ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Legislative Agenda
November 21, 2013
7:30 p.m.
I.
Call to Order
II.
Approval of Minutes
A.
B.
III.
Roll Call
Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
Special Legislative Meeting Minutes of November 7, 2013
Presentations and Awards
A.
B.
C.
IV.
Pledge of Allegiance
PSBA Poster Contest Winner – Joey Talone
Penncrest High School Boys Cross Country Team – Chip Olinger
Mr. Peter P. Barry – Board of School Director Recognition
Educational Presentation
A.
V.
From Rockets to Running... The Clubs of Glenwood
Newspaper Club - Brandon Gall & Robert Eckberg - Mrs. Grace-Green,
Sponsor
Scrabble Club - Bella Proper and Bridget Dawson, Mrs. Lutz & Miss
Pinsley, Sponsors
Art Club - Jamie Umberger - Mr. Sharp, Sponsor
Running and Walking Club - River Downend -Mrs. Barry & Mrs. VelliosMiller, Sponsors
Lego/Robotics Club - Carleigh Garland, Logan Sampson, & Gianna
Petschelt - Mr. Grisillo & Mr. Keeler, Sponsors
Video Club - Danielle Carnevale, Gabriella Keener, Jennifer Plick - Mrs.
Grace-Green, Sponsor
Reports
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
VI.
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)
Agenda
1
November 21, 2013
VII.
Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)
A.
VIII.
Old Business
A.
IX.
None
New Business
A.
B.
C.
D.
X.
Rose Tree Media Residents
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
2.
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
3.
General
a.
Classification Change
b.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
c.
Supplemental Contracts – See Attachments A and B
d.
Salary Change
e.
Create New Position
f.
Other
Overnight Trips
1.
Penncrest High School Girls and Boys Outdoor Track and Field
Teams - PIAA Outdoor Track and Field State Championships –
Shippensburg, PA
2.
Penncrest High School Girls and Boys Indoor Track Teams -Kevin
Dare Invitational Track Meet – State College, PA
3.
Penncrest High School Wrestling Team - PIAA State Wrestling
Championships – Hershey, PA
4.
Penncrest High School Girls and Boys Swimming Team – PIAA
Swimming State Championship – Bucknell University
5.
Penncrest High School Indoor Track State Championships – Indoor
Track State Championships – State College, PA
6
Penncrest High School String Ensemble – Lake George, NY
Curriculum Cycle Plan for 2014-2019
Penncrest Course Selection Guide Changes
Finance
A.
Agenda
Purchasing
1.
None
2
November 21, 2013
X.
Finance
B.
General
1.
Change Orders
2.
Budgetary Transfers
3.
MTI Contract
4.
Bystander Contract
5.
BCIU Tax Software Contract
6.
Donations
7.
Walter Brucker & Company Contract
8.
Timothy School Tuition Contracts
C.
D.
XI.
Financials for October 2013
Bill Lists for October 2013
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 December 19, 2013, at Penncrest High
School. The Legislative Meetings are recorded on tape.
Agenda
3
November 21, 2013
Rose Tree M edia School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone: 610-627-.6000
Fax: 610-891-0959
www.rtmsd.org
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
Mr. James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent of Schools
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
I.
Grace A. Eves, Board Secretary
Director of Management Services
Members of the Board of School Directors
James Wigo, Superintendent
Grace A. Eves, Board Secretary
November 21, 2013
Minutes of the October 24, 2013, Legislative Meeting
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
___________________________________________________________________________
Board Members in Attendance:
John Hanna, President
Linda Kinsler-Fox, Vice President
Peter Barry
Nancy Mackrides
William O’Donnell
Elizabeth Schneider
Students: Riley George
Rahmi Halaby
Talia Kaplan
Absent:
Michaela Rheil
Absent
Tracy Barusevicius
Nancy Fronduti
Chris Guilday
Also in Attendance:
Eric Bucci, Principal GW
Anne Callahan, Dir. Human Resources
Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen, Dir.PS and Sp. Ed.
Grace Eves, Dir. Management Services
Joseph Fuhr, Principal SYA
Heather Hogan, Accountant
Anthony Jackowski, Asst. Principal SLMS
Mack Johnson, Mgmt. Systems Admin.
Thomas Kelly, Esq., Solicitor
Bonnie Kinsler, Supervisor of Transportation
Patti Linden, Supv. Technology
Kim McCann, Info. Tech. Spec
Robert Salladino, Principal SLMS
Sharon Sweeney, Asst. Principal PHS
Steve Taylor, Asst. Superintendent
Katherine White, Asst. Principal SLMS
James M. Wigo, Sr., Superintendent
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
1
November 21, 2013
II.
Approval of Minutes
A.
Legislative Meeting Minutes of September 26, 2013
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mrs. Mackrides seconded a motion to adopt
the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2013 – 2014 30
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the Legislative
Meeting Minutes of September 26, 2013.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair,
the vote being:
AYES:
Peter Barry, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy
Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider,
NAYS:
ABSENT: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti and Chris Guilday
III.
Presentations and Awards
A.
Linda Kinsler-Fox – PSBA Certificate of Appreciation
Linda Kinsler-Fox, a member of the Rose Tree Media School Board,
received recognition for her 8 years of service. She is being
presented a certificate adding her to the PSBA “Honor Roll of School
Board Service.” Thank you for your service and contributions to the
guidance of youth and public education in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
IV.
Educational Presentation
A.
V.
Using Technology to Support Readers' Workshop at Media
Elementary School – Tracey Fritch:
Grade 5 Teachers: Aaron Goldfarb, Tina Loveland-Smith and Evan
O'Neil
Reports
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Student Liaison Reports
Board Liaison Reports
Committee Highlights and Reports
School Reports – In Official Minutes of October 24, 2013
Superintendent’s Report – In Official Minutes of October 24, 203
Solicitor’s Report – In Official Minutes of October 24, 2013
President’s Report – In Official Minutes of October 24, 2013
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
2
November 21, 2013
VI.
Scheduled Presentations (limited to Five Minutes Each)
A.
VII.
Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)
A.
IX.
RTMEA – Sue Williamson
Rose Tree Media Residents - None
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
2.
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
3.
General
a.
Classification Change
b.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
c.
Rescind Supplemental Contracts
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt
the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2013 – 2014 31
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following New
Business:
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
b.
Professional
Non-Instructional
1.
Mary Beth Hoffman, Occupational Therapist,
resignation effective September 23, 2013.
2.
Joseph
DiIenno,
Substitute
Bus
Driver,
resignation effective September 23, 2013.
3.
Suzanne Flebbe, Support Staff I, Penncrest High
School, resignation effective October 9, 2013.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
3
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Nominations
c.
Professional
1.
Recommend Board approval of the following
personnel to serve as Homebound Instructors for
the 2013-2014 school year at the rate of $46.00
per hour
Kristin Connell
Ben Danson
Ronni Miller
d.
3.
Katie Devine
Mike Ludwig
Jeanine Williamson
Non-Instructional
1.
Susan McKeon, Support Staff II, Instructional
Assistant, effective October 16, 2013 at the rate
of $15.47 per hour. Ms. McKeon is assigned to
Springton Lake Middle School replacing Larry
Owens who was reassigned.
2.
Clyde Davis Custodial Night Supervisor for the
2013-2014 school year at the annual salary of
$1,000.00. Mr. Davis is assigned to Media
Elementary.
3.
Julie
DiRemigio,
Interventionist
effective
November 20, 2013 at the rate of $25.00 per
hour. Ms. DiRemigio is assigned to Penncrest
High School. Ms. Di Remigio is being hired
pending completion of her pre-employment
paperwork.
General
a.
Classification Change
1.
Leslie Verbitsky, from Substitute Cafeteria to
Cafeteria Trainee effective September 16, 2013
at the rate of $11.31 per hour. Ms. Verbitsky is
assigned to Penncrest High School replacing Lisa
McCallion who resigned.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
4
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
a.
Classification Change
2.
Lisa Malara, from Substitute Cafeteria to
Cafeteria Trainee effective September 16, 2013
at the rate of $11.31 per hour. Ms. Malara is
assigned to Indian Lane Elementary replacing
Maureen Dooner who reassigned.
3.
Theresa Mawson, from Substitute Cafeteria to
Cafeteria Trainee effective September 16, 2013
at the rate of $11.31 per hour. Ms. Mawson is
assigned to Springton Lake Middle School
replacing Dawn Alonso who resigned.
4.
Catherine Lacock, from Support Staff II to
Secretary I effective September 30, 2013 at the
annual salary of $33,396.29. Ms. Lacock is
assigned to Penncrest High School replacing
Deborah Hoffman who was reassigned.
5.
Anita Garber, from (.5) Secretary I to 1.0
Secretary I effective September 30, 2013 at the
annual salary of $33,396.29. Ms. Garber is
assigned to Springton Lake Middle School
replacing Jacqueline Wise who was terminated.
6.
Fred Faulkner, from Bus Driver to Full Time Bus
Aide effective October 4, 2013 at the rate of
$14.43 per hour.
7.
Richard Caldwell from Substitute Bus Driver to
Part Time New Bus Driver effective October 4,
2013 at the rate of $21.96 per hour.
8.
Allen Kannapel from Part Time Bus Driver to Full
Time Bus Driver effective October 4, 2013 at the
rate of $21.96 per hour.
9.
Andrea Worley from Part Time Bus Driver to Full
Time Bus Driver effective October 4, 2013 at the
rate of $21.96 per hour.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
5
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
a.
b.
Classification Change
10.
Patrick Wilson from Substitute Bus Driver to Part
Time New Bus Driver effective October 7, 2013 at
the rate of $21.96 per hour.
11.
Michael Willauer from Substitute Bus Driver to
Full Time New Driver effective October 7, 2013 at
the rate of $21.96 per hour.
12.
Paul Stankiewicz from Substitute Bus Driver to
Full Time Regular Bus Driver effective October 7,
2013 at the rate of $21.96 per hour.
13.
David Masse from New Driver to Full Time
Regular Bus Driver effective October 4, 2013 at
the rate of $21.96 per hour.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
1.
c.
Joann Vann requests an unpaid leave of absence
effective September 30, 2013 through October
17, 2013 for medical reasons.
Rescind Supplemental Contracts
1.
Christine Rodden, rescind appointment as
Assistant
Cheerleading
Coach
effective
September 25, 2013.
2.
Jessica Paup, rescind appointment as Head
Cheerleading Coach effective September 25,
2013.
3.
Kevin McDonald, rescind appointment
Assistant Freshman Football Coach effective
October 3, 2013.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
6
November 21, 2013
as
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair,
the vote being:
AYES:
Peter Barry, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy
Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider,
NAYS:
ABSENT: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti and Chris Guilday
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt
the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2013 – 2014 32
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following New
Business:
3.
General
d.
Supplemental Contracts
1.
Alexis Azeff, (.5) Environmental Club Sponsor for
the 2013-2014 school year at the annual salary of
$435.00. Ms. Azeff is assigned to Springton Lake
Middle School.
2.
Josephine Dizon, (.5) Environmental Club
Sponsor for the 2013-2014 school year at the
annual salary of $435.00. Ms. Dizon is assigned
to Springton Lake Middle School.
3.
Douglas Gramo After School Activity Bus
Supervisor for the 2013-2014 school year at the
annual salary of $1,450.00. Mr Gramo is assigned
to Springton Lake Middle School.
4.
James Zervanos, (.5) New Teacher Mentor for
the 2013-2014 school year at the annual salary of
$580.00. Mr. Zervanos is assigned to Penncrest
High School.
5.
Ryan Lewis, Intramurals Sponsor for the 20132014 school year at the rate of $21.26 per hour.
Mr. Lewis is assigned to Indian Lane Elementary.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
7
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
d.
Supplemental Contracts
6.
Allison Koechig, Intramurals Sponsor for the
2013-2014 school year at the rate of $21.96 per
hour. Ms. Koechig is assigned to Indian Lane
Elementary.
7.
Andrew Virtue, Building Science Coordinator for
the 2013-2014 school year at the annual salary of
$3,040.00. Mr. Virtue is assigned to Springton
Lake Middle School.
8.
Susan Griffin, Building Guidance Coordinator for
the 2013-2014 school year at the annual salary of
$2,900.00. Ms. Griffin is assigned to Springton
Lake Middle School.
9.
Debra Taylor, New Teacher Mentor for the 20132014 school year at the annual salary of
$1,216.00. Ms. Taylor is assigned to Glenwood
Elementary.
10.
James Walls, Orchestra Sponsor for the 20132014 school year at the annual salary of $290.00.
11.
Jonathan Boyle, Elementary Band Director for the
2013-2014 school year at the annual salary of
$580.00.
12.
Brittani Lutterman, (.5) Grade 7 Homework Club
for the 2013-2014 school year at the annual
salary of $362.50. Ms. Lutterman is assigned to
Springton Lake Middle School.
13.
Caitlin Judge, Grade 6 Homework Club for the
2013-2014 school year at the annual salary of
$725.00. Ms. Judge is assigned to Springton
Lake Middle School.
14.
James Tiedemann, Intramurals Sponsor for the
2013-2014 school year at the rate of $21.26 per
hour. Mr. Tiedemann is assigned to Indian Lane
Elementary.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
8
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
d.
Supplemental Contracts
15.
Kelly Hogan, Homework Club Sponsor for the
2013-2014 school year at the annual salary of
$725.00. Ms. Hogan is assigned to Springton
Lake Middle School.
16.
Recommend Board approval for the following
Indian Lane Elementary personnel to serve as
Elementary Club Sponsors for the 2013-2014
school year:
Deborah Preg
Kathleen Devine
Dennis Smyth
Shirley Huebner
Julia Friedgen
Lee Sitkowski
Ryan Lewis
Jaclyn Arbutina
Sue Hendrixson
Julia Friedgen
Kathleen Devine
Andre Washington
David Woods
Tracy Hatton
Sue Hendrixson
Karen Battavio
Tracy Hatton
Karen Battavio
Sketchbook club
Sketchbook Club
Lego/Robotics Club
Scrapbooking Club
Student Council Advisor
Student Council Advisor
Student Council Advisor
Student Council Advisor
Student Council Advisor
Board Game Club
Board Game Club
Reading Olympics
Reading Olympics
Reading Olympics
Reading Olympics
Broadcast Club
Broadcast Club
Bobcat Ensemble Club
$ 580.00
$ 580.00
$ 580.00
$ 870.00
$ 217.50
$ 217.50
$ 217.50
$ 228.00
$ 217.50
$ 435.00
$ 435.00
$ 290.00
$ 290.00
$ 290.00
$ 290.00
$1,160.00
$1,160.00
$1,160.00
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair,
the vote being:
AYES:
John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy
Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider,
NAYS:
ABSTAIN: Peter Barry,
ABSENT: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti and Chris Guilday
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
9
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Business
3.
General
e.
Salary Change
f.
Other
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mrs. Kinsler-Fox seconded a motion to
adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION: 2013 – 2014 33
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following New
Business:
e.
Salary Change
1.
f.
Joan Breslin, Cafeteria Worker, pay rate
correction to $11.86 per hour. Ms. Breslin’s pay
rate was incorrectly reported on the June Board.
Other
1.
Curtailment of Program
Resolve, the Board of School Directors of the
Rose Tree Media School District curtail the
Technology Education Program by eliminating the
Photography Courses. This elimination will cause
the furlough of one teacher effective with the
second semester of the 2013-2014 school year.
The enrollment in the Technology Education
Program has declined from 231 in 2010-2011
school year to 216 in the 2013-2014 school year.
The photography course has been incorporated
into the new Imaging Technology course, which is
itself not being subscribed to by students. There
are currently no students enrolled in those
courses. It is no longer feasible to continue
providing the photography course.
With four teachers, the average class size would
be 10.8. With the elimination of one teacher, the
average class size in the Technology Department
is still only 14.4.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
10
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Business
3.
General
f.
Other
2.
Correction of Start Date
Correction of start date for Mary Dempsy, reading
teacher, from August 13, 2013 to October 28,
2013. Ms. Dempsy is being released by her
current school district on October 25, 2013. Ms.
Dempsy is assigned to Penncrest High School.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair,
the vote being:
AYES:
Peter Barry, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy
Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider,
NAYS:
ABSENT: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti and Chris Guilday
IX.
New Business
B.
Penncrest Course Selection Guide Changes
C.
Overnight Trips
1.
Penncrest High School – LEAD Conference, Arlington VA
2.
Penncrest High School Wrestling Team – Conestoga Valley
Holiday Wrestling Classic, Lancaster, PA
3.
Penncrest High School Ski and Snowboard Club – Killington
Ski Resort, Vermont
4.
Penncrest High School Ski and Snowboard Club – Stowe Ski
Resort, Vermont
5.
Penncrest High School Choir – Walt Disney World, FL
6.
Penncrest High School Girls and Boys Cross Country Team –
Hershey, PA
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mr. Barry seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2013 – 2014 34
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
11
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
B.
Penncrest Course Selection Guide Changes
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve changes to the
Penncrest Course Selection Guide for 2014-2015, as indicated by the
tables below.
Former Name
Entrepreneurship
French I
French 2
French II
French III
French IV
Spanish I
Spanish 2
Spanish II
Spanish III
Spanish IV
Latin I
Latin II
Latin III
Latin IV
Chinese I
Chinese II
Chinese III
Renamed Courses
New Name
Introduction to Business
Beginner French
Advanced Beginner French
Elementary French
Intermediate French
Advanced French
Beginner Spanish
Advanced Beginner Spanish
Elementary Spanish
Intermediate Spanish
Advanced Spanish
Beginning Latin
Elementary Latin
Intermediate Latin
Advanced Latin
Beginner Chinese
Elementary Chinese
Intermediate Chinese
New Courses
Department
New Course
Music
Computers in Music C: Advanced Topics
Social
Sociology
Studies
The American Civil War: A Nation Redefined
Simon Youth Forensics I
Academy
Forensics II
Poetry
Mythology and Folklore
World
Advanced Chinese
Language
Business Chinese Communication and Cultural Awareness
Department
Art
Music
Other Changes
Change
Offer a rank 1 version of Art I
Offer Music Theory and Composition
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
12
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
C.
Overnight Field Trips
1.
Penncrest High School – LEAD Conference, Arlington VA
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a
request for an overnight field trip for 8 Penncrest students to
attend the LEAD conference in Arlington, Virginia from 1/31/142/2/14 sponsored by the National Association of Secondary
School Principals. Students will attend workshops to learn
about leadership skills, interact with other student leaders from
around the country and bring back a variety of ideas for
implementation at Penncrest through the Student Council and
National Honor Society. District costs are $1,762 for 3
chaperones (includes substitute fees, lodging, meals, and
transportation). Student costs are $341.62/student and ½ of the
costs will be paid by SBA.
2.
Penncrest High School Wrestling Team – Conestoga Valley
Holiday Wrestling Classic, Lancaster, PA
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a
request for an overnight field trip for Penncrest wrestlers to
attend the Conestoga Valley Holiday Wrestling Classic from
12/27/13-12/28/13 in Lancaster, PA. Registration costs and
transportation costs totaling $1,000 will be paid by the District.
3.
Penncrest High School Ski and Snowboard Club – Killington
Ski Resort, Vermont
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a
request for an overnight field trip for the Penncrest Ski and
Snowboard Club to attend the annual Vermont ski trip form
1/17/14-1/20/14 at Killington Ski Resort, Vermont. Student
costs are approximately (based on fund raising) $400/student.
There is no cost to the District.
4.
Penncrest High School Ski and Snowboard Club – Stowe Ski
Resort, Vermont
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a
request for an overnight field trip for the Penncrest Ski and
Snowboard Club to attend a second Vermont ski trip from
2/14/14-2/17/14 at Stowe Ski Resort, Vermont. Student costs
are approximately (based on fund raising) $450/student. There
is no cost to the District.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
13
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
C.
Overnight Field Trips
5.
Penncrest High School Choir – Walt Disney World, FL
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a
request for an overnight field trip for the choir to attend and
participate in the Walt Disney World professional performance
opportunity from 03/05/2014-03/09/2014 in Orlando, Florida.
The cost to students is $999 and is offset by fundraising. Costs
to the District are substitute fees of $306.00
6.
Penncrest High School Girls and Boys Cross Country Team –
Hershey, PA
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a
request for an overnight field trip for the Penncrest Girls and
Boys Cross Country team to attend the state championship
from 11/01/13-11/2/13 in Hershey, PA. The registration and
transportation costs are estimated to be $900 and are being
paid by the Athletic Department.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair,
the vote being:
AYES:
Peter Barry, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy
Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider,
NAYS:
ABSENT: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti and Chris Guilday
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
14
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
D.
Addendum
1.
Disposition of Grievance – David Hay
2.
Disposition of Grievance – Rebecca Harrison
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt
the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2013 – 2014 35
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following
Addendum:
D.
Addendum
1.
Disposition of Grievance – David Hay
Resolve, that the Step 3 grievance hearing recommended
decision and disposition issued by the Committee of the Board
of School Directors of the Rose Tree Media School District as
to the grievance filed by David Hay, be accepted and adopted
thereby denying the grievance filed by the Grievant,
And be it further resolved, that by reason thereof, the Grievant,
be hereby immediately terminated from further employment
with the School District.
2.
Disposition of Grievance – Rebecca Harrison
Further resolve, that the Step 3 grievance hearing
recommended decision and disposition issued by the
Committee of the Board of School Directors of the Rose Tree
Media School District as to the grievance filed by Rebecca
Harrison, be accepted and adopted thereby denying the
grievance filed by the Grievant,
And be it further resolved, that by reason thereof, the Grievant,
be hereby immediately terminated from further employment
with the School District.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair,
the vote being:
AYES:
Peter Barry, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy
Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider,
NAYS:
ABSENT: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti and Chris Guilday
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
15
November 21, 2013
X.
Finance
A.
B.
Purchasing
1.
None
General
1.
Change Orders
2.
Budgetary Transfers
3.
Owner’s Representative Agreements – Cini Construction
Services, Inc.
4.
PlanCon Part K- Project Refinancing
5.
School-Based Administrative Claiming Program Participation
Agreement
6.
School-Based Access Program, SBAP, Agreement
7.
Amendment to PNC Bank VISA Purchasing Card Agreement
and Extensions of Credit and Incumbency Certificate
8.
1:1 Instructional Assistant Contract for a Special Education
Student
9.
Devereaux Day School Contract
10.
Devereaux Mapleton Education Program Extended School
Year Contract
11.
Contract for Eugene DeLong, PhD
12.
Contract for Lorraine Ball, PhD and Alexis Rosenfeld, PhD
13.
PediaStaff Contract for Amanda Beal
14.
Agreement with Delaware County Intermediate Unit
15.
Agreement with Language Services Associates
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mrs. Kinsler-Fox seconded a motion to
adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2013 – 2014 36
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following Finance:
X.
Finance
A.
Purchasing - None
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
16
November 21, 2013
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:
a.
Dale Construction, LLC change order #GC-04 for a
credit in the amount of $3,486.09 due to unused
allowances.
b.
Wayman Fire Protection, Inc. change order #FP-04 for a
credit in the amount of $2,533.00 due to unused
allowances.
c.
Johnson Controls, Inc. change order #003 for the
replacement of two pumps in the amount of $12,938.00.
The cost of the change order will be offset with an
outstanding credit.
d.
Johnson Controls, Inc. change order #004 for additional
air conditioning and generator backup connection for the
server room at Penncrest High School in the amount of
$23,201. The cost of the change order will be offset with
an outstanding credit.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
17
November 21, 2013
X.
Finance
B.
General
2.
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
transfer:
FY 14-7 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Instruction – New Equipment
$2,110.00
TO: Office of the Principal – New Equipment
AMOUNT: $2,110.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase furniture for the
Principal’s office
3.
Owner’s Representative Agreements – Cini Construction
Services, Inc.
a.
Two-Year Capital Improvement Master Plan Update
Further resolve, that the Board approve the proposal
from Cini Construction Services, Inc. for Owner’s
Representative Services for the completion of the TwoYear Capital Improvement Master Plan in an amount not
to exceed $19,000.
b.
2014/2015 Capital Projects
Further resolve, that the Board approve the
proposal
from Cini Construction Services, Inc. for Owner’s
Representative Construction Services for the 2014/2015
capital projects in an amount not exceed $96,330.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
18
November 21, 2013
X.
Finance
B.
General
4.
PlanCon Part K – Project Refinancing
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the
submittal of PlanCon Part K, Project Refinancing, to the
Pennsylvania Department of Education for GOB Series A of
2013.
5.
School-Based Administrative Claiming Program Participation
Agreement
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approves
the School-Based Administrative Claiming Program
Participation Agreement and agrees to comply with all
requirements for participation in the Program.
6.
School-Based Access Program, SBAP, Agreement
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approves
the School-Based Access Program Agreement and agrees to
comply with all requirements for participation in the Program.
7.
Amendment to PNC Bank VISA Purchasing Card Agreement
And Extensions of Credit and Incumbency Certificate
Further resolve, that the Board of School Directors approves
the amendment to the PNC Bank VISA Purchasing Card
Agreement for an increase in credit limit up to $50,000 and
Extensions of Credit and Incumbency Certificate
8.
1:1 Instructional Assistant Contract for a Special Education
Student
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract for the
provision of a 1:1 instructional assistant for a RTM special
education student who is enrolled at the Elwyn-Davidson
program at a per diem rate of $160.34. This support is
required by the students Individualized Education Program in
compliance with federal law.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
19
November 21, 2013
X.
Finance
B.
General
9.
Devereaux Day School Contract
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract for a special
education student to attend the Devereux Day School at the
rate of $196/education day. The student has significant special
education needs and the placement is required per his
Individualized Education Program.
10.
Devereaux Mapleton Education Program Extended School
Year Contract
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract for the
provision of Extended School Year services for a special
education student at the Devereux Mapleton Education
Program at the rate of $196/educational day from the period of
07/01/2013-08/16/2013. The student has significant special
education needs and Extended School Year Services are
required per his Individualized Education Program.
11.
Contract for Eugene DeLong, PhD
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract for the
temporary services of Eugene DeLong, PhD, a PA certified
school psychologist, to complete required multidisciplinary
evaluations within the federally-mandated timelines. The
reimbursement rate is $1,050/full multidisciplinary evaluation
and report. This is a temporary contract for evaluation services
until Megan Pashley, who is replacing Judy Jalbert in the
position of school psychologist, will be released from her
current school district on November 11, 2013.
12.
Contract for Lorraine Ball, PhD and Alexis Rosenfeld, PhD
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract for the
temporary services of Lorraine Ball, PhD, and Alexis
Rosenfeld, PhD, both PA certified school psychologists, to
complete required gifted evaluations within the federallymandated timelines. The reimbursement rate is $300/ gifted
evaluation and report. These are temporary contracts for
evaluation services until Megan Pashley, who is replacing Judy
Jalbert in the position of school psychologist, will be released
from her current school district on November 11, 2013.
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
20
November 21, 2013
X.
Finance
B.
General
13.
PediaStaff Contract for Amanda Beal
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract submitted by
PediaStaff for Amanda Beal to serve as a temporary
occupational therapist to replace the position vacated by
Marybeth Hoffman. The rate is $64.70/hour plus mileage
reimbursement between school buildings. This is a temporary
contract until the position is filled with a permanent employee.
14.
Agreement with Delaware County Intermediate Unit for Title I
Services
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve a letter
of agreement with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit to
provide services for nonpublic school students under Title I.
These services will include remedial reading and/or math
instructional services and parent involvement workshops. The
students and parents served in the Title I program reside within
the Media Elementary attendance area and attend a Title I
nonpublic school. In accepting Title I funds from the federal
government, the district agrees to serve these students with a
portion of the funds, as determined by formula within the
legislation. The amount for instructional services is $18,180,
and the amount for parent involvement workshops is $115.
This letter of agreement was discussed at the October 8, 2013
Curriculum & Instruction Committee meeting.
15.
Agreement with Language Services Associates
Further resolve, the Board of School Directors approve an
agreement with Language Services Associates to provide
interpretation services. Interpretation services are needed in
some parent-teacher conferences and IEP meetings with
parents of English Language Learners (ELL). Charges for the
service will run $1.95/minute for interpretation over the phone
and $75-120/hour for face-to-face interpretation.
The
agreement was discussed at the October 8, 2013 Curriculum &
Instruction Committee Meeting.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair,
the vote being:
AYES:
Peter Barry, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy
Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider,
NAYS:
ABSENT: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti and Chris Guilday
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
21
November 21, 2013
X.
Finance
C.
Financials for September 2013
D.
Bill Lists for September 2013
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mrs. Kinsler-Fox seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2013 – 2014 37
Resolve the Board of School Directors approve the following Finance:
C.
Financials for September 2013
September 2013
September 2013
September 2013
September 2013
D.
Treasurer’s Reports
Investment Reports
Summary Expenditure Status Report
Revenue Status Report
Bill Lists for September 2013
September 2013
General Fund Bill List
$ 3,588,888.14
September 2013
Imprest Fund Bill List
$
8,305.00
September 2013
Capital Fund Bill List
$
463,177.10
September 2013
Bond Series 2004 Bill List
$
450.00
September 2013
Bond Series 2011 Bill List
$
208,753.10
September 2013
Bond Series 2013 Bill List
$
253,138.92
September 2013
Activities/Special Revenue Fund $
13,284.14
$ 4,535,996.40
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote
being:
AYES:
Peter Barry, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy
Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider,
NAYS:
ABSENT: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti and Chris Guilday
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
22
November 21, 2013
XI.
Adjournment
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2013– 2014 38
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:
Peter Barry, John Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy
Mackrides, William O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider,
NAYS:
ABSENT: Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti and Chris Guilday
Grace A. Eves
School Board Secretary
II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
23
November 21, 2013
Rose Tree M edia School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone: 610-627-.6000
Fax: 610-891-0959
www.rtmsd.org
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
Mr. James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent of Schools
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
I.
Grace A. Eves, Board Secretary
Director of Management Services
Members of the Board of School Directors
James Wigo, Superintendent
Grace A. Eves, Board Secretary
November 21, 2013
Minutes of the Special Legislative Meeting of November 7, 2013
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
___________________________________________________________________________
Board Members in Attendance:
John Hanna, President
Linda Kinsler-Fox, Vice President
Tracy Barusevicius
Peter Barry
Chris Guilday
Nancy Mackrides
William O’Donnell
Also in Attendance:
Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen, Dir.PS and Sp. Ed.
Grace Eves, Dir. Management Services
Patti Linden, Supv. Technology
Steve Taylor, Asst. Superintendent
James M. Wigo, Sr., Superintendent
II.
Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)
None
III.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the following
resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2013 – 2014 39
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following New Business:
II. Special Legislative Meeting Minutes of November 7, 2013
1
November 21, 2013
III.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Nominations
a.
Professional
1.
b.
Jennifer Santisi, Occupational Therapist effective
November 25, 2013, at the annual salary of
$53,056.00, Master’s Step 6. She received her
Bachelor’s Degree from Providence College and
her Master’s Degree from Philadelphia University.
Ms. Santisi has served as an Occupational
Therapist for the last 12 years. She is assigned to
Media Elementary, Rose Tree Elementary and
Springton Lake Middle School replacing Mary
Beth Hoffman who resigned.
Non-Instructional
1.
Paul Philiposian, Substitute Custodian, effective
November 7, 2013 at the rate of $12.00 per hour.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair,
the vote being:
AYES:
Peter Barry, Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, Linda
Kinsler-Fox, Chris Guilday, John Hanna, Nancy
Mackrides, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill O’Donnell
NAYS:
ABSENT:
IV.
Any Other Business to Come Before the Board
None
II. Special Legislative Meeting Minutes of November 7, 2013
2
November 21, 2013
V.
Adjournment
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2013 – 2014 140
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:
Peter Barry, Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, Linda
Kinsler-Fox, Chris Guilday, John Hanna, Nancy
Mackrides, Elizabeth Schneider and Bill O’Donnell
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Grace A. Eves
School Board Secretary
II. Special Legislative Meeting Minutes of November 7, 2013
3
November 21, 2013
III.
Presentations and Awards
A.
PSBA Poster Contest Winner – Joey Talone
Resolve, the Board of School Directors award Joey Talone, a fifth
grade student from Glenwood Elementary School, the Rose Tree
Media Award for his winning entry in the PSBA poster contest.
Background
Through art, elementary school students across the state
completed the sentence, “my education will help me to….” Joey
was one of four students out of nearly 400 students from
Pennsylvania who had art work chosen. Their artwork was
displayed throughout the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center
during the PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference.
B.
Penncrest High School Boys Cross Country Team – Chip Olinger
Resolve, the Board of School Directors present the Rose Tree
Media Award to the members of the Penncrest High School Boys
Cross Country Team.
The team placed 9th in the State
Championship. Chris Kazanjian placed 6th and Matthew placed
26th in the race. Members of the team include: Joseph Angelina,
Joshua Carmon, Brendan Hanna, Christian Kazanjian, Matthew
Kazanjian, Taylor Orcutt, Owen Patane, and Adam Sisson. The
team is coached by George Munro.
C.
Mr. Peter P. Barry – Board of School Director Recognition
Resolve, the Board of School Directors recognize Mr. Peter P. Barry
for his six years of service to the students, staff and community
members of the Rose Tree Media School District. Mr. Barry
attended every event possible over the last six years. You could
find him day and night at all activities throughout our district. He
volunteered his time on many committees including interview and
policy committees as well as being the Chairman of the
Technology and Curriculum and Instruction Committees. We
would like to thank Mr. Barry for his years of service to our staff,
students and community of the Rose Tree Media School District.
III.
Presentations and Awards
1
November 21, 2013
A
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:
November 7, 2013
RE:
November 7, 2013 Curriculum & Instruction Committee Meeting Minutes
Chairperson: Mr. Peter Barry
Board Members in Attendance: Peter Barry, Tracy Barusevicius, Linda Kinsler-Fox,
Nancy Fronduti, Chris Guilday, Nancy Mackrides, Liz Schneider
Also in Attendance: Anne Callahan, Grace Eves, Patti Linden, Harry Postles, Steve
Taylor, Jim Wigo.
Additional Revisions to the Penncrest Course Selection Guide
Dr. Taylor presented additional changes to the Penncrest Course Selection Guide: AP
Europe will change to AP European History to reflect the title of the actual AP exam;
Modern Europe will become European History to parallel the AP version; and 1
Physics will become AP Physics 1 following a new division of AP Physics B course
content by the College Board. The Board gave permission for a resolution to adopt
these changes to appear on the November Legislative Agenda.
Proposed Curriculum Revision Cycle, 2014-2019
Dr. Taylor proposed a new Curriculum Revision Cycle covering the five years from 2014
through 2019. The cycle plan governs curriculum revisions and serves as a budgeting
framework. Under the cycle, each department revises its curricula for two designated
years, during which time department members conduct needs assessments, align the
curricula to current standards, research and sample new materials, purchase new
materials, receive professional development, implement the curricula, and draft new
curriculum documents. The Board gave permission for a resolution to adopt the new
Curriculum Revision Cycle to appear on the November Legislative Agenda.
Overview of the Pennsylvania Teacher Evaluation System
Dr. Taylor presented the first of a mini-series of presentations on the new Pennsylvania
Teacher Evaluation System, which has gone into effect across the state this year. This
presentation focused on the new observational rubric, a document based on the work of
Charlotte Danielson, and consisting of 22 “components” of effective teaching organized
into four “domains”: Planning and Preparation, Classroom Environment, Instruction,
and Professional Responsibilities. Though RTM has used a teacher evaluation system
based on Danielson’s work for many years, the new rubric provides far greater clarity
about every aspect of the evaluation tool, from the descriptions of the domains and
components, to the performance indicators and critical attributes. Dr. Taylor noted the
higher level of transparency for teachers in the new system, as well as its much greater
depth and ability to serve as a resource for professional growth. He believes the new
tool has the potential to help every teacher, even the most accomplished, identify and
aspire to the next level of professional growth.
Public Comment
Mr. Postles asked about the distribution of teachers under the previous evaluation
system.
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
R ose Tree M edia School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone: 610-627-6000
Fax: 610-891-0959
www.rtmsd.org
Grace A. Eves
Director of Management Service
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:
November 8, 2013
Subject:
November 7, 2013 Finance Committee Minutes
Chairperson: Bill O’Donnell
______________________________________________________________________
Attendance: Peter Barry, Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Chris
Guilday, Nancy Mackrides, Bill O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider
Absent: John Hanna
Also in Attendance: Anne Callahan, Grace Eves, Patti Linden and James Wigo
______________________________________________________________________
1. Budgetary Transfers
FY 14-8 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Athletics - Supplies
$3,000.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Athletics – Replacement Equipment
$3,000.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed for reconditioning football equipment.
Action: This item will be moved to the November 21, Legislative agenda.
2. Budgetary Comparison Summary
The District expensed 61% of expenditures and received 80% of revenue.
Action: Discussion
3. 2014/2015 Budget Calendar
The 2014/2015 budget calendar was reviewed. It is the same schedule that has
been followed in the past. It is based on not exceeding the Index. The Act 1 Index
for the Rose Tree Media School District for the 2014/2015 fiscal year is 2.1%. A
2.1% increase will generate $1,330,253 based on the 2013/2014 assessment. The
average assessment is $205,173. Based on that assessment the 2.1% increase
will raise taxes by $97 for the year or $8.09 per month for the average assessment.
Revenue will be reviewed at the December 3, Finance Committee meeting.
Action: Discussion
4. Contracts
a.
The MTI contract in the amount of $950 is for Penncrest’s musical that will be
held in March. Funding for the contract will be from Penncrest’s student
activity fund.
b.
The Bystander contract in the amount of $1,595 is for bully prevention
assemblies at Springton Lake Middle School.
c.
The BCIU Tax Software contract in the amount of $28,000 is for real estate
taxes. This is a $3,000 increase over the current year. The new software
program will increase efficiencies for the tax department. The contract is for
the 2014/2015 fiscal year.
Action: This item will be moved to the November 21, Legislative agenda.
d. Solicitor
The Administration is recommending a $5 increase to the solicitor’s hourly
rate. The solicitor’s rate has not increased since December of 2007.
Action: This item will be moved to the December 3, Board Reorganization agenda.
5. Donations
The District received a donation of $1,000 from the newly opened Giant located in
Edgemont Township. A staff member has offered to donate a dorm size
refrigerator to Glenwood to be used by the school nurse.
Action: This item will be moved to the November 21, Legislative agenda.
Public Comment
The next Finance Committee meeting will be on December 3, 2013
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
R ose 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
Director of Management Service
James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Mr. James M. Wigo, Superintendent
From:
Grace A. Eves, Director of Management Services
Date:
November 8, 2013
Subject:
November 7, 2013 - Operations Committee Minutes
Chairperson: Nancy Mackrides
_____________________________________________________________________
Attendance: Peter Barry, Tracy Barusevicius, Nancy Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox,
Chris Guilday, , Nancy Mackrides, Bill O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider
Absent: John Hanna
Also in Attendance: Ron Baldino, Anne Callahan, Dennis Cini, Grace Eves and
James Wigo
______________________________________________________________________
1. Capital Project Updates
The HVAC projects at Media Elementary School and Rose Tree Elementary
School are being completed. Permits have been sent to the various agencies for
the walking trail at Springton Lake. Work will begin soon on the window trim at
Springton Lake Middle School. A review of the 2014/2015 capital projects
requests will be reviewed at the next meeting. Security will be the main focus of
the 2014/2015 capital projects.
CNG Project
A public information meeting on the CNG project will be held at Penncrest on
December 4, starting at 6:30.
Action: Discussion
2. Change Order No. GC-01 in the amount of $42,500 to L.J.Paolella Construction
for additional work required for the Penncrest Stadium Seating. Dennis Cini has
been negotiation with L. J. Paolella for over a year on a change order for the
stadium seating at Penncrest. The additional work is the result of unforeseen
conditions. L. J. was seeking $70,752 and Dennis Cini negotiated the price down
to $42,500.
Action: This item will be moved to the November 21, Legislative agenda.
3. Change Order GC-01 for M. Schnoll & Sons in the amount of $3,945 is for
additional painting in the auditorium and vestibule area at Media Elementary
School.
Action: This item will be moved to the November 21, Legislative agenda.
4. Walter Brucker & Co. Springton Lake Middle School contracts for the supply and
installation of (1) railing at the auditorium exit ramp in the amount of $4,439 and
(2) window mullion closure panels in Music suite in the amount of $3,712.53. The
railing installation is a township code requirement. Additional work was required
to improve sound proofing for the window mullions in the Music suite.
Action: This item will be moved to the November 21, Legislative agenda.
5. Pool Update
The Committee reviewed pool membership rates from other Delaware County
school districts. The committee agreed upon the following annual rates: Family:
$250, Adult $150, Student (13-18 years old) $50, Senior Citizens $25, guests $5
per use and swim lessons $95 for 5 lessons. The membership fees will be for
the period of July through June for eleven months as the pool will undergo
annual maintenance in August. Rates will be pro-rated. The administration will
contact I M Pools to discuss payment options. Employees will be required to
obtain memberships to use the pool during scheduled hours. The Administration
is proposing December 1, 2013 as an open house for the pool. Information on
the pool will be posted to the website. Mr. Wigo will sent a Global Connect
message to families in the District. Mr. Woolery from I M Pools will attend the
senior citizens luncheon this month and discuss the pool opening with the public.
Action: Discussion
Public Comment
The next Operations Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, December 3, 2013.
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent of Schools
R ose Tree M edia School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone: 610.627.6000
Fax: 610-891-0959
www.rtmsd.org
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:
November 11, 2013
Subject:
Minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting – November 7, 2013
Board Members in attendance: W. O’Donnell, E. Schneider, C. Guilday, P. Barry,
N. Machrides, J. Hanna, N. Fronduti, T. Barusevicius, L Kinsler-Fox, chair
Also in Attendance: A. Callahan, J. Wigo, G. Eves, S. Taylor, P. Linden, and one
member of the public.
I.
Items for Legislative Agenda – Anne Callahan
Mrs. Callahan presented the items for the Legislative meeting in November.
After review of the items, the committee approved all items to move forward to
the Legislative meeting. Additional items will be added as they come in. A
revised agenda will be sent out to the Board of School Directors on the Friday
prior to the Legislative meeting.
II.
Additional Classroom Instructional Assistant
The Director of Human Resources presented a request for an additional
classroom instructional assistant at Media Elementary School.
Background: An additional special education teacher was added to Media
Elementary School during the summer due to an increased number of students
requiring services. At the time, we did not add a classroom instructional
assistant hoping to be able to provide the necessary services with the support
staff we had in place. However, there are a number of involved students who
need more one-on-one attention from the teacher. Without an instructional
assistant in the classroom, the teacher is not able to give the individual attention
to these students.
The committee agreed to move the request for the creation of a new position
forward to the Legislative meeting for a vote of the full board.
III.
Request for an Additional Assistant Wrestling Coach at Penncrest High
School.
The Director of Human Resources presented a request from the
Athletic Director for an additional assistant wrestling coach for the 2013-2014
season due to increased participation. There are currently 40 wrestlers with only
two coaches.
The committee was in favor of the proposal and agreed to place the request on
the agenda of the Legislative meeting for a vote of the full Board. This request
will be for the 2013-2014 school year only.
James M. Wigo, Sr.
Superintendent of Schools
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone 610.627.6000
Fax 610.565.5317
www.rtmsd.org
Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen, PhD
Director of Pupil Services and
Special Education
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
James Wigo, Superintendent of Schools
From:
Dr. Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen, Director of Pupil Services and Special
Education
Date:
November 1, 2013
Subject:
November 7, 2013 Pupil Services/Special Education
Committee Meeting Minutes
Chairperson: Ms. Nancy Fronduti
Overnight Field Trips
A request for an overnight field trip has been submitted for Penncrest wrestlers to
attend the PIAA State Wrestling Championships in Hershey, Pa from 03/05/1403/09/14. Substitute, lodging/meals, and transportation costs totaling $1,504 will be
paid through the Athletics budget.
Action: Approval will be on the November 21, 2013 Legislative Agenda
A request for an overnight field trip has been submitted for Penncrest Girls and
Boys Swim teams to attend the PIAA Swimming State Championships at Bucknell
University from 03/11/14-03/14/14. Substitute, lodging/meals, registration, and
transportation costs totaling $2156 will be paid through the Athletics budget.
Action: Approval will be on the November 21, 2013 Legislative Agenda
A request for an overnight field trip has been submitted for Penncrest Girls and
Boys Indoor Track teams to attend the Indoor Track State Championships at State
College, PA from 02/28/14-03/01/14. Lodging/meals, registration, and
transportation costs totaling $1020 will be paid through the Athletics budget.
Action: Approval will be on the November 21, 2013 Legislative Agenda
A request for an overnight field trip has been submitted for Penncrest Girls and
Boys Indoor Track teams to attend the Kevin Dare Invitational Track Meet at State
College, PA from 01/17/14-01/18/14. Lodging/meals, registration, and
transportation costs totaling $704 will be paid through the Athletics budget and
Boosters.
Action: Approval will be on the November 21, 2013 Legislative Agenda
A request for an overnight field trip has been submitted for Penncrest Girls and
Boys Outdoor Track teams to attend the PIAA Outdoor Track and Field State
Championships at Shippensburg, PA from 05/22/14-05/24/14. Lodging/meals,
registration, and transportation costs totaling $2,220 will be paid through the
Athletics budget and Boosters.
Action: Approval will be on the November 21, 2013 Legislative Agenda
A request for an overnight field trip has been submitted for the Penncrest String
Ensemble to attend a music performance, an educational tour, and participate in
music clinics at Lake George, NY from 02/27/14-03/2/14. Substitute costs totaling
$204.00 will be paid by the District. Other expenses including lodging/meals,
registration, and transportation costs approximately totaling $500 will be paid by
the students and fundraising.
Action: Approval will be on the November 21, 2013 Legislative Agenda
Contracts
Five contracts have been received from Timothy School for 5 students (ID #s 0967,
4735, 4534, 5441, 6923) to receive educational services for the 2012-2013 school
year. The annual tuition is $60,825/student. These students have significant
disabilities and are in need of these services and special placement, as specified in
their IEPs.
Action: Approval will be on the November 21, 2013 Legislative Agenda
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
SCHOOL REPORT’S – November 21, 2013
GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We held the First Annual Glenwood Fall Festival at Arasapha Farm. We had a great turn
out, and it seemed like everyone was having a terrific time! It was great seeing all the
parents and family members at the Halloween parade. The students, staff, and even the
parents looked great in their costumes. We had over 250 visitors on our campus for the
parade. The fifth grade and Ms. Hong did a wonderful dance. Thank you, Mr. Sharp,
Mrs. Lloyd, and Mrs. Jackson who did a wonderful job organizing the parade and playing
music.
We celebrated Heritage Day across the district. At Glenwood, students visited four
classrooms and learned about the culture and customs of other countries. They even had
their own “passport” stamped! The students might have had a chance to learn about
India, Switzerland, Belgium, Peru, South Korea, South Africa, Italy, Poland, or China. We
were honored and grateful to have the parent volunteers, who shared their family’s
heritage with the students. In the afternoon, we enjoyed an assembly about Spanish
dancing...with students having the chance to get up on stage and try out their own moves!
Delaware County Librarians’ Book Review
Glenwood library technician Kathy Cook participated in the first session of the 2013-14
Delaware County Book Review Program held at Paxon Hollow Middle School. Publishers
provide copies of brand new titles, and librarians may keep those books they review.
Mrs. Cook obtained some recently-published titles for the Glenwood library, including
non-fiction, novels, and picture books valued at over $65.00.
Glenwood PTG Book Fair
The Glenwood PTG sponsored a book fair in November. Students attended the book fair
during their regularly-scheduled library classes and bought great books at a 25%
discount. Parents also visited the fair and made many purchases for the holidays—great
timing, because “a book is a gift you can open again and again.”
Kindergarten
We had fun celebrating Halloween last Thursday! Some of us visited Lima Estates and
sang songs for the residents. Others of us got to party with the big kids at the school
Halloween parade. The kindergarten celebrated Heritage Day by visiting the following
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“countries:” South Korea, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Peru, China and Poland. The
children had fun partnering up with the “big” 3rd graders from Miss Denton and Ms.
Salera’s classes!
First Grade
First graders are learning how to be non-fiction writers. They have learned that a nonfiction book teaches the readers about a topic. They have chosen a topic that they are
experts on. They have been telling about that topic across their fingers with their writing
partners. This week they will begin to sketch their topic across sticky notes and begin to
write their own non-fiction books.
Second Grade
Second graders participated in Community Day. Each class elected a town Mayor and
chose jobs for their class ‘town.’ They also carefully rehearsed and performed a play and
sang community songs for an enthusiastic audience. Additionally, second graders
celebrated a Friendly Feast together. They made their own butter from heavy cream to
use on homemade bread and biscuits.
Third Grade
Third graders had a wonderful time at Heritage Day. Our presentations included displays
from Belgium, India, and Switzerland. Students made wonderful tri-fold posters and even
some artifacts such as “fries” from Belgium. Third graders also enjoyed visiting several
other “visitor centers” to view videos, read articles, and fill their passports with new
information about other countries!
Fourth Grade
The fourth graders enjoyed participating in Heritage Day. We presented interesting facts
about South Africa, Peru, and South Korea to our peers. We presented this information
on posters, by creating interactive games, and making iMovies for other students to enjoy.
We also enjoyed visiting other classrooms, while putting artifacts in our Glenwood
Passports.
Fifth Grade
The fifth grade students thoroughly enjoyed their final Halloween parade and party.
Academically, the fifth grade students are now learning how to best read expository
nonfiction text and also how to best research and write a historical research paper. The
research paper centers on America’s western expansion in the 19th Century. In social
studies, fifth grade classes are turning their attention to the arrival of the first Europeans
in North America. In science, all students are experimenting with how winds and storms
are created.
INDIAN LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Heritage Day
Indian Lane joined the entire district in celebrating Heritage Day with great success.
Eleven parents and volunteers gave two thirty-minute presentations on the following
cultures: Belgium, Brazil, England, Germany, India (two sections), Indonesia, Italy, he
Jewish culture, South Africa, and Vietnam. Students selected their top four choices and
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every effort was made to place them in two of those selections. Students took
“passports” to the various rooms and received stickers after hearing the presentations.
The students and staff rated the activity as excellent and one student even asked, “Can
we do this every day? I learned so much and had so much fun!”
Parent/Teacher Conferences
We will hold Parent/Teacher Conferences this month. A new twist this year is that the
sign-ups for conferences was done on-line in order to allow parents more flexibility in
selecting dates and times, especially if they have more than one child.
Halloween Parade a Success
Indian Lane’s annual Halloween Parade was a smashing success, thanks to P.E. teacher
Ron Frank’s organizational skills. More than 300 guests watched as our students
paraded around the soccer field while cool music played in the background. Each class
held a party after the parade and then the students went home to prepare for their
neighborhood Trick-or-Treating!
Kindergarten
In Kindergarten, the students are learning to be "Great Readers" in Reading Workshop.
They are learning the skills, such as using the pictures and sounding out the words, to
become readers. They have learned to write all of the capital letters using Handwriting
Without Tears. In Math, we are counting, graphing and working with patterns, as well as
learning to write our numbers correctly. We enjoyed Halloween with a costume parade
and festivities in the classroom.
First Grade
First graders have been involved in a writing unit on Teaching Books. They have taken
topics they consider themselves experts on and have been writing informational books
about them. They are learning how to write fancy, topic-related words by using a variety
of spelling strategies. They have also been introduced to different ways authors use
pictures to teach in informational books. They are dabbling with using diagrams,
captions, labels, and close-up pictures in their own writing - very impressive! In math, we
have been immersed in multiple geometry units. They started with a basic study of twodimensional shapes and learning how to compose and decompose these shapes. From
there, they learned about three-dimensional shapes. They learned their names, how to
describe them by rolling, stacking, and sliding the solids. They even began using some
sophisticated geometric vocabulary, like faces, edges and vertices.
In Reading
Workshop, first graders have become Word Detectives. They have been learning many
strategies for solving tricky words. They have added a "Click & Clunk" card to their
reading toolbox. This serves as a concrete visual for self-monitoring their comprehension
of the text.
Second Grade
In Reading Workshop, we just finished a unit on informational text. We identified its
features and practiced what strong readers do to ensure understanding. These skills
include stopping and thinking, sorting new information and using a different “voice” when
reading these types of texts. We also learned that reading partners can help each other
hold onto meaning by asking, "What does that really mean"? Responding to this question
encourages the children to summarize what they’ve just read and retell it in their own
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words, thus, assisting understanding. The children participated in Book Clubs! Each
group identified three topic areas on which to focus their reading and learning. Each
group also had the opportunity to visit the library to assist their research efforts. They
discovered that various texts can sometimes offer conflicting information. A strong reader
evaluates the information and makes a decision on the validity of each. We also
practiced what to do when we encounter tricky words in informational text. The children
now have many strategies to help them determine the meaning of an unknown word and
perhaps how to pronounce it, as well. In Word Study, we worked with open syllables and
the –ed ending, which can produce three different sounds. We also worked with magic e.
We also worked with y as a vowel. In one syllable words, Y makes the long i sound (fly,
try). In two syllable words, Y makes the long e sound (bunny, silly). Of course, there are
always exceptions to this rule! We worked with –tch and –ch. In one syllable words, after
a short vowel, /ch/ is spelled –tch. In one syllable words, after a consonant, /ch/ is spelled
–ch. The exceptions are such, much, rich and which. In Math, we played lots of games to
help us know all of the combinations of numbers that create 10. We also played Quick
Images. This activity led the children to see the relationship between addition and
subtraction by encouraging them to use what they did not see in an image to quickly add
what was actually there. This is also called “missing addends”. On this note, we
discussed the vocabulary words addends and sum. We continue to work on solving story
problems and are beginning to write our own, too. The children followed a plan when
solving such problems: read the story, visualize the action, ask yourself, “Will I end up
with a number that is larger or smaller than what I started with?” choose and operation
(addition, subtraction, or both), solve and check your work. In Social Studies, the children
completed and named their own communities! We also had our first few Mystery
Readers! The children were also given RazKids accounts, which are leveled to their
current reading ability. In Writing Workshop, we published our small moments! We
continued to read and discuss various small moments in order to glean from them
inspiration for our own stories. Through daily mini-lessons, the children experienced and
practiced various writing techniques, which they were then able to apply to their own
writing. After selecting the piece they wanted to publish, the children revised their work to
make it as strong as possible. Next, the children edited. This took the form of identifying
the words they thought were spelled wrong. Next, the children were encouraged to check
for needed capitalization and punctuation. Lastly, the children wrote a final, but not
perfect, copy and created an illustrated cover.
Third Grade
Third graders celebrated the completion of our personal narrative in Writers Workshop.
We also finished studying characters across a series of books in Readers Workshop. We
are beginning our unit on the Human Body “Body Systems” and will visit Lankenau
hospital as it relates to this unit.
Fourth Grade
Fourth graders have grown as writers as they wrap up their Personal Narrative Unit.
Students immersed themselves into telling their stories bit by bit, giving lots of details for
the reader. They used the strategy of "Show not Tell" to add thoughts, actions, dialogue
and setting to their writing pieces. Another very strong focus was not just "showing"
about a birthday party, or event of a trip, but looking deeper into why they would write this
piece with an author's purpose. Each student focused on weaving the strong "heart of the
story" through the several personal narratives that they wrote through the unit.
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Developmental Classes
This Month in the developmental primary we have been working hard. There has been a
big focus on behavior. We have implemented a new class wide positive behavior plan in
which students earn points when they demonstrate positive behaviors without being
prompted. Students are working for prizes such as lunches with teachers, positive notes
home and being the line leader. The class has also adopted the "Bucket Filling"
philosophy and the students have embraced it fully. Additionally Math has been focused
on geometry working with both two dimensional and three dimensional shapes. In reading
the students have been working on increased fluency and decoding skills.
Art
Art Happenings at Indian Lane during the month of November are numerous. First grade
reviewed shapes and highlighted the work of artist Paul Klee. The class created
skyscrapers through stamped shapes. Second grade travels the world through art. The
students rendered stylized Amate Bark paintings inspired by Mexican artists. Third
graders continue their time travel to Egypt. The students rendered each other’s profile.
They added a headpiece to the finished work. Fourth graders utilized their clay hand
building skills by forming owls out of two pinch pots. They added glaze to their finished
pieces. Fifth graders enhanced their observational drawing skills by experimenting with
the blind contour drawing technique. The students drew leaves without looking at their
paper. These drawings were covered with craft aluminum and embossed by rubbing the
foil surface with felt. The students gave their foil an ink wash for depth and when dry,
added metallic paint.
MEDIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Heritage Day
Heritage Day was celebrated throughout Rose Tree Media. At Media, we began the day
with two performances by The Alborado Spanish Dance Ensemble. The children learned
some words in Spanish and experienced various forms of Spanish dance and music. The
flamenco dancers were very exciting. In the afternoon, we had twenty presenters
representing a variety of cultures/countries visit our classrooms. Each student had a
“passport” that they carried to each presentation. Countries represented included
Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Sweden, China, Ireland, India, Venezuela, St. Lucia, China,
Senegal, South Africa, Ukraine, Germany, France, Greece, Scotland, Egypt, Syria, and
Japan. Flags of many nations greeted our guests as they entered the building and we
thanked them with a special Media shopping bag as a memento of an educational and fun
day. Social studies coordinator Hans Kalbach and ESL teacher Erika Yepremian
organized the event.
Book Swap
Media School has a book swap each year. We collect books from our families, organize
them into genre, and then circulate them during a wonderful week of “shopping for free.”
This year approximately 5000 books were donated and sorted. The event, chaired by
parent Vides Westcott, is a real highlight. Depending on how many books your class
collected, a student could go home with 10-20 “new books.” The library becomes a
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magical book market for a week as classes circulate through. The “magical” part is that
everything is free, almost new, and educational.
Halloween
Halloween is a fun day! Our parade on Barrall Field attracted lots of parents and other
visitors who enjoyed the interesting variety of costumes. Check out some Halloween
photos on our web site.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten has been working during Reading Workshop on learning how readers use
pictures to tell a story and how to use the pictures to think about who is in the story and
what is happening on each page. They have been having lots of fun segmenting syllables
by clapping out words and names. During parent visitation, parents were able to follow
their children around during center time and to see some of the strategies that are taught
for reading and writing.
First Grade
First grade is integrating animal research into their science and social studies work.
Spiders, bats, and owls are favorite studies completed by our first grade animal
enthusiasts. Students are able to compare and contrast these interesting animals. In
writers’ workshop students are publishing stories that have been through the writing
process. They are writing about “what we know,” “zooming in on small moments, “adding
lots of sensory detail,” “developing editing skills,” and “producing good copies.” Many
students think that writers’ workshop is their favorite part of the day.
Second Grade
Second grade has been very busy learning about communities and map skills. They are
anxious to share what they have learned on Community Day. Parents are invited to see
what they have learned in a special assembly of songs, poems, and demonstrations.
Second grade also enthusiastically participated in their first SEED TO SNACK visit. SEED
TO SNACK is a program that we participate in for the entire second grade year. The
students enjoy learning about locally grown foods and tasting the delicious snacks that
the volunteers bring.
Third Grade
Third graders are studying the human body. Mr. Kevin Boyer who teaches at Widener
University gave a fascinating talk/demonstration about the various organs/systems. The
students also visited Lankenau Hospital for a program on the human body.
Fourth Grade
Fourth graders are using what they have learned about land forms and geography by
making dioramas that illustrates a particular geographic term. They shared their models
with classmates and talked about their topic. The dioramas are currently on display in the
Media School Library for all students to see.
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade went to Hedgerow Theatre to see a number of Edgar Allen Poe stories in a
play format. The fifth grade teachers are continuing to use their IPAD and IPAD apps to
differentiate reading and writing instruction and pinpoint individual goals for students in
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reading/writing workshop. Our fifth grade team created a video and gave a presentation to
the school board about using technology to support literacy instruction. Fifth graders
published their first writing pieces of the year (personal narratives). Students shared and
critiqued their writing during a Publishing Party.
Junior Optimists
Media School now has a Jr. Optimist Club sponsored by Tim Fink, Eileen Hunger, Erin
Scheivert, and Christine Seeley. Members of the Media Optimist Club joined the 30
students for the first meeting. They shared the Optimist Creed and talked about what
being an Optimist means to them. The students brainstormed ideas for their first service
project.
AGP
After viewing several episodes of HBO’s Crashbox, a television show involving lateral
thinking, problem solving and creative thinking, the fifth grade AGP classes will be using
the Crashbox template to create their own problem solving television show. The students
will write their own scripts while storyboarding, filming and editing the show. The fourth
grade AGP classes will be exploring how to plan and film movies using the American Film
Institute’s Door Scene project. The third grade AGP classes will be designing solar
system models, incorporating new augmented reality with Aurasma. This tool allows you
to integrate video into everyday objects.
Art Happenings
First graders learned about the subject matter of still life and used collage and weaving to
create a still life apple basket. Second graders explored line, color, and shape to create
paintings inspired by Amate bark paintings from Mexico. Third graders studied ancient
Egypt. They designed mummy cases and used hieroglyphic charts to decode their
names. Fourth graders learned about an artist from Pennsylvania, Alexander Calder, and
created abstract sculptures, using balance and pattern, inspired by Stabiles. Fifth graders
observed the Taos, New Mexico Pueblo and created paintings of Adobe houses that
demonstrate an understanding of three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional surface.
Physical Education
The students have continued to learn fitness related activities to build cardiovascular
endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. The students were
sharing game strategies using appropriate vocabulary such as faking/dodging, passing
and receiving, moving to open space, offense/defense, etc. through different ball games,
lead up games and tag games. The students were recognizing positive and negative
interactions of small group activities such as roles (leader/follower), cooperation/sharing,
and on task participation.
Music
Curtain going up! The Media Elementary fifth grade musical, Alice in Wonderland, will be
presented on December 12. All of grade 5 will appear on stage with a core cast of 32 who
have been rehearsing their lines, song and dances before and after school. Second
grade is exploring Native American culture through drumming, dance, and song. Each
child is building their own drum to play in our drum circle. Rhythmic concepts, modal
melodies, and purposeful movement are incorporated into this unit. It will culminate in a
Rain Ceremony complete with song, drumming, and dramatic play.
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100 Year Celebration
The cornerstone of Media Elementary School was placed in April of 1913. We are in the
process of planning an appropriate celebration for the 100th birthday. We are planning a
community open house for Sunday, April 6.
ROSE TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
First Grade
First grade had lots of firsts this month. We had a writing celebration of published works,
had a parent share their Hispanic culture and presented our Thanksgiving songs and
poems to our parents. Parent visitation day was a huge success. Reading and writing
together was lots of fun.
Third Grade
The third grade had a terrific time researching and preparing for Heritage Day. We spent
time reading about the countries of Nigeria and Ghana in Africa. It was helpful to have a
student from each country in our respective classes. We learned about the food, customs
and traditions of these two fascinating places. We culminated our studies by decorating
our classroom doors and the walls outside of our classrooms to reflect our new
knowledge. We created African Batik artwork, tribal masks and animal drawings to
enhance our learning. It was a terrific way to help us understand the diversity in our
communities and in our classrooms.
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade students wrote personal narratives about the exploration of the new world.
Each child researched a specific explorer and traced his route to the new world.
EnviroChallenge Club has also started this month. Sixteen children have joined to learn
more about the Environment! The children are researching the areas of wildlife, forestry,
aquatics, soils, and alternative energies. In math class, the students are creating and
interpreting their own line plots from collected data.
Physical Education
In November, first and second grade finished working on tagging and dodging skills, and
practiced rolling, underhand and overhand throwing, and catching. Third and fourth grade
focused on soccer and ball skills such as dribbling, passing, trapping, kicking and
shooting. They practiced skills for maintaining possession of the ball and strategies for
offense and defense. Fifth grade focused on football with skills such as carrying, running,
dodging, throwing, catching, passing and snapping. They also practiced skills for
maintaining possession of the ball and strategies for offense and defense.
English as a Second Language
The ESOL Department at Rose Tree Elementary is busy this year serving children from
nine different linguistic backgrounds. They are Vietnamese, Japanese, Bambara, Ewe,
Farsi, Russian, Chinese, Gujarati, and Korean. The students have settled in nicely and
are progressing well toward developing English skills while tackling very demanding
standards-based content knowledge. This is a tall order for any of us, but they have been
working hard in all areas. The students were thrilled to share their home cultures with
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their classmates on Heritage Day. Some brought pictures and cultural artifacts to share.
This sharing of culture and language aids the students' second language acquisition; the
barriers are broken down and affective filters are reduced when students feel valued.
SPRINGTON LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The following Students of the Month for the month of November were honored at a
breakfast this morning along with their parents/guardians and teachers: Team 6-1:
Katherine Lee and Kyle May, Team 6-2: Kai O'Connor and Holly Werner, Team 6-3:
Matthew Grace and Arushi Ishwar, Team 7-1: Jordan Isaacs and Marcello Shayeghi,
Team 7-2: Renea Briner and Erick Wade, Team 7-3: Abbi Allinson and Evan Bender,
Team 8-1: Lauren Isaacs and Jonas Hunsberger; Team 8-2: Mark Dresden and Sydney
Goldberg and Team 8-3: Tara Higgins and Pierce Bronson.
Congratulations are extended to the following winners of the 2013 Veterans Day Essay
Contest sponsored by the Delaware County Intermediate Unit. Springton Lake Middle
School took a clean-sweep of this year’s contest: 1st Place ($150): Kerry Peyton,
6th Grade, Springton Lake Middle School, Mrs. Jennifer McLeod’s class, 2nd Place ($100):
Jon Choi, 6th Grade, Springton Lake Middle School, Mrs. Jennifer McLeod’s class and
3rd Place ($50): Connor Axelrod, 6th Grade, Springton Lake Middle School Mrs. Jennifer
McLeod’s class. The students were invited to the Veterans Day Parade on Monday,
November 11 to read their winning essays and receive their cash prizes and certificates.
Art
Mrs. Going’s Eighth Graders have completed the review for the Elements of Art and
Principles of Design. For the remainder of the year, each unit will conclude with a similar
work sheet, "Identify and Explain". This will continue the thought process as to how artists
use these tools of design to create and create interesting and strong art work! As students
move into the study of ancient China, eighth grades will begin a short lesson on the
magnificent Ancient Chinese Water Dragon. This unit focuses on the art of the dragon, its
importance in the culture of China and other countries. Students are drawing with white
pencil, forcing every mark to be thought through carefully! Skills for color theory and
mastering colored pencil blending will continue to be the areas to emphasize. Of course,
Craftsmanship is always number one! Seventh Graders have begun their ceramic unit
with "The Art of The Fish". Students see the theme of the fish through a variety of artists
and art forms. Students will create a three dimensional fish showing motion! Let the
brainstorming begin!
Of course mastering the tools and construction of a three
dimensional form take great problem solving skills - this, they will tackle as well! Sixth
graders continue with their study of The Masks of Africa. We have discussed what a mask
is and what its purpose is. Students are now moving into the creation of their mask using
the aluminum metal for the art of Metal Repousse. The elements of Texture, line and
shape as well as the principles of balance and pattern will be exemplified.
Guidance
All sixth grade students were taught a lesson on support systems during their social
studies classes. The guidance counselor, Susan Howe, had students identify people both
in and out of Springton Lake to whom they could turn for help. Guidance groups are
starting for all grades. Topics include social and peer relationship skill development and
“Family Matters.”
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Language Arts
Mrs. McLeod’s sixth graders began their reading of the Newbery Award-winning novel
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. To prepare for their reading, students learned about the
Great Depression and Dust Bowl, researching the topics and watching footage of dust
storms as they moved across the prairies. As the novel is written in free verse poetry
form, students studied the author’s use of poetic techniques as well how the author told
the story through poems. Students analyzed the complicated story structure of the novel
and evaluated whether or not author Hesse built enough tension in the plot to lead
readers to a fulfilling story climax following a surprising and heartbreaking beginning.
Mrs. Raichek’s eighth grade ELA classes just recently finished a unit on writing and short
stories. Just in time for Veteran’s Day, the students learned the amazing story of a
survivor of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, who retold his story to the History Detectives TV show
in a flashback format. The students watched two informative videos, discussed the
flashback technique as it is used in literature, and are writing their own “flashback
narratives” based on the information about this incredible survivor, L.D. Cox. Next up is
the novel Flowers for Algernon, an award-winning account of a young man who
undergoes experimental surgery to increase his intelligence. Written in 1959 as a science
fiction story, the novel explores themes of intelligence, identity, friendship, self-esteem
and how society looks at people who are outside the “norm,” be it by low or super-high
intelligence. This unit involves examining some psychological concepts and creating and
analyzing ink-blots.
Students in all grade levels wrote informational “on-demand” essays as a way to help
them practice and prepare for the writing PSSA tests in the spring. With instruction and
feedback from teachers, all students revised their essays multiple times until their essays
received a score of “4” using the PA Writing Scoring Guide.
Library
The library media center featured mystery and horror genres with a display entitled, “Curl
Up with a Creepy Classic,” popular around the time of Halloween, and book talks on
these genres were presented to coincide with the theme. Cultural Heritage Day followed
and was celebrated throughout the school. The library supported the festival with a large
display of both fiction and nonfiction multicultural titles, and the librarian shared popular
folktales, superstitions, and trivia from around the world in a read-aloud format with
classes throughout the day. Morning and afternoon school announcements featured
multicultural trivia, facts that were gathered using the library’s database, CultureGrams.
The library promoted National French Week with a display of books, highlighting Frenchspeaking countries and their customs and cultures. Attention now turns to the Book Fair,
an enormously popular event, which will be held in the library and will run throughout
American Education Week.
Math
Eighth Grade Geometry students will finish their studies with parallel, perpendicular, skew
lines, and the resulting intersections created. We have observed city's maps to observe
real-life applications of these maths, including a glimpse of the upcoming route 252
project. Students continue to enhance their ability to work through proofs relating to both
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algebraic and geometric concepts. While still working with Khan Academy, students will
next venture into the world of triangles, their properties, and uses in the real world.
Our Algebra I students are solving linear equations with one variable. This practice is
setting them up for Chapter 4—Graphing Linear Equations and Functions. In this
practice, the students given more complicated equations to solve—sometimes
discovering that the solution to an equation could be no solution or all real numbers;
something definitely different than what they have seen in the past. There was a brief
review of proportions and percent—a concept from last year that most remembered and
have mastered.
The eighth grade students will be finishing up their unit on linear relationships by
completing the CMP-2 book Moving Straight Ahead. In Investigation four, the students will
learn about the slope of a line. Students will be able to explain how slope is related to an
equation, table and/or graph. Students will learn how to identify the slope from a table, a
graph, an equation and the coordinates of two points on the line. Finally, the students will
be able to create an equation for a line from the slope and y-intercept as well as from two
points on a line.
The seventh grade math students just completed the “Stretching and Shrinking” unit of
the Connected Math Program. During this unit, the students learned how to find the scale
factor between two figures. Students were also taught how to solve problems containing
proportions and ratios. Students also practiced graphing coordinates and were able to
graph their own characters within small groups. The students displayed their final projects
in the hallways so that the entire school could see their designs. They are starting the
“Comparing and Scaling” unit of the Connected Math Program. During this unit, the
students will continue to learn how to calculate proportions and ratios. The students will
complete a group unit project that requires them to choose two similar companies or
products and to survey their classmates on their preferences. Then, the students will
analyze their data to create ratios, differences, and fractions that display their results. The
third step of their project will be to create a commercial to advertise one of the products.
The students will be able to merge the skills we learn in the classroom with exciting
information and results. The project will enable students to collaborate with one another
and to be creative.
The sixth grade math students began the task of investigating factors and multiples. In
the unit Prime Time, students looked at the relationships among factors, multiples,
divisors, and products, developed strategies for finding factors and multiples, least
common multiples, and greatest common factors, and used factors and multiples to solve
problems and explain numerical facts of everyday life. The sixth grade accelerated
students started the unit Comparing and Scaling where they learned about ratios,
proportions, and percent. In this unit, students analyzed comparison statements made
about quantitative data, used ratios, fractions, differences, and percent to form
comparison statements, and applied proportional reasoning to solve for the unknown part
when one part of two equal ratios is unknown.
Music
Performances have begun for students in the Springton Lake Music Department.
November 4, marked the first annual Heritage Day where the seventh and eighth grade
School Reports
11
November 21, 2013
select choir performed two songs in French as they opened for the professional group,
Mexico Beyond Mariachi. The select choir will conclude the month of November by
kicking off the holiday season at Rose Tree Park. Join them on November 30, as they
sing for Delaware County's Festival of Lights at 5:30 p.m.
The Springton Lake Middle School band has also been busy as they played in the
Halloween parade on October 26 and the Veterans parade in Media on November 11.
They also performed and were featured on Channel 6 Action News when Matt O'Donnell
concluded Red Ribbon Week at the middle school.
Physical Education
October saw students learn and complete individual fitness journals. Students were
asked to write about their physical activity experiences for the week at home. The
department wanted students to use the journals as a tool to see and take more ownership
in their physical fitness and activity. The department expressed to the students that many
fitness programs and sports teams use journal writing to express how they feel, record
nutrition as well as keep track of growth in specific areas of their development. In
addition, students had a chance to focus on refining their writing skills as they were
expected to write two complete sentences a day in reference to what they did or what
they did not do. Teachers have the opportunity to look at student entries and discuss
fitness trends with their students. Students have returned very detailed and expressive
work so far. The ultimate goal is for students to have personal responsibility with their
own health and fitness and to recognize how physical activity or inactivity affects their
daily lives.
In terms of specific units, students participated in a variety of net activities. Sixth graders
who were not swimming participated in Pickleball, an activity that is an indoor version of
Tennis and bigger version of Ping Pong. Seventh grade students participated in
badminton and eighth grade students participated in Tennis. All students learned proper
racket and paddle handling, specific types of hits as well as spatial strategies. The
seventh and eighth grade boys completed their mountain biking unit where they continued
to learn about the basic skills of gear shifting, reading terrain, proper bike maintenance
and fitness components associated with biking. Students who did not know how to ride a
bike continued to work and experience balance and the fundamentals of bike riding. The
majority of inexperienced students learned to ride by the end of the unit.
Science
Sixth grade science students are currently learning about cells. They will observe plant
and animal cells using the microscope to identify their parts and compare and contrast the
two. Students will dissect a virtual cell. They will also read about cells in the new science
textbook. Current electricity is the flow of electrons. This concept is explored in the
seventh grade science curriculum. Simple circuits are constructed using batteries,
switches, test leads, light bulbs, motors, and voltmeters. The students collect data based
on the strength of their batteries. This lays the foundation to more complex circuit
building. The eighth grade science students are learning about phase changes and
different states of matter. We are exploring the unique properties of dry ice, and how it
connects to our previous unit on density. We are also going to be making ice cream to
demonstrate freezing point depression, as well as 3 separate phase changes. Finally, we
School Reports
12
November 21, 2013
will look at the Boyle's and Charles' laws and various examples of the gas laws in the real
world.
Social Studies
The Social Studies Department contributed a great deal towards the planning and
successful implementation of Heritage Day. Heritage projects and videos were created so
that the students could appreciate the diversity in cultural and family backgrounds
throughout Springton Lake. The sixth grade students have been learning about East
Asian geography, with a special emphasis on Mt. Everest. The students read about 13
year-old Jordan Romero who became the youngest climber to reach the summit in 2010
and watched the dangers of the mountain unfold in the Imax film that inspired the book
Into Thin Air. The study of Mt. Everest culminated with a simulated climb in the gym and
students writing a journal entry about their “climb” to the summit. The students have
started studying the outcomes of World War II in East Asia, including the start of the Cold
War. In addition, some of the classes collected money for UNICEF through their team
logo contest.
Seventh grade students are studying the Bill of Rights and completing a project on court
cases related to the rights. The eighth grade students have been creating Early Human
and Civilization Projects. For example, students have created replicas of bones, skulls,
footprints, and jewelry and fascinating uses of DNA in historical research have been
evaluated. The students have also compared Mesopotamia's laws, focusing on the Code
of Hammurabi, with American law and analyzed what differences in our societies
influenced the law.
Special Education
Mr. Henderson’s math class is working on “Prime Time” within the sixth grade Connect
Math Program. The focus of this unit is to help students develop their skills related to
factors and multiples. Students have participated in several game based hands-on
activities to reinforce factors and multiples. Both the Factor Game and the Product Game
proved very successful in helping the students build their factor and multiple skills. As we
prepare for the upcoming assessment, we often make references to the games to help
the students differentiate between a factor and a multiple.
In eighth grade, Miss Zulli’s classes read, The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood.
Students enjoyed creating life-size characters from the novel in order to get an in-depth
look at the character. The students explored text that revealed important information
about the character’s voice, deeds, looks, thoughts and feelings. In writing, students
worked on organizing and writing a five-paragraph persuasive essay. As part of the
grammar curriculum, Miss Zulli’s students practiced editing for mechanics, including
capitalization, abbreviations, and rules for forming plural words.
World Language
This month at Springton Lake, Spanish students celebrated Day of the Dead in class.
Eighth grade students brought in meaningful items from loved ones who have passed to
adorn our classrooms' ofrendas, or altars. They also did a webquest to see authentic,
ofrendas and items used in the celebration as well as made their own traditional
decorations for the holiday.
School Reports
13
November 21, 2013
PENNCREST HIGH SCHOOL
Social Studies Department News
In November, all Penncrest students had the opportunity to learn about and share their
family histories in conjunction with "Heritage Day," a district-wide initiative to celebrate our
cultural diversity. In preparation for the day, students interviewed family members and
came to school with information about their extended families. Students then had the
opportunity to create a "digital" family tree on the website "Genealogy.com." Family
stories were shared with classmates, and many social studies teachers shared pictures or
stories from their own family histories. Students enjoyed learning more about their own
heritage; several were surprised to learn that they had connections with famous figures
from history.
Science Department News
The Penncrest science department has completed the certification for the revised OSHA
Hazard Communication Standard.
The AP Environmental Science class recently had the opportunity to take a field trip to
Hawk Mountain.
The Physics Olympics team won by 95 points over ten other schools at its first meet of
the 2013-2014 Physics Olympics season.
Health and PE Department News
The Health and PE Department hosted a health fair for students and staff this month.
Students had the opportunity to interact with representatives from the following
community organizations: Bully Free Friends, Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired,
Crozer Keystone Community Health, Crozer Keystone Cancer Program, Domestic Abuse
Project, Holcomb Behavioral Services, Keystone First, Lima Fire Company, Media
N.A.A.C.P., Prysm Youth Center, Riddle Community Health, Riddle Fitness Center,
Riddle Tobacco Dependency and Treatment, United Healthcare, Women Against Rape
and YMCA
Music Department News
The Penncrest Band hosted its annual Holiday Craft Show at the high school in
November. Thousands of community members attend each year to kick off their holiday
shopping with over 100 vendors selling their wares. Band members provide live music,
lunch service, child care, and assist the crafters with setting up and cleaning up at the end
of the day. Proceeds from the event benefit the Penncrest Band.
The Penncrest Roaring Lions Marching Band traveled to Met Life Stadium in New York
this month to compete in the USBands National Championships. The band had their best
performance of the year and finished in sixth place.
The Roaring Lions Marching Band made their annual appearance in the Media Veterans
Day Parade in November. Later that same evening, they presented their Fall Concert in
the Penncrest auditorium featuring highlights of the music and memories from marching
band season.
School Reports
14
November 21, 2013
Fall has been a busy season for the Penncrest choirs. Recently, four male Penncrest
choir students had the opportunity to attend Rowan University's Young Men's Festival of
Song. They participated in master classes, listened to the Rowan University Choir, and
joined 250 other male voices from numerous high schools for their own performance.
The Ambassador Choir was honored to provide an ensemble to sing at the induction
ceremonies for the National English Honor Society and to perform en masse for the
National Honor Society. The choir also joined with the band to provide entertainment for
the annual Lion’s M.A.N.E. luncheon.
In between rehearsals, students have been raising funds for the March performance trip
to Florida’s Walt Disney World. They have sponsored a car wash, candy sale, the annual
holiday sale of poinsettias, Florida fruits and Grandma Corby’s baked goods, and an allyou-can-eat pancake breakfast with the help of Applebee's in Aston. In addition, on
designated evenings, Pappone’s Pizza, Media's Iron Hill Brewery, and the Front Street
Fountain have all graciously donated a portion of their profits from patrons associated
with the choirs.
As we prepare for our busiest performance month of the year, we have finalized plans for
our flash concerts, several community concerts, our annual State Street Caroling, our
traditional Downtown Media Concert, our annual Winter Concert at Penncrest, and, of
course, our in-school performances for the elementary and high school students. We
hope you might join us in song during this busy season. Please see our performance
schedule located on Mrs. Gaertner’s webpage. The students enjoy sharing their love for
singing and appreciate every opportunity to do so. Please contact Choir Director Sherre
Gaertner if you have a school, professional, or private event that would be enhanced by a
choir performance.
World Language News
The World Language Department hosted its annual National French Week at Penncrest
this month. During the event, the department sponsored several activities to promote
French and French-speaking countries, such as a public viewing of the 2012 musical Les
Miserables, and afternoon pétanque tournament (the French version of bocce ball) at
Springton Lake Middle School, a French trivia contest, and an evening of dining out at the
Marrakesh restaurant in Philadelphia where attendees had the opportunity to experience
a traditional six-course Moroccan meal complete with couscous and baklava.
In November, World Language Honor Society members sold fair trade items from the
Equal Exchange catalog as a way to raise money for the Phyllis Kavanaugh Scholarship.
Students learned about the fair trade movement while selling items such as fair trade
coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, wrapping paper, scarves, bath and body items,
housewares, and more.
JV Show
The Class of 2015 presented its annual Junior Variety Show in November. This year's JV
Show theme was "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody." The JV Show is the primary
fundraiser for the junior class each year and is one of the most anticipated events of the
entire school year. This year, over 140 students participated in the mostly student-led
production. These students worked on the show for eight weeks creating comedy, dance,
School Reports
15
November 21, 2013
and musical acts, as well as the set, artwork, programs, and tee shirts. The student
production team included Josh Cadorette, Brendan Hanna, and Michael Ann Henne as
student directors, Nia Vargas as set crew director, and lighting by Michael Pastor and
Caroline Weathers. The show’s artwork was designed by Alexa Frederick. Emcees were
Bryce Bronson, Bridgette Devlin, Spencer Hespenheide, and Bobby McCafferty; and this
year’s choreographers were Lydia Krull, Margot Lebourgeois, Jaclynne Polcino, and
Xedera Townsend.
Mrs. Robin Heckman and Mr. Kyle Abbott served as faculty
producers, and Mr. Enoch Stevenson was the technical and set crew supervisor. Mr.
Stephan Mescanti oversaw the production of the shirts, tickets, and programs, led by
students Taylor Sharkey, JP Page, and Dan Crawford. Ms. Angela Beaudry is the Class
of 2015 sponsor, along with Mrs. Jennifer Clarke as the permanent junior class sponsor.
In addition, over 50 parents and businesses supported the class with ads in the program,
donations of concessions, and assistance on the nights of the show. The Class of 2015
appreciates everyone’s time and effort to help bring this year’s show to life!
Rose Tree Media Simon Youth Academy
At the annual Simon Youth Foundation Conference, the Rose Tree Media Simon Youth
Academy was awarded a $500 college scholarship to be given to a graduating senior.
The RTMSYA was the only Simon Youth Academy in the nation to be chosen for this
scholarship because RTMSYA made the greatest impact on the overall district graduation
rate.
Congratulations to senior Michelle Kercy who finished all of her graduation requirements
on November 8. Michelle plans work and then to begin college in the spring semester.
Seniors Evan Dorfman and Dan Conway completed all their credits with the exception of
physical education. They will continue at the RTMSYA to finish this graduation
requirement while also working and attending classes at DCCC.
Two RTMSYA students accepted jobs this month and will be working in the local
community.
School Reports
16
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
1.
b.
2.
Andrea Seaner, Elementary Teacher, Indian Lane
Elementary, resignation effective October 30, 2013.
Non-Instructional
1.
Christina DiGregorio, Math Tutor, Indian Lane
Elementary, resignation effective October 24,2013.
2.
Katherine Johnson, Support Staff II, Media
Elementary, resignation effective November 29, 2013.
3.
Diane Gibson, Custodian, Springton Lake Middle
School, termination due to abandonment of position
effective November 21, 2013.
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
1.
Miriam Horrocks-Isenberg, Support Staff II effective
October 30, 2013 at the rate of $15.47 per hour. Ms.
Horrocks-Isenberg is assigned to Indian Lane
Elementary.
2.
Donnamarie Nespoli Substitute Bus Aide, effective
October 29, 2013 at the rate of $14.43 per hour. Ms.
Nespoli is assigned to the Transportation Department.
3.
Recommend Board approval for the following
Penncrest High School personnel to serve as PSAT
Review Tutors at the rate of $75.00 per session:
Chrissa Kuntz
Joseph Peleckis
IX. New Business
1
Lauren Newman
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
2.
Nominations
b.
IX. New Business
Non-Instructional
4.
James McCusker, Custodian, effective November 22,
2013 at the rate of $17.28 per hour. Mr. McCusker is
assigned to Penncrest High School. This is a new
position. NOTE: Mr. McCusker is being hired pending
completion of his pre-employment paperwork.
5.
Jenni Rebecca Smith, (.5) 10-month Secretary I,
effective November 22, 2013 at the annual salary of
$17,143.95. Ms. Smith is assigned to Springton Lake
Middle School replacing Anita Garber who was
reassigned. NOTE: Ms. Smith is being hired pending
completion of her pre-employment paperwork.
6.
Mary McConville, Reading Interventionist for the
2013-2014 school year at the rate of $25.00 per hour.
Ms. McConville is assigned to Penncrest High School.
7.
Cheryl Clarke, Substitute Custodian, effective
November 22, 2013 at the rate of $12.00 per hour.
NOTE: Ms. Clarke is being hired pending completion
of her pre-employment paperwork.
8.
Paulette Goolsby, Custodial Night Supervisor for the
2013-2014 school year at the annual salary of
$1,000.00. Ms. Goolsby is assigned to Glenwood
Elementary.
9.
Joseph Way, Custodial Night Supervisor for the 20132014 school year at the annual salary of $1,500.00.
Mr. Way is assigned to Penncrest High School.
2
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
2.
Nominations
b.
Non-Instructional
10.
Recommend Board approval for the following
Penncrest High School personnel to serve as
Interventionists at the rate of $25.00 per hour:
Kyle Abbott
Paul DelPrato
Brian Dougherty
Greg Jacobs
Joseph Peleckis
Edward Somers
3.
11.
Ronald Houser, Mechanic, effective November 25,
2013, at the rate of $23.73 per hour. Mr. Houser is
assigned to the Transportation Department replacing
Nick Faluvegi who resigned. NOTE: Mr. Houser is
being hired pending completion of his preemployment paperwork.
12.
Julie DiRemigio, Interventionist, change in start date
to November 18, 2013 at the rate of $25.00 per hour.
Ms. DiRemigio is assigned to Penncrest High School.
General
a.
IX. New Business
English
Science
Science
Science
Math
Science
Classification Change
1.
Andrea Worley, Bus Driver from full time to part time
effective October 29, 2013.
2.
Diane Battey, Bus Driver from part time to full time
effective October 30, 2013.
3.
Toya Coles, Bus Aide, from part time to full time
effective October 13, 2013.
3
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
a.
Classification Change
4.
b.
c.
IX. New Business
Marianne Nigolian, from Support Staff I to Support
Staff II, effective December 2, 2013 at the rate of
$16.33 per hour. Ms. Nigolian is assigned to Media
Elementary replacing Katherine Johnson who
resigned.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
1.
Katherine Megahey requests an extension of her
unpaid leave of absence through June 30, 2014 for
the purpose of child rearing.
2.
Meghan Cristaldi requests an extension of her unpaid
leave of absence through June 30, 2013 for the
purpose of child rearing.
Supplemental Contracts
1.
Karen Walker, New Teacher Mentor effective October
28, 2013 at the annual salary of $882.00. Ms. Walker
is assigned to Penncrest High School.
2.
Andrea Rachubinski, (.25) Head Fall Cheerleading
Coach effective September 26, 2013, at the annual
salary of $978.75. Ms. Rachubinski is assigned to
Penncrest High School.
3.
Andrea
Rachubinski,
(.25)
Assistant
Fall
Cheerleading Coach effective September 26, 2013 at
the annual salary of $761.25. Ms. Rachubinski is
assigned to Penncrest High School.
4.
Jessica Anderson, (.25) Head Fall Cheerleading
Coach effective September 26, 2013 at the annual
salary of $1,167.75. Ms. Anderson is assigned to
Penncrest High School.
4
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
c.
Supplemental Contracts
5.
Jessica Anderson, (.25) Assistant Fall Cheerleading
Coach effective September 26, 2013 at the annual
salary of $908.25. Ms. Anderson is assigned to
Penncrest High School.
6.
Sean Spratt, Field Hockey Coach effective October
14, 2013 at the annual salary of $801.30. Mr. Spratt is
assigned to Springton Lake Middle School.
7.
Recommend Board approval of the following Media
Elementary personnel to serve as Club Sponsors for
the 2013-2014 school year:
Karen Bellamy
Andrew Bugosh
Brenda Millette
Julie Plater
Christine Seeley
Jeanette Verdeur
Jeanette Verdeur
James Walls
Dana Welc
8.
$ 290.00
$ 580.00
$ 290.00
$ 290.00
$ 435.00
$1,216.00
$1,160.00
$ 290.00
$ 290.00
Recommend Board approval of the following
Penncrest High School personnel to serve as Event
Chaperones for the 2013-2014 school year at the rate
of $55.00 per event:
Lorraine Bury
Alicia Commale
Chris Grouzes
IX. New Business
Art Club
Band
Scrabble Club
Scrabble Club
Puzzles Club
Chorus
Musical
Orchestra
Lego/Games Club
5
Colleen Hoy
Anthony Lombardo
Kristen Manderachi
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
c.
Supplemental Contracts
9.
Recommend Board approval of the following
Penncrest High School personnel to serve as Event
Chaperones for the 2013-2014 school year at the rate
of $18.33 per hour:
Svitlana Duffy
Joan King
Cynthia Miller
10.
Recommend Board approval of the Penncrest High
School Winter Athletic Supplementals for the 20132014 school year. See Attachment A
11.
Recommend Board approval of the Springton Lake
Middle School Winter Athletic Supplementals for the
2013-2014 school year. See Attachment B
12.
Timothy Fink, Intramural Instructor effective October
2, 2013 at the rate of $21.26 per hour. Mr. Fink is
assigned to Media Elementary.
13.
Patrick Carney, Assistant Football Coach effective
October 17, 2013 at the annual salary of $750.00. Mr.
Carney is assigned to Penncrest High School.
14.
Recommend Board approval of the following Rose
Tree Elementary to serve as Club Sponsors for the
2013-2014 school year:
Margaret Barney
Jean McPheeters
James Walls
Jonathan Boyle
Holly Clark
Maureen VanZant
Matthew Moore
David Sikorski
David Sikorski
IX. New Business
Linda Rowley
Bethany Zeleznick
6
SMART Art Club
KIDS Club
Orchestra
Band
EnviroChallenge
EnviroChallenge
EnviroChallenge
RTES Rumble
Hand Chimes
$1,160.00
$1,384.00
$ 290.00
$ 580.00
$ 290.00
$ 290.00
$ 290.00
$1,160.00
$1,160.00
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
c.
Supplemental Contracts
15.
d.
Salary Change
1.
e.
Andrew Ikeler, Temporary Head Girls Swimming
Coach effective November 18, 2013 through
December 17, 2013 at the annual salary of $1,860.00.
Mr. Ikeler is assigned to Penncrest High School.
Karen Battavio, Bobcat Ensemble Club Sponsor at
the annual salary of $580.00. This salary was
incorrect on the October Board. Ms. Battavio is
assigned to Indian Lane Elementary.
Create New Position
1.
Recommend Board approval to create a new Support
Staff II – Classroom Assistant at Media Elementary.
Background
A new Elementary Teaching position was added at
Media Elementary at the beginning of the 2013-2014
school year, a new assistant was not added at that
time.
2.
Recommend Board approval to create a new
Assistant Wrestling Coach at Penncrest High School
for the 2013-2014 school year only.
Background
Due to high participation this school year, an
additional coach is required.
f.
Other
1.
IX. New Business
Recommend Board approval of the Superintendent’s
performance bonus in the amount of $10,000 for the
2012-2013 school year.
7
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
B.
Overnight Trips
1.
Penncrest High School Girls and Boys Outdoor Track and Field
Teams - PIAA Outdoor Track and Field State Championships –
Shippensburg, PA
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve an overnight field
trip for Penncrest Girls and Boys Outdoor Track teams to attend the
PIAA Outdoor Track and Field State Championships at
Shippensburg, PA from 05/22/14-05/24/14.
Background
Lodging/meals, registration, and transportation costs totaling
$2,220 will be paid through the Athletics budget and Boosters.
2.
Penncrest High School Girls and Boys Indoor Track Teams -Kevin
Dare Invitational Track Meet – State College, PA
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve an overnight field
trip for Penncrest Girls and Boys Indoor Track teams to attend the
Kevin Dare Invitational Track Meet at State College, PA from
01/17/14-01/18/14.
Background
Lodging/meals, registration, and transportation costs totaling $704
will be paid through the Athletics budget and Boosters.
3.
Penncrest High School Wrestling Team - PIAA State Wrestling
Championships – Hershey, PA
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve an overnight field
trip for Penncrest Wrestlers to attend the PIAA State Wrestling
Championships in Hershey, PA from 03/05/14-03/09/14.
Background
Substitute, lodging/meals, and transportation costs totaling $1,504
will be paid through the Athletics budget.
IX. New Business
8
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
B.
Overnight Trips
4.
Penncrest High School Girls and Boys Swimming Team – PIAA
Swimming State Championship – Bucknell University
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve an overnight trip
for Penncrest Girls and Boys Swim team to attend the PIAA
Swimming State Championships at Bucknell University from
03/11/14-03/14/14.
Background
Substitute, lodging/meals, registration, and transportation costs
totaling $2156 will be paid through the Athletics budget.
5.
Penncrest High School Indoor Track State Championships – Indoor
Track State Championships – State College, PA
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve an overnight field
trip for Penncrest Girls and Boys Indoor Track teams to attend the
Indoor Track State Championships at State College, PA from
02/28/14-03/01/14.
Background
Lodging/meals, registration, and transportation costs totaling $1020
will be paid through the Athletics budget.
6
Penncrest High School String Ensemble – Lake George, NY
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve an overnight field
trip for the Penncrest String Ensemble to attend a music
performance, an educational tour, and participate in music clinics at
Lake George, NY from 02/27/14-03/2/14.
Background
Substitute costs totaling $204.00 will be paid by the District. Other
expenses including lodging/meals, registration, and transportation
costs approximately totaling $500 will be paid by the students and
fundraising.
IX. New Business
9
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
C.
Curriculum Cycle Plan for 2014-2019
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve the following curriculum
cycle plan for 2014-2019.
SUBJECT AREA
World Languages
14-15
Intermediate
Levels
FISCAL YEAR
15-16
16-17
17-18
Advance
d Levels
AP Levels
18-19
Beginner
Levels
English/Language
Arts
Mathematics
Phys Ed and Health
Science
Social Studies
Art
Family/Consumer Sci
Music
Business Education
Information Literacy
Technology
Education
ESOL
Background
The proposed curriculum cycle plan provides each curricular area two
years for formal curriculum revision, during which time members of the
participating department will conduct needs assessments, align curricula
with current standards, research new materials, purchase new materials,
engage in professional development and training, implement new
curricula, and draft curriculum documents. The cycle was discussed at
the November 7, 2013, Curriculum & Instruction Committee meeting.
IX. New Business
10
November 21, 2013
IX.
New Business
D.
Penncrest Course Selection Guide Changes
Resolve, the Board of School Directors approve additional changes to the
Penncrest Course Selection Guide for 2014-2015, as indicated by the
tables below.
Renamed Courses
Former Name
New Name
Modern Europe
European History
AP Europe
AP European History
1 Physic
AP Physics 1
Background
These course changes were discussed at the November 7, 2013,
Curriculum & Instruction Committee meeting. Changes are being made to
reflect the official nomenclature used by the AP program. The courses will
be offered pending results of the budgeting process for 2014-2015.
IX. New Business
11
November 21, 2013
X.
Finance
A.
Purchasing - None
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:
a. L. J. Paolella Construction change order #GC-01 in the amount
of $42,500 for additional work required for the Penncrest
Stadium Seating.
b. M. Schnoll & Sons change order #GC-01 in the amount of
$3,945 for additional painting in the auditorium and vestibule
area at Media Elementary School.
Background
This item was discussed at the November 7, Operations Committee
meeting.
2.
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 approve the following budgetary transfer:
FY 14-8 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
TO:
AMOUNT:
RATIONALE:
equipment.
Athletics – Supplies
$3,000.00
Athletics – Replacement Equipment
$3,000.00
Transfer
needed
for
reconditioning
football
Background
This item was discussed at the November 7, Finance Committee
meeting.
X.
Finance
B.
General
3.
MTI Contract
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract in
the amount of $3,120.95 for Penncrest’s musical that will be held in
March.
Background
This item was discussed at the November 7, Finance Committee
meeting.
4.
Bystander Contract
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract in
the amount of $1,595 for bullying prevention assemblies at
Springton Lake Middle School.
Background
This item was discussed at the November 7, Finance Committee
meeting.
5.
BCIU Tax Software Contract
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract in
the amount of $28,000 for new real estate tax software.
Background
This item was discussed at the November 7, Finance Committee
meeting.
6.
Donations
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors accept a $1,000
donation from the Giant Food Store in Edgmont.
Further resolve, that the Board accepts a dorm size refrigerator to
be used by the school nurse at Glenwood Elementary.
Background
This item was discussed at the November 7, Finance Committee
meeting.
X.
Finance
B.
General
7.
Walter Brucker & Company Contract
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve the contract
for Springton Lake Middle School in the amount of $4,439 to install
railings at the auditorium exit ramp and for $3,712.53 to install
window mullion closure panels in the music suite. The total amount
of the contract is $8,151.53
Background
This item was discussed at the November 7, Operations Committee
meeting.
8.
Timothy School Tuition Contracts
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors approve tuition
contracts for five students to attend the Timothy School to receive
special educational services for the 2013-2014 school year.
Background
These educational services are required under the students’ IEP’s
to meet federally mandated requirements for the provision of
special education services. The annual tuition is $60,825.00 per
student. These students have significant disabilities and are in need
of these services and special placement, as specified in their IEPs.
11/15/2013
2013-2014 PENNCREST ATHLETIC SUPPLEMENTALS WINTER
Attachment A
2013-2014
experience
STEP
2013-2014 UNITS
BASKETBALL BOYS VARSITY COACH
BASKETBALL BOYS ASST COACH
BASKETBALL BOYS ASST COACH
BASKETBALL HEAD FRESH COACH
M. DOYLE
Q. GREDIC
B. SAVISKI
R. HIGGINS
10
2
4
10+
4
1
2
1
173
145
152
173
44
31
31
27
$7,612.00
BASKETBALL HEAD GIRLS COACH
BASKETBALL ASST GIRLS COACH
BASKETBALL ASST GIRLS COACH
BASKETBALL FRESH GIRLS COACH
L. MOSLEY
R STROUP
K. Wood*
T. DURANT
7
1
2
10+
3
1
1
4
162
145
145
173
44
31
31
27
$7,128.00
INDOOR TRACK BOYS HEAD COACH
INDOOR TRACK BOYS ASSISTANT
INDOOR TRACK GIRLS HEAD COACH
INDOOR TRACK GIRLS ASST COACH
G MUNRO
R. BROWN
M. CLARK
J. LOHN
10+
7
10+
10+
4
3
4
4
173
162
173
173
34
26
34
26
$5,882.00
10+
4
173
31
8
8
10+
3
3
4
162
162
173
31
31
20
$1,860.00
SWIMMING GIRLS HEAD COACH
SWIMMING GIRLS HEAD COACH (11/18/13
through 12/17/13)
$4,495.00
$4,712.00
$4,671.00
$4,495.00
$4,495.00
$4,671.00
$4,212.00
$5,882.00
$4,498.00
SWIMMING BOYS HEADCOACH
DIVING COACH
A. IKELER
A. IKELER
M. SCHLEGEL
WRESTLING HEAD COACH
WRESTLING ASST COACH
WRESTLING ASST COACH
WRESTLILNG ASST COACH
G. JACOBS
P. CARNEY (.5)
W. MOWBRAY (.5)
W. HARMON
8
4
5
2
3
2
2
1
162
152
152
145
44
15.5
15.5
31
$7,128.00
CHEERLEADING HEAD WINTER COACH (.5)
CHEERLEADING HEAD WINTER COACH (.5)
CHEERLEADING ASST WINTER COACH
J. ANDERSON
R. RACHUBINSKI
VACANT
10+
1
4
1
1
173
145
145
11.5
11.5
19
$1,989.50
$5,022.00
$3,460.00
$2,356.00
$2,356.00
$4,495.00
$1,667.50
11/15/2013
Attachment B
2013-2014 SPRINGTON LAKE WINTER ATHLETIC
SUPPLEMENTALS
2013-2014
experience STEP 2013-2014 UNITS SALARY
BASKETBALL BOYS - 7TH GRADE
BASKETBALL BOYS - 8TH GRADE
W. CARR
A. VIRTUE
5
10
2
4
152
173
21
21
$3,192.00
BASKETBALL GIRLS - 7TH GRADE
BASKETBALL GIRLS - 8TH GRADE
J. DIAZ
P. NORRIS
9
10+
3
4
162
173
21
21
$3,402.00
WRESTLING HEAD COACH
WRESTLING ASST COACH
D. PUCKETT
VACANT
10+
4
173
21
$3,633.00
CHEERLEADING COACH WINTER
J. BLYTHE
5
2
152
18
$2,736.00
$3,633.00
$3,633.00