General PTA Meeting

January 3, 2008

 

The meeting began at 7:10PM

 

Call to order

Jean Joachim and Jeff Ewing welcomed everyone to the meeting and spoke about the phone message error. They said the best place to check if there is ever a question is the school website.

Review and approval of the minutes

Minutes from the December 6, 2007 general meeting were distributed, reviewed and approved.

Co-president’s Report

Jean Joachim said that most of the fundraising letters have gone out to parents and the initial response has been good news with the 4 of the first checks received were $300 for $300 each.

 

Jean informed parents that there will be a Bake Sale on Primary Day which is February 5, 2008. A large turn out is expected and it is a way to raise funds for Tech from the surrounding community and in the past there has been a great response. She stressed that homemade baked items, not store bought, are what sells best and so volunteers are needed to send in baked goods that day. Since it is a school day for all students, it is possible for parents to send these items in with their children.

Committee Update

 

Chinese New Year Committee

Jean Joachim told the parents that the Chinese New Year Committee has been investigating restaurants to have a Brooklyn Tech Chinese New Year Celebration. It will be in February and this year will probably not be a fund-raising event but rather a school community celebration.

Parent Communications Committee

Mike Tang distributed the first issue of Tech Parent News, a newsletter for Brooklyn Tech parents. Mike was acknowledged for the fine job he did with this project. He asked for contributions from any parent who would like to write for the newsletter.

SLT Update

Jeff Ewing told parents that the SLT, which meets on a monthly basis, has recently asked for a committee to be formed to look at the college application process. It will be chaired by Mr. Dan Baldwin. Judith Hertzberg and Andria Grundman-Cooper will work with the college process staff to review the current process for any possible improvements or changes.

Treasurer’s Report

Vere Gibbs reported that the December opening balance was $34,191.91. There were expenses of $6900 and $139.68 leaving a balance of $27,130. She also stated that parent donations were starting to come in as a result of the recent fundraising letter.

Report by Mr. Kaelin, AP of Student and Parent Engagement

Mr. Kaelin reported that he will assume the position of the AP of Math and Mr. Pomero will become the AP of Student and Parent Engagement, effective February 1, 2008. He told parents that on January 19th there will be a career day at Tech. On this day there will be 85 alumni to talk to students about their majors at Tech, their college experience and their current careers. He explained that this is an excellent opportunity for students to talk, learn and network. In attendance will be doctors, lawyers, architects, and business people who will give presentations and talk about their experiences. The doors will open at 9:30 and the day is from 10:00-12:30. Additional information can be found on the website, as well as, a pre-registration form for students. He asked parents to encourage the students to attend and learn from the alumni who are giving their time to help current Tech students with career choices.

Principal’s Report

Mr. Asher reported that Brooklyn Tech been approved to receive funds totaling $20 million for one of the largest capital projects at Tech in the last 20 years. This project will be to fix the roof at Brooklyn Tech which is a very involved and complicated project due to the number of roofs on the building. He is continuing to work toward other projects including repairing the elevators, refurbishing the auditorium and the bathrooms.

 

He informed parents of issues in the boy’s bathrooms which occurred before the winter break involving fires being set on multiple floors. The fires were immediately extinguished and bathrooms cleaned and aired out. During the episodes, bathrooms had to be shut down on all but the 7th and 1st floors where staff members signed students in and out of the bathrooms. At this point, they do not know who is responsible.

 

He then answered questions from parents in attendance.

 

Mr. Asher also reported that in the January 4th issue of U.S. New and World Report Brooklyn Tech is considered a Gold Medal high schools was ranked #39 of all high schools in the United States. He encouraged parents to read the article on line.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:10PM.