Feb 2015 - Pennsbury School District
Transcription
Feb 2015 - Pennsbury School District
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2015 Across the DISTRICT PENNSBURY AWARDED $25,000 SAFE SCHOOLS GRANT BY PDE Sherwood Taylor, Director of Administrative Services, is pleased to report that Pennsbury was awarded a $25,000 Safe Schools Initiative Targeted Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the 2014-2015 school year. “This grant program, focusing on bullying prevention, is being implemented across all of our elementary schools at the fourth grade level,” said Mr. Taylor. The funding supports the Respecting Me – Respecting You program centering on peer mediation and conflict resolution, which is offered by the Peace Center of Bucks County. “Teachers are being trained to be facilitators,” said Mr. Taylor. “Even after the grant expires, these teachers will be able to continue training other faculty members as well as students in subsequent years.” EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANT AWARDS The Pennsbury Education Foundation (PEF) recently awarded a total of eight grants to schools across the Pennsbury School District, totaling over $11,000. The PEF is a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on donations www.pennsburysd.org 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 support the valuable work that our teachers do in the classroom, and we look for effective ways to distribute funds to benefit students,” said Annette Young, PEF President. “We look forward to distributing additional grants this Spring after we review the applications that will be submitted by April 10th.” The following grant recipients were announced: Pennsbury High School Principal Lisa Becker and Family & Consumer Sciences Curriculum Coordinator Nancy Quigley - $2,464 to fund the purchase of three Real Care “babies” for use by PHS students; Oxford Valley Elementary Principal Fran Nitkin and Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary Principal Elizabeth Aldridge and their respective Reading Specialists, Donna Fay and Alisa Myles - $1,400 to purchase the Curtains Up on Reading program for both schools; Makefield Elementary Principal Donna McCormick-Miller and Reading Specialist Luann Spalla-Pointer - $586 to purchase a one-year license for Study Island literacy software for Makefield; Makefield Elementary Principal Donna McCormick-Miller and Vocal Music teacher Emily Fantuzzo - $1,300 to cover the costs associated with the Multi-Cultural Piano presentation for Makefield students; PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2015 1 S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. Manor Elementary Principal Christopher Becker and Reading Specialist Marianne Kershaw - $2,560 to fund the purchase of 100 books for each of eight classrooms at Manor; Penn Valley Elementary Principal Barbara Hidalgo and teacher Lotus Deiss - $2,610 to fund the purchase of three interactive boards for Penn Valley; Quarry Hill Elementary Principal Dr. Peggy Schiavone and Librarian Barbara Pesature - $500 to purchase a one-year subscription to TeachingBooks.net for Quarry Hill; William Penn Middle School Principal Paul Meehan and Art Curriculum Coordinator Ruth Anne Schultz - $300 to purchase supplies to support the Mad Hatters after-school enrichment program at William Penn. In addition to gathering generous donations from local funding sources and individual donors, the PEF also participates in the PA 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 Pennsbury Business Administrator, Daniel Rodgers, at 215-428-4115. In the SCHOOLS AFTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Principal Joe Masgai shares that the Afton Garden Committee applied for the Lower Makefield Township Environmental Advisory Council’s Environmental Stewardship Award and their project was selected for this impressive recognition. “This award recognizes individuals, businesses and groups who have made significant achievements in improving and sustaining the quality of our environment,” said parent volunteer, Christine Rosbach, a member of the Garden 2 Representatives from Afton Elementary’s learning garden received special recognition from the Lower Makefield Township Supervisors and the township’s Environmental Advisory Council. Committee. “They were specifically soliciting nominations for achievements related to: Pollution Prevention, Resource Conservation, Sustainability, Environmental Education and Environmental Leadership, all of which we have accomplished with our courtyard garden.” The group received an award check for $500 at a recent LMT Supervisors’ meeting, which will be used to help further support the school’s learning garden. Congratulations! Teacher Coleen Jones is coordinating a “Baby Bundles” service project with the United Way of Bucks County again this year. “Our donations will go to the Child, Home, & Community Organization,” said Ms. Jones. “Our little buddies in Mrs. Reither’s kindergarten class will help with this effort.” EDGEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Principal Michele Spack is pleased to report that the students taught by teacher Leighann Pezza conducted a special service project in conjunction with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The students made birthday cupcakes, including ones that were peanut-free, and sold them at lunch time. They also took turns making afternoon announcements with appropriate messages to inspire their fellow students. When the children purchased FEBRUARY 2015 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. the cupcakes, they also received paper peace doves bearing meaningful quotes from Dr. King. Afterwards, proceeds of over $450 were donated to a bullying-prevention organization. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The fifth grade students at Eleanor Roosevelt, led by their teachers, Jason Miller, Roger Kean, Joseph Melnick, Maureen Janthor, and Amanda D’Amico, once again staged an exciting outdoor flag football tournament, braving muddy and snowy conditions for most of their games last month. This annual event culminated with Super Duper Bowl V on January 30th, the Friday before Super Bowl Sunday. Leading up to the Bowl game, two charitable drives also took place at Roosevelt and students responded with great enthusiasm. First, a penny war helped to raise more than $1,000 in funds for the family of a recently-deceased Pennsbury teacher (Kate Galdi). Second, the school embraced the theme, Children Helping Children in Need, as students in grades Pre-K -5 “voted” for their favorite teams by donating canned goods into decorated collection boxes for each team. This important local food drive was sponsored by two active Pennsbury Partners: the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rotary and Waste Management, Inc. With the support of Principal Elizabeth Aldridge, the athletic backdrop to the Super Duper Bowl tournament provided a key opportunity for the students to practice good sportsmanship and fair play. These concepts tie in with the school’s character education initiative of teaching and showing respect, kindness, responsibility, and cooperation. FALLSINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Teachers Courtney Gould and Monica James accompanied Fallsington’s fifth graders as they led a respectful peace march through the Central Administration building and on the school grounds on Tuesday, January 20th in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “The students held posters and banners displaying words of peace,” said Ms. Gould. “We invited the rest of the grades in Fallsington to be a part of this as well.” Tying in with this same peaceful theme, the fourth and fifth grade students gathered in the school gym and together, they formed a human peace sign in a symbolic gesture. A human peace sign was formed by the fourth and fifth grade students at Fallsington Elementary in conjunction with the school’s march for peace. Fifth graders at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary enjoyed yet another snow-filled Super Duper Bowl game! www.pennsburysd.org ESL teacher Jennifer Cornell writes that her students have enjoyed writing in different genres. “The National Geographic textbook that we use has interesting stories about people in the United States and from all over the world,” said Ms. Cornell. “The students respond to these stories using different types of writing. My third graders read a story PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2015 3 S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. about the challenging childhood of actor and author Henry Winkler due to his dyslexia and his struggles in school. He wrote how despite these challenges, he still had a great life because ‘everyone has something special inside. It’s our job to figure out what that is. Dig deep, get it out, and give it to the world as a gift.’ The students enjoyed Mr. Winkler’s writing style, his sense of humor, and his positive message, and they wrote friendly letters to him. Best of all, each of the students received a personally autographed photograph of Mr. Winkler with some encouraging words from him!” MAKEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gifted Support teacher, Alison Majikas, writes that all of the fourth and fifth grade students at Makefield took a 40-question “preliminary round” test to help determine the top ten finalist contestants for the school’s National Geographic Geography Bee Final Competition. The finalists included: Nate Smith, Tommy Cummings, Callan Fang, Daniel Paton, Brody Kestel, Joseph Sutherland, Grace Bolling, Aidan Catalano, Nikhil Suri, and Justin Brown. These students gathered to compete for the title of Makefield Champion of the Geography Bee 2015. The Bee was funded by Makefield’s PTO with support from Principal Donna McCormick-Miller. “It was an exciting event, filled with questions that tested each of the finalists’ geography skills,” said Ms. Majikas. After the final competition, there were only two students remaining to go into the championship round: Tommy Cummings and Nate Smith. Ultimately, Nate was named the Champion! “All ten contestants invited their parents to watch this event,” added Ms. Majikas. “A blue Geography Bee t-shirt, a blue participation ribbon, Geo Bee pencils, and certificates of participation were given as awards to each of the contestants.” The next step will involve Nate’s completion of a written exam, which will then be scored by Ms. Majikas and reported to officials at the National Geographic Geography Bee division to determine Nate’s eligibility to compete at the state level. If he meets their criteria and does well at the state level, Nate will be invited to compete at nationals in Washington, D.C. Good luck, Nate! OXFORD VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AJ Hammer, a third grader at Oxford Valley, was assigned to write a persuasive letter by his teacher, Susan Mahler. Much to his parents’ surprise, AJ wrote a compelling letter that requested their assistance in raising funds to help the homeless at the Bucks County Emergency Homeless Shelter. After taking up a collection among family members and friends, AJ was proud to pay a visit to the shelter to present a check for $415 and 50 handmade Oxford Valley Elementary’s AJ Hammer (left) presented a donation check to Ernie Nocito, Director of Development for the Family Service Association of Bucks County, to aid the homeless. Ten student finalists lined up to compete in Makefield Elementary’s Geography Bee. 4 FEBRUARY 2015 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. scarves from his grandmother! “Oxford Valley is very proud of AJ,” said Principal Fran Nitkin. “He is a role model for all of our students and an example of what one person can do when they have a desire to help others.” Ms. Nitkin adds that the Oxford Valley Student Council held their annual “Souper” Bowl Challenge in the weeks leading up to the big game. They collected soup cans for the same homeless shelter here in Bucks County. Collection bins were decorated for both Super Bowl teams, and students were encouraged to bring in cans of soup to cast their votes for the winning team. The school collected over 300 soup cans. Way to go Oxford Valley! These Oxford Valley Elementary students assisted with the school’s food drive known as the “Souper” Bowl Challenge. scientists” and each child was rewarded with a participant ribbon and a certificate. Participants and visitors walked throughout the fair to visit all student experiments and attend the adult demonstrations as well. Support for Quarry Hill’s Science Fair is provided each year by the school’s PTO. Teacher Katie Bolger is pleased to report that Quarry Hill started 2015 with “a renewed focus on character development. Staff and students were welcomed back to school with a character-themed assembly along with visuals that reminded students of the acronym PAWS. PAWS represents the four aspects of character development that we focus on every day: P - Practice Respect, A - Accept Responsibility, W - Work Together, S - Stay Positive. Earlier in the school year, Principal Dr. Peggy Schiavone brought together the faculty and staff to brainstorm ideas to create a more unified approach to character education.” The PAWS team, led by Dr. Schiavone, Ms. Bolger, Kim Dender, and School Counselor Meredith Laden, along with many members of the Quarry Hill faculty and staff, seeks to provide the students, parents, faculty, and staff with common topics and language to support the character development of the school community. “Through school-wide programming and events, the Quarry Hill community will focus on an aspect of PAWS each month for the remainder of the school year,” said Ms. Bolger. “During February, we will be focused on the P of PAWS, Practice Respect. Faculty, staff, and QUARRY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The 2015 Quarry Hill Science Fair was held earlier this month. Chaired once again by PTO parent, Sandy Borowsky, the event was another huge success. This year’s fair was comprised of approximately 150 student project displays and an additional 12 adult demonstrations (including bubbles, dry ice, insects, robotics, acceleration, surface water runoff, amphibians, and more). Over 200 students presented projects to “visiting www.pennsburysd.org A special assembly held at Quarry Hill Elementary tied in with the school’s character education initiative. PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2015 5 S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. students are encouraged to recognize members of the Quarry Hill community who are caught practicing an aspect of PAWS. Each one is honored with a paw print that is displayed in the hallway.” PENN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Principal Barbara Hidalgo reports that her school celebrated what became known as PEACE Week (Penn Valley Engaging Actively in Character Education) during the week of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. “Grades four and five conducted a peace march inside the building on Tuesday of that week. Staff also worked to incorporate activities each day to promote peace and character education. We included famous quotes by Dr. King in our daily morning announcements. All activities were connected to the letter P for peace.” One of these tie-in activities was a fundraiser called Pasta for Pennies. School Counselor Arlene Johnson extends “a great big thank you to the Penn Valley staff and students who helped make our Pasta for Pennies collection a huge success.” The school community raised a total of $3003.68 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. “Our efforts will go toward helping LLS continue the fight against blood cancers. Mrs. D’Emidio’s second grade class raised $591.11 and will be treated to lunch at Olive Garden.” Way to go Penn Valley! WALT DISNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Principal Laurie Ruffing shares the news that The Nutrition Group, Pennsbury’s food service provider, sponsored a special visit by the Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels for the students of Walt Disney! “The event was a hit among the second through fifth grade students,” said Ms. Ruffing. The program, titled The Remarkable Rainforest, introduced students to a variety of rainforest animals, including a red-footed tortoise, a macaw, a snake, and much more. “Our students were even offered a rainforest-themed lunch in the cafeteria that day,” said Ms. Ruffing. 6 Students at Walt Disney participated in a school-wide talent show in recent weeks. “The show was organized by the Walt Disney PTO,” said Ms. Ruffing. Students tried out for the talent show and rehearsed several days after school. “They put on a wonderful performance for parents, who were wowed by the students’ singing, dancing, card tricks, and break-dancing moves. We even had a solo pianist. Thank you to the PTO for organizing such an enjoyable event for the students.” These students were among many who showcased their talents at Walt Disney Elementary’s recent Talent Show. CHARLES BOEHM MIDDLE SCHOOL Teacher Kathy Simmons writes that in a recent email to the Boehm staff, Afton teacher, Janet Scammell, shared the following: “Your staff is blessed to work in such a caring environment.” “This is a sentiment of which ‘Boehmers’ are well aware,” said Ms. Simmons. “Janet’s comments acknowledged a recent Boehm-sponsored benefit event, the impressive proceeds of which were given to the family of former Pennsbury graduate and Boehm English teacher, Kate Sammon Galdi. Kate, a young Boehm teacher with a pre-school age son and an elementary age daughter, passed away in the Fall. To honor her memory and continue to offer support to her family, a committee of teachers led by Joy Booz, along with Maureen Miller and FEBRUARY 2015 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. moving a ping pong ball, on design creativity and flexibility, narrative and presentation report, budget, and teamwork. We are so proud of the level of hard work from all teams. Their collaborative efforts exceeded our expectations, especially in terms of true engineering design.” Congratulations to the following teams, which will represent Pennwood on March 4th at the Bucks County Intermediate unit against 62 other teams: Generous donations poured in from across the School District in support of the recent fundraiser organized by Charles Boehm Middle School. Sherry Snyder, planned the event, which quickly evolved into a community effort as local businesses responded generously to the call for donations for raffle baskets. DJ (and Boehm teacher) Frank McSherry offered his services providing music for the evening. Ticket sales reached 300, and many Pennsbury schools booked tables for the representatives of their buildings who attended in support of the cause. You would be hard pressed to find any of the attendees who would remark that the evening at Brookside Manor was anything but a joyous celebration of life and a generous outpouring of support to a bereaved family. The event truly was an example of the very best of the Pennsbury spirit!” Group #1 Group #2 Nathan Silverman Kyle Anderson Miles Borowsky Brandon Ferraro Shaun Parrish Jackson Simon Kevin Morrison Andrew Keen WILLIAM PENN MIDDLE SCHOOL Science teachers Dianne Haley and Kristin Slota were able to provide Smart Energy Saver Kits courtesy of PECO to families of students on William Penn’s 7C team as a curricular tie-in with their energy studies. These students were also assigned to conduct a comprehensive school energy audit. Detailed data collection was made possible through the use of “Kill-A-Watt” meters, Flicker Checkers, Principal Theresa Ricci added, “The Boehm spirit was truly captured by this moving event. It was a remarkable example of our Pennsbury community coming together in support of one another.” PENNWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Science teachers Jamie Swanson and Joyce Bigley write that 50 eighth grade students at Pennwood competed in a STEM design challenge. “They were building a rubber band car with very tight design constraints,” explained Ms. Swanson. “Groups were assessed on how far their car traveled while www.pennsburysd.org William Penn seventh graders conducted an energy audit in their school building. PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2015 7 S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. light meters, temperature pens and measurements of relative humidity from several locations in the school. Students exhibited and explained their research to family members and other guests during the school’s Energy Expo on February 6th. Art teacher Blair Greiner and Science teacher Kristin Slota accompanied a group of seventh grade students to Bucks County Community College to participate in the college-sponsored Artist in Residence program involving the work of artist Bryant Holsenbeck. An environmental artist and activist, Ms. Holsenbeck uses discarded objects to raise awareness of the impact of today’s society on the natural world. The students observed the artist’s works, Paradise Lost and Recycled, which feature 22 bird and animal sculptures made from discarded materials, and also assisted the artist in the creation of a 20-foot “waterfall” made from more than 10,000 plastic water bottles collected by campus and community members. School so that they could present a lesson on “The Golden Rule” for second graders there. “It was great to see the PHS students so excited to work with the Disney students!” said Dr. Blair. Vocal Music Curriculum Coordinator James Moyer shares that the Pennsbury choirs performed choral movements from Felix Mendelssohn’s second symphony, Lobgesang, in January in Keller Hall. The choirs are following up this performance later this month as part of their tour of Austria and Germany. They will present the entire second symphony as well as Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with a prestigious youth orchestra led by Conductor Ron-Dirk Entleutner. Maestro Entleutner visited Pennsbury last month to work with the PHS choral students and he also conducted their January concert. A total of 99 students in grades 10-12 will visit multiple sites in the two countries for performances in six impressive venues. PENNSBURY HIGH SCHOOL Mathematics teacher Stacy Garretson has announced that Pennsbury High School students will have the opportunity to participate in the 66th annual American Mathematics Contest (AMC) on Wednesday, February 25th. “Students will compete for local, regional, and national student and school awards,” said Ms. Garretson. The contest, which covers high school mathematics and is given at over 4,200 U.S. and international schools, is recognized at many colleges and universities. “The purpose of this competition is to spur interest in Mathematics and to develop talent through the excitement of friendly competition at problem-solving in a timed format,” added Ms. Garretson. Registration forms are available in the school counseling offices or from any Math teacher. PHS Counselor Dana Arbakov, Reading Specialist Casey Smith, and Assistant Principal Dr. Lynne Blair accompanied several students from Pennsbury’s Mentoring Program to visit Walt Disney Elementary 8 Vocal Music Curriculum Coordinator James Moyer is shown here rehearsing with students who will be traveling to Germany and Austria for a series of upcoming performances. Pennsbury Partner Jack O’Connor, who leads the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rotary, writes that the PHS Interact Club is embracing an international project this year. “The project is to provide the school children in Sierra Leone with school supplies,” explained Mr. O’Connor. “I recently invited a guest speaker to our club, Bishop Simbo, from Sierra Leone. He is a Rotarian [there]. I thought it was a great idea for the Interact students to have an international experience. I attended an Interact meeting [at PHS] and presented the students and FEBRUARY 2015 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. Alyssa Romero, the faculty advisor, with the outline from Bishop Simbo, and they began planning immediately. The Interactors may open up this project to the entire high school. Teacher John Sanders writes: “On Monday, January 19th, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, the Multi-Cultural Youth Leaders club (MCYL) volunteered their time to the Good Stuff thrift store in Fairless Hills. The store’s mission is to operate the most efficient thrift shop possible, so that they can provide the highest level of funding for helping kids in need within our communities. MCYL is extremely excited about its partnership with Good Stuff,” said Mr. Sanders. award. Devin was recently informed that she is a recipient of the Comcast Foundation Leaders and Achievers Scholarship. The program recognizes students’ leadership skills, academic achievement, and commitment to community service. According to the foundation’s announcement, “We are proud to recognize the efforts of young people who are helping make our communities stronger.” Devin will join other selected students from across the state in June when they gather in Harrisburg for this special recognition. Devin was also recognized recently for two submissions she entered into the 2015 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. A panel of Philadelphia teachers, writers, and literary professionals received nearly 680 submissions from students in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Devin’s “stood out among the best,” according to the awards committee. Her poetry entry, Losing Jewelry, was awarded an Honorable Mention, and another poem by Devin, Get Bound, was recognized with the Gold Key award. Devin is invited to attend an awards ceremony and reception at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia on March 7th. STUDENT’S DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPH SINGLED OUT AT EXHIBIT Members of the PHS Multi-Cultural Youth Leaders club volunteered their time at a local thrift shop on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Commendable ACCOMPLISHMENTS DEVIN BARRICKLOW ADDS TO HER ACCOLADES Please join in congratulating PHS senior Devin Kawailani Barricklow – named last year as Buck’s County’s Poet of the Year – for another prestigious www.pennsburysd.org Art teacher Abigail Cramer writes that her digital photography student, Meghan Lucas, recently won special recognition and a monetary prize at the Phillips’ Mill Youth Art Exhibition. Meghan’s submission, titled Up in the Air, is a stunning black-and-white action photo that caught the judges’ eyes. Photo by Meghan Lucas PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2015 9 S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. SENIOR FALCONS ANNOUNCE COLLEGE PLANS Kudos to the latest group of Pennsbury senior athletes who have committed to play their respective sports at the schools listed below. A special ceremony was held on February 4th in the Pennsbury Channel studios as family members, coaches, counselors, and administrators gathered to celebrate these students: Victor Delgado - Bloomsburg University football Alex Kardos - East Stroudsburg University soccer Josh Leon - Bentley University football Anthony Pitt - Shippensburg University football Vinay Ramesh - Princeton University golf Alek Sauer - Columbia University cross country/ track Charles Snorweah - Rutgers University football Sam Webb - University of Pennsylvania cross country/track Derrick Woods - St. Bonaventure University basketball Senior athletes pictured in the front row, from left: Vinay Ramesh, Alek Sauer, Sam Webb, and Alex Kardos. Second row, from left: Victor Delgado, Josh Leon, Derrick Woods, Anthony Pitt, and Charles Snorweah. PENNSBURY STUDENT RECOGNIZED BY BCTHS The following Pennsbury student was named Student of the Month for January at Bucks County 10 Technical High School: Donald Nicholson, ninth grade. Congratulations! SARGENT NAMED PA CROSS COUNTRY COACH OF THE YEAR The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced state-by-state winners of its inaugural High School Cross Country Coach of the Year. One boys’ coach and one girls’ coach were selected from each of the 50 states. Pennsbury’s state championship Girls Cross Country coach, Greg Sargent, was selected! The USTFCCCA selection committee recognized these coaches for their successes during the 2014 cross country season. Well done! PENNSBURY TEACHER EARNS CERTIFICATION THROUGH NFEC PHS Business, Computers, and Information Technology teacher, Michael Zisa, is now a Certified Financial Education Instructor through the National Financial Educator’s Council (NFEC). This credential reflects Mr. Zisa’s ability to teach essential money management concepts effectively to people of all ages, according to the NFEC. Mr. Zisa is also the author of a recently-published book titled, The Early Investor: How Teens & Young Adults Can Become Wealthy. Pennsbury Inclusion Philosophy The Pennsbury School District believes our children belong with their peers. Pennsbury is committed to promoting a sense of belonging in each child by affording all students their right to be educated, to the maximum extent appropriate, in their neighborhood school. This commitment is possible through the use of appropriate support to enable students to be educated in the least restrictive environment. FEBRUARY 2015 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA www.pennsburysd.org S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D. Upcoming MEETINGS Board Education Committee 8:30 a.m., February 27, 2015 Superintendent’s Conference Room Board Facilities Committee 5:30 p.m., March 5, 2015 Superintendent’s Conference Room Board Agenda Meeting 8:00 p.m., March 5, 2015 Fallsington Elementary School Board Budget Committee 5:30 p.m., March 12, 2015 Superintendent’s Conference Room Regular Board Meeting 8:00 p.m., March 12, 2015 Fallsington Elementary School Board Education Committee 8:30 a.m., March 27, 2015 Superintendent’s Conference Room www.pennsburysd.org PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • FEBRUARY 2015 11