ABOVE & BEYOND A newsletter for Penn Manor School District

WINTER 2015 A new era for Hambright Open, airy design earns praise Penn Manor School Dis- feel as if we’re un- trict has opened a new Ham- limited by the bright Elementary School to space,” he said. “We rave reviews from students, have the flexibility staff and parents. to go from small The school, built next to group to whole class Manor Middle School, can to large-group in- accommodate up to 750 stu- structional areas dents in three educational within a few steps, wings, each organized enabling us to ac- around a central open in- commodate all the structional area called an learning styles of Crabtree, Rorhrbaugh & Associates photo “academic commons.” our students.” Hambright Elementary students, above, work on laptops in the school’s The school design bright, airy library. Below is the Hambright gym. In boom le photo, relies heavily on natu- students and staff gather in front of their new school just days aer it “This is a model of ral light, with numer- opened for the 2014‐2015 school year. what an elementary ous windows and school should be.” glass walls providing views of py to be here.” — Dr. Jerry Egan the farmland surrounding Built at a cost of Hambright principal the site. about $19.5 million, “The views – everywhere Hambright is the first you look it’s just beautiful,” new elementary The bright, airy design is a Egan said. Not only does the school in Penn Manor vast improvement over the natural light reduce energy since 1961. old Hambright on Temple costs, but “it really helps cre- It is the district’s Avenue, originally built in ate a positive environment,” most technologically 1936, said principal Dr. Jerry he said. advanced building, Egan. “The students take a lot of with computerized “In the old building, we pride in their surroundings, control of all HVAC were limited by space. Now, I and people are just very hap- equipment and light- ing and security sys- tems. Hambright also fea- tures a sprawling play- ground with a padded

play surface. In coop- Crabtree, Rorhrbaugh & Associates photo eration with Manor Township and John G. Herr change about the layout of Park, the school also has a the building – it just makes walking path that links to sense,” he said. “I feel this is pedestrian paths totaling a model of what an elemen- nearly 2 miles. tary school should be.” Egan could not be happier Penn Manor plans to sell with how Hambright turned the old Hambright school out. building on Temple Avenue “There is nothing I would for possible commercial use. www.pennmanor.net 2 Above & Beyond — Winter 2015 Superintendent’s message

While walking through the year, the response from our September 28 and the large bright new hallways of community was turnout for the ColorBlast 5K Hambright Elementary overwhelming in support of run held September 21 on the School recently, I was building a new school on a new walking path at the delighted to hear the strains site more conducive to our Manor/Hambright campus. of familiar Christmas carols educational programs, Our students are another during the band’s rehearsal in student safety, and future reason for us to celebrate all the new music classroom. It enrollment needs due to the that is good in our certainly is hard to believe growing attendance area in community, as you can see that the 2014-2015 school Manor Township. from the articles in this year is already in the midst of As part of construction and edition. Our high school the holiday season! as a way to give back to our musicians put on an The talented musicianship community, a walking path outstanding performance at Dr. Mike Leichliter of our elementary students around Hambright and the recent PASA-PSBA reminds me that we have Manor Middle School was conference in Hershey. play. The 2014 team added a much to celebrate in Penn added to expand Manor Members of school boards second state championship to Manor this season, and this Township’s existing path and of the 500 districts its previous state title from edition of Above & Beyond enable Penn Manor residents throughout the state made 2008. highlights many of the great to enjoy great views of two of numerous comments on the I continue to be very things about our community. our schools. The path has fine musicianship and proud of the hard work of all First, a little history on the proven quite popular. outstanding showmanship of of our students, teachers, and story about our newest This illustrates to me that our students. staff, as well as the support elementary school featured on we are part of a caring Elsewhere in this issue of we receive from our the front page of this community that values the Above & Beyond, you’ll read community. I hope you find newsletter. If you recall, the importance of public about the accolades our high this edition of Above & Penn Manor Board of School education and supports our school agricultural education Beyond to be a reminder Directors spent a lot of time local schools, both financially program has earned on the during this holiday season of carefully considering whether and through attendance at state level. our wonderful community. the district should incur the school activities. Our girls’ field hockey team Go Comets! cost of replacing the old That fact was recently also earned state honors and —Dr. Mike Leichliter Hambright building on confirmed by both the is a great example of the (717) 872-9500, ext. 2223 Temple Avenue. number of community many young men and women After a number of forums members attending the who compete in all of our [email protected] during the 2010-2011 school Hambright dedication sports across three seasons of Twitter: @mleichliter

Inclement weather alerts

Information about weather ext. 2333. -related school closings and When inclement weather delays is now available conditions develop during through a variety of sources: the day, resulting in an early closing, high school and • Local radio and television middle school students will stations before 6 a.m., generally be dismissed first, whenever possible. followed by elementary • The Penn Manor School pupils. District website, Unanticipated weather www.pennmanor.net. conditions or other factors • The district’s Twitter may require changes to these Keep informed with free district app account, @pennmanor. procedures. Should the district need to Download the free menus and athletics. right on your screen. • The district’s smartphone Penn Manor School Plus, receive breaking To download the app. dismiss students early, District mobile app updates on weather- app, search for “Penn parents or guardians will and stay current with related closings and Manor School District” • Penn Manor’s inclement receive a phone alert via the school and district cancellations and oth- on Google Play or the weather hotline, 872-9500, School Messenger system. news, calendar events, er important events, iTunes App Store.

www.pennmanor.net Above & Beyond — Winter 2015 3

Fast Facts: Class of 2014 Members of the Class of 2014 received $1,719,445 in scholarship money to continue their education. • 86 seniors earned 154 awards at the Senior Awards Ceremony. • 44% are attending a four-year school. • 21% are attending a two-year school. • 4% of the senior class joined the United States military. • 54 students achieved a 4.0 GPA or higher. • 68 students graduated in the honors program (by earning a 3.75 or better GPA while taking three years of foreign language and earning a “B” or better, and four advanced-placement credits and five honors Penn Manor High School principal Dr. Phil Gale, le, and superin‐ classes, earning a “B” or better in each). tendent Dr. Mike Leichliter pose with, from le, Class of 2014 • 48 students are graduating with honors and a 4.0 valedictorian Lauren Longenecker and co‐salutatorians Jusn Gaukler and Laura Bleacher at commencement. GPA or higher. • 264 students took 402 advanced-placement tests in 20 different subjects. • One senior, James Reilly, was recognized as a National Merit Commended Student. PM agricultural education program tops in PA Named Outstanding Secondary Program by state ag educators association Penn Manor High Veterinary Science, School’s agricultural Horticulture, Agriculture education program was Business, Biotechnology recently honored as the and Agriculture Outstanding Secondary Mechanics. Students can Program in Pennsylvania earn college credits in by the state Association of some courses. In addition, Agricultural Educators. they can earn credits for The state award “is a completed courses if they testament to the attend one of three dedication and teamwork colleges with articulation of our teachers and the agreements with PMHS – hard work and the passion Delaware Valley, State of our students for University of New York or Penn Manor High School agricultural educaon students load agriculture and all its Harrisburg Area bundles of wheat for a local agribusiness to raise funds for related industries,” said Community College. the Manor FFA chapter. Neil Fellenbaum, one of All Penn Manor animals or crops, chapter and our four ag educators in the agriculture students are completing environmental supervised agricultural program. members of Manor FFA – projects or other research experience program,” The diversity of courses which boasts its largest or working for ag-related Fellenbaum said. available to students is membership in 10 years – businesses while learning one of the reasons the and are encouraged to about budgeting, expenses “When they are, the program is so successful, complete a supervised and income. preparation a student gets Fellenbaum said. Pupils agricultural experience “We are constantly in technical skills, can enroll in everything outside the classroom. SAE striving to get our leadership and experience from Introduction to projects enable students to students involved in all in the No. 1 industry in Agriculture, Food and practice the skills they’ve three – classroom Pennsylvania and the U.S. Natural Resources to learned in class by raising instruction, our FFA is hard to beat.” www.pennmanor.net 4 Above & Beyond — Winter 2015 ‘We’ve got your back’ Aevidum provides supports for students

To Brooke DeBerdine, Aevidum is “a big group of people who want to help other people.” The Penn Manor High School sophomore says the Aevidum Club “shows kids that they have people to talk to, they have people who care.” Since it was started last school year, the club has grown, with a membership of 100 to 200 students unified by a simple notion: Parcipants celebrate aer compleng the ColorBlast 5k at Manor Middle School in everyone matters. September. The run raised $10,000 to benefit Aevidum and Teen Hope, programs Aevidum, which branched out this year that increase awareness of teen mental health issues. to include the district’s middle schools, seeks to raise awareness about depression the Humane League in his honor. and suicide and foster a culture in which Members also made videos and posters students feel supported by their peers and to promote the national suicide prevention teachers. hotline and raised money for Detecting “It shows kids that they have people to Early Signs of Depression. Aevidum talk to,” said Brooke. “They have people members from Penn Manor also who care. Not everyone in high school is participated in the kickoff of “Let’s Talk, out to get you or make fun of you.” Pennsylvania!,” a statewide campaign that PMHS teacher Maria Vita, an Aevidum encourages schools and communities to adviser, said the club has helped students emphasize accepting, appreciating, understand that “your words to other acknowledging and caring for others. people matter, especially for someone Another major event was the ColorBlast struggling with a mental disorder.” 5K Run. Held at the Manor Middle/ The club holds meetings where students Hambright campus, the run raised nearly can share their personal struggles, offer $10,000 for Aevidum and TeenHope, a support and plan activities. Turnout for that mask.” program that provides mental health some is as high as 120 students. Club members have been involved in a screenings to all Penn Manor 9th-graders. “We openly talk about anxiety and variety of activities. They sold orange Aevidum members also volunteer to depression,” Ms. Vita said. “That never bracelets in memory of Greg Frey, a Penn help at school activities and plan to host an happened in our school before. I do think Manor High School student who passed Open Mike event to give students a new kids wear a mask, and it’s hard to shatter away last year, and donated the money to outlet to express themselves. State Champs! Congratulations to the Penn Manor field hockey team for winning the Pennsylvania AAA Championship title in field hockey after playing to a hard-fought 1-1 tie with Palmyra. Penn Manor and Palmyra were declared co-champions — the first time two teams have shared the title since 1994. The state title is Penn Manor’s first since 2008, and it caps an outstanding year for the field hockey team. The Comets were Section I champs, Lancaster-Lebanon League Champions and placed third in Don Scanlin, Adverser photo District III. Penn Manor field hockey players, coaches and supporters pose with the state trophy What a way to end an outstanding aer the Comets were named co‐champions, with Palmyra HS, following a 1‐1 e. season! www.pennmanor.net Above & Beyond — Winter 2015 5

Retirees include distinguished group of educators Teacher Impact Award winner Joe Herman among longtime staff to retire over summer It was a Pennsylvania History, Field bittersweet Geography, Psychology and night last Economics. He also coached spring when 29 track and field for his entire retiring Penn career and was a boys’ Manor soccer coach for 32 years employees – and a field hockey coach for with a three years. Penn Manor retirees honored at a banquet last spring included 21 elemen‐ combined 800- Joe Herman plus years of Herman was one of 201 tary staff, above, and eight secondary staff, below left, with more than service – were honored at teachers nominated to 800 combined years of experience in district schools. the Employee Recognition receive a Teacher Impact Other Penn Manor Ron Walton, Larry Rohm, Dinner in the high school Award for 2014 and one of teachers and support staff Renae Radcliff and Linda cafeteria. only five to receive the who retired at the end of Yost. Among the distinguished honor. last school year included: Secondary: Phuc Nguyen, retirees was longtime Penn Elementary: Louise Sally Muenkel, Barbara Manor High School social studies teacher and coach Weidman, John Berry, Della Rathbone-Frank, Amelia Joe Herman, who was Kreider, Joan Wimer, Sue Herr, Jayne Leitzel, Carole honored earlier in the year Walkowiak, Deb Holt, Kathy Fay and Sandra Brown. with a 2014 Teacher Impact Young, Barbara Kamen, A heartfelt “thank you” to Award from WGAL-TV. Mary Ann Farmer, Cheryl all the retirees for enriching Herman spent his entire Hogg, Linda Hampton, Linda the lives of so many 39½-year career at Penn Husler, Diane Dangro, Sue students over the years. Manor, teaching European, Althouse, Carole Chismar, Best wishes in Asian, U.S. and Jane Witwer, Gail Thomson, retirement!

Upcoming in Penn Manor Special education services Penn Manor School Dis- • Deaf / blindness  January 2: Vacation/weather make-up day trict is required to provide a • Emotional disturbance  January 15: End of semester free appropriate public edu- • Traumatic brain injury cation (FAPE) to children • Hearing impairment  January 16: No school, secondary; early dismissal, with disabilities who are de- • Specific learning elementary termined, through the evalu- disability ation process, to need special • Mental retardation  January 19: Martin Luther King holiday education and related ser- • Multiple disabilities  January 20: Kindergarten Information Night, 7 p.m., vices under IDEA and 22 Pa. • Other health impairment School Code §14. • Speech and language Hambright Elementary A school-age child with a impairment  January 30: Early dismissal (all students) disability, who is determined • Orthopedic impairment to be in need of special edu- • Visual impairment,  February 16: President’s Day Holiday cation and related services, is including blindness  March 27: Early dismissal (all students) identified as a child with a A full description of the disability eligible for special services and programs avail-  April 2, 3 & 6: Easter vacation/weather make-up days education in need of special- able is accessible at:  May 15: Early dismissal (all students) ly designed instruction. www.pennmanor.net/special- The following are disabil- education/ or by contacting  May 25: Memorial Day vacation ity categories under IDEA: Theresa Kreider, director of student services, at 872-9500,  June 5: Last day of school (tentative) • Autism • Deafness ext. 2227.

www.pennmanor.net 6 Above & Beyond — Winter 2015

Nonprofit Organization Board of School Directors U.S. Postage PAID J. Kenneth Long, President Carlton L. Rintz, Vice President Lancaster PA Richard L. Frerichs, Ed.D. Permit #996 Johnna M. Friedman Penn Manor School District Joseph G. Fullerton P.O. Box 1001 David R. Paitsel Millersville, PA 17551 Kirk D. Schlotzhauer Christopher C. Straub An Equal Opportunity Employer Donna J. Wert

Ex Officio Members: Christopher L. Johnston, Treasurer Cindy Rhoades, Secretary Postal Customer Administration

Michael G. Leichliter, Ed.D. Superintendent Cheryl A. Shaffer, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Vickie L. Hallock Supervisor of Elementary Education Christopher L. Johnston Business Manager Above & Beyond newsletter is published by Penn Manor School District. If you have questions or comments, please direct them to Brian Wallace, Community Relations Twitter: @pennmanor Coordinator, at 872-9500, xt. 2241, or email: [email protected].

PMSD participates in PA conference Frerichs leads PASA-PSBA event Penn Manor was well-represented at the recent PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference in Hershey. Penn Manor school board member Dr. Rich Frerichs, president of the Pennsylva- nia School Boards Association, emceed the four-day event. The Manor Singers and Penn Manor The Manor Singers, above, Penn Manor High School Percussion Ensemble, boom le, and High School Percussion Ensemble per- Manor FFA members, below right, helped open the 2014 PASA‐PSBA School Leadership Confer‐ formed during opening-day activities, and ence, held in Hershey in October. Manor FFA members presented the flags Penn Manor su- of the United States and Pennsylvania. perintendent Dr. Mike Leichliter and PMHS counselor Melissa Ostrowski participated in a presentation on two programs designed Dr. Rich Frerichs to promote mental wellness at district schools — TeenHope and Aevidum. The conference featured presentations and workshops for school leaders on a wide range of topics, from cyberbullying and school safety drills to contract negoti- ations and virtual learning. www.pennmanor.net