Draft Agenda for Programs and Services Committee, May 29

Below is a draft agenda of the Upper Moreland School Board's Programs and Services Committee meeting, which is scheduled to take place tonight approximately 8 p.m., after the President's Award ceremony at the Middle School.

The will provide a special presentation during the meeting.

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PROGRAMS/SERVICES COMMITTEE
EDUCATION SERVICES
May 29, 2012

Committee:  Dan Barber, Chairperson
           Lisa Berlin
           Al DerMovsesian

 I.    INFORMATION ITEMS

   A.  Academic Highlights

   B.  Co-Curricular Highlights

 II.   DISCUSSION ITEMS

   A.  Presentation/Discussion Items
     1.  Grades 6 and 7, Planned Courses for Business – A presentation will be made concerning the findings of the K-12 Business Committee and final documents to support proposed 6-7 Business courses will be presented.  (*)

     2.  Activities Fees – Earlier this year, the Superintendent brought forward to the Board and to the community a proposal to develop an activity fee system to help to fund uniforms, equipment, and some transportation needs associated with MS and HS sports and HS marching band.  In response to this initial proposal, the Board President formed an "ad hoc activity fee committee," consisting of representatives from the Music Patrons and Booster Club organizations, representatives from the middle school and high school, representatives from the Board of School Directors, and the District Business Manager.  The ad hoc activity fee committee will present to the Programs and Services Committee and to the larger community the progress of their work to date, and recommended "next steps" for the Board.

     3.  Wireless/laptop Initiative - Earlier this year, administration presented to the Programs and Services Committee a proposal to move the high school to a "wireless" environment.  At the center of this proposal is a plan to transition the manner in which the school operates by having students bring their own laptops to school to facilitate their work.  An update on this initiative will be provided, with discussion sought from the committee and the community.

     4.  Field Trip Fees - The Superintendent will provide information regarding the collection of transportation fees associated with curriculum-related field trips over the course of the 2011-2012 school year.  Discussion will be sought from the committee and the community.

 III.  CONSENT ITEMS

   A.  Academic Matters
     1.  Request approval to accept a Swiss exchange student at Upper Moreland High School from September 5, 2012 through February 24, 2013 to be placed privately through the Yoshida family rather than an exchange organization.  (*)

   B.  Class/Social and Club Trips
     1.  Disney trip - Approval requested for the Senior Class of 2013 trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida from April 11 through 14, 2013.  (*)

   C.  Field Trips

   D.  Essential Training & Conferences
     1.  Joseph Waters (IS) will attend the 2012 English Language Learners Symposium: Collaborating for Achievement from July 30 through August 1, 2012 at Chester County IU to become more knowledgeable about strategies and approaches to meet the needs of English Language Learners.  Approximate cost:  $280.00 (Title III funds).

     2.  Amy Tallman (HS) will attend the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Annual Convention and World Languages Expo from November 16 through 18, 2012 in Philadelphia to present professional development sessions regarding foreign exchange programs and to attend sessions focused on best practices for teaching world languages and incorporating these in classroom instruction.  Approximate cost:  $492.00.

     3.  Cynthia Dawso Van Druff (ADMIN) will attend the USDA’s New School Meal Patterns Training on June 21 and 22, 2012 in Souderton, PA to learn about the new national nutrition standards and ensure implementation during the 2012-2013 school year.  Approximate cost:  $63.65.

   E.  Contracts & Agreements

   F.  Affidavit, Settlement Agreement, Homebound, Suspension, Exclusion/Expulsion, Tuition

*       Attachments provided to Board Members under separate cover.

Proposed motion for regular board meeting:  Approve Consent Items as presented.



PROGRAMS/SERVICES COMMITTEE
SPECIAL EDUCATION AND STUDENT SERVICES
May 29, 2012

Committee:  Dan Barber Chairperson
           Lisa Berlin
           Al DerMovsesian

 I.    INFORMATION ITEMS

   A.  Academic Highlights

 II.   DISCUSSION ITEMS

   A.  Presentation/Discussion Items
     1.  Child & Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic, Temple University, CATS & DOGS project (Coping At Schools & Dissemination Of Good Strategies).

 III.  CONSENT ITEMS

   A.  Academic Matters

   B.  Class Trips

   C.  Field Trips

     1.  Approval requested for approximately 40 students in the Extended School Year Program to visit Thunderbird Lanes on July 31, 2012 from 9:45 am to 12:15 pm. This is a social activity intended to enable students to practice appropriate behavior in the community. Approximate cost including transportation $295.00 (ACCESS)

     2.  Approval requested for approximately 40 students in the Extended School Year Program to visit Elmwood Park Zoo on July 12, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. The activity supports the animal theme of this year’s program. In addition it will provide an opportunity for students to practice appropriate behaviors in the community. Approximate cost including transportation $650.00 (ACCESS)

   D.  Essential Training & Conferences:

   E.  Contracts & Agreements

     1.  Approval requested for agreement between Wordsworth Academy and the district to provide extended school year services to students #806366  and #809146 at a cost of $250.00 a day, and for students #901402 and #901492 at a cost of $150.00 a day. Transportation to be provided by the district.

     2.  Approval requested for agreement between The Pathway School and the district to provide extended school year services to student #804539 at a cost of $ 10,485.00. Transportation to be provided by the district.

     3.  Approval requested for agreement between Brain Balance Achievement Center and the district to provide a course of 36 sessions of counseling, therapy and targeted academic support in lieu of extended school year services for student #809875 at a cost of $3,000.00. Transportation to be provided by parent.

     4.  Approval requested for Contract with Judy Smith, certified reading specialist, to provide tuition in reading to student #804539 for a maximum of eight hours at an hourly rate of $70.00.

   F.  Affidavit, Settlement Agreement, Homebound, Suspension, Exclusion/Expulsion, Tuition

     1.  Approval requested for student #803798 to attend Bucks Learning Academy.

     2.  Approval requested for student #809009 to attend Lifeworks Alternative School.

     3.  Homebound request for Student #900888, unable to attend school due to a medical condition.  Request for Homebound Instruction, physician’s note and parental request is on file in the Student Services Office.


MOTION:  To approve all items in the Programs and Services Consent Agenda & Additional Action Items as presented and attached.