ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Informational Session
May 25, 2006
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
May 25, 2006
8:00 p.m.
AGENDA
I.
Call to Order
II.
Approval of Minutes
A.
B.
C.
D.
III.
B.
C.
D.
Samantha Dugan – Holcomb Health Systems Drug and Alcohol
Prevention Contest
Alexander Thompson and Kevin Douglas - Eagle Scout Award
Bus Drivers – Road-E-O Competition
Penncrest Track Team Members
Penncrest High School's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
Club - presented by faculty sponsor David Matthews and FBLA members
Meghan Delaney, Mike Szeliga, Lawrence Weathers, Patrick Hatfield, and
Liam Localio.
Reports
A.
B.
C.
D.
VI.
Legislative Meeting of April 27, 2006
Bid Opening April 27, 2006
Bid Opening May 4, 2006
Bid Opening May 12, 2006
Educational Presentation
A.
V.
Pledge of Allegiance
Presentations and Awards
A.
IV.
Roll Call
School Reports
Superintendent’s Report
Solicitor’s Report
President’s Report
Scheduled Presentations (Limited to Five Minutes Each)
A.
B.
C.
RTMEA
RTM Education Foundation
Healthy Communities Initiative
VII.
Unscheduled Presentations (Limited to Three Minutes Each)
A.
VIII.
Old Business
A.
IX.
Board Governance Standards/Code of Conduct Policy No. 011 –
Second Read and Approval – Attachment A
New Business
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
X.
Rose Tree Media Residents
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
2.
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
3.
General
a.
Classification Change
b.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
c.
Supplemental Contracts
d.
Salary Change
e.
Other
Policy 137.1 – Extra Curricular Participation by Home Education Student’s
First Read – Attachment B
2006-2007 Board Meeting Calendar
Addendum – Personnel - None
Addendum – General - None
Finance
A.
B.
Purchasing
1.
Bid Awards
General
1.
Media Elementary, Glenwood Elementary & Springton Lake –
Energy Management Systems
2.
Interquest Service Agreement
3.
Change Orders
4.
Election of Intermediate Unit Board Members
5.
DCIU General Operating Budget for 2006-2007 School Year
6.
Delaware County Technical Schools Budget Half Time Program for
2006-2007 School Year
7.
Delaware County Technical Schools Budget Special Education
Program for 2006-2007 School Year
8.
Delaware County Special Education Contract for 2006-2007 School
Year
9.
Delaware County Special Education Fair Share Payment for 20062007 School Year
10.
11.
C.
D.
XI.
Delaware County Be Proud Agreement for 2006-2007 School Year
Delaware County Detention Center Agreement for 2006-2007
School Year
12.
Delaware County Elwyn Agreement for 2006-2007 School Year
13.
Child Guidance Contract
14.
Taxpayer Request
Financial Reports - None
Bill lists for April and May 2006
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 June 22, 2006 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
Sharon A. Learn
Board Secretary
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D, Superintendent
Sharon A. Learn, Board Secretary
May 10, 2006
Minutes of the April 28, 2006 Legislative Meeting
I. Call to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Board Members in Attendance: Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Linda Fox, Thomas
Shoemaker, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson, Jeffrey Pettit, William Campbell, William
Montgomery;
Student Board Members: Daniel Magagnosc, Jeffrey Walker, Brandys Waples
Also in attendance: Denise Kerr, Superintendent of Schools; Ken Batchelor, Meg Barney,
Pete Barry, Pat Barta, Bill Bennett, Anne Callahan, Susan Golder, Jim Czyz, Bernadette
Dacanay, Susan Evans, Susan Golder, Mary Ellen Goldfarb, Ron Harris, Joanne Horan,
Maria Kotch, Samuel Lemon, Patti Linden, Eleanor DiMarino-Linnen, John Lohn, Kim
McCann Harry Protzmann, Steve Taylor, Roxanne Schupp, Ellen Sosangelis,
Sharon Learn, Thomas Kelly, Solicitor
The Legislative Meeting of the Board of School Directors of the Rose Tree Media School
District was held on Thursday, April 28, 2006, at Springton Lake Middle School. The
meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by President Fronduti.
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4/27/06
II.
Approval of Minutes
A.
B.
C.
D.
Legislative Meeting Minutes of April 27, 2006
Bid Opening of April 27, 2006
Bid Opening of May 4, 2006
Special Meeting of May 12, 2006
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mrs. Barbato seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2005-2006 – 69
Resolve, that the Board approve the Legislative Minutes April 27, 2006, Bid
Openings of April 27, May 4 and Special Meeting of May 12, 2006.
The aforegoing resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
III.
Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Linda Fox,
Thomas Shoemaker, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson,
Jeffrey Pettit, William Montgomery, William Campbell
None
Presentations & Awards
A.
Eagle Scout Award
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mr. Shoemaker seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2005-2006 – 70
Resolve, that the Board present Matthew Helner and Eric Rakoczy the Rose
Tree Media Award for achieving Eagle Scout Rank.
The aforegoing resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Linda Fox,
Thomas Shoemaker, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson,
Jeffrey Pettit, William Montgomery, William Campbell
None
2
4/27/06
B.
Alison Silverman – Spelling Bee Winner
Mrs. Barbato moved and Mr. Campbell seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2005-2006 – 71
Resolve, that the Board present Alison Silverman, an eighth grade student at
Springton Lake Middle School, the Rose Tree Media Award for being the
2006 Spelling Bee Winner.
The aforegoing resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
C.
Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Linda Fox,
Thomas Shoemaker, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson,
Jeffrey Pettit, William Montgomery, William Campbell
None
Mary Ellen Goldfarb, Principal, Glenwood Elementary School
Mr. Campbell moved and Mr. Montgomery seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2005-2006 – 72
Resolve, that the Board present Mary Ellen Goldfarb The Rose Tree Media
Award for 36 years of service to the Rose Tree Media School District.
The aforegoing resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Linda Fox, Thomas
Shoemaker, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson, Jeffrey Pettit,
William Montgomery, William Campbell
None
3
4/27/06
IV.
Educational Presentation
A.
V.
Extended Learning Opportunities in Math and Reading –
Sue Williamson, Patrick Murphy, and Media School Students
Reports
A.
B.
C.
School Reports - In Official Legislative Minutes of April 27, 2006
Superintendent’s Report - In Official Legislative Minutes of
April 27, 2006
Solicitor’s Report – In Official Legislative Minutes of April 27, 2006
Mr. Pettit moved and Mr. Shoemaker seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2005-2006 – 73
Resolve, that the Board approve the Solicitor’s request to settle the Trader
Joe’s Tax Appeal, 12 State Street, Media. (See attached Solicitor’s Report in
Official Legislative Minutes of April 27, 2006
The aforegoing resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
D.
Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Linda Fox, Thomas
Shoemaker, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson, Jeffrey Pettit,
William Montgomery, William Campbell
None
President’s Report – In Official Legislative Minutes of April 27, 2006
VI.
Scheduled Presentations
A.
RTMEA - None
B.
RTM Education Foundation – Dr. Meg Barney, Executive Director
C.
Healthy Communities Initiative – None
VII.
Unscheduled Presentations
A.
Rose Tree Media Residents
VIII.
Old Business - None
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4/27/06
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
2.
3.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
General
a.
Classification Changes
b.
Sabbatical Leave
c.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
d.
Rescind Supplemental contracts
e.
Supplemental Contracts
f.
Salary Change
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mr. Pettit seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2005-2006 - 74
Resolve, that the Board approve the following Personnel section:
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
1.
Cathy Lejman, Food Service Worker, resignation
effective March 15, 2006. Ms. Lejman requests to
be on the substitute list.
2.
James Drespling, Master Bus
termination, effective April 14, 2006.
5
Mechanic,
4/27/06
b.
Non-Instructional
2.
Nomination
a.
Professional - None
b.
Non-Instructional
1.
Nichole McLaughlin, Bus Driver, to serve as
Substitute Custodian, effective March 10, 2006, at
the rate of $12 per hour.
2.
Calperta Scott, Support Staff II, One-On-One
Personal Instructional Assistant, effective April 5,
2006, at the rate of $12.44 per hour. Ms. Scott is
assigned to Springton Lake Middle School.
3.
William Miller, Substitute Bus Driver, effective April
28, 2006, at the rate of $17.95 per hour.
4.
Emily Petrucci, Support Staff II, One-On-One
Personal Instructional Assistant, effective April 19,
2006, at the rate of $12.44 per hour. Ms. Petrucci
is assigned to Glenwood Elementary.
5.
Anne Myers, Food Service Worker, effective
March 31, 2006, at the rate of $8.40 per hour. Ms.
Myers will be assigned to Penncrest High School.
6.
Nancy Owen, Receptionist, effective May 1, 2006,
at the annual salary of $27,157. Ms. Owen will be
assigned to the Education Center replacing Patty
Verna who resigned. NOTE: Ms. Owen is being
hired pending completion of her pre-employment
paperwork.
7.
Donna Wilson, Support Staff II, One-On-One
Personal Instructional Assistant, effective April 25,
2006 at the rate of $12.44 per hour. Ms. Wilson
will be assigned to Glenwood Elementary. NOTE:
Ms. Wilson is being hired pending completion of
her pre-employment paperwork.
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4/27/06
3.
General
a.
Classification Change
1.
b.
c.
Sabbatical Leave
1.
Marie Castellan has requested a sabbatical leave for the
purpose of professional development. Leave will
commence August 28, 2006 and terminate January 29,
2007.
2.
Cynthia Garvin has requested a sabbatical leave for the
purpose of professional development. Leave will
commence August 28, 2006 and terminate June 30,
2007.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
1.
d.
Nancy Somers from Substitute Cafeteria Worker to
Regular Part-Time Cafeteria Worker, effective February
27, 2006 at the rate of $8.40.
Alicia Santelli has requested an unpaid leave of absence
for detached service. Leave will commence August 28,
2006 and terminate June 30, 2007.
Rescind Supplemental Contracts
1.
Recommend that the Board rescind the following
supplemental contracts:
Donna Schied
Donna Schied
e.
6th Grade Team Leader
New Teacher Mentor
Supplemental Contracts
1.
Gregory Jacobs, Event Chaperone for the 2005-2006
school year at the rate of $55 per event.
2.
Michael Mohring, Event Chaperone for the 2005-2006
school year at the rate of $55 per event.
3.
Johanna Goldman, Homebound Instructor, effective
March 16, 2006, at the rate of $39.50 per hour.
4.
Jeremy Smith, Assistant Girls Track and Field Coach at
the annual salary of $3,348.
7
4/27/06
e.
f.
Supplemental Contracts (cont’d)
5.
Susan Howe, Rose Tree Elementary Culture Club
Coordinator, effective March 27, 2006 at the annual
salary of $124.
6.
Amanda Morris, Intramural Instructor, effective March 6,
2006 at the rate of $27 per hour. Ms. Morris is assigned
to Springton Lake Middle School.
7.
Megan Ostien, Intramural Instructor, effective March 6,
2006 at the rate of $27 per hour. Ms. Ostien is assigned
to Springton Lake Middle School.
8.
Pamela Gregg, Sixth Grade Team Leader, effective
March 17, 2006 at the prorated salary of $216.00. Ms.
Gregg is replacing Donna Schied who is on leave.
9.
Sarah Brill, Intramural Walking Sponsor at the rate of
$18.00 per hour. Ms. Brill is assigned to Media
Elementary.
10.
Christopher Clark, Boys 8th Grade Lacrosse Coach, at
the annual salary of $2,607. NOTE: Mr. Clark is being
hired pending completion of his pre-employment
paperwork.
Salary Change
1. Charles Hall, Substitute Bus Driver, pay rate was incorrectly
reported on the March Board. Mr. Hall’s rate of pay should
be $17.95 per hour.
B.
Overnight Trips
1.
National History Day
Further resolve, that the Board approve the overnight trip to Penn
State University, University Park, Canoe Creek State Park, and local
museums.
8
4/27/06
C.
2005-2006 Change Date of Last Day of School
Further resolve, that the Board approve the change of the last days of school
from June 23, 2006 to June 21, 2006.
The foregoing resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Linda Fox, Thomas
Shoemaker, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson, Jeffrey Pettit,
William Montgomery, William Campbell
None
NAYS:
D.
Redistricting
1.
Mr. Shoemaker made a motion to review each scenario of the
redistricting plan. No second was received, the motion failed.
2.
Mr. Montgomery moved and Mr. Shoemaker seconded a motion to
table the redistricting vote until the May Legislative Meeting.
RESOLUTION 2005-2006 – 75
The aforegoing resolution failed, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
3.
Linda Fox, Thomas Shoemaker, Stacey Benson,
William Montgomery
Veronica Barbato, Nancy Mackrides, Nancy Fronduti,
Jeffrey Pettit, William Campbell
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mr. Pettit seconded a motion to adopt the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2006-2007 - 76
Resolve, the Board accept the administration’s recommendation to
realign the boundary areas of each of the four elementary schools as
indicated on the attached map entitled 1C. (See attachment B in
Official Legislative Minutes of April 27, 2006).
The aforegoing resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote
being:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
Veronica Barbato, Nancy Mackrides, Nancy Fronduti,
Stacey Benson, Jeffrey Pettit, William Campbell
Tom Shoemaker, William Montgomery
Linda Fox
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4/27/06
X.
Finance
A.
B.
Purchasing
1.
Replace HVAC Units in Penthouse No.1 and Cold Water Piping &
Insulation
General
1.
Budgetary Transfer Requests
2.
Penncrest High School Piano Rental – Graduation
3.
Springton Lake Middle School Aerial Mapping
4.
Transportation, Maintenance, Custodial Departments Kronos
Agreement
5.
Change Orders
Mr. Shoemaker moved and Mrs. Benson seconded a motion to adopt
the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2005-2006 - 77
Purchasing
1.
Replace HVAC Units in Penthouse No.1 and Cold Water Piping
& Insulation
Resolve, that the Board ratify the bid award to Five Star, Inc. in
the amount of $597,000 for the HVAC and cold water piping &
insulation at Springton lake Middle School.
General
1.
Budgetary Transfer Requests
Further resolve that the Board approve the following Budgetary
Transfer Requests:
FY 06 – 41
FROM:
AMOUNT:
TO:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Human Resources - Services
$5,000
Human Resources - Software
$5,000
RATIONALE: To cover the cost of software related to the online
teacher screening interview
10
4/27/06
1.
Budgetary Transfer Requests (cont’d)
FY 06 – 42 Fund 10 General Fund
FROM:
Intramural Supplies - SLMS
AMOUNT: $1,200
TO:
Intramural Fees - SLMS
AMOUNT: $1,200
RATIONALE: Monies transferred will be used to pay Bruce Coville,
Visiting Author, who will be appearing at Springton Lake Middle School
on April 25, 2006
FY 06 – 43
FROM:
AMOUNT:
TO:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General fund
Custodial Services - supplies
$8,360
Custodial Services - equipment
$8,360
RATIONALE: The Maintenance Department needs a ride on
burnisher.
FY 06 – 44
FROM:
AMOUNT:
TO:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Custodial Services - supplies
$10,000
Custodial Services - equipment
$ 10,000
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase an auto burnisher
FY 06 – 45
FROM:
AMOUNT:
TO:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Custodial Services - supplies
$2,800
Custodial Services - equipment
$2,800
RATIONALE: Transfer needed to purchase an auto scrubber
FY 06 – 46
FROM:
AMOUNT:
TO:
AMOUNT:
Fund 10 General Fund
Occupational Therapist - Salary
$33,961
Occupational Therapist - Services
$33,961
RATIONALE: The Occupational Therapist is no longer working with
the district and a professional service is in place. Funds are needed
from payroll account into the professional services account.
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4/27/06
2.
Penncrest High School – Piano Rental – Graduation
Further resolve that the board approve the rental agreement with
Grafton Piano Inc. in the amount of $1,780 for use on
June 8, 2006 at Villanova University for Penncrest High School
graduation exercises.
3.
Springton Lake Middle School – Aerial Mapping
Further resolve, that the Board ratify the proposal from Gus Houtman
in the amount of $11,430 for aerial mapping of Springton Lake Middle
School property.
4.
Transportation, Maintenance, Custodial Departments – Kronos
Agreement
Further resolve, that the board ratify the agreement with Kronos to
provide support for the time and attendance software in the amount of
$300.
5.
Change Orders
Resolve, that the Board approve the following change orders:
The following no cost change orders are necessary to
extend the contracted completion date due to the
delay in obtaining permits.
E-001 Goldhorn Electric Bus Maintenance Facility
F-001 Warren Delong, Inc. Bus Maintenance Facility
M-001 All states Mechanical Bus Maintenance Facility
M-001 Edward J. Meloney PHS & Maintenance Storage
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4/27/06
X.
Financial Reports & Bill Lists
Further resolve, that the Board approve the following:
C. Financial Reports – None
D. Bill Lists
March
March
March
2006 General Fund Bill List
2006 Capital Fund Bill List
2006 Food Service Bill List
$3,081,234
30,666
128,854
$3,240,754
The aforegoing resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote being:
AYES:
NAYS:
X.
Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Linda Fox, Thomas
Shoemaker, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson, Jeffrey Pettit
William Montgomery, William Campbell
Adjournment
Mrs. Mackrides moved and Mr. Campbell seconded a motion to adopt
the following resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2005-2006 - 78
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting
adjourned.
The aforegoing resolution was declared adopted by the Chair, the vote
being:
AYES:
NAYS:
Nancy Fronduti, Veronica Barbato, Linda Fox,
Thomas Shoemaker, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson,
Jeffrey Pettit, William Montgomery, William Campbell
None
__________________________
Sharon A. Learn
Board Secretary
13
4/27/06
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
EDUCATION CENTER
A bid opening was held on April 27, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. in the Education Center, 308
North Olive Street, Media, PA 19063.
Present were: Sharon Learn, Chief Operations Officer, Roxanne Schupp, Supervisor
of Business Operations, two bidders.
Bids in the following category were opened and read by Sharon Learn:
Bituminous Concrete Paving Repair and Resurfacing
Springton Lake Middle School, Rose Tree Elementary, and Penncrest High School
Charlestown Paving and Excavating, Inc.
Gessler Construction Co., Inc.
Bids will be tabulated and presented to the Board of School Directors.
________________
Sharon A. Learn
BoardSecretalry
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
EDUCATION CENTER
A bid opening was held on May 4, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. in the Education Center, 308
North Olive Street, Media, PA 19063.
Present were: Sharon Learn, Chief Operations Officer, Harry Protzmann, Director of
Maintenance and Operations, Donna Rottenberk, Business Office Witness, one bidder.
Bids in the following category were opened and read by Sharon Learn:
Springton Lake Middle School & Glenwood Elementary School
Concrete Sidewalk & Curbing Replacement
Ernel Co., Inc.
M. Gerace, Inc.
Gessler, Construction Inc.
Giovannone Construction, Inc.
Bids will be tabulated and presented to the Board of School Directors.
________________
Sharon A. Learn
Board Secretary
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
EDUCATION CENTER
A bid opening was held on May 12, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. in the Education Center, 308
North Olive Street, Media, PA 19063.
Present were: Sharon Learn, Chief Operations Officer, Glen Sanchez, Blackney
Hayes Architects, Donna Rottenberk, Business Office Witness, no bidders.
Bids in the following category were opened and read by Sharon Learn:
Kitchen Floor Replacement at SLMS
The Fayette Group, Inc.
Goldhorn Electrical Construction, Inc.
Bids will be tabulated and presented to the Board of School Directors.
________________
Sharon A. Learn
Board Secretary
III.
Presentations and Awards
A.
Samantha Dugan
Resolve, that the Board present Samantha Dugan, a sixth grade
student at Springton Lake Middle School a Rose Tree Media Award
for placing 4th in the Holcomb Health Systems Drug and Alcohol
prevention contest. Mrs. Nancy Going is Samantha’s teacher.
Background
Samantha’s drawing was chosen from over 1900 entries from 42
schools countywide to appear in the 2007 Holcomb Health Systems
Drug and Alcohol Prevention Calendar.
B.
Alexander Thompson and Kevin Douglas - Eagle Scout Award
Resolve that the Board present Alexander Thompson and Kevin
Douglas the Rose Tree Media Award for achieving Eagle Scout
Rank.
Background
Alexander Thompson and Kevin Douglas are students at Penncrest
High School, they completed the necessary requirements to
achieve Eagle Scout ranking.
C.
Eighth Annual Delaware County School Bus Safety Competition
and Road-E-O
Resolve, that the Board recognize the following bus drivers and
Transportation Director, Jim Czyz, for participating in the Annual
Delaware County School bus Drivers Safety Competition and
Road-E-O:
Harry Gambrill - 5th Place
Sandy Campoli - participant
Bonnie D’Ignazio - participant
Bonnie Kinsler - participant
Yvonne Shaw
- participant
Background
The Eighth Annual Delaware County School Bus Drivers Safety
Competition and Road E-O were held on Saturday, May 6, 2006, at
the Delaware County Intermediate Unit Building in Morton. Jim Czyz,
Transportation Director, organizer and founder of the Delaware
County Competition is once again leading the County with his talent
and expertise.
Twenty-nine drivers from all over the county
participated and 5 were from Rose Tree Media. The top 7 drivers
qualify to go to the PA State Competition in June and we had one
driver qualify for that, Harry Gambrill, who placed 5th.
The
competition started at 9:00 a.m. with a written exam on school bus
law and safety. Then, the drivers performed a pre-trip inspection of a
bus to look for safety violations. Finally, they tested their driving skills
on 9 separate events.
D.
Penncrest Track Students
Resolve the Board recognize Greg Allison, A.J. Bull, Mike Doherty,
Kevin Douglas, Yuri Fuchs, Patrick Meyers and Eric VanEss, the
seven students from the Penncrest Track Team who helped rescue a
biker at Ridley State Park.
Background
Seven Penncrest track team members were running through Ridley
State Park and came across a Widener University student who was
seriously hurt in a bike accident. The boys helped the ranger,
paramedics, and Pennstar helicopter flight paramedic as they carried
the biker and equipment through the park to the helicopter for
transport to the hospital.
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
SCHOOL REPORT’S – MAY 2006
GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Glenwood’s Prosocial Committee continues to implement our Middle States Action Plan
goals. The latest efforts in our campaign to make Glenwood a Bully-Free School were the
Reminder Assembly, with the re-screening of our student-made Anti-Bullying video and
roll out of the Bully Report System, and the poster contest. Prize winning posters at each
grade level are reminders in our classrooms, and banners of the school winners hang in
the cafeteria.
Again this year, Glenwood library technician Mrs. Kathy Cook offered the Little Lions
Library Club—preschool visits for four and five-year-old children. Five sessions were held
during May and June. Preschoolers, accompanied by a parent, came to the library on
Monday mornings to browse through books and select two items to check out for a week.
This was a great way for our future students to become familiar with the library and enjoy
some additional reading material, as well as to welcome new Glenwood parents to our
school community.
The 26th Annual Philadelphia Sports Meet sponsored by UCP-Philadelphia, was held at
Chestnut Hill Academy this Saturday for children with special needs. Mrs. LoBonde
reports that students in Glenwood’s Physical Support Class were winners! Nasir Hawkins
took 1st place in the 40 meter run, 2nd place in the discus throw and 1st place in the
softball throw. Aaron Cox took first place in the discus throw, 2nd place in the softball
throw and 2nd place in club. Madison Boggs also attended the event.
This month, Glenwood students expanded their learning beyond our school walls through
field trips, distance learning experiences, and even snail mail. Some examples:
As part of the Butterfly Unit, second grade students participated in a video conference
with the Center for Puppetry. Through distance learning, students were guided to create
a butterfly puppet by educators located in Atlanta, Georgia. Students in the classes of
Mrs. Crystal Grace-Green, Ms. La’Shawn Martinez, Miss Erica Micklin, and Mrs.
Stephanie Young had an opportunity to understand and apply media techniques and
make connections between visual arts and other disciplines.
1
This month the third grade classes expanded their learning beyond school walls. Jeffrey
Davies, Charles Keeler, Rachael Pinsley, and Kate Robinson report that students enjoyed
their trip to the Colonial Plantation. They toured the grounds, performed common chores,
and learned what life was like for children in the early 19th Century. In the classroom, Mr.
Grisillo visited with the third graders to build and discuss rockets. The students were
thrilled by the experience of sending their rockets skyward from the playground. Third
grade classes also visited West Chester University’s planetarium early this month in a
spectacular addition to learning about our solar system.
Kindergarten is working on letter writing skills. Mrs. Karen Maher’s and Mrs. Susan
Taylor’s kindergarten classes have been writing letters to their pen pals in Mrs. Hooven’s
and Mrs. Thompson’s kindergarten classes at Media School. Students can’t wait to
receive more letters from them. They are planning to meet their pen pals in person before
the school year is over.
Reading Specialist Mrs. Lynn Lista’s first grade students were invited to participate in a
“Poetry Performance Project.” The goal of this project is to develop fluency while reading
aloud. The students read the poem to three people at home, return to school and read to
her, and then select a staff member to read to an additional time. Mrs. Goldfarb and the
Students’ Kindergarten teachers have been popular choices. This is a fun way to
encourage repeated reading to develop fluency, use multiple intelligences of students and
engage the Glenwood staff in supporting emerging readers.
Fifth grade teachers Ms. Chris Dano, Mr. Stephen Dieter, Mr. Mark Paikoff, and Ms.
Marianne Whiteman designed an interdisciplinary project in honor of Earth Day. Students
wrote songs, rhymes and poems about the earth. As a culminating activity they collected
trash on the grounds around the school building, analyzing and separating it according to
what could be reused or recycled. They also created posters with Earth Friendly slogans.
In April, Language Arts Coordinator/third grade teacher Miss Rachael Pinsley led a
special project to celebrate Poetry Month. Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 submitted one of
their poems to be entered into our Glenwood Poetry Contest. During May, two poets from
each participating grade level were honored for their efforts.
Kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers implemented the 100 Book Challenge in
April. This program is designed to increase fluency and students’ joy for reading by
providing them with books that are fast, fun, and easy. During May, students who read
for 100, 200, or 300 blocks of 15 minutes were recognized in front of their peers. Their
names are listed under the Challenge banners in the school lobby.
Second grade students in Mr. Sharp’s art classes continued their study of art and crafts
from around the world and from various cultures by creating a Widyadhari from Indonesia.
Widyadhari, guardian angels carved out of wood, with the body of human, animal, bird,
dragon, or other imaginary beings, are suspended over the child for strength and
protection. Students created their own flying Widyadhari, and several are featured in the
art display case in our lobby.
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Math Lab students in Ms. Christine Sommer’s classes have continued their studies in the
world of Fractions. Fifth grade has worked more with addition and subtraction of mixed
numbers, also converting fractions into decimals and percents, while learning about
terminating and repeating decimals. When in doubt, DIVIDE! Fourth grade has
completed comparing fractions with like denominators, and has begun comparing
fractions with unlike denominators using cross-products and learning to find the Lowest
Common Denominator. Third grade has begun to relate mixed numbers and improper
fractions using visuals. By the end of the month, all students will have been able to
perform a Pattern Block Activity, designed to reinforce reading directions, using a rubric,
and strengthening spatial awareness.
The RTM elementary orchestra, with students from all four elementary schools,
performed at White Horse Village Retirement Community on Friday, May 12th, at 7 P.M.
Parents and family attended as well as many White Horse Residents. Partnerships in
music were created between our strings students and residents that will continue to
develop. Mr. Jim Walls reported that some residents also shared their talents and
performed on stringed instruments with the RTM elementary orchestra. Everyone enjoyed
the concert, and we look forward to going back soon.
INDIAN LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergarten
To celebrate learning all of the letters, we held a Letter People Parade. Each student
dressed as his or her favorite Letter person. We took our last trip to Tyler Arboretum to
experience the changes that spring has brought to the arboretum. One of our favorites
had to be the sweet smelling lilacs! We have been working on a science unit about
growing things. In addition to learning about the parts of a plant, we planted our own bean
plants. They are growing taller each day! Our math skills continue to improve as we
practice addition and subtraction facts and counting money. As we are putting on three
plays next month, we are busy rehearsing our parts and planning our costumes and
props!
First Grade
Stephanie Herman’s class has been studying the rain forests of the world. To begin this
study the children each created a “passport” which included the child’s name, address,
birth date, birthplace, eye color and hair color. The children each drew a picture of
themselves in place of a photograph. The passports were stamped each time a rain
forest activity was completed. They located the rain forests of the world on an atlas, and
identified products that came from the rainforest. Some of these products were brought in
and displayed in the classroom during the study. They created mini rain forests in 1-liter
bottles so the children could understand the concept of transpiration. The children
planted the plants in the bottles, watered them lightly and closed them up. Over the next
few days they observed as the condensation created watered the plants. The children
then discussed how the canopy layer holds in the rain and waters the plants below.
The children then completed research reports in cooperative groups. Each group was
assigned an animal from a different layer of the rain forest. The children investigated
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various books and Internet resources to find the classification of the animal. The layer in
which the animal lives, how the animal moves, what the animal eats and 1 interesting fact
about the animal. The reports were presented and video taped. To end our study the
parents were invited to come in to hear the reports, enjoy a snack, and learn about the
rain forest.
Mrs. Stern and her class from Springton Lake visited with Mrs. Valuck's and Mrs. Barton's
classes on May 9. Mrs. Stern's reading class made phonics posters and wrote personal
letters to the elementary students. The first graders answered the letters and hosted the
Springton students with a "buddy-reading session". The first graders read to the older
students and then the Springton kids read to the Indian Lane kids. A great time was
enjoyed by all.
Second Grade
Caterpillars have arrived in Second Grade! We have all received our caterpillars and are
anxiously watching them as the metamorphosis process works its magic. After we have
butterflies, we will release them into our courtyard. They should be emerging into
butterflies this week. The entire life cycle of the Painted Lady Butterfly is six weeks.
Third Grade
In Math Lab, Third grade has begun to relate mixed numbers and improper fractions
using visuals. We have also reviewed parts to whole and comparing fractions with like
denominators. Outside of fractions, third grade is learning how to multiply 2 by 1 digit,
using both partial products and the multiplication algorithm. We have also started division
concepts, imbedded in problem solving. For spiral review, we continue to perform
subtraction with multiple regroupings and zeros, and practice our addition, subtraction,
and multiplication facts.
Fourth Grade
In Math Lab, fourth grade has completed comparing fractions with like denominators, and
has begun comparing fractions with unlike denominators using cross-products and
learning to find the Lowest Common Denominator. Using the LCD, we are practicing
adding and subtracting fractions. We have also learned to convert improper sums into
mixed numbers. Fourth grade spiral review has included addition and subtraction of
decimals, equivalent decimals, 3 by 2 multiplication, long division, and interpreting
remainders.
Fifth Grade
Karen Venuto's 5th Grade class recently participated in the News Bowl 2006 and
received 1st place for the State of Pennsylvania and 3rd in the nation in NAT (News
Achievement Test) Spring National Contest. News Bowl is a state and national current
events knowledge competition open to grades 3 through high school. The contest was
administered by computer and tested student knowledge of current events from January
and February. 323 teams competed in seven different grade level divisions. The contest
was administered in the individual schools in March and was held at
www.newsbowl.com. Approximately 2000 teams took the high-profile challenging test!
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The objective of the News Bowl NAT Spring Contest is to provide a quality educational
program which will enhance current events education, lifelong learning and increase
proficiency in citizenship skills. Students were then tested by a multiple choice question
test covering all aspects of the news.
In Math Lab, Fifth grade has worked more with addition and subtraction of mixed
numbers, including converting improper fractional sums into mixed numbers and
subsequently adding any additional whole numbers parts, as well as subtracting mixed
numbers that require renaming of the whole number in the minuend. We have reviewed
multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers. We have also had some fun with
converting fractions into decimals and percents, while learning about terminating and
repeating decimals. When in doubt, DIVIDE! After a short break to spiral review decimal
multiplication and division concepts, we will return to fractions, and learn how to divide
fractions.
General
On May 12th, a select group of 5th graders participated in the Annual Indian Lane Spelling
Bee. The students were asked to spell some very difficult words that were provided by
the Scripps Howard Company. Modeled after the National Spelling Bee, certificates and
pins were given to all participants and the first, second and third place winners received
medals.
MEDIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Variety Show
Our PTG sponsors a Variety Show each year. This year’s show, which consisted of 35
different acts, was held at Penncrest High School on Friday, April 21. Parents and
children worked very hard to put together a show that showcased the diverse talents and
interests of our children. The grand finale featured the Media School Song written by our
music teacher, Mrs. Sara Vaccaro. Thank you to the Penncrest administration and
students for their assistance.
Blue Rocks Night
Reading teacher Brenda Millette coordinated a Blue Rocks Night. Students submitted
their reading logs to Ms. Millette and were able to get Blue Rocks tickets as a reward.
Many Media families enjoyed the baseball game on Monday, May 1.
MS Sneaker Sale
Tommy Van Leer and his mother Janet Van Leer had a “sneaker sale” to support
research on multiple sclerosis. This has become an annual event. The Van Leers
sponsored a sale at SLMS too where Tommy’s older brother is a student.
Teach Your Child to Save Day
The American Bankers Association established a National Teach Children to Save Day to
highlight the importance of teaching our nation’s youth about saving. Every April bankers
make presentations to children about budgeting, saving, recognizing needs and wants,
and how interest makes money grow. Research has shown that as little as ten hours of
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education on finances helps children make better decisions about spending and saving.
NOVA Savings bank customized two programs for our children about the origin and
history of money, “10 Ways to be a Money Smart Kid”, and banking. The presentations
were very worthwhile and resulted in some lively discussion about saving and spending.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand
Some of our fourth graders and their parents thought that Super Sunday would be an
ideal time to set up an Alex’s Lemonade Stand outside of Media School. Casey Bilder and
her mom, Lori Bilder, really got the plan moving. These children raised over $1,450 and
were a real inspiration as they manned the stand throughout the day. They showed great
teamwork, leadership, spirit and commitment to the cause. Local supporters included
Town Talk, Hill’s Seafood, WaWa, Kenny’s Flower Shop, Karen’s Hallmark, Trader Joe’s,
and the Media Elementary staff, PTG and cafeteria. Way to go girls!
Spring Chorus Concert
Favorites from our spring chorus concert included “Johnny Be Good,” “Sweet Caroline,”
“Barbara Ann,” and “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog.” There was something for everyone in the
program of “name” songs. Teachers Jonathan Boyle, Patrick Murphy and Andrew Bugosh
did a great job in the pit. This is the time of year when our chorus “hits the road.” They
performed for the Media Rotary just a few days after their successful concert. Kudos to
Mrs. Vaccaro and her students.
Muffins for Moms
Our PTG sponsored a breakfast event for the children and their special ladies. The
cafeteria was filled with proud moms who enjoyed some social time with their children and
friends before school on May 3.
Autism Awareness
Teachers Tina Loveland-Smith and Elizabeth Coulter planned an autism awareness event
for our fifth graders. They combined a power point presentation and video clips to talk to
the children about autism and how it impacts an individual. Parents of a student who has
Asperger’s Syndrome (a high functioning autism with primarily social skill impairment)
spoke from their hearts about the journey that they have been on with their wonderful son.
Mrs. Loveland-Smith and Ms. Coulter hoped that the presentation would help the children
remain supportive and empathetic throughout their secondary school years.
Field Trips
Kindergarten took a return trip to The Tyler Arboretum. They’ve enjoyed watching the
arboretum change through the seasons.
First grade spent a day at The Philadelphia Zoo. They enjoyed lessons on animal
classification and behavior.
Second grade walked to The Delaware County Institute of Science. It is one of the many
resources in the Media community that we love.
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Third grade went to the Eastern University Planetarium. Sal Anastasi, a parent, also came
in to speak with the children about electricity and magnetism. He presented complicated
concepts in a kid-friendly way.
Fourth grade spent a day at The Colonial Plantation in Ridley Creek State Park. They saw
what it was like to live from the period of 1720-1820 as they had a chance to sample
children’s chores such as candle making, sawing wood, and getting well water.
Fifth grade went to Springton Lake Middle School for an orientation program. They had a
chance to enjoy an informational program, tour the school and have lunch. Fifth graders
also completed water conservation posters for the Delaware County Natural
Resource/Water Conservancy.
Living History
Second grade students read and reported on a variety of biographies. They select one
historical person to study in depth and portray. On the day of their Living History Museum,
each student dresses as their selected historical figure, shares a report and other
information about that person and answers questions. Parents and other guests gather to
visit with the famous folks. It’s a great way to learn about men and women who have had
an impact.
Race for the Cure
Fourth grade teacher Sue Williamson and our PTG organized a virtual Race for the Cure
in Media. It was a 5K walk in Media that was done to support breast cancer research.
About 70 people participated. To date, we have raised over $2,500 for this worthy cause.
The Penncrest football team assisted along the route. The Media PTG donated t-shirts
and snacks. There was a nice article in The Daily Times about the virtual walk and the
many Media staff members who have been affected by breast cancer in recent years.
Walking…walking…walking
Our PTG is sponsoring a walking club for families. They meet on Sundays at the trail
behind the rocky Run YMCA. Two of our teachers (Sara Brill and Tina Loveland-Smith)
are sponsoring an early morning walking club. A brisk walk before class is a great way to
start the day. One of our learning support classes (Mrs. Walker’s) is also taking a walking
challenge. For each five miles logged, the children receive a “foot’ for their shoestring. To
date, they have logged 10 miles.
National Poetry Month
Students in grades 1-5 participated in a Poetry Café that took place during their regular
library time. Throughout the month of April, we explored and wrote a variety of poems.
Parents and teachers shared poems as did the students. The fifth graders had a mini
competition as they each gave a different reading of “Casey at the Bat.” Mr. Murphy’s
class gave their rendition at the April School Board meeting. Bravo to all our aspiring
poets.
Book Swap
Our Book Swap is an annual event. Students bring in books that they no longer want. For
every 25 books a class collects, everyone in that class gets to pick 1 book. This year we
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collected 7,173 books. Some classes were able to have every student take home in
excess of 25 new books. “It’s great fun…like shopping without money!”
Find the Cure Wristbands
The Media PTG sponsored the sale of “Find the Cure“ wristbands in order to support one
of our Media families. Ethan Buchanan is currently being treated at CHOP. He has been
fighting cancer for a year and a half. Proceeds from the sale went to The St. Jude’s
Children’s Research Hospital in honor of Jacob Buchanan.
Artist in Residence
Artist in residence William Christine has been working with our children to explore the
historic architecture of Media through water colors. Several groups have gone out after
school to paint with and learn from Mr. Christine. He is also working in art classes. A
reception for the young artists and their families will be held next week at the Media
Borough Hall.
Kids Helping Kids
We are happy to be working with The Community Action Agency again to collect items for
their family shelters. We are one of two school is the county that participates in this
worthwhile program. Purple buckets are placed throughout the school to collect items
such as soap, toiletries, towels, etc. May is National Community Acton Month.
Professional Development
Primary grade teachers have been working with a consultant to become familiar with our
new reading materials. Several teachers attended a workshop at The DCIU on
differentiated instruction. Katherine Echeverria attended a two day training at Tufts
University on Rave-O: A Systematic Approach to Reading Fluency. Rave-O is based on a
large three city, four year National Institute for Child Health and Human Development
intervention project conducted by Maryanne Wolf and her colleagues.
ROSE TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Art Room Happenings:
Fifth graders in Mr. Sharp’s art classes created tunnel books. This book contains four
pages, each with a hole in the middle, except for the last page and is bound with
accordion fold binding on two sides. Inside their books, students applied what they had
learned about space in a work of art by creating a landscape in which they made things in
the foreground appear large and dark and things in the background to appear smaller and
lighter. On each page they added various elements, similar to the way you view a
landscape in space.
Rose Tree Elementary School student art highlighting people was on display at White
Horse Village during the month of April. Residents had an opportunity to meet the artists
and their teachers at a reception held in their honor.
Math Lab:
During the month of May, Math Lab students continued working in the “world of fractions.”
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Fifth grade students worked more with addition and subtraction of mixed numbers,
including converting improper fractional sums into mixed numbers and subsequently
adding any additional whole numbers parts, as well as subtracting mixed numbers that
require renaming of the whole number in the minuend. They reviewed multiplication of
fractions and mixed numbers. The students also had some fun with converting fractions
into decimals and percents, while learning about terminating and repeating decimals.
When in doubt, DIVIDE! After a short break to spiral review decimal multiplication and
division concepts, they will return to fractions, and learn how to divide fractions.
Fourth grade students completed a unit comparing fractions with like denominators, and
began comparing fractions with unlike denominators using cross-products and learning to
find the lowest common denominator. Using the LCD, they are practicing adding and
subtracting fractions. They also learned to convert improper sums into mixed numbers.
Fourth grade spiral review included addition and subtraction of decimals, equivalent
decimals, 3 by 2 multiplication, long division, and interpreting remainders.
Third grade began to relate mixed numbers and improper fractions using visuals. They
also reviewed parts to whole, and comparing fractions with like denominators. Outside of
fractions, third grade learned how to multiply 2 by 1 digits, using both partial products and
the multiplication algorithm. They also started division concepts, imbedded in problem
solving. For spiral review, they continued to perform subtraction with multiple regroupings
and zeros, and practice our addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts.
By the end of the month, all students will be able to perform a Pattern Block Activity,
designed to reinforce reading directions, using a rubric, and strengthening spatial
awareness.
Music:
The 4th & 5th grade students did a wonderful job in their Spring Concert entitled "We're
Making Music". The students sang, played rhythm instruments and recorders, and rang
hand chimes in many musical selections. Congratulations to all! The Choraliers also
presented part of their concert at the Rose Tree Place retirement home. Also on
th
Saturday, May 20 , the 4th & 5th grade students sang "God Bless America" at the Blue
Rocks game during Rose Tree Night at the Blue Rocks Game! The third grade students
presented a recorder concert assembly at Rose Tree. Their parents, friends and K-2
were invited to attend.
Library Happenings:
We are winding down our checkouts – but not our enthusiasm! 4th grade has finished
their adventure with the novel The Watson’s Go to Birmingham – 1963. Along the way,
the students mapped out their driving course using atlas skills. They have had many
wonderful discussions about family life, bullying and the difference between good and bad
behavior, and learned of some of the terrible events that took place during the civil rights
movement of the early 60 ’s. This has been a great experience for all of us.
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Guidance & Health Matters:
On May 10 and May 24, 2006, SPECIAL K members visited the Saint Agnes Day Room
in West Chester. The Day Room is open from 8:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the
afternoon Monday through Friday. Saint Agnes offers food, medical care, friendship, and
support to low-income families and people without homes. SPECIAL K members
prepared and served lunch during their visit, worked in the clothes sorting center and food
bank, and taught Day Room visitors a craft. This is SPECIAL K’s 13th year visiting Saint
Agnes. The Rose Tree students always feel a sense of pride in being able to lend a
helping hand to others and return home grateful for their own plentiful lives. SPECIAL K
members also volunteered their time working at the Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May
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Special Reading:
At Rose Tree Elementary School, 36 students in 1st through 5th grades completed a
reading challenge and received two free tickets to see a Wilmington Blue Rocks Baseball
Game on May 3, 2006. They hit one out of the park with Reading! During the week of
April 24th, 129 students turned off the TV and tuned into reading and other activities.
Mrs. Poulos, Mrs. Thomas and the 5th grade Library Club members sponsored Rose
Tree’s third annual school wide TV Turn-Off initiative. Every participant received a
certificate and students who participated all week received a coupon for a free kids meal
or ice cream from Chick-fil-A. In addition a school raffle awarded $ 10.00 Borders Gift
Cards to 12 lucky participants. During the week of May 8 - 10th, classroom teachers in
grades 1-3 participated in training on our new Houghton Mifflin Language Arts Program,
which will provide research based resources to help create a balanced literacy program.
Teachers in First and Second Grade received support from the American Reading
Company on May 15th for the new 100 Book Challenge Initiative. A representative visited
the classrooms and offered practical solutions to the management of the program.
Mrs. Gheysens, Mrs. Poulos, Mr. Stevens along with classroom teachers in K-2 grade
worked cooperatively as a team during the week of May 8th to complete the Spring
DIBELS monitoring on all students. The results conclude our ’05-’06 school year literacy
assessment on all K-2 students. Mrs. Poulos participated in the District Wide Initiative to
begin the important work of fine-tuning the alignment of elementary literacy initiatives.
She is part of the Literacy Council appointed to support our literacy curriculum, which
began its work on May 16, 2006 at the Education Center.
First Grade:
The first graders enjoyed a trip to the Delaware Museum of Natural History to see the
"History of Dinosaurs.” The students have been learning about dinosaurs in Ms. Howe's
enrichment classes. They were excited to learn more about fossils and extinction. It was
a wonderful day.
Third Grade:
The third grade classes just completed their embryology project. The eggs were 14 days
old when they arrived. The children learned how to care for the eggs by rotating them
hourly. They learned that the incubator needed water and a temperature of 100°. After
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one week, the chicks successfully hatched. The students were able to hold the chicks.
They learned the parts of the eggs. The purpose of this 4-H project is to give them an
opportunity to learn about one of the miracles of nature and the transformation of a
fertilized egg into a young chick.
Fifth Grade:
Fifth grade students worked hard on their Science Symposium projects, which were
presented to parents on May 11. This presentation followed the Catastrophic Events
science unit and gave students a chance to select a group or individual project. Some
students chose to make and test weather instruments, comparing their results with real
data. Others worked in groups to create a research report on a topic like tornadoes or
earthquakes, complete with a graphic aide, such as a poster or power point presentation.
Others chose to "be the inventor" by selecting, researching, and impersonating an
inventor, including costume, props, and experiment. They were excited to share their
knowledge and their love of science with everyone!
SPRINGTON LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Third annual Tour de Lake is scheduled for June 7th. All money raised is donated to
the Hope School.
The fifth grade elementary students visited Springton Lake on May 8th. Entertainment
was provided by the Jazz Band, Select Chorus and Orchestra. The students were shown
a movie about entering Middle School. After a tour and lunch, the students were
presented with “SLMS – Class of 2009” tee shirts.
In conjunction with the sixth grade dance, a parent forum entitled, “Gathering the
Wisdom” was presented to parents on Friday, May 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the library.
On May 19, Victor Hoang, Garrett McCullough, Alex Mora, Keye Faddis and Emily
Sheehan were honored by the Delaware County Reading Council and the Delaware
County Intermediate Unit as winners of the Dr. Nicholas Spennato Young Authors’ Project
for 2005-2006.
William Murphy and Alison Silverman were recognized at the Delaware County Principals’
Association Outstanding Student Recognition Luncheon. The luncheon was held on May
17th at the Lamb Tavern in Springfield, PA.
The guidance department’s groups this year included: anger management, family issues,
coping skills, and peer relationships. Lessons being taught now are: 8th grade careers;
7thgrade communication and decision making and 6th grade respect. Guidance
department arranged an Internet Safety Program through the Delaware County District
Attorney's office. The program was held for 6, 7, and 8th grade and parents on Friday,
May 12th from 7 to 9 p.m.
Y.E.S. Theater group performed for the 8th grade on April 28th. Their performance was
about making choices.
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A community health fair will be held on June 8th at SLMS from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for parents
and older adults in the community. The health fair is sponsored by Springton Lake Health
Council which Jacque Baker and Tonya Melchior coordinate. Riddle Hospital, HCI, Rocky
Run YMCA, and other community organizations are on the health council and will be
involved in the health fair as well. Stop by for free health screenings, food, healthy
recipes, massages, exercise, and more!!
A guest speaker representing the American Heart Association spoke with 8th grade
health classes.
Springton Lake students in the academically gifted program captured First Place in the
State and Fifth Place Nationally in the News Bowl 2006 NAT (News Achievement Test)
Spring National Contest. News Bowl is a state and national current events knowledge
competition open to grades 3 through high school. The contest was administered by
computer and tested student knowledge of current events from January and February.
Teams competed in seven different grade level divisions. The contest was administered
in the individual schools in March. The contest was held at www.newsbowl.com
Approximately 2000 teams took the high-profile challenging test! The objective of the
News Bowl NAT Spring Contest is to provide a quality educational program which will
enhance current events education, lifelong learning and increase proficiency in citizenship
skills. Students were then tested by a multiple choice question test covering all aspects of
the news. The public is invited to check out News Bowl for the Family
www.newsbowl.com. Click on the house and play the daily Question of the Morning.
The students that participated are students of Mr. Tolomeo (grade 6), Mrs. Sangillo
(grade 7), and Miss Stephens (grade 8).
On May 23rd, grade 8 art students had the opportunity to visit the Philadelphia Museum
of Art and have a guided tour of the Middle Ages and Renaissance section which
correlated with their study of these time periods in social studies and art class.
Ms. Sycz’ eighth grade art students are continuing the 8th grade sculpture unit. Students
have analyzed the work of Michelangelo, Rodin and Brancusi comparing and contrasting
three major works from each of these artists. The basics of sculpture are being examined
and then demonstrated by students when they sculpt a human figure. Students will
choose their sculpture product to be a sculpture in the round or a relief sculpture which
will increase the differentiated learning principle of choice in the classroom. In addition to
the final product being only a sculpture, students will have produced a folder containing
reading material and written work. Following this assignment, student will be engaged in
a printmaking project. Grade seven students will begin a printing making assignment
which will incorporate color theory. Grade six students are finishing a painting lesson
which introduced students to the painting style of Henri Rousseau. The next assignment
will be a printmaking assignment which will incorporate color relationships and the
principles of design.
Congratulations to Mrs. Going's 6th grade student, Samantha Dugan for placing 4th in the
Holcomb Health Systems Drug and Alcohol Awareness poster Contest. Sam's poster will
appear in the 2007 Calendar distributed throughout Delaware County!! 1900 posters from
42 schools were judged!! Mrs. Going’s 6th graders have begun their unit on the history of
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the Aztecs and are constructing a real life sculpture of an Aztec Sun. This will complete
their units on Sculpture and the element of Form. 7th grades are busy painting their
portraits. Analogous color is being used and BOY ARE THEY DIFFERENT. 8th grades
are so very involved in their Illuminated Manuscript page. They are given total freedom as
long as they show the 4 components of an Authentic Illuminated Manuscript and their
choice of "text" wouldn’t offend anyone!!
Library Workshops & Professional Activities
On April 3, Mrs. Motley was a guest speaker at a class at Arcadia University, entitled
Information Management & Research, designed for teachers who are completing a library
science certification. Mrs. Motley spoke on the process we used to develop our RTM
Information Literacy Curriculum.
The Delaware County Access PA Regional Group met at Pennwood High School on April
6. In addition to getting an update on the state-wide Access PA meeting, participants
shared experiences and handouts from the American Association of School Librarians
national conference that was held in Pittsburgh earlier this year. Mrs. Motley shared
handouts and experiences from her sessions on Note-Taking Strategies, Poetry Alive and
Booktalking.
Mrs. Motley attended a Governor’s Institute meeting at Keystone College in La Plume,
Pennsylvania on April 21. For the last two years, Mrs. Motley has served on the steering
committee for the Institute on Information Literacy and Reading. In this capacity, she has
just completed writing the strategies and references for the nine Information Literacy
Standards and their indicators. Reproduced in card format, these strategies will be
distributed at the Governor’s Institute in July and will then be available through PDE.
On April 19, all of the district librarians attended a Collection Development Workshop
sponsored by the Follett Library Resources Company in King of Prussia.
In preparation for Visiting Author Day, Mrs. Motley visited every language arts classroom
in sixth, seventh and eighth grade to prepare students for the visit and read them a short
story entitled, “ What’s the Worst that Could Happen,” by Bruce Coville. On the day of his
visit, Mr. Coville’s animated presentations thrilled audiences at all three assemblies. In
addition to signing books after each assembly, Mr. Coville did a short introduction and
then answered questions for the Food for Thought café students at a festive author’s tea.
Mrs. Newsome’s 6th grade language arts students selected an author whose book they
enjoyed as the subject for an author study. After receiving library instruction on selecting
appropriate reference materials, online databases, websites, and primary sources to aid
them in gathering materials, students researched their authors and created posters that
they used to present findings to their classmates.
After reading The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, Mr. Harp’s 8th grade Language Arts students
researched other examples of economic exploitation and shared their findings with their
classmates. Mrs. Williams’s 8th grade Spanish students researched endangered animals
and created posters ien espanol to illustrate their findings. Ms. Warner’s 7th grade health
classes used books and online resources to research health topics of their choice, such
as eating disorders, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Students could create a
Powerpoint, pamphlet or poster to communicate what they discovered. Health students
13
from Mrs. Baker’s 8th grade classes this marking period researched ways to reduce
stress which they presented to the remainder of their classmates via Powerpoint, Poster
or oral report. Some topics included meditation, massage, Reiki, aromatherapy, hippo
therapy, music, and color therapies. Mrs. Sangillo’s 7th grade AGP classes completed
work on their long-term research papers on topics of their choice. Students dialoged with
Mrs. Sangillo about what they had learned during this experience. Most students felt as if
the note-taking lessons were particularly useful in successfully navigating the research
process. Numerous students realized (some too late!) how critical it is to narrow your
topic and write concise essential questions. Mrs. Aupperle’s 7th grade classes completed
their comparison of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen -- which they read in Language Arts -- with
the movie, A Cry in the Wild.
It’s May Musical Madness in the Music Department at Springton Lake Middle School.
Here is the performing schedule:
Sixth Grade Chorus
Tuesday, May 9
In-School Concert “Water, Water Everywhere
Performance 9:00-10:00 AM
Wednesday, May 10 Evening Concert at 7:30 PM
Seventh Grade Chorus
Tuesday, May 16
Evening Concert at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, May 17 In-School Concert “Broadway Revue” with Select Chorus
1:30 PM
Eighth Grade Chorus
Wednesday, May 17 In-School Concert “Broadway Revue” with Select Chorus
Performance 11:15
Thursday, May 18
Evening Concert at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, May 18
Jazz Band at Penncrest for the Senior Citizen Luncheon 11:30-2:00
Friday, May 19 - ADJUDICATION IN NEW JERSEY
Select Chorus, Eighth Grade Chorus, Eighth Grade Band, Jazz Band, and
Orchestra
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Orchestra
Monday, May 22
Seventh Grade Performance - 10:30 AM
Sixth Grade Performance - 11:15 AM
Eighth Grade Performance - 1:30 PM
Sixth Grade Band
Tuesday, May 23 In-School Concert from 11:30 AM -12:00 PM
Evening Performance at 7:30 PM
Seventh Grade Band
Tuesday, May 23 In School Concert from 10:00-10:30 AM
Evening Performance at 7:30 PM
Eighth Grade Band and Jazz Band
Wednesday, May 24 In-School Concert at 9:45 AM
Evening Concert at 7:30 PM
MEDIA THEATRE MUSIC SHOWCASE
Tuesday, June 6 Evening Performance at the Media Theatre at 7:30
“It’s Showtime”
14
PENNCREST HIGH SCHOOL
The Penncrest Jazz Band received a rating of "Superior" at the West Chester Jazz
Festival on April 8th. In addition to the top rating at the festival, the band was also
recognized for having the top brass and rhythm sections. Guitarist Dan Rocha won the
award for Overall Best Soloist. This marks the third consecutive year the band has
received a Superior rating in festival competition.
The Penncrest String Ensemble, und er the direction of Antoinette Lyons, traveled to
Williamsburg, Virginia and participated in Music InThe Parks Adjudication Festival and
Competition at Busch Gardens. The String Ensemble received a score of 95 points out of
100 with a rating of "Superior". Other schools participating in this festival were from New
York, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The Penncrest String Ensemble
had the highest score with a first place standing. Congratulations to all students who
participated.
The Penncrest Indoor Drumline earned a first place finish at the Bensalem Invitational on
April 8th. The drumline is under the direction of Mr. Maher and Mr. Ives, and performs
music written by senior members Mike Ferroni and Anthony O'Toole. They went to
chapter championships on Saturday, April 29th.
Selections for Media Rotary Student of the Month for April were Senior Sara Buchanan
and Junior Robert Graham.
The Penncrest Science Olympiad team finished second at the Pennsylvania State
Championships held at Juniata College in Huntingdon at the end of April. They finished
only three points behind the reigning National Champion Harriton High School. Both
teams advance to the National Championship Tournament held at the University of
Indiana in Bloomington. The team is excited that they are advancing and feel they can
finish very high in the standings.
Sharon Sweeney escorted the Central League Writing Team to Springfield High School
on April 20th. Students competed with the best writers from high schools across the
Central League. Team Members are: Maggie Bohara and Aimee Davis, grade 12; Sarah
Evan and David Pritchard, grade 11; Joe Carlin and Jesse Ru, grade 10; Elizabeth
Freeberg and Marina Solomos, grade 9.
David Pritchard traveled to Penn State University with his family on Friday, April 14th, to
receive his award for earning the title of Finalist in the annual Penn State Writing Contest
for high school juniors.
Sharon Sweeney escorted four junior members of the Student Council and the National
Honor Society to the University of Pennsylvania on Friday, April 28th for the Ethics in
Education Conference, a program designed by the University Honor Council.
15
Mrs. Kuntz's Humanities class took a very successful field trip on May 4 to view
Philadelphia's murals. Philadelphia is "Mural City USA" with over 2500 murals, more than
Los Angeles and more than Chicago. Throughout the year, the students learn about how
cultures of the past created art, and this was a chance to see art's role in the 21st
century.
Mrs. Kuntz also took members of her Humanities class to the Opera Company of
Philadelphia's The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. For many, it was their first operatic
experience and all enjoyed this "opera buffe" or comic opera. Seventeen $95 tickets
were free thanks to the Sounds of Learning Educational Program, supported in part by
the National Endowment for the Arts.
Four student poems were published in the Philadelphia Inquirer's neighbors section on
Saturday April 30th. Congratulations to seniors Amy Roller, Alex Sanchez, Dan
Magnangosc, and Jason Dickert.
The Penncrest Senior Class held their prom at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue on Friday,
May 5. Over 400 students attended. The faculty was well represented as over 60 faculty
members either enjoyed dinner with the seniors or stopped by to wish them well. The
prom was followed by the AM Prom at Springton Lake Middle School. This activity had
the theme of "Welcome to Las Vegas."
Penncrest Student Council will hold class officer elections at the end of the month for
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Senators-at-Large.
Sandy Staiger will travel to Penn State to present our finalists for the History Day
competition. The successful students are Robert Marsch and Chelsea Hipp. Their topic
is "Last Man Standing: The Battle of Gettysburg."
Faculty and administrators from Penncrest attended the preview of the Tuskeegee
Airmen video at the Media Theater on Monday, May 8. The 37 minute video features a
wide range of interviews and action shots describing the airmen's role during World
War II.
Several guest speakers have presented their programs recently at Penncrest. Steve
Silva invited a veteran from the Irag war to speak on Friday, May 5. Katie Henwood had
a Civil War re- enactor speak on Monday, May 8.
The bi-annual French immersion trip led by Mrs. Tracy Jackson to Quebec, Canada was
a success. Students and teacher chaperones visited Quebec City and Montréal from
Wednesday, April 26th until Sunday, April 30th. Students who participated are raving
about the experience.
Preparations for the 2006-2007 French Exchange to Avignon, France have begun. In the
next few weeks, PHS students will be paired with a French teenager from Lycée Aubanel
in Provence. Students will be encouraged to correspond via the internet and snail mail
with their exchange partners over the summer break. A group of approximately twenty
French students from Avignon will be staying with PHS host families next October.
16
The National Latin Exam results are in. Fifteen students earned cum laude; 7 students
earned magna cum laude; 14 students earned maxima cum laude. The following
Penncrest students earned the highest level, summa cum laude: Lana Stern, Kevin
Axelrod, Nossir Aini, Amy Mills, & Amy Roller.
17
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone 610.627.6000
Fax 610.565.5317
www.rtmsd.org
Susan Golder, Ed.D.
Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning
Steven Taylor, Ph.D.
Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Dr. Denise Kerr, Ed.D., Superintendent
From:
Dr. Susan Golder and Dr. Steve Taylor
Date:
May 3, 2006
Subject:
May 2, 2006, Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes
Chairperson: Mr. Jeff Pettit
Board Members in attendance: Veronica Barbato, William Campbell, Linda Fox, Nancy
Fronduti, Nancy Mackrides, Tom Shoemaker
Also in attendance: Steve Taylor, Susan Golder
Update on Grants and Federal Programs for 2005 - 2006
Susan Golder and Steve Taylor updated the Board on the grants and federal programs for
2005 - 2006 that are overseen by the Office of Teaching & Learning. Updates were provided
on the following programs: Accountability Block Grant, Title II, Title V, Title I, Dual Enrollment,
and PEP. A brief overview of the grants is as follows:
Need/Goals
Source of
Funds
Amount
of Funds
Action Steps
Staff Involvement
• Directors of
Teaching &
Learning
• Principals and
staff of 3
elementary
schools
• Elementary math
coach
• High school
math associates
• Directors of
Teaching &
Learning
• Elementary
principals
• All elementary
teachers
• 6 Penncrest math
teachers
Accountability
Block Grant
• Improve
academic
performance of
student subgroups in math
• Expand math
academic
assistance
program
Pennsylvania
Department
of Education
(PDE) (noncompetitive)
$92,140
• Pay salaries of
math coach
and math
associates
Title II
• Reduce class
size
• Provide
research-based
professional
development
USDE via
PDE (noncompetitive)
$117,149
• Pay salaries
and benefits
for two
Glenwood
teachers
• Provide
professional
development
Student
Involvement
• 66
Elementary
students
• 179 Middle
school
students
• 71 High
school
students
• Glenwood
2nd graders
• All K-2
students
• 700+
Penncrest
students
Need/Goals
Title V
• Use data to
inform
instructional
decisions
Title I
• Highly likely to
return to RTM in
2006-2007
• Supports
schools with
highest
percentage of
low income
children
Dual
Enrollment
• Expand and
diversify
opportunities for
students to
experience
challenging
academic
content
• Improve the
achievement and
motivation of
students in level
2 and 3 classes
at Penncrest
• Increase
percentage of
students actively
participating in
Physical
Education
• Increase
percentage of
students making
progress toward
meeting state
standards for
Physical
Education
PEP
Source of
Funds
Amount
of Funds
USDE via
PDE (noncompetitive)
Student
Involvement
Action Steps
Staff Involvement
$7,687
• Support
purchase of
NWEA
Measures of
Academic
Progress
(MAP)
Computer
Assisted
Assessment
• Directors of
Teaching &
Learning
• RTM technology
department
• All principals
• Teachers of
grade 4
• Teachers of
grades 7, 9,
and 10 math &
language arts
• Grade 4 300
students
• Grade 7 300
students
• Grades 9 &
10 - 660
students
Estimated
$105,000
• May support
salaries and
benefits,
summer
school, extended day
programs,
materials,
professional
develop-ment,
and parent
programs
• Enable up to
15 middle-level
students to
participate in
college
courses at
DCCC and
Neumann
College
• Director of
Secondary
Teaching &
Learning
• Penncrest
principal
• Penncrest
assistant
principal
• Building
coordinator for
guidance
• One teacher
• 6 Seniors
- 5 at
DCCC
- 1 at
Neumann
• Director of
Secondary
Teaching &
Learning
• Lead instructor
for PEP
• All principals and
assistants
• All physical
education
teachers
• All
students
K - 12
PDE (noncompetitive)
$4,940
USDE
(competitive)
$375,525
• Develop
infrastruc-ture
to support new
equipment
• Order and
install fit-ness
and
assessment
equipment
• Provide
professional
development
• Involve
community
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone 610.627.6000
Fax 610.891.0959
www.rtmsd.org
Sharon A. Learn
Board Secretary
Chief Operations Officer
Management Services Department
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D. Superintendent
From:
Sharon A. Learn, Chief Operations Officer
Date:
May 10, 2006
Subject:
Minutes – May 9, 2006 Finance Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM
Chairperson: Bill Campbell
____________________________________________________________________________
In attendance: Bill Campbell, Tom Shoemaker, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti,
Bill Montgomery, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson, Jeff Pettit
Also in attendance: Denise Kerr, Jim Czyz, and Sharon Learn
______________________________________________________________________
1. Tax Payer Request
A tax payer from Media attended the meeting. Previously he sent a letter requesting
relief from the penalty and interest charges levied for non payment of real estate
taxes.
Follow Up: Additional information will be shared with the Chairman. This item will
be on the May 25, 2006 Legislative Agenda.
2. DCCC Budget
Under State law the local sponsors’ obligation for support of the community college’s
operating budget is the total operating balance after all other sources of revenue
have been deducted. The proposed 2006 – 2007 operating, capital and real rental
share budget for RTMSD is $953,199, a 3.9% increase over the current year.
The proposed debt service authority proposed budget is $86,458, a 27% increase
over the current year. RTMSD total proposed contribution to DCCC is $1,039,657, a
5.4% increase over the current year.
Follow Up: This item will be on the June Finance Committee Agenda and the June
22, 2006 Legislative Agenda.
1
3. Transportation Department Report
Jim Czyz presented a power point presentation containing Transportation
Department facts.
1. Over 100 schools receive transportation services
2. Approximately 30 schools have 5 or fewer students
3. After school activity buses: 5 buses serve Penncrest and Springton
One trip, 3 days a week
Cost = $425 per week.
4. Cost of sports transportation;
$23,000 for Penncrest
$5,000 for Springton
5. Fuel costs expected to increase to as much as $2.50 per gal.
or $350,000 for budget year 2006 – 2007.
Jim continues to work toward achieving the Clean Buses for Kids Diesel Retrofit
Program money in the amount of $175,000. The application is pending.
Congratulations to Jim Czyz and the school bus drivers who participated in the
Annual Bus Driver Safety Competition!
4. 2006 – 2007 General Fund Budget
The goal is to reach a 3.9% mil increase in the General Fund 2006 – 2007 budget.
A handout of the following expenditure items was reviewed.
- Employee Benefits Program
- Purchased and Professional Services
- Utilities, Insurance Program and Travel
- Supplies
- Equipment
- Debt Service
- Dues and Fees
- Libraries – John Kennedy, member of the Library Board, and Pete Alyanakian
member of Media Borough Council, requested continued support at the rate
of $10,000 for each library.
- Travel
Follow Up: The May 16, 2006 Budget Work Session is cancelled. The Budget
Hearing will be held on May 18, 2006 at 7:00 PM at the Indian Lane Elementary
School. The two final budget work sessions will be held on June 13 and June 20
and the topic will be capital funds.
5.
Interquest Service Agreement
Canine Services, 2006-2007 School Year
This service provides contraband inspection services at $200 per half day (three
hours) visit, or $400 per full day visit (six hours), to be paid monthly. Last school year
the district used their services for 10 visits. It was requested this year that the
service provide a luggage search for school trips. This will be a fee of $50
per search, which will cover time and gas.
Action: This will be on the May Legislative Agenda.
2
6.
Election of Intermediate Unit Board Members
The following individuals will serve as members of the Delaware County
Intermediate Unit Board of Directors:
Term: July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009
Chichester
Edward Cardow
Penn-Delco
Kimberly SanGiorgio
Rose Tree Media
William Montgomery
Upper Darby
Maureen E. Carey
Wallingford-Swarthmore
Jennifer Cheung
Term: July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007
Southeast Delco
Albert Ricci
Action: This will be on the May Legislative Agenda.
7.
DCIU Programs Funded by Rose Tree Media School District 2006-2007
District’s Share
DCIU General Operating Budget
$ 76,897
Technical Schools Budget ½ Time Program
$ 257,418
Technical Schools Budget Special Education Program
$ 45,052
Special Education Contract
$1,441,257
Special Education Fair Share Payment
$ 144,671
Be Proud
$ 143,688
Detention Center
$ 818,083
Elwyn
$ 736,572
$3,663,638
Action: The individual agreements will be on the May 25, 2006 Legislative Agenda.
For Your Information ….
1. Energy Plan
An energy plan with guidelines has been drafted and shared with the Superintendent
of Schools and the Director of Maintenance and Operations. This item will remain
on the agenda until the plan has been approved by the board of school directors.
2. Audit Committee Update:
The audit committee met on March 22, 2006, with Chairman of the Finance
Committee, Bill Campbell, and the Chief Operations Officer, Sharon Learn. Bill
Campbell reminded the committee they are the folks district employees and citizens
of the district may go to if there is a concern that the person is not comfortable
handling in the traditional manner. The Technology Department will determine how
to set up the secure e-mail access. The committee will meet again on June 28,
2006. At that time they will discuss the Audit Committee Charter.
3. School Board Policies
A number of policies should be revised. Valerie Brunette and Susan Evans
volunteered to recommended revisions to be considered at the personnel committee
meetings. Once policies have been revised and approved by the board, they will be
placed on the web site.
3
4. Over Expended Budget Categories
There are a few categories in the General Fund budget that are over expended.
A financial report addressing the over expenditures will be prepared and
distributed once a month via the weekly update. The business office is working
without an accountant; some reports will be delayed until time permits.
5. Breakdown of Spending by Vendor in Amounts Greater than $10,000
A quarterly expenditure report, by vendor, will be prepared quarterly. The report will
include payments $10,000 and over made through accounts payable and electronic
transfer. The report will be prepared and placed on the board’s web page
periodically.
6. Chairman Campbell and a board member from a contiguous school district would like
the districts to work together to purchase items that are not currently included by the
Delaware County Joint Purchasing Board.
7. Tax Collection - Request for Proposals
Two proposals for the collection of Emergency and Municipal Services Tax and Per
Capita Tax were received in the business office. The cost difference between the
two proposals (Berkheimer and Centax) is approximately $10,000. The Centax
proposal does not include legal services. Tom Kelly has been asked to calculate the
cost to process a wage attachment and multiple wage attachments.
If the district were to change tax collection agencies, the cost to Edgmont Township
to stay with Berkheimer would be $2,280 and the cost to Upper Providence
Township would be $4,560. See Analysis of RFP for Tax Collection.
Follow Up: Bill Campbell and Sharon Learn will meet with representatives of the
municipalities.
The next Finance committee Meeting will be on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 8:00 PM
4
Rose Tree Media School District
308 North Olive Street
Media, Pennsylvania 19063-2493
Telephone 610.627.6000
Fax 610.891.0959
www.rtmsd.org
Sharon A. Learn
Board Secretary
Chief Operations Officer
Management Services
Department
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
To:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D. Superintendent
From:
Sharon A. Learn, Chief Operations Officer
Date:
May 10, 2006
Subject:
Minutes – May 10, 2006 Operations Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM
Chairperson: Tom Shoemaker
____________________________________________________________________________
In attendance:
Tom Shoemaker, Bill Campbell, Veronica Barbato, Nancy Fronduti,
Bill Montgomery, Nancy Mackrides, Stacey Benson, Jeff Pettit
Also in attendance: Denise Kerr, Jim Czyz, and Sharon Learn
______________________________________________________________________
1. Athletic Fields
A representative group of parents attended the meeting. Pat Woody,
spokesperson, encouraged the Board of School Directors to do the following:
1. Improve conditions of the lacrosse fields at Indian Lane Elementary School
2. To purchase the Smedley property and develop lacrosse fields
3. Require all coaches to have CPR training
4. Provide an AED for athletic activities
5. Provide an athletic trainer at the Indian Lane fields
Follow Up: This item will remain on the Operations Committee Agenda until
concerns have been resolved.
2. Media Little League Request for Lights
Scott Kotcamp, President of MLL asked permission to attend the June
Operations Committee meeting to present a proposal to light the fields.
Follow Up: Mr. Kotcamp will be invited to attend the June 13, 2006 committee
meeting.
1
3. Media Elementary School, Glenwood Elementary School, and Springton Lake Middle School
– Energy Management Systems
The new agreement will start on July 1, 2006: Year one - $14,380; Year two - $14,380;
Year three - $14,380. The following is included in the scope of work:
Scheduled Maintenance Visits 2 per bldg per year
Technical Assistance 28 hours per year
Personnel Training 8 hours in year 2 & 3 for 4-6 people
Unscheduled Service 24 hours per year
Year one new work station "Dell computer w/19" flat screen"
Repair/Replacement Parts Discount 50% for Alerton & 25% for non
Alerton
Reduced labor rates for work not covered by Agreement. Rates are
discounted by 30% from current prevailing labor rates
Normal Hours:
$100.00 per hour
Night/weekend:
$150.00 per hour
Holiday's:
$200.00 per hour
Action: This item will be on the May 25, 2006 Legislative Agenda.
4. Request for Proposals – April 7, 2006
Boiler/ Burner Service Contract – Annual Preventive Maintenance Service for District
Action: This item will be on the May 25, 2006 Legislative Agenda.
5. Bid Opening – April 27, 2006
Bituminous Concrete Paving Repair and Resurfacing - SLMS & RTE
Action: This item will be on the May 25, 2006 Legislative Agenda.
6. Bid Opening – May 4, 2006
Concrete Sidewalk & Curb Replacement – Request for Proposals – SLMS & GWE
Action: This item will be on the May 25, 2006 Legislative Agenda.
7. Penncrest High School - Chemical Storage Room Exhaust Study.
Mr. Protzmann was not at the meeting. The attached report will be presented by
Harry Protzmann at the next committee meeting.
Follow Up: Mr. Protzmann will present this topic at the June 13, 2006 Operations
Committee Meeting.
2
8. Change Orders
Change orders are acted upon in accordance with Resolution 1997-98 - 124,
as approved by the School Board of Directors on April 23, 1998.
The following no cost change orders to extend the contracted completion date due to
the delay in obtaining permits.
GC-14 Fayette Group Misc. Credits ($3,176.00)
GC-15 Fayette Group Additional cost to remove wet soil and install stone
ballast $ 3,975.75
GC-002 S B Conrad change to metal standing seam roofing over garage
$10,000.00
FUTURE CHANGE ORDERS (these need to be reviewed & discussed
w/contractor)
S B Conrad additional cost to relocate natural gas main $15,000
S B Conrad additional cost to modify underground storm water system $8,100
S B Conrad additional cost to enlarge road to run new gas main $9,000
Fayette Group additional cost to correct finishes in rest rooms $2,500
Action: Change orders will be on the May 25, 2006 Legislative agenda.
9. Swimming Pool – Springton Lake Middle School
Suzanne LeLan, spokesperson for those interested in the swimming pool,
presented additional options for renting pool time for the swim team. The
administration will share this information with the acting athletic director.
Follow Up: This item will remain on the agenda until a resolution has been determined.
10. Penncrest High School Bleachers and Handicapped Access
Don Bonnett, Architect, proposal to extend the bleachers and add handicapped
access to the football stadium at Penncrest High School will be reviewed.
Follow Up: This item will be discussed during the Five Year Capital Improvement
Plan Presentation.
The next Operations committee meeting will be on June 13, 2006 at 9:00 PM.
3
Rose Tree Media School District
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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:
May 18, 2006
Subject:
Minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting – May 9, 2006
Board Members in attendance: V. Barbato, N. Mackrides, W.. Campbell, N. Fronduti, S.
Benson, J. Pettit, T. Shoemaker
Also in attendance: Dr. Denise Kerr, Anne Callahan, Sharon Learn
I.
Review of Items for Legislative Meeting – Anne Callahan
Anne Callahan reviewed the items for consideration at the Legislative Meeting
on May 25, 2006.
One item on the agenda for a vote was the contract for our substitute teacher
service. Mr. Campbell asked that the administration do an analysis of the
cost of our substitute teacher service sometime during the next year. The
administration will do the analysis as soon as possible.
Action; All items will be placed on the agenda of the Legislative Meeting of
the Board of School Directors on May 25, 2006, for a vote of the full board.
II.
Policy Revision: Harassment – D. Kerr
Dr. Kerr presented a draft of a revised Harassment Policy to the members of
the committee. The policy combines all types of harassment into one policy.
After discussion and revisions, the committee agreed to have the new policy
placed on the agenda of May 25, 2006, for a first reading.
Action: The revised policy will be placed on the agenda of the May School
Board Meeting for a first reading.
III.
Update on Principal Search
The district is currently conducting a search for an elementary principal
and a middle school principal. Anne Callahan gave the committee an
update on the search process for the Glenwood Elementary principal
and a time line for the middle school principal search.
Action: We plan to have a nomination before the board for each of
these positions at the June School Board Meeting.
IV.
Executive Session
An executive session was held for discussion of matters of personnel.
The next meeting of Personnel Committee will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at
7PM, in the Education Center Board Room.
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:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D., Superintendent
From:
Patricia Barta, Elementary Special Education Supervisor
Date:
May 3, 2006
Subject:
May 2, 2006, Pupil Services Committee Meeting Minutes
Chairperson: Mrs. Veronica Barbato
Valerie Burnett , Ed.D.
Director of Pupil Services
Board Members in attendance: V. Barbato, W. Campbell, L. Fox, N. Mackrides, and
T. Shoemaker.
Also in attendance: P. Barta and B. Dacanay.
Presentation of Crisis Screening Tools and Procedures: (Ms. Bernadette Dacany)
Ms. Bernadette Dacanay, Home and School Visitor, presented information on a Crisis
Screening Procedure used at Springton Lake Middle School and Penncrest High School
to assess risk for a student contemplating hurting himself/herself or others. The Crisis
Screening Tool was also reviewed, with several scenarios presented to demonstrate the
use of these instruments.
Policy 137.1: Extra Curricular Participation by Home Education Students: (Mrs.
Veronica Barbato)
After a brief discussion conducted by Mrs. Barbato, it was decided that the current
district policy for Extra Curricular Participation by Home Education Students should be
compared with a mandated policy for all school districts for Extra Curricular Participation
by Home Education Students. The district’s policy should be changed, if needed, to
reflect the mandated policy. This should be discussed with Dr. Kerr, Superintendent,
and Mr. Kelly, the District Solicitor. If changes are needed, they should be made and
the revised policy presented for a first reading at the next Board of School Directors
meeting.
ACTION: The Extra Curricular Participation by Home Education Students Policy
137.1 will be submitted for first read
Contracts: (Dr. Patricia Barta)
• Child Guidance Resource Centers
Three contracts for three students to attend the Extended School Year (ESY) program
at Child Guidance Resources Centers were presented and discussed.
ACTION: Approval will be on the May 2006 Legislative Agenda
The next meeting of the Pupil Services Committee will be June 6, 2006 at 9:00 PM.
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:
Members of the Board of School Directors
Denise C. Kerr, Ed.D., Superintendent
From:
Patti Linden
Date:
May 3, 2006
Subject:
May 2, 2006, Technology Committee Meeting Minutes
Chairperson: Mrs. Nancy Mackrides
Patti Linden
Director of Technology
and Information Science
Board Members in attendance: Tom Shoemaker, Veronica Barbato, Bill Campbell,
Linda Fox, Nancy Mackrides
Also in attendance: Patti Linden, Ron Harris, Kim McCann-Roller, Anthony Lombardo,
Mack Johnson, Richard Teal (parent)
Classrooms of the Future
Patti Linden presented an outline of the program being proposed by Governor Rendell
to put a laptop computer on every PA high school student’s desk. This program is a
competitive grant initiative of $200 million over a 3 year period and is based on
socioeconomic need. The program will provide for laptops and other equipment for each
English, math, social studies, and science classroom to make it state of the art with
technology tools. Professional development for teachers and administrators is included,
as well as infrastructure costs, software, and technical support. The purpose of the
program is to initiate high school reform and change teaching and learning to
incorporate 21st Century skills. After examining the parameters of the grant, the
advantages, concerns, and the hidden costs to RTM, it was decided to wait and see
how the grant program develops if it first passes through the Pennsylvania legislature.
Online Training Opportunities
A demonstration of online audio tutorials provided Board members with a preview of
what is developing in the Technology Department. Creating audio tutorials of skills and
tasks will provide not only our staff, but also our parents with “just-in-time” reminders of
how to perform a particular exercise on the computer. Patti Linden demonstrated an
audio tutorial for teacher workshop facilitators on how to access a sign-in sheet for a
flex workshop. This audio recording delineated step-by-step directions which can be
played as the task is being performed. A discussion ensued about the many
applications of this technology across the district, including how to instruct parents on
how to use our website, how to review the rules of hazardous materials for our custodial
staff, and how to use specific software applications. These tutorials would be accessible
24 / 7 in a non-threatening manner and can be used repeatedly. The entire Technology
department will be embarking on this project throughout the summer to build a library of
helpful links related to their responsibilities.
Next meeting: Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. in the Education Center Board
Room
EXCELLENCE
TODAY
FOR TOMORROW
SCHOOL REPORT’S – MAY 2006
GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Glenwood’s Prosocial Committee continues to implement our Middle States Action Plan
goals. The latest efforts in our campaign to make Glenwood a Bully-Free School were the
Reminder Assembly, with the re-screening of our student-made Anti-Bullying video and
roll out of the Bully Report System, and the poster contest. Prize winning posters at each
grade level are reminders in our classrooms, and banners of the school winners hang in
the cafeteria.
Again this year, Glenwood library technician Mrs. Kathy Cook offered the Little Lions
Library Club—preschool visits for four and five-year-old children. Five sessions were held
during May and June. Preschoolers, accompanied by a parent, came to the library on
Monday mornings to browse through books and select two items to check out for a week.
This was a great way for our future students to become familiar with the library and enjoy
some additional reading material, as well as to welcome new Glenwood parents to our
school community.
The 26th Annual Philadelphia Sports Meet sponsored by UCP-Philadelphia, was held at
Chestnut Hill Academy this Saturday for children with special needs. Mrs. LoBonde
reports that students in Glenwood’s Physical Support Class were winners! Nasir Hawkins
took 1st place in the 40 meter run, 2nd place in the discus throw and 1st place in the
softball throw. Aaron Cox took first place in the discus throw, 2nd place in the softball
throw and 2nd place in club. Madison Boggs also attended the event.
This month, Glenwood students expanded their learning beyond our school walls through
field trips, distance learning experiences, and even snail mail. Some examples:
As part of the Butterfly Unit, second grade students participated in a video conference
with the Center for Puppetry. Through distance learning, students were guided to create
a butterfly puppet by educators located in Atlanta, Georgia. Students in the classes of
Mrs. Crystal Grace-Green, Ms. La’Shawn Martinez, Miss Erica Micklin, and Mrs.
Stephanie Young had an opportunity to understand and apply media techniques and
make connections between visual arts and other disciplines.
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This month the third grade classes expanded their learning beyond school walls. Jeffrey
Davies, Charles Keeler, Rachael Pinsley, and Kate Robinson report that students enjoyed
their trip to the Colonial Plantation. They toured the grounds, performed common chores,
and learned what life was like for children in the early 19th Century. In the classroom, Mr.
Grisillo visited with the third graders to build and discuss rockets. The students were
thrilled by the experience of sending their rockets skyward from the playground. Third
grade classes also visited West Chester University’s planetarium early this month in a
spectacular addition to learning about our solar system.
Kindergarten is working on letter writing skills. Mrs. Karen Maher’s and Mrs. Susan
Taylor’s kindergarten classes have been writing letters to their pen pals in Mrs. Hooven’s
and Mrs. Thompson’s kindergarten classes at Media School. Students can’t wait to
receive more letters from them. They are planning to meet their pen pals in person before
the school year is over.
Reading Specialist Mrs. Lynn Lista’s first grade students were invited to participate in a
“Poetry Performance Project.” The goal of this project is to develop fluency while reading
aloud. The students read the poem to three people at home, return to school and read to
her, and then select a staff member to read to an additional time. Mrs. Goldfarb and the
Students’ Kindergarten teachers have been popular choices. This is a fun way to
encourage repeated reading to develop fluency, use multiple intelligences of students and
engage the Glenwood staff in supporting emerging readers.
Fifth grade teachers Ms. Chris Dano, Mr. Stephen Dieter, Mr. Mark Paikoff, and Ms.
Marianne Whiteman designed an interdisciplinary project in honor of Earth Day. Students
wrote songs, rhymes and poems about the earth. As a culminating activity they collected
trash on the grounds around the school building, analyzing and separating it according to
what could be reused or recycled. They also created posters with Earth Friendly slogans.
In April, Language Arts Coordinator/third grade teacher Miss Rachael Pinsley led a
special project to celebrate Poetry Month. Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 submitted one of
their poems to be entered into our Glenwood Poetry Contest. During May, two poets from
each participating grade level were honored for their efforts.
Kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers implemented the 100 Book Challenge in
April. This program is designed to increase fluency and students’ joy for reading by
providing them with books that are fast, fun, and easy. During May, students who read
for 100, 200, or 300 blocks of 15 minutes were recognized in front of their peers. Their
names are listed under the Challenge banners in the school lobby.
Second grade students in Mr. Sharp’s art classes continued their study of art and crafts
from around the world and from various cultures by creating a Widyadhari from Indonesia.
Widyadhari, guardian angels carved out of wood, with the body of human, animal, bird,
dragon, or other imaginary beings, are suspended over the child for strength and
protection. Students created their own flying Widyadhari, and several are featured in the
art display case in our lobby.
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Math Lab students in Ms. Christine Sommer’s classes have continued their studies in the
world of Fractions. Fifth grade has worked more with addition and subtraction of mixed
numbers, also converting fractions into decimals and percents, while learning about
terminating and repeating decimals. When in doubt, DIVIDE! Fourth grade has
completed comparing fractions with like denominators, and has begun comparing
fractions with unlike denominators using cross-products and learning to find the Lowest
Common Denominator. Third grade has begun to relate mixed numbers and improper
fractions using visuals. By the end of the month, all students will have been able to
perform a Pattern Block Activity, designed to reinforce reading directions, using a rubric,
and strengthening spatial awareness.
The RTM elementary orchestra, with students from all four elementary schools,
performed at White Horse Village Retirement Community on Friday, May 12th, at 7 P.M.
Parents and family attended as well as many White Horse Residents. Partnerships in
music were created between our strings students and residents that will continue to
develop. Mr. Jim Walls reported that some residents also shared their talents and
performed on stringed instruments with the RTM elementary orchestra. Everyone enjoyed
the concert, and we look forward to going back soon.
INDIAN LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergarten
To celebrate learning all of the letters, we held a Letter People Parade. Each student
dressed as his or her favorite Letter person. We took our last trip to Tyler Arboretum to
experience the changes that spring has brought to the arboretum. One of our favorites
had to be the sweet smelling lilacs! We have been working on a science unit about
growing things. In addition to learning about the parts of a plant, we planted our own bean
plants. They are growing taller each day! Our math skills continue to improve as we
practice addition and subtraction facts and counting money. As we are putting on three
plays next month, we are busy rehearsing our parts and planning our costumes and
props!
First Grade
Stephanie Herman’s class has been studying the rain forests of the world. To begin this
study the children each created a “passport” which included the child’s name, address,
birth date, birthplace, eye color and hair color. The children each drew a picture of
themselves in place of a photograph. The passports were stamped each time a rain
forest activity was completed. They located the rain forests of the world on an atlas, and
identified products that came from the rainforest. Some of these products were brought in
and displayed in the classroom during the study. They created mini rain forests in 1-liter
bottles so the children could understand the concept of transpiration. The children
planted the plants in the bottles, watered them lightly and closed them up. Over the next
few days they observed as the condensation created watered the plants. The children
then discussed how the canopy layer holds in the rain and waters the plants below.
The children then completed research reports in cooperative groups. Each group was
assigned an animal from a different layer of the rain forest. The children investigated
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various books and Internet resources to find the classification of the animal. The layer in
which the animal lives, how the animal moves, what the animal eats and 1 interesting fact
about the animal. The reports were presented and video taped. To end our study the
parents were invited to come in to hear the reports, enjoy a snack, and learn about the
rain forest.
Mrs. Stern and her class from Springton Lake visited with Mrs. Valuck's and Mrs. Barton's
classes on May 9. Mrs. Stern's reading class made phonics posters and wrote personal
letters to the elementary students. The first graders answered the letters and hosted the
Springton students with a "buddy-reading session". The first graders read to the older
students and then the Springton kids read to the Indian Lane kids. A great time was
enjoyed by all.
Second Grade
Caterpillars have arrived in Second Grade! We have all received our caterpillars and are
anxiously watching them as the metamorphosis process works its magic. After we have
butterflies, we will release them into our courtyard. They should be emerging into
butterflies this week. The entire life cycle of the Painted Lady Butterfly is six weeks.
Third Grade
In Math Lab, Third grade has begun to relate mixed numbers and improper fractions
using visuals. We have also reviewed parts to whole and comparing fractions with like
denominators. Outside of fractions, third grade is learning how to multiply 2 by 1 digit,
using both partial products and the multiplication algorithm. We have also started division
concepts, imbedded in problem solving. For spiral review, we continue to perform
subtraction with multiple regroupings and zeros, and practice our addition, subtraction,
and multiplication facts.
Fourth Grade
In Math Lab, fourth grade has completed comparing fractions with like denominators, and
has begun comparing fractions with unlike denominators using cross-products and
learning to find the Lowest Common Denominator. Using the LCD, we are practicing
adding and subtracting fractions. We have also learned to convert improper sums into
mixed numbers. Fourth grade spiral review has included addition and subtraction of
decimals, equivalent decimals, 3 by 2 multiplication, long division, and interpreting
remainders.
Fifth Grade
Karen Venuto's 5th Grade class recently participated in the News Bowl 2006 and
received 1st place for the State of Pennsylvania and 3rd in the nation in NAT (News
Achievement Test) Spring National Contest. News Bowl is a state and national current
events knowledge competition open to grades 3 through high school. The contest was
administered by computer and tested student knowledge of current events from January
and February. 323 teams competed in seven different grade level divisions. The contest
was administered in the individual schools in March and was held at
www.newsbowl.com. Approximately 2000 teams took the high-profile challenging test!
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The objective of the News Bowl NAT Spring Contest is to provide a quality educational
program which will enhance current events education, lifelong learning and increase
proficiency in citizenship skills. Students were then tested by a multiple choice question
test covering all aspects of the news.
In Math Lab, Fifth grade has worked more with addition and subtraction of mixed
numbers, including converting improper fractional sums into mixed numbers and
subsequently adding any additional whole numbers parts, as well as subtracting mixed
numbers that require renaming of the whole number in the minuend. We have reviewed
multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers. We have also had some fun with
converting fractions into decimals and percents, while learning about terminating and
repeating decimals. When in doubt, DIVIDE! After a short break to spiral review decimal
multiplication and division concepts, we will return to fractions, and learn how to divide
fractions.
General
On May 12th, a select group of 5th graders participated in the Annual Indian Lane Spelling
Bee. The students were asked to spell some very difficult words that were provided by
the Scripps Howard Company. Modeled after the National Spelling Bee, certificates and
pins were given to all participants and the first, second and third place winners received
medals.
MEDIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Variety Show
Our PTG sponsors a Variety Show each year. This year’s show, which consisted of 35
different acts, was held at Penncrest High School on Friday, April 21. Parents and
children worked very hard to put together a show that showcased the diverse talents and
interests of our children. The grand finale featured the Media School Song written by our
music teacher, Mrs. Sara Vaccaro. Thank you to the Penncrest administration and
students for their assistance.
Blue Rocks Night
Reading teacher Brenda Millette coordinated a Blue Rocks Night. Students submitted
their reading logs to Ms. Millette and were able to get Blue Rocks tickets as a reward.
Many Media families enjoyed the baseball game on Monday, May 1.
MS Sneaker Sale
Tommy Van Leer and his mother Janet Van Leer had a “sneaker sale” to support
research on multiple sclerosis. This has become an annual event. The Van Leers
sponsored a sale at SLMS too where Tommy’s older brother is a student.
Teach Your Child to Save Day
The American Bankers Association established a National Teach Children to Save Day to
highlight the importance of teaching our nation’s youth about saving. Every April bankers
make presentations to children about budgeting, saving, recognizing needs and wants,
and how interest makes money grow. Research has shown that as little as ten hours of
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education on finances helps children make better decisions about spending and saving.
NOVA Savings bank customized two programs for our children about the origin and
history of money, “10 Ways to be a Money Smart Kid”, and banking. The presentations
were very worthwhile and resulted in some lively discussion about saving and spending.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand
Some of our fourth graders and their parents thought that Super Sunday would be an
ideal time to set up an Alex’s Lemonade Stand outside of Media School. Casey Bilder and
her mom, Lori Bilder, really got the plan moving. These children raised over $1,450 and
were a real inspiration as they manned the stand throughout the day. They showed great
teamwork, leadership, spirit and commitment to the cause. Local supporters included
Town Talk, Hill’s Seafood, WaWa, Kenny’s Flower Shop, Karen’s Hallmark, Trader Joe’s,
and the Media Elementary staff, PTG and cafeteria. Way to go girls!
Spring Chorus Concert
Favorites from our spring chorus concert included “Johnny Be Good,” “Sweet Caroline,”
“Barbara Ann,” and “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog.” There was something for everyone in the
program of “name” songs. Teachers Jonathan Boyle, Patrick Murphy and Andrew Bugosh
did a great job in the pit. This is the time of year when our chorus “hits the road.” They
performed for the Media Rotary just a few days after their successful concert. Kudos to
Mrs. Vaccaro and her students.
Muffins for Moms
Our PTG sponsored a breakfast event for the children and their special ladies. The
cafeteria was filled with proud moms who enjoyed some social time with their children and
friends before school on May 3.
Autism Awareness
Teachers Tina Loveland-Smith and Elizabeth Coulter planned an autism awareness event
for our fifth graders. They combined a power point presentation and video clips to talk to
the children about autism and how it impacts an individual. Parents of a student who has
Asperger’s Syndrome (a high functioning autism with primarily social skill impairment)
spoke from their hearts about the journey that they have been on with their wonderful son.
Mrs. Loveland-Smith and Ms. Coulter hoped that the presentation would help the children
remain supportive and empathetic throughout their secondary school years.
Field Trips
Kindergarten took a return trip to The Tyler Arboretum. They’ve enjoyed watching the
arboretum change through the seasons.
First grade spent a day at The Philadelphia Zoo. They enjoyed lessons on animal
classification and behavior.
Second grade walked to The Delaware County Institute of Science. It is one of the many
resources in the Media community that we love.
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Third grade went to the Eastern University Planetarium. Sal Anastasi, a parent, also came
in to speak with the children about electricity and magnetism. He presented complicated
concepts in a kid-friendly way.
Fourth grade spent a day at The Colonial Plantation in Ridley Creek State Park. They saw
what it was like to live from the period of 1720-1820 as they had a chance to sample
children’s chores such as candle making, sawing wood, and getting well water.
Fifth grade went to Springton Lake Middle School for an orientation program. They had a
chance to enjoy an informational program, tour the school and have lunch. Fifth graders
also completed water conservation posters for the Delaware County Natural
Resource/Water Conservancy.
Living History
Second grade students read and reported on a variety of biographies. They select one
historical person to study in depth and portray. On the day of their Living History Museum,
each student dresses as their selected historical figure, shares a report and other
information about that person and answers questions. Parents and other guests gather to
visit with the famous folks. It’s a great way to learn about men and women who have had
an impact.
Race for the Cure
Fourth grade teacher Sue Williamson and our PTG organized a virtual Race for the Cure
in Media. It was a 5K walk in Media that was done to support breast cancer research.
About 70 people participated. To date, we have raised over $2,500 for this worthy cause.
The Penncrest football team assisted along the route. The Media PTG donated t-shirts
and snacks. There was a nice article in The Daily Times about the virtual walk and the
many Media staff members who have been affected by breast cancer in recent years.
Walking…walking…walking
Our PTG is sponsoring a walking club for families. They meet on Sundays at the trail
behind the rocky Run YMCA. Two of our teachers (Sara Brill and Tina Loveland-Smith)
are sponsoring an early morning walking club. A brisk walk before class is a great way to
start the day. One of our learning support classes (Mrs. Walker’s) is also taking a walking
challenge. For each five miles logged, the children receive a “foot’ for their shoestring. To
date, they have logged 10 miles.
National Poetry Month
Students in grades 1-5 participated in a Poetry Café that took place during their regular
library time. Throughout the month of April, we explored and wrote a variety of poems.
Parents and teachers shared poems as did the students. The fifth graders had a mini
competition as they each gave a different reading of “Casey at the Bat.” Mr. Murphy’s
class gave their rendition at the April School Board meeting. Bravo to all our aspiring
poets.
Book Swap
Our Book Swap is an annual event. Students bring in books that they no longer want. For
every 25 books a class collects, everyone in that class gets to pick 1 book. This year we
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collected 7,173 books. Some classes were able to have every student take home in
excess of 25 new books. “It’s great fun…like shopping without money!”
Find the Cure Wristbands
The Media PTG sponsored the sale of “Find the Cure“ wristbands in order to support one
of our Media families. Ethan Buchanan is currently being treated at CHOP. He has been
fighting cancer for a year and a half. Proceeds from the sale went to The St. Jude’s
Children’s Research Hospital in honor of Jacob Buchanan.
Artist in Residence
Artist in residence William Christine has been working with our children to explore the
historic architecture of Media through water colors. Several groups have gone out after
school to paint with and learn from Mr. Christine. He is also working in art classes. A
reception for the young artists and their families will be held next week at the Media
Borough Hall.
Kids Helping Kids
We are happy to be working with The Community Action Agency again to collect items for
their family shelters. We are one of two school is the county that participates in this
worthwhile program. Purple buckets are placed throughout the school to collect items
such as soap, toiletries, towels, etc. May is National Community Acton Month.
Professional Development
Primary grade teachers have been working with a consultant to become familiar with our
new reading materials. Several teachers attended a workshop at The DCIU on
differentiated instruction. Katherine Echeverria attended a two day training at Tufts
University on Rave-O: A Systematic Approach to Reading Fluency. Rave-O is based on a
large three city, four year National Institute for Child Health and Human Development
intervention project conducted by Maryanne Wolf and her colleagues.
ROSE TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Art Room Happenings:
Fifth graders in Mr. Sharp’s art classes created tunnel books. This book contains four
pages, each with a hole in the middle, except for the last page and is bound with
accordion fold binding on two sides. Inside their books, students applied what they had
learned about space in a work of art by creating a landscape in which they made things in
the foreground appear large and dark and things in the background to appear smaller and
lighter. On each page they added various elements, similar to the way you view a
landscape in space.
Rose Tree Elementary School student art highlighting people was on display at White
Horse Village during the month of April. Residents had an opportunity to meet the artists
and their teachers at a reception held in their honor.
Math Lab:
During the month of May, Math Lab students continued working in the “world of fractions.”
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Fifth grade students worked more with addition and subtraction of mixed numbers,
including converting improper fractional sums into mixed numbers and subsequently
adding any additional whole numbers parts, as well as subtracting mixed numbers that
require renaming of the whole number in the minuend. They reviewed multiplication of
fractions and mixed numbers. The students also had some fun with converting fractions
into decimals and percents, while learning about terminating and repeating decimals.
When in doubt, DIVIDE! After a short break to spiral review decimal multiplication and
division concepts, they will return to fractions, and learn how to divide fractions.
Fourth grade students completed a unit comparing fractions with like denominators, and
began comparing fractions with unlike denominators using cross-products and learning to
find the lowest common denominator. Using the LCD, they are practicing adding and
subtracting fractions. They also learned to convert improper sums into mixed numbers.
Fourth grade spiral review included addition and subtraction of decimals, equivalent
decimals, 3 by 2 multiplication, long division, and interpreting remainders.
Third grade began to relate mixed numbers and improper fractions using visuals. They
also reviewed parts to whole, and comparing fractions with like denominators. Outside of
fractions, third grade learned how to multiply 2 by 1 digits, using both partial products and
the multiplication algorithm. They also started division concepts, imbedded in problem
solving. For spiral review, they continued to perform subtraction with multiple regroupings
and zeros, and practice our addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts.
By the end of the month, all students will be able to perform a Pattern Block Activity,
designed to reinforce reading directions, using a rubric, and strengthening spatial
awareness.
Music:
The 4th & 5th grade students did a wonderful job in their Spring Concert entitled "We're
Making Music". The students sang, played rhythm instruments and recorders, and rang
hand chimes in many musical selections. Congratulations to all! The Choraliers also
presented part of their concert at the Rose Tree Place retirement home. Also on
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Saturday, May 20 , the 4th & 5th grade students sang "God Bless America" at the Blue
Rocks game during Rose Tree Night at the Blue Rocks Game! The third grade students
presented a recorder concert assembly at Rose Tree. Their parents, friends and K-2
were invited to attend.
Library Happenings:
We are winding down our checkouts – but not our enthusiasm! 4th grade has finished
their adventure with the novel The Watson’s Go to Birmingham – 1963. Along the way,
the students mapped out their driving course using atlas skills. They have had many
wonderful discussions about family life, bullying and the difference between good and bad
behavior, and learned of some of the terrible events that took place during the civil rights
movement of the early 60 ’s. This has been a great experience for all of us.
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Guidance & Health Matters:
On May 10 and May 24, 2006, SPECIAL K members visited the Saint Agnes Day Room
in West Chester. The Day Room is open from 8:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the
afternoon Monday through Friday. Saint Agnes offers food, medical care, friendship, and
support to low-income families and people without homes. SPECIAL K members
prepared and served lunch during their visit, worked in the clothes sorting center and food
bank, and taught Day Room visitors a craft. This is SPECIAL K’s 13th year visiting Saint
Agnes. The Rose Tree students always feel a sense of pride in being able to lend a
helping hand to others and return home grateful for their own plentiful lives. SPECIAL K
members also volunteered their time working at the Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May
12.
Special Reading:
At Rose Tree Elementary School, 36 students in 1st through 5th grades completed a
reading challenge and received two free tickets to see a Wilmington Blue Rocks Baseball
Game on May 3, 2006. They hit one out of the park with Reading! During the week of
April 24th, 129 students turned off the TV and tuned into reading and other activities.
Mrs. Poulos, Mrs. Thomas and the 5th grade Library Club members sponsored Rose
Tree’s third annual school wide TV Turn-Off initiative. Every participant received a
certificate and students who participated all week received a coupon for a free kids meal
or ice cream from Chick-fil-A. In addition a school raffle awarded $ 10.00 Borders Gift
Cards to 12 lucky participants. During the week of May 8 - 10th, classroom teachers in
grades 1-3 participated in training on our new Houghton Mifflin Language Arts Program,
which will provide research based resources to help create a balanced literacy program.
Teachers in First and Second Grade received support from the American Reading
Company on May 15th for the new 100 Book Challenge Initiative. A representative visited
the classrooms and offered practical solutions to the management of the program.
Mrs. Gheysens, Mrs. Poulos, Mr. Stevens along with classroom teachers in K-2 grade
worked cooperatively as a team during the week of May 8th to complete the Spring
DIBELS monitoring on all students. The results conclude our ’05-’06 school year literacy
assessment on all K-2 students. Mrs. Poulos participated in the District Wide Initiative to
begin the important work of fine-tuning the alignment of elementary literacy initiatives.
She is part of the Literacy Council appointed to support our literacy curriculum, which
began its work on May 16, 2006 at the Education Center.
First Grade:
The first graders enjoyed a trip to the Delaware Museum of Natural History to see the
"History of Dinosaurs.” The students have been learning about dinosaurs in Ms. Howe's
enrichment classes. They were excited to learn more about fossils and extinction. It was
a wonderful day.
Third Grade:
The third grade classes just completed their embryology project. The eggs were 14 days
old when they arrived. The children learned how to care for the eggs by rotating them
hourly. They learned that the incubator needed water and a temperature of 100°. After
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one week, the chicks successfully hatched. The students were able to hold the chicks.
They learned the parts of the eggs. The purpose of this 4-H project is to give them an
opportunity to learn about one of the miracles of nature and the transformation of a
fertilized egg into a young chick.
Fifth Grade:
Fifth grade students worked hard on their Science Symposium projects, which were
presented to parents on May 11. This presentation followed the Catastrophic Events
science unit and gave students a chance to select a group or individual project. Some
students chose to make and test weather instruments, comparing their results with real
data. Others worked in groups to create a research report on a topic like tornadoes or
earthquakes, complete with a graphic aide, such as a poster or power point presentation.
Others chose to "be the inventor" by selecting, researching, and impersonating an
inventor, including costume, props, and experiment. They were excited to share their
knowledge and their love of science with everyone!
SPRINGTON LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Third annual Tour de Lake is scheduled for June 7th. All money raised is donated to
the Hope School.
The fifth grade elementary students visited Springton Lake on May 8th. Entertainment
was provided by the Jazz Band, Select Chorus and Orchestra. The students were shown
a movie about entering Middle School. After a tour and lunch, the students were
presented with “SLMS – Class of 2009” tee shirts.
In conjunction with the sixth grade dance, a parent forum entitled, “Gathering the
Wisdom” was presented to parents on Friday, May 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the library.
On May 19, Victor Hoang, Garrett McCullough, Alex Mora, Keye Faddis and Emily
Sheehan were honored by the Delaware County Reading Council and the Delaware
County Intermediate Unit as winners of the Dr. Nicholas Spennato Young Authors’ Project
for 2005-2006.
William Murphy and Alison Silverman were recognized at the Delaware County Principals’
Association Outstanding Student Recognition Luncheon. The luncheon was held on May
17th at the Lamb Tavern in Springfield, PA.
The guidance department’s groups this year included: anger management, family issues,
coping skills, and peer relationships. Lessons being taught now are: 8th grade careers;
7thgrade communication and decision making and 6th grade respect. Guidance
department arranged an Internet Safety Program through the Delaware County District
Attorney's office. The program was held for 6, 7, and 8th grade and parents on Friday,
May 12th from 7 to 9 p.m.
Y.E.S. Theater group performed for the 8th grade on April 28th. Their performance was
about making choices.
11
A community health fair will be held on June 8th at SLMS from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for parents
and older adults in the community. The health fair is sponsored by Springton Lake Health
Council which Jacque Baker and Tonya Melchior coordinate. Riddle Hospital, HCI, Rocky
Run YMCA, and other community organizations are on the health council and will be
involved in the health fair as well. Stop by for free health screenings, food, healthy
recipes, massages, exercise, and more!!
A guest speaker representing the American Heart Association spoke with 8th grade
health classes.
Springton Lake students in the academically gifted program captured First Place in the
State and Fifth Place Nationally in the News Bowl 2006 NAT (News Achievement Test)
Spring National Contest. News Bowl is a state and national current events knowledge
competition open to grades 3 through high school. The contest was administered by
computer and tested student knowledge of current events from January and February.
Teams competed in seven different grade level divisions. The contest was administered
in the individual schools in March. The contest was held at www.newsbowl.com
Approximately 2000 teams took the high-profile challenging test! The objective of the
News Bowl NAT Spring Contest is to provide a quality educational program which will
enhance current events education, lifelong learning and increase proficiency in citizenship
skills. Students were then tested by a multiple choice question test covering all aspects of
the news. The public is invited to check out News Bowl for the Family
www.newsbowl.com. Click on the house and play the daily Question of the Morning.
The students that participated are students of Mr. Tolomeo (grade 6), Mrs. Sangillo
(grade 7), and Miss Stephens (grade 8).
On May 23rd, grade 8 art students had the opportunity to visit the Philadelphia Museum
of Art and have a guided tour of the Middle Ages and Renaissance section which
correlated with their study of these time periods in social studies and art class.
Ms. Sycz’ eighth grade art students are continuing the 8th grade sculpture unit. Students
have analyzed the work of Michelangelo, Rodin and Brancusi comparing and contrasting
three major works from each of these artists. The basics of sculpture are being examined
and then demonstrated by students when they sculpt a human figure. Students will
choose their sculpture product to be a sculpture in the round or a relief sculpture which
will increase the differentiated learning principle of choice in the classroom. In addition to
the final product being only a sculpture, students will have produced a folder containing
reading material and written work. Following this assignment, student will be engaged in
a printmaking project. Grade seven students will begin a printing making assignment
which will incorporate color theory. Grade six students are finishing a painting lesson
which introduced students to the painting style of Henri Rousseau. The next assignment
will be a printmaking assignment which will incorporate color relationships and the
principles of design.
Congratulations to Mrs. Going's 6th grade student, Samantha Dugan for placing 4th in the
Holcomb Health Systems Drug and Alcohol Awareness poster Contest. Sam's poster will
appear in the 2007 Calendar distributed throughout Delaware County!! 1900 posters from
42 schools were judged!! Mrs. Going’s 6th graders have begun their unit on the history of
12
the Aztecs and are constructing a real life sculpture of an Aztec Sun. This will complete
their units on Sculpture and the element of Form. 7th grades are busy painting their
portraits. Analogous color is being used and BOY ARE THEY DIFFERENT. 8th grades
are so very involved in their Illuminated Manuscript page. They are given total freedom as
long as they show the 4 components of an Authentic Illuminated Manuscript and their
choice of "text" wouldn’t offend anyone!!
Library Workshops & Professional Activities
On April 3, Mrs. Motley was a guest speaker at a class at Arcadia University, entitled
Information Management & Research, designed for teachers who are completing a library
science certification. Mrs. Motley spoke on the process we used to develop our RTM
Information Literacy Curriculum.
The Delaware County Access PA Regional Group met at Pennwood High School on April
6. In addition to getting an update on the state-wide Access PA meeting, participants
shared experiences and handouts from the American Association of School Librarians
national conference that was held in Pittsburgh earlier this year. Mrs. Motley shared
handouts and experiences from her sessions on Note-Taking Strategies, Poetry Alive and
Booktalking.
Mrs. Motley attended a Governor’s Institute meeting at Keystone College in La Plume,
Pennsylvania on April 21. For the last two years, Mrs. Motley has served on the steering
committee for the Institute on Information Literacy and Reading. In this capacity, she has
just completed writing the strategies and references for the nine Information Literacy
Standards and their indicators. Reproduced in card format, these strategies will be
distributed at the Governor’s Institute in July and will then be available through PDE.
On April 19, all of the district librarians attended a Collection Development Workshop
sponsored by the Follett Library Resources Company in King of Prussia.
In preparation for Visiting Author Day, Mrs. Motley visited every language arts classroom
in sixth, seventh and eighth grade to prepare students for the visit and read them a short
story entitled, “ What’s the Worst that Could Happen,” by Bruce Coville. On the day of his
visit, Mr. Coville’s animated presentations thrilled audiences at all three assemblies. In
addition to signing books after each assembly, Mr. Coville did a short introduction and
then answered questions for the Food for Thought café students at a festive author’s tea.
Mrs. Newsome’s 6th grade language arts students selected an author whose book they
enjoyed as the subject for an author study. After receiving library instruction on selecting
appropriate reference materials, online databases, websites, and primary sources to aid
them in gathering materials, students researched their authors and created posters that
they used to present findings to their classmates.
After reading The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, Mr. Harp’s 8th grade Language Arts students
researched other examples of economic exploitation and shared their findings with their
classmates. Mrs. Williams’s 8th grade Spanish students researched endangered animals
and created posters ien espanol to illustrate their findings. Ms. Warner’s 7th grade health
classes used books and online resources to research health topics of their choice, such
as eating disorders, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Students could create a
Powerpoint, pamphlet or poster to communicate what they discovered. Health students
13
from Mrs. Baker’s 8th grade classes this marking period researched ways to reduce
stress which they presented to the remainder of their classmates via Powerpoint, Poster
or oral report. Some topics included meditation, massage, Reiki, aromatherapy, hippo
therapy, music, and color therapies. Mrs. Sangillo’s 7th grade AGP classes completed
work on their long-term research papers on topics of their choice. Students dialoged with
Mrs. Sangillo about what they had learned during this experience. Most students felt as if
the note-taking lessons were particularly useful in successfully navigating the research
process. Numerous students realized (some too late!) how critical it is to narrow your
topic and write concise essential questions. Mrs. Aupperle’s 7th grade classes completed
their comparison of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen -- which they read in Language Arts -- with
the movie, A Cry in the Wild.
It’s May Musical Madness in the Music Department at Springton Lake Middle School.
Here is the performing schedule:
Sixth Grade Chorus
Tuesday, May 9
In-School Concert “Water, Water Everywhere
Performance 9:00-10:00 AM
Wednesday, May 10 Evening Concert at 7:30 PM
Seventh Grade Chorus
Tuesday, May 16
Evening Concert at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, May 17 In-School Concert “Broadway Revue” with Select Chorus
1:30 PM
Eighth Grade Chorus
Wednesday, May 17 In-School Concert “Broadway Revue” with Select Chorus
Performance 11:15
Thursday, May 18
Evening Concert at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, May 18
Jazz Band at Penncrest for the Senior Citizen Luncheon 11:30-2:00
Friday, May 19 - ADJUDICATION IN NEW JERSEY
Select Chorus, Eighth Grade Chorus, Eighth Grade Band, Jazz Band, and
Orchestra
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Orchestra
Monday, May 22
Seventh Grade Performance - 10:30 AM
Sixth Grade Performance - 11:15 AM
Eighth Grade Performance - 1:30 PM
Sixth Grade Band
Tuesday, May 23 In-School Concert from 11:30 AM -12:00 PM
Evening Performance at 7:30 PM
Seventh Grade Band
Tuesday, May 23 In School Concert from 10:00-10:30 AM
Evening Performance at 7:30 PM
Eighth Grade Band and Jazz Band
Wednesday, May 24 In-School Concert at 9:45 AM
Evening Concert at 7:30 PM
MEDIA THEATRE MUSIC SHOWCASE
Tuesday, June 6 Evening Performance at the Media Theatre at 7:30
“It’s Showtime”
14
PENNCREST HIGH SCHOOL
The Penncrest Jazz Band received a rating of "Superior" at the West Chester Jazz
Festival on April 8th. In addition to the top rating at the festival, the band was also
recognized for having the top brass and rhythm sections. Guitarist Dan Rocha won the
award for Overall Best Soloist. This marks the third consecutive year the band has
received a Superior rating in festival competition.
The Penncrest String Ensemble, und er the direction of Antoinette Lyons, traveled to
Williamsburg, Virginia and participated in Music InThe Parks Adjudication Festival and
Competition at Busch Gardens. The String Ensemble received a score of 95 points out of
100 with a rating of "Superior". Other schools participating in this festival were from New
York, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The Penncrest String Ensemble
had the highest score with a first place standing. Congratulations to all students who
participated.
The Penncrest Indoor Drumline earned a first place finish at the Bensalem Invitational on
April 8th. The drumline is under the direction of Mr. Maher and Mr. Ives, and performs
music written by senior members Mike Ferroni and Anthony O'Toole. They went to
chapter championships on Saturday, April 29th.
Selections for Media Rotary Student of the Month for April were Senior Sara Buchanan
and Junior Robert Graham.
The Penncrest Science Olympiad team finished second at the Pennsylvania State
Championships held at Juniata College in Huntingdon at the end of April. They finished
only three points behind the reigning National Champion Harriton High School. Both
teams advance to the National Championship Tournament held at the University of
Indiana in Bloomington. The team is excited that they are advancing and feel they can
finish very high in the standings.
Sharon Sweeney escorted the Central League Writing Team to Springfield High School
on April 20th. Students competed with the best writers from high schools across the
Central League. Team Members are: Maggie Bohara and Aimee Davis, grade 12; Sarah
Evan and David Pritchard, grade 11; Joe Carlin and Jesse Ru, grade 10; Elizabeth
Freeberg and Marina Solomos, grade 9.
David Pritchard traveled to Penn State University with his family on Friday, April 14th, to
receive his award for earning the title of Finalist in the annual Penn State Writing Contest
for high school juniors.
Sharon Sweeney escorted four junior members of the Student Council and the National
Honor Society to the University of Pennsylvania on Friday, April 28th for the Ethics in
Education Conference, a program designed by the University Honor Council.
15
Mrs. Kuntz's Humanities class took a very successful field trip on May 4 to view
Philadelphia's murals. Philadelphia is "Mural City USA" with over 2500 murals, more than
Los Angeles and more than Chicago. Throughout the year, the students learn about how
cultures of the past created art, and this was a chance to see art's role in the 21st
century.
Mrs. Kuntz also took members of her Humanities class to the Opera Company of
Philadelphia's The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. For many, it was their first operatic
experience and all enjoyed this "opera buffe" or comic opera. Seventeen $95 tickets
were free thanks to the Sounds of Learning Educational Program, supported in part by
the National Endowment for the Arts.
Four student poems were published in the Philadelphia Inquirer's neighbors section on
Saturday April 30th. Congratulations to seniors Amy Roller, Alex Sanchez, Dan
Magnangosc, and Jason Dickert.
The Penncrest Senior Class held their prom at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue on Friday,
May 5. Over 400 students attended. The faculty was well represented as over 60 faculty
members either enjoyed dinner with the seniors or stopped by to wish them well. The
prom was followed by the AM Prom at Springton Lake Middle School. This activity had
the theme of "Welcome to Las Vegas."
Penncrest Student Council will hold class officer elections at the end of the month for
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Senators-at-Large.
Sandy Staiger will travel to Penn State to present our finalists for the History Day
competition. The successful students are Robert Marsch and Chelsea Hipp. Their topic
is "Last Man Standing: The Battle of Gettysburg."
Faculty and administrators from Penncrest attended the preview of the Tuskeegee
Airmen video at the Media Theater on Monday, May 8. The 37 minute video features a
wide range of interviews and action shots describing the airmen's role during World
War II.
Several guest speakers have presented their programs recently at Penncrest. Steve
Silva invited a veteran from the Irag war to speak on Friday, May 5. Katie Henwood had
a Civil War re- enactor speak on Monday, May 8.
The bi-annual French immersion trip led by Mrs. Tracy Jackson to Quebec, Canada was
a success. Students and teacher chaperones visited Quebec City and Montréal from
Wednesday, April 26th until Sunday, April 30th. Students who participated are raving
about the experience.
Preparations for the 2006-2007 French Exchange to Avignon, France have begun. In the
next few weeks, PHS students will be paired with a French teenager from Lycée Aubanel
in Provence. Students will be encouraged to correspond via the internet and snail mail
with their exchange partners over the summer break. A group of approximately twenty
French students from Avignon will be staying with PHS host families next October.
16
The National Latin Exam results are in. Fifteen students earned cum laude; 7 students
earned magna cum laude; 14 students earned maxima cum laude. The following
Penncrest students earned the highest level, summa cum laude: Lana Stern, Kevin
Axelrod, Nossir Aini, Amy Mills, & Amy Roller.
17
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.”
May 2, 2006
May 9, 2006
May 25, 2006
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 June 22, 2006, at Springton
Lake Middle School. The Legislative meetings are recorded on tape.
VIII.
Old Business
A.
Board Governance Standards/ Code of Conduct Policy No. 011 –
Second Reading and Approval
Resolve, that the Board approve the Board Governance
Standards/Code of Conduct Policy No. 011 – Attachment A
Background
The proposed policy was discussed at the January 2006 Pupil
Services Committee Meeting.
1
IX.
New Business
A.
Personnel
1.
Terminations
a.
Professional
1.
Pathamaphone
Stewart,
Elementary
Teacher,
Glenwood Elementary School, resignation, effective
June 30, 2006.
2.
Kimberly Regan, Elementary Teacher, Glenwood
Elementary School, resignation, effective June 30,
2006.
3.
Carolyn Garverich, Teacher, Springton Lake
Middle School, retirement, effective June, 30,
2006.
Background
Ms. Garverich began teaching at Springton Lake
Middle School in 1968 until 1971 then returned in
1981. She is retiring after 28 years of dedicated
service to Rose Tree Media School District.
4.
b.
2.
Chris Marchese, Principal, Springton
resignation, effective June 30, 2006.
Lake,
Non-Instructional
1.
Cheryl Prince, Food Service Worker, resignation,
effective May 2, 2006.
2.
Maryanne Smart, Support Staff II, Rose Tree
Elementary School, resignation, effective June 21,
2006.
Nominations
a.
Professional
b.
Non-Instructional
1.
Diane Swantek, Regular Part-Time Food Service
Worker, effective April 30, 2006, at the rate of $8.40
per hour. Ms. Swantek is assigned to Springton Lake
Middle School.
IX.
New Business
A,
Personnel
2.
Nominations – continued
2.
Stephanie Battavio, Support Staff II, One-On-One
Personal Instructional Assistant, effective May 8,
2006, at the rate of $12.44 per hour. Ms. Battavio is
assigned to Indian Lane Elementary. NOTE: Ms.
Battavio is being hired pending completion of her preemployment paperwork.
3.
Connor McCormick, Summer Maintenance, effective
May 30, 2006, at the rate of $12.00 per hour. Mr.
McCormick is assigned to Maintenance and
Operations. NOTE: Mr. McCormick is being hired
pending
completion
of
his
pre-employment
paperwork.
4.
Danielle Penza, Accountant, effective May 30, 2006,
at the annual salary of $65,000. She received her
Bachelor’s Degree from Lebanon Valley College. Ms.
Penza comes to us from Great Valley School District
were she has served as a Staff Account for the past 4
years. Ms. Penza is assigned to the Education Center
replacing Robert Richardson who resigned. NOTE:
Ms. Penza is being hired pending completion of her
pre-employment paperwork.
5.
Rustin Redcay, Bus Driver, will be a substitute in
the Maintenance Department for the 2006-2007
school year, at the rate of $12.00 per hour,
effective July 1, 2006.
6.
Joseph DiAntonio, Athletic Director, effective July
1, 2006, at the annual salary of $81,562. He
received his Bachelor’s Degree from West
Chester University and his Master’s Degree from
Immaculata University. Mr. DiAntonio comes to us
from Penn State University Delaware County
where he served as Athletic Director for 2 years.
Mr. DiAntonio is assigned to Penncrest High
School replacing Mike Snopkowski who resigned.
NOTE: Mr. DiAntonio is being hired pending
completion of his pre-employment paperwork.
IX.
New Business
A,
Personnel
2.
3.
Nominations – continued
7.
Nicole McLaughlin, Bus Driver, will do summer
maintenance, effective May 1, 2006, at the rate of
$12.00 per hour.
8.
Brian Gildea, Temporary Food Service, effective
May 16, 2006, at the rate of $13.98 per hour. Mr.
Gildea is assigned to the Education Center.
NOTE: Mr. Gildea is being hired pending
completion of his pre-employment paperwork.
General
a.
b.
Classification Change
1.
Teresa Henry, from Substitute Bus Driver to Regular
Full-Bus Driver, effective February 22, 2006.
2.
David Masse, from New Bus Driver to Full Time Bus
Driver, effective April 12, 2006.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
1.
Stefanie Ott has requested an extension of her unpaid
leave of absence commencing July 1, 2006 and
terminating June 30, 2007.
2.
Rebecca McGeehan has requested an extension of
her unpaid leave of absence commencing July 1,
2006 and terminating June 30, 2007.
3.
Alicia Murphy has requested an extension of her
unpaid leave of absence commencing July 1, 2006
and terminating June 30, 2007.
4.
Susan Ford has requested an extension of her unpaid
leave of absence commencing July 1, 2006 and
terminating June 30, 2007.
5.
Jessica Anderson has requested an extension of
her unpaid leave of absence commencing July 1,
2006 and terminating January 27, 2007.
IX.
New Business
A,
Personnel
3.
General - continued
6.
c.
d.
Supplemental Contracts
1.
Santina Loveland-Smith, Intramurals Leader, Media
Elementary School, at the rate of $18.17 per hour.
2.
Sarah Brill, Intramurals Leader, Media Elementary
School, at the rate of $18.17 per hour.
Salary Change
1.
e.
Carleen Megow has requested an extension of her
unpaid leave of absence commencing July 1, 2006
and terminating June 30, 2007.
Michael Price and Robert Lorenz, Summer
Maintenance Workers, pay rates were incorrectly
reported on the March Board. Mr. Price and Mr.
Lorenz’s rate of pay should be $12.00 per hour.
Other
1.
Recommend Board approve the contract between
Substitute Teacher Service and Rose Tree Media
School District to provide substitute teachers effective
September 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008, at the
following rates: See Attachment.
1-20 days
$ 75.00/day to substitute
$102.38/day district cost
21st day
$ 85.00/day to substitute
$116.03/day district cost
IX.
New Business
B.
Policy 137.1 – Extra Curricular Participation by Home Education Student’s
At the May 2006 Pupil Services Committee Meeting the attached policy
was asked to be reviewed by the District Solicitor, Tom Kelly.
Background
This item was discussed at the March and May 2006 Pupil Services
Committee Meetings. This item will be presented at the June 2006
Legislative Meeting for final approval.
C.
2006-2007 Board Meeting Calendar – Attachment C
Resolve the Board approve the attached calendar of dates and times for
the 2006-2007 committee and legislative meetings.
ADDENDUM X
X.
Finance
A.
Purchasing
1.
Bid Awards
Recommend the following bids be awarded in the categories listed,
such recommendation being the lowest bid received from a
responsible bidder, kind, quality and materials having been
considered.
a.
Boiler/ Burner Service Contract – Annual Preventive
Maintenance Service for the District
J. R. Walter Company
Boiler/Burner Service
Emergency & Repair Service
Boiler/Burner Services (6/07)
$59,398 for 3 years
$15,000 per year
$18,386
Background
Request for Proposals were received on April 7, 2006. This
item was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Operations
Committee Meeting.
b.
Bituminous Concrete Paving Repair and Resurfacing SLMS & RTE
Gessler Construction Co., Inc.
$90,500
Background
A Bid Opening was held on April 27, 2006. This item was
discussed at the May 9, 2006 Operations Committee
Meeting.
c.
Concrete Sidewalk & Curb Replacement
Request for Proposals - SLMS & GWE
Ernel Company, Inc.
$75,000
Background
A Bid Opening was held on May 4, 2006. This item was
discussed at the May 9, 2006 Operations Committee
Meeting.
1
5/25/06
ADDENDUM X
X.
Finance
B.
General
1.
Media Elementary School, Glenwood Elementary School,
and Springton Lake Middle School–Energy Management Systems
Resolve that the Board approve the agreement with Energy
Management Systems, which will start on July 1, 2006:
Year one - $14,380
Year two - $14,380
Year three - $14,380
Background
The following is included in the scope of work:
Scheduled Maintenance Visits 2 per bldg per year
Technical Assistance 28 hours per year
Personnel Training 8 hours in year 2 & 3 for 4-6 people
Year one new work station "Dell computer w/19" flat screen"
Repair/Replacement Parts Discount 50% for Alerton & 25% for non
Alerton. Reduced labor rates for work not covered by Agreement.
Rates are discounted by 30% from current prevailing labor rates
• Normal Hours:
$100.00 per hour
• Night/weekend:
$150.00 per hour
• Holiday's:
$200.00 per hour
Background
This item was on the May 9, 2006 Operations Committee Meeting
agenda.
2.
Interquest Service Agreement Canine Services, 2006-2007 School
Year
Resolve that the Board approve the Interquest Service Agreement
to provide contraband inspection services at $200 per half day
(three hours) visit, or $400 per full day visit (six hours), to be paid
monthly.
Background
Last school year the district used their services for 10 visits. It was
requested this year that the service provide a luggage search for
school trips. This will be a fee of $50 per search, which will cover
time and gas. This item was on the May 9, 2006 Finance
Committee Meeting agenda.
2
5/25/06
ADDENDUM X
X.
Finance
3.
Change Orders
Change orders are acted upon in accordance with Resolution 1997-98 124, as approved by the School Board of Directors on April 23, 1998.
Resolve, that the Board approve the following no cost change orders to
extend the contracted completion date due to the delay in obtaining
permits.
GC-14 Fayette Group Misc. Credits ($3,176.00)
GC-15 Fayette Group Additional cost to remove wet soil and install stone
ballast $ 3,975.75
GC-002 S B Conrad change to metal standing seam roofing over garage
$10,000.00
Background
This was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee Meeting.
4
Election of Intermediate Unit Board Members
Resolve, that the Board approve the following individuals to serve as
members of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit Board of Directors:
Term: July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009
Chichester
Edward Cardow
Penn-Delco
Kimberly SanGiorgio
Rose Tree Media
William Montgomery
Upper Darby
Maureen E. Carey
Wallingford-Swarthmore
Jennifer Cheung
Term: July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007
Southeast Delco
Albert Ricci
Background
This was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee Meeting.
3
5/25/06
ADDENDUM X
X.
Finance
B.
General
5.
DCIU General Operating Budget for 2006-2007 School Year.
Resolve, that the Board approve Delaware County Intermediate
General Operating Budget for the 2006-2007 school year with the
Rose Tree Media School District’s share being $76,897.
Background
This was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee
Meeting.
6.
Delaware County Technical Schools Budget Half Time Program for
2006-2007 School Year.
Resolve, that the Board approve Delaware County Technical
Schools Budget Half Time Program for the 2006-2007 school year
with the Rose Tree Media School District’s share being $257,418.
Background
This was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee
Meeting.
7.
Delaware County Technical Schools Budget Special Education
Program for 2006-2007 School Year.
Resolve, that the Board approve Delaware County Technical
Schools Budget Special Education Program for the 2006-2007
school year with the Rose Tree Media School District’s share being
$45,052.
Background
This was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee
Meeting.
8.
Delaware County Special Education Contract for 2006-2007 School
Year.
Resolve, that the Board approve Delaware County Special
Education Contract for the 2006-2007 in the amount of $1,441,257
Background
This was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee
Meeting.
4
5/25/06
ADDENDUM X
X.
Finance
B.
General
9.
Delaware County Special Education Fair Share Payment
for 2006-2007 School Year.
Resolve, that the Board approve Delaware County Special
Education Fair Share Payment in the amount of $144,671
for the 2006-2007 school year.
Background
This was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee
Meeting.
10.
Delaware County Be Proud Agreement for 2006-2007 School Year.
Resolve, that the Board approve Delaware County Be Proud
Agreement for the 2006-2007 school year in the amount of
$143,688.
Background
This was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee
Meeting.
11.
Delaware County Detention Center Agreement for 2006-2007
School Year.
Resolve, that the Board approve Delaware County Detention
Center Agreement for the 2006-2007 school year in the amount of
$818,083
Background
This was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee
Meeting.
12.
Delaware County Elwyn Agreement for 2006-2007 School Year.
Resolve, that the Board approve Delaware County Elwyn
Agreement for the 2006-2007 school year in the amount of
$736,572
Background
This was discussed at the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee
Meeting.
5
5/25/06
ADDENDUM X
X.
Finance
B.
General
13.
Child Guidance Contract
Resolve, that the Board approve three contracts with Child
Guidance Resource Centers for Extended School Year (ESY) in the
amount of $3,220 each.
Background
Three students with special needs require Extended School Year
(ESY). Child Guidance Resource Centers can meet these needs.
The sessions run for five weeks. Each contract is $3,220. The total
cost of the placement is $9,660. This item was discussed at the
May 2006 Pupil Services Committee Meeting.
14.
Taxpayer Request
Resolve, that the Board approve the request from a tax payer
to waive penalty and interest charges levied against his property
for unpaid 2004 - 2005 real estate taxes.
Background
The tax payer attended the May 9, 2006 Finance Committee
Meeting. Previously he sent a letter requesting relief from the
penalty and interest charges levied for non payment of real estate
taxes.
6
5/25/06
APPENDIX X
X.
Financial Reports & Bill Lists
C.
Financial Reports – None
D.
Bill Lists
April & May 2006 General Fund Bill List
$1,394,681
April & May 2006 Imprest Fund
7,270
April & May 2006 Capital Reserve Fund
6,074
April & May 2006 Future Funding
14,985
April & May 2006 2003 Bond Issue
160,121
April & May 2006 2004 Bond Issue
137,017
April & May 2006 Activity/Special Revenue
83,255
$1,803,403
ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
2006-2007 BOARD MEETING CALENDAR
Attachment C
Notice is hereby given that the following public meetings of the Rose Tree Media School District will
be held at the Education Center, 308 N. Olive Street , Media, PA 19063, or at Springton Lake Middle
School, 1900 N. Providence Road, Media, at the stated times on the following dates:
MONTH DATE
DAY
TIME
MEETING
LOCATION
August
August
22, 2006
24, 2006
TU
TH
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Information
Legislative
Ed Center
Springton Lake
September 5, 2006
September 5, 2006
September 5, 2006
September 12, 2006
September 12, 2006
September 12, 2006
September 28, 2006
September 28, 2006
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TH
TH
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Teaching & Learning
Technology
Pupil Services
Finance
Operations
Personnel
Information
Legislative
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Springton Lake
Springton Lake
October
October
October
October
October
October
October
October
3, 2006
3, 2006
3, 2006
10, 2006
10, 2006
10, 2006
26, 2006
26, 2006
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TH
TH
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Pupil Services
Teaching & Learning
Technology
Personnel
Finance
Operations
Information
Legislative
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Springton Lake
Springton Lake
November 2, 2006
November 2, 2006
November 2, 2006
November 7, 2006
November 7, 2006
November 7, 2006
November 16, 2006
November 16, 2006
TH
TH
TH
TU
TU
TU
TH
TH
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Technology
Pupil Services
Teaching & Learning
Operations
Finance
Personnel
Information
Legislative
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Springton Lake
Springton Lake
December
December
December
December
December
December
December
December
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TH
TH
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Teaching & Learning
Technology
Pupil Services
Personnel
Operations
Finance
Information
Legislative
Ed Center
Ed Cente
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Springton Lake
Springton Lake
5, 2006
5, 2006
5, 2006
12, 2006
12, 2006
12, 2006
21, 2006
21, 2006
MONTH
January
January
January
January
January
January
January
January
DATE
2, 2007
2, 2007
2, 2007
9, 2007
9, 2007
9, 2007
25, 2007
25, 2007
DAY
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TH
TH
TIME
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
MEETING
Pupil Services
Teaching & Learning
Technology
Finance
Operations
Personnel
Information
Legislative
LOCATION
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Springton Lake
Springton Lake
February
February
February
February
February
February
February
February
6, 2007
6, 2007
6, 2007
13, 2007
13, 2007
13, 2007
22, 2007
22, 2007
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TH
TH
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Technology
Pupil Services
Teaching & Learning
Personnel
Finance
Operations
Information
Legislative
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Springton Lake
Springton Lake
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
6, 2007
6, 2007
6, 2007
13, 2007
13, 2007
13, 2007
22, 2007
22, 2007
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TH
TH
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Teaching & Learning
Technology
Pupil Services
Operations
Finance
Personnel
Information
Legislative
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Springton Lake
Springton Lake
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
10, 2007
10, 2007
10, 2007
17, 2007
17, 2007
17, 2007
26, 2007
26, 2007
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TH
TH
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Pupil Services
Teaching & Learning
Technology
Personnel
Operations
Finance
Information
Legislative
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Springton Lake
Springton Lake
May
May
May
May
May
May
May
May
8, 2007
8, 2007
8, 2007
15, 2007
15, 2007
15, 2007
24, 2007
24, 2007
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TH
TH
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Technology
Pupil Services
Teaching & Learning
Finance
Operations
Personnel
Information
Legislative
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Springton Lake
Springton Lake
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
5, 2207
5, 2007
5, 2007
12, 2007
12, 2007
12, 2007
28, 2007
28, 2007
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TU
TH
TH
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Teaching & Learning
Technology
Pupil Services
Personnel
Finance
Operations
Information
Legislative
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Ed Center
Springton Lake
Springton Lake