Superintendent PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2019

County Homeless Shelter (clothing, baby items, Across the DISTRICT and paper products); and Veterans Affairs (clothing and miscellaneous items). The students sorted and organized the donated goods and also made patriotic STUDENTS JOIN TOGETHER IN fleece pillows by hand for the veterans. Well done! SERVICE ON DR. MLK, JR. DAY MATHCOUNTS TEAMS SHINE For the second consecutive year, approximately 200 AT COMPETITION students from across all ten Pennsbury elementary schools and Village Park Academy collaborated On Saturday, February 9th, teams from for a “day on” during their “day off” from school. Pennsbury’s middle schools, led by coaches With support from every other elementary Principal, Debbie Diamond, Scott Gabriele, and Colleen co-organizers Stephanie Hultquist (Edgewood) McInerney, competed in the county MATHCOUNTS and Donna McCormick-Miller (Makefield) staged competition at Christopher Dock High School in another large-scale day of service for the students. Lansdale. Charles Boehm placed 2nd and William Families and staff from each of our schools donated Penn placed 3rd overall in Bucks County! Alex specific items in order to contribute to the following Chen (Charles Boehm) won fifth place in Bucks local groups: St. Mary Medical Center (children’s County. Kevin Ye (Charles Boehm) won fourth activity kits); Falls Township Senior Center (toiletries, place in Bucks. William Penn had the following three socks, puzzle books), Connelly Center at CHOP (toiletries and gift cards for CHOP kiosks); Bucks

Pennsbury elementary students gathered in service to honor Charles Boehm Middle School’s MATHCOUNTS team (above) the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Above: students created placed 2nd overall in Bucks County! fleece pillows for local veterans.

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2019 1 District Highlights Report students place in the top ten: Varun Patel (eighth Accounting Clerk – Financial Services, and Karen grade), Chase Lorantas (eighth grade), and Patrick Sukunda, Staff Accountant. Tenley (eighth grade). Sixth grade Charles Boehm student, Kevin Ye, will go on to compete in the State A proud member of the Pennsbury High School MATHCOUNTS competition! Class of 1976, Ms. Godzieba is also an alumnus of Manor Elementary School (grades K-6), William “This really is a testament to how strong our Penn Junior High School (grades 7-8 – now PHS math program is and the unique programming West) and Medill Bair High School (grades that we offer,” said K-12 Mathematics Curriculum 9-10, also now PHS West). She holds a Bachelor’s Coordinator, Gary McManus. Degree in Business Administration from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) as A FOND FAREWELL well as multiple professional certifications. Prior to joining Pennsbury, Ms. Godzieba worked for In just a few weeks, we will several years as a bookkeeper for the Lower Bucks bid a “Happy Retirement” to Chamber of Commerce. Pennsbury’s long-time Director of Financial Services, Joanne During the course of four decades working with Godzieba. Ms. Godzieba eight Pennsbury Superintendents, Ms. Godzieba also will move on to a new and reported to a series of six Business Administrators. well-deserved chapter of her “The key to success was being able to adapt to their life after working for the School different work styles,” she said, adding that they District for a total of 39 years. could be very different from one another. “The role of the Director of Financial Services has changed Joanne Godzieba Imagine a time when Central quite a bit over time, as well,” she said, explaining office staff members were permitted to smoke at that state reporting requirements have evolved over their desks. Bookkeeping was done by hand – in the decades, including payroll and tax data, among pen and pencil – to maintain records of salaries, other items. “When the Pennsylvania legislature paychecks, and bills paid. The year was 1980. Ms. passed Act I to take effect in 2006, that really Godzieba began her Pennsbury career that year as changed the way we did things,” said Ms. Godzieba. a Payroll Clerk, swiftly moving up to Accounting “Act I not only restricts annual tax increases, but Supervisor, then Payroll Supervisor, and finally to also imposes stringent budget timelines and more Director of Financial Services by 1988. requested data from each school district.”

As Director of Financial Services, Ms Godzieba All of this means the word “deadline” is taken is responsible for the financial accounting and very seriously in the world of Financial Services. bookkeeping of all District funds, as well as More than anything in retirement, Ms. Godzieba annual budget preparation, local, state, and federal looks forward to “not wishing my life away by audits, state reporting, and the supervision of trying to make it to that next deadline. I am excited the accounting and payroll staff. For a number of about doing what I want to do, when I want to do years, she also served as treasurer for the Bucks it.” She already has plenty of personal interests County Technical High School. Staff members who to follow through with that philosophy. Ms. currently report to Ms. Godzieba include Susan Godzieba and her husband, John, have engaged in Nicol, Supervisor of Accounting, Diane Eissler, Revolutionary War re-enacting for more than 25 Supervisor of Payroll, Dawn Nemeth, Accounting years together. Mr. Godzieba is well known locally Clerk – Student Activities, Amberlyn Seals, for having portrayed General George Washington for the Washington Crossing Historic Park for

2 FEBRUARY 2019 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report the past ten years. Together, the Godziebas travel was a secondary English teacher and building to various historic sites along the East Coast and chairperson for the department at Charles Boehm. in Canada. They plan to continue volunteering, She joined Pennsbury in 2014 after teaching middle traveling, and gardening in the years ahead. school English for two years in Boca Raton, Florida.

All of us here in Pennsbury have the greatest Ms. Lyczkowski earned a Master’s degree in admiration for Ms. Godzieba. With her strong work Educational Leadership and a K-12 Principal’s ethic and utmost professionalism, she has led the certificate at Gwynedd Mercy University. She also Financial Services department and supported the holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Business Administrator, the Superintendent, and English Education from Millersville University. the School Board through decades of continuous improvement in Pennsbury. We bid her a fond STAFF MEMBERS ATTEND STATE farewell and wish her all the best in retirement! GATHERING FOR SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY

ACTING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Pennsbury teachers, Kris Bria, Michael Hermann, APPOINTED BY SCHOOL BOARD and Ryan Kennedy, along with Technology Department interns, Jeanmarie McGinley and At the public School Board Amanda D’Amico, recently attended a conference meeting held in January, the in Hershey that showcased a vast array of Pennsbury Board of School school technologies. According to the conference Directors appointed Corinne organizers, “The Pennsylvania Educational Lyczkowski to be an Acting Technology Expo and Conference (PETE&C) is a Assistant Principal at Pennsbury statewide event that provides quality programs High School for the second focused on technology in the educational field. semester of the current academic Each year, hundreds of exhibitors showcase their year. The opening was created latest technology products and services to the vast when Cherrissa Gibson, an Corinne Lyczkowski audience of teachers, administrators, technology Assistant Principal at PHS, was directors, school board members, and more.” selected by the Board to fill in as Acting Principal for PHS West Principal, Lisa Becker, who is taking a “The event was full of valuable ideas, and we are sabbatical leave for the second semester. eager to share these resources with our colleagues and students!” said Mr. Kennedy. As the Acting Assistant Principal, Ms. Lyczkowski’s duties will include staff evaluation, supervision, and development; evaluation and administration of instructional and educational programs; budget implementation and management; assisting with the master schedule; office management; organization of student activities; student discipline; and attendance.

Since September 2018, Ms. Lyczkowski has been serving as an Administrative Intern at PHS East. Prior to that, she was appointed to serve in a similar (From left) Pennsbury’s Amanda D’Amico, Kris Bria, capacity at Charles Boehm Middle School for a year. Michael Hermann, Ryan Kennedy, and Jeanmarie McGinley Earlier in her professional career, Ms. Lyczkowski attended a technology conference in Hershey.

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2019 3 District Highlights Report

In the SCHOOLS EDGEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The first annual Edgewood Elementary AFTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL school-wide service learning “Mini but Mighty THON” event took place on Valentine’s Day. “In lieu Afton students in grades four and five of classroom parties, we held a mini THON dance participated in the 2019 National Geographic event modeled after Penn State’s THON in our gym Geography Bee with over 10,000 schools across all day long!” said PTO President, Traci Curtis. the United States. Students competed for a chance “Each grade level came in to dance throughout to win college scholarships and the glory of being the day and we collected donations to contribute the National Geographic Geography Bee Champion directly to the PHS Mini THON total, which will be of 2019. After two qualifying rounds of geography revealed at their event on February 23rd. We had questions, the ten students with the highest scores high school students join us to add to the excitement were ready for the final competition. During a as we bridged our elementary activity with both the school assembly, Principal Dr. Joseph Masgai, high school and the Pennsbury middle schools that Gifted Support teacher, Eileen Koch, and K-12 also hold this type of event at their levels.” Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Mark Cherepko, worked together to present a variety of questions about world and state geography to the finalists. Melody Weng, a fifth grade student, captured the gold medal and became Afton’s school champion. She went on to take the online qualifying test for the state championship, which will be determined by March 4th. “We are very proud of all of the students who demonstrated a genuine curiosity about the world and geography,” said Ms. Koch.

The limbo dance was just one of the highlights of Edgewood Elementary’s “Mini but Mighty” THON that raised over $5,000 for the Four Diamonds Fund.

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

“We are starting off the New Year at Eleanor Roosevelt by thinking about others,” reports third grade teacher, Brittany Brown. Every last Friday of the month, Ms. Brown’s class is doing Afton Elementary Principal Dr. Joseph Masgai (left) and Gifted a service project that will help others and serve Support teacher, Eileen Koch (right) joined the top Afton Geo Bee the community in various ways. “Last month, we contestants on the day of the school’s championship round. thought about our elderly friends in the community

4 FEBRUARY 2019 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report

This third grade class at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary created Valentine’s Day cards for residents at a nearby nursing home facility. The mighty Kean Kongs (in yellow) came out on top once again in the ninth annual Super Duper Bowl at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary. by making Valentine’s Day cards to give to residents at a local nursing home,” said Ms. Brown. “It was in with the school’s character education initiative of wonderful to talk with the kids about bringing teaching and showing respect, responsibility, and joy into other people’s lives, even people we don’t cooperation.” Each class created its own team name know! Their little hearts are so big and they have so and mascot inspired by their homeroom teacher’s much love to share with others.” name, including the Kean Kongs, Melnick Mashers, Toledano Tornadoes, and Miller’s Mean Machine. Fifth graders at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School participated in a highly-anticipated flag Students in grades K-4 also supported this cause. football tournament known as Super Duper Bowl IX Class groups made signs in order to cheer on all with the support of the entire school to raise money of the fifth grade teams. They also donated canned for CHOP, while also collecting canned goods for goods placed in the decorated collection boxes of a local homeless shelter. The students, led by their their favorite teams. These items were then donated fifth grade teachers, had been participating in a to the Bucks County Emergency Homeless Shelter weeks-long flag football tournament, braving muddy in Levittown. and snowy conditions for most of their games. The tournament wrapped up with Super Duper Bowl MAKEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IX, which is traditionally played the Friday before the Super Bowl. (This year, due to freezing weather Parent (and former PTO President) Danielle Frost conditions, the game was postponed to the following writes: “For the second year in a row, we invited Monday.) Students first attended a pre-game pep current Makefield families to come to school with rally with the school’s band students and student their children on the students’ day off to participate cheerleaders in the gym. in a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service project. This year, we had over 100 children plus their parents “With the support of Principal Lisa Follman, this attend and work on the project we organized.” competition has been an opportunity for the students to practice good sportsmanship and fair play,” said Ms. Frost continued: “We chose to create camp teacher and co-organizer, Jason Miller. “These tie bags for a nonprofit organization called Camp

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2019 5 District Highlights Report

Dreamcatcher. The camp serves children ages 5 to 17 from the Philadelphia region who are affected MANOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL by HIV/AIDS. The week-long summer camp is free to all children who attend; 95% of the children Teacher Patty Kropp writes: “Manor Elementary come from families who are at or below the poverty primary levels (Pre-K, K, & 1) would like to thank line. Many of the children show up for camp our head custodian, Brian Marsula, for taking time with minimal necessities and items needed for a out of his busy schedule to teach our young learners week-long experience. We collected from our school about the traditions behind Groundhog’s Day. He community various toiletries that the children would visited all three levels in two days. Mr. Marsula need for a week at camp - toothbrushes, toothpaste, came dressed in his holiday attire and read aloud combs, sunscreen, soap & washcloths, lip balm, and The Groundhog Book by Gail Gibbons. He answered shampoo. We also collected flashlights, coloring questions and taught the students a little bit about books, and journals. We received a donation of tote the traditions of the holiday and Punxutawney Phil. bags from the retail store, Athleta, as well. The tote The children enjoyed learning from him!” bags served as the camper totes.” Third grade loves learning about our new On their school holiday in honor of Dr. King, the creatures - mealworms and isopods! Teacher children gathered in the school gymnasium. Principal Vickie Seiler reports, “We can’t wait until the Donna McCormick-Miller discussed Dr. King and metamorphosis of our mealworms is completed, so why we serve others on this day. After that, parents that we can meet our darkling beetles! We are also worked alongside their children to decorate the fascinated with landforms, rocks, soil, magnets, bags. They were then given a “shopping list” of energy, and matter.” items to gather and place inside Ziploc bags that were inserted into the camper bags. “In the end, we were able to create 135 bags for this year’s campers,” said Ms. Frost. “Each child will receive a bag upon arrival at camp. There the children will play, swim, and simply be joyful as well as work on therapeutic exercises to help them manage their illness and the stigma that surrounds it.” Kudos to all!

Third grade students at Manor Elementary took great interest in their study of mealworms and isopods.

Art teacher, Beth Brody, shares that “we had a great time with the Art Mobile visiting Manor! Students and parents of Makefield Elementary took time on their Students were able to interact with the art and had school holiday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They decorated and filled supply bags for campers affected by HIV/Aids. great discussions about it.”

6 FEBRUARY 2019 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report

PHS Girls Basketball coach, Frank Sciolla, brought the team to visit Manor Elementary. “We loved the coach’s message of not only needing athletic skills, but also ‘coach-ability’ and selflessness to be a successful athlete,” said vocal music teacher, Marta Grothman. “The team members spoke of their favorite books in elementary school, which immediately connected with our young audience, and the books they are reading now. Their message: reading is a life-long joy and athletes need to hone both their athletic skills and their academic skills.”

Ms. Grothman added: “Our students were given the opportunity to sing The Star-Spangled Banner at the girls’ basketball game the next night. This gave Oxford Valley Elementary first graders enjoyed using Google Dreams headsets to do some serious exploring in virtual reality. our students and their parents great pride. The kids had so much fun at the game. Thank you to the Coach and the team for this wonderful opportunity!” took the kids to the Great Wall of China, underwater swimming with sharks and stingrays, and through Students at Manor were also treated to Ken museums in Paris! What a great technology Scott’s Wacky Science Show. Scott’s shows Pennsbury offers for our students. It really makes are nationally recognized, including multiple everything come to life as a real-world adventure, performances at the White House. “This assembly a field trip without leaving the classroom,” said used magic, comedy, and student interaction to Ms. Kooker. The first graders also had fun showing teach our students about science using simple this tool to IT staff member, Amanda D’Amico, household items,” said Ms. Grothman. “Students and Principal Donna Minnigh. “We took them and teachers were completely engaged in his into a rain forest since we have been studying mesmerizing performance. Thank you to Principal camouflage,” said Ms. Kooker. “They dove into a Terri Salvucci for bringing this wonderful learning cave to find bats and walked around to find pythons, experience to Manor.” rhinoceros beetles, walking sticks, and more. The kids are still talking about the expeditions!” OXFORD VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PENN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cherie Lynne Kooker’s first grade class recently borrowed the Technology Department’s set of The Penn Valley Student Council, led by Kaitlyn Google Dreams, which are virtual reality headsets. Lake and Mollie Cancelliere, organized the Pennies “The students and I were able to travel around the for Patients campaign to raise money to support world and even into space without leaving our the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Students classroom!” said Ms. Kooker. “They became so worked toward becoming part of the Hero Squad, proficient with the goggles that they invited their raising money to improve the lives of children with fourth grade buddies in Ms. Ryan’s class to travel to blood cancer and their families. The school raised Mercury, which they have been studying. We also $3,717.68. The class raising the most money will had a WISE helper, Lucy Kelley, from Mr. Mac’s receive a pasta lunch from Olive Garden and second second grade class, lead us on some expeditions. She place will receive a pizza party from Dominos.

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2019 7 District Highlights Report

soldiers all around their camp. “The soldiers were absolutely thrilled that so many people thought of them over the holidays and showed so much gratitude for what they do every day to help us stay safe,” said Ms. Senior. “A lot of the items were also shared by the troops with children living in nearby villages.”

WALT DISNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students at Walt Disney were treated to a “wonderful, wacky” science assembly, writes teacher, Lorie Becker. “Mr. Ken Scott came to our school to perform fascinating science experiments for all students. They learned about the differences between physical and life sciences. Students also The Penn Valley Elementary Student Council led their peers to become members of the “Hero Squad” and raised funds to experienced optical illusions and were treated to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. vortex experiments.”

“Staff and students did an outstanding job working together to complete this campaign!” said Principal Barbara Hidalgo.

QUARRY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

U.S. troops stationed overseas were the recipients of an assortment of Halloween and holiday stocking items, along with hand-written messages, thanks to the students and families of Quarry Hill. With assistance from the Student Council, led by advisors Kim Walter and Robyn Rowlands, and support from teacher, Sandy Senior, the items were shipped in time for delivery by Christmas and displayed by the Ken Scott’s “Wacky Science Show” mesmerized students at Walt Disney (above) and Manor elementary schools this month.

CHARLES BOEHM MIDDLE SCHOOL

Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character in communities including schools, districts, families, workplaces and sports, recently designated 87 schools and 3 districts in 18 states as State Schools Thanks to the generosity of the Quarry Hill Elementary community, of Character for 2019. Principal Travis Bloom is these soldiers stationed overseas received Halloween and holiday pleased to share that Charles Boehm Middle School treats for themselves and for children living in nearby villages. is included on this new listing of schools (one of only

8 FEBRUARY 2019 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report two in Pennsylvania!) as Boehm was re-designated a State School of Character in 2019. While the Pennsbury School District and every Pennsbury school currently hold this distinction at the state and national levels, it was Charles Boehm Middle School that led the way five years ago and became the first school in Pennsbury to achieve this recognition. Congratulations to the entire Boehm community for this significant re-designation!

Since Character.org’s School of Character program inception, the process has affected nearly 3 million students, staff, parents, and other community members. Each year, Character.org certifies schools and districts at the state level that demonstrate a Todd Rogers, a certified NEED energy manager, led students dedicated focus on character development, which has on energy audits through Charles Boehm and William Penn a positive effect on academic achievement, student middle schools. behavior, and school climate. “We are pleased to announce the 2019 State Schools and Districts of energy to heat the building and ways we could Character,” said Doug Karr, Character.org’s President make improvements. We discussed energy-efficient & CEO. “These schools’ representatives, including items like double-paned windows and fluorescent educators, parents and students, are working together light bulbs to save energy. We discovered that to create stronger communities focused on character. changing an individual’s behaviors to conserve is We are honored to validate their efforts and continue the best method of reducing our consumption of coaching them along their journeys.” Criteria for energy.” The students at William Penn had a similar selection are based on Character.org’s 11 Principles experience, and also spent time with head custodian, of Character, which include providing students with Michael Glass, who demonstrated the in-house opportunities for moral action, fostering shared energy monitoring system that he uses through leadership, and engaging families and communities computer technology in his office. as partners in the character-building effort. PENNWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Science teachers, Sandy Metzger (Boehm) and Kristin Slota (William Penn) recently invited A representative of the Philadelphia Ronald certified energy manager, Todd Rogers, of the McDonald House came to Pennwood to help National Energy Education Development (NEED) kick-off the month-long “Read for House” campaign Program, to their schools to conduct two separate that Pennwood sixth graders are participating in energy audits with their students. Ms. Metzger to support the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald writes: “On January 23rd, a group of Boehm House. The reading program, now in its 25th year, students participated in an energy audit with Mr. is presented by Kramer Kirsh Insurance Group and Rogers. Using instruments like a light meter, relative Kramer Insurance Center. The program is a unique humidity meter, hydrometer to measure water service-learning project that benefits all children, the temperature, and a Kill-A-Watt energy meter that school, as well as the families of the Philadelphia measures required energy, the students gathered Ronald McDonald House. “By combining their daily data about the efficiency of our buildings. We reading with community service, the program enables visited the boiler room and discussed how we use students to take an active role in helping other

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2019 9 District Highlights Report

grades 5-12 participated in the project, and the result is a spectacular display of interpretations of each individual student, the direct result of the many diverse backgrounds, experiences, and environments from which the students come. The works exhibited in the gallery represent myriad issues common to our “Identity Mapping” at the time, some more sensitive Michener than others. Parents, Pennwood Middle School sixth graders hosted guest speakers (and siblings, grandparents, friends, teachers, school a therapy dog) from the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House to administrators, and the entire community are kick off their “Read for the House” campaign. Teacher Stacy Kirsh welcome to join the students at a reception on (left) organized the event. Sunday, February 24th from noon to 3:00 p.m. Guests are invited to meet one another, have lunch, children, while also enjoying the benefits of increasing and tour the museum. The reception is an open their reading efforts,” said Pennwood teacher, Stacy house event, so visitors are welcome to come and go Kirsh. In addition to the representative, students also as they please. In addition, the exhibition is free and listened to Steven Kramer, a therapy dog volunteer, open to the public from February 10 - March 4, and who brought along one of his dogs. Two Pennwood visitors may see the student work during regular parents also spoke about their experiences with Museum hours. their children at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. Each presenter discussed the importance of WILLIAM PENN MIDDLE SCHOOL the House, explaining exactly what it is and what it has done for them. See the last paragraph under Charles Boehm Middle School for a joint energy effort that involved science Art teacher Megan Miller is leading Pennwood teachers and students at both Boehm and William Penn. students in her after-school Art Club to create mixed media self-portraits for this year’s Crossing Physical Education teacher, Denise Melnick, Boundaries outreach program and student writes that “William Penn Physical Education exhibition at the James A. Michener Art Museum is now in the running to win a grant for fitness in Doylestown. This is a collaborative project equipment for inside and outside our school. We involving students from Willow Dale Elementary have entered the voting portion of the grant process, School, Pennwood Middle School, and the LINC and we need the District’s help to get the votes! High School. As a result, the Michener Education Voting continues through February 28th, and people Gallery exhibition will feature original artworks, may vote once a day from each email address they poetry, essays, and video created in programs with have. All voters must be age 13 or over, and they educators at each of the above listed schools. The must enter our school’s zip code of 19067 when they 2019 theme of this outreach program is “Identity vote.” Specific voting information may be found on Mapping.” Students were asked to explore their own the full-page flyer attached to this report. Best of identities, and how, through their art, they wished luck, William Penn! to convey their identities to the world. Students in

10 FEBRUARY 2019 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report

An exciting K’nex STEM Design Challenge and Ms. Greiner. These students will have an took place recently at William Penn, as teams interactive art station where guests can demonstrate of top-performing eighth graders competed their creative flair.” Approximately 40 students from for a half-day to move on to the Bucks County sixth, seventh, or eighth grade are participating in Intermediate Unit (BCIU) challenge in early the Science Fair component. “These students are March. Similar challenges were also being held in creating traditional science fair projects on a topic Pennsbury’s other middle schools and many of our of their choice,” said Ms. Slota. “They are looking elementary schools. The task for each group this forward to sharing their knowledge and passion for year was to create an environmentally-friendly STEM.” Twenty seventh-grade science students are amusement park ride. William Penn eighth grade participating in the Energy Expo component. “The science teachers, Kristin Slota, Kelly Giacomelli, students participating in this section plan to take and Bridget Blackshire, organized their school the show on the road to another feeder elementary event, which also included guest judges. These school and possibly the local library,” added Ms. guests were Dr. Lindsey Sides from the BCIU, Slota. “These students will also be attending the Gifted Support teacher, Jane Jones, Math Specialist PEEP (PECO Energizing Education Program) Marisa McGettigan, and K-12 Science Curriculum showcase one evening in May at the Franklin Coordinator, Jamie Swanson. The BCIU challenge Institute. They are hoping to enter the NEED Youth next month is just one of many across the state Awards Contest as William Penn has done in the of Pennsylvania. The top teams at each regional past. Maybe they will be recognized in Washington, competition will advance to the state competition D.C. again – for a third year?” Good luck to all! being held on May 17th at Harrisburg University. Good luck to all of our Pennsbury teams! Art teacher, Blair Greiner, writes: “At the beginning of the school year, Principal Christopher Becker and Assistant Principal Dr. Michael Hogan assigned instrumental music teacher, Joe D’Alicandro, to morning lobby duty to ensure that any adults entering the building would be directed to the office. What they didn’t know is that by making this decision, they would be giving every student a positive and enthusiastic start to their day.

Judges (right) listened intently as William Penn Middle School students demonstrated their creations during the K’nex STEM Design Challenge.

Science students are currently gearing up for the seventh annual Energy Expo/STEAM Fair at William Penn, which is set to take place on Friday, February 22nd. With regard to the “art” portion of STEAM, teacher Kristin Slota explains: “We will Teacher Joe D’Alicandro greets every student arriving at have a group of seven art students participating in William Penn Middle School each morning. the event, along with their teachers, Ms. Morrow

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2019 11 District Highlights Report

Mr. D’Alicandro, also known as ‘Mr. D,’ is ready for the school day well before the bell rings. Stationed in the lobby, he welcomes every single student and adult in the building with a smile, a ‘good morning,’ and a high five. At first students weren’t too sure how to respond to this welcome to school and now, no one passes without their high fives and return morning greetings to Mr. D. He has embraced this new role and made it his own by dressing in complete head-to-toe white during our white-out spirit days and has even been seen sporting a ‘Welcome to William Penn’ blue vest. He has, with one action, one intention, raised the positive climate of the school community with the attitude and manner he embraced in this new morning duty. We The PHS Air Force JROTC cadets enjoyed hosting two other are grateful for the recharge of positive energy and AFJROTC units for a collaborative Physical Education event. the smile that is gifted to each of us, daily, as we start a day of learning.” Pennsbury students, played volleyball, basketball, and participated in various team-building activities. PENNSBURY HIGH SCHOOL Major MacEachern added, “As a relatively new unit, we need to continue to build relationships with On Wednesday, February 13th, 60 PHS students neighboring JROTC programs. We can learn from took the American Mathematics Competition, them and maybe they can learn from us. And, most either the AMC 10 or the AMC 12, writes PHS importantly, the kids had a great time.” math teacher, Stacy Garretson. The test consists of 25 multiple-choice questions and students are For several consecutive years, members of the not permitted to use a calculator. Students are Multi-Cultural Youth Leaders (MCYL) Club, competing for national, state, and school awards and accompanied by faculty advisor, Applied Engineering are trying to qualify for the next round of testing, & Technology Education teacher, John Sanders, have the American Invitational Mathematics Examination. volunteered at Good Stuff Thrift Store, a nonprofit To qualify, students must score in the top 2.5% of Pennsbury Partner. “Instead of having a day off, the the nation for the AMC 12 and in the top 5% for the students of MCYL had a ‘day on’ to participate in AMC 10. “We will get the results in a few weeks, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service,” said and hopefully we continue the Pennsbury tradition Mr. Sanders, adding, “Good Stuff has been so kind of having students advance!” said Ms. Garretson. to us, allowing us to help out in various areas in the store.” The club performed a multitude of duties, The PHS Air Force JROTC program recently among them accepting items on the receiving dock, hosted two AFJROTC units for a collaborative organizing clothing, shoes, handbags, books, kids’ Physical Education event. As Major (Ret) Jim toys, and checking the operation of donated electronic MacEachern, the PHS JROTC senior instructor, put items. Mr. Sanders also helped by assembling dining it, “We love it when our cadets interact with cadets room tables in the back room and moving them to from other schools in a positive way. It reinforces the showroom in the front of the store. Mr. Sanders that they are a small part of a much larger JROTC concluded: “All proceeds from the sale of items at community.” The other schools – North Penn and Good Stuff (minus operating expenses) support five Sayreville (NJ) – brought 25 students who, alongside charities that benefit children.” Well done!

12 FEBRUARY 2019 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report

He shows cooperation by respecting his classmates and teachers and works well with other students to complete assigned activities and group goals. He shares his materials and is always willing to compromise when there is not a consensus among the group. According to Ms. Murray, “Vincent is a joy to have under my supervision during lunch and recess. If I ever need a helper to guide another student to the nurse or restroom, he is always dependable.”

Also winning the character award at the elementary level this month is Seamus Burke, who is in the first grade at Eleanor Roosevelt . Seamus was nominated by These members of the PHS Multi-Cultural Youth Leaders club Elementary School (and their advisor, John Sanders) volunteered at Good Stuff Thrift teacher, Elizabeth Patton, who said that Seamus Store on Dr. MLK, Jr. Day. is a cooperative student who is always a team player. During a game, he offered to switch sides to help another team that was struggling. He also volunteered to skip a movie to be with a peer who Commendable was experiencing some anxiety. He encourages his peers to listen in class so they will be eligible to earn ACCOMPLISHMENTS a “golden ticket.”

LYFT CHARACTER AWARD Kaitlyn Baik is an eighth grader at Charles Boehm Middle School and was nominated by WINNERS ANNOUNCED teacher, Heather Mengert. She shared that Kaitlyn is the captain of her volleyball team, where she In conjunction with the Pennsbury demonstrates excellent cooperation. In the classroom, School District’s ongoing character she encourages others and engages in teamwork. She education initiative, students at the follows directions and helps clarify those directions elementary, middle, and high school at times for her peers. She helps other students who levels are being spotlighted each need a little assistance during group projects and month for possessing specific positive uses her positivity and sense of humor to include character assets. For the month of February 2019, others and make them feel welcome. students are being recognized for exemplifying the trait of cooperation. Honorees this month include The high school honoree this month is Melanie Vincent Castelize, Melanie Tobar, Kaitlyn Baik, Tobar, who is a senior at Pennsbury High School and and Seamus Burke. was nominated by her teacher, Amanda Sciolla. Ms. Sciolla notes that Melanie is a great help in Nursery The first elementary honoree this month is Vincent School. She cheerfully offers to work with whichever Castelize. Vincent is in Kindergarten at Fallsington team needs the most help and is compassionate and Elementary School and was nominated by Sydney flexible in working with the child assigned to her. Matejik, Amber Baez, Amy Murray, Kristen Cahill, She works cooperatively with Ms. Sciolla to establish and Principal Brian Shaffer. They shared that Vincent procedures and strategies to help this child have a has made quite an impression on the Fallsington successful school day. She also offered to help another staff for his cooperative attitude and great character. student organize his portfolio.

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STUDENT MUSICIANS HONORED STUDENTS ARE TOP RUNNERS-UP IN “SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY” AWARDS Please join in congratulating PHS senior, John Brunozzi, for making lead trumpet with the Kudos to Pennsbury Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State High School students, Leah Jazz Ensemble! This news was shared recently by Stoogenke, a senior, and Casey Instrumental Music Curriculum Coordinator, Frank Schaeffer, a freshman, for being Mazzeo. “John was the featured trumpet soloist with selected as top runners-up the Long Orange Line this past fall and plans on in the 2019 Prudential Spirit pursuing music as a career in the fall of 2019,” said of Community Awards in Mr. Mazzeo. Pennsylvania! As a result, Casey and Leah will each There is more exciting news from the receive an engraved bronze Leah Stoogenke instrumental music department. The Pennsbury Distinguished Finalist School District will be very well represented at medallion to commemorate the upcoming Pennsylvania Music Educators this prestigious award. Based Association All Region 6 Band and Orchestra on the number of volunteer Festivals. Congratulations to the following hours executed by each of these outstanding student musicians: Sonya Benegal, honorees, Casey and Leah also Avi Bewtra, John Brunozzi, Jonathan Bywater, qualified for the President’s Priya Deliwala, Grace Gerhauser, Greg Glatzer, Volunteer Service Award. This Mikayla Kim, Ryan Livingston, Amanda Rearden, award recognizes Americans of Jordan Spivack, Rob Walton, Duncan Costello, all ages who have volunteered and Jason Steiner. significant amounts of their Casey Schaeffer

Congratulations to both the PHS Bowling and Basketball Teams for earning their respective Suburban One League Championships! Go Falcons!

14 FEBRUARY 2019 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report time to serve their communities and their country. are Pennsbury students were recently honored for earning their Silver and Gold Awards. Leah spent two months writing, editing, and helping to illustrate Maggie’s Box, a children’s book Nicole Middleton, a senior encouraging female creativity and empowerment. at Pennsbury High School, These efforts raised nearly $900 for The Campaign earned her Gold Award for Female Education. The funds donated from the by completing a project book’s sales funded the tuition, books, uniforms, and beautifying the playgrounds at other expenses for four female high school students St. Mary Child Development in Africa. Center. Nicole’s project addressed the lack of outdoor Casey started an organization known as Full activities available for the Heart in 2015 to empower kids to get involved in Nicole Middleton children attending programs at their communities. Full Heart has been active at the center. Nicole and her team many community events and has donated over restored the playgrounds and added new activities $7,000 to many worthy causes. For three years, to engage the children in free play, enhancing their Casey organized her feature event, the Full Heart outdoor playtime with new game areas, bike tracks, Kids Carnival, which most recently donated over and a stage. $4,300 to several charities. One of these recipient groups is A Soldier’s Hands, which collects Alaina Tarallo, also a senior and sends skincare products to soldiers serving at PHS, earned her Gold Award overseas. In 2018, Casey created the Full Heart by completing a project focused Music Scholarship, awarded annually to the most on providing comfort to cancer improved orchestra student at Pennsbury. and hospice patients at St. Mary Medical Center. Alaina’s goal “These young volunteers learned and was to increase the physical demonstrated that they can make meaningful and emotional well-being contributions to individuals and communities of patients during their stay through their service,” said Charles Lowrey, Chief at the hospital. Alaina and Alaina Tarallo Executive Officer of Prudential Financial. her team sewed 60 C-shaped neck pillows to be used by patients to keep their GIRL SCOUTS EARN heads and necks in position. Alaina digitized her pattern for the C-shaped neck pillows so that the SILVER AND GOLD AWARDS pattern could be shared electronically with others who endeavor to make such pillows. Additionally, Earning one of the Girl Scouts’ highest awards Alaina made 26 fleece tied blankets for patients. challenges girls to be their best and develop, plan, In earning her Gold Award, Alaina completed the and implement a “Take Action” project. Silver Trifecta, earning all three of Girl Scout’s highest Award and Gold Award Girl Scouts are making the awards – Bronze, Silver, and Gold! world a better place. The Silver Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette (6th-8th grade) can earn Kathyrn Myer, a senior at PHS, earned her and requires a minimum of 50 hours to complete. Gold Award by bringing the community together The Gold Award, open only to Girl Scouts in high through art. Kathryn researched, designed, and, school, is the most prestigious award and most with her team, painted a mural at the Lower difficult for girls to earn, requiring a minimum of 80 Makefield Township Community Pool. The mural hours to complete. Five Sandy Run Girl Scouts who

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can be seen on the wall at the Congratulations to Nicole, Kathyrn, Emma, Alaina, lower entrance to the pool and and Gavriella. The Sandy Run Girl Scout Service Unit from Edgewood Road. The and the Pennsbury community are proud of all you beautification project was in have accomplished! cooperation with the Lower Makefield Township Parks and STUDENT ATHLETES ANNOUNCE Recreation department. COLLEGE PLANS

Congratulations to the following senior athletes, Kathyrn Myer who recently announced their college destinations in the fall after signing National Letters of Intent to play Gavriella Weinstein, a their respective sports at the college/university level: freshman at PHS, earned her • Meghan Dressel – softball, Bloomfield College Silver Award by enhancing the learning experience at Abrams • Brian Malinowski – football, Morgan State Hebrew Academy. Gavriella University. and her team built eight six-foot convertible benches • Sheehan Miles – football, Lincoln University for an outdoor classroom. Go Falcons! The back-support piece of each bench flips up to create Gavriella Weinstein a tabletop surface. Gavriella hopes her project helps bring knowledge and joy to a lot of students at Abrams Hebrew Academy for years to come.

Emma Smirk, a seventh grader at Pennwood Middle School, earned her Silver Award by sewing hats for premature infants. Emma, who was born 13 weeks Three Falcon athletes just signed National Letters of Intent to play prematurely, weighing only their respective sports at the college level in the fall. See above for the students’ names and their plans. 1 lb. 5 oz., wanted to give back to the NICU that cared Emma Smirk for her. Emma and her team PHS TEACHER BREANNE COOK sewed 200 hats of various sizes for premature infants born at Cooper University HONORED BY ROTARY CLUB Hospital in Camden, NJ. Emma also created a Breanne Cook, a faculty member of the English brochure detailing how to sew preemie hats and department at Pennsbury High School, was shared the brochure with local sewing stores and recognized recently by the Levittown-Fairless Hills camps. Emma hopes that her project gives parents of Rotary Club. Ms. Cook serves as the faculty advisor preemies hope that their fragile babies will grow up for the student Interact Club, a community service to do amazing things, too. group affiliated with this local Rotary chapter, which

16 FEBRUARY 2019 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report is also a Pennsbury Partner. The Distinguished Service Citation presented to Ms. Cook reads, “In honor and with deep appreciation of devoted and unselfish service to our club and community.” Congratulations, Ms. Cook! Upcoming MEETINGS Board Facilities Committee 5:00 p.m., March 7, 2019 Superintendent’s Conference Room

Board Education Committee 7:30 p.m., March 7, 2019 Superintendent’s Conference Room

Board Finance/Partnership Committee 7:00 p.m., March 12, 2019 Superintendent’s Conference Room

Action Board Meeting PHS English teacher and Interact Club advisor, Breanne Cook 7:30 p.m., March 21, 2019 (left), accepted a special plaque of recognition for her efforts from Fallsington Elementary School Heather Towne, President of the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rotary.

CLOTHING DRIVE

Bring new or gently used donations to: Pennsbury High School West Keller Hall Lot (on corner of S. Queen Anne Dr. WHAT WE ACCEPT: and S. Olds Blvd.) clothes, footwear, handbags, coats, belts, ties, undergarments, sheets, March 8 pillowcases, towels, linens, hats, scarves, gloves, wallets, jewelry, from 2:30- jerseys, uniforms, backpacks, new 5:00 pm diapers

Snow date: Please DO NOT bring the following items: April 5 Toys, books, games, furniture, curtains, pillows, stuffed animals Since UNICEF earns money for each pound donated, your donation will help children around the world, promote eco-friendly practices, & bring meaning to your spring cleaning!

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2019