City High-Middle PTSA (PTCC)
Board Business Meeting
6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015
City High Middle School, Room 130, 1720 Plainfield Ave. NE
PROPOSED AGENDA
1. Call to order and welcome: 6:04
o ATTENDANCE: Sarah Lowen, Paula Eriksen, Julie Cuncannan, Donna Van Gessel,
Eleanor Lowen, Ryan Huppert, Mike Pascoe, Lisa Miller, Stephan Hokansen, Dana
Hokansen, John Helmholdt, Ron Gorman, Paula Foley, Ingrid Orr, Tim Cone, Janis
Benstead, Julie Benison, Joanna Kovarik, Christine Durocher, Maureen Birnie,
Jessica Carr, Cami Estep
2. Approval of 9/16/15 Meeting Minutes
o Jess, moved, Stephen seconded
o Minutes approved
3. Approval of Current Agenda (additions, changes)
o Paula moved, Julie seconded. Motion approved.
4. Reports and Updates
o Officers: Introductions, goals and a whole lot of thanks. (MOVED TO LATER)
o Principal (MOVED TO LATER)
o District Administrators
 JOHN HELMHOLDT:
 Best count day in two decades, two in a row. After the 45-day window,
we might actually increase students for the first time in 20 years, quite a
point of pride for us.
 Bond Campaign: Amazing momentum, never seen so much energy,
endorsements, across party lines, businesses. (Learn more at
GRPSyes.com)
 The Get-Out-The-Vote/Informational campaign is underway: knocked on
5,000 absentee voter and 12,000 general election voter doors, sent out
mailings. Plenty of opportunities to help, including Oct. 31 and Nov. 1-2.
 What does it mean for City? A $17+ million renovation. A design team will
be immediately formed to meet with architects to get the ball rolling
City PTSA Meeting Minutes • September 16, 2015
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(students, teachers, parents, administrators).
Money needs to be spent in 5 years. There will be 6 months of planning,
2 years of construction (predicted). The technology portion of the bond
will likely result in more immediate improvements. “We are very keenly
aware of your technology needs.”
Will cost the owner of $100,000 home $8.58 a month, $103 a year.
The Koch brothers’ organization, Americans for Prosperity, sponsored an
erroneous, anti-tax robocall in the area using incorrect information. The
superintendent and Bert Bleke responded in media interviews and the
group admitted they used the wrong average. Thankfully, 7000 absentee
voters have already voted
RON GORMAN
We haven’t heard many complaints about school uniforms across the
board, including at City, probably because of the flexibility, which was
provided by this group (the PTSA).
We were a little concerned at the district level, but the enrollment
numbers speak volumes, it wasn’t something that turned folks away “and
your kids look sharp!”
JOHN HELMHOLDT:
In response to a bond question: First the voters approve, then the bonds
go to market, and the money may actually be in hand in February. That is
when purchasing begins.
QUESTION: What about the security and technology portion?
Technology is really focused on useful, key needs. Security is to
repurpose entryways. Making the main office the first thing that visitors
must go through when they arrive.
RON GORMAN
Said schools on other side of state have gotten this right, you go to the
doors you see the secretary first thing. We want to keep our kids safe.
PARENT QUESTION: Why can’t high school students ride with siblings
from the same school, especially when buses are empty?
ANOTHER PARENT COMMENT: The buses leave too early in the morning,
driving all over town to make the meeting points. Routes seem illogical.
JOHN HELMHOLDT:
We intentionally developed a regional themed transportation, we
wanted the theme schools to be city-wide, to ensure all children across
the city have equal access. He said they would look at her concern,
because she’s on the northeast side and is taken all the way to Alger.
He also said they would ask about having a high-schooler get on the bus
City PTSA Meeting Minutes • September 16, 2015
at a theme school if they have a sibling.
PARENT QUESTION regarding a bus crash. No kids injured, but she was
worried about how it was handled.
 PARENT QUESTION: regarding field trip to Aquinas College Fair. Buses
were over crowded.
 MIKE PASCOE said the situation was remedied for the return trip and the
driver never should have left with that many kids. He apologized.
 PARENT QUESTION REGARDING testing requirement to get into City from
Zoo, Blandford & Economocology
 HELMHOLDT said they are looking at the requirement to retest to get
into City, not changing this year, but it is being looked at.
 PARENT QUESTION regarding the musical production.
 HELMHOLDT said they were aware of the issue.
o Principal’s report:
 MIKE PASCOE:
 Rough drafts of seniors’ final essays are due, Charlie is registering seniors
for IB exams.
 The school, for the first time, is registering 10th-graders’ personal projects
with the IB organization. IB is putting more value into that education
product for the Middle Years program.
 Juniors were introduced to the extended essay this week, the earliest
we’ve ever done that.
 A video explaining the grading process of that is coming soon.
 The more they can do this year, the more manageable the first semester
senior year will be. There’s so much value in talking to those who have
done it before.
 He referenced a student who went on to Alma, starting as a sophomore
because of the college credit she earned at City.
 Eighth hour for juniors is extended essay every week from now until
Christmas
 Ninth, 10th and 11th graders took the PSAT and the nmsqt. It went fairly
well, all in the large gym – 3.5 hours. It’s really a reading comprehension
test, and algebra for math. We won’t get results until December.
 Mr. Miller going through Kahn academy to help prepare students for
tests, a similar approach to what we used for the ACT, but a little
different with support systems. We want to find out relative strengths
and also areas of focus.
 They’ll take the PSAT again in the spring. Unfortunately the official SAT is
scheduled for the first day back from Spring Break. “So that’s cool.”
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Map test: he handed out an example report, criterion referenced test,
nationally normed. We are going to do some goal setting with our
students based on their results, haven’t done this before. We want to
close the gap, so when they take it in the winter and spring, we see
significant increase, we’re hoping it will yield some good results.
We have three testing tracks: MAP, SAT, and IB diploma acquisition.
We’re doing our best to find where they overlap so it doesn’t feel so
overwhelming.
Students will get their MAP results in class. Parents need to ask for it
from them or request a copy from the school
He said this year, unless the law changes, 50 percent of a teacher’s
evaluation is based on MAP scores.
Pascoe said thank you for a great start, thanks for all the office volunteers
SYNERGY… 130 families, he’s helped personally. Students should be
getting them in school. Parents are getting letters now. Once you’re in,
it’s great. A lot of parents like it.
If you’re not receiving office robocalls or emails, contact Alesia Albin in
the office and she will get you on the list.
And he said great job on the pie sale: City sold 1442 pies!
Lisa Miller: She’s been keeping a list of requests for bond projects. Said
the wish list for the bond is all science labs, technology, auditorium
upgrades
Pascoe said he hopes the original architecture can be blended nicely with
upgrades, much like Harrison Park.
RYAN HUPPERT:
We’re rolling out a different format with Epic class, each class 7-12 is
adopting part of the campus they choose to take care of—the north
border, the terrace area, clean hallways campaign, about 30 diff projects,
really great to get kids to really take ownership of the campus, such a
huge place we really need to do that. Juniors and seniors have been the
slowest to sign up.
Greenhouse this summer was remodeled, using some funds provided
from parents to build tables, we’ve got the equipment and the glass and
vents and heaters fixed, now we’ve got to build some tables, cedar slat
greenhouse table, then we’ll be ready to grow some stuff, there’s going
to be a huge demand. We’ll need a system for making that work. Very
much looking forward to that.
Composting in the cafeteria: We’re having a student on duty each lunch
period to remind the kids to compost. They get CAS hours.
City PTSA Meeting Minutes • September 16, 2015
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Last year’s senior grad committee earned so much money they donated
$1,000 to the greenhouse.
o Officers: Introductions
 President Sarah Lowen introduced herself and the rest of the executive
board. (VPs Jessica Carr, Julie Cuncannan & Paula Eriksen, Treasurer
Donna Justice Van Gessel and Secretary Cami Reister Estep)
o Committee and Event Reports
 Pie Sale: Julie Cuncannan said Mr. Pascoe, AKA Buzz Lightyear, updated
everything well. A huge thanks to all the sellers and the volunteers who
made it such a success.
 Recycled Art Market (Volunteers needed)
 Donna: We have 65 vendors signed up; we have room for 75. The
student volunteer form went up last week, we’ve divided the
duties within the committee. Senior grad does concessions. We
contract with Right Brain Events to put on the show and it kind of
works itself out.
 Jess: All volunteer opportunities will be on the City PTSA website
with a new signup system a parent helped set up. We are making
improvements to it each time we use it, but it’s nice to have it all
in one place.
 Chili Cook-off—Monday, January 11, evening thing, checking out the
lodge up the street. Julie is chairing the event. Proceeds will benefit the
Principal’s fund.
 Pascoe: It’s a line item in our budget that does not get used if I
don't spend it. I use it strictly for kids. If I want to bowling, pizza,
skating, for those things that I don't have to answer a lot of
questions for -- only for kids.
 He said they use a Wege Foundation grant for professional
development.
 He said the kids enjoy it and he enjoys it. “As a principal, I don’t
get a lot of opportunity to put things on pause and go have fun
with the kids.”
 Auction (Volunteers needed; contact Gaelle Thibault)
 She is chairing the auction this year. She is looking for volunteers
to help procure items before hand and help set up the day of.
 Jess said they want to focus on local businesses for auction items.
 The auction is March 25 at the Kent Country Club
 Pascoe said City is developing a great partnership with the club.
 Student Reps for PTSA: Sarah explained the program (introduced our
City PTSA Meeting Minutes • September 16, 2015
current rep, Eleanor Lowen) and encouraged others to join.
PTSA Informational Meetings (City PTSA Coffee Talk) They are on the
calendar and will provide a recap of the previous night’s meeting.
 Any additional updates
 Sarah said that Forensics/Debate coach Bill Harris said they have
the biggest debate team ever. They really need more parents to
get involved and help with fundraising. You don’t need to have a
child in the program to support it. It’s really great group of kids.
o Board Action:
 Sarah brought forward a request from Danielle Ralston for PTSA funds for
an anti-bullying speaker during anti-bullying week. Speaker is Anthony
Ianni, a former MSU basketball player with autism. Total cost is $500.
Discussion focused on funding half of the request due to its short notice.
 CAMI MOVED TO FUND $250, PAULA SECONDED. MOTION APPROVED.
5. October Regular Agenda Items:
o Volunteers needed for Charlie (CAS Hours)
 JESS: We need a community CAS hours coordinator. Charlie needs help
from a parent to connect students to that community member who
contact the school with an opportunity. It used to be done by a parapro.
If anyone is interested, see Jess.
o City High Middle items for sale
 Yard signs, window clings & stickers now available
 A spirit wear sale will happen in November/December
o Uniform Closet Update (Still accepting donations, growth spurts are coming!)
o Shopping for a good cause (Box Tops, Labels for Education, Amazon Smiles)
 Someone asked about recycling printer cartridges. We do not do that
now, but Ryan said he is trying to bring back it back along with battery
recycling. And a paper gator, which could be an income source.
o Executive Board updates
 Between July 1-Oct. 14, gross income was $14,373.
 CBOP (Choir-Band-Orchestra Parents) is one of our committees. They
ended last year with about $5,000.
 Teachers are spending the money they are allotted.
o Questions and comments from membership
 Parent Tim Coning: Working to get some indoor plants in the school.
Started the program last year but it didn’t happen. He works in
landscaping and has connections with Fruit Basket and BFG. PTSA has
pledged $300 toward the project. He will get with Ryan to move the
project forward.
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City PTSA Meeting Minutes • September 16, 2015
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Ingrid is the PAL for City High, the Parent Action Leader. She goes to
meetings bimonthly with administrators at Franklin Campus. Sue Garza
goes on behalf of the middle school. Members get to hear what’s going
on in the district. She said a lot of schools do not have the parental
support that City has. She encouraged parents to check out Parent
University, great programming, including the Kahn Academy.
 She recommended a book that was recommended to her through
this program: “A City Within a City.” Author is Todd Robinson
 Another: “Generous Justice,” author Tim Keller
6. Adjournment:
o Paula moved, Jess seconded. MOTION APPROVED.
o Meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
City PTSA Meeting Minutes • September 16, 2015