Penn Manor now has a brand new app for Android phones. The Comet News app makes it easy to follow district and building website news feeds. Android phone owners will find the free app in the Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pmsd.cometnews. Penn Points and PM Techblog news is included as well.

Martic Elementary School was evacuated on Friday February 24, 2012 due to a smell of propane in the building.  The Rawlinsville Fire Department responded.  After investigation, fire officials could find no leak or gas release on school property.  At no time were students and staff in danger.  Shortly afterwards, Lancaster County Emergency Management reported that the smell was due to a major release (app. 200,000 gallons) of a petroleum product in New Jersey.

Beginning at 8:40 A.M. today, parts of western and southern Lancaster were placed under Tornado Warnings by the National Weather Service. In response to the warnings, all district buildings were placed on alert.  Impacted schools implemented severe weather procedures.  As Tornado Warnings were lifted, impacted buildings returned to a normal schedule.

Dear Parent:

The Penn Manor School District firmly believes in and works hard to provide a safe and secure learning environment for your child. As one facet of providing safety and security for our students, we have taken measures to prevent illegal drugs from being present in our schools. Within our curriculum, we provide anti-drug, tobacco, and alcohol instruction. The district also has a drug screening program that is mandatory for students who are involved in co-curricular activities and voluntary for other students.

On February 18, 2011, the district took an additional step to provide for a drug-free environment. With the support of the Millersville Borough and Southern Regional Police Departments, a search of all lockers, bathrooms and locker rooms was conducted with the use of drug detection canines.

Our fervent hope is that students continue to be part of the solution in helping to make our schools safe places to learn by reporting any drug use to an adult; the use of the drug detection canines adds an additional element of security for all students and adults at Penn Manor High School. Your support of our endeavors adds to ensuring a safe school.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 872-9520, ext. 1809.

Sincerely,

Philip B. Gale Principal

Dr. Michael Leichliter, Superintendent

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has been reported in Pennsylvania, with recent cases being noted in Lancaster County.

Because of this increase, parents are advised to be on the “look out” for symptoms and signs of this disease.  Pertussis starts with symptoms of the common cold but after a week or two, severe coughing begins.   Prolonged and/or persistent coughing, particularly if it develops into “coughing fits,” may indicate pertussis. People with pertussis may feel exhausted after fits of rapid, severe coughing, which may end with vomiting or a high, pitched “whoop.”  Please keep in mind that fully vaccinated people can develop pertussis, although it may present in a milder form.

Pertussis is a bacterium, which is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes in close contact with others, who then breath in the disease-causing bacteria.

Pertussis is a vaccine preventable disease.  The recommended pertussis vaccine for children is DTaP.  The Tdap vaccine protects adults and adolescents.  Both vaccines give protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.  Children should receive five DTaP shots for best protection against these diseases.  Adults should receive a Tdap vaccine every ten years.  It is best to check with your family doctor concerning the immunization status of your family and to make any necessary appointments to update immunizations.

Please remember that protection from vaccines can fade over time and there is a chance that a fully vaccinated person may develop pertussis. Should you or your child develop cold symptoms associated with a severe cough and or prolonged cough, it is best to contact your family doctor.

More information about Pertussis and how to protect your family best can be found at the following web sites:

https://www.www.cdc.gov/features/pertussis/

To hear the cough of Pertussis:  https://www.www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/signs-symptoms.html and click on Pertussis

https://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/whooping_cough.html

If you should have questions or concerns about your child, please do not hesitate to contact the nurse in his/her school building.

Note: A copy of this information was sent home with student on December 15, 2010.

While students are enjoying the last few days of summer break, Penn Manor staff are already in high gear as they prepare for the first student day. Wednesday, August 25th was Penn Manor’s official opening day event for teachers and professional staff. The district team was treated to several outstanding speakers and presentations on the theme “Telling our Story”.