P.A.
MINUTES
Parents’ Association of P.S. 101Q
2
Russell Place, Forest Hills, NY
11375
www.pa101.org
PAMail@pa101.org
Minutes from November 7, 2007
Meeting:
A presentation of the Smart Board
was given by Mr. Moss, the Social
Studies teacher, illustrating its
uses. Currently there are two Smart
Boards. Ideally, each class would
have a Smart Board. The cost for one
is approximately $3500. It should be
possible to provide one for each
grade. It’s difficult to share
amongst grades.
Children are visual learners. Mr.
Moss demonstrated how a map can be
marked on the Smart Board, how map
can easily be replaced by other maps
in a lesson. Ed O’Donnell, a Holy
Cross professor of history has
prepared many Power Point
presentations for many different
topics in history that Mr. Moss has
been able to use.
Deb Dillingham, P.A. President
pointed out that in many other
school districts, there is complete
availability of Smart Boards. We
need to raise more money so that we
can place Smart Boards in the
classrooms to keep our children
competitive.
Ronnie Feder, Principal spoke about
the School Progress Report. P.S. 101
was given an A. This means that the
bar will be raised for next year.
The score is supposed to be
indication of how many children make
a year’s progress. The grade shows
we are on the right track. Received
the Quality Review today. The
reviewer was pleased with the
comments by the children, staff and
parents. She did give feedback on
the way we teach, how we use data,
the way we prepare lessons, etc.
Formed a data team at 101, to follow
16 children for a year to
investigate why a 4 slips to a 3,
etc.
Teachers do a lot of “lunch and
learn” sessions. One member of the
staff will present to the rest, a
particular area of interest, or
expertise. Many staff members went
to other schools to see how other
schools run. To view “best
practices”, and any hints that could
be used at P.S. 101. Ms. Scotton has
developed a teacher resource center,
providing books and information on
various educational topics.
Ms. Feder wants to continue
students’ exposure to the arts,
despite test pressures, all through
the year. The Moveable Museum from
the AMNH was here; there is a trip
to Alley pond scheduled, and a 3-day
trip for the 5th grade. Wants
P.S.101 to be a school that she
would send her own child to.
She is concerned that the move to
compare schools to peer schools is
fostering an atmosphere of
competitiveness amongst schools,
that schools will not share what
works for them with other schools.
Report cards to go out with a letter
about progress reports and computer
links. Attendance records and
surveys from parents all count
towards school grade.
NYS Test date moved to January so
that results can be given during the
school year. Teachers using
predictive assessments to measure
what students don’t know. This
enables teachers to group students
according to what they need to
learn.
Report cards to be distributed
Friday. Will include letter
explaining leveled reading and Just
Right Books (JRB). Measure
comprehension and understanding of
what student is reading – not just
word call. Letter will include what
child should be reading to be a
level 3 now, and at the end of the
year. Teacher comments on report
card should give parents helpful
info. 4’s will be rare at the
beginning of the school year; so
don’t be upset if your child does
not have any. Students should be
writing everyday. Encourage reading
news articles – helpful for the
test.
