November 07 Minutes
PTO Minutes November 27, 2007
1. Secretary: Minutes Approved
2. Treasurer: Sold about 400 directory and calendar. They may be purchased in bookstore. We committed to expenses in the school based on money we will earn from the theater benefit.
3. Principal Report: 1647 families attended conferences. Slightly down from last year. Maybe due to the availability of on-line information. Spirit assembly on Friday…..Pack the Place is on Friday Night. Tradition of Excellence was held. The speakers were great. We also had MORP before the Thanks Giving Break. The Fine Arts Performing Showcase is being held this weekend. Admission is free.
4. School Board Liaison – get report from Barb.
5. Special Report – Dr. Weninger: Achievement Plan
- Board Resolution: Raise student achievement among minority students
- Plan based on 4 corners (community, parents, students, school) with a focus on raising student achievement. Implementation will be determined the second half of the school year.
- Focus discussion on parent corner
- Priorities of under achieving students: Expectations are critical – parent and school expectations must mirror each other in terms of developing culture of achievement, accountability, behavior, grade, attendance and homework.
- Align expectations with feeder schools and community. This is currently in process. Students need to walk into the high school with better developed study skills.
- Parent / Student Outreach – Parents may feel uncomfortable coming into the school setting. School needs to be more welcoming to parents. Plan to implement an outreach program where teachers, and administrators can meet with parents in small groups outside of the school environment.
- Offer classes for parents
- Math night was very good
- Consider doing the same type of evening for other subjects
- How to do homework.
- Parents need to understand the amount of work required fo
- students to do well and achieve what they need to do to go to top notch schools. It takes effort to help your student achieve their potential. And how to support their students so they. Share parenting skills and best practices.
- Need to erase the culture of elitism. I.e. Take AP classes because of self growth, increased knowledge….not the promise of going to a better school.
- Post Secondary Education – Need to help parents understand what it takes to get your kids motivated and informed so they develop the desire for post secondary education. Need to partner with parents to achieve this goal.
- Parents need to have information regarding the college application process much earlier. Parents are overwhelmed with the process and it should be made clearer.
- Personal plan for Achievement and Personal Education Contract – Expect parents to participate in the development and implementation and motivation of PPA & PEC.
- Family to Family College Connection…Parents pool information re: colleges, applications process, financial aid….unfortunately most colleges for which we have experienced people focus on class A colleges. There is a gap for local junior colleges and trade schools.
- Need to introduce students to the college process much earlier than junior or senior year. This can be tied to the personal plan. Students need to understand entry requirements for schools of interest early enough to be able to set realistic expectations for themselves.
- College preparedness programs – what is their role and how is the information disseminated? Should information be made available during the 8th grade orientation process?
- Students need information regarding careers and what they
- Provide parents with the students 4 year plans
- Post Secondary Education – Need to help parents understand what it takes to get your kids motivated and informed so they develop the desire for post secondary education. Need to partner with parents to achieve this goal.
- Parents need to have information regarding the college application process much earlier. Parents are overwhelmed with the process and it should be made clearer.
- Personal plan for Achievement and Personal Education Contract – Expect parents to participate in the development and implementation and motivation of PPA & PEC.
- Family to Family College Connection…Parents pool information re: colleges, applications process, financial aid….unfortunately most colleges for which we have experienced people focus on class A colleges. There is a gap for local junior colleges and trade schools.
- Need to introduce students to the college process much earlier than junior or senior year. This can be tied to the personal plan. Students need to understand entry requirements for schools of interest early enough to be able to set realistic expectations for themselves.
- College preparedness programs – what is their role and how is the information disseminated? Should information be made available during the 8th grade orientation process?
- . Students need information regarding careers and what they
- Provide parents with the students 4 year plans
- 6. PTO Business – Theater Benefit – “Crazy for You” We need 15 dedicated people to pull this event off. If we don’t get volunteers, there will be a smaller event than usual. Need to get more people to sign up for escript. The only meeting for December is going to be about theater benefit The January meeting will include discussion on the OPRFHS Appeals Process.
