HPHS PTO MEETING

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 9:24 A.M.

ATTENDANCE: Susan Berk, Andi Goldfine Zazove, Martha Biede, Terry Vismantas, Patty Pell, Jean Sogin, Amy Kaufman, Terri Olian, Sara Hoffman, Robin Nasatir, Lynne Lieber, Amy Perlmutter, Patty Marmon, Marjie Sandlow, Sarah Liebman

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Andi Zazove reported that the Principal’s position at DHS has been filled by Sue Hebson (former Principal of DHS) Dr. Hebson will be leaving her position at the district office and returning to Deerfield High School during the summer. Congratulations.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Andy Butler and Tom Koulentes gave a presentation about the Link’s Crew program at HPHS. Link Crew is a national program that our high school has adapted to replace the APF. The purpose of Link Crew is to match incoming freshmen with junior and senior students who serve as role models and "big brothers or sisters" for new students to bond with. The leaders help with facilitating the transition to the high school by offering everything from advice, directions around the school, to role-playing situations that encourage good decision-making skills. Link Crew takes place during either a P.E. class or an English class so that every freshman is involved (which wasn’t the case for APF). Orientation Day for freshmen is the kick-off so every new student finds out when their Link Crew will meet and who their counselor and leaders are. The curriculum emphasizes health, wellness and teamwork. The leaders meet once a week. There are 2 leaders to every 10 students. There are 480 freshman, 96 leaders and 48 crews. Subjects that are covered are presented by various guest speakers. Deans, Cathy Cratty from the District Office to present extracurricular Code of Conduct rules, Fine Arts and Applied Arts representatives, Alumni Speaker Day, pep assemblies, Tournament Day (raised $5700), Adopt-a-Family, Refusal and Good Decisions, Gay Alliance, PE Extravaganza and many more special events and speakers. The freshmen P.E. teachers have taken Link Crew on as an inquiry question which is a part of the district’s mission statement.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORTS: Parent Education: The committee is meeting after break to prepare for the Feb. 28^th meeting on Coping with Serious Illness. Focus: A letter will be going out in January asking for volunteers for the week of Focus on the Arts beginning Monday, April 16^th. Grad Night: Committees in formation. Fine Arts: Beth Shadur is the artist exhibition until Feb. 2^nd.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Discretionary checks have been distributed to the various clubs that were selected.

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Minutes approved from the November 13^th meeting.

1. La Posada is a celebration that takes place 10 days prior to Christmas. It is a Hispanic cultural event that was introduced at the Hispanic Parent Meeting. It was well-attended. 2. Fern Tribbey is contacting a firm who could customize a math tutoring program for our school. More math lab times are available and more training for personnel is being done. This is a follow-up to concerns that were addressed in the "lunches with John and Jim".