1. education
2. school

Parent Forum
May 7, 2015
Indian Valley Middle School
Welcome:
Dr. Burkhard opened the meeting at 9:35 am.
Purpose:
Parent Forums are open to all Indian Valley parents to hear about and discuss with
Administrators what’s happening here at Indian Valley Middle. Our meetings follow an agenda that
consists of informational items, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities for parents. The
different departments give presentations through the year.
Calendar:
5/2 - IVMS 5K Run
5/6 - Secondary Jazz Concert in the Park
5/8 - 8th Grade Field Trip to Washington
5/8 - 5th Grade Social 6:30–8:00 PM
5/11 - 6th Grade Band Spring Concert 7:00-9:00 PM
5/12 - 7th Grade Honor Roll Reception 7:00-9:00 PM
5/13 - 7th & 8th Grade Band Spring Concert 7:00-9:00 PM
5/15 - 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra, Chorus Trip, Music in the Parks, Hershey, PA
5/18 - Special Olympics Track and Field Competition
5/19 - Red Cross Blood Drive 2:00-7:00 PM
5/20 - Freshman Sport Meeting 1:44-2:24 PM
5/20 - Spring Orchestra Concert 7:00-9:00 PM
5/21 - 6th Grade Honor Roll Reception 7:00-9:00 PM
5/22 - 7th Grade Celebrations of the World
5/25 - Memorial Day, Schools/Offices closed
5/26 - 8th Grade Honor Roll Dinner 6:30-8:30 PM at Souderton Area High School
5/29 - 8th Grade End of Year Dance, 7:00-9:00 PM
6/8 - Field Day, early dismissal 1:00 PM
6/9 - Last day of School, early dismissal 10:00 AM
Music:
Instrumental Music Director, Lois Russo, introduced 6 Saxophonists: Alto Saxes: Ryan Burke,
Zach Ehrlich, Liam Kreag and Lindsay Platt; Tenor Sax: Dean Shaw and Baritone Sax: Fearghas Evanick.
These talented students performed Satin Doll by Artist, Duke Ellington.
Science:
7th Grade Science Teacher, Nancy Cianchetta, introduced 9 students who presented their
Science Fair projects. Samples of titles that were presented: “Colors, Colors Everywhere”, “Persuaded
by Peer Pressure”, “Nail Polish Abrasion Resistance”, and “The Effect of Color on Short-Term Memory”.
Students had the opportunity to enter in two Science Fair competitions: Montgomery County Science
Research Competition and the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Competition. Six of our students
earned 1st place at the regional PJAS Competition and are presenting at Penn State University from
May 17th – May 19th competing against students from all regions in Pennsylvania.
Math:
Dr. Burkhard introduced 7th Grade Math Teacher, Michelle Strenko, who reminded parents that
there would be a Pre-Algebra final exam and a Geometry final exam. Algebra 1 students will not be
taking a final as they will be taking the Keystone Tests May 13th and May 14th. The Keystone Exams are
end-of-course assessments. Students must be proficient in Algebra 1, Literature and Biology Keystone
Assessments in order to graduate. Students will be offered multiple opportunities to take the Keystone
Tests throughout their high school career if they are unsuccessful at the end of the appropriate course
of study.
Hands Across the District:
Dr. Burkhard thanked Heather Wassel and Yvonne Horas and presented them with a gift for all
their hard work and dedication. Dr. Burkhard then thanked all the volunteers for their help this school
year. Mrs. Wassel also thanked the parents who have volunteered this year. Three volunteers, Karen
Rafferty, Angela Steklenski and Suzanne Thomas, put in the most volunteer hours and will have their
names engraved on the Hands Across the District Dedicated Volunteers Plaque located in the Main
Office of Indian Valley Middle School.
If you would like to be a volunteer please contact Heather Wassel at [email protected] or
Yvonne Horas at [email protected].
Today’s raffle winner was Lori Connell.
The meeting was adjourned 11:00.
Next Parent Forum:
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
9:30-11:00 AM
Indian Valley Middle School