Anne Arundel County Public Schools
PARENT INVOLVEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2014
Present: Pam Bukowski, Susan Downey, Jacqueline Hernandez, Valerie Holland, Clarissa Keefe,
Kim Offutt, Orhan Omer, Leslie Overmyer-Day, Stephanie Reynolds, Mitchelle Stephenson,
Carol Streeter, Russell Leone, William Rey (interpreter), Laura Gardner, Teresa Tudor, Flo
Kennedy-Stack, Anne Weaver

Welcome
Carol Streeter welcomed the group and opened the meeting.

Member Reports
This is a summary of some of the parent involvement activities that were shared that were
unique ways to engage parents and families that haven’t been shared previously.
- Susan Downey – South Shore ES organized an Olympics/Paralympics activity,
with parent help, for all the students, who participated in mock
Olympics/Paralympics events.
- Carol Streeter – Crofton Elementary is adding a hands-on activity to the STEM
Fair (formerly Science Fair) Night in order to attract students and families to
come and view the projects.
- Carol also discussed her membership on the Start School Later task force, along
with Pam Bukowski and Teresa Tudor. They are meeting once a month this year
(the next meeting is March 26) and would appreciate input about opinions on this
issue.
- Kim Offutt mentioned that SECAC (Special Education Citizens’ Advisory
Committee) has chosen a topic, autism awareness, to focus its efforts on this year.
- Teresa Tudor reported on the search process for the new Superintendent. There
were about 50 applications, all of which have been submitted to the Board of
Education members. Each Board member can choose 12 of these applications
they feel are the strongest. The Board then will compile these lists and narrow the
field to 12 who will be interviewed either in person or via Skype. The field will be
narrowed to 3 who will be invited to stakeholder forums in March. An
announcement of the final choice will be made on April 23 at a night Board
meeting.
- Pam Bukowski mentioned that Annapolis High School has had success with
“touch base” parent/teacher conferences, held in the afternoon in the cafeteria,
where parents can have a brief conference with their child’s teacher/s to just
“touch base”.
- Mitchelle Stephenson talked about a Parent Connection show she did on Common
Core. It is available online at http://media.aacps.org/board/parentscorner/ and can
be used for parent meetings as a basis for information and discussion.
- Leslie Overmyer-Day reported that a new Performing Arts booster club (to
combine music and drama groups) has greatly increased family involvement at
Southern High School.
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
Leslie also reported on an effective Cybersecurity parent night at Tracey’s
Elementary. She will relay the name and contact information of the Maryland
State trooper who was a guest speaker.
Clarissa Keefe said that Riviera Beach Elementary saw a huge increase in PTA
membership after they offered a free yearbook with each paid PTA membership.
Jacqueline Hernandez reported on an Olympic festival at Germantown
Elementary that combined a parade of children dressed as their favorite athlete,
along with an art exhibit about the Olympics. It was well-attended by families.
Laura Gardner said that the International Parent and Community Leadership
Academy began its 6-week session yesterday. She was pleased that the first
session saw 10 parents from a variety of countries.
Valerie Holland reported that, at Magothy River Middle, in response to a concern
about students’ adjustment to Common Core math expectations, they have
partnered with Naval Academy midshipmen who are doing after school tutoring.
Stephanie Holland mentioned that Chesapeake Science Point charter high school
recently went through a re-certification process. There were personal appeals to
their middle school families to write letters of support; 92% of the families. There
was discussion by PIAC members about the importance of a personal appeal and
an “ask” for something specific when looking for volunteers.
Stephanie also reported on a Common Core information night at Pershing Hill
that is being structured in the style of Amazing Race.
Shirley Jackson-Avery, School Counseling Specialist, “The Role of the School
Counselor in Middle and High School Articulation”
Shirley discussed the process that middle school counselors use to meet with 5th grade
teachers to help transition students academically into middle school and then with 9th grade
counselors for the transition to high school. They also meet with the students to discuss
course selection and the differences in the structure of each school level. Students fill out
course selection forms, which parents need to sign. Many schools have parent information
nights to explain the process and some schools hold shadowing days, especially for ELA
(English Language Acquisition) students and Special Education students to help familiarize
them with the building and some of the students and staff.
PIAC members expressed some concerns
Superintendent’s Parent Involvement Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes – page 2
September 19, 2013

Upcoming Events
- Family Involvement Conference, Saturday, March 8, Old Mill High School, 8:30
a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – online registration at www.aacps.org/conference
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Countywide Volunteer Tea, Thursday, May 22, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Michael’s
Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie
Back to School Expo – Saturday, August 16, Meade Middle
- Saturday, August 23, Abundant Life Church, Glen Burnie
The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
Upcoming meetings: 9:30 – 11:30 am
 April 3 – Board Room
 May 29 – Center III
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