PTA Minutes - October 2, 2012

Welcome to Park School PTA

October 2,2012

Tonight’s Agenda• School Song School Officers

• Board Introductions & Budget Karen McCormick

• What’s New in Academics Bob Abaya

– Science– Math– Reading (include computer time & Countdown to 100)

• 2012 STAR Results Karen McCormick

• Enrichment Program Spotlight– Parent/Teacher Week Sports Charles Neal– Author’s Workshop Kylie Hall

• Volunteer Spotlight– Reading Partners Frances Ko

• Please Vote! Teddy Singer

2012-2013 PTA Board Members

• Karen McCormick President

interim VP Events • Kevin Consani Treasurer• Melanie Tan Baldwin Secretary & VP

Membership• Alexandra Gillen VP Communications• Angela Molyneux VP Fundraising

Your PTA brings you Afterschool Enrichment programs, Events like ParkSPARK, and many other programs…

PLEASE JOIN and BECOME A MEMBER!

PTA Budget(hand out)

Kevin Consani

SAN MATEO PARK SCHOOL PTA TREASURER’S REPORTAugust 1, 2012-September 30, 2012CHECKING ACCOUNTBALANCE ON HAND 8/1/2012 $566.61INCOME8/23/2012 DEP: SMPSF Donation $55,000.008/31/2012 DEP: Interest $0.519/19/2012 DEP: PTA Membership $360.009/19/2012 DEP: WAJ Income $60.009/19/2012 DEP: Refund of bank charge $25.009/28/2012 DEP: Interest $0.34

TOTAL $ 55,445.85 TOTAL INCOME $56,012.46EXPENSESCK 4815 San Mateo Foster City School Dis. $46,992CK 4820 Christy Carr, teacher reimbursement $150.00CK 4818 Drewry Wolf, Campus Clean Up $117.49CK 4817 Maria Teresa Magna, translation $150.00CK 4821 SMFCSD, park press $137.60CK 4819 Margaret Mefford, Kinder Picnic $45.00CK 4823 Laura Kerkhoff, teacher reimbursement $150.00CK 4825 Denise Edwards, teacher reimbursement $149.36CK 4826 Albert Rojas, Park Spark clean up $140.00

TOTAL $48,031.45TOTAL EXPENSES $48,031.45BALANCE ON HAND 9/30/2012 $7,981.01Signature_________________________________ Date_____________________

Kevin Consani, Treasurer

What’s New in Academics? Science• There have been many expanded activities in and outside the science

lab: CSI crime unit, where students learn to conduct a variety of science experiments (one per month) and then use their learned skills to solve a crime during a CSI festival, sometime in the spring.

• Expanded use of the school grounds to do nature walks, study plants and insects, etc.

• Ant farms & root structures• Electrical experiments for third grade.• Field Trips either directly or indirectly support math and science

curriculum. For example, some field trips are very obvious, such as the Challenger Field trip for the Space and Science Museum, or the Elkus Ranch visit. But other field trips, such as the Gold Country field trip, not only support the social studies curriculum, but an integrated connection is made in science, tying into the rock cycle for 4th grade.

• Added Science themed assemblies: Banana Slug Band, Kaiser Hospital, etc.

• Third Grade Star gazer party (after next PTA meeting)

What’s New in Academics? Math• Staff has been working on Professional Learning Communities

(PLCs) to develop a process for looking at student work. The teachers asked four essential questions: – What will we teach? – How will we know if the students learn it? – What do we do if they didn’t? – What do we do if they did?

• To assist in the Professional Learning Communities, K-3 teachers have begun work with the San Mateo County Stem Center to review student work in math, and by asking the essential questions mentioned above, determine the best course of action of making all students successful.

• Teachers in grades 4-5 are teaming to work with Silicon Valley Math Institute to conduct lesson studies in math. Again, asking the four essential questions, the same process is used for the upper grades.

• And although we’ve been doing Problem of the Month for the past three years, the math liaisons have changed the format this year to make for more interesting displays, and more sharing of work throughout the grades.

• Almost every early dismissal Wednesday, and every other staff meeting will be devoted to this endeavor.

What’s New in Academics? Reading

• Raz-kids for all grade 1 & 2 students– Fits with student’s reading level– Reads to the student and provides correct pronunciation for new

words– Comprehension tests for each book read– RAZ Rocket Room has virtual prizes– Students can use this on any computer that connects to the

internet (home, school, library)– NOW computer time on Fridays

• Accelerated Reader for all students grades 3-5– Independent Reading– Comprehension tests for each book read– Part of the report card

Park School’s 2012 STAR Test Results

• California Standards Test (STAR= standardized testing and reporting)

• Taken in spring 2012• Grades 2-5• Measures student achievement• Rankings: Advanced, Proficient, Basic,

Below Basic, Far Below Basic• Measures ELA (English Language Arts),

Math, and Science (Grade 5 & above)

Second Grade ELA Comparison Shows Improvement in "Advanced" Score

26%29%

26% 22%

22%

33%

27%

17%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2012 2011

Grade 2 ELA advanced

Grade 2 ELA Basic

Grade 2 ELA Basic

Grade 2 ELA Below & Far Below Basic

Grade 2 STAR Math Scores are Comparable Year on Year

19% 19%

20% 19%

31%36%

30%26%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2012 2011

Grade 2 Math Advanced

Grade 2 Math Proficient

Grade 2 Math Basic

Grade 2 Math Below & Far Below Basic

Strong Improvement in Grade 3 ELA Scores, More Growth Needed

26%

37%

33%

38%

23%

15%

18%

9%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2012 2011

Advanced

Proficient

Basic

Below Basic & Far Below Basic

Grade 3 Math Scores Show Significant Improvement

23% 24%

15%

37%

24%

24%

38%

15%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2012 2011

Advanced

Proficient

Basic


a

Grade 2 (2011) to Grade 3 (2012) ELA Scores Trade Down from 'Proficient' to 'Basic' as Instructions are No Longer Read to Students

26%29%

33%22%

23%

33%

18% 17%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2012 2011

Advanced

Proficient

Basic


Grade 2 (2011) to Grade 3 (2012) Math Scores Shift from 'Proficient' to 'Advanced' While Combined 'Basic' and 'Below Basic' Remain the Same

23%19%

15%19%

24%

36%

38%

26%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2012 2011

Advanced

Proficient

Basic


Grade 4 ELA 'Proficient' Score Jumps; 'Below Basic/ Far Below Basic' Cut in Half

15%

29%

28%

32%

25%

9%

32% 30%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2012 2011

Advanced

Proficient

Basic


Grade 4 Math Scores Shift Significantly Towards 'Advanced' & 'Proficient'

28%34%

15%

24%

19%

15%

39%

27%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2012 2011

Advanced

Proficient

Basic


Grade 3 (2011) to Grade 4 (2012) Improves ELA Scores Across All Categories

15%

37%

28%

38%25%

15%32%

9%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2012 2011

Advanced

Proficient

Basic


Grade 3 (2011) to Grade 4 (2012) Math Score Significantly Grows in 'Advanced' as 'Basic" Declines

28%24%

15%

37%

19%

24%

39%

15%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2012 2011

Advanced

Proficient

Basic


Other Terms to Know

• API: The California Academic Performance Index– A number between 200 and 1000– Each school receives an API for the year & a target

for the next year• AYP: Adequate Yearly Progress

– A part of the Federal “No Child Left Behind Act” of 2001

– Focuses on specific subgroups of students– Mandates that an increasing number of students in

each subgroup must score as ‘proficient’ or ‘advanced’ in reading & mathematics

Spotlight on Enrichment-Sports Week is back!!!!

• Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri; 1-2:50• Grades 2-5• Maximum 40 students• Mr. Neal & Mr. Charley• First come first served• Free!• Sports (soccer, football, baseball, etc.) & Games

(dodgeball, tug-o-war, capture the flag, etc.)• Kids learn: teamwork, good sportsmanship, and build

skills• Rainy days: We will accept all kids and try to get access

to LGI, Library or whatever is possible• Flyers will come out by the end of October

Spotlight on Enrichment-Author’s Workshop

• For children who love to write and create and for those who are more reluctant writers

• Price includes all supplies your child needs and one copy of your child’s “published” paperback book each month!

• Wednesdays; 1-3pm• Grades 3-5• Monthly opportunity to join• Maximum of 35 children, first come first served• Mrs. Hall (a published author!)• $50 per month

Spotlight on Volunteering-Reading Partners

Reading Partners is dedicated to transforming struggling young readers into confident readers who are excited about learning.

How we do it:• Give one-on-one instruction at the student’s reading level.• Recruit and train community volunteers to work with children.• Partner with high-need elementary schools to offer an effective program on

campus.• Provide a way for volunteers to give a small amount of their time to make a

huge difference in a child’s life. Results: • On average students gain 1.7 months of reading skills for every month

invested• At Park, students grade 3 and below have gained 1.9 months of reading

skills for every month invested

Center Session ScheduleMonday:

1:00-1:45 (rm. 35) 1:55-2:40 (rm. 35) 3:00-3:45 (rm. 35)

Tuesday, Thursday: 8:45-9:30 (rm. 37) 9:40-10:30 (rm. 37) 10:45-11:30 (rm. 37) 1:00-1:45 (rm. 35) 1:55-2:40 (rm. 35) 3:00-3:45 (rm. 35)

Wednesday: no tutoring at San Mateo Park

If you or a friend is interested in volunteering or want more information, please contact Anne Bartlett, Outreach Coordinator, at [email protected] or

Frances Ko, Site Coordinator, at [email protected].

California’s Educational Budget: We are working hard in difficult times

Since 2008 • California school budgets

have been cut by $20,000,00!

• 40,000 educators have been laid off

• California now has the largest class sizes in the nation

Do you know that Park School has already been affected by budget problems?

• Reduced or eliminated personnel (many paid for by Foundation)

• Field trips (restored through grants & our Foundation)

• School supplies• New programs have been

made available primarily through Foundations, individual gifts and grants.

Voting on Tuesday November 6th is also about funding for public education

Learn about the propositions and make an informed VOTE.

The three measures in November are:A-Proposition 30 (Jerry Brown’s Income Tax Increase)

B-Proposition 38, State Income Tax Increase to Support Education (Molly Munger)

C-Proposition 39 (Income Tax Increase to Multistate Businesses)

Unbiased web site information on Ballotpedia.org

Next PTA meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 27 followed by

3rd grade star gazingGoodnight & Drive Safely!