SPRING-FORD BOARD NOTES

Spring-Ford is a Best Community for Music Education

Tom Kelly of Zeswitz Music recognized the Spring-Ford Area School District on being named as one of the Best Communities for Music Education.

 

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Spring-Ford answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

 

Click the button below to watch the full presentation.

Student Spotlights

Seth Jones, Emily McGranahan, and Yvonne O'Dea, SFAHS music teachers, presented the following Student Resolutions at the May 24, 2021 Board Meeting recognizing these Music Department Students on their outstanding achievements: 

The Board recognized the 8th Grade Boys' Basketball Team and the 9th Grade Boys' Basketball Team on their undefeated seasons.

 

Click here to watch the full presentation.

Spring-Ford Superintendent Update

In a unanimous vote, the Board of School Directors appointed Mr. Rizzo to be Spring-Ford's new Superintendent of Schools! Over the next few months, Mr. Rizzo will focus on the safe return of students and staff in the 2021-2022 school year and address the academic and emotional impact of the pandemic here in Spring-Ford. As well, he hopes to:

• Use our experiences from the past year to advance the Spring-Ford Learning model and 21st Century Learning.
• Equip our teachers at the K-4 level with the skill set to implement the Spring-Ford Learning model.
• Better understand the needs of our students and how we can support them through the work of the EDI Committee.
• Build relationships with our staff, students, and community by meeting individually and collectively.
• Rebuild trust within our school community.

Mr. Rizzo joined the Spring-Ford family in June 2019 as Assistant Superintendent. On February 22, 2021, Mr. Rizzo was appointed to serve as the Acting Superintendent for the District. Congratulations Mr. Rizzo!

TAKE NOTE: BUDGET UPDATE

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Community Relations Committee

The Community Relations Committee met on Tuesday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. in person and on Zoom. Andrew Rothermel shared updates from the RCTV studio including a Tricaster upgrade and new PTZ cameras. These additions to the studio will be installed over the summer. Mr. Rothermel noted that these projects would have moved forward this year as scheduled, and $45,520 of this project was covered through Educational Foundation EITC money. Ms. Erin Crew, Director of Communications, Marketing, and Media provided an update from the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. Earlier in the month, the SFAHS Student Sub-committee, held an Alumni Panel, "The Class of 2012: Then and Now." This was an opportunity for students to dialogue with former students and hear about their SFHS experiences, how they have transitioned into their current work, and how they overcame perceived and experienced obstacles. As well, an Administrator Panel, was held in May. This was an opportunity for students to engage in a dialogue with district administrators regarding how a more inclusive curriculum is developed in each content area, the recruitment of a more representative staff are hired through our HR department, and how the district is cultivating a community of equity, diversity, and inclusion—all areas that were referenced for growth from the student survey administered in February. The committee also discussed a five-year renewal for Finalsite, the districts website provider, upgrading the districts app, adding a newsletter feature to Skylert, and utilizing Weglot Translation services for the website. The committee will not hold a meeting in June.

 

Curriculum and Technology Committee

The Curriculum and Technology Committee met on Tuesday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. in person and on Zoom. Dr. Robin Moyer, Brooke Elementary School Principal, shared an overview of the district LIEP and a proposal to offer tutoring to students over the summer. Dr. Kelly Murray, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, shared an update to the instructional resources for French III. Dr. Murray also shared a plan for professional development for staff through a Micro-Credentialing Academy. Dr. Heidi Rochlin, Supervisor of Curriculum, shared updates to Spring-Ford Cyber Learning, include a professional development plan to support SFCL teachers.

 

Mr. Catalano presented an update regarding the deployment of devices for 7th & 8th grade. He also shared his plan to get devices redistributed to the Elementary buildings. Mr. Robert Catalano, Director of Technology, shared a proposal to purchase additional Chromebooks to ensure that all students K-12 have access to a device. Finally, Mr. Catalano presented software renewals. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Extracurricular Committee

The Extracurricular Committee met on Monday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. in person and on Zoom. Mr. Mickey McDaniel, Athletic Director, provided a High School Sports update including nine League Championships. Mr. Doug Reigner, House Principal and Activities Director, provided a SFAHS End of Year update. Dr. Robin Moyer, Brooke Elementary School Principal, and Zach Laurie, Ram QUEST teacher, presented on a request for a new Coding/Robotics club at Brooke Elementary. The committee will not hold a meeting in June.

 

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee met on Monday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. in person and on Zoom. Policies 209.2, 609, 811, 812, and 813 were reviewed and will be sent to the solicitor for review. Barring any substantive changes, they will be brought forward for a first reading at the June board meeting. Policies 118, 119, 140, 207, 218.2, 622, 716 will be sent to the solicitor for review and, barring any substantive changes, will be brought forward for a first reading at the June Board meeting. Policy 802 will be sent to the solicitor for consideration regarding the necessity to have it in the policy book. Should it be required, it will be updated and brought to the June Board meeting for a first reading. Policy 146.1 was discussed and a discussion on current versus best practices occurred with a variety of professionals involved. The policy will be brought back to the committee in June for further consideration. Policy 248.1 was recommended by the administration and committee to be retired as the content is covered within Policy 103. It will be brought forward to be retired at the June Board meeting. The next meeting will be held on Monday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Property Committee

The Property Committee met on Tuesday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. in person and on Zoom. Mr. Robert Hunter, Director of Facilities and Operations, provided many updates including:

• Facilities Master Plan Update: the committee discussed that we are currently working with the CFO to build out 10-year budget models that take into account the different funding options available to the district.
• Pumping Station Easement Request: the committee discussed the selling of the Royersford Borough sewage pumping station to Pennsylvania-American Water Company. This pumping station is located in the back of the 9th Grade Center. This easement agreement moved forward as an action item for board approval in May.
• Oaks Elementary School Walking Path: the committee discussed an issue reported by a neighbor on the walking path in front of the school. The issue identified was a section of a concrete wall attached to a that bridge fell into the creek. The creek bank has been cordoned off and there are no immediate safety concerns to pedestrians. Mr. Hunter is currently conducting a title search to determine who owns the property.
• McNelly Stadium Occupancy Update: Mr. Hunter received one bid for the project, which came in higher than our original estimate. Next steps for this project will be an agenda item for June's Property Meeting.

Chief David Boyer, Coordinator of Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness, shared updates from his department including:
Rapid Antigen Testing for staff

• Daily traffic control
• Delivering and re-stocking PPE
• District-wide signage
• Lighting improvements at SFAHS
• State-mandated police training

The next meeting will be held on June 8 at 7:30 p.m.

SFASD NEWS AND CALENDAR

The Spring-Ford Area School District affirms that no person shall, on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, age, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, veteran's status or genetic information be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity. In addition, no person shall, on any of these bases, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in employment, or recruitment, or consideration, or selection therefore, whether full-time or part-time, under any educational program or activity operated by the school district. The district shall make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator (Director of Human Resources) 857 S. Lewis Road, Royersford, PA, or at 610-705-6000 ext. 6124. Refer to Board Policy No. 103 for further information about the district's Nondiscrimination in Participation, Employment, Contract Practices.

SPRING-FORD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

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