Oct. 16, 2017

Volume 3, Issue 7

York City

School

District

Devers class turns lesson into action

The Monday Memo 2017-18

On Friday, Sept. 22, my students and I were discussing a section of

our class novel, I Am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai. In the book, an

earthquake hits Pakistan, and the Taliban provides much of the relief

efforts to assist those devastated by the earthquake.

We talked about how this led the Taliban to rise in power in Paki-

stan, and the children asked about the hurricane in Puerto Rico. They

were just starting to get information back from family and friends on

the island, and the news has been devastating. They were worried

that someone like the Taliban or ISIS would provide relief to Puerto

Rico and then take over the island. I

t was a great text-to-world connection they were making, and we

had an in-depth discussion of why that wouldn’t happen.

They then expressed a desire to raise donations for Puerto Rico

because they know people on the island without the basic necessities.

We came up with the idea to do a Donation Dress Down day on

Wednesday, Oct. 11.

We asked for any and all monetary donations, as the ports of Puerto

Rico are still unusable, and we don’t know when they will be open to

shipping that isn’t Red Cross relief. We donated our funds directly to

Unidos Por Puerto Rico, the donation site set up by the first lady of

Puerto Rico to help raise money for the needs of the people.

I am proud to announce that Devers K-8 raised $500 for Unidos por

Puerto Rico.

— Denise Mace, Devers 6th Grade Teacher

Page 2

STEAM finds ‘great task’ in Gettysburg

Seventh and eighth grade students at

the Edgar Fahs Smith STEAM Academy were

fortunate to have an anonymous donor spon-

sor 24 students for an unforgettable learning

experience that has the opportunity to be “paid

forward.”

The Gettysburg Foundation started a

program this year called the Great Task: Get-

tysburg Youth Leadership Experience. This

program uses the words of President Lincoln

from the Gettysburg Address, “It is rather for

us to be here dedicated to the great task

remaining before us -- that from these honored

dead we take increased devotion to that cause

for which they gave the last full measure of

devotion…” to motivate students to offer their

devotion to their own great task.

To be chosen for this honor, the

students had to write an essay detailing an issue

in their school or community that they felt

needed attention. Students not only stated why

their chosen issue was a problem, but they also

had to offer viable solutions. A committee

scoured over the essays to determine the top

24. Topics ranged from homelessness, to vio-

lence, to cyberbullying. And the decision-

making was difficult,

Once the lucky 24 were in Gettys-

burg, Ranger Barb Sanders provided historical

identities to each student to be used during the

two-day experience. Students discussed the

importance of words and offered times in their

lives when words meant something to them.

After a tour of the museum and the Cyclorama,

the students were divided into four teams and

led through activities that stressed the magni-

tude of: discipline, teamwork, courage, integri-

ty, endurance, strategy, adversity, judgment,

problem-solving, leadership, duty and sacrifice.

The first team re-enacted the har-

rowing story of the 9th Massachusetts Battery,

which was forced to make drastic sacrifices for

the overall good of the Union. They taught the

rest of the students how to load and fire a can-

non. Ranger Hoptak knew we were a STEAM

school and incorporated the math and engi-

neering needed to be an effective artillery unit.

We learned how important courage,

discipline and leadership were, while also

reflecting on how they could come into

play while completing their great task.

The second team’s role taught

us about Civil War surgeons, triage and

the importance of taking an oath. After

working together to build a mobile field

hospital, the students had to understand

why Union doctors might choose to

operate on a wounded Confederate sol-

dier, the enemy, before one of their own!

Through this, we learned of integrity,

endurance and strategic planning. This

first day ended as students checked into

the hotel and got ready for an elegant

dinner thrown just for them in the muse-

um.

On day two, team three por-

trayed civilians and farmers affected by

the war who had recently moved to the

North. We compared the decisions made

by a free black farmer and a German

immigrant, discussing how differently

individuals handle difficult circumstances.

Only 10 schools were picked

for this Great Task program, and the

park rangers noted that we were the

only ones they actually opened the two

old farmhouses for the students to come

in and experience. After the team orga-

nized all 24 students in the successful

building of a rail fence, we determined

how adversity, judgment and problem-

solving might come in to play while trying

to solve the problems they wrote about

in their essays.

After a visit to General Picket’s

Buffet, team four led the team through the

Soldiers’ National Cemetery in the most

emotional of the activities. Students learned

how to use clues left on the deceased sol-

diers to identify them for their loved ones.

Once that was figured out, the students re-

spectfully spread out to find their final resting

spots and take turns reading actual letters

over their footstones (ask one of our stu-

dents why they are called that). Ranger Har-

man commented how deep the empathy was

during the conversations. We wrapped up

this activity with the students presenting what

they learned while stressing leadership, duty

and sacrifice.

There was not an adult we met on

the trip who did not compliment our stu-

dents’ behavior, attentiveness and willingness

to learn. But their work is not done yet.

Of the 10 schools chosen to partici-

pate, one of them will win a grant of seed

money to begin working on the project they

design. The students now have to work to-

gether with their chaperones — Mr. Renner,

Ms. Snyder, Ms. Fiocchi and Ms. Martin — to

determine which one great task they will

tackle, and what solutions they would be

devoted to working toward. Their final prod-

uct will be presented to the Gettysburg Foun-

dation with hopes that they are chosen as the

winning submission on Remembrance Day.

Stay tuned…

By Josh Renner, STEAM Academy

Teacher

Page 3

Pinch, coil and slab are the universal

hand-building techniques learned in

any ceramics studio. Our newest

ceramics students have started their

clay journey with the pinch tech-

nique and have completed pinch and

pinched-hollow projects.

A pinch pot is created by pinching

the clay with the fingers into the

desired shape. Putting two pinch

pots together creates a hollow

shape that allows for larger forms.

These are just a few of the awesome

pinch ideas happening in The Muddy

Bearcat Ceramics Studio at William

Penn Senior High School.

Check out more work on our Face-

book page.

— Jill M. Anders, Ceramics Teacher

York High pinches clay into creations

Jerelys Melendez Cierra Davis Cristina Gonzalez Nagisa Bolton

Jonytsha Soto Katara Hite Steven Smaw Dominique Cross

Page 4

Life Skills learns ‘service above self’

Ferguson creates animal habitats

In September, Team 5 at

Ferguson K-8 (5th and 6th

grade) was very

busy. Students completed two

separate labs (lollipop and

celery) to help reinforce the

CER process and allowed the

students the opportunity to

be a scientist.

Next, we had a visiting in-

structor from the Audubon

Society, who discussed the

importance of habitats for

animals like beavers, raccoons

and squirrels — as well as

how humans affect those habi-

tats.

At Ferguson K-8, Ms. Jennifer Tunno’s Life Skills class is hard at work in the classroom as well as outside the classroom. The

students in Ms. Tunno’s class are learning what service above self means. Each week the students fill backpacks and deliver

them to students filled with meals for the weekend. At the end of their work time students are given a paycheck. Their

paycheck is tied to our PRIDE PBIS programs. As students earn the opportunity to help others, they learn the true meaning of

pride and community. The community service doesn't stop here. The students also help clean up in the cafeteria. We cannot

thank them enough for showing us that Bearcat PRIDE.

Students then had to create a habitat of their choice

while ensuring the animal's basic needs (food and securi-

ty) were met. Once the teams created the habitat, they

presented it to the class.

The students loved this activity and look forward to

next month's visit.

Page 5

The Pre-K students in Room 22 at Goode K-8 were surprised by a guest reader on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Mr. Michael Miller, who serves as vice president of the school district’s Board of School Directors, came to visit. The students were delighted to hear a Dr. Seuss book called "What Pet Should I Get?". The book tied in perfectly to our current unit of study and our new Connect 4 Learning Cur-riculum. The students had read "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?" which explored concepts of math, science and litera-cy. We were able to extend these group read-alouds into a small writing activity for our Pre-K students. The students were able to extend their learning by drawing and writing about some of their favorite pets. On the right, you’ll see picture of our Compliment Chain that the students made for each other in small groups. It was really a great way to incorporate PRIDE expectations into our direct instruction with the students. — Katherine Nigra, Pre-K Teacher

The After School Program at Davis K-8 conducted another successful BOYZ2MEN enrichment lesson recently. The students who participate in the pro-gram attend Character Education lessons every Monday as a requirement to participate in the pro-

gram.

Young ladies in grades 3-8 participate in lessons facil-itated by Ms. Sharee McFadden along with the female enrichment staff. Students in grades K-2 participate in lessons facilitated by Cecilia Keesey of The Chil-dren's Home of York. All male students in grades 3-8 participate in lessons facilitated by Diaz Woodard, the program’s site coordinator, along with additional

male enrichment staff.

This BOYZ2MEN lesson was on respect and appear-ance. Students were taught the importance of re-spect and why it's important understand societal ex-pectations as it pertains to personal behavior. Stu-dents were then introduced to the "Gentlemen's

Essentials" and taught to tie a neck tie.

Davis program teaches Character Ed

Page 6

PRIDE points earn McKinley field trip

Swimmer raises $1,700 for Devers

A: “528 laps!”

— Eric Schlosser, School Counselor

McKinley 7th and 8th graders had a celebration for the month of Septem-ber and went to the National Reser-voir over at York College. Students needed to have earned 40 points to go. Students earned points by displaying PRIDE behaviors. Most of the teachers went as well. When we were at the Reservoir, most of the boys enjoyed playing flag foot-ball with Mr. Bailey, while other teachers like Ms. Washington, Ms. Gehris and Ms. Teal cheered them on. Other students climbed the hill and were hanging out, playing sports, talk-ing and exploring the grounds. Ms. Conzone and Ms. Kennedy joined the students up the hill. Everyone enjoyed an afternoon away from the school relaxing and having fun with each other.

By Eleeany Melecio 7th Grade McKinley Student

Rachel Spaulding, a York College senior, was

interested in making a positive impact on the

community in York in a big way.

She signed up for an 8-mile endurance swim in

the Schuylkill River and contacted Devers over

the summer to see if she could turn her swim

into a fundraising event.

Through her efforts, she was able to raise

$1,700 for programming at Devers. Recently,

Rachel met with 7th and 8th grade students at

Devers. They asked her some questions.

Q: “Were you scared?”

A: “Sometimes, but I had a kayak paddling next

to me providing snacks and water.”

Q: “Were there fish in the water?”

A: “There were times when I felt fish nibble at

me. That just made me swim faster.”

Q: “How many laps is a mile in a pool?”

A: “66 laps.”

Q: So how many laps is 8 miles?”

Page 7

Jackson Pre-K squirms over worms

Jackson’s Pre-K Room 122 recently welcomed a visit from Jen from

the York Waste Authority to teach us about worms. Jen showed the

children the different parts of the worm, how to create a worm

home, and what we can and cannot feed them. Our classroom now

has 1,000 worms to take care of and students will take turns being in

charge of the worms, which will include spraying them with water

and feeding them. — Chelsea LaFranier, Pre-K Teacher

Jackson K-8 took pride in recognizing the students that stood out amongst the crowd and demonstrated what it meant to be a “Jackson

Bearcat” during the month of September. A breakfast celebration was provided for the students and their families to share in this

celebration. We at Jackson our proud of our students who earned Student of the Month. These young men and young ladies emulate what it

means to be a Jackson Bearcat, and we believe they are DESTINED FOR GREATNESS! — Shabrie West, Jackson Behavior Specialist

Hannah Penn’s school garden thriving

October is National Bullying Prevention

Month. Communities in Schools and Han-

nah Penn will be celebrating Unity Day on

Oct. 25. Together, we are united for

kindness, acceptance and inclusion.

All students and staff are encouraged to

wear orange to show their support.

Throughout the month we will have vari-

ous activities to show that Hannah Penn

is a “No Place For Hate” school.

Communities in Schools has also been

tending to the school garden located in

the courtyard that was started in the

spring of last school year. The garden was

thriving over the summer and continues

to produce. Many students have been able

to go out into the garden to help harvest

tomatoes and recently, carrots. Zinnias

and sunflowers were also abundant.

Students are excited to learn about fresh

produce, how to grow it, and how to

cook it. We look forward to expanding

the garden for this school year!

— Natasha Daugherty, Hannah Penn CIS

site coordinator

STEAM launches ‘York County, PA Rocks!’

My 4th graders at Edgar Fahs Smith STEAM Academy have been

on the lookout for rocks around the school. They are painting rocks with

the phrase “York County, PA Rocks!” Then, we post them to the Face-

book page and watch the rocks travel. These rocks are used to spread the

message that KINDNESS ROCKS! This week, with art teacher Ms.

Roxanne Elfreth, we have been designing rocks to distribute around the

STEAM Academy, York City and other York City schools. We even had

rocks go to Ohio! If you happen to find one of the rocks, please post on

the STEAM Facebook page using the hashtag #RM222ROCKS! Our hope

is that the “kindness” travels! Feel free to take part and ROCK on.

— Lauren Collins, STEAM teacher

Freshman Academy students completed their win-ning Halloween window designs Friday, Oct. 13 at the Insurance Service Office, 123 E. Market St. The artwork was selected by Eventive of York Revolution and Maple Donuts. The designs had to include a do-nut in the drawing. The winning designs were select-ed and painted on various business windows down-town. The William Penn students who participated are Celeste Morales, Jocelyn Heminitz, Luis Villarini,

Elida Santiago and Danielly Rivera.

— William Valyo, Art Teacher