Central PTO Meeting Minutes
April 10th, 2023
PTO General Board Meeting – 4/10/23
Location: Central Library – 6:30-8:30 PM
In attendance: Superintendent Dr. Martha Ryan-Toye (on Zoom), School Board Member Wesley Muirheid, Principal Gatz, Mandi Altepeter, Jennifer Fournier, Sarah Hughes, Erica Tzoumas, Sari Rosenberg, Joanna Metzger-Torres, Kate Geletka, Cari Hermann.
Update from Dr. Martha Ryan-Toye regarding the Central/Hauser Redevelopment Plan:
The plans for the redevelopment of the Central/Hauser campus field and playground have been unanimously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and are awaiting approval by the Riverside Board of Trustees. The plan includes a more significant, improved outdoor play and learning area: a recreation field, a new playground for older grades, a living classroom area, four new parking spaces, separation of parking and play areas for added safety, and improved traffic flow which will reduce the traffic congestion at pickup and drop off.
There are several variances needed to achieve this plan: a variance in the number of parking spaces, a variance around the trash enclosure, and a variance around fencing, which would require a full-length wrought iron fence along Akenside moved out five feet from where the boundary is now. (This would require sacrificing some of the current landscaping.)
The fence is needed for student safety and a new landscaping plan has been presented that would include new lilacs, evergreens, and native plants, much of which would cover the sightline of the fence and help act as a sound barrier. The new landscaping has also been planned with the blooming times taken into consideration, so there will be color throughout the year and will provide more sight-line coverage year-round.
The current lilac bushes that are there will not survive the construction regardless of the size of the field. New landscaping will have to go in anyhow.
During the Board of Trustees meeting, some of the trustees voiced concerns about the variance asking to move the fence line five feet closer to the sidewalk, therefore sacrificing some of the landscaping along Akenside. However, if not approved, this would take away 4,000 square feet of much-needed outdoor space for play and curriculum. This is a significant loss of space.
The educational value of more space cannot be understated. Outdoor play is essential for mental and physical health. The PE teachers at Hauser use every square inch of property during their classes. They need the space to be able to separate groups of students who are working on different skills within their curriculum. The goal should be to make things better for all kids.
Currently, only Hauser can use the outdoor field space for PE. With this new plan, Central will be able to access the outdoor space for recess, making for a safer recess experience (they won’t be playing in a parking lot between parked cars). Approximately 200 kids are outside together at each recess break.
This plan needs to meet the needs of the approximately 1000 students between 2 schools for the next 50 years. We’re not just designing for our needs currently but need to plan for the future.
The village will discuss this again and hopefully bring it to a vote on 4/20. The plan needs to be approved as-is to meet the deadlines for a summer of 2024 completion. If it does not get approved on 4/20, it will not happen in 2024.
If anyone would like to voice their opinions on the proposed D96 redevelopment plan, they can email the BOT at: VillageTrustees@riverside.il.us
Update from Principal Gatz:
IAR testing is underway.
Assessment testing begins in May and is considered more important for student growth than the IAR.
Students are improving greatly since COVID, but SEL challenges remain. One of the main problems is that children think directions are optional and think “no” means “maybe.” Parents can help this by being consistent with rules and boundaries at home and holding expectations.
Full-day kindergarten is paying off. The test scores are exceptional this year.
Presidents Report:
5th-grade picnic – ½ day picnic on May 26. Chairs are working with the 5th-grade teachers on the timing of lunch.
5th grade games night on 5/23.
RAC has agreed to host ½ day of programming on 4/28 to coincide with ½ day of school.
Introduced the 23/24 board member candidates. The new board for next year has a full slate and will be voted on at the general meeting on May 9th
VP Admin:
School spring social will be on 4/23 at Fleetwood Roller Rink. PTO will cover admission and the first 135 students' rental.
Teacher appreciation week is the first week in May. A teacher luncheon will happen.
Fundraising:
Brick Pavers: 12 sold at $50
Auction: 136 tickets sold. Brought in $25,000 after expenses. 1st-grade won the donut party for the most tickets sold!
Secretary:
The yearbooks will be delivered on May 31. There will be an 8-page insert for 5th grade covering the end-of-year 5th-grade activities.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 PM
Minutes compiled by Joanna Metzger-Torres