Meeting Minutes and Agendas
Parents’ Association Meeting
January 26, 2010
1. Approval of Minutes: President Helen Probst Mills
Helen called the meeting to order at 8:15 with 13 members in attendance. Gena Smith moved that the minutes from the November meeting be approved. Roberta King seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.
2. Guest Speaker: Blanche Hancock, Assistant Upper School Director and College Counselor
Mrs. Hancock spoke about the things that she does every year in preparing O’Neal students for the college application process. In the fall she will show the incoming 9th graders and their parents a blank transcript. This is intended to let them know that they have a new blank slate and that everything that students do in the Upper School will count toward in getting into college from grades to extra curricular activities. Mrs. Hancock encourages students to get involved in leadership opportunities that are available. She meets with 9th and 10th grade students in the spring to discuss their courses and keep them aware of college prep. Mrs. Hancock indicated that there is a large jump from 10th to 11th grade. In January she meets with each 11th grader and their parent giving them a notebook that will help them navigate the college application process. Mrs. Hancock then helps each student apply to colleges encouraging them to look beyond what they know at the many schools that are available keeping open minds. Mrs. Hancock keeps up with the admission statistics from the different colleges and universities so that she can guide students helping them to be realistic with their choices walking each senior through the application process. During the fall of the senior year each student participates in senior seminar. They work in small groups filling out applications, answering questions and writing essays. This year the seniors are taking the 2nd trimester off but senior seminar will resume in the 3rd trimester where such subjects as finances, laundry, and course registration and course selection will be discussed. Juniors also have a seminar where they write essays in preparation for filling out applications in the fall. At the very beginning of the senior year the class goes on a Senior Retreat. This retreat gets the students off on the right foot with intense workshops concerning applying to college and letting the seniors know what is expected of them at O’Neal. Mrs. Hancock will write a letter of recommendation for each student, as do many of the teachers. Students are always encouraged to be respectful of their teachers, maintaining good relationships with them. Teachers are the people who will be writing letters of recommendation for them, an important part of each application. When asked how the guidance that O’Neal students receive compares to other school in our area Mrs. Hancock indicated that because of O’Neal’s size our students get a lot of individual attention. Mrs. Hancock said that she would like for student and parents to take more ownership of the application process when she was asked what she expected from parents and that parents need to encourage students to have plans A. B, and C. Mrs. Hancock was asked if she spoke to the 8th graders. She indicated that she does but that she doesn’t want to hit them too hard with the facts and figures of preparing for college. Several parents requested that Mrs. Hancock make a list of recommendations for parents of 5th and 6th graders concerning creating a well-rounded student that would transition easily into the Upper School. She also answered questions concerning the Duke Tip program and compared it to other programs that were not as well worth the money that they cost.
3. President’s Report: Helen Probst Mills
The Teacher Appreciation Luncheon was on December 4th. The staff was treated to a delicious lunch in the Atrium of the Activities center. Betsy Saye gave each teacher a sand dollar ornament that she created. It was recommended that next year there be holiday music. Lindsay Blackwood and Helen attended a meeting with Mr. Barr. In the meeting Mr. Barr asked the PA to be responsible for the hospitality at the State of the School address that he is presenting on February 10th. It has been mentioned that the car decals that the PA created and distributed were falling off. Helen suggested that they would stay on better if your car were clean. This information will accompany any decals that we sell with the Spirit Wear and the decals that will be distributed in the fall of next year with the first news letter.
4. Treasurer’s Report: Gena Smith
Spirit Wear would like to give each division head 10 short-sleeved O’Neal t-shirts. The division heads will be able to distribute these for incentives, prizes or to new students as they see fit. The PA will donate $4.00 per adult shirt and $4.51 per youth shirt for a total of $130.00. This donation will come out of future PA Spirit Wear profits. Andrea Burns made the motion and Holly Davis seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. See attached for a detailed budget report.
5. Sally Foster Gift Wrap: Karen Walker (read by Cornelia Morris)
We received a check from Sally Foster in the amount of $1,698.00 from Internet sales. Sally Foster has not sent a contract for next year so we will look into both Sally Foster and Innisbrook for next year. Karen is working with Mrs. Roberts regarding scheduling of the pizza party for the winning Lower School class.
7. All School Fall Picnic: Elizabeth Sugg
No Report
8. Tag Sales: Mary Waters (reported by Helen)
The Tag Sale will be April 24th, which is the same day as Spring Fest in Southern Pines as in years before. Last year we made $5000.00 this year we hope to make $3000.00.
9. Teacher/Staff Appreciation: Deborah Henry and Betsy Saye
No Report
10. Hospitality: Cathy Scarpa
The PA will provide refreshments for the Open House and the State of the School Address.
11. Parent Education: Lindsay Blackwood
Dargon Moore’s presentation was very informative. If you are interested in getting the information that he handed out get in touch with Lindsay. Bob Temme from the Southern Pines Police Department will present a program on cyber safety on February 22nd at 1:30 and 6:00. He will also make a presentation to the Middle School on February 27th.
12. Spirit Wear: Andrea Burns
The PA will sell Spirit Wear at the Arts in April event on the 10th. The next items that will be ordered will be Navy t-shirts and shorts. Andrea will investigate and make sure that people selling concessions have access to the Spirit Wear.
13. Ancillary Fundraising: Tish Edrington
A check for $418.50 was received from Box Tops. Tish may need assistance in counting the Box Tops that she has collected and will send an email request if she does.
14. News Letter: Elizabeth Sugg
No Report
15. Lower School Liaison Report: Lisa Kruse
The Lower School donated 160 Shoe Boxes at Christmas. Za’Vette Tatum-Kodzai is heading up a project to collect toys to send to Haiti. She is in the process of finding an organization that is going to Haiti to donate the toys to. The Valentine’s Day parties will be on February 12th.
16. Middle School Liaison Report: Louise Lucas (read by Dana Barns)
There was an after school social for the 5th and 6th grades before a basketball game with a pep rally and pizza in the Activities Center. A Spelling Bee for house completion was held and Auction Projects are being finalized. The Middle School wrote thank you letters to donors of the Auction. The mentor /mentee pancake breakfast was held on January 14th. Plans are in the works for Valentine’s Parties on February 11th and to reschedule a Star Gazing Party for the 6th grade. The all school talent show will be on February 3rd.
17. Upper School Liaison Report: Holly Davis
The Upper School had a very successful Spirit Week. There has been another senior breakfast and there will be a Junior Collage Night. The acceptance letters for the seniors will start arriving at the end of the month. Congratulations to the swim team who defeated both Pinecrest and Union Pines.
18. Administration Liaison Report: Lynn Melton (reported by Dana Barns)
The Auction is February 6th. There will be a Preview Breakfast on the 5th. Please turn in your RSVP and volunteer to help at set up or the Preview Breakfast. Also if you are able please donate a bottle of wine to the wine cellar that will be part of the live auction.
19. Book Fair: Za’Vette Tatum-Kodzai
No Report
20 Additional PA Business
None
November 2009 Meeting Minutes
October 2009 Meeting Minutes
September 2009 Meeting Minutes
August 2009 Meeting Minutes
May 2009 Meeting Minutes
April 2009 Meeting Minutes
March 2009 Meeting Minutes
February 2009 Meeting Minutes
January 2009 Meeting Minutes
November Meeting Minutes
October Meeting Minutes
September Meeting Minutes
August Meeting Minutes
May 2008 Meeting Minutes