pasc news · pdf filevolume 40 • issue 4 • december 2015 pnq pasc news quarterly...
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Volume 40 • Issue 4 • December 2015
PASC News Quarterly
Pnq
Halifax Hosts State Conference
4
KeystoneCouncil Awards
3
Advisors of the Year 7Holiday
Fundraisers8
Senate Youth Scholarship Finalists 6
PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net2
PASC Board Positions AvailablePASC is accepting applications for two positions on the PASC board:
Executive Director (3-year term)•DeadlinetoapplyisDecember15,2015•InterviewswilltakeplaceonFriday,January8,2016,inAltoona,PA•YoumustbeaffiliatedwithaPASCschoolandbeanactiveorretiredteacher.Addition-allyyoumustbeabletomissapproximately10schooldaysandhaveaccesstocopyingandafaxmachine.
•Foradetailedjobdescriptionandanapplication,pleasecontactKathyColl,[email protected].
Resource Development Coordinator (3-year term)•DeadlinetoapplyisDecember15,2015•InterviewswilltakeplaceonFriday,January8,2016,inAltoona,PA•Theresourcede-velopmentcoordinatorisresponsiblefororganizingfundraisingeventsanddevelopingpartnershipsoutsideofPASC.Formoreinformationandanapplication,pleasecontactRoseAnnFulena,[email protected].
LEAD Conference Planned for January in Washington, D.C. TheNationalAssociationofStudentCouncilsoffersagreatopportunitytogetnationalconferenceexperienceandresourcesatanaffordablecostthroughitsLEADConferences.DesignedformiddlelevelandhighschoolstudentcouncilandNationalHonorSocietyleadersandtheiradvisors,theseexcitingandrewardingweekendmeetingsaredesignedtoencourageinterstatecommunicationamongstudentleadersandadvisors,tostrengthenleadershipskills,andtopreparethoseattendingforleadershiprolesonthelocal,state,andregionallevels.
Thisschoolyear,aconferencewillbeheldinourareaJanuary29–31,2016.Conferencedetailsandprogramhighlightscanbefoundatwww.LEADConferences.org.Theearlybirdregistrationfeewillbe$200perdelegate.HotelreservationscanbemadeattheHyattRegencyCrystalCityHotelinArlington,VA.Thehotelrateis$125perroom,pernight,plustax(currently13%).
Plan Now to Attend NASC National Conference in Portland, OregonCenturyHighSchoolinHillsboro,Oregonisthesiteforthe2016NASCNationalConference.ConferencedatesareFriday,June24throughSunday,June26.PASCwillplanapre-conferencetrip,whichshouldbeginonapproximatelyJune21.Thecostinclud-ingconferenceregistration,hotelaccommodations,travel,meals,pre-tripentertainmentandT-shirtsisapproximately$1.800.
Theregistrationformwillbeonlineatwww.pasc.netonDecember1,2015.DeadlinetoregisterisFebruary15,2016.A$500depositwillberequired.Ifyouareplanningonattendingnationals,PASCencouragesstudentstosubmitworkshopstopresentatthena-tionalconference.IfyouhavesuccessfullypresentedaworkshopatastateconferenceandareplanningtoattendthenationalconferenceinPortland,Oregon,considersubmittingaworkshopproposal.LookformoredetailstocomeinPASC News.
InsIde ThIs Issue
PASC Board Positions Available .. 2
LEAD Conference Planned for
January in Washington DC ........... 2
NASC National Conference in
Portland, Oregon ............................ 2
17 Schools Honored with Keystone
Council Awards .............................. 3
A Keystone Challenge for PASC
Member Schools ............................. 3
Halifax Climbs to New Heights
with State Conference .................. 4
Regional Reps Elected ................... 5
Hawley Award Winners
Announced ..................................... 5
Seeking Host School for 2017 ..... 5
Councils of Excellence Applications
Due in February ............................. 5
Senate Youth Scholarship Finalists
Named .............................................. 6
Advisors of the Year Selected ...... 7
Middle Level Reps Selected ......... 7
Winter Holiday Fundraisers ........ 8
Linda Greb Award .......................... 9
Student Summit in Harrisburg .... 9
State Board of Education
Update .............................................. 10
SBE Junior Rep Applications Now
Available ........................................... 10
PASC Presidential Student
Spotlight ........................................... 11
PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net 3
17 Schools Honored with Keystone Council AwardsPASCwasproudtorecognize17schoolsatthestateconferenceinHarrisburgforearningthePennsylvaniaKeystoneCouncilAward.KeystoneCouncilsmustsubmitanapplicationdemonstratingthattheymeetcriteriaincategoriessuchasFinancialProcedures,CivicEngagement,andStudentVoice.Thefollowingschoolswererecognizedforthe2014-2015schoolyear’saccomplishments:
High School DistinguishedBoyertownHighSchool–D13
ElkLakeHighSchool–D9
FleetwoodAreaHighSchool–D13
MountainViewJr./Sr.HighSchool–D9
NorthPennHighSchool–D12
NorwinHighSchool–D4
PoconoMountainWestHighSchool–D9
Middle Level DistinguishedFleetwoodAreaMiddleSchool–D13
High School KeystoneChartiersValleyHighSchool–D3
InterboroHighSchool–D11
Marple-NewtonHighSchool–D11
SouthFayetteHighSchool–D3
UnionAreaHighSchool–D2
WestMifflinHighSchool–D3
WhitehallHighSchool–D10
Middle Level KeystoneHarlanRoweMiddleSchool–D7
PennbrookMiddleSchool–D12
Additionally,oneschoolreceivedascholarshiptosummerleadershipcampinaspecialdrawing.ThatluckyschoolwasWestMifflinHighSchool.Theap-plicationsforthe2016KeystoneCouncilAwardareonthePASCwebsite.Fillouttheapplicationandgetrecognizedforallofthehardworkyoucouncildoes.Ap-plicationsaredueinMay.
Representatives of the 17 PASC schools that were recognized with the Councils of Excellence Award at teh e2015 state conference are shown with the plaques awarded to their Council. Applications for next year’s award are available on the PASC website and are due in May.
PASCwouldliketochallengeyourschooltobeginkeepingarecordofallofthewon-derfulthingsyoudosoyourcouncilcanbehonoredatthestateconferenceatDeerLakesHighSchoolin2016!
TheKeystoneCouncilAwardsoperatesolelyonastatelevelandhighlightPASCmembercouncilsthataretrulyremarkable.PASCispresentingyourcouncilwithnotonlyachallenge,butalsoanopportunitytogrowandtoimprovethroughself-evaluation.
Tomoreeffectivelyhonorallstudentcouncils,thereareseparateMiddleLevelandHighSchoolapplicationsfortheawards.Bothoftheseapplicationsareavailableonwww.pasc.netunderthe
“AwardsandScholarships”tab.Clickonschoolandcouncilawardstofindthehighschoolandmiddleschoolapplications.Atthistime,yourcouncilcanprintoutandbegintocompletetheapplication,whichmustbesubmittedbyMay20,2016.
ASelectionCommitteewillreviewapplicationsandnotifyschoolsreceivingKeystoneCouncilAwardsbyOctober1,2016.Allprojectscompletedduringthe2015–2016schoolyearareeligibleforre-viewontheapplication.KeystoneCouncilsmustmeetcriteriaincategoriessuchasFinancialProcedures,CivicEngagement,andStudentVoice.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheap-plicationprocess,pleasecontactthechairoftheKeystoneCouncilCommittee,LisaBernet,[email protected].
HelpPASCdoubletheamountofrecipi-ents of this award at the State Conference in2016.GoodLuck!
A Keystone Challenge for PASC Member Schools
PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net4
Halifax Climbs to New Heights with PASC State ConferenceThe79thStateConferencehostedbyHalifaxAreaHighSchoolwasheldNovember12–14atthebeautifuldowntownHarrisburgHiltonandCrownePlaza.Theconferencetheme,“It’sTimetoClimb”wasevidentineachoftheaspectsoftheconference.ThursdaynightincludeddinneratStrawberrySquareandaVendorFairattheCrownePlaza.Delegatesandadvisorsthentrav-elledtothefirstgeneralsession,whichwasheldatthePennsylvaniaFarmShowBuilding.
Theconferencefeaturedthreenotedleadershipandmotivationalspeakers.Eachsharedadifferentmessagethatchallengedandinspiredthestudentandadvisordelegates.Eachhadamessagethattiedtothethemeoftheconference“It’sTimetoClimb.”ThespeakersincludedEricAlexander,JohnBeede,andAmandaHammett.
Fridaymorningtheconferencebeganwithaspecialguest,GovernorTomWolf,whoaddressedhowimportanttheschoolsystemisandhowheisfightingforschoolfunding.Student-ledworkshopswereheldFridayaswellascaucusmeetings.Asstudentsattendedworkshops,advi-sorsattendedanadvisoruniversitysessionandaworkshoppresentedbyJohnBeede.Advisorsalsoparticipatedinanewactivity,“40in40,”inwhichadvisorsweregiven40tipsin40minutes.ThankstothepresentersDaveHatfield,JimFinnemeyer,JackieJaros,JeffKusniez,andKyleKaufman.ThisamazingactivitywasmoderatedbyAndyCostanzo.Advisorslearnedsomanynewideasinthis40-minutepresentation.
Fridayeveningprovidedatimefordelegatestoenjoyafirst-classbuffetdinnerintheballroomofthePennsylvaniaFarmShowComplexfollowedbyseparatedancesforhighschoolandmiddlestudentsandanadvisor“TouroftheValley”event.
Saturdaymorningincludedthelastgeneralsession,whichincludedatributetoourstatechar-ity,PAWoundedWarriors,theclosingspeaker,andaconference-in-reviewslideshowprovidedbyDynmaxDigitalProductions.
WenowturnoursightstoDeerLakesHighSchoolnearPittsburghasplanningcontinuesforthe80thPASCStateConferenceonNovember10–12,2016.Staytunedforadditionaldetailslaterthiswinter.
Faces of PASC
School delegations enjoyed posing in front of the “It’s Time to Climb” photo backdrop at the conference (above). Workshop sessions (left) got students out of their comfort zones. Governor Tom Wolf discussed the importance of increased education funding in the budget (top left).
PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net 5
DuringcaucusmeetingsonFriday,November15,schoolswereelectedtobethenewRegionalRepschools.Astudentfromeachoneoftheseschoolswillbeselectedtoserveatwo-yeartermonthePASCExecutiveBoardwhichbeginsonJanuary1,2016.
Thefollowingschoolswereelected:
Region C: EverettHS
Region F: NorthPennHS
Region G: WhitehallHS
ThefollowingRegionalRepresentatives
willbeginthesecondyearoftheirtermsinJanuary2016:
Region A: NoahPollio,UnionAreaHS
Region B: MadisonDarrah,North AlleghenyHS
Region D: DelaneyHeller,Mountain ViewHS
Region E: DrewPhillippi,Bermudian Springs HS
CongratulationstothesestudentsandthanksforyourwillingnesstoservePASC!
Regional Rep Schools Elected
Dale Hawley Award Winners NamedEachyear,theNationalAssociationofStudentCouncilsprovideseachstateassocia-tionwithfiveawardsnamedfortheformerExecutiveDirectorofNASC,DaleHawley.PennsylvaniahasannuallygiventheseawardstoonestudentineachofourGoldandBlueSummerLeadershipWorkshops.ThestudentsareselectedbytherespectiveworkshopstaffsasoutstandingdelegatesduringtheworkshopprogramsinJuly.
TheDaleHawleyAwardswereannouncedattheStateConferenceonNovember13.Thewinnersare:
GroveCityBlue: BenHess,SenecaValleyMS
AlverniaBlue: McKaylaMickel,OctoraraJr.HS
GroveCityGold: MichaelReed-Price,UpperDublinHS
Susquehanna: FrancisBurk,NorthPennHS
AdvancedGold: DanGreer,DeerLakesHS
Seeking Host School for 2017 ConferenceTheprocessisnowbeginningtoselectthehostschoolfortheStateConferenceinfallof2017.StudentCounciladvisorsandstudentleaderswhoareinterestedinbiddingtohostthisconferenceshouldcontactPASCExecutiveDirectorRoseAnnFulenaatpasc.exdir@gmail.comorcall724-651-0973forapacketofmaterialsthatexplainsthebiddingprocessandforahostschoolplanningbooklet.
SchoolsinterestedinhostingtheStateConferencein2017shouldnotifyPASCbyDecember15.Officiallettersofinvitationareneededfromtheadvisors,theStudentCouncilpresident,theprincipal,andthesuperintendentofschoolsandmustbereceivedbyPASCnolaterthanJanuary1,2016.Schoolsthatbidareinvitedtomakeapresenta-tiontothePASCExecutiveBoardatameetingonSaturday,January9,2016atAltoonaAreaHighSchool.ThePASCExecutiveBoardwillmakeadecisionthatday.
Applications for NASC Council of Excellence Due in FebruaryWithlessthanonemonthremainingin2015,itistimeforyourstudentcouncilmemberstoorganizeinformationonprojects,minutesandagendasofmeetings,andotherinformationthatcanbeusedtosupportyourcouncil’sapplica-tiontoNASCasaNationalCouncilofExcellencefor2016.
ManyPASCmembercouncilshavedonemanyoutstandingthingssinceJanuary1,2015.AlthoughittakestimetocompletetheNASCapplication,theprocessofdo-ingitallowsstudentleadersandadvisorstoreflectonallthattheyhavedoneandto create a portfolio that reflects a posi-tiveviewoftheirorganizationandtheirschool.Whenthemembersofthecouncilfindagapinprojectsnotcompleted,theapplicationprovidesarenewedincentivetomovetheprojectforwardinthenextmonth,ortoputitonthetopofthecoun-cil’sprioritylistfor2016.
EachoftheeightPennsylvaniaschoolsthatwerenamedasCouncilsofExcellencefor2015wouldurgeyourcounciltomakethateffort.Eachfoundtheworkput-tingtheapplicationpackettogethertobechallenging,butworthwhile.Itcreatedarenewedfocusonwhotheywereandwhattheysoughttoaccomplishintheirschool.
PASCwouldliketoencourageallcouncilstoapplyforthisprestigiousaward.Detailson the application process and the ap-propriateforms—aswellasalistingofthePennsylvaniaschoolsthatreceivedCouncilsofExcellenceawaardsin2015—canbefoundatwww.nasc.us/national-councils-of-excellence/current-winners.aspx Theapplication,basedonthecouncil’saccomplishmentsforcalendaryear2015,isduetoNASConTuesday,February16,2016.
PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net6
Executive DirectorRose Ann Fulena Union Area Middle School2106 Camden AvenueNew Castle, PA 16101PH: 724-971-4599FX: [email protected]
Assistant Executive DirectorKathy Ann Coll174 Link AvenuePittsburgh, PA [email protected]
PASC PresidentMichaela LynchHalifax High School3940 Peters Mountain Rd.Halifax, PA 17032
PASC President-ElectTyler RaubDeer Lakes High SchoolCheswick, PA
PASC News DirectorLisa BernetFleetwood Area Middle School610-944-7634 [email protected]
PASC News Editor/DesignerLyn FiscusLeadership Logistics
PASC Email:[email protected]
PASC Website:www.pasc.net
PASC News Quarterly is published quarterly during the school year. To submit announcements, articles, or corrections for newsletters, please email the PASC News Director, Executive Director, or Assistant Executive Director. Articles or information from PASC News Quarterly may be reproduced for use, with appropriate credit.
Mark your calendars: PASC Summer Camp Datesn Grove City College Blue:
July 10–14n Alvernia University Blue:
July 24–28n Grove City College Gold:
July 17–22 n Susquehanna University Gold: July 24–29
n Advanced Gold: University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown or Alvernia University:
July 10–16 or July 17–23
U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Finalists NamedCongratulationstothefollowingstudentswhowererecentlynamedasUnitedStatesSenateYouthScholarshipfinalists.OnSaturday,November21,2015,eachofthesestudentswasinterviewedandtookagovernmentandconstitution-basedcurrenteventsexam.TheDepartmentofEducationhostedthesestudentsandtheirparentsforaluncheonattheStateCapitolaspartofthisspecialdayinHarrisburg.Two state winners and two alternates were selected.PASCwillhighlighttheminafuturePASCNEWS.Thefinalistsare:
Samantha Barrett,CentralBucksEastHS,District12
Alexandra Kohr,WilliamsValleyHS,District13
Michaela Lynch,HalifaxAreaHS,Dis-trict8
William Marks,HarritonHS,District12
Roshni Mehta,Spring-FordHS,District12
Luke Myers,GovernorMifflinHS,Dis-trict13
Guanlin Ren,NorthAlleghenyHS,District3
Eesha Sheth,GeorgeSchool,District12
Joshita Varshney,GreatValleyHS,District11
Jack Wheatley,CouncilRockSouthHS,District12
AllschoolnomineesfortheU.S.SenateYouthScholarshipwillbeinvitedtoattendthePASCStudentSummitinHarrisburgonFebruary18,2016alongwithotherrepresentativesfromhighschoolsacrossthestate.
Finalists for the U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship program were interviewed and took a government and constitution-based current events exam to be selected.
PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net 7
HighschooladvisorsselectedbytheirdistrictsasAdvisorsoftheYearwerealsorecognizedinHarrisburgatthestateconference.ReceivingtheLindaGrebAdvisoroftheYearAwardwasHarveyEdwardsofSellingsgroveAreaHighSchool.Hehasbeenahighschooladvisorfor20yearsandisawell-respectedindividualwhoisdescribedasabundleofpositiveenergywhoencourageshisstudentstodotheirverybest.Harveyhasbeenrecognizedbothwithinthecom-munityandatthestatelevelforhisleadership.Amemberofhisstudentcouncilstatesthat“itishispositiveattitudeanddedicationtostudents”thatdriveshispassionforstudentleadership.Mr.Edwardsgoeswellbeyondthetypicaldance,homecomingactivities,orevengolfputtinggames.Hehasspentcountlesshoursbringingthecommunitytogetheratlocalcollegestofosteryoungleadershipandforthepast20yearshaspassion-atelytaughtothersontheimportanceofdiversityandpreventionofbullyingthroughtheToleranceTroupe.AccordingtohisstudentcouncilPresident,“itishiswillingness
tohelpandhisoverallcharacterovertheyearsthathasproducedagenuinepersonwhowoulddoanythingtohelpguideanyonedowntherightpathtosuccess.”Inhisrecommendation,Harvey’sprincipalstates,“Mr.Edwardsisanadvocateforhisstudentsandheencouragesthemembersofthestudentcounciltodevelopandpromoteactivitiesthatwillbeabenefittothestudentbodyasawhole.Hislongtenureasthestudentcounciladvisor,hostingtheDistrictStudentCouncilConferenceonmorethan
oneoccasion,andallofhisotherstudent-centeredactivitiesareatestamenttohimasanadvisorandaneducator.”ThisPASCHighSchoolAdvisoroftheYearAwardisnamedfortheformerMarsHighSchooladvisorandPASCExecutiveBoardmemberwhopassedawayin2002afteracourageousbattlewithcancer.WecongratulateHarveyEdwardsasthe2015HighSchoolAdvisoroftheYearandwishhimwellasheisnowtobeconsideredforregionalandnationalrecognition.
MiddleleveladvisorsselectedbytheirdistrictsasAdvisorsoftheYearwererecognizedatthestateconferenceearlierthismonth.Fromthisgroup,MeganFuchsfromUnionAreaMiddleSchoolwaschosenas2015PASCMiddleLevelAdvi-soroftheYear.Shehasbeenanadvisorforeightyears.MeganwasrecentlyselectedtoservewithastudentfromUnionAreaMiddleSchoolonthePASCExecutiveBoardasamiddleleveladvisor.
Meganleadsmanyactivitiesincludingfifthgradeorientation,aHalloweenparty,aThanksgivingbenefitdance,afallcraftfestival,atalentshow,monthlydoordeco-ratingcontests,andaneighthgradepicnic.Shealsoleadsmanyserviceactivitiesincludingabenefitdance,footballfieldclean-ups,snowbuddies,andmakingValentinecardsfornursinghomes.
Inrecommendingher,Megan’sprincipalwrote:“Sheisarespon-
sibleandhonorablepersonwhotakeseveryadvan-tagetomakethingsbetter.Oneofthemostben-eficialprojectsthathasbeenestablishedistheFallCraftandVendorShow.OurThanksgivingFoodDriveisanotherbeneficialprogram.Thisprojectislifechangingformanyfamilies.Thosearejusttwooftheprojectsthatshespendscountlesshoursworkingonwithandforourstudents.Shepartici-pateswithstudentsineveryPASCconferenceandprogram,accompaniesstudentsonserviceprojectsthroughoutourcommunity,promotesschoolspirit
amongstudentsandstaffandhelpswithprogramsinourschoolthataren’tevenaffiliatedwithstudentcouncil.SheisanassettotheUnionAreaSchoolDistrictandisincrediblydeservingofthisrecognition.”
CongratulationsandbestwishestoMeganasherapplicationwillnowbesubmittedforadditionalregionalandnationalrecognition.
PASC Advisors of the Year SelectedMegan Fuchs Named Middle Level Advisor of the Year
Harvey Edwards Named High School Advisor of the Year
2016 Middle Level Representatives and Advisors SelectedThroughanapplicationprocess,twoteamseachconsistingofaseventhgraderandanadvisorwerechosentoserveonthePASCExecutiveBoardfromJanuary2016throughAugust2017.Thenewmiddle
levelrepresentativesare:
MelodyWattsandadvisor,RebeccaBoyer,fromGovernorMifflinMiddleSchool(District13)
RileyCrewsandadvisor,MeganFuchs,
fromUnionMiddleSchool(District2)
Congratulationstotheseteamsastheybegintheirserviceontheboardrepre-sentingmiddlelevelstudentcouncilsinPennsylvania.
PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net8
Winter Holiday FundraisersBy Lyn Fiscus
Thewinterholidayseasonisfullofopportunitiestomakemoneytosupportyourorganization’seffortsatothertimesoftheyear.Ifyourfundsareabitlowafterfallevents,tryoneoftheseholidayfundraiserstoputsomejinglebackinthetreasury.
JINGLE BELL WALK.Organizea5kwalkduringDecemberwhereparticipantspayafeetoenter.Mapoutaroutenearyourschoolandchargeparticipantsanentryfeetoparticipate.Givewalkersjinglebellstoattachtotheirshoelacessotheyjingleastheywalk.
GINGERBREAD COMPETITION.Reachouttothebakersandartistsinyourschoolbysponsoringagingerbreadhousecompeti-tion.Putthehousesondisplayandhavestudentsvotewithcoinsfortheonetheylikebest.Theonewiththemostdonationswinsa“People’sChoice”award.Havejudgesselectwinnersformostcreativeandbestuseofmaterials.Iftheentrantsagreetoit,youcouldalsoauctionoffthecreationsafterthecontest.
WINTER WONDERLAND DANCE. Sponsoracasualdancewithawintrytheme.Decoratethegymorcafeteriawithsnow-flakes,twinklinglights,pinebranchessprayedwithartificialsnow,andothersnowyelements.ElectaSnowKingandSnowQueenforaddedinterest.
HOLIDAY COOKIE SALE. Inthisversionofabakesale,haveaholidaycookiebakingsessionwithyourmembers—possiblyintheFACSclassroomatschool—oraskeachmembertodonatefivedozenhomemadeholidaycookies.Setupacookiedisplayandhavetake-awayboxes,plates,orplasticbagsalongwithaplasticgloveforcustomers.Buyersselectthecookiestheywantandtheirselectionsareweighedatcheckout.Chargebythepound,e.g.,$5perpound.Goaheadandmakeupplatesfullofcookiescoveredinplasticwrapforthosewhodon’twanttotakethetimetoselectthemone-by-one.Conductthesalewhileaneventthatbringspeopletotheschoolisoccurring,suchasaholidayconcertorbasketballgame.
CRAFT BAZAAR. Inviteteachers,parents,communitymembers,andstudentstoselltheirhandmadecraftsatacraftfairinthegym.Dividetheareaintorowsofspacewithatableineachbooth;chargeafeetohaveatableandchargeadmissiontoenterthefair.Sellconcessionsforaddedrevenue.Besuretoadvertiseinlocalmediaaswellaswithlocalchurches,civicandfraternalorganiza-tions,women’sclubs,andelementaryschools.
HOLIDAY BASKETS. Holdasilentauctionofholidaybasketsfilledwithvariousitemsorganizedaroundatheme.Atreatbasket
couldfeaturecookies,candycanes,hotchocolatepackets,andotheredibleitems.Apamperingbasketcouldincludebubblebath,aromatherapycandles,agiftcardforamassage,andsoforth.Abookloversbasketcouldfeaturebookmarks,areadinglight,agiftcardtoabookstore,etc.Becreativewiththethemestoappealtoawidevarietyofpeople.
CANDY CANE DELIVERY.Tiecandycaneswithdifferentcolorribbons:Greenmeans“specialfriend,”whitemeans“secretadmirer,”andredmeans“truelove.”Chargestudents25¢toselectacolorribbonandhaveacandycanedeliveredatschooltothepersonoftheirchoice.
POINSETTIA SALES. Makemoneytwowayswiththisfundrais-er.First,takeordersforpoinsettiastobepickedupatschoolonadesignateddayearlyinDecember.Second,decoratetheschoolentranceandofficeareawithsomeoftheplants,thensellraffleticketsforpeopletowinthemonthelastdaybeforewinterbreak.
SANTA EXPRESS. SendhomesealedletterstoparentsofK–3studentsadvertisingthatfor$15,amemberofyourgroupdressedasSantaandothermembersdressedaselveswillgotoachild’shouseanddeliverawrappedage-appropriatepresent.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA. InviteelementarystudentstohavebreakfastwithSantaonaSaturdayinDecemberforafee.Alongwithahotbreakfast,play“SantaSays,”providemusic,dancing,artsandcrafts,andaSantaSecretShopwherestudentscanpurchaseinexpensivegiftsfortheirparents.Yourmemberscandressupaselvestofacilitatetheactivitiesandsupervisethechildren.
PARENTS NIGHT OUT.Reservetheschool’sgymormultipur-poseroominearlyDecemberforaParentsNightOutfundraiser.Invitealllocalelementarystudentstospendtheeveningattheschoolparticipatinginavarietyofactivitiesforareasonableentrancefeewhiletheirparentshaveafreeeveningtodoholidayshoppingorothertasks.Besuretoobtainsignedemergencycon-tactformsfromtheparentsbeforetheyleave.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT REMOVAL.It’susuallymorefuntoputupChristmaslightsthantotakethemdown,somanypeopleputoffthetask.AdvertisetheservicesofyourgroupmembersonaSatur-dayinearlyJanuarytotakedownChristmaslightsandcoilthemupneatlyforstorage.Assignatleasttwopeopletoworktogethersoonecanholdtheladder.Establishsafetyguidelinesandrequirememberstoadheretothem.Chargeaflatfeeoraskfordonations.
Lyn Fiscus is a freelance education writer and student activity adviser in Reston, VA.
Designed by Freepik
PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net 9
OnFridayattheFridayGeneralSessionoftheStateConference,AmyKauffmanofSouthWesternSchoolDistrictwasnamedasthe2015winneroftheLindaGrebAward.BothdelegatesandherpeersallagreethatAmyisaninnovativeleader,guidingthewaywithconfidenceandtalent.Sheisanincrediblementorwhomakesthosearoundherthinkoutsideoftheboxandtacklerealissueswhilepromotingyouthleadershipandempowerment.Del-egateshavesaidthatthisindividualmadethemrealizethingstheywould’veneverimagined.Sheisabeautifulspirit,insideandout,whomakesahugeimpactoneverylifeshetouches.AtAdvancedGold,
Amychallengesdelegatestoworktogethertobreakdownthebarriers.Everyoneal-wayswalksawayfromherworkshoplook-ingatlifeinawaytheyneverhavebefore.
Amyreceiveda$500checkandaspeciallydesignedpinwhichincludesaninvertedtrianglerepresentingLinda’sstrength,theseedssheplantedinyoungpeople,theirgrowthintofullydevelopedtreesallen-circledtosymbolizethecircleoflife.
TheawardisnamedinmemoryofLindaS.Greb,whoservedonmanyworkshopstaffsandpassedawayin2003(seeside-bar).ItisgivenannuallytoaworkshopstaffmemberforoutstandingservicetoPASC.Congratulations,Amy!
Amy Kauffman is the recipient of the 2015 Linda Greb Award, given annually to a PASC workshop staff mem-ber for outstanding service to PASC.
Amy Kauffman Named 2015 Winner of Linda Greb Award
Award Honors Linda GrebIn March 2002 the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils’ or-ganization lost an outstanding leader, outstanding advisor, and a dear friend to cancer. Although only 42 years of age at the time of her death, Linda S. Greb had a positive impact on the lives of more people in this state and the nation than most people do in a full lifetime.
Linda was advisor at Mars High School, served as District 2 Direc-tor and Advanced Gold Workshop Director, and was PASC Membership Coordinator at the time of her death. The outpouring of memorial funds which PASC continues to receive has been used to establish an annual recognition award and scholarship for a PASC summer leadership workshop staff member for use in their pursuit of an educational degree or for their furtherance of leadership development through state, national, or international programs.
PASC Schools Invited to Attend Annual Student Summit Focusing on AdvocacyPASCinvitesallPennsylvaniaschoolstoattendtheannualStudentSummitonThursday,February18,2016,inHarrisburg(snowdateisThursday,February25).Eachschoolisallowedtoselectfourstudentsingrades10,11,and12.Thisyearthesummitwillfocusontheseobjectives:
• Whatadvocacyisandwhyitisimportant• Howtodeterminewhatstudentsshouldadvocatebothonapersonalandorga-
nizationlevel.• Howtoadvocatebymobilizingothersintheschoolandcommunitybyutilizing
resources.
ApplicationstoattendareavailableatPASC.net andareduebyJanuary20,2016.MoreinformationaboutthecomponentsrequiredandmoredetailsabouttheprogramcanbefoundatPASC.netundertheProgramstab,thenclickHighSchool.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthisopportunity,[email protected].
Pennsylvania student leaders participate in a Student Summit in Harrisburg each year in February.
PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net10
ThePennsylvaniaStateBoardofEduca-tionhelditsbimonthlymeetingSeptember16–17.Whiletherewasconsiderablylessontheagendacomparedtopreviousmeet-ings,theBoardcoveredavarietyoftopicsincludingreportsfromvariouseducationalgroupsanddistricttransfers.
AdvancementsweremadeintheGED(GeneralEducationDevelopment)exam.Thetestisnowfullyonline,andnewex-amssimilartothecurrentGEDwillsoonbeimplemented.TheBoardmembersalsodiscussedhowpassingratesfortheGEDhaveincreased,butasignificantlyfewernumberofstudentsnowtakeit.
TheBoardalsocoveredthechangesinresultsfromthenewPSSAcutscores.SchoolsintheCommonwealthhavedoneaphenomenaljobindiscussingPSSAscores,andthegoalofthePDEistostaytransparentabouttheseissuessothatthepublicismoreknowledgeableaboutthem.TheDepartmentofEducationhasdonethisbyaddingmoredocumentstothewebsite,creatingpre-draftedTweets,and
sending letters to parents with each score resultfromtheSecretaryofEducationPedroRivera.
ThemostheatedandemotionalaspectofthemeetingwasduringthediscussionofthetransferofWashingtonTownshipfromDoverSchooltoNorthernYork.ReasonsforthetransferincludefewertaxesinNorthernYork,bettereduca-tion(specificallySAT,ACT,andPSSAscores),andshorterbusrouteforstudentsinWashingtonTownship.Afterseveralpubliccommentsexplainingbothsidesoftheissue,theBoardruledthatthetransferbedisfavored.
AmongotheritemswerethesuccessofthebullyingpreventionhotlineandadvancementsinGiftedEducationdespitelackoffunds.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthemeetingfeelfreetoreachouttoourstudentrepresentativesontheboard,DonaldLeCompte([email protected])orJoshitaVarshney([email protected]).
State Board of Education Update
Apply to be the Junior Student Rep on the State Board of EducationPASCisseekingtonameapresentsophomoretobecometheJuniorStateBoardofEducation(SBE)MemberasofJuly1,2016.SinceSeptember2008,aseniorandaju-niorstudenthaveservedonthePennsylvaniaStateBoardofEducation.Inthespringof2016,theprocesswillbeimplementedtoselectthenextJuniorSBEMember,whosetermwillofficiallybeginonJuly1,2016asthecurrentSeniorBoardmemberretires.
What Is the State Board of Education?TheStateBoardofEducationsetsallpoliciesregardingpublicschooleducationintheCommonwealth.ItconsistsofCouncilsofBasicandHigherEducation.TheBoardofEducationhas17adultmembersselectedbytheGovernorandconfirmedbytheSenate.ThechairandminorityleaderoftheHouseandSenateEducationCommitteesserveaswell.TheboardmeetsinHarrisburgonWednesdaysandThursdaysinJuly,September,November,January,March,andMay.
Who May Apply? AnysophomoreinapublichighschoolinPennsylvaniamayapplyforthepositionforthe2016–2017schoolyear.StudentsdonothavetoattendaPASCmemberschoolinordertoapply.Gotowww.pasc.net toapplynowforthisimportantstudentadvocacyposi-tioninPennsylvania.ApplicationsareduenolaterthanFebruary28.
PleasedirectanyquestionsregardingthesepositionsandtheapplicationprocesstoPASCExecutiveDirectorRoseAnnFulenaat724-971-4599orPASC.exdir@gmail.com.
The Presidential Student Spotlight is a new program implemented by PASC State President Michaela Lynch. She started this program to recognize leaders throughout Pennsylvania who make a dif-ference in their schools and communities.
Consider nominating a student in your council who has exhibited leadership skills. Reasons to nominate a student leader include initiat-ing a new program or event, helping others in a significant way, or spending a significant amount of time on a project or community service.
If you feel someone in your council is worthy of this award, go to Awards and Scholarships, then student awards on the PASC website. More details and all of the requirements for the award are on the website. Nomina-tions can be made directly at pasc.net.
A committee will review all applications and a winner will be selected at the end of each month. The winner will be featured in PASC News. See page 11 of this issue for the first Presidential Spotlight.
PASC Presidential Student Spotlight
PASC News Quarterly • December 2015 • www.pasc.net 11
Almost every school and SGA in
Pennsylvania hosts a Homecoming,
which typically consists of a dance
and parade. For Norwin High
School’s student council presi-
dent, Becky Stefanyak, this year’s
Homecoming was not that simple.
Since the beginning of June, Becky
and her fellow officers worked
diligently to make this year’s
Homecoming a success. Becky had
to deal with the transition of new
advisors, new school principals,
and other obstacles that made her
responsibilities even more difficult.
Becky was determined to make
“A Knight in the Jungle” a night
that she and her classmates would
never forget.
After months of planning and hard
work, Becky was able to pull off a
successful Homecoming weekend.
The weekend started off with a
Hall of Fame banquet Thursday
night, along with the Royal Recep-
tion for the Homecoming Court
that same evening. The following
day, Friday, they held the second
annual Homecoming Carnival. The
carnival was an opportunity for
the Norwin community to gather
before the big game to meet
and greet the Norwin HS sport
teams and clubs/organizations that
sponsored a game booth or food
stand. After the carnival was the
football game where the corona-
tion of king and queen took place
during halftime. Because Becky is
asenior cheerleading captain, she
walked out to the middle of the
football field with her blue and
gold cheerleading uniform on to
present the sash and crown to the
king and queen
On Saturday, Becky and the
student council had even worse
luck—they had no choice but
to cancel the morning parade
in which all high school sports
and organizations were eager
to participate. However, Becky
was able to handle the situation
maturely and take the necessary
precautions so the community
would be protected from severe
weather conditions. The last and
final homecoming event was the
dance on Saturday evening. The
dance was a huge success and all
students who attended enjoyed
themselves. From the DJ to the
photo booth to the pop and
snacks, Becky’s planning paid off.
Now you may be thinking: What’s
so different about this Homecom-
ing than any other Homecoming?
What’s the big deal with Becky?
Becky is one of a kind. She is
brilliant and selfless and defines
what a true leader is and how one
should act. For months, Becky was
confident and able to lead her
council to put on a fantastic week-
end, while also managing numer-
ous events as well (i.e. open house,
teacher night, meetings, etc).
It is stated that the PASC
Presidential Spotlight Program is
an opportunity for some of Penn-
sylvania’s greatest leaders to get
the recognition that they deserve.
After attending all three summer
workshops and attending several
state and district conferences,
Becky is a prime example of what
PASC is all about.
First Presidental Spotlight Winner:Becky Stefanyak, Norwin High School
Nominate an outstanding student leader at your school
for recognition in the PASC Presiden-tial Spotlight! Visit
http://www.pasc.net/
student-awards.html for details.