Minutes of the Northwood HS (NHS) PTSA Meeting
Date: April 21, 2015
Opening: Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm by PTSA President Danielle Gillon with approximately 50
parents and teachers in attendance.
Afterprom Chair’s Report: Susan Luck described the Afterprom location and plans and asked for parent
volunteers.
Secretary’s Report: Review of minutes from March 17, 2015. A motion was made to approve the
minutes. It was seconded and approved unanimously.
Report of Principal:
Ms. Charley-Greene told parents that there would be no 12th grade Honors English next year and instead
these students will take AP Language because the Honors course was lacking in teaching the skills
students will need for college. Northwood will create a bridge for students into the AP class that will
include added supports.
She then introduced AP Language instructor Ms. Halloran as well as two Northwood students to talk
about the AP Language class. This class is meant to be the equivalent of English 101 in college. It
provides an introduction to academic writing – focused on argument and rhetoric. Grad students will be
available to work with our students next year. Students do not have to take AP Literature to take this
class.
Ms. Charley-Greene explained that the rest of the evening would be spent on the nuts and bolts of the
college admission process. The presenters were: Tamara Wolfson, Career Information Coordinator;
Susan Levine, Resource Counselor; and Brad Pabian, ACES Coach. Here is a link to the Powerpoint of
their presentation for further information and it can be found on the Northwood website on the Career
Center page:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/northwoodhs/careercenter/2015%20Ju
nior%20Parent%20Night%20Presentation.pdf.
Ms. Levine stated that the counselors worked all summer and encouraged parents and students to
come see them in the summer.
Ms. Wolfson encouraged students to start working on their college essays now and over the summer
and to visit schools and attend college fairs.
Mr. Pabian stated that Maryland has transfer agreements so that students that go to a Maryland
community college can transfer all of their credits to any Maryland 4 year college.
The counselors stressed that students should fill out the “About Me” questionnaire and parents should
fill out the parent questionnaire so that their counselor can convey that information about them to
colleges.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:50 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Melissa Goemann