DHSPA MEETING ~ MINUTES ~ APRIL 5, 2011

Wanda Forlivio called the final DHSPA meeting of the 2010/2011 school year to order at 9:30am.  There were approximately 60 parents in attendance. 

Principal’s Report.  Dan Haron announced that report cards would be mailed on 4/11/11.  All relevant grades should be posted on Aspen.  There will be two delayed openings to accommodate internal NEASC staff work (April 12th and May 17th).  Busses will run late on both mornings however the Library will be open for silent study for those students wishing to arrive earlier.   Dancing with the Teachers will be on Thursday, April 7, 2011.  Nine ‘staff’ couples will perform dances choreographed by their own student choreographer. (members of the Dance Team).  The show will be filmed for viewing on the website.  Dan wanted to thank all the parents for their support during the last few weeks, as the school dealt with the death of freshman, Andy Pena.  Everyone came together: students, staff, counselors, social workers.  There were no questions from parents.

Guidance Report.  Paul Ribeiro extended his gratitude for community support over the past few months. 

• Guidance is still registering students. 
• Last week was college acceptance week, please remind your students to let the Guidance Department know the results of their applications.
• Colleen Massey is filling in for Debra Webb Maloney who had a baby recently.
• AP administration will be held in the Cafeteria on the morning of the NEASC delayed opening (4/12).
• A good SAT strategy is to take an SAT II in May to coincide with the AP test just taken and push the Reasoning Test to June.

Co-Chairs Report.  Barbara Alter and Wanda Forlivio thanked Lynn Biggart and Elizabeth Cortright for fulfilling their jobs and a special thanks to the Programming Committee for outstanding programming in 2010/2011.  The Board of Finance will be voting on the BOE budget at 7:30 tonight in Room 119 of the Town Hall.  All are encouraged to come in support – wear your buttons for recognition.  Note the dates and times of the class coffees on the Agenda and in the DPN, locations will be emailed to the appropriate grade level parents.

Treasurer’s Report.  Elizabeth Cortright encouraged everyone to submit their expenses.  Next year’s budget is based on this year’s expenses.  If actual expenses are not submitted, then the 2011/2012 budget will be smaller for each committee.

Committee Report
Program.  Susan Lattimer thanked (with flowers) Wanda Forlivio and Barb Alter for all their hard work this year, as well as Patti Schoknecht for facilitating all of the programs.  Susan also thanked Ivan Crowther and Jeff DiMaio for filming the programs.  Friday, April 8th will be Custodian Appreciation Day.
Nominating.  The 2011/2012 slate was submitted for approval and was approved with no dissension.
Student Wear.  Student Wear is having a Clean Out The Closet sale.  Dates are on the agenda.

DEPOT.  Jayme Stevenson reported that they are undergoing open nominations for the Adult Advisory Board at the Depot.  If anyone is interested in getting involved, let Jayme know.

Program.  The program began with a presentation from some of the officers of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).  This chapter of SADD is housed at the Depot. They will be hosting (with The Depot, SafeRides, YAT, and DMV-DOT) a simulator fair in the courtyard on Tuesday, May 10th.  The three simulators will be (1) a seat belt convincer which simulates not wearing a seatbelt v wearing a seatbelt, (2) a roll over simulator, and (3) an alcohol driving simulator.  This event will be filmed and entered for judging in a competition.  SADD won a $2000 award for a public service video they filmed last year regarding seat belt usage (which they showed to the DHSPA audience) and they received a $1000 award for a public service video they created this year re: texting while driving.  SADD sponsored the ‘Risk Free Homecoming’ bracelet which was given when a student pledged that they would not drink and drive nor would then get into a car with an impaired driver.  At the May courtyard fair, they will be asking students to sign a pledge not to text while driving, and then put their thumbprint on a large banner.  All SADD proceeds go back to educating the students regarding destructive decisions.

Paul Ribeiro walked the audience through the College Board website (www.collegeboard.com) and NAVIANCE (accessible via the Guidance tab on the DHS website: www.darienps.org/dhs ).

Sean Otterspoor walked the audience through the new and awesome JOBS website (www.darienps.org/dhsjobs ).

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00am.

Submitted by Lynn Biggart
5/2/2011