AboveAboveAbove & && Beyond BeyondBeyond PennPenn Manor PennManor ManorSchool School School District District District newsletter – Winter – Winter 2016 – Winter 2016 2016 District seeks public input on HS options Renovation/construction proposals outlined in series of public meetings More than 200 district residents have turned out to learn about the future of Penn Manor High School. Th e Penn Manor school board is considering four options to upgrade/ renovate or replace the school, which was originally built in the late 1950s and renovated beginning in 1994. Th e high school Inside is experiencing Option details, deterioration and diagrams major component failures, and – Page 5 improvements Above, residents listen to principal Dr. Phil Gale during a presentation on Penn Manor High are needed to School renovation/construction options. Below left , school board members and district adequately meet current and future administrators chat with residents following a presentation. educational needs. Th e school board is considering until summer of 2019, at the earliest. four projects, ranging from a basic Th is is a major undertaking that renovation at an estimated cost of will impact district programs and Future public meetings $52 million to construction of a new fi nances for years to come, so public • March 17, 2016: 7 p.m., PMHS auditorium – school at an estimated $100 million. input is crucial. Please attend one of Th e board expects to decide on an Public meeting/presentation on High School the upcoming meetings and provide Master Plan. option by the end of the school year, your input. but construction would not begin Penn Manor has created a • April 21, 2016: 7 p.m., PMHS auditorium – web page that contains links to a Public meeting/presentation on Master Plan. PowerPoint presentation on the high • May 16, 2016: 7 p.m., district offi ce board room school master plan, a summary of the – School board discussion of Master Plan. four options, a survey about the four • June 6, 2016: 7 p.m., district offi ce board room projects, and a link to a Facebook – School board fi nal discussion on Master page on project developments. Plan. You can access those resources by • June 20, 2016: 7 p.m., district offi ce board clicking on the High School Master room – School board vote on High School Plan link on the district website Master Plan. home page, www.pennmanor.net. Please be a part of the discussion!

Penn Manor ranked among best in student achievement Congratulations to the students, well on AP exams. school in Lancaster County. staff and faculty of Penn Manor Th e U.S. News annual Best Superintendent Mike Leichliter High School, ranked the No. 1 High Schools issue evaluates said the high ranking is the high school in Lancaster County public schools and awards gold, result of improvement eff orts by U.S. News & World Report! silver and bronze medals to that started in 2008. Th e high school also was those it considers the best at “It shows me that we are on recently named to the AP preparing students for college. the right track. Th e high school District Honor Roll for Penn Manor is ranked 27th faculty and administration have increasing student participation among the 216 made a concerted eff ort to raise in (AP) schools that made the 2015 list, standards and expectations for courses and maintaining a high earning a silver award and the percentage of students who score highest ranking of any high More ACHIEVEMENT on Page 3 2 Message from the superintendent Inscribed under a statue in 1994. While we were excited for and that public input is not front of the National Archives the wonderful changes made, necessary. in Washington, D.C., is a quote including the addition of a new While individual board from William Shakespeare: gym, cafeteria and auditorium, members and district “What is past is prologue.” Th is those of us who worked in the administrators may have some quote is emblematic of various building understood that there personal preferences, the full discussions occurring within were many areas left untouched. school board has not made the Penn Manor School District a decision and feels strongly about remaining on the cutting that the best decision can only edge of academic programming, “Many individuals be made aft er our entire Penn student achievement, school ask me how Manor community weighs in on facilities, and the use of what is best for the community. technology in classrooms. the district can If you have not been able Penn Manor continues to contemplate a large to attend an informational experience success in our and expensive meeting, I strongly encourage Dr. Mike Leichliter academic and co-curricular high school project you to attend one of the sessions programs, as recognized to be held through this winter have placed public schools recently by U.S. News & World when there is so and spring. Th e list is on the throughout the state in a Report’s Best High Schools and much uncertainty front page of this newsletter. diffi cult position during the in a documentary about the in Harrisburg. Aft er the fi nal community past six months. Regardless, the district’s 1:1 laptop initiative by is is an excellent meeting on April 21, the school board is charged with a Fortune 500 company. While school board will begin to making wise fi scal decisions celebrating these successes, we point and one that discuss the direction members regarding fi nances and school continue to explore options for the Penn Manor feel is most appropriate aft er buildings. building upon these and other school board and weighing community input Th erefore, knowing that past successes. administration and information shared many areas of the building Th e feature article in this from the architectural and require attention as well as edition discusses the process wrestle with on a engineering professionals hired understanding that the needs the school board is following to regular basis.” to provide technical review and of students in 2016 are diff erent solicit public input on the future information. from those when the original of Penn Manor High School. As Finally, many individuals high school was constructed, it superintendent, I have received As a result, the building ask me how the district is essential that our community a number of questions regarding has many problems, including can contemplate a large engages in a discussion this year the need for updating facilities potential structural defi ciencies, and expensive high school to determine the best course of for our high school students. outdated and deteriorating project when there is so much action. Th e most frequent comment infrastructure (plumbing, uncertainty in Harrisburg as As a district, we look forward from longtime community electrical systems, and data it relates to the state budget, to your continued participation members is that it seems as if wiring) as well as space property taxes and school during the remainder of this the district just renovated the limitations not appropriate for funding. Th is is an excellent school year. high school. I must admit that the learning needs of students in point and one that the Penn I feel the same way. I was a 2016 and beyond. Manor school board and – Dr. Mike Leichliter fi rst-year high school assistant Another common comment administration wrestle with on principal 19 years ago when the I hear is that surely the school a regular basis. (717) 872-9500, ext. 2223 school fully reopened following board knows exactly what Th e issues being debated in [email protected] a renovation that began in option should be chosen, Harrisburg are complex and Twitter: @mleichliter

Gov. Tom Wolf visits Hambright Elementary Hambright Elementary School hosted a special visitor July 9 when Gov. Tom Wolf stopped at the school during his “Schools Th at Teach” Tour. Th e governor discussed his education funding priorities, stressing the importance of increasing support for public education. Prior to his address, Wolf greeted Penn Manor students, faculty and administrators gathered outside the school. Superintendent Dr. Mike Leichliter thanked Wolf for making “Schools Th at Teach” a keystone of his administration. He urged Wolf and the General Assembly “to try to fi nd common ground, to work together and to address our funding needs.” Penn Manor School District was honored to have Superintendent Dr. Mike Leichliter, left , introduces Gov. Tom Wolf, who stopped hosted the governor. at Hambright Elementary School in July on his “Schools Th at Teach” tour. 4

3 Fast Facts: Class of 2015 More than 400 Penn Manor seniors received their diplomas during commencement in June, earning more than $1.9 million in scholarship money to continue their education beyond high school. Here are some stats on the Class of 2015: • 96 seniors earned 154 awards at the Senior Awards Ceremony. • 49% are attending a four-year school. • 20% are attending a two-year school. High school principal Dr. Phil Gale, left , and Penn Manor superintendent Dr. Mike • 5% of the senior class joined the Leichliter pose with commencement speakers, from left , Andrew Mintzer, Hailey United States military. Kresge, Craig Jahnke (salutatorian), Alan Dang (valedictorian), Hannah Willig and • 69 students achieved a 4.0 GPA or Sarah Beth Ranck prior to graduation exercises at Franklin & Marshall College. higher. • 86 students graduated in the honors honors classes, earning a “B” or better). • Two seniors, John Clark and Hailey program (by earning a 3.75 or better • 65 students are graduating with honors Kresge, were recognized as National Merit GPA while taking three years of foreign and a 4.0 GPA or higher. Commended Students. language and earning a “B” or better, and • 265 students took 436 advanced- • One student, valedictorian Alan Dang, four advanced-placement credits and fi ve placement tests in 20 diff erent subjects. qualifi ed as a National Merit Finalist.

Upcoming in Penn Manor Special education Feb. 1 – School board meeting, 7 p.m., (March 5 only), auditorium services provided district o ce conference room March 17 – High School renovation/ Penn Manor School District is required Feb. 9 – Pre-K Expo, 6:15 p.m., Ham- construction master plan presenta- bright ES tion, 7 p.m., HS auditorium to provide a free, appropriate public Feb. 9 – Kindergarten Information March 21 – School board meeting, 7 education (FAPE) to children with Night, 7 p.m., Hambright ES p.m., district o ce conference room disabilities who are determined, through Feb. 15 – President’s Day (no school) March 24 – Weather makeup/vacation the evaluation process, to need special Feb. 16 – School board meeting, 7 p.m., day education and related services under district o ce conference room March 25 & 28 – Spring break (no IDEA and 22 Pa. School Code §14. Feb. 18 – High School Course Selection school) A school-age child with a disability Night, 6:30 p.m. April 1 – End of marking period who is determined to be in need of Feb. 26 – K-12 early dismissal (no p.m. April 4 – School board meeting, 7 p.m., special education and related services kindergarten) district o ce conference room is identifi ed as a child with a disability March 4, 5, 11 & 12 – High school April 8 – K-12 early dismissal (no a.m. eligible for special education in need of musical “Grease,“ 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. kindergarten) specially designed instruction. Th fe ollowing are disability categories under IDEA: • Autism • Deafness Achievement: High school honored • Deaf / blindness CONTINUED from Page 1 rose from 182 to 232. • Emotional disturbance Students who score 3 or better tend to be • Traumatic brain injury all our students,” he said. “We just weren’t better-prepared for higher education and willing to work with the status quo.” • Hearing impairment oft en receive college credits for completing • Specifi c learning disability Th e rankings were calculated using AP courses. standardized test scores in math and • Intellectual disability Th e growing participation and strong • Multiple disabilities reading, as well as participation and success test scores – 87 percent of Penn Manor on Advanced Placement and International students scored a 3 or better – earned • Other health impairment Baccalaureate exams. Penn Manor a spot on the Honor Roll, • Speech and language impairment Leichliter said the school has off ered which includes 345 schools from across the • Orthopedic impairment more AP classes in recent years and United States and Canada. • Visual impairment, including encouraged more students to take them. blindness In 2013, 208 Penn Manor students took Th er ecognition acknowledges the increased emphasis on academics at Penn A full description of the services and AP courses; in 2015, that number rose to programs available is accessible at: 265. Manor High School, Leichliter said. Over that same period, the number of “Fift y years ago, people saw Penn Manor www.pennmanor.net/special-education/ AP exams administered at Penn Manor as a small, country school,” he said. “People or by contacting Th eresa Kreider, director rose from 340 to 436, and the number of are now seeing us also as an academically of student services, at 872-9500, ext. 2227. students who scored 3 or better (out of 5) focused school.” 4 Big changes for district schools – past and present Pequea Elementary project to wrap up in summer 2016 Work is progressing on a $15.2 million project to upgrade and enlarge Pequea Elementary School, which has been closed since last summer. The improvements include enlarging and brightening the school’s entrance and lobby, relocating the stage, enlarging the kitchen, adding two large academic spaces for classroom groups and modifying bus and An architect’s rendering shows how Pequea Elementary School will look when the project is car access points outside the completed this summer. building. increase security, and two new renovated library and an relocated to Conestoga, Martic In addition, mechanical, “academic commons” spaces expanded and modernized and Hambright elementary plumbing, heating, air will be added to provide for kitchen. schools and Marticville conditioning and lighting large- and small-group student To minimize disruptions . systems are being replaced and teacher collaboration. and expedite the project, the Work is expected to wrap with more efficient systems. All art and music rooms are school was closed for the up this summer, with the A new front entrance being relocated and upgraded. 2015-2016 academic year. upgraded Pequea opening for with a secure vestibule will Pequea also is getting a Pequea students and staff were the 2016-2017 school year. Old Hambright property sold for $1.5 million; site to be care facility Penn Manor School District has completed the sale of the former Hambright Elementary School to Signature Senior Living LLC for approximately $1.5 million. The sale marks the end of the school’s 80-year This is a rendering of the new entrance to Conestoga Elementary School. existence. “While many students and teachers have fond memories Safer entrance, new kitchen, classrooms for Conestoga of the old building, the Just as work is wrapping spaces, a relocated and “academic commons” school district is pleased up on the Pequea project in expanded library and a new instructional space will be that the property will be the summer of 2016, workers main entrance. created at the existing library. used by a taxpaying entity will begin an $11.8 million Site work will include a new A new library will be and that the proceeds can be project to upgrade Conestoga geothermal heating system created in the former multi- used to offset other capital expenses of the district,” Elementary School. and paving overlay work at purpose classroom space said superintendent Mike As with the Pequea project, the bus and parent drop-off that also currently serves Leichliter. students and teachers will be areas and the hard-court as a cafeteria. The gym will The former Temple Avenue relocated during construction, area on the northern side of be upgraded to become a school was shuttered after which is expected to wrap up the school. In addition, site multipurpose room, serving the 2013-2014 school year, by the start of the 2017-2018 enhancements will improve as both the replaced by a new Hambright school year. stormwater runoff, and new space and cafeteria. on Charlestown Road that The proposed improvements lighting will improve security The kitchen will be opened in August 2014. will include renovations to and reduce light pollution. relocated to the south side Signature has razed the the existing school, plus a new A new front entrance of the building, reducing building and is constructing kitchen, classroom additions with secure vestibule will vehicular traffic in the parent a memory care and assisted and large-group instructional be constructed, and a new drop-off area. living facility on the site. 5 PMHS renovation/construction options Graphics key: = renovations = new construction

Option 1 Estimated cost: $52 million Option 2 Estimated cost: $80 million

• Retains 152,000 square feet of existing building • Centrally located upper and lower primary • Renovations to existing building only entrances • New mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems • New primary circulation corridor and central • New doors, windows and interior finishes plant at loading dock/service area • New roofing systems • Upper entrance includes administrative offices • Integrated technology and parent drop-off • Expanded food service • Consolidated athletic wing Pros: Lowest cost • Separates bus traffic from student/staff/visitor Cons: Does not address education program issues, traffic security or site/building circulation issues; 1950s • New 158-space parking deck building remains Pros: Improves site/internal building circulation, preserves cafeteria/gymnasium wing, consolidates athletics and physical education into single wing Option 3 Estimated cost: $87 million Cons: Retains significant portions of 1950s academ- ic wings

Option 4 Estimated cost: $100 million

• New primary circulation corridor and student commons • Consolidated athletic department • Direct outside access for music department, stage support spaces • New agricultural sciences wing and yards • New central plant adjacent to loading dock • Flex spaces between academic wings • Construct new school on campus of Manor Middle School/Hambright Elementary School Pros: Reorganizes/improves site circulation and internal building circulation, preserves cafeteria/ Pros: New building systems, ideal placement of gymnasium wing, consolidates athletics/phys ed, educational spaces, adjacent play fields, ample establishes controlled main entrance parking Cons: Second-highest cost Cons: Highest cost Board of School Directors Nonprofit Organization J. Kenneth Long, President U.S. Postage Carlton L. Rintz, Vice President Richard L. Frerichs, Ed.D. P.O. Box 1001 PAID Millersville, PA 17551 Johnna M. Friedman Lancaster PA Joseph G. Fullerton Permit #996 David R. Paitsel An Equal Opportunity Employer Jeffrey E. Lyon Christopher C. Straub Donna J. Wert Ex Officio Members: Christopher L. Johnston, Treasurer Cindy Rhoades, Board Secretary Administration Postal Customer Michael G. Leichliter, Ed.D. Superintendent Cheryl A. Shaffer, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent, secondary Jerry Egan, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent, elementary Christopher L. Johnston Business Manager Above & Beyond newsletter is published by Penn Manor School District. If you Follow us on have questions or comments, please contact Brian Wallace, Community Relations Twitter: @pennmanor Coordinator, at 872-9500, xt. 2241, or by email: [email protected].

Penn Manor’s 1:1 laptop program is subject of film Penn Manor’s innovative 1:1 $345,000 in software fees by using Student Laptop Program is the open source programs and apps in subject of a documentary that the first year of the 1:1 program at was shown before a crowd of the high school. This year, 1:1 was 3,000 people attending a global expanded to the middle schools. conference in Boston over the In all, 2,400-plus students are summer. using school-supplied laptops. “Penn Manor: The Power of The documentary was created by Open in Education” includes Red Hat Films to demonstrate how interviews of Penn Manor students, teachers and staff about a school district can successfully the 1:1 program, which provides utilize open source programs to laptops utilizing free, open source expand educational opportunities software to every student at and enhance instruction. Penn Manor High School and The film debuted in June at Marticville and Manor middle the Red Hat Summit, a global Penn Manor High School student technology apprentice Susan Black, schools conference sponsored by Red seated, is interviewed by a Red Hat Films crew in the high school Penn Manor saved about Hat, the world’s largest open student help desk work area. source software company. Red Hat trusting kids in education. provides support and integration A central theme of the film is services to businesses and how technology, when stripped organizations, including major of its traditional limitations, can airlines and the New York Stock empower students in new and Exchange. exciting ways. Red Hat learned of Penn Manor’s Penn Manor is honored 1:1 program after seeing a TEDx to be the subject of the film, talk by the school district’s which you can see on YouTube technology director, Charlie at https://www.youtube.com/ Reisinger, about the power of watch?v=Nj3dGK3c4nY.