies of the September minutes were sent out via e-mail and have been approved by a committee. If you would like to receive the minutes by e-mail, please let Terry Schreiner know at tschreiner@ausd.net.
Any student who has not yet signed up for the PSAT can stop by my office to get their name on the list and to pick up a practice booklet and instructions for the test.
Treasurer
Sherry Liang reported the receipts and disbursements for September. The ending balance as of today is $6,170.61. The September balance was $5572.69 with disbursements of $3366.94 and receipts of $3924.86. A Motion to ratify checks #1049-1056 was made by Terry Leahy, seconded by Susan Lai and carried. A motion was made by Terry Leahy seconded and carried to approve the release of the funds for Campership $225.00, Child Health Council $250.00, Cultural Arts (Reflections Project) $150.00, Disaster Preparedness $500.00, Insurance $230.00, Newsletter $200.00, Printing (not the newsletter) $200.00, and White Christmas $100.00.
4th V.P. Membership
Alice Chan reported that with 3637 students at AHS, only 2350 memberships for PTA have been paid. She encouraged everyone to join PTA as the funds received directly benefit all students. A drive to include all staff at AHS will begin soon.
Committee Reports:
SSLT
Elections for SSLT and SSC parent reps will be held at this PTSA meeting. The election results are as follows:
SSLT members are Janet Chew (returning), Boris Brkic (new) and Sherry Liang ( Alternate); SSC members are Vicky Stewart and Rebecca Soong (both returning), Lynne Greenup (new), and Ellie Bitaraf and Sonal Shah (alternates). The first SSLT meeting of the year will be Wednesday, October 10 at 3:00 in A-1; and the first SSC meeting of the year will be on Thursday, October 18 at 3:00 in A-1. All are welcome to attend any of these meetings, though voting is reserved for the elected members.
Scrip is for sale during the meetings and any time you need it. Call the SCRIP reps Chi Lin and Tina Chiu, both of them will deliver. You will be entered in a drawing for a big prize in October when you fill out your e-scrip form and turn it in to AEF. There are over 30 returning vendors available with a few new vendors like Banana Republic and the Cheesecake Factory.
Terry Leahy promoted all of the spirit wear for students. Please encourage your students to wear AHS colors every Friday during the school year.
Cookbooks ($5.00) and Apache Blankets ($50.00) are still for sale. Contact Joyce Sakai for the Cookbooks and Terry Labrie or Mary Beth Haney for the blankets if you are interested.
Booster Club Liaison and Representatives
Arcadia Music Club 3rd Tuesday @ 7:00 in MB1
Lis Stark reported that our first competition is Saturday, October 13, and all are invited to attend the “tail gate” party between the parade and field tournament. The Orchestra Fall String concert is coming up on October 25 at 7:00 PM at Pasadena High School Auditorium. October 27 will be the Mt. Carmel Parade and Field Tournament,
Jean Jarosz spoke about Festival of Bands and the fact that over 300 volunteers are needed to help this day run smoothly. Contact Jean Jarosz @ 626-447-2891 or Larry Pang @ 626-445-8343 if you are interested in helping out.
Athletic Booster Club 3rd Wednesday @ 7:00 p.m. in A-1
Ruth Lagace reported the successes of our fall sports teams, announced names of new coaches, and the function of the Ahtletic Booster Club which is to fund the sports program. Everyone is encouraged to join and you can even designate which sport you want to have your funds support.
White Christmas
There will be a collection of canned goods as in the past. More on that later.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM
Respectfully submitted
Terry Schreiner
Recording Secretary
