RHS PARENT GROUP MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2007

WELCOME: Pegi Shea welcomed everyone for attending the meeting. She thanked to Art Department for the lovely art work on display, the Music Department for their entertainment, and the Family Consumer Science for the delicious treats they made for us.

FRESHMEN ORIENTATION: We received 150 names and e mails for incoming freshmen parents. Principal Brian Levesque was extremely pleased with the turnout of parents and students, and the enthusiasm shown visiting classrooms. Brian will follow up with parents at the VCMS PTO meeting March 8. The 8th graders will be coming in groups to the high school on six days in the month of May.

BUDGET: Administration presented the budget to the BOE. The BOE presented their budget to the mayor on Feb 15th. Susan Norlie-Hesnan, Board of Ed. Rep. spoke about the budget and advised us to make people more aware of the education budget and get them out to vote.

ART DEPT. PRESENTATION: Jill Goldberg, who is the Art Dept. Chair, the Art Coordinator, and an Art teacher spoke to us about the Art Department.

1. Opportunities for 9th graders: Intro to Art, Digital Art I & II, and Photography I & II
2. Multi Media: Drawing, Clay, Painting, 3 Dimensional Design, and others. They also have a multi media communication career cluster, however a teacher hasn't been available-budget wise-to teach the video production course. Brian Levesque said construction plans include a production space, and hopefully the budget will allow for a teacher in the near future.
3. Course Learning Sequence: Certain order students can follow for Art
4. Post Secondary/Career preparation: Art School, University or College, and the work force
   

There are over 500 students that are enrolled in the RHS Visual Arts course
Each student has to meet a one full year of Arts requirement for graduation

MUSIC DEPT. PRESENTATION: Linda Hahn, who is the Music Dept. Chair, the Music Coordinator, and a teacher spoke. She gave us each a hand out on the various studies for music.

Music Theory and Harmony: fundamentals of music followed by writing music
Basic Intermediate Piano and Intermediate Piano: Taught by Mr. Davis
Music Technology: Taught by Mr. Davis
Marching Band/Color Guard I: 1st semester for 9th grade
Marching Band/Color Guard II: 1st semester for 10th - 12th
Symphony Band I: College, Honors: for 9th grade. Honors you need to have private lessons, do research papers, and try out for Eastern Regional
Symphony Band II: College Honors: for 10th - 12th grade. Honors same requirements as above
Choir I: General, College, Honors: 9th - 10th grade
Choir II: General, College, Honors: 11th - 12th grade

Music Dept. Presentation Continued:

Band/Choir I - Honors
Band/Choir II - Honors
Independent Study in Music

There is also a Jazz Band and the Ensemble singers. The students do a lot of outside entertainment. Perform at the RHS Public library, Tree of Life, Senior Center, AARP.

PROJECT GRADUATION AUCTION: Beth Waggoner advised us that they raised over $5,000 for project graduation. Great success.

Dates to remember:
Monday, March 12th Student Art Exhibit K - 12 at Rockville Public Library
Tuesday, March 13th RHS Concert at VCMS
Thursday, March 22nd Taste of Language at VCMS

Cindy Madden, Executive Board Member