Atholton Elementary PTA
General Membership Meeting
January 11, 2016
Call to Order
The general membership met on Monday, January 11, 2016 at Atholton Elementary School. President
Megan Drasin called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
Attendees
1. Nicole Alston
2. Elizabeth Banach
3. Ms. Stoner
4. Ms. Secula
5. Joanna Masters
6. Megan Drasin
7. Joseph Drasin
8. Shelley Mansolillo
9. Lorna Walls
10. Adrienne Moran
11. Denise Lancaster
12. Sarah Biederman
13. Kia Brooks
14. Sherri Gruneberg
15. Ricardo Morales
Officer and Committee Reports
I. President’s Report
AES PTA President Megan Drasin and Vice President Shelly welcomed the group. She turned the meeting
over to Ms. Secula to present on the tests children are currently taking.
II. Administration Report – Ms. Secula
Ms. Secula and the parent representative Ms. Stoner began with a presentation on the Measures of
Academic Progress (MAP) tests. The tests take place first through fifth grade. The test demonstrates
student progress over time. It provides a benchmark of college and career readiness. It also projects
how children will do on other tests. The test also determines what the instructional needs and strengths
are in the classroom.
This differs from other tests as it adjusts to the particular child’s skill level. The questions are not grade
level as they are for the PARC tests. The winter testing is optional for schools. Atholton does participate
in the winter testing to ensure that the children are meeting benchmarks.
Parents will get another score report around February. Children are testing now. Ms. Secula explained
how to read the report that parents will receive. Ms. Stoner spoke about the need to talk to the
children about the importance of the tests. She stated that it is important to play math games and read
with your children. You can ask the teacher how long it takes your child to take the test. The report that
goes home does not provide this information.
Students who do not have computers at home have lots of access to computers at school. Children use
computers in the classroom to help those with limited access learn and become comfortable with
computers. There are no written responses on MAP (as there are with PARC). The tests are multiple
choice. Students with disabilities work with adults to provide assistance during the test.
Ms. Secula notes that in the area of reading it is helpful to read a variety of texts with your child. Ask
your child questions about what they have read. When you child comes to a word they are unsure of
encourage them to sound it out. Ask them to use clues from the text to determine the meaning. Have
your child use different technology resources. In the area of math, when helping your child ask the
following questions:
What do you know?
What are you solving for?
What can you try?
Does that seem like a reasonable answer?
Review the skills that you have already learned. Use the technology sites.
Ms. Secula provided a list of technology resources to use to assist children at home. They include the
following:
http://elaparentssupport.weebly.com
www.hcpsfamilymoth.weeblycom
Raz Kids
https://smart.wikispaces.hcpss.org
Ms. Lancaster emphasized to schedule a meeting with her, Ms. Secula or the child’s teacher if you are
uncertain of what the MAP scoring reflects.
President’s Report Continued
Ms. Drasin noted the chess club has low attendance and may not be able to continue without more
enrollment. She encouraged parents to consider joining it. A number of parents seconded the
importance of the club.
Administration Report continued – Ms. Lancaster
The school board announced an increased budget of 838 million. There is an increase as they expect an
additional 1200 students next year. Much of the increase is needed for health and dental benefits.
Seventy eight percent of this comes from the county; twenty eight percent comes from the state.
Valentines Day is on Sunday this year. The students will celebrate on February 12th with an afternoon
party. Room parents will be organizing.
III. PTACH Report
Mr. Morales stated that this month there was a discussion about a policy on Bring your own Device
(BYOD). PTACH is considering letting more elementary age children BYOD. Over 1000 people responded
to a survey about BYOD. Please feel free to provide feedback about the BYOD policy to Mr. Morales.
The parents are concerned about a strengths survey. Some parents questioned how the tests and the
results were used. Someone who has a better understanding of the test will come to talk to PTACH. Ms.
Lancaster notes that Atholton does not use these tests. When and if we do, the administration will alert
the parents.
There are workshops on PARC continuing in Howard County. Many parents found these workshops to
be very helpful.
IV. Financial Report
Ms. Alston states that we received our box tops profits for $923. The committee tries to save on postage
by cutting them very small. The next collection will be in March.
On the expense side, the teachers are submitting their reimbursement requests. Only ten more teachers
need to submit. Ms. Alston did make a change in the banking. We are no longer banking with a
nonprofit account. With the business account we can submit 500 checks. We can submit $10,000 in
cash. This will prevent us from being charged once we go over the 150 checks a month. Ms. Alston
states that there was no advantage in having a nonprofit account. The minimum balance remains at
$5000. We have not had difficulty managing that. The account was opened in 1997 at PNC Bank. We
can continue to evaluate the bank and if it fits our needs. A parent suggested that we form a committee
to explore other banks. Ms. Alston stated that the change should take place during the summer when
the account is not as active. Ms. Lancaster suggested that Mr. Morales ask PTACH what banks other
PTAs use.
Ms. Alston brought up the issue of returned checks. During the book fair two checks bounced from the
same individual. We had to pay a fee. Ms. Alston suggested that we ask the buyers to pay the $12 fee
for the bounced check.
V. Membership Report
No report.
VI. Committee Reports
A. Fundraising
The attendees of the meeting voted unanimously to have an Orioles night fund raiser. Sky Zone
offered to do a fundraiser for us. For every child the school will get a $4.25 donation.
Spirit wear will be delivered this week. Secret gift orders will go home with Shelley and she will call
the parents.
B. 5K
Allison Decker is the committee chair. There will be a meeting next Wednesday to plan for this.
Please feel free to email Ms. Decker if you cannot make the meeting but would like to assist.
C. Dining out
The Johns Hopkins Chic Fil A dine out date is January 26, 2016. Three Brothers is going to do an
event in March. Another Chic Fil A will do an event in the Spring. Our first three dine outs events
raised $500.
D. Teacher appreciation
There will be a catered conference dinner for the teachers on Feb 4th. There will be snacks on this
Friday.
E. Family Fit Night
35 families have signed up. We still need more healthy snacks for the event. There will be 99
people. There will be Zumba and karate. The county is supporting this by bringing in the
instructors.
F. Movie night
There are plans for a March movie night.
VII. New Business or Concerns
None at this time.
Next PTA Meeting: February 9, 2016
VIII. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Submitted by Elizabeth Banach, Recording Secretary