APPROVED

VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL

PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 5th, 2009

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Jackie Hamby. Jackie Hamby led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

WELCOME BY JACKIE HAMBY, PAC PRESIDENT: Jackie welcomed everyone to the new school year and introduced the new PAC Board members for 2009-2010.    

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Linda Otto, Secretary, made a motion to approve the May 4th, 2009 minutes. Beth McKinney seconded. Motion carried. The minutes from the 8-25-09 Executive Board meeting were approved by general consent of the Board.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Michelle Ries, Treasurer. The Board recommends that we approve the 2009-2010 Budget as presented. Jackie Hamby explained that there are few changes from the previous year’s budget. PAC has 870 members this year which should result in financially being able to cover everything proposed. There was a question as to bank charges. Jackie Hamby explained that the charges are from insufficient funds that are in process of being followed up on. There was a question as to E-Scrip amounts. Jackie Hamby explained that the individual Booster Clubs on campus collect E-scrip monies individually for their particular groups. Motion passed.

• Starting Balance as of 6/1/2009, $ 2,980.72
• Total Inflows, $16,164.84
• Total Outflows, $(1,008.41)
• Ending Balance as of 10/05/2009, $18,137.15

 

ASB REPORT: Katya Ortiz, ASB President – The focus right now is on football games and Homecoming. The dance is on October 23rd from 8:00pm – midnight with special guest Kevin Rudolph. Viking Nation is the biggest it has ever been and will be focusing more on student recognition. Munch-a-lunch – academic departments will select students based on achievement to attend. Dodge ball is going well and the champions will get to face Saugus. Circle of Friends is now the biggest club on campus. They work to include the special education students into the main campus population.

 

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Michele Ewing – an e-mail has gone out requesting volunteers to proctor the PSAT exam on October 17th. So far only 12 or 13 have replied and 20 total are needed. The exam will be Saturday morning until noon only. If there are not enough volunteers, the school will then have to use funds designated elsewhere to pay for proctors. Please e-mail Theresa Long if you are interested and available to help out. If you would like to be on the PAC volunteer e-mail list, please let Michele Ewing know. Teacher “Treats” staff appreciation is on the first Friday of every month. All food donations for these events are appreciated. The next staff appreciation is Friday, November 6th. There will be a table out in front of Administration by the flag pole to place your donations on.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

     ACTION TEAM PARTNERSHIP (ATP): Beth McKinney – The committee is in need of more people. Volunteers have a direct input to the Parent Academy. They would like to have two parent representatives from each grade-level class. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 3:15pm. The main duties right now are to go over the parent surveys that were submitted and then make recommendations to the Parent Academy.

 

    DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL (DAC): Jackie Hamby reported that DAC is now requesting that the position be for four years. PAC had an elected representative but she has since moved to a new school. A freshman parent is needed to take on the position. Maisah Howard agreed to fill the position. Maisah reported that there has been only one DAC meeting so far this school year. She explained that the purpose of DAC is for different schools to present each month on their activities, issues, etc. DAC discusses boundary issues, the new Castaic High School progress, equity in the upper grade schools, etc.

 

    PARENT COMMUNICATION COUNCIL (PCC): Dr. Priesz reported that this committee will be meeting next week for the first time for this school year. The Superintendant will be meeting with the parent committee members to share information.

  

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:  Dr. Paul Priesz, Valencia High Principal, reported that he had three main topics:

1. On Monday, October 12th, there will be a free college financial planning workshop at 7:00pm in the VHS Theater.
2. Principal’s Honor Roll – Dr. Priesz took a poll of the audience as to how the Honor Roll should be presented in the school newsletter. The majority voted for having the GPA listed with the student’s name.
3. State test scores – a condensed summary was provided to everyone. The bottom line is the API State Index which is 830 up from 817 last year. VHS has the second highest API score in the District. Dr. Priesz explained that we do not get composite scores for the PSAT exam.

• Answers to audience questions:
• The loss of 10 sections in the art department was due to budget cuts but hopefully those will be restored next year.
• Results of on-line parent survey will be compiled by the ATP and sent out either in the school newsletter on posted on the website.
• Parking lot theft and vandalism was addressed. During school hours there are campus supervisors patrolling and gates are locked. After school there is no patrol. There is always someone by the tennis courts gate.

 

 PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Jackie Hamby, PAC President – Jackie made more introductions of PAC Board members. Joanne Knox – Academic Material Grants Committee. They need some volunteer help. They have a $5,000 budget to spend. If you are interested, please sign up. This committee meets only once or twice a year. Daphne Evangelista – Scholarship Committee. They are also in need of volunteers and also meet only once or twice a year. Recommendations for student scholarships are made to the Santa Clarita Valley Scholarship Foundation. There is a $3,000 budget that stays all within our school. Laina McFerrin – Staff Appreciation Luncheon – Laina is with Wolfcreek Grill and is once again heading up this once-a-year luncheon for the teachers and staff. Kathy Shank – Prom Promenade – Kathy has not yet been confirmed but did an outstanding job last year and it is hoped she returns. This is an event funded by ASB and PAC. Every student going to Prom parades down the red carpet on their way to the buses. It is a beautiful event and an opportunity for parents to see all the kids dressed up. Teddi Ballor, Beth McKinney, Cecile Avalone-Hall and Jackie Hamby – Action Team Partnership. Patricia Crane and Dee Dee Jacobson – Parent Communications Council. Beth McKinney, Nanette Bickel, Maisah Howard, Karen Howard – School Site Council. This is a new committee that will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 3:15. Site Council is made up of students, teachers, parents and administrators. Kerri Emmer – Webmaster. Kerri is working to get the PAC website updated. Mary Tiguelo – 2nd VP Membership. Jackie wanted to make sure that everyone was aware of the new volunteer procedures with the school. Volunteers for PAC are usually Level I volunteers and just need to sign in at the main office and obtain a volunteer sticker. Volunteers may park in the designated spaces in the Teacher’s parking lot but must walk around the front of school and sign in at the office before going on campus. Thank you to Kelly, Nanette and Edith for helping out at Registration. The next membership meeting is November 23rd at 7:00pm in the VHS Library.

 

 

 There being no new business, the meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.