Newsletter for the first week of November

Coat Collection is this Monday, Nov. 2.  Be sure to bring ready to wear coats, hats, gloves, sweatshirts at 7 pm before the 7:30 pm meeting.  

BOARD WATCH REPORT

At the Thursday, Oct. 22nd meeting of the Board of Education, Raymond Wacks (Budget Administrator for Howard County) let the BOE know that the budget will be especially difficult this year. In the past budget crunches, the Department of Education has been held harmless from huge budget cuts. The budget department head spoke candidly that he did not see a great outlook for this budget cycle. State and County tax revenues are expected to be down considerably.

The Superintendent made a point of pushing for full educational funding citing that they were already working off of a decreased budget from the last fiscal year and there is a constant increase in the number of students.

Respectfully submitted, Ginger Segala, Delegate, Worthington ES

SHARING SESSION REPORT

Last Thursday, 18 presidents and vice presidents attended the fall sharing session.  There was lots of discussion and sharing of ideas in areas of membership growth and fundraising.  Ideas were shared on how to increase membership with teachers is to have the principal encourage the staff in joining the PTA at the first staff meeting of the year, letting the teachers know what the PTA does for them and the school, having the teacher rep talk to the teachers, and for parental membership, to just be at every activity that is held from before school starts to throughout the months of September and October. 

For fundraising, some PTAs had a most successful fundraiser and others did not reach their goals.  Ideas of why were mixed. Glenwood Middle PTSA shared their idea of Hassle Free Donation where parents can donate $50 and not worry about the pressure to participate in future fundraisers.  

This is just a quick synopsis of the one and a half hour discussions that were held that night.  Mark your calendars for January 28 for the next sharing session.  Topics that have been suggested are After School Programs and (your ideas?).  If you have a sharing topic idea, please email the Council with your suggestion  ptachc@gmail.com.   

HCPSS NEWS

Did you know that… 

Student's enrolled in Algebra 1, Biology, English 10, or American Government, he/she will be taking a Maryland High School Assessment at the end of the school year

 Parent/Teacher conferences is the perfect time to meet with the teacher if you have any concerns about your child’s performance in any of these assessed courses.  

For information about the Maryland High School Assessments and how you can help your child prepare, visit www.HSAexam.org .    

HOWARD COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL

The Howard County Arts Council is seeking nominations for the 2010 Howie Awards.  For more information go to www.hocoarts.org

CALENDAR  

Nov. 1           PTACHC Council dues are due

Nov. 2             PTACHC General Meeting 7:30 pm   COAT DRIVE

Nov. 13/14    MD PTA Convention

Nov. 15          All PTAs IRS Form 990/990EZ/990N are due.  

                     Please send a copy to MD PTA at 5 Central Ave. Glen Burnie, 21061.

Dec. 7          PTACHC General Meeting 7:30 pm

Happy New Year!

Jan. 4, 2010  PTACHC General Meeting 7:30 pm

Jan. 28          Sharing Session, 7 pm Faulkner Ridge Center Topics: TBD    

THANK YOU FOR BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR EVERY CHILD!