Dakota Booster GENERAL Membership Meeting

February 9, 2009

Meeting called to order at 7:03 p.m.

Minutes from January General Membership Meeting were approved by Kim V. (1st) and Annette Tilney (2nd). 

Guest Speaker:

Stephanie Lange discussed the following:

·         A flyer was distributed for “Family Night Out—The Psychology of Stress” scheduled for March 18,  6:30-8:30.  Discussions will include solutions and how to cope with stress.  Dinner will be included.  RSVP required.

·         A flyer was also distributed providing feedback from the December 3 Focus on Youth Event, “Recurring Themes.”  There were 13 discussion groups including 80 adults.  Results of the discussions were:  teens need parents, teens are stressed, drugs are primary problem, youth connection different than adults, youth don’t feel respected, and don’t have sufficient activities. 

·         At next month’s meeting, student members of the teen council will attend.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Checking Balance:    $33,310.60             Savings Balance:        $4,494.54

Donations Pending:    $5,594.29                                    Balance Remaining:  $32,210.85

Report was approved by Mary Ann Couto (1st) and Mike Papin (2nd).

 

Student Report:

·         Diane Lowe presented the following Student Report in Dominic Nanni’s absence:

o    Snowcoming was a success.  About 400 students attended the dance, which was put together with help from the Student Government.  The other festivities held during the school week were successful as well. 

o    Attention parents of Seniors:  The Senior class is having a student meeting February 26 during school.  At that time, information about graduation will be given to the students.

o    My replacement will attend the next General Membership meeting.

 

Administration Report:

·         The following report was provided by Mr. Briningstool:

o    Curriculum Night is February 25 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.  Next year’s 9th graders will meet in the Auditorium and current 9th graders will meet in Main Gym.  Academic booths will be set up in the Atrium and activities will be conducted in the 9th Grade Center.  It will be a good time for the students to look at their 4-year plan.

o    MME Testing will occur on March 10, 11, and 12.  Information will be posted on the website regarding schedule changes for those days.

o    Safe School Initiatives—operational by end of February.

o    On January 22, a 1-hour dog search, including three dogs and detectives, was coordinated with the Macomb County Sheriff Department.  The entire main building was swept for marijuana and morphine based products.  Seventeen lockers were hit:  14 in general population and 3 in athletic areas, some which could have resulted from residue from last year.  Phone calls were made to parents of students affected.  There was no disruption to students, and no passes were authorized during that time.  The parking lots and 9th Grade Center will be done in the future.  After lockers are cleaned during the summer, another search will be conducted without students present for a clean sweep.

·         Mr. Heethuis added the following report:

o    Thanked the boosters for their contribution to Leadership Day, during which 100 students participated.

o    Count Day is Wednesday, February 11.

o    Coffee with the Principal will be March 3 at 12:30.

o    New lunch tables, with attached seats, will be delivered February 18.

o    Initial steps are being taken to eliminate the Integrated Math program, which will not occur before scheduling begins.

o    Mission Statement handout was distributed, which includes our Belief Statement and the beginning of a Vision Statement.  Requested parental feedback on second sheet of handout.

·         The following questions/concerns from parents were discussed:

o    A booster presentation will be allowed during Curriculum Night.

o    Regarding the locker hits during the dog search, Mr. Heethuis further explained that the affected students’ lockers were searched, with the students, law enforcement, and administrators present, and the students were also searched in the office.  As a result, nothing was found, but one student was suspended for cigarettes.  Everything was handled with vigilance but without embarrassment.

 

Service Report:

On January 9, 20 high schools competed at the Regional Leadership Conference for the Business Professionals of America.  Six students placed in the top four in their events.  Those students now move onto the State Leadership Conference in March.

 

Fine Arts Report:

·         Band – All three concert bands received Division I ratings at the Chamber Festival on January 31;  Dancing with the Stars Fundraiser February 6 will be on cable in 2 weeks; many students participated in MSBOA District Solo and Ensemble February 7 at Rochester High School; Rehearsals for Les Miserables Pit Orchestra are on-going.  Upcoming events are:  Pre-Festival Concert February 26; and MSBOA Festival at Anchor Bay High School March 7.  Additional information can be found on the band’s website:  www.dakotabands.com.

·         Choir – Upcoming events are:  Rehearsals for Les Miserables continue daily from 2:30-4:30; tickets available to cast, staff, and parents for $10. Festival Concert  March 3; Varsity Choir Appearance on Detroit Public Television March 4; District Choral Festival at Stoney Creek High School March 6; Les Miserables performances March 26, 27, 28.  Additional information can be found on the choir’s website:  www.dakotachoir.com.

·         Winter Guard – Finished 3rd place in competition at West Bloomfield High School January 17.  Upcoming events are:  Competition at Troy Athens HS February 14; Competition at Milford High School March 14.  Additional information can be found on the band’s website:  www.dakotabands.com.

·         Winter Drum Line – Upcoming events are:  Competition at Troy Athens HS February 14; Competition at Milford High School March 14.  Additional information can be found on the band’s website:  www.dakotabands.com.

 

Sports Report:

·         Congratulations to the Boys Swim Team, who won 3rd place in MAC County Championship.

·         Varsity Hockey has claimed at least a share of the MAC Red Championship.

·         Congratulations to Anthony Fiorani for his 1st place medal at the DHS Novice Tournament for wrestling.

·         We are preparing for the Spring Sports season.  Please check your calendars to help out.  We need you!  Start dates are as follows:

o    Track and Field practices start March 9.

o    Boys Baseball’s first game is March 28.

o    Girls Softball’s first scrimmage is March 30.

o    Girls Tennis’ first match is April 1.

o    Girls Soccer’s first game is April 1.

·         Upcoming meetings are as follows:

o    Football Parent Meeting is February 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room

o    Softball Parent Meeting is March 5 at 7:00 p.m.

·         Flyers are available on the back table for a bowling fundraiser on March 6 for Baseball.

Craft Show Report: 

This week, on Friday, 453 applications were sent out.  Application is also on website.

 

Web Site Report:

Kim has been forwarding e-mails received to appropriate parties.  She will be updating the website soon.

 

Donation Requests:

·         Dakota Wrestling Team requested $1,590 to purchase a sanitizer for the wrestling mats, which was approved by General Membership.

·         Girls Softball requested $4,394 to purchase a new windscreen for the varsity softball field, which was also approved by General Membership.

 

CAC Report:

Mary Ann Couto, our CAC representative, provided the following report from the CAC meeting she attended:

·         Last month, the wind chill had to be steadily 20 degrees below zero for school to be cancelled.

·         Six schools will be up for NCA Accreditation and Advanced Education revision during the next 3 years.

·         Many curriculum changes are occurring at the middle school and elementary levels.

·         The district is 80 percent sure about eliminating the Integrated Math program.

·         Some parents recently mentioned in the local newspapers who are questioning how Chippewa Valley is spending money are not willing to meet with Superintendant Deldin or anyone else.  Gift baskets worth $43 have been purchased for staff members in the event of death or grave illness.  Feel free to contact Mr. Deldin within any questions you may have.

·         The Cougar Closet, located in the 9th Grade Center, has been formed by Mrs. Voss to help needy families and is accepting donations of gently used clothes, toiletries, and food.  It will be mentioned in newsletters, and social workers are spreading the word.  CVHS, who also has one, has sent people from theirs to ours.  Students can volunteer to work.  Assistance is handled discreetly.  A suggestion was made to encourage people to bring canned goods and toiletries to booster meetings and to staff meetings.  Kim will add to website.

 

Old Business:

None.

 

New Business: 

Everyone in attendance was eligible to vote to amend the by-laws allowing volunteer credits earned in the 4th quarter of the school year to be carried over to the 1st quarter of the following school year, only to be used in the 1st quarter.  The amendment was approved by General Membership.

 

Motion to adjourn at 7:47 by Mary Ann Couto (1st) and Angie Tiseo (2nd).

 

Next Meeting Schedules:

 

·         Board Meeting is Monday, March 2, 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room.

·         General Membership Meeting is Monday, March 9, 7:00 p.m., in the Atrium.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

Chris Liptak (DHS Booster Secretary)