Blaney Elementary PTA

Aug

2010

Would You Know If Your Child Was The Victim Of Cyberbullying?

There are a lot of signals that may indicate your child is experiencing cyberbullying. It is important for you to closely monitor their use of technology (computers and cell phones) and note any behavior that seems out of the ordinary. For example, if your child typically enjoys using the computer but suddenly no longer wishes to do so, there may be a problem.

A child may be a victim of cyberbullying if he or she…
• unexpectedly stops using the computer
• appears nervous or jumpy when an Instant Message, text message, or Email appears
• appears uneasy about going to school or outside in general
• appears to be angry, depressed, or frustrated after using the computer
• avoids discussions about what they are doing on the computer
• becomes abnormally withdrawn from usual friends and family members

Source:
Hinduja, S. and Patchin, J. W. “Cyberbullying research.” Cyberbullying Research Center (www.cyberbullying.us). (Accessed August 25, 2010).

Tags: cyberbullying | Category: Articles | No Comments »

Jul

2010

SCPTA 2010 Summer Leadership Conference

Today was the 2010 SCPTA 2010 Summer Leadership conference held at Keenan High School in NE Columbia. (Nice facility by the way.) It was a day filled with great information for anyone who is a part of the PTA – board members, school administrators, general members and volunteers. I was fortunate to be able to attend both this year and last year and learned a lot at both. I highly recommend attending next year for anyone who is involved with the Blaney PTA (or any PTA in SC for that matter). Subjects covered at this years conference included sessions for treasurers, presidents, volunteers, effective membership strategies, secretary, male involvement, PTA communications, health & wellness, Title 1/No Child Left Behind, PTA basics, school/family/community partnerships, financial reviews/IRS, PTA programs, SCPTA special funds, surviving & thriving within the PTA, legislative program, fund raising, PTA Reflections Program & collaborative leadership.

Many of the sessions are repeated each year for the benefit of those who are new to the PTA and/or their board position (such as the programs for president, secretary & treasurer), but some are rotated in and out as necessary – for instance, the financial reviews/IRS program was not on last year’s agenda that I recall, nor was the legislative program).

Next year, I hope Blaney will be better represented. Hopefully some of the school administrators, teachers, other board members and volunteers will attend next July. (Hint, hint…pencil in time for one of the Saturdays next July! Don’t know which Saturday yet, but pencil it in for all of them just to cover your bases and then you can put it in ink when the date is announced…usually around April.)

Tags: Leadership Conference, SCPTA | Category: Events & Information | No Comments »

May

2010

2010-2011 Blaney PTA Board Members

Congratulations to our 2010-2011 Blaney Elementary PTA Board Members. The new board will take their offices effective July 1, 2010.

President	Jennifer Jeffcoat
Vice President	Elaine Morgan
Secretary	Jennifer Enevoldsen
Treasurer	Sherra Scott
Volunteer Chair	To Be Appointed
Fundraising Chair	To Be Appointed
Member at Large	Sonia Rowe
Member at Large	Lisa Hinson
Member at Large	Susan Surratt
Member at Large	Katie Ruffner
Member at Large	Scott Lewis
Teacher Rep	Tammy Duszynski
Teacher Rep	Jennifer Nelson
Teacher Rep	Beth Granger

Tags: board members, election | Category: News | No Comments »

May

2010

2010-2011 Board of Directors Nominations

Nominations for the 2010-2011 Blaney PTA Board of Directors is wrapping up this week. If you would like to serve on the Blaney PTA Board for the upcoming school year or know of someone who would, please submit a nomination form to Blaney Elementary by the end of this week. Or, you can send an email with the person’s name & phone number to info [at] blaneypta.com.

Tags: board members, Board Nominations, election | Category: Events & Information, News | No Comments »

May

2010

April 2010 Paws

There was no March 2010 issued of the Blaney PTA Paws.

The April 2010 Paws can be viewed at:

http://blaneypta.com/paws/April 10 Paws.pdf

Tags: Paws | Category: Events & Information, News, Paws | No Comments »

May

2010

February 2010 Paws

The February 2010 Blaney PTA Paws can be viewed at:

http://blaneypta.com/paws/February 10 Paws.pdf

Tags: Paws | Category: News, Paws | No Comments »

Apr

2010

Bullet Points From 04-27-10 KCSD Parent Cabinet Meeting

Here is a brief bullet point overview of the April 27, 2010 Kershaw County Parent Cabinet Meeting.

Almost 88% of KCSD budget is “people”.
88% of personnel costs are for “school based staff” (teachers, principals, asst. principals, clerical, assistants, nurses, psychs, therapists, techs, custodial services)
77% of total budget is for “school based staff”

09-10 General Fund Budget

Salary/Fringe 87.55%
Substitutes/Temps .6%
Legal Services .28%
Utilities 4.94%
Property Insurance/Work Comp 1.96%
Repairs & Maintenance 1.3%
Travel .19%
Supplies 1.64%
Other 1.37%
Transfers .18%

Budget went from $72 million to $66 million to $60 million – approx. 17% reduction.

$10 million loss in state revenue / $2 million loss in local revenue

National economy
Act 388
Loss of local mill value
Delinquent local taxes

Major cuts to this point

5 district admin positions (district office payroll $450,000 less than in 07-08)
19 teaching positions
Media specialists/media assistant time
Guidance
Clerical
Misc. line items (instructional/operational) – some will be restored
Extracurricular – some will be restored
Furloughs
Outsource custodial

Major cuts under consideration for next year

Teaching positions
Restructuring admin positions
Multi-age in small schools
Media assistants
Assistant principals
Second grade SEAGUL
Misc line items

Fees being suggested to increase revenue stream by approximately $1500,000-$185,000

Elementary Schools
- Academic Fee – $30 (Used to defray costs for copy paper, technology-related areas such as printer cartridges, science lab supplies, art supplies, and other consumable supplies normally provided by the school.)
- SEAGUL Fee – $25
Middle Schools
- Academic Fee – $30 (Used to defray costs for copy paper, technology-related areas such as printer cartridges, science lab supplies, art supplies, music expenses, agendas, locker refurbishment & repair, and other consumable supplies normally provided by the school.)
- Supplemental Books – Publisher’s price (with approval of the principal and district office).
- Athletic Fee – $25 per sport (Used to defray costs of programs – no tryout fee.)
- SEAGUL Fee – $25
High Schools
- Academic Fee – $30 (Used to defray costs for copy paper, technology-related areas such as printer cartridges, science lab supplies, art supplies, music expenses, agendas, locker refurbishment & repair, and other consumable supplies normally provided by the school.)
- Supplemental Books – Publisher’s price (with approval of the principal and district office).
- Athletic Fee – $50 per sport/max $100 per student (Used to defray costs of programs – no tryout fee.)
- Parking Fee – $60
- ATEC – Based on specific program
Students with documented eligibility for free meals will not be required to pay any fees except for Parking & Graduation. Students with documented eligibility for reduced price meals will be required to pay 30% of all fees except Parking & Graduation, which will be paid at the full rate.