Superintendent’s
Report
June 13, 2013
Student Recognition:
·
Outdoor Ed was again a special opportunity for 7th
graders as well as some HS leaders. During reflection time after breakfast one
morning, a young 7th grader observed that he, “… compares the lessons
learned at camp to a burrito. We always judge each other by our ‘outer shell,’
but what we really need to do is look at the ‘meat’ of the person where the
true seasonings are located.” That pretty much sums up a powerful insight that
many campers walk away with. Ms. Waiter has been coordinating this for several
years and has a finely tuned program.
·
PHS retains the Lebanon Daily News Cup for the outstanding record
of our athletes. Palmyra has earned the LDN Cup for three years in a row.
·
CTC recognition: Ashley Hopple, earned 2nd place in the
2013 Art Show.
District Recognition:
I received a notice from Rita
D. Perez, the Director of the Bureau of Teaching and Learning. As
requested, I completed a survey because, “ Your district … has been identified
as scoring above the state mean in student performance and below the state
average in expenditures based on 2010 data. The Bureau of Teaching and Learning
is interested in learning how you were able to receive a high return on
educational investment.”
Alt
Ed Review:
We received a
PDE visitation of our Alt. Ed. program on May 23. Paul has received word from
PDE that our Alt. Ed. Program has been approved for the 2013-2015 school years
cycle.
Year-End
Enrollment:
The 2013 school year ended with 108
more students than did the 2012 school year.
Division June 6, 2012 (PEL) June
6, 2013 (PEL) Change
Elementary 1,554 (1,531) 1,586 (1,556) +32
Middle
School 796 (805) 825 (815) +29
High
School 917 (929) 964 (975) +47
Total 3,267 (3,263) 3,375 (3,346) +108
Out & About:
·
Darcy and I, thanks to Board Member Wargo’s connection, met with
Sen. Folmer from the Senate Education Committee along with 3
of his support staff. The original purpose was to share our long-range,
projection, budgeting process. They, we felt, were genuinely interested and
asked probing questions. By the end of our meeting in Sen. Folmer’s office, we
also shared our views on cyber-charter funding, AYP, Palmyra’s success, our
Guiding Principles, PSERS’ obligations, and array of education issues.
·
Baccalaureate was held at Holy Spirit church. It was well attended,
a meaningful service, and included some special music by very talented
graduates.
·
Senior Honors night was very special. The auditorium was fuller
with those being honored and their supporters than I remember in past years.
·
Graduation, as you well know, was held last week at LVC’s field
house. It is a lovely venue which lends itself to a dignified ceremony. This
year was no exception. The class was made up of a kind and talented group of
students. The musical numbers were outstanding. More faculty members from the
elementary and middle school divisions attended. Wearing robes and stoles by
staff added to the dignity of the occasion. I am hopeful that the students
understand that a caring, supportive community has blessed them with an
excellent education. I believe they will go out to serve others as they move
into the next phases of their lives.
·
I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated my retirement dinner a couple
weeks ago. It was both fun and touching to spend time with some of the adults
who have become so important and valued to me over more than a decade.
Collectively, we have laughed and cried together. And, through it all, we –
those at the party and many others - have helped to bring Palmyra back to the
level where it is recognized and well respected for what it is. This is an amazing
place for both students and the staff who care about them to learn and grow.
