BEACON PTA MEETING MINUTES – APR. 2021
BEACON PTA MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING – MINUTES
Apr. 12, 2021 (6PM, Zoom video replay)
AGENDA
1. WELCOME – Nancy Molesworth, Meeting Chair (PTA Co-President)
2. PRINCIPAL’S REPORT – Brady Smith
In-Building Update: The building was full today, with more demand than seats. With 17 classrooms in use, and 9 students per room, we can accommodate 153 students; 185 students still without seats. There are 100 students with IEPs with the option of 4x/week, leaving 53 remaining seats Mon-Thur. The goal is to have one grade in per day. Ninth graders have the most demand, followed by 12th. NYS has reduced the spacing to only 3 feet, but NYC remains at 6 feet at this time. If the DOE changes the ruling, we will be able to increase to 16 students/room or 272/day and all can be accommodated. The administration is reaching out to determine if there are students looking to reduce their number of in-building days or go all remote to determine if there is additional space to offer as some students did not show up on their given day. In addition, as more teachers get vaccinated, more may be willing to come into the building which could open up additional classrooms. Most of the students looking to come in are not necessarily the high needs students so also doing outreach to make sure there aren’t barriers to coming in. Protocols for school closures have changed to 4 cases from 2, which should reduce building closures.
PBA’s: Likely the week of June 14th, though cannot plan it at this time until we know if those will be teaching days due to waived Regents days.
Graduation: Currently targeting June 24th, but it may have to move. Looking at opportunities for shared resources with other schools with the Hudson River Trust Board. There will be a virtual graduation regardless.
PSAL: Tryouts happening this week. Outdoor, safe, light workouts initially for the practices. Practices will start at 3:30 unless a coach asks for an exception. Remote students can participate in sports. Participation in spring sports will not impact the regular season in the fall.
Clubs: 3 new clubs will be starting: Underwater Robotics, Art Gallery Management and Forensic Science. We have the budget for more clubs so more may be added so as to allow more students to get involved.
Friday Activities: Starting this week with the 9th graders and their Big Sibs meeting up in Columbus Circle and then going off in small groups. 12th graders will have one on April 23rd at Pier 84. Currently the 10th grade is scheduled for April 30th and 11th grade on May 7th but these may switch due to the SAT being given on May 8th. Also looking at the possibility for PE activities to happen on Friday’s as well instead of only virtual lessons.
Metrocards: Now available for anyone coming into the school. Have both the regular metrocards and the PSAL ones.
3. PARENT COORDINATOR’S REPORT – Erdene Greene
College Event: Virtual Financial Aid meeting on April 14th 6-8pm for 10th/11th grade parents. Email Ms. Heller any questions.
Community Outreach: Summer Youth Employment Programs for ages 14-21 (also for ages 22-24). Gives students opportunities through work experience, project-based learning and community building.
Working Papers: If your child needs them, send an email to Ms. Greene or Ms. Blaylock.
Seniors: Hoodies, caps and gowns will be available for pickup at the school on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-4pm. Can also drop off Senior dues at that time.
Scholarships: There are two at this time. a) Black male students interested in the medical profession and b) KCS Lee Hoon Scholarship Program
Clubs: an updated list will be sent out
4. ADVISORY UPDATE – Samilia Ghartey-Sam & Karen Martinez-Smith
Peer Health Exchange: We will be starting a curriculum this week that brings a social and emotional component to the students. It is a module-based approach for HS students and we will start with 8 modules, in mental health and wellness, sexual health, communication and consent. It will start with Friday Advisory sessions this year and continue into the fall. We are looking to collaborate with parents so they have the same information that is presented to the students. This could include mock lessons for the parents if wanted. For the fall, we are hoping to bring in the Peer Health educators to lead these sessions and continue whatever we cannot cover this term.
5. PRESIDENTS’ REPORT – Shirley Brady, Robin Broshi, Nancy Molesworth (Co-Presidents)
NYC Education Council Elections: 2021 is a year for elections. There is one council per district. Every public school parent can vote but you need a NY Schools Account to do it. Email Erdene Greene if you don’t have an account. Bios and more information on the election can be found under the “Get Involved” tab on schools.nyc.gov website. Voting will take place May 1-12.
6. TREASURERS’ REPORT – Spencer Green & Andrew Flamm
Budget update: $230k raised so far, which is $20k short of our goal. Spending is on track, with $25k still unspent of the $300k budget.
New requests: [BOTH APPROVED BY VOTE]
• Ultimate Frisbee: $500 for equipment, league fees and PPE.
• BDAT: $15,330 for teaching assistants. This is in line with the fall spend and 50% of prior year spending. They are looking to have a choir, outdoor play and a writers/directors workshop for the students. 40 kids are in BDAT currently with more joining.
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Anju Gupta & Katherine Bruck, Secretaries
Mar. 8, 2021 monthly meeting minutes presented for approval (click here to view)
Approved: Windell W, Diana M.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Diversity Equity & Inclusion (Gary Ramsay & Windell Williams)
Content and Community Outreach: Memphis Magic was a good event, but will look to change the timing and promotion strategy next time. Evaluating content around the Derek Chauvin trial; and anti-Asian actions to explore more integrated content. A discussion of whether Advisors should be checking in with families more (1-2 times per semester), but recommend more training on DEI issues. Also looking to do another check-in with students. A Belonging Survey will be conducted in the fall that will engage parents to make sure they feel heard; looking at a survey conducted by Outward Bound and done at other schools
DEI Book Club: Meeting on 4/13 to discuss the final portion of Caste. Next and final DEI book club meeting of this school year will be on 5/11.
Transparency & Accountability Committee: Concerns about PTA public Zoom forums including the chat. We need to make sure we are keeping conversations productive and eliminating toxic chatter. Negativity seems to be coming from a place of privilege. This was all brought to the Exec Board to be addressed.
Next DEI Committee Meeting: 5/4, with Principal Brady and Tyler Brewster of Peer Connect in attendance.
Current Events: It is very important to engage your children regarding what they read and hear with regard to what is happening currently.
• Fundraising (Karen Jolicoeur & Alison Overholser)
Virtual Magic Show: Being held 4/29
Virtual Online Auction: Being held 5/26. Some items (50) are still viable from last year but need more. Looking for physical items to be donated, more than experiences. Also looking to do a live component as well so need larger items to auction off live (homes for rent, baskets, etc).
MacBook Air Raffle: raised $6000 in ticket sales which means $5000 for the school (the max allowed). Won by Alison Clarke.
• Community Building/Relations (Karen Stonely)
Events: Make sure you sign up for the school newsletter to find out about events. Any family is welcome to any community event. Currently brainstorming about a parent event in May, and also looking to do a parent-teacher event.
IEP Townhall: Wed 4/14 at 5pm for parents
• Communications (Justine Keil & Kathy Morgenstern) – no report
• Merchandising (Tali Mermelstein & Jeff Rosenblum) – no report
• Hospitality (Elle Melaver & Kate Williams) – no report
9. SLT UPDATE (Robin Broshi & Windell Williams)
April Meeting: Taking place on Thursday 4/15 at 5pm; open to anyone to attend.
Current Discussions: Building community is important. Social, emotional and academic work for the summer. Class placements and the need for more transparency.
Admissions: ratings were in process during the March meeting. 4000+ applicants. Data was submitted 3/28 and decisions expected to be released in May.
10. NEW BUSINESS
—Nominating committee: PTA Executive Board elections reminder for interested candidates
(Shakira Provosoli; Application form is here)
—Click here for upcoming events.
11. ADJOURNMENT
