PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • OCTOBER 2013 Across the DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION FOR OBSERVING TEACHERS Each of our two Assistant Superintendents, all of our school Principals, and every one of the Assistant Principals at Pennsbury High School and all three middle schools are to be commended for the extensive commitment they have shown in achieving 100% proficiency certification in the newly-instituted Student leaders from Pennsbury’s secondary schools Teacher Effectiveness supervision process. Following were up early on September 27th to take part in the annual the recent state law that requires public school teachers Fox 29 Military Salute in Philadelphia. to be evaluated based on uniform standards, each of these administrators voluntarily took a rigorous, members accompanied 20 Pennsbury students to 30+ hours training course and a two-part, seven-hour Market Street in Philadelphia on Friday, September assessment to achieve inter-rater reliability status as 27th as one of six school districts in the area an evaluator. This additional certification will provide participating in Fox 29 News’ Salute the Military Day. high-quality supervision of teachers and consistency in “All branches of the military, plus veterans, vendors, observation among all of our administrators. They will music, and entertainment surrounded us along use Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching with Coast Guard boats, tanks, and heavy artillery,” as the basis for teacher observations. Danielson’s described Ms. Swanson. “Our signs were seen during framework – a system that had already been the basis part of the live broadcast and the students were on for our observation process for several years – focuses TV many times with various news personalities. on planning and preparation, classroom environment, The students were excited to be part of this honored instruction, and professional responsibilities. This tradition.” In addition to Ms. Swanson, the other extension of our ongoing, in-service training for teachers included Lynn Gordon from Charles Boehm administrators will provide validity and consistency in Middle School, Ryan Hohman from William Penn the teacher evaluation process. Kudos to all! Middle School, and Debbie Weston from PHS West. SECONDARY STUDENTS TAKE PART MATH SPECIALISTS CHAMPION IN FOX 29 MILITARY SALUTE TEACHING OF MULTIPLICATION Pennwood Middle School Science teacher, Jamie Mathematics Curriculum Coordinator, Debra Swanson, reports that she and several other faculty Garonski, writes that presentations on the topic PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • OCTOBER 2013 1 superintendent’s report • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. return this year to address parents and community members on bullying, cyberbullying, and youth depression. Mr. Halligan’s son, Ryan, died by suicide at age 13 after being bullied by classmates. This high-impact presentation, targeted for adults, will take place on October 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Pennwood auditorium. Mr. Halligan will also be meeting with students in all three middle schools during the day on October 17th and 18th. CHILDREN HELPING CHILDREN IN NEED: FOOD DRIVE SUPPORTS SHELTER Math Specialists, (l-r, beneath screen) Kim Sheaffer and Pam Dr. Christine Zervos, Coordinator of Community Murphy, were two of the presenters in a special series of meetings Partnerships and Grants, announced a campaign that focused on Math Fluency in Multiplication. underway this month in conjunction with two Pennsbury Partners: the Levittown Fairless Hills of Math Fluency in Multiplication were given by the Rotary Club and Waste Management, Inc. With the Math Specialists for third grade teachers at three support of these two active local Partners, all of the different meetings last month. “I am so proud of Pennsbury elementary schools are working together the work that these ladies have done to create these throughout October to contribute to an important presentations,” said Ms. Garonski. The full-day food drive for the needy families receiving assistance workshops provided teachers with helpful ways from the Family Services Association Homeless (and resources) to teach multiplication based on Shelter of Levittown. The shelter currently serves conceptual learning rather than mere memorization 40 adults and 32 children. This is Bucks County’s of Math facts. The workshops were inspired by only emergency shelter, and at the present time, Sue O’Connell, author of the book, Mastering the there is a food shortage. “One grocery bag of food Basic Math Facts in Multiplication and Division. The can provide as many as 11 meals,” said Dr. Zervos. morning sessions were dedicated to the presentation “Every single donation helps, and together we hope and the afternoons allowed time for collaboration our combined donations will make a real difference and planning with the other third grade teachers for those in need. Nutritious canned and dry goods in each school along with the designated Math are requested.” Specialist. The ideas shared at these sessions were intended to be incorporated into the existing PENNSBURY PARTNER STEPS UP TO curriculum. “Our third grade teachers came away SUPPORT ODYSSEY OF THE MIND from these workshops thinking differently about teaching and learning multiplication facts,” said Ms. Once again this year, Dr. Zervos is pleased Garonski. “All in all, this collaborative effort was a to announce that a Pennsbury Partner, Davis great success!” Dealerships, is sponsoring the Pennsbury Odyssey of the Mind Association (POMA) program in JOHN HALLIGAN TO ADDRESS PENNSBURY our schools. “We are truly grateful for the firm’s PARENTS ON CYBERBULLYING generous grant of $6,000 to support POMA activities and to expand the participation of Pennwood Middle School Counselor, Molly students across all Pennsbury schools this year,” Gray, reports that guest speaker, John Halligan, will said Dr. Zervos. Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is a 2 OCTOBER 2013 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA superintendent’s report • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. team-oriented program that promotes creative process called ‘design’ to explore the properties of problem-solving among students from kindergarten bubbles and invent their own bubble machines. These through college years. The international machines will be revealed at the Bubble Olympics to organization offers each OM team many be held at the end of October. In addition to using opportunities to use teamwork, brainstorming, Math skills to calculate the size of their bubbles, the self-reliance, creativity, and respect for individual students applied Science in the form of process skills, strengths in unique, unforgettable experiences and they used Art to paint with bubbles. In other that will serve them in every aspect of their lives. words, the students had some good clean fun!” POMA has sent a Pennsbury School District team to the OM World Championships annually for FALLSINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL the past 30 years! “Davis Dealerships is one of the premier auto groups in the area, and we thank Teacher Sherri Cohoon writes that third, fourth, them for this generous support,” added Dr. Zervos. and fifth grade students at Fallsington participated in the first annual “Hughes Half-Miler” to honor the school’s retiring Principal, David Hughes, who is an in the SCHOOLS avid runner himself. Mr. Hughes, after dedicating 35 years to the field of education, retired on Friday, September 27th. Physical Education teacher, Brian ELEANOR ROOSEVELT Doron, thought it would be a great way for the school ELEMENTARY SCHOOL to honor Mr. Hughes, and with the help of Physical Education teacher, Craig VanDemark, and music Gifted Support teacher, Kathy Royal, shares how teacher, Duane Kolar, “the event was a big success fourth and fifth grade students at Eleanor Roosevelt and enjoyed by all,” said Ms. Cohoon. The top three have embraced the revised Gifted Support program times for both boys and girls were recorded and those with their unit on Bubbleology. “What do Pistol students will be the first to have their names engraved Shrimp, iridescence, and dish washing soap all have on a plaque that will be hung in the school’s lobby. in common? The answer is, BUBBLES!” said Ms. Each year, six new names will be engraved on the Royal. “In this unit, students used the engineering plaque as a way to pay tribute to Mr. Hughes’ many years of service to the Fallsington community. Eleanor Roosevelt students in Gifted Support classes had The first annual Hughes Half-Miler honored recent retiree, some good clean fun during their unit on Bubbleology. Principal David Hughes, at Fallsington Elementary School. PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • OCTOBER 2013 3 superintendent’s report • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. OXFORD VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Principal Fran Nitkin shares that the school year has gotten off to a great start at Oxford Valley. “We welcomed over 120 new families to our school,” said Ms. Nitkin. “It is wonderful to see so many new faces!” During the summer months, many Oxford Valley students took the Summer Smarts Challenge. Students earned a step for every 15 minutes they read. Donna Fay, the school’s Reading Specialist, celebrated these students’ accomplishments with a special book party. This month, the Student Council, headed by Shannon Little and Jennifer Stephens, will hold the annual Scarecrow decorating contest. Students will use their creative talents to turn three popsicle sticks into the best scarecrow. Their creations will These banners are displayed prominently in the lobby be on display in the lobby. Look for pictures in next at Oxford Valley Elementary to mark the school’s special month’s issue of this report. designation as No Place for Hate. Fire Prevention Week was celebrated at Oxford Valley as Kindergarten teachers, Terrie Guarino and PENN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Danielle Michael, arranged a visit from the Falls Township Fire Department. Local fire personnel Penn Valley’s Summer Reading Celebration was brought the fire truck and gave the Kindergarteners “a real treat,” according to Reading Specialist, Kerry a chance to learn about the truck and see it up Bauerle. “Our PTO wanted to welcome all our new close.