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PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT SETTLEMENTS
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
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51 comments:
This lady sure does have her work cut out for her!
WHOA....Welcome back Sandy Gregg! She will ask the tough questions.
http://peters.patch.com/articles/sandy-gregg-to-join-peters-school-board-nominees-on-november-ballot
Why is everyone leaving the Board all of a sudden????
Board wants to form a sports committee....what will the athletic director whom you hired be doing..the board needs to stay out of his buisness! Some of these members are becoming too obvious in their plights.
Isn't that nice? We get home from work to receive a telephone message that the bus schedules have changed within the past week and please check powerschool. We would be happy to do that if we could get to the ptsd web page. Can this district get any more absurd?
Do you know why bus schedules changed? Because they created the routes and times based upon distances via the crow flies; not taking into account traffic, stop lights, stop signs and some roads that buses can not navigate.
Very foolish people all around in this district, shoving things down people's throats without having all the correct information or research.
How nice, PTSD has a nice new web page. It really is nice and easy to follow. Too bad the district does not have the technology to host its own web page. Outsourced to an Ohio company! How much are we paying for that? Perhaps it is cheaper than purchasing equipment or hiring people to do it?
Yay that Sandy Gregg is returning! School Board needs infusion of intelligence and concern!
Just brilliant. Change the district website the few days before school starts. We can not get to the school district website to get information the final weekend before school starts. Obviously no IT professionals work in this school district! OR, we do and administration does what they want anyhow!
Vent: Voicemail from District re bus schedule changes, access PowerSchool for info. PowerSchool login doesn't work, left msg. with district, no one calls back, try to access school district website, it isn't working. Grrrr.
I agree! The board needs to get out of the athletic business and get back to the business of education! That is where their nose needs to be!
What happened to half of the data on the website? It is all gone! I went to site looking for a 2010 Perspective and some 2011 meeting minutes for PTA that I used as a point of reference. I clicked on SEVEN different area's I used to use and it is all gone "Server Error"?
-Why do they only have two years of board minutes online?
-I thought we were to be moving up with technology?
-Other districts have teacher contracts, service contracts and other public document information online. PTSD does not! Why is that?
-YES! Why did they change everything the business day before school starts? That kind of IT upgrade is typically done during summer months.
The lack of transparency in this school district is infuriating. Grrrr is right!
Why is everyone leaving the Board all of a sudden????
August 26, 2011 1:25 PM
To get away from Lynn and Cindy is my guess!
Don't be such a hater.
This actual COMMUNICATION was sent from the high school today!
Oh. My. Gosh.
PTHS might actually enforce a dress code and they told the parents about it. I think I love this lady.
"A Note from PTHS
Dear Students and Parents,
On behalf of the High School administration, I would like to thank you for a great start to the 2011-2012 school year.
Minus some bus confusion this morning, the day ran quite smoothly.As we are always looking to continually improve, we are trying a new bus dismissal for the next few days to see if we can more safely and efficiently dismiss our students. Today went well and we hope to finalize a standard procedure by the end of the week.It is important that our student safety be protected from drivers in the parking lot.As a result, parents who are picking up students are still required to drive up toward Pleasant Valley and wait along the side of the building facing East McMurray. Please follow the directions of the high school staff. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Finally, as we strive to create and maintain an atmosphere characterized by respect we recognize that appearance is one of the first and most significant ways that we communicate respect.While we support students' individuality and freedom of expression, we must consider our role in promoting a positive school culture.With this in mind, we had to speak individually with a number of students today regarding the dress code.The non-negotiables that must be followed include the following:
* Tank tops should have at least two inch wide straps
* Clothing that exposes midriff, chest, back, or cleavage is not permitted
* Shorts and skirts must have an inseam of at least 2 inches.
* No undergarments can be exposed.
* T-shirts cannot promote alcohol, drugs, or profanity
* Pants must be worn at waist level
From this point forward, any student in violation of the dress code will need to call a parent or guardian to bring a change of clothes to school. We appreciate your support.
We are looking forward to an exciting and productive school year. Please let us know if you have any questions or need assistance.
Best Regards,
Lori A. Pavlik
Principal, Peters Township High School
PTHS
Peters Township School District
631 E. McMurray Road
McMurray, Pennsylvania 15317
Peters Township School District"
Mrs. Gregg,
Please call any of the many, many administrators, tech people, and others who have left the district. They will share with you the truth of what it is like in central office and the district.
Took a look at the new district website. It's terrible! It looks like all the other poorly designed websites one comes across looking at those of disadvantaged schools. And the font is smaller, just what I need. I liked the old website look, this one looks dated and cheap.
I think the website looks fine, but the functionality sure leaves a lot to be desired. They will get the bugs ironed out. My only concern is that many items, included those returned by the google search on the main web page, when clicked on, return a "404 - File or directory not found." error. A lot of things are no longer available. I sure hope they also plan on posting the morning announcements online again too!
The new ptsd web site is "powered by" the same company that the Bethel Park SD uses. WHICH in turn proves the particular company is perfectly capable of providing decent web page services. BP has videos of their board meetings online and other detailed district information that PT does not have. It is our district that will not provide details, not the web service company.
Don't be such a hater.
August 29, 2011 7:38 PM
Not a hater, just voicing my opinion and that of many many others I know, free speech?
Best Regards,
Lori A. Pavlik
Principal, Peters Township High School
PTHS
Peters Township School District
631 E. McMurray Road
McMurray, Pennsylvania 15317
Peters Township School District"
August 29, 2011 9:24 PM
Just want to say that I did not receive this. HOW was this sent? Email or a note sent home with the kids? I have kids in the high school.
What is so "terrible" about it? Actually the font is not smaller, but it is a different style.
Let's see, day 2, and I still have no idea what time my child is to get home on the bus. Today, it only took 40 minutes from McM Elem to our home 1 mile away!!
What are the odds that NZ is home in beautiful Brownsville before some students on buses here make it home?
WHOA....Welcome back Sandy Gregg! She will ask the tough questions.
Give us a break she is one of the key people who got us all in the legal roller coaster. No matter what you think she did good the sheer magnitude of bad drowns it out.
August 26, 2011 2:58 PM
I agree
YES to Sandy Gregg!!! Finally a concerned member of the community!!!
Anonymous said...
What is so "terrible" about it? Actually the font is not smaller, but it is a different style.
August 30, 2011 5:15 PM
Can't read? It doesn't look as nicely "finished" as the old page. Everything on it is smaller, including the photos. A LOT of information is missing. This is information people need and want to know RIGHT NOW, not after the "bugs" get worked out. Change the darn page in the summer not at the beginning of a school year...and...just a few months before an election.
August 31, 2011 7:33 AM
Sorry, I read "poorly designed".
I fully agree, that a lot of information is missing that we actually needed NOW or even yesterday!
I just differ in your opinion on design. I did not realize that BP was one of those "disadvantaged schools". As you and others here say, I too can not believe they changed this at 5:00 the Friday before school starts. That is just ridiculous. With everything that is missing, it looks like they also did not do a thorough beta test at all....Sadly, this is now typical of this school district.....Push things through even if it is not complete or done correctly.
Dear Mr/Mrs, yatahay...you have been puttingtime into this blog for quite a few years now. You started out of a concern for the Peters school district and continue to this day. Thank you for allowing us to keep up on news articles and voice our input. This is alot of work.....thanks!
I would like to know why they quit putting the morning announcements on the high school web page? That really needs fixed. I called the high school and they said hopefully they will be coming soon. That is something we really count on to keep us up to date on everything. A lot of other stuff is missing as well. It was really dumb to implement a new web page the day before school starts, especially since the schools try to avoid speaking to people by saying "it is on the web site".
Sadly, this is now typical of this school district.....Push things through even if it is not complete or done correctly.
August 31, 2011 10:15 AM
Our super publicly states she is a Covey proponent and much of what she preaches roots here. Why then all of this being done "without the end in mind"?
What is with the STUPID BUSES????????
My children have yet to come home the same time twice, and getting off to school?? What a JOKE! The buses are waaaaaaaaaay too early!
"....Just want to say that I did not receive this. HOW was this sent? Email or a note sent home with the kids? I have kids in the high school."
I received information via email. They do not tell you when you start the high school, but signing up for constant contact is pretty much required. They strongly suggest it, but do not say you will get nothing unless you sign up! That is the only way the district communicates--email. That is how they give the kids college help as well; give them web sites. There is no one-on-one talking to a person anymore.
I didn't realize that is was standard to have about five or more hours of homework every night during junior year. Is that really a standard for all the kids, or just if they are in honors/ap classes? Even my second year college student does not get that much homework!
Oh WOW. I can not believe that new web site! I could not remember exactly where I had previously found the information I was looking at so I used the search function on the main page. NOT ONE of the items that appeared were available. Everything I clicked on said File not found. Where did everything go?
I received the first day information from the high school principal via email. They have various email lists you have to sign up for. If you do not sign up for the right ones, you will no receive any information. Seems like they sure can send out, but they conveniently never seem to receive our email or phone calls. Seems like the district could learn from a communication 101 or a common courtesies 101 class!
Email blast from school district:
Thank you for your patience and proactive suggestions this week as we work through schedules and reinforce bus safety routines throughout the District.
We are, and will continue throughout the year, to work with PTSD drivers and our contracted drivers to reinforce bus procedures and the expectations of the District and our community.
Throughout the week, we have reviewed many bus runs and listened to your concerns. As a result, changes in times have been made to some routes that will be in effect for Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011. Families of students affected by these changes will be notified via phone later today.
COMING SOON!
The "Bus Information" page in PowerSchool will soon reflect a 5-day view for bus schedules. This improvement will allow us to accurately report information for families who have been approved for multiple bus assignments. Look for this next Wednesday in PowerSchool!
Oh nice. This morning the bus for my child, for whom we got a phone call for a bus time schedule change, arrived at our house almost 10 minutes before it was due. The time change for that bus was moved AHEAD by 5 minutes, meaning that the bus will arrive at our house 5 minutes later than it is supposed to arrive. The driver is not keeping to the time schedule. The problem did not lie with the original time being too early, it is with the driver being too early due to not keeping the schedule!! We conveyed this to the school district with many emails. How will this solve the problem? Also, the bus driver changed the route for our bus. Our child has not arrived home at the correct time at all this week.Every day it has been a different time. Yesterday our child arrived home almost 15 minutes past the arrival time for home. Arrrgh! GET IT RIGHT PLEASE!!!!
Anonymous said...
I received the first day information from the high school principal via email. They have various email lists you have to sign up for. If you do not sign up for the right ones, you will no receive any information. Seems like they sure can send out, but they conveniently never seem to receive our email or phone calls. Seems like the district could learn from a communication 101 or a common courtesies 101 class!
September 2, 2011 8:19 AM
So, if I have been receiving high school emails for the past 5 years...I need to sign up anew this year? I did not get anything about dress codes.
September 3, 2011 10:21 AM
I would certainly think you should have received it! I think that is a good question to ask the principal. What would be the reason you suddenly would not be getting those emails. You have a very valid issue! Let us know what you find out. Maybe they have a new procedure that have not bothered to let us in on yet!
LOOK OUT PEOPLE...Here it comes...The attachment (AR) to the policy that sets transportation fees for extra curricular activities has disappeared. The policy number is 6153
AFTER they post it, I am guessing they MIGHT let us know how families have to pay to attend academic competitions while the district will cover costs for athletic competitions.
They also, again, eliminated the academic recognition at the high school. Why does this district continue to make it extremely difficult for students and families that highly value academic achievement? Why are they not encouraging these kids? I really do not understand it.
September 3, 2011 1:31 PM
like a couple of people said here, actions speak louder than words!
is it true that those policy attachments can be changed at any time, without school board approval?
You know, I don't get it either.
The school is perfectly fine with having every child in the high school miss class time during the school day to attend "spirit" assemblies several times throughout the year to cheer on our athletes; which I think is a good a necessary thing.
Why is the school so opposed to congratulating above average academic kids ONCE a year outside of daily scheduled classes? The school has been trying to eliminate this academic recognition for years. They previously thought by making the recognition at a bad time, an hour before open house, that nobody would come. Much to their surprise, no matter how inconvenient they made it for families and kids, the ceremony was well attended. I think it goes to show that families do value academic success.
4 or 5 years ago my child's coach said if they missed practice because of the academic ceremony they were making the choice to not support their team and would not be permitted to participate in the upcoming game. It made me very angry.
I was told that the policy itself can't change without school board approval, but attachments which were written to go along with the policy can be changed at any time. So the procedures of how things are done can be changed without school board approval but not the policy itself.
September 4, 2011 3:26 PM
Yes. I believe that is the case. PTSD has quite a few those things too!
I had the opportunity to go to a football game in W PA this weekend. It was at a very good school district, like PTSD, that does not have a reputation of having a 'rough' or 'dangerous' crowd. They announced strict new stadium rules as well and they did enforce them. They had a beautiful large hill side where people used to sit on blankets, which is no longer permitted. People that district were upset too, but it worked out just fine. The stands were packed with fans.
I had the opportunity to go to a football game in W PA this weekend. It was at a very good school district, like PTSD, that does not have a reputation of having a 'rough' or 'dangerous' crowd. They announced strict new stadium rules as well and they did enforce them. They had a beautiful large hill side where people used to sit on blankets, which is no longer permitted. People that district were upset too, but it worked out just fine. The stands were packed with fans.
September 6, 2011 7:27 AM
And your point is?
So, they got rid of the football coach last year. I see that worked out well last night, didn't it! I guess that worked out as well as on-line classes, the graduation project, 5-10 central office people leaving the district, the spend millions on a field when the state education budget is cut, the we are in trouble financially but give the superintendent a huge raise, the 10,000 for Covey, the 10,000 for ??? that no one knows where it is going. But don't worry, everyone will pretend that things are going well, that none of these problems exist and if they do, it is not our problem. By the way, don't ask these questions to the superintendent. She might use her "It is me against the world and no one understands me and you have to understand how difficult my job is" when she talks to board members, they will then be upset because what she said is true (: and she will continue to have carte blanche. It has worked well the last three years, hasn't it?
September 3, 2011 9:53 AM
Touche! So true!
Here is what policy 6153 says:
"All students who qualify on the basis of competition or who are otherwise eligible to engage in the activity shall be accorded the opportunity to participate in the student trip. Students or parents/guardians may be required to provide financial support for the student trip. However, no student will be denied an opportunity to participate in a student trip for financial reasons if the family is economically disadvantaged (based upon eligibility for free and reduced lunch)."
Parents MAY be required to pay. Therefore, they can make families pay for academic trips and athletic trips. However, if they make one group of students pay and not another, that is just flat out wrong.
I went back to my old email to read the attachment about the fee structure regarding "pay to play" and what do you know "File not Found". It was my understanding the "pay to play" fee was to offset transportation costs.
"And your point is?"
Many people are complaining about the new rules. Pt is not the only one implementing new rules for fans.
The pay to play information is on the main web page on the school district web site. The flier says:
"The following fee structure has been approved by the Peters Township School Board to offset the cost of transportation, equipment, supplies and other expenses associated with student athletics and activities."
The fees we are paying are to offset transportation, therefore if I am paying for my child to participate in a club my fees are to offset transportation, equipment, supplies and other expenses. Are they really going to double dip transportation fees for some kids and not others?
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