East PTSA Meeting Minute
Monday, May 8, 2006

A regular meeting of the PTSA was called to order by President Jane Jones at 12:50pm in the LGI room. Those in attendance were: Betty Steinke, Lori Schneider, Jane Jones, DJ Holmes, Rosemary Leeb, Tracy Peterson, Ken Sanders, Angela Beauford, Sue Reynolds, Lori Heiden, Cheryl Swaim, and Pam Shapiro.

Minutes from the April meeting were read and approved as submitted.

Principal’s Report—End of the school year brings many trips. Eighth grade students are in Washington D.C. Friday, May 12th, seventh grade fine arts students will be at Cedar Point. All eighth grade students in Band, Orchestra, and Art will be at Mackinac Island on the 18th and 19th. In June, seventh graders will be going to Chicago and Eighth grade will be going to Cedar Point. This Friday (12th) is May Day for the Eighth grade. Studies show that the summer between 8th and 9th grade is a vulnerable time. The students will have 13 sessions in all dealing with such things as over-the-counter drugs and cyber crime. Track meet today against Norrup in Berkley. The Pirates of Penzance play has ended. All performers did a great job. Watch school calendar for lots of upcoming events. Student Council has received donated items to be raffled for Teacher Appreciation Week. Remind your children to dress appropriately now that warmer weather is here. Construction is underway and presently ahead of schedule. Construction should be completed by football season. Track uniforms were purchased.

Treasurer’s Report—Upcoming expenditures are for Staff Appreciation and eighth grade party.

Secretary’s Report—Received a thank you note from Mrs. Jakubik, Mrs. Franklin and the National Junior Honor Society for organizing the treats for their recognition ceremony.

Spiritwear—Tracy Peterson volunteered to help.

Website—Lori Heiden and husband, Larry Cannell will be making a presentation on internet safety at the Parent Forum in September. The forum is entitled “It’s a Whole New World”. There is a planning meeting at MTC on May 19th at 10:00am. The focus will be on Middle and High School Parents.

Discussion—Jane Jones explained the reasoning behind becoming a Parent Group instead of a PTSA. Concerns were voiced about participation in the Reflections program. We would not be able to compete at a state level. We could, however, compete at a district level with the other Middle Schools if someone chose to organize it. A quorum was established and Jane Jones made a motion that we disband as a PTSA and become a Parent Group. A private vote was taken. The vote was nine votes to disband with one abstention. We discussed dates for the meetings for the fall. We will be alternating day and evening meetings. A welcome letter to the sixth grade parents will be sent via email.

Next meeting is Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at 12:45 pm. Meeting adjourned at 2:00pm.