General Nash Home & School Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2015
Meeting started 7:08
February meeting minutes were approved
Upcoming Dates were reviewed
Potential snow make-up days:
4-1 and 4-2
4-6 as an in-service and conference day
Parent voiced concern over using the argument that testing is the motivation, as opposed to instruction. Also the preliminary calendar dates are not being used.
Treasurer's Report
Due to a decreasing trend in fundraising, changes in budgeting were necessary. As result, proposed changes for next year include: cancel brain pop, teachers will receive half the money as they have been receiving, and decrease in assembly funding (greater reliance on free assemblies). Book fair proceeds funds the library.
Attendant proposed that parents should be told that these cuts are going to happen as a result of fundraising efforts. Discussion of cost of brain pop as well as suggestion that use of brain pop should be included on parent survey as well as the need to determine which grades are using the program and to what extend it is being used.
New business
Clothing drive - Clothing drive to be held in May with a conclusion on May 21st, more information to follow.
Book fair/Literacy Festival - to be held on May 8th - every student will have a writing piece and an art project displayed.
Engineering for kids - Assembly and family night to be held on April 17th. Parent's night out 5-8pm (school age children). There will be another after school session starting in May; Mr. Martiello is working on scheduling an assembly
6th grade class trip - Clearances are not necessary due to the fact that the trip is not a district sponsored trip nor does it benefit district. The coordinators of the event do need to have clearances completed
Spring Fundraisers and Fundraiser ideas:
Meeting next week for new ideas.
Current spring fundraiser - Asher's chocolates and Yankee Candles
40% back for Yankee candle, which can be ordered on line or through paper
Open Board positions
Need nominations by next month - Two people are stepping down/won't be at Nash next year, but all the positions are open for nominations.
Open coordinator positions :
Spirit wear, market day, holiday shop, Walk-a-thon shadow more positions to come,
Discussion to bring back Welcome picnic
Welcome picnic is the first event of the year and sets the tone for the year, maybe have something at a venue.
Coordinating Council
Is an umbrella organization that provides support for individual organizations within the districts, which includes General Nash's Home and School
The council provides a way for schools to work together and provides support, which includes tax id number and tax filings.
The board for coordinating council needs to be filled in order to exists. Without this the home and school would l need to be an independent organization and would need it tax id number etc.
Next meeting is March 18th (3rd Wednesdays of the month) and there will be a speaker who discuss social media. All are welcome to attend the speaker portion.
Principal's report:
Mural:
Mural is completed,
The overall experience was positive, the artist engaged the children.
Specific aspects includes in the mural were described such as the picture of George Washington on the wall, Gen Nash's horse and Peter Wentz homestead
Volunteer Update
Clearances are specific to role employment, childcare, volunteer
One set of clearance is required for the district. An individual does not need a set associated with each school their child attends.
PSSA
Faculty is working on keeping the low-keyed and weave throughout the year.
No kick-off rally but there will be a party at the conclusion of testing.
Coordinator Reports
Sign will be update more quickly as the weather improves
Indoor recess
1-4th requested building toys
Restaurant nights
Thank for the support at Chick-fil-a, Febuary's dinner of the month.
Approximately $180 was raised
Carter F. won the $10 gift card provided by Chick-fil-a
March restaurant is Boston Market and April's is Outback
Think Central
Mr. Prisco presented on Think Central, an online program which provides support to math instruction.
All teachers use Think Central
The program can be used both at school and at home. Student use their student number to log in.
Contains supports for lesson, such as glossary, independent practice, as well as There is the potential to have tests at home
There are individual models for each skills taught in school and then can be reinforced at home.
The program includes leveled books with comprehension questions at the end
Skills are incorporated in games (Mega math) and video
Within the program there is a "Things to do section" - Soar to success, video and comprehension checks
Requires that teacher attach them after skills are taught in order for them to accessed at home.
Teachers are able to see the results
Should be able to be accessed during the summer
Go Math Academy
Can replicate the skills taught in school at home
Does not have enrichment but does show different levels of difficulty
Same company that producing the math program produces the Language Arts program that will be used next year. It is reasonable to think that Language Arts skills will be targeted on Think Central in a way similar to the math content.
Thank you to Brian Able and James Soltis for babysitting.