A G E N D A

Call to Order: Deborah Perkins-Boyd called the meeting to order at 7:21 p.m.

I. Approval of Minutes: The minutes were approved as posted by general consent.

II. Executive Board Reports

A. Vice President (Valley Voice): Betsy Stueber reported the Valley Voice will be out in the next few weeks.

B. Treasurer: Cyndi Hatch reported the financial statement is showing some expenses. It also reflects Prep Shop income which looks healthy to date.

C. Jr./Sr. After-Prom: Marianne Crosley reported Ladies’ Night Out was a tremendous success and made approximately $1400. Special thanks went to the Lottery Ticket Sale which grossed twice as much as any other After Prom fund-raiser. Marianne also requested people register their Giant Eagle cards to have money donated to After Prom. The next committee meeting will be November 27 at 7 p.m. For the Tree Sale, Meg Norchi reported the Tree Sale is in need of fathers and chain saws Saturday, December 1, Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9. Boys who volunteer will get double Cadmean hours for helping. Meg also indicated the committee is in need of help with organizing hot chocolate for the sale, as well as with unloading the trees on Wednesday, November 28.

D. Prep Shop: No report.

E. 9^th Grade Point Parent: Deborah Perkins-Boyd reported for Ramona Matoh that the 9^th grade enjoyed donuts on October 30.

F. 10^th Grade Point Parent: Deborah Perkins-Boyd reported for Rose Grisko that the 10^th grade enjoyed donuts on October 30.

G. 11^th Grade Point Parent: Ann Whitney reported the 11^th grade is planning their donut day.

H. 12^th Grade Point Parent: Deborah Perkins-Boyd reported for Cathie Martin that she is in need of volunteers to help plan a Senior Mothers’ Luncheon.

III. Committee Reports

A. International Dinner: Toni Pollock reported the International Dinner will be held Friday, November 9 at 6:15 p.m. The cost for adults is $10. There are currently 120 people registered to attend.

B. Faculty/Staff Appreciation: Patty Shroyer reported the first appreciation event was held around Halloween and was much appreciated.

Guest Presenters

Margaret Mason, Dean of Students

and

Michael Obel-Omia, Head of the HV Campus

“College Entrance Testing: PSATs; SATs; ACTs”

Key Points Included:

1. There are plenty of students who are smart and do well within the US curriculum who are not outstanding test-takers.

2. US prepares boys for the PSAT as sophomores. The sophomore scores are also used to help determine AP placement for upcoming high school courses.

3. The PSAT only counts if a boy earns a National Merit or National Achievement designation.

4. Tests are only one part of the college application process. There is a transcript, a curriculum, extracurricular activities, and many other factors which pertain to college admissions.

5. A good strategy is to make test scores “invisible” which means not a part of the conversation one way or the other.

6. Test prep is a good idea … but so are grades! The worst situation would be to have high test scores but low grades.

7. Individual teachers and/or sponsors advise individual boys as to which subject tests they should take.

8. SAT II subject test scores cannot be shielded from colleges.

9. Test prep is available from a variety of sources such as Kaplan, Princeton, and Academy Customized Test Prep by Noelle Whitehouse, a US parent. There are also books available as well as online resources. The US guidance office can supply this information to parents.

10. The best test prep is to have boys read widely.

IV. New Business

V. USPA Calendar (Nov-Feb)

A. 11/9/07 International Dinner (Fri., 6:15 – 7:45 pm)

B. 12/1, 12/8, 12/9/07 USPA Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale

C. 1/10, 1/14, 1/16, Grade Level Parent Coffees (8:30 am, Callow Room)

1/18/08

D. 2/6/08 USPA General Meeting (Wed., 7:15 pm)

“International Travel Opportunities for US Students”

VI. Adjournment: Ann Whitney motioned to adjourn. Jim Becker seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Suzanne G. Shoger

Secretary