Harmony PTA
General Membership Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2014
These minutes document the Harmony PTA Board meeting which was held on Thursday, January 16, 2014, beginning at
6:30 p.m. These minutes were prepared by the Secretary of the Board.
The General Membership was provided with an agenda, a December 18, 2013 – January 16, 2014 Treasurer’s Report,
MSAAC General Meeting Information and the December meeting minutes.
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Principal
Board Participants
Board Members and General
Membership
Kathy Reed
Elizabeth Webber
Jim Widzinski
Cindy Hayden
Mr. Eric Stewart
Standing Committees
Fundraising
School Rewards Programs
Events Committee
Spirit Wear
Communication (The Hornets’ Nest)
Ginny Skrobialowski
Ashby Snare
Kim Trombly
Kelly Ambler
Carol Bailey
Yes
Jim Widzinski
Jim Widzinski
Jim Widzinski , Kathy Reed
Susannah Ruttle
Tracey Downing
Kristen Thatcher, Anita Hurst
Kristen Thatcher, Connie Klinkam
Tracey Downing
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Title
Special Committees and Coordinators
School Store
Website
Constant Contact
Volunteer Coordinator
School Clubs
Family Arts Night Committee
8th Grade Year-End Celebration
Loudoun Education Alliance of Parents
(LEAP)
Minority Student Achievement
Advisory Committee (MSAAC)
Special Education Advisory Committee
(SEAC)
Student Council Association (SCA)
Liaison
Student Council Association
Representatives
Present
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Brittany Baldwin
Deana Czaban
Henry Thomas
General Members
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Yes
Jim Hepner
Lori DeMark
Adria Frie
Yes
Yes
Yes
Agenda
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7.
8.
Call to Order, Vice President
Opening Ceremony
Approval of Minutes, Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Principal
Reports of Standing Committees
Reports of Special Committees and Coordinators
Old Business
a. Winter Party Plans (Jim Widzinski)
9. New Business
a. Honor Student Lanyards (Adria Frie)
b. Family Arts Night (Lori DeMark)
c. 2014-2015 PTA Officer Election Process (Betty Webber and Jim W.)
10. Announcements
11. Adjournment, Vice President
Minutes
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by the PTA Vice President Betty Webber
Approval of Minutes
The December meeting minutes approved.
Report of the Treasurer
 Jim Widzinski provided a copy of the Treasurer’s Report dated December 18, 2013 – January 16, 2014. Our
balance on hand is $27,528.00. Total income for this reporting period was $969.90 with $929.90 coming from
the school store and the Box Tops Rewards Program. Total expenses for this reporting period were $1,668.34.
 The PTA received $449.90 from the Box Tops Rewards Program; this income goes directly to the PTA to fund
events for the rest of the year.
 Harmony PTA provided a $500 check to Woodgrove High School for the Graduation Night Celebration.
 The PTA also paid out another teacher grant in the amount of $680.62 to the Non-fiction Book Club.
 The books on the Fall Fundraiser have been officially closed.
Report of the Principal
 The Name Game for the 6th and 7th grade has been completed with the staff doing very well. 99% of the 7th
graders were named by the dean, AP, secretaries, bookkeeper and the school counselor. The 8th grade Name
Game will take place Wednesday, January 29th.
 There is a fixed A/B day schedule this year. The only time this fixed schedule will change is during exam week. If
there is a change a Connect Ed call or e-mail will go out to the student body.
 Budget meetings are ongoing check the LCPS web site for locations and times.
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In December the Fire Marshal came and made an inspection at Harmony. During his visit he noted some areas
of concern that needed to be fixed. The biggest area of concern was the lumber and sets in the back stage area
of the theater. The Fire Marshal returned Thursday, January 16th and all areas of concerned had been fixed;
Harmony passed with not problems.
Thank you to a group of 8th graders who created a “platform” through their civics classes and presented to the
administration that a five minute bell schedule would help with class transitions. The current transition time is 4
minutes. The change was approved and will take place at the beginning of the 2nd semester.
There were some parent concerns about the condition of the dirt roads in our area during the snow days and
late opening. These concerns have been forwarded to the Transportation Department for further review.
Jim Hepner is working on Harmony’s School Improvement Plan and would like input from parents and the
Harmony community. If you are interested in giving input to our School Improvement Plan, please contact Jim
Hepner at jim.hepner@lcps.org.
Report of Standing Committees
Fundraising
 Fall Fundraiser is over.
 Ginny Skrobialowski is now looking forward to Teacher Appreciation week in May.
Events Committee
 PTA will sponsor a Family Bingo Night Friday, March 7th. The event will start at 6:00 pm with dinner being served
by the PTA and Bingo starting at 7:00pm. Alternative activities may be available such as a movie in the library.
 Kim Trombly to contact with Mr. Stewart to discuss possible prizes such as homework passes, lunch with the
principle and other prizes that can be provided by the teachers.
 Jim Widzinski suggested Kim Chatfield as a good source of information and possible help with putting this event
together.
Reports of Special Committees and Coordinators
School Store
 Conversation Hearts will be sold at the school store for the first two weeks of February to celebrate Valentine’s
Day.
Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC)
 Brittney Baldwin provided the following from the January 15, 2014 MSAAC General Body Meeting:
MSAAC members viewed a 7 minute presentation provided by TedTalks Podcast "Every Child Needs an
Advocate". Ms. Rita Pierson, an educator, described what an ideal teacher should be, but there are
circumstances which cause teachers to lose their motivation and passion to teach. She encouraged parents
and teachers to establish and maintain cooperative relationships in which both parties understand the true
value of education. Each child should be encouraged from any level of their learning ability, not
condemned or overlooked.
Last evening, Dr. Hatrick provided an insightful presentation and discussion regarding the positive
progression of Loudoun County. He believes that Loudoun County Public Schools are learning the
importance of diversity and individualized learning. He also touched on points about parents and LCPS
continuing to focus on relationship building. He is hoping the next superintendent will attempt to create an
environment in which parents are not intimidated by the school system. Parents should feel comfortable
and welcome in LCPS at all times. Unfortunately, the LCPS budget situation is causing much concern
because it will affect the quality oflearning for all LCPS students. He encouraged MSAAC and parents to
attend the Board of Supervisors meetings and LCPS School Board Budget Work Session meetings to
make sure LCPS' students are being represented.
 Academic Achievement Fair has been rescheduled. The plan is to provide this fair in early spring.
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Gifted and Talented Information Nights:
Sully Elem. 7-8pm Wed. Jan 22
Liberty Elem. 7-8pm Wed. Jan 29
Farmwell Station Middle 7-8pm Mon. Feb 10
Leesburg Elem. 9-10am Thurs. Feb 20th
Harmony Middle 7-8pm Mon. Feb. 24th
Creighton’s Corner Elem. 7-8pm Wed. Feb. 26th
1 st Loudoun Regional Math Tournament - March 22nd Presented by Dominion Trail Elementary
March MSAAC Parent Delegate Meeting - "Building Educational support in Foster Care" PresenterChristine Carmouze, Foster Parent Trainer and Recruiter, Loudoun County Foster Care and Adoption
Department of Family Services
GPS Fair (Getting Prepared for Success) - March 26, 2014. Dominion High School 6:30pm-8:30pm
GAP Year Fair – Feb. 16, 2014; 2-4pm Champe High School
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
 Deana Czaban reported that the next SEAC meeting will be held Tuesday, January 21st. The topic for the meeting
will be “Building Relationships – How to Work with Your School”.
 Deana also reported that Jodi Folta, Vice Chair of SEAC will be a member of the New Superintendent Search
Committee. Deana Czaban is the alternate if for some reason Jodi cannot participate. The whole SEAC
community is excited to be able to provide input into the process.
Old Business
a. Winter Party Plans
See Standing Committees/Events Committee
New Business
a. Honor Student Lanyards (Adria Frie)
Adria Frie proposed purchasing Harmony lanyards for the students to purchase for their Honor Roll and
Cornerstone pins.
Mr. Stewart suggested that Harmony pennants might be an option as well.
Ms. Frie also suggested pins for SOL achievements as well.
Ms. Frie will get prices for purchasing lanyards and pennants and report back to the PTA at our next
meeting.
Lanyards and pennants would be sold at the award nights and through the school store
2nd Quarter award nights are scheduled as follows:
6th grade, February 11th
8th grade, February 18th
7th grade, February 19th
b. Family Arts Night (Lori DeMark)
Family Arts night will be Thursday, March 20th from 6pm – 8pm.
Kristen Thatcher is the PTA Chair Person for this event.
The event will consist of art activities in all three art rooms, used book sale and music in the Library, and
Claymation videos in Music 1.
There will be no Empty Bowl or Empty Plate this year. Ms. DeMark wanted to know if the PTA was
interested in providing concessions possibly pizza, chips and drinks on one half of the cafeteria. The
other half of the cafeteria would be used for the visiting artisans to display their work.
Ms. DeMark needs PTA help with spreading the word, setting up the show and helping the night of the
event.
Kristen Thatcher’s budget from the PTA is $400. Brittany Baldwin is working on submitting a proposal
for an Art Grant through Target for additional funding.
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c. 2014-2015 PTA Officer Election Process (Betty Webber and Jim Widzinski
Need to put in the Hornets’ Nest as soon as possible. Board Members and parents need to start putting
feelers out now.
Harmony PTA needs to reach out to the PTA at our feeder schools to start recruiting for next year’s
board.
PTA should have a table and paperwork available during course selection nights and maybe something
in the course selection paperwork that is sent home with students.
Search committee should be established at the February PTA meeting.
d. School Box Express
Tricia Smith has contacted Jim Widzinski to see if Harmony PTA will continue to sponsor School Box
Express for school supply sales next school year.
e. Loudoun UPtheARTS
Cindy Hayden asked everyone to support Loudoun UptheARTS which is a parent-powered effort to gain
advanced performing and visual arts programs in LCPS high schools. To see their proposal, 1 year, 3 year
and 5 year plans you can go to: https://www.facebook.com/loudounupthearts
Announcements
NEXT PTA GENERAL MEETING – The next general meeting will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 6:30 pm in the
Harmony library.
Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
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