Northwestern Middle School
PTA Board Meeting
January 10, 2006

-Please see Attendance Roster for those present.
-The meeting was called to order at 10:35am.
-Bonnie welcomed everyone and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
-The minutes of the November 8, 2005 Board Meeting were approved as written.

Principal's Report
Mr. Fraser is forming a committee to examine Northwestern's Mission and Vision Statements. He feels these statements should guide the school and be usable. Mr. Fraser would like the committee to consist of teachers, staff, students and parents. A sign up sheet was passed around for anyone interested in this committee.

Mr. Fraser is also investigating the "Middle School Concept" vs. Junior High model. Northwestern teachers are going to a conference on the Middle School Concept and Mr. Fraser is initiating a book study on the subject. The book to be used is titled "This We Believe In Action". A sign up sheet was passed around for anyone interested in participating in the book study.

Mr. Fraser was asked to clarify the school opening time and what this means for early music program practice. The school opens at 7:45am, the music programs begin at 7:30am. Students in music programs will be allowed down the music hall at 7:30am while the other hall will remain closed until 7:45am.

Mr. Fraser was asked about Block Scheduling for next year. He is currently looking at a "tweaked" model of block scheduling that would possibly have a traditional Monday then A/B days Tuesday through Thursday. Issues that still need to be addressed include: Foreign Language (specifically rising 6th graders who have had two years of Spanish at this point and their options), a defined curriculum for ABE classes and Math classes everyday. Any parents interested in having input on a committee regarding these issues were asked to sign up on the sheet passed around.

Mr. Fraser was asked about how well the new Math curriculum is working. He explained that resources have been an issue for teachers, as the textbooks do not give as much practice with word problems as the curriculum needs. The textbooks are up for review next year, but in the mean time software has been requisitioned that can be accessed at home and used by teachers. Delivery is expected in approximately 4-6 weeks. Even with the above stated problem, test scores in math remain fairly consistent.

Finally, Mr. Fraser was asked if the county had made any recommendations or decisions about Foreign Language for rising 6th graders. Mr. Fraser responded that there have been no definitive decisions made about Spanish and the different levels that will be offered or credits that can be counted. French will still be offered and like 7th graders, 6th graders must meet testing requirements to take Foreign Language.

There was some confusion about the state guidelines on how many credits can be transferred from Middle to High School. After a consultation Mr. Fraser clarified that four is the maximum, though most students transfer only 2-3 credits.

Sweetheart Dances
Northwestern is sponsoring dances for all students.
The dates are: 2/7/06 from 3:45-5:30pm for 7th and 8th grade and
2/8/06 from 3:45-5:30pm for 6th grade. The dances will be held in the gym, there will be a D.J. and a concession stand open. Tickets will be sold for $5- all proceeds will go to Northwestern's adopted school in Katrina hit Louisiana. Dress will be "classy attire" and Student Council will put up a bulletin board defining this. There will be classrooms used as holding rooms for the student's change of clothes and they can change right after dismissal before the dance begins. A court for each grade will be chosen: 8th grade will have a King and Queen, 7th grade will have a Prince and Princess and 6th grade will have a Duke and Duchess. Teacher royalty will also be chosen. Pictures of students will be taken for $1. PTA volunteers are needed for help decorating and chaperoning. A sign up list was passed around and information will be put in the newsletter.
Many PTA members expressed concern over the party attire and a court being chosen and how these might effect self-esteem. There was also concern that the name and billing of the dances would lead students to believe that the dances were more for couples.
Suggestions given included: having students wear their school attire (eliminating the need to change clothes), changing the name of the dances to Valentines Dance or Mardigras Dance and not having a royal court. The dance committee will consider the concerns and suggestions.

Legislative Report-Sue Derene reporting.
The Connected Academy is well underway with an opening date planned in August with a population of 11th graders only. Parent Focus Groups still need help-please contact Martha Greenway with your interest. Guidance Counselors will be recommending students who might be a good fit for the school.

Recent newspaper articles on collecting taxes may not be completely accurate on this topic. There is legislation planned to no longer sell liens as a means of collecting delinquent taxes. If this passes the percentage of taxes collected could fall from 90% to 85%, which would mean a 29 million-dollar shortfall to education. This also translates to an increase of 1 millage point.

Next year SPLOST is up for vote. Sue reminded everyone to start working on getting a pro vote for SPLOST in homeowner's meetings etc.

Katie Reeves' meeting times are expected to change as she has returned to work full time. Any changes made will be posted in the newsletter.

Sue reminded everyone to keep up with the educational issues currently under political debate, for example, Hope Scholarship and No Child Left Behind programs.

Sue was asked if Northwestern has a Health Wellness committee in place as it is believed that each school in Georgia should have one by 2006. No answer is known at this time.

Treasurer's Report-Joyce Byrd reporting.
Balance stands at $20,171.21. Lisa distributed and explained the Mid-Year Budget Review forms that need to be filled out and returned during this meeting. VP's are to get forms completed and returned by week's end from any committee chair not present.

Old Business
Bonnie thanked the Executive Board members for the food supplied for the December Holiday Party.

Outreach- $1,644.18 has been collected over expectation.

Wildcat Days- was a success and it is recommended to keep events outside next year.

Reflections- Susan will know the names of the winners selected to go on to the next level at the end of the week.

Staff Appreciation- Female staff were given necklaces, and male staff were given shake flashlights.

Lisa reminded all Board Members to download the updated PTA Board List and keep it in their notebooks.

New Business
Cultural Arts- the county supplied $3200 for these programs and our PTA has supplemented the above amount with $500. 9 assemblies are planned-3 for each grade level.

Parent to Parent- the next two meetings will be held on January 23rd and January 30th at Crabapple Crossing. Meetings on Mondays are from 10am-12pm and those on Tuesdays and Thursdays will be from 9:45-11:45am. All information will be in the newsletter.

Renaissance-Ann Hoover reporting.
The next assembly is on January 26th. Kindra Smith is lining up a speaker. For the final assembly of the year Ann is working to get Renaissance actors to come in period clothing.

Ann asked for Coffee Cart volunteers to deliver breakfast goodies to teachers on Tuesday January 24th from 7:30-9:00am.

The following people volunteered for or were suggested to the 2006-07 Nominating Committee:
Sally Hildebrant
Linda Jones
Susan Hummert
Melanie McNaughton
Kim Horne
Lisa Pietrangelo

Upcoming Events
Newsletter Deadline 1/17 submit to: hepburn@comcast.net
Music Showcase 1/26
Renaissance 1/26
Next PTA Board/
General Meeting 2/14

Meeting adjourned at 11:55am.
Minutes submitted by Melanie McNaughton, Recording Secretary.

*Those unable to attend today's meeting are asked to email volunteer hours (not entered on TRAXX) to Kristen Levert at K_levert@comcast.net