February Update

Superintendent’s Report

February 14, 2013

Student Recognition:

·       Rotary Student of the Month

o   January: Arielle Raugh  

o   February: Tyler Morder

·       In September I reported that Ben Cicchillo was a National Merit Semi-Finalist. It is now our pleasure to report that he has achieved National Merit Scholar status. This is an accomplishment very few HS students achieve. Congratulations!

·       Competitions:

o   Lancaster / Lebanon Sumdog Math Competition: Palmyra placed 4^th out of 15 districts competing. In the top 50 places, PASD held 17 places.

§  3rd place - Ryan Talalai - Pine 5^th gr.

§  4th place - Leo Higgins – Middle School - 8^th gr.

§  8th place - Kathryn Oliver - Forge 5^th gr.

§  9th place - Katlyn Thai - Forge 4^th gr.

§  10th place - Ben Wolfe - Forge 5^th gr.

o   National Social Studies Challenge organized by MS teacher Robert Martin.

§  Finalists included: Taylor Slusser, Meghan Buchle, Brad Blaszynski, Wade Kurzinger

·       HS Musical (King & I) cast participated in “Classroom 180” through Open Stage of Harrisburg. This program brings New York City actors in to work with our students for six hours on acting, singing, dancing, & audition techniques.

Staff Recognition:

“Palmyra Hosts USTA School Tennis Workshop” was the headline on an article in the LLAHPERD (health / PE professional organization) winter newsletter. The article included a picture of our staff members wearing beanie hats made from an orange cone topped by a tennis ball. Teacher Jill Bucks, who is a member of the Executive Committee, submitted the article.

                                     

Tracking Enrollment: 

        Division                   9/28/12         1/31/13        Difference

        Elementary                1558             1587                +29

        Middle School            815               823                 +8

        High School               975               967                  -8

        District-Wide            3348             3377                +29

Tracking Class Size Ranges: 

        Grade                   9/28/12         1/31/13       

        EDK                           12            11-12                    

        K                           18-20            18-20

        First                       19-23            20-23                    

        Second                   21-25           22-25

        Third                      21-26           21-26                    

        Fourth                    20-23           20-23

        Fifth                       20-28           21-28

Safety:

I, along with all other Lebanon County Superintendents, sent a joint letter to Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis noting that safety in our schools is a public safety issue, not exclusively a school issue. We urge that any legislation directed toward school safety & security be directed at those charged with ensuring public safety: law enforcement. The responsibility should not fall solely on the shoulders of our local taxpayers through school taxes. This letter is on our website, linked to the Superintendent’s section.

Division Reports: 

Elementary:

·       Testing:

§  Benchmarking: DRA & Study Island. Scores have been uploaded onto Data Blender & the data analyzed at data meetings where team members consider the progress of students & prescribe interventions.

§  PSSA Writing Field Test for 3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th graders. This was a one-day sample of the writing portion of the new ELA test.

·       Assembly: Bright Star Touring Theater performed “African Folk Tales.” The interactive, fast-paced performance focused on different types of folk tales & their various purposes. Students enjoyed many pour quoi (por-kwah) tales (stories that explain why an animal acts a certain way or how it came to look the way it does). Students were encouraged to read & enjoy folk tales on their own. The program materials included a study guide with background information & suggested activities to extend students’ learning into the classroom.

·       Lingle & Northside Art Clubs had special receptions for friends & family. Students shared the pieces that they had produced during the after school club.

·       Students Participate In Special Historical Project: The Lebanon Historical Society invited students to create a timeline of the history of Palmyra & their schools, as well as other important events of Lebanon County. Mrs. Kerlik’s 3^rd grade class at Forge painted their own artwork on canvas boards, which will resemble a quilt. They researched the life of Dr. John Palm & the town of Palmstown, which became Palmyra. The final product will be on display on Saturday, February 16th, at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center & Fairgrounds.

Middle School:

·       The art club continues to work on the lobby mural. They have added birds for a 3-D effect & are now painting gnomes.

·       Clubs:

o   PAWs for a Cause continues to collect money for Relay for Life.

o   Ski Club has been skiing every Thursday evening.

o   Circle of Friends (life skills/emotional support/special education/regular education students) went ice-skating.

·       MS musical, Camp Rock, will be March 15^th and 16^th.  

Congratulations:

My sincere congratulations go to Ms. Lisa Brown who will be Palmyra’s next Superintendent. Having been a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent, including experience working in two districts before her time in Palmyra, she, I know, is well prepared to take on this position. She is already an integral part of our leadership team here, and I am confident in her ability help move Palmyra further toward our mission of preparing students to learn, think, problem solve, and serve. She also understands that this happens through staff members performing at their professional best and students living up to their academic best.

Happy Valentines Day:

My loving wishes to all on this holiday. Tonight serves as another example of the time and commitment on the part of our board members to serve, sometimes at the expense of family time.