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MAKING IDEAS HAPPEN

ANNUAL REPORT 2013 2. A Partnership That Works | Berks Business Education Coalition | Annual Report 2013

Marlin Miller, Jr. Chairman Berks Business Education Coalition

a message from Marlin Miller: Making Ideas Happen The past year was the 23rd year students into a business environment for one that the BBEC worked to add day to focus their thinking on careers and value to Berks County K-12 educa- what companies expect when interviewing tion. As a founding member of the for new employees. Back at school in the organization, it has been gratifying afternoon, representatives from the business to observe the close cooperation community and educators developed conver- of the Coalition and the school sation with the students about the day’s systems in the development of learning experience, and reinforced business programs referenced in this report. expectations. I had the opportunity to lead The basic thrust of the programs one of these conversations with students has been to further our original that had visited EnerSys and came away mission of better preparing stu- quite convinced that students gained a new dents for college and/or careers. It appreciation of what it means to prepare for is difficult to measure the impact a career and work in the business world. of this work, but through the years This past year both Paul Roedel, a past educators have consistently stated president, and recently treasurer of the that having the interest and sup- Coalition, and I decided it was time to retire port of the business community as officers and pass the leadership onto has been very helpful in keeping a others on our board that are currently active focus on career thinking and in the business community. The board preparation. Each year there has elected as officers for 2014, the very capable been very direct feedback from the team of John Weidenhammer as president, 20 or more teachers that have John George to continue as vice president, been directly involved with and Jeffrey Rush as treasurer. business during their summer break. This was the Coalition’s The Coalition would not exist without first program and teachers have the financial and active support of its uniformly expressed that the members, both business and education experience has given them the members, and the dedication of the board of opportunity to better portray the directors. I want to personally thank you for working world to their students. this support and for the opportunity to serve as president for the past several years. The Coalition’s most recent program was developed and executed for the first time in 2013 by our executive director, Dr. Solomon Lausch. This was an ambitious program to get 9th grade Marlin Miller Annual Report 2013 | Berks Business Education Coalition | A Partnership That Works 3.

Pennsylvania School Performance Profile Responding to requirements of Act 82 of 2012, the Department of Berks County School Districts Education has developed the Pennsylvania 2012-2013 School Year School Performance Profile (PSPP) for each public school and each publicly ACADEMIC SCORE chartered school in Pennsylvania. The 77.1 PSPP became fully operational in December, 2013. Boyertown Area School District 88.4 The profiles are smartly organized and Brandywine Heights Area School District 80.5 present an array of useful information for Conrad Weiser Area School District 75.8 the interested, discerning reader. The Area School District 81.7 website is readily accessed (Pennsylvania School Performance Profile) and easy to Exeter Township School District 83.9 navigate. Fleetwood Area School District 82.5 Each school’s profile is presented as a Governor Mifflin School District 86.3 score ranging from 0 to 100. A score of 70 or higher is satisfactory. The score is the Hamburg Area School District 82.7 cumulative calculation of seven weighted I-LEAD Charter School 35.1 indicators. Two indicators, academic achievement and measures of academic Kutztown Area School District 86.6 growth constitute 80% of the score. Other Muhlenberg School District 80.6 indicators, including cohort graduation rate, attendance rate, and a measure of Oley Valley School District 72.4 closing the achievement gap for histori- 54.3 cally underperforming students, constitute the remaining 20% of the profile score. Schuylkill Valley School District 86.0 The information at right is for the Tulpehocken Area School District 76.4 18 Berks County school districts and the Twin Valley School District 85.0 I-LEAD Charter School in Reading. The district “academic score” is the mean 89.2 average of the building level scores for Wyomissing Area School District 81.9 each of the schools in the district. Find out more at: paschoolperformance.org 4. A Partnership That Works | Berks Business Education Coalition | Annual Report 2013

YEAR IN REVIEW

A Day of Interaction with Business This past September, 4,500 ninth and tenth grade students from 15 of the 18 Berks County public school districts spent a day interacting with businesses. This major On behalf of the Reading Intermediate new BBEC initiative afforded students the High School's family, I want to thank opportunity to learn first hand about area you for such a wonderful program for businesses and, importantly, about the our 9th grade students. The intense factors that employers consider when planning and implementation was evaluating a candidate for employment. worth the effort. We received only positive feedback from students, Each day consisted of three parts: a morn- business representatives, presenters, ing assembly presented under the aegis of and field trip chaperones. It was a Junior Achievement; class size visits to memorable and very informative day Berks County businesses; and an 80- for our 9th grade students. minute afternoon review of the morning’s activities led by a person from the busi- Waldo Alvarado, M.S.Ed. ness and professional community. The Assistant Principal recurring message throughout the day Reading Intermediate High School was the factors that employers look for and evaluate in a candidate.

Ninth grade students om Conrad Weiser SD visit UGI as part of a day of interaction with local businesses. Annual Report 2013 | Berks Business Education Coalition | A Partnership That Works 5.

Kudos to the many people who FACTORS EMPLOYERS brought their time and energy to CONSIDER WHEN make the day a success: the staff and HIRING volunteers at Junior Achievement; the Greater Reading Economic Partnership School Performance: and Greater Reading Chamber of completion of high school diploma Commerce and Industry; 75 volunteers (indicating successful achievement making more than 100 presentations of an important goal), mastery of basic skills, and participation in to afternoon classes; the administra- extracurricular activities. tors, teachers and counselors in the participating school districts; and the Communication Skills: scores and scores of employees at proper completion of employment 17 businesses who engaged students application, ability to read directly for the site visits. instructions, to listen and understand, to speak and write For many of the students, it was an and be understood. eye-opening experience. The timing Attitude: neat personal was just right; the beginning of the appearance, record of good high school experience as the students attendance, cooperative view are coming to realize that in just a toward shift work and overtime, short three or four years they will be ability to work as part of a team, entering the adult world. and does not use drugs. Brentwood Industries was proud to host 173 ninth and tenth graders continued on page 6 Computer Literacy: background and practice in at our local production facility DAY OF INTERACTION fundamental principles and usage. in September. It was a great PARTICIPATING opportunity to showcase the Previous Work manufacturing that happens right BUSINESSES: Experience: prior work here in Berks County. As students • Alcon Research Ltd. experience and record a plus, toured our facility, we made a point • Brentwood Industries including school-based programs. of discussing attributes that make • Cabela’s Reputation with Current a good employee – in any job. • Carpenter Technology Corporation Employees: others working For Brentwood employees, this • Eagle Brass here may know you, what you program became an unexpected • East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc. can do, and will have to work with and valuable team-building • EnerSys you if you are hired. exercise. Thank you, BBEC, • Met-Ed, A FirstEnergy Company Understanding of for inviting us to participate! • National Penn How and Why a • Penske Truck Leasing Co. Business Operates: We look forward to next • Pottstown Memorial Hospital businesses operate to make a September’s batch of students! • Quadrant EPP USA profit (a good thing), businesses will • Company continue to exist and to employ Ann Brugger • Reading Health Systems people only as long as their rewards • Sealstrip Corporation are greater than their costs. Brentwood Industries • St. Joseph Medical Center • UGI Energy Services, Inc. 6. A Partnership That Works | Berks Business Education Coalition | Annual Report 2013 2013 YEAR IN REVIEWcontinued inside BERKS business Again this year, we continued our long standing commitment to the inside Berks I participated in an internship with business (iBb) program. The iBb initiative LYNX Computer Technologies, Inc. in is a partnership between the Coalition Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. I was afforded the opportunity to witness and the Berks County Intermediate Unit. first-hand the This past summer, 23 educators from ten types of skills, school districts benefited from internship collaboration, and technology needed placements at 14 businesses throughout to run a successful Berks County. They represented a diverse business. group, including elementary education, business, technology, mathematics, The staff at LYNX warmly welcomed me into their daily science, English, learning support, routines and allowed me to take part and speech and language, gifted, and school observe their work. In addition, I had the counseling. The host businesses were pleasure of meeting and working with equally diverse and offered experiences the clientele of other local companies. related to careers in fields such as Since taking part in this experience, in manufacturing, the arts, sports, environ- addition to my role as a classroom mental science, and health care. teacher, I have been retained as a part- It was an honor to get a peek time instructional technology teacher One of the most powerful outcomes for behind the scenes at the for the elementary school. This role interns is an understanding of the skills Reading Fightin’ Phils. affords me the opportunity to assist, students are required to have in order to They make it look so easy; co-teach, create lesson plans, and be successful in the workplace. however, there is a ton of work enhance the classroom use of technology among my colleagues. involved. It’s a lifestyle career The educators are outspoken in their relying on teamwork and strong support of the program. Representatives I appreciate all of the help the staff communication among a creative of the business community voiced their at LYNX provided in furthering my and amazing staff. appreciation for it as well. “It provided educational endeavors and cannot begin to thank them enough for the an excellent hands-on opportunity to kindness and support I received during Stefanie Wagner bridge the gap between the business my internship. High School Business Teacher world and educational community. I feel Wilson School District our teacher interns came away with some definite, real-world business Heather Hummel knowledge that they will take back to the Elementary School Teacher classroom for their students,” said Terry Schuylkill Valley School District Gilman of First Energy Corporation. Annual Report 2013 | Berks Business Education Coalition | A Partnership That Works 7.

Also in 2013 • With the direct leadership of Chairman Marlin Miller, worked with Senator Judy Schwank to craft legislation that would require par- ents who wish for their child to re- ceive a cyber-based education to select a cyber-based program when offered in their district of residence. The legislation, SB335, Session 2013 remains in committee and is subject to reconsideration in 2014.

• The Berks Business Education Coalition, Greater Reading Economic Partnership, Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Berks County Exeter Township Senior High School Workforce Investment Board jointly ninth graders visit Albright College to sponsored a symposium on learn firsthand about the college experience. Thanks in part to the support of Technical Education held the BBEC, the November 7, 2013. Attended Ninth Graders children of the by 200 people from Berks County Visit Colleges Antietam businesses and schools, the event examined existing needs and For the ninth consecutive year, the School District opportunities for technology- Coalition sponsored and coordinated have been able based jobs in the Berks County to continue student visits to our five workforce. local colleges and universities. The receiving idea is for the students, early in their advanced • Developed a plan for the five high school years, to gain a sense of instruction in science, Berks County-based higher educa- the culture and expectations of post mathematics and technology with tion institutions to share informa- secondary education, all the students, the continuation of Project Lead tion about campus programs and not only those who already may have the Way. The continuation of activities. The Berks County Inter- mediate Unit receives the informa- their course set for further study. encouraging children to pursue science, math and technology is a tion and forwards it in a specific, targeted way to teachers in the Eight school districts and 1,500 students high priority of the district and schools to proceed with further as participated. A campus tour is a cen- community. they may have interest and find tral component, with the day culminat- Thank you for your support and useful in their curriculum. ing in lunch, always a highlight. The the support of the business students are attentive and well disci- community that has been • Awarded “Superintendent Mini plined, heeding the admonition that, essential in this project and is Grants” up to $2,500 to nine “Remember they won’t know you are school districts for projects where greatly appreciated by the district. ninth grades unless by your behavior the superintendent requested spe- you show them so!” cific support. The projects included Dr. Lawrence Mayes initiatives in career education, in- Superintendent struction in financial literacy, math- Antietam School District ematics, general science, physics, and technology. 8. A Partnership That Works | Berks Business Education Coalition | Annual Report 2013

• Promote quality career awareness and develop- ment programs for K-12 students in Berks County.

• Support member schools GOALS: in the effort to improve basic academic performance.

• Support efforts to promote appropriate, differentiated interest in pursuit of post-secondary, higher education. MISSION: • Facilitate continuing dialogue between, with, The mission of the and among K-12 Berks Business Education and higher education. Coalition is to develop • Formulate action on the and coordinate resources specific topic of public within the business and funding for cyber charter education. education communities to promote initiatives which • Provide for the viability improve the competencies and sustainability of of students and enhance coalition programs and services. their aspirations for continuing education. Annual Report 2013 | Berks Business Education Coalition | A Partnership That Works 9. financial Financial Statement – report Calendar 2012 and 2013

2012 Operations 2012 2013 OPERATING Operating Income: INCOME Business 59,254 80,800 Education 13,100 18,000 Foundations 15,000 15,000 Program Operating Support 12,750 0 Interest on Savings 21 17 Total Operating Income $100,125 $113,817

Operating Expenses: Salaries and Benefits 76,084 77,620 Other Operating Supplies & Expenses 32,731 29,897 Total Operating Expenses $108,815 $107,517

Operating Gain (Loss) ($8,690) $6,300

Program Expenditures 2013

Direct Payment to Schools 27,078 inside BERKS business 11,500 Ninth Grade College Visits 5,087 Other 2,350 Total Program Expenditures $45,930 2013

Financial Position OPERATING Total Liability and Equity 2012 $235,896 INCOME Total Liability and Equity 2013 $202,255 10. A Partnership That Works | Berks Business Education Coalition | Annual Report 2013

MEMBERSHIP list

Fleetwood Area School District has participated in student visits to our five local colleges since the program began. The visits provide each Albright College Exeter Township Penske Truck Leasing Co. School District student with a personal Quadrant EPP USA experience that they use First Energy Foundation Antietam School District Quality Investment as they begin the process First Priority Bank Castings, Inc. Berks Career & of deciding what they Technology Center Fleetwood Area R. M. Palmer Company want to do when they School District Berks County Reading Area graduate from high Community Foundation Fulton Bank Community College school. Having attended Berks County Giant Food Stores Reading Electric some of these visits Intermediate Unit myself, I have found that Governor Mifflin Reading Muhlenberg Career Berks Technical Institute School District & Technology Center our students particularly appreciate the opportunity Brentwood Industries Greater Reading Chamber Reading School District of Commerce and Industry to talk with college Boscov’s Department Stores Reinsel Kuntz Lesher Greater Reading students during their visit. Boyertown Area Philip D. Rowe, Jr. Economic Partnership Overall, the visits help our School District Rolf D. Schmidt Hamburg Area students understand the Brandywine Heights School District Schuylkill Valley Area School District academic expectations School District Herbein+Company and the social life on a Carpenter Technology Tulpehocken Corporation Hofmann Industries college campus. School District Connors Investor Services Kutztown Area Twin Valley School District School District Conrad Weiser UGI Energy, Inc. Dr. Paul Eaken School District Kutztown University UGI Utilities, Inc. Superintendent, Customers Bank M&T Bank Fleetwood Area VIST Bank Daniel Boone Area Marlin Miller School District School District Family Foundation Weidenhammer Systems Corporation Diocese of Allentown Muhlenberg School District Wells Fargo Eagle Brass National Penn Bank Wilson School District East Penn Manufacturing Company, Inc. Oley Valley Wyomissing Area School District School District E. J. Breneman, Inc. Penn State Berks College EnerSys Annual Report 2013 | Berks Business Education Coalition | A Partnership That Works 11.

board 2013 members Richard Bashore directors Reading Electric James Connors officers emeritus Connors Investor Services Inc. CHAIRMAN Marlin Miller, Jr. Carolyn H. Holleran John D. Craig Former Chairman & CEO Jerlyn Foundation EnerSys, Inc. Arrow International, Inc. John F. Horrigan, Jr. Dr. Paul B. Eaken Fleetwood Area (retired) VICE CHAIRMAN Horrigan American, Inc. School District Dr. John George Dr. Philip J. Fromuth Executive Director Dr. James E. Morrell Diocese of Allentown Berks County (retired) Muhlenberg School District Dr. Martin Handler Intermediate Unit Brandywine Heights Dr. Gust Zogas TREASURER (retired) Area School District Paul R. Roedel Brian Hard Reading Area Former CEO & President Community College Penske Truck Carpenter Technology Leasing Company Corporation Ellen T. Horan Greater Reading SECRETARY Chamber of Alan Ottinger staff Commerce & Industry PA Precision EXECUTIVE Steven P. Keifer Cast Parts, Inc. DIRECTOR Hamburg Area Dr. Solomon Lausch School District EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dr. Solomon Lausch William Long, Sr. OFFICE Berks Business M&T Bank ADMINISTRATOR Education Coalition Pat Swavely Sallie Miksiewicz East Penn Manufacturing Dr. Carlinda Purcell Roger Schmidt John Weidenhammer Reading School District E.J. Breneman Weidenhammer Systems Dr. Robert Runkle Rolf D. Schmidt Corporation Berks Business Educa- Performance Dr. Anna Weitz tion Coalition (Retired) Sports Apparel Reading Area Jeffrey Rush Steve Schumacher Community College Fulton Bank, Met-Ed, Chester M. Winters Great Valley Division a FirstEnergy Company Worldnet Technology Consultants, Inc. Dr. Rudy Ruth Bruce G. Smith Wilson School District National Penn Bank making ideas happen

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