Minutes from the DSHA Parents’ Association Meeting

January 18, 2005

Members present:  Ellen Bartel, Sister Virginia Honish, Bill Ognacevic, Margaret Dunn-Watson, Karen Knauf, Rick and Linda Goeden, Kathy Lauer, Leon and Pat Risser, Randy Mark, Jim Podewils, Chris Krieg, and Sheila Fabiszak

Margaret Dunn-Watson began the meeting with a prayer.

Opening Remarks:  A discussion was held regarding ways to get more people involved in the Parents’ Association.  Sister Virginia stated that a big event is a good way to involve parents.  Personal invitations from other members would also hopefully increase parent involvement.

Task Force Reports:

Students of Color:  Sheila Ashley and Arlisia McHenry were unable to attend.  However, Arlisia has spoken to Ellen and told Ellen that preparations are going well for the Feb. 9th Multi-Cultural Night (note:date has been changed to Tuesday Feb. 15th).  The event will be held at 7:00 p.m.  Bill encouraged all to attend and invite others.  The Parents’ Association meeting on Feb. 24th will be devoted to discussion of a Parents’ Association sponsored Multi-Cultural event in 2006 since the next school sponsored Multi-Cultural Night will be held in  2007.

Volunteers:  Margaret and Karen stated that the Wine and Cheese Social was highly successful.  Strategies for recruiting additional members for the Parents’ Association at this event were brainstormed.  In the future, every effort will be made to avoid conflicts with MUHS when choosing an evening to hold the Wine and Cheese Social.  The possibility of another Wine and Cheese Social during the second semester of the 2005-2006 school year was also brought up, or possibly a Beer and Chili Night!   Kathy Lauer mentioned “Late Night Catechism” as a possible way to recruit new Parents’ Association members or to raise funds for DSHA.

Class Parents/Subs and Substance:  Both Chris and Sheila felt that these events were highly successful as well.  Several ideas were discussed regarding future Subs and Substance topics, grade levels, and dates.  It was decided that Thursday, April 7th, would be a possibility for another Subs and Substance evening that would be devoted to teenagers, drinking and driving, and the consequences of that behavior.  The possibility of having Jerry Boyle, Judges Gary Glojek or Mike Dwyer speak at this evening was also talked about.  Ellen felt that it would be valuable to have a presentation and still include time for parents to share their thoughts in a group setting.

Parent/Student Service:  Rick and Linda felt that this school year’s service projects had gone well.  However, they have some “fine tuning” to do for next year.  Linda was going to look into the possibility of adding an additional service project for this year.

Christmas Luncheon:  Kathy said that the luncheon was very successful.  Sister Virginia and Ellen stated how much everyone appreciated the gift certificates to Mayfair Mall.  Kathy felt that the food from the Great Harvest Bread Company went well.  We were all sorry that we had missed seeing Rob Lauer and Larry Fehring at the luncheon since they were dressed as Santa and an elf respectively.

Treasurer’s Report:  Jim shared the financial status of the Parents’ Association as of 1/18/05.  We are doing well.  It appears that the various Task Force events are within budget. 

New Business:

School Calendar:  Sister Virginia explained the rationale for having final exams after Christmas break.  By adhering to this time frame, the students are able to more fully celebrate Christmas at DSHA and not be encumbered by Secret Santa, etc., etc., while trying to study for finals.  This schedule also allows for performance exams to be held the week before academic exams thereby freeing the students to devote more time to studying for their other examinations.  Sister Virginia also stated that a firm commitment has been made by the teachers to have lengthy papers and projects due the day before Christmas vacation in order to alleviate the necessity of having girls bring a lot of books and other materials with them on Christmas vacation.

Pat Risser made the suggestion that Organization Day be called Martin Luther King Day when it is listed on the calendar as a day off of school.  Ellen and Sister Virginia agreed.

Leadership for the ‘05/’06 Year:  Bill asked for volunteers to lead the Parents’ Association next year. Bill asked that all of the members give this position serious consideration.  He reiterated that it is not an overly time consuming job.

Future Meetings:   The Parents’ Association meeting on Feb. 24th will be devoted to discussion of a Parents’ Association sponsored Multi-Cultural event in 2006 since the next school sponsored Multi-Cultural Night will be held in  2007, and Tuesday, March 15th, for the regular Parents’ Association meeting.  Both meetings will be held at 6:30 in the office board room.

Minutes are respectfully submitted by Sheila Fabiszak