Sol Feinstone Elementary School PTO Meeting MinutesMay 2017

Executive Board in attendance: Denise Daniel, Amy Seeley, Mika Schindewolf and 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 April minutes:o Motion: Mika Schindewolfo 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

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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:

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Diversity: Mr. Craig Millero Diversity week was a smashing successo Nigerian speaker had the kids lighting up. They were very excitedo Kindergarten with the eggs was also wonderful experienceo Thank you, PTO, for everything this week. Teacher Appreciation week was

wonderful. o Book Fair was also great. We collected money for books for a Philadelphia

school which is a great causeo Any time kids can get involved and help others is great

Field Day: Gabrielle Meyero Mr. Oldfield runs the show on thiso He will need volunteers to help run the gameso Teachers will let you know how they need helpo We give t-shirts and popsicleso 6/2 is dateo Rain date is 6/7o This is a regular blue and white yearo No making shirts

Capital Planning Committee: Gabrielle Meyero New committee is a way for us to organize our financeso 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 futureo New world and accountability is expectedo Want to develop a formal process on how to hand over a committee and

sharing information o Record keeping is also importanto We need to advertise what we are fundraising for. Excitement generates a new

energy that is key to fundraising.o Also gives a forum to discuss where the money should be used.o Please join us if you are interested.

2017-2018 After School Sports Chair Neededo Mr. Harlan is not sure if we will need a chair or if the program will go back to

being run by Mr. Oldfieldo If you are interested in this committee, please let us know.o 2 -8 week sessionso Not crazy competitiveo Need an adult on site to organize the kids and keep them playingo Spring we had LINKS volunteerso 1-2 hours after school one day a weeko We will need help here so please ask around.

Hershey park ticket sales: Kathy Butlero We were able to donate 23 tickets to charity based on how many tickets we

purchased.o Would like a gives back committee – Kathy Butler will run this committee.

Looking for another chair to help her.

Big Thanks!!!

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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 at 10:11am.

Coming Up:5/11 – District Art Show(CR South) 5/11 – Instrumental Spring Concert5/15 – Rita’s Celebrity Scoop Night 4-6:30pm5/16 – No School5/20 – Spring Clothing Drive5/23 – Wendy’s Spirit Night 5 – 8pm5/23 – Spring Chorus Concert5/29 – 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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