President Kay Kinsler called the meeting to order at 8:47 a.m. in the Apache Pit.
Terry Leahy led the flag salute. Kay Kinsler read "The Kinds of Things that Come from the Heart" as our inspirational message of the day.
President
Kay welcomed all those in attendance, and requested that we review and vote to accept the agenda as printed today. Changes had been made.
Kay reminded that several clipboards are circulating; please feel free to sign up to help. Particularly,
on January 7 I we need help to set up all of the Reflections Award winners for the show at the Community Center.
Lisa Lucasrequested that a Nominating Committee be formed for next year's slate of officers. Nominations from the floor included Carla Heer, Michelle Kakish, Lisa Lucas, Sherry Liang, Kathy Yamane, Sandhya Ravi and Alice Chan. A motion was made by Terry Leahy and seconded by Joyce Sakai to accept the nominees listed with the last two serving as alternates. The motion carried.
Principal
David Vannasdall greeted everyone and thanked everyone for their patience in the Duarte Road paving. We can look at this as a precursor of "things to come" with our building projects at AHS over the next six years.
David introduced Kathy Patterson who is our new AHS Facilities Manager. As such, she will be the coordinator of communication throughout the building process. Her temporary office will be in the Career Center until the portables arrive. She will be attending all construction meetings for AHS.
Mr. Vannasdall reminded everyone about the Apache Drive next week and encouraged everyone to participate. He is looking forward to traveling to the White Mountains for the first time.
David mentioned the Holiday Concert coming up on December 13. Also, he was proud to announce Dusty Gibbs as our very own AHS senior selected as the Tournament of Roses Queen; along with Dusty, the Arcadia High School Apache Marching Band will march in the Parade on New Year's Day!
Larry Peralta was introduced as our new SRO Arcadia Police Department employee who will be working out of the Deans' Office at AHS. Larry is a six year veteran of the department and has just finished SWA T training along with Resource Officer training. He indicated that his presence on campus is to help students, parents and staff. He will try to be out on campus and visible to all during lunch whenever possible. Officer Peralta mentioned that some students have been carrying and using pellet type guns which look very realistic and have caused repercussions:
If any organization would like a presentation done by him as SRO, just let him know and he'd be happy to help. He can be reached at 821-1759.
Reflections Winners for AHS Ophelia Ha introduced our winners who came forward to accept their certificates: Iris Jiang 1 st place Literature; Ryan Vergara 1 st place Video; Justin Deng 1 st place Visual Arts; Jonathan Solichan 1 at place Photography; and Jasmine Chow 1 st place Dance/Choreography.
Jennifer Lashier
Jennifer introduced herself and added that, along with toys and jackets for the Apache Drive, the people of the White Mountains are grateful for kitchenware, household supplies and virtually any clean, useable items.
As you know, our professional development schedule for the second semester will be a late morning start for students. The proposal is for the first Thursday of each month starting in February .More information will be released as definite plans are made.
Assistant Principal
Catherine Merel reminded parents that report cards will be mailed on December 21, just in time for Christmas break! It is important for students to remember to keep up with their work load as their schedules change for the second semester. We work very hard to make minimal changes and keep the same teachers in core subjects whenever possible.
CAHSEE tests will be administered throughout the spring giving seniors and juniors multiple opportunities to pass. If a student gets to graduation without passing any or all of the CAHSEE tests, or fails to meet graduation requirements, he/she will be given a certificate of completion rather than a diploma.
Question: Are our students prepared for higher academic learning? Answer: As part of the STAR test system, we have an EAP test, the results tell students whether or not they are ready for college work. AHS has made the EAP test a requirement. The feedback received thus far indicates that our students are well prepared for college.
Question: How does AHS compare to other schools in the state? Answer: According to the API we are #41 in the state. AHS is a very diverse school and is at the bottom of the funding "list."
Any student not prepared to enter college upon high school graduation has the opportunity to attend a community college in California. Our CC system is excellent and has many options for all students. Question: What about the Newsweek article ranking CA high schools? Answer: That ranking is based on AP test takers, not on the results. Small magnet schools rank high because of their particularly high student academic profile.
Mrs. Merel stated that we may need parent assistance next semester with senior projects. The English Department designed these projects requiring research to alleviate the effects of "senioritis."
Another swim survival test will be coming up after the break.
Counseling
Sharon Sandoval discussed the counselor assistance with sophomore career projects in the Career Center. Juniors are now going through similar software to match career choices to colleges.
The PSAT results will be discussed in the Music Building at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 10. Princeton Review will be conduction the seminar for parents and students. Test results will be handed out to students prior to that seminar from 5:45 to 6:30. Anyone not picking up their results will be able to obtain them during school hours in the Career Center.
College and Career Counselor
Laurie McQuaid is the new College and Career Counselor this year. She mentioned the FAFSA (access information at FAFSA.gov) for college scholarship and other funding and NCAA (athletics in college) workshops coming up.
Laurie disseminates information via email to students listing all kinds of opportunities for students including scholarships, college information and summer internships. She would like to see more students sign up for the email blaster for this kind of information and encourages all students regardless of grade level to benefit from the college search process.
Mrs. McQuaid is also looking for ways to team students with the community for more opportunities in career exploration.
Activities Director
John Tung reported the standings of our winter sports teams, performing arts activities, and fundraisers currently going on across campus. In particular, over $2,000.00 was raised for the Red Cross to put toward the fire victims and we are now in the process of raising money for the Apaches so that we can send gift cards for the most needy residents on the reservation. These gift cards are handed out via the Tribal Council.
A "Pie for the Cause" will be held next Friday to raise funds for the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
Mr. Vannasdall and teacher Ray Mynster participated in a "do or die" ping-pong tournament last Friday. Mr. Vannasdall was the winner and the gym was full of students cheering them both on.
A guitar hero tournament is next on the list of lunch-time activities.
The Drama Department just concluded a very successful run of "Rumors" and has cancelled the winter production but will have a Friday Night Live Improv Show tomorrow night.
Parent comment: It is great to see the marquee working, but it seems to be down more often than not. What are we planning on doing? Answer: The marquee will be removed with the new construction.
Recording Secretary
Copies of the November minutes are on the entry table at this meeting and have been approved by a committee. The minutes were sent via e-mail to those of you on my distribution list. If you would like to receive the minutes via e-mail, please let Terry Schreiner know at tschreiner@ausd.net
Correspondence Secretary
Margie Heacock read thank you notes for Apache Days, the first PTSA dinner and meeting, PTA Scholarship awardee from 06-07 and the White Christmas donation.
Treasurer
Sherry Liang reported the balance in our account as of December 6, 2007 is $14,914.04 with receipts of $17,187.48
A motion was made by Ruth Lagace and seconded by Margie Heacock to ratify checks totaling $9,.212.30 for Arcadia Council PT A for Insurance, Theresia Liem for Hosptiality and Red Ribbon Week costs, Arcadia Council PTA for membership, and for two bank fees. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Terry Leahy and seconded by Karen Wong to release funds for Honorary Service for $500.00; for AHS Grad Night $750.00; for the EdSource Confernece $200.00; and for unit functions $300.00 The motion carried.
Sherry reported that the Football Food Booth netted $7115.17 and blanket sales have netted $2610.00 so far!
President
Kay thanked everyone for the very successful Fall Preview Day held in December for incoming freshmen and their families. Kay also thanked Joyce Sakai for the successful football food booth as well as the cookbook sales; Terri La Brie, Mary Beth Haney and Leticia Nassih for Apache blanket sales; and Kathy Yamane for the online newsletter, Smoke Signals, and all of the other jobs she has taken on.
Question: can the newsletter be sent as an attachment to the ListServ?
The Intercultural Dinner was well attended and they had a great time.
New artistic renderings of AHS have been presented to Dr. Hennessy and will be shared via the PowWow, our student newspaper.
Kay is looking for someone to attend the Legislative Conference with State PT A. Lori Phillipi is unable to attend and the deadline to sign up is January 10.
SCRIP: Karen Tom, Chi Lin and Tina Chiu remind us to please continue to purchase SCRIP. Think of SCRIP as possible gifts as well as daily use! The winners of the SCRIP contest were announced: Joyce Sakai, Kathy Cunningham, and Yueh Shen Failing. They will each receive a gift of $50.00 for the SCRIP of their choice.
Terry Leahy reminded us to do Christmas shopping at the Trading Post for all Apache Wear. She is also working on GRAD NIGHT and is asking for volunteers to work any number of areas to help make this event a success. Lower classman's parents are encouraged to get involved to see what is in store when their student is a senior! Call either Terry or Liz Westphal if you'd like to help.
White Christmas: Teresia Liem and Jenny Tsouvalasthanked everyone for helping with donations of food items which were used to serve over 180 families this year.
Music Club Liaison: Karen Tom
Thank you to all who got involved and help make our November Festival of Bands a huge success.
The December SCSBOA field tournament gave AHS a silver medal. The Orchestra 1 concert was held at Holly Avenue auditorium where canned goods were collected for the Apache Drive and December
13 will be the annual Holiday Concert at the SGMA which is always well attended with the Holiday Assembly for students planned for Friday, December 21.
BandFest at PCC will be held on December 30 with AHS performance at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $10.00 at the gate. The Band looks forward to marching down Colorado Blvd on New Year's Day.
Saturday, January 19 will feature our annual Spaghetti Dinner and Recognition Shows. Performances will be at 5, 7, and 9 p.m. and dinner is served from 4:00- 9:00 p.m.
Athletic Boosters Liaison: Ruth Lagace
Winter Season athletics are doing quite well. Boys Water Polo is on top, soccer and basketball are progressing and our cross country team is heading toward state competition.
Hispanic Booster Club: no report
CPBC: Eugenia Chang I Ophelia Ha
They are also having guest speaker on student/parent relationships at their next meeting and the Club is looking forward to the New Year Party as a combined event with PTSA.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Schreiner
Recording Secretary
Next Meeting: Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Apache Pit.
