Superintendent’s
Report
December 13, 2012
Student & Staff
Recognition:
·
Students:
o
Rotary
Student of the Month ~ November: Noah
Yasinski
o
CTC Rotary Students of the Quarter ~
Matthew Lineaweaver for Computer Repair Technology and Sean Laird for Law
Enforcement & Security
o
Twenty-six
FBLA students (Future Business Leaders) represented Palmyra at the Regional
Competition in Hershey. Eighteen students qualified for the state level of
competition by placing in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in
their areas of competition which included a broad range:
§
1st: Cyber Security, Banking & Financial Systems, Business
Issues, Entrepreneurship, Management Information Systems, Marketing
§
2nd: Spreadsheet Application, Computer Problem Solving, Global
Business, Management Decision Making
§
3rd:
Economics, Personal Finance
§
The 18 students include: Josh Alderson, Tyler
Downie, Austin Dubble, Zach Engle, Derek Fake, Katelyn & Madeline Gingrich,
Bobby Hollowell, Zach Knol, Pathik Patel, Jennifer Rusling, Ethan & Patrick
Shank, Danny Tunitis, Cullen Wargo, Zachary Williams, Ling Yi, Naomi Zeigler
o
State Band & Orchestra. The
following students qualified for:
§
County
Orchestra: John Bernhard, Morgan, Hackett, Julia Plato, Matt Robinson
§
Susquehanna Univ. Honors Band: Ryan Brady, Ashley & Tyler
Cypher, Julia Graff, Kyristen Lackey, Sarah Speck
§
PMEA District 7 Band: Ryan Brady, Ashley & Tyler Cypher, Sarah
Speck
- Tim Moses, at the LVC Invitational, was the first HS pole-vaulter to clear 16’ since 2006.
- Sports Awards banquets have been held and students are now into the winter sports season.
·
Staff:
- Ms. Lisa Hollenbach and one of her social studies classes were visited by the America Achieves crew to film a common core lesson. This lesson will be available to teachers across the country. This opportunity came from Lisa’s work this summer and is funded by the Gates Foundation.
- Mr. Cory Rowe, elementary Health/PE teacher is working with adaptive PE students. He very appropriately ‘pre-taught’ the lesson with these students who struggle with learning. When Mr. Rowe taught the lesson to the general education class, he had one of the Sp. Ed. students help him demonstrate a new game. After the demonstration, the rest of the class applauded this student. I believe this speaks volumes about the professionalism of the teacher and the character we work to instill in our students. Kudos to all!
- Tech Staff lead the way with administrators, teachers, and select secretaries to update our website. It is definitely new and improved with plans to make it even better.
Veterans’
Day:
The
HS students council planned and executed a moving assembly for HS students the
week of Veteran’s Day. Regular substitute teacher, Mr. Jim Bertrand, spoke of
his experiences in the Vietnam War.
Music:
All three divisions are in the midst of their holiday
programs for choral, instrumental, and strings groups. The practice sessions
and performances I have been able to attend so far have been very impressive.
Our teachers and students are remarkable, and there is definite improvement as
students progress through the grades. We have captured some of the photos and
short videos on our district website and my twitter account.
Peter
Pan & Wendy:
Mr. Brian Lynch directed a very successful Peter Pan and Wendy play. Much of the
set, costumes, and enactment of the production was student determined, with
oversight by Mr. Lynch, a veteran of such endeavors. The results were of high
quality and entertaining.
National Invitation:
Palmyra
along with Solanco and IU13 have been invited to present at the national PSBA
conference. They told Dr. Burkhart that they heard about our presentation at
the PA conference, checked the session evaluations, and decided to extend the
invitation for us to present at the national level. George Downey and I made
that presentation with Solanco and IU13.
Division
Reports:
Elementary:
· Perseverance,
dedication, and resiliency. These attributes describe Jamie Gray who spoke to Northside
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders November 16. Jamie
Gray is the USA gold medalist in women’s 50-meter rifle. Students listened
attentively as the local icon provided words of wisdom based on her experiences
and accomplishments. Ms. Gray spoke about how practice makes perfect, the “ups
and downs” she faced throughout her career, and ultimately connected her entire
presentation on life lessons that each of us face on a daily basis. Each
student received an autographed photo and had the opportunity to hold and touch
Ms. Gray’s Olympic gold medal.
· December includes the
second round of data meetings at all buildings. Grade level teachers met with
principals, guidance, and interventionists to review student progress and plan
further, targeted instruction.
· Students service
projects include: Miles of Quarters for the United Way, Stuff the Truck
collection for areas hit by Hurricane Sandy, and the annual tradition of the
Caring Tree by collecting food and other necessities for the Palmyra Caring
Cupboard.
· Singer/Songwriter John
Flynn performed at the elementary schools. His performance focused on good
character and making good choices.
· Tyler Frantz’s 4th
grade Pine students participated in a live web seminar with State Wildlife
Biologist on White-Tailed Deer. Check out the details on our website by
drilling down to Schools -> Pine -> Grade 4 -> Mr. Frantz.
Middle School:
·
Students participated in a mock
election on November 6th. Many classrooms conducted debates and created posters
in support of the candidates. Mr. Martin “tricked” his students by having
them argue for the candidate they did not vote for.
·
John Bretler and Zack Quinn created
a mock Erie Canal that is in the courtyard as a gifted project.
·
Girls Night Out ~ Around
40 7th grade girls stayed after school until 9 PM with Mrs. Waiter and
Mrs. Dorwart who organized activities that centered on a healthy body image,
nutrition, and exercise. Girls participated in yoga, Zumba, and
kick-boxing. They also had snacks and completed a craft.
·
The Attorney General sent a
representative to talk to students about the dangers of abusing prescription
drugs.
· Students who hit a target for our
PTO magazine fundraiser were treated to game time in a roving Game-Mobile.
