Dakota Booster GENERAL Membership Meeting

November 10, 2008

Meeting called to order at 7:07 p.m.

Opening Remarks: Thanked everyone who helped at our Craft Show. Although attendance was slightly down from last year, we received many positive comments from the vendors.

Minutes from October General Membership Meeting were approved by Priscilla Cobello (1^st) and Mary Ann Couto (2^nd).

Treasurer’s Report:

Checking Balance: $4,493.39 Savings Balance: $26,048.65

Donations Pending: $10,780.74 Balance Remaining: $19,761.30

Report was approved by Mike Lepoudre (1^st) and Mary Ann Couto (2^nd).

Guest Speaker:

None.

Student Report:

None.

Administration Report:

· Provided by Mr. Heethuis.

· Report cards were mailed home Friday.

· Final grade calculations not out yet.

· Failure rate in algebra averaged 13.8% last year; this year averaged only 9.1%.

· Athletic championship banners are being rearranged in gym as requested during last month’s meeting.

· Web page still being redone.

· Coffee with the Principal tomorrow at 12:30.

· Winter sports season is beginning. Girls basketball started practicing today. Seven dates during the season we will host six basketball games in a single night (in the 9^th Grade Center, Auxiliary, and Main Gyms) in addition to home swim meets.

· A letter was sent home informing parents about an assault that occurred during the first lunch period Thursday involving two students. Information on Macomb Daily website is inaccurate. Mr. Heethuis explained what really happened and answered the following questions from concerned parents:

o Do students automatically get suspended if they try to break up a fight? Students are afraid of suspension if they get involved. It depends whether the student getting involved escalates or de-escalates the situation. The student who intervened during the assault was not suspended and requested to remain anonymous.

o Are the lunch aides the only security during the lunch periods? Administrators rotate through in shifts. The police liaison is always close by.

o Over 100 security cameras will be installed around the school in the near future, which are being purchased from grant money.

o Mr. Heethuis provided his phone number (723-2702) in case anyone had more questions or concerns. He also stressed that our school is safe and has many resources available to prevent things like this from happening, such as peer mediation, counselors, Ms. Lange, and teachers.

Service Report:

JSA held a mock election on October 30 and 31 during the lunch periods. Almost 600 students voted. In the presidential race, Barack Obama defeated John McCain by almost 19 percent—56.2 percent to 37.9 percent. Also, Proposal 1, the legalization of medical marijuana, was approved by almost a 2 to 1 margin: 62.3 percent to 37.7 percent. Finally, Embryonic Stem Cell Research narrowly passed: 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent.

Fine Arts Report:

· Band – Marching Band received a Division 1 rating at the MSBOA Marching Band Festival at Lanse Creuse North High School on October 14. All bands, including the Concert, Symphonic, Wind Ensemble, and Marching bands performed at the Collage Concert in the Auditorium on October 23. Upcoming events are: The Marching Band will march in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade; Holiday concert December 10; Marching Band Banquet December 11; Dallas Brass Concert December 13; and Chicago Trip to perform with Dallas Brass December 17-19. Additional information can be found on the band’s website: www.dakotabands.com

· Choir –The annual Fashion Show fundraiser was held at Cherry Creek on October 13. All choirs performed at the Collage Concert on October 23. “Les Miserables” auditions were conducted on October 28-29, and the cast has been selected. The choir traveled to Chicago to see Wicked on October 31. Upcoming events are: Variety Show auditions on November 12, sign-up in Student Activities Office; Varsity Choir performance at Chamber Choir Festival at Oakland University on November 17; Variety Show Rehearsal on November 18; Variety Show on November 19-20; Honors Choir at Pioneer HS in Ann Arbor on December 6; and Holiday Concert December 16. Additional information can be found on the choir’s website: www.dakotachoir.com.

· Winter Guard – Tryouts were held in the Band Room on October 19 and 22 and 14 members were selected for the team. Competition season begins January 10, 2009. Additional information can be found on the band’s website: www.dakotabands.com.

· Winter Drum Line – Clinic and auditions will be held in the Freshman Center on November 17 from 3:00-5:30.

Sports Report:

· Girls basketball tryouts this week, November 10-12.

· Competitive cheer skills clinic November 10-11.

· Cross country All County Banquet November 11.

· Girls basketball player/parent game on November 19 at 6:00.

· Girls basketball bowling fundraiser on November 21 at 9:00.

· First boys basketball game on December 9.

· Varsity hockey Traverse City Tournament November 14 and 15.

· JV hockey had their first game November 9, 2008, which was a scrimmage against Lutheran North.

· Hockey runs a bingo fundraiser every Sunday at North Gratiot Bingo Hall.

· Wrestling fundraiser Thursday, November 13, at CiCi’s Pizza. Mention Dakota wrestling at the register.

· Dance Teams will be competing November 23 at Great Lakes Competition in Lake Orion and December 6 in Ameridance MI State Classic at Chippewa.

· Boys Swim will host a meet with DeLaSalle on December 9.

· Final standings: Varsity Football—Division Champ Red Division, 10-1; JV Football 9-1; Freshman Football 8-2; Girls Cross Country 1-11; Boys Cross Country 9-3; Boys Tennis 0-6; Varsity Soccer 0-17; Varsity Volleyball 6-4; Girls Swim 10-3; Girls Golf 7-3.

Craft Show Report:

· Total attendance was 2197; total spaces sold were 170.

· Thanked all parent volunteers, baking volunteers, student volunteers, booster board members, and kitchen help for contributing to a successful craft show. Everyone did a great job. The students all worked very hard and were a pleasure to deal with.

· Many positive comments were received from vendors and shoppers.

Web Site Report:

None.

Donation Requests:

· The following donation requests under $500 were approved by board members at their meeting on November 3:

o $500 to help with their Student Government’s annual Christmas Carol.

o $350 for Coalition for Youth at Boys and Girls Club.

· The Athletic Department requested the purchase of an indoor retractable cage for auxiliary gym at a cost of $3,000, which was approved by the general membership. The total cost of this item is actually $5,000, but the Athletic Department will pay for $2,000 toward the total price, which includes installation. Girls Tennis and Boys Baseball will split gym time and will both use this.

· Varsity Dance requested $1,966.66 for jazz costumes, which was approved by the general membership. In response to a question from a member, the Varsity Dance Coach that these costumes will be used throughout the entire year.

· Winterguard requested $1128.90 for performance flags and flag bags, which was approved by the general membership.

Old Business:

A Sports Trustee is still needed to run basketball concessions. Larry thanked all volunteers who helped during football season. Not as many volunteers are needed for basketball concessions, mostly for set-up. Board members do the shopping. There are always one or two board members in attendance.

New Business:

A Book Drive is being sponsored by the Media Center. They are accepting gently used or new books. Receive a gift card for a donation of ten books.

Motion to adjourn at 7:54 by Priscilla Cobello (1^st) and Mary Ann Couto (2^nd).

Next Meeting Schedules:

· Board Meeting is Monday, December 1, 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room.

· General Membership Meeting is Monday, December 8, 7:00 p.m., in the Media Center.

Respectfully Submitted:

Chris Liptak (DHS Booster Secretary)