Community Newsletter
Spring 2014
Serving Conshohocken Borough and Plymouth and Whitemarsh Townships
School board considers PWHS renovation
school was needed. That inspection revealed that the integrity
After more than 60 years of service to the community,
of the current structure is strong, and the layout is conducive
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS) is likely to
to 21st century learning.
undergo a major renovation. The high school, the majority
“Other local municipalities have spent hundreds of
of which – or west wing – was built in 1952 and last saw
millions of dollars on new
extensive upgrades made
high schools, but we are
in the late 1980s. The
not going that route,” said
three-story east wing of
School Board President
the building, including the
Susan Moore. “We have
swimming pool and east
been very strategic and
cafeteria, has not been
fiscally responsible in
reconditioned since its
keeping all of our facilities
construction in 1961.
up to date so that we
“Plymouth
can continue to provide
Whitemarsh High School
an optimum learning
has been the center piece
environment for all of our
of this community for
students.
more than a half century,
“The high school
and we want to ensure
is
the
next phase in
that it remains so for
CSD Director of Operations Terry Yemm (R) reviews schematics
that
process,”
Moore
decades to come,” said
of the high school renovation project with (L to R) Business
continued.
“We
can
Colonial School District
Administrator Trevor Jackson, School Board President Susan
revitalize PW at a fraction
(CSD) Superintendent Dr. Moore and Superintendent Dr. MaryEllen Gorodetzer.
of the cost of building a
MaryEllen Gorodetzer.
new school.”
“We intend to keep the quality of our high school facility in
While the building structure is in good shape, its
line with the excellent level of education we provide and our
infrastructure is outdated. Most of the plumbing and electrical
students and community deserves.”
systems are original to the building and are antiquated.
The District commissioned a structural review of the
high school last fall to determine whether or not a new high
see PW renovation, page 3
CSD saves millions on energy costs
By: Jerrica Garey
Plymouth Whitemarsh High
School’s (PWHS) colors may be red
and blue, but – when renovated – the
school will become more green and ecofriendly continuing a pattern of recent
building projects in the Colonial School
District (CSD).
CSD has saved millions of dollars
through various energy conservation
practices implemented in the past 10
years. The District has made a number
of changes that have both economical
and educational value.
Terry Yemm, Director of
Operations, has been working on energy
conservation with his staff for over a
decade. One of the first projects he and
his team embarked on was the addition
of dual fuel boilers for the schools,
which can run on both fuel oil and
natural gas.
“The School Board graciously gave
us the money over the last ten years
to convert all of our buildings over
to brand new boilers with the dual
fuel capability, with the exception of
Colonial Elementary School (CES),”
said Yemm. “Conservatively, [the boilers
have] probably saved us a million and a
half dollars over the 10-year period.”
When the economy turned in 2008,
saving money became an important
topic for school districts. CSD had to
look at new ways to cut costs.
“That made us think about the
ways we were currently doing things,”
said Yemm. “One of the ways we felt
we could save money was to conserve
see Energy savings, page 3
Board approves
Final Proposed Budget
As it is required to do by Act 1
of 2006, the Taxpayer Relief Act, the
Colonial Board of School Directors
approved a 2014-2015 Proposed Final
Budget at their May 15 public business
meeting. The proposed spending plan
totaled $103,844,150 with a millage rate
of 20.2295.
“This is not our final budget,”
stressed School Board President Susan
Moore. “We began the budgeting
process last fall with a $2 million
deficit and have been working with the
administration to reduce that shortfall
without cutting any programs for our
students.
“We are still continuing that
process,” Moore added. “The intent of
see Budget, page 7
Colonial School District
Quick Facts
Location ................................................Plymouth Meeting, Pa.
Serving Conshohocken Borough and
Plymouth and Whitemarsh Townships
District Population ...........................................................41,475
Number of Employees ........................................................718
388 Teachers
27 Administrators
303 Support Staff
Schools ...........................Plymouth Whitemarsh High School
Colonial Middle School
Colonial Elementary School
Conshohocken Elementary School
Plymouth Elementary School
Ridge Park Elementary School
Whitemarsh Elementary School
Total Enrollment ................................................................4,633
Special Education ..................................................................858
Gifted ......................................................................................192
Low Income ......................................................................... 22%
Average Class Size ............................................................. 18-23
2013-14 Budget ...................................................... $99,427,195
Highly Qualified Teachers ............................................... 100%
School Board
Susan Moore ...................................... School Board President
Beth Suchsland ........................ School Board Vice President
Bernie Brady ........................................ School Board Member
Mel Brodsky ........................................ School Board Member
Leslie Finegold..................................... School Board Member
Christina Frangiosa ............................. School Board Member
Kathleen Oxberry ............................... School Board Member
Heather Palmer .................................... School Board Member
Alan Tabachnick .................................. School Board Member
Administration
Dr. MaryEllen Gorodetzer ............................. Superintendent
Karen Berk .....................................Director of Pupil Services
and Special Education
Andrew Boegly ..................................Director of Technology
Trevor Jackson ....................................Business Administrator
Dr. Elizabeth McKeaney................. Director of Curriculum,
Instruction and Assessment
Leticia Rodríguez...................Director of Human Resources
Terry Yemm ........................................Director of Operations
Contact Numbers
District Office ......................................................610-834-1670
District Office Fax ..............................................610-834-7535
Conshohocken Elementary School ..................610-828-0362
Conshohocken Elementary School Fax ..........610-828-4582
Plymouth Elementary School ...........................610-825-8190
Plymouth Elementary School Fax ....................610-825-7853
Ridge Park Elementary School .........................610-825-1083
Ridge Park Elementary School Fax ..................610-825-7983
Whitemarsh Elementary School .......................610-828-9092
Whitemarsh Elementary School Fax................610-828-1516
Colonial Elementary School ..............................610-941-0426
Colonial Elementary School Fax ......................610-834-8701
Colonial Middle School ......................................610-275-5100
Colonial Middle School Fax ..............................610-278-2447
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School ................610-825-1500
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Fax .........610-832-0766
www.colonialsd.org
News & Notes
Rodríguez named
Human Resources Director
At a special meeting on December
16, the Colonial Board of School
Directors unanimously appointed Dr.
Leticia Rodríguez as Director of Human
Resources. Dr. Rodríguez had been serving
as interim director since October.
Dr. Rodríguez has served as a human
resources consultant to school districts in
southeastern Pennsylvania since March
Dr. Rodríguez
2009. Previously, she spent more than seven
years as Director of Human Resources for the Spring-Ford
School District. Dr. Rodríguez has also held human resources
positions at Montgomery County Community College and New
Mexico State University.
Dr. Rodríguez earned her doctorate and master’s degrees
at New Mexico State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree
from New Mexico Highlands University.
Worth the cost to communicate
The Colonial Board of School Directors feels it is important
to communicate with the public at large regarding news and
happenings within the District. Each year, two publications
are mailed to all residents in the District – this publication
(the Spring Newsletter) and the Annual Report. The District
produces the publications in house, in the most cost effective
manner using desktop publishing, and contracts with an outside
printer. The District does not hire a graphic designer or outside
advertising firm to facilitate the publication process.
As a whole, the District’s communication budget has
decreased by 33 percent over the past four years and accounts
for less then 0.006 percent of the District’s annual budget.
The mission of the Colonial School District, the vital
educational force in the Conshohocken, Plymouth and
Whitemarsh community, is to educate and graduate citizens
who are able and committed to fulfilling their potential and
maximizing their contribution to society. The District shall
achieve this mission by promoting a culture of collaboration,
innovation and inspiration, and working in partnership with
the community to: provide learning experiences which instill
common societal values, develop critical thinking skills, value
human diversity and prepare a generation of lifelong learners
to inherit and lead our complex society.
This publication is produced by the School Board Community
Relations and Student Life Committee and the Community
Relations Office. Call 610-834-1670, ext. 2115, with comments
or questions.
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Promoting a Culture of Collaboration, Innovation and Inspiration
News & Notes
Energy savings
Continued from page 1
energy.”
Solar energy provided one option.
Thanks in part to a grant provided
by Tangent Energy Solutions, CES,
Colonial Middle School (CMS), and
PWHS had solar energy panels installed
in October of 2011.
The solar panels provide the schools
involved with 825,000 kilowatt hours of
clean electricity per year. This translates
into saving 1.2 million pounds of
carbon monoxide and other greenhouse
gases. The panels are projected to save
the District $1.5 million over the course
of its 20-year agreement with Tangent.
All three schools that use solar
energy have a television monitor in their
common areas that detail how much
energy has been saved, how much of
the school’s energy is being supplied by
the solar panels and the environmental
benefits of the solar panels.
Another way the District addressed
savings was to renovate the windows
in most of its schools to improve their
insulation. The old windows would
allow hot air to blow in from the outside
in the summer and let warmer air escape
in the winter. The new windows helped
to moderate the building temperature
and lowered fuel usage about 29 to
35 percent. Another benefit from the
new windows was realized at Plymouth
Elementary School this winter.
“The building was without power
for three consecutive days,” said Yemm.
“It was 2 degrees below zero at night,
and 5 to 10 degrees during the day. We
were concerned that the pipes would
burst because we had no heat.
New windows, like the ones above in the Plymouth Elementary School inner
courtyard, help save energy and kept warm air in the building during a power
outage last winter.
“We obviously couldn’t have the
boilers running during a power outage.
But, during the day the sun would
heat the building and raise the interior
temperature to around 60 degrees.
Because of the new windows, it never
went below 51 degrees at night,” he
explained. “Had that been the east
wing of the high school with the old
windows, the pipes would have frozen.”
To create additional savings, Yemm
established an administrative guideline
that regulates the temperature of each
building in the District.
“The inside air is set at 76 degrees in
the summer months and 68 degrees in
the winter months,” said Yemm. “That’s
huge – I don’t know of any other school
districts that have done that.”
Yemm and his team have also
worked to include students in
energy saving initiatives. Students in
kindergarten through third grade are
currently participating in a contest to
see which building can save the most
money (see article on page 6). Yemm
talked about the importance of teaching
students that even small actions can
impact energy savings.
“If you get them on the right track
now with actions such as simply shutting
the lights off, at least they’re learning
something,” Yemm said. “But with the
fanciness of new technology, you don’t
have to do anything. I would rather have
them learn now before presenting them
with the new modern technology.”
Yemm estimated the total savings of
the district-wide energy conservation to
be between $3 million and $4 million.
PW renovation
Continued from page 1
“There comes a time in the life of every building when
you are beyond the point that you can maintain systems
properly,” said CSD Director of Operations Terry Yemm.
“We are very close to that point at the high school.”
Before the end of the year, the District plans to hold
public meetings to discuss the high school renovations.
Work on the building will not begin until the summer of 2015
and is expected to take two years to complete.
Visit http://bcove.me/j0yf6iil or scan the
QR Code to watch a Colonial Conversations
episode on the subject, including why now is
a good time financially to pursue the project.
-3-
www.colonialsd.org
Colonial School District
News & Notes
Colonial receives Safe School Initiative grant
Each month, more than 1,500 visitors check in to
Colonial Elementary School (CES) and the Colonial School
District’s administrative offices through a computerized
visitor management kiosk in the school’s lobby. In addition to
simply tracking who comes and goes, the system also checks
visitor information against national sexual predator databases
and other lists.
Now, thanks to a $24,720.00 grant from the Pennsylvania
Department of Education’s Safe School Initiative, the
Colonial School District will be able to install visitor
management kiosks in the remaining six schools.
“From a support services perspective, the security of
our students is our number one priority,” said the District’s
Director of Operations Terry Yemm. “Having these kiosks
in place will help give parents, staff and students additional
peace of mind.”
The first visitor management kiosk in the District was
installed at CES nearly seven years ago, but security has used
the system to benefit the other schools, as well. For example,
each year, they run the lists of parents and emergency
contacts through the system.
While added security is the primary benefit, schools
will also be able to document and track guests more easily
and accurately. Currently, visitors sign paper logs and use
handwritten visitor badges. The new systems provide
printed badges with the visitor’s name and photo that will
help give staff and students a clear and consistent method
of identifying guests throughout the District. Security and
other designated staff will be able to access the information
remotely, as well as print out spreadsheets and reports.
Once the new visitor management kiosks are installed,
the District-wide system will process more than an estimated
20,000 visitors during the school year.
Soon the Colonial School District will have visitor manager
kiosks similar to this one in each of its seven schools.
PW Proud! Bragitikos works to create fun destinations
If you have ever been to the $300 million Quarter at
Tropicana or the $2.5 billion Revel Casino Resort in Atlantic
City you can thank Plymouth Whitemarsh High School
(PWHS) alumnus Chuck Bragitikos for the retail, dining
and entertainment experience. Bragitikos, President of
Vibrant Development LLC. works with gaming companies,
developers, professional sports teams and the public
sector on conceiving and developing large scale mixed
use destination projects, generally centered around dining,
entertainment and retail uses.
Among Bragitikos’ other major projects was consulting
for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on the development
of entertainment properties associated with his $1.3 billion
Cowboys Stadium.
But before he graduated from the University of
Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, Bragitikos
received a solid foundation at PWHS.
“The rigor of many of the classes was a great foundation
www.colonialsd.org
for college,” Bragitikos said. “Mr. Rea (AP Chemistry), in
particular, set remarkably high standards. This not only
motivated me and taught me how to organize myself, but also
established a discipline that was helpful not only in college
but throughout my career.”
Bragitikos credits his AP classes at PWHS for allowing
him to enter Penn “ahead of the curve.” He also noted that
his time as a member of student council helped him learn
how things really worked.
“There is one aspect of
PW that has most profoundly
impacted my life to this day,”
Bragitikos said. “PW is where
I met my wife, Evangeline (nee
Foronda). We began dating in
college and have two wonderful
children, our son David, 14, and
our daughter Olivia, 10.”
-4-
Promoting a Culture of Collaboration, Innovation and Inspiration
News & Notes
Master Teacher Program moves into second decade
will help them in their role.
To help bring its educational program to national
“Master Teachers are the kind of people who are
recognition, Colonial School District has always looked at one
of its most valuable resources: high-quality teachers. In 2003, continually looking for ways to improve their practice,” added
Nelson. “They don’t feel like they’re ever done learning ‘how
the District introduced the Master Teacher Program to give
to be a good teacher.’ There’s no ceiling to what they know.”
talented and motivated teachers a chance to serve as leaders,
To become a Master Teacher, applicants submit a
pilot innovative lessons and share ideas with their peers.
portfolio that includes documentation of at least five years of
“The District values teachers as experts on what is
exemplary professional performance in the District, as well as
happening in the classroom,” explained Gina Nelson. As
examples of how they’ve
a teacher on special
given back to the District
assignment, Nelson
“Master Teachers are the kind of people who are
on committees and
serves as the coordinator
continually looking for ways to improve their practice. They
through other leadership
for the Master Teacher
don’t feel like they’re ever done learning ‘how to be a good
opportunities. They also
Program as well as the
teacher.’ There’s no ceiling to what they know.”
receive a site visit and
Curriculum Liaison for
Gina Nelson
observation. The program
Mathematics. She’s also
is managed by the Curriculum Department.
a Master Teacher herself. “The program takes advantage of
“It’s about building the community of learners across the
the different strengths that each Master Teacher brings to the
table in order to continually improve on the practices that are District,” said Dr. Liz McKeaney, Director of Curriculum,
Instruction and Assessment. “You have teachers teaching
already in place.”
teachers, and it works.”
The Master Teachers’ responsibilities include:
More than 50 teachers have served at least one term
• Organizing and running professional development
as a Master Teacher since the program began, and three of
opportunities in their schools and for the District
those teachers have moved into District administration. The
• Managing the summer induction program for new
recently announced Master Teachers for 2014-2015 include:
teachers
Rich Coletta, Rebecca Duffy, Kent Dwyer, Rich Madel and
• Serving as mentors
Tom Orlieb from Plymouth Whitemarsh High School;
• Writing curriculum
Carol Bucci and Jerome Joyce from Colonial Middle School
• Acting as leaders for various committees.
and Roni Berman and Amy Campbell from Conshohocken
The Master Teachers serve three-year terms and meet
regularly during the school year to learn new strategies that
Elementary School.
Register students now for full-day kindergarten
Children who turn five years of age
by September 15, 2014 are eligible to
register for full-day kindergarten in the
Colonial School District (CSD). If you
have not already done so, you should
make arrangements to enroll your child
as soon as possible.
CSD provides a comprehensive
full-day kindergarten program which
develops children academically, physically,
emotionally and socially. Children in
kindergarten receive instruction in
reading, writing, mathematics, science
and social studies. In addition, children
participate daily in one specialist class of
physical education, technology, library,
art or music.
Parents will need to do the following
to complete registration:
• Contact the CSD Central
Registration Office at
610-834-1671, ext. 2150 to
make an appointment.
• Come to your registration
appointment with a completed
registration packet. You can
obtain a packet by printing one
out online at
www.colonialsd.org, picking
one up in the Central
Registration Office or visiting
the main office of any of our
K-3 schools.
In addition you will need to bring
the following documents to registration:
• A photo ID
• Child’s immunization records
• Child’s original birth certificate
• Proof of guardianship if
applicable
• Proof of residency (original
deed or lease) within the CSD
-5-
Please call 610-834-1671, ext. 2150
now to make an appointment to enroll
your child in full-day kindergarten
so that we may plan the appropriate
number of classes for the upcoming
school year.
www.colonialsd.org
Colonial School District
News & Notes
Colonial School District Education Foundation Silent Auction
kicks off 2014 Annual Fund Drive
Comedian Tom Ryan, a Plymouth Whitemarsh
High School Distinguished Graduate, entertained more
than 100 patrons who attended the Colonial School
District Education Foundation (CSDEF) Silent Auction
on March 28. The auction was a kick-off event to the
CSDEF’s 2014 Annual Fund Drive. The event raised
nearly $7,000 to support value-added activities in the
Colonial School District. You can support CSD students
through your gift to the Annual Fund. Scan the QR
Code below left to make your donation online. Scan the
QR Code below right to go to the CSDEF web page.
Support CSD students! You
may designate your Annual
Fund gift to benefit any CSD
program or organization.
Elementary students help District save on energy costs
“They are very dedicated to it,” said Conshohocken
Second Grade Teacher Amy Campbell. “I don’t have to
Students and teachers at Conshohocken Elementary
do anything in my room, because they shut down all the
School have been actively participating in the district-wide
computers. They make sure the monitors are off. They even
energy savings initiative. Students have been eagerly learning
tell me when I’m using my computer too much, so they’re
about energy conservation while helping the District
very vigilant about that.”
economically.
The students also
Conshohocken became
express eagerness over
involved when Terry
contributing to energy
Yemm, the Director of
savings. They take the
Operations for Colonial
lessons they learn at school
School District, came
home, trying to save energy
and asked the students
in their houses as well.
and staff to participate in
“The energy bills are
making the District more
lower than last year, and
eco-friendly. This topic
it saves the earth,” said
was introduced to students
second grade student Miles
through the morning
Hormell. “Every little bit
announcements and
counts.”
morning meetings.
Every little bit does
The students were
count.
The money the
asked to do simple tasks,
Conshohocken Elementary School (CE) second graders Miles
students
helped save was
such as turning off the
Hormell (L) and Isaiah Myco (R) stand by the energy display
useful
during
this past
lights when no one is in
board in the school’s lobby. CE students have done a good job in
winter’s
frigid
temperatures.
the room or making sure
helping the District conserve energy and save money.
“We’ve stressed the
to turn off their computer
importance of why we save energy and how not only does it
monitors when they’re finished using them. Weekly savings
help our earth on a daily basis, but it helps us save money for
compared to that of last year are broadcast on the television
other things we can use in the district,” said Campbell. “We
morning announcements. A bulletin board is also displayed in
did run into a road block in January, because it was so cold
the front lobby detailing monthly saving comparisons.
that the heat had to be raised. We talked about why we have
Conshohocken has saved more than any other school in
to conserve all year round to save up for times when we can’t
the District on multiple occasions. Part of that is due to the
save as much.”
student enthusiasm.
By: Jerrica Garey
www.colonialsd.org
-6-
Promoting a Culture of Collaboration, Innovation and Inspiration
News & Notes
Senior citizens enjoy high school musical
March 22 marked the 10th year of the senior matinee
Barclay noted that Guys and Dolls, last year’s musical, was
that occurs annually at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School
her favorite.
(PWHS). As always, senior citizens were offered a free
Jane Hubert, another senior citizen in attendance, said
lunch before a showing of
that the matinee provided
the PWHS Colonial Players
her with an opportunity to
spring musical, this year
continue her near life-long
being In the Heights.
interest in theater.
The number of seniors
“I began attending
who come to the matinee has
professional theater in
risen to over 500 from 44
Philadelphia when I was a
when the event first started in
teenager,” she said. “The
2005. Attendees spoke about
quality [of the Colonial
why they keep coming back.
Players production] is always
Don Sirianni has been
unbelievable.”
attending for the past seven
This year, for the first
years. He lives in the Masonic
time, seniors were asked to
Village at Lafayette Hill,
consider a contribution to
which brings a bus to the
help offset the cost of the
In the Heights cast members Megan Boris and Ross
matinee every year. Sirianni
Colonial Players production.
Weisman chat with senior citizens during lunch.
said that the event gives
They responded resoundingly
them a chance to get out. He also said that the quality of the
with over $1,600 in donations. We thank them all!
musicals is what keeps bringing him back.
The matinee is free to senior citizens who hold a
“The kids do a fantastic job,” he said.
Colonial School District “Gold Card.” The Gold Card is free
Shirley Barclay, who has been in attendance all 10 years,
to seniors age 65 or older who live in the District and gains
said that she looks forward to the matinee every year.
them access to various District events. Call 610-834-1670,
“I love the theater and like being involved in the
ext. 2115, for information.
community,” she said. “I have never seen another high
school production as sophisticated as this.”
Sign up now for the first annual
Colonial Challenge 5K and
1-Mile Walk/Fun Run
The first annual Colonial Challenge 5K will be held
on Saturday, September 13, at 3 p.m. on the Plymouth
Whitemarsh High School/Colonial Elementary School
(CES) campus. The Challenge is a family-friendly event to
raise money for the Colonial School District Education
Foundation – to support the 2014 Annual Fund and valueadded programs in the District. There will also be a 1-mile
walk and fun run.
The event will be the culmination of Colonial
Community Day to be held in the CES gymnasium from
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Community Day will feature displays,
information and more from local sports organizations,
businesses and youth groups.
To sponsor, register or volunteer for the race – or to
get more information – please visit https://www.runtheday.
com/registration/race_info/24587 or scan the QR Code.
For more information on the
Community Day event, please email
[email protected] or
[email protected].
Help support value-added programs
in the Colonial School District. Sign up
for the Colonial Challenge 5K now!
Budget
Continued from page 1
More than 80 percent of the District’s budget is funded
by local revenues.
The 2014-2015 Proposed Final Budget may be viewed
on the District’s website.
the Board is to create a needs-based budget that maintains
the high level of education that the Colonial School District
has become known for, while maintaining our position as a
District with one of the lowest tax burdens in the county.”
-7-
www.colonialsd.org
Colonial School District
News & Notes
PW Academy provides place for non-traditional learners
Students still have to meet the requirements set at
both the federal level and by CSD, but with more flexible
schedules. The 15 students in the program are able to work
at their own pace by using online tools such as Study Island.
Students also have access to their work on nights and
weekends. This is beneficial for students who can’t attend
school during traditional times, such as students with medical
problems. Students who are behind on credits can also take
more credits during the school year than a conventional
schedule would allow.
“It’s a school within a school,” said Balek. “We’ve
watched students who have had significant difficulty with
attendance grow from the beginning of the school year.
We’ve also had students who were described as having a
difficult time and are now doing well academically in this
program.”
The PW Academy also provides the students with
career-oriented guidance. Naviance, an online program,
connects students to potential universities based on their
strengths, goals and interests. In addition, all PW Academy
students participate in group counseling sessions, where they
work on professional skills.
“We function under the continuous improvement model
of what can we do to continually make this program more
meaningful for the students to meet their individual needs,”
said Balek.
In an ongoing effort to provide the best learning
environment for all students, the Colonial School
District (CSD) has created the PW Academy at Plymouth
Whitemarsh High School (PWHS). The PW Academy offers
students who have difficulty learning in a traditional school
setting the opportunities and support system necessary to
develop skills to be successful in their future endeavors.
The PW Academy was created after the District’s
contract ended with The Lincoln Center, an outsourced
alternative education service.
“The Lincoln Center had previously provided similar
services for us,” said Colonial School District Director of
Pupil Services and Special Education Karen Berk. “With the
expiration of that contract, we decided that we could provide
as good or better services for these students in-house at a
cost savings to our taxpayers.”
Berk noted that the District is saving approximately
$250,000 per year by not outsourcing these special
classes. The continuation of alternative classes at PWHS
gives students the opportunity to carry on learning in an
environment that benefitts their unique needs.
“We had a number of students who could best be
described as non-traditional learners who needed a flexible
schedule,” said PW Academy Program Supervisor Dan
Balek. “We had students who would benefit from a small
nurturing environment with high levels of support.”
Distinguished Graduates Organization honors three alumni
in 2013, after being named one of Forbes 15 most powerful
CEOs 40 and under in 2010.
Among other holdings, Rubin maintains over 70 percent
ownership of the company Fanatics, which operates the
online retail sites for companies such as NBC, ESPN and the
NBA. Fanatics has been valued at $3 billion. Rubin is also
part of the ownership group of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The purpose of the DGO is to recognize distinguished
graduates of PWHS in the areas of Academics, Arts,
Athletics, Business, Humanities and Public Service and to
serve as examples of excellence for undergraduate students.
The Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS)
Distinguished Graduates Organization (DGO) added
three new members during its 29th annual luncheon and
induction ceremony on May 8. Professional golfer Joe Daley
III (Athletics), corporate leadership coach and NBA sport
psychologist Tom Mitchell (Athletics/Humanities) and
e-commerce superstar Michael Rubin (Business) were the
honored guests.
Daley, ‘78, reached the pinnacle as a professional golfer
when he captured the 2012 Constellation Senior Players
Championship, one of five major championships on the
PGA Champions Tour. Daley also won twice on the minor
tours and made 60 starts on the PGA Tour.
Mitchell, ‘72, is co-founder of M.V.P Performance
Institute with NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana.
The company works to help improve businesses with items
such as teamwork and leadership. Mitchell has also enjoyed a
long and varied career as a collegiate coach, professor, NBA
team counselor, author and speaker. He has written more
than three books, including The Winning Spirit, which he coauthored with Montana.
Rubin, ‘90, is an e-commerce world entrepreneur with a
net worth estimated at $2.3 billion. He was added to Forbes
Magazine’s 400, a list of the 400 richest people in America
www.colonialsd.org
(L to R): Joe Daley, Michael Rubin and Tom Mitchell.
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Promoting a Culture of Collaboration, Innovation and Inspiration
Student News
PWHS Indoor Drumline has outstanding season
The Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS) Indoor Drumline
won the Tournament Indoor Association Chapter 3 Philadelphia Region
Intermediate A Championship in April. The Colonials’ score of 92.05 was
4.8 points better than second-place Avon Grove. Garnet Valley was third
with 83.8 points.
“I have had the pleasure of seeing the nucleus of this year’s ensemble
grow tremendously over their high school career,” said PWHS Indoor
Drumline Director Jeff Phipps. “It is only fitting that their hard work is
paying off. I am very proud of all of them for being Chapter Champions.”
The PWHS Indoor Guard captured third place in the A Division and
the Colonial Middle School won the silver medal in the middle school
category.
At the Tournament Indoor Association Championships at Wildwood,
N.J., in May, the PWHS drumline placed second, two points behind Eastern
Regional High School from New Jersey.
(L to R) Senior Ben Johnson, freshman Terence Robinson and senior
Brad Kessler perform a featured trio in the Plymouth Whitemarsh High
School Indoor Drumline show titled “Participate.”
PWHS/CMTHS students qualify for national compeititions
Several Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS)
students represented the Central Montco Technical High
School (CMTHS) at the Pennsylvania Skills USA Conference
held in April in Hershey, Pa. Junior Jacob Magill was elected
as a Pennsylvania SkillsUSA State Officer and will participate
in training at the SkillsUSA National
Conference from June 23-27 in
Kansas City, Mo.
Senior Dashawn AndersonMabry and junior Mark Jones were
part of a team that placed first in the
“Career Pathways-Natural Resources/
Agriculture/Food” competition. The pair qualified to
compete at the national conference.
Senior Nicole Martini took the Bronze Medal in
“Photography” at the state conference, while juniors Zach
Miscavage and Sabrina Kerr were part of a team that placed
second in the “Career Pathways-Arts & Communications”
competition.
Six students qualified for the Health Occupation
Students of America (HOSA) National Leadership
Conference based upon their
performance at the state event.
Seniors Danielle Brown and Nicole
Nicholson and juniors Annie Kim
and Kayla Walker placed first
in “Biomedical Debate.” Senior
Alexander Gavin and junior Phillip
Lorenz placed second in “CERT Skills.” The HOSA
National Leadership Conference will take place in Orlando,
Fla., from June 25-29.
CSD named a Best Community for Music Education
All CSD elementary students receive music as part of
their specialist rotation giving each student an opportunity
to experience music representing diverse ethnicities,
races, religions and cultures, styles and time periods. The
opportunity for students to participate in band, orchestra
and choral programs begin in the fourth grade. The CSD
music program has produced numerous students who have
qualified for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
All-State Chorus, All-State Band, All-State Orchestra and
All-State Wind Ensemble.
For the third consecutive year, the National Association
of Music Merchants (NAMM) has named the Colonial
School District (CSD) as a Best Community for Music
Education (BCME), which acknowledges schools and
districts across the United States for their commitment and
support for music education as part of the core curriculum.
Established in 1999, the BCME survey is a nationwide search
for communities who provide access to music education
as an essential part of a complete learning experience and
exemplify commitment and support for music education.
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www.colonialsd.org
Colonial School District
Student News
Wrestling title tops successful winter sports season
The Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS)
The PWHS girls’ basketball team made it to the first
wrestling team highlighted an impressive winter sports
round of the District 1 playoffs for the third time in four
season for the Colonials’ student-athletes. The wrestlers
years after placing second in the SOLAC with a 17-6 record
posted a 18-8 team record overall, including 7-0 in the
overall, including 11-3 in league play.
Suburban One League
Freshman Hannah
American Conference
McGee didn’t take long
(SOLAC). The Colonials
to leave her mark in the
won the SOLAC regular
PWHS record book. The
season and tournament
swimmer placed third in
championships. The
the 50-yard freestyle at the
regular-season title was
District 1 Championship
PWHS’ first in eight
with a school-record
years. Along the way, they
time of :24.30. She
snapped Norristown’s
went on to place 16th in
streak of 36 straight wins
the 50-yard freestyle at
in league competition.
the 2014 Pennsylvania
Head coach and PWHS
Interscholastic Athletic
alumnus Justin Giovinco,
Association Swimming
a two-time state champion
Championships.
during his days on the mat,
The record McGee
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School junior 120-pounder
was named the District 1
broke was her own. In fact,
Francesco Palagruto (on top above) helped lead the Colonials to
Coach of the Year.
the first time she dove into
the Suburban One League American Conference championship.
The PWHS boys’
the pool in competition,
basketball team also won the SOLAC title. The Colonials
McGee set a new school mark with a time of 25.46 in the
compiled a 20-5 record overall, including 13-1 in league play.
50-yard freestyle.
They advanced to the second round of the District I playoffs.
Colonial School District students stand out in
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS)
has qualified 14 students for the Technology Student
Association (TSA) national conference, while 11 students
from Colonial Middle School (CMS) have also advanced.
The students are eligible based on their performance at the
Pennsylvania TSA competition in Hershey.
For PWHS, sophomore Lina Shi placed first in
“Desktop Publishing.” Seniors Seth Horry and Greg
Richards teamed with sophomores Samantha Horry, Tyler
Simpson and Jackson Versak to place third in “Engineering
Design,” while juniors Maura Gretzfeld, Seamus Malley,
Christina Vikingstaf and Stephanie Wisniewski teamed
with sophomores Sophia Gross and Nicole Knudsen to
place third in “On Demand Video.” Senior Jack Ruppel
and junior Nathan Hyer worked with Seth Horry, Richards
and Shi to place third in “Webmaster.”
For CMS, Shreya Bhutani, Thomas Demianovich,
Giancarlo Donnini, Nicole Esposito, Scott Horry and Josh
www.colonialsd.org
Stern, all eighth graders, placed second in “Environmental
Focus.” Eighth graders Aidan McEleney and Karen Mineci
teamed with Bhutani, Donnini, Esposito and Scott Horry
to place third in “Construction Challenge.” Eighth grader
James Phair worked with seventh graders Owen Butler and
Jamie Werther to earn third place in “Junior Solar Sprint.”
That trio also combined with Stern to place third in
“STEM Animation.” Esposito and Werther paired to place
third in “Technical Design.”
The TSA National Conference takes place in
Washington, DC from June 26 through July 1.
Odyssey of the Mind
The CMS sixth grade “It’s How We Rule” team placed
third at the Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind (OM)
state competition held in Berwick in April. The team of
Max Wittenberg, Becca Schindler, Tara Al-Saleem, Riley
Farbstein, Sydney Borislow, LeAnne Khuu and Ben Yuter
was coached by Michelle Farbstein and Bonnie Wittenberg.
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Promoting a Culture of Collaboration, Innovation and Inspiration
Student News
Hanlon receives Dannehower Scholarship
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School senior Connor Hanlon
recently received a $1,000 scholarship as second runner-up for
the annual Dannehower Award presented by the Triangle Club of
Montgomery County. The award is named for the late President
Judge of the Montgomery Country Court of Common Pleas,
who assisted in the formation of the Triangle Club, and whose life
exemplified the ideals of scholarship, sports and community service.
Hanlon was the starting quarterback and a team captain
on the Colonials Suburban One League American Conference
Championship football team. A National Merit Scholar, he was
named second team all-league and received honorable mention to
the all-area team.
Hanlon was named the Colonials’ Most Valuable Player
(MVP) and received the team’s Lee Nauta Award for scholarship,
perseverance and sportsmanship and the Harold Snyder Award as
the MVP of the Norristown game.
Hanlon will play football at the Massachusetts Institute of
Teachnology (MIT) in the fall.
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School senior Connor
Hanlon, shown with his mother Kerri and father Brian,
received a Dannehower Award scholarship from the
Triangle Club.
Colonial Players win six Cappies awards
The Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS)
Colonial Players earned an impressive 22 Cappies
nominations for its spring musical In the Heights. Among the
nominations was “Best Song.” The entire cast performed
“96,000” at the Greater Philadelphia Cappies awards
ceremony on May 10.
The Colonial Players won six Cappies including:
• Marketing and Publicity: Hanna Carr, Raquel
Dunoff, Jake Magill, Josh McMaster
• Scenic Design/Sets
• Sound: Sanjana Venkat and Abbie Polsky
•
Stage Crew/Management: PWHS Shift Crew,
featuring Louie Wein, Abbie Polsky, Raquel
Dunoff, Kayla Hertzler
• Featured Actress: Megan Boris
• Supporting Actor: Robert Gervasi
The Cappies is a national “Critics and Awards Program”
which offers high school theater and journalism students a
chance to receive training as critics, attend and write reviews
of regional high school shows with the opportunity to be
published in an area newspaper.
extra-curricular academic competitions
Two OM teams from Colonial Middle School also
qualified for the state competition. The fourth grade “Not
So Haunted House” team of Andrew Craft, Elizabeth
Houghton, Aine Malley, Ethan Nam, Emily Rhodes,
Conner Ronan and Manny Wang was coached by Jen
Gallagher and Lisa Rhodes. The fifth grade “It’s How We
Rule” team of Dhruv Agarwal, Sean Beausoleil, Libby
Boyle, Aniya Murray, Kira Quitel and Katie Smith was
coached by Scott Quitel.
Pennsylvania’s Odyssey of the Mind program is
conducted by the not-for-profit organization Creativity
Unlimited in Pennsylvania (CUinPA). CUinPA is a
501(c)(3) organization and is also an affiliate of the
national not-for-profit organization Creative
Opportunities Unlimited (COU). The State Board of
Directors sets policies and procedures for Pennsylvania
Odyssey of the Mind.
Future Business Leaders of America
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School junior Felicia
Kan and senior Marta Peters performed well at the
Pennsylvania State Future Business Leaders of America
(FBLA) conference recently in Hershey, Pa. Peters placed
sixth in “Accounting II” and Kan was fourth in “Word
Processing.” Kan is the first alternate to attend the FBLA
national competition in Nashville, Tenn., this summer.
DECA
PWHS freshman Kateryna Ternopolska qualified for
the DECA International Career Development Conference
after placing first in the International Business Plan event
at the Pennsylvania State Conference. The event involves
preparing a 30-page written business plan and an oral
presentation to a panel of judges. Ternopolska went up
against 179 other students at the international conference in
Atlanta, Ga., in early May, but did not finish in the Top 10.
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230 Flourtown Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1252
Promoting a Culture of Collaboration, Innovation and Inspiration
Furness named CSD “Voices of Inspiration” finalist
Plymouth Elementary School (PE)
kindergarten teacher Lisa Furness was named
the Colonial School District’s (CSD) 2014
“Voices of Inspiration” finalist. Twenty-three
finalists, each of whom received $100, were
chosen from among 607 nominees. The finalists
were honored at a banquet on May 7.
Furness, a former Master Teacher, has
served on the District’s Strategic Planning
Committee and presently serves on the PE
Climate Committee. She is a certified school
counselor and volunteers with the Safe Harbor
program – working with children who are
dealing with loss – at Abington Hospital.
The Montgomery County Intermediate
Unit and Freedom Credit Union sponsor the
“Voices of Inspiration” Award. The award
recognizes top teachers in Montgomery County.
Three teachers and the school with the most
nominations receive $500 prizes.
Plymouth Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher Lisa Furness works
with students on a writing assignment.
The Colonial School District (CSD) is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability and/or handicap or age in its admissions procedures, educational programs, services, activities or
employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and/or any applicable federal statute.
The CSD will assist students who have Limited English Proficiency to participate in all programs, services and activities.
For information regarding civil rights, admissions, grievance procedures, bilingual education and accessibility of programs, services, activities
and facilities that are usable by persons with disabilities, contact the Director of Pupil Services, Colonial School District, 230 Flourtown Road,
Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, 19462.