Sol Feinstone Elementary School PTO Meeting Minutes

May 2017

Executive Board in attendance: Denise Daniel,Amy Seeley, Mika Schindewolfand JoEll Wittmer

Call to order: Denise Daniel

  • Meeting called to order at 9:23 am
  • Order your spirit wear
  • Book Fair open till 5/9

Secretary’s Report:JoEll Wittmer

  • Motion to approve Aprilminutes:
  • Motion:Mika Schindewolf
  • Second:Carol Peace

Treasurer Report: Amy Seeley

  • Please get your expenses in so we may close the books
  • We have been spending so please get receipts in

Principal’s Report: Mr. Harlan

  • Glad PSSA’s are over with
  • We did not like the separation of the testing. Mush easier when they are together
  • So many make ups. Very disjointed this year
  • A Lot of activities for May
  • Need 2 more kids for 2nd grade to open up another section next year.
  • Any families you know are moving in, get them to register as soon as possible
  • Kindergarten will only have one am and one pm next year
  • Teacher Appreciation week was amazing. Every day we had something. We greatly appreciate all you do for us. Thank you from the bottom of our heart
  • Thank you, Andy for all you do behind the scenes.
  • District wide and state wide opt out of PSSA’s was higher than normal but we were lower than in the past.
  • I think there will be changes in years to come. We were by far the lowest in opt out’s
  • Thank you again!

Teacher’s Report: Mrs. Lipton, 4th Grade

  • 4th grade is very exciting
  • Little chicks project was wonderful
  • We passed around the box to see the live chicks from their animal studies project
  • Hoping to continue this project in science next year.
  • Kids were in awe of the various stages of development
  • They got to witness the chicks hatching
  • Electricity and magnetism was also a great topic we study
  • Land and water was another topic
  • PSSA – take the science part of the PSSA for the first time
  • Most of this test is critical reading and applying scientific process
  • Reading and writing part. There has been a change in expectations. They are expected to write a lot more than in previous years.
  • Had to write a story about an adventure in one of the areas they gave them.
  • Reading – should be able to read a variety of genre’s.
  • writing text dependent analysis
  • Expect them to pull information from the text to support their ideas
  • Math – open ended questions. Must show their mathematical thinking.
  • Can use calculators for the majority of the test
  • Big transition grade – crossed the bridge. Not a primary grade anymore and they need to become responsible
  • More to learn and more to do
  • They must grow as independent thinkers
  • We have a lot of fun
  • Thank you for being so kind to us this week. We are truly appreciative of everything you have done for us this week

School Board Report: Andy Block

  • April board meeting: Last day of school is June 13th. Graduation is set for that day
  • School will be closed 5/16 for primary elections
  • Preliminary budget was approved. Final vote is at the June meeting
  • Budget includes a 2.5% tax increase
  • Good budget. Significant investments into technology and academics
  • Focus on communication. Need at least another person to help with communication and getting the word out.
  • Debt service increase.
  • School is under budget and on time
  • Transportation contract is increasing
  • Investing in each building. Mr. Harlan will see more money for this school
  • Increasing special education
  • Prudent budget – any issues please let me know
  • 2 board members will be resigning this year. If you know anyone in the borough, please tell them to express their interest
  • May 18th is next meeting
  • Master Capital Planning – looked at appraisals of property’s and also looked at redistricting models.
  • Some redistricting models shows no significant impact to this school. If Wrightstown closes, there will be an impact here.
  • 86/84% capacity if we do nothing so not a good option
  • 94% capacity if Rolling Hills closes
  • 91% capacity if Wrightstown closes
  • Also have to consider bus routes and class size
  • Also have to look at the balance of North and South
  • Hoping to make a decision before summer
  • Final meeting is 6/12 – hopeful to be final by this date
  • No decisions have been made
  • I will work hard to make sure this area is not impacted negatively
  • Have new software that should help with the bus routes.

Committee Reports/New Business:

  • Diversity: Mr. Craig Miller
  • Diversity week was a smashing success
  • Nigerian speaker had the kids lighting up. They were very excited
  • Kindergarten with the eggs was also wonderful experience
  • Thank you, PTO, for everything this week. Teacher Appreciation week was wonderful.
  • Book Fair was also great. We collected money for books for a Philadelphia school which is a great cause
  • Any time kids can get involved and help others is great
  • Field Day: Gabrielle Meyer
  • Mr. Oldfield runs the show on this
  • He will need volunteers to help run the games
  • Teachers will let you know how they need help
  • We give t-shirts and popsicles
  • 6/2 is date
  • Rain date is 6/7
  • This is a regular blue and white year
  • No making shirts
  • Capital Planning Committee: Gabrielle Meyer
  • New committee is a way for us to organize our finances
  • Asking Mr. Harlan and teachers to give us a wish list. Then we can determine where to spend the money and plan on where to go in the future
  • New world and accountability is expected
  • Want to develop a formal process on how to hand over a committee and sharing information
  • Record keeping is also important
  • We need to advertise what we are fundraising for. Excitement generates a new energy that is key to fundraising.
  • Also gives a forum to discuss where the money should be used.
  • Please join us if you are interested.
  • 2017-2018 After School Sports Chair Needed
  • Mr. Harlan is not sure if we will need a chair or if the program will go back to being run by Mr. Oldfield
  • If you are interested in this committee, please let us know.
  • 2 -8 week sessions
  • Not crazy competitive
  • Need an adult on site to organize the kids and keep them playing
  • Spring we had LINKS volunteers
  • 1-2 hours after school one day a week
  • We will need help here so please ask around.
  • Hershey park ticket sales: Kathy Butler
  • We were able to donate 23 tickets to charity based on how many tickets we purchased.
  • Would like a gives back committee – Kathy Butler will run this committee. Looking for another chair to help her.

Big Thanks!!!

  • Book Fair: Roxanne Fitzgerald & Niki Danese
  • Harlem Wizards: Christine Mulder and Jillian Raugh
  • Diversity Week: Mr. Miller & Diversity Committee
  • Teacher Appreciation Week: Mary Angelakis & Sunnie Gallagher

Meeting Close:

  • Meeting adjourned at10:11am.

Coming Up:

5/11 – District Art Show(CR South)

5/11 – Instrumental Spring Concert

5/15 – Rita’s Celebrity Scoop Night 4-6:30pm

5/16 – No School

5/20 – Spring Clothing Drive

5/23 – Wendy’s Spirit Night 5 – 8pm

5/23 – Spring Chorus Concert

5/29 – No School (Memorial Day)

6/2 – Field Day (6/7 Rain Date)

6/9 – June PTO Meeting 9:15, APR Room

Respectfully submitted by JoEll Wittmer

Meeting agenda on following page.

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