North Penn Home and School Coordinating Council, Inc. Minutes

September 26th, 2011

The main objective of CC is to provide a forum for parents of the North Penn School District to exchange ideas and to promote an ongoing relationship between the schools, administration, board and community.

Location: General Nash Elementary School

Member Organizations: A.M. Kulp; Bridle Path; General Nash; Gwynedd Square; Gwyn-Nor; Hatfield; Inglewood; Knapp; Montgomery; North Wales; Oak Park; Walton Farm; York Avenue; Pennbrook; Penndale; Pennfield; North Penn HS; NP Assoc. for Gifted Education; NP Athletic Alumni Assoc.; NP Booster Club; NPHS JROTC Squires; NP Music Aides; NP Special Education Council; Students With Aspiring and Achievable Goals; Wrestling Parents.

Member Organizations represented: General Nash; Gwyn-Nor; Inglewood; Knapp; North Wales; Oak Park; Walton Farm; York Avenue; Pennbrook; Pennfield; North Penn HS; Students With Aspiring and Achievable Goals.

Handouts: Meeting agenda; Coordinating Council 2011-2012 budget; Letter from NPSD Solicitor concerning speakers at meetings of Coordinating Council and its chapter members; Letter from Superintendent concerning bus issues; new NPSD Administrative Regulations concerning rules and fees for use of school facilities and equipment; North Montco Technical Career Center parent booklet; NPSD press release on PSSA scores and AYP targets; NPSD press release on National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists; Community Conversations with Superintendent; Family and Community Engagement workshops; NPSD Education Foundation Charity Luncheon; WISE SNAC grocery store tours.

Welcome –President Kathy Stella

Guest Speaker– Mike Lukas, Administrative Director, North Montco Technical Career Center

  • Summary: Currently in the final phases of a $12 million renovation, North Montco Technical Career Centers serves 1,100 secondary students (grades 9-12) from five school districts, including North Penn. Students receive intensive training in one of 22 career program areas and learn in a simulated workplace environment geared to establish good work habits. Academics are closely integrated into the student’s technical studies. Home and School organizations and the public are encouraged to take advantage of a range of products and services, available at cost, generated as part of the students’ education.
  • Please see specific speaker notes attached below as an addendum following the Business Meeting minutes.

Coordinating Council Business Meeting

Welcome and Introductions

  • Top 10 list aboutGeneral Nash Elementary–Mr. Ron Martiello, Principal
  • #10 - General Francis Nash: General Nash led the Carolina militia to Pennsylvania to join the Continental Army under George Washington. He died in Towamencin Township of wounds received at the Battle of Germantown in 1777, and is buried at the Towamencin Mennonite Meetinghouse Cemeterynear the Lansdale Turnpike Interchange.
  • #9 – General Nash Elementary School was built in 1976, and is located on Liberty Bell Drive. The school mascot is a six-foot eagle named Francis.
  • #8 – Students get excited for the annual rally during PSSA week. The entire school danced last year during Just Dance Too.
  • #7 – Olweus program enters its second year at General Nash. Students attend weekly meetings. Faculty and staff maintain on the spot intervention.
  • #6- Supportive home learning is a goal for this year. This is the next level for family engagement program. We need to extend academic language to the home, especially for our ESL families.
  • #5- Renovations - School experienced an extreme makeover. Renovation was completed in time thanks to the hard work by the contractors and custodians. Teachers had only 3 days to set up their new classrooms from scratch with the assistance of valuable volunteers.
  • #4- Technology – Each classroom has at least a projector.
  • #3- Nature Nook – Students can work on school gardens at recess.
  • #2 - Partnership of parents and teachers – Annual parent survey in January read by principal. The support in learning website is a product of last year’s feedback.
  • #1- Awesome students – This is Mr. Martello’s 4th school district in 14 years, and he is amazed by General Nash’s students each day.

Meeting items

  1. Approval of Minutes –
  • Minutes of May, 2011 meetingwere approved.
  • Minutes can be found on under For Families/Coordinating Council/CC Meeting Minutes.
  1. Treasurer’s Report –Becky Ellstrom, Treasurer
  • Current balance –$1996.70
  • Payments- Paid bookkeeper and various fees to state (charity and corporate name registrations)
  • Coordinating Council 2011-2012 budget was presented.
  • Sales tax exemption expired in August and has been extended until 12/31/2011. Becky is waiting for paperwork to be processed.
  • Giant Stores has grocery receipt program for schools; however, funds must go directly to the individual school, not associated parent organizations. Each school will have its own account and will be sent a user ID and a password. The tax identification number must be for the school district. Parents cannot enroll for their school until the school is enrolled. Becky is awaiting directions from school district and will distribute information.
  1. Correspondence–Wendy Beatty-Burg, Corresponding Secretary
  2. Please notify Wendy with Coordinating Council representative contact information if you did not receive an email.
  3. Old Business
  4. Use of School refrigerators and freezers:
  5. Kathy Stella met with Pam Gallagher, Director of School Nutrition Services to clarify policies.
  6. Use by Home and School Associations must be pre-approved and follow state guidelines. Storage is limited to 24-48 hours. Items must be sealed, labeled clearly and placed on shelf (not floor).
  7. Student Activities Fees were not proposed for this year but may be considered for next year.
  8. Facility use fees
  9. New fee schedule and policies (NPSD Board Policy #1330) includes use of NPHS on Sundays for the first time.
  10. Classroom Sizes
  11. Kathy Stella is checking NPSD and state policies for clear and defined limits on classroom sizes. Only guidelines have been found.
  12. Louse buster machine
  13. School district purchased one louse removal machine as part of the new lice policy enacted last year. The machine resembles a vacuum cleaner and is advertised as requiring only one application to rid the child of all nits.
  14. Kathy Stella is in contact with the district to learn the defined policies on the use of the machine: When is it offered? Who is certified to use it? At what location(s) will the treatment be performed? What are the costs to the parent?
  15. New Business
  16. Linda Abramsleft the district for a position at the North Penn United Way. Christine Liberaski is now the primary district liaison for Coordinating Council.
  17. Bus issues
  18. Refer to letter from Superintendent.
  19. Special School Board informational meeting held tonight at 7 pm. Sherri Helt is representing Coordinating Council at this meeting and will report.
  20. Marianne Cleary, Coordinator of Transportation, had already been invited to speak at Coordinating Council’s October meeting. We are awaiting confirmation.
  21. Speakers for Home and School and Coordinating Council meetings
  22. Refer to IRS Guidelines, Coordinating Council Bylaws and letter from Solicitor
  23. Decision not to invite political speakers and decision to instruct Chapter members likewise was made solely by the Coordinating Council Executive Board after review of IRS Guidelines, Coordinating Council Bylaws and input from NPSD Solicitor.
  24. Extreme care must be used in preserving the tax-exempt status of North Penn Coordinating Council, Inc. Any kind of participation of Coordinating Council or its Chapter members in political activities could potentially jeopardize status of the member or organization as a whole.
  25. Outside Lighting at buildings is turning off early.
  26. John Strobel, Manager of Support Services informed Kathy Stella that Kulp Elementary is the only building in the district with remote lighting control. Individual building custodians can program the lighting for their buildings to match use patterns.
  27. Level Reports
  28. Pennbrook
  29. 7th grade after party will be held after school on September 27 at a cost of $5 per student.
  30. Car wash will raise money for courtyard.
  31. Pennfield
  32. 7th grade welcome dance is held immediately after school. Older students have dance the same evening.
  33. Ideas, Concerns, Comments and Announcements
  34. What is the status of the installation of new Smart boards in the schools? Mr. Martiello shared with Council that he is aware that parts are still on order and the district working to complete installations in the schools.
  35. NPHS Merit Scholar Semifinalists: Vidya Punati, Jessica Arnold, Thomas Bednar, Stephen Choi, Mikhail Khodak, Nicholas Macy, Ishaan Nerurkar, Bob Ni, Suyog Padgaonkar, Abbey Parrott
  36. AYP/PSSA results – All NPSD schools met Adequate Yearly Progress targets on 2010-2011 PSSA tests.
  37. Conversations with the SuperintendentDr. Curtis Dietrich: Register to attend small, informal informational meetings to discuss important issues. One session is held each month. The October session will be held at the Upper Gwynedd Township Municipal Building on October 25, from Noon to 1 pm.
  38. Family and Community Engagement Workshops: Contact Christine Liberaski () to register for free parenting workshops offered by North Penn School Districts. Contact .
  39. NPSD Education Foundation Charity Luncheonwill be held at the Texas Roadhouse on Sunday, October 16, at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $25.
  40. WISE SNAC program: Giant Foods is offering instructional tours atits four local stores to help families plan health snacks and meals on a budget. Each tour is limited to 10 people. For more information or registration, contact Courtney Grove at .
  41. Signupgenius.com website is simple to use for the organization of snack lists and donations for events. Reminder emails can be generated.
  42. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.

Addendum: Notes from presentation by Guest Speaker – Mike Lukas, Administrative Director, North Montco Technical Career Center

North Montco Technical Career Center

  • Mr. Lukas has 32 years of experience in automotive mechanics and education. He holds a Bachelors of Science in secondary English and communications.
  • The presentation included a short video that is shown to potential students. Attendees also received the handbook provided to the parents of potential students. The video was produced with the assistance of a grant from the state Students Occupationally and Academically Ready (SOAR) program.
  • North Montco Technical Career Center serves approximately 1,100 students from 5 school districts: North Penn, Methacton, Perkiomen Valley, Souderton and Wissahickon.
  • Largest secondary technical career school in Montgomery County and 5th largest in Pennsylvania.
  • North Penn supplies 44% of North Montco student population.
  • The NMTCC continues to fight against stereotypes associated withvocational education of the past.
  • In reality, 80% of9th grade students entering North Montco intend to goto college, and 72% of the school’s graduates attend a post-secondary educational program.
  • All 22 programs offered are aligned with academic standards.
  • Technology makes academics a critical component of learning any skill.
  • Hands-on knowledge is no longer satisfactory alone to guarantee a graduate a quality job in the workforce.
  • Academic lessons are integrated into programs. Student comprehension and appreciation increase when they see the relevance of the lesson to the skill they are learning.
  • Students who scored at levels of basic or below basic on 8th grade PSSA exams are targeted for remediation to help them increase scores for 11th grade PSSA exams.
  • Technical programs
  • Majority of faculty is older to provide the students with the maximum experience.
  • Program curriculums are monitored and approved by committees of community business and trade representatives.
  • In partnership with other institutions, students can earn up to 15 credits towards their post-secondary studies.
  • School follows ISO-certified quality standards.
  • Parents, faculty and staff, and guidance counselors of sending schools participate in annual surveys.
  • Any item that generates a negative response greater than 25% automatically becomes a mandatory goal for improvement in the next academic year.
  • Attendance of North Montco can be an adjustment for new students.
  • Students interact daily with students from different schools, districts and areas.
  • Entering 9th grade students are treated as exploratory and are allowed to change programs.
  • Approximately 15% of 9th grade students will not continue studies at North Montco.
  • Four counselors work primarily to guide 9th and 10th graders in their program decisions.
  • The school is run as a simulated work environment with students responsible for following time, safety and sick day rules to teach good habits for the workplace. Attendance at North Montco is a privilege, not a right.
  • Student participation in home school’s extracurricular activities is encouraged.
  • North Montco is completing a $12 million renovation.
  • Mini-mall that will allow students to interact with the public and provide an outlet for products while maintaining building security.
  • 50-seat restaurant will open during school year after trial runs are completed.
  • 25-seat cosmetology salon for hair and nail services.
  • Retail counter for purchase and order of baked goods, floral arrangements and other items.
  • School needs outlet for student-produced goods and services. Other outlets include MANNA on Main Street and other community service organizations.
  • Layout improved to prevent disruption of classes.
  • Welding ventilation and engineering lab improved to standards.
  • $50,000 bakery photo transfer machine
  • Addition of 3 small meeting rooms for IEP sessions opens two 40-seat meeting rooms for other uses.
  • 42% of North Montco students have IEPs.
  • Home school district is in violation if North Montco is not represented at student IEP meetings.
  • North Montco supports its community.
  • Classroom and behind-wheel driver’s training (Center owns 5 training cars) with available on-site testing.
  • Community education night classes
  • 9-11 memorial garden completed in 2002 by welding student and horticulture students features a stainless steel depiction of the Manhattan skyline. The two World Trade Center towers are constructed of steel and, as planned, are rusting away. The garden is in the shape of a pentagon and contains only plants native to Pennsylvania. Two lone trees represent the World Trade Center.
  • Fitness trail around school property to be completed by horticultural and carpentry students.
  • Plan to add soccer fields and community garden plots to rent.
  • Community non-profit organizations are not charged to use the meeting space. Food is catered at cost.
  • Planning to provide lunch and cosmetology services to senior residents of Dock Woods and Brittany Farms who assist in the training of students in the school’s health services program.
  • Home and School organizations are encouraged to contact North Montco to discuss how student products and services can be used in their events.
  • Keep in mind that all products are produced in an educational environment, necessitating longer order times and the possibilities of errors. For example, an instructor will plan for 25% loss due to errors during the production of a printed program.
  • The staff must maintain a careful balance between North Montco’s dual role as an educational institution and a production unit.
  • All are encouraged to visit the North Montco website to sign up for the school’s biweekly newsletter or to submit ideas through the community mailbox.
  • An Open House for community to showcase renovations will be held on the evening of January 19, 2012. This will be a good opportunity to learn of the products and services available.
  • Questions from floor:
  • Are services available to the public during the summer? Most services are only available during school year. An exception is the popular and reasonable North Montco drivers’ training courses. Between 300 and 400 students pass through the classroom and road courses each summer.
  • When is the best time to place orders? Visit North Montco website and make your request. Someone from the program area responsible for the product will contact you to discuss your request.
  • What is available to the public? By spring: bakery goods, floral arrangements, salon, lunch, graphic arts orders and carpentry orders.
  • Can North Montco provide take-out lunch specials for North Penn teachers? Past practice of selling Friday take-home dinners may be resurrected. Definitely, consider North Montco Culinary Program for possible catering of meetings. Mr. Lukas reiterated that there are many exciting possibilities, but he must monitor production to maintain quality of the educational environment.

Next meeting of Coordinating Council will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, at the North Wales Elementary School in the IMC. Please forward to Wendy Beatty-Burg (), Corresponding Secretary, any business items or questions your organization would like to have placed on future agendas.

Respectfully submitted,

Donald Mackowiak

Recording Secretary

NPCC minutes 09-26-2011final.doc1