The PTO provides for programs designed to enhance each grade’s current curriculum, provides teachers with additional
materials not covered in the school’s budget, and hosts many family-fun and community events.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Highland View's Report Card


For those of you at the last PTO meeting, you remember the big news was the new school "report card" debuting this October.  Thanks again to Kim Amidzich for her presentation explaining what the report card meant to us as parents, and to our school.

To get a feel again for the standards we're being graded on, here's the Core Standards website:

http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards
and
http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/standards/ccss.html

And, here's the link to the actual Highland View Report Card:

http://reportcards.dpi.wi.gov/files/reportcards/pdf/SRC_Public_Highland_View_El_2011-12_002966-002959.PDF

In a nutshell, Highland View exceeds state expectations overall, and is significantly ahead of the state average in both math and reading (16.4 points ahead in math, 10 points ahead in reading).

There's also a FAQ available about the new report cards here:

http://www.greendale.k12.wi.us/12-13/resources/10-21-12-Report-Card-FAQs.pdf

Proposed Minutes Oct 15, 2012

Here are the minutes from the last meeting.  The opportunity to amend or revise will be available at the beginning of the next meeting if you see corrections that need made.

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Highland View PTO
October 15, 2012
Minutes (Proposed)


Twenty-six individuals were in attendance (including Dr. Tharp, Mrs. Amidzich, Mrs. Dietrich and five classroom teachers).

Dr. John Tharp, Superintendent of Schools for the Greendale School District, and HV parent, greeted the meeting participants and answered a few questions.

Ms. Kim Amidzich, Director of Learning and Assessment for the Greendale School District gave a presentation on the new school report card and changes in state and federal accountability measures. She discussed standards, assessment, and reporting. More information can be found on the district’s website: http://www.greendale.k12.wi.us/ as well as the state’s website: http://dpi.wi.gov/. 

The minutes of the September 24, 2012 meeting were approved.

Aleks Skibicki gave the Treasurer’s report, primarily focused on the fall fundraiser. He noted that over $14,000 in product was sold through the fundraiser and will have further information on the PTO’s profit at the next meeting.

Report on Past Events
Denise Sanders reported on the completion of the Highland View Phone Book, noting that it was distributed to PTO members on the prior Friday.

Current Projects/Upcoming Events
Spirit Wear: Jessica Anaya is researching companies to use for a spirit wear sale which she anticipates beginning in the next couple of weeks so that orders will be in before Christmas.

Fun Run/Walk for Education: Colleen Thiel indicated that approximately 120 participants are currently registered from Highland View. Registration is still open and the forecast looks good! Volunteers are still needed and should contact Colleen for more information.

All the World Festival: Amanda Kachikis noted that ten families have signed up to share their culture with other Highland View families. Ms. Bradley raised the idea of providing prizes/gifts to children who complete the world passport that they use throughout the event. It was determined that prizes could be purchased within the existing event budget.

Book Fair: The first book fair will be held in November in conjunction with parent/teacher conferences.

Conference Dinner: Kristin Settle noted that she is planning to provide sandwiches and ask parents to contribute salads and desserts for the staff conference dinner in November.

Spirit Days: Amanda Kachikis stated that Spirit Days are being held monthly and some of the fifth grade students are providing the primary organization for the days.

Florentine Opera
Mrs. Dietrich requested funds to bring the Florentine Opera’s performance of Little Red Riding Hood to Highland View for an assembly for 4K through 2nd grades. A motion was made to approve this expenditure and was then agreed to by the majority of members in attendance.

Principal’s Report
Mrs. Dietrich reviewed Highland View’s CARE philosophy. Students will be receiving CARE t-shirts in the near future, funded by Partners for Community Action. Over the coming weeks, staff will be teaching and modeling the behaviors that are desired through the CARE philosophy. She also informed parents that during this week, an all-school photo will be taken for use in the yearbook. WKCE testing will begin this week and continue for several weeks.

Meeting Conclusion
The gift card for most parents at the meeting was given to Mrs. D’Acquisto.

The meeting was adjourned.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Meeting Today! (Monday October 15th)

Just one more reminder for today's meeting.  It should be a good one.

Monday October 15th
6:00 P.M.

Meet the new Superintendent, Dr. Tharpe, and hear about the new state standards and report cards for schools from Kim Amidzich from Greendale School District.