ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Legislative Agenda
March 26, 2015
7:30 p.m.
I.
Call to Order
II.
Approval of Minutes
A.
B.
III.
C.
D.
Penncrest High School Wrestler – State Wrestling Qualifier
Penncrest High School Girls’ Track Team Indoor State Championship
Medalists and Qualifiers
Penncrest High School Boys’ Track Team Indoor State Championship
Medalists
Penncrest High School Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team – PIAA State
Basketball Tournament Qualifiers
Media Elementary School After School Chess Club
Reports
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
VI.
Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
Central Delaware County School Authority Minutes of March 11, 2014
Educational Presentation
A.
V.
Roll Call
Presentations and Awards
A.
B.
IV
Pledge of Allegiance
Student Liaison Reports
Board Liaison Reports
Committee Highlights and Reports
School Reports
Superintendent’s Report
Solicitor’s Report
President’s Report
Scheduled Presentations (Limited to Five Minutes Each)
A.
Agenda
RTMEA – Sue Williamson
1
March 26, 2015
VII.
Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)
A.
VIII.
Old Business
A.
IX.
B.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
2.
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
3.
General
a.
Supplemental Contracts
b.
Other – See Attachment A
2015-2016 Online Subscription Renewals
Finance
A.
B.
C.
D.
XI.
None
New Business
A.
X.
Rose Tree Media Residents
Purchasing
1.
None
General
1.
Budgetary Transfers
2.
Astro Turf Contract
3.
Chartwells Dining Services Contract Renewal
4.
Food Service Price Increase
5.
Circle Line Sightseeing Agreement
6.
Barbacane, Thornton & Company Audit Agreement
7.
Advanced Power Control, Inc. Contract
8.
Don Bonnett Associates, Inc. Proposal
9.
Philadelphia Museum of Art – Inside/Out Installation Agreement
Financials for February 2015
Bill Lists for February 2015
Adjournment
ANNOUNCEMENT
There will be an executive session of the School Board for matters of personnel at
6:30 p.m. prior to the Legislative Meeting of April 23, 2015, at Penncrest High School.
The Legislative Meetings are recorded on tape.
Agenda
2
March 26, 2015
Rose Tree Media School District
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone: 610-627-6136
Fax: 610-627-6136
www.rtmsd.org
Grace A. Eves
Director of Management Services
James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
Members of the Board of School Directors
James Wigo, Superintendent
Grace A. Eves, Board Secretary
March 26, 2015
Minutes of the February 26, 2015 Legislative Meeting
I. Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
____________________________________________________________________________
Board Members in Attendance:
John Hanna, President
Tracy Barusevicius
Nancy Fronduti
Susan Nolen
William O’Donnell
Harry Postles
Elizabeth Schneider
Bill Tyson
Students:
Tanner Daggy
Allison D’Ignazio
Riley George
Michaela Rhile
Absent:
Absent:
Nancy Mackrides
Also in Attendance:
Ron Baldino, Maintenance and Operations
Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen, Dir.PS and Sp. Ed.
Donald DiPaulo, Asst. Principal SLMS
William Dougherty, Asst. Principal PHS
Grace Eves, Dir. Management Services
Joseph Fuhr, Principal SYA
Ron Harris, Network Specialist
Thomas Kelly, Esq., Solicitor
Bonnie Kinsler, Supervisor of Transportation
Patti Linden, Supv. Technology
Kim McCann-Roller, Info. Tech. Spec.
Jenny Robinson, Principal Rose Tree Elem.
Robert Salladino, Principal SLMS
Sharon Sweeney, Asst. Principal PHS
Steven Taylor, Assistant Superintendent
Paula Voshell, Principal Media Elementary
Kathy White, Asst. Principal Springton Lake MS
James M. Wigo, Sr., Superintendent
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
1
March 26, 2015
II.
Approval of Minutes
A.
Legislative Meeting Minutes of January 22, 2015
Mr. Postles moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 67
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the Legislative Meeting Minutes of
January 22, 2015.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
III.
Presentations and Awards
A.
IV.
Educational Presentation
A.
V.
None
Rose Tree Elementary K.I.D.S.
Reports
A.
Student Liaison Reports
B.
Board Liaison Reports
C.
Committee Highlights and Reports – In Official Minutes of February 26, 2015
D.
School Reports – In Official Minutes of February 26, 2015
E.
Superintendent’s Report – In Official Minutes of February 26, 2015
F.
Solicitor’s Report – In Official Minutes of February 26, 2015
G.
President’s Report – In Official Minutes of February 26, 2015
Buzzy
VI.
Scheduled Presentations (Limited to Five Minutes Each)
A.
VII.
RTMEA – Sue Williamson
Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)
A.
Rose Tree Media Residents – 13 members of the community spoke
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
2
March 26, 2015
VIII.
Old Business
A.
Policies
1.
Policy #806 Child Abuse – Second Read and Approval – See Attachment A
Mr. Postles moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 68
A.
Policies
1.
Policy #806 Child Abuse – Second Read and Approval
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve Policy #806 Child Abuse.
The revision of this policy is necessary due to amendments made to the
Child Protective Services Act. This policy was discussed at the January and
February 2015 Committee Meetings.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a. Professional
b. Non-Instructional
2.
Nominations
a. Professional
b. Non-Instructional
3. General
a. Unpaid Leave of Absence
b. Supplemental Contracts – See Attachment B1 and B2
c. Other
Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 69
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following New Business:
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
3
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
b.
Professional
1.
Judith DiMaio, Reading Teacher, Indian Lane Elementary,
resignation effective January 5, 2015.
2.
Lawrence Twiss, Teacher, Springton Lake Middle School,
resignation effective January 30, 2015.
Non-Instructional
1.
2.
Lawrence Owens, correction of resignation date to January 5,
2015.
Nominations
a.
b.
Professional
1.
Ronni Miller, Homebound Instructor for the 2014-2015 school
year at the rate of $46.00 per hour.
2.
Betsy Spardel, Homebound Instructor for the 2014-2015
school year at the rate of $46.00 per hour.
3.
Lindsi Ciuffetelli, Director, Title I Summer School 2015 at the
annual salary of $3,500.00.
4.
Charles Ridewood, IV, Long Term Substitute Social Studies
Teacher effective February 27, 2015 at the annual salary of
45,953, Bachelor’s Degree/Step 1 pro-rated. Mr. Ridewood
received his Bachelor’s Degree from Widener University. He is
assigned to Penncrest High School.
Non-Instructional
1.
Craig Casner, Summer Scheduler at the annual salary of
$4,000.00. Mr. Casner is assigned to Penncrest High School.
2.
Sarah Graham, Summer Scheduler at the annual salary of
$4,000.00. Ms. Graham is assigned to Penncrest High School.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
4
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
2.
Nominations
b.
3.
Non-Instructional
3.
Kenneth Lucas, Support Staff II, effective February 27, 2015 at
the rate of $16.66 per hour. Mr. Lucas is assigned to
Penncrest High School.
4.
Leigh Ann Coary, Substitute School Nurse, effective February
27, 2015 at the rate of $140.00 per day.
5.
Priscilla Archambo, Substitute Cafeteria Worker, effective
February 27, 2015 at the rate of $10.98 per hour.
6.
Robert Dempsey, Substitute Bus Driver, effective February 27,
2015 at the rate of $22.40 per hour. NOTE: Mr. Dempsey is
being hired pending completion of his pre-employment
paperwork.
7.
Jill Dzien, Substitute School Nurse, effective
February 27, 2015 at the rate of $140.00 per day.
8.
Lauren O’Donnell, Interventionist, effective February 26, 2015
at the rate of $25.00 per hour. Ms. O’Donnell is assigned to
Glenwood Elementary replacing Karla Astfalk who resigned.
9.
Paul Philiposian, Substitute Cafeteria Worker, effective
February 27, 2015 at the rate of $12.00.
General
a.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
1.
Arlene Douge, Bus Driver, requests an unpaid leave of
absence effective January 15, 2015 through February 17,
2015.
2.
Kathleen Shegda,Support Staff I, Rose Tree Elementary
requests an unpaid leave of absence effective February 20,
2015 through February 27, 2015.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
5
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
b.
Supplemental Contracts
1.
Sharon Williams, (.5) New Teacher Mentor for the second
semester of the 2014-2015 school year at the annual salary of
$608.00. Ms. Williams is assigned to John Phillips at Springton
Lake Middle School.
2.
Sandra Carter, (.5) New Teacher Mentor for the second
semester of the 2014-2015 school year at the annual salary of
$608.00. Ms. Carter is assigned to Erin Warner at Penncrest
High School.
3.
Lisa Lobitz, (.5) New Teacher Mentor for the second semester
of the 2014-2015 school year at the annual salary of $580.00.
Ms. Lobitz is assigned to Hollis Fishman at Penncrest High
School.
4.
Jodi Strevig, (.5) New Teacher Mentor for the second
semester of the 2014-2015 school year at the annual salary of
$580.00. Ms. Strevig is assigned to Julia Pickett at Penncrest
High School.
5.
Sue Hendrixson, (.5) New Teacher Mentor for the second
semester of the 2014-2015 school year at the annual salary of
$608.00. Ms. Hendrixson is assigned to Kathleen Sandiford at
Indian Lane Elementary.
6.
Recommend Board approval for the following Penncrest High
School personnel to serve as Event Chaperones for the 20142015 school year:
Marci Carmeans
Emily Kelley
Elise Simonian
7.
$55.00 per event
$55.00 per event
$18.33 per hour
Recommend Board approval of the Penncrest High School
Spring Athletic Supplemental Contracts for the 2014-2015
school year. See Attachment B1
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
6
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
b.
Supplemental Contracts
8.
c.
Recommend Board approval of the Springton Lake Middle
School Athletic Supplemental Contracts for the 2014-15
school year. See Attachment B2
Other (1)
1.
Resolve the Board of School Directors approve an exception
to the ADSUPI Agreement allowing Richard Gregg, upon his
resignation, to be paid for his unused sick leave in accordance
with the payment scale incorporated in the agreement.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
c.
Other (2)
Mr. Postles moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 70
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
c.
Other (2)
2.
Resolve the Board of School Directors approve the agreement
between the Rose Tree Media School District and the Rose
Tree Media Secretaries and Education Support Staff
Personnel Association for the period of July 1, 2015, through
June 30, 2016. See Attachment I
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
7
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
c.
Other (3)
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mr. Postles seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 71
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
c.
Other (3)
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the separation agreement between Rose
Tree Media School District and Lawrence Twiss. See Attachment J.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
IX.
New Business
B.
Overnight Trips
1.
Penncrest High School Orchestra and Choir – Washington, DC
2.
Penncrest High School Indoor Percussion and Color Guard –Wildwood, NJ
3.
Penncrest High School Orchestra – Upper Merion High School
4.
Penncrest High School Band, Hershey, PA
5.
Penncrest High School Spanish Exchange – Madrid, Barcelona and
Tavernes, Spain
6.
Penncrest High School Chinese Language/Cultural Immersion Trip – Beijing
and Shanghai, China
Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 72
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following Overnight Trips:
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
8
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
B.
Overnight Trips
1.
Penncrest High School Orchestra and Choir – Washington, D.C.
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve an overnight field trip for
Penncrest Orchestra and Choir students to attend the World Strides
Heritage Performance Festival in Washington, D.C. from 4/17/15-4/19/15.
Substitute costs are $204 and are being paid by the District. Registration,
transportation, meals and lodging costs are being paid by students.
2.
Penncrest High School Indoor Percussion and Color Guard Wildwood, NJ
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve an overnight field
trip for the Indoor percussion and color guard to compete in the TIA Atlantic
Coast Championships in Wildwood, NJ from 4/30-5/3/15. Costs are funded
through the student activity fund.
3.
Penncrest High School Orchestra and Honors Musical Ensemble – Upper
Merion, PA
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve an overnight field
trip for the Penncrest Orchestra to attend the Honors Musical Ensemble
sponsored by the PA Music Educators Association at Upper Merion High
School from 3/12-3/14/15. Costs are being paid by the student activity fund.
4.
Penncrest High School Band –Hershey, PA
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a request for an
overnight field trip for Penncrest Band students who qualify to re-audition at
the all-State level to attend the Honors Musical Ensemble sponsored by the
PA Music Educators Association at Hershey Convention Center from 3/253/28/15. Registration fees are being paid by the student activity fund.
Transportation, lodging and meal costs are being paid by the District and
will be determined based on the number of students who qualify (1-4
students possible). Substitute costs of $306 are being paid by the District.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
9
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
B.
Overnight Trips
5.
Penncrest High School Spanish Exchange – Spain
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a request to offer a
Spanish Exchange trip to Madrid, Barcelona, and Tavernes, Spain from
March 10-23/2016. Substitute costs of $1,020-2,142 are being paid by the
District. The final cost is based upon the finalized dates of the trip. All other
costs are being paid for by students.
6.
Penncrest High School Chinese Language/Cultural Immersion Trip – China
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a request to offer a Chinese
Language/Cultural Immersion Trip to Beijing and Shanghai, China in late
June of 2016. All costs are being paid for by the students.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
IX.
New Business
C.
2015-2016 School Year Calendar – Review – See Attachment C
Resolve, the Board of School Directors review the 2015-2016 School Year Calendar.
See attachment C in the Official Minutes of February 26, 2015.
IX.
New Business
D.
E.
Book Approval for Springton Lake Middle School
2015-2016 Textbooks
Mr. Postles moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 73
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following New Business:
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
10
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
D.
Book Approval for Springton Lake Middle School
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the attached list of books for use
immediately.
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education And Changed the World
(Young Reader’s Edition) – Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick
Titanic: Voices From the Disaster – Deborah Hopkinson
Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Secrets Behind What You Eat – Richie Chevat and
Michael Pollan
The Last Full Measure – Jeff Shaara
Flags of Our Fathers (Young People’s Edition) – James Bradley
In compliance with Policies 108 and 109, the Board of School Directors approves
books and materials for use in Rose Tree Media schools. The first three titles will
be used by students in grades 6, 7, and 8 respectively to support their learning
during Core Extension. The last two titles will be used by small groups of students
in 7th Grade AGP for Social Studies. Purchases will be funded by the Office of
Curriculum & Instruction. This issue was discussed at the February 2015
Curriculum & Instruction Committee meeting.
E.
2015-2016 Textbooks
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following textbooks for
use beginning in the 2015-2016 school year. In compliance with Policy 108, the
Board of School Directors approves textbooks for use in Rose Tree Media schools.
Purchases are dependent on final approval of the 2015-2016 budget. This issue
was discussed at the February 2015 Curriculum & Instruction Committee meeting.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
11
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
E.
2015-2016 Textbooks
Subject
Title
Publisher
Business Ed
Introduction to Accounting: An Integrated
th
Approach, 6 Ed.
Real World Accounting
McGraw-Hill
English as a
Second
Language
National Geographic Hampton Brown Edge
Levels B, C e-books (6 year)
Inside the USA Newcomers
Hampton-Brown
Language Arts
Collections: Grade 11
Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt
2016 enVision 2.0
Big Ideas Math Compacted Pathway, Big Ideas
Algebra (middle school version)
Big Ideas Algebra (high school version)
Big Ideas Algebra 2
th
PreCalculus: Numerical, Algebraic, 9 Ed., 2015
Understanding Statistics Concepts and Methods,
th
11 Ed.
th
Calculus of a Single Variable, 9 Ed., wirh 6 years
of WebAssign
Practices of Statistics
Pearson
HMH
Biology (iBook)
Chemistry: Matter and Change (iBook)
Keystone Finish Line Biology
McGraw-Hill
McGraw-Hill
Continental
American Government: Institutions and Policies,
th
14 Ed.
Cengage
Bien Dit Level 3
Realidades Level 3
Discovering Chinese, vol. 4
Modern Chinese 2A, e-book
Holt McDougal
Prentice Hall
Better Chinese
Better Chinese
Math
Science
Social Studies
World
Languages
Glencoe
Cengage
HMH
HMH
Demana
Cengage
Cengage
BFW
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
12
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
A.
B.
Purchasing
1.
None
General
1.
Budgetary Transfers
2.
Starlite Production – Penncrest High School
3.
Villanova University – 2015 Penncrest Graduation
4.
David Lubar – Springton Lake Middle School Visiting Author
Mr. Postles moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 74
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following Finance:
X.
Finance
A.
Purchasing - None
B.
General
1.
Budgetary Transfers
Rose Tree Media School District Policy #612…(Public School code section
609) when funds are not available for a proposed appropriation, a legal
transfer from one class of expenditure to another may be made in the last
nine (9) months of the fiscal year by the board.
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the following budgetary
transfers:
FY 15-27 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
Instruction - Supplies
AMOUNT: $2,065
TO:
Instruction – New Equipment
AMOUNT: $2,065
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the cost of additional scales for the
Science Department at Springton Lake Middle School
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
13
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
1.
Budgetary Transfers
FY 15-28 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM: Care and Upkeep of Equipment- Replacement Equipment
AMOUNT: $1,900
TO:
Care and Upkeep of Equipment- Repairs and Maintenance
AMOUNT: $1,900
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the cost of repairs to Win Chariot
Iscrub machine at Springton Lake Middle School
FY 15-29 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM: Instructional Staff Professional Development- Contracted Services
AMOUNT: $1,175
TO: Instruction- Contracted Services
AMOUNT: $1,175
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cove r the cost of visiting author at
Springton Lake Middle School
These items were discussed at the February 10, 2015 Finance Committee
meeting.
2.
Starlite Production - Penncrest High School
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract with
Starlite Production in the amount of $5,000 for the lighting and programming
for the Penncrest High School musical. Funding is through the Student
Activity and is at no cost to the District. This item was discussed at the
February 10, 2015 Finance Committee meeting.
3.
Villanova University – 2015 Penncrest Graduation
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract with
Villanova University in the amount of $12,275 for the June 11, 2015
graduation ceremony for Penncrest High School. This item was discussed
at the February 10, 2015 Finance Committee meeting.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
14
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
4.
David Lubar – Springton Lake Middle School Visiting Author
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract with
David Lubar in the amount of $1,900 for assemblies and events at the
Springton Lake Middle School. This item was discussed at the February 10,
2015 Finance Committee meeting.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
X.
Finance
B.
General
5.
National Liberty Museum – Springton Lake Middle School Field Trip
6.
Wolf Performing Arts Center – The Butterfly Project
7.
The Cooperative Purchasing Network, TCPN
8.
Montgomery Educational Consultants, Inc.
9.
Active Network, LLS
10.
Chick-Fil-A Fundraiser
11.
Elwyn-Davidson School Contract
12.
George Crothers Memorial School for Extended School Year Contract
13.
Makin Music Program Contract
14.
Settlement Agreement
15.
Wide Area Network License Agreement – See Attachment D
16.
Windstream Agreement – See Attachment E
17.
West Canaan Information Technology Agreement – See Attachment F
18.
School Messenger Order Authorization – See Attachment G
19.
Rescind Purchase Order With Verizon
20.
The Protocall Group Healthcare – See Attachment H
Mrs. Nolen moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution.
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 75
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following Finance.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
15
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
5.
National Liberty Museum – Springton Lake Middle School Field Trip
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract with the
National Liberty Museum in the amount of $242 for admission to the
museum in Philadelphia for a field trip for Springton Lake Middle School
students. There is no cost to the District for the trip. This item was
discussed at the February 10, 2015 Finance Committee meeting.
6.
Wolf Performing Arts Center - The Butterfly Project
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract with
the Wolf Performing Arts Center in the amount of $200.00 for a performance
at the Springton Lake Middle School. This item was discussed at the
February 10, 2015 Finance Committee meeting.
7.
The Cooperative Purchasing Network, TCPN
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract with
The Cooperative Purchasing Network to provide procurement services. This
item was discussed at the February 10, 2015 Finance Committee meeting.
8.
Montgomery Educational Consultants, Inc.
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract with
Montgomery Educational Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $14,300 to
provide a demographic study and enrollment projections for the potential
real estate market growth of the District. This item was discussed at the
February 10, 2015 Finance Committee meeting.
9.
Active Network, LLS
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract with
Active Network, LLS to provide credit card payment services. There is a
$500 setup fee that will be paid from the Summer School account and
transaction fees that will be paid by registrants. This item was discussed at
the February 10, 2015 Finance Committee meeting.
10.
Chick-Fil-A Fundraiser
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the agreement
with Chick-Fil-A for a fundraiser to benefit Penncrest High School’s Class of
2018. This item was discussed at the February 10, 2015 Finance
Committee meeting.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
16
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
11.
Elwyn-Davidson School Contract
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a contract for a
special education student to attend the Elwyn-Davidson School. The student
requires an intensive therapeutic school program. The per diem rate is
$274.64.
12.
George Crothers Memorial School for Extended School Year Contract
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a contract for two
special education students to attend the George Crothers Memorial School
for Extended School Year services from 7/6-8/3/15. These students have
multiple disabilities and these services are required under the Individual with
Disabilities Education Act. The cost for the first student is $3500.00 and the
cost for the second student is $3,565.
13.
Makin Music Program Contract
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a contract for the
SLMS Life Skills class to participate in the Makin Music Program. The
students will attend 6 performances for a total cost of $420.
14.
Settlement Agreement
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a settlement
agreement for a special education student to receive the ADM rate
($14,000) for the remainder of the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years
to cover partial tuition at a private school. The agreement was discussed at
the January Pupil Services Committee meeting and releases the District
from the obligation of providing a Free and Appropriate Education to the
student for the 2014 through 2016 school years as required under IDEA.
15.
Wide Area Network License Agreement
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the Wide Area
Network License Agreement between Sunesys, LLC and the Rose Tree
Media School District. The License Agreement includes multimedia optical
fiber communication transmission system to communicate through the
exchange of voice, data and video communications. The five (5) year
proposal will commence on July 1, 2015, with monthly recurring payments
not to exceed One Thousand Five Hundred dollars ($1,500). This Proposal
was reviewed at the Technology Committee meeting on February 10, 2015.
Solicitor, Tom Kelly, has reviewed and approved this proposal. See
Attachment D
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
17
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
16.
Windstream Agreement
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the Proposal
Agreement between Windstream and the Rose Tree Media School District.
The Agreement includes all district-wide voice communication services for
local and long distance, Voice Over Internet Protocol, trunking, e-Fax
solutions, and POTS lines. The five (5) year proposal will commence on July
1, 2015, with monthly recurring payments not to exceed Two Thousand Five
Hundred Eighty One dollars and Seventy six cents ($2,581.76). This
Proposal was reviewed at the Technology Committee meeting on February
10, 2015. Solicitor, Tom Kelly, has reviewed and approved this proposal.
See Attachment E
17.
West Canaan Information Technology Agreement
Further resolve, that the Board approve the Master Services Agreement
between West Canaan Information Technology, LLC and the Rose Tree
Media School District. The Agreement includes all Internet Transit for a 1
Gigabit per second (Gbps) Circuit with 1000 Megabytes per second (Mbps)
commit. The five (5) year proposal will commence on July 1, 2015, with
monthly recurring payments not to exceed One Thousand Two Hundred
dollars ($1,200). This Proposal was reviewed at the Technology Committee
meeting on February 10, 2015. Solicitor, Tom Kelly, has reviewed and
approved this proposal. See Attachment F
18.
School Messenger Order Authorization
Further resolve, that the Board approve the Order Authorization between
Reliance Communications, LLC, d/b/a School Messenger, and the Rose
Tree Media School District. The Order Authorization contains a Custom
Mobile Application for iOS and Android devices which includes annual
hosting, licensing, and support. The one (1) year proposal will commence
on July 1, 2015, with automatic successive one-year renewal terms and an
annual payment not to exceed Three Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy
Nine dollars ($3,779). This Proposal was reviewed at the Technology
Committee meeting on February 10, 2015. Solicitor, Tom Kelly, has
reviewed and approved this proposal. See Attachment G
19.
Rescind Purchase Order with Verizon
Further resolve, that the Board rescind the COSTARS/CAT 2 Purchase
Order for Services ordered between Verizon Business Services and the
Rose Tree Media School District. This Purchase Order for Services was
approved at the legislative meeting of January 22, 2015. This rescindment
was reviewed at the Technology Committee meeting on February 10, 2015.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
18
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
20.
The Protocall Group Healthcare
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the contract with
The Protocall Group Healthcare for staffing services as needed. Protocall is
a staffing agency that provides additional specialized staffing when needed
to meet the needs of students with Individualized Education Programs.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
X.
Finance
B.
General
21.
Ratification of the January 22, 2015 Legislative Agenda, Finance items B.
General 1-7
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 76
X.
Finance
B.
General
21.
Ratification of the January 22, 2015 Legislative Agenda Finance items B.
General 1-7
Resolve, the Board of School Directors ratify the following Finance items of
the January 22, 2015 Legislative Agenda items B. General 1-7:
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
19
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
1.
Change Orders
Change Orders are acted upon in accordance with Resolution 1997-98 –
124, as approved by the School Board of Directors on April 23, 1998.
Resolve, that the Board approve the following change orders:
2.
a.
Change Order GC-01 for a credit from Fayette Group in the amount
of $340.00 for the substitution of a curved wood backsplash in lieu of
a quartz backsplash.
b.
Change Order PC-02 for a credit from Apex Plumbing in the amount
of $8,013.78 for damages at Springton Lake Middle School.
Budgetary Transfers
Rose Tree Media School District Policy #612…(Public School code section
609) when funds are not available for a proposed appropriation, a legal
transfer from one class of expenditure to another may be made in the last
nine (9) months of the fiscal year by the board.
Further resolve, that the Board approve the following budgetary transfers:
FY 15-13 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Printing –Professional Services
$5,500
TO:
AMOUNT:
Printing - Supplies
$5,500
RATIONALE: RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase paper for the print shop.
FY 15-14 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Instructional Staff Development –Professional Educational Services
$5,000
TO:
AMOUNT:
Regular Programs Instruction - Books
$5,000
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase new books for the level reading libraries.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
20
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
2.
Budgetary Transfers
FY 15-15 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics – Dues and Fees
$4,157.63
TO:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics – New Equipment
$4,157.63
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the cost of new equipment for field hockey teams
at Penncrest
FY 15-16 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Regular Programs Instruction - Software
$3,000
TO:
AMOUNT:
Technology - Equipment
$3,000
RATIONALE: Transfer needed for smart board purchase for the library at Rose Tree
Elementary School.
FY 15-17 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Student Athletics- Dues and Fees
$2,999
TO:
School Sponsored Student Athletics - Software
AMOUNT: $2,999
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the costs for Huddle software that is used to
review games at Penncrest.
FY 15-18 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics- Replacement Equipment
$2,400
TO:
School Sponsored Athletics - Supplies
AMOUNT: $2,400
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover costs of athletic supplies at Springton Lake Middle
School.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
21
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B. General
2.
Budgetary Transfers
FY 15-19 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Technology- Supplies
$2,319
TO:
AMOUNT:
Regular Programs Instruction- New Equipment
$2,319
RATIONALE: Transfer needed for a new smart board for art room at Indian Lane
Elementary School.
FY 15-20 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Regular Programs Instruction – New Equipment
$2,299
TO:
AMOUNT:
Learning Support – New Equipment
$2,299
RATIONALE: Transfer needed for a smart board in a new special education classroom.
FY 15-21 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics – Dues and Fees
$2,107.11
TO:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics – New Equipment
$2,107.11
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover new equipment for freshmen and JV baseball
teams at Penncrest.
FY 15-22 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics- Dues and Fees
$1,979.73
TO:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics – New Equipment
$1,979.73
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover new equipment for girls JV and varsity lacrosse
teams at Penncrest.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
22
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
2.
Budgetary Transfers
FY 15-23 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics- Dues and Fees
$1,376.38
TO:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics – New Equipment
$1,376.38
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover new equipment for girls’ soccer teams at
Penncrest.
FY 15-24 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Instruction and Curriculum Development – Refreshments
$1,350
TO:
Regular Programs Instruction - Refreshments
AMOUNT: $1,350
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover monthly bobcat citizen’s breakfasts at Indian Lane
Elementary School.
FY 15-25 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics- Dues and Fees
$1,276.38
TO:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics – New Equipment
$1,276.38
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover new equipment for boy’s soccer teams at
Penncrest.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
23
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
2.
Budgetary Transfers
FY 15-26 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Staff Development- Dues and Fees
$1,200
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instruction- Dues and Fees
$1,200
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the cost of contest and exam fees at Penncrest.
3.
Grosh Backdrops Contract
4.
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the Grosh
Backdrops Contract in the amount of $540.08 for the spring musical at
Penncrest High School. Funding is through the student activity account and
is at no cost to the district.
Music Theatre International Contract
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the Music Theatre
International Contract in the amount of $535 for the musical Annie at Indian
Lane Elementary School.
5.
Raffaele & Puppio Agreement
Whereas, the District has taken an administrative appeal to DHS/DPW and
PDE regarding the School Based Access Program cost settlement for the
2012-2013 school year; and
Whereas, the Board understands that several other Delaware County
Districts have also taken appeals on similar issues; and
Whereas, the Board wishes to participate in and take advantage of
consolidating its appeal with other districts;
Be it resolved, that the Board of School Directors of the Rose Tree Media
School District hereby approves the retention of Katherine Meehan, Esquire
and Raffaele & Puppio, LLP, to represent it with regard to the appeal of the
School Based Access Program cost settlement for the 2012-2013 school
year, only. Representation shall be pursuant to the following fee agreement
to be approved by the Board. Attorney fees are $150 per hour. Legal
assistance fees are $90 per hour. Out of Pocket expenses are also
included the agreement.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
24
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
6.
Johnson Controls Planned Service Agreement
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approves the planned
service agreement with Johnson Controls for the Education Center, Indian
Lane Elementary School, Penncrest High School, and Rose Tree
Elementary School for a three-year term for the following amounts:
Year 1 $25,436
Year 2 $26,199
Year 3 $26,985
7.
Donations
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors accepts and approves
the following donations and recognizes the generosity of the donors.
a.
A Lego Mindstorms Set with of value of $2,447.10 was donated to
the Rose Tree Elementary School by a parent.
b.
A Tama Swingstar drum set and accessories with a value of
$499.99 was donated by a family to the Springton Lake Middle
School.
b.
A Yamaha Tenor Saxophone case was donated to the Springton
Lake Middle School.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
25
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
C.
D.
Financials for January 2015
Bill Lists for January 2015
Mr. Postles moved and Mrs. Nolen seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 77
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following Finance Reports:
X.
Financial Reports and Bill Lists
C.
D.
Financial Reports
January
2015
Treasurers Reports
January
2015
Investment Reports
January
2015
Summary Expenditure Status Report
January
2015
Revenue Status Report
Bill Lists
January
2015 General Fund Bill List
$ 2,726,488.31
January
2015 Capital Fund Bill List
$
201,095,02
January
2015 Bond Series 2011 Bill List
$
1,519.60
January
2015 Bond Series 2013 Bill List
$ 2,072,405.00
January
2015 Activities/Special Revenue Fund
$
42,380.43
$ 5,043,888.36
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
26
March 26, 2015
XI.
Adjournment
Mrs. Postles moved and Ms. Nolen seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 78
Resolve, there being no further business to come before the Board of School Directors,
the meeting was adjourned.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Tracy Barusevisius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Susan Nolen, Bill O’Donnell,
Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
NAYS:
None
ABSENT: Nancy Mackrides
_____________________________
Grace A. Eves
School Board Secretary
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2015
27
March 26, 2015
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone 610.627.6000
Fax 610.891.0959
www.rtmsd.org
Grace A. Eves
Board Secretary
Director of Management Services
James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent of Schools
To:
Board of School Directors
Superintendent of Schools
From:
Grace A. Eves
Date:
March 6, 2015
Subject:
March 11, 2014 - Central Delaware County School Authority Minutes
6:30 p.m.
_________________________________________________________________
1.
Call to Order: Chairman: Nancy Mackrides
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call: Secretary, Grace Eves
In attendance: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Linda KinslerFox, Nancy Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider
Absent: Chris Guilday and Peter Barry
Also in attendance: James Wigo, Sr., Anne Callahan and Grace Eves
4.
Appointment of New Authority Member
Mr. Hanna moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 1
Resolve, The Authority appoint Harry Postles to the Authority, replacing the term
of Peter Barry whose term expired in 2013.
The aforementioned resolution was adopted by the chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox,
Nancy Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider
None
Chris Guilday and Peter Barry
CDCSA Minutes of March 11, 2014
1
March 26, 2015
5.
The Secretary read the following members names and term of expiration:
Harry Postles
Tracy Barusevicius
Nancy Fronduti
Chris Guilday
John Hanna
6.
2018
2017
2014
2015
2018
Linda Kinsler-Fox
Nancy Mackrides
William O’Donnell
Elizabeth Schneider
2015
2015
2017
2014
Approval of Minutes of March 11, 2014 Annual Meeting (Attached)
Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. Hanna seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-15 2
Resolve, that the Authority Members approve the minutes of the March 11, 2014
Annual Meeting.
The aforementioned resolution was adopted by the chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
7.
Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox,
Nancy Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider
None
Chris Guilday and Peter Barry
Reappointment of Board Members – The Authority Members recommendation to
Board of School Directors
Mr. Hanna moved and Mr. Postles seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 3
Resolve, that the Authority Members recommend to the Board of School
Directors the reappointment of the following Committee Members
Harry Postles
Tracy Barusevicius
Nancy Fronduti
Chris Guilday
John Hanna
2018
2017
2014
2015
2018
Linda Kinsler-Fox
Nancy Mackrides
William O’Donnell
Elizabeth Schneider
2015
2015
2017
2014
The aforementioned resolution was adopted by the chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox,
Nancy Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider
None
Chris Guilday and Peter Barry
CDCSA Minutes of March 11, 2014
2
March 26, 2015
8.
Election of Officers
Officers of the Authority shall be elected annually.
Mr. Hanna moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 4
Resolve, that the Authority Members elect the officers to the following positions:
Chairman, Nancy Mackrides
Secretary, Nancy Fronduti
At Large, William O’Donnell
At Large, Chris Guilday
At Large, Elizabeth Schneider
Vice Chairman, Harry Postles
Treasurer, John Hanna
At Large, Tracy Barusevisius
At Large, Linda Kinsler-Fox
The aforementioned resolution was adopted by the chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
9.
Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox,
Nancy Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider
None
Chris Guilday and Peter Barry
Appointment of Solicitor
Mr. Hanna moved and Mrs. Frondtui seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 5
Resolve, that the Authority appoint Thomas L. Kelly, Esq. to the position of
Solicitor of the Central Delaware County School Authority.
The aforementioned resolution was adopted by the chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox,
Nancy Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider
None
Chris Guilday and Peter Barry
CDCSA Minutes of March 11, 2014
3
March 26, 2015
10.
Adjournment
Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. Hanna seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2014-2015 6
Resolve, there being no further business to come before the Authority, the
meeting is adjourned.
The aforementioned resolution was adopted by the chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox,
Nancy Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider
None
Chris Guilday and Peter Barry
CDCSA Minutes of March 11, 2014
4
March 26, 2015
III.
Presentations and Awards
A.
Penncrest High School Wrestler – State Wrestling Qualifier
Resolve, the Board of School Directors honor Joseph Pyfer,
Penncrest Varsity State Wrestling Championship Tournament
qualifier. The Wrestling Team is coached by Greg Jacobs, Will
Harmon and Sean Graham.
B.
Penncrest High School Girls’ Track
Championship Medalists and Qualifiers
Team
Indoor
State
Resolve, the Board of School Directors honor the Girls’ Track
Indoor State Medalists and Qualifiers: The Girls’ Track coaches
are John Lohn and Mike Clark.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
C.
Mariah Kozub – 55 Meter Hurdler – State Qualifier
6th Place Medalist - 200: Alicia Collier
6th Place Medalist – 400: Katie Arbogast
7th Place Medalist - 4 x 400 Relay: Katie Arbogast, Brianna
Artis, Alicia Collier and Megan Kitchin
Bronze Medalist – 4 x 200 Relay: Katie Arbogast, Brianna
Artis, Alicia Collier and Zoe Gabel
Penncrest High School Boys’ Track Team Indoor State
Championship Medalists
Resolve, the Board of School Directors honor the Boys’ Track
Indoor State Medalists: The Boys’ Track coaches include George
Munro and Rob Brown.
III.
a.
5th Place Medalist 4 x 400 Relay: Dion Durnell, Evan
Emmanuel, Sohom Kamat and JJ Teal.
b.
Silver Medalist 4 x 800 Relay: Evan Emmanuel, Brendan
Hanna, Sohom Kamat and JJ Teal.
Presentations and Awards
1
March 26, 2015
III.
Presentations and Awards
D.
Penncrest High School Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team – PIAA State
Basketball Tournament Qualifiers
Resolve, the Board of School Directors honor the Penncrest Varsity
Boys’ Basketball Team for qualifying for the PIAA State Basketball
Tournament. Players include: Jimmy Carpenter, Nolan Carroll,
Michael Doyle, Ryan Granger, Drew Hanna, Chandler Henry, Matt
Hunger, Nick Ladd, Mike Mallon, John Nichols, Shaun Norwood,
Tyler Norwood, Manny Ruffin, Justin Ross and AJ Taylor. The
Boys’ Basketball Varsity team is coached by Michael Doyle, Tim
Brown, Leo Doyle, Quahsim Gredic, Sean Tait, Andrew Radomicki
and Sean Spratt.
III.
Presentations and Awards
2
March 26, 2015
OFFICE OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
TO:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Mr. James M. Wigo, Superintendent of Schools
FROM:
Dr. Steve Taylor, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
DATE:
March 10, 2015
RE:
March 10, 2015 Curriculum & Instruction Committee Meeting Minutes
Chairperson: Mrs. Liz Schneider
Board Members in Attendance: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna,
Nancy Mackrides, Sue Nolen, Harry Protzman, Liz Schneider, Bill Tyson
Also in Attendance: Anne Callahan, Jim Ciccarelli, Lindsi Ciuffetelli, Grace Eves, Patti
Linden, Anthony Lombardo, Steve Taylor, Jim Wigo, and members of the community.
Proposed Online Subscription Renewals for 2015-2016
Dr. Taylor asked the Board’s permission to approve online subscription renewals for the
2015-2016 school year. As a part of the presentation, Anthony Lombardo and Jim
Ciccarelli shared an abridged version of their national presentation on WebAssign, an
online subscription used by students in several math and science classes at Penncrest.
Dr. Taylor also demonstrated the capabilities of some of the library databases.
Action: This item will be moved to the March 26, 2015 Legislative agenda for a vote of
the Board.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone: 610-627-6136
Fax: 610-627-6136
www.rtmsd.org
Grace A. Eves
Director of Management Services
James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
James M. Wigo, Superintendent
From:
Grace A. Eves, Director of Management Services
Date:
March 13, 2015
Subject:
March 10, 2015 Finance Committee Minutes
Chairperson: Bill O’Donnell
______________________________________________________________________
Attendance: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Nancy Mackrides Sue
Nolen, Bill O’Donnell, Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
Absent: None
Also in Attendance: Anne Callahan, Grace Eves, Patti Linden, Steve Taylor, James
Wigo, Skip Daino and Lisa Taddei, Chartwells
1.
Contracts
a. Chartwells
Skip Daino and Lisa Taddei from Chartwells presented the renewal proposal
for 15/16. The Food Service Department is limited on items that can be sold
due to meeting the requirements for the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of
2010, which has had an impact on sales. Ala carte sales at the High School
and Middle School are down. The District can apply for a waiver for the
whole grains requirement of the Act. This will allow the Food Service
Department the opportunity to serve Chick-Fil-A and give students the choice
of purchasing whole grain pasta and bagels as well as non-whole grain. They
will keep the same recipes for whole grain pizza crust and will continue to
serve whole grain rolls. The Committee agreed to have the District apply for
the waiver. Another component of USDA Child Nutrition Program and Section
205 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Act of 2010 is the Paid Lunch Equity
calculation. According to this calculation the District is not permitted to
increase meal prices by more than .10, but must raise them by .05. This is to
ensure sufficient funds are provided to nonprofit school food service accounts
for meals served to students not eligible for free or reduced lunches. The
Committee reviewed a .05 and a .10 price increase. The .05 increase will
produce a guarantee of $15,634 and a .10 increase will produce a guarantee
of $25,226.
Ala carte prices will remain the same. The Committee
recommended renewing the contract with a .05 price increase. Chartwells
was asked if they could provide a salad bar at the High School. Due to the
serving requirements under the Act they would not be able to supply a salad
Dedicated to Excellence
bar. They do offer three varieties of packaged salads daily at the High
School.
Chartwells will be having an app available later this year. The app will
provide a nutrition analysis of menu items and will contain food allergy
information.
b. Circle Line Sightseeing
Springton Lake Middle School is scheduling a field trip for sixth graders to
New York City. There is no cost to the District. Substitutes will not be needed
as most of the sixth grade students will be on the trip. Dr. Salladino and
teachers will accompany the students on the trip. The teachers will include a
writing aspect to the trip as it relates to immigration and social studies.
c. Audit-Barbacane, Thornton & Company
The fee for the 14/15 audit is $30,100. The fee has been increased by the
Act 1 Index of 1.9%. The Administration will issue an RFP for auditing
services for the 15/16 fiscal year.
Action: These items will be moved to the March 26, 2015 Legislative meeting
for a vote of the Board.
2.
Budgetary Comparison Report
The District has received 88% of revenue and has expensed 79% of
expenditures. Federal revenue is lower this year compared to last year due to
the receipt of ACCESS funds.
Action: Discussion
3.
Budgetary Transfers
FY 15-30 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Instruction- Software
$3,000
TO:
AMOUNT:
Technology Support Services- New Equipment
$3,000
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase a new smartboard for Rose Tree Elementary
School.
Dedicated to Excellence
FY 15-31 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
Instruction- Supplies
AMOUNT: $3,000
TO:
Technology Support Services- Travel
AMOUNT: $3,000
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the costs for teachers and administrators to
attend conferences.
FY 15-32 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics- Supplies
$1,160
TO:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics –Dues and Fees
$1,160
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover swim meets and championships for
Penncrest High School.
Action: These items will be moved to the March 26, 2015 Legislative meeting for
a vote of the Board.
4.
2015/2016 Instructional Services Budget Review
The Instructional program budgets include regular, special, vocational and other
educational programs as well as the Delaware County Community College. Other
Instructional programs include the detention center, which is located within the
District. The District receives reimbursement from sending school districts for
students that are at the detention center.
Overall expenditures have increased by 6.6% mainly due to increases in benefits
and additional staff as a result of increased enrollment. The PSERS’s retirement
expense will be approximately $10 million in 2015/16. It is currently
approximately $8.2 million for an increase of approximately $1.8 million. The
District anticipates receiving reimbursement of half of the expense from the
Commonwealth. Expenditures and revenues will be further reviewed as the
Administration proceeds through the budget process. A special Legislative
meeting will be held on April 14th at the Education Center to adopt a proposed
final budget in accordance with PDE requirements. The District is required to
adopt a proposed final budget at least 30 days prior to the adoption of the final
budget in May.
Action: Discussion
Public Comment: Six members of the public were present.
The next Finance Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Dedicated to Excellence
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone: 610-627-6136
Fax: 610-627-6136
www.rtmsd.org
Grace A. Eves
Director of Management Services
James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
James M. Wigo, Superintendent
From:
Grace A. Eves, Director of Management Services
Date:
March 13, 2015
Subject:
March 10, 2015 Operations Committee Minutes
Chairperson: Harry Postles
_____________________________________________________________________
Attendance: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Nancy Mackrides Sue
Nolen, Bill O’Donnell, Harry Postles, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill Tyson
Absent: None
Also in Attendance: Ron Baldiono, Anne Callahan, Dennis Cini, Cini Construction
Services, Grace Eves, and James Wigo
1.
Change Orders
Change orders for Indian Lane Elementary School’s boiler project will be issued.
One is a credit of approximately $3,907 for piping that was not needed and the
other is an increase in the same amount for an upgrade to the gas meter. There
is no increase to the contract.
Action: Discussion
2.
Advance Power Contract
Advanced Power’s support agreement covers Glenwood Elementary School,
Springton Lake Middle School and Media Elementary School’s HVAC controls.
The annual amount of the contract is $11,880. The contract provides the ability of
the Maintenance Department to monitor the systems offsite. Indian Lane
Elementary School, Rose Tree Elementary School and Penncrest are monitored
under a support agreement with Johnson Controls.
Action: This item will be moved to the March 26, 2015 Legislative agenda for a
vote of the Board.
Dedicated to Excellence
3.
Bonnett Associates Incorporated,( BAI) Agreement
The BAI agreement covers engineering services for the 15/16 capital projects
that were presented during the February 10, 2015 Operations Committee
meeting. The cost of the agreement is $78,597 which is 7% of the estimated
construction costs for the projects.
Action: This item will be moved to the March 26, 2015 Legislative agenda for a
vote of the Board
4.
Capital Projects Update
The Committee reviewed additional proposed capital projects for 15/16. The
projects include roofing/flashing/gutter repairs to Rose Tree Elementary School
and exterior wall repairs at Media Elementary and Indian Lane Elementary
Schools. The addition of these projects brings the budget to approximately $1.6
million. Bids will be issued and reviewed by the Committee during upcoming
Operation Committee meetings.
Action: Discussion
5.
Penncrest High School Stadium Improvements
A public informational meeting on the proposed stadium improvements at
Penncrest was held on Monday, March 9. The Committee discussed the merit of
the improvements that include the replacement of the track and installation of a
turf field on the stadium and the related funding, fund raising and revenue
generation of the turf field. The cost of the project is approximately $1.5 million. If
approved at the Mach 26, Legislative meeting, the project will start May 15 and
end August 15, 2015.
Action: This item will be moved to the March 26, 2015 Legislative agenda for a
vote of the Board.
6. Miscellaneous Topics
Ron Baldino reported that the District’s salt supply is low. The District has
exceeded its original allocation at bid pricing and was forced to purchase
additional salt at three times the cost due to the weather conditions this year.
There may be the opportunity for the District to purchase 7 more CNG buses as
part of DEP’s CNG grant program. The Administration will keep the Board
informed as additional information becomes available.
Action: Discussion
Public Comment: Five members of the public were in attendance.
The next Operations Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Dedicated to Excellence
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone: 610.627.6000
Fax: 610-891-0959
www.rtmsd.org
James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent of Schools
Anne D. Callahan
Director of Human Resources
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
James M. Wigo, Sr., Superintendent
From:
Anne D. Callahan, Director of Human Resources
Date:
March 13, 2015
Subject:
Minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting – March 10, 2015
Tracy Barusevicius, Chair
Board Members in attendance: T. Barusevisius, N. Fronduti, J. Hanna, N.
Mackrides, S. Nolen, H. Postles, E. Schneider, B. Tyson
Also in attendance: A. Callahan, J. Wigo, G. Eves, One member of the public
I.
Items for Legislative Meeting – Anne Callahan
The members of the committee reviewed the items to be included on the agenda
of the Legislative Meeting to be held on March 26, 2015. Additional items will be
added to the agenda as they come to us.
Action: These items will be moved to the March 26, 2015 Legislative meeting
for a vote of the Board.
II.
Assistant Tennis Coach – Springton Lake Middle School
Springton Lake Middle School requested the addition of an assistant tennis
coach for the 2014-2015 season. The PIAA regulations for participation in tennis
matches have changed making it difficult to field a 7th grade team and an 8th
grade team with one coach. The committee asked Mrs. Callahan to get the
number of students participating in tennis to them by the end of the week. The
committee agreed to have a resolution for this item on the agenda of the
Legislative meeting on March 26. However, after Dr. Salladino and the Springton
Lake athletic director reviewed the number of students who signed up for the
tennis team, they withdrew their request for the additional coach.
Action: This item will be tabled at this time.
III.
Executive Session
An executive session was held to discuss matters of personnel.
The next meeting of the Personnel Committee will be held on April 14, 2015 in the
Board Room at the Education Center.
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PRESIDENTIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS – EXECUTIVE SESSION
“In accordance with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, executive sessions of the
School Board were held on the following dates to review and discuss matters
permitted under Section 8 of the Act.”
February 26, 2015
March 10, 2015
March 26, 2015
There will be an executive session of the School Board for matters of personnel
at 6:30 p.m. prior to the Legislative Session of April 23, 2015, at Penncrest High
School. The Legislative meetings are recorded on tape.
Presidential Announcement
1
March 26, 2015
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
SCHOOL REPORT’S – March 26, 2015
GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergarten
The kindergarten boys and girls are having so much fun using their “Super Powers” while
reading (sounding the word out, using the picture for a clue, checking to see if it is a
popcorn/sight word, and jumping over the word they do not know and then going back.
They also enjoyed learning about Dr. Seuss and all of the books that he has written.
First Grade
The first graders are learning that readers can be their own teachers. The students are
using word solving strategies to integrate meaning, structure, and visual cues as they
read. They are learning how to self-monitor, cross check and self-correct as they read.
First grade enjoyed cuddling up with their favorite Dr. Seuss book on Read Across
America Day. Each first grade teacher chose a different Dr. Seuss book to read and
incorporate into other areas of the curriculum as the students rotated through the three
different classrooms. The students graphed goldfish crackers according to color, created
a new zoo animal, and wrote an opinion story about their favorite Dr. Seuss book.
Second Grade
Second graders are learning what it takes to become members of The Giraffe Club.
Through a series of REACH lessons, the students are learning the characteristics of
leaders. Leaders are people who notice problems around them and try to solve them
even if others say they can’t. The students have studied Caesar Chavez, Susan B
Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and many others.
Third Grade
Third graders are using familiar reading strategies to comprehend the biographies of
famous people. Students are finding that, like the main character in a novel, the subject
of a biography faces struggles, learns lessons, and accomplishes goals. By identifying
the traits and motivations of these well-known, successful people, third graders are
improving their ability to infer information about characters and to support their theories
with evidence from the text.
School Reports
1
March 26, 2015
Fifth Grade
During March, the fifth grade is taking a look at how to best read and respond in writing to
various articles. This is known as a text dependent text response. We are doing this
because students will need to understand how to write and respond to text dependent
essays in various state based test that they will encounter throughout their academic
career. In reading, the fifth grade continues to look at how to best read historical fiction.
However, by mid-March, the fifth grade will turn its attention to the reading of fantasy
literature. In social studies, the fifth grade continues to look at the Constitution and the
years after the American Revolution. In science, the fifth grade continues to use the
scientific method to experiment on weather, tornadoes and hurricanes.
INDIAN LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergarten
In Language Arts, kindergarten students compared fiction and non-fiction texts. They
learned to report "facts" and reading “between the pictures and the words.” They
compared different versions of the same story. In kid writing, the students continued to
focus on beginning their writing with a capital letter. In math, kindergarten students
learned to add using dice and dominoes and adding sums to 10 using ten frames and two
colored chips. They also arranged 6 tiles in many different ways (3 and 3, 4 and 2, 1 and
5).
First Grade
First grade students began learning all about the characters in books and how they can
deepen their understanding of books through the characters.
In Writing Workshop,
students used many mentor texts to help write a persuasive piece of writing. They
learned that in order to convince others of their point of view they need to use persuasive
strategies such as appealing to the reader’s emotions, quote experts, give data or facts,
and sound trustworthy. Students learned about writing reviews. Students were shocked
to learn that some people actually get paid to write reviews on movies they see, books
they read, and places they go to eat! Students began writing their own movie reviews
and are working hard at remembering to give the reader a sneak peek, but not to give too
much away. In Social Studies, they wrapped up their unit on important Americans by
learning about Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln.
The students really enjoyed
learning about the many Americans who played important roles in the country’s history.
Students began a unit on Community Helpers, too. A dentist and a police officer came in
and talked to the students about their jobs. In Math, they began learning how to tell time
to the hour and to the half hour and learned how to use their own individual clocks and
move the hour and minute hand to the correct time.
Second Grade
Reading Workshop had students reading a few more fairy tales before beginning a unit on
series books. Students identified patterns found in series and they used these patterns to
become stronger readers. Students also discovered how to ask probing questions to help
reading partners stretch and challenge their thinking. The importance of being a flexible
thinker was also something on which they focused. In Writing Workshop, students put the
finishing touches on some of their persuasive pieces before beginning a fairy tale writing
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2
March 26, 2015
unit. They also started writing original fairy tales, putting to use all that they learned
about this genre. In Math, the children continued to work on the many layers of the placevalue unit. The major principle of place-value numeration is that the positions of digits in
numbers determine what they represent. Additionally, taking numbers apart and
recombining them in flexible ways is necessary for computation. Place-value also
includes ordering, rounding and comparing numbers. Students are mastering double-digit
addition and subtraction, both with and without regrouping. The children also practiced
rounding multi-digit numbers to the tens, hundreds and thousands place. They also
ordered and compared larger, multi-digit numbers. Of course, they continue to build their
skills with money, time and fractions. In Social Studies, students learned about Harriet
Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
They also studied the Chinese New
Year…Gung Hay Fat Choy! As part of Social Studies, students attended this year’s Art
Goes to School session where they were treated to a mini-exhibit featuring both famous
and lesser-known artists. As well as gaining knowledge about the painters, they also
learned the stories behind the artwork.
Third Grade
Persuasive essays have been completed and students entered into a new unit focused
around Baby Literary Essays. In Reader’s Workshop, they wrapped up a mystery unit and
students will be focusing on “Close Reading”. In math, students are continuing to learn
about perimeter; students are solving missing sides, drawing shapes with a given
perimeter, and solving for the perimeter of different types of shapes. In Social Studies,
they learned about having a voice in our local community. Students spoke out at a
simulated public meeting about whether their hypothetical town should build a pool or a
park/playground based on given resources.
Fourth Grade
In Fourth Grade, students completed the Ecosystem unit in Science, however, they
continue to make observations about the changes taking place in their eco-columns and
making connections with their models and the surrounding environment. In fourth grade
AMP, students worked on a culminating project that connects Geometry and Art. All
fourth graders focused on learning measurement conversions both for the metric system
and U.S. customary. Students also reviewed time measurements. In Language Arts, all
students are reading, writing, and performing poetry. They learned about the use of
figurative language in poems, the significance of white space and line breaks to set the
rhythm and tone of the poems, and how the topics of poetry are unlimited.
Fifth Grade
Plans are in full swing preparing for the Spring Science Fair. Students celebrated Read
Across America Day by having students share their book (possibly Dr. Seuss), with
students in another fifth grade class. The students looked for figurative language usage in
these books. Students focused on common core standards that are introduced in math
and reading. Parent/Teacher conferences were held and in fifth grade and they were
student led.
Art
First graders worked on their proportion skills with portraits and Second graders studied
Polynesian art.. Third graders illustrated their illuminated letters. Fourth graders created
and added patterns to their figures in motion. Fifth graders added color to their functional
School Reports
3
March 26, 2015
dinnerware designs. We celebrated the Featured Artists whose work is framed in Ms.
Seeley’s office. Congratulations to our Featured Artists: Matthew Roberts, grade 1,
Gabriel Palmer, grade 2, Michael Woolery, grade 3, Benjamin Demos, grade 4, and
Samantha Moffitt, grade 5. The students and their parents enjoyed lite breakfast fare. A
discussion of the artwork followed and a great time was had by all. The PSBA (Public
School Board Association) art exhibit in Mechanicsburg, PA, was held and the entire art
department of Rose Tree Media School District participated. Representing Indian Lane
with their work was Otis Eli, grade one, Ava McLaughlin, grade two, Sam Turk, grade
three, Logan Rector, grade four and Owen McGroary, grade five. The students’ work will
be on display from February 28 – April 1.
Physical Education
Students worked on gymnastics skills. Students were tested on the forward/backward roll
and left/right cartwheels. The skill stations also included the balance beam, vault, mini
trampoline, pommel horse, pyramid building and rope climbing.
Music
First grade learned a German dance (and some German words.) and Glockenspiels were
the center of their attention. Second grade expanded the February patriotic song to
include a flag routine and also watched a video of a flash mob in Belgium perform the
homophone song, “Do, Re, Mi.” They began a unit on the four instrument families.
Third grade was busy mastering the recorder and improvising to songs from Ghana and
the Caribbean. Fourth grade worked on their “Celebration of Music” pieces which
culminated in a concert for parents. Fifth grade finished the marking period with a written
assessment and Recorder Karate belt testing. They have moved on to preparations for
their Spring Musical, Annie, Jr..
Library
In library, first through third grade students had a lot of fun with fairy tales and fractured
fairy tales. Fourth and fifth grade students continued to utilize the Destiny library catalog
and WebPath Express to find resources in the library and online. Dr. Seuss was a topic
of discussion relating to his books and to his love of reading. Dr. Seuss has written over
50 books for children and is recognized across the nation on his birthday, which is also
known as Read Across America Day. Inspired by Dr. Seuss’s goal to motivate children to
read, Mrs. Hatton invited students to build a fort at home and read in it. Parents were
asked to take a picture of the children reading in their fort and send it to Mrs. Hatton
which was part of a display in the library hallway. This was an optional activity that we
hoped would emphasize one fun way to enjoy a good book.
MEDIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergarten Readers
With the crazy weather over the past few weeks, Kindergarten has been hunkering down
and comparing and contrasting informational text. We understand how we can become an
expert by reading many different books about the same topic. We used microphones and
reported information to our reading partners, just like newscasters report information on
television! We also learned to ask questions about our partner’s texts. We are very
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4
March 26, 2015
excited to now know how to identify non-fiction text by looking for photographs and a table
of contents.
First Grade Celebrations
First grade students celebrated the 100th day of school. Each student designed a 100th
day shirt and participated in a grade level fashion show. A few shirts featured 100
buttons, 100 stickers, and even 100 Cheerios! Students spent the remainder of their day
participating in various 100th day activities.
In reading, students began identifying character traits found within their books. Students
learned how to use evidence from their stories to identify how their characters were acting
or feeling. A few favorite character traits used by the students were heavy-hearted,
gloomy, cheerful, and eager.
In social studies, students learned about the Chinese New Year and studied famous
African Americans in honor of Black History Month. Individuals highlighted during this
time included Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, Jackie Robinson, Martin
Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. Students read books, wrote stories, and researched
facts about each individual.
Second Grade Poets and Economists
Second Graders celebrated Valentine’s Day with a pizza party and a chance to spend
time with our peers. We continued learning about Economics and the differences
between wants and needs. As part of this unit, the students are able to earn class money
to purchase items at the stores they create in March. They are also learning to
understand the importance of budgeting so that they can pay for the bills or fines that
come their way. In Math, students have developed their own survey questions,
conducted the surveys, and then showed the ways they can represent them. The
students are very excited about starting to write poems in Writing Workshop. We are
looking forward to sharing some of our poems!
Third Grade Investigators
Third grade students at Media Elementary School have become quite convincing. They
have just finished their persuasive writing pieces. In these pieces, students stated an
opinion, supported their idea with reasons and examples, and provided a “call to action”
for the readers.
Students in third grade have also begun their detective work in the mystery unit of study
in reading. They work to solve cases while gathering clues through close reading and
examining characters’ motivations.
Fourth Grade Writers
In fourth grade, we spent several weeks on learning how to write literary essays. The
students discovered that, in order to write effective essays, they must read a story using
close reading strategies. Attention was given to discussing character traits and struggles
within the plot. The students could also incorporate their own personal experiences and
opinions as they related to the understanding of the text.
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March 26, 2015
Fifth Grade Takes on the American Revolution
Students recently selected topics for the annual fifth grade “rite of passage,” the Media
Elementary Research Project.
Students are conducting research using books,
magazines, articles, and the internet. They have gathered their resources, completing the
not-taking process, and soon will be drafting their papers. The research papers along
with the student-prepared display boards will be on display at the Research Fair later in
the spring. Additionally, students took part in a poetry unit of study. We are excited
about entering many of the students’ poems into the upcoming Young Poets of Delaware
County Poetry Competition.
Art Explorers
As part of Youth Art Month, the following students’ artwork was selected for exhibition at
the Pennsylvania School Board Association’s gallery during this past month:
1st grade: Noah Bickley, mixed media still life
2nd grade: Sky Davenport, painting, inspired by Oaxacan sculptures
3rd grade: Maeve Brophy, ceramic relief, inspired by pre-historic cave paintings
4th grade: Leann Tang, painting, inspired by George Rodrigue’s Blue Dog series
5th grade: Garrett Whitfield, leaf composition (drawing)
Below are highlights of recently completed art projects at Media.
Fifth Grade: Students in fifth grade discussed the artwork of a contemporary artist, Frank
Stella, whose past work includes colorful, sculptural reliefs made of metal and other
materials. Inspired by Stella, students created a relief of cylinders, cubes, and cones that
popped out of a background paper and demonstrated a variety of shading techniques.
Fourth Grade: Fourth grade studied the design principle of movement in art. Students
copied the movement of a photograph showing an athlete in motion. They arranged and
glued parts of a body and drew black and white patterns of lines and shapes to fill in the
figure.
Third Grade: Third grade continued their exploration of Western art by observing
medieval-illuminated manuscripts. Students illuminated the first letter of their first or last
names, using metallic gold paper, and illustrated a border and the space around the
letter, with an animal, plant, or object associated with the Middle Ages, that also shared
the same letter.
Second Grade: Students in second grade created ceramic reliefs of an historic building
from Media to tie in with learning about their community in social studies class. Students
examined photographs of buildings such as The Thomas Minshall House, Media
Elementary School, and the Delaware County Court House before etching each
structure’s unique shape and texture in clay.
First Grade: First-grade art students created self-portraits as part of a unit on portraiture.
They learned about placement and proportion and used mirrors and grids to guide them
in their learning process. Overall, it was a successful opportunity for the children whose
drawings really reflect a true likeness to them.
School Reports
6
March 26, 2015
Library News
Students in Grades 1 and 2 are looking forward to meeting author Jon Agee, in the
Library. Mr. Agee, author of books like, The Retired Kid and My Rhinoceros, is visiting to
share his new picture book, It’s Only Stanley.
All students, Kindergarten through Grade 5, are preparing for Media’s annual Poetry
Café. Students, parents, staff and teachers are invited to attend and share original
poems and favorite poems. We are learning about, and writing, every kind of poem
imaginable: haikus to stream-of-consciousness. See you there, and don’t forget your
Poet’s hats!
Physical Education
The students have worked on non-manipulative movements such as stretching, jumping
and landing, transferring weight, balancing, rolling, twisting, and turning through
gymnastic activities. They have explained and applied the basic movement skills and
concepts to create and perform movement sequences and advanced skills. Additionally,
the students have demonstrated the fundamental skills, strategies, and the sport etiquette
associated with the sport of floor hockey.
Music
March 25th marked the 4th grade “Celebration of Music” where in the afternoon we invited
family and friends to come and enjoy our music classroom presentation. Our program
highlighted many activities directly from music class. Much of the music content is
delivered with a Regions of America theme to complement our Social Studies curriculum.
Student favorites included a recorder version of When the Saints Go Marching In, a
folkdance to Erie Canal, an Orff arrangement of a Native American piece and the ever
popular Fifty Nifty United States, written by Ray Charles. The students concluded their
presentation with a choral arrangement of Rock Island Line. Immediately following the
show, students and families enjoyed the Fourth Grade Science Fair.
ROSE TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergarten
In March, the Kindergarteners will enjoy another busy month! They began by celebrating
Read Across America when guest readers read a favorite book to the class and an author
come to visit to tell them about writing books. In Reading Workshop, they’ll be learning
about strategies for solving tricky words. In Math, they’re demonstrating their
understanding of counting on, and adding or subtracting from, a chosen number. They’re
also learning about weather patterns as they observe the changes occurring outside.
They are looking forward to a spring thaw (and outside recess!)
First Grade
First graders had an amazing month. Their Read Across America celebration included
guest readers, an author visit and wearing pajamas for a day! They loved reading Dr.
Seuss books and had lots of fun doing book reviews on their favorite titles. They also
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March 26, 2015
worked on patterns in math and opinion pieces in writing. They are becoming stronger
readers and successfully read two steps each day in school.
Second Grade
Second graders turned Read Across America Day into Read Across America Week!
They enjoyed activities to support and encourage their lifelong commitment to being
strong readers. Monday was PJ Day and the students enjoyed wearing their pajamas to
school! Tuesday brought more fun with a "read-in" where students took a reading oath,
learned biographical information about Theodore Geisel and enjoyed reading with friends
across the grade level. Guest Reader Day was Wednesday and the children were
delighted to have community members read to them in their classrooms.
Read My Shirt Day happened on Thursday, with the students enjoying the time to read
each other’s shirts. Friday was a very special day because of a visit from author/illustrator
Matt Phelan. Students enjoyed a presentation and, through a persuasive letter-writing
contest, one lucky student was chosen to have lunch with Matt and the other contest
winners. Second graders realize that "Readers are Leaders" and they will carry that
message with them through their lifetime of reading!
Third Grade
Third graders made the most of March! They kicked off the month by participating in
Read Across America in which they hosted guest readers in their classrooms and had a
pajama day to celebrate reading. To encourage reading during the month, students
participated in a "March Madness: Tournament of Books." Sixteen chapter books were
chosen to begin the bracket. Students read a minimum of two books a week and
completed a score sheet for each book. At the end of each week, totals were calculated
across the grade level to reveal the winners. Books moved through the bracket to crown
one book the Champion of the "March Madness: Tournament of Books!" In writing,
students completed their Opinion Writing Unit. Each student persuaded their classmates
and teacher to agree with their opinion. Third graders enjoyed a presentation from the
Franklin Institute called the "Electricity Show" which supported the Electricity and
Magnetism science unit. An additional science trip was made to Lankenau Hospital
Health Education Center. This trip correlated with the science unit on the human body
and health.
Fourth Grade
The fourth grade students’ hair stood on end as they unraveled the mysteries of electricity
during the Traveling Science Show with the Franklin Institute this month. The energetic
presenter guided the students as they found out how Benjamin Franklin and his
contemporaries learned about electricity. Through demonstrations they investigated
sources of electricity and discussed the impacts of using electricity in our everyday lives.
The students loved when they explored static and current electricity. The fourth and third
graders watched as electricity traveled through the air to power fluorescent light bulbs—
turning students into a human “circuit.” The Rose Tree students and teachers are so
grateful to our PTG who made this presentation available for our third and fourth graders.
Fifth Grade
The fifth grade students had a busy month during writing workshop. Students learned how
to write and edit their writing pieces using Google Drive. This was perfect timing for the
students, as they were creating curriculum-based writing pieces, as well as pieces to
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March 26, 2015
enter into The Delaware County Intermediate Unit Young Author’s Project writing contest.
Students enjoyed the convenience of Google Drive as they wrote, shared, revised, and
edited their pieces using their Google Drive accounts with their teachers and classmates.
The fifth grade teachers were very impressed by the enthusiasm and efforts of their
students.
Music
In the general music classroom, students continued to build upon a strong musical
foundation aided by the positive school-wide behavior plan. First graders developed their
rhythms and progressed to 16th notes. The students added to their melodic vocabulary
with the solfege sign “La” as well as many new songs and activities to reinforce both
aspects. Second graders learned about tempo. They discovered three different tempo
markings and with the application of some kinesthetic activities mastered allegro,
moderato, and adagio. The students also had a contest to see who could to the correct
movements to “Mrs. Mary Mack” the fastest. Both first and second graders learned about
the cultural and historical foundations of Irish music including the penny whistle,
bagpipes, fiddle, and river dance. Third graders continued to work on the fundamentals of
reading music with the aide of a recorder. They completed their first 3 belt assessments
and learned about the dotted half note. Fourth graders continued to work on their “Day in
the Life” concert to be performed in March in honor of National Music in Schools Month.
The concert pieces are a reflection of the many facets of a fourth grade music student.
Fifth grade students finished their Jazz unit this month. In the unit they learned,
compared, and contrasted Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong. They also learned about the
guitar and its inclusion into Jazz music, and how vocalists would improvise using “Scat
Singing.” The students focused a lot on improvisation creating a story word by word,
using the boom whacker instruments, and scat singing. A song will also be performed at
their spring concert in the Jazz style. Rehearsals have begun of this year’s musical
Aladdin. The cast has almost doubled from last year. We are looking forward to our
culminating performances.
Band
Serena Williams, fifth grade clarinetist from Rose Tree Elementary participated in the
PMEA District 12 Delco Intermediate Band Fest. The fest was held at the Upper Darby
Performing Arts Center. This ensemble consisted of over 100 fifth and sixth grade
instrumentalists from public and private schools in Delaware County.
Library
Students have been learning location and access strategies in the library. Students have
been demonstrating mental connection strategies during reading. The Rose Tree
Elementary Reading Olympics team includes 15 hard working and motivated fifth grade
students. They have been meeting for 50 minutes twice a cycle to discuss Reading
Olympic books, summaries and strategies for the competition that takes place in April at
Springton Lake Middle School.
Guidance
Throughout the month of February, students at Rose Tree Elementary were encouraged
to Read for Ronald, to help raise money for the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.
Fifty students took the challenge, and together these 50 students raised $2,943.15.
However, our Read for Ronald fund-raising did not stop there. We held a Pajama Day
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March 26, 2015
fund-raiser. Students and staff alike "paid the price" to wear their pajamas to
school by making a one dollar (or more) contribution to the Philadelphia Ronald
McDonald House. Pajama Day raised an additional $347 that will also be donated to the
Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. This was a great way to wrap up the Read for
Ronald program and a great way to kick off our weeklong Read Across America
celebration.
Physical Education
During the month of March, all grades focused on a variety of Jump Rope skills. Third,
fourth and fifth grader students participated in “Jump Rope for Heart”, which supported
the American Heart Association. In addition, the fifth grade students created a group
exercise routine. The routine incorporated exercises involving upper body strength, lower
body strength, abdominal strength, and flexibility. The groups performed the routine to a
song.
Gifted
Third grade AGP students are in the process of creating a scale model and video tour of
the solar system. Fourth grade AGP students are exploring Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of
Motion. Fifth grade AGP students are drawing scale models of prominent buildings.
Reading
March was an amazing month for reading! We celebrated Read Across America Week
with Pajama Day, read-a-thons, and guest readers from the community. These included
PTG members, administrators, school board members and the Honorable Jack Whelan,
Delaware County’s District Attorney. In addition, the author/illustrator Matt Phelan visited
and gave presentations about writing and art. A special lunch honored Mr. Phelan and the
students from grades one through five who were winners of our “Lunch with Matt Phelan!”
persuasive essay contest.
Art
All the art teachers of the district, including Meg Barney, will have their personal artworks
exhibited at the Media Arts Council Gallery for the month of March. The subjects of the
artworks will include landscapes, portraits, animals and still life. The gallery hosted an art
reception, open to the entire RTM community. The Media Arts Council Gallery is located
at 609-B West State Street, Media, PA.
SPRINGTON LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The following Students of the Month for the Month of March were honored at a breakfast
this morning with their teachers, parents and guardians: Team 6-1: Megan Gress and
Spencer Schwartz; Team 6-2: Eli McEntire and Claire Santangelo; Team 6-3: Delaney
Rauscher-Adams and Laiba Khan; Team 7-1: Alexis Howells and Liam Mosteller; Team
7-2: Connor Quesenberry and Grace Hannigan; Team 7-3: Meghan Robinson and John
Kirkpatrick; Team 8-1: Sean Prior and Riley Nolan; Team 8-2: William Flounders and
Abigayle Pennoni; Team 8-3: Nathan Dole and Madison Dickert
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March 26, 2015
Art
Ms. Sycz’ grade eight students are now preparing to paint their clay sculptures by
reviewing color theory, which will enable students to mix desired colors. Students will
explore various techniques of acrylic painting in order to successfully paint their clay
figures. Seventh grade students have completed making a large hollow form that will be
used as the main form of their clay animals. In the process, students have demonstrated
an understanding of basic clay hand building techniques. Students are now beginning to
decide upon additional forms to add to the main body to create the animal they wish to
represent. Grade six students have finished sculpting a small clay bird figure. Students
are now in the process of sculpting an environment for the clay bird. Demonstrations are
being given to show how to sculpt objects such as rocks and nests that can be placed in
natural settings such as a forest. For whimsical settings, students are seeing how to make
pattern and dry clay to create standing lettering or shapes. The application of the principle
of contrast to three-dimensional art is now being explored.
Congratulations to Mrs. Going’s eighth grade students, Sydney McCarthy and Heidi Mroz.
Sydney took first place overall and Heidi took third place over all in this year’s Delaware
County Suicide Prevention Task Force Poster Contest. Students will receive monetary
gifts as well as recognition with their parents at this month’s Delaware County Counsel
meeting in Media at the Government Building.
Eighth grades have completed sculpting figures based on the work of Renaissance
master, Michelangelo. The painting of the figures continues. Illuminated Manuscripts will
also be displayed soon on the beautiful new bulletin boards at Springton to continue to
show off those artistic SLMS students! All eighth grades have also begun work on the
annual Art of Paper Quilling or Paper Filigree assignment which is the art of curling paper,
also started during the Renaissance in Italy. Quite an amazing time in history! Seventh
grades have completed their unit on Art of the Fish. Glazed ceramic pieces are now being
fired and should be in the showcase very soon. First, students have to figure out what
their challenges were and how did they problem solve out of the problem during sculpting.
As a final review, students are now asked, what makes their sculptures successful? Nice
twist. Makes them think! Sixth grades have now completed their Chinese Zodiac paintings
with the addition of a printmaking unit. Students learned how to design a Chinese
character symbol for their zodiac animal, learned the art of printmaking so they could print
their character symbol and create an original composition using their printing plates!
German artist, Albrecht Durer, French artist, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and American artist,
Andy Warhol were also discussed for their numerous contributions to the field of
printmaking.
Eighth grade students in Mrs. Prior’s classes are painting their illuminated manuscript
pages. They are choosing colors that will most effectively enhance the designs of their
decorative borders, lettering, and backgrounds. Consideration is to be given to the colors
used in the medieval manuscripts. The use of gold and silver paint, markers, and colored
pencils simulate gold and silver leaf. Seventh grade students are continuing to develop
their painting skills, including effective use of the brush, color mixing and blending, and
application of paint to paint their symmetrical designs. Sixth graders are learning the
fundamentals of using clay by hand building clay boxes. They are utilizing the elements of
form, line, texture, and shape.
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March 26, 2015
The art teachers are participating in an exhibit at the Media Arts Council March 7 to April
3. There is an opening reception Saturday, March 14, 4 to 6 PM at 609-B W. State Street.
Core Extension
In March, the Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum classes continued their work
with argumentation and persuasion. In sixth grade, students wrote a letter to the president
and sent it to the White House. They also wrote two argumentative pieces: Should stores
be allowed to spy on you? Should parents help with homework? The sixth graders
finished the month by giving persuasive speeches to the class on a topic of their choice.
In seventh grade, students wrote a position paper on the following topic: Should sugary
drinks have warning labels? They based their paper on text evidence that they gathered
from Scope, Forbes, NPR, and The Boston Globe. They also finished out the month both
analyzing and giving speeches. In eighth grade, students analyzed logical fallacies in
both print (“Not All Scientific Studies Are Created Equal”) and commercial advertising.
They applied these logical fallacies in skits they created and performed for the class. The
eighth graders also wrote a position paper on whether or not child soldiers should be
given amnesty. They prepared for this paper by reading news articles and memoirs about
child soldiers who survived their ordeals.
Guidance
All eighth grade students have completed the course selection process. Mrs. Gilroy met
with students in the computer lab during their language arts classes to help them enter
their course requests into the system.
Mrs. Griffin is concluding the sixth grade Family Matters Group this month. Students have
had an opportunity to share family challenges and learn strategies to cope with changes
that affect their daily lives.
Margie Gilroy and Susan Howe attended the Delaware County Technical High Schools
(DCTS) annual "middle school counselor breakfast" on March 10th. DCTS offers career
and technical experience while students are in high school. Students can receive
technical experience and certification in many fields such as: health & bioscience,
engineering & computer science, construction technology, logistics, distribution &
transportation and hospitality, tourism & human services. There is a special program for
9th graders to explore DCTS during their first semester in high school. They can attend
and rotate through two programs during the semester and receive credit. DCTS also
offers a summer camp called "Career Heroes" for ages 11-14 during the week of June
22. DCTS is a wonderful resource!
Language Arts
Eighth grade language arts students in Ms. Azeff's and Mrs. Williams's classes are
working in historical fiction book clubs. Students are collaborating on creating a
newspaper based upon the events that occur in the plot of their chosen novel. In addition,
students are learning to think more analytically about what they read through the use of a
reader's notebook. In their notebooks, students are not only tracking the plot of the story,
but also journaling about universal themes across texts, mood, character growth, use of
figurative language and conflict development.
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March 26, 2015
Students in Mr. Phillips's classes are reflecting on their own lives with the conclusion of
their unit on memoir writing. They have written some very moving pieces of work based
upon their own life experiences. The lessons in the memoir unit also address universal
themes across texts, mood, character growth, use of figurative language and conflict
development.
During the month of March, seventh grade language arts students finished their study of
their dystopian and fantasy literature circle books by completing their final meeting and
writing their Literary Text Analysis. This was very successful and most students were able
to independently discuss their books for over thirty minutes! Conversations were on-topic
and rich with literary elements. Enhanced language arts classes extended their
understanding by creating a technology-based project surrounding the plot, characters,
conflict, theme, and setting of their books.
Once literature circles ended, seventh grade students began to take a look at the
elements of drama. While reading a drama about Florence Nightingale, students
understood the importance of stage directions and dialogue in comprehending a play. The
month ended with a study on the Text-Dependent Analysis. Students continued to work
on properly citing text evidence to support their positions on particular topics.
Mrs. Patton’s sixth grade language arts classes completed the reading unit analyzing
character development both in read aloud mentor texts and independent reading. We
have been focusing on recognizing the changes that characters go through and the
causes of those changes. We have looked at external pressures and internal strengths
and flaws and the impact on characters. As a final bend, students analyzed how authors
use small moments to demonstrate that character’s learn and teach life lessons and how
these lessons impact the characters. Classwork included discussion, as well as
interpretative entries in Reader’s Notebooks.
Students continue to work on assigned skills in Study Island. In addition, with individual
student benchmark results now incorporated into the practice, students can log into the
program and practice directly at their own personalized level for each skill area. This has
greatly helped in the differentiation of the program.
Sixth grade language arts classes have also begun work with Greek and Latin word roots.
Each week students add five new roots to their knowledge base, practicing to expand
recognition of words that may not otherwise be familiar. We will add to these roots
weekly.
All Language Arts classes have had the opportunity to participate in multiple writing
competitions. These include the Delaware County Young Authors, Boeing Corporation,
and the Cricket Magazine poetry competition. Cricket selected the poems of three
Springton Lake students to publish in an upcoming issue of the magazine.
Library
March was to bring visiting author David Lubar to Springton Lake; however, instead of our
visiting author, we had a visiting snow storm that forced us to postpone our author. No
worries. Mr. Lubar will be coming in April instead, and he jokes that if it snows for that
one, he is “signing up for the Mars mission.” Hopefully, spring will truly be here by then.
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March 26, 2015
March is also when we celebrate Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss’ birthday). This
event inspired a month-long contest called “Who’s Behind That Book.” The contest
features a wall of pictures of staff behind favorite or significant books. Over 60 staff
members participated, and students were encouraged to guess who was behind the
books. We thought it would be fun to extend the contest for the month, and students have
continued to make their guesses as they pass by the hallway display. Prizes will be
awarded for most correct answers. Despite the cold weather, March has been ablaze with
activity; however, we look forward to spring and the many exciting events that are
planned for April, May, and June.
Math
Geometry students completed their midterm this past month with tremendous success.
They worked collaboratively in class to review as well as independently at home. After
the midterm, students began exploring the patterns of Pythagorean triples. From there
they worked with right triangles and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve for various sides
within a right triangle. In one of the more exciting unites of the year, students explore and
solve using their first trigonometric ratios (sine, cosine, and tangent). The end of this unit
concludes their extensive study of triangles and their properties.
Algebra I students began the month exploring all aspects of inequalities. They focused
on the rules to solving one-step, two-step, and multi-step inequalities. Students then
learned how to graph inequalities in one and two variables on both a number line and
coordinate graph. Students then applied this skill to solving more complex inequalities
and equations that included absolute value. The students are moving into a new unit on
systems of equations, they will be solving systems through graphing, substitution,
combinations, and multiplication.
Eighth grade Connected Math classes will be exploring rational and irrational numbers
during the month of March. Students will distinguish between rational and irrational
numbers using their properties, and compare them, as well.
Also, during the month of March, students will use linear equations and systems of linear
equations to represent, analyze, and solve a variety of problems. Students will solve one
and two-step linear equations by using substitution and/or the inverse operation. Finally,
they will learn to apply the distributive property to equations, and to solve equations using
like terms.
In seventh grade math, we spent the last month working on ratios, rates, and proportional
relationships. They began by identifying similar figures by comparing corresponding parts
and then moved into using scale factors to describe relationships among the side lengths
of similar figures. Students used this information to explore and understand that similarity
is an instance of proportionality. Students then continued to use scale, ratios, and
fractions to make larger and smaller objects. They organized this information in tables,
which allowed them to identify patterns, make predictions, and write equations for each of
the situations. We are now finishing the month with volume and surface area of three dimensional figures. Students are exploring patterns among volume and surface area,
developing strategies for finding volume and surface area, and are extending their
understanding of similarity and scale factors.
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March 26, 2015
In seventh grade-accelerated math, we began the month exploring the Pythagorean
Theorem and relating the area of a square to the side length. This led the students into
the understanding of square roots. Students then used this concept to simplify radicals
that were not perfect squares and to simplify cube roots and beyond. This led the
students to explore other operations involving radicals such as adding, subtracting,
multiplying, and rationalizing the denominator. Currently the students are beginning a unit
on systems of equations; they will be solving systems through graphing, substitution,
combinations, and multiplication.
Sixth grade students studied ratios and proportional relationships. One particular activity
students enjoyed was “shopping” the classroom and calculating the better buy using
actual grocery items.
Accelerated Math students studied ratios and proportional relationships. Students
especially enjoyed creating linear graphs, learning about slope, and determining if x and y
have direct variation.
Next month, all sixth grade students will be study statistics as well as preparing for the
PSSA’s.
Music
The SLMS Jazz Band participated in the Annual Haverford MS Jazz Festival. The group
received an excellent rating. 8th grader Rachel Westcott took home an outstanding solo
award.
16 members of SLMS Band participated in the annual Delaware County Honors Band
hosted by Beverly Hills Middle School. The participants were Rachel Westcott, Sarah
Chang, Casey Loper, Ana Bernal, Zander Prokop, Josie Cressler, Paige Goldberg, Maura
Morris, Dan Nolan, Allen Chen, JB Peterson, Cody Sita, Tom Kuntz, Brendan Egan,
Zachary Munin, Erick Wade. Delaware County Band is an ensemble made up of the top
band students from 7 middle schools. The other schools that participate are Drexel Hill,
Strath Haven, ET Richardson, Paxon Hollow, Beverly Hills and Haverford.
Band members from Penncrest and Springton Lake got together for an evening of music
making and idea sharing at our first Crossover Night. Parents and students met with the
band directors from both schools and discussed the advantages of continuing with music
in high school, how band can serve as a bridge between eighth and ninth grade, and the
positive environment of the high school band. Students toured the building, met our
percussion and color guard instructors, had the chance to ask questions of the student
leaders, participated in a rehearsal, and enjoyed some social time. It is hoped that
everyone involved received valuable firsthand information that will help them make the
right choice for them when it comes to high school course selection.
The annual school musical went as planned despite some unfortunate weather. Eightyfour students participated in the show and brought the musical “Bye Bye Birdie” to the
Springton Lake Middle School stage. This year, a live pit orchestra accompanied our
student performers. Pianist, Nancy Beale, bassist, Daniel Turkos and drummer, Bryan
Graber were led by the musical’s director, Joseph Fisher, who also accompanied the
students with guitar, saxophone, and flute. Mrs. Diane Stern served as choreographer
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and assistant director. Mr. Fisher and Mrs. Stern thank the Springton Lake community for
an outpouring of support that helped make the show a great success.
Eight eighth grade students represented Springton Lake Middle School in the annual
PMEA District 12 ChorusFest at Unionville High School. Quiana Artis, Ben Grady, Sarah
Hughes, Jake Kelk, Jake Lamb, Riley McGowan, Abby Race, and Emily Sampson had
the opportunity to work with renowned composer and Temple University professor, Rollo
Dilworth.
Physical Education
All students finished their second round of lessons in the pool. All students have been
swimming in accordance to American Red Cross developmental guidelines. Students
have worked towards refining their skills to achieve developmental swimming levels that
will take place at the end of their third and final session
All students completed the multicultural unit where they participated in activities that
spanned sixth of the seven continents. Students experienced the activities as well as
continued to learn about not just origins of the games but some cultural background
information.
Classes who were not in the main gym during climbing were either in the weight room or
the auxiliary gym. In the weight room, students continued to work with weight machines
and cardio equipment. The other classes who were in the auxiliary gym participated in
floor hockey, where stick handling, positioning and teamwork were the focal points
Science
The sixth grade science, students learned about advances in genetics. Students
investigated animals that have been cloned and discussed whether they thought that
extinct animals should be able to be cloned, and brought back from extinction. Students
learned about adaptations and how adaptations help an animal to survive and reproduce.
Students learned about natural selection and used an Explore Learning lab simulation to
show their understanding, while investigating what happened to the peppered moth
population in England after the Industrial Revolution.
The seventh grade science program changed gears from electrical investigations to the
universal laws that dictate forces and energy. The forces were introduced when the
teachers performed several spectacular demonstrations including student participation.
Once a basic understanding of forces and motion was established, vector diagrams were
used to represent direction and magnitude of forces working in cooperation or opposition.
In eighth grade, we continue to prepare for the PSSA Science exam, which will be given
in the last week in April. Specifically, we have focused on reviewing content on
environmental science. We have been learned about acids and bases, how they are
found in nature, and the unique properties of water as it relates to these substances. In
addition, we have experimented with the use of natural indicators and have discussed the
pH changes associated with the digestive system and the various enzymes that are
utilized.
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March 26, 2015
Social Studies
Sixth grade students have been studying Japan, North Korea, and China. They had to
compare and contrast the present-day countries and the historical contexts that created
the modern countries. In the study of North Korea, the students were particularly intrigued
by the fierce control and secrecy that Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un wield over their
people. In addition, the classes have been using an article about China along with
comprehension questions and writing prompts developed by the social studies and
language arts teachers. The study of Asia continues with the study of India and the IT
revolution that has transformed the nation into a global power.
Seventh grade social studies students have been studying Manifest Destiny and the
expansion of the United States throughout the 19th century. Students have been
investigating the causes of expansion and how the United States gained more land and
territory though diplomacy, treaties, and war. In addition, the classes are exploring the
differences between the North and the South and what led to the division over slavery.
Eighth graders have been investigating the vibrant and intriguing culture of Ancient Greek
Civilizations. They have reviewed the elements of myth and the values of the Ancient
Greeks to analyze The Iliad and The Odyssey. Students have also examined how
historians use artifacts, including ancient writings, fossils, and myths to write history.
Eighth Grade World history students have also been reading about the development of
Democracy in Ancient Greece. Using the Mac Lab, the students have been writing an
Informational Essay about the Development of Democracy in Athens. They have used
text evidence to support their writing. The Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian Wars and the
conquests of Alexander the Great have been lively topics in the classroom as well. Some
classes have been building models inspired by Ancient Greek architecture. The Eighth
Grade is looking forward to studying Ancient Rome in the days to come.
Special Education
In Mrs. Perilli’s sixth grade resource class students participated in executive functions
lessons that focused on gathering information from various types of texts. During class,
students practiced skimming articles to gather useful information to use in projects,
reports, or papers. Students also developed an arsenal of strategies for previewing a
chapter in a text book, including making predictions, activating prior knowledge, using
illustrations in context, making connections, and monitoring/adjusting comprehension.
Students practiced these strategies using grade level science and social studies
textbooks. Finally, students learned how to write an effective summary. Using highinterest articles, students were able to locate the main idea of each paragraph,
paraphrase the main ideas, and use those ideas to develop a concise summary.
The current math unit being covered in Ms. Viso’s seventh grade learning support math
classroom is “Expressions and Equations.” In this unit, students are modeling and solving
real-world and mathematical problems by using and connecting numerical, algebraic,
and/or graphical representations (For example: If a woman making $25 an hour gets a
raise, she will make an additional 1/10 of her salary an hour. How much is the raise?
What will her new hourly salary be?)
Students are using variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical
problem, and construct simple expressions, equations and inequalities to solve problems
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March 26, 2015
by reasoning about the quantities (For example, the perimeter of a rectangle is 54 cm. Its
length is 6 cm. What is its width?)
Students are demonstrating their understanding that rewriting an expression in different
forms in a problem can shed light on the problem and how the quantities in it are related
(For example, a + 0.05a = 1.05a means that “increase by 5%” is the same as “multiply by
1.05.”)
A hands-on and visual strategy being used in the classroom to assist students in grasping
these difficult concepts is the CUVC strategy for writing equations from word problems: C
– Circle the Numbers, U – Underline the Question, V – Variable: insert a variable, C –
Check: check your answer using substitution. By the end of the unit, students will be able
to describe real-world situations in which integers are used.
World Language
Springton Lake French classes celebrated Mardi Gras with chocolate Fondue and mask
making. Seventh graders sent Valentines to their French pen pals.
PENNCREST HIGH SCHOOL
Hi-Q News
The Penncrest Hi-Q team won first place in the Delco Hi-Q Championship Match earlier
this month. The team ended regular season play in second place and hosted a playoff
match against Strath Haven and Marple Newtown High Schools. Penncrest won that
match soundly, advancing to the championship match where they faced Garnet Valley
High School (who was in first place at the end of the regular season) and Haverford High
School (who finished the regular season in third place and won their playoff match against
Sun Valley and Delco Christian). Penncrest built up a very comfortable lead in the first
half of the match allowing them to win the championship with a score of 47 points to
Haverford's 40 and Garnet Valley's 33. The team will be honored at the Partner's in
Education Celebration at Drexelbrook in April.
Music Department News
The Penncrest Jazz Band has been selected to perform at the Pennsylvania Music
Educators Association 2015 State Conference held at the Hershey Convention Center
this weekend (March 25-28). Over 2,000 attendees that include current and retired
teachers from preschool through college/university are expected for this year's
conference. Performing groups audition through an online submission process to be
selected to perform at the conference. This year, the Penncrest Jazz Band was honored
to be the only high school jazz band chosen to perform. Their presentation, "The Oliver
Nelson Songbook," features music from this very important composer, bandleader, and
musician in the field of jazz. The Jazz Band presented a preview of their conference
program at their annual Jazz Night at Penncrest High School this month. The band is
under the direction of Craig Snyder.
World Language Department News
Twenty-four Intermediate, Advanced, and AP French students traveled to Southern
France as part of the French Exchange this month. Over the two week visit, students
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March 26, 2015
investigate Roman ruins, medieval castles, and world-renowned works of art. The trip
ends with two days in Paris where students will visit the Louvre museum and la Tour
Eiffel. A link to a photo journal for the exchange can be found on Mme Riviere’s
Penncrest website. Students will return home on April 1.
Twenty-three Spanish students traveled to Costa Rica as part of the Spanish Immersion
trip in March. During the trip, students volunteer in local schools, visit a butterfly farm,
and learn about the rainforest. Students return from the trip on April 2.
Mandarin Chinese students celebrated the Chinese New Year with a field trip to
Philadelphia’s Chinatown this month. In addition, under faculty member Ms. Lin’s
guidance, Penncrest students performed a traditional dragon dance for students during
lunches.
This month over 200 students participated in the national exams for French, Latin, and
Spanish. Results are due in late April.
Annually RTM District Contests are administered to every World Language student,
grades 6-12, who compete against their peers enrolled in the same language/level. The
top three students for each language/level (and possibly Honorable Mention) will be
invited to receive their awards at the annual World Language Fête in May. The list of
winners for all languages and levels can be found on the Penncrest World Language
website.
Sophomore Dance
The sophomore semi-formal dance, commonly referred to as the "Soph Hop," recently
went off without a hitch. Following their win at the Winter Pep Rally, the class of 2017
officers and class council, along with the support and contributions from the PTG, put
together a fun event for nearly 400 students. This year's theme was a masquerade so
multi-colored masks added to snazzy outfits donned by attendees.
Simon Youth Academy News
This month, SYA students took a field trip to the Franklin Institute. The students
participated in dissecting a sheep’s heart, discovered the intricate biology, zoology, and
physiology of the world’s most spectacular creatures in the science exhibit BODY
WORLDS, and explored the many exhibits the Franklin Institute has to offer.
This month the students at the SYA will be participating in a March Madness Challenge.
Students have been challenged by the staff to complete 70 lessons within their
curriculum. Students who complete the challenge will earn “Fun Friday” at the end of the
month. Students completing 100 lessons or more will be rewarded with a bonus prize!
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March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
1.
Dr. Steven Taylor, Assistant Superintendent for
Curriculum and Instruction, retirement effective June
30, 2015.
Background
Dr. Taylor joined the staff of Rose Tree Media School
District in 1980. During his tenure, he served as a
Language
Arts
Teacher,
Federal
Programs
Coordinator, Junior Advisor, Coached Soccer, Track
and Basketball teams, was a Standards Facilitator,
Director of Teaching and Learning, Assistant
Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and
more. Dr. Taylor is retiring after 35 years of dedicated
service.
b.
Non-Instructional
1.
2.
Worker,
Nominations
a.
Professional
1.
b.
IX. New Business
Ron Tyson, Substitute Maintenance
resignation effective March 13, 2015.
Joseph Peleckis, Assistant Summer School Director
for Summer School 2015 at the annual salary of
$3,000.00.
Non-Instructional
1.
Steven Rhoades, Substitute Bus Driver, effective
March 27, 2015 at the rate of $22.40 per hour. Mr.
Rhoades is assigned to Transportation.
2.
Michael Anders, Substitute Bus Driver, effective
March 27, 2015 at the rate of $22.40 per hour. Mr.
Anders is assigned to Transportation.
1
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
2.
Nominations
b.
3.
Non-Instructional
3.
Linda Hibberd, Substitute Cafeteria Worker, effective
March 10, 2015 at the rate of $10.98 per hour.
4.
Thomas Delaney, Substitute Bus Driver, effective
March 27, 2015 at the rate of $22.40 per hour. Mr.
Delaney is assigned to Transportation.
5.
Keisha Davis, Substitute Cafeteria Worker, effective
March 27, 2015 at the rate of $10.98 per hour. NOTE:
Ms. Davis is being hired pending completion of her
pre-employment paperwork.
General
a.
Supplemental Contracts
1.
Christopher Bonnett, Head 8th Grade Boys Lacrosse
for the 2014-2015 school year at the annual salary of
$3,045.00. Mr. Bonnett is assigned to Springton Lake
Middle School. NOTE: Mr. Bonnett is being hired
pending
completion
of
his
pre-employment
paperwork.
2.
Ali Perilli, (.5) New Teacher Mentor for the 2014-2015
school year at the annual salary of $580.00. Ms.
Perilli is assigned to Springton Lake Middle School.
3.
Recommend Board approval for the following Rose
Tree Elementary Staff to serve as Club Sponsors for
the 2014-2015 school year:
Margaret Barney
Jean McPheeters
JoAnn Podlaski
Dennis Smyth
IX. New Business
2
Student Council
$290.00
Student Council
$290.00
Set/Design Club
$580.00
Lego Robotics Club $580.00
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
b.
Other
1.
B.
Recommend Board approval of the Agreement
between Rose Tree Media School District and the
Rose Tree Media Education Association for the period
of September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2018. See
Attachment A
2015-2016 Online Subscription Renewals
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following online
subscription renewals for use in the 2015-2016 school year.
Online
Program
Use
Grades
Affected
Gizmos (Science)
KidBiz/TeenBiz (Reading)
Rand-McNally Classroom (Social
Studies)
Reading A-Z (Reading)
Study Island
WebAssign (Science and Math)
Better Chinese (World Language)
Instructional
Instructional
Instructional
6-8
1-5, 9-10
1-8
Instructional
Instructional
Instructional
Instructional
K-5
9-11
11-12
9-12
Access PA Membership
Culturegrams by Proquest
Databases for History by ABC-CLIO
Databases for Literature, History,
Health, and General Reference by
Gale/Cengage Learning
Follett Software (Library System
Management)
InfoBase – Facts on File Database
Noodle Tools
World Book Encyclopedia
Library
Library
Library
Library
K-12
K-12
K-12
6-12
Library
K-12
Library
Library
Library
9-12
9-12
K-12
IX. New Business
3
March 26, 2015
IX.
New Business
B.
2015-2016 Online Subscription Renewals
Background
Under Policy 109, the Board of School Directors approves resource
materials for use in Rose Tree Media schools. The renewals listed above
represent contracts that must be approved by the Board. They provide a
variety of resources, but fall in two general categories: resource materials
used in the district’s libraries, such as the Follett library operating system
or the Facts on File database, and programs used explicitly for instruction,
such as KidBiz/TeenBiz. Renewals are dependent on final approval of the
2015-2016 budget. The online subscription renewals were discussed at
the March 2015 Curriculum & Instruction Committee Meeting.
IX. New Business
4
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
A.
Purchasing - None
B.
General
1.
Budgetary Transfers
Rose Tree Media School District Policy #612…(Public School code
section 609) when funds are not available for a proposed
appropriation, a legal transfer from one class of expenditure to
another may be made in the last nine (9) months of the fiscal year
by the board.
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the following
budgetary transfers:
FY 15-30 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Instruction- Software
$3,000
TO: Technology Support Services- New Equipment
AMOUNT: $3,000
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase a new smart board for
Rose Tree Elementary School.
FY 15-31 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Instruction- Supplies
$3,000
TO: Technology Support Services- Travel
AMOUNT: $3,000
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the costs for teachers and
administrators to attend conferences.
X. Finance
1
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
1.
Budgetary Transfers
FY 15-32 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
School Sponsored Athletics- Supplies
AMOUNT: $1,160
TO: School Sponsored Athletics –Dues and Fees
AMOUNT: $1,160
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover swim meets and
championships for Penncrest High School.
Background
These items were discussed at the March 10, 2015 Finance
Committee meeting.
2.
Astro Turf Contract
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract
with Astro Turf through The Cooperative Purchasing Network’s,
TCPN, proposal # R5175-PA-5753 in the amount of $1,567,172 for
improvements to the stadium at Penncrest High School to include
the installation of a synthetic turf field, replacement of the track and
site drainage improvements upon receipt of the Department of
Environmental Protection, DEP permit and the grading and storm
water management plan approval from Middletown Township.
Background
These items were discussed at the March 10, 2015 Operations
Committee meeting.
3.
Chartwells Dining Services Contract Renewal
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the renewal
contract with Chartwells Dining Services for the 2015-2016 school
year pending contract review by the district’s solicitor and the
Pennsylvania Department of Education, PDE.
Background
This item was discussed at the March 10, 2015 Finance Committee
meeting.
X. Finance
2
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
4.
Food Service Price Increase
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve a $.05 price
increase for breakfast meals and a $.05 price increase for lunch
meals in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture
National School Lunch Program Paid Lunch Equity requirements.
Background
This item was discussed at the March 10, 2015 Finance Committee
meeting.
5.
Circle Line Sightseeing Agreement
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the agreement
with Circle Line Sightseeing in the amount of $4,848.00 for a field
trip to New York City for the sixth grade class of the Springton Lake
Middle School. The cost of the trip will be paid by the students.
There is no cost to the District for this agreement.
Background
This item was discussed at the March 10, 2015 Finance Committee
meeting.
6.
Barbacane, Thornton & Company Audit Agreement
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the agreement
with Barbacane, Thornton & Company for auditing services for the
2014/2015 school year. The amount of the agreement is $30,100.
Background
This item was discussed at the March 10, 2015 Finance Committee
meeting.
X. Finance
3
March 26, 2015
X.
Finance
B.
General
7.
Advanced Power Control, Inc. Contract
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the annual
service contract with Advanced Power Control, Inc. for technical
support services for the automated control systems for the
Springton Lake Middle School, Glenwood Elementary School and
Media Elementary School in the a amount of $11,880.
Background
These items were discussed at the March 10, 2015 Operations
Committee meeting.
8.
Don Bonnett Associates, Inc. Proposal
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the proposal
with Don Bonnett Associates, Inc. to provide Engineering
Design/Documentation, Bidding and Administrative Services for
proposed 2015/2016 capital projects. The amount of the proposal is
$78,597 plus reimbursable expenses.
Background
These items were discussed at the March 10, 2015 Operations
Committee meeting.
9.
Philadelphia Museum of Art – Inside/Out Installation Agreement
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the display
board on the lawn of the Media Elementary School. The display
will contain a reproduction of Pablo Picasso, Self Portrait with
Palette. There is no cost to the District for this agreement.
Background
To promote the arts Media Borough in conjunction with the
Philadelphia Museum of Art will be displaying artwork reproductions
throughout the borough. The museum will install a free standing 36
3/16” x 28 7/8” frame on the lawn of Media Elementary School at
Front and Monroe Streets.
X. Finance
4
March 26, 2015