I. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance

I. Call to Order

ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

Legislative Agenda

January 24, 2013

7:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

II. Approval of Minutes

Roll Call

III. Board of School Director Approval

A. New Board of School Director Approval – Tracy Brown Barusevicius

B. Swearing In of Tracy Brown Barusevicius, Board of School Director

IV. Presentations and Awards

A. Linda Kinsler-Fox, Former President

B. Board of School Directors

V. Educational Presentation

A. Update on the Progress Monitoring Process in Special Education – Dr.

Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen

VI. Reports

A. Student Liaison Reports

B. Board Liaison Reports

A. RTMEA – Sue Williamson

VIII. Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)

A. Rose Tree Media Residents

A. Policy #103 Nondiscrimination In School/Classroom Practices – Second

Read and Approval - See Attachment A

A. Personnel

1. Terminations a. Professional b. Non-Instructional

2. Nominations a. Professional b. Non-Instructional

3. General a. Unpaid Leave of Absence

1. Penncrest High School Future Business Leaders of America,

Hershey, PA

2. Penncrest High School Cheerleading Team, Ocean City, MD

3. Penncrest High School Ski Club – Mount Snow, VT

XI. Finance

A. Purchasing

1. None

B. General

1. Dennis Cini Agreements

2.

3.

Resolution for Media Elementary School and Capital Projects

2013/2014 Act 1 Budget Resolution not to exceed the Index – See

Attachment B

C. Financials for December 2012

D. Bill Lists for December 2012

XII. 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 February 28, 2013, at Penncrest High

School. The Legislative Meetings are recorded on tape.

Mr. James M. Wigo, Sr.

Superintendent of Schools

EXCELLENCE

TODAY

FOR TOMORROW

To: Members of the Board of School Directors

Rose Tree Media School District

308 North Olive Street

Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493

Telephone: 610-627-.6000

Fax: 610-891-0959

www.rtmsd.org

Grace A. Eves, Board Secretary

Director of Management Services

From:

Date:

Subject:

Grace A. Eves, Board Secretary

December 20, 2012

Minutes of the December 20, 2012 Legislative Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call

_____

A moment of silence was held for the Sandy Hook Elementary School students in Newtown, CT

___________________________________________________________________________

Board Members in Attendance:

John Hanna, President

Barry

Chris Guilday

Fronduti

Nancy Mackrides

Stephen Miller

William O’Donnell

Elizabeth Schneider

Absent: Linda Kinsler-Fox, Vice -President

Also in Attendance:

Bennett, William, ILE Principal

Baldino, Ron, Director of Maintenance/Oper.

Bucci, Eric, GWE Principal

Callahan, Anne Human Resource Director

Bernadette Dacanay Home & School Visitor

DiMarino-Linnen, E. Dir. Pupil Serv/Spec Ed

Dougherty, Bill, PHS Asst. Principal

Eves, Grace, Dir. Management Services

Gregg, Rick, Principal, Penncrest High School

Harris, Ron, Network Specialist

Harrison, Ralph, Acting Principal SLMS

Hogan, Heather, Accountant

Jackowski, Anthony, SLMS Asst. Principal

Johnson, Mack, Mgmt. Systems Admin.

Students: Silvan Alour

Kinsler, Bonnie, Transportation Director

Kotch, Maria, Media Elem. Principal

Linden, Patti, Director of Technology

Kelly, Tom, Solicitor

Linden, Patti, Supv. Technology

McCallister, Wayne, RTE Interim Prin.

McCann, Kim, Info. Tech. Spec.

Sweeney, Sharon, PHS Ass’t. Principal

Stango, Dave, PHS Assist. Principal

Taylor, Steve, Asst. Superintendent

White, Katherine, SLMS Ass’t. Principal

II. Legislative Meeting Minutes of December 20, 2012 1 January 24, 2013

II. Approval of Minutes

Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 - 60

Resolve, that the Board approve the Legislative Meeting Minutes of

November 15, 2012.

The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the

Chair, the vote being:

AYES: John Hanna, Peter Barry, Chris Guilday, Nancy Fronduti,

B.

Reorganization Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2012

Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 - 61

Resolve, that the Board approve the Legislative Meeting Minutes of

November 15, 2012.





III. Presentations and Awards

A. 8 th

Grade Lightweight Football Team – Undefeated Season

Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mr. Miller seconded a motion to adopt the

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 – 62

Resolve, the Board of School Directors present the Rose Tree Media

Award to the members of the Springton Lake Middle School

Lightweight Football Team. They completed an undefeated season with a record of 5 wins and 0 loses. They had only 17 players for the season. 13 out of the 17 made honor roll. Captains this year were

Terrell Benson and Manny Ruffing. Coach Sessoms and Coach

Strowbridge were very proud of the players and their performance this year. Members of the seventh grade team include: Anthony

Copertino, Matthew Gress, Naz Lennon, Caleb Mahalik, Joseph

Schaeffer-Ferrara and Bobby Steiner. Eighth grade members are:

Terell Bensen, Zachary Granger, Patrick Gusler, Conner Moretti,

Aidan Poole, Joseph Quintiliano, Dylan Reilly, Emmanuel Ruffin,

David Stevens, Ryan Stocku, Devon Turner, and Jordan Volciak.

Emily Ditzel is the Team Manager and the team is coached by Mr.

Sessoms and Mr. Strowbridge.






A. 8 th

Grade Girls’ Soccer Team – Undefeated Season

Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mrs. Mackrides seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 – 63

Resolve, the Board of School Directors present the Rose Tree Media

Award to the members of the Eighth Grade Girls’ Soccer Team. The team finished up a wonderful season, this past fall. To start, over 75% of the team made it onto the Honor Roll for the first marking period, and not one player became ineligible to play due to their academic progress. Springton dominated offensively and scored 28 goals throughout the season, 4 of them being off of headers. Defensively they only gave up four goals and never more than one in a game. The ladies commitment to sportsmanship, athletics, and academics is a source of pride for Springton Lake. Members of the Eighth Grade Girls

Soccer Team are: Alex Boleto, Alyssa Bonatsos, Katarina

Borichevsky, Madelaina DiDomenico, Christina DiFelice, Erin Gilligan,

Caroline Hagen, Lydia Hanneman, Danielle Heller, Caroline Hosier,

Olivia Mancarella, Giannina Martyun, Sarah McCloskey, Amy

McGroarty, Molly O’Brien, Joy Om, Olivia Ridgy and Sarah Roberts.

The coach is Ms. Kelly Kunz.






C. American Red Cross Donation – Bernadette Dacanay

Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mr. Guilday seconded a motion to adopt the

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 – 64

Joy Jones, Director of Donor Relations for the American Red Cross, will be presented a check from the students of the Rose Tree Media

School District. Due to the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, the students of Rose Tree Media conducted a school district-wide fundraiser to benefit the affected families. Each building had their own approach to raising the monies. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we proudly donate $3,613.84 to the American Red

Cross.

Presenting checks to Ms. Jones are: Zachary Schauerman -

Penncrest High School, Nabeel Khan - Springton Lake Middle

School, Kevin Mills - Indian Lane Elementary School, Nicole Westcott

- Media Elementary School, Nicole Torrillo - Rose Tree Elementary

School and Nathan Dickert - Glenwood Elementary School presented a check from each of their schools.





A. Glenwood Chorus Directed by Kathryn Hong – Toni Lyons

V. Reports

A. Student Liaison Reports

B. Board Liaison Reports

D. School Reports – In Official Legislative Minutes of

December 20 2012

December 20, 2012

F. Solicitor’s Report - In Official Legislative Minutes of

December 20, 2012

H. effective January 1, 2013.

President’s Report – In Official Legislative Minutes of

A. RTMEA – Sue Williamson

VII. Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)

A. Rose Tree Media Residents – Three residents

VIII. Old Business


IX. New Business

A. Personnel


2. Nominations a. Professional b. Non-Instructional

3. General b. Unpaid Leave of Absence c. Supplemental Contracts d. Create New Position

Mr. Guilday moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 – 65

Resolve, that the Board approve the following:

1. Terminations a. Professional

1. Lotalinda Castro-Anderson, Math Teacher,

Springton Lake Middle School, resignation effective November 30, 2012.

2. Kristine Acker, Learning Support Teacher,

Indian Lane Elementary School, resignation effective November 30, 2012. b. Non-Instructional


2. Nominations a. Professional

1. Ralph Harrison, Acting Principal, effective

January 1, 2013 at the annual salary of

$129,619.00, to be pro-rated. Mr. Harrison is assigned to Springton Lake Middle School for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year replacing

Dr. Troy Czukoski.

2. David Stango, Acting Assistant Principal, effective


$111,943.00, to be pro-rated. Mr. Stango is assigned to Penncrest High School replacing

Ralph Harrison who was reassigned for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year.

3. Sean Graham, Long Term Substitute Special

Education Teacher effective January 28, 2013 for the second semester at the annual salary of

$52,458.00, Master’s Degree/Step 2 to be prorated. Mr. Graham received his Bachelor’s

Degree from Penn State University and his

Master’s Degree from Temple University. He is assigned to Penncrest High School replacing Nick

Bell.


4. Jeanne Richter, ESL Teacher, effective January

28, 2013 at the annual salary of $47,957.00,

Permanent Certification/Step 6 Ms. Richter received her Bachelor’s Degree from Millersville

University. Ms. Richter served as a Long Term

Substitute ESL Teacher for the first semester.

She is assigned to Penncrest Hgih School replacing Anjali DelPrato who resigned.

5. Jacqueline Baker, Spanish Teacher, effective


$45,725.00, Bachelor’s Degree/Step 3. Ms. Baker received her Bachelor’s Degree from West

Chester University. She has served as a Spanish

Teacher in the Springfield School District and an

English Teacher in the Marple Newtown School

District. Ms. Baker is assigned to Springton Lake

Middle School replacing Todd McKay who resigned. NOTE: Ms. Baker is being hired pending completion of her pre-employment paperwork.

6. Kyle Abbott, English Teacher, effective January 2,

2013 at the annual salary of $52,607.00, Master’s

Degree/Step 3 pro-rated. Mr. Abbott receive his

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from LaSalle

University. He comes to us from Agora Learning

Center in Philadelphia. He is assigned to

Penncrest High School replacing Colleen

McFadden who resigned. NOTE: Mr. Abbott is being hired pending completion of his preemployment paperwork.


7. Jeffrey Leahan, Long Term Substitute Physical

Education Teacher effective January 2, 2013 at the annual salary of $45,289.00, Bachelor’s

Degree/Step 1 pro-rated. Mr. Leahan received his

Bachelor’s Degree from West Chester University.

He is currently serving as a Night School

Teacher. Mr. Leahan is assigned to Glenwood,

Indian Lane and Media Elementary Schools replacing Carly Lloyd who is on leave.

8. Recommend the Board recognize the following personnel for attainment of tenure, effective

August 27, 2012:

Julie Denton

Evan O’Neill

Glenwood

Media

David Miller Penncrest

9. Lynda Seery, Homebound Instructor for the 2012-

2013 school year at the rate of $46.00 per hour.

2012-2013 school year at the rate of $46.00 per hour. b. Non-Instructional

1. Joseph DiIenno, Substitute Bus Driver, effective

January 2, 2013 at the rate of $21.53 per hour.

Mr. DiIenno is assigned to the Transportation

Department. NOTE: Mr. DiIenno is being hired pending completion of his pre-employment paperwork.


2. Michael Willauer, Substitute Bus Driver effective


Mr. Willauer is assigned to the Transportation

Department. NOTE: Mr. Willauer is being hired pending completion of his pre-employment paperwork.

3. Joseph Doyle, Jr., Substitute Bus Aide effective


Mr. Doyle is assigned to the Transportation

Department. NOTE: Mr. Doyle is being hired pending completion of his pre-employment paperwork.

3. General

1. Brian Cook from Substitute Maintenance to

Maintenance Worker effective December 21,

2012 at the rate of $18.80 per hour. Mr. Cook is assigned to the Maintenance Department. b. Unpaid Leave of Absence

1. Carly Lloyd has requested an unpaid leave of absence effective April 5, 2013 through June 30,

2013 for the purpose of child rearing.

2. Julie Fetsch has requested an unpaid leave of absence effective April 24, 2013 through June 30,


3. Meghan Cristaldi has requested an extension of her unpaid leave of absence through June 30,


4. James Tiedemann, Support Staff II, has requested an unpaid leave of absence effective

January 14, 2013 through April 26, 2013 for the purpose of completing his student teacher requirements.


4. General

1. Diane McElhenney, (.5) New Teacher Mentor for the 2012-2013 school year at the annual salary of

$648.00. Ms. McElhenney is assigned to Media

Elementary.

2. Kelly Kunz, (.5) Homework Club Sponsor for the

2012-2013 school year at the annual salary of

$362.50. Ms. Kunz is assigned to Springton Lake

Middle School.

3. Jeanette Verdeur, Professional Development

Building Coordinator for the 2012-2013 school year, correction to salary $1,450.00. Ms. Verdeur is assigned to Media Elementary.

4. Julia Davis, Student Council Advisor for the 2012-

2013 school year at the annual salary of $145.00.

Ms. Davis is assigned to Indian Lane Elementary.

5. James Walls, Orchestra Director for the 2012-

2013 school year at Glenwood, Indian Lane,

Media and Rose Tree Elementary Schools at the annual salary of $1,160.00.

6. Andrew Bugosh, Band Director for the 2012-2013 school year at Media and Glenwood Elementary

Schools at the annual salary of $1,160.00.

7. Jonathan Boyle, Band Director for the 2012-2013 school year at Indian Lane Elementary School at the annual salary of $580.00.

8. Karen Battavio, Musical Club Sponsor for the


$1,160.00. Ms. Battavio is assigned to Indian

Lane Elementary.

9. David Miller, Eco Club Sponsor for the 2012-2013 school year at the annual salary of $1,160.00. Mr.

Miller is assigned to Penncrest High School.


10. Margaret Barney, Smart Art Club Sponsor for the


$580.00. Ms. Barney is assigned to Rose Tree

Elementary. d. Create New Position

1. Recommend Board approval to create a new (.5)

One-on-One Instructional Assistant at Indian

Lane Elementary.





B. Overnight Trips

1. Penncrest High School Olympiad Invitational Tournament –

Athens, NY

2. Penncrest High School String Ensemble Festival of Music –

Williamsburg, VA

3. Penncrest High School Ski Club – Killington, VT

Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the following resolutions:

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 - 66

1.

Tournament – Athens, NY

Resolve, that the Board approve the Penncrest High

School Science Olympiad team to participate in the

2. Penncrest High School String Ensemble Festival of

Music – Williamsburg, VA

Further resolve, the Board approve the Penncrest High

School String Ensemble to participate in the Festival of

Music in Williamsburg, VA, 04/19/13-04/21/13.

3. Penncrest High School Ski Club – Killington, VT

Further resolve, the Board approve the Penncrest High

School Ski Club to attend a ski trip to Killington, VT,

01/18/13-01/21/13.



AYES: John Hanna, Peter Barry, Chris Guilday, Nancy

Fronduti, Nancy Mackrides, Steve Miller,

William O’Donnell, Elizabeth Schneider

ABSENT: Linda Kinsler-Fox


C. Policies

1. Policy #103 – Nondiscrimination in the School and Classroom

Practices – First Read

Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 - 67

Resolve, that the Board approve the first read of Policy #103 –

Nondiscrimination in the School and Classroom Practices. (See

Attachment A in December 20, 2012 Official Legislative

Minutes).


AYES: John Hanna, Peter Barry, Chris Guilday,

Nancy Fronduti, Nancy Mackrides, Steve Miller,




X. Finance

B. General

2. Johnson Controls, Inc., Project Development Agreement –

NGV

3. Addition to D’Huy Engineering contract for the Springton Lake

Middle School Project

5. Buxmont Academy Contract

Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mrs.Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 - 68

Resolve, that the Board approve the following budgetary transfers:

FY 13-5 Fund 10 General Fund

FROM: Instruction and Curriculum Development -

Supplies

AMOUNT: $4,000.00

To: Care and Upkeep of Equipment Services –

AMOUNT: $4,000.00

RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase three cafeteria tables.


X. Finance


FROM: Technology Support Services - Supplies

AMOUNT: $2,000.00

To: Technology Support Services- New Equipment

AMOUNT: $2,000.00

RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase guidance department iPads.


To: Alternative Education - Salaries

RATIONALE: Transfer needed to fund interventionist.

2. Johnson Controls, Inc. Project Development Agreement – NGV

Further resolve, that the Board approve a Project Development

Agreement with Johnson Controls, Inc. for a feasibility study on developing a transition plan to CNG busing in the amount of

$24,800.

3. Addition to D’Huy Engineering contract for the Springton Lake

Middle School Project.

Further resolve, that the Board approve an increase up

$45,000 to the existing construction management contract for

D’Huy Engineering for the Springton Lake Middle School project.


X. Finance

4. Cozen O’Conner Contingent Fee Agreement – Media

Elementary School

Further resolve, that the Board approve the Contingent Fee

Agreement from Cozen O’Conner for the Media Elementary

School renovation project.

5. Buxmont Academy Contract

Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract for tuition payment to Buxmont Academy for the education of a special education student.

Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract submitted by

Devereux Ascent Partnership services to provide transition support services.

Further resolve, that the Board approve a settlement agreement presented for a student with significant disabilities to attend an out-of-state specialized residential treatment center.

The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:






X. Finance

C. Financials for November 2012

D. Bill Lists for November 2012

Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 – 69

November

November

November

2012 Summary Expenditure Status Report

2012 Revenue Status Report

November 2012 General Fund Bill List

November 2012 Imprest Fund Bill List $ 959.00

November 2012 Capital Fund Bill List

November 2012 2004 Bond Issue Bill List

November 2012 Bond Series 2011 Bill List

November 2012 Bond Series 2012 Bill List

November 2012 Activities/Special Revenue Fund

$ 2,235,863.17

$ 108,802.87

$ 230.00

$ 690,559.28

$ 331,024.70

$ 16,155.18







XI. Adjournment

Mr. Miller moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION: 2012-2013 – 70

Resolve, there being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned .



Nancy Mackrides, Steve Miller,



______________________


III. New Board of School Director Approval

A. Tracy Brown Barusevicius

Resolve, that the Board of School Directors appoint Tracy Brown

Barusevicius as a new member of the Board of School Directors.

Background

Ms. Barusevicius is replacing Stephen Miller who resigned as of

January 1, 2013. Ms Barusevicius term will expire in 2013.

B. Swearing In of Tracy Brown Barusevicius, Board of School Director

The Honorable Nicholas S. Lippincott, Esquire will administer the Oath of

Office to Tracy Brown Barusevicius.

III. New Board of School Director Approval 1 January 24, 2013

IV. Presentations and Awards

A. Linda Kinsler-Fox – Former School Board President

Ms. Kinsler-Fox has served as President of our School Board for three years, 2009, 2011 and 2012. Being a Board Member is tough enough, but serving as President brings many added responsibilities and pressures. Ms. Kinsler-Fox assumed the responsibilities and served the district well. Her commitment to our schools, parents, community and students and to being fiscally responsible has made a positive impact on our district.

B. Board of School Directors

January is School Director Recognition Month. The theme for 2013 is “Serving Every Child Every Day.” School Board Members volunteer more than twenty hours per month to the job of making difficult decisions for our staff and students. These volunteers are your voice in your school district. They make sure your concerns are heard. Rose Tree Media School District would like to join

PSBA in recognizing our Board of School Directors for their outstanding service. Thank you for your commitment to the children and the citizens of our school district.

The Board of School Directors would like to acknowledge and thank

Mr. McAllister for his work at Rose Tree Elementary School. Mr.

McAllister has been the Interim Principal at Rose Tree Elementary

School since August 2012.

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

RE: January 8, 2013 Curriculum & Instruction Committee Meeting Minutes

Chairperson: Mr. Peter Barry

Board Members in Attendance: Peter Barry, Nancy Fronduti, Chris Guilday, John

Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy Mackrides, Bill O’Donnell, Liz Schneider

Also in Attendance: Anne Callahan, Grace Eves, Patti Linden, Steve Taylor, Jim Wigo, and members of the community.

Update on New PA Teacher Effectiveness System

Dr. Taylor presented information about the new PA Teacher Effectiveness System, which

RTM is piloting in 2012-2013. One of the major changes to the system involves the use of a greatly expanded rubric to quantify teacher performance. While it uses the same

“domains” as our existing system—Planning and Preparation, Classroom Environment,

Instruction, and Professional Responsibilities—it provides much greater detail for each, and it adds new performance levels: Unsatisfactory, Needs Improvement or Progressing,

Proficient, and Distinguished. The new system also puts much greater emphasis on key aspects of instruction such as differentiation for individual students, planning, higher-order thinking, rigor, and student engagement. RTM Teachers have learned about the new system during professional development activities in the late summer and fall, and all observers are being trained through a rigorous online course which teaches them to rate teachers’ performances according to the guidelines established by masters. Evaluations using the new system will begin early in the second semester.

Another major change around teacher effectiveness concerns the new PA School

Performance Profile, a composite rating of each school in the state based on students’ academic achievement, growth, and other indicators, such as attendance and promotion rates. This profile will pull together publicly accessible data into a single site. It also will yield a school score that will be a factor in each teacher’s annual evaluation, perhaps as soon as next year.

The first set of PA School Performance Profiles will be published in the spring, and the new evaluation rubric will go into effect across Pennsylvania in 2013-2014. The cost of the licenses for the observer training course will be paid from Race to the Top Funds.

Mr. James M Wigo, Sr.


EXCELLENCE

TODAY

FOR TOMORROW





Telephone: 610-627-6136

Fax: 610-627-6136

www.rtmsd.org

Grace A. Eves

Director of Management Service

From:

Date:

Grace A. Eves, Director of Management Services

January 5, 2013

Subject: January 8, 2013 – Finance Committee Minutes

Chairperson: Bill O’Donnell

______________________________________________________________________

Board Members in Attendance: Pete Barry, Nancy Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Chris

Guilday, Nancy MacKrides, Bill O’Donnell and Elizabeth Schneider

Also in Attendance: Jim Wigo, Grace Eves, Anne Callahan, and Patti Linden

______________________________________________________________________

Dennis Cini Agreements –



Media Elementary School

Dennis attends multiple construction meetings and reports on the progress of the project. He also assists with the moving process. The hourly rate is $1 higher than the current year.



2013/14 Capital Projects

The proposal is divided into 3 phases; planning, bid/award and construction.

There is approximately $2.2 million in proposed projects. The list is a combination of requests from principals and the maintenance department. The list of projects will be discussed during the Operations Committee meeting. It will be necessary to transfer money from the General Fund to fund capital projects.

There is an assignment of fund balance in the General Fund for construction projects.

Action: This item will be moved to the January 24, Legislative meeting for approval.

Resolution for Media Elementary School and Capital Projects

Ken Phillips has prepared a resolution stating that in the event the District needs to borrow money for financing Media or Capital projects and the General Fund or Capital

Funds have paid for the expenses before the borrowed money is available, those funds can be repaid using the borrowed funds. The resolution is only a precautionary measure.


Budgetary Transfers


FROM: Instruction – New Equipment

AMOUNT: $4,000.00

To: Instruction – Books

AMOUNT: $4,000.00

RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase books for the book room to coincide with the poetry unit, biography unit, and science unit in the curriculum for Media

Elementary School


Budgetary Comparison Summary

The District has expensed 68% of expenditures and has received 88% of revenue.

Action: Discussion

2013/2014 Budget Resolution not to exceed the Index

In accordance with Act 1 the District is required to adopt a resolution that it will not seek exceptions to raise property taxes above the Act 1 Index. Once adopted, the District cannot seek exceptions. The Index is 1.7%, which equates to annual tax increase of

$77 for the year based on an average assessment of $205,000.


2013/2014 Non-Instructional Services and Other Financing Uses Review

Non-Instructional Services includes student activities such as athletics and co-curricular activities that include clubs at the elementary and secondary levels and community services that include crossing guards, two public libraries, community use of the pool and Title I requirements for community involvement.

3200 represents athletics and co-curricular activities. Increase in salaries due to addition of supplemental contracts for Springton Lake Middle School music and theater clubs for the new auditorium and salary increases. Increase in benefits is due to the increase in PSERS from 12.19% to 16.93%. Slight decrease in Purchase

Professional/Technical service is due to football schedule. Decrease in Purchase

Professional Services due to recondition equipment such as football helmets and pads, which needs to be replaced. This has led to an increase in equipment. An increase in equipment is also due in part to the uniform replacement cycle. Increase in Other

Services due to travel costs for state and national championships for co-curricular activities. The students pay for half and the District pays for the other half.

3300 represents Community Services for crossing guards in Media and Upper

Providence Township, Middletown and Media public libraries, community use of the pool, a contribution to the Ice Hockey club and Title I requirements for community involvement. Professional services decreased because the District no longer supports

HCI. The Increase in Other Services is due to crossing guard salaries and benefits.

5000 accounts represents principal and interest on bonds and debt service for the

Delaware County Community College, refunds of prior year receipts, fund transfers and budgetary reserve.

5100 Debt Service has a decrease due in part to a decrease in the amount budgeted for refunds of prior years’ receipts. Refunds of prior years’ receipts are a result of tax appeals that are settled after the prior year’s accounts have been closed. Schedule of debt are attached for review.

5200 Fund Transfers is increased due to the need to purchase buses. The District reduced the amount from $400,000 to $200,000 for the current year due to the bus replacement schedule. It is now time to purchase additional buses for the replacement schedule. The District is also reviewing the possibility of converting buses to natural gas, which is not currently included in the budget. The District is awaiting the results of a feasibility study and a grant application for natural gas buses.

Public Comment: Four members of the public attended the meeting.

The next Finance Committee meeting will be held on February 12, 2013.

EXCELLENCE

TODAY

FOR TOMORROW

Rose Tree Media School District

308 North Olive Street

Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493

Telephone: 610-627-.6000

Fax: 610-891-0959

www.rtmsd.org

Grace A. Eves

Director of Management Services

Mr. James M. Wigo, Sr.

Superintendent of Schools

___


From:

Date:

Grace A. Eves, Director of Management Services

January 5, 2013

Subject: January 8, 2013 - Operations Minutes

Chairperson: Nancy Mackrides

___________________________________________________________________

Board Members in Attendance: Pete Barry, Nancy Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Chris

Guilday, Nancy MacKrides, and Elizabeth Schneider

Also in Attendance: Jim Wigo, Grace Eves, Anne Callahan, Patti Linden, Ron Baldino and Dennis Cini

______________________________________________________________________

Capital Projects Update



Springton Lake Middle School

Punch list items continue to be reviewed. The terrazzo in the lobby was replaced and the VCT boarder is scheduled to be installed soon. Work on the changing rooms in the natatorium has been completed. There was a manufacturer’s problem with the dust collection system in the Tech Ed department. Ron Baldino purchased shop vacs for use in the Tech Ed department until the system can be repaired. The tile on the pool deck has developed cracks. The contractor will be on site during break in January or February to repair the crack. This work will be completed under the warrantee. Problems with the paving have been noticed and the administration will be working with Gus Houghtman and ERS to correct those problems. Open house will be scheduled for May. The administration will be meeting with principals and local law enforcement to assess security needs. The administration will be looking at many options, which may include security personnel that will still keep the educational environment of the schools.



Media Elementary School

Work on the structural steel continues. Four beams have been installed with more to be delivered and installed by mid-February. An evaluation will be made during the first week of February to determine the timeline for moving back into the building. Interior finishes are scheduled to begin in mid-February.



ESCO

The project is going well. A bucket truck was on site recently and replaced exterior lighting. Work on the gym at Penncrest will be completed soon. Work at the Ed Center is scheduled to begin within the next few weeks. Sections of the building will be under construction for 6 week phases. While sections of the building are under renovation for the ESCO, paneling on exterior walls will be removed, insulation and dry wall will be installed and ceiling grids and tiles will be replaced to make the building more energy efficient. This work is not part of the

ESCO budget. Committee meetings will be relocated to Springton Lake Middle during the months of May and June.

Action: Discussion

2013/14 Proposed Capital Projects

Capital project recommendations from principals and the maintenance department are open for review. The initial list contained approximately $2.2 million worth of project.

The list has been reduced to approximately $1.2 million. The administration will notate which projects are a safety concern for next month’s Operations Committee meeting.

The District will need to transfer money from the General Fund to the Capital Fund to continue projects. There is an assignment of fund balance in the General Fund for projects.

Action: Discussion

Natural Gas Buses grant update

The grant application is partially completed. The grant closes on February 1. Part of the application involves a commitment letter for funding. The administration is reviewing commitment letters and will forward them to Tom Kelly for his review.

Action: Discussion

Public Comment: Five members of the public attended the meeting.

The next Operations Committee meeting will be on February 12, 2013.

James M. Wigo, Sr.


EXCELLENCE

TODAY

FOR TOMORROW





Telephone: 610.627.6000

Fax: 610-891-0959

www.rtmsd.org

Anne D. Callahan

Director of Human Resources

From:

Date:

Anne D. Callahan, Director of Human Resources

January 11, 2013

Subject: Minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting – January 8, 2013

Kinsler-Fox,

Board Members in attendance: L. Kinsler-Fox, W. O’Donnell, C. Guilday, P. Barry,

L. Schneider, N. Fronduti, J. Hanna, N. Mackrides

Also in attendance: A. Callahan, J. Wigo, G. Eves, Several Members of the Public

The next meeting of the Personnel Committee will be held on February 12, 2013, in the

Board Room at the Education Center.

James M. Wigo


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


James Wigo, Superintendent of Schools

From:

Education

Date:

Dr. Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen, Director of Pupil Services and Special

January 11, 2013

Subject: January 8, 2012 Pupil Services Committee Meeting Minutes

Chairperson: Ms. Nancy Fronduti

Board Members in Attendance: Peter Barry, Nancy Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy

Mackrides, Christopher Guilday, John Hanna, Elizabeth Schneider,

Others in Attendance: James Wigo, Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen, Anne Callahan, Grace

Eves, 5 community members

Contract

A contract for tuition payment to Devereux-Brandywine Program has been submitted for the education of a special education student. This is a recommended placement by the School District through the student’s IEP. The tuition cost is

$190.00 for each day of the applicable school term that the student remains lawfully enrolled.

Action: Approval will be on the January 2013 Legislative Agenda.

Agreement

A settlement agreement has been presented for a special education student for resolution over a dispute regarding implementation of special education services.

The settlement calls for a payment in the amount of $28,400.00 into a trust for the purpose of reimbursing the family for legitimate educational expenses. This

agreement releases the District from any and all educational claims on behalf of the student through the date of the agreement.


Complaint

A due process complaint has been filed by the parents of a student no longer enrolled in the school district. The student attended RTM schools during 2 nd

grade, six weeks at the end of 5 th

grade, and 9 months of 6 th

grade (2010-2011 school year). The complaint alleges that the District failed to identify the student as a student eligible for special education services. Parents declined mediation or resolution meetings. The hearing is scheduled for January 9, 2013. RTM will be represented by Ms. Sereni.

Action: Complaint has been withdrawn. No further action required at this time

Overnight field trips:

The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) will participate in the State

Leadership Conference in Hershey, PA, 4/14/13-4/17/13. Sixteen students will participate (8 competitors and 8 alternates). They will be accompanied by two chaperones. The registration fee is 75.00/student (total+ $1200.00 dollars);

Substitute costs are $612.00 dollars; and transportation costs are $600.75 dollars.

The District is funding transportation and substitute costs. The FBLA club is paying registration fees. The approximate cost to the student for meals and hotel are

$166.50 dollars.


Members of the PHS Cheerleading Team will participate in a cheerleading competition in Ocean City, MD, 02/22/13-02/24/13. The approximate cost to the

Action: Approval will be on the January 2013 Legislative Agenda. student is $100.00 dollars. The registration fee of $1,150.00 dollars is being paid for by the Boosters.

Members of the PHS Ski Club will attend a ski trip to Mount Snow, VT, 02/15/13-

02/18/13. There is no cost to the District. The cost to the student is approximately $

400.00. Inclusion of 2/18/13 is contingent on that day remaining a school holiday.


A corrected date has been submitted for the previously approved overnight field trip to the Kevin Dare International in State College, PA. The new date is 01/18/13

(the previously approved date was 01/20/13).

The following school clubs have been submitted for approval for Penncrest High

School. Faculty advisors for these clubs are unpaid, volunteer positions.

1) Archery club

2) Latin club

3) Dance club

4) Debate club


EXCELLENCE

TODAY

FOR TOMORROW

SCHOOL REPORT’S – January 24, 2013

GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Annual Glenwood Holiday Sing-Along

We would like to thank all of the parents and family members who were able to join us on

Friday, December 21 for the Holiday Sing-Along. We had over 150 family members join us for the Sing-Along. This was a fantastic way for the Glenwood Community to gather one last time before winter break. A special thank you goes out to Ms. Hong for organizing this wonderful event.

Glenwood Penny Competition Results

Total money raised- $1,877 - Points: 1st Place - 3rd Grade - 6,667, 2nd Place - 4th Grade

- 6,946, 3rd Place - 2nd Grade -7,302, 4th Place - Kindergarten - 9,800, 5th Place - 1st grade - 14,012, 6th Place - 5th Grade -14,101, 7th Place Staff - 44,068.

What do these numbers mean? The difference between the 1st and 2nd place grade was less than $3! So Close! Also, the highest amount raised was in the staff jar! That was from students putting in so many silver coins! Most importantly these numbers mean that many Glenwood families will have the great gift of an Acme gift Card for a generous meal at the holiday season. Thank you for the good sportsmanship and participation. We would like to give a special thank you to Mrs. Vellios-Miller for organizing the Penny

Competition.

Kindergarten

The kindergarten children have been having fun playing a game called Help the

Hedgehog. As they play this fun and entertaining game they are sounding out and blending short consonant, vowel, consonant words. They are also challenging themselves to see how many random letters they can name in one minute.

First Grade

The first graders have been learning that each of us has an invisible bucket. The students have been learning that every interaction throughout a day either fills or empties their invisible bucket, and everything they say or do to others fills or empties their peer's buckets as well. When their buckets are empty, they feel sad or down. When their bucket is full they feel proud, happy and positive. The students are learning the importance of having a "full bucket", and to help others have a "full bucket" by being kind

to others. They are learning that being a bucket filler helps to fill his/her own bucket as well. The students have listened to and responded to the story titled, "How Full is Your

Bucket?" by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer. They will be doing many activities related to filling their own bucket as well as filling other's buckets. The activities are life lesson builders to be accepting of others and to be proud of oneself.

Second Grade

To complement a Social Studies unit on Economics and Banking, second grade students set up assembly lines in their classrooms. On these assembly lines, they “constructed” lunches. Each student had a job on the line- putting a hot dog bun on a plate, filling the bun with a hot dog, adding pretzels, adding carrot sticks, quality control, etc. Lunches from one class were then delivered to another classroom. It was a fun way to understand how factories and assembly lines work to create and deliver a product.

Third Grade

Glenwood third graders have been becoming experts on Nonfiction topics during our

Reader’s Workshop. They have been discovering expository and narrative nonfiction texts, developing strategies to organize new information, and working in partnerships to share what they have learned. The students have worked on creating a list of ‘lingo’ or topic specific vocabulary and are using these words appropriately within their partnerships. The students will eventually take the information that they have gathered and create a poster on their specific topic.

Fourth Grade

Our fourth grade readers have been practicing the concepts in Reading Workshop’s

Navigating Non-fiction unit as we read about the life and dreams of Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr. We are making connections between Dr. King’s dreams for the world, our dreams for the world, and our parents’ dreams. As a culminating event, we then have promised to honor these dreams by completing an act of kindness or justice during the weekend of Dr. King’s birthday.

Fifth Grade Art Club

Glenwood fifth graders have the opportunity to participate in Art Club. In this afterschool club, students are in the process of repainting four cafeteria murals. We have switched the person or subject in famous works of art to have our school mascot, Woody, appear in each. With the help of some high school students we have drawn the images on to primed plywood that we then began painting. We hope to have the murals finished by the end of February. The four famous works of art that we have selected are Leonardo da

Vinci’s Mona Lisa , Andrew Wyeth’s Christina’s World, Vincent Van Gogh’s Self Portrait , and Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker .

Junior Optimist Club

Coats, boots, hats, and gloves for families in need are piling up on the table outside the cafeteria thanks to the generous donations of Glenwood families. The Junior Optimists are sponsoring the collection which will last through January 18th. The outerwear will be sorted and sent to "Cradles to Crayons" as part of the Martin Luther King Day of Service at Glenwood. So far this year, the Junior Optimists have planted chrysanthemums in front of the school, collected candy and snacks for the homeless shelter, packed treats for local

fire fighters, and promoted the coat drive. In January, they will be assembling information packets for Rose Tree Media's kindergarten registration.

INDIAN LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Happy New Year! January marks School Board Recognition Month ; Indian Lane

Elementary wishes to thank our School Board for their service to public education. School

Board members are critical to the future of Public Education and we are thankful for the leadership they provide.

Our January DIBELS reading screening will take place over the next few weeks. All students in grades K-2 will be screened, as well as certain students in grades 3-5.

We are continuing to study safety issues in our school. We informed our parents of our intentions to hold a Lockdown Drill on Tuesday, January 8, in the morning. The teachers knew about the plan for this drill and shared it with their students. We suggested that parents handle it with their child based on their personality. We don’t want to worry the children about these drills, but many will realize the connection between our drills and the tragedies that are occurring around us on a more frequent basis. We will hold another

Lockdown Drill in the future with no prior announcement.

On a more happy note, the staff at Indian Lane recently nominated fifth grade teacher

David Woods to represent us in the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year competition. Rose

Tree Media School District had two of the twelve state finalists in this past year’s competition and Mr. Woods will represent our staff well.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten students at ILES have been celebrating the New Year! They are working on calendar skills by dancing and singing the "Macarena Months" and "Days of the Week" songs. Kindergarten students created a birthday graph to find out the most popular month for birthdays. They also wrote and illustrated personal goals for 2013! Happy New Year!

First Grade

First graders have just started a math unit on Data Collection & Graphing. We will be learning how to gather data, organize it, represent it in tally charts, bar graphs and pictographs, and how to interpret the data. In Science, we also have recently begun a new unit on Balancing and Weighing. We are learning science words like fulcrum, beam balance, and equal arm balance. They will perform experiments with the different types of balancing equipment and will learn how the position of the weight and the position of the fulcrum will affect the balance of an object. In Social Studies, we will be learning about Martin Luther King, Jr - who he was and why he's important to us today.

Second Grade

During writing workshop we worked on several projects. Keeping us busy was writing in the style of authors such as Robert Munsch, Judith Viorst, Cynthia Rylant and Kevin

Henkes. We also we used our descriptive language to describe snowflakes, snow and winter. In math, we continued our work with the concepts of congruency and symmetry and created geometrical snowflakes. In Science, we completed our unit on Solids and

Liquids by doing a few more experiments with combining solids and liquids and liquids with other liquids. In Social Studies, we participated in centers where we discovered how various winter holidays are celebrated throughout the world. In word study, we worked with synonyms and antonyms, and nouns, both common and proper. In Reading

Workshop, we finished our unit on making connections. We used our schema to make text to text, text to self and text to world connections. Stop by when you get a chance and you will see our hard work hanging in our hallway…they are beautiful!

Third Grade

Before the winter break, third grade finished up The Canada Geese Quilt. While reading, we focused on making predictions, visualizing, identifying key points, and developing our comprehension skills. We are now revving up our minds to read nonfiction. In the weeks ahead, we will be looking at nonfiction text features, choosing just right nonfiction texts, reading nonfiction with stamina, and grasping main ideas in nonfiction texts. Reading: In addition to Reading Workshop, we will spend some of our reading time discussing and practicing a few strong test-taking strategies that students can rely on during the upcoming PSSA testing. Writing: The students will be working hard this month to complete their Canada Geese research papers. Their reports and informational posters will be on display during conferences so that parents will have a chance to see all of the hard work and effort that went into them. The students have shown much enthusiasm with this activity and have enjoyed researching using the internet and several other resources, as well as writing their reports and designing their posters. Word Study:

During the month of January, we will finish up with our last two vowel teams, as well as two more patterns, clusters and blends, before we assess and switch groups again.

Science/Social Studies: We are wrapping up our unit on The Amazing Body . The students have enjoyed learning about the purpose and function of the major organs in their bodies. They have also enjoyed creating their own life-size paper bodies and displaying them on the hallway walls. In Social Studies, our main focus in January will be

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will spend some time honoring and remembering him by creating an illustrated timeline of his life. Additionally, the students will practice and present a reader's theater skit. Both of these will be posted on our website so be sure to check them out! Math: In Investigations , the students are solving travel problems using a number line to show their strategies for adding up or subtracting back. They will continue to practice and refine their addition and subtraction skills through the completion of their

“Travel Story” packet, which they created themselves.

Fourth Grade

Fourth grade students honored diversity, after their study of the peopling of the United

States, with their own version of This Land is Your Land. Using the tune, students created their own verses including all of the wonderful contributions of the Latinos, African

Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Europeans. Many students collected artifacts from their homes to share and use as props for the video taping of the song.

Fifth Grade

The fifth graders at Indian Lane have been continuing do fantastic work and make strides towards the goals they set for themselves at the beginning of the year. Recently they planted tulips in the front of the school as a part of an annual research project. We are eager to see them bloom in the spring. Mr. Woods’ class made a trip to City Team to drop

off donations and see how City Team helps those in need. Many fifth graders have been maintaining the Norm Kelly courtyard by keeping it clean and feeding the birds continuing the great work Mr. Kelly started. It has been a successful year thus far and we are looking forward to more successes as the year continues.

AGP

The third grade AGP students are in the process of creating a scale model and video tour of our solar system. The fourth and fifth grade AGP students are exploring the American

Film Institute's Door Scene Challenge . Students are investigating the planning, filming and editing of a short movie meeting specific criteria.

Holiday Sing-Along

Indian Lane students performed in an All-School Holiday Concert. Each grade level had the opportunity to sing a song or two for the rest of the school, as well as a huge audience of families and special friends (over 450 to be exact). In addition, our Fifth Grade Chorus,

Fifth Dimension Chorus, and Bobcat Instrument Ensemble performed. This annual concert was well attended by parents/relatives and has become a very popular way to get in the holiday spirit. Thanks to Mrs. Battavio, our music teacher, this event was a HUGE success!

Geography Bee

Indian Lane held their annual Geography Bee. Twenty-four fifth graders competed and did a fantastic job and should be very proud of themselves. Coming out on top were

Mason Peck, First Place; Ryan Salladino, Second Place; and a three way tie for Third

Place between Aidan Aldrich, Aidan Carroll and Mackenzie Rosin. Each winner received a trophy.

PTG Activities

In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., students participated in service and educational activities to celebrate his birthday on January 21. This annual voluntary activity at Indian

Lane included baking cookies for City Team of Chester, writing letters to the servicemen and women who are overseas, packing pet food and pet supplies for the Delaware

County Animal Coalition and decorating and filling meal bags for the Ronald McDonald

House, to name a few. Mixed with games and singing, this day teaches our children that volunteering is fun and rewarding.

MEDIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Snowflake Projects

Media Elementary School participated in “The Snowflake Project” which was an effort to make the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School comfortable and welcome in their new location. Their PTA asked for students around the country to make and send snowflakes that were hung to make the relocated Sandy Hook Elementary feel happy and bright. We were more than happy to be able to do something to show our support.

Holiday Sing-Along

Our holiday sing-along featured a special selection prepared by each grade level. We ended with our staff circling the children and singing “Let there be peace on earth.” It was a touching moment. The children were most appreciative of their teachers’ “talent.”

Thanks to music teacher Jeanette Verdeur for all of the musical activities that she organized in December. Our winter concert that was held at Springton Lake Middle

School was also beautifully done.

DIBELS Testing

Winter DIBELS were completed this week. DIBELS is a vehicle for monitoring students’ growth in literacy. Our reading teachers and our RTI teacher organize the team that administers the test. MAP testing begins next week.

Minshall House

The Minshall House, a historic home in Media, was part of The Media Historical Society’s

Annual Holiday House Tour. The Christmas trees in the house were decorated with ornaments that were created by our fourth grade students. Art teacher, Jana Maxwell, is a docent at the house. She took each fourth grade class on a walking trip to the house.

Many parents accompanied each group and enjoyed the tour. The ornaments were inspired by the artwork of Edward Hicks. They were in the shape of various animals. In addition to learning about the rich history, influence of Quakers, and the Minshalls significance in our community, the students were able to get a stamp on their Passport to

History Passports.

Winter Concerts

Our band and orchestra students had very successful winter concerts. We were also fortunate to be invited to Penncrest High School where our primary grade students were entertained by the wonderful band, chorus and orchestra. Thank you to Mrs. Lyons, Mrs.

Gaertner, and Mr. Snyder. Our children were especially delighted by the hippo who danced into the audience.

Other Music News

Grade three is ringing in the new year by beginning their recorder unit. Their books have arrived from the print shop and they have mastered their first note, “B.” Fifth graders are exploring the roots of jazz music in America through sound and performance. Most recently they were playing improvisations of the tunes “Hot Cross Buns” and “This Old

Man.” Finally, grade 2 students are writing their first composition to be performed on barred classroom instruments. The theme is “snowmen.” In other music department news, Paige Goldberg and Josh Kleiman have been selected to represent our school at

BandFest this year.

Library

Media’s Reading Olympic teams are off to a great start. Our two teams have the maximum number of students allowed- 15 on each team- and there is a waiting list in case someone drops out. Students are reading wonderful books, journaling about them, and creating challenging questions to quiz their teammates. We are looking forward to lots of fun this spring- this time at Marple Newtown High School. Students in grade 5 are beginning their research projects. They are exploring topics as varied as the history of

Times Square to the cocoa bean. Students are focused on non-fiction reading as is required by the Common Core Standards.

AGP News

Students in grade 3 finished their “Advertise Yourself” unit this month. They analyzed what makes them unique. Next they developed a project reflecting who they are. After that they constructed a demo model of their product. Then they produced a virtual advertisement for their product. The entire project was presented to the class. AGP

Teacher Dennis Smyth and Technology Specialist Jane Battaglia produced our first successful morning broadcast in our new location.

Seed to Snack- Grade 2

Second graders learned about cool weather vegetables in this month’s Seed to Snack program. They sampled cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and kale popcorn. Seed to Snack teaches our students to select and appreciate healthy foods and to learn more about where food comes from, local farming, and how food is grown.

Geography Bee

Our grade 5 students participated in the National Geographic Geography Bee again this year. The finalists from each class competed on January 11. Former student Colleen

McGeehan, who currently attends Columbia University, was our moderator. This year’s winner was Holly Werner.

ROSE TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

First Grade

First grade has been learning strategies for reading non-fiction! We are learning how to utilize all of the tools the non-fiction author gives us, getting our minds ready to absorb all sorts of information! Headings, captions, labels, table of contents and highlighted words guide us to the main idea! We are learning about animals in winter and storing all this information in our brains! We have been having lunch with our teachers when we join the

100 Steppers Club in 100 BC. Reading each day and night supports our growth as readers!

Third Grade

To enrich their understanding of what our local government does for its citizens, the third grade students at Rose Tree Elementary visited the Upper Providence Township Building.

They met with the Township Manager and participated in a mock Township Council meeting. A police officer spoke to them about public safety and showed them the inside of a police car. A public works employee also showed the students the plows and equipment that help to keep the streets clean and safe.

Fifth Grade

What is the only ocean through which the equator does not pass? Fifth grade students have been answering questions like these for months in preparation for the Rose Tree

Elementary Geography Bee. Classrooms held individual contests in the month of

December. Classroom winners scoured atlases, geographic websites, and classroom reference books to “beef-up” their geography IQs. On January 8, the school contest was held, and the classroom contestants wowed the audience with their geographic expertise.

The winner of the 2013 Geography Bee was fifth-grader Yu Pan, and the runner-up was

Josiah Muller, also in fifth grade. Their teachers were very proud!

Martin Luther King Day

The Rose Tree PTG sponsored the MLK Day of Service again this year. Students signed up for service projects benefiting the Rose Tree Fire House, the Delaware County SPCA,

Meals on Wheels, Cradles to Crayons and more. Proceeds from the sale of water and lemonade were divided between the Newtown Youth & Family Service which provides counseling to Sandy Hook Elementary families and to the Southeastern PA & NJ United

Way to benefit those impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Other Rose Tree Events

The “Art Goes to School” program came for 3 days. This program introduced the students from grades kindergarten through fifth to fine art. Grade level activities were provided for each class.

SPRINGTON LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL

The following students were honored at the January 8 PTG meeting as Students of the

Month for December are: 8-1 Victor Sabatino and Paige Jacobs, 8-2 Sean Walsh and

Rachel Hughes, 8-3 Chase Dungan and Sarah Sokolowski, 7-1 Mason Pflug and Aliya

Boyd, 7-2 Mark Dresden and Rosie Kenton, 7-3 Evan Rosenberg and Mina Sanders, 6-1

Evan Bender and Saikrithika Govindaraju, 6-2 Maxwell Brown and Sarah Hughes, 6-3

Casey Loper and Madison McQuiston. Students of the month for January are: 8-1 James

Zawisza and Heidi Fliegelman, 8-2 Sean Wilmot and Sarah Hedley, 8-3 Ian Dong and

Annie Daniels, 7-1 Matt Tang and Logan O’Donnell, 7-2 James Ziegler and Alyssa

Duvak, 7-3 Ryan Robinson and Isabel Torres, 6-1 Jeffrey Lunger and Sophia Tumolo, 6-2

Brett Conley and McKenna Sing and 6-3 Henry Barusevicius and Leira Belle Aparentado.

Art

Ms. Sycz’s grade eight students have composed an artwork incorporating text as an art form using the illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages as a source of inspiration.

Before composing their artwork, the students not only examined the art of the Middle

Ages, student did research finding a quote and then thought of images to illustrate the quote. After collecting the text and images, students have a composed in pencil a drawing incorporating the principles of design studied in the previous lesson and using guidelines for lettering outlined. Grade seven students examined several famous portraits discussing the elements and principles used. Students then analyzed the painting “Diego and I” by

Frida Kahlo completing an art criticism worksheet. Grade seven students have also begun preparing for their clay sculpture by being shown the form that would be taught and then presented the challenge of creating an interesting sculpture of a human or animal that will be wearing some type of head covering. A brief examination of the creativity people have incorporated in making different types of head coverings depending upon the function has been shown. Grade six students are now exploring the role of the elements of shape and line in the formation of two-dimensional representations. Grade six students have made two drawings of birds with the first drawing being guided by the teacher who pointed out how simple lines and shapes combined in relationship to each other can create an image.

Grade students then looked at a photograph of a bird trying to replicate the image using simple lines and shapes trying to keep the proportion the same.

In Mrs. Going's art room, all eighth grades are immersed in the history and creation of the

Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts. They have seen the actual books, thanks to U-Tube

Videos and will also conclude the assignment seeing how the actual books were made.

Until then, they continue to create their own original page using the major components included. The addition of color will begin soon. Seventh grades conclude the construction of their ceramic fish and move to developing color using a ceramic glaze method while adhering to the requirements of the design portion of the finish. A review of the Art of The

Fish highlighting various artists using many mediums will conclude this assignment. Sixth grades are completing their Metal Repousse Masks based on African Mask design. They will reflect on their success as they move to three dimensions and the art of Bas Relief.

Mrs. Prior's sixth graders are building their confidence and skill in drawing by learning the proper proportions, shapes, lines, and values to use for realistic pencil portraits. These drawings will be used as a stepping-stone for pastel portraits. We are taking advantage of our available technology by watching artists draw various portraits on short videos.

Seventh graders viewed a short video clip, “What is Abstract Art?” which not only gave a brief timeline and description of the styles of art that led up to abstract art, but also gave an overview of abstract art itself. Students were then inspired to create their own abstract pastel drawings utilizing all of the elements of art. Each student is completing a written reflection about the project to reinforce the related vocabulary and to promote higher order thinking skills. Eighth graders read and answered questions about the art of the

Middle Ages in our text, A Global Pursuit. Next, students completed a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting two illuminated manuscript pages. Students also viewed several videos that showed beautiful manuscript pages, some historical background, the natural materials that were used, and the various jobs involved with the manuscripts. A presentation of various forms of Medieval lettering such as “Old English” and “Chancery

Cursive” served as inspiration for students in their lettering choices. Students are now sketching their own manuscript pages based on quotes that they have chosen to illustrate.

Guidance

The guidance department organized support groups for students. In seventh grade, Mrs.

Griffin regularly conducts organizational groups for students. Mrs. Gilroy is currently facilitating a coping skills group for students. The counselors offered a Flex Workshop called “Skills for Success: Managing Students with Mental Health Disorders in the

Classroom”. The workshop was attended by school counselors, classroom teachers, and speech and language specialists. The department also participated in a community service projects which included a visit to Fair Acres Geriatric Center with students and the holiday “Joy Drive.”

Language Arts

In Mrs. Patton’s sixth grade Language Arts classes, students are completing book chats that focus on identifying and supporting theme. We have discussed sample themes, modeled reflections that support specific themes, and students are now applying that information to their self-selected books. Work has begun on narratives for the Delaware

County Young Authors Project. Students have identified their topics and are now working to develop detailed, sensory description and strong verbs to develop the topic into a narrative format. Each class will participate in the Spelling Bee challenge. A finalist from each class will participate in the school wide spelling bee in early February. PSSA

practice materials are ready to go and students will be developing their reading and test taking strategies as they prepare for this test.

In seventh grade language arts, students have read and written personal narratives.

Students used the Show/Don't Tell technique and learned ways to incorporate sensory details and figurative language in their writing. Writing a grabber introduction, using transition words, and including specific details were also emphasized. Selected students' narratives will be entered in the Young Authors Competition held by the DCIU.

In the second half of the month, students started the reading of survival novels, Hatchet or The

Call of the Wild. Students are focusing on literary skills during the reading of the novels.

Teachers also held classroom spelling bees to select participants for the grade level

Scripts National Spelling Bee.

Mrs. Raichek’s eighth grade Enhanced Language Arts class has just begun a study of

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. They are reading the play version of the novel, which is included in a unit in the textbook called "Voices of Courage." During the next 2

1/2 weeks, the students will read the play in class, taking turns assuming the various character roles. To prepare for the unit, the students looked at the Anne Frank Museum website (in Holland) to obtain background information on the two families who hid from the Nazi's and the people who helped them, and the students "recreated" the rooms of the Secret Annex. Students used yardsticks and masking tape to measure out and mark the actual dimensions of the four rooms in which the Frank and Van Pels families hid.

Students later added "furniture" (chairs) to the rooms and spent time recreating some of the daily activities the families might have completed. Afterward, the students were asked to write a written reflection on what it might have been like to be confined to these four small spaces every day for two and-a-half years. During the course of the unit students will be keeping their own "diaries," in which they react and respond to the play and to specific guided questions about this and other works they are reading for the unit .

Library

Starting this January, the library is now offering eBooks to Springton Lake’s students and staff using Overdrive Library. The eBook service allows students to download eBooks to an iPad, Kindle, or Nook eReader device. Many Language Arts teachers brought their classes to the library for eBook demonstrations, including Mrs. Williams, Mrs. McLeod,

Mrs. Newsome, Mrs. Hudak, and Miss. Bendistis. Students navigated the website to see what eBooks are now available at the library.

Mrs. Somerville’s sixth grade Language Arts classes synthesized all the research they conducted in either AGP or Science to create digital posters on Glogster. Students created Glogs to share for Celebration of the Mind or with their science classes.

With the start of the New Year, the library is inviting students and staff to a reading challenge. Students register in the library to set a personal reading goal to reach by the end of the school year. Many students are well on their way to reaching their personal goals.

Math

Geometry students are finishing Chapter 5, the relationships within triangles. We will begin Chapter 6, Similarity, by mid-January. In this chapter, students use ratios,

proportions, and geometric means to solve geometry problems. They use ratios to find the scale of a drawing and then use the scale to find the actual distance on a map or the actual height of a building. They use proportions to identify similar polygons and find the scale factor between two polygons, they use a scale factor to find corresponding lengths in similar polygons, and they use the AA Similarity Postulate, the SSS Similarity Theorem, or the SAS Similarity Theorem to determine whether two triangles are similar. Also, students use proportions and the Triangle Proportionality Theorem or its converse to find the lengths of segments related to triangles or parallel lines. At the conclusion of Chapter

6, we will begin reviewing for the midterm.

Eighth Grade Connected Math students began exploring their second unit book: Thinking with Mathematical Models . In this unit the students will continue to explore and develop their understanding of linear relationships by revisiting new examples of linear patterns and trends. Using an online virtual bridge experiment, students use breaking weights of bridges to explore the similarities and differences between linear and nonlinear relationships. From here the students will develop an understanding of what an inverse variation looks like in a table, graph, or equation.

Algebra I students will complete their work for the first half of the year by completing

Chapter 6: Linear Inequalities. By learning how to represent, graph, and solve linear inequalities the students will enhance their understanding of how to represent, graph, and solve linear equations. Once they complete Chapter 6, students will review and complete their Algebra I midterm.

In Seventh grade Accelerated math, we have worked through the book Growing,

Growing, Growing . In this book, students explored situations that involved repeated doubling, tripling, and quadrupling and were introduced to one of the essential features of many exponential patterns: rapid growth. They developed rules for operating with exponents and examined patterns among the ones digits of powers. Students concluded the unit by applying the laws of exponents and exponential relationships and comparing their patterns with linear relationships.

In Seventh grade math, students explored a variety of strategies for making comparisons- ratios, percents, fractions, and differences- in the book Comparing and Scaling . Students applied these comparative concepts to various real-life situations. Students enjoyed conducting a survey and creating a television commercial advertisement, which motivated consumers to purchase their product.

The sixth grade heterogeneous math students have been working with fractions, decimals, and percents in the Connected Math book Bits and Pieces I . In this unit, students have developed ways to model situations involving fractions, decimals, and percents, compared and ordered fractions, moved flexibly between fraction, decimal, and percent representations, and used physical models and drawings to help reason about a situation. The next unit for these students is geometry using the book Shapes and

Designs.

The sixth grade accelerated math students have been working with ratios, proportions, and percent’s in the book Comparing and Scaling . In this unit, students analyzed comparison statements made about quantitative data, used ratios, fractions, differences,

and percent’s to form comparison statements, applied proportional reasoning to solve for the unknown part where when part of two equal ratios is unknown, and scaled a ratio, rate, or fraction to make a larger or smaller object or population with the same relative characteristics as the original. Next, the students investigate the world of integers

Music

The Springton Lake Seventh and Eighth Grade Bands and Jazz Lab Ensemble performances were held in the school auditorium. Over 150 members participated under the direction of Mr. Alan Reno. The sixth grade general music classes completed a

“sandwich” musical composition project and will begin to explore musical instrumentation in depth. Seventh grade general music students completed a unit on Tchaikovsky by analyzing the “Nutcracker” and the “1812 Overture” from a melodic and historical perspective. Students in eighth grade general music concluded a unit on the Baroque period with emphasis on Pachebel, Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi.

Physical Education

Sixth grade classes have had the opportunity to experience a variety of activities including a weight room introduction, scooter activities, and basketball. In the weight room the students learned about the different machines that are available for them to use. In addition, they were given instructions on safe weight training practices and how simple weight training exercises at their ages can be beneficial. In scooter activities, students were instructed on proper safety techniques upon their use of the scooter. Various lower body fitness activities as well as adapted games were done to utilize the scooters. In basketball, the students had the opportunity to learn basic fundamentals of basketball, and apply them to game-like situations.

The seventh and eighth grade girls participated in a basketball unit where they have been working on a variety of skills. They have had the opportunity to use their skills in a four on four half-court tournament. In addition to playing in this tournament, the students had to complete a team assignment. Within this assignment each team member was responsible to complete a specific job that connects with another school subject.

Students had their choice of completing a social studies, artistic, musical, language arts or mathematical job, related to basketball. The students had an opportunity to work on and experience the various interdisciplinary connections found in basketball, through this project.

The seventh and grade eighth grade boys have been working on the weight room and adaptive activities with the use of scooters. In the weight room unit, the boys continued to learn about identifying muscle groups and how caloric expenditure works in regards to how diet and exercise can affect one another. The adaptive classes focused on how wheelchair and sled games have subtle difference from their “normal” versions to accommodate for the lack of use of legs. In addition, students got to see and participate in activities that have been adaptive for individuals who are wheelchairs and not only learn how to play by modified rules on scooters but also realize the amount of upper body and core strength needed to compensate for not being able to use their legs. High beatsper-minutes music was used to coordinate heart rate and performance with music during all activities.

Science

Students will compare and contrast viruses and bacteria, investigate the role of bacteria in our everyday lives, and discover how infectious diseases spread. Student will also research an infectious disease of their choice. They will create a brochure using Microsoft

Word or record a TV report or music video using the ipads and edit using IMovie in the

Mac lab.

The seventh grade science students will investigate the mathematical relationship of

Voltage (EMF), Amperes (Intensity) and Ohms (Resistance). This famous electrical ratio was developed by the combined works of Count Alessandro Volta (volts), Andre Marie

Ampere (amps) and Georg Simon Ohm (ohms). It is called Ohms law, because it took the German mathematician George Ohm to decipher this correlation. The students will also be able to predict electrical values based on the color sequence on fixed resistors used by electricians around the world, cracking a universal code.

In grade eight science we are currently studying the origin and development of the modern Periodic Table! Scientists from many countries across the world have contributed to its organization and development, as well as to the development of the modern atomic theory. The models proposed over the years are used to explain interesting observable phenomena today. Students are using the Table and atomic models to predict the chemical properties of the elements!

Social Studies

The sixth grade students are currently studying the economics, government, history, and geography of the Middle East. Many of the students have created maps and matrices for the Middle East that focus on the ethnic groups, religious groups, and wealth of the individual countries. The students are learning about the influence of religion, especially

Islam, on the cultures and the governments of the Middle East. From Junior Scholastic , students will learn about the challenges faced by the populations of several countries in the Middle East through first-hand accounts of students in those countries.

Seventh grade students recently explored the origins of political parties in early America

(1800) while studying the Federalist and Democratic Republicans parties. Students participated in a mock presidential election while exploring and interpreting original texts of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Students also analyzed and recreated musical pieces from the two Political parties from the 18th Century and used IPADS as the main research tools.

Students in eighth grade social studies classes have been comparing and contrasting the ancient African empires of Egypt and Kush (current day Sudan and South Sudan).

Students have taken an experiential "tour" of the Nile River, which highlighted famous sites and structures. Students actively gained information as to how the transitional

Egyptian government is trying to protect their ancient past.

Classes are also examining statistical information in their supplementary reader, the New

York Times UPFRONT magazine. Students are able to view categories such as life expectancy rates, literacy rates, and political systems for one hundred and ninety six countries. Many students recall viewing similar information when they were in sixth grade

leading to rich discussions and predictions about the future of the United States and other countries we are studying such as Egypt and Greece.

All Social Studies teachers organized and ran the National Geographic Bee in each of their classes. The top ten students in the school qualified for the School Championship.

Students representing all three grade levels participated in the School Championship in a spirited competition. Sixth grader, Evan Perks, and eighth grader, Josh Featherman, made it through the preliminary rounds to the finals. Josh earned the championship medal by correctly answering two difficult final round questions.

Special Education

In Mrs. Perilli’s seventh grade learning support language arts class, students worked on constructing the perfect paragraph. To practice their paragraph writing skills, students wrote a response to a Scope magazine article that debated the benefits of assigned seats in the cafeteria. After reading the short story “The Dragon’s Pearl” from the anthology

Bridges to Literature, students used their knowledge of Bloom’s Taxonomy to sort questions about the story into the appropriate levels. Then, they worked in small groups to respond to the questions. Students also read the play A Christmas Carol adapted from

Charles Dickens’ novel. At the conclusion of the reading, students wrote reading response journals based on the play.

Mrs. Megow’s eighth grade math class was working on the following topics: Moving

Straight Ahead: The eighth grade learning support math class completed their unit on linear relationships. During the unit, the students learned to translate information about linear relationships from tables, graphs and equations to one of the other forms, solved linear equations, and answered questions about tables, graphs and equations.

Area, Perimeter & Surface Area: Upon the completion of the unit on linear equations, the class completed a mini-unit on perimeter, area and surface area. A project was completed where students completed an original drawing consisting of at least 10 regular figures for which they calculated the area, then the compound area of whole drawing.

This was a great opportunity for students to unveil their creative sides and they did a wonderful job! The final activity for this unit was a fun way for the students to calculate surface area: they designed and constructed a mini-gingerbread house and calculated its surface area.

Thinking with Mathematical Models: Following the winter break, the students began a new unit on linear and inverse variations. In this unit, students will enhance their skills in recognizing and analyzing linear relationships. Even further, they will compare linear patterns with a specific nonlinear relationship called an inverse variation.

World Language

The French classes celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas stopped by

Springton Lake to reward the good children by leaving a small treat in their shoe left in the hallway while they worked hard in class. The French Club learned about how some people celebrate the Epiffany (January 6th). Mrs. Hensley baked a galette for the kids to share while they learn about the French traditions of this day.

PENNCREST HIGH SCHOOL

Ring of Honor

This month, Penncrest High School held its inaugural induction of the Rose Tree Media

School District Athletic Ring of Honor during halftime of the Penncrest boys’ varsity basketball game versus Springfield High School. Following a reception in the Penncrest library, inductees were introduced and their Ring of Honor plaques unveiled at the halftime ceremony. The inaugural class includes basketball star Gene Armstead (class of

1969), cross country and track star Kate Fonshell-Taylor (class of 1987), and boys’ basketball coach Robert Waslick (1956-1969).

Financial Aid Night

In January, the guidance department and Ryan McNichol from A+ College Financial

Solutions, Inc. presented an informative program to parents of tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders on the topic of financial aid for post-high school education. The program, held in the Penncrest auditorium, was well received with more than 130 people in attendance.

Each family was offered a free no-obligation consultation on an individual basis to discuss the best way to finance higher education.

FAFSA Completion Workshop

The guidance department, along with Fran McKeown from AES/PHEAA and Mary Kay

Klara, a financial aid representative from Villanova University, conducted a FAFSA completion workshop in January for parents and seniors. More than fifty families took advantage of the opportunity to receive assistance in completing the FAFSA form onsite in the PHS computer lab. This is the second year Penncrest has offered the informative work session to Penncrest parents and students.

Music Department News

We are proud to report that two of our choir students, Sarah Vengen (soprano 1) and

Maurah Steinmetz (alto 2), auditioned for and were invited to perform in the PMEA District

Choir in February. The students will be re-auditioned on the first day of District Choir rehearsals for a chance to perform at the regional level.

The holiday season left our PHS choir students on a high note. Performing at venues both within our school and within the community at large was a fabulous experience. We continue to receive positive feedback for appearances at the following venues:

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The Ambassador Choir performed at the Riddle Memorial Hospital Tree Lighting

Ceremony before grateful patients and staff.

The choirs performed on the street of downtown Media for an appreciative audience who enjoyed a lovely crisp evening filled with holiday music. This concert was followed by our second annual Carol Stroll. Last year, we had eight students caroling along State Street; this year, over 60 students signed up to sing.

The increased number of volunteers allowed us to send six groups caroling throughout the town much to the surprise and delight of managers, staff, patrons and diners. Plans are underway to make the carol stroll a scheduled annual event.

The Ambassador Choir was the honored guest at the SLMS eighth grade choir concert where they enjoyed the opportunity to be both mentors and performers.

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

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This collaboration has become a tradition and an opportunity to perform across schools.

The Choirs performed pre-arranged random acts of culture (aka: flash concerts) at

BJ's, Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond in Springfield. We worked carefully with the management of these stores to arrange the surprise concerts for shoppers and staff. Students mixed in with the shopping crowd and began to 'suddenly' sing, coming closer together so that astonished patrons could laugh and join in the fun of being entertained by a musical group hidden in their midst. The feedback was phenomenal; indeed, we had many inquiries as to whether this was a professional group!

Returning to our Sunday afternoon venue at the PHS auditorium, the choirs performed their winter concert to an audience of all ages. The timing was such that more family, relatives, neighbors and friends could join us. After intermission, we were accompanied by our string ensemble for several pieces. Students sang classical holiday pieces and ended the afternoon with our holiday sing-along leaving everyone happily humming.

Along with the concert band and string orchestra, the choirs performed for the

RTMSD elementary school students and then for the high school students in two uplifting and entertaining concerts. Our choir members always enjoy finishing the season with performances for siblings, peers and future choir students.

World Language News

Mandatory trip preparation meetings for the French exchange trip to Avignon, France and the Spanish immersion trip to Costa Rica will begin this month. During the after school meetings, students will participate in group-building activities and language preparation activities as well as learn important information about traveling abroad. The meetings will continue throughout February into early March.

Health and PE Department News

Mrs. Long and Mr. Dashkiwsky's 11th grade health classes received Survivor 101 information from Lauren Amway of Street Smarts and Trooper Rosemary McGuire of the

Pennsylvania State Police. Critical messages included: “keep your eyes on the road,”

“use extra caution when driving with friends,” “pull over if you are tired,” “click it or ticket,”

“seatbelts saves lives,” and “never drive under the influence of anything.”

Freshman Semi-formal Dance

Over 340 students and guests attended this year’s freshman semi-formal which was held in the Penncrest High School Cafeteria in January. This year’s theme was "Winter

Wonderland.” A cheery giant snowman graced the entrance to the cafeteria greeting attendees while strands of tiny white lights added to the ambiance making the venue a true “winter wonderland.”

MLK Day of Service

To honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., volunteer Penncrest students participated in a variety of community service opportunities in January. For the third year, students volunteered to prepare meals for the "Aid for Friends" program which serves the needy by preparing home-cooked meals for distribution to shut-in senior citizens in the five-county Greater Philadelphia area.

Penncrest once-again participated in the district-wide effort to collect items for the Cradles to Crayons organization. Students assisted with the collection of items at the various schools. The organization collects gently used clothing, shoes, books, and toys for children aged 0-12 years old. The items are then sorted and distributed to families across the Philadelphia area.

ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

PRESIDENTIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS – EXECUTIVE SESSION

“In accordance with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, executive sessions of the

School Board were held on the following dates to review and discuss matters permitted under Section 8 of the Act.”

There will be an executive session of the School Board for matters of personnel at 6:30 p.m. prior to the Legislative Session of February 28, 2013, at Penncrest

High School. The Legislative meetings are recorded on tape.

Presidential Announcement 1 January 24, 2013

VIII. Old Business

A.

Policies

1. Policy #103 – Nondiscrimination in the School and

Classroom Practices. See Attachment A

Resolve the Board of School Directors approve the final draft of Policy #103.

Background

Policy #103 – Nondiscrimination in the School and

Classroom Practices was discussed at the December 2012 and January 2013 Pupil Services Committee Meetings.

A. Personnel


1. Margaret Simcox-Smith, Substitute Cafeteria Worker, resignation effective November 2. 2012.

2. Nominations a. Professional

1. Alicia Livi, Long Term Substitute Math Teacher effective January 28, 2013 for the second semester at the annual salary of $45,289.00, Bachelor’s

Degree/Step 1 to be pro-rated. Ms. Livi received her

Bachelor’s Degree from University of Delaware. She served as a Long Term Substitute during the first semester. Ms. Livi is assigned to Penncrest High

School replacing Elizabeth Clements who is on leave.

2. John Fickling, Long Term Substitute Chemistry

Teacher, change of effective date to December 17,

2012. Mr. Fickling is assigned to Penncrest High

School.

3. Jenny Robinson, Principal, change of effective date to

January 14, 2013. Ms. Robinson is assigned to Rose

Tree Elementary.

4. Ryan Lewis, Special Education Teacher effective

January 28, 2013 at the annual salary of $52,458.00,

Master’s Degree/Step 2. Mr. Lewis received his

Bachelor’s Degree from Saint Joseph’s University and his Master’s Degree from Cabrini College . He has served as a Long Term Substitute during the first semester. He is assigned to Indian Lane Elementary replacing Kristine Acker who resigned.

X. New Business 1 January 24, 2013

5. Eileen Hunger, RTI Teacher effective January 28,

2013, at the annual salary of $45,289.00, Bachelor’s

Degree/Step 1. Ms. Hunger received her Bachelor’s

Degree from West Chester University. She served as a Long Term Substitute during the first semester. She is assigned to Springton Lake Middle School replacing Betsy Spardel who was reassigned.

6. Mary Bridget Letukas, Long Term Substitute

Technology Education Teacher effective January 28,

2013 at the annual salary of $45,289.00, Bachelor’s

Degree/Step 1, pro-rated. Ms. Letukas received her

Bachelor’s Degree from Ursinus College. She is assigned to Penncrest High School replacing Jodi

Ruckle who is on leave. NOTE: Ms. Letukas is being hired pending completion of her pre-employment paperwork.

7. Alicia Lallier, Long Term Substitute Title I Reading

Teacher effective January 16, 2013 at the annual salary of $52,309.00, Master’s Degree/Step 1 prorated. Ms. Lallier received her Bachelor’s Degree from

Eastern University and her Master’s Degree from

West Chester University. She is assigned to Media

Elementary replacing Julie Fetsch who is on leave.

NOTE: Ms Lallier is being hired pending completion of her pre-employment paperwork.

8. Caitlin Judge, Long Term Substitute Math Teacher for the second semester effective January 28, 2013 at the annual salary of $52,309, Master’s Degree/Step 1 to be pro-rated. Ms. Judge received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from West Chester University.

She is assigned to Springton Lake Middle School replacing Phoebe Simmington who is on leave.


9. Kelly Hogan, (.5) Health/PE Teacher, effective

January 28, 2013 at the annual salary of $46,165.00,

Bachelor’s Degree/Step 5, pro-rated. Ms. Hogan received her Bachelor’s Degree from Temple

University. She is assigned to Springton Lake Middle

School. This is a new position. NOTE: Ms. Hogan is being hired pending completion of her preemployment paperwork.

10. Arnold Schwartz, Homebound Instructor, at the rate of

$46.00 per hour. NOTE: Mr. Schwartz is being hired pending completion his pre-employment paperwork.

11. Julia Davis, Assistant Director Summer School 2013 at the annual salary of $3,000.00. b. Non-Instructional effective January 25, 2013 at the rate of $10.55 per hour. NOTE: Ms. Hoffman is being hired pending completion of her pre-employment paperwork.

2. Joan Breslin, Substitute Cafeteria Worker, effective


NOTE: Ms. Breslin is being hired pending completion of her pre-employment paperwork.

3. Kim Davey, Substitute Nurse, effective January 18,

2013 at the rate of $140.00 per day. NOTE: Ms.

Davey is being hired pending completion of her preemployment paperwork.

4. Nancy Wooding, (.5) Theme Reader for the 2012-

2013 school year at the rate of $150.00 per month.


3. General a. Unpaid Leave of Absence

1. Derrick Smith, Support Staff II, requests an unpaid leave of absence effective January 15, 2013 and terminating May 3, 2013 for the purpose of completing his student teaching requirements.

1. Recommend Board approval of Degree Advancement for Joseph Fisher to $47,795.00, Permanent

Certification/Step 4 effective August 27, 2012.

1. Jonathan Boyle, Band Director for the 2012-2013 school year at Rose Tree Elementary at the annual salary of $580.00

2. Carol Shapero, New Teacher Mentor effective

January 2, 2013 at the annual salary of $608.00. Ms.

Shapero is assigned to Media Elementary.

January 28, 2013 at the annual salary of $580.00. Ms.

Wiliams is assigned to Springton Lake Middle School.

4. David Woods, E Challenge Club Advisor for the 2012-

2013 school year at the annual salary of $580.00. Mr.

Woods is assigned to Indian Lane Elementary.

5. JoAnn Podlaski, EnviroChallenge Club Sponsor for the 2012-2013 school year at the annual salary of

$290.00. Ms. Podlaski is assigned to Rose Tree

Elementary.

6. Matthew Moore, EnviroChallenge Club Sponsor for the 2012-2013 school year at the annual salary of

$290.00. Mr. Moore is assigned to Rose Tree

Elementary.


1.

Penncrest High School Future Business Leaders of America –

Hershey, PA

Resolve, that the Board approve an overnight field trip for the

Penncrest High School Future Business Leaders of America members to Hershey, PA, 4/14/13-4/17/13.

Background

The purpose of the trip is for the PHS FBLA club to participate in the State Leadership Conference. The registration fee is $75.00 dollars/student and is being paid by the district. The approximate cost to the student is $166.50 for hotel and meals. The District is funding transportation ($600.75) and substitute costs ($612.00).

2. Penncrest High School Cheerleading Team – Ocean City, MD


Penncrest High School Cheerleading Team to Ocean City, MD,

02/22/13-02/24/13.

Background

The purpose of the trip is for the PHS Cheerleading team to participate in a competition. The approximate cost to the student is

$100.00. The registration fee of $1,150 is being paid for by the

Boosters.

3. Penncrest High School Ski Club – Mount Snow, VT


Penncrest High School Ski Club to Mount Snow, VT, 02/22/13-

02/24/13.

Background

The purpose of the trip is for the PHS Ski Club to go skiing. There is no cost to the District. The cost to the student is approximately

$400.00. Inclusion of 2/18/13 is contingent on that day remaining a school holiday.


C. School Clubs

Resolve, that the Board approve the following school clubs at Penncrest

High School: Archery, Latin, Dance and Debate clubs

Background

Faculty advisors for these clubs are unpaid, volunteer positions.


ADDENDUM

D. Addendum – Personnel

1. Terminations - none

1. Lauren Buck, Long Term Substitute Art

Teacher, effective January 28, 2013 at the annual salary of $52,309.00, Master’s

Degree/Step 1 to be pro-rated. Ms. Buck received her Bachelor’s Degree from Fairfield

University and her Master’s Degree from

Drexel University. She is assigned to

Penncrest High School replacing David Stango who has been reassigned. NOTE: Ms. Buck is being hired pending completion of her preemployment paperwork.

2. Kim Morris, Director of Summer School 2013 at the annual salary of $7,000.00.

1. Tracey Fritch, (.5) New Teacher Mentor for the


$608.00. Ms. Fritch is assigned to Media

Elementary.

2. Michelle Kirk, (.5) New Teacher Mentor for the


$580.00. Ms. Kirk is assigned to Penncrest

High School.

X. New Business Addendum 1 January 24, 2013

XI. Finance

1. Dennis Cini Agreements

Resolve, that the Board approve the proposal from Cini

Construction Services, Inc. for Owner’s Representative

Services for the Media Elementary School project in anamount not to exceed $21,714.

Resolve, that the Board approve the proposal from Cini

Construction Services, Inc. for Owner’s Representative

Construction Services for the 2013/2014 capital projects in an amount not exceed $73,696.

Background

This item was discussed at the January 8, Finance

XI. Finance 1 January 24, 2013

XI. Finance

Resolve, that the board approve the following:

WHEREAS, the Rose Tree Media School District has determined to undertake certain capital projects including renovations to the

Media Elementary School and various other miscellaneous projects

(collectively, the “Project”); and

WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Treasury, acting by and through the Internal Revenue Service, on June 18, 1993, promulgated regulations in the Federal Register, Vol. 58, No. 11,

Section 1.150-2 (the “Reimbursement Regulations”), which are applicable to the Project; and

WHEREAS, the Reimbursement Regulations require this School

District to adopt an “official intent” to reimburse itself from taxable or tax-exempt proceeds for certain capital expenditures made and to be made by this School District in connection with the Project; and

WHEREAS, this School District desires to declare its official intent with respect to certain capital expenditures and reimbursement thereof to be made in connection with the Project.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

1. This School District has and hereafter, from time to time, shall continue to apply money from its general fund

(consisting of general tax and related revenues, including proceeds of any tax and revenue anticipation notes), or from any capital reserve or existing bond fund, for the purpose of paying certain expenditures relating to the Project, including fees and expenses of contractors, engineers, architects, surveyors, lawyers, underwriters, paying advertising costs, filing fees, printing costs, cost of acquiring land or rights of way, permit and inspection fees, cost of acquisition and construction of Project facilities and related costs of a capital nature with an economic life of in excess of one (1) year.

Such expenditures of accumulated general fund or capital reserve or bond fund revenues were not originally budgeted for this purpose and are not intended to finance the Project on a long term basis, but on an interim basis only.


XI. Finance

(continued) general fund (consisting of general tax and related revenues, including proceeds of any tax and revenue anticipation notes), or any capital reserve or bond fund, for such amounts paid for expenditure allocable to the Project from and after the date which is sixty (60) days prior to the date of this Resolution or such other sums which otherwise constitute “preliminary costs” within the meaning of applicable Treasury Regulations, from proceeds of a borrowing by this School District, through the incurrence of taxable or tax-exempt debt, in the appropriate maximum principal amount of $3,000,000 to $8,000,000. Such reimbursement shall occur not later than eighteen (18) months after the later of (i) the date on which the original expenditure is paid, or (ii) the date the Project is placed in service or abandoned, but in no event more than three (3) years after the original expenditure is paid. Such debt shall be payable from the general tax and related revenues of this

School District. directed to enter this Resolution upon the minutes of this

School District and to make it available for general public inspection at the Administration Offices during normal business hours of this School District.

Background


Committee meeting.


XI. Finance

3. 2013/2014 Act 1 Budget Resolution not to exceed the Index – See

Attachment B

The Board of School Directors of the Rose Tree Media School a. The school district’s various tax levies and other revenue sources will be sufficient to balance the school district final budget for the next fiscal year 2013-14 based on maintaining current tax rates or increasing tax rates by an amount less than or equal to the Act 1 index applicable to the school district as calculated by the Pennsylvania Department of

Education. This conclusion is based on the school district preliminary budget or other information available to the

School Board. b. The applicable index for the next fiscal year is 1.7%, and the

School Board will not for the next fiscal year's increase the rate of its real estate tax, or any other tax for the support of public education, by an amount that exceeds the applicable index. c. The School Board has to date and in the future will comply with the rules set forth in School Code § 687 for adoption of the school district proposed and final budgets for the next fiscal year. d. The School Board understands that the school district will not be eligible to use Act 1 referendum exceptions for the next fiscal year.

Background


Committee meeting.


XI. Finance

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

Transfers:


FROM: Instruction – New Equipment

TO: Instruction – Books

RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase books for the book room to coincide with the poetry unit, biography unit, and science unit in the curriculum for Media Elementary School.

Background

This item was discussed at the January 8, Finance Committee

meeting.


XI. Finance

Resolve, that the Board approve a settlement agreement presented

Xfor a special education student to resolve a dispute regarding the implementation of special education services.

Background

Terms of the agreement include payment of $28,400.00 into a trust for reimbursement for educational expenses.


No. 103

SECTION: PROGRAMS

ROSE TREE MEDIA

SCHOOL DISTRICT

1. Authority

Sec. 4.4, 12.1,

12.4,

15.1 et seq

24 P.S.

Sec. 951 et seq

Sec. 1681 et seq

Sec. 2000d et seq

Sec. 12101 et seq

2. Delegation of

Responsibility

SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM

PRACTICES

ADOPTED:

REVISED:

103. NONDISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOL

AND CLASSROOM PRACTICES

The Board declares it to be the policy of this district to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum potential through the programs offered in the schools regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy or handicap/disability.

The district shall provide to all students, without discrimination, course offerings, counseling, assistance, employment, athletics and extracurricular activities. The equitable distribution of district resources is one means the district shall use to ensure all students receive a quality education. The district shall make reasonable accommodations for identified physical and mental impairments that constitute handicaps and disabilities, consistent with the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations.

The Board encourages students and third parties who have been subject to discrimination to promptly report such incidents to designated employees.

The Board directs that complaints of discrimination shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action be taken when allegations are substantiated.

Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the district's legal and investigative obligations.

No reprisals nor retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith charges of discrimination.

In order to maintain a program of nondiscrimination practices that is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Board designates the

Director of Human Resources as the district's Compliance Officer.

The Compliance Officer shall publish and disseminate this policy and complaint procedure at least annually to students, parents/guardians, employees and the public. Nondiscrimination statements shall include the position, office address and telephone number of the Compliance Officer.

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103. NONDISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOL AND

CLASSROOM PRACTICES - Pg. 2

The Compliance Officer or designee is responsible to monitor the implementation of nondiscrimination procedures in the following areas:

1.

Curriculum and Materials - Review of curriculum guides, textbooks and supplemental materials for discriminatory bias.

2.

Training - Provision of training for students and staff to identify and alleviate problems of discrimination.

3.

Student Access - Review of programs, activities and practices to ensure that all students have equal access and are not segregated except when permissible by law or regulation.

4.

District Support - Assurance that like aspects of the school program receive like support as to staffing and compensation, facilities, equipment, and related areas.

5.

Student Evaluation - Review of tests, procedures, and guidance and counseling materials for stereotyping and discrimination.

The building principal or designee shall be responsible to complete the

3. Guidelines following duties when receiving a complaint of discrimination:

1.

Inform the student or third party of the right to file a complaint and the complaint procedure.

2.

Inform the complainant that s/he may be accompanied by a parent/guardian during all steps of the complaint procedure.

3.

Notify the complainant and the accused of the progress at appropriate stages of the procedure.

4.

Refer the complainant to the Compliance Officer if the building principal is the subject of the complaint.

Complaint Procedure – Student/Third Party

Step 1 – Reporting

A student or third party who believes s/he has been subject to conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy is encouraged to immediately report the incident to the building principal.

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A school employee who suspects or is notified that a student has been subject to conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy shall immediately report the incident to the building principal.

If the building principal is the subject of a complaint, the student, third party or employee shall report the incident directly to the Compliance Officer.

The complainant or reporting employee is encouraged to use the report form available from the building principal, but oral complaints shall be acceptable.

Step 2 – Investigation

Upon receiving a complaint of discrimination, the building principal shall immediately notify the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer shall authorize the building principal to investigate the complaint, unless the building principal is the subject of the complaint or is unable to conduct the investigation.

The investigation may consist of individual interviews with the complainant, the accused, and others with knowledge relative to the incident. The investigator may also evaluate any other information and materials relevant to the investigation.

If the investigation results in a determination that the conduct being investigated may involve a violation of criminal law, the building principal shall inform law enforcement authorities about the incident.

The obligation to conduct this investigation shall not be negated by the fact that a criminal investigation of the incident is pending or has been concluded.

Step 3 – Investigative Report

The building principal shall prepare and submit a written report to the

Compliance Officer within fifteen (15) days, unless additional time to complete the investigation is required. The report shall include a summary of the investigation, a determination of whether the complaint has been substantiated as factual and whether it is a violation of this policy, and a recommended disposition of the complaint.

The complainant and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of the investigation, including the recommended disposition.

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Step 4 – District Action

If the investigation results in a finding that the complaint is factual and constitutes a violation of this policy, the district shall take prompt, corrective action to ensure that such conduct ceases and will not recur. District staff shall document the corrective action taken and, where not prohibited by law, inform the complainant.

Disciplinary actions shall be consistent with the Student Code of Conduct,

Board policies and administrative regulations, district procedures, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal laws.

Appeal Procedure

1.

If the complainant is not satisfied with a finding of no violation of the policy or with the recommended corrective action, s/he may submit a written appeal to the Compliance Officer within fifteen (15) days.

2.

The Compliance Officer shall review the investigation and the investigative report and may also conduct a reasonable investigation.

3.

The Compliance Officer shall prepare a written response to the appeal within fifteen (15) days. Copies of the response shall be provided to the complainant, the accused and the building principal who conducted the initial investigation.

Equivalence Between Schools

The Board directs that services in Title I schools and programs, when taken as a whole, shall be substantially comparable to services in schools and programs that do not receive Title I funds.

Curriculum materials, instructional supplies and percentages of highly qualified personnel shall be equivalent between all district schools when compared on a grade-span by grade-span basis or a school-by-school basis.

Records documenting such compliance shall be updated biannually.

The Board understands that equivalence between programs and schools shall not be measured by:

1.

Changes in enrollment after the start of the school year.

2.

Varying costs associated with providing services to students with disabilities.

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3.

Unexpected changes in personnel assignments occurring after the beginning of the school year.

4.

Expenditures on language instruction education programs.

5.

Other expenditures from supplemental state or local funds consistent with the intent of Title I.

Complaints by individuals and organizations regarding implementation of equivalence between schools shall be processed in accordance with Board policy.

References:

School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 1310

State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 4.4, 12.1, 12.4,

15.1 et seq.

Unfair Educational Practices – 24 P.S. Sec. 5004

Pennsylvania Human Relations Act – 43 P.S. Sec. 951 et seq.

No Child Left Behind Act – 20 U.S.C. Sec. 6321

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – 29 U.S.C. Sec. 794

Americans With Disabilities Act – 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.

Federal Anti-Discrimination and Civil Rights Laws –

20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq. (Title IX)

42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000d et seq. (Title VI)

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Federal Anti-Discrimination and Civil Rights Regulations –

28 CFR Part 35, Part 41

34 CFR Part 100, Part 104, Part 106, Part 110

Board Policy – 000, 103.1, 701, 906

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Attachment B

Rose Tree Media School District

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, on June 27, 2006, the Pennsylvania legislature passed

Act 1 of Special Session 2006, entitled the “Taxpayer Relief Act”

(hereinafter “Act 1”);

WHEREAS, Act 1 requires school districts to limit tax increases to the level set by an inflation index unless the tax increase is approved by voters in a referendum or the school district obtains from the Department of Education or a court of common pleas certain referendum exceptions;

WHEREAS, Act 1 does, however, allow a board of school directors to elect to adopt a resolution indicating that it will not raise the rate of any tax for the support of the public schools for the following fiscal year by more than its index, provided this resolution must be adopted no later than 110 days prior to the date of the election immediately preceding the upcoming fiscal year;

WHEREAS, the Rose Tree Media School District index for the 2013-2014 fiscal year is 1.7%;

WHEREAS, the Rose Tree Media School District Board of Directors has made the decision that it shall not raise the rate of any tax for the support of the

Rose Tree Media School District for the 2013-2014 fiscal year by more than its index.

AND NOW, on this 24 th

day of January 2013 it is hereby RESOLVED by the Rose Tree Media School District (hereinafter “District”) Board of Directors

(hereinafter “Board”) the following:

1. The Board certifies that it will not increase any school district tax for the 2013-2014 school year at a rate that exceeds the index as calculated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

2. The Board certifies that it will comply with the procedures set forth in

Section 687, of the Pennsylvania Public School Code (hereinafter

“School Code”), 24 P.S. §6-687, for the adoption of its proposed and final budget.

3. The Board certifies that increasing any tax rate less than or equal to the index will be sufficient to balance its final budget of the 2013-

2014 fiscal year.

4. The Administration of the District will submit the District’s information on a proposed increase in the rate of a tax levied for the support of the District to the Pennsylvania Department of Education on the uniform form prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education no later than five days after the Board’s adoption of this Resolution.

SEAL

Attachment B

5. The Administration of the District will send a copy of this Resolution to the Pennsylvania Department of Education no later than five days after the Board’s adoption of this Resolution.

6. The Board understands and agrees that by passing this Resolution it is not eligible to seek referendum exceptions under Section 333(f) of

Act 1 and is not eligible to request approval from the voters through a referendum to increase a tax rate by more than the index as established for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

7. Once this Resolution is passed, the Administration of the

District is not required to comply with the preliminary budget requirements set forth in paragraphs (a) and (c) of Section 311 of Act 1. Provided, however:

(a) The Board understands and agrees that, upon receipt of the information submitted by the District as set forth in paragraphs

4 and 5 above, the Pennsylvania Department of Education shall compare the District’s proposed percentage increase in the rate of the tax with the index.

(b) Within ten days of the receipt of this information, the

Pennsylvania Department of Education shall inform the District whether its proposed tax rate increase is less than or equal to the index.

(c) If the Pennsylvania Department of Education determines that the District’s proposed increase in the rate of the District’s tax exceeds the index, the District is subject to the preliminary budget requirements as set forth in paragraph (a) and (c) of

Section 311 of Act 1.

John R. Hanna, III Grace A. Eves

Board

I. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance

Minutes of the December 20, 2012 Legislative Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call

_____

III. Presentations and Awards

III. Presentations and Awards

IV. Presentations and Awards

OFFICE OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

SCHOOL REPORT’S – January 24, 2013

ROSE TREE MEDIA

SCHOOL DISTRICT

Rose Tree Media School District

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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I. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance

Minutes of the December 20, 2012 Legislative Meeting Minutes