Severna Park Middle School PTO Minutes
May 1, 2014
Present: Sharon Hansen, Chris Myers, Heidi Giard, Joanne Deady, Linda Douglas, Anne
Rutherford, Jane Godwin, Brad Myers, Patty DeLaet and Kate O’Connor
PTO Officers:
Principal:
President:
Vice President:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
Teacher Representatives:
Volunteer Coordinator:
Membership Coordinators:
CAC:
Sharon Hansen
Chris Myers
Heidi Giard
Joanne Deady
Linda Douglas
Patty DeLaet
Anne Rutherford
Stephanie Fleming/Kathie Hamlett
Brad Myers
The meeting opened with a review of the April 3 meeting minutes and action items. The
minutes were approved with one correction. The motion was made and approved to budget
$3,500 for an audit of the books, which was only noted in the Action Items. A full audit is
required when a new Treasurer takes office. The Meeting Minutes from April 3, 2014 were
updated and a new copy has been placed in the archives. Action items were reviewed and
updated.
Principal’s Report
Sharon advised:
 Last Day of school – Wednesday, June 18 for students and Monday, June 23 for
teachers.
 End of Year Testing – PARCC, Algebra HSA or Geometry final 5/21. Finals, one core
test per day. Two hour early dismissal starting Friday, June 13.
 Staffing 2014-15 – Completed with minimal changes.
 Retirement – Mr. Cservek will be retiring after teaching for 44 years! An Open
Evening Celebration will be held on June 12 from 5-7pm. Past and present students
are encouraged to attend. Cathy Vitale would be a great source to find past students.
 Yearbook – The SPMS has been highlighted by Jostens. This is a tremendous honor
for our yearbook staff and students.
 Anti-Bullying Club – Chris inquired whether there is still an active Anti-Bullying
Club. Sharon advised, yes and it is run through Guidance and Kathy Santos.
 Activity Buses – There will be no activity buses in June.
 Window Treatments – The window treatment estimate for Mrs. Chew and other
classrooms is $575. The board approved the window treatments in the amount of $575
via email on May 7, 2014
CAC
Brad reported:
 County Executive Budget- SPHS and Benfield construction projects are included in
the 214-15 budget.
 New Superintendent – There are three candidates. An announcement should have
been made by April 23.
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Later Start Time Survey – Results have been published. Positions were split with
different benefits/liabilities for elementary vs high school students. A sub-committee
will make recommendations to the new superintendent. No changes will be made
until he/she is appointed.
Calendar Survey – Completed no updates at this time.
Volunteer Tea – The Volunteer Tea will be held at Michaels 8th Ave in Glen Burnie on
May 22 from 8:30-10:30AM. Terry and Anne will be attending. RSVP to Terry if you
would like to go.
CAC – CAC positions rotate every several years. Thurman Reynolds’ term is up, so
there will be one position available in fall 2014. Some representatives did not realize
how time consuming the position is and fell off. There is an application process to be
considered for the position.
May CAC Meeting – May 5 at the BOE Riva Rd. There will be a PARCC test
presentation and devise information will be discussed. Chris inquired whether we still
need people to attend county council meetings to support funding for construction
projects. Brad advised it’s always important to do so. Sharon advised SPMS has no
agenda items, as all the focus is supporting the SPHS construction.
Benfield Construction – Summer start date. A large portable will be fenced in in front
of the school and old portables removed. A crossing guard has been added at the
back entrance of SPMS for safety. TBD what kind of impact construction will have on
SPMS – back entrance, dismissal, etc.
Teacher Representative
 No teacher requests at this time.
 Common Core Seminar – Patty advised she and other teachers attended a Common
Core seminar last Saturday. Questions were answered and then more questions
arose, but overall it was very informative. The staff is really stepping up to learn on
their own.
 8th Grade Dance - The theme is “Under the Stars”. It will be held on June 6 from 79:30 at SPMS.
 Technology Committee – Next meeting is May 28. Education is the key. Lap top cart
requested for next year. The senteo devices do not lend themselves to CC curriculum,
but great for instruction.
President
Chris reported:
 Earth Day – Great success and fun had by all! The weather was fabulous. In the
future we want the Green Hornets there; their activities were cancelled this year. A
Red Bud tree was donated and a plaque will be placed at the school recognizing the
landscaping company/donor. The grant plaque will also be installed and all plaques
going forward will be uniform. Now that the winter is over, all plants will be assessed
and replaced, if need be. There is money left in the budget for just that purpose.
 SPHS PTSO Website – They are looking to have their own website so parents can do
one stop shopping with membership and assist with data entry capabilities. It would
still have links to the school website. They plan to use Wild Apricot (also used by
Shipley’s and SPHS Boosters). It would eliminate the PTO page and PTO manager for
SPHS. Chris would like to get feedback from Jill who manages our page. Discussion
followed about whether SPMS should follow suit. Chris is reluctant to make a change
that requires PTO to manage its own website, believes there is great benefit in
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continuing to work with school staff to manage this. We, as a PTO, could and should
provide more up to date content for Jill to post. We need to renew website hosting in
a few years. Possible to switch then and allow SPHS PTSO to build it and work out
the kinks. Acknowledge that it is time consuming and inefficient that we have to
input the same information every year. However, Wild Apricot site does not have online sign up feature, like sign up genius, at this time.
Communications Coordinator – Do we need the position? The PTO can do a better job
communicating: newsletter, updating website, etc. All feel there could be value; but
difficult to recruit volunteers at middle school level.
Giant – Folger earned $18,000 from Giant program this year and was given 10-15
chromebooks for success last year. We need to tap into this opportunity! Spearhead
with chairperson, campaign, grade vs grade activities. Chris will reach out to Folger
families and Heidi will reach out to SP elementary to find a lead.
PTO Board Status – Treasurer is still needed. Heidi is going to SP Elementary meeting
and will mention opportunity.
June Budget meeting – June 5 at 6:30. Heidi will host. Sharon will have the teachers’
wish list.
Thank You – The PTO received very nice notes from the secretaries.
Vice President
 By-laws – Chris and Heidi will meet to finish the by-laws and present them at the
June meeting.
 Gmail Account – Unfortunately, the Gmail account was hacked, but everything is
good now. Chris mentioned she was able to get in using old password recently. Heidi
will confirm everything is secure with the new password.
Volunteer Coordinator
Anne reported:
 Committee Chairs – Anne will follow up with all for next year to determine what
positions are open.
 Teacher Luncheon – Next week Friday, May 9.
Treasurer
Joanne reported:
 Earth Day – Joanne will check on the status of payment to Jackie for her services
during Earth Day.
 Budget – Submit receipts until line item is met. We need to be consistent with the
policies. Mr. Phillips went over by $16. Sharon offered her line item for the excess.
Special Ed still has money in their line item. Sharon will advise.
 Fiscal Year - The fiscal year will close on June 30. Everything needs to be in by then;
bulbs, cartridges, chromebooks and calculators.
 Safeway – Joanne reported that she has noticed the revenue dropping off. Giant will
help offset the loss, if we successfully target it next year.
Membership
 Membership Procedures – Stephanie completed the membership procedures
worksheet and provided copies to Chris and Joanne for review.
 Kate Garmey has volunteered to be the second Membership Chair. She has ties to
Benfield Elementary, where she was involved with membership.
The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 at
Heidi’s home to discuss the 2014-15 budget.