October 2014 - Hampton Township School District

BOARD
NOTES
A summary of the Hampton Township School Board Meetings
Hampton Township School District
4591 School Drive
Allison Park, PA 15101
October 2014
412-486-6000, Option 8
www.ht-sd.org
Sophomore Kate Mills (pictured left) provides the Board with an overview of her summer serving as a JASON Argonaut. Other students (pictured
right) who have been through the JASON program at the Middle School demonstrated the online JASON resource they used in sixth-grade science
class with teacher Mrs. Michele Hurst.
School Board Gets Lesson in JASON Program
Hampton Middle School science teacher Mrs. Michele Hurst, along with former students from her sixth-grade science class, presented information about the unique JASON program to the Board of School Directors at their Oct. 13 meeting.
The science-driven program was introduced nearly three years ago by Mrs. Hurst, who thought the online resource would fit well with the rigorous and relevant sixth-grade science curriculum at the Middle School. Dr. Eric Stennett, Middle School Principal, said he credited Mrs. Hurst
with bringing the program to Hampton and said it was a wonderful addition to the science curriculum.
During a brief presentation, Mrs. Hurst showed Board members how the online resource worked and played a portion of one of the online
lessons to which students have access. The three sections Mrs. Hurst chose to use in her classroom were Tectonic Fury, Terminal Velocity and
Monster Storm. Following Mrs. Hurst’s presentation, sophomore Kate Mills spoke about her experience with the JASON Argonaut Program this
past summer.
The JASON Learning Argonaut Program provides hands-on experience for students and teachers alongside world-class scientists. Since 1990,
this national program has provided this valuable experience to over 460 students and educators worldwide. Candidates for the program must go
through a rigorous application process that requires:
• A strong interest and ability in science.
• Excellent leadership and teamwork skills.
• Self-motivation, creativity, an adventurous personality and the initiative to meet challenges and overcome obstacles.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Participation in field activities that include, but are not limited to, snorkeling, swimming and extensive time on boats.
Kate said being an argonaut was “the experience of a lifetime.”
Board members then had the opportunity to try out the JASON online resource with the help of several of Mrs. Hurst’s former students who
previously had been through the program.
BOARD NOTES
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OCTOBER 2014
Personnel Report During the Oct. 13 Board Meeting, Board members took the following actions during the personnel report:
• Accepted a change in the resignation request of Mrs. Sandra Sulkey, who is retiring from the District, effective Dec. 31, 2014. The
original request date was Dec. 17, 2014. Mrs. Sukley is a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Hampton Middle School.
• Accepted the resignation of Mrs. Tracy Hanna, who is resigning after five years with the District, effective Oct. 10, 2014. She is a
special education teacher at Hampton Middle School.
• Approved a change in status for Ms. DeAnna Richey, from a building substitute to a long-term substitute grade 4 elementary teacher
at Central Elementary School from Sept. 22, 2014 to approximately Jan. 16, 2015, effective Sept. 22, 2014. Salary is $27,500 pro-rated.
Ms. Richey is a substitute for Mrs. Lauren Mytinger.
• Approved the Induction Team Members as listed on the agenda beginning with the 2014-2015 School Year, at a salary of $27 per
hour, not to exceed 40 hours over the three-year period.
• Approved the attached list of club sponsors for the Middle School for the 2014-2015 School Year.
• Approved Mrs. Christy Edinger (Wyland), Ms. Melissa Maley (Central), Mrs. Heather Tammariello (Central) and Mrs. Nichole
Babka (Poff) as Elementary Growing Together Club sponsors for the 2014-2015 School Year.
• Approved 13 Duquesne University students for technology support for the 2014-2015 School Year. Salary is $12 per hour using Title
I funding.
• Approved James Vollberg as the head coach for Boys’ Lacrosse at an annual stipend of $3,782.
• Approved Ms. Lena Clary as a TPE Special Education Teacher for Hampton Middle SChool, effective Nov. 13, 2014. Salary is Master’s Step 3, $55,143 pro-rated.
• Approved Ms. Kelsey DiSanti as an elementary building substitute at Central Elementary School from Oct. 14, 2014 to Jan. 16, 2015.
Salary is $19,500 pro-rated.
Facilities Report
During the Oct. 6 Board meeting, Mr. Rick Farino, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, provided an update on the
proposed improvements to the High School Baseball Field to
include dugouts. The Baseball Booster Club had offered to
pay for the dugouts.
Mr. Farino reported that after consulting with Mr. Marty
Orbin from Hampton Township, he was informed the District or the Boosters would be required to have the dugout
drawings reviewed and approved by an architect prior to the
Township granting the necessary permits to proceed with the
project. District Administration agreed to consult with Mr.
Patrick Clair, District Solicitor, as to bidding procedures and
any significant negative ramifications that are likely to occur
as a result of the District paying for the architect’s fees.
Mr. Farino also reported that the Exterior Grounds Committee met for the final time this calendar year on Sept. 16, during which time
it added a new member from Central Elementary School. All school buildings currently are represented on the committee. Mr. Farino
reported that all committee members had received positive feedback from staff, parents and community members about the appearance
of the grounds at all five buildings. Additionally, Mr. Farino recommended continuing services with JML Landscape Management, who
ensured there would be no price increase for next year.
Board members also were shown pictures of the new Middle School Flagpole Stone Garden (pictured above). Mr. Farino said the benefits
of the new design are that it looks nice and it is low maintenance.
Lastly, Mr. Farino stated that the High School retention pond has been converted into a detention pond, and further noted that according
to the specifications, the water is trickling out at the proper rate in a 24-to-30-hour period.
BOARD NOTES
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OCTOBER 2014
District Assessment Testing Schedule Set, Previous Scores Reviewed
Board members reviewed and approved the 2014-2015 District Assessment Schedule at the Oct. 13 meeting. The testing schedule identifies the various assessment instruments that are used throughout the school year (see below).
Mr. Jeff Finch, Assistant Superintendent, also reviewed the 2013-2014 assessment testing data with the Board and presented an overview
ofthe results. The discussion included information about how the Administration and faculty are using the data for informed planning
of District curriculum, instructional methodology and indentification of student strengths and weakenesses. Mr. Finch also noted that
the professional development day scheduled for Oct. 13 would focus on the use of testing data with faculty members in grades K-12.
According to information presented from the PSSA assessment, 90 percent of all elementary students are advanced/proficient in math,
89 percent are advanced/proficient in reading and 98 percent are advanced/proficient in sceince. Scores for the Middle School and High
School students tested in grades 6, 7, 8 and 11 exceeded the statewide averages by 15 to 20 percent in math, reading, writing and science. Keystone testing for the Class of 2015 in Algebra revealed 93 percent of students were advanced/proficient, with 88 percent being
advanced/proficient on the Biology Keystone Exam. The same class showed 97 percent proficiency on the Literature Keystone Exam.
Complete testing scores are available on the District website. They also will appear in the upcoming District Annual Report, set for release Dec. 1.
Hampton Township School District
ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE
2014-2015
Assessment
ACCESS for ELLs
AIMSweb
K
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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9
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AP Exams (selectively)
10
11
12
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ASVAB (selectively)
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Career Cruising (selectively)
DIAL-3
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ERB - CTP 4
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PSAT
PSSA Mathematics
PSSA ELA (Reading/Writing)
PSSA Science
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Keystone Algebra I
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Naviance (selectively)
Curriculum Based
Assessments (selectively)
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Keystone - English Literature
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Keystone - Biology
Reading & Math Diagnostics
(selectively)
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Speech, Language Hearing &
Vision Screening (selectively)
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Acronyms
ASVAB
DIAL-3
ELLs
ERB - CTP 4
PSAT
PSSA
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude
Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning
English Language Learners
Educational Records Bureau - Comprehensive Testing Program
Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment
BOARD NOTES
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OCTOBER 2014
October 27: Board Special Meeting (if necessary)
November 3: Board Work Session Meeting, 7 p.m., Dr. Harold Sarver Memorial Library, HMS
November 10: Board Voting Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Dr. Harold Sarver Memorial Library, HMS
November 12: Hampton Heroes, 9 a.m., HMS
November 24: Board Special Meeting (if necessary)
November 27-28: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - NO SCHOOL
December 1: Board Reorganization Meeting, TBD, Dr. Harold Sarver Memorial Library, HMS
**All other items, as listed on the Board agenda, were approved.
The HAEE 5K Walk/Run was held on Oct. 11 at Hartwood Acres. A record number of racers participated in this year’s event.
Special guests included the Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot and two of the famous Pirate Pierogies. Race results will be posted on
the HAEE website once they are available.
Board Notes are compiled by Shari Berg, Public Relations Consultant, The Communication Solutions Group.