PTSA General Meeting Minutes (September 27, 2011)
Call to Order - Cathy Louviere (outgoing President) called meeting to order.
Yolanda Mazyck, 1st VP, began the meeting with an Ice Breaker Activity.
President’s Report
Cathy began the meeting by explaining the need to fill vacancies that had not been filled at the end of
the 2010-2011 school year. She reported that Yolanda Mazyck (1 st VP) and Pam Megna (Secretary)
were voted into office at end of the school year, but that 3 vacancies remained (President, 2nd VP and
Treasurer). Cathy reported that she agreed to stay on in the short term to forestall return of PTSA
funds to the state and that Jim Burke, the outgoing Treasurer, had agreed to stay on until a replacement
could be found. Cathy reported that Brad Sperber had agreed to be a candidate for 2 nd VP. Brad was
then voted into office by a voice vote.
Wellness Center Staff Presentation
The Wellness Center is open during school hours for appointments and walk-ins. Services are free.
Services are available for all NHS students whose parents have enrolled them at the center. Offered
Services include: medical (illness and sport physicals), social services (therapy, after-school program,
summer program) and case management services (identify resources needed by student’s family). An
Advisory Council meets at the school to discuss student needs. The council includes Wellness Center
staff, students and parents. Meetings are held at 6 P.M. on PTSA meeting dates. Approximately 58% of
NHS students are enrolled at the Center. Last year there were about 1,800 health service visits and
about 400 social service visits. The center does not provide flu shots, prenatal or pediatric care.
Principal Johnson’s Update
There are approximately 1,467 students: 459 (9th); 388 (10th); 346 (11th) and 275 (12th). Some
promotions will occur at the end of the semester. 312-315 students will be in the senior class by
graduation. Graduation will occur on June 4 at 2:30 P.M. at DAR. Each student will receive 10 tickets.
Information about Graduation will be given at the Senior Breakfast in the spring.
New MCPS Policy – MCPS has brought back Loss of Credit due to unexcused absences. Unexcused
absences call result in loss of credit for a course. Three absences result in a warning letter. Five
unexcused days results in a course failure. There is an appeals process. A meeting must be held with a
school administrator, the student’s counselor, the student and a parent. Three tardies equals 1
unexcused absences. Fifteen tardies equals five unexcused absences and loss of credit for class that
quarter. The policy was brought back from the School Superintendent. There was no discussion of the
policy change by the BOE because it is a regulation and approval by the BOE is not needed. 10-15% of
NHS students could be affected by the policy change. The ultimate decision about loss of credit failure
rests with the Principal. A loss of credit is represented on a transcript by an E2 (shows where grade
would have earned without loss of credit). He has changed grades on appeal by parents. Principal
Johnson emphasized that there has to be an intervention meeting before the student loses credit.
Parents are advised to call him or the class administrator if the student will be absent from school for a
reason that would normally be an unexcused absence (e.g., family vacation, wedding, etc.). A parent
can request excusal for absences that would normally be unexcused.
New NHS Policy – The leadership team decided to deviant from MCPS policy and to make due dates and
deadlines the same. Teachers do not have to accept late assignments unless there is an excused
absence. In return, parents/students should expect Edline to be updated regularly. Parents/Students
should contact the Grade Administrator if this does not occur. There should be 2 assignments/week and
no fewer than 4 summatives/quarter. The policy will be evaluated by comparing eligibility statistics to
last year’s statistics.
A reconsideration of the 4x4 block schedule. Per Union rules the NHS faculty could request a review of
the schedule this year. Typically it would be every two years, but because of problems with the review
process last year, MCPS permitted a reconsideration of the schedule this year. There will be a multistakeholder committee. The Multi-stakeholder Commission will make a recommendation to another
Committee. Four parents can be on the Multi-stakeholder committee. Seniors and senior parents are
barred from the meeting unless they have younger siblings at the school. Volunteers are expected to
attend all meetings. The meetings will occur afternoons during October and/or November. Interested
parents should send their names to Cathy.
SGA Update
The VP of the SGA is a student representative on the PTSA Board. Homecoming is October 15 th.
Volunteers are needed the night of the dance (Chaperones, coat check) and to sell tickets (Oct 12-14th
during the lunch period (10 am to 11 am). Donations would be appreciated (water, Capri-sun, snacks,
cookies,). Need 4-5 parent chaperones to work from 7-midnight. Donations can be dropped off
between 5 and 7 p.m. the night of the event. Tickets go on sale October 6-7th for $15.00. Spirit week,
tickets will cost $18 Monday-Wednesday, and $20 Thursday-Friday.
Upcoming Needs
Need volunteers for Escript and Giant. Silent Auction will be November 5 th