San Mateo Park Monthly PTA Meeting Minutes for October 2, 2

1. Welcome to Park School
PTA
October 2,2012

2. 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

3. 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!

4. PTA Budget
(hand out)
Kevin Consani

5. SAN MATEO PARK SCHOOL PTA TREASURER’S REPORT
August 1, 2012-September 30, 2012
CHECKING ACCOUNT
BALANCE ON HAND 8/1/2012 $566.61
INCOME
8/23/2012 DEP: SMPSF Donation $55,000.00
8/31/2012 DEP: Interest $0.51
9/19/2012 DEP: PTA Membership $360.00
9/19/2012 DEP: WAJ Income $60.00
9/19/2012 DEP: Refund of bank charge $25.00
9/28/2012 DEP: Interest $0.34
TOTAL $ 55,445.85
TOTAL INCOME $56,012.46
EXPENSES
CK 4815 San Mateo Foster City School Dis. $46,992
CK 4820 Christy Carr, teacher reimbursement $150.00
CK 4818 Drewry Wolf, Campus Clean Up $117.49
CK 4817 Maria Teresa Magna, translation $150.00
CK 4821 SMFCSD, park press $137.60
CK 4819 Margaret Mefford, Kinder Picnic $45.00
CK 4823 Laura Kerkhoff, teacher reimbursement $150.00
CK 4825 Denise Edwards, teacher reimbursement $149.36
CK 4826 Albert Rojas, Park Spark clean up $140.00
TOTAL $48,031.45
TOTAL EXPENSES $48,031.45
BALANCE ON HAND 9/30/2012 $7,981.01
Signature_________________________________ Date_____________________
Kevin Consani, Treasurer

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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)

10. Second Grade ELA Comparison Shows Improvement in "Advanced" Score
100%
17%
90%
27%
80%
70%
33%
22%
60%
Grade 2 ELA advanced
Grade 2 ELA Basic
50%
Grade 2 ELA Basic
Grade 2 ELA Below & Far Below Basic
40% 22%
26%
30%
20%
29%
26%
10%
0%
2012 2011

11. Grade 2 STAR Math Scores are Comparable Year on Year
100%
90%
26%
30%
80%
70%
60%
36% Grade 2 Math Advanced
31%
Grade 2 Math Proficient
50%
Grade 2 Math Basic
Grade 2 Math Below & Far Below Basic
40%
30% 20% 19%
20%
10% 19% 19%
0%
2012 2011

12. Strong Improvement in Grade 3 ELA Scores, More Growth Needed
100%
9%
90% 18%
15%
80%
70% 23%
60%
38%
Advanced
Proficient
50%
Basic
Below Basic & Far Below Basic
33%
40%
30%
20%
37%
26%
10%
0%
2012 2011

13. Grade 3 Math Scores Show Significant Improvement
100%
15%
90%
80% 38%
24%
70%
60%
Advanced
a Proficient
50% 24%
Basic
Below Basic & Far Below Basic
37%
40%
30% 15%
20%
23% 24%
10%
0%
2012 2011

14. Grade 2 (2011) to Grade 3 (2012) ELA Scores Trade Down from 'Proficient' to 'Basic' as
Instructions are No Longer Read to Students
100%
18% 17%
90%
80%
70% 23%
33%
60%
Advanced
Proficient
50%
Basic
Below Basic & Far Below Basic
33%
40% 22%
30%
20%
29%
26%
10%
0%
2012 2011

15. Grade 2 (2011) to Grade 3 (2012) Math Scores Shift from 'Proficient' to 'Advanced' While
Combined 'Basic' and 'Below Basic' Remain the Same
100%
90%
26%
80% 38%
70%
60%
36% Advanced
Proficient
50% 24%
Basic
Below Basic & Far Below Basic
40%
30% 15%
19%
20%
23%
10% 19%
0%
2012 2011

16. Grade 4 ELA 'Proficient' Score Jumps; 'Below Basic/ Far Below Basic' Cut in Half
100%
90%
32% 30%
80%
70%
9%
60%
25% Advanced
Proficient
50%
Basic
32% Below Basic & Far Below Basic
40%
30% 28%
20%
29%
10%
15%
0%
2012 2011

17. Grade 4 Math Scores Shift Significantly Towards 'Advanced' & 'Proficient'
100%
90%
27%
80% 39%
70%
15%
60%
Advanced
19% Proficient
50%
Basic
24%
Below Basic & Far Below Basic
40%
15%
30%
20%
34%
28%
10%
0%
2012 2011

18. Grade 3 (2011) to Grade 4 (2012) Improves ELA Scores Across All Categories
100%
9%
90%
32% 15%
80%
70%
60%
25% 38%
Advanced
Proficient
50%
Basic
Below Basic & Far Below Basic
40%
30% 28%
20%
37%
10%
15%
0%
2012 2011

19. Grade 3 (2011) to Grade 4 (2012) Math Score Significantly Grows in 'Advanced' as 'Basic"
Declines
100%
15%
90%
80% 39%
24%
70%
60%
Advanced
19% Proficient
50%
Basic
Below Basic & Far Below Basic
37%
40%
15%
30%
20%
28%
24%
10%
0%
2012 2011

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Center Session Schedule
Monday:
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 abartlett@readingpartners.org or
Frances Ko, Site Coordinator, at
fko@readingpartners.org.

25. California’s Educational Budget:
We are working hard in difficult times
Since 2008 Do you know that Park
• California school budgets School has already been
affected by budget
have been cut by problems?
$20,000,00! • Reduced or eliminated
• 40,000 educators have personnel (many paid for
been laid off by Foundation)
• California now has the • Field trips (restored
largest class sizes in the through grants & our
nation Foundation)
• School supplies
• New programs have been
made available primarily
through Foundations,
individual gifts and
grants.

26. 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

27. Next PTA meeting is
Tuesday, Nov. 27 followed by
3rd grade star gazing
Goodnight & Drive Safely!