A Report to the B o a r d - Woodland Hills School District Supt Update Web Version (Redacted).pdfJan 07, 2011 · Present: Ms. Allison Kline, Ms. Lyndsey Love, Ms. Lori McDowell,

A Report

to the

B o a r d

2010-2011

No. 20 January 7, 2011

A. School Board Agenda Setting Meeting – is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 7:30 PM in the Board Room in the Administration Office.

B. Distinguished Educator Meetings – Our Distinguished Educators, Drs. Elaine Brown and

Fred Smeigh, met this week with the principals at Dickson Elementary, Fairless Elementary, the Junior High, and the High School. Attachment 1, Attachment 2, Attachment 3 and Attachment 4 are the Agenda/Minutes from these meetings respectively.

C. Department Updates – the following Department Reports are included in this Update:

Attachment 5 – Business Office

Attachment 6 – Facilities Attachment 7 – Federal State and Foundation Programs Attachment 8 – Technology Attachment 9 – Transportation/Food Service

D. Building Highlights – The following highlights have been submitted by building principals:

Attachment 10 – Academy Attachment 11 – Dickson Elementary Attachment 12 – Fairless Elementary Attachment 13 – Shaffer Elementary Attachment 14 – Wilkins Elementary Attachment 15 – High School

E. Yearbook Picture Reminder – A photographer from Herff Jones will be here prior to the start

of the January 19, 2011 Legislative Meeting to take a group picture for the yearbook. The photographer is scheduled to be here at 7:15 PM.

F. Audit Report – The Audit Report will be delivered Monday afternoon, January 10, 2011.

DICKSON ELEMENTARY

Meeting Notes

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Present: Ms. Allison Kline, Ms. Lyndsey Love, Ms. Lori McDowell, and Dr. Elaine Brown

General Discussion:

The Principals, teacher coach, and DE briefly discussed future in-service trainings and

how we can make the most of the timeframe before PSSA administration.

We discussed salient points in the Dickson Elementary SAS plan as a three month review

to reflect on progress that was made to date this school year.

Math and Reading Eligible Content listed in the “Eye on the Goal” on the PDE website

will be targeted for grades 3-6 for teacher review; it was determined that posters will be

made for reading and math for grades 3-6 to help teachers quickly visualize what eligible

content they need to teach and/or remediate before PSSA administration; Ms. Kline

decided to hold a brief meeting tomorrow morning to encourage teachers and dispense

posters that will be made this afternoon. The posters will give teachers and

administration an immediate picture of progress and serve as a motivator for students to

realize what they need to know and how much they have learned. This is in addition to

the Anchors Checklist that teachers now complete.

Teachers will be encouraged and reminded where necessary to use benchmarks and to

use data from EdInsight for lesson planning.

Dr. Brown gave the team the Elementary RtII Checklist to begin completing so that more

in-service training can be planned for after PSSA administration; all available in-service

time is already planned up to that time.

Four walkthroughs were conducted by Ms. Love and Dr. Brown while Ms. Kline

attended a truancy hearing; we debriefed following this activity and included Ms. Kline.

Teachers are noticeably becoming more familiar and using instructional strategies per the

SAMME list developed by Ms. Kline. Principals will meet with specific teachers to point

out areas that need to be addressed to improve classroom instruction.

Dr. Brown suggested to the teacher coach that she begin listing all her building activities

in writing so that she can begin to develop a job description; this is a newly defined

position at WHSD and teacher coach services are valuable to the building staff for

improving student achievement. Joyce and Showers have been involved researching staff

development processes over the last few decades and have presented their findings in a

Attachment 1

2002 work entitled Student Achievement through Staff Development. A brief description

of their findings is presented below.

TEACHER SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND

CLASSROOM IMPLEMENTATION

TRAINING

COMPONENTS KNOWLEDGE

SKILL

DEMONSTRATION

EFFECTIVE &

CONTINUOUS

IMPLEMENTATION

IN CLASSROOM

Theory and

discussion 10% 5% 0%

Demonstration or

Modeling in

Training

30% 20% 0%

Practice and

Feedback in

Training

60% 60% 5%

Coaching in

Classroom 95% 95% 95%

Joyce and Showers, Student Achievement Through Staff Development, 2002

The authors found that coaching appeared to contribute to the successful transfer of new skills to

effective practice in the classroom. They found five ways that this occurred:

Coached teachers practiced new strategies with greater frequency and skill then

uncoached teachers.

Coached teachers adapted the strategies more appropriately to their own goals and

contests then did uncoached teachers.

Coached teachers retained and even increased their skill over time as opposed to

uncoached teachers who did not demonstrate the same retention

Coached teachers were more likely to explain the concepts behind the new teaching

strategy to students then uncoached teachers.

Most students respond better to a new strategy if they understand the purpose behind it.

Compiled by: Elaine M. Brown, Ed D.

FAIRLESS ELEMENTARY

Meeting Notes

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Present: Jean Livingston, Kelly Berthold, and Elaine Brown

General Discussion:

Principals and Dr. Brown reviewed the SAS survey to update the progress the staff is making

with implementing best practices. Some of the major questions we addressed were:

o Are teachers demonstrating that they are following eligible content vs. teaching the book

for lesson planning?

o Are teachers posting standards/eligible content and following such as a guide for their

instruction?

o Are teachers improving with formative assessment?

o Are teachers using flexible grouping and benchmarks for intervention?

o Does benchmark testing e.g. DIBELS and 4Sight show any improvement?

o Do teachers utilize EdInsight to obtain data for their students? Are teachers using

individual student data to discuss individual progress with students?

o What is the teacher comfort level with instructional strategies (SAMME form) at this

juncture?

The instructional teacher coach is working with the principals to in-service teachers with

instructional strategies that teachers indicated they do not have comfort using. The principals and

DE reviewed and prioritized which instructional strategies would be targeted before PSSA

administration based on the lack of teacher comfort per teacher survey results and which

strategies yield the highest return for implementation as shown by Marzano’s research. Dr.

Brown will send information to the principals relative to instructional strategy videos available on

PDE’s website for potential training use.

Principals and Dr. Brown performed four walkthroughs and debriefed. Dr. Brown noted that all

classrooms visited were implementing an effective instructional strategy. This was not noticeable

earlier in the school year. Teachers are making an effort to implement good teaching. Teachers

should be commended for their effort and principals were encouraged to continue positive

coaching as teachers use proven researched based methodology.

An RtII Checklist was left with principals to begin reviewing; this will be used as a tool to help

plan for future in-service needs.

Compiled by: Dr. Elaine M. Brown

Attachment 2

Woodland Hills Junior High School

(Meeting Notes – January 4, 2011)

Present: Dawn Golden, Norm Catalano, Frederick Smeigh

Action Plan for Improving Student Achievement Draft

We reviewed the draft Action Plan Dawn prepared. It was well done and we only discussed a few

revisions. We decided to start with active engagement and higher-order thinking skills. Then move on to

formative assessment, scaffolding and content area reading. The teacher coaches will prepare material for

content area reading. We discussed the fact that 90% of the reading the students do after high school will

be informational not narrative and the vital need for content area teachers to help students interact with

the textbook and other supplemental reading materials presented in their subject areas.

We discussed the use of graphic organizers and the need to start with some basic graphic organizers all

staff should use and then expand as staff becomes proficient with their use.

I suggested she look for additional ways to communicate the plan and the expectations to the staff using

different mediums of communication. Communication needs to be ongoing!

We looked at the material I had sent on active engagement and the draft power-point Dawn prepared.

Dawn decided she could combine information from both.

We discussed the use of the data teams such as how often they will meet, what will be their charge, how

they will communicate with teachers, etc.

Dawn is developing a list of look-fors that she and the asst. principals will be looking for when they enter

the classrooms. We discussed the possibility of walkthroughs with the Superintendent and Deputy

Superintendent.

RtII

We discussed the vital need to improve the Tier 1 program in the JHS. We also discussed the need for

effective targeted interventions to help the current academically deficient students improve before they

reach the high school.

Next Year’s In-service

We discussed the need to develop a plan and stick to it, not move on to new initiatives until the current

initiatives have been successfully implemented. Next year’s in-services should be planned this spring and

the school calendar adopted with the strategic scheduling of in-service days as a priority.

Next Week

Next week a will go over current research on how formerly low achieving secondary schools have been

able to turn themselves around and become high-achieving schools. What are the common strands that

flow through their reform programs?

Notes prepared by Frederick Smeigh PH.D.

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Text Box

Attachment 3

Woodland Hills Junior High School

(Meeting Notes – January 6, 2011)

Present: Dawn Golden, Lawrence Washington, Frederick Smeigh

Research on Effective Schools

We began to review research I have compiled on effective secondary schools, concentrating on

case studies and statistical research. We were looking at what are the practices and

characteristics of schools that are effective at improving the academic performance of previously

low-achieving students? What do successful low-income secondary schools ? We focus on

discussed how changes at secondary schools must be systemic to succeed. Attempts to improve

schools systems by tinkering, random acts of improvement, or piecemeal reforms seldom

succeed.

This morning we focused on academic engagement, higher-level thinking skills, highly

effective instructional strategies, improving secondary students’ reading skills, effective

professional development, academic rigor and relevance, effective use of time, homework, and

interventions. Throughout the year we will cover these topics in greater detail.

At our next meeting we will focus on the research concerning tracking, leadership,

organizational change, collaboration, focus and commitment, data, and positive school climate.

.

Notes prepared by Frederick Smeigh PH.D.

WOODLAND HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

Meeting Notes

January 5, 2011

Present: Licia Lentz, Marlo Robinson, Fred Smeigh

Academic Improvement Plan

The administrators have been meeting with department heads to introduce and review effective

strategies as advanced organizers for the upcoming teacher in-services. Some departments have

expressed an interest in working together. They have also introduced the department heads to the

Backward Design Concepts from the work of Grant Wiggins and Jay M’Tighe.

The high school and JHS will be working together to develop the in-service plans for teachers.

This will provide continuity as students move from the HS to JHS. Mrs. Golden has already

drafted a plan and the HS will work with her in developing a joint plan for both schools.

We discussed the importance of chunking the information with teachers so they are not

overwhelmed, and when presenting the new information, the administration should model the

strategies they want the teacher to use in the classroom.

I provided the administrators with a summary of what the Marzano Labs would have presented

several years ago when they provided an in-service for the Woodland Hills staff and a short

easily understood description of the revision of Bloom’ Taxonomy. I will attach an electronic

version to the e-mail that includes these notes.

I did send out yesterday a power-point introducing formative assessment and also one on

questioning strategies and Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy.

I will be in Hersey next week (Tuesday – Friday) to attend a conference on “Making a

Difference: Educational Practices that Work!” so we will not meet again until January 19, 2011.

At that time we can resume walkthroughs.

Prepared by Frederick Smeigh

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Text Box

Attachment 4

Business Office Activity Week of January 3, 2011

The following activities were conducted this week in the Business Office

Accounts Payable Processing for the following funds --

o General

o Athletics

o Capital Reserve

1011 Year End Projections in Process

o 1011 Forecast – in process

Budget 1112

o Elementary Enrollment Projections completed (see attached)

DCED Grant Update

o Swissvale Library -- $15000 # C000033498 – Second letter received from state requesting

final expenditure report or return of funds. Business office has file copy in its records of

signed revised budget application form by Business Manager and Superintendent approving

grant deadline extension. State is indicating that signatures were never received in

Harrisburg so extension can’t be given to the District. Business office has asked for

assistance from Senator Jay Costa’s office and sent budget extension forms to Senator

Costa’s office requesting that the District be afforded the extension on expenditure of funds.

Dr. Calinger will be responding to the latest letter.

Meetings

o Curriculum Committee Meeting

o Superintendent’s Budget Meeting

Purchase Order Processing of Requisitions

Deposits

WHEA Salary Matrices

January board tabs

Charter Schools –

o All Propel Schools

o Frick Environmental

January 10, 2011 payroll processing

Financial Reporting

o MD&A in Process and Notes

o Year end 2010 payroll processing

o Premium Assistance

o Fringe Benefit Processing

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Building & Grounds Weekly Superintendent’s Report

January 5, 2011 Page 1

District Holiday Cleaning

Fairless Elementary

¾ of the kitchen was given 2 fresh coats of paint. Project completion expected by

1/9/2011

Damaged/soiled ceiling tile replaced in the kitchen.

Hallways in one wing stripped and waxed.

Bathrooms in one wing stripped and waxed including walls

Dickson

1st floor, 3

rd floor and stairwells were repainted.

Annual scrubbing and resurfacing of the gym floor.

2 classrooms stripped and waxed.

Stairwell resealed.

Bathrooms buffed.

Wilkins Elementary

2nd

floor halls scrubbed and buffed.

Basement floor scrubbed and buffed.

Main hall from gym to cafeteria scrubbed and buffed.

Cafeteria scrubbed and buffed.

2nd

floor bathroom partitions cleaned.

2nd

floor walls spot cleaned.

All windows/glass cleaned.

Main hall lighting checked and replaced.

Attachment 6



Classroom lighting replaced and cleaned.

1st and 2

nd floor yellow painting and touch-ups completed.

Carpet in the 1st floor lounge cleaned.

Section of room 112 carpet cleaned due to univent leak.

Shaffer

Hallway floors mopped and buffed.

Multi-purpose room mopped and buffed.

Academy

Gymnasium mopped and buffed.

Hallway floors and classroom floors mopped and buffed.

High School

87’ wing stairwells repainted.

Hallway floors mopped and buffed.

Locker fronts dusted and cleaned.

Glass and windows cleaned.

Restroom partitions cleaned.

Junior High

Mopped and buffed hallways.

Bathroom floors top scrubbed and sealed.

Exit sign lighting replaced.

Fluorescent lighting replaced.



Cafeteria floor top scrubbed.

Current Building and Grounds Information

Damage to the Junior High baseball field in the form of tire tracks 4-5” deep at 3rd

base.

Damage report filed with Swissvale Police. Repairs will take place in the spring.

Report of no heat at Dickson Elementary. Initial attempt to reset boiler failed.

HVAC/Maintenance personnel arrived and reset pump #1 and #2. Boiler #1 and #2 now

working.

Palombo Landscaping submitted Certificate of Substantial Completion. The certificate

will not affect the warranty since the warranty will not be in effect until the date of final

payment has been submitted. Remaining milestone to be closed before project can be

turned over involves touch up paint.

Proposed Projects

September 8, 2010 Legislative meeting proposal for the current school library to be

transformed into the Woodland Hills High School Technology Center. Status: (To

advertise RFP for architectural services approved at the September 8, 2010 Legislative

meeting.)

o Instructional Technology.

o Relocation and transformation of library to media center for community use along

with technology upgrades and furniture replacement. (Est. Furniture Cost

$29,000.00 Furniture Replacement - Funding Source: General Fund)

o Window replacement.

o HVAC upgrades to include air conditioning.

September 8, 2010 Legislative meeting proposal to relocate Administration Offices

to the Woodland Hills Junior High.



September 8, 2010 Legislative meeting proposal to relocate Technology Department

to Woodland Hills High School.

1st quarter 2009 proposal of renovation to the former Turtle Creek High School.

(Architectural services required for project)

o Elevator

o Windows

o HVAC upgrades to include whole building air conditioning. (Est. Cost $2,

800,000 - Funding Source ’05 Bond)

o Relocation of the information center to 1st floor.

o Pool equipment upgrade.

o Pool ventilation upgrade. (Est. Cost $185,000 - Funding Source ’05 Bond)

o Former library converted to classrooms.

Proposal of new tennis courts at the Woodland Hills High School. (Postponed by School

Board) (Est. Cost $687,500 - Funding Source: Capital Reserve)

Renovation of existing tennis courts. (Postponed by School Board) (Est. Cost of $18,000

allocated to Capital Reserve for 2011-2012. (Architectural services required due to

cost)

Proposal of soccer field lights at the Woodland Hills High School (proposal tabled in

December of 2009.) (Est. Cost $275,000 - Funding Source: ’05 Bond)

Proposal of the Edgewood Elementary governors drive and parking lot. (Est. Cost

$1,132,350 - Funding Source: ’05 Bond) (Postponed by School Board)



Completed Projects

1st quarter 2009 (June) completion of the Eastmont School Demolition.

2nd

quarter of 2009 (May) trained staff and implemented electronic work order system

MaintenanceDirect by SchoolDude.

2nd

quarter of 2009 (June 18th

) Wolvarena Stadium Flood, Edgewood Flood.

o Wolvarena opened and ready (August 21st) for the 2009-2010 season.

2nd

quarter of 2010 (June 5th

) Wolvarena Stadium Flood.

o Operational (July 29th

) for 2010-2011 football camp.

2nd

quarter of 2010 (July 19th

) completion of Edgewood Elementary rear wall completed.

2nd

quarter of 2010 (August 24th

) completion of the 7 to 7 renovation at Woodland Hills

High School.

3rd

quarter of 2009 (August 1st) transformed the former East Junior High to the

Woodland Hills Academy.

3rd

quarter of 2009 (September 4th

) reconfiguration of school district to K-6.

3rd

quarter of 2010 (September 21st) completion of the new Woodland Hills High School

marquee. (Est. Cost 24,000 – Funding Source: Lifelong Learning Grant)

3rd

quarter of 2010 (September 18th

) Siemens replaced the FLNC (Floor Level Network

Control) panel for the energy management system on.

3rd

quarter of 2010 (October 18th

) Edgewood gym flooring preparation and installation

began. Installation by Advanced Specialties. Project completion on November 2, 2010.

November 4th

facility improvements grant application submittal for the Swissvale

Carnegie Free Library Ramp Project.



November 10th

new guard rails have been installed in the front and back of Shaffer

Elementary School.

4th quarter of 2010 (October 15th

) began implementation of new comprehensive staff

PFP (Partnering for Performance) evaluation and procedures. December 1st, 2010

introduction of PFP process to Principals and custodial staff.

3rd

quarter of 2010 (October 13th

) steel door ordered from A B Specialties for the

replacement of the rear door at the Swissvale Library. Lead time on delivery is 6 weeks

and will be installed by A B Specialties.

4th quarter of 2010 (December) completion of the facility scheduling improvements

using FSDirect by SchoolDude and district wide internal event scheduling. FSDirect

facility use/community use scheduling set to be made public on the district website by

January 1st, 2010.

Continuing Projects

2nd

quarter of 2010 Woodland Hills High School baseball/softball renovation.

Project is 98% complete as of October 20, 2010. (Cost $1,024,600.00 Funding Source:

’05 Bond)

o Concrete strength test was performed on day 56 to test strength of concrete.

Testing showed three areas that are below 4500.

Test area 004 (Softball) (S.O.G) Slab on Grade tested at 3940.

Test area 012 (Softball) (S.O.G.) Slab on Grade tested at 4460.

Test area 019 (baseball bleacher pad) tested at 4340.

o Palombo landscaping will replace concrete areas due to test failure at 56 days.



o Palombo landscaping along with Stone & Company will perform Schmidt testing

on test areas 004, 012, 019.

o Memorandum from George Novak dated September 14, 2010 requesting change

to baseball outfield at third base area.

o Change requested by George Novak in memorandum of September 24, 2010 was

approved at Facility Committee meeting on October 27, 2010. Remediation of

swale on the baseball field will be completed at no charge to the district. Palombo

Landscaping to start week of November 1, 2010.

o Palombo Landscaping completed excavation for the remediation of the swale at

the baseball field on November 10, 2010. George Novak and Dan Stephens

visited the site and approved of the excavation. Palombo Landscaping will install

new sod on November 11, 2010. Remediation will be at no cost to the school

district.

o Palombo Landscaping and Stone & Company performed a Schmidt Hammer test

October 21st on areas 004, 012, and 019. Test results will be made available

upon receipt.

o The Schmidt Hammer test results for areas 004, 012, and 019 were above 4500

which indicates the concrete meets the acceptable strength specifications.

Palombo Landscaping will guarantee all concrete work for 5 years. Replacement,

if needed, would be at no cost to the school district. J.D. Construction will also

apply Densicrete Sealer supplied by Stone and Company to the concrete areas for

2 years. Palombo Landscaping will schedule the application of the sealer with the

district.



Capital Reserve Projects for 2010-2011

Woodland Hills High School

o Architectural RFP

o Relocate main water meter vault to Braddock Road. (Est. Cost $46,000.00)

Junior High School

o Architectural RFP

o Resurface driveway and parking lots. (Est. Cost $141,000.00)

o Loading dock restoration. (Est. Cost $41,000.00)

o Pool boiler replacement. (Est. Cost $36,000.00)

Quotes received.

Requested and awaiting funding from Business Office.

Purchase order to be generated.

Installation to be performed in-house.

Purchase order received on 11/15. Order placed with V-Systems on

11/15.

Fairless, Shaffer, High School

o Architectural RFP

o Sidewalk/curb replacement (Est. Cost $72, 060.00) (Architectural services

required for project)

Architectural RFP Timeline

Estimated completion date for advertisement of RFP – To Be Determined.

o Architectural RFP draft completed October 14, 2010.



o Facility Committee changes to draft request at October 27th

meeting. Changes to

draft completed November 2, 2010.

3 week advertisement of RFP – To Be Determined.

Facility Committee/Chairperson to review RFP – To Be Determined.

School Board to approve architectural firm.

Architectural RFP to be advertised on December 8th

, 15th

, and 22nd

of 2010.

RFP due on December 29th

, 2010.

Facilities Committee Meeting

Facilities Committee met on December 14, 2010.

December Work Order Report

As of December 31, 2010 we have processed 5,349 standard and on-demand work

orders in Maintenance Direct since its implementation in May 2009. 4,867 work

orders have been successfully closed of which 1,847 were for the high school.

As of January 6, 2011 there are 275 work orders that are in progress.

o For the month of December the maintenance staff completed 291 standard and on-

demand work orders:

Academy - 9

Administration - 8

Dickson - 16

Eastmont Property - 0

Edgewood - 24



Fairless - 9

High School - 154

Junior High - 39

Rankin - 2

Shaffer - 8

Swissvale Senior Citizen Center/Library - 2

Warehouse - 2

Wilkins - 7

Wolvarena - 11

o For the month of December, the average age of the 291 closed standard and on-

demand work orders was 31 days.



WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION EMPLOYER AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, OR HANDICAP IN ITS ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

AS REQUIRED BY TITLE VI, TITLE IX AND SECTION 504.

ANTHONY G. ROBINS, Ph.D.

Director, Federal, State and Foundation Programs

Email: [email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

2430 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-731-1300 Fax 412-731-2974

January 6, 2011

Walter M. Calinger, Ph.D, Superintendent

2430 Greensburg Pike

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15221

Dear Dr. Calinger,

During December 15, 2010 - January 5, 2011, the following activities were engaged:

Completed and submitted mid-year reports for Dual Enrollment grants and ABG grant.

Required reports have submitted meeting the required deadlines.

Participated in a parent open house (POH) for the SHINE program. A holiday themed POH took

place at Fairless Elementary School on December 15, 2010 from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The

meeting allowed parents to witness the exciting activities their children are participating as the

students’ skills are enhanced in reading and mathematics. Eighty parents/ guardians were in

attendance. Each SHINE participant was given an age-appropriate gift. Gifts were donations

from Mr. Randolph Wilson, a friend of the WHSD.

Continued to collaborate with Marietta College staff regarding upcoming student visit to the

District. Students from the School of Education from Marietta College will visit the WHSD

January 24-28, 2011. The visit will include an orientation, observation periods, panel discussion

with district educators and administrators, and debriefing exercise. A detailed agenda and

schedule of weekly events are forthcoming.

Worked with business office to provide necessary paperwork for external audit conducted by Mr.

Mark Turnley. Questions on IDEA and IDEA-ARRA are being addressed.

Engaged compliance work. I continue to work with the business office to make we are

complying with all requirements related to grants and their maintenance. With the assistance of

Mr. Turnley, a binder has been created with all of the current regulations and guidelines for

compliance for all federal and state programs. While we had some of the information, the new

binder serves as a great tool to get quick and timely answers to questions related to compliance.

Responses to the parent survey on Extend Day/ Extended Year are being tabulated. Hard copies

from district schools are being collected. A comprehensive report is forthcoming.

Continued to work with Ralonda Robertson and Tomeka Billingsley to address the SHINE

program budget. A revised budget narrative and summary budget will be submitted to the 21st

Century Community Learning Center shortly.

Prepared for January Title I parent meeting. Details are forthcoming.

The first installment ($50,000.00) of the Heinz Endowments funds (i.e., $200,000.00 allocated

for a two-years period) to support the Healthy Lifestyles Initiative at the WHHS arrived over the

holiday break. These funds will support the planning phase of the project. A planning meeting

Attachment 7



with program coordinators will convene Wednesday, January 12, 2011. The implementation of

the program is slated to start Fall 2011.

Please accept the aforementioned activities as evidence that I engage and complete various tasks that are

beyond writing grants. Let this evidence show that during this short period, I continue to exercise fully

my role as Director of Federal, State and Foundation Programs.

Sincerely,

A. Geron Robins, Ph.D.

Director, Federal, State and Foundation Programs



Agenda for Marietta College Visit

January 23, 2010

6:00 p.m. Meet-and-Greet (Hotel)

January 24, 2010

7:45 a.m.—8:00 a.m. Pickup from hotel and travel to WH Academy

8:15 a.m.—9:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m.—9:45 a.m. Orientation (WH Academy, LGI Room)

9:45 a.m.—10:30 a.m. Tour (Small groups will tour the WH Academy.)

10:30 a.m.—11:00 a.m. Pickup from WH Academy and travel to assigned schools

11:20 a.m.—1:45 p.m. Lunch*

11:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m. Observation**

2:10 p.m.—4:30 p.m. Pickup/ Travel to hotel***

6:00 p.m. Optional Evening Activity: Girls’ Basketball (WHHS)

January 25, 2010

6:30 a.m. Pickup

6:45 a.m.—9:00 a.m. Breakfast****

7:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m. Observation

11:20 a.m.—1:45 p.m. Lunch

2:10 p.m.—4:30 p.m. Pickup/ Travel to hotel

TBD Dr. Beltran-Revilla (cultural experience and an overview of the

multicultural curriculum)

6:00 p.m. Optional Evening Activity: Boys’ Basketball (WHHS)

January 26, 2010

6:30 a.m. Pickup

6:45 a.m.—9:00 a.m. Breakfast


11:20 a.m.—1:45 p.m. Lunch



2:10 p.m.—4:30 p.m. Pickup from assigned school/ Travel to hotel

5:30 p.m. Pickup from hotel en route to restaurant

6:00 p.m. Dinner (Pasqualinos Italian Restaurant)

January 27, 2010

6:30 a.m. Pickup

6:45 a.m.—9:00 a.m. Breakfast***


11:20 a.m.—1:45 p.m. Lunch

2:10 p.m.—4:30 p.m. Pickup/ Travel to hotel

6:00 p.m. Optional Evening Activity: Swimming and Diving (WHHS)

7:00 p.m. Optional Evening Activity: Wrestling (WHHS)

January 28, 2010

6:30 a.m. Pickup

6:45 a.m.—9:00 a.m. Breakfast***

7:00 a.m.—10:45 a.m. Debriefing (Assigned school)

10:50 a.m.—11:15 p.m. Pickup/ Travel to WH Academy

11:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m. Closing Event (WH Academy)

Bag lunches will be provided.

*Marietta students will participate in one of the lunch periods in the block of time designated for lunch.

His/her assigned school administrator or his/her designee will determine the lunch period.

**Marietta students will spend full academic days in classrooms observing at their assigned schools.

The start and end times will be determined by their placements.

***Assigned school will determine the pick-up schedule. Schools end their days at different times.

****Marietta students will participate in breakfast at the time breakfast is served by the assigned school.

Technology Department Weekly Report 1-6-11 Keith installed 25 new Mac minis in two classrooms at the HS and replaced outdated Linux workstations. Dan replaced 25 workstations in the Technology Instruction room at the Academy with new Mac minis. He then relocated the workstations to another lab and replaced aging hardware from 2003. Dan configured the new iPods for Dickson with remote location/security control. He installed WiFi in library and corrected some configuration issues. We have imaged Mac minis for the Jr. High and Shaffer and we will begin deploying them next week. Brian filed Erate 470 forms over the break. Brian has been scheduling SIS (Student Information Services) and Financial Software demos with the remaining vendors. The CSIU is scheduled this afternoon to Demo their Financial Software package to our Business and Personnel Departments. ProSoft is scheduled to Demo their current Web Modules on Monday January 10th. Software Answers is coming to our District Tuesday, January 11th and Wednesday, January 12th to Demo their solution.

Steve added Ares to the domain and set the permissions to the shared folders. He permanently shut down Nemesis, our old domain controller and added a domain group policy to the High School and Jr. High BXP image. In addition he is continuing to evaluate Microsoft's free email program for all of the schools. We are currently editing and uploading the January Curriculum Meeting to the WHSD website. BJ attended the staff collection phase 1 PIMS webinar and started working on the PIMS staff collection. In addition she is making changes to the 09/10 graduation /dropout collection. Keith and has been working on helpdesk tickets and on the spot fixes for various IT related issues in all of the District Buildings. Courtland is out on sick leave after having surgery on his shoulder this over the break.

Attachment 8

DANIEL BREITKREUTZ Director, Student Operational Services

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

2430 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-731-1300 412-731-2974

TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD SERVICE WEEKLY UPDATE

Transportation:

o Three buses have been eliminated to better align costs. One change took effect this week with

minimal issues-extended bus run to Propel McKeesport.

o Two additional routes will be eliminated next Monday. There are a few logistical concerns that

may need to be addressed-transition from Junior High to Shaffer.

o There have been six additional homeless students added to specialized transportation this

week. Three children from Bridgeville was cost $252/day. One child to McKeesport will cost

$25/day (AM only). Two children to McKeesport will cost $75/day (PM only).

o There is a seventh child pending that will add an additional $84/day.

Food Service:

o The auditor is in the final stages of his food service audit. He is anticipating a response to the

school board early next week.

o The November invoice has been reviewed with the business office and submitted for payment.

o The YTD loss through November is at $79,693.

o Details are still pending on the opportunity to work with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food

Bank.

Attachment 9



REGINALD HICKMAN, Principal

WOODLAND HILLS ACADEMY

126 Monroeville Avenue, Turtle Creek, PA 15145 412-824-2450

Sponsored by Student Leadership, the Academy collected 2500 food goods for Holiday baskets. The 8 baskets were given to 8 Academy families. The reaming food went to local shelters and food banks. Jolene Manney, Venneasha Davis, and Ebony Taylor all played a major role in this effort.

Mr. Hickman is meeting with individual teachers to discuss their class and subject specific plans to improve student performance in preparation for PSSAs.

We continue to hold Saturday tutoring sessions. The next is on January 8, 2011. Mr. Hickman along with Mrs. Golden, Ms. Balas, and Mr. Catalano met with Judge

Dwayne Woodruff and Judge Milligan to discuss the participation of Woodland Hills Junior High students participating in the regional “Do The Write Thing” essay contest. Students will produce essays that focus on how to stop youth violence.

On Thursday December 16, the Elementary Holiday Music Festival was held in the auditorium. The students performed seasonal classics under the guidance Mrs. Endler, Mrs. Hertrick, and Mr. Hertrick.

Mr. Hickman read Llama Llama Holiday Drama to students from K-2 on Friday December 17, 2010.

On Wednesday January 12, 2011 we will begin after school swimming and tutoring sponsored by PIE and the Parent Volunteer Center.

On Tuesday January 11, 2011 we will hold the Beginners Band Concert @ 2pm. This will be under the guidance of Mrs. Endler.

Mrs. Davis, Mr. Murdoch and the students from our Dance pathway, under the guidance of Mrs.Davis will participate in “Dancing with the Teachers” on Saturday January 8, 2011.

We will have parent meetings on Tuesday January 11 @ 9am, 1pm, and 7pm.

Attachment 10

Dickson Elementary School

January 3-7, 2011

Weekly Positive Highlights

Dickson Students attended the Children’s Institute “Kids on the

Block” puppet show, which teaches tolerance and understanding of

people with special needs.

The Student Leadership Group is selling stars for “Dancing with the

Teachers” Dickson banner.

The sixth grade students are planning and practicing anti-bullying

skits to present to the rest of the school during the 2nd

semester

Olweus Program Assembly.

All Dickson classes are participating in an anti-bullying door

decorating contest to kick off the 2nd

semester of the Olweus Program.

Doors are to be completed by Jan. 18.

Attachment 11



Jean Marie Livingston, Principal

Kelly Berthold, Assistant Principal

FAIRLESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

531 Jones Avenue, North Braddock, PA 15104 412-271-1317 fax 412-271-6657

Positives from Fairless Welcome back from the Winter Break and Happy 2011. Fairless received a fax from Donors Choose.org that Mrs. Klicker was awarded “Larger String Instruments for Growing Students”. This will be a wonderful addition to our music program. The Fairless Service Club will be volunteering at the Food Bank this weekend.

Attachment 12

Dr. Deborah M. Vereen, Principal

Mr. Gerald Chessman, Assistant Principal

SHAFFER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 37 Garden Terrace, Pittsburgh, PA 15221

TELEPHONE 412-371- 4535 FACIMILE 412-371- 4571

[email protected] ELECTRONIC MAIL

A Team Committed to Excellence

WEEKLY POSITIVE MESSAGE

01/03/11 Shaffer is promoting the Millionaire Book Club. 01/04/11 Three of Shaffer’s staff were honored for the G.R.E.A.T. Staff Member

of the Month. They are Mr. Hertrick (Music Teacher), Ms. Rooney (School Nurse), and Ms. Rooney (Kindergarten Teacher).

01/05/11 Three first grade students were selected to have lunch with the

principal. 01/06/11 The monthly Faculty Agenda Meeting was held today. 12/17/10 Two students and one staff member were honored today for Shaffer’s

Perfect Weekly Attendance.

Weekly Positive Message-01-07-11

Attachment 13

mailto:[email protected]



MRS. KAREN E. BLOCH, Principal

Wilkins Elementary

362 Churchill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Phone: 412-824-3231 Fax: 412-824-3244

MEMORANDUM

TO: Dr. Calinger and Dr. Wallace FROM: Mrs. Karen E. Bloch RE: Notables from Wilkins Elementary Week of December 13 - 17, 2010 DATE: 01/03/11 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Teachers continue to assess students’ strengths and weaknesses. Weaknesses are targeted with feedback and practice materials for students to use at home and school. Teachers also provide extended practice for home and school use for those students who are above the bar. All parents are notified of their child's progress and what they can do to enhance their child's learning at home. Teachers are using this data to make adjustments to each students "J-Curve" goals in January. A student-parent-faculty-sing-along took place on Friday, December 17. There was a 1/2 hour session for Pre-K-6 and a 1/2 hour session for grades 4-6. Both sessions were nicely attended. Teachers have begun work on preparing for the upcoming in-service. Respectfully submitted, Karen E. Bloch

Attachment 14



MR. DANIEL STEPHENS, Principal

MRS. LICIA LENTZ, Assistant Principal

MR. KEVIN MURRAY, Assistant to the Principal

MRS. MARLO ROBINSON, Assistant Principal

WOODLAND HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

2550 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-244-1100 412-242-2344 (Fax)

M E M O R A N D U M TO: Dr. Calinger And Dr. Wallace

FROM: Dan Stephens

DATE: January 5, 2011

RE: High School Activities

The following activities occurred at the high school since Thursday, December 15, 2010:

The High School Staff and Students are extremely proud of Mr. Jason Coleman. Mr.

Coleman has been informed that he has exceeded the standard for National Board

certification set by the board of directors of the National Board for Professional teaching Standards (NBPTS). Mr. Coleman states, “Although I set forth on this

journey for self-reflection and other intrinsic reasons, as a Woodland Hills graduate I am proud that I am having a positive impact on the students and staff here at

WHHS as an instructional coach.” Congratulations Mr. Coleman!

The High School Greenhouse will receive a $500 donation from Late Bloomers to assist in

irrigation during holidays and summers. The money will also be used to purchase soil, pots, and seeds to incorporate the greenhouse in Biology and Ecology classroom.

From the Gifted Department:

World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh’s Global Scholarship Program will have great competition

this year because we have nominated Eileen Wu and Mario Scaramouche. The Gifted Dept. feels confident that these two students will be awarded scholarships to travel overseas

this summer to live with a host family.

The Mock Trial Team is diligently getting ready for the University of Pittsburgh’s Honors

College mock trial competition this weekend. The team is wonderful and looks forward to another winning season of competition which is a Woodland Hills tradition.

Graphiti Magazine is well underway with an amazing cover design, a time line, and format

for the book already in process. The finale edition will be ready in May.

From the Math Department:

Mr. Coles, Mrs. Hart, and Mrs. Wilkes held a friendly competition between their Geometry classes on Friday, Dec. 17. They used the activate system (part of the Promethean

technology) in small collaborative groups to engage the student in a game relating the materials they had learned to date in Geometry. Even during the 8th period, with 60+ students

from three classes competing with each other, there was evident of learning present. It

was a great activity that got all the students involved and provided the teachers an opportunity to formatively assess the students’ progress.

Attachment 15



Prior to the Winter Break, the Ski Club took 40 students to 7 Springs Mountain Resort, some of whom had never skied or snowboarded before. Most students new to the sport had a positive experience and some even learned to ski or snowboard fairly well on their first day out, which is a major accomplishment as far as those sports go. The Club’s next trip is scheduled for Sunday, January 16, to 7 Springs. The Rifle Team members have begun their season with a perfect record. The Wolverines posted perfect performances in the six pre-season matches, a feat never accomplished by a Wolverine rifle team before. The team’s potential and performance grows and improved with each passing week. The team boasts 45 members in grades 9-12. This year’s captains, Anna Rubin and Alyssa Hoffee, have the team excited for another great season. With the money generated by the HS staff and students; three students (Alex Neal, Anna Rubin and Asreal Harewood) went to Target to purchase gifts for Children’s Hospital’s Wish List. The HS raised over $400 to purchase these gifts. Pictures are available to show the students buying the gifts and dropping them off at Children’s.

Documents

A Report to the B o a r d - Woodland Hills School District Supt Update Web Version (Redacted).pdfJan 07, 2011 · Present: Ms. Allison Kline, Ms. Lyndsey Love, Ms. Lori McDowell,