EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – October 2006
Act I
We are working to embrace the impact of Act I on our school budgeting process. Our Tax
Study Commission has been meeting regularly to complete their charge of coming
forward with a recommendation for our School Board regarding tax property relief. They
will hold a Public Hearing on the evening of November 6, at 7:00 p.m., tentatively set to
be held here at Springton Lake. Consultants from Public Financial Management will be
present to explain the financial implications of Act I for Rose Tree Media Residents and
Tax Study Commission members will entertain questions and feedback from the
audience. All community members are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
School Safety and Security
As we are all aware, in recent months we have witnessed around our country another
wave of school violence. I want to reassure all Rose Tree Media community members
that we have been and continue to be vigilant about monitoring safety and security in all
of our buildings. We have a District Safety Committee, comprised of representatives of all
buildings, who meet monthly to review safety and security concerns district-wide. This
group also oversees routine safety and security unannounced visits to our buildings
during which lists of needs and concerns are generated for us to address. Our School
Board recently presided at an overview of our new camera security system at Penncrest.
We are very grateful to have this in place this year and this system, coupled with the use
of security guards and faculty training has been very well received. We currently have a
buzzer and camera system for entrance at Rose Tree Elementary and we are working to
get this same system in place in the very near future at the remaining elementary schools
and Springton Lake. As soon as I have the definite dates for installation, we will report
those to the community.
Emergency Weather Information
As we head in to the colder weather and the increased probability of emergency closings,
I ask that all parents make certain that our schools have current emergency contact
information. We will be using our Global Connect phone system again this year to make
those early morning phone calls. We notify the radio and TV stations no later than 5:30
a.m. and the Global Connect phone call will go out no later than 6:00 a.m. Parents can
also check our website for up-to-date emergency closing information and we will send out
an "e-alert" to all parents who are registered on our website so they receive an email as
well. Finally, we always post the decision on our Cable Channel 11 for additional easy
access. Kindergarten parents should be aware of the special schedule that we
sometimes use for kindergarten known as "Modified K." We use this to balance, as much
as possible, the time missed from either morning or afternoon kindergarten.
Speaking of Kindergarten
This evening's educational presentation highlights our current kindergarten curriculum
model. As you know, we are studying the feasibility of offering full day kindergarten for
September 2007. No decision has been made at this time as we are exploring several
models and reviewing budgetary matters. We do hope to be able to inform our
community no later than December regarding plans for next year. We realize that parents
are eager to know so they can plan ahead.
Excellence for All
Our school district theme this year, "Excellence for All, "continues to take hold as we
move forward in improving how we use data to individualize for higher student
achievement. Research indicates that real change can take five years on average to be
institutionalized. I must say, as I complete my second year as Superintendent, that we
are delighted with some very positive changes. Among these are a more focused use of
testing data at all levels, enhanced use of technology in the classrooms, improved
communication with our community members, increased student and employee
engagement in reaching out in service, especially to our senior citizens, and fiscal
responsibility that has resulted in the lowest budgetary increases in ten years. We know
that we have, as Robert Frost wrote, "Miles to go before we sleep." but we pledge to you
our commitment to leadership that will showcase RTM as a premier school district that
serves our student needs well in preparing them for their future, not our past.