PTO General Meeting Minutes

PTO General Meeting Minutes WEDNESDAY, September 28, 2016 LIBRARY 7:00PM

Attendance:

Officers: Sadhvi Khanna, President; Lynn Ernst, Treasurer; Louise Games, VP, Committees; Chris McNicholas, VP Communications; Missy Halberstadt, Secretary; Kathy Rinehart, Webmaster

Members: Lori Marx, Kristin Monty, Chuck Bonner, Jill Adams, Noreen Piatt, Esther Purnell, Sarita Priyadarsgi, Jennifer Spiller, Meg Ryan, Sarah Fox, Maryellen Dugan, Sangeeta Purohit, Marissa Paino, Heather Hickey, Conoley Coonley, Laina Driscoll

Opening: Meeting called to order at 7:00 by Sadhvi Khanna

Welcome and Introductions The Officers introduced themselves to everyone

Principal’s Report: Mrs. Purnell’s Presentation:

Mrs. Purnell gave thanks to everyone involved in the Sandy Hill Trip. She announced that there’s a new bell schedule that has created a few challenges. Advisory is moved to 9:38, and there’s now an 8 day schedule, and a callback to core classes so that each core class will have the same amount of time.

There were questions about the new schedule:  RMS follows the PA Association of Education guidelines that mandate the best way to allot the required amount of time in the core classes. After studying years past, the 8 day rotation schedule allows for them to meet these guidelines better.

 Why can’t the call-back happen back-to-back? Mrs. Purnell responded that there were too many variables and it just couldn’t be scheduled that way.  There was a question about a student missing a core class because of band or orchestra practice. Mrs. Purnell responded that if that child does no want to miss their class that day because of a test or important instruction they can stay in that core class, and let their band instructor know.

 There was a question about how many kids are in Band, Orchestra & Chorus. Mrs. Purnell stated about 200 in Orchestra, 75-100 in band and less in chorus.

 Question about why advisory was moved later in the morning. Mrs. Purnell responded that the teachers wanted to try it.

Presentation by Dr. Kelly Murray: The New Math Curriculum, Math in Focus

 Dr. Murray wanted to give everyone resources to learn more about the program: Online: Click on District website: Departments: Curriculum:Math  Scope & Sequence provides detailed info and shows how a student can progress through the curriculum.  Digital Access for students: Go to my.hrw.com, students login: rtsd, followed by the students 6 digit id. Password is PW:rtsd-id  Unit one starts slow, but increases in speed  On 9/29 there’s a presentation for parents from 6-7:30 in the admin building. Ground floor Q&A:

 How many standardized tests needed before being able to assess the program. Unit assessments are studies. PSSA’s for the first year may take a dip as they anticipate a learning curve. It could take a couple of years of data collection to fully assess the program.  What has been the feedback from teachers? Level of rigor is higher. The strengths of this program are the progression from concrete math to pictoral and abstract math ideas.  Mastery is important in this program.  How can parents learn more? Parent university is the opportunity for parents to learn about the program and ask questions. They’ll offer one in Sept., Feb. & May.

President’s Report:

 School supply kits sold 117, less then past years, but no real reason why. Thanks to Heather Gallagher for chairing. RES does not offer this option. Other ideas are to order through SMILE from Amazon or Target to allow the students to choose colors and designs themselves. Welcoming Committee Report- Jill Adams

 There are 68 new families to the district. August 31 they had a luncheon for the parents to meet and mingle. This meeting helps to alleviate some of the anxious students and parents  They try to partner every new family with an existing family to help answer questions, help them through the transition to a new school.  On Oct.27th there will be a social for just the parents at Jill’s home. The invitation will be in the October newsletter. All parents welcome to attend as well.

-6 th & 7 th Grade Mixer will be on Oct.7th. Tickets must be purchased in advance in the cafeteria.

-Coordinating Councel- All 5 school PTO President’s meet to discuss

-Directory Sales- Successful, ordered 550, sold 370 at the open house.

-Speaker Series- January 11th- Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees & Wannabees. Jan.12th she’ll present to the RMS students.

-Spirit Gear Drive- District wide drive for Radnor students in need. October 12th deadline. They’re looking for gently used school spirit wear.

-REF- Oct. 15th Harlem Wizards games against the teachers. Usually sells out.

-Giant A+ Rewards- Sign up online. Money goes directly to the school.

Multicultural Committee- Esther Choi-

 Parents of new students transitioning  They teach students about other cultures  They provide help for ELL students  They have a yearend picnic  This is a very tight-knit and supportive group  Meeting on Oct. 15th  Nov.4th is the potluck dinner

Treasurer’s Report: Lynn Ernst

 FSC fundraiser- Main source of funding for the PTO, 130 contributions so far, but only represents 16% of total families at RMS. Questions about how to advertise that this is the main source and that the RMS PTO doesn’t run any other fundraisers. RES has a successful pretzel Friday fundraiser. Maybe RMS will look into this is their funds are down due to higher printing costs on the directory.  The PTO was audited and everything was found to be in order. The auditor just reiterated that two people must sign off on all counting of cash sale events.

 Someone mentioned that Glaxo matches donations

Committees Report: Louise Games

Louise mentioned still needing a volunteer to help with the MLK day activities at the high school. She mentioned that she’s reaching out to past chairs to have them document what worked well or not when they ran their events to pass along to the new chairs Also asked that the chairs remember to photodocument their events.

She also said it’s important for past chairs to pass along information about gifts that may have been given to them when they ran their events.

Communications Report: Chris McNicholas

Deadlines for submissions to the newsletter are listed online Pictures of events send to RMS email

Esther Purnell additional report:

 There’s a new writing center in room 407 for drop-in during advisory  There’s also a drop-in art center  K-8 no school Friday, Sept. 30 for an in-service

Cultural Arts: Sarah Fox

 October 18th- Kwame Alexander, an author, will visit  December- Brazilian Dance  February- Walnut Street Theater Presentation  March- Wolfpac improve assembly

- A Motion to approve the Audit was approved

Motion to Adjourn at 8:30 p.m.

Submitted, Missy Halberstadt Secretary