Superintendent PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • AUGUST 2020

provide additional curricular resources for students Across the DISTRICT and teachers.

Welcome to the 2020-2021 academic year! As plans “This grant will support our efforts to provide take shape for an unprecedented fall launch, we a device for every student while freeing up other extend best wishes to all of our students, families, District funds to purchase health and safety faculty, staff, and community members for a healthy supplies, such as personal protective equipment, and successful school year. The administration hand sanitizer, and cleaning materials to protect our is deeply grateful for the earnest support of our school community,” said Dr. Aldridge. faculty members as we embark on this new academic journey together. Their dedication to the professional Ms. Bolger thanked the PCCD, as well. “The development offered during the summer months and generous support of the Commission will assist our the coming weeks is admirable and will certainly School District in preparing to support students for prove beneficial to our students. Most of all, we offer the coming school year.” our gratitude to the students and families who are true partners in this effort. Your willingness and NEW ADMINISTRATORS IN PLACE ability to sail ahead through these uncharted waters FOR 2020-2021 and work with us to achieve student success is commendable and well worth all the effort! As we begin this new academic year in Pennsbury, please join in welcoming four new administrators DISTRICT AWARDED SUBSTANTIAL and two acting administrators appointed to the GRANT FROM PCCD following positions:

Thanks to the efforts of Milagro Aleman, Director of Transportation Dr. Elizabeth Aldridge, The Pennsbury Board of Director of Student School Directors appointed Ms. Services, and Afton Elementary teacher, Katie Milagro (“Millie”) Aleman Bolger, Pennsbury was awarded a $533,857 grant to become the District’s new from the Commission on Crime and Director of Transportation Delinquency (PCCD), which made the funding during the public School available “to support COVID-19-related health and Board meeting held on July safety needs.” These funds will be used to support 30, 2020. Ms. Aleman, whose distance learning for all Pennsbury students. appointment took effect on The grant will assist the District in purchasing Milagro Aleman August 10th, is replacing additional Chromebooks so that every student can Mr. Charlie Williams, who is have access to a device during the period of remote retiring from Pennsbury after serving as Director learning and beyond. The funds will also be used to for 17 years. The Director of Transportation reports

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • AUGUST 2020 1 District Highlights Report to Christopher Berdnik, the District’s Chief “The interview committee was immensely Financial Officer. impressed with Ms. Aleman’s humanistic qualities as well as her abundance of experience at all levels The Director of Transportation is responsible for: within her current transportation department,” said Superintendent Dr. William J. Gretzula. • overseeing the maintenance and operation of the “Specifically, Ms. Aleman spoke of the importance District-owned bus fleet, including conforming of having a customer-service orientation and to all state laws and regulations with regard to partnering closely with parents and students. This school transportation; was confirmed to be genuine about Millie, as she • maintaining safety standards in conformance has risen through the ranks. In the with state and insurance regulations; School District, she oversaw a large fleet of vehicles • recruiting, training, and supervising all and a comparable number of staff members similar transportation and bus garage personnel; to Pennsbury. With staff, she is known to have • developing and administering a transportation implemented various methods to motivate and program to meet all the requirements of the daily celebrate her colleagues. We look forward to adding instructional program, classroom extensions, and her leadership qualities and care for students to our extra-curricular activities; central level team.” • supervising the preparation of bus routes and bus schedules for all public and non-public schools Ms. Aleman will be joining Pennsbury after that District students attend; serving in a series of positions with expanding • preparing and administering the Transportation responsibilities for the Transportation Department of Department budget and authorizing payroll; the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) since 1995. Having launched her career there as a bus driver, • approving purchases in accordance with she moved on in 2001 to become the Transportation budgetary limitations; Garage Supervisor/Dispatcher. In 2006, Ms. Aleman • arranging for the completion of all insurance was named Acting Street Supervisor and Scheduling reports; Analyst, and then from 2009 to the present, she has • submitting all reports required by state served as the Transportation Garage Operations authorities, including reports for reimbursement; Manager for SDP. • ensuring prompt and appropriate responses to complaints and special inquiries from parents/ Ms. Aleman attended the Community College guardians and staff members; of Philadelphia. She holds a C.D.L. license and is • maintaining direct liaison with building-level a member of the National Association for Pupil and Central Office administrators with regard to Transportation. Ms. Aleman also participated in SDP transportation, service, and student discipline; leadership training and became a member of the • supervising the maintenance of all District-owned SDP Operations Executive Team. equipment and developing plans for preventive maintenance; Cherrissa Gibson, Ed.D., Director of Equity, • assisting in planning and making Diversity, and Education recommendations for the purchase of buses, vans, The Pennsbury Board of School Directors and other automotive equipment and supplies appointed Cherrissa Gibson, Ed.D. to be the in alignment with the District’s short-term and District’s new Director of Equity, Diversity, and long-term replacement plans; and Education during the public School Board meeting • performing other duties as may be assigned by held on July 16, 2020. Dr. Gibson, formerly an the Chief Financial Officer. Assistant Principal at

2 AUGUST 2020 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report

since 2013, reports to the Secondary, and Special Education in adopting Superintendent in this inclusive pedagogies and curricula that include newly-created position. the study of race, gender, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, religion, and their intersections; The Director of Equity, • design and provide professional development Diversity, and Education is that enhances cultural proficiencies for all staff, responsible for coordinating students, and members of the community; and guiding all efforts to define, • facilitate community-based educational understand, assess, foster, and opportunities including broad, stakeholder groups; cultivate equity among the Cherrissa Gibson, Ed.D. • collaborate with the Human Resources Department District’s students, faculty, and to promote the recruitment, employment, and staff. This position serves to enhance educational retention of a workforce reflective of District programs to promote equity as an essential element demographics; of the mission of the Pennsbury School District. This position also further develops programs, services, • work with colleges and universities for the and initiatives designed to ensure the recruitment placement of student teachers in the Pennsbury and successful retention of faculty and staff. schools with a focus on diversity; • assist educators in creating culturally-support- “Dr. Gibson truly impressed the interview ive learning environments that ensure high team with her knowledge, experience, and the expectations for the academic achievement of all well- conceived entry plan that she presented,” students; said Superintendent Dr. William J. Gretzula. • promote extra-curricular activities that focus on “Stakeholders included School Directors, Central equity and diversity for students and encourage Office administrators, and school Principals. Their student attendance at such activities; comments afterwards included observations • support the District’s Title IX Coordinator for about Dr. Gibson’s clear passion for pursuing and student/parent inquiries; supporting equity and diversity in Pennsbury, her • work in collaboration with the Director of Student non-judgmental approachability, her depth and Services in relation to Act 44 and the completion of breadth of knowledge, and her grasp of the data the Civil Rights Report; behind this important work. Dr. Gibson has also led • participate in the Board Policy Committee in the delivery of professional development related to relation to the adoption and implementation of cultural proficiency here in the School District. As Board Policies that involve equity, diversity, and one committee member put it, Dr. Gibson takes a the prevention of discrimination and harassment scholarly approach to the work, yet is approachable.” of students and staff; and • support Federal program coordination (Title In her new role, Dr. Gibson’s primary duties and I, II, III, IV) to ensure equitable distribution of responsibilities are to: appropriate resources. • conduct a process to analyze systemic policies and practices to ensure implementation and allocation During the past two years at Pennsbury High of appropriate resources leading to rigorous School West, Dr. Gibson served as the Acting academic achievement for all students; Principal for two consecutive spring semesters while • develop a mission, vision, and action plan that Principal Lisa Becker was away on educational focuses the District’s equity work in a manner that sabbaticals. During this time, she developed is inclusive, transparent, and measurable; flexible and supportive practices for students and • work closely with the Directors of Elementary, staff to maintain continuity of instruction during

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • AUGUST 2020 3 District Highlights Report the COVID-19 school closure through distance Mr. Holman came to learning. She also coordinated the supervision and Pennsbury from the School evaluation of approximately 150 professional staff District of Philadelphia, and 50 support staff, evaluated and administered where he served as Director instructional programs, oversaw scheduling, of Facilities Management and organized student activities, student discipline, Services since 2019. Prior to financial management, and facilities management. that position, Mr. Holman was She also coordinated office management and Assistant Director of Operations communication with parents. In addition, she for the School District of analyzed data related to the PA Future Ready Philadelphia, and previously Timothy Holman Index and supervised four assistant principals in served in a variety of capacities coordinating and evaluating instructional resources in operations and facilities management for that and programs related to state data reporting. school district.

Dr. Gibson came to Pennsbury in 2013 from the “The entire interview committee was impressed Bristol Borough School District, where she served with Mr. Holman’s work ethic, knowledge, and as an Assistant Principal at Bristol Borough High skills that led to his success in advancing up School. Prior to that position, she was the Dean the organizational ladder in Philadelphia,” said of Students at Snyder-Girotti Elementary/Middle Superintendent Dr. William J. Gretzula. “Further, his School, also in Bristol Borough. She has taught current supervisor referred to him as ‘a man of core at the elementary level in the Bristol Borough, values who has intelligence plus character. He leans Central Bucks, and the Central York school districts. on his experience and has been a great collaborator Dr. Gibson also served as Head Girls’ Basketball with colleagues at all levels of the organization.’ The Coach for Bristol Borough School District and committee also recognized his financial experience, Head Women’s Basketball Coach for Bucks County managing a department budget of approximately Community College. She was inducted into the $75,000,000. Mr. Holman has 19 Facilities Area Bensalem High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. Coordinators who report to him daily and he has supported their success by offering practical and Dr. Gibson recently earned her doctorate in K-12 timely training programs to empower his team. We School Leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University, look forward to drawing upon all of that experience.” with a dissertation focused on “Social-Emotional Learning Through a Cultural Lens.” She holds a Mr. Holman is currently in the process of Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from concluding a program to obtain a certificate in Edinboro University as well as a Master’s degree Global Leadership from the Wharton School of in Teaching & Curriculum from the Pennsylvania Business, and he also holds numerous certifications State University. Dr. Gibson earned her Bachelor’s and licenses related to facilities, operations, and degree in Elementary Education from Elizabethtown project management. College. She is professionally certified for Principal K-12, Elementary K-6, and English 7-12. As the Director of Facilities in Pennsbury, Mr. Holman reports to Chief Financial Officer, Timothy Holman, Director of Facilities Christopher Berdnik, and serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet. He is responsible On June 18, 2020, Timothy Holman was selected for supervising a staff of nearly 200 employees by the School Board to be the School District’s new in maintaining over two million square feet of Director of Facilities. Mr. Holman replaced Michael building space. Mr. Holman is also responsible for Dumin, who recently retired from Pennsbury. long-range facilities planning, including capital

4 AUGUST 2020 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report investment, design, bidding, and construction. and serves as a member of the Superintendent’s The Director of Facilities oversees all aspects of Cabinet. The Director of Technology is responsible environmental safety in Pennsbury, plus mail for the leadership, planning, coordination, operations, field and facility usage, and professional communication, evaluation, and monitoring of service and maintenance contracts. the District’s technology programs, including the student information and business function Timothy McCleary, Director of Technology systems; Pennsylvania assessments, reporting, and compliance systems, including PIMS, PVAAS, Along with Mr. Holman, Compass, Cognos, and TIMS; network supervision the Pennsbury School Board and management; technical support for end users; appointed Timothy McCleary training program development and implementation; on June 18th to serve as the instructional delivery systems; hardware and District’s new Director of software acquisitions, training, and maintenance; Technology. Mr. McCleary instructional and management technology planning; replaced outgoing Director, budget preparation, management, and control; and Brad McCormick, who elected supervision of IT department staff. to remain true to his Pennsbury roots and return to his Timothy McCleary Mr. McCleary holds a Master’s degree in previous role as Supervisor of Information Technology Leadership from La Salle Educational Technology. University and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Millersville University. Mr. McCleary joined Pennsbury after serving as the Assistant Director (and previously, as the Supervisor) of Technology for the Cheltenham Jeanmarie McGinley, Acting Administrator, School District since 2009. Prior to that position, he Afton Elementary School was the Lead Network/Desktop Support Specialist Jeanmarie McGinley was in the Technology Department at Bensalem appointed by the School Board Township School District, and previously worked on June 18th to serve as the as a Connection Technician for Dynamic Digital Acting Principal at Afton Services and as a Network Engineer for the Journal Elementary School for the Register Company. 2020-2021 academic year. She is replacing Dr. Joseph Board President T.R. Kannan was impressed with Masgai, who was selected to Mr. McCleary’s solid infrastructure background, serve for a one-year term as his creative solutions, and his calm personality. The a resident ambassador in the Jeanmarie McGinley entire committee was impressed with Mr. McCleary’s U.S. Department of Education experience with 1:1 initiatives, expanding internet School Ambassador Fellowship Program in access, promoting network security, and budget Washington, D.C. management. Superintendent Dr. William Gretzula added, “Tim and I had the pleasure of working As the Acting Administrator at Afton, Ms. together over a decade ago in Bensalem and I look McGinley reports to Michele Spack, Director forward to partnering with him again on behalf of of Elementary Education, for the general the Pennsbury School District community.” administration of Afton Elementary. Her duties include staff evaluation, supervision and As the Director of Technology, Mr. McCleary development, evaluation and administration of the reports to Superintendent Dr. William J. Gretzula instructional and educational programs, scheduling,

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • AUGUST 2020 5 District Highlights Report organization of student activities, student discipline, As an Administrative Intern financial management, facilities management, at William Penn, Ms. Gregory coordination of transportation, office management, reports to Principal Christopher and partnering with parents. Becker and Assistant Principal Dr. Michael Hogan. She is Most recently, Ms. McGinley served as an responsible for assisting with Educational Technology Administrative Intern in the general administration of the the Pennsbury Technology Department since 2018, middle school. Duties include the specializing in assisting faculty and administrators evaluation and administration of at the elementary level. From 2007-2018, she the instructional and educational Maria Gregory was an elementary school teacher in Pennsbury, programs, scheduling, office also serving as a Math Specialist at Quarry Hill management, organizing of student activities, special Elementary School. education support, student discipline, professional development, and other responsibilities as assigned. “Ms. McGinley will do a wonderful job filling in for Dr. Masgai during his one-year absence,” said “Ms. Gregory has been a valuable team player Ms. Spack. “She has served in a variety of positions at William Penn during the past year and a half, within the Pennsbury School District. Her strong and we are delighted she will be returning to work background in curriculum and technology will with us again this year,” said Principal Christopher serve the students, staff, and community well. Ms. Becker. “She has gotten to know the staff and the McGinley is well-known and highly respected by students of William Penn and is very well liked. the staff at Afton, who are already familiar with To have Ms. Gregory continuing in her role as her through her role over the past two years as a Administrative Intern will be beneficial to all.” member of the technology team. I am excited to work with her in this new role and confident that she Previously, Ms. Gregory had been the reading will provide great leadership for the Afton school specialist at Charles Boehm Middle School since community. I know she is excited to work with Dr. 2013. From 1999-2013, she served as a classroom Masgai before he departs for Washington, D.C., and teacher in various grade levels at Afton Elementary. she will provide a smooth transition for all.” Ms. Gregory holds a K-12 Principal Certificate from Gwynedd Mercy University, a Master’s degree in Ms. McGinley earned her Master’s degree in Education with Reading Specialist Certification from Educational Leadership from Scranton University, Holy Family University, and a Bachelor’s degree in also gaining a certificate in administration from Education from the University of Delaware. Scranton. Prior to that, Ms. McGinley earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Holy Family University. She is an ISTE certified educator. In the SCHOOLS Maria Gregory, Administrative Intern, (NOTE: These news items refer to events that occurred William Penn Middle School during the 2019-2020 school year.) Also on June 18th, Maria Gregory was re-appointed to serve as an Administrative Intern OXFORD VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL at William Penn Middle School, where she served previously in the same position during the spring of Teacher Julie Samples writes: “Each year we 2019 and throughout the 2019-2020 academic year. create what we call a Famous Black Americans Quilt in honor of Black History Month in February. It’s one

6 AUGUST 2020 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report of my very favorite things ladies led the squad to new heights, calling on each that we do. The students of their individual strengths to support, guide, and get so into this project and encourage all of our cheerleaders. learn so much! This year we were not able to complete Teresa Pieslak: A new addition to the squad for it, and we were so bummed. the winter season, this athlete proved to be one of We truly wanted to finish our most physically strong members and literally this extremely important supported her teammates. Coming to us from the project — so we decided volleyball world, she proved to be a fast, eager to work together virtually learner, and helped out wherever she could. Good to complete the pieces of luck, Teresa! art work. The students had already started their quote and artwork piece, Abby Weaner: One of our FabFour who weathered so then they told me their artistic vision, and I both the Fall and Winter seasons of Cheer, this completed it for them. I was then able to stitch it all athlete’s personality is large. She stands out with her together and complete it” loud, energetic, and peppy leadership style. She is a passionate athlete who will be at every practice and Principal Donna Minnigh: “The students’ vision every game. However, what we will remember her is lovely.” She extended gratitude to Ms. Samples most for is her fearlessness. Best wishes, Abby! for working virtually with her students to get the quilt completed. Faith Scott: Also part of the FabFour, and overflowing with positivity, this athlete is our most PENNWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL improved. Her dedication, bravery, and resilience enabled her to exceed all expectations and bring Andrea Daneker, Pennwood PAT support teacher our squad to another level. Always upbeat, and 2019-2020 Cheerleading Coach with local resident, prepared, and goofy, she is one tough cookie. Go Mandy Bux, writes: “Our Pennwood Cheerleaders get em,’ Faith! worked tirelessly and under enormous pressure to prepare a highly difficult competition routine for Emme Weaner: Driven, exact, and thoughtful, she the Maple Shade First Annual Cheer Competition. stands out for her charitable works. A true organizer, Moments before we were to board the bus, we this athlete put together a fundraising campaign that received word that there would be no competition due to COVID-19. I cannot express the disappointment on these athletes’ faces. These young athletes worked against time constraints, inexperience, injury, and lack of practice space to learn and execute a routine with a level of difficulty they never imagined. We are so proud of the Pennwood Cheer Squad!”

Ms. Daneker continued: “It is with great pride and a full heart that we send off the eighth grade members of the Pennwood Cheerleading Squad. While we will miss them tremendously, we wish each of these athletes all the best as they journey into Prior to our transition to remote learning in March, Pennwood Middle School’s Cheer Squad worked tirelessly the next chapter of their lives. Together these young on perfecting a difficult competition routine.

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • AUGUST 2020 7 District Highlights Report brought in over $700 to aid in the purchase of new uniforms for future Pennwood Cheerleaders. She was supportive at every turn and a member of the FabFour. Farewell, Emme!

Keira Lee: Our final athlete is certainly not our least. With us from the start, her commitment, leadership, and problem solving skills earned her a special place in the FabFour. No matter what we asked of her, she approached it with vigor, and she was the first to step in and pick up slack. Displaying empathy and helpfulness, she is the embodiment of a team player and has the best cheer face. We wish you luck, Keira!”

PENNSBURY HIGH SCHOOL Salley Kehan (left) wrote a scholarship-winning essay Alyssa Churchwell, Curriculum Coordinator for about her mother, Tammy (right), who serves as one the Family and Consumer Sciences Department, of Pennsbury’s social workers. writes of a major accomplishment achieved at the end of last year: “Prior to the COVID closure, my Kehan, was singled out recently through an essay that two ‘Understanding Children’ classes planned and earned her own daughter a $2,500 scholarship! held a simulated baby shower while we researched the cost of having a baby. Part of that research Salley Kehan, who graduated this summer from was to find the cost of diapers from newborn to Pennsbury High School, was the sole recipient of toddler years. The day of our baby shower, students Brainly’s Power of Parents scholarship competition. brought in packs of diapers to donate to the Bucks Her winning essay was selected from over 700 County Emergency Homeless Shelter in Levittown. submissions and focused on how her mother, Immediately afterward, I was able to drop off over Tammy (also a Pennsbury graduate), has supported 1,300 diapers that my two classes had collected in their family – as well as the community – as a single, various sizes for them!” working mother.

U.S. high school students were challenged to Commendable write a short essay about sacrifices their parents are making to support them while learning from home ACCOMPLISHMENTS during the COVID-19 school closure. Salley wrote about the positive impact her mother had on her as well as her siblings as she helped them cope with the SALLEY KEHAN WRITES WINNING stress of learning from home during the pandemic. ESSAY ABOUT HER MOM, TAMMY Salley also pointed out that her mother is a school social worker and continuously assists other families Many in Pennsbury are familiar with the in the community. extraordinary efforts of our team of social workers, “As families struggle to make it through these who undertake and oversee countless efforts on behalf challenging times, it’s heartwarming to hear how of our neediest families. One in particular, Tammy parents like Tammy Kehan are helping not only their

8 AUGUST 2020 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org District Highlights Report own kids continue learning but also other kids in outstanding impact by continuing their advocacy the community,” said Eric Oldfield, Brainly’s Chief work despite school closures and stay-at-home Business Officer. “We’re big believers in community orders due to COVID-19.” at Brainly, and when our community is stronger, it benefits all of us.” Pennsbury’s Thespian Troupe 830 contacted state representatives to raise awareness about the We wish Salley the best of luck as she heads off to impact of theatre education and advocated for the University of Tampa this fall, where she will put an official declaration of Theatre in Our Schools her scholarship to good use as she plans to major in Month in Pennsylvania. Throughout the school criminal justice and psychology. year, troupe members promoted the importance of theatre in schools by attending monthly School THESPIANS EARN NATIONAL Board meetings to inform them about the troupe’s recent achievements and upcoming productions. RECOGNITION The troupe kicked off Theatre in Our Schools month with their spring production of Hello Dolly. Congratulations to the Pennsbury Thespians, one of three troupes to earn national “Outstanding Impact” awards during Theatre in our Schools Month last spring! Students from Kansas and Mississippi joined Pennsbury’s troupe in this special recognition. Pennsbury’s Thespian Troupe is led by Charles Boehm Middle School music teacher, Matthew South.

Thespians are students who have been inducted into the International Thespian Society, which has been honoring student achievement in theatre since 1929. According to the national organization, “What Upcoming MEETINGS distinguishes outstanding impact is demonstrated effort with School Board members, elected officials, Board Facilities Committee and communities. These troupes also demonstrated 5:00 p.m., September 3, 2020 THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY

Board Education Committee 7:30 p.m., September 3, 2020 THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY

Board Finance/Partnership Committee 6:00 p.m., September 10, 2020 THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY

Action Board Meeting 7:30 p.m., September 17, 2020 Pennsbury’s Thespians earned national recognition for their efforts to promote the importance of theatre in schools. THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY

www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • AUGUST 2020 9