Vision
A Newsletter for Residents of the Gettysburg Area School District
Renowned artist Wendy Allen visited all GASD schools sharing her
techniques, talent and fascination
Olivia Baer from Lincoln
with her topic, President Abraham
Elementary created this
thought-provoking artwork. Lincoln.
Students help put
the finishing touch
on the Wills House
on Lincoln Square
in Gettysburg.
Kandice Penn, an 8th grader at Gettysburg
Middle School created this mixed media
piece of Lincoln and the Wills House.
This piece
called
“Admiring
the Sunset”
was created
by Franklin
Township
Elementary
Third Grader,
Madeline
Hubbard.
Winter 2009
GASD Students Celebrate
President Lincoln’s Legacy
2009 marks the Bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s
birth. While the nation plans to mark the occasion, Gettysburg
has a unique place in Lincoln’s legacy and the students of the
Gettysburg Area School District have been taking the time to
explore their own attachment to the 16th President of the United
States.
As a school district, we are participating with Main Street
Gettysburg, the Gettysburg Times Newspapers in Education and
the National Park Service in the Finishing Touch of the David
Wills House on the square in Gettysburg.
In 1863, David Wills, a prominent local resident of Gettysburg, ensured his place in American history by issuing an
invitation to President Abraham Lincoln to say a “few appropriate remarks” in dedication of the Soldiers’ National cemetery.
President Lincoln was an overnight guest in the David Wills
house on the night before the event preparing to give the speech
that saved our nation...the Gettysburg Address.
This summer, the Wills House will open as a museum featuring Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg and the community in the aftermath of the three-day battle that forever changed this nation.
Our students have been part of a fundraising effort to help with
the restoration of the Wills House. A few of our students had a
hand at painting faux mortar lines on the Wills House exterior.
Every student had an opportunity to learn from Wendy Allen,
renowned Lincoln artist. Allen made visits to each building to
discuss her dedication to Abraham Lincoln as her subject. Each
building also created their own version of Allen’s “The People’s
Lincoln” through the Newspapers in Education Program.
Students have had lessons on what life was like in 1863,
they’ve thought about our community in 1863 and how it’s
changed through the years. They have created artwork and projects to enhance their lessons.
The artwork of 70 of our students (K-12) will be on display
at a special reception in the Gettysburg Hotel on February 12,
the 200th Anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. A juried art contest,
winning students will be recognized at the reception, which is
open to the public from 5-8 p.m.
Inside this Issue of the Vision
• Warrior Stadium Update
• Kindergarten Registration
• Free and Reduced Meal Information
• Science PSSA Scores Report
Communicating our Vision of Learning
Journey Through Hallowed Ground Experience Registration Opens
Anticipation built as the paddles sliced through the cool waters of the Potomac. We had rhythm now and instead of moving forward in
concentric circles, students cut a straight swath down the river to the bluff, Ball’s Bluff. Our mission was to shore up where Union troops
landed on the afternoon of October 21, 1861. Once docked, we loaded our backs with supplies and prepared for a march up the forbidding ridge to take the Confederates by surprise. Everything paralleled the fateful Ball’s Bluff battle except howitzers and hard tack were
replaced with iPods, journals and nalgene water bottles.
This was one day of the Extreme Journey Through Hallowed Ground (JTHG) summer camp, which debuted in Adams County last
summer and will be offered again to rising sixth through eighth grade students in the Gettysburg area from June 15 to 26 in 2009.
The two-week program, sponsored by The Journey Through Hallowed Ground
Partnership and Gettysburg schools offers extreme day trips combined with cuttingedge technology to allow each camper to step into the boots of those who made our
American history. As part of the experience, campers hike, bike and canoe at heritage
sites from Gettysburg National Military Park to James Monroe’s Ash Lawn-Highland
following the 175-mile JTHG corridor. Students travel with historical guides each day
who help them capture the stories of perseverance, courage and sacrifice as they retrace
the footsteps of historical leaders during challenging circumstances and simulate their
decision-making process.
After pedaling through the past, students are then challenged to produce an original
movie that showcases how the lessons learned apply to their contemporary world. In order to craft these masterpieces, participants use original photographs, video and sound
recordings captured on site with their video equipment (including iPods and digital and
video cameras). They then blend these visual elements with a script, special effects
Students from Gettysburg Area Middle School from moviemaking software and original music into a seamless documentary. (Student
and Lincoln Elementary explore artillery that movies from the summer of 2008 can be viewed at www.hallowedground.org. )
Forget the galoshes this summer and put your child in boots that will really make
was used at the Battle of Antietam. The photo
a splash. Registration will open in February of 2009, but parents and students can get
was taken during the 2008 Journey Through
more information now. Contact the JTHG at [email protected] or visit the Journey
Hallowed Ground summer camp.
website at www.hallowedground.org.
Stadium Project Sent Back
to the Drawing Board
On December 15, 2008, the Gettysburg School Board
voted to reject all bids on the proposed stadium project.
The board unanimously decided that the construction
costs were too high given the present economic climate.
Board President Patricia Symmes stated at the time
that it was time to take the project back to the drawing
board. Superintendent Dr. William Hall echoed that
comment.
“We are looking at all of our options,” said the Superintendent. “but there is no timeline yet. Much will
depend on he economic conditions at the time.”
Dr. Hall stressed that the administration is planning
for a project to be constructed at the high school site.
He noted that the high school site remains the
optimal placement for a high school stadium that can be
used by the entire student body and the community.
Plan now to attend the
Senior Citizens Breakfast
Band Concert on
March 11 at the
Gettysburg High School
Auditorium.
Youngest Students Benefit from Technology
People may think that technology is best suited for use by older children or
high school and college students. However, today’s younger children can also
learn through technology and it is imperative that they know how to use it. Gettysburg Area School District is making sure that technology is being integrated
across the curriculum and grade levels.
One first grade class at Eisenhower Elementary has been busy using technology in the classroom due to the enthusiasm of the teacher, Chris Swinn.
“The online projects that I do are sponsored by Jennifer Wagner from California. They are designed to help K-6 teachers integrate technology into their
curriculum, learn new technology tools and software and encourage collaboration
between classrooms,” said Swinn.
“My class was extremely busy with two projects prior to Christmas,” she said.
“We are now gearing
up for “Happy Birthday,
Mr. Lincoln!” My kids
love these projects. I
cover many, many standards and it encourages
higher-level thinking.
These projects are wonderful ways to incorporate technology in the
elementary classroom,”
said Swinn.
Swinn is one of
many Gettysburg Area
School District teachers who have embraced
technological advances
and are using these
Reading the Clues! First grader Logan Carbaugh
tools to bring out the
takes part in the Gingerbread Man Project scavenger
best in their students.
hunt. Students read the clues and at the end of the
trail found a special surprise! The project was an
online project used by teacher Chris Swinn.
Communicating our Vision of Learning
Warrior Point Sponsors Support Dollars for Scholars
With each touchdown or point scored during regular-season home games, the Gettysburg Warrior football and basketball players are helping to fund scholarships for seniors
graduating in 2009.
Local businesses are pledging funds to Gettysburg Area Dollars for Scholars for each
game point the Warriors make this year. The totals are tallied by Warrior coaches at the
end of the playing season, and when those numbers are finalized, the partnering businesses make their donations to Dollars for Scholars.
This season, the Warriors football team has raised $1,321 from partnering businesses
for touchdowns and other football points. Businesses that sponsored the Warriors football
team this season were: Kennie’s Markets, Inc.; Mike’s KARS; Gettysburg Construction
Company; McGlaughlin’s Refrigeration & Appliance Service; Town & Campus Hair
Care, Inc.; Carl E. Frantz Plumbing; Ragged Edge Coffee House; Crouthamel Construction Company; Ketterman Electrical Services; and The Gettysburg Pike.
The Gettysburg High School basketball team is now earning scholarship money for
points they make during home games. Nearly a dozen local businesses are making donaJerry Kramer, manager of Kennie’s Market,
tions to Dollars for Scholars for points made this season. Participating businesses are:
presents a check for Warrior football points
My Brother’s Pizza; Kennie’s Markets, Inc.; Kilwin’s Chocolate Fudge & Ice Cream;
McGlaughlin’s Refrigeration & Appliance Service; Renn Kirby Chevrolet-Buick; Robert to Brenda Heberling, Treasurer, Gettysburg
Area Dollars for Scholars. Kennie’s is one of
C. Boehner, PC, CPA; Dairy Queen of Gettysburg; Beegle’s Chiropractic & DTS
many local businesses sponsoring the Warrior
Spine Center; Michael Ball State Farm Insurance Agency; and Temple’s Painting, Inc.
football and basketball teams to help fund
The Gettysburg High School sports fundraiser, together with major fundraising efforts scholarships.
like the annual “Lincoln For A Lincoln” campaign and the annual Stage Door Dinner
enables Gettysburg Area Dollars for Scholars to continue to provide financial assistance
to graduating seniors. All monies raised or received by Dollars for Scholars go directly to the students receiving scholarships.
Science PSSA Scores Evaluated,
Improvement Expected at GASD
2008 was the first year of the Science PSSA test for 4th, 8th, and
11th grade students in the Commonwealth. Statewide the results
were a mixed bag, with younger students doing well and a steady
decline in the number of students scoring proficient or above in the
higher grades.
“Gettysburg’s scores mirror those across the state,” Assistant
Superintendent Larry Redding told the Gettysburg School Directors.
According to the results, 87 percent of the 4th graders scored
A larger than life performance! Fourth and Fifth graders from proficient or advanced on the first-ever Science PSSA. 52 percent of
Lincoln Elementary presented their annual fine arts program 8th graders scored proficient or above and 26 percent of 11th grade
on Thursday, December 4. The theme was: “Larger Than
students scored proficient or above.
Life: America’s Legendary Heroes.” The enthusiastic students
The statewide science test assessed student performance in Biodanced and sang as they shared the outrageous tales of some
logical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Earth and Space Science, and
of America’s favorite Tall Tale characters: Paul Bunyan, Pecos the Nature of Science.
Bill, Alfred Bulltop Stormalong, Davy Crockett, and Annie
“Gettysburg Area School District has been working diligently
Oakley.
over the past several years to ensure that our educational programs
thoroughly address these standards at each grade level. We have
implemented a new science program in grades K through 8 and the
high school science curriculum has been realigned. Both efforts were
aligned to state and federal standards, while providing a rigorous
and engaging experience in sciences from kindergarten through 12th
grade,” Redding stated.
As always, our student’s individual success is as important as
overall performance as a district on standardized testing. Gettysburg
Area School District continues to focus on providing a challenging
science education, improving performances and engaging students in
lifelong learning.
Mark your calendar now for
“The Sound of Music”
March 5, 6, and 7
Gettysburg Area High School
Spring Musical
Communicating our Vision of Learning
Board of Education
Mrs. Patricia Symmes
Mr. Dale Biesecker
Dr. Karen Frey
Dr. Andria Hoffman
Col. Terrence McClain
Mrs. Sally Michael
Mr. Todd Orner
Mr. David Rice
Mr. Doyle Waybright
Dr. William H. Hall
Superintendent
Larry R. Redding
Assistant Superintendent
Brad Hunt
Business Manager
GASD
900 Biglerville Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717)334-6254
www.gettysburg.k12.pa.us
Kindergarten Registration Families May Still Apply for
Set for March 10 and 11
Free, Reduced Meals
Kindergarten registration for the 2009-2010
school year in the Gettysburg Area School District will be held on March 10 from 9 a.m. until
5 p.m. and on March 11 from noon until 8 p.m.
Registration will be held in the boardroom of the
Administration Building, 900 Biglerville Road.
Children must be 5 years old before September 1 to be enrolled for the 2009-2010 school
year. Children do not have to accompany
parents to the registration.
Please bring the following information with
you: birth or baptismal certificate; social security number, and health history with shot dates
for immunizations
Parents may download a registration packet
from the school district website: www.gettysburg.k12.pa.us. For more information, please
call 334-6254 ext. 2231.
Remember to start your
school day off with a
delicious breakfast in the
cafeteria of your school!
The Food Services Department would like to remind
you that you can apply for free or reduced meals any time
throughout the school year. If you have a decrease in
household income, increase in family size, become unemployed or begin receiving Food Stamps or TANF, you may
now be eligible.
If you applied at the beginning of the year and were
denied, you may apply again at any time if your household circumstances changed. You may request a copy
of the application from any school office or by calling
717-334-6254 ext. 1204. You may also apply online at
www.compass.state.pa.us. Benefits will begin when your
application is approved and you receive notice of acceptance. A notification letter of acceptance or denial will be
sent home with your child within 10 days after we receive
your application. COMPASS also allows Pennsylvanians
to apply for social service programs, such as Food Stamps
(FS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),
Energy Assistance, Children’s Health Insurance Program
(CHIP), etc. online.
If you qualify for free or reduced meals, you may use
these benefits for breakfast and lunch. All information is
confidential.
Communicating our Vision of Learning
Gettysburg Area School District
900 Biglerville Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-334-6254
www.gettysburg.k12.pa.us
The Vision is published for
the Gettysburg Area School
District and community.