13th Avenue School PTA hosts first PTA Meeting

Thirteenth Avenue School held its first PTA Meeting on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 in the School’s Cafeteria. Our meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by our PTA President, Mr. Lyndon Brown. Mr. Brown welcomed everyone and asked all new families to introduce themselves. Mr. Brown also introduced PTA Officers for 2010-2011. Mr. Brown also shared the objectives for the 13th Avenue School PTA
Mr. Brown stated that many things can hinder the academic growth of our students including school climate, lack of administrative supervision, lack of parental involvement, lack of student motivation, lack of textbooks, school supplies, poor attendance, lack of support services, lack of quality instruction in the classroom. Goals/Objectives for 2010: Educate more parents on their rights and responsibilities. To engage every parent in his/her child’s education and in PTA. Mr. Brown also stressed the need for every parent to be active on one of our PTA Committees/Clubs, and/or attend workshops/conferences.
Mr. Brown also stated that The State of NJ sent a Team to our School on May 17th-19th to access the strengths and weaknesses of our school in the areas of curriculum & Instruction, Administrative supervision, School Climate, Parental Involvement. The CAPA Team identified more challenges than strengths and the CAPA report is available if anyone wants to see it. We can also email it to you. Finally, The CAPA Team did note that the Parental Involvement at 13th Avenue School was Outstanding. THE CAPA Team cited a lack of differentiated instruction, cooperative learning as well as inclusion. No dedicated materials or support programs such as READ180 to decrease the achievement gap has been put in place, rubrics are not used across all content areas, some teachers do not recognize the value of data, The CAPA Team also recommended that NPS’ should make available Title I Funds in order for our school to address some of its challenges.
Mr. Brown also stated that the NJASK Scores for the 2009-2010 school year were extremely poor. If your child took the NJASK earlier this year you need to make sure that you and your child obtain a copy of those results so that you can guage where your child is and what he/she needs to do to score proficient or advanced proficient.
Out of the 65 students who took the test in 3rd grade last year 12 students passed LAL. OUT of the 65 who took the math portion 12 students were proficient. 47 Students who were in 4th grade last year took the test and 5 were proficient in LAL and 12 out of the 47 passed the math portion. 29 out of the 47 were proficient in science. Out of 59 students in 5th grade last year, 15 were proficient in LAL,12 were proficient in Math. Out of the 57 students in 6th grade, 11 were proficient in LAL, 17 were proficient in Math. In 7th grade last year we had 78 students, 24 were proficient in LAL, 11 were proficient in Math. In 8th grade we had 47 students, 25 were proficient in LAL, 14 were proficient in Math, and 28 were proficient in Science. Parents and teachers need to share strengths and challenges for students at 13th Avenue School. Parents should share their child’s special interests, hobbies, challenges and strengths.
After-School Programs will begin on October 4th for students in grades 4-8 and some students in grades 1-3 will also be able to attend.
We are kicking off our 2010 PTA Fundraiser tonight. Every parent was asked to take a PTA Fundraising packet. Our Fundraising Chair is Mr. Manuel Rivera. Our PTA Membership is $5.00 for the year. Every parent, staff member, and community member was asked to purchase am membership card. Our 2010 Three for Me Campaign is also underway. Every parent is expected to volunteer at least three hours during the school year. You can do it in one day, one week, one month and there are a various ways to volunteer: Chaperoning a trip, Sorting clothes in our school’s clothing bank, or working on one of PTA Projects: Family Night, PTA Business Card Directory, or by serving on one of our PTA Committees. Mr. Brown also stated that we have a various Parent Meetings coming up: Our Special Needs Parents will be meeting on Sept. 30th at 5:30 pm. If you have a child who is in a self-contained or Resource classroom or is a 504 student please come out. Our Father’s Club Meeting will be held on October 5th at 6 p.m. and will include a book signing by our Guest Speaker, Mr. Baruti Kafele, Principal at Newark Tech. High School Our First Mother’s Club Meeting for this school year will be held on October 12th at 6 p.m. in our School Library. Our Eighth Grade Parents will be meeting on October 7th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in our school cafeteria. We will be discussing high school admissions, Class of 2011 Dues which include: Yearbooks, Cap & Gowns, Class of 2011 trips and Prom. On October 16th, NPS will be hosting a High School Fair from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Barringer High School. Mr. Brown announced that snapshots were available for every parent. Ms. Portia Lowery, Vice-President gave an overview on how to conduct a productive Parent/Teacher Conference. Ms. Lowery also shared the grading policy and encouraged parents to request results of their students NJ ASK (Grades 3-8) and Observation Surveys (Grades Pre-k-2nd). Ms. Lowery also reminded parents that they should be able to review a minimum of nine assessments (Tests, quizzes, Class assignments, reports, etc.) for each subject. If a teacher cannot produce at least nine assessments, parents can challenge the child’s grade. Ms. Matthews, welcomed parents to come out to our School Leadership Council which is comprised of parents, staff, and community members to address the needs of the school. This Council meets monthly and the first meeting for this school year will be held on September 30th at 3:15 p.m.Ms. Acey Roberson, Attendance Counselor addressed the PTA and gave an overview of Newark Public Schools’ Attendance Policy. Mr. Rivers, Education Committee Chair surveyed parents to find out how they found out about our PTA Meeting and what’s the best way to send information to them. Mr. Brown recognized our 2010 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Iris Matthews, Our 2010 Parent of the Year, Mr. Kyle Rivers, and our 2010 Student of the Year, John Garner.
Parental Concerns: A lack of certified teachers at 13th Avenue School, Students homework assignments not aligned with schoolwork, several parents also complained about the school lunch not being cooked properly and school lunch has made several students sick, Several parents also complained about the combination classroom that has been implemented at 13th Avenue School. It’s unfair for my daughter to be put in a class with first graders when all of her peers are in second grade, remarked one parent. Why are four second graders sitting in a classroom with first graders when there is room in the second grade remarked another parent. Whose idea was this and why is teacher being made to divide her instruction between two grades? Has she received proper training asked Mr. Ali, a parent. Mr. Brown remarked that NO administrators attended the PTA Meeting so these questions will be raised at the SLC Meeting. Title I Funds being withheld from 13th Avenue School for several consecutive years, No science textbooks for Students, and classroom management in some classrooms. School Safety- Mr. Brown reported that a registered pedophile moved into our community in July. He resides on South 7th Street and it is very important that our children who walk home, go straight home after-school and parents who pick up your children pick them up immediately after dismissal. According to the letter we received from the Prosecutor’s office, This pedophile is a repeat offender. If anybody wants further info please see me after tonight’s meeting. Parents are also asked to outline safe corridors for your children. Where should they go if there normal route is blocked off or if someone is harassing them, chasing them or bullying them. A Door Prize raffle was conducted at the end of our meeting and refreshments were served by our PTA Parents. Mr. Brown informed parents that if their child received FREE or Reduced Lunch last school year then their child is eligible or FREE Tutoring this school year. Mr. Brown stated that students can have a tutor come to their homes, meet them after-school or engage in an on-line tutoring program. Mr. Brown adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. and parents were given the opportunity to greet and meet one another and meet with various tutoring agencies who supplied the parents with brochures and flyers for their various tutoring programs. Next Meeting Date: October 19, 2010