Walt Whitman HS PTSA
Membership Meeting
January 28, 2014
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm.
I.
Welcome, Jodi McGill
A. Submission of October Minutes – already on website
B. Letter Writing Campaign – Thank you!
Had almost 200 letters that were sent to the Governor
We hope this will make an impression and help Montgomery
County get important Capital Improvement funding
C. MD PTA night in Annapolis, February 13
As a follow-up to our letter writing campaign, we are trying to fill a
bus to take to Annapolis to show support for MCPS schools and
request state funding for capital improvements
D. NAACP Upcoming Events
 Ms. Marmor sent an email about Historically Black Colleges Fair on
Feb 19
 Feb 22, Black History Open House in Baltimore 10am-5pm
 Verizon sponsoring an essay-writing contest on Black History
Month
II.
SGA Report – Jorge Richardson
A. February is Leukemia and Lymphoma month for fundraisers:
 2/5: Battle of the Bands – winning band plays at bRAVE
 2/9: Red Rush 5K – now also have a Junior run for elementary
school students
 2/12: Guy Auction
 2/22: bRAVE – seven hour dance marathon 7pm-2pm
 Final Week Battle of the Beards – for teachers and some seniors
 Multiple other groups are doing their own fundraisers
B. Volunteering – many opportunities for parents to get involved. Email
Whitman SGA if you want to volunteer
C. Whitman Idol – raised about $3000
III.
Principal’s Report – Dr. Goodwin
A. Report cards come out Thursday
B. College Acceptances coming – Maryland announces Friday. Last year
students accepted into UMD had a 4.3 WGPA. In general, we have more
deferrals this year than in previous year. In particular the University of
Michigan deferred a larger percentage of applicants than in previous
years.
C. Athletic events are running well – all four basketball teams have won on a
given night. Swim meets more intensive now. Wrestling doing well.
D. Parent turnout for CAC meeting was very good – about 80 parents
attended. Also a good turnout for Junior parent night
E. Battle of the Bands is the same night as Senior parent night. It is
important for parents to attend Senior night for post prom as well as
what happens during the Spring semester. Dr. Goodwin will make the
rounds of classes to address students and warn them about the effects of
letting their grades go in the Spring.
IV.
Treasurer’s Report – Joe Martin
A. Budget – PTSA budget and Post-Prom budgets distributed
B. PTSA – fundraising done for the year
C. Post-Prom – includes a $2000 donation to Wheaton Post-Prom
V.
PTSA Board Members’ Reports
A. Membership – 911 family memberships, 283 students, 7 teachers
B. The Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations
(MCCPTA) – please come to Annapolis Feb 13, students can get SSL hours
if they talk to someone
C. At-Large Rep: Special Ed Needs
Meeting on January 7 co-organized with Stressbusters with Jonathan
Dalton
Next PTSA meeting Dr. Denckla, Professor at Johns Hopkins will be
discussing executive functioning.
D. Volunteers
Thanks to all who are involved. Yearly nominating process gearing up in
Spring. Our nominating committee for the Board of Directors is forming.
If you are interested in a leadership role for the Board or for Committees,
reach out to Susan Faghani, Jodi McGill or Dona Squeri.
E. Spirit Wear – new sweatshirts $30 each, contact Cathy Shinaberry
F. Post Prom Update
Second City concert at Whitman as fundraiser $40 reserved $35 general,
students $30
Two dine-outs coming up 2/23 at Jetties and 3/26 Five Guys
VI.
New Business
A. Request that poster outside cafeteria listing colleges and SAT scores be
moved inside the counseling office.
B. Black and White publishes where all students are going to college.
Suggestion that B&W not publish these. Dr. Goodwin stated that he
would talk to the B&W supervisor but ultimately does not sensor what
the B&W publishes.
Adjournment
Next PTSA Meeting: March 18, 2014
Dr.Denckla – Executive Functioning
Upcoming Dates
For continuing calendar updates and a complete list of school and PTSA activities, go to:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/whitmanhs/about/calendar.aspx