Methacton Home & School Association

April 8, 2010 Meeting Minutes

Attendees:

Carole Staats, Jerri Rosini, Monica Joyce, Sandy Leistensnider, Judy Landis, Cindy Hartson, Jacqui Sattler, Sherry Cain-Ordway, Sue McGlynn, Carla Tuhacek, Nancy Turner

Guest Speaker – Dr. Timothy Quinn

  • Dr. Quinn reported that the high school has been on the move this year. There has been progress in the area of student achievement. The biggest success has been the use of the 4Sight Tests to help in the area of Annual Yearly Progress. The high school has also restructured to a co-teaching model and has instituted a new reading program.
  • The trailers currently used for the Alternative Education program will be replaced with 2 portable classrooms from Audubon, and we will be bringing back students who have been attending schools in other districts.
  • The district is working on getting a Resource Officer (currently Officer Mark Stead at Arcola) into the two schools Worcester Township. There is a possibility of creating a “Methacton Police Department” to work with the local police departments. The district will be going to a Worcester Township meeting in April to ask for their support.
  • The district continues to work on the budget. Revenues are down, reassessments are down, and the budget depends on this revenue. Thus far, expenditures have been reduced by $3 million. The information on the website shows all the possibilities for reductions. They still need to reduce the budget by $1 million to get to the 6.4% tax increase. Dr. Quinn encourages parents to write to the school board and communicate their opinions concerning the budget.
  • Negotiations continue with the teachers, with talks continuing on salary and benefits.

Principal’s Report – Judy Landis, Principal

  • PSSA testing will be held throughout the month of April.
  • AP testing will be held the first two weeks of May.
  • The prom will be held on Saturday, May 22.
  • Senior awards will be given in May.
  • The exam schedule will be released toward the end of April.

Guest Speaker – Mr. Steve Savitz – Electric Car Club

Mr. Savitz thanked the H&S for the previous mini-grants the club received. Four years ago, $1000 was used to purchase solar cells. Two years ago, $500 was used to install sensors. Information gained from the used of these materials not only benefits the car club but also the students in the Global Science classes. A website started by seniors last year and maintained by the club can be found at The new project started this year came from a donation of a diesel truck. The plans are to turn this into a bio-diesel, which will run 100% on vegetable oil. The truck, which is in need of some cosmetic help, will be decorated by the ArtDepartment with paint donated by local companies. Six bus seats will be installed to carry students. The Car Club is looking for a mini-grant of $1300 to purchase a vegetable oil kit.

Secretary’s Report – Sandy Leistensnider

The minutes from the March meeting have been posted on the website.

Treasurer’s Report – Monica Joyce

Expenditures this month include donations to each of the classes as well as a donation to the Post Prom event. Donations were also made to the new Skyview Home and School for their start-up fund and to the Cindy Bean (Arcola Math teacher) Memorial Fund. Another payment was made under the Gifts to the School budget item for the Reading Room furniture.

Guidance Report – Cindy Hartson-Department Chair

  • Scholarship information can be found on the website.
  • The Villanova College Fair will be held on April 27.
  • Careercruising.com will be renewed for next year and the department will be going into Freshman and Sophomore classes.
  • This has been a tough year for college acceptances. There has been a low acceptance rate with a lot of “wait-listing.” Underclassmen are encouraged to work hard and to get good grades. A question arose concerning SAT scores, and Mrs. Hartson advised students and parents to go to the college websites to find out what scores they are looking for.
  • It is time to present Senior Awards again, and Mrs. Hartson is looking for 3 non-Senior parents to review records of possible award recipients. The awards are given to Seniors showing the most improvement since Freshman year.
  • Underclassmen should send back course verification forms if changes need to be made.

Teacher Reports – Carole Staats

  • Mrs. Lantz reports that the Honors Geometry classes made clinometers, which they used outside in conjunction with trigonometry to measure heights such as the flagpole, trees, etc. Students were very engaged and enjoyed the trip outside.
  • Ms. Shaw reports that Peer Connection members have been trained about HIV/AIDS and will be going to Arcola to teach 8th grade students on May 20 & 21.
  • Ms. Davis reports that she and Ms. O’Connell just returned from a two-week school-to-school immersion exchange program in Granada, Spain with 23 Methacton students. It was an amazing experience for the students who lived with the family of the student they hosted in September. Students attended school every day. Special classes were also held to complement the excursions on four of the days. Ms. Davis reports that they were proud of all of the students who represented their families and MHS well.
  • Ms. Peiffer reports that the High School Blood Drive on March 25th was a success. There were 199 students registered. 159 units were collected, and of that, 16 were double red cell donors. There were many first time donors. The faculty/staff drive had 16 units collected.
  • Ms. Woudenberg reports that MHS participated in the Montgomery County Reading Olympics for the first time in March. Two teams, (24 students in grades 9-12), spent the year preparing for the event by reading 45 books then discussing and quizzing each other. One team received blue ribbons (highest award) and the other team received red ribbons, missing blue by only one point. They had a great time and look forward to participating next year.

President’s Report – Carole Staats

  • From North Montco – Congratulations to Li-Hui Zhang (Senior) a Gold Medal Winner on the HOSA Bowl Team and Lindsay Beatty (Senior) a Gold Medal Winner in the area of Human Growth and Development at the state Health Occupations Students of America competition in Lancaster. Congratulations also to Shawn Downing (Sophomore) and Christopher Moore (Sophomore) for their participation in the Robotics team receiving the Regional Chairman’s Award at the Philadelphia Regional Competition.
  • A Woodland parent is currently battling pancreatic cancer, and there will be a benefit on June 4 at St. Helena’s. The H&S voted to approve a $50 donation to this cause. Monica will contact Lori Ann Verna who is coordinating this effort.
  • Marijane Barbone, nominating committee, announced the slate of officers for the 2010-2011 school year. They are: Sandy Leistensnider for President, Jenny Anderson for Vice-President, Ronda Neider and Carla Tuhacek for co-Secretary, and Monica Joyce who will continue as Treasurer.

Post Prom Report – Carole Staats/Sherry Cain Ordway/Nancy Turner

Invitations are at the mailer. An assembly will be held on April 15. The next committee meeting will be on April 14. The decorating committee is still in need of volunteers each Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7:00-9:00 in the East Wing.

Upcoming Dates

May 6 – Last Home and School Meeting – 7:00PM – Library

May 13 – Choral Concert – 7:00PM

May 20 – Spring Concert – 7:00PM

May 22 – Prom and Post Prom Celebration

May 28 & 31 – No School