Dakota Booster GENERAL Membership Meeting

December 8, 2008

Meeting called to order at 7:06 p.m. in the Media Center.

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

Treasurer’s Report:

Checking Balance:    $36,989.60  Savings Balance:       $ 4,493.96

Donations Pending:    $8,973.37   Balance Remaining:  $32,419.19

Report was approved by Annette Tilney (1st) and Bert Liptak (2nd). 

Guest Speaker:

Stephanie Lange discussed the Drug, Alcohol, and Violence Program.  She provided and discussed the following handouts:

  • November Parenting Gazette, which is a newsletter published once a month pertaining to K-12 issues and will be distributed through the district mail-out system. 
  • Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Initiative:  Some students are confused and think marijuana is now legal; the handout explained how restricted it is.
  • Drug Survey and Focus Group Results:  Administered in February, including half of 9th, 11th, and 12th grade students and all 7th grade students within Chippewa Valley District only.

Dakota will sponsor another Suicide Prevention Walk October 9, 2009.  Overnight suicide prevention walks are scheduled in Chicago in June and in New York.  

Student Report:

  • Student Government Christmas Carol for Turning Point and other homeless shelters in Atrium tonight.
  • Pictures with Santa during all lunches for $1/person.
  • Holiday Book Drive ends December 19.
  • Mitten/Gloves/Socks/Coat Drive starts today.  First hour class collecting the most wins a Coney Island breakfast.
  • The Cougar Den will be open for shopping after the meeting.
  • Class ring delivery will be on Tuesday, December 16.

 

Administration Report:

  • Provided by Mr. Briningstool.
  • Progress Reports will be distributed in first hour on Friday.
  • The 9th Grade Center is tying study skills to the curriculum.  Tutoring, which is sponsored by NHS, is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.  A grant provides bussing at 3:25 from the East side of the building.  The bus drops students off at the elementary schools.
  • A letter will be sent home soon to families of both high schools regarding drug sniffing dogs being used in conjunction with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office throughout this school year and in the future.  Students will remain in classrooms while the dogs are in the hallways and no bathroom passes will be issued during that class period.  The dogs will probably be used twice during the second semester.
  • The $38 yearbook fee goes toward inserting senior picture into composite and giving a copy of the composite to each graduating student.  In the future, it will be paid directly through Sieloff instead of through the school.
  • Coffee with the Principal meetings are scheduled every month, alternating between morning and afternoon time slots:  January 6 at 12:30, February 3 at 8:30, March 3 at 12:30, April 7 at 8:30, May 5 at 12:30, and June 2 at 8:30.  These meetings offer an open forum for discussion with a smaller, more intimate setting.
  • Our marching band was invited to represent Michigan in the National Independence Day Parade, based on their performance in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade.
  • A parent asked why new band uniforms can’t be purchased by the school and suggested it be brought to the school board’s attention.  Discussion occurred regarding the difference between the boosters being able to purchase dance costumes but not band uniforms, which is explained in the by-laws.  Since the band relies heavily on fundraising to sustain its activities and to purchase new concert uniforms, some ideas were suggested, such as a SCRIP fundraiser.

 

Service Report:

  • The Key Club is involved in making fleece pillowcases for the patients at Children’s Hospital.  They will also be helping out at Cheyenne Elementary School’s Breakfast with Santa.  On Saturday, December 6, some of the members loaded and delivered food to needy families in the area.
  • The SADD Club partnered with Dakota’s Student Government and had a very prosperous canned food drive.  Together, more than 4,000 cans were collected.  SADD hosts donut sales on most Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to earn money for projects, which have been very helpful with their current project that is nearly complete:   the bench that is in honor of Dakota students we have lost.
  • The Inclusive Underground (writing club) will be holding a Rock the Mic night on Tuesday, December 9, from 7 to 9, in room 246.  All acts are welcome, and there is a $3.00 cost at the door.

Fine Arts Report:

  • Band – Marching Band performed in Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27.  Upcoming events are:  Holiday Concert, including Concert, Symphonic, and Wind Ensemble Bands, December 10.  Marching Band Banquet December 11; Dallas Brass Concert December 13; Chicago Trip to perform with Dallas Brass December 17-19, All Night Party January 16, and Chamber Festival January 31.  Additional information can be found on the band’s website:  www.dakotabands.com.
  • Choir –The Varsity Choir performed at the Chamber Choir Festival at Oakland University November 17.  The Variety Show was November 19-20.  State Auditions for Honors Choir at Pioneer HS in Ann Arbor were December 6.  Upcoming events are:  ; Concert Choir sings at DHS Christmas Carol December 8; Strolling Carolers from the Concert Choir sing at Partridge Creek December 9; Freshman Choir sings at Crews Inn Restaurant December 11; Varsity Choir sings for Macomb County Legislators and Superintendants at ISD and at Iroquois Middle School at 10:00 am December 12; Holiday Concert December 16; District Solo and Ensemble at Avondale High School January 16-17; and State Honors Choir January 23-24.  Rehearsals for Les Miserables continue daily, from 2:30-4:30.  Additional information can be found on the choir’s website:  www.dakotachoir.com.
  • Winter Guard – Team has been selected, and competition season begins January 10, 2009.  Additional information can be found on the band’s website:  www.dakotabands.com.
  • Winter Drum Line – Team has been selected, and competition season begins January 31, 2009.  Additional information can be found on the band’s website:  www.dakotabands.com.

 
 
 
 
 

Sports Report: 

  • Congratulations to Hannah Pugh for placing 5th in the state meet for swimming.  She has earned All-State honors and national qualifying times.
  • Congratulations to Dakota Dance.  At the Ameridance Regionals, they took 1st in Large Varsity Pom and 2nd in Large Varsity Jazz.  JV took 1st in Pom and Jazz.
  • Congratulations to the 2008 Macomb Area Conference Sportsmanship Award winners—Boy’s Soccer and Girl’s Volleyball.
  • Boys Hockey will participate in the Midland Tournament on December 12 and 13.  Varsity is 2-3 and JV is 0-3.
  • The first home games for Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball are tomorrow, December 9.
  • On December 13, the Varsity Wrestling team will participate in the Salem Invitational and the JV will participate in the Hazel Park Tournament.
  • Varsity Co-Ed Bowling is scheduled December 15 and 19 at 4:00.
  • Upcoming meetings are scheduled, as follows: 
    • Varsity/JV Baseball Players: Thursday, December 11, at 2:30, in Room 254.
    • Freshman Baseball: Wednesday, December 17, at 2:30, in 9th Grade Center, Room 332.
    • Girls Tennis: December 15 at 2:30 in 9th Grade Center Cafeteria. 
  • Dakota Hockey’s bingo fundraisers are scheduled December 14, 21, and 28 at North Gratiot Bingo Hall.

 

Craft Show Report:

Next year’s craft show is scheduled on November 14, 2009.  Applications will be mailed out during the end of January or beginning of February. 

Web Site Report:

A volunteer is needed to take over the website.  Kim Zacora expressed interest. 

Donation Requests:

  • The Marching Band requested the purchase of new scaffolding with stability outriggers at a cost of $1,628.25, which was approved by the general membership. 
  • Student Activities requested purchase of 110 t-shirts for Dakota Club Leadership Day on January 21 at a cost of $770, which was approved by the general membership.
    • Immediately following the General Membership meeting, the Board voted to also approve $339.92 for activities at Leadership Day, which was itemized by Student Activities as requested by the Board during last week’s meeting.

Old Business:

A Sports Trustee is still needed to run basketball concessions, mainly to organize volunteers and set up.  Not as many volunteers are needed for basketball concessions.  Board members do the shopping.  There are always one or two board members in attendance. 

New Business: 

None. 

Motion to adjourn at 7:54 by Mary Ann Couto (1st) and Joanne Kerk (2nd). 

Next Meeting Schedules: 

  • Board Meeting is Monday, January 5, 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room.
  • General Membership Meeting is Monday, January 12, 7:00 p.m., in the Media Center.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

Chris Liptak (DHS Booster Secretary)