cross the istricts repor… · 2 august 2014 • pennsbury school district • fallsington, pa...

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

PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • AUGUST 2014

Across the DISTRICT

The Pennsbury School District opened its doors for approximately 10,500 students on a staggered schedule this year. Beginning on Wednesday, August 27th, grades K-5 in the elementary schools, grade 6 in the middle schools, and grade 9 at the high school had their first day of school. All students reported to school on Thursday, August 28th. This staggered opening allowed for full-day orientations for the incoming 6th and 9th grade students as they began their school year in new buildings.

Following is a brief summary of what’s new in Pennsbury this year:

NEW ADMINISTRATORPending approval by the

Pennsbury Board of School Directors, Ms. Barbara Hidalgo will be serving as the new Principal at Penn Valley Elementary School. Please welcome Ms. Hidalgo, who joins Pennsbury after serving for the past eight years as Principal of Yardville Heights Elementary School in the Hamilton Township School District. Prior to that position, Ms. Hidalgo was the District Curriculum Supervisor for Language Arts Literacy K-5 and

PENNSBURY STUDENTSRETURN TO SCHOOL

BArBArA hidAlgo

Gifted and Talented K-12, also for Hamilton Township schools. Ms. Hidalgo taught first, second, and fifth grades at Greenwood Elementary School in the same district. She also worked on many district and building committees, including the District Enrollment Committee, District Standards-Based Report Card Committee, District Curriculum Council Committee, District Teacher Evaluation Committee, School Climate Committee, and the School Data Team, among others. Ms. Hidalgo holds a Master of the Arts degree in Reading and Language Arts with Distinction from Rider University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Sociology, also from Rider. She has earned Administrative Certifications in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONFor the first time, Pennsbury is launching a

full-day kindergarten program in all ten elementary schools across the District. Prior to this Fall, kindergarten was primarily a half-day experience in Pennsbury. The state recently adopted new PA Core Standards for curriculum, which significantly increased the learning expectations for our students. Recognizing this need, the Pennsbury School Board charged the administration with planning for the new program and funded the initiative in this year’s budget. Full-day kindergarten will allow for the addition of speech and language development instruction and social skills training. It will also provide increased time for individualization to identify learning needs, challenge students, and bolster skills required in the new standards. Our hope is that these changes will promote greater success as students advance through the grades.

2 AUGUST 2014 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA

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

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Pre-K students at Walt Disney Elementary School tasted“green eggs and ham” after reading the Dr. Seuss classic

by the same name during Read Across America week.

PA CORE STANDARDSThe same PA Core Standards adoption that

impacted our kindergarten program is having a significant effect on all other grade levels. The new standards have required revision of all of our courses from K-12. All students are being held accountable to the new expectations.

WRITING FOCUSA District-wide Writing Leadership team is

overseeing improvements made to the writing process across all schools, having developed recommendations and consistent expectations across the curricula last year.

TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTSThe following improvements were made to District

technology during the summer months, with more advances to come with the implementation of a new Student Information System.

• New laptops for all teachers; • New wireless network across all schools; • New desktop computers in all middle school

libraries (90 total);• Deployment of over 300 new laptops and 290

year-old laptops for student use at the high school.

PRE-K COUNTS PROGRAM CONTINUESA grant-funded, pre-school program for three- and

four-year-olds is continuing this year in the Pennsbury School District thanks to a joint effort between Pennsbury and the Morrisville YMCA. Known as the Pre-K Counts Program, these classroom sessions are being offered on a half-day basis five days each week for the full school year. Funded entirely by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Pre-K Counts is open to children of families in Bucks County who meet eligibility guidelines. Children must be three or four years old by September 1st to participate. Spearheading this effort in Pennsbury is Walt Disney Elementary School Principal, Laurie

Ruffing. “The Pre-K Counts Program benefits our community’s youngest learners to prepare them for a successful kindergarten experience,” said Ms. Ruffing. “We utilize a creative curriculum and certified teachers to help these children build skills needed for kindergarten. Ms. Ruffing welcomes calls from community residents who may be interested in learning more about the Pre-K Counts program. She may be reached at 215-949-6868, ext. 20815.

KEYSTONE EXAMSThis year, the Keystone Exams will continue

to be administered at the secondary level. This state-mandated series of assessments began during the 2012-2013 school year. The Keystones are end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate proficiency in academic content. Beginning with the class of 2017, students must demonstrate proficiency on the Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams to graduate from Pennsbury High School. Students will be offered several opportunities to take the Keystones throughout their high school careers.

TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EFFECTIVENESSLast year, in accordance with regulations set forth

by the Pennsylvania Department of Education,

3PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • AUGUST 2014


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Pennsbury implemented the mandated framework for observing and evaluating teacher effectiveness. The teacher evaluation system includes a measure of school-level effectiveness called the Pennsylvania School Performance Profile, which gives each Pennsylvania school a numerical score. These profile scores will be combined with teacher observation data to generate the individual teacher’s rating. Additional new components of the teacher effectiveness framework will be added in 2014-2015. A similar system is being instituted this year for principal effectiveness.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONA Special Education Parent Advisory Board,

with designated representatives from each of the Pennsbury schools, will continue to meet quarterly with Director of Special Education, Sherri Morett, and her staff to help improve communications between the District and parents of special education students. The District is also continuing to evaluate its processes and procedures for identification and tracking of students with special needs this year.

NEW FOOD SERVICE PROVIDER –THE NUTRITION GROUP

Nationwide, all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are required to offer meals that meet nutrition standards set by the USDA. The number one priority of Pennsbury School District’s food service program is to provide high quality, delicious, and nutritious food.

Pennsbury’s new provider of dining services – The

Nutrition Group –offers a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, light and fat-free dressings, and whole grains. More information about The Nutrition Group is available online at www.pennsburysd.org > Food Services.

Pennsbury parents and guardians continue to have

the capability to provide online payment for their students’ cafeteria transactions, as well as to view their child(ren)’s meal/snack selections online. Please visit www.myschoolbucks.com to access this information.

RETIREMENTSWe have the opportunity to honor two esteemed

administrators who have announced their plans for retirement in the coming weeks.

ELAINE NOVETRetiring Principal of Penn Valley Elementary School

Over the years, Principal Elaine Novet has served as a Pennsbury administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She was appointed Principal at Penn Valley Elementary School in June 2010, and prior to that, she served as Assistant Principal and Supervisor of School Counseling, K-12, at Pennsbury High School East. This accomplished administrator also worked as an Assistant Principal at Afton Elementary School, William Penn Middle School, and Pennsbury High School. Ms. Novet was hired as a teacher of Social Studies at the high school level in 1987, after working for some years as a substitute teacher in Pennsbury. She became Assistant Principal at PHS in 1997. Since that time, Ms. Novet worked on a wide array of School District committees, including those that address such areas as the administrative budget, strategic planning, curriculum renewal, safety, literacy, diversity and tolerance, the Career Fair, the graduation project, and food service. Ms. Novet also serves on the Board of Directors for the Center for Student Learning charter school. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies from the Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Education from East Stroudsburg University, and Administrative Certification for Elementary and Secondary Principal from the College of New Jersey. “As Principal of Penn Valley, my focus has always

elAine novet



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been on academics, character, and respect,” said Ms. Novet. The colorful tile mural in the lobby at Penn Valley, installed while Ms. Novet served as the school’s Principal, reflects all three of those concepts and will serve as a lasting legacy.

HELEN STOPPERRetiring Supervisor of Special Education, K-8

Helen Stopper, Supervisor of Special Education K-8, has also served in an administrative capacity at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Prior to joining the Special Education department, Ms. Stopper was Principal at Village Park Elementary School from 2009-2013. Before taking the helm at Village Park, Ms. Stopper had also served as Assistant Principal on special assignment at Edgewood Elementary School, in addition to Supervisor of Elementary Gifted Education. Previous administrative duties included working as Assistant Principal at William Penn Middle School, Supervisor of Elementary Special Education, and Assistant Principal at Medill Bair High School (now PHS West). Ms. Stopper joined Pennsbury in 1983 as a Learning Support teacher. Her District-wide administrative responsibilities included November in-service committees, the Mathematics Curriculum Renewal Committee, and the District Safety Committee, among other assignments. Ms. Stopper created numerous seminars, workshops, and in-service trainings for public and private school personnel, graduate and undergraduate students, parents, and community groups on a variety of topics, including Differentiated Instruction, Formative Assessment, Inclusion, and many others. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Arcadia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from La Salle University. “My time in Pennsbury has been both an honor and a privilege serving the students, families, staff, and District,” said Ms. Stopper. “Although I have held a few titles over the years -- teacher, principal, supervisor, committee

member – my mission has been singular: to serve the children. I have been honored to be with so many who have also dedicated themselves to be of service to the students and to all the members who make up the entire Pennsbury learning community.”

helen stopper

The Pennsbury Education Foundation (PEF) recently awarded a total of six grants to schools across the School District, totaling nearly $10,000. The PEF is a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on donations and supports the purpose of improving teaching and learning in Pennsbury through innovative educational initiatives. Grants are awarded through an application process that occurs twice each year.

“The PEF Board is pleased to be able to support the valuable work that teachers do in the classroom, and we look for effective ways that we can distribute funding to benefit students,” said Annette Young, PEF President.

The following grant recipients were announced:

Principals Lisa Becker and Shawn Neely and the Physical Education teachers at Pennsbury High School - $500 to help fund the purchase of cross fit equipment for use by PHS students;

Principals Lisa Becker and Shawn Neely and MOST program teacher Jessica Hodges - $1,850 for a Smart Board and projector for Pennsbury High School;

Principal Elaine Novet and Reading Specialist Kerry Bauerle - $3,109 to partially fund a one-year license for “Study Island” literacy software at Penn Valley Elementary School;

Principal Christopher Becker and Reading Specialist Marianne Kershaw - $2,400 to fund the purchase of books to be used as part of the 100 Book Challenge program at Manor Elementary School;

PEF GRANTS ANNOUNCED



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Principal Christopher Becker writes that Manor students are eager to test out the first phase of

MANOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Afton Gifted Support teacher, Eileen Koch, writes a number of the District’s Gifted Support teachers attended a valuable workshop at NASTAR, the National Aero-Space Training And Research Center. “The Solar System course we participated in was part of a series of STEM-related programs offered to teachers this summer,” said Ms. Koch. In addition to Ms. Koch, Gifted Support teachers who participated included Kara Covello (Penn Valley), Kathryn Royal (Eleanor Roosevelt), Amy Discount (Manor), Kristen Marco and Carolyn Schmitt (Edgewood), Angela Mastropaolo (Fallsington and Oxford Valley), Katie Duncan (Walt Disney), and Robyn Rowlands (Quarry Hill), as well as Quarry Hill fourth grade teacher, Christy VanVeen. “The teachers were given a tour of the center, which featured a centrifuge training bay, a flight simulator, and a behind-the-scenes look at the various engineers designing and fabricating new products,” added Ms. Koch. “Each teacher received a spacesuit before participating in various hands-on space activities, and we were each provided with a binder and CD of numerous resources for teaching about space and the Solar System. The day concluded

TEACHERS PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPAT NASTAR SPACE CENTER

Principal Patricia Steckroat and Instrumental Music teacher Adam Pfannenstiel - $1,000 to fund the purchase of one PC workstation for the band room at Pennwood Middle School;

Principal Paul Meehan and Social Studies teacher Kim Esposito - $1,000 to partially fund the purchase of BrainPOP study materials for William Penn Middle School.

In addition to gathering generous donations from local funding sources and individual donors, the PEF also participates in the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, which awards tax credits to businesses making contributions to the PEF. For more information, call Daniel Rodgers, Pennsbury Business Administrator, at 215-428-4115.

After “suiting up,” these Pennsbury teachers took part in a hands-on training workshop at NASTAR during the summer months.

with a presentation of certificates of completion. Everyone was encouraged to return to the center for future professional development courses.”

in the SCHOOLS

Principal Elizabeth Aldridge reports that her school’s summer reading initiative was a success again this year. “Our outreach program began the second week of July,” said Ms. Aldridge. “All ER students were invited to participate, regardless of their age or where they live.” The programs included story hours and craft-making at such apartment complexes as Rock Springs Apartments and the Commons of Fallsington, in addition to offering access to computer-based enrichment programs in the school’s computer lab.

ELEANOR ROOSEVELTELEMENTARY SCHOOL



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First grade teacher, Lorie Becker, writes that on June 11th, the first grade classes at Walt Disney enjoyed a visit from the Little Zoo on Wheels, sponsored by the Philadelphia Zoo. Ms. Becker and Gifted Support teacher, Katie Duncan, received a mini-grant from the Pennsbury Partners Program to help cover the cost of the program. The theme was Polar Bear Action Lab. “The students were involved in hands-on games that focused on the changing climate and how that impacts wildlife,” said Ms. Becker. In addition, the zoo also brought a chinchilla and snake and discussed the habitats of those two animals, along with the habitat of polar bears. “Students were able to touch the snake and chinchilla as well as some artifacts the zoo educators brought along,” added Ms. Becker. “There was even

WALT DISNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Manor’s new playground at the start of the 2014-15 school year. “Impressive fundraising over a period of two years by Manor’s PTO generated more than $20,000,” said Mr. Becker. “These efforts included a variety of fundraising events and even donations from local businesses and individuals who all played a role in helping to make this initiative become a reality.” This summer, the Manor community was excited to witness the first phase of the new playground installation getting under way. “Our goal was to develop the new playground area in phases, and students will be welcomed back to school this year with the first phase completed,” said Mr. Becker. “This consists of the base playground structure and a new swing set area for all grade levels to enjoy. The campaign was a collaborative effort that involved all stakeholders, including the students, who voted at the end of the school year to choose the playground’s enticing color palette, called “Ocean,” in shades of blue.

A new playground is taking shape at Manor Elementary School thanks to an extensive fundraising effort.

Oxford Valley teacher, Mark Guenther (center), monitored student activities during the school’s Economics Fair in June.

Oxford Valley teacher, Mark Guenther, reports that his school’s annual Economics Fair, held in June, was “a culmination of our unit on money and simple economics.” Students created businesses

OXFORD VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

such as selling goods, food, or the chance to play a game. “All items cost less than one dollar,” said Mr. Guenther. “The students developed plans to create and advertise their products. They were responsible for the entire project from start to finish.” This was the fourth year for the Economics Fair, according to Mr. Guenther. “Every year we have raised over $1000. We helped to fund our new playground, and also planted trees around the school.”



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World Languages Department Chair, Amy DiFazio, writes that 18 PHS students participated in the Pennsbury Summer School Abroad Program from June 23rd-July 20th with chaperones Herr Tom Goode and Herr Doug Campbell (German teachers). Students traveled to Oldenburg, Germany for nearly three weeks, where they attended school, stayed with host families, celebrated Germany’s World Cup victory, and traveled to Hamburg, Bremen, Berlin, Munich, and Salzburg. They ended the trip with a three-day tour of Reykjavik, Iceland.

World Language Curriculum Coordinator, Andrea Garberina, also writes that several Pennsbury students traveled to Spain with her this summer. “We went from June 30th - July 9th, and spent our time exploring Madrid, Toledo, Sevilla, and Granada, to name just a few cities. We had an amazing time and although it was a small group of three students, we teamed up with two other high schools – one from St. Louis and one from Long Island. The kids made some new lifelong friends and learned so much!” Ms. Garberina is pleased to announce that a similar trip is being organized for next year and 16 students have already expressed interest in attending.

District Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Mark Cherepko, writes that he and PHS Social Studies teachers, Ray Short and Greg Stoloski, chaperoned 21 Pennsbury students on a two-week trip to Europe this summer. “The purpose of the trip was to expose students to the humanities in Europe,” said Mr. Cherepko. “We examined the history, art, music, and rich culture of Italy and Greece on this 14-day tour. The trip offered an authentic connection to the humanities curriculum in Social Studies, as well as a personal experience in learning about different places and cultures.” Students walked

PENNSBURY HIGH SCHOOL

a snake skin that looked like it had Mickey Mouse ears on it! This served as a culminating activity for the Science unit on animals and their habitats.”

through the Roman Forum, climbed the Acropolis in Athens, and visited the site of the oracle at Delphi as they explored some of the world’s most historically-significant ancient sites. They also visited Pompeii, the Sistine Chapel, and witnessed the dramatic beauty and culture of three islands in Greece. “The students experienced artistic masterpieces, ancient and contemporary history, cathedrals, and fine architecture on this trip,” added Mr. Cherepko.

PHS students took part in a variety of summer trips in 2014. This group visited the Temple of Apollo at Delphi in Greece (shown),

among other ancient sites.

commendABleACCOMPLISHMENTS

The results from last year’s Advanced Placement exams are in, and PHS Principals Lisa Becker and Shawn Neely are pleased to report that the overall number of AP tests taken at Pennsbury increased again this year, and the percentage of students with scores of 3 or higher came in at 93.7%. Congratulations to all of the AP students who took these tests, as well as to our teachers who taught our 20 AP courses last year!

STUDENTS ACHIEVE HIGH SCORESON AP EXAMS



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Four Pennsbury High School Drama performers received awards at this year’s Bucks County Playhouse Student Theater Festival in New Hope. Over 800 students from 30 schools participated in the seven-day festival in May. Pennsbury rising seniors, Tom Sawyer and Zach Gibson, were awarded “Outstanding Feature Actor” for their performances in one-act plays, A Danish Soap and Ledge, Ledger, and Legend, respectively. Sophomore, Brian Gage, and freshman, Sylvia Fisher, were awarded “Outstanding Solo Performance” honors

PENNSBURY THESPIANS SHINEAT DRAMA FESTIVALS

Please join in welcoming our new Student Representative to the School Board, PHS junior, Marguerite Salamone. Marguerite will join Senior Student Representative, Audrey Goldberg, on the Board. At PHS, Marguerite is among those students who are ranked first in the junior class. She is also a participant in two Pennsbury varsity sports – field hockey and softball. Marguerite was selected for the Suburban One League Field Hockey First Team in her sophomore year, in addition to being named a Trentonian Softball Player of the Year in 2014. She was named an Honorable Mention Catcher last year on the PIAA All-State Softball Team. Marguerite is an active member of Pennsbury’s Interact Club, a PHS student mentor, and a field hockey clinic counselor and organizer. Of special note is Marguerite’s involvement in the creation and operation of the Sports Connections Service Project, which involves collecting used sports equipment for organizations in need, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia and the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey. Welcome, Marguerite!

MARGUERITE SALAMONE SELECTED AS JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE

mArguerite sAlAmone

for their performances in the one-act plays, Purple Cows Do Exist and The New Margo.

Pennsbury High School rising senior, Julia Sismour, and rising junior, Elizabeth (Lizzy) Miller, were recently awarded the highest rank of “Superior” for their Individual Events at the Education Theater Association’s 2014 International Thespian Festival, held in June at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Miss Sismour’s performance consisted of two contrasting monologues and Miss Miller performed the song, Blue Hair, from the musical, The Black Suits. Both performances were scored by professional judges and lasted approximately three minutes each. To earn the opportunity to compete at the International Festival, both Julia and Lizzy first had to receive the highest ranking at the Pennsylvania State Thespian Festival earlier in the year. According to parent and drama booster, Jeff Fisher, “fewer than 10% of the students competing at the PA state festival received the “Superior” ranking and only 15% of the competitors at the International Festival were awarded this highest ranking.”

The Pennsbury Drama group’s performance of the one-act play, Us and Them, was selected by adjudicators at the State Theater Festival to represent Pennsylvania at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. The members of the Drama organization performing in the play received their state-select award during the International Festival. All of the students who received awards are active members of the Pennsbury High School Drama Program under the direction of Mary Kay Everett. Pennsbury students attending the festival in Nebraska were Kim Albanowski, Kate Augustin, Jamie Driscoll, Mackenzie Fuller, Zach Gibson, Jill Goodman, Elizabeth Miller, Alssya Norman, Evan O’Rourke, Julia Ortiz, Sean Poulton, Tom Sawyer, Danielle Sidoti, Nathan Siegel, Julia Sismour, Becca Smith, and Clayton Sulby.

Kim Albanowski was recognized during Awards Night with a special honor. She received the International Thespian Society Leadership Grant



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Members of Pennsbury’s chapter of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) organization attended a national leadership conference in San Antonio, according to Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, Gayle Gould. “More than 7,500 FCCLA members, advisers, alumni, and guests from across the country gathered for the 2014 conference,” said Ms. Gould, who serves as the FCCLA advisor. “Six students from Pennsbury took part in the Leadership Academy program this summer: Cara Evans, Caroline Ehrenfeld, Erin Farrell, Stephanie Owens, Danielle Samer, and Lizzy Saupe. Through the program, members are given the opportunity to gain leadership training and be recognized for their self-improvement efforts. Sessions took place at the National Leadership Conference and will continue through national meetings, state involvement, and online coursework.”

PHS STUDENTS ATTEND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

lisA Becker

for demonstrating her leadership through thespian activities in her troupe and also for being a state/chapter officer.

These student leaders joined PHS teacher, Gayle Gould,at a leadership conference in San Antonio.

PHS Principal, Lisa Becker, was presented with a special honor bestowed by the Coca Cola Scholars Foundation – the Joseph B. Whitehead Educator of Distinction Award – thanks to a heartfelt nomination by student Neha Gupta, Class of 2014. The award was kept a secret from Ms. Becker until the evening of the Senior Academic Awards ceremony held at the end of the last school year. According to the foundation, this award is given “in acknowledgement of educators who, with vision and purpose, enhance the minds and experiences of the future leaders of this country.” A special quote from Neha, inscribed on the award, read as follows: “I have been so incredibly fortunate to have you as a principal. For your genuine interest in student activities; for the countless times you have guided me; and for your dedication to enabling students like me to recognize their true potential - thank you.” Congratulations Ms. Becker!

PHS PRINCIPAL RECEIVESNATIONAL RECOGNITION

BOArD FACILITIES COMMITTEE5:30 p.m., September 4, 2014

Superintendent’s Conference Room

BOArD AgENDA MEETINg8:00 p.m., September 4, 2014Fallsington Elementary School

rEguLAr BOArD MEETINg8:00 p.m., September 18, 2014Fallsington Elementary School

Upcoming MEETINgS

cross the istricts repor… · 2 august 2014 • pennsbury school district • fallsington, pa...

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