Superintendent PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2021
justice topics even further. Across the DISTRICT “Our hope is that this courageous conversation will facilitate the many ‘teachable moments’ for DISTRICT RELEASES “A K-12 people of all ages in our school community” CONVERSATION ON SOCIAL JUSTICE” said Dr. Gibson. “The group’s collective courage and vulnerability will help to move our school The School District community forward on our journey toward cultural is pleased to release proficiency and educational equity.” the video linked here titled, A K-12 NORTHPOINT PURCHASES LAND FROM Conversation on Social U.S. STEEL, REAUTHORIZED AS KOIZ Justice, in conjunction with National Black In a deal finalized in December 2020, the former History Month, the recent Day of Service honoring Fairless Works U.S. Steel site was purchased Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the ongoing national by NorthPoint Development, a Missouri-based discussion surrounding the principles of democracy developer. The Pennsbury School Board, in tandem and social justice. with Falls Township and the County of Bucks, voted unanimously to approve a resolution reauthorizing This taped conversation continues the District‘s the Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone focus on equity and culturally-responsive practices (KOIZ), exempting taxes on the bulk of the industrial that are already underway. Running 1:45 in site for the next 15 years. length, the video includes the sensitive, sometimes deeply-personal perspectives of students, faculty, Highlights of the development plan and and administrators as they responded to questions agreement with the School Board are listed below: submitted by students. The discussion is moderated by Dr. Cherrissa Gibson, Director of Equity, • Consisting of approximately 1,846.4 acres in Falls Diversity, and Education, with an introduction by Township, the project is collectively known as the Superintendent Dr. William J. Gretzula. Keystone Trade Center, the largest redevelopment in Bucks County in decades, estimated to create A viewing guide is provided here to offer an upwards of 10,000 new jobs. overview of the discussion, a list of the questions • The Master Plan contemplates proposed that were asked, and numerous takeaway points construction of approximately 8,117,000 square raised by the panelists. feet of warehouse and manufacturing space, with a potential buildout of up to 20,000,000 square feet. Finally, included here is a link to additional • The incremental value of a payment in lieu of resources for further reading, listening, and viewing taxes agreement with the School District is at least by those interested in pursuing equity and social
www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2021 1 District Highlights Report
$110,000 per year for 15 years (while the KOIZ is Lisa Follman. “Our three core values are embedded in effect). into explicitly-taught lessons and the core values • A community benefits agreement provides an have become common language at ER.” additional $500,000 per year for 15 years dedicated to debt service payments or capital improvements. ER’s PTO helped to design posters that remind the students of the school’s core values. These posters SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED BY let students know what the core values “look like” and “sound like” throughout the school. The Core CHARACTER.ORG Character Team, led by the creativity of teachers, Jason Miller and Kimberly Sendlock, in conjunction The Pennsbury School District with the talented students on the ER Character is pleased to announce that six of Council, have created enjoyable videos and lesson its schools achieved the 2021 State plans to demonstrate school values and expected School of Character distinction, behaviors at ER. “Within our program, students are bestowed by Character.org, a awarded with Golden Tickets when demonstrating national advocate for character our three core values,” said Ms. Follman. School education based in Washington, D.C. personnel created a special video broadcast on Fridays for the morning announcements, in which These schools include Eleanor Roosevelt, Ms. Follman and teacher, Tyree Annick-Hyle, honor Makefield, Manor, Penn Valley, and Walt Disney the Golden Ticket winners from the previous week, elementary schools, in addition to Pennsbury High followed by a special character building segment by School. All of the schools listed were designated the school’s very own “Teacher Man.” State Schools of Character in 2016 and were re-designated with the same honor this year after a “Our core values are such a major part of so much rigorous re-application process. The schools will all of what we do at ER,” said Ms. Follman. “We start now be considered by Character.org for the National each day with the morning announcements and School of Character distinction. then we say the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the We Are ER Pledge. We take part in classroom Note: Pennsbury’s remaining schools are on different lessons and all-school character assemblies. Many five-year timetables for renewal as State and National of our intermediate students take part in a character Schools of Character. leadership team known as the Character Council, made up of ambassadors of character at ER. These ELEANOR ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL students help newer students join the ER community safely, responsibly, and respectfully. At ER, teachers Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School and parents support various clubs that are centered is very proud to be honored again as a on our three core values, such as the Diversity Club, State School of Character. The mission Multi-Cultural Youth Leadership Club, and the ER of Eleanor Roosevelt (ER) is to develop Runners’ Club. Teachers work with the children a culture where everyone is “Respectful, on service projects as students learn to give back to Responsible and Safe” so that each student can the community, such as Caring for Friends, Caring develop and grow to their fullest potential as Kids Cards (for our Military), and an Art Supply a learner and a contributing member of the ER Collection for Kids at CHOP. Our students also community. “We have combined our efforts through take part in an annual walk at ER for children being our work with character education and school-wide treated at CHOP through Kids Walking for Kids. Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions to For over a decade, the ER PTO has supported each create our own We Are ER Program,” said Principal classroom in taking part in an annual Valentine’s
2 FEBRUARY 2021 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report
Day Service Project where our students build care all stakeholders to strengthen our connection among packages for the elderly and homebound. More home, school, and community.” recently, the fifth graders have been excited to take part in the annual MLK Day of Service in Pennsbury. Over the past five years, in addition to the focus on All of these experiences have been shaped by our character development, the Makefield students, staff core values and our commitment to We are ER.” and community have emphasized a call to moral action through many events. “In the fall of 2018, we hosted award-winning author, Andrea Davis MAKEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pinkney,” said Ms. McCormick-Miller. “Through Instilling character in Makefield her books, she taught our students about the actions Elementary students has been a consistent of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the dramatic priority of this school community. impact his courage had on our society. We hosted Building the character of Makefield an ‘I AM’ rally like Dr. King, and our students had students is a mission of every teacher and an opportunity to stand up and shout something staff member of Makefield. Character development about themselves that makes them proud. We also is woven into daily lessons across subject areas received the designation of a No Place for Hate and emphasized through some of the school’s School that same year. Other activities supporting special events. In 2016, Makefield was awarded engagement in moral action were: our participation the designation of State School of Character and in Mini-THON in February 2020, our YesYouCan! 5K National School of Character. Since then, the in October 2019, which was a District-wide event to program has continued to grow as they focused on “build confidence and build community” as well as providing character development instruction and also support Family Promise of Lower Bucks. Our Walk recognizing students who are making growth and to Remember, MLK Day of Service, Salvation Army demonstrating positive behaviors. Kettle Drive, our Thanksgiving food drives and holiday gift giving are all ways that our students Makefield’s core values of Giving to Others, demonstrate their concern for not only their personal Respect and Responsibility, Owning Your Behavior, well-being but the well-being of those in need in the and Work to build your character (GROW) are local community. We are honored to once again be deeply embedded into the very fabric of the school recognized as a State School of Character in 2021.” and its culture. “Through our GROWS 200 Club, students are recognized for their achievements in these aspects of character,” said Principal Donna MANOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL McCormick-Miller. “The wonderful outcome of “We are thrilled that our recognition including these virtues in our daily practice is as a State School of Character has been that our students no longer see it as work. These extended for another five years,” shares virtues have become part of who they are, part Manor Elementary Principal, Terri of their character. Makefield also supports the Salvucci. “We take great pride in our social-emotional development of our students Manor Strong Program. This is the heart of our through mindfulness programming via Project school. Manor Strong is a school-wide program that CARES (Creating Aware, Resilient, and Empathetic is inclusive of our whole community.” Students) and the Second Step Curriculum during our SEL time in all grade levels. We also incorporate Manor Strong was established in 2015 and into our daily announcements our weekly mindful continues to grow stronger every day. This message and our pledge of respect. Our involved school-wide plan was established to provide a and supportive parent community and our positive school climate and to create a supportive committed Makefield faculty and staff have enabled environment for personal, social, and academic
www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2021 3 District Highlights Report growth for students and staff. “Everything we Behavior Intervention Support program. When do falls under our Core Values of Be Respectful, visiting Penn Valley, the students are able to share Be Responsible, and Be Safe,” said Ms. Salvucci. that our motto is, WE R PV. We are Respectful, We “Manor Strong gives us the common language and are Responsible, and We are Safe are our core values. the foundation to work together as a community and At the beginning of each school year, our students support one another in a positive way that supports review and practice our core values as a school. student growth.” Individual direct instruction takes place in each of the classrooms. Our character program provides A Manor Strong Committee works toward common language and expectations throughout continuous improvement. “Our program is the school community. Posters that outline our core recognized as a State School of Character (2016-2021), values decorate our hallways and classrooms to National School of Character (2016-2021), and a provide visual reminders to our students, but also to School Wide Positive Behavior Program that is keep our visitors informed.” recognized by the state for implementation with fidelity,” said Ms. Salvucci. “Our team continuously Students are recognized with a Panther 200 award takes feedback from parents, students, and when demonstrating responsible and respectful organizations at the state and national levels. This is behaviors that keep themselves and their school an effort that involves all stakeholders. Our school community safe. “Although the virtual/hybrid committee conducts meetings with full staff once a model has presented challenges for our school month to report the data, feedback, and to collaborate community, our learners continue to rise to the on activities and tweaks that need to occur to occasion and earn Panther 200 slips, proving that continue character development for our students and school is not a building but rather a community of community. We have student ambassadors who meet learners, teachers, and family,” said Ms. Hidalgo. once a month and they have an opportunity for input Students have been recognized with a Panther 200 for and action in implementation of program growth. responsibility when observed actively participating Our PTO supports our work and allows us time to in Google Meet lessons and for accomplishing share out with the school community and include curriculum/grade level goals such as completion their input. This recognition belongs to everyone!” of the Xtra-Math program. Students have also received Panther 200 slips for demonstrating Ms. Salvucci concluded: “We are very excited that respect by waiting patiently while their classmates our State School of Character recognition has been share, remaining muted during lessons and raising awarded for 2021-2026. This work is very important their hands to show they would like to add to the to us because Manor Strong is the soul of our school. discussion. Students have received slips for safety by We are passionate and will continue this work following our pandemic protocol. Parents are also because we know it is very important to educate the welcomed to celebrate by sharing about the child whole child.” with a Panther 200 for contributions in their home and community.”
PENN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ms. Hidalgo added, “We are proud to be honored The Penn Valley Elementary school once again for our efforts to improve our character community takes great pride in the each school year.” school’s character education program. “We are honored to be selected once again as a State School of Character,” said WALT DISNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Principal Barbara Hidalgo. “Our character education “For seven years, the students and staff of Walt program is infused with our School Wide Positive Disney Elementary School have traveled on our
4 FEBRUARY 2021 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report character education journey,” said the school day as well as within the community. Principal Laurie Ruffing. “Our character Not only do we focus on the core values of the education program focuses on all staff PEACE Challenge, but we have also aligned those and students in all school settings. With values to our social-emotional learning goals by the help of the staff, we provide the implementing ‘The Nest’ into our weekly routines. students with school-wide expectations for all areas Prior to March 2020, teachers implemented a of the school, including the classroom, cafeteria, 15-minute Nest activity that encourages critical playground, bathroom, hallways, and bus.” These thinking and discussion among students.” expectations are taught at the beginning of each school year and revisited multiple times throughout Within the context of the discussion, students the year. listen actively to the comments of others, think critically for themselves, and articulate their own “Our Positive Behavior Intervention Support/ thoughts and responses to the thoughts of others, Character Education brochure is shared with all while building relationships within the classroom. families at the start of the school year,” explained “This has allowed our students to have a voice Ms. Ruffing. “We invite all families to join us in and to take ownership of their own character being ‘RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE & SAFE!’ as development,” said Mr. Regensburg. “In the the overall theme of our program is that Disney remote learning environment, staff and students students are respectful, responsible and safe. We collaborated with the Pennsbury Channel to ‘Build expect all staff members to model these expectations the Virtual Nest’ through morning announcements. for our PreK-5 population. Students and staff are Segments were designed for our PHS community invited to show their school pride each Wednesday to stay connected. As for this school year, clubs and during our Wear It Wednesday celebration. As part other co-curricular programs such as the Air Force of our character education program, we like to give Junior ROTC, Student Council, Interact, Salt and the students an opportunity to give back to their Light, Operation Smile, Operation Warm, and community. Students participate in our annual National Honor Society have found unique ways to Thanksgiving food drive, the District-wide Day of transfer the 11 Principles into our community service Service events, as well as several other events.” activities. As we reflect on our character journey, we continue to evolve and integrate social-emotional competencies with the 11 Principles to allow PENNSBURY HIGH SCHOOL character development to come to life in our high “Pennsbury High School is extremely school community.” honored to be recognized as a State School of Character,” reports PHS SPARK KINDERGARTENERS LEARN Assistant Principal, Ryan Regensburg. Since earning a National School of WHAT FLOATS THEIR BOATS Character designation in 2016, the school has K-12 Science Curriculum Coordinator Jamie continued to promote and expand the character Swanson shares how during the second marking education program, specifically highlighting the period, students in Kindergarten SPARK classes 11 Principles. “We have further developed our used their knowledge of the concepts of states of PEACE Challenge to include social-emotional matter, absorbing and repelling, and sinking and development,” said Mr. Regensburg. “We have floating to complete the Floating Boat Challenge. made the PEACE Challenge a focal point to “Students learning both at home and at school model and teach desirable behaviors as outlined completed inquiry activities in Absorbing and by CASEL’s competencies, and continue to find Repelling and Sinking and Floating before using new ways to implement the 11 Principles during
www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2021 5 District Highlights Report the Engineering Design Process to complete the challenge,” said Ms. Swanson. “After the In the SCHOOLS investigations, SPARK teachers read the book, What Floats in a Moat? by Lynne Berry to students in order to show how the characters Archimedes the Goat AFTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and Skinny the Hen used the Engineering Design Process to build their own boat. After reading the Gifted Support teacher Eileen Koch writes, “As book, students were challenged to use common we plan our Project-Based Learning in the Gifted household items and craft materials to construct Support Program, we strive to make connections to a boat that could float, carry a message, and keep authentic world issues and innovations. The fourth the message dry. Students brainstormed materials grade students from Afton & Edgewood elementary they could use, drew their plans, and then built and schools worked together in a collaborative class tested their boats. The designs were all so unique group to problem-solve and think critically about and the students were so excited to show off their ‘Shrinking Our Carbon Footprint’ in the actions we engineering skills. It was so awesome to see our perform each day.” Kindergarten students SPARKle!” Along with Ms. Koch, Gifted Support teachers Kristen Marco and Adrian Stoffregen presented a series of interactive environmental lessons promoting awareness of the ways in which one can reuse, reduce, recycle, and repurpose many items used on a daily basis. The students reflected on their actions with possible solutions. They learned about renewable energy and welcomed an environmental engineer and Ph.D. student, Alex Cagle, to join their class during a Google Meet (from Wisconsin!) to share his current research. “Alex presented his firsthand experiences from around the world with floating solar panels and his study of growing
Pennsbury Kindergarten students at home and in the classroom took on the Floating Boat Challenge in SPARK class.
Ms. Swanson added, “SPARK is about ‘the build.’ But more imperative to building the boat is the belief in using the Engineering Design Process. We give students the literacy of mathematics and science concepts, and then challenge them with constraints and improvements. This is where we see a challenge become a STEM transdisciplinary activity.” Afton Elementary students learned about renewable energy in a Google Meet lesson with an environmental engineer.
6 FEBRUARY 2021 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report plants beneath the panels,” explained Ms. Koch. is also indicative of our prioritization of character “This provides a dual option of capturing energy development.” to grow plants and to convert the solar energy into electricity. Alex answered students’ questions The Kindness Ambassadors participating in about the Greenhouse Effect and gases like carbon this project included: Jason Baker, Shannon dioxide that becomes trapped in the atmosphere. Frantz, Adam Moore, Anthony Doto, Abbie Ellis, He explained how carbon can be used to make Valentina Higgins, Sloane Kanoff, Ryan Huffman, sustainable energy in batteries. Overall, the students Carter Watson, Tommy Simmers, Sydney Kanoff, and teachers were very impressed to learn how solar Tiffany Liu, Foluke Oladeji, Thomas Willwerth, paint is being tested in laboratories for future use Randall Zhang, Victor Capizzi, Brody Kelly, on buildings. Alex provided an intriguing glimpse Kingston Noble, Emma Tustin, Jason Campaignio, into the career of an environmental research scientist Kaley DeMott, Lucas Ferry, Ashley Tustin, Reina and encouraged the students to pursue future Caruso, Michael “MJ” Daily, George Diskin, and careers in science to continue to improve our living Joleigh Marchioni. environments on Earth.” FALLSINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDGEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL School Counselor Kristen Cahill writes, The last week of January “Fallsington participated in The Great Kindness marks a celebration of Challenge for the third year in a row, from January spreading kindness and 25th to 29th. Students and staff carried out random peace in and among acts of kindness in school, in their homes, and in the schools nationwide, shares community. Organized by the Fallsington Student Principal Stephanie Council, students were seen bringing in ‘Be Kind’ Hultquist. This year, signs, smiling at staff in the hallways, complimenting Edgewood organized a others, as well as entertaining peers and staff with school-wide Great Kindness Challenge, encouraging a happy dance. Fallsington Elementary took the students to proactively engage in and share acts of challenge and believes that Kindness Matters!” kindness in celebration and support of spreading joy and positivity. Principal Hultquist teamed up with School Counselor, Nancy Axler and Gifted Support Teacher, Adrian Stoffregen, to identify a group of Grade 5 Kindness Ambassadors who helped to lead this building charge. The group engaged in an interactive, whole-school reading of two texts: The Flash is Caring by Christopher Harbo and Being Helpful by Joy Berry. In addition to the texts, students were challenged to engage in an act of kindness and report their experiences. In the coming weeks, the student experiences will be featured during Edgewood’s weekly ROARing News Broadcast productions for the school community to relish. Ms. Hultquist added, “This initiative was not only important to our school A t-shirt worn by one of these Fallsington Elementary students family to continue fostering our school climate, it summed up the theme of the school’s challenge to “Choose Kind.”
www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2021 7 District Highlights Report
Many items were collected to ensure Manor MAKEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL families were provided with plenty of assistance during the holidays. On Monday, January 18th, the Makefield • Virtual Craft and Reading Night: Over 200 community participated in a virtual day of service students participated in and out throughout the in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of night. Teachers (Ms. Jacoby, Ms. Bench, Ms. service to others. Students and faculty worked from Palmer, Ms. Cimochowski, Ms. Camp, and Ms. home to create diabetic lunch bags and first aid kits, Ritchie) joined in and read stories. Ms. Seiler, a designed cards of encouragement, and collected Manor teacher who retired last year, returned to warm winter gear for the patrons of the Trenton read a book she authored. Manor PTO invited Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). TASK’s mission is to families to pick up a craft and hot chocolate kits. feed those who are hungry in the Trenton area and Mighty Mouse joined the students in between to offer programs that encourage self-sufficiency readers to interact and answer questions. It was and improve quality of life. “Makefield showed up so much fun for parents, students, and staff. in a big way to help further this mission by creating over 450 diabetic lunch bags and more than 300 first aid kits, designing countless cards, and collecting boxes of cold weather gear,” said Principal Donna McCormick-Miller. In the words of Dr. King, “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.” What a great way to spend a day off!
Makefield Elementary students and families assembled more than 450 diabetic lunch bags and over 300 first aid kits – plus cold weather gear and hand-made cards – for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. An all-star cast – including 200+ students – participated in Manor Elementary’s virtual craft and reading night during the holiday season!
• Salvation Army: Manor has been “ringing the bell” for the Salvation Army at the ShopRite in MANOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairless Hills for the last five years. The school’s Manor Strong Ambassadors normally take shifts on a Saturday in December to support all of the The Manor school community kept busy during wonderful activities the Salvation Army does the holiday season! for our community. This year, with COVID, the • Manor worked with multiple community students were not able to join in, but the school partners (Neighbors in Need, Toys for Tots, wanted to contribute, so Principal Terri Salvucci the PTO, and Social Worker Tammy Kehan) to brought her daughter and friend to represent support school families during the Thanksgiving Manor and Pennsbury! and Christmas seasons with food and gifts.
8 FEBRUARY 2021 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report
WILLIAM PENN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Angelique Giannascoli’s sixth grade reading class at William Penn has been working on a unit titled, “Contagion.” The unit includes stories and science vocabulary related to diseases throughout history. “Students especially enjoyed reading about epidemiologists,” said Ms. Giannascoli. “So I wanted to create a memorable experience for my two sixth grade classes.” She reached out to Dr. Katrine Wallace (Dr. Kat), whom she found on social media. “Dr. Kat Pennsbury Thespians earned many distinguished honors, has a huge following and is an epidemiologist and including this one, at their first-ever virtual state festival. professor in Illinois. She quickly responded and was open to a Q&A-style Google Meet!” rises,” said Mr. South. “We attended the first-ever virtual PA State Thespian Conference, where The students each students attended virtual workshops and viewed submitted questions performances. Each night I hosted a virtual hangout that an epidemiologist and we watched a show, just as if we were there in would be able to answer. person. Thirteen of our students submitted video “The students were entries to the International Thespian Excellence amazed to speak to a true Awards and I’m ecstatic to announce that 10 of our epidemiologist, learn students received Superior Ratings and will be able about her career, and to submit to the International Thespian Conference ask COVID-19-related questions, as well. Dr. Kat in June. These include: Liam Baldwin, Short was enthusiastic and had students coming up with Film (our first time submitting to this category!); organic questions throughout the entire experience. William Tazza, Lighting Design; Lexi Harman, It was amazing to have a positive female role model Acting Solo; Olivia Caldara, Musical Solo; Elise in the science field share her experiences and insight Carey, Musical Solo; Logan Harris, Musical Solo; on the COVID-19 virus.” Meredith Keith, Musical Solo; Ryann Moran, Musical Solo; Madison Russell, Musical Solo; and Commendable Macey Webber, Musical Solo. Three Pennsbury students were inducted into the ACCOMPLISHMENTS Pennsylvania State Hall of Fame: Logan Harris - Performance Hall of Fame THESPIANS EARN HIGH HONORS Ethan Kraus - Technical Hall of Fame IN STATE FESTIVAL Robyn Kerachsky - Excellence in Theatre Hall of Fame Matthew South, Charles Boehm Middle School choral director and Pennsbury Drama Director, These three students walked away with shares impressive news about the Thespian Troupe’s Scholarships too! winnings at a recent state competition. Ethan Kraus - $200 Technical Award Logan Harris - $200 Performance Award “Even in times of struggle, our curtain still Robyn Kerachsky - $1,000 Performance Award
www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2021 9 District Highlights Report
Thespian Troupe 830 will once again be something is too difficult or needs clarification. represented on the State Board with a Student Andrew is extremely cooperative and wants to help Thespian Officer, Addison Blumberg. everyone be successful with their work.
Overall, the Pennsbury Troupe is proud to have Takearah Brown is in fifth grade at Penn Valley earned the ranking of GOLD HONOR TROUPE Elementary School and was nominated by teacher, (again!). Jennifer Gatt. Ms. Gatt says that Takearah has been incredibly cooperative in the virtual learning “I am beyond proud of each of these students environment. She always has her camera on and and all who make up Troupe 830 and Pennsbury will often hold up materials as directions are being Drama,” said Mr. South. “They dedicate time to given, in order to help her classmates have a visual becoming better performers, even when the artistic and know what is needed for class that day. She world is struggling. I would be remiss to mention worked in a breakout room to help another student this is all possible from the teachings of the late who didn’t understand a concept. Takearah did an Mary Kay Everett. She imparted so much onto our excellent job of teaching her peer, not just telling students and I will be forever grateful to her. She him how to do the page. She uses the chat function is beaming down with pride, I am sure. We all just to appropriately encourage other students as the wish she was here with us to celebrate.” teacher is presenting the lesson. Takearah helps build connections and community in the virtual LYFT CHARACTER AWARDS classroom during this challenging time. ANNOUNCED FOR FEBRUARY Sophia Santiago, in the seventh grade at Charles Boehm Middle School, is the first winner for this In conjunction with the month at the middle school level. Sophia was School District’s ongoing nominated by counselor Donna Bradshaw and character education teachers, Anita Quinn and Colleen Veitz. They say initiative, Pennsbury that Sophia approaches each day with wonder and students are being admiration. She values the time she has in class and spotlighted each month for possessing specific looks forward to activities that allow her to engage positive character assets. For the month of February with her classmates. She is an active participant in 2021, students were recognized for exemplifying Ms. Bradshaw’s Face2Face group and always goes the trait of “Cooperation.” The students recognized out of her way to interact with others in the group. this month are Sophia Santiago, Jack Laderman, She exemplifies a student who is open, empathetic, Takearah Brown, and Andrew Banas. and caring. Her most admirable quality is her kind, cooperative ability to work with all students. Andrew Banas is a fifth grader from Quarry Hill Elementary School who was nominated by teacher, Also at the middle school level, the award this Kimberly Walter. Ms. Walter shared that Andrew month goes to Jack Laderman, who is in the sixth is a very tech-savvy student who is an immense grade at William Penn Middle School. Jack was help to his class. He enjoys solving technological nominated by teacher, Katelyn Hornung. Ms. problems and glitches that the class may encounter Hornung says that Jack is an exceptionally bright while working online. He will search Google for student who works hard and never gives up. He solutions and give step-by-step instructions to his is always the first to volunteer when offered the peers (and his teacher on occasion) to correct issues. opportunity to work with a partner or in a small He also enjoys beings a “tester” for new websites group. He works well with others and often takes and assignments and will give feedback if he feels on a leadership role. He politely keeps his group
10 FEBRUARY 2021 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report on task, but takes care not to upset or hurt others’ to support the leadership of the District.” feelings. He takes the time to offer his classmates suggestions, not commands, and he offers praise as “Excellence in leadership in our nation’s well as helpful feedback to guide his group members public schools has never been more vital to our to success. children’s well-being,” said Daniel A. Domenech, AASA executive director. “The AASA National DR. GRETZULA EARNS AASA NATIONAL Superintendent Certification Program® provides ® superintendents with opportunities to engage in a SUPERINTENDENT CERTIFICATION world-class professional learning opportunity. I am pleased to congratulate Superintendent Gretzula for Pennsbury Superintendent Dr. William J. completing the program.” Gretzula is among the nearly 20 superintendents from across the country recognized for successfully The AASA National Superintendent Certification completing the AASA National Superintendent Program® sharpens the skills that successful Certification Program.® superintendents identify as essential for leading in today’s complex and challenging education The program, administered by AASA, The School environment. The program was developed by Superintendents Association, is a collaborative superintendents, exclusively for superintendents, effort with AASA state affiliates, the National School and is led by seasoned and successful Boards Association, and business and corporate superintendents. leaders. The master teachers and guest instructors have all been sitting superintendents and have demonstrable track records of success. PENNSBURY EARNS PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS FROM ASBO AND PASBO “AASA’s National Superintendent Certification Program® is one of the best professional Congratulations to the Business Department team development experiences I’ve had as an educator,” for these impressive operations awards received in said Dr. Gretzula. “I felt the program was so 2020-21! invaluable because it provided me with ample • Association of School Business Officials opportunities to work with like-minded peers from International Pathway to the Meritorious Budget across the country who continue to demonstrate Award. (Kimberly Zedalis, Director of Financial transformative leadership. We were able to share Services) with, and learn from, one another in ways that pushed each other’s thinking and generated ideas • Pennsylvania Association of School Business to take the good work each of us were doing in Officials Gold Award of Excellence in School our respective communities to a deeper level. Facilities. (Timothy Holman, Director of We were also led by outstanding facilitators who Facilities) are experienced superintendents and served as • Pennsylvania Association of School Business optimistic role models and provided amazing Officials Award of Excellence in School resources that were easily transferable into our Purchasing Operations. (Stephen Waterson, places of practice. As the nation works to strengthen Purchasing Agent) our public schools, I would highly encourage superintendents from across my state and the We thank Christopher Berdnik, Chief Financial country to enroll in this outstanding program, and I Officer, for leading this team of award-winners! am grateful for the support of the Pennsbury Board of School Directors who invested in me and continue
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Pennsbury High School’s Unified Track Team will
Pennsburybe having High School a’s modifiedUnified Track Team “Polar will be having Plunge” a modified (POP)"Polar Plunge" this (POP) year this year to fundraise for Special Olympics and to fulfill the fundraising requirement to keep a High School Unifiedto Teamfundraise within Pennsbury. for Special Join us by: Olympics and to fulfill the
fundraising1. Donating to our teamrequirement using this link: Donate to keepHere or a High School Unified Team within Pennsbury. Join us by: 2. Create your own team and do the POP with us! Follow the instructions; and submit your Upcoming MEETINGS video on this Google Form so we can share with our student body and Special Olympics! 1. Donating to our team using this link: Donate Here oard ellness ommittee or DEADLINE is 2/26/21 B W C
2. Create your own team and do the POP with us! 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., February 24, 2021
What is UnifiedFollow Track? the instructions; and submit your video It’s a spring program at Pennsbury High School that involves building friendships, and stepping out of your comfort on zone! this This teamGoogle is a fully -Forminclusive cosoed highwe school can sports share team whichwith brings our together Board Facilities Committee students withstudent and without body disabilities. and They Special train together Olympics! and compete as equal teammates and through this experience, become friends. Having sport in common is just one more way that 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., March 4, 2021 preconceptions and false ideas are swept away. The season begins March 11th, contact Mrs. Rudesyle ([email protected]) or Mrs. Ward ([email protected]) for more information, or join our Remind @phunified for updates!DEADLINE is 2/26/21 Board Education Committee
ThankWhat you for youris Unified continued support Track? for Playing and Living Unified! 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., March 4, 2021 Coach Rudesyle & Coach Ward It’s a spring program at Pennsbury High School that involves building friendships, and stepping out of your Board Finance/Partnerships Committee comfort zone! This team is a fully-inclusive coed high 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., March 11, 2021 school sports team which brings together students with and without disabilities. They train together and compete as equal teammates and through this Board Action Meeting experience, become friends. Having sport in common 7:30 p.m., March 18, 2021 is just one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away. The season begins March 11th, contact Mrs. Rudesyle (erudesyle@pennsburysd. org) or Mrs. Ward ([email protected]) for more information, or join our Remind @phunified for updates!
Thank you for your continued support for Playing and Living Unified! Coach Rudesyle & Coach Ward
12 FEBRUARY 2021 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org