Kennett High School Students Continue to Achieve National Merit
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Fall 2012 Why We Kennett High School Students Continue Chose the to Achieve National Merit Status Hannah Frank and Molly counselor must also submit a KCSD Shiflet (not pictured) are detailed scholarship applica- Award-winning academics is one reason 2012 National Merit Semi- tion with the student’s essay parents choose Kennett Consolidated finalists who participated in and information about his or schools for their children’s education. the 58th annual National her participation and leader- However, once children settle into Merit Scholarship Program. ship in school and commu- school, parents are pleased with activi- Since 2009, 74 Kennett nity activities. ties, staff members, and student diver- High School students have sity that enhance their children’s public attained varying com- In the past four years, school experience. mendations based on their National Merit Scholarship Preliminary SAT/National Programs has recognized Some parents and children visit the Merit Scholarship Qualify- Kennett High School stu- District when considering a move to ing Test (PSAT/NMSQT). dents as follows: 19 Finalists, the area. Dr. Mitchell Saltzberg lived in This test serves as an initial Congratulations to (L-R) Jason Kim (Commended), Koji Shimomura 20 Semifinalists, 32 Com- Chicago and accepted a job with Chris- screen of program entrants. (Commended), Hannah Frank (Semifinalist), Richard Fucci (Commended), mended, 2 National Hispanic tiana Care Health System in Delaware. Emma Spell (Commended), Zachary Bolten (Commended), Connor Dal- Recognition, and 1 National Hannah and Molly phon (Commended); Semifinalist Molly Shiflet is not pictured. Achievement Scholar. After visiting schools in different dis- join nationwide pool of tricts, he and his family met principals semifinalists representing less than This year’s National Merit Commended from Kennett Middle School and New one percent of high school seniors and To advance to the finalist level for students include Jason Kim, Koji Shi- Garden Elementary. “They sold us includes the highest scoring entrants in Merit Scholarship award consideration, momura, Richard Fucci, Emma Spell, and our kids on Kennett Consolidated each state. a semifinalist must fulfill additional Zachary Bolten, and Connor Dalpho. School District, so we bought a house in requirements. He or she must submit Kyle Ropp, who no longer attends Landenberg.” These students are eligible to continue an outstanding academic record, an Kennett High School, also attained in the program competition for 8,300 endorsement by the Principal, and SAT Commended status. Dr. Saltzberg and his wife, Dr. Karen National Merit Scholarship awards scores that confirm the preliminary Antell, attended public schools and worth more than $34 million that will results. Each semifinalist and his or her earned Ivy League medical degrees. offered in the spring. “Our options were not limited because we attended public schools,” he said. “Our children’s futures will be positively affected by our choice to educate them District Teachers Taught English in the Kennett Consolidated School District.” and Learned Lessons in China Dr. Saltzberg said his “Expectations have While they taught students in China been exceeded at multiple levels. From how to speak English, they learned the individualized approach to education about people, politics and living in the to opportunities in music and drama land of plenty last summer. Four teach- and the responsiveness to concerns by ers and two library media specialists the teachers and district leaders we have from across the Kennett Consolidated no regrets.” School District were some of the first Americans to participate in an English Mr. Chris Ransick does have regrets. program in northeastern China. He wishes he had placed his children in Kennett Consolidated schools sooner. The program selects teachers that speak He moved from Delaware to Pennsylva- English plainly. “I submitted a voice nia in 2004 but kept this daughter and sample with my application and resume,” son in private schools in Delaware. He said Ms. Elizabeth Ely, Kennett Middle transferred his daughter from one private School library media specialist. Initially, Ms. Elizabeth Ely poses with her class in China. school to another, but she complained the four-year-old program exclusively about her teachers. used teachers from the United King- Teachers on the Learning Curve all the time. One kid in the Forbidden dom. Some Irish teachers’ accents were The educators were on a cultural learn- City came up and rubbed my belly.” “I heard good things about Kennett, so too hard for students to understand. ing curve while visiting the Great Wall, I decided to move her to Kennett High Thus, program administrators required the Lama Temple and Beijing markets. Ms. Ely chimed in, “In Kennett, we see School for 11th grade,” Mr. Ransick voice samples to select teachers who the people of different cultures walking on said. “This is the end of my world!” students would understand during the Ms. Ely said, “They don’t have traffic con- the streets. Over there, nobody is like us.” Nora Ransick told her father. Within two-week summer camp. trol. In the markets, meat is displayed on ice out in the open.” One staff member The language barrier created problems. Continued on page 3 The program paid for flights, lodging, needed medical help, and the doctor was “We were discriminated against by taxi breakfasts and lunches. smoking in the exam room. drivers who did not want to pick us up,” said Mr. Engel. Several staff members said the smell Non-Profit Org. from pollution was potent. Ms. Ely Mrs. Joanne Connolly, Mary D. Lang Postal Patron U.S. POSTAGE WEST CHESTER, drew a comparison, “Kennett’s mush- Kindergarten Center learning support PA room smell is not a big deal.” teacher, said people laughed, pointed Permit No. #326 and took photos of the group. “There is no such thing as personal space,” said Mr. Herman Engel, KMS District staff members also had positive seventh grade social studies teacher. “It experiences while they were getting used feels like New Year’s Eve in Times Square Continued on page 5 Page 2 District Directory KHS Alumni Spotlight: Coreen Haggerty KENNETT CONSOLIDATED People tell Coreen Haggerty she is a Last fall, the partners of Veterinary SCHOOL DISTRICT confident person. The 1986 Kennett Specialty Care in Delaware asked 300 East South Street High School alumnus managed Haggerty to join the team as the Kennett Square, PA 19348 continuing education programs director of marketing and outreach. 610-444-6600 for doctors in Delaware, directed The budding practice where Hag- Fax: 610-444-6614 alumni relations for the University gerty worked weekends for 11 years www.KCSD.org of Pennsylvania’s School of Veteri- had blossomed into a practice with Board of School Directors nary Medicine (UPSVM), and now 85 staff members. She conducts Douglas B. Stirling, President directs marketing for a veterinary market analysis and watches trends Heather Schaen, Vice-president hospital with a staff of 85. She to help her brand and market the Michael Finnegan, Treasurer credits her Kennett Middle School practice with 30 specialists and Dr. George P. Drake, Jr., teacher for giving her the confidence emergency doctors. Pet owners Shirley Annand to step outside of herself. from New Jersey, Maryland, south- Aline Frank ern Chester County and Delaware Dominic Perigo Rudy Alfonso “I was a gawky and insecure in mid- drive up to two hours to bring Janice Reynolds dle school, but my science teacher, their animal to this practice. Mr. Bob Rosselle, helped build my District Office Administration confidence,” Haggerty said. If she In her spare time, Haggerty serves Dr. Barry Tomasetti, Superintendent lowered her eyes when talking to him, on the board of the Delaware Mark T. Tracy, Director of Business he would drop low to lift me up, she Humane Society. She also adopted Administration said. He required students to find male and female American Eskimo Nancy L. Tischer, Director of Human Resources current events related to science each dogs. She works with volunteers Sharon Bennett, Director of Special Education week and that boosted Haggerty’s nationwide who are foster parents Robert J. Perzel, Director of Construction and interest in science. for Eskimo dogs until “forever Facilities On a whim, Haggerty applied to homes” are found for them. Hag- Jane Pedroso, Curriculum Supervisor for Haggerty graduated with honors from UPSVM. The school hired Haggerty gerty fostered dogs, too. “Two came Language Arts and Social Studies West Chester University with a Speech to plan its annual, three-day conference and stuck;” now she has four Eskimo Mary Lynn Vincent, Curriculum Supervisor for dogs. Mathematics and Science Communication/Public Relations degree and other special events for 200-1,200 and began working for the Medical participants. Within a year, Haggerty Kennett High School (grades 9-12) Society of Delaware. She worked with became the director of alumni relations. Haggerty’s drive and devotion crystal- 100 East South Street hundreds of hospitals and non-profit She managed conferences, fundraising lized at Kennett High School. “The Kennett Square, PA 19348 organizations to coordinate the continu- events, and scholarship and mentoring teachers, curriculum and honors 610-444-6620 ing education programs doctors need to programs. courses helped me become a hard Dr. Michael Barber, Principal retain their medical licenses. Haggerty worker,” she said. Haggerty has fond Raymond Fernandez, Assistant Principal Dr. Tomorrow Jenkins, Assistant Principal managed community affairs for the She continued working weekends in memories of growing up a block from Jeffery Thomas, Assistant Principal and medical society, developed marketing client services at the veterinary hospital the school. “I felt a sense of commu- Athletic Director plans, designed newsletters and was a in Delaware, acting as a social worker nity at school. I was involved in flag liaison for state health initiatives. for the pet owners. On Sundays when twirling, sports and a lot of groups.