PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • AUGUST 2013
Across the DISTRICT
PENNSBURY STUDENTS
RETURN TO SCHOOL
The Pennsbury School District opened its doors
for approximately 10,500 students on a staggered
schedule this year. Beginning on Wednesday,
August 28th, grades K-5 in the elementary schools,
grade 6 in the middle schools, and grade 9 at the
high school had their first day of school. All students
reported to school on Thursday, August 29th. This
staggered opening allowed for full-day orientations
for the incoming 6th and 9th grade students as they
began their school year in new buildings.
Following is a brief summary of what’s new in
Pennsbury this year:
NEW ADMINISTRATOR
The Pennsbury Board of School
Directors appointed Cheryl
A. Morett to become the next
Director of Special Education for
Pennsbury at the Board meeting
held on June 13, 2013. Ms.
Morett replaced Interim Director,
Carole Smith. Ms. Morett
previously served as the Director
of Student Services/Special
Cheryl A. Morett
Education and Federal Program
Coordinator in the Wyomissing Area School District
in Wyomissing, PA. Prior to holding that position,
she was the Assistant Director of Special Education
K-12 in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District in
Kennett Square, PA from 2008-2010. Ms. Morett also
held previous teaching and administrative positions
in the Owen J. Roberts School District in Pottstown,
PA. She earned a Master’s degree in Leadership
and Supervisor of Special Education from Arcadia
University, where she is also currently working
toward a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility. In
addition, she holds a Master’s degree in Special
Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary
Education, both from Arcadia.
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
With the adoption of the Common Core State
Standards (CCSS), all curricular areas are being
examined closely and revised as necessary. This year,
the elementary Reading and Language Arts program
will involve curriculum writing in grades 3-5 aligned
with the CCSS, as will the Middle School English
and Language Arts program in grades 6 and 7. The
English curriculum in grades 8-12 will also involve
writing aligned to the CCSS. In collaboration with the
Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22, the strengths
and weaknesses of writing in all of Pennsbury’s
content areas in grades K-12 will be assessed this
year. A District-wide Writing Leadership team
will oversee the writing improvement process,
developing recommendations and consistent
expectations across the curricula.
“Raising rigor and increasing student motivation
for learning will continue to be strong areas of
concentration this year,” explained Donna Dunar,
Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum
and Instruction, K-12. “Formative assessment
and standards-based grading go hand-in-hand
as the bridge between instruction and learning.
An emphasis on problem-solving, application,
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • A UGUST 2013
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S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
creativity, communication, and innovation will help
to increase rigor as we apply the Common Core State
Standards.”
A special focus this year is the realignment of the
high school Biology curriculum to meet the CCSS
as well as eligible content for the required Keystone
Exam in Biology (see page 3 for more information
on this assessment). The Biology faculty members
plan to ensure consistency in course content among
all teachers and to raise rigor for ALL students –
whether parallel, honors, or AP.
Also at the high school level: virtual (online)
courses in core and elective areas are being
developed and introduced to serve students in
grades 9-12 who are homebound or enrolled in
Pennsbury’s Twilight Program.
A grant-funded, pre-school program for three- and
four-year-olds is debuting this Fall in the Pennsbury
School District thanks to a joint effort between
Pennsbury and the Morrisville YMCA. Known
as the Pre-K Counts Program, these classroom
sessions are being offered on a half-day basis five
days each week for the full school year. Funded
entirely by the Office of Child Development and
Thanks to a grant from the Office of Child Development and Early
Learning, Pennsbury launched a pre-K program for eligible students
at Walt Disney and Eleanor Roosevelt elementary schools.
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Early Learning (OCDEL), Pre-K Counts is open
to children of families in Bucks County who meet
financial income guidelines. Children must be three
or four years old by September 1st to participate.
Spearheading this effort in Pennsbury is Walt Disney
Elementary School Principal, Laurie Ruffing. “The
Pre-K Counts Program benefits our community’s
youngest learners to prepare them for a successful
Kindergarten experience,” said Ms. Ruffing. “We
utilize a creative curriculum and certified teachers
to help these children build skills needed for
Kindergarten. The pre-school experience provides
them with a firm educational foundation for future
learning.” Applications for this free educational
program are available in Pennsbury school offices.
Space is limited and based on eligibility. Parents
will need to provide their own transportation. Ms.
Ruffing welcomes calls from community residents
who may be interested in learning more about the
Pre-K Counts program. She may be reached at
215-949-6868.
A District Goal for 2013-2014 is to follow up on
the Gifted Education K-8 program review that was
conducted last year. “We are pleased to introduce
Ms. Michele Spack as the Supervisor of Gifted
Instruction, K-12,” said Dr. Dunar. Ms. Spack will
meet with Gifted Support teachers on a regular
basis and staff development in Gifted Education is
scheduled to take place at the elementary division
throughout the coming year. “The Gifted program
for elementary students has been revised,” added
Dr. Dunar. “The curriculum is project-based,
interdisciplinary in its approach, and includes a
focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math. To challenge our talented and gifted students
in Mathematics, we have adopted a supplementary
program, Mentoring Mathematical Minds, which has
a strong research base in Gifted best practices.”
In partnership with the School District, a parent
group known as Pennsbury PAGE (Pennsylvania
Association for Gifted Education) has recently
re-organized a local chapter. This group plans to
meet on a regular basis to help communicate with
parents about available educational enrichment
opportunities and advocate on behalf of mentally
A UGUST 2013 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
gifted children. Watch for news of upcoming PAGE
meetings on the District E-Flyers page and the
Pennsbury Cable TV Channel.
KEYSTONE EXAMS
This year, the Keystone Exams will continue
to be administered at the secondary level. This
state-mandated series of assessments began during
the 2012-2013 school year. The Keystones are
end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate
proficiency in academic content. Beginning with the
class of 2017, students must demonstrate proficiency
on the Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology Keystone
Exams to graduate. Students will be offered several
opportunities to take the Keystones throughout their
high school careers. For more information on this
important subject, please visit the Quick Links section
of the Pennsbury Web site, www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us.
TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS
In accordance with new regulations set forth by
the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one of
the District Goals this year is to implement a new
framework for observing and evaluating teacher
effectiveness. The teacher evaluation system will also
include a new measure of school-level effectiveness
called the Pennsylvania School Performance Profile,
which gives each Pennsylvania school a numerical
score. These profile scores will be combined with
teacher observation data to generate the individual
teacher’s rating. This is a major change in how
teachers are evaluated. A similar system is being
instituted for principal effectiveness. Watch for more
news on these initiatives from the state.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
For the fifth year, Pennsbury will continue to
follow through with state-required changes to ensure
that students with special needs are, to the maximum
extent possible, included with regular education
classes in their home schools. This movement to
least restrictive environment (LRE) has been very
successful and will continue in 2013-2014 on a
District-wide basis in the pursuit to provide the best
education possible for every student in Pennsbury.
A renewed Special Education Parent Advisory
Board has formed for this year with designated
representatives from each of the Pennsbury schools.
This group will meet quarterly with Director of
Special Education, Cheryl Morett, and her staff to
help improve communications between the District
and parents of special education students. The
District will also be evaluating its processes and
procedures for identification and tracking of students
with special needs this year as a District Goal.
REDISTRICTING
As a result of the dedicated work of the
Elementary Enrollment and Space Utilization
Committee and the Elementary Redistricting
Committee over the course of last year, the
students of Village Park Elementary School will be
consolidated into Manor, Fallsington, and Oxford
Valley elementary schools. Students from other
elementary schools were also moved to new schools
for 2013-14 as a result of the Village Park closure.
The cost-savings from these redistricting decisions
exceeded $1 million, and Pennsbury’s buildings are
now operating in a more space-efficient manner.
This year an analysis of middle school feeder
patterns will be conducted to determine what
changes may be necessary for effective utilization
of those facilities.
FACILITIES
During the summer months, major roof repair
and replacement projects took place at both PHS
West and Edgewood Elementary School. Combined,
these jobs totaled approximately $2.2 million.
In addition, some sewer work was necessary at
Edgewood (at a cost of about $3,000) and new LED
lighting was installed in the “A” gym at PHS West
($20,000). Finally, a kitchen retrofit at PHS West
amounted to $2,500 worth of repairs and equipment
reconfiguration this summer.
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • A UGUST 2013
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S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
Additional projects undertaken by Pennsbury
maintenance staff during the summer months included:
•re-distribution of all educational resources and
furniture from Village Park Elementary to schools
receiving these students and faculty;
•installation of conduit and cabling to connect
the high school sports complex with PHS East to
support data and maintenance controls;
•renovation of the historic cupola on the Central
Administration Building to complete earlier roof
work;
•replacement of the walk-in refrigerator at Eleanor
Roosevelt Elementary, including site preparation,
concrete pad, and electrical work.
Significant middle school building maintenance
and renovations needs, and the financial issues
related to addressing them, were big topics during
the past school year. Throughout the year, the
Board Facilities Committee wrestled with financing
much-needed renovations at Pennwood Middle
School, but did not finalize a plan. A limited
feasibility study was commissioned and a draft
minimal renovation plan was submitted to the state,
but no action has been taken. The Committee plans
to address the most severe concerns at Pennwood
and Charles Boehm middle schools this year, and
will continue the discussion on a course of action for
the future.
guidelines set forth by School District policy. This has
resulted in some revised pick-up and take-home bus
routes and times.
DINING SERVICES
Nationwide, all schools participating in the
National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast
Program are required to offer meals that meet new
nutrition standards set by the USDA. The number
one priority of Pennsbury School District’s food
service program is to provide high quality, delicious,
and nutritious food.
Pennsbury’s provider of dining services – Metz
Culinary Management – remains at the forefront of
the wellness and nutrition movement and continues
to offer a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables,
light and fat-free dressings, and whole grains.
Highlights of what students will see this year include:
•Age-appropriate calorie limits and portion sizes.
•More whole grains.
For both lunch and breakfast meals this year, at least
half of all grains served must be whole grain-rich.
•Greater focus on fruits and vegetables.
In order for a student’s food selection to count as a
TRANSPORTATION
Pennsbury taxpayers fund the transportation for
more than 9,400 public school students to and from
14 Pennsbury schools and 20 schools with programs
for students with special needs. Approximately 1,600
additional students are delivered to and picked up
daily from 43 area parochial and private schools.
With the closure of Village Park Elementary
School and the redistricting of Pennsbury students
in the remaining ten elementary schools, school
bus transportation schedules have been modified
to reflect these changes and to include all those
redistricted students who meet the distance eligibility
4
Pennsbury’s food service provider will continue to offer a
variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, light and fat-free
dressings, and whole grains this school year.
A UGUST 2013 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
school lunch meal, he or she must take at least ½ cup of
fruits or vegetables on his or her tray.
Pennsbury parents and guardians continue to have
the capability to provide online payment for their
students’ cafeteria transactions, as well as to view their
child(ren)’s meal/snack selections online. Please visit
www.myschoolbucks.com to access this information.
Pennsbury actively supplements its health
curriculum all year long with the assistance of a
Metz nutrition educator. In addition, the nutritional
components of the food that is served in Pennsbury
cafeterias is posted on student menus and the School
District Web site. For more details on the meals and
services provided in Pennsbury by Metz Culinary
Management, visit www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us and
select the Food Services tab at the top of the homepage.
In the SCHOOLS
EDGEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Edgewood parent and Junior Girl Scout leader,
Deanna Bottcher, reports that twelve fifth grade
Junior Girl Scouts from Edgewood recently traveled
to Washington Elementary School in Trenton to bring
an afternoon of “bucket filling” to the children in the
after-school program there. The Scouts did this in
order to earn the Bronze Award, the highest award
possible at their level. The students, Grace Burke,
Corinne Carlson, Morgan Curran, Sara Daniels, Eliza
Davulcu, Celia Dolan, Keira Korzeb, Gianna Rossi,
Allison Schaeffer, Emily Schmitt, Josie Stephens,
and Samantha Tosh, each put in over 20 hours of
time designing and implementing their program,
which revolved around imparting the message of
being “bucket fillers;” that is, making the choice
every day to have a positive effect on others through
one’s words and actions. The students in Troop 2044
were introduced to this concept three years ago by
Edgewood’s teachers and Principal Michele Spack.
The Junior Girl Scouts led 60 students in grades K-3 in
various games and activities designed to reinforce the
Last spring, Junior Girl Scouts from Edgewood Elementary
designed games and donated playground equipment for
students attending an after-school program in Trenton.
“bucket-filling” message in an enjoyable, interactive
way. In addition to presenting their program, the fifth
graders also donated some much-needed outdoor
playground equipment for the Trenton school’s
afternoon program, purchased with a portion of their
troop’s cookie sale proceeds.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Last spring, the second grade teachers at Roosevelt,
Bruce Perlman, Kim Dyzga, Terri Boileau and Chris
Ward, accompanied their students to visit Pennsbury
Partner, GIANT supermarket, in Fairless Hills. Each
class toured GIANT on its own day to learn about
how to select healthy foods. Store employees guided
the young visitors on 90-minute tours during each
visit. While there, students learned key facts about
the store and enjoyed some food sampling.
MAKEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Gifted Support teacher, Alison Majikas, shares that
in June, fourth and fifth graders in Makefield’s Gifted
Support program were involved in a live video
conference with the Challenger Learning Center, an
affiliate of NASA. “My students completed a special
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • A UGUST 2013
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S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
organisms. Cathy Kelly, grandmother of Brandon
Kelly, presented a mini-lesson on robins. “She
brought in a robin’s nest for the students to observe,
touch (with gloved hands), and talk about,” said Ms.
Davis. “She also provided them with informational
packets that included photographs and interesting
facts. The students enjoyed asking questions and
making connections to what they had already learned
in school and while on their field trip to the Silver
Lake Nature Center. Many thanks to Ms. Kelly for
taking time out of her busy schedule to present her
lesson to three classes of inquisitive first graders!”
Makefield Elementary students in the Gifted Support program
participated in an exciting video conference activity called
Moon, Mars, and Beyond in June.
interactive activity called Moon, Mars, and Beyond,
which challenged them to rescue two lost astronauts
in a simulation using five planetary teams comprised
of ‘specialists’ in navigation, transmission, cargo,
and communication,” said Ms. Majikas. “This was
an extension of the space unit from the fourth grade
Science curriculum.”
MANOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Teacher MaryBeth Davis writes that Manor’s
entire first grade was treated to a surprise
culminating activity to their Science unit on
Ms. Cathy Kelly (center), volunteered in her grandson’s
classroom at Manor Elementary last spring to share a
robin’s nest with students in the first grade.
6
WALT DISNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Teacher Beth Sandora writes that in June, Walt
Disney’s second grade students presented a colorful
musical for parents and family members titled, Second
Grade Goes Around the World: a Look at Our Seven
Continents. “The students represented each continent
with a skit, a dance or a song,” said Ms. Sandora. “It
was quite a production, complete with costumes and
choreography.” The show included dancing turtles
from Australia, singing gauchos and cattle from South
America, knights from Europe, and colorfully-clad
dancers from Africa, among other featured characters.
For the show’s finale, the entire grade level joined
together for songs from North America.
Students shown here performed as singing gauchos and cattle
from South America as part of a musical trip around the world
presented by the second grade at Walt Disney Elementary.
A UGUST 2013 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
PENNWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Pennwood’s Co-ed Track & Field team, coached
by Pennwood Physical Education teacher, Brian
Davis, and Quarry Hill Physical Education teacher,
John Daidone, finished undefeated for the eighth
consecutive year last spring. Pennwood’s winning
streak is now 113-0, according to Mr. Davis. “One of
the season highlights included the Boys 4 x 800 relay
team, comprised of Joey Monaghan, Eric Kersten,
Jed Scratchard and Brendan Eagen, who took first
place at the annual Kiwanis Invitational Track
Tournament,” said Mr. Davis. “They competed against
the top middle school track teams in Southeastern
Pennsylvania.” Mr. Davis added, “the Girls distance
‘dynamic duo’ consisted of Lizzy Kirk and Caroline
Foley, who finished the season fourth and fifth
respectively in the Girls mile with Pennwood’s
record times of 5:38 and 5:47! And Cara Thomas ran
Pennwood’s fourth fastest time ever in the Girls 100
meters race with an awesome time of 12.83.”
PENNSBURY HIGH SCHOOL
Twenty one German students from PHS departed
on July 28th for a summer tour with numerous
stops. According to Amy DiFazio, PHS Foreign
Language Department Chair, this year’s itinerary
included Iceland and the German cities of Munich,
Berlin, and Oldenburg (Pennsbury’s sister-school
city). The students, who returned on August 22nd,
were accompanied by PHS West German teachers,
Frau Weston and Herr Goode. Pennsbury’s
German-American Partnership Program is
celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
PHS School Counselor, Lisa Rugarber, writes
that in 2011–2012, the PHS Counseling Department
saw a higher than normal number of students who
lost parents through death. “Some of the deaths
were expected and some were out of the blue, but
all tragic,” said Ms. Rugarber. “The Counseling
Department felt a grief group was needed to help
these students cope with their losses.” When
the 2012-2013 school year began, a grief group
School counselors at PHS organized a grief support group for
students who lost parents recently due to varying circumstances.
Students shown here planted a tree in memory of their parents
on the front lawn at PHS West.
was launched. “Counselors, administrators, and
teachers collaborated to create a safe environment
for these high school students to come and find
unity, friendship, and empathy in their shared
pain,” said Ms. Rugarber. “With compassion and
understanding, week after week, teachers allowed
this group to meet during class time, understanding
that what was gained from this gathering would
help ease the turmoil inside, enabling the students
to breathe and focus on academics. As a group,
they faced many firsts in a year without a parent,
and learned they could withstand the pains and
joys of life going on. When we asked the group
how they wanted to finish the year, they shared
they would like to plant a tree to remember
their parents who died. The students expressed
that the tree would symbolize the strength and
perseverance it took to move forward and grow.”
According to Ms. Rugarber, the tree planting was
a great success. “The students were thrilled and
touched by the support shown for their desire to
memorialize their grief. PHS administration, the
Pennsbury grounds crew, teachers, and our Partner,
Marrazzo’s, each played a part in supporting this
tree planting.” Thought and planning went into
selecting the location for the tree and the reception
that followed. “The students were very happy with
the tree’s location in the front of the school,” said
Ms. Rugarber. “They spoke of it often during the
planting and during our reception and wrap-up. It
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • A UGUST 2013
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S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
meant a lot to them that they would be able to drive
by the school and see their tree. They also loved that
they would be able to show their families and future
families their parents’ tree planted by the school for
them. It was touching to see how meaningful this
planting was to them.”
Commendable
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
AP SCHOLARS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to these outstanding students, who
earned impressive results from taking the Advanced
Placement tests during the last school year:
AP SCHOLAR
Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or
higher on three or more AP Exams:
Class of 2013: Uzma Ali, Max I. Curewitz, Daniel
S. Friedman, Diana R. Gage, Kyle B. Hahn, Sarah
M. Martin, Ryan J. McDonagh, Daniel J. McFarlane,
Jason Millen, Jared Reibel, Sean B. Rogers, Leigh
S. Schreiber, Sarah N. Scott, Nava H. Shmulevich,
Matthew R. Sorensen.
Class of 2014: Cameron Barkan, Audrey C.
Deng, Francecsa Dogias, Jessica J. Dunn, Cameron
Hansen, Elizabeth T. Herman, Jonathan L.
Leventry, Hana Mujkovic, Ridhima Phukan, Erica
M. Rottenborn, Pragya Singh, Robert G. Wagner,
Lauren A. Weinstock, Cody G. Wood.
Class of 2015: Jacob M. Wachspress.
AP SCHOLAR WITH HONOR
Granted to students who receive an average score
of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3
or higher on four or more of these exams:
Class of 2013: Cole W. Browndorf, John J.
Delaney, Michelle L. Fedun, Alyssa Fusillo, Zachary
J. Hall, Kelsey L. Hubsch, Miriam Y. Kwagh,
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Stephen J. Masceri, Spencer C. McCullough, Maxim
S. Millan, Hannah M. Papazian, Sam Schachter,
Julie E. Scheffler, Stephanie H. Shoneman, Jaclyn
A. Shultz, Connor E. Stout, Jacqueline M. Sweeney,
Katherine E. Webb, Kimberly A. Wodzanowski,
Brian Zdancewicz.
Class of 2014: Sean Fitzpatrick, Rachel E.
Hammelman, Sarah Hyman, Sarah B. Kuruvilla,
Shu-Yun Liu, Nicholas J. Palmer, David J. Santoro,
Thomas G. Steinberg.
AP SCHOLAR WITH DISTINCTION
Granted to students who receive an average score
of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3
or higher on five or more of these exams:
Class of 2013: Tyler T. Bausinger, Natasha E.
Bednarz, Andrea-Sylvi Biscoveanu, Marisa T.
Borusiewicz, Michael J. Bossman, Zachary S. Boyd,
Dashiell T. Brown, Chase R. Browndorf, Karen
Caruso, Veronica Constable, Sara M. Dornblaser,
Michael R. Duch, Liliana J. Frankel, Samuel L.
Freedman, Lindsay M. Fruehauf, Isaac R. Gritz,
Connor G. Harriman, Alissa C. Johnson, William R.
Johnson, Bailey J. Kilkuskie, Gregory M. Kilmer,
Sarah H. Koenig, Emily C. Kraeck, Rebecca Laden,
Shu Wen Liu, Thomas D. Martin, Julie Metkus,
Sarah Neubaum, Jesse M. Perlstein, Hannah M.
Schapiro, Tejas A. Shah, Adam B. Sokol, Zoe W.
Spielvogel, David Sun-Chu, Daniel J. Travis, Shaun
N. Vadaketh, Cassidy L. Williams.
Class of 2014: Syed O. Masood, Connor M.
McFadden, Sean D. Sibner, David A. Simon,
Sanjana Sundaram.
NATIONAL AP SCHOLAR
Granted to students in the United States who
receive an average of at least 4 on all AP Exams
taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of
these exams:
Class of 2013: Marisa T. Borusiewicz, Michael R.
Duch, Liliana J. Frankel, William R. Johnson.
A UGUST 2013 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The following awards were given last June to
selected members of this school year’s senior class
at Pennsbury High School. Congratulations to these
deserving students!
•American Chemical Society Award - Sarah
Kuruvilla
•Antonelli Institute High School Photography Prize
- Kelley Heaslip
•The Brown Book Award - Kevin Diehl
•Elmira College Key Award - Sarah Baker
•The George Washington Book Award - Neha
Gupta
•Harvard Book Award - Jason Fields
•Rachel Carson Book Award from Chatham
University - Anna Moskovitz
•The Rensselaer Award - Jordyn Youth
•The Rochester Institute of Technology Computing
Medal and Scholarship Program Award - Meirui
Sha and Thomas Steinberg
•The Rochester Institute of Technology Innovation
and Creativity Award - Kelley Heaslip and
Connor Watts
•Sewanee University of the South Book Award for
Excellence in Writing - Miranda Lee
•Smith College Book Award - Kaitlyn Denshaw
•Student Sage Award - Elizabeth Herman and
Jennie Kratz
•University of Pennsylvania Book Award - Jon
Leventry
•The University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb
Honorary Science Award - John Killoran
•The University of Rochester Frederick Douglas and
Susan B. Anthony Award - Sanjana Sundaram
•The University of Rochester George Eastman
Young Leaders Award and Scholarship - Jennifer
Chickola
•The University of Rochester Xerox Award for
Innovation and Information Technology - Jessica Dunn
•The Wellesley College Book Award - Hana
Mujkovic
•The Wells College 21st Century Leadership Award
- David J. Santora
•Wesleyan University Book Award - Gina Liu
STUDENTS LOG SUMMER READING
“Hats off” to all of the Pennsbury elementary
students who logged 1,200 minutes of reading
this summer in preparation for the new school
year! Pennsbury’s Reading and Language Arts
Coordinator, Mary Ellen Lane, organized the
seasonal reading campaign and a special reading
event for all elementary students with the help of
Pennsbury Partner, Barnes and Noble Oxford Valley.
Principals, librarians, and teachers from many of our
ten elementary schools greeted students and read
stories during the summer store event. Afton teacher,
Eileen Koch, ended the day at Barnes and Noble
accompanied by a therapy dog named Winston. Ms.
Koch read three adventure books all about Winston
to a group of eager listeners. While elementary
students were each challenged to log 1,200 minutes
of reading during the summer, Pennsbury’s
secondary students were also given helpful book
lists with suggested material for worthwhile reading
throughout the school break.
Afton Elementary teacher, Eileen Koch (left), brought books about a
therapy dog named Winston to the summer reading event at Barnes
and Noble. The real Winston (center) made a personal appearance!
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • A UGUST 2013
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S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT PLAYS
FOR USA BASEBALL IN CHINA
Congratulations to
Pennsbury middle school
student, Sam Ruta, who was
selected to play for the USA
Baseball 12U National Team
this summer. “The team
traveled to Chinese Taipei to
play various countries – and
they won the gold medal!”
reports Sam’s mother,
Amy Ruta. “This was a
great experience for Sam.
He met kids from so many
countries.” Playing in front
of a near-capacity crowd
at the 10,500-seat Tianmu
Stadium in Taipei City, the
team won the International
Baseball Federation World
Sam Ruta
Cup with an 8-1 victory over
host, Chinese Taipei. Well done, Sam!
present the play, Twelve Angry Jurors, in November.
The entire troupe will be preparing for the State
Conference in December.
PHS TEACHER AND STUDENT HONORED
BY SCHOLARS ORGANIZATION
On August 17th, two members of the Pennsbury
family received resounding honors in Washington,
D.C. Student Neha Gupta, who is entering her
senior year at PHS, and Applied Engineering and
Technology Education teacher, John Sanders,
received awards from the National Society of
High School Scholars (NSHSS). Claes Nobel, a
senior member of the famous Nobel Prize family,
is a co-founder of NSHSS. Neha was awarded
a $5,000 scholarship from the organization for
her international community service, and Mr.
Sanders was recognized as an “Educator of
Distinction.” Mr. Sanders was nominated for this
award by his former student, Justine Wallace,
a member of NSHSS. The celebration was held
at Georgetown University’s Conference Center,
with approximately 1,500 international attendees.
PENNSBURY THESPIANS RECOGNIZED
AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Pennsbury Drama Program advisor, Mary Kay
Everett, reports that the high school Thespian
Troupe did well at the annual International Festival
held at the University of Nebraska in June. “The
students in our troupe presented Magic Theater
to an enthusiastic audience of fellow thespians
and teachers, auditioned for college admission
officers, and saw many outstanding high school
shows,” said Ms. Everett. Pennsbury student,
Julia Sismour, was successful in performing her
monologue in the individual event presentation.
She scored a superior in her event -- one of only
90 superior scores out of 600 presenters! Julia was
also cast in “playworks,” which encompasses four
student-written plays at the end of the festival.
The juniors and seniors of the Drama Program will
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PHS teacher, John Sanders, and PHS senior, Neha Gupta, were
each recognized with prestigious awards by the National Society
of High School Scholars this summer.
A UGUST 2013 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
The mission of NSHSS is to recognize academic
excellence and to encourage members to apply
their unique talents, vision, and potential for the
betterment of themselves and the world.
TEACHERS CHALLENGE THEMSELVES
WITH SUMMER COURSEWORK
Charles Boehm Middle School teacher, Colleen
Veitz, reports that she and a number of Pennsbury
teaching colleagues, including Eileen Koch,
Jeanmarie Pirkle, Roseann Enwright, Holly
Barron, Alyssa Sunday, Kathleen Simmons,
Theresa Farley, and Duane Kolar, took a course
titled, iPads in Education, offered at the Bucks
County Intermediate Unit #22 through Brandman
University. “In taking this course, we hope to bring
iPad instructional technology into our Pennsbury
classrooms,” said Ms. Veitz.
Looking for another way to stay
informed on what’s happening in
your School District ?
During the 2013-2014 school year, Pennsbury will host
Town Hall Meetings with the Superintendent
on the following dates:
Tuesday, October 29, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
Afton Elementary School library
1673 Quarry Road • Yardley, PA 19067
Upcoming MEETINGS
Board Facilities Committee
5:30 p.m., September 12, 2013
Superintendent’s Conference Room
Board Agenda Meeting
8:00 p.m., September 12, 2013
Fallsington Elementary School
Board Facilities Committee
5:30 p.m., September 18, 2013
Superintendent’s Conference Room
Regular Board Meeting*
8:00 p.m., September 18, 2013
Fallsington Elementary School
*NOTE: Meeting is on a Wednesday
Tuesday, January 21, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Pennsbury High School West - Keller Hall
608 South Olds Boulevard • Fairless Hills, PA 19030
Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Penn Valley Elementary School library
180 North Turn Lane • Levittown, PA 19054
Join us as District Superintendent, Kevin J. McHugh, Ed.D.,
leads the discussion on various District-related topics and
takes questions from the audience.
Call the Pennsbury Communications Office at 215-428-4178
for further information.
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • A UGUST 2013
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