ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Legislative Agenda
March 25, 2010
7:30 p.m.
I.
Call to Order
II.
Approval of Minutes
A.
B.
C.
D.
III.
Girls’ Track State Champions
Boys’ Track State Champions
Wrestling State Qualifier
Boys’ Basketball Central League Champions
Highlights from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Conference featuring presenters from RTM
Reports
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
VI.
Legislative Meeting of February 25, 2010
Bid Opening Minutes March 10, 2010 HVAC & Electrical Improvements to
Various Schools in District
Bid Opening Minutes March 10, 2010 Various Contracts for Springton
Lake Middle School Project
Bid Opening Minutes March 17, 2010 Penncrest High School Athletic Field
Drainage Improvements
Educational Presentation
A.
V.
Roll Call
Presentations and Awards
A.
B.
C.
D.
IV.
Pledge of Allegiance
Student Liaison Reports
Board Liaison Reports
Committee Highlights and Reports
School Reports
Superintendent’s Report
Solicitor’s Report
President’s Report
Scheduled Presentations (Limited to Five Minutes Each)
A.
B.
Agenda
RTMEA
Healthy Communities Initiative
1
3/25/2010
VII.
Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)
A.
VIII.
Old Business
A.
IX.
B.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
2.
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
3.
General
a.
Rescind Supplemental Contracts
b.
Supplemental Contracts
c.
Expulsion of Student
2010-2011 Calendar Draft – First Read – Attachment A
Finance
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
XI.
None
New Business
A.
X.
Rose Tree Media Residents
Purchasing
1.
Bid Awards
a.
Penncrest, Indian Lane, Education Center
Improvements to Various Schools
b.
Penncrest Athletic Field Drainage Improvements
General
1.
Budgetary Transfers
2.
Comprehensive Student Records Plan
Addendum
1.
Bids
2.
Contracts
3.
PLANCON
Financials for February 2010
Bill lists for February 2010
–
HVAC
Adjournment
ANNOUNCEMENT
There will be an executive session of the School Board for matters of personnel at
6:30 p.m. prior to the Legislative Meeting of April 22, 2010, at Penncrest High School.
The Legislative meetings are recorded on tape.
Agenda
2
3/25/2010
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
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
I.
Grace A. Eves, Board Secretary
Director of Management Services
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D., Superintendent
Grace A. Eves, Board Secretary
March 4, 2010
Minutes of the February Legislative Meeting held on March 4, 2010
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Board Members in Attendance:
John Hanna, President
Veronica Barbato
Peter Barry
Linda Kinsler-Fox
Nancy Fronduti
Nancy Mackrides
William Montgomery
William O’Donnell
Jeffrey Pettit
Roll Call
Students:
Daniel Belk
Michelle Schapire
Christine Sowa
Nicalia ThompSon
Also in Attendance:
Ron Baldino, Supervisor of Maint. & Oper.
Pat Barta, Director of Special Educ.
William Bennett, Principal, Indian Lane
Linda Bluebello, Director of Pupil Services
Anne Callahan, Dir. Human Resources
Karen Daugherty, Principal, RTE
Bill Dougherty, Principal, GWE
Susan Evans, Ass’t. Principal, PHS
Grace Eves, Dir. Management Services
Angela Gilbert, Dir. Elem. Teaching & Learning
Rick Gregg, Principal PHS
Ron Harris, Network Specialist
Heather Henise, Accountant
Joanne Horan, Reading Supervisor
Anthony Jackowski, Ass’t. Principal SLMS
Joyce Jeuell, Principal SLMS
Mack Johnson, Management Specialist for
SMS and FMS
Thomas Kelly, Solicitor
Denise Kerr, Superintendent of Schools
Bonnie Kinsler, Supervisor of Transportation
Maria Kotch, Principal, MES
Patti Linden, Dir. Information Sciences
Kim McCann-Roller, Info. Tech. Spec.
Chip Olinger, Athletic Director
Steve Taylor, Dir. Sec. Teaching & Learning
Katherine White, Principal, MES
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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II.
Approval of Minutes
A.
Legislative Meeting Minutes for January 28, 2010
Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mrs. Mackrides seconded a motion to adopt
the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2009 -10 – 80
Resolve, that the Board approve the Legislative Meeting Minutes of
January 28, 2010
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
B.
John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Linda KinslerFox, Nancy Fronduti, Nancy Mackrides, William
Montgomery, William O’Donnell and Jeffrey Pettit
None
Special Legislative Meeting of February 2, 2010
Mrs. Barbato moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2009-2010 – 81
Resolve, that the Board approve the Special Legislative Meeting Minutes
of February 2, 2010.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Nancy
Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy Mackrides, William
Montgomery, William O’Donnell and Jeffrey Pettit
None
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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C.
Bus Bid Meeting Minutes – February 17, 2010
Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION:
2009-2010 – 82
Resolve, that the Board approve the Bus Bid Meeting Minutes of
February 17, 2010.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
III.
John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Nancy
Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy Mackrides, William
Montgomery, William O’Donnell and Jeffrey Pettit
None
Presentations and Awards
A.
Eagle Scout Award – Timothy L. Douglas
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION:
2009 – 2010 – 83
Resolve, the board present Timothy L. Douglas the Rose Tree Media
Award for achieving Eagle Scout Rank.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
IV.
John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Nancy
Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy Mackrides, William
Montgomery, William O’Donnell and Jeffrey Pettit
None
Educational Presentation
A.
“Going Green & Clean at “The Lake” – presented by Sixth Graders:
Paige Purnell and Marina Parsons, Seventh Grader: Caroline Weathers,
Eighth Grader: Riley George and sponsor: Susan Griffin
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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V.
Reports
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
VI.
President’s Report – In Official Legislative Minutes of February 2010,
held on March 4, 2010
Scheduled Presentations (Limited to Five Minutes Each)
A.
B.
VII.
Student Liaison Reports
Board Liaison Reports
Committee Highlights and Reports
School Reports – In Official Legislative Minutes of February 2010 held
on March 4, 2010
Superintendent’s Report – In Official Legislative Minutes of February
2010 held on March 4, 2010
Solicitor’s Report – In Official Legislative Minutes of February 2010 held
on March 4, 2010
RTMEA – Sandra Staiger
Healthy Communities Initiative – Dana Riker
Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)
A.
Rose Tree Media Residents
The following residents voiced their concerns and comments to the
Board of School Directors:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
VIII.
Pat Combs – Upper Providence
Joe Hooker – Middletown
Trisha Cofield – Middletown
Charles Hangsterfer – Middletown
Mark Hill – Upper Providence
John Laye – Middletown
Thomas Lory – Edgmont
Leslie Campon – Middletown
Ann Ferguson – Upper Providence
Paige Loper - Middletown
Jim Coyne – Middletown
Robert Powell – Upper Providence
Julie Iamocchi - Middletown
Wayne Phillips – Middletown
15. Michael McManiman - Middletown
16. Jill Sprick – Upper Providence
17. Debbie Saylor-Brown
Upper Providence
18. Susan Dodson - Edgmont
19. Jennifer Anderson
Upper Providence
20. Roselyn Walkin - Middletown
22. Lorainne Bradshaw - Middletown
23. Linda Lemisch – Upper Providence
24. Rodger Church - Middletown
Old Business
A.
None
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
2.
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION:
2009 – 2010 – 84
Resolve, that the Board adopt the following New Business section:
A.
Personnel
1.
2.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
1.
Dawn Kalix, Bus Driver, resignation, effective
January 14, 2010.
2.
Andrew Hunter, Custodian, Penncrest High School,
resignation, effective February 9, 2010.
3.
Rescind appointment of Jade Fortune as a Cafeteria
Worker. Ms. Fortune has not completed her
paperwork.
Nominations
a.
Professional
1.
Mark Samilenko, Homebound Instructor for the
2009-2010 school year at the rate of $44.00 per
hour.
2.
DeAnn Scherer, Homebound Instructor for the
2009-2010 school year at the rate of $44.00 per
hour.
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
2.
Nominations
b.
Non-Instructional
1.
Nancy Fagan, Substitute Bus Aide, effective
February 8, 2010 at the rate of $13.34 per hour. Ms.
Fagan is assigned to the Transportation
Department.
2.
Noreen Plotts, Substitute Cafeteria, effective March
1, 2010 at the rate of $10.04 per hour. NOTE: Ms.
Plotts is being hired pending completion of her preemployment paperwork.
3.
Charlene Merk, Support Staff I, effective March 1,
2010 at the rate of $11.82 per hour. Ms. Merk is
assigned to Penncrest High School replacing
Sandra Purcell. NOTE: Ms. Merk is being hired
pending completion of her pre-employment
paperwork.
4.
Lisa McCallion, Substitute Cafeteria, effective March
17, 2010 at the rate of $10.04 per hour. NOTE: Ms.
McCallion is being hired pending completion of her
pre-employment paperwork.
IX.
Rohel Taddese, Substitute Custodian,
effective March 1, 2010 at the rate of $12.00
per hour. Ms. Taddese is assigned to the
District as needed. NOTE: Ms. Taddese is
being hired pending completion of her preemployment paperwork.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Nancy
Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy Mackrides, William
Montgomery, William O’Donnell and Jeffrey Pettit
None
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
a.
Supplemental Contracts
Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION:
2009 – 2010 – 85
Resolve, that the Board adopt the following New Business section:
3.
General
a.
Supplemental Contracts
1.
Recommend Board approval of the Penncrest High
School Spring Athletic Supplemental Contracts for
the 2009-2010 school year. See Attachment A.
2.
Recommend Board approval of the Springton Lake
Middle School Spring Athletic Supplemental
Contracts for the 2009-2010 school year. See
Attachment B.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Nancy
Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy Mackrides, William
Montgomery, and William O’Donnell
NAYS:
None
ABSTAIN: Jeff Pettit
IX.
New Business
B.
Personnel
3.
General
3.
Lindsi Ciuffetelli, All School Musical Sponsor for the
2009-2010 school year at the annual salary of
$417.00.
4.
Angela Beaudry, New Teacher Mentor, Penncrest
High School, effective January 4, 2010, at the prorated salary of $624.78.
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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IX.
New Business
A,
B.
Personnel
3.
General
b.
Create New Position
c.
Other
Overnight Tips
1.
Future Business Leaders of America – Hershey, PA
2.
Penncrest High School Concert & Jazz Bands – New York City,
NY
Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION:
2009 – 2010 – 86
Resolve, that the Board adopt the following New Business Section:
A.
Personnel
3.
General
b.
Create New Position
1.
Recommend Board approval for creation of the
following supplemental positions:
Head Freshman Boys Lacrosse Coach @ 23 units
Head Freshman Girls Soccer Coach @ 23 units
Assist. Freshman Girls Soccer Coach @ 17 units
2.
c.
Recommend Board approval for the creation of a
new Bus Aide position in Transportation.
Other
1.
Recommend Board approval for the following
personnel to serve as Intramural Instructors for the
2009-2010 school year at the rate of $27.00 per
hour:
Stephen Adams
Martha Gumienny
Jacque Baker
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
8
Mark Yanchek
Marie Carter
3/25//2010
A.
Personnel
3.
General
c.
Other
2.
Recommend Board approval for the following
personnel to receive an additional paid holiday,
December 25, 2009, at their daily rate of $162.50 in
accordance with the ESPA contract:
Deborah Sweeney
Kathleen Cook
Catherine Boylan
Joyce Wolf
Nancy Peters
Marion Brower
Lynn Ciminera
Linda Davis
Debra DeFronzo
B.
Overnight Trips
1.
Future Business Leaders of America – Hershey, PA
Resolve, that the Board approve the overnight trip to the Future
Business Leaders of America State Competition in Hershey, PA.
2.
Penncrest High School Concert & Jazz Bands – New York City,
NY
Further resolve, that the Board approve the overnight trip for the
Penncrest High School Concert & Jazz Bands to New York City,
NY.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Nancy
Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy Mackrides, William
Montgomery, and William O’Donnell
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Jeff Pettit
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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X.
Finance
A.
B.
C.
D.
Purchasing
1.
Bid Award
General
1.
Audit for Fiscal year Ending June 30, 2009
2.
Budgetary Transfers
3.
Penncrest High School, Glenwood elementary School and Rose
Tree Elementary School – Roof Replacement Professional
Services
4.
Contract with Dr. Peter Christie
5.
Contract with the Devereux Foundation Education Program
6.
Contract with the Devereux Kanner Center
7.
Contract with the Timothy School
8.
Speech and Language Therapy Agreement Addendum
9.
School Board Policy #606 Waiver – 2008-09 Lien List
Advertisement
Financials for January 2010
Bill lists for January 2010
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mrs. Fronduti seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION:
2009 – 2010 – 87
Resolve, that the Board approve the following Finance section:
X.
Finance
A.
Purchasing
1.
Bid Award
Recommend the following bids be awarded in the categories
listed, such recommendation being the lowest bid received from a
responsible bidder, kind, quality and materials having been
considered.
Rohrer Bus Sales for 1 – 48 Passenger Wheelchair School Bus
Rohrer Bus Sales for 3 – 48 Passenger School Buses
Rohrer Bus Sales for 2 – 72 Passenger School Buses
Total Award
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
10
$ 93,290.00
$227,420.00
$159,380.00
$480,090.00
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X.
Finance
B.
General
1.
Audit for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009
Further resolve, that the Board accept the results of the audit for
Fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. Barbacane Thornton &
Company – Pam Baker, CPA, presented the results of the audit
for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2009, at the February 22, 2010,
Finance Committee Meeting.
2.
Budgetary Transfers
Rose Tree Media School District Policy #612…(Public School
code section 609) when funds are not available for a proposed
appropriation, a legal transfer from one class of expenditure to
another may be made in the last nine (9) months of the fiscal year
by the board.
Further resolve, that the Board approve the following Budgetary
Transfers:
Budgetary Transfers
FY 10-13 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Budgetary Reserve
$45,000
TO:
Maintenance and Operations – Replacement
Equipment
$45,000
AMOUNT:
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to replace dump truck.
FY 10-14 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Special Education - Salaries
$15,000
TO:
AMOUNT:
Special Education - Contracted Services
$15,000
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the cost of contracted
speech services for students while a teacher is on unpaid leave.
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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X.
Finance
B.
General
2.
Budgetary Transfers (contd.)
FY 10-15 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Instructional - Supplies
$3,950.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instructional-Equipment
$3,950.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the cost of a laminator
and to replace Gym mats.
FY 10-16 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Athletics - Supplies
$3,840.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Athletics- New Equipment
$3,840.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the cost of new football
jerseys.
3.
Penncrest High School, Glenwood Elementary School, and Rose
Tree Elementary School - Roof Replacement Professional
Services
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract in the amount
of $33,000 with Roofing Resources for roof replacements at
Various Schools in the District. See Attachment C
4.
Contract with Dr. Peter Christie
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract for Dr. Peter
Christie to provide consultative services needed to complete
ACCESS processing during the 2009-2010 school year. The cost
of each review will be $25.00.
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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X.
Finance
B.
General (contd)
5.
Contract with the Devereux Foundation Education Program
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract for student MI
to receive educational services at the Devereux Foundation
Education Program for the 2009-2010 School Year. Services
include basic psychiatric intervention, psychological services,
room and board and related services. The student is in need of
this intensive programming as indicated on her IEP. The cost is
$170.00/day.
6.
Contract with the Devereux Kanner Center
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract for
student TD to receive educational services at the Devereux
Kanner Center for a specified period of time during the
2009-2010 School Year. The student is in need of one to
one services to address his special needs. The cost is
$30.00/hour for 1:1 Services – 2 hours per session.
7.
Contract with the Timothy School
Further resolve, that the Board approve a contract for three (3)
RTM students - EL, GM and SS – to attend the Timothy School
for the 2009-2010 school year. The tuition cost is $54,000.00 a
year per student. The students have significant disabilities and
are in need of this specialized educational setting to address their
needs.
8.
Speech and Language Therapy Agreement Addendum
Further resolve, that the Board approve the agreement addendum
between Stephanie Gauzza and the Rose Tree Media School
District.
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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X.
Finance
B.
General
9.
School Board Policy 606 Waiver – 2008-09 Lien List
Advertisement
Further resolve, that the school board waive School Board Policy
#606 requirement to advertise the names of property owners in
the school district whose delinquent real estate taxes have been
forwarded to the Delaware County Court House for processing
and collection for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
XI.
John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Nancy
Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy Mackrides, William
Montgomery, William O’Donnell and Jeffrey Pettit
None
Adjournment
Mrs. Fronduti moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION:
2009 – 2010 - 88
Resolve, that there being no further business to come before the Board,
the meeting was adjourned.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Nancy
Fronduti, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy Mackrides, William
Montgomery, William O’Donnell and Jeffrey Pettit
None
II. Legislative Minutes for February held on March 4, 2010
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ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BID OPENING MINUTES
A bid opening was held on March 10, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. in the Education Center,
308 North Olive Street, Media, PA 19063.
Present were: Walt Subers, Bonnett Associates Inc., Dennis Cini, Cini
Construction, Ron Baldino, Supervisor of Maintenance & Operations, and
Grace Eves, School Board Secretary. Thirteen bidders attended.
Bids in the following categories were opened and read by Dennis Cini:
HVAC & Electrical Improvements to Various Schools in District
Electrical Construction
HVAC Mechanical Construction
AJM Electric, Inc.
Chester Township, PA
AQM
Exton, PA
AQM, Inc.
Exton, PA
Cook’s Service Company, Inc.
Avondale, PA 19311
Arrell & Snow
Kennett Square, PA
Devine Brothers, Inc.
Media, PA
C.A.D . Electric, Inc.
Rose Valley, PA
FS Mechanical
Pipersville, PA
Cook’s Service Company, Inc.
Avondale, PA 19311
Gaudelli Brothers, Inc.
Millville, NJ
McGoldrick Electric, Inc.
Havertown, PA
GEM Mechanical Services, Inc.
Media, PA
Edward J. Meloney, Inc.
Media, PA
Bids will be tabulated and presented to the Board of School Directors.
________________
Grace A. Eves
Board Secretary
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BID OPENING MINUTES
A bid opening was held on March 10, 2010, at 4:00 p.m. at Springton Lake
Middle School, 1900 N. Providence Road, Media, PA 19063.
Present were: Bonnett Associates Inc., D’Huy Engineering, Eagle Industrial
Hygiene, Dennis Cini, Cini Construction, Ron Baldino, Supervisor of Maintenance
& Operations, and Grace Eves, School Board Secretary.
Bids in the following categories were opened and read by Dennis Cini:
Bids for various contracts for the Springton Lake Middle School Project.
Single Prime Contract Bids
Bob Smith Contractors, Inc.
West Grove, PA 19390
Boro Developers, Inc.
King of Prussia, PA
E. R. Stuebner, Inc.
Reading, PA
General Contract Bids
Wohlsen Construction Company
Lancaster, PA
Ernest Bock
Philadelphia, PA
Bob Smith Contractors, Inc.
West Grove, PA
Gordon Baver
Pennsburg, PA
Boro Developers, Inc.
King of Prussia, PA
Penn Builders, Inc.
Quakertown, PA
Thomas Carney
Langhorne, PA
E. R. Struebner, Inc.
Reading, PA
Electrical Contract Bids
Mechanical Contract Bids
Boro Developers, Inc.
King of Prussia, PA
Landmark Services
Bethlehem, PA
Landmark Services
Bethlehem, PA
MBR Construction Services, Inc.
Reading, PA
Brendan Stanton, Inc
Montgomeryville, PA
Delcard Associates, Inc.
New Castle, DE
C.A.D. Electric
Rose Valley, PA
Dolan Mechanical, Inc.
Sicklerville, NJ
Wm. H. Clinger Corporation
Concordville, PA
Edward Maloney, Inc.
Lansdowne, PA
Electri-Tech, Inc.
Dorothy, NJ
The Farfield Company
Lititz, PA
The Farfield Company
Lititz, PA
FS Mechanical
Pipersville, PA
Alfred J. Fry, III, Inc.
West Chester, PA
Five Star, Inc.
West Chester, PA
Goldhorn Electrical Construction, Inc.
Aston, PA
Gaudelli Bros., Inc.
Millville, NJ
Gooseworks, Inc.
East Petersburg, PA
Gem Mechanical Services, Inc.
Glen Mills, PA
J. R. Metzger
Aston, PA
Guy M. Cooper, Inc.
Willow Grove, PA
Pagoda Electrical, Inc.
Reading, PA
JBM Mechanical Inc.
Nazareth, PA
Ray Angelini, Inc.
Sewell, NJ
Boro Developers, Inc.
King of Prussia, PA
Wescott Electric Company
Glen Riddle, PA
Plumbing Contract Bids
Apex Plumbing and Heating
Philadelphia, PA
Vision Mechanical
West Reading, PA
Domenic DiDonato Plumbing
and Heating, Inc.
Wilmington, DE
Dolan Mechanical, Inc.
Sicklerville, NJ
Edward J. Maloney, Inc.
Lansdowne, PA
FS Mechanical
Pipersville, PA
Five Star, Inc.
West Chester, PA
JBM Mechanical Inc.
Nazareth, PA
Integrity Mechanical, Inc.
Plumsteadville, PA
Jay R. Reynolds, Inc.
Willow Street, PA
Vision Mechanical
West Reading, PA
Grace A. Eves
Board Secretary
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BID OPENING MINUTES
A bid opening was held on March 17, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. in the Education Center,
308 North Olive Street, Media, PA 19063.
Present were: Gus Houtman, GD Houtman & Sons, Inc., Dennis Cini, Cini
Construction, Ron Baldino, Supervisor of Maintenance & Operations, and
Grace Eves, School Board Secretary. Eight bidders attended.
Bids in the following categories were opened and read by Dennis Cinni:
Penncrest High School Athletic Field Drainage Improvements
Brookside Landscape Design, Inc.
Aston, PA
Chester County Site Contractors
Glenmoore, PA
D. Malloy Paving, Inc.
Downingtown, PA
Gessler Construction Company, Inc.
Media, PA
Innovative Construction Services, Inc.
Folcroft, PA
JJD Contracting, LLC
Aston, PA
JMC Contractors, Inc.
Glen Mills, PA
Lechmanik, Inc.
West Chester, PA
Bids will be tabulated and presented to the Board of School Directors.
________________
Grace A. Eves
Board Secretary
III.
Presentations and Awards
A.
Girls’ Track State Champions
Resolve, that the Board award the following Girls’ Track State
Champions the Rose Tree Media Award.
Background
On March 6, 2010, at Penn State University, the following
Penncrest High School girls placed in the State Championships:
Grace Chang – 13th in 3000 meter, Kayla Graves – 13th in Long
Jump and 9th place in 4 x 200 relay along with Samantha
Finsterbush, Allie Vanzant and Sabrina Barbieri. Coaches: Mike
Clark and John Lohn.
B.
Boys’ Track State Champions
Resolve, that the Board award the following Boys’ Track State
Champions the Rose Tree Media Award.
Background
On March 6, 2010, at Penn State University, the following
Penncrest High School boys placed in the State Championships:
Matt Bundy – 2nd in 60 meter Hurdles (school record) Matt placed
9th in the US. Tres Moore – 3rd in 800 meters (school record) Tres
placed 18th in the US. Matt Bundy, Craig Cassey, Ali Dastagirzada,
Colin Myers and Tres Moore – 6th place in 4 x 400 relay - #2 in
school history. Craig Cassey, Pat Miller, Ryan Bushey, and Tres
Moore – 6th place in 4 x 800 relay - #2 in school history. Tres Moor
was selected for the 2010 All State Track and Field Team in the
800 meters race and Matt Bundy was selected for the 2010 All
State Track and Field Team in the 60 Meter Hurdles. Coaches:
George Munro and Rob Brown.
III. Presentations and Awards
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3/25/2010
III.
Presentations and Awards
A.
Girls’ Track State Champions
Resolve, that the Board award the following Girls’ Track State
Champions the Rose Tree Media Award.
Background
On March 6, 2010, at Penn State University, the following
Penncrest High School girls placed in the State Championships:
Grace Chang – 13th in 3000 meter, Kayla Graves – 13th in Long
Jump and 9th place in 4 x 200 relay along with Samantha
Finsterbush, Allie Vanzant and Sabrina Barbieri. Coaches: Mike
Clark and John Lohn.
B.
Boys’ Track State Champions
Resolve, that the Board award the following Boys’ Track State
Champions the Rose Tree Media Award.
Background
On March 6, 2010, at Penn State University, the following
Penncrest High School boys placed in the State Championships:
Matt Bundy – 2nd in 60 meter Hurdles (school record) Matt placed
9th in the US. Tres Moore – 3rd in 800 meters (school record) Tres
placed 18th in the US. Matt Bundy, Craig Cassey, Ali Dastagirzada,
Colin Myers and Tres Moore – 6th place in 4 x 400 relay - #2 in
school history. Craig Cassey, Pat Miller, Ryan Bushey, and Tres
Moore – 6th place in 4 x 800 relay - #2 in school history. Tres Moor
was selected for the 2010 All State Track and Field Team in the
800 meters race and Matt Bundy was selected for the 2010 All
State Track and Field Team in the 60 Meter Hurdles. Coaches:
George Munro and Rob Brown.
III. Presentations and Awards
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3/25/2010
Presentations and Awards
C.
Wrestling State Qualifier – William Resnick
Resolve, that the Board award Wil Resnick the Rose Tree Media
Award for his record in the State Wrestling tournament.
Background
William Resnick is the Penncrest High School Wrestling State
Qualifier and Medalist. He came in 7th place in the State. Wil has
placed in the State Championships for the last three years. This
accomplishment is a record for the high school. Wil is the District
Champion, he was selected for the 1st Team All Central League, 1st
Team All Deco and he was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler.
D.
Boys’ Basketball Central League Champions
Resolve, that the Board award the following basketball team
members the Rose Tree Media Award.
Background
The 2009-2010 Boys’ Basketball Team are the Central League
Champions, they placed in the District Quarter Finalists, and were
State Qualifiers. They ended their season with a 24-6 record.
Team members include: Matt Atkinson, Matt Bundy, Ian Campbell,
Rodney Duncan, Brandon Jacquette, Andrew Radomicki, Brandon
Rogers, Chris Sell, Jimmy Allen, Andy Ayars, Ben Davis, Tom
Filson, Alex Graham, Alex Mercer, and John Ohm. Andrew
Radomicki was selected as the Central League MVP. Managers
include Mike Manganiello and Frank Welde. Coaches: Michael
Doyle, Jason Ritter, Bob Higgins, Steve Chicano, Nick Meehan and
David Boettcher.
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alike are thrilled to share in the fun, learning-filled activities included in this new unit of
study.
Second Grade
Second Grade celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday by enjoying great books! Students
snuggled up to read a good book with a pillow and blanket. Mrs. Grace-Green's class
read their favorite Dr. Seuss books, comparing with their classmates. Mrs. Lutz's class
practiced reading books and responding to the text with fun reports. After studying a
variety of Dr. Seuss books independently and hearing from guest readers, Mrs. Martin's
class wrote their own version of a Dr. Seuss book, using rhyme. Miss McDevitt's class
wore pajamas for the occasion, practicing their comprehension skills in comfort. The
second graders shared a love of reading on Read Across America Day.
Third grade
In March, we celebrated Read Across America by having a spirit week. Each day during
the week, students wore something different to show their love of books. Also, during
the week, students wrote down their favorite books. These favorite books were then
shared on grade level posters so others could find books that they, too, might like.
Fourth Grade
Glenwood’s fourth grade performed at the Celebration of Music assembly this month as
a way to celebrate Music in our School Month. The students showcased the many
things the students have been doing in music this year including singing, playing the
recorders, and dancing. The students have been learning about microscopes and
Motion and Design (early physics) in science. Students are also working in small
groups in reading and have been enjoying several great novels including Frindle, Mouse
and the Motorcycle, The Lightning Thief, The Janitor’s Boy, Stone Fox, The Report
Card, Alice in Wonderland, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Several fourth
graders participated in a writing contest where they were asked to write and illustrate a
twenty page children’s book. Good luck to all that entered!
Fifth Grade
Glenwood's Junior Optimist club held a t-shirt sale to benefit a local shelter. The shirts
commemorate the blizzards of 2010 and were designed by two fifth grade students. The
optimist club members shared information with other students about the shirts and
collected orders for them. The shirts will be produced through Penncrest High School's
graphic design department with all proceeds benefiting a shelter in Media serving those
who are less fortunate. Students shared the design along with other activities they have
been involved in with the RTM chapter of the Optimist Club at a breakfast meeting in
March.
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INDIAN LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students at Indian Lane have been observing the weather together. The
children made flags to detect the wind, created cotton ball cloud pictures, graphed the
daily weather, and recorded the daily temperature. "March roars in like a lion...and out
like a lamb"; or does it? Kindergarten students will find out!
First Grade
The first graders participated in the Media NAACP's African American History poster
contest. The children created unique posters which highlighted what they had learned
from their research. Indian Lane was pleased to discover that the winner was from
Indian Lane---Zoe Spielman!
The first grade also celebrated Dr. Seuss Day. The
children participated in various activities. I think their favorite activity, however, was
experiencing Oobleck. This gooey green concoction has the starring role in Dr. Seuss’
Bartholomew and the Oobleck. In Social Studies, we are studying mapping. The
children are participating in a special project and are very excited about it. They are
mailing a famous “flat little friend” named Stanley to someone they know. Then, when
Stanley is returned, we will get to learn all about that region of the world.
Second Grade
Mrs. Durant’s kindergarten class and their second grade reading buddies from Mrs.
Ford’s class celebrated Read Across America together by reading Dr. Suess books to
each other. They sat and read a book, in a cozy nook they read their book and it took
just one look in that nook to see they loved their book! Mr. Frank was a guest reader for
Mrs. Ford’s second graders in the afternoon with his hilarious rendition of The Foot
Book. The students had a fun day full of reading for the love of reading.
Fourth Grade
4th Grade classes are traveling back in Pennsylvania History with the Passport to
History Program. We had a fabulous presentation by Karyn Confer about the program,
and a historical demonstration and craft of how to make a five pointed star with one
snip, like Betsy Ross. We also participated in a field trip to the Hedgerow Theater for a
historical discussion about the building, turned into a theater in 1923. Lastly, we
headed to Pennsylvania Institute of Technology for a Pennsylvania History Play. The
Hedgerow Theater company performed a Play called "Women of Many Colors". This
play brought to life some of the opportunities and struggles that 7 women, Indian
Hannah, Armegot Printz Papegoya, Lydia Wade, Hannah Penn, Margaret Hendrickson,
Polly Frazer and Harriet Tubman, of the generations before us encountered here in
Pennsylvania. The play followed and brought to life many of the things that we are
learning about in our Social Studies curriculum. It was truly a local PA history learning
experience.
Mid-Winter Family Festival
On Friday, February 19th, Indian Lane held their first Mid-Winter Festival and Silent
Auction. The night featured delicious food with a carnival flavor and games for kids of
all ages. There were competitions, face painting, a moon bounce and many fun prizes
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for everyone. For grownups, there was a silent auction with tickets to sporting events
and restaurant gift certificates among other exciting items and some amazing raffle
prizes as well. This event was sponsored by the PTG and almost $7,000.00 was raised
to benefit Indian Lane. Through the organization of this event, the social connections
within our community have strengthened and grown immensely. We are truly blessed to
have such wonderful people be a part of our community. Special thanks go to the ILES
families, teachers, sponsors, and area businesses who generously donated the auction
items that were up for bid. It is clear that everyone had the school’s interest at heart.
Reading Olympics
Our second Reading Olympics team is in place! This year, 4th and 5th grade
students will have the opportunity to represent Indian Lane at the Reading Olympics on
the night of Wednesday, May 10, 2010. To prepare for the competition, team members
will read 5-7 books, write about they are reading, meet monthly to discuss what they
have read, and blog about the books on our Librarian (Mrs. Crow) website.
Pride Assembly
This month’s Pride Assembly recognized accomplishments by our Second grade
students in our 100 Book Challenge. In addition, we also recognized our Bobcat
Citizens of the Month and our Shining Stars.
MEDIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
“Excellence” Awarded
Second grade teacher, Brenda Millette, was selected for the Delaware County
Excellence in Teaching Award for the Rose Tree Media School District. This
prestigious award is given by The Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and the Delaware
County Intermediate Unit. Ms. Millette will be honored on April 29 at the annual Partners
in Learning Celebration held at The Drexelbrook Corporate Events Center.
Fourth grader Abigail Kleiman was selected to receive an Excellence in Youth Award
presented by The Delaware County Office of Employment and Training. The Youth
Awards serve as a forum to honor children who make significant contributions to their
school and community. Abigail was nominated by principal Maria Kotch for her Cookies
for the Cure project. Last year when she found out that her teacher, Robin Smith, had
cancer, Abigail felt the need to do something. She knew that she could not find a cure
for cancer, but she was sure that she could do something to help. Mrs. Smith approved
the project. Abigail designed a special cookie and began to take orders. Abby sold over
1000 cookies and, ultimately, raised $1142 that was donated to The American Cancer
Society. Abigail is going to be one of the keynote speakers at RTM’s Relay for Life.
Media School submitted more than fifty entries to the NAACP Annual Black History
Poster Contest. Four of our young artists were recognized at the Awards Ceremony
held at The Media Community Center on Saturday. February 20. Michael Goolsby
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(grade 5) and Lauryn Crawford (grade 2) received first place awards, Louis Silvestri
received second place, and Charlie Simpson was in third place. The Media School
Mustang Chorale, under the direction of Jeanette Verdeur, and fourth grader Joshua
Mason (steel drum) performed at the ceremony. It was truly a Media School event. Each
of the winners received a plaque or a trophy presented by Senator Dominic Pileggi. Mrs.
Kotch, Mr. Goldfarb (grade 5) and Mrs. Echeverria (reading) also attended the event.
Check our Mr. Goldfarb’s website where he scanned his class entries and created a
blog to display them. Mrs. Kotch was also honored to attend the Media Area NAACP
Membership Luncheon on Saturday, February 27.
Fifth grader, Kenyon Wicks, performed in The Media Theatre’s 14th Annual Gala.
Kenyon reported that the most exciting part of the evening was that he was picked up in
a limousine. Mrs. Kotch also had a “stint” at The Media Theatre. She had a guest role
on Saturday, March 6, in The Putnam County Spelling Bee, the musical that is currently
playing at the theatre.
Featured artists of the month: Jaden Horsfield (“Northern Lights”), Gigi Samson (“Young
Rembrandt”), Lucie LeBourgeois (“Crazy Quilt Textures”), and Josh Troilo (“Willow
Pattern”). Their work is featured in the school office. Stop by and check it out.
Pennies for Peace
Media School has a brand new Junior Optimist Club. The club is facilitated by librarian
Jackie Matusow and community volunteer Doug Williamson. The club recently received
its charter at an Optimist Club breakfast meeting. Mrs. Matusow, Mr. Williamson, Mrs.
Kotch and some of our fourth grade members were delighted to attend.
At the meeting, the children presented their service project, Pennies for Peace.
Pennies for Peace is a program of The Central Asia Institute (CAI) founded by Greg
Mortensen, author of Three Cups of Tea. CAI provides community based education
and literacy programs, especially for girls, in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
One might ask, “How can a penny buy peace?” In our culture a penny doesn’t buy
much. However in the villages of Afghanistan and Pakistan, a penny can buy a pencil,
start an education, and transform a life.
Reporter Bette Alburger covered our “kick off” of the Pennies for Peace campaign for
The Daily Times. A few days later she dropped off a bag of pennies with the following
note: “I’ve been picking up pennies one at a time for the past twelve years, ever since I
lost my only sister to cancer. I heard that every penny found is “a penny from heaven.”
Since (my sister) was an elementary school teacher, it seems appropriate that these
pennies should be added to your Pennies for Peace collection.”
Members of The Optimist Club also got us off to an excellent start with a donation of
more than $100.
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Read Across America Day
Reading is one of our core community values which is one reason that READ ACROSS
AMERICA Day is always so special for us .This year we decorated our doors using the
artwork from multicultural books- giant book jackets, if you will. Penncrest students,
accompanied by Mrs. Cynthia Garvin came over to be guest readers for our primary
grade classrooms. They met in the library, saw a video about reading, and went out in
pairs to meet with the children. We’re not sure who enjoyed it more. First graders
rotated through the four classrooms to complete Seuss-related activities including
making oobleck (yuck!). In the afternoon, we had an all school assembly that featured
actors from The Freedom Theatre performing “Grandma’s Suitcase.” Read Across
America is an NEA sponsored event. We were able to print bookmarks and signs from
their web site. Our events were coordinated by librarian Jackie Matusow and teacher
Sue Williamson.
Student Led Conferences
Grade four teachers prepared their students for student led conferences. Students
reflected on work completed throughout the school year. In each subject area, students
identified skills that they were pleased with, described their progress, and created a
short term goal to achieve it. Students also commented on behavior and on how they
best learn in the classroom. Each student met with their teacher and their parents to
share a portfolio of their work. Both the children and the parents were asked to reflect,
in writing, on the results.
One of the parents took the time to email Mrs. Kotch with her observations on the
experience: “We had some apprehension going into this process and M. was very
nervous about it. I have to say it was a great experience for her. I think the process of
thinking and doing a critical self assessment of your strengths is a great process…self
assessment is something every employer asks employees to do annually…I encourage
the school to support this process.”
Art Update
Art teacher Jana Maxwell attended a workshop for teachers at The Philadelphia
Museum of Art where she purchased a new teaching kit titled, “Philadelphia Art: From
Colony to Nation.” Activities and posters in the kit will enhance our fourth and fifth grade
art and social studies curriculum. She also traveled to The Baltimore Museum of Art for
a “Learning from Cezanne” workshop. Techniques learned there will help our first and
second grade art studies.
Media Food Bank
We asked parents to donate a non-perishable food item when they came to parentteacher conferences. We were able to deliver five large boxes to The Media Food Bank
which is always in need. Our contact there is a former student, Paul Mickle-Baker.
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PTG Events
Despite all the bad weather, our PTG planned a number of fun events including a very
successful BINGO night, a Dining Out Night (at Quotations in Media) and a music
assembly (Auricolae , “Folktales, Fairytales, and Fables,” sponsored by Musicopia).
ROSE TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Academically Gifted Program
The AGP students have begun some new and exciting units. The third graders have
been examining various forms of renewable energy and even took a trip to the SAP
building to see their new “Green” building. The fourth graders have been working on a
roller coaster simulation as well as trying out various racing contraptions made from
things such as mousetraps, hamburger cartons, and bananas. The fifth grade students
have been researching natural disasters and have found a plethora of events to choose
from of late. They are analyzing where on the Earth is the safest place to live. The
enrichment students in second grade made ice cream as a culminating event on solids,
liquids, and gases. The first grade students finished their work on Black History Month
activities.
Reading
March has been a great month for reading! First graders read about seahorses and
collected “very important facts” about marine life. Second graders worked on the
concept of cause and effect, while the third and fourth grades practiced making
inferences and drawing conclusions. In fifth grade, a group of students discussed the
responsibilities of an individual in society as they read Lois Lowry’s award-winning novel
Number the Stars.
First Grade
First grade celebrated Read Across America Day this month, wearing their crazy socks
and reading all the Dr. Seuss books they could find. First grade students also exercised
their math muscles with their own version of March Madness. Every day the students
took two timed math fact tests, one in addition and one in subtraction. They graphed
their results and took great pride in their achievements. The children challenged
themselves to increase their scores throughout the month. First graders have begun
their science unit in organisms and are excited about their new friends the guppies and
mealworms!
Third Grade
To commemorate Black History Month, students in third grade researched and
presented a project on African American Inventors. Students chose an inventor from a
list provided and then prepared a project selected from a menu of activities. They used
library resources, online resources, reference materials, and books to complete their
projects. While some students chose to work on a traditional research paper or
timeline, other showed their creativity making models, bulletin boards, Powerpoints and
even writing original songs. In addition to including the standard information, the
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students were asked to consider the impact of the invention on society.
graders put much effort and thought into these projects.
The third
Fifth Grade
Students in grade five studied the topic of slavery in social studies. The chapter
included the history of slavery in western Africa, the Middle Passage trip that slaves
took from Africa, and the life of a slave once in America. Students participated in a
simulation activity that reenacted their life aboard a slave ship. Students wrote their
thoughts and feelings about what they had learned as part of the assessment, and
many of their ideas were amazingly insightful. As an additional task, students could visit
three websites that showed interactive slave auctions and a trip on the Underground
Railroad.
Music
Allison Cavanagh, Aliya Kalman, and McKenzie Lewis represented Rose Tree
Elementary school at the Elementary Chorus Festival hosted by Wallingford
Swarthmore School District at Strath Haven High School. A wonderful concert was
presented that evening by 150 fifth grade students from 35 surrounding school districts.
During “Music in our Schools” month, fourth and fifth grade students competed in a
Music Olympics tournament to earn gold, silver and bronze medals. A special medal
awards assembly was held at the end of March. Medal winners performed their songs
for the entire school at the awards assembly.
SPRINGTON LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Seventh Annual Fund Raiser, Hoops for Hope, organized by Seventh Grade
Science Teacher Andy Virtue, was held. More than 400 students, staff, parents and
guests watched a wild game that saw the staff prevail this year 85-83. We raised
$2,100 for Hoops for Hope.
Seventh grader Nicole Schulman collected 125 jeans from the SLMS community---many
thanks!! Because of your generosity and Nicole's efforts, Aeropostale matched our
number and 250 pairs of jeans will be sent to Haiti. If you still want to donate jeans, you
can take them to any Aeropostale store.
Art
Sixth grade students in Ms. Sycz’s classes are applying color to their nature drawings
using dry pastel and colored pencil. Grade seven students have begun making
armature for their sculpture unit which involves creating clay heads showcasing some
type of head covering. Eighth grade students have begun sculpting the human figure.
Mrs. Going’s sixth Graders have begun work on The Element of Form! All students will
develop a three dimensional sculpture -in- the- round and a relief sculpture. Each
assignment is based on the history of The Aztecs in Mexico or The Zuni Native
American Tribe in the south west. Seventh grades are actively working on the Element
of Space and One Point Linear Perspective with the development of Block Letters. This
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is all being incorporated into an original composition. Eighth Grades are immersed in
ceramics and happily building their clay figures based on the history of
Renaissance master, Michelangelo.
Mrs. Prior will host student teacher, Ms. Jodi Davidson, from The University of the Arts
from now until May.
Library
LaVerne Motley, Winnie Host and Jackie Matusow presented at the February induction
meeting for new teachers. After a brief presentation about using our 24/7 library
management system to search for books, create booklists, save materials in categories
for future use, and a demonstration of how to use the system to search for materials by
standards, teachers met in small groups for a hands-on session to explore grade levelappropriate RTM online resources.
Librarians met the afternoon of February 12 to prepare for our 2nd annual Poem in Your
Pocket Week which is scheduled for April 26- May 1. Winnie Host sent letters to local
businesses, LaVerne Motley worked on 2010 flyers, and the elementary librarians reexamined the pocket poems we used last year discarding ones they felt had not been
well received and replacing them with new ones. Springton aide Angela Repice has
since replaced the new poems and they are now ready to go to the printer.
Mrs. Motley completed a unit on online resources with the six grade language arts
classes. All of these classes participated in a scavenger hunt in which they had to find
the answers to questions using only the RTM online databases. Prizes were awarded
in each class for those students who finished first and had all of the answers correct.
Pictures of the winners are posted on Mrs. Motley’s web page.
During the month every language arts class came to the library for a PowerPoint and
book talks to introduce the work of our visiting author Jordan Sonnenblick, who is
scheduled to appear for three grade level presentation on March 3. Books were
available in the library, as well as for each L.A. classroom so that students had a
chance to read in preparation for his visit. Mr. Sonnenblick’s book, Drums, Girls and
Dangerous Pie, received the Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award for grades 68 for the 2008-2009 school year. Mrs. Motley also read Dodger and Me, one of his
books for a slightly younger audience, to Hemenway’s Life Skills class during the
month.
Mr. Nixon’s seventh grade students completed a research project in which they focused
on 19th Century reformers – e.g., those who promoted abolition of slavery, women’s
rights, reforms to education and the prison system – as they approach their study of the
Civil War.
Math
In sixth grade math students are currently working on the properties of geometrical
shapes and angle measurement. We have just completed a project on symmetry,
where students designed symmetrical flags based on size, shape, design and color. All
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of the flags have been prominently displayed in the classroom to create a beautiful
mosaic around the room. In seventh grade, students are continuing with the Comparing
and Scaling Unit. The goal of the unit is to prepare students for making comparisons
between quantities of like units; comparing ratios, percents, and fractions; writing and
using rates; and making sense of proportions. The students worked on creating
comparisons in four different forms: ratios, fractions, percents, and as differences. The
eighth grade math classes address quite a bit each class period. Students complete a
Problem of the Day which reflects a PSSA problem. A Problem of the Week models
PSSA open-ended-questions. Currently, students are also completing packets of PSSA
review materials. Vocabulary - drawn from the PSSA glossary; the Academic
Vocabulary compiled by Ms. Kathy White, the building assistant principal, and the
“Twelve Powerful Words;” the curricular vocabulary; and, terminology used in those
Problems of the Day and Problems of the Week - is highlighted on “word walls” and
through review quizzes.
Seventh and eights grade classes using the eighth grade Connected Math curriculum
have been exploring exponential relationships. These are compared to the linear and
inverse relationships covered earlier this year. Once the type of relationship has been
identified, students are able to write equations and make predictions. In addition to
these “newer” skills, previously-learned related skills are reviewed, reinforced and
applied in new ways. These skills involve expressing values standard, exponential and
expanded forms and converting extremely large and extremely small values in scientific
notation. These skills are referenced in Pennsylvania State 8th grader Assessment
Anchors 2.1 and 3.1. Eighth students in Algebra I are completing a unit on exploring
quadratics. They had plenty of practice on factoring quadratic equations in order to find
the solution of each quadratic equation. Eighth grade students enrolled in the geometry
course are currently studying properties of circles (chords, secants, tangents, central
and inscribed angles, arcs, congruencies, inscribed and intercepted arcs and inscribed
polygons). These students, who are taking 10th grade geometry in 8th grade, earned a
mean average score of 91% on the midterm, which is written by the high school
geometry teachers. Ms. Stefanie Miller and Mr. Lawrence Twiss each teach a geometry
section.
Music
Sixth grade general music classes are enjoying “hands on” experiences as they study
musical instruments such as a drum set and guitar. Students in seventh and eighth
grade general music combined computer skills with music downloads, MP3 players, and
iPods to present projects concerning “Songs That Communicate.” The District 12
PMEA String Fest was held at Baldi Middle School. The following students represented
Springton Lake Middle School: Eighth Graders Jacob Tylek, Adam Hosier, Alyson
Campbell, Gabriel Bury, Meilin Else, Rachel Meil, Tyler Talarico, and Andrew Shores;
Seventh Graders Rachel Rex, Alex Sredenschele, Caroline Weathers, Francesca
Krivitsky, and Michael Chang. The District 12 PMEA Choral Festival was held at Penns
Grove Middle School. Participants from Springton Lake included Saleem Carpenter,
Rebecca Engle, Justin Henry, Samantha Opitz, Sarah Lippman, Rachel Cotton, and
Rachel Le. Rose Tree Media School District hosted this year’s Elementary Band Fest
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at Penncrest High School.
Organized by SLMS director Alan Reno and elementary
instrumental instructors Jonathan Boyle and Andy Bugosh, over 120 students joined
together for a day of rehearsals and an evening concert. Guest conductor Lawrence
Loh from Pittsburgh was quoted as saying, “This was one of the best festivals in which I
was privileged to participate.”
Special Education
Eighth-grade teachers have been working with the guidance department, Penncrest
High School personnel, and Mrs. Horan to ensure that students are registered for the
appropriate courses for the 2010-2011 school year. In particular, we have put a special
focus on those students who should sign up for the new literacy electives at Penncrest.
Mrs. Horan and Mr. Brown have been gathering fluency and decoding data on children
with IEPs in grades 5-7. The data will be used to identify students who may need direct
instruction in these areas at Springton Lake. Case managers have submitted data for
students needing Extended School Year (ESY) services to Dr. Barta and Mr. Brown.
Students will be assigned to either a 1:1 tutor or a small-group instructional setting,
depending on student needs as identified by the IEP team. Case managers have
provided Mrs. Harrison and Mr. Brown with information on student PSSA
accommodations. Students will be assigned to the most appropriate test setting based
on IEP provisions as well as teacher and parent recommendations.
PENNCREST HIGH SCHOOL
Hi-Q News
The Penncrest Hi-Q team successfully defended its title this month, winning the Hi-Q
championship for the second consecutive year. The final score of the contest:
Penncrest 60, Garnet Valley 45, and Haverford 41. On behalf of his team, Coach
Ludwig thanks the administration, teachers, and especially the students for their
enthusiastic and untiring support of his team's endeavors. Congratulations to Captains
Jennifer Walker and Katie Ferguson and our Hi-Q team: Jackson Buttery, Nick Calabro,
Neil Campbell, Isabel Janmey, Nick Kandrak, Sarah McKeown, Barbara Munin, Danielle
Su, and Alek Korzeniowski.
American High School Mathematics Exam
Adeeb Minhaj (12th Grade) has qualified to participate in the second round of the
American Math Contest known as the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME).
Students scoring in the top 5% throughout the country qualify to move on to the AIME.
Language Arts News
Two Penncrest Oral Communications students, Michael Angelina and Christine Sowa,
are participating in the KYW Newstudies program for area high school students.
Students in the program spend six Saturday mornings at this high school "internship"
program learning about the news business from the reporters, editors, news directors,
and producers of KYW 1060 AM and CBS 3 Eyewitness News. At the end of the six
weeks, the students will write and record a brief story that will air on KYW and be
posted to the station's web site. The students will also be eligible for a college
School Reports
11
3/25/2010
scholarship and a longer summer internship at the station. Oral Communications
students recently completed a class assignment writing and recording Public Service
Announcements (PSA’s). The announcements were created to help promote the
upcoming Relay for Life event and Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. The class will
work with the Relay for Life organizers, their publicity committee, and two local child
advocacy groups (to ensure accuracy of the announcements) with the goal of sending
several PSA's to local broadcasters.
Science Department News
The Penncrest Science Olympiad team won the Southeast Regional competition this
month. Gold medals were won in the following events: anatomy/physiology, astronomy,
mousetrap car, mission possible, egg-o-naut, and the timer. The team moves on to the
state finals on April 30, at Juniata College.
World Language News
Andrew Belfiglio and Jackson Buttery are receiving a Certificate of Merit for excellent
achievement on the 2009 - 2010 National German Examination. This award is being
presented by the American Association of Teachers of German at the Cannstatter
Volksfest Verein in Philadelphia. Deutschfest 2010 took place this month at the
Diamond Ridge Conference Center in Jamison, PA (Bucks County). Three German II
students (Donovan Baker, Nicholas Caligiuri, and Laura Masse) represented Penncrest
High School in the following individual competitions: Spelling, Vocabulary, Poem
Recitation, Writing, and General Knowledge as well as school competitions in school
cheer and banner. Selected World Language students participated in the National
French Exam, National Latin Exam and National Spanish Exam in March. Results are
expected by late April.
Annually, RTM District Contests are administered to every World Language student,
grades 6-12, who compete against their peers enrolled in the same language and level.
The top three students for each language/level (and Honorable Mention, if any) are
invited to receive their awards at the annual World Language Fête in April. We wish a
sincere "Félicitations! or ¡Felicitationes! Vobis gratulamur! or Glückwunsch! to this year's
Penncrest High School winners as follows:
District Contest Results–2010
French I, level 1: 1st place - Glori Seufert, French I, level 2: 1st place -Morgan Richards,
2nd place -Niko Benson, 3rd place - Sabrina Barbieri and Honorable Mention- Joan'an
Pray & Siani Lee. French 2: 1st place – Caroline Kerrigan, 2nd place – Alisa Max, 3rd
place – Danielle Cullen & Brian Murphy and Honorable Mention – Michael Sell. French
II: 1st place - Ryen Radcliff, 2nd place - Carlos Sierra, 3rd place - Sumil Patel, and
Honorable Mention: Amanda Prokop, Nicole Pedrick. French III: 1st-Andy Kaiden &
Sean McLaughlin, 2nd- Lara Rosenberg & Christy Sassaman, and 3rd- Perry Rugen.
French IV: 1st place – Kyle Panzer, 2nd place – Barbara Munin, 3rd place – Anderson
Beck and Honorable Mention – Brooke Morrison, Madison O’Donnell. French V AP:
1st- Colleen McGeehan, 2nd-Christine Sowa and 3rd-Mary Buchanan. Spanish I: 1st
place - Angie Bouikidis, 2nd place - Alex Parkinson, 3rd place - JoAnna Koveal and
Honorable Mention Lauren Son. Spanish 2: 1st place - Ashley Duross, 2nd Place - Allie
School Reports
12
3/25/2010
Lewis, 3rd place - Ken Myers & Lexie Centrone. Special Category: 1st place- Gabriela
Faux.
Music Department News
Congratulations to Penncrest Band members Eddie Sundra, Megan McKernan, and
Kathy Teal for their selection to the PMEA Region Band Festival held this month at
Northeast High School.
Penncrest held its first Jazz Night in March, featuring ensembles from Penncrest and
Springton Lake Middle School with the concert’s closing number accompanied by the
John Blake Quartet.
Art Department News
National Art Honor Society students are sponsoring a blanket/towel/toy drive for the
Delaware County SPCA this month. Collection bins are located in Penncrest’s cafeteria,
and near the band and gym entrances to the building. Donations may be dropped off
during school hours. The group’s goal is to collect 500 blankets/towels/cat and dog toys.
All School Musical
Penncrest presented its all-school musical, The Pajama Game, with a cast, orchestra,
and crew of 80+ students. The ensemble of talented cast members included senior Jon
Friestedt as Sid Sorokin, junior Shea Gaffney as Babe Williams, senior Treś Moore as
Hines, senior Kathy Teal as Gladys, senior Molly Neill as Mabel, and senior Forrest
Shamlian as Hasler.
Read Across America
Penncrest students participated in the NEA's Read Across America activities at Media
Elementary School this month celebrating the joy of reading with kindergarten through
third grades classes. The guest readers donned Dr. Seuss hats and shared a favorite
children's book with delighted audiences promoting the motto, "You're never too old, too
wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child." Special thanks to the Penncrest
students who participated: Vanessa Oliva, Cathryn Courtney, Jelisa Smith, Dakiel Jones,
Jessica Watkins, Cierra Townsend, Brandon Bronson, Courtney Miller, Eric Kim, Maya
Stallings, Rebecca Duross, Jacqui Cadorette, Tara Myer, Jenny Parimeter, Tres Moore,
Amara Droz, Marc Forbes, Kristi Connor, Saleeta Ho-Sang, and Jimmy Clifford.
School Reports
3/25/2010
13
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
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D. Superintendent
From:
Grace A. Eves, Director of Management Services
Date:
March 16, 2010
Subject:
March 16, 2010 – 8:15 PM Finance Committee Minutes
Chairperson: William O’Donnell
_____________________________________________________________________
In attendance: Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Nancy
Mackrides, Bill Montgomery William O’Donnell and Jeff Petit
Also in Attendance: Denise Kerr and Grace Eves
1. Budgetary Transfers
FY 10-17 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
Instruction- New Equipment
AMOUNT:
$7,530.00
TO:
Instruction - Replacement Equipment
AMOUNT:
$7,530.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase a new camcorder for TV production
Class.
FY 10-18 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
Athletics- Dues and Fees
AMOUNT:
$2,000.00
TO: Athletics- Travel
AMOUNT:
$2,000.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover monthly travel costs and travel to states,
Etc.
FY 10-19 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Instruction and Curriculum Development-Supplies
$1,130.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instruction- New Equipment
$1,130.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase two Elmo Document Cameras.
Action: This item will be moved to the March 25th Legislative agenda for
approval.
2. Budgetary Comparison (Attachment)
Expenditures are at 76% and the district has received 90% of its revenue. The
administration will be reviewing federal stimulus funds from the American
Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The administration will be attending several
reporting requirement workshops for ARRA over the next few weeks.
Action: Discussion
3. Exceptions:
The Pennsylvania Department of Education allows districts to raise taxes above
the index without going to referendum provided they qualify for exceptions. Index
for the 09-10 fiscal year was 4.1%. The district did not use the exceptions and
had a tax increase of 2.5%, which is below the index. We qualified for $2.8
million in exceptions. The Index for the 10-11 fiscal year is 2.9%. The district
submitted the Retirement Contribution exception in the amount of $661,121 to
PDE, which equates to slightly more than an additional 1% tax increase. We did
not qualify for any other exception. The exception for retirement will be less for
the 11-12 fiscal year because the PSERS rate increase will be 25%. The
increase between 09/10 and 10/11 is 73%. The retirement increase between the
09-10 and 10-11 fiscal year is greater than the district’s index, which qualifies the
district for the use of the retirement exception.
Action: Discussion
4. Budget Timeline
At the October Finance Committee meeting the committee discussed approving
the budget at the May 27, Legislative Meeting. The committee recommended the
May 27, adoption date. To continue with that schedule the district will need to
adopt a Proposed Final Budget at the April 22, Legislative Meeting. The
Proposed Final Budget will be available for public inspection on May 7, and
public notice of intent to adopt will be May 17. The administration is continuing to
work on the budget. Updated health care and diesel fuel information will be
available at the April 6, DCIU meetings. The administration is reviewing the
stimulus funds.
Action: Discussion
5. Signing Authority
Dr, Kerr recommended a review of the procedure for the approval of small
contracts for miscellaneous services that occur on an annual basis. The school
board president and board secretary are the only two individuals who have
signing authority. The administration will research a formalized signing authority
procedure for these contracts to be signed by the board president and board
secretary.
The next Finance Committee meeting will be held on April 13, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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
___
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D. Superintendent
From:
Grace A. Eves, Director of Management Services
Date:
March 16, 2010
Subject:
March 16, 2010 - 8:45 PM - Operations Committee Agenda
Chairperson: Bill Montgomery
___________________________________________________________________
In attendance: Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna, Nancy Mackrides,
Bill Montgomery William O’Donnell and Jeff Petit
Also in Attendance: Denise Kerr, Grace Eves, Ron Baldino, Dennis Cinni, Brian Ambruster and
Pete Medica from Bonnett Associates, and Henry Guarriello and Joe Slivka from D’Huy
Associates
1. Penn Fields – Plantings
Ron Baldino received pricing on a variety of 24 pine trees. The price range is between $7,800
and $9,000 for all trees.
Action: Discussion
2. 10-11 Capital Projects
Penncrest, Indian Lane, Ed Center – HVAC Improvements to Various Schools
A bid opening was held on March 10, 2010, in the Education Center Board Room.
Construction Contract awards in the total amount of $ 175,230 are recommended as follows:
Contractor
Devine Bros.
Cook’s Service Co.
AJM Electric, Inc.
HVAC
Base Bid #1
HVAC
Base Bid #2
$51,900
HVAC
Base Bid #4
HVAC
Base Bid #5
$51,498
$41,832
ELECTRICAL
Base Bid#3
$20,800
$9,200
Total Budget: $267,500
AQM withdrew their bid for bid packages 1, 2, and 4 due to numerical mistakes/omissions.
The bid opening for the Penn 1 and Penn 3 fields hillside management will be held on
Wednesday, March 17. The administration will contact the board with the results before the
next Legislative meeting.
Action: This item will be moved to the March 25, Legislative Agenda for approval.
3. Springton Lake Middle School Update
Bid results and alternates were reviewed with the follow results:
Contract
Contractor
Base Bid
General Contract
Steubner
$13,187,000
G-1 Athletic Toilet Facility
G-2 Eave soffit panels replacement
G-3 Substitute homogenous tile in corridors/stairs
in lieu of VCT
G-4 Sod in lieu of grass seed inside loop road
G-5 Replace penthouse panels
G-6 Utilized energized fill in lieu of on-site fill
Total:
Grand Total
Alternates
$ 70,000
$130,000
$ 60,000
$ 10,000
$130,000
$ 60,000
$460,000
$13,647,000
Contract
Contractor
Base Bid
Mechanical
Edward Maloney
H-1 Athletic toilet facility
Grand Total:
$6,382,000
Plumbing
Apex
P-1 Athletic toilet facility
Grand Total:
$2,037,000
Electrical
Electri-Tech
Athletic toilet facility
Grand Total:
$4,918,000
Alternates
$10,000
$6,392,000
$46,000
$2,083,000
$56,000
$4,974,000
The committee reviewed the budget, which includes construction costs, alternates,
construction related costs such as asbestos, testing, HVAC testing & balancing and
construction waste management, soft costs which include professional services, permits,
modular leases, technology, furniture, fixtures and equipment, finance fees and construction
contingency for a total of $37,572,126. Wohlsen, second lowest general contractor, withdrew
their bid. An escrow account in the amount of $1,206,098 will be established with Upper
Providence Township and should be returned to the district at the close of the project. The
alternate for the athletic toilet facility will cost $182,000. The administration will research the
current procedures for the toilet facility at Penncrest. The sanitary system will be bid at a later
date. Bonnett Associates will forward PLACON F part C documentation and PLANCON G
documentation to the district for submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Action: Contracts for the Springton Lake Middle School project will be moved to the March 25,
Legislative Agenda for approval pending review by the solicitor and completion of paperwork.
The next Operations Committee meeting will be on April 13, 2010, at 8:30PM.
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone: 610.627.6000
Fax: 610-891-0959
www.rtmsd.org
Anne D. Callahan
Director of Human Resources
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D., Superintendent
From:
Anne D. Callahan, Director of Human Resources
Date:
March 18, 2010
Subject:
Minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting – March 2, 2009
Board Members in attendance: N. Mackrides, chairperson, N. Fronduti, J. Pettit,
P. Barry, J. Hanna, V. Barbato, L. Fox, W. O’Donnell
Also in attendance: A. Callahan, D. Kerr,
I.
Items for Legislative Meeting – Anne Callahan
The Committee reviewed items for the legislative meeting of March 25, 2010.
Action: All items will be included on the legislative agenda for a vote of the
full board at the legislative meeting of the Board of School Directors on March
25, 2010. Additional items will be added prior to the final agenda being sent
to the Board of School Directors on March 19th.
II.
Executive Session
An executive session was held to discuss matters of personnel.
The next meeting of the Personnel Committee will be held on April 6, 2010, at 7
PM in the Board Room at the Education Center.
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone 610.627.6028
Fax 610.565-5317
www.rtmsd.org
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D., Superintendent
From:
Linda Bluebello, Ed.D.
Date:
March 5, 2010
Subject:
March 4, 2010 Pupil Services Committee Meeting Minutes
Chairperson: Mrs. Nancy Fronduti
Linda Bluebello, Ed.D.
Director of Pupil Services
Board Members in Attendance: Veronica Barbato, Pete Barry, Nancy Fronduti, John
Hanna, Linda Kinsler-Fox, Nancy Mackrides, Bill O’Donnell, Jeff Pettit
Others in Attendance: Dr. Bluebello, Dr. Jeuell, Mary Ann Grassano
SLMS G.A.T.E. Program
Dr. Joyce Jeuell and Mrs. Mary Ann Grassano presented an overview of the G.A.T.E.
program to date. G.A.T.E. (Guided Actions and Team Excellence) is a pilot regular
education initiative designed to help students of average to above-average ability reach
their potential. Since the program began on February 1st, nine (9) students have been
enrolled in the program and eight (8) more will be entering. Mrs. Grassano, the
instructor for the program, explained to the Board the types of instructional activities that
the students were working to improve and the data collection process that is an
essential component to the program. Dr. Jeuell shared the selection process,
scheduling, and plans for the remainder of the school year. She also noted that in the
short time that the program has been operating, student successes have been
documented by classroom teachers and by the students themselves. Dr. Jeuell and
Mrs. Grassano will update the Board again at the June 2010 Pupil Services committee
meeting.
UPDATES
Dr. Bluebello presented to the Board the final draft of the Comprehensive Student
Records Plan. The plan has now been reviewed by the solicitor, principals, counselors,
and psychologists.
Action: Approval will be on the March 2010 Legislative Agenda.
Dr. Bluebello also shared a revised copy of the new Student Emergency Card. Mack
Johnson, our Management Systems Administrator, designed a new, parent friendly card
that will capture all essential student information that is needed in the event of an
emergency. Parents will only need to edit contact information on one card each year
and add health information. The newly revised cards will go home to parents in the
middle of August.
The next meeting of the Pupil Services committee will be April 6, 2010, at 8:00 pm
at the Education Center.
OFFICE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
TO:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Dr. Denise Kerr, Superintendent
FROM:
Dr. Angela Gilbert, Director of Teaching and Learning - Elementary
Dr. Steve Taylor, Director of Teaching and Learning - Secondary
DATE:
March 3, 2010
RE:
March 2, 2010, Teaching & Learning Committee Meeting Minutes
Chairperson: Mr. Jeff Pettit
Board Members in Attendance: Veronica Barbato, Peter Barry, Linda Fox, Nancy
Fronduti, John Hanna, Nancy Mackrides, Jeff Pettit, Bill O’Donnell
RTMSD Personnel in Attendance: Susan Evans, Angela Gilbert, Denise Kerr, Steve
Taylor
Update on Participation in Online Course by Penncrest Students
Dr. Susan Evans provided the Board an update on participation in online courses by
Penncrest students. In 2008-2009, students took 16 courses online, 12 of which were
for Health. In 2009-2010, students are taking 19 courses online, 18 of which are for
Health. Students take online courses, Health in particular, to clear room in their
schedules for additional courses.
2010-2011 Projected Course Enrollments Under 15 at Penncrest
Dr. Evans also updated the Board on projected course enrollments under 15 for the
2010-2011 school year at Penncrest. Wherever possible, departments try to combine
undersubscribed sequential courses, such as Art II and III or Latin III and IV, into a single
section that meets during the same period. Some undersubscribed courses are
canceled. Some, primarily initial courses in a sequence like French I or capstone
courses like AP Chemistry, will run as small sections. It is common for undersubscribed
courses in March to be fully subscribed by September as a result of the normal
scheduling process and the addition of new students.
Update on Elementary and Middle School Math Enrollments and Acceleration
Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Taylor updated the Board on enrollments in math programs at the
elementary and middle school levels. Dr. Gilbert presented a chart detailing the increase
in students participating in accelerated math programming at the elementary level. The
chart reveals an increase of 20 percent participating over the past 3 years. Dr. Taylor
reviewed placements for 8th graders moving from the Connected Math program into 9th
grade courses in 2010-2011. Following the application of multiple criteria, 31% of the 8th
1
graders in Connected Math will skip Algebra as a discrete course and proceed directly to
Geometry. Dr. Taylor expects this number to increase by at least 20% in subsequent
years, as the Connected Math program becomes institutionalized. In the rising 9th grade
class, 49% of students will participate in accelerated math programming, which is an
increase of 12% over the current 9th grade. Increasing the numbers of students
participating in enhanced, advanced, or accelerated programming is an explicit goal of
the RTM Strategic Plan.
Preview of the 2010-2011 Calendar
Dr. Taylor and Dr. Gilbert also presented a draft of the 2010-2011 calendar.
calendar will appear on the March Legislative Agenda for a first reading.
2
The
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone 610.627.6000
Fax 610.891.0959
www.rtmsd.org
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Patti Linden
Director of Technology
and Information Science
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D., Superintendent
From:
Patti Linden
Date:
March 19, 2010
Subject:
Technology Committee Meeting Minutes for March 16, 2010
Chairperson: Mr. Peter Barry
Board Members in attendance: Pete Barry, Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, John
Hanna, Nancy Mackrides, Jeff Pettit, Bill Montgomery, Bill O’Donnell
Also in attendance: Denise Kerr, Patti Linden, Ron Harris, Grace Eves
Telephone System and District Network Upgrades
Patti Linden and Ron Harris presented the goals of a district-wide telephone system
upgrade and a network upgrade. With the advent of the Springton Lake renovation
project, wiring and cabling are being replaced throughout that building. In order to stay
current with 21st Century technology and continue to be cost-effective, the district will
move to a Voice Over IP solution for the telephones there. Once that building is
affected, the other buildings in the district will necessarily also be affected; hence, there
will need to be some network upgrades. In addition to the renovation project, there have
been major problems with our present telephone system over the last year that cannot
be resolved, despite the service calls. Our present telephone system is 13 years old.
The network upgrades will be required to handle the demands of voice, video, data,
storage, and virtualization. The Technology Department is currently getting pricing from
several vendors for the work that will need to be completed as well as working on
minimizing the components for the most cost effective solutions. As much as possible,
all work, with associated costs, will be phased in across the district buildings.
Springton Lake Renovation Technology Needs
Patti Linden and Ron Harris presented a list of associated costs for technology at
Springton Lake that needs to be added to the project budget. The costs for the phone
system upgrade, as well as the Education Center upgrades for that phone system, are
already built into the project; however, the infrastructure behind that, Ethernet switching,
will need to be added. The renovation will also require additional wireless access points
for overall coverage in the building, additional computer equipment, as well as a video
distribution system, and interactive whiteboard technology for the classrooms. The
video distribution system will eliminate the need for televisions mounted in each
classroom.
Next meeting: Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the Education Center Board
Room
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
SCHOOL REPORT’S – March 2010
GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Physical Education
Glenwood’s students have been afflicted with March Madness. Just follow the sound of
the bouncing ball to the gym where one can see some serious talent on display. From
“Globetrotter” ball handling routines to traditional shooting games such as Around the
World and Knockout, the students are busy honing their skills. Their “triple threat”
development is completed by playing fun and challenging passing games designed to
help them master the art of teamwork.
Guidance
This month in guidance we are working on fighting off peer pressure. We do this by
continuing to develop pride in our strengths and abilities, while coming to terms with our
faults. This is presented at a developmentally appropriate age level for each grade.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten celebrated Read Across America Day by celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday.
We wore our pajamas and brought our favorite books to school to share with our
friends. We read Green Eggs and Ham. The children were each given a green egg
filled with jellybeans to sort, count and graph. We also read The Foot Book and
measured our own feet with snap cubes. We also sorted and graphed colored goldfish
after reading One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.
First Grade
The Glenwood first graders are so excited about our new unit of study in science titled
Organisms. Students are learning to observe and record information that they obtain
through their senses of sight and touch. Of particular interest is learning how to use
magnifiers to view tiny details of the organisms such as guppies, snails, and pill bugs.
Building a terrarium and an aquarium allows a great deal of hands-on learning. First
graders love to get their hands “dirty” while placing live plants in the soil to create a
woodland habitat for the pill bugs and beetles. And they thoroughly enjoy watching the
guppies swim around the elodea and snails. Follow-up activities will include visits to
Glenwood’s Nature Center to observe organisms in their natural environment and to
engage in additional hands-on learning opportunities. First grade students and teachers
School Reports
1
3/25/2010
alike are thrilled to share in the fun, learning-filled activities included in this new unit of
study.
Second Grade
Second Grade celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday by enjoying great books! Students
snuggled up to read a good book with a pillow and blanket. Mrs. Grace-Green's class
read their favorite Dr. Seuss books, comparing with their classmates. Mrs. Lutz's class
practiced reading books and responding to the text with fun reports. After studying a
variety of Dr. Seuss books independently and hearing from guest readers, Mrs. Martin's
class wrote their own version of a Dr. Seuss book, using rhyme. Miss McDevitt's class
wore pajamas for the occasion, practicing their comprehension skills in comfort. The
second graders shared a love of reading on Read Across America Day.
Third grade
In March, we celebrated Read Across America by having a spirit week. Each day during
the week, students wore something different to show their love of books. Also, during
the week, students wrote down their favorite books. These favorite books were then
shared on grade level posters so others could find books that they, too, might like.
Fourth Grade
Glenwood’s fourth grade performed at the Celebration of Music assembly this month as
a way to celebrate Music in our School Month. The students showcased the many
things the students have been doing in music this year including singing, playing the
recorders, and dancing. The students have been learning about microscopes and
Motion and Design (early physics) in science. Students are also working in small
groups in reading and have been enjoying several great novels including Frindle, Mouse
and the Motorcycle, The Lightning Thief, The Janitor’s Boy, Stone Fox, The Report
Card, Alice in Wonderland, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Several fourth
graders participated in a writing contest where they were asked to write and illustrate a
twenty page children’s book. Good luck to all that entered!
Fifth Grade
Glenwood's Junior Optimist club held a t-shirt sale to benefit a local shelter. The shirts
commemorate the blizzards of 2010 and were designed by two fifth grade students. The
optimist club members shared information with other students about the shirts and
collected orders for them. The shirts will be produced through Penncrest High School's
graphic design department with all proceeds benefiting a shelter in Media serving those
who are less fortunate. Students shared the design along with other activities they have
been involved in with the RTM chapter of the Optimist Club at a breakfast meeting in
March.
School Reports
2
3/25/2010
INDIAN LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students at Indian Lane have been observing the weather together. The
children made flags to detect the wind, created cotton ball cloud pictures, graphed the
daily weather, and recorded the daily temperature. "March roars in like a lion...and out
like a lamb"; or does it? Kindergarten students will find out!
First Grade
The first graders participated in the Media NAACP's African American History poster
contest. The children created unique posters which highlighted what they had learned
from their research. Indian Lane was pleased to discover that the winner was from
Indian Lane---Zoe Spielman!
The first grade also celebrated Dr. Seuss Day. The
children participated in various activities. I think their favorite activity, however, was
experiencing Oobleck. This gooey green concoction has the starring role in Dr. Seuss’
Bartholomew and the Oobleck. In Social Studies, we are studying mapping. The
children are participating in a special project and are very excited about it. They are
mailing a famous “flat little friend” named Stanley to someone they know. Then, when
Stanley is returned, we will get to learn all about that region of the world.
Second Grade
Mrs. Durant’s kindergarten class and their second grade reading buddies from Mrs.
Ford’s class celebrated Read Across America together by reading Dr. Suess books to
each other. They sat and read a book, in a cozy nook they read their book and it took
just one look in that nook to see they loved their book! Mr. Frank was a guest reader for
Mrs. Ford’s second graders in the afternoon with his hilarious rendition of The Foot
Book. The students had a fun day full of reading for the love of reading.
Fourth Grade
4th Grade classes are traveling back in Pennsylvania History with the Passport to
History Program. We had a fabulous presentation by Karyn Confer about the program,
and a historical demonstration and craft of how to make a five pointed star with one
snip, like Betsy Ross. We also participated in a field trip to the Hedgerow Theater for a
historical discussion about the building, turned into a theater in 1923. Lastly, we
headed to Pennsylvania Institute of Technology for a Pennsylvania History Play. The
Hedgerow Theater company performed a Play called "Women of Many Colors". This
play brought to life some of the opportunities and struggles that 7 women, Indian
Hannah, Armegot Printz Papegoya, Lydia Wade, Hannah Penn, Margaret Hendrickson,
Polly Frazer and Harriet Tubman, of the generations before us encountered here in
Pennsylvania. The play followed and brought to life many of the things that we are
learning about in our Social Studies curriculum. It was truly a local PA history learning
experience.
Mid-Winter Family Festival
On Friday, February 19th, Indian Lane held their first Mid-Winter Festival and Silent
Auction. The night featured delicious food with a carnival flavor and games for kids of
all ages. There were competitions, face painting, a moon bounce and many fun prizes
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for everyone. For grownups, there was a silent auction with tickets to sporting events
and restaurant gift certificates among other exciting items and some amazing raffle
prizes as well. This event was sponsored by the PTG and almost $7,000.00 was raised
to benefit Indian Lane. Through the organization of this event, the social connections
within our community have strengthened and grown immensely. We are truly blessed to
have such wonderful people be a part of our community. Special thanks go to the ILES
families, teachers, sponsors, and area businesses who generously donated the auction
items that were up for bid. It is clear that everyone had the school’s interest at heart.
Reading Olympics
Our second Reading Olympics team is in place! This year, 4th and 5th grade
students will have the opportunity to represent Indian Lane at the Reading Olympics on
the night of Wednesday, May 10, 2010. To prepare for the competition, team members
will read 5-7 books, write about they are reading, meet monthly to discuss what they
have read, and blog about the books on our Librarian (Mrs. Crow) website.
Pride Assembly
This month’s Pride Assembly recognized accomplishments by our Second grade
students in our 100 Book Challenge. In addition, we also recognized our Bobcat
Citizens of the Month and our Shining Stars.
MEDIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
“Excellence” Awarded
Second grade teacher, Brenda Millette, was selected for the Delaware County
Excellence in Teaching Award for the Rose Tree Media School District. This
prestigious award is given by The Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and the Delaware
County Intermediate Unit. Ms. Millette will be honored on April 29 at the annual Partners
in Learning Celebration held at The Drexelbrook Corporate Events Center.
Fourth grader Abigail Kleiman was selected to receive an Excellence in Youth Award
presented by The Delaware County Office of Employment and Training. The Youth
Awards serve as a forum to honor children who make significant contributions to their
school and community. Abigail was nominated by principal Maria Kotch for her Cookies
for the Cure project. Last year when she found out that her teacher, Robin Smith, had
cancer, Abigail felt the need to do something. She knew that she could not find a cure
for cancer, but she was sure that she could do something to help. Mrs. Smith approved
the project. Abigail designed a special cookie and began to take orders. Abby sold over
1000 cookies and, ultimately, raised $1142 that was donated to The American Cancer
Society. Abigail is going to be one of the keynote speakers at RTM’s Relay for Life.
Media School submitted more than fifty entries to the NAACP Annual Black History
Poster Contest. Four of our young artists were recognized at the Awards Ceremony
held at The Media Community Center on Saturday. February 20. Michael Goolsby
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(grade 5) and Lauryn Crawford (grade 2) received first place awards, Louis Silvestri
received second place, and Charlie Simpson was in third place. The Media School
Mustang Chorale, under the direction of Jeanette Verdeur, and fourth grader Joshua
Mason (steel drum) performed at the ceremony. It was truly a Media School event. Each
of the winners received a plaque or a trophy presented by Senator Dominic Pileggi. Mrs.
Kotch, Mr. Goldfarb (grade 5) and Mrs. Echeverria (reading) also attended the event.
Check our Mr. Goldfarb’s website where he scanned his class entries and created a
blog to display them. Mrs. Kotch was also honored to attend the Media Area NAACP
Membership Luncheon on Saturday, February 27.
Fifth grader, Kenyon Wicks, performed in The Media Theatre’s 14th Annual Gala.
Kenyon reported that the most exciting part of the evening was that he was picked up in
a limousine. Mrs. Kotch also had a “stint” at The Media Theatre. She had a guest role
on Saturday, March 6, in The Putnam County Spelling Bee, the musical that is currently
playing at the theatre.
Featured artists of the month: Jaden Horsfield (“Northern Lights”), Gigi Samson (“Young
Rembrandt”), Lucie LeBourgeois (“Crazy Quilt Textures”), and Josh Troilo (“Willow
Pattern”). Their work is featured in the school office. Stop by and check it out.
Pennies for Peace
Media School has a brand new Junior Optimist Club. The club is facilitated by librarian
Jackie Matusow and community volunteer Doug Williamson. The club recently received
its charter at an Optimist Club breakfast meeting. Mrs. Matusow, Mr. Williamson, Mrs.
Kotch and some of our fourth grade members were delighted to attend.
At the meeting, the children presented their service project, Pennies for Peace.
Pennies for Peace is a program of The Central Asia Institute (CAI) founded by Greg
Mortensen, author of Three Cups of Tea. CAI provides community based education
and literacy programs, especially for girls, in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
One might ask, “How can a penny buy peace?” In our culture a penny doesn’t buy
much. However in the villages of Afghanistan and Pakistan, a penny can buy a pencil,
start an education, and transform a life.
Reporter Bette Alburger covered our “kick off” of the Pennies for Peace campaign for
The Daily Times. A few days later she dropped off a bag of pennies with the following
note: “I’ve been picking up pennies one at a time for the past twelve years, ever since I
lost my only sister to cancer. I heard that every penny found is “a penny from heaven.”
Since (my sister) was an elementary school teacher, it seems appropriate that these
pennies should be added to your Pennies for Peace collection.”
Members of The Optimist Club also got us off to an excellent start with a donation of
more than $100.
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Read Across America Day
Reading is one of our core community values which is one reason that READ ACROSS
AMERICA Day is always so special for us .This year we decorated our doors using the
artwork from multicultural books- giant book jackets, if you will. Penncrest students,
accompanied by Mrs. Cynthia Garvin came over to be guest readers for our primary
grade classrooms. They met in the library, saw a video about reading, and went out in
pairs to meet with the children. We’re not sure who enjoyed it more. First graders
rotated through the four classrooms to complete Seuss-related activities including
making oobleck (yuck!). In the afternoon, we had an all school assembly that featured
actors from The Freedom Theatre performing “Grandma’s Suitcase.” Read Across
America is an NEA sponsored event. We were able to print bookmarks and signs from
their web site. Our events were coordinated by librarian Jackie Matusow and teacher
Sue Williamson.
Student Led Conferences
Grade four teachers prepared their students for student led conferences. Students
reflected on work completed throughout the school year. In each subject area, students
identified skills that they were pleased with, described their progress, and created a
short term goal to achieve it. Students also commented on behavior and on how they
best learn in the classroom. Each student met with their teacher and their parents to
share a portfolio of their work. Both the children and the parents were asked to reflect,
in writing, on the results.
One of the parents took the time to email Mrs. Kotch with her observations on the
experience: “We had some apprehension going into this process and M. was very
nervous about it. I have to say it was a great experience for her. I think the process of
thinking and doing a critical self assessment of your strengths is a great process…self
assessment is something every employer asks employees to do annually…I encourage
the school to support this process.”
Art Update
Art teacher Jana Maxwell attended a workshop for teachers at The Philadelphia
Museum of Art where she purchased a new teaching kit titled, “Philadelphia Art: From
Colony to Nation.” Activities and posters in the kit will enhance our fourth and fifth grade
art and social studies curriculum. She also traveled to The Baltimore Museum of Art for
a “Learning from Cezanne” workshop. Techniques learned there will help our first and
second grade art studies.
Media Food Bank
We asked parents to donate a non-perishable food item when they came to parentteacher conferences. We were able to deliver five large boxes to The Media Food Bank
which is always in need. Our contact there is a former student, Paul Mickle-Baker.
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PTG Events
Despite all the bad weather, our PTG planned a number of fun events including a very
successful BINGO night, a Dining Out Night (at Quotations in Media) and a music
assembly (Auricolae , “Folktales, Fairytales, and Fables,” sponsored by Musicopia).
ROSE TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Academically Gifted Program
The AGP students have begun some new and exciting units. The third graders have
been examining various forms of renewable energy and even took a trip to the SAP
building to see their new “Green” building. The fourth graders have been working on a
roller coaster simulation as well as trying out various racing contraptions made from
things such as mousetraps, hamburger cartons, and bananas. The fifth grade students
have been researching natural disasters and have found a plethora of events to choose
from of late. They are analyzing where on the Earth is the safest place to live. The
enrichment students in second grade made ice cream as a culminating event on solids,
liquids, and gases. The first grade students finished their work on Black History Month
activities.
Reading
March has been a great month for reading! First graders read about seahorses and
collected “very important facts” about marine life. Second graders worked on the
concept of cause and effect, while the third and fourth grades practiced making
inferences and drawing conclusions. In fifth grade, a group of students discussed the
responsibilities of an individual in society as they read Lois Lowry’s award-winning novel
Number the Stars.
First Grade
First grade celebrated Read Across America Day this month, wearing their crazy socks
and reading all the Dr. Seuss books they could find. First grade students also exercised
their math muscles with their own version of March Madness. Every day the students
took two timed math fact tests, one in addition and one in subtraction. They graphed
their results and took great pride in their achievements. The children challenged
themselves to increase their scores throughout the month. First graders have begun
their science unit in organisms and are excited about their new friends the guppies and
mealworms!
Third Grade
To commemorate Black History Month, students in third grade researched and
presented a project on African American Inventors. Students chose an inventor from a
list provided and then prepared a project selected from a menu of activities. They used
library resources, online resources, reference materials, and books to complete their
projects. While some students chose to work on a traditional research paper or
timeline, other showed their creativity making models, bulletin boards, Powerpoints and
even writing original songs. In addition to including the standard information, the
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students were asked to consider the impact of the invention on society.
graders put much effort and thought into these projects.
The third
Fifth Grade
Students in grade five studied the topic of slavery in social studies. The chapter
included the history of slavery in western Africa, the Middle Passage trip that slaves
took from Africa, and the life of a slave once in America. Students participated in a
simulation activity that reenacted their life aboard a slave ship. Students wrote their
thoughts and feelings about what they had learned as part of the assessment, and
many of their ideas were amazingly insightful. As an additional task, students could visit
three websites that showed interactive slave auctions and a trip on the Underground
Railroad.
Music
Allison Cavanagh, Aliya Kalman, and McKenzie Lewis represented Rose Tree
Elementary school at the Elementary Chorus Festival hosted by Wallingford
Swarthmore School District at Strath Haven High School. A wonderful concert was
presented that evening by 150 fifth grade students from 35 surrounding school districts.
During “Music in our Schools” month, fourth and fifth grade students competed in a
Music Olympics tournament to earn gold, silver and bronze medals. A special medal
awards assembly was held at the end of March. Medal winners performed their songs
for the entire school at the awards assembly.
SPRINGTON LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Seventh Annual Fund Raiser, Hoops for Hope, organized by Seventh Grade
Science Teacher Andy Virtue, was held. More than 400 students, staff, parents and
guests watched a wild game that saw the staff prevail this year 85-83. We raised
$2,100 for Hoops for Hope.
Seventh grader Nicole Schulman collected 125 jeans from the SLMS community---many
thanks!! Because of your generosity and Nicole's efforts, Aeropostale matched our
number and 250 pairs of jeans will be sent to Haiti. If you still want to donate jeans, you
can take them to any Aeropostale store.
Art
Sixth grade students in Ms. Sycz’s classes are applying color to their nature drawings
using dry pastel and colored pencil. Grade seven students have begun making
armature for their sculpture unit which involves creating clay heads showcasing some
type of head covering. Eighth grade students have begun sculpting the human figure.
Mrs. Going’s sixth Graders have begun work on The Element of Form! All students will
develop a three dimensional sculpture -in- the- round and a relief sculpture. Each
assignment is based on the history of The Aztecs in Mexico or The Zuni Native
American Tribe in the south west. Seventh grades are actively working on the Element
of Space and One Point Linear Perspective with the development of Block Letters. This
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is all being incorporated into an original composition. Eighth Grades are immersed in
ceramics and happily building their clay figures based on the history of
Renaissance master, Michelangelo.
Mrs. Prior will host student teacher, Ms. Jodi Davidson, from The University of the Arts
from now until May.
Library
LaVerne Motley, Winnie Host and Jackie Matusow presented at the February induction
meeting for new teachers. After a brief presentation about using our 24/7 library
management system to search for books, create booklists, save materials in categories
for future use, and a demonstration of how to use the system to search for materials by
standards, teachers met in small groups for a hands-on session to explore grade levelappropriate RTM online resources.
Librarians met the afternoon of February 12 to prepare for our 2nd annual Poem in Your
Pocket Week which is scheduled for April 26- May 1. Winnie Host sent letters to local
businesses, LaVerne Motley worked on 2010 flyers, and the elementary librarians reexamined the pocket poems we used last year discarding ones they felt had not been
well received and replacing them with new ones. Springton aide Angela Repice has
since replaced the new poems and they are now ready to go to the printer.
Mrs. Motley completed a unit on online resources with the six grade language arts
classes. All of these classes participated in a scavenger hunt in which they had to find
the answers to questions using only the RTM online databases. Prizes were awarded
in each class for those students who finished first and had all of the answers correct.
Pictures of the winners are posted on Mrs. Motley’s web page.
During the month every language arts class came to the library for a PowerPoint and
book talks to introduce the work of our visiting author Jordan Sonnenblick, who is
scheduled to appear for three grade level presentation on March 3. Books were
available in the library, as well as for each L.A. classroom so that students had a
chance to read in preparation for his visit. Mr. Sonnenblick’s book, Drums, Girls and
Dangerous Pie, received the Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award for grades 68 for the 2008-2009 school year. Mrs. Motley also read Dodger and Me, one of his
books for a slightly younger audience, to Hemenway’s Life Skills class during the
month.
Mr. Nixon’s seventh grade students completed a research project in which they focused
on 19th Century reformers – e.g., those who promoted abolition of slavery, women’s
rights, reforms to education and the prison system – as they approach their study of the
Civil War.
Math
In sixth grade math students are currently working on the properties of geometrical
shapes and angle measurement. We have just completed a project on symmetry,
where students designed symmetrical flags based on size, shape, design and color. All
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of the flags have been prominently displayed in the classroom to create a beautiful
mosaic around the room. In seventh grade, students are continuing with the Comparing
and Scaling Unit. The goal of the unit is to prepare students for making comparisons
between quantities of like units; comparing ratios, percents, and fractions; writing and
using rates; and making sense of proportions. The students worked on creating
comparisons in four different forms: ratios, fractions, percents, and as differences. The
eighth grade math classes address quite a bit each class period. Students complete a
Problem of the Day which reflects a PSSA problem. A Problem of the Week models
PSSA open-ended-questions. Currently, students are also completing packets of PSSA
review materials. Vocabulary - drawn from the PSSA glossary; the Academic
Vocabulary compiled by Ms. Kathy White, the building assistant principal, and the
“Twelve Powerful Words;” the curricular vocabulary; and, terminology used in those
Problems of the Day and Problems of the Week - is highlighted on “word walls” and
through review quizzes.
Seventh and eights grade classes using the eighth grade Connected Math curriculum
have been exploring exponential relationships. These are compared to the linear and
inverse relationships covered earlier this year. Once the type of relationship has been
identified, students are able to write equations and make predictions. In addition to
these “newer” skills, previously-learned related skills are reviewed, reinforced and
applied in new ways. These skills involve expressing values standard, exponential and
expanded forms and converting extremely large and extremely small values in scientific
notation. These skills are referenced in Pennsylvania State 8th grader Assessment
Anchors 2.1 and 3.1. Eighth students in Algebra I are completing a unit on exploring
quadratics. They had plenty of practice on factoring quadratic equations in order to find
the solution of each quadratic equation. Eighth grade students enrolled in the geometry
course are currently studying properties of circles (chords, secants, tangents, central
and inscribed angles, arcs, congruencies, inscribed and intercepted arcs and inscribed
polygons). These students, who are taking 10th grade geometry in 8th grade, earned a
mean average score of 91% on the midterm, which is written by the high school
geometry teachers. Ms. Stefanie Miller and Mr. Lawrence Twiss each teach a geometry
section.
Music
Sixth grade general music classes are enjoying “hands on” experiences as they study
musical instruments such as a drum set and guitar. Students in seventh and eighth
grade general music combined computer skills with music downloads, MP3 players, and
iPods to present projects concerning “Songs That Communicate.” The District 12
PMEA String Fest was held at Baldi Middle School. The following students represented
Springton Lake Middle School: Eighth Graders Jacob Tylek, Adam Hosier, Alyson
Campbell, Gabriel Bury, Meilin Else, Rachel Meil, Tyler Talarico, and Andrew Shores;
Seventh Graders Rachel Rex, Alex Sredenschele, Caroline Weathers, Francesca
Krivitsky, and Michael Chang. The District 12 PMEA Choral Festival was held at Penns
Grove Middle School. Participants from Springton Lake included Saleem Carpenter,
Rebecca Engle, Justin Henry, Samantha Opitz, Sarah Lippman, Rachel Cotton, and
Rachel Le. Rose Tree Media School District hosted this year’s Elementary Band Fest
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at Penncrest High School.
Organized by SLMS director Alan Reno and elementary
instrumental instructors Jonathan Boyle and Andy Bugosh, over 120 students joined
together for a day of rehearsals and an evening concert. Guest conductor Lawrence
Loh from Pittsburgh was quoted as saying, “This was one of the best festivals in which I
was privileged to participate.”
Special Education
Eighth-grade teachers have been working with the guidance department, Penncrest
High School personnel, and Mrs. Horan to ensure that students are registered for the
appropriate courses for the 2010-2011 school year. In particular, we have put a special
focus on those students who should sign up for the new literacy electives at Penncrest.
Mrs. Horan and Mr. Brown have been gathering fluency and decoding data on children
with IEPs in grades 5-7. The data will be used to identify students who may need direct
instruction in these areas at Springton Lake. Case managers have submitted data for
students needing Extended School Year (ESY) services to Dr. Barta and Mr. Brown.
Students will be assigned to either a 1:1 tutor or a small-group instructional setting,
depending on student needs as identified by the IEP team. Case managers have
provided Mrs. Harrison and Mr. Brown with information on student PSSA
accommodations. Students will be assigned to the most appropriate test setting based
on IEP provisions as well as teacher and parent recommendations.
PENNCREST HIGH SCHOOL
Hi-Q News
The Penncrest Hi-Q team successfully defended its title this month, winning the Hi-Q
championship for the second consecutive year. The final score of the contest:
Penncrest 60, Garnet Valley 45, and Haverford 41. On behalf of his team, Coach
Ludwig thanks the administration, teachers, and especially the students for their
enthusiastic and untiring support of his team's endeavors. Congratulations to Captains
Jennifer Walker and Katie Ferguson and our Hi-Q team: Jackson Buttery, Nick Calabro,
Neil Campbell, Isabel Janmey, Nick Kandrak, Sarah McKeown, Barbara Munin, Danielle
Su, and Alek Korzeniowski.
American High School Mathematics Exam
Adeeb Minhaj (12th Grade) has qualified to participate in the second round of the
American Math Contest known as the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME).
Students scoring in the top 5% throughout the country qualify to move on to the AIME.
Language Arts News
Two Penncrest Oral Communications students, Michael Angelina and Christine Sowa,
are participating in the KYW Newstudies program for area high school students.
Students in the program spend six Saturday mornings at this high school "internship"
program learning about the news business from the reporters, editors, news directors,
and producers of KYW 1060 AM and CBS 3 Eyewitness News. At the end of the six
weeks, the students will write and record a brief story that will air on KYW and be
posted to the station's web site. The students will also be eligible for a college
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scholarship and a longer summer internship at the station. Oral Communications
students recently completed a class assignment writing and recording Public Service
Announcements (PSA’s). The announcements were created to help promote the
upcoming Relay for Life event and Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. The class will
work with the Relay for Life organizers, their publicity committee, and two local child
advocacy groups (to ensure accuracy of the announcements) with the goal of sending
several PSA's to local broadcasters.
Science Department News
The Penncrest Science Olympiad team won the Southeast Regional competition this
month. Gold medals were won in the following events: anatomy/physiology, astronomy,
mousetrap car, mission possible, egg-o-naut, and the timer. The team moves on to the
state finals on April 30, at Juniata College.
World Language News
Andrew Belfiglio and Jackson Buttery are receiving a Certificate of Merit for excellent
achievement on the 2009 - 2010 National German Examination. This award is being
presented by the American Association of Teachers of German at the Cannstatter
Volksfest Verein in Philadelphia. Deutschfest 2010 took place this month at the
Diamond Ridge Conference Center in Jamison, PA (Bucks County). Three German II
students (Donovan Baker, Nicholas Caligiuri, and Laura Masse) represented Penncrest
High School in the following individual competitions: Spelling, Vocabulary, Poem
Recitation, Writing, and General Knowledge as well as school competitions in school
cheer and banner. Selected World Language students participated in the National
French Exam, National Latin Exam and National Spanish Exam in March. Results are
expected by late April.
Annually, RTM District Contests are administered to every World Language student,
grades 6-12, who compete against their peers enrolled in the same language and level.
The top three students for each language/level (and Honorable Mention, if any) are
invited to receive their awards at the annual World Language Fête in April. We wish a
sincere "Félicitations! or ¡Felicitationes! Vobis gratulamur! or Glückwunsch! to this year's
Penncrest High School winners as follows:
District Contest Results–2010
French I, level 1: 1st place - Glori Seufert, French I, level 2: 1st place -Morgan Richards,
2nd place -Niko Benson, 3rd place - Sabrina Barbieri and Honorable Mention- Joan'an
Pray & Siani Lee. French 2: 1st place – Caroline Kerrigan, 2nd place – Alisa Max, 3rd
place – Danielle Cullen & Brian Murphy and Honorable Mention – Michael Sell. French
II: 1st place - Ryen Radcliff, 2nd place - Carlos Sierra, 3rd place - Sumil Patel, and
Honorable Mention: Amanda Prokop, Nicole Pedrick. French III: 1st-Andy Kaiden &
Sean McLaughlin, 2nd- Lara Rosenberg & Christy Sassaman, and 3rd- Perry Rugen.
French IV: 1st place – Kyle Panzer, 2nd place – Barbara Munin, 3rd place – Anderson
Beck and Honorable Mention – Brooke Morrison, Madison O’Donnell. French V AP:
1st- Colleen McGeehan, 2nd-Christine Sowa and 3rd-Mary Buchanan. Spanish I: 1st
place - Angie Bouikidis, 2nd place - Alex Parkinson, 3rd place - JoAnna Koveal and
Honorable Mention Lauren Son. Spanish 2: 1st place - Ashley Duross, 2nd Place - Allie
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Lewis, 3rd place - Ken Myers & Lexie Centrone. Special Category: 1st place- Gabriela
Faux.
Music Department News
Congratulations to Penncrest Band members Eddie Sundra, Megan McKernan, and
Kathy Teal for their selection to the PMEA Region Band Festival held this month at
Northeast High School.
Penncrest held its first Jazz Night in March, featuring ensembles from Penncrest and
Springton Lake Middle School with the concert’s closing number accompanied by the
John Blake Quartet.
Art Department News
National Art Honor Society students are sponsoring a blanket/towel/toy drive for the
Delaware County SPCA this month. Collection bins are located in Penncrest’s cafeteria,
and near the band and gym entrances to the building. Donations may be dropped off
during school hours. The group’s goal is to collect 500 blankets/towels/cat and dog toys.
All School Musical
Penncrest presented its all-school musical, The Pajama Game, with a cast, orchestra,
and crew of 80+ students. The ensemble of talented cast members included senior Jon
Friestedt as Sid Sorokin, junior Shea Gaffney as Babe Williams, senior Treś Moore as
Hines, senior Kathy Teal as Gladys, senior Molly Neill as Mabel, and senior Forrest
Shamlian as Hasler.
Read Across America
Penncrest students participated in the NEA's Read Across America activities at Media
Elementary School this month celebrating the joy of reading with kindergarten through
third grades classes. The guest readers donned Dr. Seuss hats and shared a favorite
children's book with delighted audiences promoting the motto, "You're never too old, too
wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child." Special thanks to the Penncrest
students who participated: Vanessa Oliva, Cathryn Courtney, Jelisa Smith, Dakiel Jones,
Jessica Watkins, Cierra Townsend, Brandon Bronson, Courtney Miller, Eric Kim, Maya
Stallings, Rebecca Duross, Jacqui Cadorette, Tara Myer, Jenny Parimeter, Tres Moore,
Amara Droz, Marc Forbes, Kristi Connor, Saleeta Ho-Sang, and Jimmy Clifford.
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13
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
b.
c.
Supplemental Contracts
7.
Angela Beaudry, New Teacher Mentor, Penncrest
High School, effective January 4, 2010, at the prorated salary of $624.78.
8.
Peggy Levesque, Varsity Volleyball Coach,
Penncrest High School, for the 2010-2011 school
year at the annual salary of $6,435.00.
Expulsion of Student #21539
Resolve, that student #21539 be permanently expelled from
the Rose Tree Media School District effective March 25,
2010, pursuant to the waiver of the Due Process Hearing
signed by student and parent.
B.
2010-2011 Calendar – Draft
Resolve, that the Board review the 2010-2011 Calendar
Draft. See Attachment A
IX. New Business
3
March 25, 2010
X.
Finance
A.
Purchasing
1.
Bid Awards
Resolve, that the Board of School Directors award the following
bids in the categories listed, such recommendation being the
lowest bid received from a responsible bidder, kind, quality and
materials having been considered.
a.
Penncrest, Indian Lane, Education Center – HVAC
Improvements to Various Schools
Construction Contract awards in the total amount of $175,230
are recommended as follows:
Contractor
HVAC
Base Bid #1
Devine Bros.
$51,900
Cook’s Service Co.
AJM Electric, Inc.
HVAC
HVAC
HVAC
Base Bid #2 Base Bid #4 Base Bid #5
ELECTRICAL
Base Bid #3
$20,800
$51,498
$41,832
$9,200
Background
A Bid Opening was held on March 10, 2010, in the
Education Center Board Room. This was discussed at
the March 16, 2010 Operations Committee Meeting.
b.
Penncrest – Athletic Field Drainage Improvements (Penn
Fields 1 and 3)
Bid Amount
Contractor
Chester County Site Contractors
$ 74,115.55
Background
A Bid Opening was held on March 17, 2010, in the
Education Conference Room. This was discussed at the
March 16, 2010 Operations Committee Meeting.
X. Finance
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X.
Finance
B.
General
1.
Budgetary Transfers
Rose Tree Media School District Policy #612…(Public School
code section 609) when funds are not available for a
proposed appropriation, a legal transfer from one class of
expenditure to another may be made in the last nine (9)
months of the fiscal year by the board.
Resolve, that the Board approve the following Budgetary
Transfers:
FY 10-17 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Instruction- New Equipment
$7,530.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instruction - Replacement Equipment
$7,530.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase a new camcorder
for TV Production Class.
FY 10-18 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Athletics- Dues and Fees
$2,000.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Athletics- Travel
$2,000.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover monthly travel costs and
travel to states, etc.
X. Finance
2
3/25/2010
X.
Finance
B.
General
2.
Comprehensive Student Records Plan
Resolve, that the Board approve the Comprehensive Student
Records Plan.
Background
The Comprehensive Student Records plan has now been
reviewed by the solicitor, principals, counselors and psychologists.
X. Finance
3
3/25/2010
Addendum
X.
Finance
C.
Addendum
1.
Bids
a.
Springton Lake Middle School Renovation Project
Construction contract awards pending solicitor review and
contingent upon PLANCON Part F attachment C approval from
the Pennsylvania Department of Education, receipt of bonds,
insurance and necessary agency approvals are recommended
as follows:
Contractor
Base Bid
General Construction
E. R. Stuebner
G-1
G-2
G-3
G-4
G-5
G-6
Alternate Bid
$13,187,000
$ 70,000
$130,000
$ 60,000
$ 10,000
$130,000
$ 60,000
Contractor
Base Bid
Alternate Bid
Mechanical Contract
Edward Meloney
H-1
$6,382,000
Plumbing Contract
Apex
P-1
$2,037,000
Electrical Contract
Electri-Tech
E-1
$4,918,000
$ 10,000
$ 46,000
$ 56,000
Background
A Bid Opening was held on March 10, 2010, in the Auditorium of the
Springton Lake Middle School. This was discussed at the March 16,
2010 Operations Committee Meeting.
X.
Finance
C.
Addendum
1.
Bids
b.
Springton Lake Middle School Asbestos Abatement Contract
Recommend the withdrawal of the bid from First Capital
Insulation, Inc. due to a mathematical error.
Background
First Capital Insulation, Inc.’s bid was $428,000, which was 25%
lower than the next lowest bid. They have withdrawn their bid
due to a mathematical error.
c.
Springton Lake Middle School Asbestos Abatement Contract
Recommend asbestos abatement contract award pending
review by the solicitor and approval of the prime contracts in the
amount of $547,224 to Sargent Enterprises, Inc.
Background
First Capital Insulation, Inc.’s bid was the lowest bidder at
$428,000, which was 25% lower than the next lowest bid. They
have withdrawn their bid due to a mathematical error. Sargent
Enterprises, Inc. is the next lowest bidder at $547,224.
d.
Springton Lake Middle School Project Asbestos Monitoring
Recommend approval for the proposal from Eagle Industrial
Hygiene Associates, Inc. for construction phase asbestos
monitoring for an amount not to exceed $85,475.00 pending
solicitor review and contingent upon approval of the prime
contracts.
Background
This was discussed at the March 16, 2010 Operations
Committee Meeting.
X.
Finance
C.
Addendum
2.
Contracts
a.
Springton Lake Middle School Project Modular Classrooms and
Library
Recommend approval of a 24 month lease with Mobilease
Modular Space, Inc. for modular classrooms and library for an
amount not to exceed $873,962 and contingent upon approval
of the prime contracts.
Background
This was discussed at the March 16, 2010 Operations
Committee Meeting.
b.
Planners
Recommend approval of proposal from School Specialty in the
amount of $5,642.50
Background
This item was discussed at the March 16th Finance Committee
meeting
c.
Special Event Contract
Recommend approval of contract with Fantasy World
Entertainment in the amount of $2,400.
Background
Equipment to be supplied for Penncrest Pride Day event.
3.
PLANCON
1.
Springton Lake Middle School Renovation Project PLANCON
submittal.
Recommend approval to submit PLANCON Part F attachment
C, Post-Bid Opening Certification, and PLANCON G, Project
Accounting, to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Background
This was discussed at the March 16, 2010 Operations
Committee Meeting.
Total New Teacher Days: 196*
Total Teacher Days:
194*
S
August 2010
T
W
T
M
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
2010-2011 SCHOOL CALENDAR
F
6
13
20
27
S
7
14
21
28
Teacher Days: 2
Student Days:
S
M
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
S
6
13
20
27
Teacher Days: 20
Student Days: 19
M
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
M
2
9
16
23
30
February 2011
T
W
T
F
S
1
8
15
22
5
12
19
26
2
9
16
23
3
10
17
24
May 2011
T
W
T
3
4
5
10
11 12
17
18 19
24
25 26
31
Teacher Days: 21
Student Days: 20
Key:
September 2010
T
W T
F
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
S
4
11
18
25
4
11
18
25
S
M
December 2010
T
W T
F
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
S
4
11
18
25
S
7
14
21
28
S
M
March 2011
T
W
T
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
S
5
12
19
26
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
October 2010
T
W T
F
S
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
January 2011
T
W
T
F
S
4
11
18
25
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
S
M
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
F
S
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
S
M
T
April 2011
W T
F
S
3
10
17
24
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
7
14
21
28
Teacher Days: 16
Student Days: 15
M
June 2011
T
W T
6
13
20
27
1
8
15
22
29
7
14
21
28
M
Teacher Days: 20
Student Days: 20
Teacher Days: 23
Student Days: 23
F
6
13
20
27
S
Teacher Days: 21
Student Days: 21
Teacher Days: 17
Student Days: 17
Teacher Days: 19
Student Days: 18
S
1
8
15
22
29
5
12
19
26
M
Teacher Days: 19
Student Days: 17
November 2010
T
W
T
F
S
S
Total Student Days: 183
2
9
16
23
30
F
S
3
10
17
24
4
11
18
25
Teacher Days: 16
Student Days: 13
S
M
July 2011
T
W T
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
F
1
8
15
22
29
S
2
9
16
23
30
No School - Holiday
Full Inservice Day
Half Day for Students
August 24-27
August 30-Sept. 2
August 31
September 6
September 7
September 9
November 2
November 22
November 23
November 24
November 25,26
December 24-31
December 24 & 27
December 31
January 17
January 28
New Teacher Orientation .5/27
Teacher Inservice
Opening Day/Staff Inservice
Holiday,/All Buildings Closed
First Day of School K-12
February 17
Holiday, All Buildings Closed
No School Students - Teacher
February 18
Inservice
Parent Conferences K-8
February 21
Evening Hours
March 2
Parent Conferences K-8
SLMS 10:55 a.m. Early Dismissal
March 3,4
Elementary - No School K-5
Parent Conferences K-8
No School for Students K-8
Holiday, All Buildings Closed
Student/Teacher Holiday
Holiday, All Buildings Closed
Holiday, All Buildings Closed
Holiday, All Buildings Closed
Semester Ends, Early
Dismissal Grades 6-12
PHS 11:00, SLMS 11:50
Early Dismissal for Elementary
Students only 12:20 p.m.
No School for Students/
Teacher Inservice
Holiday, All Buildings Closed
Parent Conferences K-5
Evening Hours
Elementary Conferences
No School K-5
April 18-22
April 21-22
April 25
May 27
May 30
June 17
June 22
July 4
Student/Teacher Holiday
Holiday, All Buildings Closed
No School for Students / Flex
No School for Students / Flex
Holiday, All Buildings Closed
Last Day for Students, Early Dismissal
PHS - 10:15, SL - 11:00, E - 12:00
Last Day for Teachers
Holiday, All Buildings Closed
*These year-end dates allow for three emergency
school closings during the 2010-2011 school year.
If fewer than three emergency school closings are
needed, these days will be deducted from the end
of the year for students. If more than 2 snow days
are used, days in spring break may be utilized to
meet our necessary requirements for attendance.