PTA Meeting Minutes 2023-03-15

MECA HS PTA General Meeting- 3/15/2023 Virtual meeting

Attendees: Josh Ehrlich (PTA President), Monica Soto (PTA Secretary), Shelby Banks (PTA Treasurer), Vivian Cruz (School parent coordinator), Julia Tsengm Skylar Jackson, Ousmane Doumbia, Camille, Leo127, Joelle Washington, Tischelle George, Phone 917*, Heidy Santos, Anna Bozkurt,

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 February 2023 general meeting minutes were approved with no objection.

2.  President's Report- Josh Ehrlich:

·         Josh is finalizing the date of the next Parent Workshop. Josh is working with the Consultant. The next topic is a combination of two topics of interest voted by MECA parents: Stress Management and Mental Health with Teens.

·         Josh reminded to look at our PTA website Mecahpta.org for resources and info about SYEP which is due soon.

3. Treasurer’s Report- Shelby Banks:

·         Fundraising update: the Breakfast bar for MECA school was a success and a great event that our kids supported. It was a two day event and students expressed they look forward to the next event. Starbucks donated coffee and “SM Bagel” donated bagels.. Total funds  raised were $180. Expenses were only to cover cost for cups and miscellaneous expenses. Thanks to Ms Cruz for making it possible and to Ms Kaplan for coordinating approval with co-principals. Shelby asks for volunteers for the next Breakfast event. We have already a “donut place” to donate and more.

A parent commented on PTA to look into need to accept digital card as an option for the students to pay for the breakfast items.

·         Treasury Report: Shelby went over the shared the file of the report. The total balance of account is $2,502.42.

·         Shelby asked for parents volunteer for next fundraising event in any way, as a contributor, or donor.

4.  Principal’s Report- Sarah Kaplan:

Updates:

-          Attendance Data Review update: Ms Kaplan reported the data is improving. Chronic absenteeism has come down from 48% from the beginning of the year. Attribute decrease to advisory reaching out, offers of attendance rewards program,  Attendance Mentorship, and other efforts. The attendance rewards take place every Friday as a raffle of Starbucks cards. Attendance Metnors work in teams Mentor and absentee members who are contacted to improve their attendance.

-          Disciplinary and Incident Data review: Ms Kaplan reports there were no superintendent’ suspension this quarter. Level 4-5 (serious) incidents are down a 75% over course of the year. Ms Edward (School Dean) and team have influenced improvement.

-          School Counselor Contacting Parents: Parents might expect calls from school counselors to schedule a Face-to_Face interview with the kids. This is to identify at risk behavior. The 30 minutes interview is to take place during school time.

-          Cafeteria Upgrade: the update was completed ahead of schedule and without disruption to class. Parents are welcome to visit the school to check out the newly enhanced cafeteria.

Events:

-          March 29-Annual Career Day. This MECA event is when industry professionals visit the school to present different workshops related to advertising and marketing.

-          March 22- Citywide SAT day means short day for 9th graders.

-          Next week- Progress report will be sent to students home.

-          New 9th graders offers are here. There are plans for Open Houses to recruit future/upcoming families to meet faculty and school building.

-          March 31- Spring dance from 5-8. PTA is welcome to fundraise during that event.

Ms Kaplan answered a question about the status of SLT team. The 10th grader student is missing to complete the student required number of student members. Required two students. Teachers’ team members are Ms Wilson (the UFT chapter leader), Ms Edwards (school Dean), and Ms Vivian Cruz.

Ms Kaplan clarified the comment from a parent that students can participate on the Credit Accumulation Program to accelerate their graduation rate. Ms Kaplan stated MECA does not promote this program because MECA has its own path of 6 years program with CUNY.

Ms Cruz responded to parents’ request for additional Summer courses available to student. MS Cruz will invite MS Isaac to next PTA meeting to answer this type of questions.

5.  New Business- PTA Elections

Josh introduced the topic that the PTA will start the PTA board elections in the next PTA meeting. Josh asked parents to consider nominating for the positions and that co-positions are also an available option.

6.  Old Business- none

7.  Open discussion:

Tischelle George, a 12th grader parent, shared information she found can be useful to all to learn about BMCC/CUNY partnerships with other colleges and available path for 12th graders. There are options for these students to attend schools that validate credits from BMCC and are accepted as college credits. Schools like Moorehosue in Georgia is one. You can find more info on a link she shared from BMCC site:

Articulation Agreements – BMCC (cuny.edu)

8.  Old Business- no old business

The meeting adjourned at 8:08pm

Please reach out via email to ptainfo@mecahspta.org

Replies from our PTA HS comes from 02M280PA@schools.nyc.gov