AboveAboveAbove & && Beyond BeyondBeyond Penn Manor School District – Spring 2018 High school design work nears completion Bids to be awarded in January; Penn Manor High School Project

work to begin in June 2019 KEY: •Dark blue = existing building •Light blue = new construction Design work is being finalized for the FIELDHOUSE •Dotted line = current footprint proposed $87 million renovation and PARENT construction project at Penn Manor High • DROP-OFF MAIN ENTRANCE School. • BUS LOT Bids are scheduled to be awarded in • • January 2019, and construction could CAFETERIA commence in June. The project is expected to take at least three years to complete. AUDITORIUM • • Designs have been • • • Inside continuously updated, AGRICULTURE CLASSROOMS • • based on input from • SECONDARY Conestoga ES ENTRANCE AUX. GYM reopens focus group meetings with academic and EXISTING GYM – Page 4 ACADEMIC athletic department WING • heads, students, PARKING DECK booster groups and district administrators held over several months. Above is a working site plan for the high school The design calls for all athletic facilities project. At right is a rendering of how the school might look. to be located on one end of the site, with most academic areas clustered in three-story option of including district offices as part wings to greatly reduce travel times between of the project. That would free up space at classes. Manor for classroom use. Also planned are improved vehicle travel An Act 34 hearing will be held before the You can follow updates on the project at the Penn Manor district website (www. patterns and parking areas for buses and board of school directors agrees to a final pennmanor.net), on Twitter (@pennmanor) cars, major security enhancements and the design and approves construction contracts. and on Facebook (Penn Manor HS Project). ‘Attollo’ spells success for Penn Manor students Penn Manor is in its third year resiliency, accountability, of a partnership with Children sacrifice and finishing strong. Deserve a Chance that is giving Offered to high school juniors high school students enhanced and seniors, Attollo includes opportunities to succeed beyond a vigorous Recruit Program high school. that requires students to meet Called Attollo (“rise up” in at 5:30 a.m. for leadership and Latin), it’s an intensive, two-year problem-solving activities before college prep/leadership program their school day begins. The Attollo program includes 23 seniors who will graduate this year. based on six “core pillars” – a Students then progress to strong mind, competition, the Scholar program, attending and Attollo Code, a class that toward the school’s growing evening sessions three nights introduces them to coding. minority population. a week for academic tutoring, Penn Manor was the first “We are providing minority Penn Manor SAT/ACT preparation and school district in Lancaster students with an experience Partners college admissions essay and County to establish an Attollo that we could not provide on financial aid assistance. Scholars program at its high school. our own,” said Penn Manor This edition of Above & Beyond visit nine college campuses. Previously, students had to leave High School principal Dr. Phil highlights several of the valuable school to participate. Gale. “Many are first-time partnerships with community Attollo also offers a startup organizations that enable us to experience for students, who To date, nearly 100 Penn college students, and for some serve our students more effectively are challenged to develop, Manor students have benefitted of them, college isn’t part of the and efficiently. create and market a product; from Attollo, which is geared More ATTOLLO on Page 2 4 Conestoga reopens with upgrades, enhanced security $11.7 million project completed for 2017-18 After a year of construction systems and upgraded and renovations, Conestoga communications systems. Elementary School welcomed Increased security was a students and staff back for the major goal of the project, and 2017-2018 school year. a new camera system enables The school underwent a staff to monitor entrances and $11.7 million project that was exits during the school day and completed in the summer. after hours. It included a new kitchen Classrooms include escape and multi-purpose room, windows that allow students a relocated and expanded to evacuate if necessary, and library, a new academic the playground has a safer commons area, and renovated rubberized surface and better and upgraded classrooms and sight lines during recess. Natural light abounds in this airy art classroom at Conestoga Elementary. playground equipment. Visitors enter the school An efficient geothermal through a secure vestibule that Traffic flow around the The project is expected heating system was installed, controls public access. They school site also was improved to extend the lifespan of along with new plumbing, must turn in their keys to by separating bus traffic from Conestoga Elementary by 40 heating and air conditioning receive a visitor badge. other vehicles. years.

Penn Manor welcomes new Special education school directors services provided Two new members — both alumni of Penn Manor High Penn Manor School District is required School — have recently to provide a free, appropriate public joined the Penn Manor education (FAPE) to children with board of school directors. disabilities who are determined, through Mitchell Sweigart, a 2014 the evaluation process, to need special graduate, was sworn in education and related services under February 5 to fill the unexpired term of former IDEA and 22 Pa. School Code §14. member Jeff Lyon. Sweigart Nickole Nafziger and Mitchell Sweigert, both Penn Manor alumni, A school-age child with a disability who will serve until December have joined the board of school directors. is determined to be in need of special 2019. education and related services is identified people with disabilities, in May with an economics as a child with a disability eligible for In December 2017, Nickole and those recovering from degree. He plans to work Nafziger, a 2000 graduate, special education in need of specially injury or illness. She is for BeneFix, a software designed instruction. was sworn in to a four-year active in several community company in Lancaster, term, following her election organizations. Nicki and her after graduation. He also The ollowingf are disability categories to the seat formerly held by husband, Jeremy, have two has interned with the PMF under IDEA: Johnna Friedman. Nicki will children attending Penn Group financial advisors in • Autism serve until December 2021. Manor schools. Harrisburg. • Deafness Nafziger is president of Sweigart, who played Welcome, Nicki and • Deaf / blindness Agape Care Inc., which football at Penn Manor and Mitchell, and thank you for • Emotional disturbance provides in-home care at Princeton University, will dedicating your time to the • Traumatic brain injury services for senior citizens, graduate from Princeton all-volunteer board. • Hearing impairment • Specific learning disability District filling key leadership • Intellectual disability • Multiple disabilities roles at Career & Tech Center • Other health impairment Superintendent Dr. Mike was named Superintendent of • Speech and language impairment Leichliter and school board Record. • Orthopedic impairment director Chris Straub have The JOC includes school • Visual impairment, including been appointed to leadership directors from the 16 blindness positions at the Lancaster Lancaster County districts Mike Leichliter Chris Straub A full description of the services and County Career & Technology whose students attend CTC superintendent positions at programs available is accessible at: Center. programs. the CTC, which enrolls more www.pennmanor.net/special-education/ Straub was named chairman This is the first time in recent students from Penn Manor or by contacting Theresa Kreider, director of the CTC’s Joint Operating history that Penn Manor than from any other district in of student services, at 872-9500, ext. 2227. Committee, and Leichliter has held the chairman and the county. 3 team earns PA, national honors Coach, player named tops in U.S. What an incredible year for the Penn Manor field hockey team! The Comets compiled a perfect 28-0 season, outscoring opponents Penn Manor field hockey players and coaches celebrate their state title. by 148-5 and posting 23 shutouts. The team won conference in the country. the Lancaster- The team was the first in Penn Lebanon League and Manor history to earn Lancaster- District Three titles Lebanon League, District Three and before defeating state titles in a single season. Downingtown in yet Field hockey players excelled another shutout, 2-0, academically as well, with members to clinch the state posting an average GPA of 3.629. championship. Head Coach Emma DeBerdine In addition, nine players were That historic win was Matt Soto named to the High School National followed by even more Player of the Year. Academic Squad – Gabby Bitts, honors as MaxFieldHockey.com Penn Manor coach Matt Soto was Hannah Brown, Emma DeBerdine, ranked the Comets the No. 1 high named the National Coach of the Haley Garber, Briana Harsh, Anna school team in the United States. Year and the PA/NJ Region and Katherine Kirk, Lisa Schaefer, Alyssa MaxFieldHockey.com also named State Coach of the Year. Schriver and Brooke Spezialetti. Penn Manor junior Emma DeBerdine He was cited for leading the team Four seniors signed letters of intent the National Player of the Year and to an undefeated record in the to field hockey at Division I, II or the Pennsylvania/New Jersey Region toughest high school field hockey III colleges.

Bowlers win third straight state title PM contact For the first time in history, a Penn Manor athletic team procedures has won three straight state titles. Penn Manor strives to keep The boys’ bowling team parents, students and staff accomplished that feat as well-informed as possible by beating Wilson March about school closings, schedule 17 in the PIAA Bowling changes and other issues Championship in Pittsburgh. affecting our schools. Information is shared via Last year, the Penn Manor Twitter (@pennmanor.net), boys beat Ephrata, 2-0, the district website (www. to earn the PIAA Bowling pennmanor.net), your child’s Championship title. In 2016, school website and the Penn the team topped Conrad Manor cellphone app (available Weiser, 2-0, for the state through iTunes or Google Play). crown. Boys’ bowling team members and coaches with their 2018 If the schedule changes During the qualifying state championship plaques. before the start of school, that round this year, the Comets information will be shared via — Dan Mease, Michael title. to lose this. I’ve never seen The Comets won the first that kind of drive before.” the above methods and through Morris, Gavin Davidson, local media outlets. In the event Nick Mease, Jordan Kahler, game, 209-173, but Wilson Vital said this year’s title edged Penn Manor, 206-196, win was probably the most of an unanticipated closing, Jimmy Mahler and Mark dismissal or other emergency Smith — finished second to in the second. Penn Manor gratifying of the three after the school day has begun, Wilson. came roaring back, however, because of how the team parents also will receive an In the semifinals, Penn winning the decisive third fought back. automated phone call. Manor lost its first game game, 234-174. Congratulations to team Updates also are available via to Franklin Regional but “This team has a lot of members and coaches for our hotline at (717) 872-9500 won the next two to set up a heart,” said Coach Chris establishing a bowling ext. 2333. rematch with Wilson for the Vital. “They were not going dynasty at Penn Manor! 2 Message from the superintendent I recently had the honor of many aspects to the success of the various partners for this attending the 58th annual FFA Manor FFA, those of us in the issue, we were quickly struck by Banquet, held at Penn Manor school district realize that the the long list of individuals and High School. As I sat among enthusiastic and overwhelming organizations that help make the 300 students, parents and assistance that generous people our schools so strong. community members in the outside our schools so freely Among this list, I would be cafeteria that evening, I was provide greatly enhances our remiss if I did not mention reminded of several important educational program. the collaborative relationship aspects of the long and rich between Penn Manor School history that agricultural District and the Borough of education has in Penn Manor. The recent tragedy Millersville and Millersville First and foremost, I was in Parkland, Florida, Police Department. While struck by the remarkable reminds us of we value our relationships Dr. Mike Leichliter achievements of the students the vital role that with all five municipalities in in this program. As our community Penn Manor, the partnership and safety of a successful school superintendent, it was my with Millersville is especially district. privilege to recognize the 10 partnerships play. noteworthy. In the spring of We hope you enjoy Manor FFA members who 2000, it resulted in the first reading about these various achieved the state’s “Keystone placement of a municipal partnerships, and as you read Degree” status, which requires This issue of Above & Beyond police officer in a Lancaster these articles and perhaps the personal investment highlights several partnerships County school district through meet some of the individuals of $1,000 in a supervised that strengthen the educational the national School Resource and organizations in your agricultural experience or opportunities of our children. Officer program. travels, please join all of us at dedicating more than 600 hours These partnerships cross a That officer, Jason Penn Manor as we show our outside of the school day in spectrum, from generous Hottenstein, continues to serve appreciation for all they do. three years of FFA membership. individuals and nonprofit both the school district and the As I highlighted the organizations willing to share borough. accomplishments of each their time and talents, to The recent tragedy at – Dr. Mike Leichliter student, I was struck by the relationships between the school Stoneman Douglas High School assistance they received from district and other government in Parkland, Florida, reminds us (717) 872-9500, ext. 2223 individuals and businesses in entities and businesses. that partnerships like this one [email protected] our county. While there are As we started to consider play a vital role in the health Twitter: @mleichliter

Agricultural education program Attollo: College prep benefits from industry expertise CONTINUED from Page 1 conversation.” Advisory committee helps shape curriculum, facilities Attollo changes that by giving students stronger Penn Manor’s agricultural education recommendations on everything connections – to academics, Penn Manor and the program isn’t just guided by teachers from ag mechanics shop lighting and possibilities beyond high school, Gale said. and administrators – it’s influenced greenhouse design to the certifications “Students are stretched to really consider what by the people who know what skills students need to earn to be successful all the possibilities are,” he said. “Attollo opens their students will need when they enter the in agricultural, plant and animal eyes and helps them see what their potential is.” work force. industries. That’s what happened for Jasmine Lee, a Penn A community-based agricultural The committee was instrumental in Manor senior enrolled in the program. advisory committee meets several times Penn Manor transitioning a few years “I feel that Attollo really pushed me out of my a year to review Penn ago to the Curriculum comfort zone and made me a confident person,” Manor’s curriculum, Penn Manor for Agricultural Science said Jasmine, who will attend Temple University facililties and teaching Partners Education (CASE), an in the fall. “I accomplished things in Attollo that I materials. inquiry-based, student- would have never even tried on my own.” The group is comprised of eight directed approach to teaching that Another senior, Aniah Washington, said the members who work in the fields of integrates technology into classroom program has helped her fit in at Penn Manor. agricultural mechanics, general and activities. “Attollo has given me a place to call home, production agriculture and animal Committee members also have providing me with friends and mentors that have sciences. provided invaluable input into the helped me grow as a young woman,” said Aniah, “The whole goal is to make our design of agricultural education shops who has yet to decide what college she will attend. program relevant to the careers we and classrooms as part of the high Penn Manor Attollo participants have earned are teaching, and what better way to school renovation project. scholarships to many colleges and universities, do that than by bringing in people “The biggest value is that students including the University of Southern California, working in the business community who come into our program can Drexel, Miami University and Princeton. to make recommendations on what’s know that they are learning skills that Seniors have received scholarship offers totaling being taught and how we’re teaching have been approved by people in the it?” said Neil Fellenbaum, who heads industry,” Fellenbaum said. nearly half a million dollars, a testament to the the agricultural education department. “And that’s the way education value of the program, which costs $310 per Advisory members have made should be.” student per year. Much of the funding comes from donations and grants. 5 Five years of providing hope for the struggling Samaritan Counseling’s screening program has changed the mental health culture at PMHS

Penn Manor is beginning its fifth year of a partnership with Samaritan Counseling Center to provide emotional wellness screenings to all ninth-graders at Penn Manor High School. mental health and educating Called TeenHope, the voluntary teachers so they can respond program screens students for when a student comes to them depression, anxiety and other for help. emotional concerns to identify The program is integrated into teens who could benefit from the health classes that all ninth- graders take. Samaritan Counseling staff members, who provide mental health further evaluation and treatment. screenings to all ninth-graders. If the screening indicates “The hysicalp education and concerns, parents are contacted health teachers are key to this health as part of the everyday build a school culture where and provided with resources because they teach a mental conversation, and hopefully it’s mental health issues are openly and a referral to a mental health health unit, they talk to the identifying some students who discussed in a supportive professional for counseling. If students about the stressers in we otherwise may not have environment, said Gerald Ressler, parents allow it, high school their lives and the screening, so it’s realized were in need.” executive director of Samaritan counselors also begin to work a natural part of the curriculum,” TeenHope has helped reduce Counseling Center. with the student. said Melissa Ostrowski, Penn the stigma surrounding mental Samaritan administers the Counseling can be provided by Manor High School counselor. health issues, according to program and provides the Samaritan or other providers. “Just like you get your height, Ostrowski. “To students, this is team of counselors that screens Another major component of weight and vision checked, you just another way that we take care hundreds of students each TeenHope is educating students take care of your mental health,” of ourselves,” she said. semester – all at no charge to about nurturing their own she said. “It’s keeping mental The program was designed to Penn Manor.

JA enriches Penn Manor freshmen students’ earn Comet Credential experiences Penn Manor ninth-graders have begun a new initiative designed to help them develop the “soft Penn Manor has had a longstanding partnership skills” that employers say are needed to succeed with Junior Achievement of in the modern workforce. South Central PA that has All freshmen are completing online courses recently expanded to include toward earning a Comet Credential, a certificate career-based programs for indicating they have completed training on students in high school and essential interpersonal skills and practices to middle school. help them succeed. For the past two years, Students mix chemicals to create polyurethane during The training won’t just help students who Martic and Manor middle the Junior Achievement STEM Summit at Penn Manor HS. intend to join the workforce after graduation, schools have participated in but will give all students the tools to more the YES! program, and Penn fessionalism. successfully navigate their four years of high Manor High School fresh- Students also learn about Penn Manor school and transition to college, training or a men have attended the JA personal finances, how to Partners job, said Melissa Ostrowski, a Penn Manor High STEM Summit. use debit and credit cards, School counselor. YES! (Your Economic setting goals and identi- The goal of every activi- The Comet Credential program is a Success!) includes activities fying education and ca- ty is to give students a sense partnernship involving local business designed to help students reer goals based on their of how science, technology, representatives, the Lancaster County Workforce gain an appreciation of the skills, interests and values. engineering and math skills Development Board and CareerLink of role that financial and career The STEM Summit, a apply to the real world. Lancaster County, a partner of the American Job decisions play in their lives. daylong event for all Penn Both these programs, pre- Center network. Topics include developing Manor ninth-graders, in- sented by volunteers from The courses Penn Manor students complete a “personal brand,” career cludes science experiments, various fields, have enriched are the same ones that Lancaster County mapping, job-hunting tools, engineering and math com- the educational opportuni- employers are offering to their workers as part work ethics, high-growth petitions and career panel ties of our students at no cost to Penn Manor. of SkillUp Lancaster, an initiative designed to careers and workplace pro- presentations. bolster the skills of the local workforce. Board of School Directors Nonprofit Organization J. Kenneth Long, President U.S. Postage Carlton L. Rintz, Vice President Richard L. Frerichs, Ed.D. P.O. Box 1001 PAID Millersville, PA 17551 Joseph G. Fullerton Lancaster PA Nickole L. Nafziger Permit #996 David R. Paitsel An Equal Opportunity Employer Christopher C. Straub Mitchell L. Sweigart Donna J. Wert Ex Officio Members: Christopher L. Johnston, Treasurer Cindy Rhoades, Board Secretary Administration Postal Customer Michael G. Leichliter, Ed.D. Superintendent Cheryl A. Shaffer, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent, Secondary Jerry Egan, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent, Elementary Christopher L. Johnston Business Manager

Twitter: @pennmanor Above & Beyond newsletter is published by Penn Manor School District. If you Website: www.pennmanor.net have questions or comments, please contact Brian Wallace, Community Relations Coordinator, at 872-9500, xt. 2241, or by email: [email protected].

Education Foundation gives boost to PM students

The partnership between Penn Manor and its nonprofit education foundation has never been stronger. Penn Manor students are building toys for a pediatric hospital, planting a vegetable garden at their school and using computer programs to help hone their violin playing Penn Manor skills, thanks to Venture Grants Partners awarded this year by Penn experiencing economic Manor Education Foundation. Education Foundation grants helped fund tools for Penn Manor PMEF has awarded 52 difficulties. auto mechanics students, in photo at left, and training for Wrangler, grants totaling nearly $50,000 These grants have helped a therapy dog at Manor Middle School, pictured with student ranging from $38 for plant students pay for tools, Maryanne Lopez and school counselor Danielle Rogers. mazes for second-graders at uniforms and other specialized Central Manor Elementary equipment for career and Grant funds also were used to Manor’s longest-term partners School to $4,800 for toolboxes technology programs and make classrooms more appealing and its biggest cheerleader,” for Penn Manor High School assisted families with college to restless learners with new said district superintendent Agricultural Mechanics application and AP test fees. seating options – including camp Mike Leichliter. students. Teacher Venture Grants chairs, yoga mats and exercise “The foundation’s successes have this year funded books, The Foundation also balls. have made it possible to administers nearly $50,000 news magazines, light tables, And the district’s counseling worth of scholarships and field trips, digital photography department received a $2,500 provide countless grants that awards to graduating seniors equipment, therapeutic games grant to implement mental directly benefit our students, and provides Strong Grants and mindfulness training health training programs. which would not have been to help students and families sessions. “PMEF is one of Penn possible without this support.”