Beacon PTA Meeting Minutes – Oct. 2020
BEACON PTA GENERAL MEETING
October 19, 2020 (6-8 PM)
1. WELCOME – Shirley Brady, Robin Broshi & Nancy Molesworth (PTA Co-Presidents)
• Nominations for open EB positions will be taken from the floor –
VP of Fundraising nominations opened up from the floor. Slate of Karen Jollicoeur and Ali Overholser nominated themselves in advance of meeting. No additional nominations from the floor
9th grade Members at Large (3 positions open) – David Gould nominated himself in advance of meeting and is not present at this meeting. Jon Mannion, Kim Youngberg, Catrina Bartha and Robin Krugman nominated themselves as members at large.
VP Auction – no candidates stepped up.
2. PRINCIPAL REPORT – Brady Smith
– Today’s in-building learning – had 80 in person learners. Can add additional days by emailing school.
– Teachers and counselors will reach out to students who could benefit from additional in person
learning at school.
– Additional space being created for students in acting and dance will have physical space in building
– Fire and lockdown drills to be conducted in school. Need 10 by holiday break.
– COVID testing unit to come to school in the next week or so.
– Club fair – will be held (virtually) October 30th for studnets
– SLT – Beacon mission being revisited, will add DEI committee work.
– New website to be ready soon. WIll enhance communications within the Beacon community. New website will also be used for admissions so portfolio materials can be uploaded.
– Curriculum night – short videos will be added to website in lieu of curriculum night
– Statistics: 42% of teachers are fully remote. 12 of 22 9th grade advisors are fully remote.
– Scheduling adjustments are still happening as we adjust to remote learning.
– Beacon will explore if it can add students to in person learning independent of DOE.
– Physical Education addressed.
– Fridays in November may have in-building experiences on the heels of the success of Freshman Friday.
– IEP students – AP Sarah Shams is working on plans for IEP students.
3. COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Treasurer – Spencer Green (Treasurer) and Andy Flamm (Assistant Treasurer)
—October Proposed Budget Additions: Treasurer discussed additions to the budget. Total October funding requests of approximately $161,000 for clubs and classes including requests by school for funding Guidance Counselor for the entire year or until DOE hiring freeze gets lifted. Budget was reviewed by PTA Budget Committee with Principal Brady & SLT representative Lisa Shatz, with some items cut after consultation with teachers and recommended 10 % reduction across the Board to all clubs. Fundraising is currently running short of goals which will be addressed by incoming VP’s of Fundraising. Treasurer went through budget items line by line.
• Recording Secretaries – Katherine Bruck & Anju Gupta
—September’s general monthly meeting minutes were presented for approval (click here). Approved.
• Diversity Equity & Inclusion – Gary Ramsey & Windell Williams (co -VPs of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion)
– DEI committee is recommending 4 working subcommittees. Looking for parent volunteers.
– Committees will be expected to come up with action items.
– Book club meeting on 11/2 – please make sure participants read the book.
– Next DEI meeting will be on 11/9.
• Communications – Kathy Morgenstern & Justine Keil (co-VPs of Communications)
– No report.
• Fundraising – PTA Co-Presidents
– Reiterated what Treasurer stated about fundraising needs; looking forward to new co-VPs.
• Community Building/Relations Karen Stonely & Sari Gabay (co-VPs of Community Building/Relations)
– Karen thanked all the parent grade reps that have volunteered. Still need 12th grade reps.
– Have neighborhood reps forming.
– SPED parents: Julie Harding, Justine Keil and Karen Stonely are representing students with IEP.
1st family IEP meeting will be October 29th.
• Hospitality – Elle Melaver & Kate Williams (co-VPs of Hospitality)
– No report.
• Merchandising – Tali Mermelstein & Jeff Rosenblum (co-VPs of Merchandising)
– No report.
4. EXPEDITED ELECTION for open EB positions – PTA Co-Presidents
• Member-at-large (up to 3, including one incoming 9th grade parent)
– 2 minute speeches were given by each of the candidates.
– Close race, so school will review names of parents to make sure everyone is eligible to vote.
• Fundraising (up to 2) – No speeches given, voted on as a slate.
• Auction (up to 2) – Expedited elections will be held at October meeting – No nominees
5. SLT UPDATE – Robin Broshi
– Last meeting was October 8th – discussions as to website and how to increase communications.
– Email was sent out as to pertinent personnel.
– Admissions was discussed. This year’s admissions is in a holding pattern by the DOE.
– A committee as to future admissions is being formed.
– Beacon’s mission statement will be revised.
– Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP) will be reviewed and possibly revised.
6. VOTE ON BUDGET PROPOSALS – PTA Co-presidents
7. OTHER BUSINESS
8. MEETING ADJOURNED
Our next monthly meeting will be Nov. 9 at 6pm.
(For more information, please contact beaconpta@beaconschool.org)
