Kennett High School Seniors Named National Merit Students After-The
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LEARN. APPLY. ACHIEVE. After-The-Bell Celebrates 20 Years In 1998, three members of the Kennett Square Episcopal Church of the Advent approached Su- perintendent Larry Bosley with a plan to address concerns about adolescents who were home alone after school. John and Denise Wood, along with their friend Marshall Newton, offered an af- ter-school program for middle school students at no cost to students OR to District taxpayers. They believed that the compassionate and dedicated residents and businesses of the Kennett area would support such a program through volun- teerism and financial assistance. The only thing they asked of the District was the use of Kennett Middle School. Dr. Bosley immediately recognized the benefits this program could provide and became a strong With sessions like Awesome Autos, After-the-Bell has WINTER supporter. something to appeal to every middle school student. 2019 The success of After-the-Bell has been extraordinary, cared for a wide variety of cuddly (and slimy) creatures. and the program is now stronger than ever. Since it They’ve even learned how to fly airplanes. opened its doors on January 19, 1999, it has welcomed more than 6,000 students. Perhaps even more amazing These off-site activities have been provided by commu- is that more than 1,000 members of the Kennett com- nity partners, including the Land Conservancy of South- munity have donated their time and expertise. ern Chester County, the Kennett YMCA, New Garden Airfield/Future Aviators, Longwood Gardens, Stroud Wa- Because of their dedication, After-the-Bell has offered ter Research Center, Kids First Swim School, Everyday hundreds of varied opportunities. Over the years, stu- Artists, Kennett Design, 4-H Pony Partners, the Ken-nett dents have learned to cook everything from United Way Library, Anchor Fitness, and many more. Chocolate Festival award-winning brownies to Irish stew and Greek souvlaki. They have traipsed through fields Director Dawn Doherty Kohl joined the After-the-Bell and streams to commune with nature and to learn about family in 2014 as a parent of student participants. She the importance of protecting our natural resources. They appreciated the program so much that she stepped have painted portraits worth framing and created ex- up to volunteer—she ran an activity called Movie and quisite ceramic sculptures. They have sung and danced and competed in dozens of different sports. They have Continued on page 8 Kennett High School Seniors Named National Merit Students Kennett High School is proud to announce that senior Colin Petersen has been recognized as a National Merit Semifinalist in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Additionally, seniors Amanda Bell, Jonathan Bell, Emma Giancola, Molly Hohner, Rachel Hyzny, Peter Magasiny, Caleb Pebly, and Davis Piercy have been named Commended Students. Colin is among approximately 1.6 million juniors who ALL IN ALL entered the 2019 National Merit Program by taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screening of program entrants. Colin is a member of the spring musical and the academic team. “We are tremendously proud of Colin for his accomplishments,” said Kennett High School principal Dr. Jeremy Hritz. “He is an outstanding student who represents everything that is great about Kennett High School.” Non-Profit Org. Postal Patron U.S. POSTAGE The nationwide pool of the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating WEST CHESTER, semifinalists represents seniors. PA less than 1 percent of Permit No. #326 high-school seniors and The eight students who were named Commended includes the highest- Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program scoring entrants in each represent diverse academic and extracurricular interests: state. The number of Continued on page 8 semifinalists in each state is proportional to | 2 LEARN. APPLY. ACHIEVE. LEARN. APPLY. KCSD Community Spreads Holiday Cheer This year students, faculty, and staff in the Kennett “Together we collected toys to bring a message Consolidated School District came together to give back of hope to needy children,” explains principal and spread cheer in the community. The following is a Mrs. Susan McArdle. “By giving, we can motivate roundup of community-service projects held during last them to grow into responsible, productive, patri- year’s holiday season. otic citizens and community leaders.” Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center Greenwood Elementary School Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center celebrated the holiday Greenwood Elementary School was abuzz with season by donating nonperishable items to the Kennett holiday cheer as students were invited to donate Food Cupboard and the Ronald McDonald House of toys for the Toys for Tots Toy Drive. Delaware. To kick off the spirit of giving, students were asked to “lend a hand and bring a can!” during a Spirit Students also were invited to participate in a Assembly in November. In December, students and staff Holiday Food Drive, which not only met their goal but surpassed it, collecting more collected nonperishable than 1,000 items for those in need! food items for families in need through the Chester The Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center’s staff also held County Food Bank. their annual Adopt-a-Family Campaign. A “Tree of Giving” (Above, from left) SADD members in the staff lounge was decorated with paper ornaments, In addition, Greenwood Karlese Stevens, Meredith Brown, each with an item the adopted families had requested. Elementary School students and Cole Kramer helped collect Children received a new outfit, coat, pair of shoes, and a participated in the Empty coats this past holiday season. toy they had requested. In addition to the Adopt-a-Family Bowls Giving Project, an Campaign, the money collected from the “Friday Jeans international project to (Left, from left) Mea Carter and Jar” went to purchase Giant gift cards for families in help fight hunger. Led by Jaslynn Vega enjoyed painting need. art teacher Mrs. Meghan bowls which were donated to the Bergman, students worked Empty Bowls fundraiser. As principal Mrs. April Reynolds said, “It is truly better to collaboratively to decorate give than to receive.” clay bowls, which they donated to the Kennett Food Bancroft Elementary School Cupboard for its annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. During the week of parent conferences, students were Bancroft Elementary School held a canned-food drive to asked to nominate a teacher for the Citadel Heart of benefit the Kennett Food Cupboard. Students donated “Working in teams helps students know they are part of Learning Award. Students learned the valuable lesson of more than 300 nonperishable foods items and partic- a community benefiting those in need,” explained Mrs. being thankful for their educators, which goes hand in ipated in an assembly to learn about the Kennett Food Bergman. “No one child finishes a bowl. Students work hand with giving thanks during the holiday season. Cupboard. together to make, paint, and finish the bowl in this social collaborative initiative.” Kennett High School It wouldn’t be the holiday season with the annual Ban- croft Elementary School Pajama Drive. For the eighth Kennett Middle School Kennett High School kicked off the holiday season with year, the school’s goal was to collect 200 pairs of new the Interact Club Toy Drive. Students collected educational pajamas. The goal was surpassed, and the Bancroft Kennett Middle School celebrated the holiday season with toys, such as LEGO sets, puzzles, Play-Doh, board games, family donated 240 pairs of pajamas! three special service projects. coloring books, pencils and crayons, and books. They collected more than 50 items to donate to Tick Tock Early New Garden Elementary School First was the Thank You Project, a gratitude project started Learning Center in Kennett Square. Interact Club president by a Kennett Square artist and District grandparent, Ms. Zuzu du Toit and vice president Ellie Conlin-Day were New Garden Elementary School embraced the holiday Roberta Little. Students arrange socks, candy, paper clips, instrumental in making this event a success. spirit with three service activities. The Children’s Pajama pretzels, and other unique materials to spell the words Christmas Event invited the school community to collect “Thank You.” Ms. Little posts a new photo each day of The Humanitarian Club held a holiday food drive. In com- and donate pajamas for children. All pajamas were donat- their work. The project encourages students to find ways bination with their annual Haunted Walk and donations, ed to Family Promise of Southern Chester County, which to show their appreciation with actions rather than words the club raised $671.48, plus 3,646 pounds of food then distributed them to Chester County shelters. and inspires them to create. which was donated to the Kennett Food Cupboard. The school community also participated in the Help Fill For the Selfies with Santa Food Drive, students donated The Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club the Shelves Food Drive, collecting food items for the nonperishable food items to the Kennett Food Cupboard. If held its second annual Coat Drive. Students, teachers, Kennett Area Community Service Food Drive (KACS) to they met their goal, teacher Mrs. Tamara Jenkins agreed and support staff donated 225 gently used coats (100 help families in need. to dress up in a Santa Claus costume and take selfies with more than last year) to Saint Rocco’s Parish in Avondale. her students. Students exceeded their goal and took some Finally, New Garden hosted a Toys for Tots Toy Drive. This memorable photos with Mrs. Jenkins. annual event distributes toys throughout Kennett Square and the surrounding area. Kennett High School (grades 9-12) New Garden Elementary School DISTRICT DIRECTORY 100 East South Street 265 New Garden Road Kennett Square, PA 19348 Toughkenamon, PA 19374 KENNETT CONSOLIDATED 610-444-6620 610-268-6900 SCHOOL DISTRICT Dr.