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Show PTA brainoforming session successful The PTA Brainstorming meeting, held Thursday, October 12, may not have stormed too many brains, but it did clear up some misunderstandings mis-understandings and lay the groundwork for future PTA ' projects. Following the treasurer's report by Janice Mayer, President Marilyn Jacobsen explained where the membership money (approximately $500 from 191 members) goes and reported on the playground equipment project. Two -inch galvanized, gal-vanized, thick -walled pipes are needed to finish the kindergarten swings, and large construction equipment equip-ment tires are needed for the new playground that will pro -vide inexpensive, healthy fun for the youngsters. Anyone able to provide these materials should contact Marilyn Jacobsen. The PTA meeting then broke into three groups to brainstorm over the good and bad points of the two Milford schools. The groups' findings on the favorable side included: 1. The schools have an outstanding reading program pro-gram . 2. The faculties are easy to work with. 3. Both schools are im -proving their physical appearances. ap-pearances. (Mr. Pettey commented that academics are being upgraded continually.) con-tinually.) 4. The parents enjoy the activity calendar. 5. All are in favor of the project to improve the playgrounds. play-grounds. 6. The policy of having high school students help grade school teachers is beneficial to all involved. 7. The music program is an asset to the town. Problems and' questions were listed, with some being resolved right there by Mr. Pettey or Mr. Bensemon: 1. Lack of discipline and failure to notify parents of actions were major concerns among the parents. Mr. Pettey responded by stating that MHS has fewer discipline problems than most high schools in the region, and that his policy is to treat the students as adults instead of calling parents over every infraction. in-fraction. 2. More help is needed from parents, both as teacher aids and as leaders in the home to encourage good study habits and to limit extra-curricular activities of their children. This may become one of the major goals of the PTA this year. 3. Landscaping on the east side of the new gym needs improvement. 4. Parents want to be, notified of calendar changes and school expenses in advance. ad-vance. Mr. Pettey mentioned men-tioned that meetings for that purpose were poorly attended at-tended in the past. He will try to make that information, available. 5. Mrs. Hiatt suggested the need for parent help with an art program in the grade school. 6. More information on the work experience requirements require-ments was requested. Mr. Pettey explained the program pro-gram and said that parents will be notifed through Mr. Addington. 7. A request was made not to switch the curriculum after school begins. Mr. Pettey said they tried to avoid the conflict and still utilize the teachers available. avail-able. 8. There are not enough class options at the 9th grade level. Mr. Pettey will try to improve that next year. 9. Busing of students only within the county ( and to Parowan) to activities was defended by Mr. Pettey, as a school board rulingbrought on by parents in the past, was too expensive anyway. 10. Parents would like to see consistency of discipline and educational requirements in the grade school from grade to grade. 11. Standards for substitute sub-stitute teachers were discussed. dis-cussed. No criteria is used (although some educational background is preferred.) Anyone interested is invited to call the schools to be put on the substitute list. 12. Thereisconcern about the off-balanced class size within the grade school. Mr. Bensemon explained that, because of past negative reaction re-action to combining grades, the school opted for one, teacher per grade, using students and parents as teacher aids in large classes. Funds are not available for more teachers. The meeting was quite enlightening en-lightening for the 30 or more people who attended, but the general concensus was that not enough parents and teachers are supporting the PTA. Little can be accomplished ac-complished unless we take an active interest in our schools. |