USPA General Meeting

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

7:15 pm, Stouffer Dining Hall

                                                                                  

M I N U T E S

 

I.                    Call to Order: USPA President Deborah Perkins-Boyd called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m.

 

II.                 Introduction of Executive Board: Deborah Perkins-Boyd welcomed parents to the first meeting of the new school year. She then introduced the 2007-2008 USPA Executive Board: Vice President – Betsy Stueber; Treasurer – Cyndi Hatch; Treasurer-Elect – Noha Ryder; Secretary – Suzanne Shoger; Member Emeritus – Terry Stoller; Jr./Sr. After Prom – Amy Becker, Marianne Crosley, Sharon Dean; 9th Grade Point Parent – Ramona Matoh; 10th Grade Point Parent – Rose Grisko; 11th Grade Point Parent – Ann Whitney; 12th Grade Point Parent – Cathie Martin.

 

III.               Executive Board Reports

A.     Vice President (Valley Voice): Betsy Stueber reminded parents that the Valley Voice is an important publication to keep parents posted on school happenings. There is a column for each grade level. She also noted the school website is another important tool for school/parent communication.

B.     Treasurer (Review and Approval of 2007-08 Budget): Cyndi Hatch reported that most of the USPA revenue now comes from the Prep Shop. This year there will no longer be a school subsidy provided for the USPA due to the success of the Prep Shop. Also of note is that $4000 has been budgeted to be given back to the school for student/school/parent enrichment this year. It has not yet been determined how this money will be spent. Tamara Chappell motioned the budget be approved. Barbara Rosman seconded. The motion was approved.

C.     Jr./Sr. After Prom: Kathleen Visconsi, Lottery Fundraiser Chair, reported there will be a Lottery Ticket Sale again this year to help raise money for the After Prom. Tickets may be purchased through a flier in the Valley Voice and/or at various US events this fall. Deborah Perkins-Boyd indicated there is a need for parent volunteers at all grade levels to help with this event. There is also a Mom’s Night Out Thursday, October 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Smythe Pavilion. People are asked to bring a gift card to donate as part of a drawing. Mom’s Night Out is another fundraiser for After Prom. There will be an After Prom planning meeting Tuesday, October 2 from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. in the Callow Room for anyone who would like to be involved.

D.     9th Grade Point Parent: Ramona Matoh reported the 9th grade parent party will be held October 26 at The Cleveland Racquet Club from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The 9th grade parents are also planning exam snack packs and other treats for the boys this year. Ramona reported there will also be informal coffee chats for parents throughout the year.

E.      10th Grade Point Parent: Candy Grover reported for Rose Grisko that there will be a 10th grade parent dinner prior to the Parent Open House with appetizers, subs, salads and desserts. Cost is $10 per person. The committee is also planning a Halloween treat for the boys, as well as an ice cream treat in the spring.

F.      11th Grade Point Parent: Ann Whitney reported the 11th grade parent gathering will take place October 13. Invitations will be forthcoming.

G.     12th Grade Point Parent: Deborah Perkins-Boyd reported for Cathie Martin that the 12th grade parent gathering will take place Thursday, September 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Commons followed by a meeting with the guidance staff.

 

IV.              Committee Reports

A.     Blazer Bargains: Noelle Whitehouse reported revenue of $1321 this year compared to $830 last year.

B.     Homecoming: Julie Vail Cronin reported homecoming is Saturday, September 8. There are 52 volunteers scheduled and a great time is planned for all US families and friends. Deborah Perkins-Boyd reported tickets for the dance are now on sale. The dance is date optional and permission slips are required for boys and their guests.

C.     New Families Welcome: Ramona Matoh reported that all new families were contacted over the summer and welcomed to the school. There was also a coffee for new and freshman families the day before school started (attendance 100) which was extremely well attended, as well as a 10th grade coffee on the first day of school (attendance 50), and a joint 11th/12th grade coffee on the second day of school (attendance 45-50).

D.     Prep Shop: Marilyn Anderson reported the Prep Shop has new hours this year, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:15, in addition to regular hours during lunch Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

E.      Sunshine Committee: Barbara Rosman requested people pass along information to the Sunshine Committee for any student/family in need.

F.      International Dinner: Deborah Perkins-Boyd reported news about this event will be forthcoming. Karen Hogan announced the dinner will be held Friday, November 9.

 

 

 

Guest Speaker

Michael C. Obel-Omia,

Head of the Hunting Valley Campus

annual “State of the School” address

 

            Key points included:

 

1.         The first days of this new school year have been spectacular.

2.         A new mission statement has come out of the strategic plan. Steve Murray will unveil the

            new statement at the Parent Open House in a few weeks.

3.         An Early Student Assessment Letter will be mailed to all families with boys new to the    upper school (9th grade boys plus new boys in each grade level). The purpose of the letter         will be to alert parents to a boy’s early performance and adjustment. Also, any student

            who is getting a grade of 75 or below in any class will be notified via his sponsor.

4.         There are 49 boys new to US this year. They are from 29 Ohio schools and represent 6            counties.

5.         New faculty was announced and returning faculty spent their summers participating in

            various educational enrichment activities.

6.         Fall sports highlights were given. There have been many victories.

7.         Boys will be required to purchase homecoming tickets and register in advance for the

            dance. Dates are optional. Permission slips will be required for all boys and their guests.

8.         Many physical plant renovations took place over the summer and improvements are

            being considered for the future.

9.         Boys now have US email addresses.

10.       School safety continues to be an ever-increasing priority. All doors except the front door

            will be locked every day during the school day. The school will continue to consider

            ways to improve safety and security while still maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.

 

 

 

 

V.                 New Business: Deborah Perkins-Boyd announced she will form an ad hoc committee to determine how to spend the $4000 the USPA has designated for school/student/parent enrichment this year. Anyone interested in being on the committee should contact Deborah directly. Margaret Mason, Dean of Students, reported boys are required to wear name tags during the first few weeks of school. She also reported some parents need to turn in their sons’ Accepted Use Policy so students can access their email. Headmaster Steve Murray reported there are two boys at US this year from Kenya. The US community response to these guests has been wonderful. Steve also reported on meetings with architects regarding space planning, especially classroom spaces, on the Hunting Valley campus.

 

VI.              USPA Calendar (Sept – Oct)

A.     9/20/07            Parent Open House (Thurs., 7:00 pm)

B.     10/11/07          USPA General Meeting (Thurs., 8:30 am)

Morning assembly at 8:05 a.m.; then meet in Callow Room. 

Speaker:  Ron Grant, “Sports at US:  The Playbook”

 

VII.            Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

 

      Respectfully submitted,

      Suzanne G. Shoger

      Secretary