THOMPSON PFA MINUTES
October 27, 2008
The meeting of the Thompson PFA was called to order at 9:27 a.m. Dana Johnson, co-president welcomed all. The minutes from the September 15, 2008 meeting were approved. The minutes are now on the school website. We are still in need of Granny’s Attic chairs as well as sub-committee chairs for the kitchen and parking & security.
Treasurer: Sue Candio – We have approximately $37,000 in our account, $24,000 of which is from granny’s attic. Budget is in good shape.
Corresponding Secretary: Eileen Mariniello – No correspondence to report.
Principal: Mr. Houston – After last month’s meeting, the chief maintenance people in the district were contacted regarding the condition of the fields at Thompson. The fields were inspected. The pizza party for participants in fall sports will be on Wednesday. The environmental club has set up an outdoor science lab in the courtyard by the chunnel as a result of a $4,500 grant from the MTEF. Halloween is a dress up day for both students and faculty. The Middletown Twp. Police department has set curfews of 7:00 p.m. Thursday and 8:00 p.m. Friday. The hill up to the upper field will be getting paved. There is now a 52” plasma screen in the library. The high school orientation programs for parents will be Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at South and Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7:00 p.m. at North. Sixth and Seventh grade parents are also welcome to attend. Tomorrow is student orientation at the high schools.
Mr. Anderson – Six buses of students will be going to South tomorrow and ˝ bus to North. There will be a 1 – 1 ˝ hour presentation and tour. There are many more activities at the high school level than there are in middle school. The curriculum guides will be out in late December or early January for the high school courses. Scheduling will take place in early February. Students will meet one on one with counselors to go over schedules. Ninth graders can take one elective, with more electives in the upper grades. High school English/History honors program is based on: NJ Ask scores, teacher recommendation, report card grades, writing sample, and a letter of application. Math/Science is based on teacher recommendation.
Assistant Principal: Mr. Baglivio thanked the pfa for work on the great race and granny’s attic. Peer mediation is now being funded by the district. Students are being trained. Student council elections have taken place. Veterans will be coming to speak to the 7th grade on Veteran’s Day. The juvenile detention division of the police department will be giving a presentation to the 6th grade on internet safety. Diversity Day for the 8th grade will be in February.
Mr. Rinella gave a smart board presentation on the NJ Ask test scores. The Star Ledger lists Thompson as a 3 star school. This means that Thompson: Meets all No Child Left Behind Standards, Scores top 10% achievement statewide, and Scores top 10% achievement in economic group.
Vice President: Denise Caminiti – All requests for grants have been received from teachers. There will be a meeting soon to review the requests. We have $10,000 to distribute.
PIC – Stephanie Cartier – Next year the 9th grade will have LEADS. Voices, the parent advocacy group which addresses issues of parents of special needs children in the district, will have a meeting tonight at high school North 6:00 – 7:30 and 7:30 -9:00.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 a.m.