Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance:  The meeting of the General Membership was called to order at 7:35 PM.  Liz Wiegand, President, led the Pledge of Allegiance.    Members introduced themselves and mentioned their kids.

Program:  Principal Don Leydig talked about the Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) program.  Planning for the upper division is in progress, on a tight time line.  When we initially designed the program, we concentrated on freshman & sophomore years, and only identified a few “cornerstones” for junior & senior years.  We have some ideas, now, but they’re not fixed in stone; rather, open to comment; in fact, would like 2-way dialog.

Last year, the freshman SLC program had 4 houses.  This year, due in part to faculty attrition, we have just 3 houses; which fact makes the program more financially do-able, for 4 years.  So we now expect to have about 100 kids per house per year, going forward.  Last year, the freshmen expected to stay in houses for all 4 years; but in the junior and senior years, there is more differentiation among the classes offered, especially in math and science.  While they will still be in houses, juniors will have some options in these areas. 

Each house will have 4 periods for staff to provide advisories. So, we need about 12 teachers + the 4 core teachers in each house.  With the exception of music, our goal is to attach every teacher to a given house; for teachers of electives, not all their students will be in that house.  Class sizes will work out to about 33 kids/class, at the upper division, the same as now.  The lower division classes will stay at about 27/class. 

The ideal is to have 4 teachers/house, and 25 kids for each teacher/advisor.  Unfortunately, we are about 30 over now, in the freshman class.  This is a problem for our financial and staffing model, so out of district kids may be asked to leave.

Some teachers came up w/ a model for an 8-period day (1st period would start @ 7:30).  About 60% of kids still take classes during 6 periods; about 30% take classes for 7 periods.  The new day would have 3 starts/3 parts; teachers would do same thing; need about 10% of staff to start early, and 10% to start late.  Vote taken this morning, and got more than enough teachers willing to go to this model; they have more flexibility.  The other thing is, schedule is opened up for classes, especially electives.  Teachers would still teach for 6 periods/day; we’d have (in a few yrs) only 1 counselor, but 1:25 advisor:student ratio.  For seniors, might have 1/wk advisory and time for work on senior exhibition (already a requirement), community service (may become a requirement), and portfolio (i.e., to demonstrate skills/knowledge they’ve accumulated over their HS career).

AVID would disappear from HHS over time, as needs for remedial reading, algebra support, etc. dissipate.  Certain electives are disappearing, anyway (e.g., shop, home economics).

Regarding the pace of implementation, the question is whether to bring in the seniors next year; whereas, the juniors will naturally progress.  The staff is probably leaning toward implementing the juniors & seniors simultaneously.

There was some discussion about the potential impact on next year’s seniors.  Brittany pointed out that there is a feeling of “juniors & seniors vs. freshmen & sophomores” now; so including seniors in houses next year could alleviate that.  If seniors have tutorial and everyone else has advisory, it will be tough for seniors to get to talk w/ their (sr exhibition) advisors.  Don thinks the reality is, things wouldn’t really change much for seniors next year.

In the next month, we’re going to try to hold 2-3 small parent meetings to discuss this topic more (evenings, in the Little Theater).  Watch the web site (& Courier) for announcements.

Approval of Minutes:  The minutes of the September 13, 2004 PTSO general meeting were read and approved by voice vote.  They will be posted on the HHS web site (as are minutes of all general meetings of the PTSO) at http://www.hillsdalehigh.com/organizations/ptsominutes.html.

Treasurer’s Report:  Lois Darbonne presented the treasurer’s report for Sept. 14-Oct. 13, 2004.  The opening balance was $7701.52.  Expenditures amounted to $720, specifically, eighteen checks of $40 apiece, for New Staff Support.  Total deposits were $602.50, mostly for memberships. The ending balance was $7584.02.  The Treasurer’s Report was approved by majority voice vote.

Lois requested release of funds, to cover checks for $50 to the Music Boosters and $25 to Dance Ensemble, for donations intended for them that came thru PTSO.  In addition, Gari Patton turned in receipts for $69.90 for her Back to School lunch expenditures; and as more receipts for reimbursements were expected from others, Lois requested we release $200.  The membership voted to approve the release of funds for a total of $200.

Principal’s Report:  Don Leydig.  A number of parents signed up, and the administration met with the students regarding the Dance Committee.  If you’re (a parent) interested to help out at the dances, please see Don.

Don, Bob Kayne & the Booster presidents all met to discuss the web site.  As a result, all parent organizations will have more presence on the web, very soon; and we’d like to get pictures, etc.  Most of the Courier content is/will be on the web site anyway; so, we could skinny it down & send an email newsletter of 1 page (a template will be provided).  The Courier could thus turn into a “teaser”, with references to the web site for more info.  There is, however, one catch, in that about 25% of our parents don’t currently have email. 

President’s Report:  Liz went to Parents President’s Council; where Nick Avelar talked about pros & cons of 7th period.  Liz & Toni Johnston (representing Abbott) were the only reps who were familiar w/ HHS.  They also talked about “zero period”.  Other presidents were against 7 periods, Liz suggested let each school do what they want.  Sam J said more kids would want to come to HHS; he also made a compelling argument for 7 periods, to accommodate the UC/CSU requirements.  GPAs and class rankings are also impacted, when kids are taking more classes.  Transcripts (in future), will probably show weighted & un-weighted GPA and no rankings. 

New school in FC; so far, they have no place to house the school.  We’ll have to give up $ (for students who leave here, or for students coming here) or give them housing.  Housing that we could give up is Crestmoor (?); or they may use a storefront.  They’re going to have to redo the petition; will meet again January 20.

There will be no redrawing of district boundaries this year, at least.

AKOTT: Janine Wrightson reported that this year’s event will be on Saturday, 3/19/05, at Twin Pines Recreation Center, Belmont.  We have an auctioneer who’s the dad of a HHS student.  Tom Wrightson’s company is going to lend a machine to fold, stuff, and stamp letters to donors.  We’re looking for a DJ, and donations.  The Tognoli twins (Hillsdale alums and frosh/soph football coaches) have offered to donate floral centerpieces from their family-owned business.  The only issue right now is seating; the Rec Center has 20 round tables that fit 10 people with their chairs, and some rectangular tables.  The next AKOTT planning meeting is Tues, 10/26 @ 7:30 PM.

Drama Boosters:  Kim Krekel reported, The Pajama Game opening night is 10/29/04 @ 8:00 PM.  There will be two shows on Saturday, @ 2:00 & 8:00.  There are performances the next weekend too, Fri, 11/4/04 @ 8:00, Saturday @ 8:00, and Sunday @ 2:00.  Drama Booster meetings are at 7:00 PM, the third Tues of each month, room 110. 

Music Boosters: Leslie Parent reported that to support the Spring tour; The Music Boosters have planned a number of fundraisers, including some restaurant nights, on the first Weds of the month.  They’ll be selling Entertainment books @ $20, at Pajama Game.  Current Catalog, online www.currentfund.com is another way to support them.  They’ll sell discount cards (different from the Athletic Boosters’ discount cards) in November.  The Boosters have a web site, where you can check out all the dates for activities, as well as the fundraisers: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhsmb/.  

Athletic Boosters:  Tom Wrightson reported that the Ultimate Tailgate Party will be held Feb 5, 2005.  This will include dinner, drinks, dancing, and betting squares on the SuperBowl.  Sports attire is required!  The Car Show brought in about $6000. The next meeting is tomorrow night at 7:30.

Dance Boosters:  (No report.)  

Membership:  Yumi Miyamoto and Leslie Levy said we have 171 family memberships, 13 teachers, and 95 individuals, plus donations of $ $767, for a totalal income  of $6122.

Student Government:  President Brittany Wrightson reported the students are starting up a new fundraiser: Colgin Chiropractic is offering a 20 minute massage and checkup, and will donate proceeds to HHS; participants must be 18 or over.  Their goal is to make $1000; the offer will be good all year long.  This year, the kids don’t’ want to decorate the halls for Homecoming (Grid); instead will do Floats for each class, to drive around the Aragon football field at halftime; as usual, this will be a competition among the four classes.  Dance contract forms will be sent home soon.

New Business:  Peggy Williams put on the floor for consideration and future discussion, for HHS to host another, future College Night, and for the PTSO to help with the reception for the participants. 

Old Business:  (None) 

Closing:  The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:20 PM.  The next meeting is Monday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted by,
Christina Reynolds
Recording Secretary