around the - Schuylkill Valley School District€¦ · assistance, please let me know. Dr. Cindy...
Transcript of around the - Schuylkill Valley School District€¦ · assistance, please let me know. Dr. Cindy...
around theAUGUST 2017
929 lakeshore driveleesport, PA 19533-8631
SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
IN THISISSUE:
SV Graduates: Class of 2017
Commencement exercises for the 139 members ofthe Schuylkill Valley Class of 2017 were held onThursday, June 8, at the high school stadium. Ourvaledictorian was Steven Huy Phan, son of Nghia andSuong Phan, Ontelaunee Township. Kylie Rae Brown,daughter of Gary and Padget Brown, Bern Township,was salutatorian.
HONOR STUDENTSRow 1: Brynna Haupt, Bethany Hepner, Jacqueline Marusiak, DanielBehler, Kylie Brown, Steven Phan, Lydia Forsythe, Alysa Bainbridge,and Thoneca Akhter.Row 2: Hannah Degler, Elyse Geiger, Nicole Frank, Madison Sisco,Hunter Rice, Trevor Winkler, Tristan Weller, Bethany Schlott, JennaPhillips, Annabella Kolasa, and Kacie Jones.
continued on page 3
2 3 4/5 6 7 8Monday, August 28, is the first day of school!
A Message from Dr.
Mierzejewski;Pride of SV
Preview
2017-18 District Budget;
SV Grads continued
Future Plans forClass of 2017;
Celebrating Notable
Achievements
SpecialOlympics
Event
SV TeacherNews;
Senior BanquetAwards;
Meet theTeacher Nights
Staff Retirements;
Stadium Reno-vations Update;
Athletic Season Pass
superintendent’s
It is my honor to begin my tenure assuperintendent of the Schuylkill Valley School District. Thanks to thesupport of the School Board of Direc-tors and Dr. Warren Mata, I had theopportunity to have several weeks oftransition time into my new role. Itwas wonderful to be at SchuylkillValley during the end-of-year activi-ties. There were so many accomplish-ments celebrated at all levels and inall areas across the district. Of course,the ultimate celebration happenedon June 8, with the graduation of 139members of the Class of 2017. I wasproud and grateful to be part of thesecelebrations.
The theme of the work that hasbeen done during my transition andover the summer is Continuing For-ward. We want to keep what is posi-tive about our district and schoolsand move forward in refining andenhancing what we have. As wecontinue forward, we will look foropportunities to challenge and sup-port our students and staff, and wewill have many things to talk about.
One of the first topics that I wouldlike to share is communication. I am
sure that you are aware of the variousmeans that SVSD uses to communi-cate with students, staff, parents andthe community. This summer, SVSDlaunched its new website(www.schuylkillvalley.org) that providesgood resources and information forparents and community members. Thedistrict also has a presence on Face-book under the name Schuylkill ValleySchool District. We use these socialmedia resources to promote the won-derful, positive work that our studentsand staff are doing and the great thingsthat are happening at SVSD. I encour-age everyone in the community to dothe same: use these powerful resourcesin a positive manner to share what weknow is good and to encourage thosewho are working hard to achieve forthemselves, for the district and for thecommunity.
Lastly, I would like to share my contact information. My email address is [email protected] and my office number is 610-916-5441. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know.
Dr. Cindy MierzejewskiSuperintendent
2 Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter | August 2017
MESSAGE
SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT 929 Lakeshore Drive Leesport PA 19533-8631
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Dr. Cindy MierzejewskiSuperintendent Mr. Michael T. Mitchell, Jr.High School Principal Mrs. Maggie E. Drake High School Assistant Principal Mr. Joshua KuehnerMiddle School Principal Mr. Jeremy L. Crills Assistant Middle School Principal Mrs. Melissa Kelchner Elementary School Principal Mrs. Melissa A. Rhoads Assistant Elementary School Principal Mr. Brian F. Lacey Director, Special Education & Pupil ServicesMr. Michael BillmanDirector, Information TechnologyMrs. Wendy Boarder Business Manager Mrs. Changming WangAssistant Business Manager Mr. Craig A. StrunkDirector, Buildings & Grounds Miss Stephanie L. DeiblerAthletic Director Mrs. Becky RobinsonDirector of Food Services Ms. Robin BrightbillDirector of Human Resources
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. Kevin Raudenbush, President Dr. Jay R. Melvin, Vice President Mrs. Linda R. Lash, SecretaryMr. Paul L. BendigoMr. Robert M. DempseyMr. Jeffrey B. KingMr. George H. Mertz IIIMr. G. Dane Miller Mr. Geoffrey P. Miller
BOARD MEETINGS Committees generally meet the third Monday ofthe month at 6:30 p.m. Board meetings aregenerally held the fourth Monday of the month at7 p.m. in the high school’s LeRoy K. Seip room.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS Administration 610-916-0957High School 610-926-1706Middle School 610-926-7111Elementary School 610-926-4165
This newsletter is the official publication of the Schuylkill Valley School District. Submit news of school or community interest [email protected]. Please include your name and phone number for verification. Timely articles will be used as space allows.
Pride of SV PreviewWe are proud to announce the inductees for the Pride of Schuylkill Valley Awardsto be presented at a luncheon on Saturday, October 21:
Mrs. Gwen Tranquillo AndrewsMr. John Barbis Mr. Shawn GundrumMr. Mervin Moyer
Mr. Dennis WernerMs. Corielle YardeMr. Frederick “David” Yoder
August 2017 | Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter 3
Revenue
2017-2018 District Budget
In June, the Schuylkill Valley Board of Directors approved a budget of $38,001,092, which did not include a tax increase. This is the third year out of thelast four years that the Board has avoided raising taxes.Business Manager Mrs. Wendy Boarder said that somepositive developments contributed to an increase inrevenue. The district’s property tax rolls grew by about$9.2 million, adding $235,000 in new tax revenues. Inaddition, increased earned income taxes contributed$100,000 in extra revenue.
The approved budget did not cut any jobs and filled allfour retiring teacher positions, in addition to providingfor the hiring of a middle school special educationteacher, a full-time long-term technology substitute forthe high school and middle schools, and a long-termsubstitute for the elementary school, if needed basedon enrollment.
As a result of the distribution of state gaming fundsthrough Act 1 of 2006, school property taxes were reduced by $154.65 this year for all property ownerswho qualified as homesteads and/or farmsteads. Theannual tax bill for a property assessed at $100,000 will remain at 27.07 mills, or $2,707.
For more information about the Schuylkill ValleySchool District budget, please visit www.schuylkillvalley.org and click on Administration>Business Office.
The budget for 2017-2018 has total expenditures of$38,001,092, which is an increase of $885,626, or 2.39%,over 2016-2017 expenditures.
State Sources
LocalSources
Federal + OtherRevenues
Instructional, Guidance, & Library
DebtServices
SupportServices
Summa cum laude honors (4-year GPA 4.000 or higher): Steven Phan Kylie BrownMadison SiscoThoneca AkhterJacqueline MarusiakDaniel Behler
continued from front cover
SV Graduates: Class of 2017
Valedictorian Steven Phan
Salutatorian Kylie Brown
Lydia ForsytheElyse GeigerBrynna HauptKacie JonesJenna Phillips
Bethany SchlottTrevor WinklerAnnabella KolasaHunter Rice
Bethany HepnerAlysa BainbridgeTristan WellerHannah DeglerNicole Frank
Magna cum laude honors (4-year GPA 3.750-3.999):
Cum laude (4-year GPA 3.500-3.749):
Megan LynamBailey MillerPayton ShekalusJessica VisbiskyAaron DanksGracey ButsackAbbie BaileyOlivia RothMaggie MarandoMatthew OrlandoCecily Godfrey
Expenditures
66%
75%
24%
26%
8% 1%
Paige Marie AdamFlagler College
Thoneca AkhterTemple University
Ethan C. AnthonyEmployment
Kane Michael BaezReading Area Community College
Abbie Williams BaileyLander University
Alysa Danielle BainbridgeSt. Joseph’s University
Ryan J. BauschKutztown University
Daniel L. BehlerLebanon Valley College
Benjamin James BowersFull Sail University
Nathan R. BraucherTemple University
Alaric O. BreslerPenn State University
Emma L. BresslerUniversity of Massachusetts
Brenden L. BrownEmployment
Dustin M. BrownCoastal Carolina University
Dylan P. BrownCollege – Undeclared
Kylie Rae BrownLong Island University
Anna Elizabeth BunnickLehigh University
Rebecca BurkertHarcum College
Brianna Ashley BurkhartMillersville University
Gracey A. ButsackRutgers University –New Brunswick
Gavin CamlinBecker College
Paige Margaret CampfieldEmployment
Brandon Lee ColonEmployment
Yazmeen Jade CrespoNorthampton Community College
Aaron Harold DanksTemple University
Hannah Marie DeglerPenn State University
Ethan C. EversonTemple University
Brianna Emily FaithEmployment
Lydia Marie ForsytheRutgers University –New Brunswick
Brina M. FranckowiakEast Stroudsburg University
Nicole Marie FrankSusquehanna University
Anthony R. FunezPenn State University
Karleigh Ann GangwerWest Virginia University
Elyse Elizabeth GeigerUniversity of Alabama
Courtney NicoleGenslingerAlvernia University
Cecily R. GodfreyWestern Governors University
Nathaniel S. GoffU.S. National Guard
Olivia Marie GonzalesCollege – Undeclared
Chontel Nicole GoodReading Area Community College
Kale M. GraybillMount Saint Mary’sUniversity
Dylan Paul HaasEmployment
Nicholas M. HansonPenn College of Technology
Brynna MackenzieHauptTemple University
Haley Nicole HeffelfingerMillersville University
Bethany A. HepnerLebanon Valley College
Jailene HernandezKutztown University
Riley Paige HimmelbergerMorrisville State College
Brian B. Hoffman, IIPenn State University
Blaise Julianna HosterCollege – Undeclared
Jake Owen JohnsonCoker College
Kacie Alexandra JonesDelaware Valley University
Austin C. KatchurEmployment
Brock D. KlaholdWilkes University
Annabella Marie KolasaPenn State University
Nicholas T. KrellBelmont Abbey College
Kaitlyn Nicole KrickAlvernia University
Kayla M. LaFaverMillersville University
Hunter Adam LammEmployment
James T. Lanshe, Jr.Penn State University
Kyle John LanshePenn State University
Nathaniel A. LashKutztown University
Noah C. LassandroConcordia University
Max Steven LauserPenn State University
Alyssa Marie LerchReading Area Community College
George Peter LimberiouLebanon Valley College
Teddy N. LimberiouKutztown University
Corey Kristian LopezBucks County Community College
Megan L. LynamFlorida Atlantic University
Anthony R. MaggiaroCalifornia University of PA
Maggie Marie MarandoPenn State University
Sabrina Raye MaressaEmployment
Jacqueline Marie MarusiakIthaca College
Yacinda Lynn MenendezReading Area Community College
James J. MilanekKutztown University
Bailey E. MillerMansfield University
Cody J. MishDeSales University
Hunter Alan MountzDeSales University
Kaitlin Rose MoyerReading Area Community College
Justin E. NawrockiPenn College of Technology
Erica J. OrlandoUniversity of New Hamp-shire
Joel Michael OrlandoHofstra University
Matthew Evan OrlandoSyracuse University
Tyler A. PerfettoBerks Career & TechnologyCenter
Mikala PerskyAlvernia University
Steven Huy PhanPenn State University
Jenna Laine PhillipsPenn State University
Samantha S. PhillipsAlbright College
Seth M. PineKutztown University
Garrett M. PolitykaEast Stroudsburg University
Sierra Lyn PullanoIndiana University of Pennsylvania
Mona Lilly RaggadPace University
Yelitza Ramos RiveraLebanon Valley College
Rachel Leigh RehrigTemple University
Hayley M. ReichardtReading Area CommunityCollege/Penn State
Hunter E. RicePenn State University
Andre T. RobinsonEmployment
Nicole Marie RockeyReading Area CommunityCollege
Kevin J. RosadoPenn State University
Parker John RostPenn College of Technology
Olivia Marie RothYork College
Soubha Soufia SadiqLong Island University – Post
Austin SchaefferReading Area CommunityCollege
Bethany T. SchlottSt. Michael’s/SusquehannaUniversity
Devin J. SchlottmanEmployment
Devin L. SchweitzerKutztown University
Payton Celeste ShekalusMessiah College
Madison Caroline SiscoPhiladelphia University
Samantha M. SitesMillersville University
Courtney Lyn SmithKutztown University
Brett Michael SnyderEmployment
Katelynn SnyderHiram G. Andrews Center
Shelby Renee SnyderEmployment
Jethro S. SolomonKutztown University
Ian SpanglerEmployment
Richard William SpatzNorwich University
Katelynn E. SpykerWilson College
Colby Brian StichterEmployment
Nathan J. StrausePenn State University
Mason A. StrohlEmployment
Joseph William StumpShippensburg University
Shannon Lee SullivanAlbright College
Kaylee Anne SwainEdinboro University
Lauren Marie SwavelyPenn College of Technology
Tyler Lee SzilliEmployment
Collin W. TeprovichEmployment
Sebastian Tomasz TotaPenn State University
Kahlan TrippKutztown or Wooster University
Alex R. TytlerKutztown University
Skylar M. UlrichEmployment
Jessica Danielle VisbiskyAlvernia University
Amber Rose WaltersIndiana University of Pennsylvania
Tristan N. WellerRochester Institute of Technology
Jessica Lynn WertzGwynedd Mercy University
Matthew Thomas WholaverPenn State University
Phillip S. WholaverPenn State University
Hunter L. WilliamsPenn State University
Trevor E. WinklerPenn State University
Zairen WinnsEmployment
Ryan David WorrellPenn State University
Lindsey M. ZimmermanWashington & Jefferson College
4 Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter | August 2017
August 2017 | Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter 5
CELEBRATING NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
ALUMNI NEWS
SV Sophomore Graduates from RACCRising SV junior Alex Engel-Swift, a son of Andrea and Sean Swift ofBern Township, is ahead of the curve when it comes to educatinghimself. In May, Alex graduated with an associate degree in sciencefrom Reading Area Community College. Alex, a member of SV’smarching, jazz and concert bands, climbing club, tennis team and Science Olympiad, is grateful for the teachers who have helped himbuild his math and physics foundation, especially math teacher Mr. Jeff Chillot, physics teacher Mr. Ronald Andrew, and retired mathteacher Mr. Charles Gerhart, who has become a life mentor to Alex.“Schuylkill Valley has done an amazing job preparing Alex for thenext phase, which includes enrollment in classes at Kutztown Univer-sity this fall” said the Swifts, whose daughter, Alyssa, also graduatedfrom RACC one month before her SV graduation in 2016. “We arevery proud of his accomplishments.”
Dana Schreffler, SV class of 2014,graduated from Universal Technical Institute in February of 2017, as anautomotive/diesel technician. Mr.Schreffler was honored as a memberof the Alpha Beta Kappa NationalHonor Society, four-time Student of the Course Award, Director’s ListAward and Attendance Award. Mr.Schreffler is pursuing his career atRyder Truck of Allentown.
In June, members of the middle school facultytraveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the National Schools to Watch Conference. As partof the conference, they presented informationabout Schuylkill Valley’s middle school programsand received the award redesignating the middleschool as a National School To Watch.
Mr. Cody Bender, Mrs. Christine Wysocki, middle schoolprincipal Mr. Josh Kuehner, Mrs. Dana Heins, and Mr. JohnJenkins attended the “National Schools To Watch”Conference.
SVMS: National School to Watch
PTO Special Events
Free Family Movie Night– Outdoors!“Moana” – Friday, August 18 at 8:00 p.m. SVES Fields.Free admission and free popcorn.
No-Cook NightMonday, August 28 at Andali’s Family Restaurant
First PTO Meeting of School YearTuesday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the SVES Cafeteria
Retired high school math teacher Mr. CharlesGerhart with SV junior Alex Engel-Swift.
6 Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter | August 2017
On May 4, 41 student-athletes and 43 buddies traveledto Hamburg Area School District to participate in theSpecial Olympics Northern Berks Track and FieldMeet. Our SV student–athletes participated with students from Antietam, Brandywine Heights Area,Fleetwood Area, Hamburg Area, Kutztown Area, Oley Valley, and the Police Athletic League Program.
The Special Olympics Track and Field meet gives ourathletes a chance to participate with their own–abilityleveled peers and to experience individual athletic success. Each student–athlete competes in two to fourevents, including standing long jump, running longjump, softball throw, shot put, 50–meter run,100–meter run, 200–meter run and 400–meter run.While everyone earns a ribbon, the experience alsocreates other rewards beyond measure.
Parents and staff get to share the excitement as ourathletes grin from ear to ear winning their ribbons.Our buddies, all students between eighth and twelfthgrade, get to cheer on their athletes at all their events.Most importantly, our SV athletes are given a day toshine and feel proud of their accomplishments. Congratulations to all of our special winners! For a complete list of participants and their winningachievements, please check out our website.
Special Olympics
with do-it-yourselfsilly putty. Specialthanks to Ms.Heather Hummel,Mrs. Sandy Borkey,Mrs. Sandra Griffiths, Mrs. CathyGwiazdowski, Mrs. Marisa Horne,Mr. Joel Kleinspehn,Mrs. Felicia McDevitt, MissAmanda Wilson, nurse Mrs. Patricia Meals andhigh school helper Gabby Rider for givingyour time to this year’s Teachers In The Park program!
downright scares him. During show and tell,Johnny encounters Parker, a student in awheelchair who communicates differently.Will Johnny’s twin brother Jay help him facehis fears or will he run off with his newfriends, leaving Johnny behind? Hidden inthis story is a lesson for all ages, young andold – a reminder that people with specialneeds deserve to be treated with the samelove and respect as everyone else.
Parker’s Dinosaur Smile and The Giving Jar, the duo’s first book, are available for purchase through the “Shop Now” button on the Johnny and Jay Facebook page or at Firefly Bookstore in Kutztown.
This summer, Mrs. Ronda Lee Seymour,Schuylkill Valley Middle School artspecialist, and her writing partner, Mrs.Lisa A. Werley, creator of the Johnny &Jay book series, have teamed up to release their second book.
The book, Parker’s Dinosaur Smile,highlights the awareness of social literacy. The book’s main characters, Jayand Johnny, are back for another one of life’s lessons. The boys have startedkindergarten and met many newfriends. But there’s one friend whomakes Johnny feel uncomfortable and
Middle School Art Teacher Illustrates Second Book
High School: Wednesday, August 306:30 p.m.
Middle School:Grade 5 Only Wednesday,August 23, 7:00 p.m.
Grades 6 – 8 Thursday, August 31, 7:00 p.m
Elementary School:Kindergarten Bus Ride/Meet The Teacher:Monday, August 216:00 p.m.
Grades 1 – 4 Meet theTeacherWednesday, August 23, 6 – 7:00 p.m.
Middle SchoolLocker Orientation for 5th Graders
11 a.m. to 12 noon
Students with last names from Acker to Harrell,Tuesday, August 15
Students with last names from Harris to Oswald,Wednesday, August 16
Students with last names from Peters to Zaharia,Thursday, August 17
This year’s Teachers In The Parksprogram brought 48 students andnine elementary school teachers andstaff together for six weeks of funand learning at Leesport Park. Risingthird and fourth graders gatheredunder leafy trees for science experi-ments, yoga and games, books, writ-ing, “brain breaks,” math and socialstudies. This year’s themes includedstars and stripes, the rainforest, sharkweek, nature, travel around theworld, and animals, and incorpo-rated experiments like making fire-works in a jar, jungle slime, shavingcream rain clouds and animal tracks
Teachers In The Parks 2017
Congratulations to:Bethany Hepner, Elyse Geiger, Madison Sisco – PIAA Academic All-Star AwardMatthew Orlando, Madison Sisco – PIAA District III Sportsmanship AwardHunter Mountz – STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Music) AwardDaniel Behler – Outstanding Musician AwardDustin Brown – Outstanding Male AthleteMadison Sisco – Outstanding Female AthleteDaniel Behler – Commitment Award
On June 5, co-curricularawards were presented atthe Senior Banquet to students for outstandingperformance and/or partic-ipation in athletics and co-curricular activities, including music, drama,student council, yearbook,Academic Challenge, Science Olympiad andvarious clubs.
Senior Banquet Awards
August 2017 | Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter 7
Meet the Teacher Nights
929 LAKESHORE DRIVELEESPORT, PA 19533-8631
schuylkill valleySCHOOL DISTRICT
around the
Athletic Season Pass Order FormThe 2017-2018 Athletic Season Pass OrderForm is now available online. Please access iton the home page under the “Links” sectionof the SV website: www.schuylkillvalley.org
congratulations on yourRETIREMENT
Mrs. Lois S. BachrachHigh School Special EducationTeacher, 26.9 years
Mrs. Evelyn A. BraunHigh School Art Teacher, 47.3 years
Mr. Benjamin A. BucksHigh School Technology Education Teacher, 40.58 years
Mrs. Carol HattendorfElementary Personal CareAide, 10.67 years
Ms. Karen L. KochHigh School Special EducationTeacher, 32.82 years
Dr. Warren F. MataSuperintendent, 36 years
Mrs. Karin M. MoerderMiddle School Fifth GradeTeacher, 25.89 years
Mr. Charles E. OrrMiddle School Custodian 19 years
Mr. Robert R. SandercockHigh School Custodian12.21 years
Our best wishes to the following faculty and staff who retired thisschool year. Thank you for your dedication to the Schuylkill ValleySchool District. For everything you have given, we are truly grateful.
Special ThanksThe SV Community offers its sincere appreciation to Mr. Clarence Davis, who recently retired after serving as districttax collector for the Leesport Borough for nineteen years.
Stadium Renovation Progress-To-DateStadium and track renovations at the highschool began on June 9. Renovations are projected for completion in late September.
To view webcam photos of the renovationprocess, go to the News section of SV’s websiteand click on the link “SVSD HS Stadium Improvements Live Webcam Camera.”