WHRHS (Watchung Hills Regional High School)
PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) 2008-2009

WHRHS PTO Minutes from April 18, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm by President Laura Mandell.  Minutes from the March 21 meeting were approved. 

In her Treasurer’s Report, Rosemary O’Connor pointed out that fundraisers, including the book fair, continue to fall behind the budget. 

Laura Mandell opened her President’s Report by thanking people for their support in the recent election which passed the school budget and elected Laura and Eric Sun to the Board of Education.  As of the May PTO meeting, Liz George will take over as PTO President. 

About the recent book fair, the project didn’t work as well as last year.  Fewer books are required of the students, and unfortunately all books on the lists weren’t available in time for the sale.

Liz George was present go give the Vice President’s Report.  She is still collecting names for the volunteers for 2007-2008.  Volunteer Forms are available on the website, www.whrhspto.org

For Correspondence, Colleen Mehegan sent condolences to the Tremarco’s for the loss of their son; the Morse family on the loss of their father/husband; and the Dealaman’s.  On a happier note, the sunshine fund will honor administrative assistant/secretary’s day next week, and Nurses’ Day in May.

In his Administrative Report, Dr. DiGanci spoke of record high turnouts at the polls, and congratulated Laura on her win, as well as the passing of the budget. He also thanked the PTO to taking an ad in the program for the student-athlete dinner. 

• The Juniors looked nice all dressed up for their prom.  The school is looking forward to the senior prom. 
• Senior exams are scheduled to begin June 12 and run through the 18^th.  Senior Awards night will be the 19^th.  Graduation will be June 21.
• Teacher Appreciation week begins May 7.  The Faculty will honor the teacher of the year on the 9^th.  There will be a breakfast sponsored by the PTO, and a lunch from the NJSEA. 
• AP Exams will also begin May 7^th.  Over 800 exams are scheduled to be given over the two week period.
• Regarding the rumors surrounding the “Floods of ’07,” it got out that students from Long Hill and Green Brook who couldn’t make it to school would be excused, meaning that they would not be penalized for their absence.  This was spread around school as students in school were excused, which was not the case.
• Regarding more rumors – there was talk concerning several students and potential violence at the high school.  Although the rumors were unsubstantiated, there was a complete police investigation including visit to the homes of all students mentioned.  There will be a statement posted on the school website explaining the incident. 
• Rotating Drop, a new schedule being proposed for next year.  The school has been looking at new schedules for over a decade, and is looking at whether to adopt the rotating drop for next year.  The schedule will go to longer classes and a common lunch period.  To make up for the longer class length, morning and afternoon schedules will rotate daily with one class being dropped daily, for example:

Benefits include longer classes to go more in-depth, the freedom to uncouple gym and lab-sciences, less time loss to transition.  It will eliminate one class always being at a “bad time of day,” be it first thing in the morning or right after lunch.  On the other hand, teachers will need to rework existing lesson plans to hold the student’s attention.  Also, teachers will lose the flexibility they can plan on now to come in later, or for coaches to be able to leave early.

Teacher Support – James Kanach. 

Mr. Kanach brought with him examples uses for the camcorder and microphone, which were donated by the PTO.  Students can record themselves speaking assignments; they can record others in oral history projects.  Mr. Kanach can record assignments and fun projects, which can be put on the website and even added to I-Pod play lists!

There was a motion to adjourn.  The next meeting will be May 16, 2007