1PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • SEPTEMBER 2014www.pennsburysd.org

PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • SEPTEMBER 2014

Across the DISTRICT

Newsweek magazine named Pennsbury High School to their list of the Top 500 High Schools in the country this month. PHS was ranked as number 144. Pennsbury is one of seven Bucks County high schools on the list! The methodology for this ranking, found on the Newsweek website, includes an achievement index that is primarily based on state assessments and a college readiness score that incorporates SAT and AP scores, graduation rates, student attrition rates, and counselor-to-student ratios. Congratulations go to the PHS faculty and administration for this recognition of their daily efforts to provide the best possible educational experience for our young people. This recognition also extends to every Board member, teacher, administrator, student, and parent in the District, because we are all in this together!

PENNSBURY HIGH SCHOOLGARNERS NATIONAL RANKING

Once again, the somber significance of September 11th, or Patriot Day, was observed in the Pennsbury schools with a variety of respectful activities. Also known locally as Remembrance Day, this date has special meaning in the Pennsbury community due to direct ties with the tragic events that occurred in 2001. The lives of Pennsbury parents, alumni, and other local community members were lost during the terrorist attacks. Over the years, a number of Pennsbury schools have provided financial support

SCHOOLS OBSERVE SOLEMNRECOGNITION OF SEPTEMBER 11TH

through fundraising efforts to help maintain the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield Township. This is the state’s official 9-11 memorial. As in past years, Pennsbury students, staff, and administrators volunteered to help coordinate or take part in the ceremonies scheduled at the Garden on September 11th, in addition to other times during the year.

Examples of school observances this year included a moment of silence and a video tribute during homeroom at William Penn Middle School and a flag-planting ceremony involving the entire fifth grade class at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary.

Students in Ms. Kooker’s first grade class at Oxford Valley Elementary took part in a brief Patriot Day ceremony honoring

America’s heroes on September 11th.

In the SCHOOLS

Makefield PTO President, Pamela Webb, reports that the Makefield PTO received an Honorable Mention from the national publication, PTO Today, in

MAKEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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superIntendent’s report • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.

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Principal Barbara Hidalgo shares that each Spring, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Penn Valley hosts a month-long read-a-thon. This campaign not only increases student reading levels, but also further supports Penn Valley’s literacy efforts by raising funds for the school’s annual reading celebration when students return to school. After participating in the Pennsbury Elementary Summer Reading Program, students turned in their summer reading calendars this year to earn raffle tickets. (Each 100 minutes of logged reading time equals one raffle ticket.) Earlier this month, students celebrated their summer reading achievements with a picnic dinner and by placing their tickets in raffle baskets in the hopes of winning prizes. Although reading is its own reward, some of the prizes that readers were able to win this year included sports team blankets, drawstring bags, matted photographs of sports greats, puzzles, sports equipment, family games, art supplies, and craft sets. Some of the most sought-after prizes, however, were donated by

Principal Fran Nitkin welcomes several new teachers to Oxford Valley this year: Katy Stumbaugh, fifth grade; Jen Walter, kindergarten; Julie Samples, second grade; and Adrian Stoffregen, ETA.

“Most importantly, we are very happy to have many new students join us this year,” said Ms. Nitkin. “They received their official welcome to Oxford Valley at an event coordinated by Patricia Gunerman, our school counselor.”

Reading Specialist, Donna Fay, congratulated all of the Oxford Valley students who participated in Pennsbury Reads by acknowledging their accomplishment school-wide and treating them to ice cream.

Ms. Nitkin added, “We are very excited to have our kindergarteners here for the entire day. They are very busy getting used to the routines in the building and in our cafeteria and playground. All

PENN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLOXFORD VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

a competition for 2014 Parent Group of the Year. All of the school honorees are profiled in this month’s issue of PTO Today and on ptotoday.com. “I want to thank each of the members of this year’s and last year’s PTO Boards for their dedication,” said Ms. Webb. “They continue to be the heart and soul of Makefield. It would not be the wonderful, enriching environment it is without their time and talents.” She added, “I also wish to thank all of the Makefield families and staff in our PTO for their dedication.”

Principal Donna McCormick-Miller added, “What a wonderful and well-deserved recognition. I’m so proud of all that we have accomplished as a school community. The staff and I comment all the time about how fortunate we are to work with such wonderful families. On behalf of the entire Makefield staff and community, let me say kudos to all of our parents! They are amazing individuals who together do really great things to enhance teaching and learning for all of our students. I’m so proud!”

of them are doing a wonderful job and have even managed to stay awake the whole day!”

Full-day kindergarten students at Oxford Valley Elementaryenjoy physical activities on the school’s colorful playground

equipment while at recess.

3PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • SEPTEMBER 2014

superIntendent’s report • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.

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local businesses – AMF Bowling, the Philadelphia Union, Rite Aid, Monster Mini-Golf, Dave & Buster’s, Levittown Lanes, the Adventure Aquarium, and Double Eagle Mini-Golf at Snipes. “Special thanks go to all of our local Partner businesses for their support of Penn Valley students’ summer reading,” said Ms. Hidalgo. “The grand prize, won by fourth grader, Joshua Raj, was a gift card for a weekend at Great Wolf Lodge. Congratulations to the Raj family!”

Ms. Hidalgo also acknowledged five committed

summer readers – the children who logged the most reading minutes at each grade level. They were:

First grade, Aidan Higgs – 1,710 minutesSecond grade, Hailey Rakowski – 1,240 minutesThird grade, Adam Dombrowski – 1,668 minutesFourth grade, Sam Gardineer – 2,980 minutesFifth grade, Sam Foster – 3,775 minutes These reading superstars each earned a free goodie

bag that included a new book and a gift card from our Pennsbury Partner, Barnes & Noble.

“Congratulations to ALL of Penn Valley’s summer

readers and their parents who reminded them of the importance of summer reading,” said Ms. Hidalgo. “Also, a special thank you to Kerry Bauerle, our Reading Specialist, for organizing this event, and Penn Valley parent, Brenda Brandal, for gathering and organizing the prizes.”

Science teacher and Unity Team chairman, James Foster, writes that on Monday, September 29th, Pennwood will kick off the middle school’s annual Unity Week. “Representatives from the Anti-Defamation League will be on hand at this special kick-off assembly to present an important banner to Pennwood in recognition of our school’s designation as ‘No Place for Hate,’” said Mr. Foster.

Then on Friday, October 3rd, Pennwood will host its annual walk-a-thon to help raise funds to support

Applied Engineering and Technology Education teacher, John Sanders, participated in a program called the National Summer Transportation Institute for High School Students. Hosting the program was Cheyney University of PA, which is one of the colleges that Mr. Sanders attended. According to Mr. Sanders, the institute was sponsored by PennDot, the Federal Highway Administration, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, and Cheyney University. Student attendees participated in an intensive program focused on the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) disciplines. Mr. Sanders served as a guest lecturer and conducted workshops that focused on land and submersible robotics.

PENNWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL

PENNSBURY HIGH SCHOOL

the school’s year-long activities in conjunction with this commendable theme.

commendAbleACCOMPLISHMENTS

Principals Lisa Becker and Shawn Neely are pleased to announce that the following outstanding PHS students were selected as Semifinalists in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Competition:

Alexander FriedmanCarolyn HartwickAleksander PestiAllison ScottMichael SunJacob Wachspress

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected

PHS STUDENTS NAMED NATIONALMERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALISTS

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to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the “Merit Scholar” title, according to the organization. Congratulations to all and best wishes in the next round!

Please join in congratulating Pennsbury employee, Tracy Thomas, for being named Bus Driver of the Year by Charles Williams, Director of Transportation. Ms. Thomas learned of this special distinction at the kick-off meeting of Pennsbury’s 135 bus drivers in August. Currently the driver of bus #99, Ms. Thomas transports students with special needs in grades K-12 each morning and afternoon with the assistance of transportation aide, Debbie Greenwood. Ms. Thomas serves with fellow department members on the Transportation Safety Committee in addition to her work on the “Yellow Book” Committee, overseeing regular updates to the drivers’ manual. “Tracy values the relationships she forms with her student riders and their parents,” said Mr. Williams. ”She makes the children’s physical and emotional welfare her top priority.”

TRACY THOMAS NAMEDBUS DRIVER OF THE YEAR

In 2008, Ms. Thomas began as a substitute bus driver in Pennsbury. She was then assigned to bus #86 before her present assignment on bus #99, which covers the entire School District. Prior to working for Pennsbury, Ms. Thomas owned and operated a nail salon business in Fairless Hills for 20 years. She lives in Levittown with her husband, Wayne, and daughter, Jordan. In addition to volunteering as a deacon at her church, Northminster Presbyterian, in Fairless Hills, Ms. Thomas enjoys sewing, reupholstering, crafts, and decorating.

Bus Driver of the Year, Tracy Thomas, drives bus #99 each morning and afternoon to transport students with special needs.

World Language Curriculum Coordinator, Andrea Garberina, is pleased to report that Natalie Laurie, a PHS senior, spent the spring semester of her junior year studying at a high school in Angers, in the Loire Valley in France. Natalie has had a passion for learning French since she was a young child, according to Ms. Garberina.

“She longed to communicate with some of her family members in French and has embraced both French and Spanish at PHS.” Natalie studied French 1-4 and Spanish 1-3 at PHS. In the summer of her freshman year, she participated in a home stay in France with a family friend. Last semester, Natalie chose to study at a French high school through the AFS Intercultural Exchange Program. This is one of the oldest intercultural exchange programs in the country. She lived with a family of five while in Angers and took high school-level classes (including Spanish). “Natalie finds the cultural aspect of living abroad to be among her favorite parts of international study, and she found this in her homestay in France,” said Ms. Garberina. Currently, Natalie is hosting Nora Fux, an exchange student from Zurich, Switzerland, who will be studying at PHS this semester.

PHS STUDENT NATALIE LAURIERETURNS FROM SEMESTER ABROAD

nAtAlIe lAurIe

5PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • SEPTEMBER 2014

superIntendent’s report • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.

www.pennsburysd.org

The Applied Engineering and Technology Education Department left its mark at the Middletown Grange Fair in August. Material Processing student, Jennifer Boxer, and AE/TE teacher, Matt Peitzman, both decided to enter pieces of furniture they designed and crafted during the last school year. Jennifer entered a cherry coffee table which won fourth prize at the Technology Student Association state competition in April. Her table won first place in the high school category at the Grange Fair and was widely praised by both judges and attendees.

Mr. Peitzman entered a red oak Morris chair. The Morris chair was part of the third level Materials class in which students designed, calculated costs, and built chairs for themselves. Mr. Peitzman’s chair won first place in the adult category and the prestigious “Best in Show” ribbon for best overall entry. Both Jennifer and Mr. Peitzman were interviewed and photographed by local media after receiving their awards. Congratulations!

PHS TEACHER AND STUDENTEARN PRIZES AT GRANGE FAIR

BOArD FACILITIES COMMITTEE5:30 p.m., October 2, 2014

Superintendent’s Conference Room

BOArD AgENDA MEETINg8:00 p.m., October 2, 2014

Fallsington Elementary School

rEguLAr BOArD MEETINg8:00 p.m., October 9, 2014

Fallsington Elementary School

Upcoming MEETINgS

The Pennsbury School District believes our children belong with their peers. Pennsbury is committed to promoting a sense of belonging in each child by affording all students their right to be educated, to the maximum extent appropriate, in their neighborhood school.

This commitment is possible through the use of appropriate support to enable students to be educated in the least restrictive environment.

PENNSBury INCLuSION PHILOSOPHy

Matt Peitzman, Curriculum Coordinator for Applied Engineeringand Technology Education, won the prestigious “Best in Show”

ribbon for the hand-crafted chair (right) he entered in the Middletown Grange Fair.