Friday, December 21, 2012

Community Meeting on School Safety - January 9, 2013

December 21, 2012
t/e-news
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District's E-Newsletter
In This Issue
January 9, 2013 Community Meeting on School Safety
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January 9, 2013 - Community Meeting on School Safety   

 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

7:00-9:00 pm

Valley Forge Middle School

 

In response to the December 14, 2012 tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, the Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board and administration will hold a community meeting on school safety on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Valley Forge Middle School auditorium. The meeting will feature a panel of experienced safety experts including representatives from the Tredyffrin and Easttown police departments, District building architects and representatives from the District Safety Committee. The panel will review the District's safety protocols in place, and present information on recently added security measures and plans to evaluate enhancements to school safety. There will be a question and answer period for parents and community members following the presentation.

 

Immediately upon learning about the incident in Newtown, the school community began to respond to the tragedy. Principals had staff in place to respond to questions and concerns at the school level. District officials talked with Tredyffrin and Easttown police chiefs and reviewed District safety protocols. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Waters released a letter expressing sorrow for the entire Newtown community and provided resources for parents on how to talk with children about tragic events. The District deeply appreciates the efforts of our staff members and local authorities as they work together to support our students during this challenging time. Additionally, the District is grateful for the comments and feedback it has received from parents and community members. While the safety protocols put into place by the District Safety Committee have served T/E schools well, the recent events in Connecticut have prompted the District to reassess its security procedures and solicit input from local police and emergency officials.

 

The T/E School District encourages parents and community members to attend the School Safety meeting on January 9, 2013 to learn more about school safety and new security measures in our schools. The School Safety meeting will be videotaped and later aired on T/E TV, Comcast Channel 14 and Verizon Channel 20. The TV schedule for the meeting will be posted on the T/E School District web site, www.tesd.net once it becomes available.

Information contained in this e-newsletter is intended for parents of students and community members of the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District and is not intended to be copied or posted onto third-party web sites. The official web site address for the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District is www.tesd.net.

 

Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1700, Wayne, PA 19087

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Tredyffrin/Easttown School District | 940 West Valley Road | Suite 1700 | Wayne | PA | 19087

Monday, December 17, 2012

Safety Response Letter from Dr. Waters

December 17, 2012
t/e-news
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District's E-Newsletter
In This Issue
Safety Response Letter from Dr. Waters
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Safety Response Letter from Dr. Waters   

 

  

Dear T/E Parents and Guardians,

 

School violence in our country touches all of us. Friday's tragedy in Connecticut evokes sorrow and disbelief. Our thoughts remain with the entire Newtown community as they deal with this tragedy.

 

Immediately upon learning about the incident at Sandy Hook, principals were contacted to ensure everyone was aware of the situation and had staff in place to respond to questions and concerns at the building level. Since Friday, the District has implemented elements of its response plan, including the following:

 

  • Counselors are available to students should they have needs in processing the events of this tragedy.
  • Principals have reviewed with the staff techniques to discuss Friday's events in an age-appropriate manner.
  • School officials have talked with Tredyffrin Township's Superintendent of Police Anthony Giaimo and Easttown Township's Chief of Police David Obzud to increase police visibility in school parking lots in the coming days and to review existing school security plans.
  • Principals have reviewed emergency response procedures with all staff members.
  • District officials have notified the public of District actions via the TESD website.
  • District staff have posted web resources for parents regarding the support of their children.

 

Ongoing procedures are in place to promote safe schools including these measures:

 

  • All school doors are locked following the arrival of students with the exception of the main entrances, which are staffed by lobby monitors. This entrance procedure is reviewed by the District Safety Committee.
  • Any visitor entering a T/E School must have a legitimate reason for visiting and must register with the office or lobby monitor and be required to wear a visitor's badge while in the building.
  • Staff members in all schools are instructed to alert the office in the event of unusual or suspicious circumstances.
  • The T/E School District has a collaborative relationship with local police who are readily available in the event of an emergency. The police review school emergency plans and conduct drills on a regular basis.
  • Staff and students practice emergency evacuation and lockdown procedures at regular intervals.
     

The District's safety protocols are regularly reviewed by the District's Safety Committee. The Committee is comprised of District and community members including police representation from both townships. An Emergency Response Plan has been developed by the Committee and disseminated to all staff members for implementation. The District has been advised by police authorities to refrain from making the details of the plan public for security reasons. General elements of the plan include the following:

 

  • Building evacuation drill procedures
  • Lockdown drill procedures
  • Bus evacuation drills
  • A plan for sequestering students in the school buildings or another safe place
  • A communications system to notify parents of the evacuation of students and to alert the whole school community when required
  • Instruction of students in emergency preparedness
  • An emergency notification system for staff to make appropriate administrative personnel aware of any emergency
  • On-going collaboration with local agencies, such as the police department, fire department and emergency management agencies to review and update existing plans
  • Instruction of staff members in the techniques for handling emergencies

 

The District website has a link on the home page for assisting parents on how to talk to children about tragic events. In January, the District Safety Committee will review the safety plan and make modifications, if required. In addition, the District will continue to meet with local police and emergency officials to solicit input on safety procedures and to implement recommended enhancements.

 

In the meantime, children need stability. Research advises that the maintenance of routine conveys to students a sense of safety and security. Tragedies such as the events in Newtown strike at the core of the entire community. As always we value our partnership with you. Together we can continue to reassure your children that plans for their safety and security are in place at school. 

 
                                                                                            Sincerely,

Dan Waters

Superintendent of Schools

Information contained in this e-newsletter is intended for parents of students and community members of the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District and is not intended to be copied or posted onto third-party web sites. The official web site address for the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District is www.tesd.net.

 

Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1700, Wayne, PA 19087

This email was sent to hotinski@gmail.com by notification1@tesd.net |  
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District | 940 West Valley Road | Suite 1700 | Wayne | PA | 19087

Friday, December 7, 2012

2013-2014 School Year Calendar, December 10 Finance Committee Meeting, School Board Reorganization Meeting, Upcoming Meeting Dates

December 7, 2012
t/e-news
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District's E-Newsletter
In This Issue
2013-2014 School Year Calendar
December 10, 2012 Finance Committee Meeting
New School Board Officers
Live T/E TV Broadcast Schedule
November Committee Meeting Summaries
Upcoming Meeting Dates
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2013-2014 School Year Calendar Approved  

The School Board adopted the 2013-2014 school year calendar at its meeting on December 3, 2012. Notable dates on the calendar include:
  • September 3, 2013 - First day of school for students in grades 1-12, no kindergarten
  • September 5, 2013 - No school
  • September 10, 2013 - First day of school for kindergarten students
  • October 14, 2013 - No students report: half day staff inservice, half day staff furlough day
  • November 25, 2013 - Half day for grades 1-4: elementary parent conferences, no kindergarten
  • November 26, 2013 - Half day for grades 1-8; elementary and middle school parent conferences, no kindergarten
  • November 27-29, 2013 - No school
  • December 2, 2013 - No school - parent conference day
  • December 23, 2013-January 1, 2014 - No school
  • January 20, 2014 - No school
  • February 17, 2014 - No school
  • February 26, 2014 - Half day for grades 1-4: elementary parent conferences, no kindergarten
  • February 27-28, 2014 - Half day for grades 1-8; elementary and middle school parent conferences, no kindergarten
  • March 14, 2014 - No students report: half day staff inservice, half day staff furlough day
  • April 14-18, 2014 - No school
  • May 26, 2014 - No school
  • June 16, 2014 -  Half day for grades 1-12, tentative last day of school for students, no kindergarten

Click here for a one page summary of the 2013-2014 school year calendar

December 10, 2012 Finance Committee Meeting: Budget Development
The Finance Committee will meet to discuss the 2013-2014 budget on Monday, December 10, 2012 at 7:00 pm in the Tredyffrin/Easttown Administration Offices at 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1700 in Wayne.

 

Click here for the meeting agenda.

School Board Elects New Officers at December 3, 2012 School Board Meeting
At its annual reorganization meeting on December 3, 2012, the Tredyffrin/Easttown Board of School Directors elected Kevin Buraks as president and Pete Motel as vice president.

 

Mr. Buraks was elected to the T/E School Board in 2009. This will be his first term as School Board president. Mr. Buraks is chair of the Policy Committee and also serves on the Finance Committee. A representative of Tredyffrin Region 1, Mr. Buraks has three children who attend T/E schools.

 

Dr. Motel was elected to the T/E School Board in 1999 and has previously served as School Board president. Dr. Motel is chair of the Facilities Committee and serves on the Policy and Education Committees. He represents Easttown Region 3 and has three children who attend T/E schools.

 

Live T/E TV Broadcast Schedule
The following upcoming Conestoga High School athletic events and other programs will tentatively be broadcast live on T/E TV, Comcast Channel 14 and Verizon Channel 20.
 
12/11- Winter Orchestra/Band Concert- 7:00 pm
November School Board Committee Meeting Summaries
Summaries of the November meetings of the Education, Facilities, Finance, Legislative and Policy Committees are available on the TESD web site. Click here for the summaries.
Upcoming Meeting Dates 

Meetings will be held at the T/E School District Administration

Offices (TEAO): West Valley Business Center, 940 West Valley

Road, Suite 1700, Wayne, unless otherwise noted. Meeting

agendas are linked once they are available on the TESD web site.

 

Finance Committee Meeting, 12/10, 7:00 pm, TEAO

Facilities Committee Meeting, 12/14, 2:00 pm, TEAO

Policy Committee Meeting, 12/19, 6:30 pm, TEAO

Information contained in this e-newsletter is intended for parents of students and community members of the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District and is not intended to be copied or posted onto third-party web sites. The official web site address for the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District is www.tesd.net.

 

Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1700, Wayne, PA 19087

This email was sent to hotinski@gmail.com by notification1@tesd.net |  
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District | 940 West Valley Road | Suite 1700 | Wayne | PA | 19087

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Tredyffrin Township Community Support Opportunities

Tredyffrin Township                         

                                           

 

Tredyffrin Township is partnering with a variety of organizations to give back to the community this holiday season. Find out how you can help below!

 

Thank you for your support & Happy Holidays!

 

Feel The Warmth Coat Drive

 

Tredyffrin Township is partnering with the Feel the Warmth organization to sponsor a Winter Coat Donation Drive until December 10th. Drop off bins will be available in the front lobby of the Township Building. The winter coats should be either new or "gently" used. Children's winter coats are most in demand; however, Feel the Warmth will collect adult coats as well. More information about this organization can be found at www.feelthewarmth.org.

 

Township Blood Drive

 

Tredyffrin Township will partner with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive on Wednesday, December 12th from 1:00 – 6:00 pm in Keene Hall at the Township Building. Appointments are preferred, so please go online to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code 02210984 to sign up. If you are over 17, weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in good health, you can be a donor. Let’s all help the Red Cross meet its goals for 2012. If you have any questions, you may call Pat Hoffman at 610-644-1100.

Philabundance Food Drive

 

The Tredyffrin Township  building is a drop-off site for food donations to Philabundance. Current priority items include canned foods (tuna, beef stew, chili, fruit cocktail, green beans, corn and beef ravioli), foods in plastic containers (jelly, creamy peanut butter) ,and macaroni & cheese, breakfast cereal, and hot cereal. Donations will be accepted through December 19th, 2012.

Toys for Tots Toy Drive

 

The Tredyffrin Township building is a drop-off site for toy donations to Toys for Tots. Donations will be accepted through December 15th, 2012. For more information on acceptable donation items, please click here.

 

 

Questions? Contact the Township at 610-644-1400

                                                                                     1100 DuPortail Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

610-644-1400

www.tredyffrin.org

 

 


                                                                                                             

                  

      



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Monday, December 3, 2012

Tredyffrin Township December E-Newsletter

Tredyffrin Township                         

        December 2012                                    

Tredyffrin Township Welcomes Its New Township Manager!

 

The Township welcomes new Township Manager, William F. Martin. Mr. Martin, who is a resident of Tredyffrin, was sworn in at the Board of Supervisors meeting on November 19th. To watch the ceremony, please visit TTTV's online public access site.

2013 Preliminary Budget

 

The 2013 Preliminary Budget was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on November 19th for purposes of advertising. It will continue to be discussed at upcoming meetings. To view the Preliminary Budget, please click here and to see the presentation given at the Board of Supervisors meeting on November 7th, please visit TTTV's online public access site.

Commercial Zoning Project Presentation and Workshop

 

As part of the Township's ongoing analysis and revision of commercial zoning districts project, there was a presentation by and discussion with the consultants retained by Tredyffrin on November 20th at the Township Building. For a copy of the DRAFT report, please click here (12.6 MB) and to view the presentation given at the Board of Supervisors meeting on November 19th, please visit TTTV's online public access site. Please stay tuned for future presentations and workshops. Many partners are needed to make this project a success and we look forward to your participation and input!

 

 

Operation Safe Holiday

 

Tredyffrin Township Police continues to participate in grant based safety initiatives such as Buckle Up PA and Aggressive Driving reduction programs. As the holidays approach, we remind all motorists that highways can be dangerous places where thousands of residents of the Commonwealth are involved in crashes and are injured or killed each and every year as a result. In 2011, Tredyffrin Township Police responded to 1074 traffic accidents (crashes).

 

The Police Department, partnered with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, urges all motorists to "drive safely" and to review these "sobering" facts. The Tredyffrin Township Police Department wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

 

 

 

Feel The Warmth Coat Drive

 

Tredyffrin Township is partnering with the Feel the Warmth organization to sponsor a Winter Coat Donation Drive from November 26th – December 10th. Drop off bins will be available in the front lobby of the Township Building. The winter coats should be either new or "gently" used. Children's winter coats are most in demand; however, Feel the Warmth will collect adult coats as well. More information about this organization can be found at www.feelthewarmth.org.

 

Township Blood Drive

 

Tredyffrin Township will partner with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive on Wednesday, December 12th from 1:00 – 6:00 pm in Keene Hall at the Township Building on Duportail Road. Appointments are preferred, so please go online to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code 02210984 to sign up. If you are over 17, weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in good health, you can be a donor. Let’s all help the Red Cross meet is goals for 2012. If you have any questions, you may call Pat Hoffman at 610-644-1100.

Leaf Disposal & Adopt-an-Inlet Program

 

As you may be all too aware, certain areas of Tredyffrin are prone to flooding, and some of this flooding is directly related to stormwater inlets becoming covered with leaves, grass, and debris. The Township has over 3,000 stormwater inlets and only limited staff to maintain them. We need your help!

 

The Public Works Department is asking residents to Adopt an Inlet. This program asks residents who have a street or rear-yard stormwater inlet to make sure they are cleaned off and unobstructed. Once the debris is cleared the inlets can drain properly. If you have an inlet anywhere near your home, please be a good neighbor and keep it clear.

 

Please remember that the Township does not collect leaves, and that they should not be piled along roadways. For removal, contact your trash hauler or utilize the Township's residential composting site.

 

This year, residents will be hauling materials to the site at 1542 Mill Road. For more information, including accepted materials and times for drop-off, please click here.

Winter Recreation Program Details are Available Online!

 

This winter, Tredyffrin will hold its traditional Winter Recreation Program as well as a new program run in conjunction with GROOVE. Check out all the options and download registration forms, by visiting the Township's Park & Recreation page!

 

 

2013 Police Learning Series

 

In 2012, the Police Department held a successful learning series on a monthly basis. This series, which is free and open to the public, will commence again in 2013 on the fourth Tuesday of January through June at the Township Building from 7 to 9 pm. For the complete schedule, please click here.

Tredyffrin Township Library Updates

 

Award-winning author and renowned Civil War expert Allen Guelzo visits Tredyffrin Public Library on Sunday, December 9 at 2 pm to talk about his new book Fateful Lightning: A New History of the Civil War and Reconstruction. At the heart of Guelzo’s expansive narrative survey of America’s greatest trauma, is the idea that the Civil War was a true test of democracy and the strength of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution when faced with the single issue of slavery. Sign up at the library or call 610-688-7092, ext. 206.

 

Paoli Library hosts their annual Holiday Book Sale through Sunday, December 23rd during library hours. Find great prices on holiday gifts!

 

The libraries are hosting lots of fun events for kids and families in December. Come enjoy storytimes, movies, music, and more at Tredyffrin Public Library and Paoli Library

A Message from the Inspections & Permit Services Department

 

Before the real cold sets in and the snow falls, residents should take the time to check one last time to make sure their roof rain gutters are clear and free of any debris that could find its way to the downspout opening causing blockage, then allowing the gutters to fill up and spill over onto the ground. This additional weight may contribute to the failure of the gutter system and costly repairs. Also, when rain waters are not controlled from the downspout and away from a building’s foundation, the potential for freezing water thawing and entering the basement is increased and can lead to additional costly repairs as well as mold. On behalf of the Inspections and Permit Services Staff, have a safe and sound holiday season.

Township Communication Policy

 

At its meeting on November 19th, the Board of Supervisors passed a motion approving the Township’s “Communication with the Public” policy. The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines as to how a member or group of members of Tredyffrin Township’s institutions should communicate with the public. In this era of a multitude of vehicles for disseminating information, the Township has determined that it should adopt a communications policy that will help residents clearly distinguish the communications of an individual from those of one of the Township’s institutions. The purpose of this is not to reduce open dialog but to provide reasonable guidance to Township officials on how to communicate with the Public. To view the complete policy, please click here.

Artist of the Month Series

 

The December Artist of the Month Show is now on display in the Community Room at the Township Building on Duportail Road. This month’s artists are Marie T. Harris and Lorraine Sierchio. Marie has taught art, music, literature, and reading-writing strategies to all ages and studied art privately and with special teachers from BCCC, PAFA and local art centers. Marie works primarily in oils and acrylics, but also experiments in pastels, gouache and watercolors and her paintings are in both private and corporate collections and her subjects include flowers, still life, landscapes, city and travel scenes, portraits, people in settings and abstracts. Lorraine began painting seriously after retiring from the corporate world. Lorraine’s style has been described as strong with a dramatic flair and several well know artists with whom she has studied are credited for their influence in her developing technique. Lorraine has been a recipient of numerous awards and her paintings hang in collections from Maine to California. Some of her subjects have been pets, houses, sports cars (what fun!), favorite flowers and landscapes - done dramatically of course. For more information on the Delaware Valley Art League, you can visit their website: www.delawarevalleyartleague.com.

Public Meetings

 

 

@ Township Building

 

Board of Supervisors: Monday, December 3, 7:30 pm

Environmental Advisory Committee: Tuesday, December 11, 7:00 pm

Board of Supervisors: Monday, December 17, 7:30 pm

Zoning Hearing Board: Tuesday, December 18, 7:30 pm

Traffic Committee: Wednesday, December 19th, 7:30 am

Historical Commission: Wednesday, December 19th, 7:00 pm

Planning Commission: Thursday, December 20, 7:00 pm

 

@ Tredyffrin Public Library

 

Library Board of Trustees: Thursday, December 13, 2012

 

 

 

                                                                                     1100 DuPortail Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

610-644-1400

www.tredyffrin.org

 

 


                                                                                                             

                  

      



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