Beacon PTA Meeting Minutes – Sept. 2020
GENERAL PTA MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 (6PM – 8PM)
AGENDA (Minutes noted within sections)
1. WELCOME – Shirley Brady, Robin Broshi & Nancy Molesworth (PTA Co-Presidents)
2. PRINCIPAL REPORT – Brady Smith
• Student schedules are not yet available but being worked on currently. It is later than the school would like but they are trying to make sure that only Beacon teachers are teaching Beacon students.
• Schedule so far would be 3 fixed cohort days (Tu, Wed, Th). Mon would be rotating cohorts and Fri for IEPs.
• 9/21 is reserved for 9th grade orientation (virtual).
• Safety is the top priority for in-building learning, including full time nurse, no-touch thermometer, PPE for teachers & staff, signage throughout the building for social distancing and other reminders
• Other notes on in-building learning:
• Class size: 9 students + 1 teacher
• Both the 43rd and 44th Street entrances will be used
• Masks required at all times in the building except when eating
• Staff trainings to learn how to reinforce safety protocols in school
• Any student not following the rules will be isolated in an isolation room and the parent will be called. If continuous behavior, will be forced to all remote learning
• No hugs or high fives permitted and no sharing supplies.
• Remote Learning – will be using NearPod and Zoom.
• Zoom expectations to be set to be consistent across the school
• Advisors will meet with Advisees over the course of orientation; check student emails for appointments
• Students will get to see the building, meet staff and admin. Parents can join.
In School Day: 8:30am-2:20pm
• Why not stagger the start? Beacon’s administration wants a single schedule for school, with 30 minutes before and after for teachers. Expect 340 students per day (170 per entrance).
3. COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Treasurer – Spencer Green (Treasurer) and Andrew Flamm (Assistant Treasurer)
Treasury described the process for requesting funds from the PTA. The vote passed with 98% in favor.
Current Proposed Budget Additions
Item 1 – all non-optional expenses
Item 2 – College Office and Guidance Office funding
Item 3 – “Thisislanguage” Software
Item 4 – Principal Discretionary
Item 5 – Reopening Committee Requests (members on hand to provide clarifications as needed)
- Nearpod account
- Lobby air filter and extra filters (health & safety)
- Lobby plexiglass (health & safety)
- Auditorium signage for distancing (health & safety)
- E-book subscription to get books to students
- WeTransfer account
- Beacon School Film Vimeo Pro account
• Diversity Equity & Inclusion – Gary Ramsey & Windell Williams (co -VPs of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion)
First meeting to be held on 9/17 at 6pm; Zoom link to be sent out
Hoping for a larger attendance this year because of Zoom platform.
• Communications – Kathy Morgenstern & Justine Keil (co-VPs of Communications)
Getting up to speed on Mailchimp.
• Fundraising – PTA Co-Presidents (Still looking for fundraising VPs)
We need to raise money through an appeal to help get the most normalcy for our children.
4. OPEN EB POSITIONS – Expedited elections at October meeting
• Member-at-large (up to 2, including one incoming 9th grade parent)
• Fundraising (up to 2)
• Auction (up to 2)
5. OTHER BUSINESS
Bob Van Pelt: An update on school reopening from the teachers’ perspective:
• Students will get the same instruction whether in school or not, but the manner will be different.
• Synchronous teaching: the teacher will be present (40 minute periods)
• Asynchronous teaching: includes recorded lesions, Flipgrid, NearPod. Allows the students to “learn” before seeing the teacher.
• Asynchronous each day; 2 synchronous per day
• To have 6 live classes, the school would need 70% more teachers than Beacon has.
• Although the schooling will be different, the students will get through the curriculum by utilizing new ways of learning.
• Should the school go all-remote: while it may be “safer”, that should not drive the decision. The students will still be learning even if it is not all synchronous teaching.
6. MEETING ADJOURNED at 8pm
Our next monthly meeting will be Oct. 20 at 6pm.
(For more information, please contact beaconpta@beaconschool.org)
