Northwestern Middle School
PTA Board Meeting
January 9, 2007

The Meeting was called to order at 10:05am.
Please see Attendance Roster for those present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The Minutes of the November 14th, 2006 Board meeting were approved as written.

Principal's Report

All parents are invited to review and provide feedback on the two choices for 6th-8th grade mathematics textbooks that will be adopted for the school year 2007-08.  Curriculum choices will be on display in the Georgia Room of the Media Center.  A handout with dates and times will go out to all students.

Next year's school schedule will be a traditional format that includes Advisory.  Each period will last 52 minutes.

Sandy Owens, one of Northwestern's counselors has left and is now at Milton High School, leaving Mr. Yuhaschek as the only counselor.  A replacement can be expected by the end of the month.  Any questions parents have about Rising 9th graders should be directed to Mr. Yuhaschek.

Student Surveys are planned for early February.  These surveys will provide information that can be used this year and will be for teacher use only.

Check Points, a CRCT practice program, is going on now and will be completed by 1/18/07.  Check Points serves as a good gauge for performance. The county is considering administering it at the beginning of the school year instead of in January. 

Mr. Fraser was asked what the money collected for parking in Northwestern's parking lot at Milton games is used for.  Mr. Fraser explained that all money collected is used for Staff Development.  Mr. Fraser also clarified that this year Jr. Beta members staffed the parking lot for volunteer hours.

President's Report
Nominating Committee-Volunteers are needed.  Please let Lisa or Norma know if you are interested in serving ASAP as we will be voting on the committee at our next meeting.

Priority Reports-any committee with a successful or new program is asked to write a priority report that can be sent to GA PTA.  New priority report forms were handed out and are available, as the format has changed.

Business Partners-a committee chair is needed ASAP for this committee.  Please let Lisa or Norma know of anyone interested.

Wildcat Weekly-PTA information can be put into the Wildcat Weekly since the Newsletter only comes out monthly.

Treasurer's Report
Copies of the budget report were distributed.  Mid-Year Budget review Forms were also passed out and are needed back ASAP.

Legislative Report
Katie Reeves next community meeting will be held at Summit Hill on Jan. 16th at 9:30am.
Georgia General Assembly has reconvened, summaries can be found on Georgia's PTA website under the Capitol Watch link.
Connected Academy-Susan Caster has been named Principal.  The academy will open in August 2007.  There will be an informational meeting on January 16 and 18th at the Milton Center.
SPLOST-This referendum will be voted on March 20th, 2007.  Information will be coming out through the schools in the next three weeks and can also be found on the Fulton County website.  SPLOST info will be shared at the next Principal's Coffee, Jan. 16th at White Columns.  It will be very important to get as many people as possible to vote.

Old Business
Pride-The next Pride Day will be held in the next few weeks after report cards come out.
Website-Anyone able to help update the web site should contact Norma or Lisa.
Outreach-$7500.00 was spent on gift cards and over 100 families were helped this holiday season.  Holly is in touch with Northwestern's administration and guidance counselor about the remaining balance.  They will be in touch as needs arise.
8th Grade Dance-Next meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 10th at 8:00am.  The committee needs volunteers.  There was discussion about holding some meetings in the evenings.  The committee does not want to do this as the first evening meeting held had poor attendance.

New Business
Winter Gallery-Tentative dates are Feb. 26th-March 2nd.  Sally explained that Winter Gallery showcases student artwork in the Media Center as well as local artist demonstrations during the week.
Scoliosis Screening-Scheduled for Feb. 7th.  Volunteers are needed from 8:15am until 12pm.  Training for volunteers will be held Jan. 30th from 9:30-11:30am.  Those who volunteered last year do not need to attend the training.  For more information contact Northwestern's School Nurse.
Other- A question was raised asking what social activities PTA provides for 7th graders.  It was explained that 7th grade receives no special activity from PTA as there are so many school run activities they attend.  These activities include ropes course, field trip and Valentines Day dances.  The school is also looking at a possible community get together that will take place in the spring. 

Lisa asked Melanie to send an email out to ask all committee chairs to go through their section of supplies in the PTA portable, as more room is needed for the 8th grade Dance committee.  Everything is divided in sections, chairs are asked to throw out whatever is no longer needed and label what is to be kept.

Announcements
1/12  Newletter articles due
1/15  No School-MLK Day
1/17  Georgia Writing Test-8th Grade
1/22  Parent Night for Rising 9th graders-Milton HS
1/24  Early Release
1/30  Scoliosis Training
2/13  General PTA Mtg./ Board Mtg. 10am

The meeting was adjourned at 10:50am.
Minutes submitted by Melanie McNaughton, Recording Secretary.

Those unable to attend today's meeting are asked to email volunteer hours (not recorded on TRAXX) to pmhaney@mindspring.com