Crescent Valley Parent Organization Meeting and Parent Coffee
October 9, 2008


CVPO Business


New Officer:  Cheslah Barkdoll was approved as Vice-President.

Minutes:  The minutes of the 9/11/08 meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report:  Available funds of $5,462.15 were reported, which reflects income of $4,233.88 from dues, donations and E-Scrip and disbursements of $83.22 for general supplies and printing. 229 memberships were purchased.

OUS Visit:  The annual Oregon University System visit will be D block (12:50-3:05) on October 20 in the auditorium for students who sign up ahead of time and any interested parents. There will be presentations by OSU, U of O, WOU, SOU, PSU, EOU, OIT and LBCC.
 
Conference Dinner:  Will be held on Thursday, Oct. 30, 6-7 PM in the staff dining room. Desserts and salads and help setting up and cleaning up are needed. Please contact Lynn Entrikin at lentrikin@gmail.com.
 
Navigating the Listserv Website:  To post to the listserv or access archives, you must first register a password on the Listserv website. Follow these directions:

Register password on Listserv:
1. Go to listserv.csd509j.net/listserv/
2. Click “Register on Listserv”
3. Enter email address (use the address at which you receive listserv emails)
4. Enter desired password (twice)
5. Click “Register Password”
6. Open email sent from listserv and click on confirmation link

To post (send an email to the listserv):
1. Send your email message to CVHS-PARENTS@LISTSERV.CSD509J.NET
2. Put [CVHS] as a header in the subject line.
3. The listserv administrator will approve your message before it is posted.

To access archives:
1. Go to listserv.csd509j.net/listserv/
2. Click on “login”
3. Click on “browse archives”
4. Click on “CVHS-PARENTS”
5. Click on the week(s) you wish to browse. You can also post by clicking on that link on this page.

To subscribe/unsubscribe:
1. Go to listserv.csd509j.net/listserv/
2. Click on “List Archives”
3. Click on the list you want to subscribe/unsubscribe to/from
4. Select “Join or leave the list”
5. Enter your name and email address
6. Select “Join” or “Leave” at the bottom of the screen. If joining, the listserv administrator will confirm your registration before you will receive any email from the list.

Teacher Grants:  The review committee proposed funding all nine requests that were submitted for a total of $2,682. This is $318 short of the amount allocated. The attached spreadsheet has detailed information about the grants. The low number of requests may be due to timing. Grant proposals to the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation were due at the same time and these are generally larger. The review committee’s proposal was approved.
 
Evening Meetings:  Ten people replied to last month’s minutes that they would like to attend evening CVPO meetings. A discussion about evening meetings was held. Most at this meeting said they preferred the current schedule but could attend an occasional evening meeting. The suggestion was made to ask Cherie to hold a few evening parent coffees this year where CVPO business would be reviewed, but no business requiring voting would be conducted. The current schedule of CVPO meetings on the second Thursday of the month at 11 AM will be followed for now. The issue will be taken up again next month with Cherie’s input.

Excellence Campaign:  Katherine Cleland announced that this fundraising campaign will kick-off on Oct. 27 and end on Nov. 26. Campaign volunteers will be present at athletic events and performing arts concerts during that time to explain the campaign and accept donations. Monies can be designated to specific groups, departments, teachers, etc. and are disbursed through the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation and therefore tax deductible. More information, including a link to a secure donation site, is available at http://cvexcellence.org.

Some highlights:

1. Use the down loadable brochure at http://cvexcellence.org/Documents/CVHS%20Excellence13sm.pdf to select the recipient(s) of your donation.
2. The brochure highlights top needs at CV.
3. If donating online, use “restriction” to designate recipient.
4. No donation is too small.
5. To donate with a credit card, use the secure site.
6. To donate with a check, use a copy of the attached brochure.
7. If donating to a group that doesn’t have a CV staff member liaison, i.e. Ski Team, alert the coach or adult in charge about your donation and ask him/her to contact Denise Purdy, CV Bookkeeper, to obtain the money.
8. Sports and activity fees can not be paid through the campaign.
9. Donations can still be made without using the Campaign or the Foundation.
 
Senior All Night Party tickets:  Can be purchased for $20 before Spring Break, $25 afterwards and $30 at the door. See Denise Purdy in the bookkeeper’s office. A form is attached for your convenience.

 

Parent Coffee Topics

Bell/Chimes:  Principal Cherie Stroud presented year to date tardy data showing 1,537 total tardies. Nearly 50% of students have at least one tardy. Most tardies occur during first, second, seventh, and eighth periods.

Among students, there seems to be casual attitude about getting to class on time, resistance toward bells, and a desire to self-manage their behavior. Some staff members also don’t want a bell system.

The clock synchronization problem is being addressed with the district.

Cherie will continue working with the student group on this issue.

Bomb Threats:  The threat in early September was one of several made to various schools around the country. The threat on October 3 was by email to the Principal and Assistant Principals. Cherie thinks that this one, which is still being investigated, was also random. As with every bomb threat, the Benton County Sheriff’s Department and the superintendent were notified immediately.

Only 5-10 students decided to check out from school. Four of these were later discovered in the quad. Cherie stressed that students are tired of the bomb threats.

Grandstands:  The district has decided to replace one set of bleachers on the west side of the football field with money that is left over from the bond measure. Bids are still out, but they will be built in a way that they could be covered later. The goal is to have them finished by spring. Cherie praised the School Board for its thoughtfulness, preparedness and consideration and concern for the students. Feedback and appreciation to the Board can be given at schoolboard@corvallis.k12.or.us.

Conferences:  Will be held area-style on Thursday, Oct. 30, 12 noon-6 PM in the cafeteria and scheduled in the classrooms on Oct. 30, 7-8 PM and Oct. 31, 8-12 noon. More details, including part time staff schedules, will be on the CV website.

City Transit Service:   A committee is working on a route, probably a loop, which will include CV. Assistant Principal Julie Linhares is a member and can be contacted with questions or suggestions at julie.linhares@corvallis.k12.or.us.

New OSAA Sportsmanship and Spectator Policies:  The Oregon School Activities Association has implemented stricter policies in these areas. Students have been informed and the policies are being enforced at games. For more details see http://www.osaa.org/osaainfo/SpecConductPolicies2008.pdf but essentially only positive cheering is allowed.

School Speed Zone:   An automated programmable flashing speed zone sign will be installed soon on Highland Drive near the school’s entrance. Speed bumps will be installed on the access road.

Upcoming Events:  

Oregon Univ. System visitation: Monday, Oct. 20, 12:50-3:05 PM, Auditorium
College planning for 9th graders and parents: Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7 PM, Library
CV Excellence Campaign: Oct. 27-Nov. 26
Conferences/No School: Thursday and Friday, Oct. 30 and 31
No School: Monday, Nov. 10
Veteran’s Day Holiday: Tuesday, Nov. 11
CVPO mtg. /Parent Coffee: Thursday, Nov. 13, 11 AM
 
CVHS Website:  http://www.csd509j.net/cvhs/
 
Current Raider News:   http://www.csd509j.net/cvhs/raidernews/Raider%20News%20Oct%202008.pdf

Respectfully submitted,

Alex Vincent
October 10, 2008