SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL PTSA
ASSOCIATION MEETING FEBRUARY 8, 2005
SAMOHI CAFETERIA
Thank you to Tere Viramontes for providing simultaneous Spanish translation tonight. The PTSA is looking for someone to provide translation in the future.
City Planning Presentation: Liz Bar-El and Allison Kendall presented the Vision for Santa Monica project. The Santa Monica Planning and Community Development Department is working on Phase One of "Shape the Future 2025: Land Use Element and Zoning Ordinance Project", and is enlisting community involvement.
Resolution on Proposed 2005-06 State Budget: The Executive Board has recommended that the Association lend its support to this resolution which, in short, calls for adequate funding in the next state budget to serve the needs of children, schools, and families. Roshan Nozari moved to support this resolution and it passed.
Auditor's Report: Auditor Roshan Nozari announced that she has examined the financial records of the PTSA for 1/04 through 6/04 and for 6/04 through 12/04 and has found them to be correct. It was moved to accept these results and the motion passed.
Treasurer's Report: Chris Thornton presented the Treasurer's Report and there was a motion to ratify the bills as presented. The motion was seconded and passed.
AAPSSSG: Barry Snell announced that the film Ray will be shown next Tuesday, 2/15, at 6:30 PM. There will be a major fundraiser on February 25th in the Humanities Center at 7:00 PM. North and South Central will be performed by the Theatre Perception Consortium. All are invited to attend both of these events.
Grad Night: Val Glick and Chris Thornton reported on Grad Night. Grad Night at Samo started in 1990 and is now in it's 15th year. 88-92% of the Senior Class attends, which will result in approximately 770 attendees this year. They arrive between 9:30 and 11:30 PM, go through security, and stay all night until 5:30 AM. There will be a live DJ, inflatables, carnival games, goodie bags, prizes, a slide show, scholarships, and food. 225 volunteers are needed for two-hour shifts; please sign up.
Dr. Straus presented the Principal's Report:
Pinnacle has been down and has delayed the mailing of report cards. They are expected to be mailed tomorrow, 2/9.
There have been problems with internet access. The District is upgrading the server.
The transition to second semester has gone smoothly. The drop date policy has been modified; students have one week after the first report cards of the semester go home to request to drop a class with review. Students are enrolled for a full academic year and teacher requests are not accepted. Students may not drop graduation requirements. There is a hearing panel for appeals in order to have the policy implemented consistently among houses.
All but two staff openings have been filled with good and certified candidates, including chemistry, Spanish, and special education.
There will be a pep rally on Friday.
At least every six years it is mandated that the school be reaccredited. It is a very labor- intensive process. Visits by the accreditation committee are scheduled for the week of March 7, and the goal is to receive a full six year accreditation. Wednesday, March 9 will be an early release day instead of a late start day in order to allow the entire faculty to meet with the accreditation committee.
Passage of the High School Exit Exam is now required for all current 10th and 11th graders. It is not optional. Last year Samo had an 89% pass rate on the first try.
Thank you Maryanne Solomon for doing an amazing job on the Samo website.
Samo has settled into the House structure. Next week there will be a full day symposium with the school board.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm for breakout sessions by house.
Respectfully submitted by,
Leslie Frischer
Co-Recording Secretary