INNOVATION DIPLOMA PLUS HIGH SCHOOL 145 West 84th Street New York, New York 10024 Louis Brandeis Education Campus Casey Jones, Founding Leader
GENERAL MEETING December 3, 2009
Meeting came to order at 6:50 P.M., by Ms Almonte, Parent Coordinator, Innovation Diploma Plus High School. Ms Almonte apologized for the change in meeting time.
The minutes of our November meeting was read by our Secretary, Gloria Chestnut. Motion was made by Robert Guilbe to accept with any necessary corrections and seconded by Marino Espinza. Mr. Guilbe suggested that since everyone was given a copy of the secretary's report, future reading of the secretary report should be eliminated. Ms Chestnut responded that, it would negate one of the duties of the secretary. President, Katherine Lawson-Pridgen requested that an attendance sheet be attached to the report and all parents should submit their e-mail address.
DISCUSSIONS: Changes in the By-Laws: Executive Board Meetings: Meeting time of the Executive Board. Section 2, Page 6, shall be changed to 5:30 P.M.
General Membership Meetings: Article 6, Section 1.1, the PTA meeting shall be changed to 6:30 P.M., instead of 7:00 P.M.
Board Meeting Time change accepted into the By-Laws. Motioned by Mr. Guilbe and seconded by Mr. Espinza.
PER SCHOLAS COMPUTERS Mr. Jones want students to do their work on line and be able to do homework online at home. Some families do not have computers at home. Per Scholas is an environmentally responsible nonprofit organization committed to providing education technology and economic opportunities to individuals, families and communities. Per Scholas will be here on December 16th 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM., offering P.C., computers and laptops for $275.00 to $300.00. Mr. Jones announced that if a certain amount of students purchased computers, it would benefit the school and also the company will donate computers to the school. The computers are refurbished.
By-LAWS Section 4, Page 6 The four (4) member PA/PTA Board still does not have a vice-president. PA/PTA Board cannot adopt the By-Laws with three (3) members. Quorum requires four (4) members present. Mr. Jones suggested that because of the small amount of students, we should vote for a three (3) Board membership. Ms Chestnut nominated Mr. Guilbe as Vice-President of PA/PTA. Mr. Guilbe, accepted nomination of office of Vice-President. Nomination was seconded by Ms Gibson. All in favor. Nomination was uncontested. By-Laws accepted and signed by four (4) member PTA officers. In accordance with By-Laws, Election of Officers, Page #4 Section 4, Article 4.4.
WEBSITE Mr. Jones has the same access as student's account. Ms Warren said, the account is user friendly. Executive Board has access to Innovation's G-mail account.
FUNDRAISING: Gloria Chestnut attended the Manhattan High School President's Council Meeting. Department of Education, Office of Family Engangement & Advocacy, 333 7th Avenue, 7th Floor, NYC 10001. Rules have changed for candy and cakebake sales during school time. Department of Education do not want candy and cakes to be sold by the children during school time. Guideline that must be followed are: NYC Regulation of the Chancellor #A-660, Page 14. #4. Activities Involving Students: (a) Fundraising activities that involve students during school hours must be: (1) planned jointly with and approved by the principal (See Chancellor's Regulation A-610); (2) approved by the PA membership.
(b) Activities During School Hours - PA fundraising activities involving students during instructional hours are restricted to two per year. There are no restrictions on the number of fundraising activities during non-instructional hours. Non-instructional hours are defined as time during the school day when students are not engaged in the structional process (i.e., lunch time and immediately prior to dismissal). Some creative fundraising ideas can involve auctions; flea markets; comedy shows.
FUNDRAISING SUGGESTIONS: ( 1) Flatscreen T.V., Raffle, using 501 (c) 3 for prize purchases. Three (3) prizes. $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. ( 2) What does the school need? Financially? ( 3) Workshops. ( 4) Getting mentors for students. ( 5) Equipment . ( 6) Need afterschool workshops. ( 7) Budget for technology, computers, etc. ( 8) Set a goal for fundraising. ( 9) Ms Warren will submit a "school need" list to PTA for possible fundraising goals. (10) Scholarships/Select selection. (11) School trips (bus rentals) college tours. (12) Dances.
LEADERSHIP TEAM: School Leadership Team will be set up at our next meeting. Relevant Legislation - Under State Education Law, Section 2590, all New York City public schools are required to establish School Leadership Teams. The teams must comply with the current Chancellor's Regulation A-655.
School Leadership Teams are school-based organizations composed of parents and staff of equal amounts. At their monthly meetings, they determine school-based planning and shared decision making. The Teams body is mandatory and must consist of the school principle, the PA/PTA president or co-president, the UFT leader, and an equal number of parents and staff. High School teams must include at least two students. School Leadership Teams may include representatives from community based-organizations. The schools PA/PTA members nominate the School Leadership Team parent members. The role of the School Leadership Team is to: (1) help develop the school's Comprehensive Educational Plan (2) solicit input from various school communities constituencies (3) ensure that all needs of the students be heard (4) function in a collaborative manner (5) help to evaluate the effectiveness of the school's educational prgrams and student achievement (6) receive support and guidance from their District Leadership Team.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M.,
Respectfully submitted, Gloria Chestnut |