PRINCIPAL`S NEWSLETTER William Tennent High School

Winter 2015
Volume XXXIII No. 2
Page 1
PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER
William Tennent High School
Dr. Dennis Best, Ed.D. Principal
ShopRite Opens at William Tennent
Planning on stopping by the grocery store to pick up an item before you head home? Faculty
can now shop for items such as canned goods,
snacks, drinks and laundry detergent while at
work. After months of redesigning, constructing,
and furnishing a teachers’ workroom, and stocking the shelves, the store held the grand opening
on Monday, October 27. Joining in the Grand
Opening were the owners’ of ShopRite of
Warminster, the Cowhey’s, Senator Mike Fitzpatrick, representative from Wakefern, several
ShopRite department supervisors, Centennial
Administrators, staff, and several students.
The goal of the joint endeavor is to teach students the skill sets needed to work in a grocery
store atmosphere; stocking shelves, ordering and counting products, and even running the
register in hopes that they can transition into a grocery store or similar
field after graduation. The program is part of ShopRite’s Supermarket Careers initiative which has stores set up in
schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Tennent is the second school in Pennsylvania to offer the career program to students. ShopRite hopes to have other schools interested in the
project.
The curriculum-based learning experience is run by Dr. Al
Catarro, business teacher, and a team of instructional aides/
job coaches that work with the students. Besides basic grocery items, Ms. Hessler’s
period 1 gourmet class
has been making scones
to sell on Tuesdays.
Each week,a new flavor has been introduced, and faculty
can take advantage of a snack along with a cup of coffee.
Dr. Catarro has future ideas that will only enhance the
students' experience, but for now, incremental steps are
being taken at this time to see how the whole process is
working and to allow to make any changes that may be
needed to run the store successfully.
Page 2
Page 2
WILLIAM TENNENT KEY CLUB HELD ITS FIRST
MINI-THON
On Saturday, December 13, the William Tennent Key
Club held its first Four Diamonds Mini-thon in the cafeteria. The all day event was filled with different
grade level team activities such as ping pong relay
and toilet paper mummy while set to music. Approximately 160 students signed up for the event that ran
from 2:00 to 11:00 p.m. 160
The club members set the
fundraising goal at $10,000
and not only reached the goal
but exceeded it by $600! The
event brought in a total of
$10,603.43. Students helped
to raise the money before the
event through school fundraising events and corporate donations. The Key Club hopes
to make this an annual event
which will only get bigger and better.
UGLY SWEATERS UNITE!
The faculty was asked to sport their
UGLY SWEATERS for the spirit of the
holiday. One of our art teachers, Rena
Friedant, decided to create her own ugly
sweater for herself and some friends.
CEF- Calendar Raffle
Looking for an exciting way to support your child’s education and have a chance to win great
prizes? The Centennial Education Foundation is working with your Home and School Association for a
district wide fundraiser. Your purchase of a Centennial Education Foundation 2015 Raffle Calendar will
support funding for teacher grant enrichments to the curriculum of the Centennial School District and your
Home and School Association. Each student will bring home two (2) calendars.
Calendar money and completed calendar stubs must be returned to your child’s teacher no later than
March 6, 2015. Checks should be made payable to: Centennial Education Foundation. A portion of the
funds generated in our JACKPOT Calendar will be returned to Home and School Associations of the Centennial Schools. For every calendar sold by a Centennial School Home and School Association that organization will receive $1.00.
All sold calendar stubs will be placed in a raffle barrel. There are prizes listed on the calendar for each
day during the month of April. On the days with two prizes, the first name drawn wins the first prize
listed. The second name drawn wins the second prize listed. There will also be bonus prizes awarded. All
winning tickets drawn will be returned to the barrel for the remaining drawings. You have 60+ chances to
win. Winners will be drawn each Friday, with the first drawing on Friday, March 6, 2015. We greatly appreciate your support for the Mission of the Foundation and our commitment to quality education.
If you have any questions or would like additional copies of the Jackpot Calendar, go to our website
www.centennialef.org or contact Bob Schrader at 215-441-6000 ext. 11008.
Buy Your 2015 Yearbook!
Log on to: www.yearbookorderceenter.com Or call toll free at 1.866.287.3096
Our order number is: 5115
Still time to Purchase
Page 3
Black and White Generals Just Announced!
Only 5 weeks until BLACK and WHITE! A tradition for 50 years, it has grown to become the
biggest event of the year. Everyone can get involved. The event is broken into three segments that run over a course of three days during the first week in March. The faculty members
assigned to direct each main event are:
Ms. Dina McCaffery
Academic
Wednesday, March 4th
Ms. Sarah Melvin
Pool Night
Thursday, March 5th
Ms. Judy Weisnesale
Gym Night Friday, March 6th
Congratulations to the following students for being chosen as Generals:
Black Team Generals:
Kelly Burns
Nick Clark
White Team: Team: and Alex (AJ) Shapiro
White Team Generals:
Jamie McCarney
Alex (AJ) Shapiro
White Team: Jamie Mar
Students should look for event sign up sheets to be posted in the cafeteria area. All are welcome to participate. Tryouts and practices for dance and swimming events will begin the first
week in February. Tryouts for gym events will be posted and held at a later time. For more
specific information, please listen to the morning announcements or ask your Generals.
Even if you are not part of the team, be part of the spirit and cheer your team on!
STUDENT RECEIVES LEADERSHIP AWARD
William Tennent High School junior, Herbert Karl Schulze, was selected by Widener University
and NBC10 to receiver the Widener University High School Leadership Award. The awards
program is designed to recognize high school students in the region who embody the
universi-ty’s commitment to develop and to inspire leaders to affect positive change. As a
recipient of the award, Herbert will be attending a special awards event in March, followed by
a leadership ex-perience in the Fall of 2015 with all the other student award winners for a day
of leadership training. With this award, Herbert may receive a $20,000 scholarship from
Widener University if he chooses to enroll. Congratulations!
TEACHER RECEIVES OUTSTANDING SCIENCE AWARD
Congratulations to Ignacio Jayo for being selected to receive
the 2015 Delaware Valley Engineers Week Outstanding Science Teacher Award!
The Philadelphia Engineering Foundation, in conjunction with
the Delaware Valley Engineers Week Committee of the Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia, administers the Outstanding Math,
Science, and Engineering Teachers Award as part of the celebration of Delaware Valley Engineers Week. Overall, only three
teachers (one math, one science, and one engineering teaching
in grades 6 through 12) in the Delaware Valley receive this
award annually.
Page 4
Good News at Tennent………………It keeps on Happening!
SOUTH PACIFIC!
William Tennent proudly presents the musical “South Pacific” on April 17 and April
18. The curtain will open for the first performance on Friday, Aprll 17 at 7:00 p.m.
with two performances on Saturday, April 18 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. There are
65 students performing in total. Congratulations to the students who have been
selected as one of the main cast.
Main Cast
Ensign Nellie Forbush……………………………………………Quincy Crowther
Emile de Becque……………………………………………………………..Ari Carrillo
Bloody Mary………………………………………………………………Jazmin Pachas
Makani (Bloody Mary’s Assistant)…………………………………………………………………….……Jordan Camut
Cable……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..Aubrey Mabone
Liat……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………..Carli Showmaker
Henrietta………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……Jessica Cooter
Ngana……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Serena Scali
Pua……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..Megan Knorr
Brackett…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..…Josh Chast
Harbison……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…Justin Cammorata
Luther Billis……………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..Matt Kistner
Stewpot………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………..……….J.T. Capps
Professor…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…..Sean Kelly
Lt. Buzz Adams………………………………………………………………………………………………..….Ryan Borrmann
Bob McCaffrey…………………………………………………………………………………….……….…….Jacob Schwartz
Yeoman Hebert Quale (Sailor)………………………………………………………………………..Ashton McGovern
Abner (Sailor)………………………………………………………………………………………………………Maria Smirnova
Ensign Dinah Murphy………………………………………………………………………………………….…Devin Gillman
Ensign Janet MacGregor……………………………………………………………………………………..Brooke Torjman
Lead Nurse Genevieve Marshall………………………………………………………………………..Marisa Adamson
Ensign Rita Adams………………………………………………………………………….………………….…Kaylee Delagol
Ensign Cora MacRae……………………………………………………………………………………………….Sarah Maahs
Ensign Lisa Minelli……………………………………………………………………………………….….....Megan Niedrist
Ensign Bessie Noonan……………………………………………………………………………………….………Sarah Reed
Ensign Emily Smith…………………………………………………………………………………….……..Jessica Anderson
Ensign Julie Jones………………………………………………………………………………………………….Jessica Cooter
Tom O’Brien (Sailor)………………………………………………………………………………………….……...Nick Griffin
Morton Wise (Seabee)…………………………………………………………………………………..Andrew Svartzkopf
GIRLS TEAMS AWARDED ON SPORTSMANSHIP
The Girls Tennis Team and Girls Volleyball Team were recently presented with Suburban One League
Sportsmanship Awards at our League meeting this month. This type of recognition is an obvious
reflection of good coaching but it also highlights the collective work of the team members. Congratulations to the Girls Tennis Team coached by Molly Leahy and the Girls Volleyball Team, coached by Brian Bassler for receiving this prestigious award. Wins are great, but having great kids is better!
Page 5
SENIOR SWEETHEART NOMINEES
The senior class has voted for who they believe best represents the characteristics of a
William Tennent student. Congratulations to this year’s Senior Sweetheart nominees:
Abby Cohen, Madison Crognale, Meghan Izak, Stephanie Lafferty, Lindsay Mueller and
Shannon Schubert.
Each candidate, along with a group of students, will try to win over the student body through a
series of individual skits performed by students. The skits will be held on Wednesday, February 4 (snow date February 5) in front of the entire WTHS student population beginning at 8:00
a.m. Voting will take place during first period on Thursday, February 5 (or snow date Friday,
February 6).
The community is invited to the coronation on Saturday, February 7 beginning at 6:15 p.m. in
the auditorium to witness the crowning of the 2014 Senior Sweetheart. The Winter Ball dance
will take place in the cafeteria beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets for the Winter Ball are on sale during all lunches from January 22 to January 29. Cost
is $20. Get yours while they last!
SENIOR CAP AND GOWN SALES
Looking forward to graduation in June? In order to walk in graduation, you must purchase a
Cap and Gown. This year there are two ways to purchase:
 Starting January 26th through February 3rd, you may purchase them online. The link can
be found on William Tennent’s website under headlines.

OR- If you would like to purchase with cash, check or money order, you may place your
order in the cafeteria on Thursday, January 29th or Monday and Tuesday, February 2nd &
3rd.
The cost is $25.00 and will increase to $30 if you do not purchase by February 3. No purchases will be accepted after February 15. Because we have a new company this year, every senior must purchase a new one and cannot use a sibling’s gown from past years. If you have
any questions, please see Mrs. Banchi in room C108.
WILLIAM TENNENT HOSTING STUDENT TEACHERS……….
The Centennial School District and William Tennent continues to support the local universities
student teacher program. Through the years we have had students in all different studies experience the classroom first hand. The student teachers will be with us through April.
Tennent welcomes the following:
 Rebecca Gaeteni, Math with Lindsay Konell
 Megan McClure, English with Aaron Francis
 Grace Connell, English with Hope Banchi
 Chris Urbanchuk, Social Studies with Fred DiChiara
ART STUDENTS TO EXHIBIT AT TYLER SCHOOL OF ART
Congratulations to three of our brightest William Tennent Fine Artists. Emily Walker (12th),
Sarah Zychal (11th), and Gianna Ludovici (11th) who have been accepted into Tyler School of
Art’s exhibition entitled Clay Programs of Excellence. This is the fourth year we have been
invited to participate. A reception for students and their families will be held on Saturday,
January 25 along with a tour of Temple’s campus.
Page 6
FBLA STUDENTS WIN BIG AT REGIONALS!
On December 18, 69 FBLA students traveled to Delaware Valley College to take part in the FBLA Regional Competition. Competing against local high schools, 24 of our students have qualified to represent
William Tennent at the FBLA State Leadership Conference in April. Congratulations to the following
students and their achievement:
Event
Accounting II
Place
1st
Name (Grade)
Sean Godwin (12)
Agribusiness
3rd
Jocelyn George (12)
Business Law
2nd
Najeedah Ghias (12)
Business Math
5th
William Lee (10)
Cyber Security
Cyber Security
1st
4th
Loqman Adnane (12)
Madison McHugh (11)
FBLA Principles and Procedures
FBLA Principles and Procedures
3rd
4th
Spencer Fairall (10)
Benjamin Murray (10)
Health Care Administration
Health Care Administration
2nd
3rd
Jessica Lee (12)
Brennen Bastian (12)
Help Desk
Help Desk
4th
5th
Lindsay Mueller (12)
Grant Harley (12)
Insurance and Risk Management
Insurance and Risk Management
Insurance and Risk Management
2nd
3rd
4th
George Akopov (12)
Michael Bremer (12)
Jennifer Ewald (12)
Introduction to Business
3rd
Ian Yannuzzi (10)
Introduction to Business Communication
2nd
Catherine Foy (10)
Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures
Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures
3rd
5th
Brynn MacGowan (9)
Ashley Hartingh (9)
Networking Concepts
1st
Jon Montgomery (12)
Spreadsheet Application
Spreadsheet Application
1st
2nd
Cameron Zurmuhl (11)
Caitlin Hubmaster (11)
Word Processing
Word Processing
1st
2nd
Sophia Akopov (10)
Brian Conboy (10)
Page 7
Principal’s Newsletter
William Tennent High School
END OF MARKING
PERIODS
Outstanding Cafeteria Balances
2014-2015
The Food Service
Department has a policy that states that students owing more than
an established obligation ($25.00 ELEM,
$8.00 MS/HS) be provided with a basic,
healthy “snack” in lieu
of the full lunch when
these amounts are exceeded. The cafeteria
has begun to enforce
this policy and asks
that payments are
made in a timely manner.
If you are eligible,
free or reduced price
lunches are available
by filing an application
through the Business
Office of the Centennial School District. You
can also pre-pay for
lunch through the “Payfor-It” system and credit can be immediately
applied to the account. If you have any
questions, please contact Shannon Stone,
Interim Nutrition Supervisor at 214-441-6000
ext. 11015
Dr. Dennis Best
SECOND MP JANUANRY 28
REPORT CARDS DISTRIBUTED:
FEBRUARY 4
THIRD MP: APRIL 8
FOURTH MP: JUNE 12
FAMILY TRIPS
Family trips must be approved two weeks before the planned trip
and may not exceed a total of three days within a school year.
Parents requesting approval for a family trip must submit a
“Request for a Family Trip” form (available in the Attendance
Office and on the WT Web Page) to Mr. Papeika (Grade 9 House
Assistant Principal) two weeks before the scheduled trip.
Please do not submit this form to teachers; family trips must
be approved by an administrator.
Calendar of Events
January 28
End of Second Marking Period
January 30
In-Service– ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED
February 4
Report Cards Distributed
February 7
Senior Sweetheart Coronation and Dance,
6:15 PM
February 13
In-Service– ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED
February 16
ALL SCHOOLS/OFFICES CLOSED
Staff Holiday
February 25
Spring Sports Physicals, 8:00 A.M.
March 4
Mid-point Marking Period 3
March 5
Black & White Pool Night, 6:15 PM
March 6
Black & White Gym Night, 6:15 PM
March 12
College Fair, 7:00 to 9:00PM, Cafeteria
JR parent meeting, 6:00 PM
March 18
National Business Honor Society
Inductions, 2:30 PM
For a continuation of events until the end of the year, watch for out Spring edition of the Principal’s Newsletter
due out March 20th.