Rose Tree Media School District
Penncrest High School
Minutes of the May 12, 2014 PTG Meeting
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm.
Welcome: Debbie Saylor-Brown welcomed everyone to the meeting. She thanked everyone for
a great year. On Friday, May 9, the PTG treated the teachers and staff to “P” shaped soft
pretzels. They were all very appreciative. The teachers and staff luncheon will be on the
afternoon of June 12.
Guest Speaker: Sarah Marion, MPH, CHES Prevention Specialist 1 at Holcomb
Behavioral Health Systems:
 Ms. Marion spoke about alcohol awareness and the social campaign, “Parents who host, lose
the most”. This is funded by the county along with a grant from the PA Alcohol Control
Board. The Delaware County District Attorney has joined this campaign and plans to
prosecute parents hosting parties with alcohol to the fullest extent of the law.
 If you are aware of a party where teens are drinking alcohol or parents are
serving/permitting the use of alcohol, you can make an anonymous call to 1-888-UNDER21
(1-888-863-3721) to report it.
 Parents can get in trouble by police even if they are not at home while teens are consuming
drugs/alcohol in their house.
 68% of youth alcohol related deaths are NOT from car accidents, so drinking and driving is
not the only danger.
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Pennsylvania has a Good Samaritan Law that exempts those under the legal drinking age
from prosecution if they call 911 because they believe someone also underage needs medical
attention. Simply put: If you’re drinking underage or around underage drinking but think a
friend needs help, call for help.
Superintendent’s Advisory Board (SAB) – Provided by Janet Lis:
 Media school building celebrating 100 years.
 SLMS and PHS scheduling changes. Several options. One would add another 8th period, but
this would make the day longer. Transportation is an issue. To change to have high school
start later and elementary earlier, all schools of the area would have to do this to
accommodate sports, Vo-Tech, and other interrelated activities. SLMS to have a better
transition program for transition to high school; perhaps spend time at PHS, meet with PHS
teachers, etc. PHS is studying graduation requirements.
 PSSA now must show a year’s worth of growth each year, with no ceiling, not just a percent
proficient. This gets reflected in teacher evaluations.
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Cyber-charters and charters – no market here. (Home school online is not the same as a
cyber-charter. It is a national program for home school.)
Mall school will close June, 2014. Other options still being evaluated – appropriateness and
cost. Some options are the Ed Center, Penncrest, Springfield Mall, etc.
A request was made to make more information available about night gym, summer gym,
online health and other options to allow for taking a 7th class at Penncrest before schedules
are due. Some information has been conflicting, changing, or just difficult to get.
A suggestion of two back-to-school nights, directed at Penncrest. One back to school night
is difficult for parents with multiple children in the school. Also, parents never get to meet
second semester teachers at Penncrest. This should be taken to PAB.
Mr. Ludwig has retired.
Penncrest is investigating installing turf at the stadium in conjunction with installing a new
track. The RTM Ed. Foundation may be re-established. Funding is an issue for this $2
milion project.
Graduation dates are set way in advance, so unlikely to change from 10:30 on second
Thursday at Villanova unless someone drops out. This used to be Upper Darby spot.
SLMS incident this week. It was not a lock down. A parent got upset during a meeting and
because he could not be calmed down police were called and responded in 3 ½ minutes.
Further information will be provided once the situation stabilizes. Issues about the police
scaring the students were discussed. It was noted that the police must respond with extreme
caution and be ready to quell any level of disturbance. Architectural changes to make the
buildings more secure are being investigated.
Car lines back-ups were discussed. Glenwood cars are out on Pennell Road. Traffic on
Pennell Road is very fast and the State Police declined to intercede. Very few students at
Glenwood and Indian Lane can walk to school.
Math text review likely to be done this coming school year and implemented 2015-2016.
Issues regarding students (about 200 out of about 3,000) who are in the district due to (1)
support affidavit or (2) multiple occupancy – moved in with another family. With (1) the
person in the district must provide all of the support for the student. For (2) it is harder to
determine that this is not valid. They will be enforcing this more. (2) is usually one year,
and they will need to re-establish this as valid.
School Board Meeting Report (April 8 (Special Meeting) and April 24, 2014 and April
Committee Meeting Information)-Provided by Janet Lis:
April 8th
 Unanimous approval of 2014-2015 Proposed Final Budget of $88,825,975, raising millage
by 2.1% to 23.4128 mills. This budget will be adopted on May 22, 2014.
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Unanimous approval of the American Registry for Internet Numbers, Ltd, Registration
Services Agreement for Internet Protocol address space and Autonomous System Numbers
upon final review by the solicitor. Agreement is for one year and a $500 initial registration
fee, and auto renewal for $500/year.
Unanimous approval of the Early Retirement Incentive Plan for 2013-2014 school year.
Unanimous approval of the Applitrack Teacher Fit and Job Fit Module – cost $4,050.
Unanimous approval of bus bid award to Rohrer Bus Sales – one 30 passenger CNG bus for
$81,292.88, fourteen 72 passenger CNG rear engine buses for $1,969,643.42.
April 24th
 Swearing in of new appointed School Board Director William Tyson.
 Educational Presentation:
o Developmental Special Education Programs at Indian Lane.
 School Board Reports:
o Legislative – Harry Postles – no report.
o Nancy Mackrides – no report.
o Linda Fox – no report.
 Student Reports:
o Penncrest World Language Department was one of eight high schools to receive the Gold
globe award for exemplary world language programs from the Pennsylvania State
Modern Language Association.
o Three students advanced to All-State PMEA Music Conference, the highest PMEA honor
- Maurah Steinmetz for choir, Hayley Sundra for trombone and Joey Sita for trumpet.
o Mr. Samilenko received the MIT Inspirational Teacher Award. Twenty-four teachers
worldwide received this award this year. Nomination by Penncrest graduate Emily
Moberg.
o Over 1,600 college applications were processed this year by the Guidance Department,
with a nearly 40% increase in early decision and early action applications and an increase
in the number of students accepted into highly competitive colleges and universities.
o The Guidance Department sponsored field trips to local colleges and universities.
o All juniors meet with guidance counselors for a Junior Interview to review their record
and discuss graduation requirements and the college application process.
o Sophomores are encouraged to visit colleges and attend college fairs. Guidance
counselors meet with sophomores to discuss PSAT results and SAT/ACT testing.
 Legal Report:
o Discussions are ongoing with Middletown Township seeking to have them not classify
installation of artificial turf as land development requiring a land development plan.
 Old Business:
o Approval of six policies – 113.1 (Discipline of Students with Disabilities), 113.2
(Positive Behavior Support Plan), 113.4 (Confidentiality of Special Education Student
Information), 138 (Limited English Proficiency Program), 201 (Admission of Students),
202 (Eligibility of Non-Resident Students), 216 (Student Records).
o Approval of the 2014-2015 school calendar.
 New Business:
o Along with various terminations, nominations and general action items, retirement of
Maria Kotch was accepted.
o Overnight trips – Penncrest to Juniata College for Science Olympiad State
Championships, Penncrest Costa Rica and French Exchange trips - approved.
o Special Education Plan 2014-2017 approved.
 Finance:
o Many contracts and settlement agreements approved, including Villanova agreement for
2014 graduation ($11,725), Drexelbrook agreement for 2017 Senior Prom (no cost to the
District), and Chartwell’s agreement for food service.
Committees
 Curriculum and Instruction
o For 2014-2015, 6 courses canceled for fewer than 15 students, 8 combined with others. 4
courses continue with less than 15 students: AP Chemistry (13), AP Environmental
Science (13), Beginning French (8), and Music Theory (10). French and Music Theory
are expected to add some students.
o Proposed Summer Reading and Summer Math programs presented.
o Summer school is being revised with Bill Dougherty as director.
o Proposed schedules for 2014-2015 at Penncrest – adding an eighth period, inclusion of a
longer “block period” that rotates throughout the day, the potential for students to take an
extra period a day, and the elimination of pull-outs for music sectionals.
Principal's Report - Given by Mr. Gregg:
 Penncrest was named a Top High School (silver level) by U.S. News & World Report and
has been named in the Washington Post’s list of America's Most Challenging High Schools.
More information can be found on the Penncrest website.
 The Science Olympiad team captured 1st place in the Pennsylvania State Science Olympiad.
The team will travel to Florida later this month for nationals.
 The Penncrest Envirothon team won first place in the regional competition for the 21st
straight year. They will compete in the PA State Envirothon on May 20.
 The Jazz Band won first place in the ACC Jazz Band Competition.
 The boys Varsity LAX team are the Central League champs.
 We are currently in the middle of AP exams. The Keystones start tomorrow.
 The proms were successful. Thanks for the AM Prom.
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Pride Day is May 30.
Thanks to the PTG for the pretzels during Teacher Appreciation Week.
The Model Crash was very well done.
There will be a new schedule next year with 8 periods and the flexibility to use lunch as a
class period or to study. There will be no more pull-outs for music sectionals. P.E. and
Health will each be one semester for 5 days a week. Health will only be taken in 10th grade.
Relay for Life is next weekend.
Four Penncrest students took prizes in the Young Poets of Delaware County contest.
The Emanon Children’s Play will be performed on May 28 and 29.
Senior events coming up include: June 6 awards/garden party; finals June 9 and 10;
graduation rehearsal June 10; Graduation at Villanova on June 12 at 10:30am. All RTM
teachers have been invited to graduation.
If you have any questions for Principal Gregg, you can email him at rgregg@rtmsd.org.
Secretary's Report: Minutes of the March 10, 2014 PTG meeting were unanimously approved
(motions to approve: Kim Turet and Julie Bond).
Treasurer's Report: The PTG currently has about an $8,500 cash balance. Some of this will
possibly be used to add seating and a patio in the courtyard. Treasurer’s report was unanimously
approved (motions to approve: Kim Turet and Karen Potts).
Committee Reports:
AM Prom - (Debbie Saylor-Brown on behalf of Kirsty Clarke Brown and Kathleen Veloso):
360+ guests attended and about 100 parents volunteered. Only about 40 students from the senior
class declined to attend. Many enthusiastic volunteers from the junior class assisted in the takedown and are preparing for next year's program. There will be a meeting in the library May 27
for anyone who's interested in helping next year. Kids had a great time and they liked all the
different activities, especially the bumper cars
Principal’s Advisory Board (PAB) – (Debbie Saylor-Brown): Only 2 parents came.
There was a mention of prom tickets going on sale after spring break. There was reference to a
number of significant PHS accomplishments that week
- Washington Post ranking
- Mr. Samilenoko and MIT acknowledgement or award
- Cicc is one of the finalists for PA teacher of the year
- lacrosse team national ranking
- world language dept earned gold
The meeting was also the day of that awful knife attack at the western PA school, so we did
touch briefly on safety issues and how difficult it is to plan for every potential scenario. Also,
how PHS strives to create a sense of belongingness as one piece of the puzzle to address this.
We touched on the new schedule with "lunch and learn" option available for grades 10-12
Grade-Level Reports:
9th Grade (Debbie Saylor-Brown for Chris Powell ): Pride Day is May 30. Elections for
class officers and class council will be in the spring.
10th Grade (Susan Howe): No report.
11th Grade (Julie Bond): The junior prom was in April. All went well.
12th Grade (Kathleen Veloso): No report.
Principal’s Coffee
 The choir and orchestra rooms will be switching.
 The school day will end at 2:23pm next year.
 785 AP tests we given this spring.
 The PHS Annual Report will be online at the end of the year.
 The will be more help with transition given to incoming freshmen. The first day of school
next year will be for freshmen only with a meeting for parents that night.
 Back to school night for next year has been moved up to the second week of school.
 The school is trying to find a common App for students to use for homework.
Old Business:
 Relay for Life will be held on May 18 from 10am to 10pm. All are welcome, even if you
stop by for just a few minutes.
New Business:
 None
Meeting Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned at 8:47p.m.
**The PTG meeting in June will only be a budget meeting.**