Know Your Schools - Lower Dauphin School District

Lower Dauphin School District
Autumn 2012
Know Your Schools
Important Information for the Residents of Lower Dauphin School District
Change is the name of the game in education
F
orward Progress! That’s what it’s all
about these days; working diligently
to meet the needs of a changing world.
Change is something that is not an easy
task in education, particularly in a climate
of difficult economics, smaller budgets, and
multiple state and federal mandates.
Our school year is off to a great
start, and I’m impressed by what’s been
accomplished in the first two months since
our students returned from summer break.
At all grade levels, instructional routines
are now set and students are engaged
in both academic and extracurricular
activities. I am proud of the success our
students demonstrate in the classroom,
on the playing field, on stage and in the
community. That’s one of the reasons
we publish this newsletter, to allow our
residents a chance to see our students
achievements and accomplishments.
We see many challenges in this
coming year. There are many new
initiatives coming from the State such
as the new PA Common Core Standards
to align to our district curriculum, new
teacher effectiveness models to align
our supervision and evaluation plan, and
new Keystone Exams for our high school
and buildings is under way.
students to prepare for. In
This plan will make some
addition, we must also
changes – some of which
address increasingly difficult
will be departures from how
annual math and reading
we’ve done things in the past.
benchmark increases in the
But as educators, we feel it is
No Child Left Behind Act
our responsibility to prepare
and for the first time, Lower
our students for the future –
Dauphin as a district is not
a future that will look very
meeting all of the criteria. It
different from what many of
would be accurate to say that
us as parents will remember.
this 2001 law has out-lived
As you can see, we
its usefulness and is now
have a very busy year ahead
becoming a hindrance to
Dr. Sherri Smith
of us. However, know that we
progress. When half of the schools in the
will always do what is best for our students.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania fail to
We will always put our students first. And
meet the benchmarks, obviously something
we are all incredibly grateful to work, live
is wrong with the system. Please be
and raise families in a community where
assured that our schools are fine and that
that expectation exists.
they continue to provide a top-notch
Thank you on behalf of our staff
education to our students. We also know
and students for providing us with the
we have room to improve and will continue
opportunity to continue this Lower Dauphin
to strive to do so.
tradition of excellence.
In addition to working daily with our
students and addressing State initiatives,
there is much work to be done by the
Lower Dauphin team of administrators,
teachers and staff. Committee work
Sherri L. Smith, Ed.D.
pertaining to our new three-year
Superintendent
Comprehensive Plan for both the district
Schools to be in session November 20 and February 18
H
urricane Sandy and its aftermath
forced the closure of Lower Dauphin
schools on October 29-30.
As a result, Superintendent Sherri
Smith has directed that district make-up
days will be set for Tuesday, November
20, and Monday, February 18.
“When we built this school calendar
Inside This Issue
Look for Lower Dauphin on the
Web http://www.ldsd.org
last year, we included a day in November
as an early make-up day because we seem
to have needed one for the last few years,”
Dr. Smith said. “This calendar also includes
five snow make-up days in case we have a
bad winter.
“Of course, we weren’t planning on
using one of our snow days to make-up a
day for a hurricane in October!”
Lower Dauphin still has two available
make-up days in March (March 27 and
March 28) and two in April (April 1 and
April 3) if needed.
“Let’s just hope for a mild winter and
an early spring,” Dr. Smith said.
PSSA results mixed for LD schools
Conewago celebration
New staff profiles
Scenes from graduation
page 2
page 8-9
page 4-5
page 11
Know Your Schools
Wolfe, Simpson serve as student board representatives
T
he Lower Dauphin Board of School
Directors appointed high school junior
Ashleigh Simpson to serve as associate
student school board representative.
Simpson will serve beside high
school senior Mitch Wolfe, who returns
for a second year as student school board
representative.
Simpson is the daughter of Holly
and Bill Simpson. She is a member of the
girls’ volleyball team and is active with
the school’s Relay for Life club. In the
community she performs on the acoustic
guitar and sings.
Wolfe is the son of Tina Wolfe. He is
a member of the concert band
and marching band and is
president of the band council.
He is a member of the varsity
swim team and also swims
for Hummelstown. He is a
member of the Quiz Bowl
team, Brain Busters team,
National Honor Society
and History Honor Society.
He plans to attend Boston
College, Cornell University
or Elon University with the
goal of becoming a district
attorney.
Senior Mitch Wolfe and junior Ashleigh Simpson
will serve as student school board representatives.
Five of seven LD schools continue to make AYP
With increased expectations, two schools and district do not meet state threshold
F
or the first time, Lower Dauphin
School District did not meet the state
Department of Education’s benchmarks
under the No Child Left Behind Act.
“While we’re disappointed, we knew
this day would come,” said Superintendent
Sherri Smith. “Looking across the state,
half of our school districts did not meet
Adequate Yearly Progress this year. Next
year, when the expectations increase again,
I won’t be surprised to see the number of
districts missing the benchmarks to increase
again.”
The district was cited for not meeting
the Adequate Yearly Progress(AYP)
benchmarks because of the graduation
rate of students at the high school who are
classified as economically disadvantaged.
Dr. Smith pointed out that the state
calculated graduation rates differently this
year using a formula which does not take
into account students who earn a diploma
after the school year. And while the 80
percent rate was below the benchmark,
it was still above the state average of 71
percent.
In addition, two schools –
Londonderry Elementary School and Lower
Dauphin High School – did not meet the
benchmarks for the performance of their
students on the Pennsylvania System of
School Assessment test and were placed on
the “warning” list at the state.
“I have no problem stating that none
of the schools in Lower Dauphin are failing
and I refuse to label them as such,” Dr.
Smith said. “No doubt, there is always
room to improve, and Lower Dauphin will
continue to strive for improved test scores
2
and quality of instruction and education for
all of our students.
“I stand behind the excellence of our
schools, much of which is not measured on
these one dimensional exams.”
Individually, most Lower Dauphin
schools continued to fare well on the PSSA
compared to the state:
• At Conewago Elementary School,
students in grades 3-5 had higher test
scores in both reading (91.5 percent vs.
71 percent) and in math (95.3 percent
vs. 79 percent). Conewago’s students’
scores also increased in both reading
and in math when compared to their
performance the previous year.
• East Hanover Elementary School
students in grades 3-5 also outperformed their peers across the state
in both reading (88.8 percent vs. 71
percent) and in math (92 percent vs.
79 percent). They also showed gains in
their scores when compared with the
previous year’s results.
• Londonderry Elementary School’s
scores for students in grades 3-5 held
relatively steady when compared with
the previous year and were close to the
statewide averages in reading (71.6
percent vs. 71 percent) and in math (75
percent vs. 79 percent).
• Third- through fifth-graders at Nye
Elementary School bested their peers’
scores across the state in reading (85
percent vs. 71 percent) and in math
(96.9 percent vs. 79). In reading, Nye’s
students’ scores were close to the
previous year’s results and showed an
increase in math.
• South Hanover Elementary
School students in grade 3-5 also
scored higher than the state average
in both reading (87 percent vs. 71
percent) and in math (94.8 percent
vs. 71 percent). The results in both
reading and in math also showed
slight increases when compared with
the previous year’s scores.
• Lower Dauphin Middle School
students’ scores in grades 6-8 were
higher than the statewide average in
reading (82.3 percent vs. 74.6 percent)
and in math (88.5 percent vs. 77.8
percent). Both reading and math
performance were also comparable to
the scores from the previous years.
• Even though the High School’s
student performance was below the
state benchmarks in both reading and
in math, their scores were still higher
than the state average in reading (70.4
percent vs. 67.8 percent) and in math
(66 percent vs. 60 percent).
• On the writing PSSA exam, Lower
Dauphin students outperformed their
peers across the state in fifth-grade
(78 percent vs. 64 percent) and eighth
grade (80 percent vs. 73 percent); and
fell just short in 11th grade (80 percent
vs. 83 percent).
• Lower Dauphin students also
performed well on the PSSA science
exam when compared with the state
average for their grades in fourth
grade (90 percent vs. 82 percent);
in eighth grade (67 percent vs. 60
percent); and in 11th grade (52 percent
vs. 42 percent).
Plan uses input from community to chart future
F
or the past year school staff and
community members worked
together to chart the course of the
school district for the next three
To engage all students in a customized educational experience that prepares
years. Specifically, they examined
them to be self-sufficient and contributing members of a global community.
how education is changing and
what steps Lower Dauphin should
take to keep ahead of the wave of
change.
implementation of effective 21st
data using feedback surveys given in
The result of that hard work
Century instructional practices in all
January 2012. Every Lower Dauphin
was the development of a Comprehensive
classrooms.
parent
was
invited
to
take
a
survey
as
Plan which will be submitted to the state
2. The district will develop a system
were
students
in
grades
4-12,
all
LD
staff
Department of Education at the end of
that ensures staff members in every
members,
community
members
and
recent
November after receiving school board
school use standards-aligned
graduates.
approval.
assessments to monitor student
“There’s no doubt that this process
“What did we want to accomplish
achievement and adjust instruction.
is a lot of work,” said Dr. Smith. “But in
with this comprehensive plan? To develop
3. The district will develop a system
order to effect real and meaningful change
a vision for the future, including moving
that promotes, enhances and sustains a
in
our
educational
practices,
it
needs
to
to 21st Century learning environments and
positive, safe school climate.
be
accomplished
so
our
Lower
Dauphin
skills,” said Superintendent Sherri Smith.
4. The district will establish a
students
are
prepared
to
meet
the
demands
To do this, the committee evaluated
communication system that informs
of
a
changing
world.”
data about existing district programs and
all stakeholders of procedures, policies,
As a result of the effort, four major
analyzed test scores on state and district
program enhancements and concerns
goals were developed:
assessments. They examined attendance
that have an impact on the students, the
1.
The
district
will
develop
a
and graduation rates, and discipline records.
district and the community as a whole.
system
to
provide
for
the
consistent
And they analyzed stakeholder perception
Proposed Mission Statement
Meador named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist
L
Halley Cole is commended student
ower Dauphin High School senior
Ted Meador was recently recognized
as a semifinalist in the National Merit
Scholarship program. Halley Cole was
named a Commended Student in the
program.
Meador is the son of Kathy and Steve
Meador. He is a three-year member of the
National Science Honor Society. He is a
two-year member of the National Honor
Society, the History Honor Society and the
Math Honor Society (Mu Alpha Theta). He
is a four-year member of the chess club, the
quiz bowl team and is a three-year member
of the ping pong club. Ted is very active
in academic competitions, placing first at
Shippensburg and HACC and coming in
second at Millersville and Bucknell. He
has also participated in the Princeton and
Harvard/MIT math competitions. He is a
three-year member of the Lehigh Valley
American Regions Math League team and
has qualified for the American Invitational
Mathematics Exam. He is also a Boy Scout,
recently earning the Eagle Scout rank
and has served his troop as Senior Patrol
Leader. He hopes to attend the California
Institute of Technology and major in either
math, chemistry or
computer science.
Of the 1.5 million
juniors who took the
PSAT in the fall of
2011, about 16,000
were named finalists
based on their scores.
About 8,300 National
Merit Scholarships
worth more than $32
million will be awarded
this spring.
As a commended
student, Cole was
Halley Cole
Ted Meador
among 34,000 students
who placed among the top 5 percent of
two shows. In the community, she is a
more than 1.5 million students who took the
member of the Harrisburg Youth Symphony
PSAT in the fall of 2012.
Orchestra and she is a Girl Scout earning
She is the daughter of Wendy and Gary
the prestigious Gold Award. She hopes to
Cole. She is a four-year member of the
attend Duquesne University and major in
band, orchestra and chorus. She is a threemusic therapy.
year member of the National Honor Society
“We congratulate Ted and
and a two-year member of the Tri-M
Halley for these outstanding academic
Music Honor Society. She is a four-year
accomplishments,” said Principal Todd
member of the Students Against Destructive
Neuhard. “This recognition is a tribute to
Decisions club and has performed in the
their prowess in academics and citizenship
spring musical pit orchestra for the past
in our school community.”
3
Know Your Schools
Hundreds come to Conewago Elementary rededication
A
t the end of the formal program in
September to formally rededicate
Conewago Elementary School, students and
staff members ran onto the stage to sing the
school song.
“C-O-N-E-W-A-GO Conewago! C-ON-E-W-A-GO Conewago! C-O-N-E-WA-G-O. GO!! That is the school we love,”
they sang. “Where we can learn. Where we
can grow. Where we can all belong. We will
be true, and honor you, and with pride we
sing your song.”
Architect Dan Bierzonski explained
that school spirit and the enthusiasm of
students and staff is what makes a building
a school.
“We can design the building,” he said.
“But the hallways are empty without the
people – the staff and students – that’s what
makes it a school.”
During the program 14 students
had the opportunity to explain what
features of the building they liked best.
Not surprisingly, the new playground and
full-sized gymnasium received a lot of
love. But students also cited the expansive
library and the new classrooms too. The
student speakers included Kellen Taggart
and Georgia Speck, kindergarten; Alek
McGlaughlin and Alyssa Amspacher, first
grade; Alexis Geib and Katherine Ross,
second grade; third-graders Ava Book,
Paige Berzinski, Ryan Angerer and Jack
LeMarr; fourth-graders Jack McNally
and Caroline Hummer; and fifth-graders
Margaret Ross and Carson Wendling.
“Our students now, and in the future,
will enjoy a rich, bright, environmentallyfriendly and inviting school environment in
which to learn,” said Superintendent Sherri
Smith. “One of the basic principles of brain
research regarding education states that it is
important for students to be in a safe, secure
environment in order to learn, but it is
additionally important that the environment
is rich and stimulating with color and
brightness.
“I definitely think that we have created
Conewago Principal Edward Gnall, left, Superintendent Sherri Smith, Architect
Dan Bierzonski, and School Board President Todd Kreiser pose with the key to
the school after the ceremony in September.
that type of environment for our students
here at Conewago Elementary and we
couldn’t be more proud of it!”
The construction project expanded
and renovated the outdated and overgrown
school which was built in the 1950s and
was renovated in 1993. The project created
a new two-story classroom wing, a fullsized multi-purpose room and office suite.
The work renovated the building addition
from the 1990s and de-constructed the wing
from the 50s.
Green construction techniques and
features were used throughout the building
both for environmental and financial
reasons. Water fixtures in the school are
expected to reduce water usage in one year
by more than 30 percent. The building
was also designed to use 43 percent less
energy than a conventional school of a
similar size. Building components such as
steel, aluminum, concrete and carpeting all
contain recycled materials – with recycled
content making up more than 30 percent of
the total materials used in the project. The
“green features” in the project qualify the
school for LEED Silver Certification.
Ground was broken for the new
school in September 2010 and students
and staff were able to move into their new
classrooms in December 2011.
“It’s been a journey to get to where
we are tonight,” said Principal Ed Gnall.
“Our students were buzzing when we broke
ground for the project two years ago. Last
December, the excitement increased as we
moved into the classroom wing.
“Now that we’re officially moved
in the thrill hasn’t worn off. Our students
and staff are thrilled to be working in this
great school and we’re all very appreciative
of our school board and our community
for providing us with this great learning
environment.”
www.ldsd.org
Your first source for school closings and school news
4
5
Know Your Schools
Firefighters visit elementary schools with safety lessons
F
irefighters from across the region
visited Lower Dauphin elementary
schools in October bringing a message of
fire safety directly to students.
The theme of this year’s Fire
Prevention Week involved creating family
emergency plans.
“We address this now so at two in the
morning you don’t have to figure it out,”
explained Grantville Fire Company Deputy
Chief Jim McHenry.
Talking with fourth-graders at East
Hanover Elementary School, he stressed the
need to have two ways out of a room and
the importance of developing a plan with
their family members.
“Ask your parents,” he said. “You have
to pre-plan and you have to practice it. You
have to have a meeting place away from
your house where everybody knows where
to meet.”
That message was echoed in
elementary schools across Lower Dauphin.
Londonderry Fire Company Captain Becky
Kandrac talked about the ABCs of fire
prevention telling first-graders that they
should “Organize your family and make a
plan and practice it and always know two
ways out.”
In addition to hearing this fire
prevention message, students got to
examine equipment and apparatus the
firefighters brought to the schools. East
Hanover Elementary students learned how
to move through a darkened room using
the wall to guide them to a door. Nye
Elementary students watched as firefighters
extended their ladder high above the school
allowing Principal Douglas Winner to climb
to the roof. Conewago Elementary primary
students touched firefighters in their gear to
learn not to be afraid when they encounter
them in an emergency. Londonderry
students held hoses as firefighters raced to
knock down cones across a parking lot.
“We are very lucky to have such
dedicated volunteers in our communities,”
said Superintendent Sherri Smith. “I have
had the opportunity to meet several of the
firefighters who come into our schools at
Mark Your
Calendar
6
Above, Londonderry
Elementary School
kindergarten students
and first-graders
help firefighters shoot
water with a hose. At
right, Nye Elementary
Principal Doug Winner
climbs to the roof of
his school during the
Hummelstown Fire
Company’s visit.
this time of year and I have always been
impressed with their enthusiasm and
professionalism.
“While in our schools we can teach
students how to stop, drop and roll, but
hearing that message from a firefighter in
his or her turnout gear makes a much more
lasting impression.”
Hurricane Sandy make-up days are set
for Tuesday, Nov. 20, and Monday, Feb. 18
High School students look to future in career fair
M
ore than 65 community businesses
were represented in Lower Dauphin
High School’s annual Career Fair on
October 4.
The fair featured employees from
companies in several major categories
like Health & Human Services;
Education; Architecture & Construction;
Transportation, Distribution &
Logistics; Law & Public Safety; Arts &
Communications; Science, Engineering &
Math; Agriculture & Natural Resources;
Hospitality & Tourism; and Business, Retail
& Finance.
Sophomore Isabelle Yost spoke
with Ben Beaver, a chef. She says she is
interested in becoming a chef and he gave
her some valuable pointers on landing a
position in the kitchen.
“I like to cook,” she said. “He told
me that liking what you do is important
because the hours are really long. And the
best way to find a job is to go to culinary
school and then find a cook that will teach
you.”
This is the third year the high school
has hosted the career fair. Students who
attend are given a brochure with guided
questions for them to ask at least two career
representatives. Those who completed the
form were able to get a free cookie in the
school cafeteria that afternoon.
The event was partially sponsored by
the Lower Dauphin Falcon Foundation.
“We greatly appreciate all of the
business people who are willing to give
up their time to discuss their fields and
occupations with our students,” said Todd
Neuhard, high school principal. “This
kind of event gives our students a great
opportunity to ask questions and learn firsthand what it takes to succeed in the real
world.”
Above, Senior Airman
Emily Shertzer speaks
with high school
student Aubrey Layton
at the career fair. At
right, Tiffany Strahan,
a research scientist
with the Hershey
Company dispenses
career advice and
candy.
Keystone Exams will replace PSSAs for high school students
T
he Keystone Exams are end-ofcourse tests designed by the state of
Pennsylvania to check that all students are
proficient in certain subject areas. Over the
summer it was announced that beginning
with this school year, the Algebra 1,
Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams
will replace the 11th grade PSSA tests in
math, reading, and science.
All students in grade 11 will take
the Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology
Keystone Exams this year. It is quite
possible that your child had coursework in
either Algebra 1, Literature or Biology in
a previous school year, even as long ago
as seventh grade in the case of Algebra 1.
While it is confusing to think the students
are being tested on a class from an earlier
year, this situation will only happen during
this first year of testing. From this year
forward, all students in any grade level
enrolled in Biology, Literature or Algebra 1
will take the Keystone as an end of course
exam. The exam will count towards their
11th grade testing requirements, regardless
of what year the exam is taken.
To summarize, this year all 11thgraders will be tested in Biology, Algebra
1 and Literature in either December or
January. Students in other grades who are
enrolled in Biology, Literature or Algebra
1 will also be tested at the end of the year.
Finally, the class of 2017, this year’s eighthgraders, will be required to pass the Algebra
1, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams
in order to graduate. Students in earlier
years will be tested but are not required to
pass the exams as a graduation requirement.
7
Know Your Schools
Lower Dauphin welcomes new staff members
Jennifer Alger
Jennifer Bean
Corrine Bertsch
Social Studies
Middle School
Reading
East Hanover
Special Education
East Hanover
Miss Alger earned her bachelor’s degree in
secondary education – social studies from
Penn State University in 2007. She taught
at Milton Hershey School and last year was
a long-term substitute at Lower Dauphin
High School. She says she wants to “make
social studies fun and interesting for my
students. I want to be a role model for my
students and become someone they can
look up to as a teacher and a coach.”
Mrs. Bean will serve as a long-term
substitute reading specialist at East Hanover
Elementary School. She previously
worked as a literacy coach at Sporting
Hill Elementary School and as a reading
specialist in the Cambridge Central School
District in New York. She earned her
master’s degree in reading from the State
University of New York at Albany and her
bachelor’s degree from the State University
of New York at Plattsburgh.
Mrs. Bertsch was a learning support
teacher in Lower Dauphin for three years
before moving to Belpre City Schools
in Ohio. A Lower Dauphin graduate, she
earned a bachelor’s degree from Penn
State University in the fall of 2003 and is
currently taking graduate classes at Penn
State’s Harrisburg campus. She says she
hopes “to pass on my love for learning as
well as provide tools and support for my
students that enable them to reach their
academic potential.”
Megan Booz
Megan Calderone
Jessica Caserta
Grade 4
Londonderry
Grade 4
Londonderry
Music
Nye, Londonderry
Mrs. Booz has worked in Lower Dauphin
as a long-term substitute for two years.
She also taught at the KinderCare Learning
Center of Hershey. She holds a bachelor’s
degree in psychology from Shippensburg
University and received her elementary
teaching certification from Drexel
University. She says she hopes “to provide
a quality education for students while
meeting their individual needs.”
Ms. Calderone will serve as a long-term
substitute after having taught in the State
College Area School District in grades 3, 4
and 5. She earned her bachelor’s degree in
elementary education from Saint Vincent
college in 2008. She says she hopes “to
work towards Lower Dauphin’s goals and
help the students here reach their individual
goals and potential.”
Miss Caserta will serve as a long-term
substitute in music at Nye Elementary
School and then at Londonderry
Elementary School in the second semester.
She is a 2012 graduate of Mansfield
University with a bachelor’s degree in
music education. She was a student-teacher
in New York and serves as an instructor in
the Cumberland Valley marching band. She
says she hopes to “give my students a fun,
safe educational environment where they
will love what they are doing.”
Nicole DeHart
Courtney Detweiler
Derek Gingerich
Special Education
Middle School
Grade 2
Londonderry
Math
High School
Miss Dehart served the past two years as
a long-term substitute in the Middletown
Area School District in life skills
classrooms. She holds bachelor degrees
from Bloomsburg University in elementary
education and special education. She says
she hopes to “create a friendly and creative
learning environment to encourage my
students to strive to their fullest potential
and increase their desire to gain new
knowledge.”
Ms. Detweiler is a Lower Dauphin graduate
and attended Londonderry Elementary.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in
elementary education and special education
in December 2011. She has served as a
long-term substitute autistic support teacher
in York City schools and as a long-term
fifth-grade substitute in Palmyra. She says
she hopes “to have a positive impact on my
students’ learning.”
Mr. Gingerich is a 2012 graduate of Penn
State Harrisburg with a bachelor’s degree
in mathematical sciences. He was also a
member of the United States Marine Corps.
He was a student teacher in the Conewago
Valley School District and was also an
instructor in the National Cryptologic
School’s active geolocation program.
8
Catie Gingrich
David Hooper
Jennifer Jenkins
Special Education
Middle School
Science
Middle School
Grade 5
Londonderry
Miss Gingrich will be a long-term substitute
in learning support at the middle school.
She was previously employed as a learning
support teacher at Denvers Elementary
School in the York City School District. She
is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University
and holds bachelor’s degrees in elementary
education and special education.
Mr. Hooper spent last year as long-term
substitute at the middle school before
being hired full-time this summer. Prior
to becoming a teacher he was a principal
microbiologist with Lancaster Laboratories.
He said he hopes “to share my love
of science with the students of Lower
Dauphin; to cultivate their sense of wonder
at the natural world; and to develop their
abilities to think critically about scientific
ideas.”
Ms. Jenkins earned a sociology degree
from the University of Pittsburgh and an
elementary education degree from Penn
State. She was a long-term substitute last
year at East Hanover Elementary School
in second and fourth grades. She says she
hopes to “be a strong team member in fifth
grade and encourage students to be excited
to learn.”
Kaylee Keener
Amy McConnell
Michelle Sladinski
Grade 5
Nye
Grade 1
Conewago
Grade 4
East Hanover
Miss Keener is serving as a long-term
substitute while Mr. Kerstetter is deployed
in Afghanistan. She graduated from Temple
University this past spring and worked at
Nye Elementary School as a student teacher
in first grade. She says she hopes “to form
professional relationships with my students
and their families so I can ensure that
they have the best educational experience
possible.”
Mrs. McConnell is serving as a longterm substitute this year. She is a 2012
graduate of Lancaster Bible College with
a bachelor’s degree in early childhood
education. She says she hopes “to serve
my students and families well, to help my
students grow in every way and to develop
them into life-long learners.”
Ms. Sladinski earned her bachelor’s degree
from Penn State Harrisburg in elementary
education in 2012 and has served as a
substitute teacher in Lancaster and as
a tutor activity leader in the Harrisburg
School District. She says she hopes to
“have a successful first year by learning as
much as possible so that I may become a
more effective teacher for my students.”
Andrew Vinton
Nicole Warner
Grade 1
East Hanover
Math
High School
Mr. Vinton is a Lower Dauphin graduate
and earned a bachelor’s degree in
elementary education from Indiana
University of Pennsylvania in 2010. He has
been employed as a long-term substitute
in Lower Dauphin for the past two years.
He says he hopes “to use a positive
attitude with high expectations to create a
wonderful classroom environment for my
students.”
Miss Warner is a 2012 graduate of
Shippensburg University where she earned
a bachelor’s degree in secondary education
and mathematics. She was a student
teacher at Big Spring High School and
Chambersburg Area Middle School. She
says her goal is to “help prepare students
for their future – more specifically by
helping them develop the ability to use
learned skills to overcome challenges they
face in life.”
9
Know Your Schools
LD CTC kicks-off fund campaign with big check
L
ower Dauphin Communities That Care
kicked-off its 2012-13 fund campaign
with a major donation from the Three Mile
Island Generating Station.
Three Mile Island Site Vice President
Rick Libra, who is also an LD CTC board
member, presented a check for $10,000 to
support the Books on Board bookmobile.
Kathy Peffer, LD CTC program director,
said the organization still needs $13,000 to
meet its budget for the upcoming school
year.
“We rely a lot on grants and
governmental funding,” she said. “But
one of the strengths of our organization
comes from the gifts from our very own
community – from the people directly
impacted by our services.”
In addition to the bookmobile, which
makes 24 stops across Lower Dauphin
every two weeks, LD Communities That
Cares sponsors several other successful
programs to support our community’s
youth. Among those programs are:
• Preschool Literacy Outreach –
A program which sends books to
preschoolers on their birthday to
provide literacy opportunities.
• School-Based Mentoring – A
program which provides adult mentors
to identified students at the middle
school, high school and elementary
schools in partnership with Big
Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital
Region.
• Club Ophelia – An after-school
program that helps girls in grades 2-8
to improve their relationships with
TMI Site Vice President Rick Libra (center) presents a $10,000 to LD CTC
board members this summer.
other girls and provides alternatives to
bullying situations. High school girls
are trained to act as mentors to the
girls.
• Do The Right Thing – A program
in partnership with the Hummelstown
Police Department that recognizes
children in our community, grades
K-12, who distinguish themselves
through their good deeds and
exemplary behavior.
• Strengthening Families Program –
A seven-session, family-based program
that has been found to improve
family functioning and prevent youth
substance abuse. Parents and youth
attend separate skill-building sessions
for the first hour and spend the second
hour together in supervised family
activities.
“Lower Dauphin Communities That
Care provides programs which meet the
specific needs of our community,” Mrs.
Peffer said. “And while we’ve been
fortunate in our ability to raise funding
in the past, continued support from our
community makes all the difference.”
To donate or learn more about LD
CTC and its programs, please contact Mrs.
Peffer at [email protected].
Staff members recognized for years of service
The following Lower Dauphin staff members have been
recognized for their years of service with the district. They include:
5 Years
Kimberly Amodei, Emily Artz, Amy Atkins, Dave Bitting,
Karen Brinich, Christine Brown, Justin Bruce, Lauren Bruce,
Tracie Cartwright, Steph Chortanoff, Michelle Devey, Scott
Downey, Rebecca Ebersole, Lisa Finegan, Krisann Hommel,
Matt Hoover, Lisa Kalloz, Jeffiner Kastelic, Lori Kilgore, Nancy
Kiscadden, Sherry Klingler, Sarah Langan, Paula LeBlanc, Chad
Lister, Maureen McCann, Aimee Radel, Dean Reigner, Gwen
Ressler, Marianne Rieck, Tiffany Schauer, Adam Schramm, Marsha
Sheibley, Jessica Smith, Carolyn Stine, Courtney Swigert, Michelle
Torres, Michelle Warner, Pamela White, and Carron Wolf.
10 Years
Eileen Allwine, Susie Becker, Terri Bolt, Brenda Caruso,
Erin Cover, Kathy Dalton, John Deitz, Dorinda Donnelly, Nate
Espenshade, Patricia Goodstein, Michelle Hereshko, Greg
Hutchison, Beth Kirman, Rob Klock, Audrey Kluck, Heather
10
Lee, Chip Lytle, Kristen MacKay, Wendy Nelson, Steven Sellers,
Darlene Shope, Linda Still, Kate Stoltzfus, Matthew Weaver, and
Steve Yeager.
15 Years
Shannon Bastian, Lori Beaver, Susan Bettendorf, Jane
Corsnitz, Ann Etnoyer, Ken Kulina, Wade Kurzinger, Terry LeGay,
Anne Masorti, Kelly Peck, Chris Pfaff, Wendy Seaman, Lisa
Shenck, Gail Sido, Bret Sparks, and Glenda Stahl.
20 Years
Laurie Coleman, Phil Green, Jeff Markham, Paula McCreary,
Katherine Sersch.
25 Years
Tina Bates, Peggy Dengler, Andrea Diller, Sandy Geesaman,
Ella Smith, Cindy Stewart, and Stanley Tetzloff.
30 Years
Deb Avery, John Book, Dave Dickson, and Jerry Motter.
35 Years
Ken Hess, Deb Karlin and Lisa Meyer.
The 280 members of the Lower Dauphin High School Class of 2012 received their diplomas June 7 at the Giant Center in
Hershey. Katharine Moosic was valedictorian and Timothy Groh was salutatorian.
11
Know Your Schools is published four times a year for the
residents of Lower Dauphin School District.
District Office
High School
Middle School
Conewago Elementary School
East Hanover Elementary School
Londonderry Elementary School Nye Elementary School
South Hanover Elementary
Informaline:
Lower Dauphin School District
291 East Main Street
Hummelstown, PA 17036
http://www.ldsd.org
566-5300
566-5330
566-5310
367-7233
469-2686
944-9462
566-0300
566-2564
566-5320 or 944-1668
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 583
Board of School Directors
Todd Kreiser, President
Rodney Nissley, Vice President
Dana Barry
Rebecca Kline
Marcela Myers
Jeffrey Neely
Keith Oellig
Renae Paladino
Laurie Reichert
Dr. Sherri Smith, Superintendent
Edited by: Jim Hazen, Community Relations Coordinator
Designed by: Linda McPhillips
Nondiscrimination Policy:
The Lower Dauphin School District, an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate in employment, educational programs or activities based on gender, race, religion,
national origin, color or handicap. This policy of nondiscrimination extends to all other legally protected classifications. Publication of this policy in this document is in accordance
with state and federal laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1973, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Lower Dauphin School District
Calendar of Upcoming Events
DECEMBER
NOVEMBER
JANUARY
1
FEBRUARY
1
2
3
4
5
8
9
10 11 12
1
2
3
8
9
10
2
3
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
9
10 11 12 13 14 15
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
25 26 27 28 29 30
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
27 28 29 30 31
24 25 26 27 28
4
5
6
7
1
End of 1st Marking
Period
20
School in Session
21
22
4
5
6
7
8
6
7
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
8
9
30 31
24
Schools Closed
1
Schools Closed
15
Inservice Day
Inservice Day
25
Holiday – Schools &
Offices Closed
11
½ Day for Students
18
School in Session
Holiday – Schools &
Offices Closed
26-31 Schools Closed
21
Inservice Day
22
End of 2nd Marking
Period
23, 26 Schools Closed