ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Informational Session
November 20, 2008
AGENDA
I.
Committee Highlights & Liason Reports
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Student Liaison Reports
Teaching & Learning
Finance
Operations
Personnel
Pupil Services
Technology
Liaison Reports
II.
Building Update - Principals
III.
Adjournment
7:30 p.m.
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Legislative Meeting
November 20, 2008
8:00 p.m.
AGENDA
I.
Call to Order
II.
Approval of Minutes
A.
B.
III.
Technology Opens Doors in Rose Tree Media
Reports
A.
B.
C.
D.
VI.
PSBA Certificate of Appreciation – Nancy Fronduti
Keystone Achievement Awards
Educational Presentation
A.
V.
Legislative Meeting of October 23, 2008
Bid Opening Minutes – November 5, 2008
Presentations and Awards
A.
B.
IV.
Pledge of Allegiance
School Reports
Superintendent’s Report
Solicitor’s Report
President’s Report
Scheduled Presentations (Limited to Five Minutes Each)
A.
B.
RTMEA
Healthy Communities Initiative
Roll Call
VII.
Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)
A.
VIII.
Old Business
A.
IX.
Rose Tree Media Residents
None
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
2.
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
3.
General
a.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
b.
Degree Advancement
c.
Rescind Supplemental Contracts
d.
Supplemental Contracts – See Attachments A and B
e.
Salary Change
Finance
X.
A.
B.
C.
D.
XI.
Purchasing
1.
Bid Award
General
1.
Media Youth Wrestling Tournament
2.
Budgetary Transfers
3.
Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, STAR Coordinator Contract
4.
CHAAMP Agreement
5.
Student/Teacher Assistance Referral Coordinator Agreement
6.
Café Prepay Contract
7.
Barbara Nissel Contract
Financials for October 2008
Bill lists for October 2008
Adjournment
ANNOUNCEMENT
There will be an executive session of the School Board for matters of personnel at 6:30
p.m. prior to the Informational Session of December 18, 2008 at Springton Lake Middle
School. The Legislative meetings are recorded on tape.
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
October 24, 2008
Minutes of the October 23, 2008 Legislative Meeting
Call to Order
Roll Call
Board Members in Attendance:
Pledge of Allegiance
Students:
Linda Fox, Vice President
Veronica Barbato
Nancy Fronduti
John Hanna
William Montgomery
William O’Donnell
Jeffrey Pettit
Also in Attendance:
Ron Baldino, Supervisor Maint. & Oper.
William Bennett, Principal, ILES
Linda Bluebello, Director of Pupil Services
Eric Bucci, Ass’t. Principal, PCHS
Anne Callahan, Dir. Human Resources
Ken Curran, Psychologist
Bernadette Dacaney, Home & School Vis.
Karen Daugherty, Principal, RTE
William Dougherty, Principal, GWE
Susan Evans, Asst. Principal, PHS
Grace Eves, Dir. Management Services
Ron Harris, Network Specialist
Judy Jalbert, Psychologist
Joanne Horan, Teaching & Learning
Anthony Jackowski, Ass’t. Principal SLMS
Joyce Jeuell, Principal, SLMS
Mack Johnson, Management Specialist for
SMS and FMS
Thomas Kelly, Solicitor
Patti Linden, Director of Tech. & Information
Kim McCann-Roller, Info. Tech. Spec.
Danielle Penza, Accountant
Roxanne Schupp, Supervisor Business
Operations
Steve Quinn, Ass’t. Principal, SL
Katherine White, Principal, MES
The Legislative Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Rose Tree Media
School District was held on Thursday, October 23, 2008, at Springton Lake Middle
School. The meeting was called to order by Vice President Linda Fox.
II.
Approval of Minutes
A.
Legislative Meeting Minutes of September 25, 2008
Mr. Pettit moved and Mr. Montgomery seconded a motion to adopt
the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2008-2009 –27
Resolved, that the Board approve the Legislative Meeting Minutes of
September 25, 2008.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
Linda Fox, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti,
William Montgomery, William O’Donnell, Jeffrey Pettit
None
At this point of the meeting, John Hanna, School Board member entered.
III.
Presentations and Awards
A.
Penncrest High School Envirothon Team
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mr. Hanna made a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2008-2009 –28
Resolved, that the Board recognize Katherine Davis, Elizabeth Freeburg,
Katherine Ferguson, Alex Senko, and Jennifer Walker for their 3rd Place
standing at the Canon Envirothon Competition.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
Linda Fox, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna,
William Montgomery, William O’Donnell, Jeffrey Pettit
None
IV.
Educational Presentation
A.
V.
Indian Lane Student Council
Reports
A.
B.
C.
School Reports – In Official Legislative Minutes of October 23, 2008
Superintendent’s Report - In Official Legislative Minutes of October 23, 2008
Solicitor’s Report - In Official Legislative Minutes of October 23, 2008
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mrs. Fronduti made a motion to
adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2008-2009 - 29
Glenwood Elementary School Proposed Sewer Easement Agreement
Resolved, that the Rose Tree Media School District enter into an
Agreement for Sewerline Easement and Deed of Easement with
KRPM Associates, LP, for the purpose of establishing a sewerline
easement in accordance with a certain plan and legal description as to
the property designated as the Glenwood Elementary School subject
to approval by Middletown Township and the developer conducting an
information meeting with abutting neighbors to the sewerline
easement.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
D.
VI.
Linda Fox, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna,
William Montgomery, William O’Donnell, Jeffrey Pettit
None
President’s Report - In Official Legislative Minutes of October 23, 2008
Scheduled Presentations
A.
B.
RTMEA – Sandy Staiger, President
Healthy Communities Initiative, Dana Riker, Executive Director
VII.
Unscheduled Presentations
A.
VIII.
Rose Tree Media Residents – None
Old Business
A.
None
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mr. Hanna seconded a motion to
adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2008-2009 - 30
Resolved, that the Board approve the following:
a.
b.
Professional
Non-Instructional
1.
Linda Cardwell, Career Counselor, Penncrest High
School, resignation effective September 16, 2008.
2.
Gary Herbert, Maintenance, Penncrest High School,
resignation effective October 17, 2008.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the
Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
Linda Fox, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti,
John Hanna, William Montgomery, William O’Donnell,
Jeffrey Pettit
None
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
2.
Nominations (cont’d)
a.
b.
Professional
Non-Instructional
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mr. Hanna seconded a motion
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2008-2009 – 31
Resolved, that the Board approve the following:
a.
Professional
1.
Recommend Board approval for the following
Penncrest Personnel to serve as Night School
Teachers for the 2008-2009 school year at the
rate of $40 per hour:
Carley Dillon
Debbie Schnaars
Robert Simpson
Edward Somers
b. Non-Instructional
1.
Nicole Dawson, Food Service Worker, effective
September 25, 2008 at the rate of $10.25 per
hour. Ms. Dawson is assigned to Penncrest
High School. NOTE: Ms. Dawson is being
hired pending completion of her preemployment paperwork.
2.
Dawn Kalix, Substitute Food Service Worker,
effective September 24, 2008 at the rate of
$10.25 per hour. This position is in addition to
her position as a Bus Driver.
3.
Paulette Goolsby, Custodial Night Supervisor,
Glenwood Elementary, for the 2008-2009
school year, at the annual stipend of $1,000.
4.
Michele Frisoli, Food Service Worker, effective
September 29, 2008, at the rate of $10.25 per
hour. Ms. Frisoli is assigned to Penncrest High
School. NOTE: Ms. Frisoli is being hired
pending completion of her pre-employment
paperwork.
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
2.
Nominations
b.
Non-Instructional (cont’d)
5.
Mary McConville, Reading Associate for the 20082009 school year at the rate of $14.00 per hour. Ms.
McConville is assigned to Penncrest High School.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by
the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Linda Fox, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti,
John Hanna, William Montgomery,
William O’Donnell, Jeffrey Pettit
None
NAYS:
3.
General
a.
Classification Change
b.
Degree Advancement
c.
Supplemental Contracts
d.
Create New Position
e.
Other
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mr. Hanna seconded a motion to
adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2008-2009 - 32
Resolved, that the Board approve the following:
a.
Classification Changes
1.
Helen Hall, from Substitute Custodian to
Custodian effective October 7, 2008 at the rate
of $15.50 per hour. Ms. Hall is assigned to
Maintenance, Transportation and the ERC.
2.
Christopher Murray from Bus Aide to Substitute
Bus Aide effective October 17, 2008.
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3
General
b. Degree Advancement
1.
Recommend the Board approve the following
personnel for Degree Advancement and adjust their
salaries accordingly effective August 25, 2008:
Tiffany Bendistis
Elisha Arias
Paul DelPrato
Josephine Dizon
Rebekah Fetterman
Sue Griffin
Rebecca Harrison
Terry Haskell-McDonald
2.
Recommend the Board approve the following
personnel for Degree Advancement and adjust their
salaries accordingly effective August 25, 2008
Candace Krautzel
Steve Silva
Julie Small
Edward Somers
Andrew Virtue
Marianne Whiteman
c.
Master’s+40/Step 6
Master’s+60/Step 9
Master’s+40/Step 10
Master’s+40/Step 6
Master’s+20/Step 6
Master’s+60/Step 11
Master’s+20/Step 7
Master’s+20/Step 11
Master’s+20/Step 9
Master’s+60/Step 12
Master’s/Step 5
Master’s+20/Step 15
Master’s+40/Step 8
Master’s+60/Step 6
Supplemental Contracts
1.
Stacy Gallagher, New Teacher Mentor during the
2007-2008 school year at the annual salary of $1,015.
2.
Stacy Gallagher, New Teacher Mentor effective
August 25, 2008 through November 7, 2008 at the
annual salary of $56.40.
3.
Todd Brown, New Teacher Mentor, effective
September 19, 2008 at the annual salary of $950.52.
4.
Mary Beth Hoffman, Mentor, for the 2008-2009 school
year at the annual salary of $1,050.
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
c. Supplemental Contracts (cont’d)
d.
5.
Jeanette Verdeur, Chorus Director for the 2008-2009
school year, Media Elementary, at the annual salary
of $1,112.
6.
Brittani Lutterman, Computer Club Sponsor for the
2008-2009 school year, Media Elementary, at the
annual salary of $208.
7.
Patrick Murphy H.O.M.E. Club Sponsor for the 20082009 school year, Media Elementary at the annual
salary of $417.
8.
Jean McPheeters, Kids Club Sponsor, Rose Tree
Elementary, at the annual salary of $495.
9.
Recommend Board approval for the following
personnel to serve as Event Chaperones for the
2008-2009 school year at the rate of $55.00 per
event:
Winnie Host
Elaine Jay
Cynthia Garvin
Linda Kilpatrick
10.
Todd Brown, DVMSC Coordinator for the 2008-2009
school year at the annual salary of $2,800.
Create New Position
1.
Personal Instructional Assistant – Support Staff II
Recommend the Board approve the creation of an
additional Support Staff II – Personal Instructional
Assistant position to serve the needs of a student who
is attending Penncrest High School.
2.
Personal Instructional Assistant – Support Staff II
Recommend the Board approve the creation of an
additional Support Staff II – Personal Instructional
Assistant position to serve the needs of a student who
is attending Indian Lane Elementary School.
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
d.
Create New Position (cont’d)
3.
Creation of Supplemental Positions
Recommend the Board approve the creation of the
following Non-Athletic Supplemental positions at
Penncrest High School: Video Club at 8 units, Dance
Team at 5 units, and Assistant Activities Coordinator
at 25 units.
4.
Creation of a .6 Speech/Language Teaching Position
Recommend the Board approve the creation of an
additional .6 Speech/Language teaching position.
This position, added to the current vacant .2
Speech/Language teaching position, will create a total
.8 FTE Speech/Language position to be shared
between Springton Lake Middle School and
Penncrest High School.
5.
Personal Instructional Assistant – Support Staff II
Recommend the Board approve a request for a oneon-one instructional assistant to accompany a student
with significant disabilities to the Skills Start Program
at the DCIU Folcroft Vocational Technical School.
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
e.
Other
1.
Recommend the Board approve the payment of
performance bonuses to ADSUP I and Cabinet for the
2007-2008 school year in the amount of $32,485.
These payments are being made in accordance with
the ADSUP I agreement.
2.
Deletion of Supplemental Positions
Recommend the Board approve the deletion of the
following Penncrest High School Non-Athletic
Supplemental Positions: Drill Team Sponsor and
Close-Up Program Sponsor.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by
the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
B.
NAYS:
Overnight Trips
Linda Fox, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti,
John Hanna, William Montgomery,
William O’Donnell, Jeffrey Pettit
None
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mr. Hanna seconded a motion to adopt
the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2008-2009 – 33
Resolved, that the Board approve the following overnight trip:
1.
Penncrest High School Girls’ Cross Country – Lehigh University
Recommend the Board approve the overnight trip to Lehigh
University for the Girls’ Cross Country PIAA District I
Championships.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair,
the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
Linda Fox, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti,
John Hanna, William Montgomery, William O’Donnell,
Jeffrey Pettit
None
X.
Finance
A.
B.
Purchasing
1.
None
General
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mr. Hanna seconded a motion to
adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2008-2009 - 34
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Change Order Resolution
Plan Con D & E – Springton Lake Middle School
Change to Original 2008-2009 Budget
Budgetary Transfers
Transportation Agreement
Dr. Robert Sing, Medical Services Agreement
Dr. Peter Christie, Medical Services Agreement
Jessica Brady, Dental Hygienist Agreement
Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, STAR Coordinator Contract
Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems for Assessment and Referral
Services
Penncrest High School Gymnasium Request for Use
Concurrent Enrollment Agreements for Dual Enrollment
Child Guidance Resource Center
Carol Macrina, Interactive Speech Services
1.
Change Order Resolution
Resolved, that the Board allows the School Board
Secretary to approve change orders valued up to $10,000
between meetings of the School Board.
Further resolved, that the change orders over $10,000 and
totaling no more than $20,000 each must be approved by
three Board members, preferably the Finance Committee
Chairman, the Board President and Vice-President.
2.
PLANCON D&E – Springton Lake Middle School
Further resolved, that the Board recognize approval from the
Department of Education for PLANCON D&E, Project #3441
for the additions and renovations to the Springton Lake
Middle School. (See Attachment A In Official Legislative
Minutes of October 23, 2008.)
X.
Finance
B.
General (cont’d)
3.
Changes to Original 2008-09 Budget
Further resolved, that the Board approve the following changes to
the Original 2008-09 Budget:
The District received additional revenue from the Safe and Drug
Free Schools and community grant. The grant will be used for
expenses related to drug and violence prevention strategies for
schools. In addition the District received revenue from student
fees, which will be used to offset expenses for parking, Technology
Education and transcript requests. A new Special Education
teaching position was added and approved at the August Board
Meeting.
4.
Budgetary Transfers
Further resolved, that the Board approve the following budgetary
transfers:
FY 09 – 02
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Regular Instruction – Supplies
$9,800.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instructional Technology – Equipment
$9,800.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase three additional
smartboards and six additional projectors.
FY 08 – 05
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Regular Instruction – Supplies
$1,096.69
TO:
AMOUNT:
Regular Instruction – Equipment
$1,096.69
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase new air bikes and a
table top scorer for the SLMS Physical Education Department.
X.
Finance
B.
General
4.
Budgetary Transfers (cont’d)
FY 08 – 13
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
School Sponsored Athletics – Repairs and
Maintenance
$1,000.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
School Sponsored Athletics – Equipment
$1,000.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase replacement soccer
goals for the Penncrest stadium field.
FY 08 – 18
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Regular Instruction – Supplies
$1,725.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instruction and Curriculum – Books and Subscriptions
$1,725.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase Social Studies
paperback books.
FY 08 – 19
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Regular Instruction – Supplies
Library Services – Supplies
$1,000.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Library Services – Equipment
$1,000.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase book shelves to add to
the Library.
FY 08 – 20
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Debt Service – Authority Obligations
$164,695.00
X.
Finance
B.
General
4.
Budgetary Transfers (cont’d)
TO:
AMOUNT:
Community College – Tuition
$164,695.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to correct the breakdown of the
budget amounts originally given by DCCC in November.
FY 08 – 28
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Regular Instruction – Sabbatical Salary
$61,162.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Office of Principal – Director Salary
$61,162.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the sabbatical of Maria
Kotch during the 2008-09 school year.
FY 08 – 30
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Regular Instruction – Textbooks
$2,100.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instruction and Curriculum - Supplies
$2,100.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the expense of workbooks
for the Grade 7 Connected Math program.
FY 08 – 31
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Library Services – Books and Subscriptions
$7,089.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Data Processing Services – Technical Services
$7,089.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the expense of MAP
testing for grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10.
X.
Finance
B.
General
4.
Budgetary Transfers (cont’d)
FY 08 – 33
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Regular Instruction – Supplies
$3,040.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instruction & Curriculum – Books and Subscriptions
$3,040.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to cover the expense of Language
Arts novels.
FY 08 – 34
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Fiscal Services – Equipment
$1,540.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Nurse Service – Equipment
$1,540.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase 2 Biltmore custom
recovery couches with aluminum drawer pulls.
FY 08 – 45
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Instructional Staff Development – Dues & Fees
$1,500.00
TO:
Instructional Staff Development – Other Professional
Services
$1,500.00
AMOUNT:
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to pay for the September 9, 2008
Gerety Presentation on Leadership Training for SLMS students.
FY 08 – 52
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Instruction & Curriculum – Books & Subscriptions
$1,000.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instruction & Curriculum – Supplies
$1,000.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase supplies for Instruction
& Curriculum.
X.
Finance
B.
General (cont’d)
4.
Budgetary Transfers (cont’d)
FY 08 – 54
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Non-Public Transportation - Supplies
$3,000.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Transportation – Equipment
$3,000.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to replace a welder.
FY 08 – 58
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Regular Instruction – Supplies
$1,577.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Office of Principal – Equipment
$1,577.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase a cabinet to store
musical instruments.
X.
Finance
B.
General
5.
Transportation Agreement
Further resolved, that the Board approve a contract with Janine
Blythe for transportation reimbursement in accordance with Policy
810.3.
6.
Dr. Robert Sing, Medical Services Agreement
Further resolved, that the Board approve an agreement with Dr.
Robert F. Sing of Springfield Sports Emergency Medical
Corporation for medical services for $25,578.
7.
Dr. Peter Christie, Medical Services Agreement
Further resolved, that the Board approve an agreement with Dr.
Peter N. Christie for medical services of $9,366.82, $55 per bus
driver physical, and $20 for biannual Mantoux.
8.
Jessica Brady, Dental Hygienist Agreement
Further resolved, that the Board approve an agreement with
Jessica Brady for dental hygiene services for $2,000.
9.
Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, STAR Coordinator
Contract
Further resolved, that the Board approve a contract with Holcomb
Behavioral Health Systems, STAR Coordinator (interim),
September 8, 2008 through December 31, 2008.
X.
Finance
B.
General (cont’d)
10.
Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems for Assessment and
Referral Services
Further resolved, that the Board approve a contract with Holcomb
Behavioral Health Systems for Assessment and Referral Services
for Springton Lake Middle School students, July 1, 2008 through
June 30, 2009.
11.
Penncrest High School Gymnasium Request for Use
Further resolved, that the Board approve the request for use of the
Penncrest High School gymnasium for our girls and boys basketball
teams on Sunday, December 28, 2008.
12.
Concurrent Enrollment Agreements for Dual Enrollment
Further resolved, that the Board approve the attached Concurrent
Enrollment Agreements with Delaware County Community
College and Neumann College for Dual Enrollment for the
2008-2009 school year. (See Attachments B and C in Official
Legislative Minutes of October 23, 2008.)
13.
Child Guidance Resource Center
Further resolved, that the Board approve an agreement with Child
Guidance Resource Centers for mental health providing a one-onone for a student at Penncrest who has Asperger’s Syndrome at a
rate of $36.00 per hour for a period starting 9/2/08 and ending
10/31/08.
14.
Carol Macrina, Interactive Speech Services
Further resolved, that the Board approve an agreement with
Carolyn Macrina of Interactive Speech Services, Inc. for Social
Cognition Training at $90.00 per hour for 3 hours.
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair,
the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
Linda Fox, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti,
John Hanna, William Montgomery, William O’Donnell,
Jeffrey Pettit
None
X.
Finance
C.
D.
Financials for September 2008
Bill Lists for September 2008
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Mr. Hanna seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2008-2009 – 35
Resolved, that the Board approve the following:
C. Financial Reports
September
September
September
September
2008
2008
2008
2008
Treasurers Reports
Investment Reports
Summary Expenditure Status Report
Revenue Status Report
D. Bill Lists
September
2008 General Fund Bill List
$ 3,418,190.31
September
2008 Imprest Fund Bill List
$
7,605.00
September
2008 Capital Fund Bill List
$
56,081.00
September
2008 1992 Construction Fund Bill List
$
16,425.00
September
2008 Bond Series 2002 Bill List
$
3,402.79
September
2008 Bond Series 2004 Bill List
$ 1,351,128.62
September
2008 Bond Series 2007 A & B Bill List
$
21,798.20
September
2008 Activities/Special Revenue Fund
$
22,728.84
$ 4,897,359.76
The aforementioned resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the
vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
Linda Fox, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna,
William Montgomery, William O’Donnell, Jeffrey Pettit
None
XI.
Adjournment
Mr. Hanna moved and Mr. O’Donnell seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2008-2009 – 36
Resolved, 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:
Linda Fox, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti, John Hanna,
William Montgomery, William O’Donnell, Jeffrey Pettit
None
______________________
Grace A. Eves
School Board Secretary
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BID OPENING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2008
A bid opening was held on November 5, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Education
Center.
In Attendance: Grace Eves, Board Secretary, Roxanne Schupp, Supervisor of
Business Operations and Donna Rottenberk, Business Office Witness.
Bids in the following category were opened and read by Roxanne Schupp:
Gravograph LS100 - 30 Watt Laser Engraving System
Southern Educational Systems
Spartanburg, SC 29301
Advanced Technologies Consultants
Northville, MI 48167
Bids will be tabulated and presented to the Board of School Directors.
________________________
Grace A. Eves
Board Secretary
III.
Presentations and Awards
A.
PSBA Certificate of Appreciation
Resolve, the Board present the PSBA Certificate of Appreciation to
Nancy Fronduti for her 8 years of service to the Rose Tree Media
School District.
Background
The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania School Boards
Association presents the Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of
the unique role of school board service and the long-term
contributions of individuals who bring their energy, talent and
values to the guidance of youth and public education in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B.
Keystone Achievement Awards
Resolve, the Board recognize Glenwood, Indian Lane, Media, Rose
Tree and Springton Lake for their outstanding academic
performance.
Background
The Keystone Achievement Award is given to a public school that
has achieved adequate yearly progress for two consecutive years.
This year’s award is for meeting AYP standards in the 2006-2007
and 2007-2008 school years. AYP is determined in part by a
school’s performance on the Pennsylvania System of School
Assessment, the standardized test given annually to students in
grades 3-8 and 11. Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said
the award is testament to the tremendous efforts of the students,
teachers and staff at our schools.
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
SCHOOL REPORT’S – November 2008
GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Art
Art Teachers, Meg Barney and Keith Sharp, received a grant through the National
Endowment for Humanities called “Picturing America.” Through this grant, forty large 24”
X 36” images of famous works of American Art and a resource book were made available
free to each school building throughout the district. The goal of the program is to be able
to tell the story of America through Art. Some of the images are Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of
George Washington, Alexander Gardner’s photograph of Abraham Lincoln, Emanuel
Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware, Norman Rockwell’s Freedom of Speech,
John Singleton Copley’s Paul Revere, Grant Wood’s The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,
John James Audubon’s American Flamingo, Albert Bierstadt’s Looking Down Yosemite
Valley, California, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water, Mary Cassatt’s The Boating Party,
and Jacob Lawrence’s The Migration of the Negro Panel No. 57. Look for them displayed
in the school buildings throughout the year.
Library
The Glenwood PTG sponsored a book fair from November 10rd through the 17th.
Students attended the book fair during their regularly-scheduled library classes and
bought great books at a 25% discount. Parents also visited the fair and made many
purchases for the holidays—great timing, because “a book is a gift you can open again
and again.”
Guidance
This month Student Ambassadors will be working on the Second Annual Glenwood
Clean-up, which is a school initiative after school one day to clean-up the grounds of
Glenwood before winter. Parent and students volunteer, and we clean up any trash on
our school grounds, as well as do gardening projects. We hope this year’s turnout will be
even better then last year.
Math
Glenwood hosted its 3rd annual Family Math Night. Parents and students returned back
to school on Wednesday, Oct. 29th to learn more about our new math curriculum:
Investigations.
After an introduction from Mr. Dougherty and an Investigations
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representative, parents and students met in grade-level groups to participate in activities
from Investigations.
Kindergarten
As a culminating activity to our pumpkin unit the kindergarten classes visited Ramsey's
Farm in Delaware. We learned how corn and pumpkins grow, went on a hay ride, went
through a corn maze and got to pick our very own pumpkins to bring home.
First Grade
The first graders are in the full swing of school now! They are now working in guided
reading groups in each class and are moving on to the third unit of the new Math
program. First grade is also continuing to learn about the school community in Social
Studies and writing “Small Moment Stories” in Writing. Twice a cycle, each class works
with Mr. G. in the Science Lab to learn about weather. At the end of the month, first
grade will have its annual “Thankful Feast.” Each child will invite someone that helps the
school run, including secretaries, specials teachers, and custodians. They will work
together to create invitations and placemats for each guest. They also create a “thankful
wreath” where they write why they are thankful for that person. This wreath will be
presented to each guest at the feast. The classes also create Pilgrim and Native
American costumes with the help of parent volunteers. They each volunteered to bring in
one food item to share with all three classes. They will spend the next couple weeks
learning songs to sing to their guests at the feast. We are looking forward to watching the
children recognize and thank the people who make Glenwood such a well-run, happy
school!
Second Grade
Second grade students are finishing up a unit on communities. We have created
imaginary towns in our rooms, with each child taking an imaginary occupation. We have
had a mayoral campaign and election, and each class has a mayor. Students are
building models of homes (at home) that will be brought in to school. We will have a
Community Day and students will tell their audience (families) what they have learned
through songs, a poem and speeches.
Third Grade
Mr. G’s third grade classes will be making timelines describing important events in Space
Exploration.
Fourth Grade
Mr. G’s fourth grade classes will create interactive products reflecting the Corps of
Discovery’s experiences. We are looking forward to meeting with parents during our
Open House and upcoming conferences. Also, as we get ready to start a new marking
period, each class will wrap up their current science unit and begin working on a new
science unit. In Social Studies, we are exploring the regions of the United States and
learning more about the history of our country.
Fifth Grade
Glenwood’s Running and Walking Club consisted of 30 fourth and fifth grade students,
several parent volunteers, and group leader Angel Barry, fifth grade teacher. The group
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met for an hour once a week after school for eight weeks. The mission of the club was to
promote healthy habits and have fun while exercising. The students kept track of their
laps, logged them into a website, and tracked their individual and group goals. Glenwood
Running and Walking Club members also participated in the Country Pumpkin 5K race in
Middletown on October 12. The club was well received by all participants, and the
students showed such a tremendous interest in continuing that the club will run again in
the spring.
INDIAN LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Election 2008
Indian Lane students had the chance to vote for their presidential choice on Monday,
November 3. Laptop computers were set up in booths (for student privacy) that were
manned by a group of parent volunteers. Students filed in one class at a time to register
and have their voices heard. Indian Lane News reporters were available on the morning
news the week before, to offer voting advice to students. Since the voting was done on
laptops, it was easy to gather data for a noon update and final announcement at the
closing of the day. Senator Obama was the winner among the students. This whole
process was a prime example of working together at Indian Lane Elementary. Parents
assisted staff in making this an enthusiastic and enriching experience for students.
Special thanks go to Mrs. Blanchette and Mrs. Ford for coordinating this event among the
teachers.
Kindergarten
Mrs. Durant's, Mrs. Huebner's and Mrs. McMorrow's Kindergarten classes are meeting
weekly to work on special math projects together. This week, they will be creating special
turkeys for Thanksgiving. Each child will create a turkey out of shape cut outs and graph
the number of each shape used. The children have also graphed their favorite apple, fall
leaf color, and their names by number of letters. Lots of counting and math words are
used to discuss our results: more than, less than, most, least, how many more, fewer
than, greater than, etc. Kindergarten math is lots of fun!
First Grade
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The first graders participated in Pumpkin Math Day. The children made predictions about
various pumpkins based on height, circumference, weight and seed amounts. Then the
actual weighing and measuring began. Next, the children, with parent volunteers, dug into
the pumpkins and started counting those seeds! Afterwards, the findings were charted
and discussed. The next day, the children tasted the seeds, which had been roasted. In
addition, the children read stories about pumpkins and wrote about them as well. In
writing workshop, the children created fall leaves by tie-dying restaurant sized coffee
filters. They then used this experience to inspire them to write about the many changes
that fall brings.
Library
Students in fifth grade have been talking and reading about France. We've made
FRANCE acrostics and read some stories taking place in France. Fourth grade is
listening to biographies and just finished Elizabeth Leads, The Way, describing the
beginnings of the women's right to vote. Second grade is starting on a unit about Frogs
and will be reading Frog and Toad, The Frog Princess and other books about frogs. First
grade will be introduced to the talented William Steig as we learn new words and read
such classics as The Magic Pebble and Shrek! Kindergarten's Leaf Men will be great fall
decorations as we concluded our unit on Lois Ehlert.
Fourth and Fifth Grades
To celebrate the Philadelphia Phillies being in the World Series, fourth and fifth grade
language arts learning support students completed a unit on the "f" sound made by "ph"
in certain words during word study. There were four centers created to complete the unitthe Match/ Sort Center where students arranged magnetized words on the board into
categories, the Search Center where students read stories containing "ph" words and
identified the words, the Independent Center where students completed activities with
"ph" words, and the Word Center where students placed the missing "f" or "ph" into
words. At the end of the unit, students created a chart of "ph" words that was placed in
the hall. This chart was further decorated by fifth grade math learning support students
who made a baseball border for the chart using protractors with specific diameters.
In the fifth grade learning support math class, students are studying standard and metric
measurements. They used a meter stick to calculate the length of the fourth and fifth
grade hallway and also calculated the length of the hallway in feet. The students
determined that the hallway is 64 meters long or 210 feet long. Using multiplication or
division, they then calculated that the hallway is 6,400 centimeters long or 64,000
millimeters long or 70 yards long (not quite as long as a football field).
In the fourth and fifth grade language arts learning support class, we read THE
BORROWERS as a read aloud. The students watched the movie "The Borrowers" and
completed a Venn diagram, comparing and contrasting the book and the movie. The final
product will be a three paragraph informational writing piece comparing and contrasting
the book and the movie.
In fifth grade Social Studies the students are learning about Explorers. The students are
doing some research and are in the process of creating a variety of activities that go
along with an assigned explorer. They are working on a time line, bio-poems. ”I Am
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From…” poetry, and they will be writing a paper on their explorer to present to the class.
At that time they will also showcase a life size explorer they are creating that looks like
who they have researched.
Math Wizard
Indian Lane’s first Math Wizard of the year was held. Students in grades 2-5 will take
timed "tests" on the basic mathematics facts. When a student gets 90% correct, he has
"mastered" the operation and can move on to the next operation. This popular program is
held twice a month in the cafeteria and progress is monitored by the “sticker system” high
on the wall in the cafeteria.
Family Math Night
Indian Lane held their first annual Family Math Night. Parents and students learned more
about our Investigations Math Program, as well as tried out some of the activities. Mr.
Washington organized the evening with help from Mr. Bennett, Mrs. Barton, Mrs. Hatton,
Mrs. Van Ess, and Miss. Parkinson. There were about 40-50 Indian Lane students and
parents in attendance.
Did someone mention Michael Phelps? Kids have heard a lot about China these days
with the Olympics being held in Beijing this past summer. We held an assembly on that
had nothing to do with the Summer Olympics but it had a lot to do with China…Peter
Tang’s Chinese Ensemble introduced a whole new culture by playing instruments and
sonorities of Chinese music and addressed how history and geography have shaped
traditional Chinese music. Students learned rhythms and embellishments that greatly
differ from those of Western music.
Halloween
Halloween, as always, was a HUGE success. Students (and even some parents) loved
the afternoon of dressing up and parading around the soccer field. Some staff members,
along with the fifth graders, entertained the crowd with their rendition of “Cupid’s Shuffle”.
Also, Mr. Frank, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Washington and Mr. Pinto dazzled the crowd as The
Indian Lane Village People.
Check out more Indian Lane happenings on our website: http://www.rtmsd.org/indianlane
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Indian Lane is very proud of their website which is updated daily. Our parents receive ealerts when our site has been updated with important News on the Lane! Check it out.
MEDIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Presidential Election 2008
The voices of the people – Grade K - 5 students at Media School - have been heard! The
winner of the 2008 Presidential Election at Media School was Barack Obama, with a
decisive 77% of the popular vote. Senator Obama won all 119 of the grade-level
“electoral votes,” which were determined by the grade-level student population.
Congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama and his vice presidential running mate,
Senator Joe Biden! The students took their voting very seriously as they came to the
Atrium polling center with their voter registration cards and their secret ballots firmly in
hand. The H.O.M.E. team, Media’s community service team, served as poll watchers who
validated the voter registration cards, escorted students to the four voting booths to cast
their ballots, and assisted Mr. Murphy in counting and qualifying the vote! Thanks to Mr.
Murphy, guidance counselor, and Mrs. Smith, social studies coordinator, for organizing
this patriotic learning experience.
H.O.M.E Team Service Learning Project
Media School’s H.O.M.E. team participated in a service learning project in preparation for
the second grade classes’ release of butterflies this spring. More than thirty HOME team
members and fifteen parent volunteers prepared the soil for a springtime planting of a
butterfly garden. The volunteers weeded, cut back overgrown plants and turned the soil.
Although spring is far away, we can look forward to the planting of bulbs and the beautiful
flowers they will produce. The butterflies, and everyone in the Media School community,
will be grateful for this gift from nature and to Media’s H.O.M.E. team.
Community Action Agency of Delaware County
Mrs. Susan Howe, Instructional Support teacher, and Mrs. White, principal, were
privileged to be invited to attend the Community Action Agency of Delaware County’s
Annual Awards Luncheon. The awards luncheon honored area community and business
leaders for their service to the organization, and it recognized those community residents
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who have benefited from the program’s services and have worked to improve the quality
of their lives. Media School students and staff will be collecting change for the Community
Action Agency as a part of their “Help Us Make a Change” campaign. Children who are
living in Community Action Agency homeless shelters will be receiving toys donated by
Media students during the holiday season. The agency will place donation barrels in the
Atrium for students to place the toys they donate.
Parallel Day
Your eyes weren’t playing tricks on you if you walked through the halls of Media on
Tuesday, November 11! That’s because the students and staff were celebrating “Parallel
Day!” It was a fun opportunity for students to fully understand the concept of parallel lines.
Students wore lines of every size and color for this fun celebration.
Media Borough Veteran’s Day Parade
Media’s fifth grade students and teachers marched proudly down State Street in the 48th
Veterans’ Day Parade. All of the other Media students and staff lined the streets and
waved flags in honor of America’s veterans who served our country.
November Featured Artists of the Month
Elizabeth Breslin, Grade 1 – My Favorite Game; Molly McCarthy, Grade 3 – Ancient
Egypt: Anubis – Tomb Protector. Each month, Media Elementary School’s Featured
Artists will have their artwork displayed on a bulletin board in the main office. Stop by and
take a look!
Kindergarten
Technology was incorporated through use of the SMARTBOARD to introduce an
Investigations lesson on counting. In addition, the SMART was incorporated into a lesson
on initial sound fluency during language arts. Children learned about the five senses
through various interactive lessons during science.
Grade One
The first graders at Media School have been learning their math skills with more of a
“hands on” approach this year. Number recognition, counting, problem solving and
geometry skills are topics that have been covered in class thus far. The children are
required to use various types of manipulatives to help with their learning. They are also
asked to explain their reasoning with pictures, numbers and words when solving
problems. The students get a chance to practice developing their social skills as they
work in groups for many of the learning games and activities they get to experience.
Grade Two
Hear ye! Hear ye! Community Day at Media Elementary was a HUGE success! The
second graders worked together recite poems and sing songs for their parents and
grandparents today.
Songs included "I Live Near The City" and "The Geography Song." Each class learned
one stanza from the poem “When I Grow Up.” Then each child introduced him or her self
and told what career he or she had chosen. Their "business" attire looked terrific! Parents
and grandparents then were invited into classrooms to see the city, suburb, village or
town that all had worked on. Finally, students rotated from station to station to hear about
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the real-life jobs of parent volunteers. They listened to an FBI agent, a lapidarian and a
paleontologist, just to name a few. When asked what they thought of Community Day, the
children said, “We LOVED it! It was AWESOME!”
Grade Three
The third grade team attended a training session at the Intermediate Unit on the Land and
Water science unit that is being newly introduced to third grade. They found the training
extremely helpful and were especially interested in learning how the new unit related to
eligible content on the science PSSA. Now they better understand their responsibility for
covering content that students will be responsible for in fourth grade. The presenters did
such a wonderful job that that third grade team inquired about receiving training for the
upcoming Magnetism and Electricity unit. They think that training will be helpful,
especially since that unit also addresses PSSA eligible content.
Grade Four
The children have completed their first research project by constructing dioramas of
various landforms. Part of their projects involved an oral presentation. They were
displayed in the library. Mrs. Seaner visited Mrs. Gruber's class to collect data for an
assignment in data analysis. Mrs. Gruber involved the families by having her math
students do their data analysis at home. The fourth grade classes are taking a trip to the
Minshall House this week as part of our work with the Passport to History program. Ms.
Coulter and Ms. Deady are team teaching their science unit on Microworlds. Mrs.
Gruber's class just used the new microscopes bought last year--they are awesome! Mrs.
Seaner's class is involved in the science unit of Motion and Design.
Grade Five
This month, fifth grade teachers continued to be active in the school and community.
They volunteered to work at the annual Harvest Fair celebration, helped plan and
facilitate a parent math and reading night seminar, and continued to lead as members of
the Arcadia Inclusion Institute team. The students extensively analyzed (a Powerful
Word!) the presidential campaign and election. Each student completed an election
journal where she could express her thoughts, record information about the candidates
that was researched on the Internet, examined TV and print advertisements, and
recorded election results. Technology, especially the Smart Boards and laptops, proved
incredibly effective and helpful in our study of the election.
AGP (Gifted Support) – Gr. 3, 4, 5
The gifted support teacher, Mrs. Williamson, accompanied several second grade classes
on a walking tour of Media as a part of their Communities unit. The students used their
map skills to navigate, read maps while touring, and visited a number of historic and
community buildings throughout the borough.
Art
Jana Maxwell just returned from a three-week visit to Japan. Sponsored by the Fulbright
Memorial Fund and the government of Japan, she learned about the education system,
government, and culture of the country. The stay was highlighted by day-long visits to
elementary, junior high, high school and university. At the university level, she was
exposed to their teacher training program.
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Music – Gr. 1 - 5
The second grade has begun a unit on Native American Music with a focus on drumming.
The students will learn several Native North American songs which they will accompany
with a drum they “build” in class. There are also movement activities and games
incorporated with the final project being the Navajo Rain Ceremony. Expect wet weather
in a few weeks!
Our fifth grade unit on Musical Theater has started and we aligned our chosen musical
with one being presented at the Media Theatre this fall: Oliver! The students are
exploring all aspects of the musical genre, viewing scenes on DVD and from the web,
acting, singing, and learning what goes on behind the scenes. Our own “Playbill” helps us
to follow along and take notes. We are hoping many fifth grade families will attend Media
Elementary Day at the Media Theatre to view the 3:00 p.m. matinee of Oliver!
Title 1 Math and Reading
Title I held its first parent meeting for the 2008-09 school year. Parents were invited to
share a light dinner followed by an overview of the Title I program. Dr. Gilbert reviewed
the government’s Title I guidelines, and the goals of our Title I programs. She also
presented opportunities that parents had to be involved, including attending the Title I
Parent Conference at Seven Springs. Katherine Echeverria and Brittani Lutterman had
the opportunity to introduce themselves, and speak briefly about the reading and math
programs. Katherine also distributed literature to the parents on ways they can aid their
children in reading and learning. Following the dinner and presentation, parents attended
the Reading and Math Fun Night to learn more about their children’s reading and math
programs, and things that they can do at home to enhance their child’s learning.
Physical Education
Students in grades 3 and 4 are completing units of soccer skills and lead-up games.
Students in grade 5 are participating in a unit of football skills and games. Grades 1 and 2
are beginning units focusing on throwing and catching.
ROSE TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
First Grade
First grade welcomed parents, grandparents and special friends in November. Our
special guests were treated to a variety of interactive activities, both language arts and
math. We also had a special Thanksgiving feast in our cafeteria this year. We sampled
foods from around the world and highlighted our diversity. We enjoyed honoring our
traditions and sharing them with others.
Third Grade
The third grade at Rose Tree Elementary has made great use of the Presidential Election
as a curriculum tie-in to not only our Social Studies but also our Reading and our new
Math Investigations Program this past November. The students read articles about each
candidate and learned about the major issues in their campaigns. The class created a
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giant map of the USA and colored in the red and blue states adding the electoral votes
until one of the candidates reached the magic number of 270 votes. The use of Line Plot
Graphs helped us interpret the data we collected. Excellent interactive websites kept the
students engaged and involved in their learning as we prepared to be informed voters in
our school’s mock election.
Fifth Grade
Rose Tree fifth graders visited the Chadds Ford historical Society. All three classes
visited the John Chadds House and the Barns-Brinton Tavern. The John Chadds House
was actually damaged during the battle of Brandywine. The students learned about
colonial life through such activities as weaving, open hearth cooking, and making clay
marbles in a felt bag. Mrs. Clark's fifth grade students have been enjoying our beautiful
fall foliage. They are able to identify 12 different types of trees and leaves found in and
around our backyards. They are also able to explain how leaves turn different colors
during this season. Each child made a creative leaf collage from items found in nature.
The collages are decorating the classroom and reminding them of our natural
environment. Mr. Moore's class studied flags in Social Studies. Each student designed
their own flag, which are now hanging in Mr. Moore's class. "Explorers" were the subject
in Mrs. VanZant's class. The students learned about the many explorers and created
"Wanted" posters of the explorers which are now hanging in the fifth grade hall.
Physical Education
For the month of November, first and second graders focused on rolling, underhand and
overhand throwing and catching. 3rd and 4th grade finished working on ball skills such as
dribbling, passing, trapping, kicking and shooting. They learned skills for maintaining
possession of the ball and strategies for offense and defense. Fifth grade finished
working on ball skills such as carrying, running, dodging, throwing, catching, passing and
snapping. They also learned skills for maintaining possession of the ball and strategies
for offense and defense.
SPRINGTON LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Our first costume Halloween was most successful (wearing a costume was optional). We
appreciate students following the rules regarding costumes and we appreciate your
support. We plan to continue this new tradition for SLMS next year.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Geralyn Mayernick - seventh grade Language Arts teacher
Ms. Mayernick has been teaching in our district for 30 years. After graduating from West
Chester University, she worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines. After intensive
training in Dallas and Ft. Worth, Texas, she was based in New York and flew out of
LaGuardia, JFK and Newark airports. After a year of flying, she decided to return to her
first love, teaching. Ms. Mayernick says she loves teaching language arts because it is
such a creative field. "Every movie or TV show started as a script," she said. "Every
song started with lyrics. Words have the power to comfort, to influence, to inform, and to
entertain. I enjoy teaching every aspect of language in my curriculum. Watching students
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respond to literature, writing something powerful for the first time, or just enjoying the
written word is such a thrill for me," she said. Ms. Mayernick is a voracious reader of
fiction and non-fiction. She also writes stories and poetry. During her summers she
travels and has been to Eastern Europe, Italy, England, Turkey, Greece, and the
Caribbean. This summer she will be heading to Alaska. She also enjoys photography,
gardening and a challenging game of Scrabble.
Mr. Andy Virture -seventh grade Science Teacher
"Science is great and important because it is all around us all the time," Mr. Virtue says.
"Whether it is watching the leaves turn color, how fast a car accelerates, or why gum
tastes and chews the way it does, there is always an answer for every question--although
sometimes the answer is not yet understood. Finding the answer is when the real fun
begins." Mr. Virtue also organizes two major events for SLMS every year. Hoopes for
Hope, where more than 400 people get involved, and Tour de Lake, where hundreds
more take part. Originally, Hoopes for Hope was supposed to he a "pick-up game of
basketball during practice--but it grew into a very important event. Monies raised are
donated to the Hope School in Africa, were our funds have helped in many ways,
including building and stocking a library, providing computers, building part of a school
building and establishing a plumbing system. Tour de Lake had small beginnings as well,
originally it was Mr. Virtue riding a bike with some students. Now, it's a challenging
physical endurance test as more than 10 teams of students ride 20 miles around school
property to raise funds for MS. Mr. Virtue, a three sport athlete in college, also coaches
three sports each year--Boys' & Girls' 7th & 8th grade cross country, 8th grade Boys'
basketball and 7th & 8th grade Boys' Track. When he is not at school, he spends time
with his three daughters ages, 3, 6 & 9 and his wife. He is an Eagles fan and goes to all
of their home games and he also participates in at least two 100--mile charity bicycle
races annually.
ART
Mrs. Sycz’ Eighth grade students have begun a new lesson which focuses on the art of
lettering as well correlates to their study in social studies to the art of the Middle Ages
including illuminated manuscripts. In addition to integrating the principles of design that
were studied in their last unit, students are focusing on balance, proportion and color
theory. Students will be reading about the art in the Middle Ages to reinforce their
appreciation of the achievements at that time period. Also students will investigate the
role art plays according the needs of the culture. Eighth grade students will have the
opportunity to incorporate resource images obtained off of the internet in their lettering
project related to illuminated letters. Grade seven students will end their portrait project
by reading about different subjects artists use for their art work. Students will then move
into an exploration of the principles and elements of art in an abstract watercolor painting
inspired by the artist Kandinsky. Grade six students are learning about the basics of
ceramic pottery and learning to create a container using slab construction. Students will
incorporate the principles of art studied in the last project and will explore the role of
texture in an art work.
Eighth graders in Mrs. Going's room have begun the study of the Middle Ages and the
Art of the Illuminated Manuscripts! Each year we try to get smaller to represent the actual
manuscripts! Students are working in "miniature" in order to get a true sense of this labor
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intensive art form. They were very excited after returning from the Renaissance Faire with
stories of seeing similar letterings like they were creating!!! A variety of assignments will
continue to help them understand the history of the arts during this Medieval/Renaissance
period. A culminating trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in May will round out the
history and art for this unit of study. Seventh graders are well into the construction of their
"Fish in Motion" for the ceramics unit. They are working through the technique of slab
construction and coil construction in hand building their sculptures. Each step helps
reveal the character of their sculpture bring smiles and satisfaction to the student artists
especially after a challenging step is added!! Sixth graders are well into the building
stage of their Aztec Sun Relief Sculpture. After reviewing the element of form and
explaining the difference between Sculpture In The Round and Relief Sculpture, students
jumped right in to begin the construction!! A ceramic sculpture unit will follow to further
emphasize the difference.
Guidance
The guidance department has begun their guidance groups at all grade levels. There are
presently six groups running at this time throughout the school. Eighth grade students
are receiving lessons on the topics of Diversity and Conflict Resolution. Mrs. Griffin,
transition counselor, continues to meet with students new to the school to help ensure
that they are successful. The department will be going into all classrooms to address
bullying and name calling issues and set the tone for what is expected for students.
Health/PE
All students participated in the cooperative games unit. Classes experienced a variety of
activities that challenged individuals to work as a group to achieve common goals.
Challenges were a mixture of mental and physical, while incorporating multiple strategies.
Communication techniques were also stressed as the group had to come to solutions to
particular problems as well as physically get the activities done.
LIBRARY
Mrs. Motley attended the Delco Book Review session at Upper Darby High School. She
selected thirty-three newly published hardback books which she is currently reading and
reviewing. In exchange for the reviews which are forwarded to the publishers, the books
are added to the Springton Lake collection at no charge. Mrs. Motley also attended a
planning meeting for the Access PA Delaware County Regional Group at Ridley High
School. Plans were made for in-service programs during the remainder of the 2008-2009
school year.
Teen read week was celebrated during the week of October 13th. This year’s theme,
Take a Bite Out of books carried out with a showcase display of cookbooks which
featured multi-ethnic cuisines as well as cookbooks inspired by books, authors and
certain periods of history. Students could also pick up coordinating bookmarks at the
library circulation desk throughout the month.
Mrs. Motley presented eighth grade geometry students from Mrs. Miller’s and Mr. Twiss’
classes with an introduction to materials that would be useful to their research on famous
mathematicians through history. All sixth grade language arts and special education
classes participated in two research lessons this month in preparation for upcoming
12
science reports. Students first learned how to use the Trash and Treasure method of
note-taking to select relevant facts when gathering information for a report. The
subsequent lesson, how to avoid plagiarism by learning to write “in your own words,”
concluded with a brief writing activity. Eighth grade Spanish students research Spanish
“ancestors” in order to gather information for the tombstones they created for their
celebration of Dia de los Meurtos. Sixth grade SLMS Success students participated in
webquests to practice note-taking skills. Life Skills students from Mrs. Heneman’s class
continue to come for book selection as well as stories, several of which had surprise
endings during the month of October!
Math
Our eighth grade Pre-Algebra classes are well into a unit on Integers. Our circle of Real
Numbers is growing to now include negative whole numbers. We are solving one-step
equations involving integers by using one of the four operations order to do so. We will
be applying all of the skills we are introduced in this unit to our next unit which deals with
solving more complicated kinds of equations.
Our Algebra I classes continue to work with linear equations—graphing and solving them.
We are using the TI-83 graphing calculators in our investigation of linear situations. It’s
amazing how we can use this valuable piece of technology to make our work easier.
Some seventh grade classes completed an interdisciplinary activity called “The Electoral
College Game” which is a simulation of the electoral process. Seventh grade Connected
Math completed the “Covering and Surrounding” unit on area and perimeter and started
“Variables and Patterns”, a unit on the coordinate plane and graphing. Accelerated PreAlgebra is working on using basic algebra to solve problems. Algebra I is using slope and
intercepts to graph linear equations.
In sixth grade math we have just begun a unit on factors, prime numbers, and composite
numbers. To introduce the concept, we played the "Factor Game" and the "Product
Game", both of which help students conceptualize how these types of numbers relate to
one another and why they are important. Since we just completed our unit on data
analysis, we had a parent come in to share how he uses data to make informed decisions
about his patient's long term care. During his presentation, students were able to predict
outcomes, discuss outliers in data and determine the appropriate graphs to use to display
his mock data. Our guest, Mr. Evenden, is a practicing psychologist studying the effects
of mood changes on memory loss in patients with Alzheimer's.
Music
The Eighth Grade Band at SLMS displayed their costumes and musicianship as they
performed with the Penncrest Band for the annual Media Halloween Parade. They will
also participate in Veteran’s Day activities on Tuesday, November 11th at the courthouse
in Media. SLMS Choice Voices, Steppers on Fire, Honors Strings, and Jazz Band will
performed for the Senior Citizen’s luncheon.
Speaking of performing, our concert season has begun. Upcoming dates include:
6th Grade Band and Jazz Band Winter Concert –December 3 – 7:30 PM at SLMS
7th Grade Chorus and Select Chorus Winter Concert – December 9th – 7:30 PM at SLMS
13
8th Grade Chorus and Select Chorus Winter Concert – December 10th – 7:30 PM at SLMS
6th Grade Chorus at Plush Meadows Retirement Community – December 11th at 4:30 PM
SLMS Orchestra and Honors Strings Winter Concert – December 15th – 7:30 PM at
SLMS
6th Grade Choice Voices Winter Concert – December 17th – 7:30 PM at SLMS
7th Grade General Music has been drumming along to the marches of John Philip Sousa
as they correlate with social studies and Americana.
Continuing an historical perspective, the Eighth Grade General Music Classes are
performing original chants and music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Science
The seventh grade science dept. is wrapping up the battery building unit by testing the
effects of varying charge times on the battery's voltage and lifting power. This unit is
followed by an investigation into series circuits. Eighth grade students in our classes are
finish labs relating to density of liquids and gasses, through using density columns of
various household liquids, and by exploring why a candle goes out due to a chemical
reaction between baking soda and vinegar. We also have begun exploring states of
matter of substances, specifically looking at a non-Newtonian fluid, corn starch and water,
which behaves both like a solid and a liquid, depending upon the pressure applied.
Special Education
In eighth grade resource room we are working on reading and math PSSA test prep.
Students are also using this time for help with assignments, extended time on quizzes,
and homework.
Rosanna Denney will be co-teaching with Alexis Wilson (7th-grade special education math
teacher) on Mondays (designated day to focus on PSSA preparation and assessment
anchors). This is her prep period, and she has offered to work with me and share her
resources so that I may share them with others once she retires. She is hoping to come
back to Springton to work with teachers next year.
Life Skills students went to Linvilla Orchards to learn about Johnny Appleseed, the Native
Americans that lived on this site, the different varieties of apples and squash, and the
process of making cider.
Students in the seventh and eighth grade Spanish/resource classes recently completed a
“Tumba” project. A tumba is a traditional Mexican object that honors a deceased person.
Students were assigned the name of a famous Spanish speaker whom they researched
using library resources. The final products reflected the life and major accomplishments of
the assigned individual. The Spanish/resource program continues to grow, and next year
we hope to offer programs in both Spanish and French.
Several teachers from the special education department are part of the Arcadia inclusion
team. They are working with regular education teachers to provide additional supports to
students in a variety of creative ways. We are also planning to issue a quarterly special
education newsletter that will be mailed home to parents of children with IEPs.
14
PENNCREST HIGH SCHOOL
Music News
The Penncrest Roaring Lions Marching Band finished first in their division and received a
rating of "Outstanding" at the Marple Newtown Bandarama.
Relay For Life
Thank you to everyone who made Relay for Life a huge success in 2008. More than
$139,000 was raised in the fight against cancer. This overwhelming achievement has
gained the Relay for Life of Rose Tree Media the title of “Rookie of the Year" for the
Pennsylvania Division of the American Cancer Society. Plans are underway for our 2009
RELAY which will be held May 15-16 in the Penncrest Stadium.
Homecoming 2008
For the first time ever, the Penncrest Homecoming court participated in the Media
Halloween parade. Students rode in cars donated by Weather's Dodge and followed the
Penncrest Roaring Lions Marching Band.
PSAT In Review
PHS sophomores and juniors participated in the College Board Preliminary Scholastic
(Reasoning) Aptitude Test (PSAT). For juniors this exam is the qualifying assessment for
the National Merit Scholarship program. For all students the PSAT provides feedback
related to students' academic strengthens, areas for growth, and potential for success in
Advanced Placement courses. Students will receive their results in December.
FBLA
Penncrest hosted the Future Business Leaders of America Regional Leadership
Workshop which was attended by over 300 students from 9 area schools.
Readers’ Theatre
Penncrest's Emanon Players presented this year's Readers' Theatre production,
Monsters, to Language Arts classes. Almost fifty of Penncrest's finest worked on this
fantastic program.
Students in the News
Richard Bailey (senior) and Lindsay Gaskins (junior) were the Media Rotary Club
Students of the Month for October. They were honored at a luncheon at the Towne
House in Media.
Seniors Joseph Hooker and Angela Wolf are the Glen Riddle Rotary Club Students of the
Month for October. They were honored at a luncheon at Barnaby's in Aston.
PE Boys Majors News
Warm Up Student of the Week - Andrew Mariani
Winners for the U. S. Soccer Tournament Unit - Bailey, Kruzel, Atkinson, Miller, Tierney,
Quintans, Hughes, McCusker, Weatherby, Smith, & Grauer
15
Winners for the Ultimate Frisbee Tournament Unit - Kershaw, Batipps, McGuff, Malady,
Brietmeyer
Back to School Dance
The Back to School Dance was a great success. Students contributed an extra dollar at
the door and raised $541.00 for Relay for Life.
AFG Awards
Penncrest’s Accreditation for Growth, or AFG, awards, recognize the outstanding
achievement of students in level II and level III classes. Each month a different
department chooses its award winners based on academic and personal achievement.
Last month, the Music Department chose its award winners. They are:
Most Improved: Stephanie Ciminera, Best Participation: Sean Carney
Best
Achievement in a Non-Academic Setting: Tyler Mell, Best School Citizenship: Jana
McPheeters, Best Academic Achievement: Andrew Peng, and Best Work Ethic: Heather
Craft
Physics Olympics
The first Southeastern Pennsylvania Physics Olympics League Tournament took place
Saturday, October 25, 2008 at West Chester East High School. At this first meet, over
135 Penncrest students attended, as well as over 50 parents. Captains for the Penncrest
team were Corbin Muetterties, Taylor McManus, and Max Nachamkin. Penncrest
students, Ben Madara, Jack Prior, and Tom Paolo, won a silver medal with their
Mousetrap Boat. Penncrest student, Meyling Taing, won a gold medal for her Toothpick
Egg Toss. Penncrest won the meet with 780 points and is currently in first. Harriton is in
second with 730 points. Radnor is currently in third with 675 points. The next meet is at
Harriton High School on December 20, 2008. The final meet will be at Penncrest High
School on February 21, 2009.
Mock Election
The Election Club, under the leadership of Mr. Silva and Mr. Danson, conducted a schoolwide Mock Election on Monday November 3.
Debate Club
Juniors Jackson Buttery, Ryan Piotti and Vickram Premakumar, members of the
Penncrest Debate Club, attended a Speech and Debate tournament at Lower Merion
High School. The tournament kicked off the 2008-09 season for District 10 of the
Pennsylvania High School Speech League, of which Penncrest is a part. The students
observed both the Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum styles of debate and picked up
pointers from Haverford School, Lower Merion High School, and Harriton High School
competitors.
Interact and Eco Clubs
A busload of Interact and Eco Club students along with Mrs. Bury, Mr. Nolen, Mr.
Matthews, Mr. Harple, and Mr. LoBiondo attended Eastern State Penitentiary's awardwinning Terror Behind the Walls attraction. The two clubs will return in the spring to help
Eastern State's fund-raising and restoration efforts.
16
French Exchange
The 33 French Exchange students from Avignon, France returned home on November 6
after the farewell covered dish in the Penncrest cafeteria. During their stay, the French
students experienced Homecoming at Penncrest, the beautiful fall leaves, a Phillies
championship and a historic election. Feedback from students and host families has
been very positive about the experience. Everyone is very excited about seeing each
again when the American group will travel to Provence in March 2009.
National French Week
The French department hosted several activities to promote French and French-speaking
counties. The first event was the eighth annual dinner trip to a Moroccan restaurant with
the International Club. Staff members and students dined at Casablanca restaurant on
City Line Avenue and experienced a traditional, six-course Moroccan meal. Penncrest
students will take buses to SLMS for a pétanque tournament (the French version of bocce
ball.) Penncrest students were invited to watch the film, Marie Antoinette. There was
also a French scavenger hunt contest. Student contest winners received gift certificates
to area French restaurants.
World Language Concert
Latin jazz band, Soul Fuego performed at Penncrest.
Phyllis Kavanaugh scholarship for study abroad.
17
Concert proceeds benefit the
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:
November 19, 2008
Subject:
November 18, 2008 – 8:00 PM Finance Committee Minutes
Chairperson: Bill O’Donnell
______________________________________________________________________
In Attendance: Jeff Pettit, John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Bill Montgomery,
Nancy Fronduti, Nancy Mackrides and Peter Barry
Also In Attendance: Denise Kerr, Anne Callahan and Grace Eves
1.
Act 1 Timeline
The Act 1 Timeline from the Department of Education requires school districts to
have a proposed preliminary budget adopted by February 18th at the latest. The
timeline includes posting the budget to the public for twenty days before it is
adopted. Districts must also notify the public ten days before the adoption of its
intent to adopt the budget. The February board meeting is on the 26th, which is
too late for adoption in the month of February. As a result, the budget must be
adopted at the January 22nd board meeting. This requires the district to post its
proposed preliminary budget by January 2nd and notify the public on January 12th
of its intent to adopt the budget at the January 22nd board meeting.
Action: Discussion
2.
“First Look” 2009-2010 General Fund Budget
The Committee will review the first look of the 2009-2010 General Fund Budget
at the December 9th Finance Committee Meeting.
Action: This item will be discussed at the December 9th Finance Committee
Meeting.
3.
Gravograph LS100 - 30 watt laser engraving system or equal.
A Bid Opening was held on November 5, 2008. Two bids were received. The
laser engraver will be replacing equipment that is more than 10 years old.
The Committee recommended awarding the bid to Advanced Technologies
Consultants, in the amount of $20,697.04. $18,406.00 was approved in the
2008-09 Budget for this purchase. A budgetary transfer will be submitted in the
amount of $2,291.40 from the district equipment account to cover the total cost of
this piece of equipment.
Action: This item will move on to the November 20th Legislative Meeting for
Board approval.
4.
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.
FY 09 – 68
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Fiscal Services – Equipment
$1,046.22
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instructional Technology – Equipment
$1,046.22
RATIONALE: Transfer needed for SLMS to purchase a Sharp LCD TV
with DVD and a Sony DVD/VCR combo to replace broken items.
4.
Budgetary Transfers (cont’d)
FY 09 – 69
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Regular Instruction – Supplies
$4,860.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instructional Technology – Equipment
$4,860.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed for IL to cover the cost of Smart Boards
ordered in July.
FY 09 – 76 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
Fiscal Services – Equipment
AMOUNT: $2,291.40
TO:
AMOUNT:
Regular Instruction – Equipment
$2,291.40
RATIONALE: Additional funds needed to purchase a laser engraver for
the Technology Education Department at Penncrest.
Action: This item will move on to the November 20th Legislative Meeting
for Board approval.
The next Finance Committee meeting will be held on December 9, 2008 at 8:00 p.m
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:
November 19, 2008
Subject:
November 18, 2008 – 9:00 PM - Operations Committee Minutes
Chairperson: Bill Montgomery
__________________________________________________________________
In Attendance: Jeff Pettit, John Hanna, Veronica Barbato, Bill Montgomery,
Nancy Fronduti, Nancy Mackrides and Peter Barry
Also In Attendance: Denise Kerr, Anne Callahan, Dennis Cini, Ron Baldino, and
Grace Eves.
1.
‘09 Capital Projects Budget
Dennis Cini reviewed the ’09 Capital Projects with the Committee. Committee
members will review the projects and forward any questions to Ron Baldino.
Ron will review the projects in the event some of the projects can be completed
by the Maintenance Department. The Capital Projects Budget will be reviewed
again at the December 9th Operations Committee Meeting.
Action: Discussion
2.
Media Youth Wrestling Tournament – Sunday Building Use Request
Action: This item will move on to the November 20th Legislative Meeting for
Board approval.
3.
SLMS Update
The District will appear at the Upper Providence Township Council Meeting on
December 11, 2008, for Conditional Use and Land Development Plan approval.
The next Operations Committee meeting will be on December 9, 2008, 9:00 PM.
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:
November 14, 2008
Subject:
Minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting - November 11, 2008
Board Members in attendance: J. Hanna, P. Barry, J. Pettit, V. Barbato, Chair, N.
Fronduti, N. Mackrides, L. Fox
Also in attendance: A. Callahan
I.
Items for Legislative Meeting – Anne Callahan
The Committee reviewed the items for the legislative meeting of November
20, 2008. Additional items will be added prior to the final agenda being
posted for the board.
II.
Executive Session
An executive session was held to discuss matters of personnel.
The next meeting of the Personnel Committee will be held on Tuesday, December
2, 2008, at 7:45 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
Linda Bluebello, Ed.D.
Director of Pupil Services
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
Date:
November 19, 2008
Subject:
November 18, 2008 Pupil Services Agenda
Chairperson: Mr. John Hanna
Minutes
Board Members in Attendance: Nancy Mackrides, Jeff Pettit, Peter Barry, John
Hanna, Bill Montgomery, Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Bill O’Donnell
Others in Attendance: Denise Kerr, Linda Bluebello, Anne Callahan, Chip Olinger,
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR UPDATE
Chip Olinger, Athletic Director for RTMSD, was in attendance to answer questions and
clarify procedures regarding a variety of topics, including the use of fields and facilities,
organization of district interscholastic sports programs, out-of-season demands on
athletes and coaching vacancies. The Board also had the opportunity to peruse copies
of the current coaches’ evaluation form and coaches’ handbook which outlines
guidelines and procedures.
CONTRACTS
Kimberly Parra provides coordination of the Student Assistance Program (SAP) at
Penncrest High School for an annual cost of $37,193, to be prorated from November
21, 2008 (or start date, pending receipt of all paperwork) to June 18, 2009.
Action: Approval will be on the November 2008 Legislative Agenda.
Café Prepay provides online payment services of students’ lunch accounts. This
contract was discussed at the November 2008 Pupil Services Committee meeting.
Action: Approval will be on the November 2008 Legislative Agenda.
The next Pupil Service meeting will be held on December 9, 2008, at 8:00 p.m. in the
Board Room 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:
November 13, 2008
RE:
November 11, 2008, 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
Also in Attendance: Pat Barta, Angela Gilbert, Erin Scheivert, Steve Taylor
Elementary Math Update
Dr. Gilbert presented a power point delineating the implementation of the new
elementary math program, Math Investigations. The roll out of the program has been
smooth in that all materials are in place, teachers have established appropriate routines,
communication with math coordinators has been ongoing and professional development
has been ongoing. Family Math Nights held at each school have provided parents with
an opportunity to learn more about Investigations, engage in the same math activities
their children experience daily and ask questions. The events were a huge success in all
buildings.
Mrs. Erin Scheivert, third grade teacher at Rose Tree Elementary School, demonstrated
the differences between a traditional lesson and the constructivist approach utilized in
Investigations. She also shared highlights of the program and many of the benefits for
our students. Board members participated in an instructional game, Today’s Number, to
experience first hand the types of activities used to strengthen the math skills of our
students.
Special Education Update
Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Barta updated the committee on the pending due process hearing
resulting from a complaint filed by a parent last month. The hearing is scheduled for
November 25, 2008. Dr. Gilbert submitted a written account of the details leading up to
this case. Dr. Barta shared pertinent background information.
Dr. Gilbert provided a description of the transition plan in place for a student after the
services provided by a 1-1 aide are terminated. The board approved a 1-1 assistant for a
Penncrest student for a temporary period of time to help the student make adjustments
to allow him to succeed at school. The board expressed concern for the well being of
the student and the maintenance of his program, once the adult support was removed.
The transition plan presented by Dr. Gilbert listed the supports that will be in place for the
student including: weekly therapy with a psychologist; participation in academic
enrichment; support in the resource room; a form to document the student’s behaviors;
continued use of the language used with the student by the 1-1 Assistant so that the
students receives verbal cues that are familiar to him.
ACTION: Approval will be on the November 2008 Legislative Agenda
A student with significant disabilities (V. G.) is in need of a change in educational
programming, including the need for a 1-1 aide. The student is moving from a placement
at Connections to CHAAMP in order to better meet his needs. CHAAMP provides
transition services for students diagnosed with Autism. Each student in this program is
required to have the support of a 1-1 instructional assistant, since the student spends
most of the time in community-based work and/or work related experiences. Other
services will include Occupational and Physical Therapy.
Strategic Planning Update
Dr. Taylor updated the Board on the draft Strategic Plan that was submitted to PDE in
September. The Plan consists of six discrete reports. To date, PDE has approved three
of these: Educational Technology, Special Education, and Teacher Induction. Three
remain to be approved: Academic Standards and Assessment, Professional Education,
and Student Services. These are still in the hands of the PDE reviewers. Dr. Taylor
assured the Board that work on all the goals and action steps of the plan is already
underway, regardless of the approval status.
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:
November 14, 2008
Subject:
Technology Committee Meeting Minutes for November 11, 2008
Chairperson: Mrs. Linda Fox
Board Members in attendance: Linda Fox, Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Peter
Barry, John Hanna, Jeff Pettit, Nancy Mackrides
Also in attendance: Patti Linden, Kim McCann-Roller, Christa Consadene, Abigail
Consadene
21st Century Classroom Instruction
Board members were invited to the Training Room in the Education Center to view and
experience the newly installed SMART Board and its uses for the classroom. Patti
Linden and Kim McCann showcased some lesson examples of how teachers would use
a SMART Board. Glenwood kindergarten student, Abigail Consadene, was also able to
demonstrate some of the ways she has experienced SMART Board uses in her
classroom this year. Board members were invited to participate in the activities to
experience it first hand. Patti Linden then explained the plan for acquiring additional
boards in a phased budget process that will allow approximately 50 teachers per year to
receive these. Teachers will be required to attend 3 days of professional development to
meet the qualification.
Next meeting: Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at 7:15 p.m. in the Education Center
Board Room
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PRESIDENTIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS – EXECUTIVE SESSION
“In accordance with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, executive sessions of the
School Board were held on the following dates to review and discuss matters
permitted under Section 8 of the Act.”
October 23, 2008
November 11, 2008
November 18, 2008
There will be an executive session of the School Board for matters of personnel
at 6:30 p.m. prior to the Informational Session of November 20, 2008, at
Springton Lake Middle School. The Legislative meetings are recorded on tape.
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
b.
2.
Professional
1.
Sandra Shacklady-White, Special Education Teacher/
Teacher Leader, Penncrest High School, resignation
effective December 19, 2008.
2.
Donna Craskey, 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher,
Springton Lake Middle School, resignation effective
November 28, 2008.
3.
Patricia Kinard, Long Term Substitute Special
Education Teacher, Springton Lake Middle School,
resignation effective November 28, 2008.
Non-Instructional
1.
Linda Henry, Food Service Worker, termination, Ms.
Henry declined the position.
2.
Evan O’Neill, Support Staff I, Penncrest High School,
resignation effective January 9, 2009.
Nominations
a.
Professional
1.
Recommend the Board approve the following
personnel to serve as Homebound Instructors for the
2008-2009 school year at the rate of $44.00 per hour:
Enoch Stevenson
Diana Sweeney
2.
Tom Durant
Kristine Acker
Mary Belle Patton, (.3) Study Skills Teacher, effective
December 1, 2008 at the annual salary of $13,357.50
to be pro-rated. Ms. Patton received her Bachelor’s
Degree from Davidson College in North Carolina. She
is assigned to Springton Lake Middle School. NOTE:
Ms. Patton is being hired pending completion of her
pre-employment paperwork.
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
2.
Nominations
a.
Professional (continued)
3.
b.
Sarah Pettit, (.8) Speech and Language Teacher,
effective December 1, 2008, at the annual salary of
$40,066, Master's Degree/Step 4, pro-rated. Ms Pettit
received her Bachelor's Degree from Elmira College
and her Master's Degree from LaSalle University. She
comes to us from Pediatric Therapeutic Services
where she served as a Speech and Language
Pathologist. Ms. Pettit is assigned to Springton Lake
Middle School and Penncrest High School replacing
(.2) Gina Kokoska and (.6) a new position. NOTE: Ms.
Pettit is being hired pending completion of her preemployment paperwork.
Non-Instructional
1.
Andrew Iavarone, Substitute Bus Driver, effective
October 8, 2008 at the rate of $19.69 per hour. Mr.
Iavarone is replacing William Holcomb who
abandoned his position.
2.
Barbara Tindall, Food Service Worker, effective
October 9, 2008 at the rate of $10.25 per hour. Ms.
Tindall is assigned to Springton Lake Middle School.
NOTE: Ms. Tindall is being hired pending completion
of her pre-employment paperwork.
3.
Carolyn Jourdan, Food Service Worker, effective
November 4, 2008 at the rate of $10.25 per hour. Ms.
Jourdan is assigned to Springton lake Middle School.
NOTE: Ms. Jourdan is being hired pending
completion of her pre-employment paperwork.
4.
Patricia Miller, Bus Aide, effective November 4, 2008
at the rate of $12.95 per hour. Ms Miller is assigned to
the Transportation Department.
5.
Recommend the Board approve the following
personnel to serve as PSAT Review Session
Teachers at the rate of $75.00 per session:
Sharon Smith
Diana Sweeney
Deanna Dachiu
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
2.
Nominations
b.
3.
Non-Instructional (continued)
6.
Carl Holland, Substitute Custodian, effective October
29, 2008 at the rate of $12.00 per hour. Mr. Holland
will serve as a substitute custodian in addition to his
responsibilities as a maintenance worker.
7.
Ellen Sosangelis, Interim Administrator effective at the
rate of $400 per day.
8.
Richard Dunlap, Intermim Administrator effective
September 1, 2008 at the rate of $400 per day.
9.
Louise Naismith, Career Coordinator, effective
November 20, 2008 at the rate of $25.00 per hour.
Ms. Naismith is assigned to Penncrest High School
replacing Linda Cardwell who resigned. NOTE: Ms.
Naismith is being hired pending completion of her preemployment paperwork.
General
a.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
1.
b.
Kristine Acker requests an extension of her unpaid
leave of absence through June 30, 2009 for the
purpose of child rearing.
Degree Advancement
1.
Debra Schnaars, Penncrest High School, degree
advance to MEQ, Step 4 at the annual salary of
$50,082 effective August 28, 2008.
2.
Robert Higgins, Penncrest High School, degree
advance to Master’s +20, Step 11, at the annual
salary of $67,210 effective August 28,2 008.
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General (continued)
c.
Rescind Supplemental Contracts
1.
d.
Rescind appointment of Christiana Kuntz to the
position of Envirothon Co-Sponsor at Penncrest High
School, she will not be filling the position.
Supplemental Contracts
1.
Amanda Meltz, Envirothon Co-Sponsor, Penncrest
High School for the 2008-2009 school year at the
annual salary of $695.00.
2.
Brian Saviski, Fitness Club Sponsor, Penncrest High
School for the 2008-2009 school year at the annual
salary of $1,529.00.
3.
Angel Barry, Walking Club Sponsor for the Fall,
Glenwood Elementary, at the annual salary of
$208.50
4.
Lovinda Weaver, Scrabble Club, Media Elementary,
at the annual salary of $139.00.
5.
Jacqueline Matusow, Scrabble Club,
Elementary, at the annual salary of $139.00.
6.
Patrick Murphy, Piano Club, Media Elementary, at the
annual salary of $417.00.
7.
Sharon Prior, (.5) Special Student Activities Sponsor,
Springton Lake Middle School, at the annual salary of
$347.50.
8.
Susan Vause, (.5) 7th Grade Homework Club
Sponsor, Springton Lake Middle School, at the annual
salary of $347.50.
9.
Steve Silva, Varsity Baseball Coach, Penncrest High
School, effective November 20, 2008 at the annual
salary of $6,435.00.
Media
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
3.
General
d.
e.
Supplemental Contracts (continued)
10.
Recommend Board approval of the Penncrest High
School Winter Athletic Supplemental contracts for the
2008-2009 school year. See Attachment A
11.
Recommend Board approval of the Springton Lake
Middle School Winter Athletic Supplemental contracts
for the 2008-2009 school year. See Attachment B
Salary Change
1.
Recommend Board approval for the correction of the
following Support Staff I pay rates, effective July 1,
2007:
Mary Ellen Densmore
Christine Nolan
Elizabeth Hones
2.
Indian Lane
Indian Lane
Springton Lake
$12.38
$12.38
$12.38
Linda Rowley, pay rate correction from $11.14 per
hour to $11.64 per hour. Ms. Rowley’s pay rate was
incorrectly reported on the June, 2008 Board.
X.
Finance
A.
Purchasing
1.
Bid Award
Gravograph LS100– 30 Watt Laser Engraving System
Advanced Technologies Consultants
$20,697.04
Background
A Bid Opening was held on November 5, 2008. Two bids
were received. The laser engraver will be replacing
equipment that is more than 10 years old. This was
discussed at the November 18, 2008 Finance Committee
Meeting.
B.
General
1.
Media Youth Wrestling Tournament– Sunday Building Use
Resolve, that the Board approve a request from Media Youth
Wrestling for the use of the Penncrest High School Gym and
Auxiliary Gym on Sunday, February 1, 2009 from 5:00 A.M. –
5 P.M.
Background
This was discussed at the November 18, 2008 Operations
Committee Meeting.
X.
Finance
B.
General
2.
Budgetary Transfers
Rose Tree Media School District Policy #612 (Public School
code section 609) when funds are not available for a
proposed appropriation, a legal transfer from one class of
expenditure to another may be made in the last nine (9)
months of the fiscal year by the board.
Resolve, that the Board approve the following budgetary
transfers:
FY 09– 68
FROM:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Fiscal Services– Equipment
$1,046.22
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instructional Technology– Equipment
$1,046.22
RATIONALE: Transfer needed for SLMS to purchase a
Sharp LCD TV with DVD and a Sony DVD/VCR combo to
replace broken items.
X.
Finance
B.
General
2.
Budgetary Transfers (cont’d)
FY 09– 69 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
Regular Instruction– Supplies
AMOUNT: $4,860.00
TO:
AMOUNT:
Instructional Technology– Equipment
$4,860.00
RATIONALE: Transfer needed for IL to cover the cost of Smart
Boards ordered in July.
FY 09– 76 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
Fiscal Services– Equipment
AMOUNT: $2,291.40
TO:
AMOUNT:
Regular Instruction– Equipment
$2,291.40
RATIONALE: Additional funds needed to purchase a laser
engraver for the Technology Education Department at Penncrest.
Background
This was discussed at the November 18, 2008 Finance Committee
Meeting.
X.
Finance
B.
General
3.
Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, STAR Coordinator
Contract
Resolve, that the Board approve a contract with Holcomb
Behavioral Health Systems, STAR Coordinator (interim),
September 8, 2008 through December 31, 2008, in the
amount of $850 per each twenty (20) hour work week.
Background
Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems will provide an interim
STAR coordinator until the District contracts with its own
STAR coordinator. This item was on the October 23, 2008
Legislative Agenda, the cost was not indicated. This was
discussed at the October 2008 Pupil Personnel Services
Committee.
4.
CHAAMP Agreement
Resolve, that the Board approve an agreement with
CHAAMP for educational services, including a one-on-one
assistant, for a student with significant disabilities in an
amount of $65,000.
Background
A student with significant disabilities (V. G.) is in need of a
change in educational programming, including the need for a
1-1 aide. The student is moving from a placement at
Connections to CHAAMP in order to better meet his needs.
CHAAMP provides transition services for students
diagnosed with Autism. Each student in this program is
required to have the support of a 1-1 instructional assistant,
since the student spends most of the time in communitybased work and/or work related experiences. Services (all
provided via CHAAMP resources) will include Occupational
and Physical Therapy. This was discussed at the November
11, 2008 Teaching and Learning Committee.
X.
Finance
B.
General
5.
Student/Teacher Assistance Referral Coordinator
Agreement
Resolve, that the Board approve an agreement with
Kimberly Parra for Student/Teacher Assistance Referral
coordinator, pending receipt of all clearances, in the amount
of $37,193 to be prorated from November 21, 2008 (or start date)
to June 18, 2009.
Background
The STAR coordinator provides coordination of the Student
Assistance Program (SAP) at Penncrest High School, 25
hours per week. This item was discussed at the November
2008 Pupil Services Committee Meeting.
6.
Café Prepay Contract
Resolve, that the Board approve a revised contract with Café
Prepay.
Background
Café Prepay provides online payment services of students’
lunch accounts. This contract was discussed at the
November 2008 Pupil Services Committee meeting.
7.
Barbara Nissel Contract
Resolve, that the Board approve an extended contract with
Barbara Nissel.
Background
An addendum was created to change the contract of
Barbara Nissel. Instead of ending on Jan.1, 2009 her
contract will extend through June 30, 2009. Her salary will be
prorated during that time in the sum of $16, 250.
11/14/2008
Attachment A
PENNCREST ATHLETIC SUPPLEMENTALS - WINTER
2000-01
2008-2009
2001-02
EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCEXPERIENCE
STEP
UNIT
RATE
UNITS
SUPPLEMENTAL
SALARY
BASKETBALL BOYS VARSITY COACH
BASKETBALL BOYS ASST COACH
BASKETBALL BOYS ASST COACH
BASKETBALL HEAD FRESH COACH
M. DOYLE
C. GOUSSEAUX
J. RITTER
S. CHICANO
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
6
4
3
2
2
2
1
146
146
146
139
44
31
31
25
$6,424.00
$4,526.00
$4,526.00
$3,475.00
BASKETBALL HEAD GIRLS COACH
BASKETBALL ASST GIRLS COACH
BASKETBALL ASST GIRLS COACH
BASKETBALL FRESH GIRLS COACH
K. NATH
S. VAUSE
L. MOSLEY
T. DURANT
0
0
9
0
0
10
2
1
3
10+
1
1
1
4
139
139
139
165
44
31
31
25
$6,116.00
$4,309.00
$4,309.00
$4,125.00
INDOOR TRACK BOYS HEAD COACH
INDOOR TRACK BOYS ASSISTANT
INDOOR TRACK GIRLS HEAD COACH
INDOOR TRACK GIRLS ASST COACH
G MUNRO
R. BROWN
M. CLARK
J. LOHN*
10+
0
4
10+
0
5
10+
3
10+
10+
4
1
4
4
165
139
165
165
34
26
34
26
$5,610.00
$3,614.00
$5,610.00
$4,290.00
SWIMMING GIRLS HEAD COACH
SWIMMING BOYS HEADCOACH
DIVING COACH
T. WOOLERY
A. IKELER
M. SCHLAGEL
5
0
6
6
0
7
10+
4
10+
4
2
4
165
146
165
31
31
20
$5,115.00
$4,526.00
$3,300.00
WRESTLING HEAD COACH
WRESTLING ASST COACH
WRESTLING ASST COACH
G. JACOBS
W. KENT (.5)
J. BOHL (.5)
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
2
2
1
1
146
139
139
44
15.5
15.5
$6,424.00
$2,154.50
$2,154.50
CHEERLEADING HEAD WINTER COACH
CHEERLEADING ASST WINTER COACH
CHEERLEADING ASST WINTER COACH
CHEERLEADING FRESH WINTER COACH
CHEERLEADING FRESH WINTER
K. BAILEY
A. HOFFMAN (.5)
J. ANDERSON (.5)
H. YOUNG (.5)
A. Tumminelli (.5) *
6
0
7
1
0
0
0
0
1
4
10+
2
1
1
2
4
2
1
139
146
165
139
139
23
9.5
9.5
9.5
9.5
$3,197.00
$1,387.00
$1,567.50
$1,320.50
$1,320.50
* BEING HIRED PENDING COMPLETION OF PREEMPLOYMENT PAPERWORK
11/14/2008
Attachment B
SPRINGTON LAKE WINTER ATHLETIC SUPPLEMENTALS
2008-2009
EXPERIENCE
STEP
UNIT
RATE
UNITS
SUPPLEMENTAL
SALARY
BASKETBALL BOYS - 7TH GRADE
BASKETBALL BOYS - 8TH GRADE
W. CARR
A. VIRTUE
1
6
1
2
139
164
21
21
$2,919.00
$3,444.00
BASKETBALL GIRLS - 7TH GRADE
BASKETBALL GIRLS - 8TH GRADE
J. DIAZ
P. NORRIS
5
8
2
3
146
156
21
21
$3,066.00
$3,276.00
WRESTLING HEAD COACH
WRESTLING ASST COACH
D. PUCKETT
R. LAVOIE
10
8
3
3
165
156
21
17
$3,465.00
$2,652.00
CHEERLEADING COACH WINTER
J. BLYTHE
1
1
139
18
$2,502.00