General Nash Home and School Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2015
8:03 meeting started
Dates reviewed.
January minutes approved
Principal's Report:
Mr. Martiello presented via conference call
-North Penn Foundation
This is a community member foundation provides which provides money for new and innovative ideas. General Nash has benefited from the foundation. The foundation wants to bring awareness about their foundation and would like the school to have a spirit day which would both raise awareness of their foundation and raise funds. Proposed a dress up day, kids could bring $1 for the foundation. Proposed for Feb. 20th.
-Internet safety night
Thank you to Home and School
It was a great night, families agreed it was helpful and were interested in the information presented.
Just a minor clarification on the TEAM program... it was a county-funded collaboration between three NPSD elementary schools and Towamencin police. Towamencin police officers met with all grade levels, but primarily 6th grade, to present anti-drug and alcohol messages. The program was discontinued at the end of the 2009-10 school year due to lack of funding.
Jen and John NcNair are putting together info for the families who were not there; there are not handouts from the night that can be disseminated.
Mr. Martiello would like it to be an annual event- supported by family and pushed for more grades
Within General Nash librarians are working on curriculum to address internet safety topics.
Parents suggested that younger kids be included in the curriculum along side with "stranger danger" within the curriculum.
Parent voiced concern over the role of the school in technology and device usage. Due the school promoting use of technology and devices they therefore have a responsibility in teaching proper and responsible use. -There are filters and instruction for student who have devices within the school. In addition, the children need to be aware of the safe guards that the school has in place and that they may be different from safeguards which are in place at home.
-Volunteer Clearances
As of July 1st anyone who is volunteering in the school will need clearances, specifically state criminal history, child abuse, FBI background with fingerprints for those who have lived in PA for less than the most recent 10 consecutive years. Those who have volunteered during the 2014 have until July 1st to provide original versions of the clearances to the ESC, they will receive back the original. New volunteers need to provide clearances before volunteering this school year.
Clearances are good for 36 months.
Logistics for the 6th grade are being worked out. T
There are provisions for people who may not be able to afford the clearances. Ms. Chernock clarified that there is a process for those whose children receive reduced lunch will be reimbursed through "private" district funds.
Most field trips do not happen until May but chaperones will need to provide clearances unless they are grandfathered in.
Question arose about district events, such a triatholon, which ask for volunteers. Anyone who is working the event will need clearances in the future, not sure of the plans for this year. Clearances are held at the district and the ESC will disseminate those who are cleared and who are not.
Questions if the raptor system will be incorporated. Both will be used, wonder if the raptor system could show if you are volunteer approved.
Discussion of how to get information out to parents that they need clearances for next year and have the clearance to the offices prior to the events.
Will districts notify you when the 36 months expire?
Concern over protection of social security numbers
Ron and Ms. Charnock to report the information back to administration. Possible to get a mobile site at different parts throughout the district. Additional questions can be emailed to Ron for his to forward to others. Mr. Martiello emphasized there is a strong desire to make the process easy for parents to continue to be involved and obtained clearances.
Guest Speaker - Josie Charnock, North Penn School Board Member
Teacher contract has be settled for the time being until July 2016
-Budget
Tuesday was an action meeting, there is a preliminary budget. Gov Wolfe is to disseminate information regarding state funding. Budget information is available on NPenn tv. Stressor on budget are pension fund increase, textbook adopts, leasing busses, salary etc.
Total increase in budget is $13 million; increase in school tax of 1.9% (highest allowed by law), would bring in $3 million, district has asked for exemption,
$2 mil for two new charter assuming 200 students in 2 different charter school for 2015-2016, currently there is $1 million for existing online charter. North Penn Charter School Collaborative collaborative is proposed charter and Education for New Generation is another. ENG is being challenged on ground of a religious/spiritual component.
Ms. Charnock related the value of and emphasis on measuring student's growth. Measuring growth provides information about a student over time as opposed to one point in time.
-Assessment - Look at the concern that amount of time testing taking away from instructional time? Ms. Charnock to take back information to see if there is a way consolidate testing to gain additional days and better assess a student's performance and growth.
Website, difficult to locate specific information. When a person logs onto their school it should be just the the school page with school specific
The website has added topics to be covered about forthcoming meeting.
$40,000 from advertising, no new advertising in school, mostly on website, calendar and sports fields
Teacher Representative - Mr. Coulter
Thank you to the home and school board. Voiced support for discussions on internet safety.
Spring fundraiser both Yankee candle and Asher's chocolate.
Information will be distributed in the beginning of March - both Asher's and Yankee candle. .
Asher's chocolate to be delivered before spring break.
Yankee candle will be delivered closer to Mother's Day
Restaurant Nights
This month is at Chick-fil-a. 10% of purchases from Monday February 23 till close on Friday 27th.
Future dinners potentially at Outback, Boston Market instead of Wendy's and YoFresh in the spring. Likely chick-fil-a nuggets platters in June.
Open board position, definitely need for two positions
Open positions are listed on home and school website
Welcome picnic is open. Potluck dinner with outside activities, then outside organization could show their organization and then Nash activities were highlighted.
Meeting ended 8:47