PTA Meeting Minutes 1-18-2023

MECA HS PTA General Meeting- 1/18/2023 Virtual meeting

Attendees: Josh Ehrlich -PTA President, Monica Soto PTA-Secretary, Shelby Banks- PTA Treasurer, Vivian Cruz- MECA Parent Coordinator, Sarah Kaplan- MECA Principal, Maurisha Dash, Tischelle George, Julia Tseng, Ms Skylar Jackson, Joelle Washington, Ndiaga (phone)

Meeting Started 7:05pm with Quorum of members. PTA President Josh Ehrlich chairing the meeting. Monica Soto PTA secretary scribing the meeting notes.

1.  Approval of Minutes: PTA November general meeting minutes were approved. As always, all PTA general meeting minutes can be found on MECAHSPTA.org.

2.     President's Report:

Josh informed the first MECA Parent’s workshop took place last week, January 10th. The topic was the Best Study Tips for Teenager. The video from the presentation will be shared shortly. We are working on the Spanish translation. Anyone interested can request the copy of the video by emailing the PTA at ptainfo@mecahspta.org

You can vote on the topic for the 2nd Parent’s workshop. Find the survey from the educational consultant on our PTA website. For a complete list of events and resources go to the https://mecahspta.org   

Josh welcomed and congratulated our other parent’s members of School Leadership Team: Joelle Washington. Who received the votes together with Monica Soto and Shelby during the last PTA meeting.

3.     Treasurer’s Report:

Shelby shared that the current balance is $2,502.42 and showed an activity report that included the profits from Halloween Dance candy sale. The profits covered the investment on those items. Shelby asked members for fundraising ideas that can be a permanent effort from the PTA. Shelby pointed out that the expected expenses from PTA are to cover Seniors Scholarships. If we could increase the funds, we can offer scholarships for more than one senior student.

Fundraising Ideas:

·        A parent supported idea of a permanent Snack Sale. She added to encourage parents to donate snack items to lower the cost for PTA. Maybe we can ask/survey students for the type of snacks they would like.

·        Another parent suggested a movie night event. That could be tied up to the sale of prepackage snacks. (a snack box).

·        Book Sale: With the suggestions from the English Teachers and what students are enjoying to read. PTA asked Ms Kaplan if that idea could be an option based on prior experience with Book vendors. MS Kaplan will get back to us.

·        Movie Night once a month hosted and selling hot food items (wings, chips, popcorn, etc.) Josh asked Ms Kaplan if Movie Night at MECA is a possible fundraiser activity. Ms Kaplan responded that it is possible, however, the school will need a number of parents to volunteer. Ms Kaplan will think about this more.  Ms Kaplan suggested that the party movies during Advisory. She will ask the Advisory team.

·        A Chef’ Corner: a cafe corner where students can get more than a snack

·        Sale of MECA snag: The swag is managed by the Principal. Ms Kaplan will get back to PTA. Currently the MECA ICT is looking to redesign the MECA logo.

4.     Principal's Report:

Ms Sarah Kaplan shared the following news and updates:

A-     Updates

·        Follow-up to Parents question about BMCC Tutoring: Ms Kaplan met with the college liaison staff about revisiting the program. He will request additional funds from CUNY to restart the program.

·        Students Members for SLT: School Leadership Team is ready to reconvene in February. However two students are required to complete the team. The MECA students for 9th and 10th grade received a presentation about the SLT. Their advisors from those grades will review any applications of students interested to join.

B-     New items:

·        End of Semester will be January 23rd. Teachers will submit their grades shortly and report card will be sent soon after.

·        No In person classes for week of 1/24-1/27 due to the Regents Week.

·        01/30- No Classes due to Citywide conference day

·        01/31- Spring Semester starts with minor changes to students schedules

·        College Classes starts 01/30

·        Spring Internship Opportunities start soon: There are three paid internships available: a) Creative Art, b) NYPD Explorer starting 02/28, and 3) Entrepreneurship Startup Challenge starting 03/2007. The scheduled days likely on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more info, see the CTE Teachers team.

·        Attendance in MECA increased to 81% Year To Date which is similar to other similar HS. MECA Attendance team is working to address the absenteeism with new attendance initiative (raffles for students).

·        Student’s Activity Team: formed to come up with activities subject to building.

·        Reminder to look at email about 2023 Educational Council looking for parents and encourage members to run for a position.

·        On 02/07 School Chancellor Banks will be hosting a town Hall in the building from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Please bring any questions for the chancellor in advance.

New Business: none

End of meeting 8:08pm