Just a reminder that all students have school on Friday, February 15. This is a weather make-up day due to the missed days of school in October for Hurricane Sandy.
Author: Cindy Rhoades
Eshleman 5th Grade Students Travel Back in Time
Mrs. Braun’s and Mrs. Swope’s fifth grade classes at Eshleman Elementary School learned firsthand what life was like in colonial times as part of a social studies unit on the thirteen colonies. Landis Valley Museum’s Traveling Trunk of Colonial History presentation introduced students to toys of the time such as Jacob’s Ladder and spinning tops, showed them how to card raw wool to make wool thread, and how to write in calligraphy using a quill and ink. Students also worked with flint and metal to try to make sparks.
Annual Spelling Bee Winners Crowned
The top three spellers in fifth and sixth grade from each of the seven elementary schools competed on Friday, February 8 at Conestoga Elementary School in the annual elementary spelling bee. First up were the fifth grade spellers. After many rounds, the final two spellers went head to head. Eshleman fifth grade student Julie Claar (left in photo) misspelled superior. Central Manor fifth grade student Mary Vozzella (right in photo) successfully spelled that word and then the next word, probably, and was declared the winner.
After the fifth grade awards were presented, the sixth grade spellers took to the stage. The final two spellers, Martic sixth grade student Nate Metzler (left in photo) and Eshleman sixth grade student Lisa Schaefer faced off in the final round. Nate misspelled the word allegiance. Lisa correctly spelled the word and also the next word, inflammation, to claim the sixth grade crown.
Congratulations to all the spelling bee participants on a job well done!
Eshleman 1st Grade Celebrates Chinese New Year
Mrs. Detter’s first grade class at Eshleman Elementary and Mrs. Letavic’s high school ELL (English Language Learner) buddies celebrated the Chinese New Year on February 8. The first grade students decorated their classroom with Chinese lanterns and heard a story about a child in China celebrating the New Year. The first grade students received traditional red envelopes containing “money” and a Chinese calendar to color. The calendar is based on the legend that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality. This year is the year of the snake. For a treat, all the students dined on sticky rice, oranges slices, and fortune cookies. The high school ELL students taught the first grade students who to use chopsticks.
23 Student-Athletes Sign Letters of Intent
On Wednesday, February 6, 2013, 23 student-athletes gathered in the Penn Manor High School library to sign letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the next level. Athletic Director Jeff Roth told the crowd of parents and friends that this is the largest group of student-athletes he has ever had participate in National Signing Day. Mr. Roth shared that the combined grade point average for these student-athletes is a 3.8 and that 16 of the 23 athletes play more than one sports and four play three sports. This year eleven student-athletes committed to Division I schools, four committed to Division II schools, five committed to Division III schools and three were nominated for appointments to military academies.
Pictured:
First Row (left to right):
Jessie Greenslade, George Mason University (volleyball)
Lindsay Hutchinson, Stony Brook University (soccer)
Shannon Sloss, University of Louisville (field hockey)
Danielle Landis, East Stroudsburg University (soccer)
Emily McCoy, Boston College (field hockey)
Eryn McCoy, Boston College (field hockey)
Lauren Ali, Saint Mary’s College of California (lacrosse)
Middle Row (left to right):
Tim Harris, Lebanon Valley College (baseball)
Darren Weidman, Saint Joseph’s University (baseball)
Daulton Parmer, Lycoming College (football)
Brady Charles, Jacksonville University (lacrosse)
Harrison Schettler, Shippensburg University (cross-country & track)
Aaron Brown, Lebanon Valley College (golf)
Kyle Musser, Kutztown University (football)
Back Row (left to right):
Connor Fink, Nominated for Appointment to West Point (cross-country & track)
Taylor Skelly, Franklin & Marshall College (soccer)
Adam Hess, Nominated for Appointment to Naval Academy (football, basketball, lacrosse)
Zachary Burke, Coastal Carolina University (baseball)
Alex Quinn, Nominated for Appointment to West Point (football, basketball, baseball)
Cooper Lindsley, Seton Hall University (swimming)
Travis Wells, Coastal Caroline University (track)
Jonathan Bitner, Cedarville University (cross-country & track)
McCollister Evarts, Washington & Lee University (wrestling)
Help Evaluate Penn Manor’s Superintendent
The Penn Manor School Board is once again asking for faculty, staff and the community to participate in an online survey of the superintendent, Dr. Mike Leichliter. The Survey Monkey tool is easy to use and includes an open response area in order to give everyone the opportunity to communicate directly with all 9 School Board members as well as Dr. Leichliter. Board members review all summary scores and comments and share responses so the superintendent can assess his strengths and needs in order to improve his performance in future years.
We encourage everyone to take this survey even if you feel that you are not qualified to assess the superintendent’s duties. You may wish to view this survey as your chance to provide insight and perspective to both the board and Dr. Leichliter on your thoughts and ideas for the district, even if they do not relate directly to a category on the survey. All responses are anonymous. The survey will close February 15, 2013. The survey link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/595Z7FG. Thank you for your input.
GED Class Offered at Penn Manor High School
IU 13 Adult Education will offer a GED Class at Penn Manor High School. The GED class will run from March 5, 2013 to May 14, 2013. The course fee is $275 and includes a textbook. Pre-registration is required. Please call 717-606-1708 to reserve your seat as seating is limited. Individual tutoring and Spanish translation is also available.
Guiding the College-Bound Athlete Seminar Planned
In an effort to educate Penn Manor parents and student athletes about athletic scholarships and the college recruiting process, Dynamite Sports will conduct an hour long seminar entitled “Guiding the College-Bound Athlete.” The seminar will be held on Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Penn Manor High School cafeteria. Student athletes in grades 7 to 12 who are considering playing college sports and their parents are encouraged to attend this informative program. This seminar will help parents and students become more knowledgeable and realistic about athletic scholarships and the recruiting process.
Secretary of Education Previews Open Campus PA Initiative
The Pennsylvania Secretary of Education, Ron Tomalis, visited Hempfield SD on Tuesday, January 29 to observe students and educators demonstrating the Open Campus PA program, a unique collaboration between Penn Manor, Manheim Township, and Hempfield School Districts. Joining Tomalis were Representatives Ryan Aument, Keith Greiner and Steven Mentzer as well as Hempfield School District Superintendent Dr. Brenda Becker, Manheim Township School District Superintendent Dr. Gene Freeman and Penn Manor School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Leichliter. The superintendents explained the Open Campus PA initiative that allows students to take online classes offered by any of the three school districts. Students have more choices in the courses available to them and may choose a flexible schedule that fits their needs with Open Campus PA. Mr. Tomalis and the legislators were able to talk with students and teachers currently involved with courses through Open Campus PA.
Following the demonstration, Tomalis held a press conference highlighting Governor Corbett’s education priorities in the 2013-14 state budget. For more information on Open Campus PA visit https://www.www.opencampuspa.net/
State of the District Meetings Planned for Community
Several community “State of the District” meetings will be held for Penn Manor residents. There will be a review of the district’s budget and the factors that influence it followed by roundtable discussions. This is your opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions and help the district establish the priorities of the Penn Manor community. The same material will be covered at each meeting.
MEETING DATES:
February 13, 2013: Pequea Elementary School at 6:00 pm
March 12, 2013: Letort Elementary School at 7:00 pm
March 19, 2013: Central Manor Elementary School at 6:30 pm
April 4, 2013: Martic Elementary School at 7:00 pm
May 8, 2013: Conestoga Elementary School at 7:00 pm
May 13, 2013: Eshleman Elementary School at 6:30 pm
May 16, 2013: Hambright Elementary School at 6:30 pm
Martic Students Work Together on Bottle Cap Mural
Bottle cap artist Michelle Stitzlein visited Martic Elementary to talk about her work using recycled items in her art pieces and to help students do the same. Using bottle caps collected by the students over the past 18 months, the artist helped them create an 8′ x 12′ mural. Students prepared sketches of possible themes for Mrs. Stitzlein to review. She then created a design using some of those sketches. With the help of teachers, parents, and adult volunteers, every student at Martic Elementary will have a chance to contribute their talents to the mural. The colorful mural will be permanently displayed at Martic Elementary. The Penn Manor Education Foundation funded the grant request to bring the artist to Martic Elementary to help create the mural.
Marticville MS Teachers Treated to Lunch by Gifted Students
Four students in the gifted pullout program at Marticville Middle School treated their teachers to lunch recently. The students, participating in the Customs, Cultures, and Cuisine unit with FCS teacher Mrs. Long, each selected a country to research for the unit. They focused on how the cultures and customs are different from ours and also studied foods native to the country. Each student chose a food item to prepare on site and serve to their teachers during lunch. Eric Imboden chose Italy and prepared lasagna. AnnaKatherine Kirk studied Guatamala and served plantains. Alyssa Smith prepared baklava with honey drizzle from Greece and Erin Daniels chose Japanese cheesecake cupcakes from Japan. The teachers were impressed with both the students’ cooking and their knowledge of their chosen country.
Reminder of Calendar Changes
Friday, January 18, 2013 – School in session for all students K-12
Monday, January 21, 2013 – NO SCHOOL for All Students
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 – K-6 Students have an early dismissal, No AM Kindergarten – NO SCHOOL for Grades 7-12
Friday, February 15 – School in session for all students K-12
Graduation has been changed to Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
Open Campus PA Website Launched
Penn Manor High School students interested in registering for Open Campus PA classes for the 2013-2014 school year now have a website where they can get additional information on this initiative. Open Campus PA is a unique collaboration between Manheim Township, Hempfield, and Penn Manor School Districts. Open Campus PA is the first initiative of its kind in the state. Students have more choices in the courses available to them and may choose a flexible schedule that fits their needs. The Open Campus website will be updated on a regular basis with new information so check back often.
Kindergarten Information Night for 2013-2014
Parents of children entering kindergarten in the Penn Manor School District for the 2012-2013 school year are invited to an informational meeting at Manor Middle School on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. (inclement weather date is February 6.) Parents will learn about the kindergarten curriculum and what parents can do to prepare their child for kindergarten. Parents will receive a packet of materials necessary for registration. This Kindergarten Information Night is designed for parents.
Prior to the meeting, beginning at 6:30 p.m., local preschools will host a Preschool Expo. They will have informational booths set up in the lobby of Manor Middle School to acquaint parents with opportunities available for younger children to prepare for kindergarten.
Formal kindergarten registration will be held at each of the district elementary schools in early March (see below). Children must be five years old on or before September 1, 2013 to enter kindergarten for the 2013-2014 school year. Parents are encouraged to register at the school closest or most convenient to their home. However, registration at a certain elementary school does not constitute assignment to that school.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Vickie Hallock, Supervisor of Elementary Education, at (717) 872-9500. Click here for the Kindergarten Information Night Flyer.
Kindergarten Registration Dates & Times
March 5, 2013 8:00-4:00 – Conestoga, Pequea and LeTort
March 6, 2013 8:00-4:00 – Eshleman
March 7, 2013 8:00-4:00 – Central Manor and Martic
March 8, 2013 8:00-4:00 – Hambright
You can register your child at any of these elementary schools. Registration does NOT guarantee school placement. Please bring your child’s birth certificate, immunization records and two proofs of residency.
An evening registration session is by appointment only on Wednesday, March 6 at Eshleman Elementary School from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To schedule an evening appointment, please call Louise at (717) 872-9540.