MEETING CALLED TO ORDER:  9:15 am by Jody Weinberg, president.

Jody welcomed our new Department Chairs and new Asst. Principal:  Deborah Finn-Math Department Chair, Lauren Stillwell – Social Studies Chair, Warren Woolf – English Chair, Liz Robertson – Assistant Principal.

ATTENDANCE:  Jody Weinberg, Susan Berk, Carrie Codell, Amy Perlmutter, Beth Conen, Janna Berk, Beth Shapiro Kopin,  Debbie Wasserman,  Sarah Liebman, Robin Nasatir, Elizabeth Robertson, Beth Olderman, Cheryl Seder, Caryl Aronson, Carol Wolfe, Terri Olian,  Beth Seredar, Kath German, Lizzette Jacobson, Fran Morof, Elissa Halpernn, Loreli Fritz Cohn, Brad Swanson, Lesa Friedrich

II  Minutes – motion made and passed to approve April Minutes.

III  Principal’s Report:  Brad introduced the Department Chairs and told the PTO a little bit about each.  He also explained the different responsibilities of the Asst. Principals and the Deans. Due to large class size, additional classes in several areas of math, English, Spanish and French have been added.  Parents and students are being notified.  Students who would have extensive changes made by switching to one of the new classes are being given the opportunity to decide what is best for them.

Brad showed his Institute Day video that introduced all the new staff at HPHS.  He shared his vision, process for decision-making, goals and test results.

IV  Activities:  Lesa Friedrich reported on the many activities being held during the month of September.  Homecoming is scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 26-27.  Window Painting, dress up days, pep assembly, bbque lunch and even a parade have been planned.  This is also Hispanic heritage month.  Many activities are planned for during the lunch hours as well as evening events for the entire HP community.

V  President’s Report:  Jody thanked all the volunteers for the many committees that are up and running and working to get the school year going.  Our newsletter will be on-line only.  The calendar was not printed separately but is included in the buzz book.

All information is posted on our website at: www.dist113.org/hphs/parent_orgs/pto

VI  Treasurer’s Report:  New budget presented and discussed.  Motion made and passed to approve the 2008-2009 budget. 

VII Committee Reports:  PTO Vice Presidents Susan Berk and Beth Shapiro Kopin shared news and notes from various committees.

Fine Arts:  exhibitions will be displayed throughout the year inside the library foyer or in the gallery in the student commons.

Parent Education:  Save the date – Jan. 28, 2009.  More information to come at a later time.

By Laws:  PTO has established a committee to review and update our by-laws.

School Board Report:  Many interesting discussions including the Green School Initiative fund-raiser through the Jewel Food Store on Deerfield Road.  Each time you bring at least one of your own bags to carry your groceries, 5 cents will be donated to GSI club.  For more information see the GSI link at: www.dist113.org/hphs/RedesignPages/technology/green_school/green_school.

Freshman lunch:  Over 600 students were served.  Thanks to the committee

Hospitality:  Thank you to this committee for their outstanding job with the teacher’s dinner prior to Open House.  It was very much enjoyed and appreciated by the staff.

Focus:  This is a Focus year.  Everyone is excited.  Many volunteers have signed up.  The kick off is scheduled for Sept. 23 and the mail campaign will take place Oct. 23 See the Focus website for more details: www.dist113.org/hphs/focus

Meeting Adjourned at 10:55 am

Next Meeting: Nov. 3 at 7:30pm

Respectfully submitted,

Carrie Codell

Secretary