Sol Feinstone Elementary School PTO Meeting Minutes

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

Secretary’s Report:JoEll Wittmer

Treasurer Report: Amy Seeley

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

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!!!

Meeting Close:

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.

Page 1 of 7