Northeastern Hi-Lites · Northeastern Hi-Lites Spring, 2010 Message from the Superintendent Inside...
Transcript of Northeastern Hi-Lites · Northeastern Hi-Lites Spring, 2010 Message from the Superintendent Inside...
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Pri
nc
ipa
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wa
rd
No
rth
east
ern
Wel
com
es
New
Su
per
inte
nd
ent
The e
nd to the s
chool year
is
rapid
ly a
ppro
achin
g. A
s I m
en
-
tioned in the w
inte
r new
sle
tter,
my r
etire
ment fr
om
public
educa
-
tion w
ill b
egin
effective J
une 3
0,
2010. M
y 1
5 y
ears
at N
ort
heast-
ern
have c
onvin
ced m
e that w
e
have a
n o
uts
tandin
g g
roup o
f
School B
oard
mem
bers
, school
adm
inis
trato
rs, te
achers
, cla
ssi-
fied e
mplo
yees, pare
nts
, com
mu
-
nity m
em
bers
, and s
tudents
!
I appla
ud the S
chool B
oard
for
appoin
ting D
r. J
ody N
ace a
s
Superinte
ndent effective J
uly
1, 2010. T
he tra
nsitio
n into
the r
ole
of superinte
ndent w
ill b
e s
eam
less a
s D
r. N
ace a
nd
I have w
ork
ed h
and-in-h
and for
a n
um
ber
of years
. T
here
will
be n
o “
lag-t
ime”
in r
egard
to this
dis
tric
t continuin
g to
move forw
ard
with a
mis
sio
n focused o
n s
tudent success
and h
igh e
xpecta
tion b
ecause D
r. N
ace h
as p
layed a
critical part
in c
reating o
ur
vis
ion for
the futu
re.
In c
losin
g, I lo
ok forw
ard
to s
pendin
g m
ore
tim
e w
ith fam
ily
and friends a
nd to d
iscover
ways I m
ight be a
ble
to v
olu
n-
teer
my s
erv
ices a
t N
ort
heaste
rn in the futu
re!
At th
e J
anuary
18, 2010 B
oard
of S
chool D
irecto
rs
meeting, D
r. J
ody N
ace w
as n
am
ed a
s the n
ext superin
-
tendent of N
ort
heaste
rn S
chool D
istr
ict. H
er
appoin
tment
was u
nanim
ous a
mong the n
ine b
oard
mem
bers
, and
she r
eceiv
ed a
sta
ndin
g o
vation b
y those in a
ttendance.
Dr. N
ace w
ill b
egin
her
new
responsib
ilities o
n J
uly
1,
2010. H
er
contr
act continues thro
ugh 2
013.
Dr. N
ace is a
Cum
berland C
ounty
native a
nd h
old
s a
docto
rate
in e
ducation fro
m Im
macula
ta U
niv
ers
ity in
Phila
delp
hia
. S
he h
as s
erv
ed in a
dm
inis
trative r
ole
s in
both
the Y
ork
Suburb
an a
nd E
aste
rn Y
ork
School
Dis
tric
ts. D
r. N
ace s
tart
ed h
er
care
er
in e
ducation a
s a
six
th g
rade teacher
at E
lizabeth
tow
n M
iddle
School. S
he
sta
rted w
ork
ing for
the d
istr
ict in
2003 a
s the p
rincip
al of
Spring F
org
e Inte
rmedia
te S
chool and w
as p
rom
ote
d to
her
curr
ent positio
n o
f assis
tant superinte
ndent in
2007.
In h
er
spare
tim
e, D
r. N
ace e
njo
ys s
pendin
g tim
e w
ith h
er
husband, th
ree s
tep-c
hild
ren, gra
nddaughte
r, a
nd h
er
labra
dor
retr
iever.
They e
njo
y h
ikin
g, gard
enin
g, and
readin
g. S
he e
njo
ys m
usic
and p
lays the v
iolin
, guitar,
and p
iano.
Dr. N
ace is lookin
g forw
ard
to c
arr
yin
g o
n D
r. T
abachin
i’s
goal of ensuring e
very
child
is s
uccessfu
l. S
he p
lans to
do this
by c
ontinuin
g to e
ncoura
ge team
work
am
ong
Nort
heaste
rn faculty,
sta
ff, pare
nts
, and c
om
munity.
Dr.
Nace s
tate
s that w
hat she loves a
bout th
is s
chool dis
tric
t
is “
how
we a
re c
om
mitte
d to d
oin
g w
hate
ver
it takes to
ensure
stu
dent success, one c
hild
at a tim
e.”
She s
ays, “I
am
pro
ud to b
e a
Bobcat.”
Dr.
Ro
bert
J. T
ab
ach
ini, J
r.
Su
peri
nte
nd
en
t
pg
. 2
pg
. 3
pg
. 3
pg
. 4
pg
. 5
pg
. 6
-8
pg
. 9
pg
. 1
0
pg
. 11
-13
pg
. 1
4-1
5
pg
. 1
6
Page 2 Northeastern Hi-Lites
Facilities Upgrade Are In the Works
When a school district such as ours begins the process of building a new building, estimates are made early on regarding the
cost of the project, and funding is arranged. Generally, the funding needs to be in place by the time a project starts so
construction bills can be paid. Most times, construction funding is provided through bond issues - we sell bonds, which people
buy, and we then use that money to build what is needed.
During our most recent projects at Shallow Brook and the Middle School, we issued bonds based on our best estimates for
construction costs. However, due to the hard work of our construction manager and our architects and engineers, we were
able to bring the cost of construction in UNDER those estimates, resutling in some money which as been left over. Because
of the nature of these bonds, the use of this money is somewhat restricted to improvements in our buildings.
As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our buildings in good repair and because of the need to keep our facilities functional in
the 21st century, a number of needs were identified and prioritized. During this summer, we are working on caring for some of
these needs with the construction money not yet spent. In this way, we will not have to impact future budgets to take care of
these concerns.
The main air condintioning unit at Orendorf Elementary (the chiller) is 20 years old, extremely noisy, and not very efficient by
current standards. We have been able to secure a new machine with top noise and efficiency ratings from Johnson Controls
(York International) at a special price. It will be installed this spring and will help us to reduce our energy footprint in this
building.
The seating in the high school auditorium is original to the building (1956), with the exception of some new upholstery a
number of years ago. However, the seat frames are now breaking from age, and it is not cost effective to refurbish them
further. As a result, the seating will be replaced, and the new arrangement will actually allow for a few more seats and some
additional handicapped seating, as well as some aisle lighting for safety. In addition, the 22 year-old stage curtains (which
have rotted) will be replaced, and some of the 22 year-old sound equipment will be upgraded.
Anyone who has spent much time in the high school gymnasium knows that it can be very difficult to understand announce-
ments there due to the excessive reverberation in the room. This summer we will be installling some acoustical treatment to
control reverberation and help everyone to be able to hear more clearly.
Some 20 year-old carpet will be replaced in the York Haven and Conewago Elementary libraries. Also, each of our buildings
will receive some security upgrades to their offices. These upgrades were recommended by school safety audits which were
completed earlier this year.
Technology-related upgrades include the installation of classroom multi-media systems at Spring Forge Intermediate (which
will then allow both of our intermediate schools to have similar classroom systems), and the inclusion of wireless network
connections in each of our schools. Additionally, some small air conditioning units will be installed in our file server closets in
several buildings to accommodate the heat being generated by the computer network equipment housed there.
It will be a busy summer! We are encouraged that we will be able to use a portion of the money which has already been
dedicated for construction purposes for these projects, and, as a result, will not have to tap our already stressed normal
operating budget.
Operation Help-A Neighbor Brings Smiles to 625 Faces
Due to the generous hearts of others, 625 children in the district had smiles on
their faces Christmas morning because of the Operation Help-A-Neighbor
program. This annual program heped parents in the district provide gifts for their
children from “Santa.”
Kathy Minnich, a social worker for the district, has served as the project manager
for 10 years. Some of the largest contributors to the program included: St. Paul
Untied Methodist Church, Quigley Motor Company, Holy Infant Catholic Church,
Northeastern Women of Today, Wagman Construction, Gabriels’s Place Daycare
at Mt. Washington Church, Christ Lutheran Church, St. John Lutheran Church,
York Container, NEWVIEW, staff of Northeastern School District, AAA, Walton,
Manchester Cafe, Spring Forge Student Council and many others.
Page 4 Northeastern Hi-Lites
YorkCounts Visits NESD
Kids, Truancy, and a County at Risk
At a YorkCounts town hall meeting addressing the topic of truancy, NHS sophomore Lakyn Deitrick shared her own struggles of being a 14-year-old mother who feared being separated from her daughter. She had no one to care for her baby while she attended school, so she had no choice but to stay home with her child. Luckily, social workers at the high school and a school-based case worker intervened and helped Lakyn find childcare so that she would not have to drop out of school. They encour-aged her to reach for her goal of graduating and giving her child, Karamyah, a good life. Today, Lakyn, 16, has only missed one day of school this year. She is doing well and plans to attend college to be a pediatric nurse. She says, “I’m stable. I have faith. I feel very sure I can do this.”
YorkCounts, a nonprofit coalition that works to assess, sustain, and enhance the quality of life in York County, visited Northeastern in February for a town hall meeting called “Kids, Truancy, and a County at Risk.” Speakers focused on the United Way of York County’s Stay in School Report and Judge John Uhler’s Truancy Task Force work. Situations like Lakyn’s are not an isolated case.
Bob Woods, Executive Director of the United Way and board member of YorkCounts notes, “We learned that there are huge costs to letting these kids drop out. Obviously, the kids are hurt because a lot of times they get in trouble and end up in the court system. But the entire community suffers, too - more crime, fewer people with employ-able skills, fewer people paying taxes, higher government costs for prisons and healthcare.”
Three important findings in the Stay in School Report include: ● Over the past 11 years, every day an average of four students dropped out of a York County school. ● Students who drop out of school are more than eight times as likley to end up in prison. ● The cost to incarcerate a York County resident for a year ($23,000) is three times the cost to educate a student in the public school system for one year ($7,800).
YorkCounts Director, James Debord, noted, ”We want to use the report and the town halls to show the success these local programs have had on a small scale and help them reach more families to keep more kids in school.” Dr. Tabachini, Northeastern superintendent added, “We must never give in. We must always do whatever we can to ensure the success of all students.”
Speakers at the YorkCounts town hall meeting
included (back row, left to right) Bob Woods,
Executive Director of the United Way of York
County; Dr. Robert Tabachini, Jr., Superinten-
dent, Northeastern School District; James
Debord, Director of YorkCounts (front row, left
to right) Lakyn Deitrick, student; Kathy
Minnich, NESD Elementary School Social
Worker; Sally Reed, NHS Social Worker; and
York City Police Chief, Wes Kahley.
Page 5
School Safety Update
The district-wide Safe Schools Committee,
comprised of representatives from our
teachers, nurses, school board, administra-
tors, community emergency responders, and
parents, have been working on several goals
this year. We would like to update you on
their goal progress.
● The committee is completely revising the
district’s emergency manual in order to
reflect best practices in emergency management. A draft is in
progress.
● Building Emergency Response teams have been identified for
each school and will be trained by the end of this school year.
This team works to provide leadership in crisis prevention and
preparedness within the school. They also will work with the
building principal to respond to a school crisis or emergency.
● The committee created a consistent visitor sign-in procedure that
is used in all of our schools and ensures that we properly identify
and account for any visitor to any of our facilities.
● We are conducting Threat and Security Assessments in each of
our buildings. The assessments are conducted by York County
Emergency Management and area emergency responders. Each
assessment identifies potential areas of improvement in our
emergency practices. All assessments will be completed by early
April.
● We have entered into an agreement with a facility to act as a
Parent Reunification site in case there is a need to evacuate our
students to another location in order to be reunited with their
parents. An evacuation would occur when a crisis has occurred
that would make the school unsafe for both students and parents.
This parent reunification site will remain confidential for security
reasons, but in the event of an evacuation, parents would be
notified with instructions via our Global Connect automatic phone
calling system.
● We are working with an area contracting firm who is donating their
time and services to create detailed emergency site plans for our
schools, to be used by area emergency responders. In addition,
we are offering our facilities during non-school hours to be used
as training facilities for our police and fire personnel. This will help
them get to know our facilities which will enable them to respond
more effectively in an actual emergency.
● We are working to improve our emergency communication
systems within the district.
● We are creating a plan to have an adequate number of staff
members in each building trained in such emergency skills as first
aid, CPR, and AED.
● Our School Board is currently reviewing a draft of a policy that if
approved, will require parent volunteers to comply with obtaining
Act 34 and Act 151 background checks before volunteering to
work with our students.
The Safe Schools Committee will continue to work on goals that will
further enhance the safety and security of our buildings so that
students can be assured a safe place to learn. If you have ques-
tions regarding the work of this committee, please contact Dr. Jody
Nace, Assistant Superintendent at 266-3667, ext. 10228.
High School Students
Excel at Computer Fair
Competition
In March, students at the high school competed in the
2010 Regional Computer Fair Competition at Lincoln
Intermediate Unit 12 in New Oxford, Pennsylvania.
The regional competition, held annually, allows
students to showcase their skills in several areas of
computer use including programming, logo and
graphic design, digital media, digital video, and
animation.
Five Northeastern students participated in this year’s
event, with four of those students winning first place
awards that automatically advance them onto the
state level of competition to be held at Dickinson
College on May 25.
Michelle Helwig won first place for her entry in the
graphic design category. Michelle submitted a
brochure advertising Northeastern athletic apparel.
Briana Meile, Nick Michalak, and Alex Quinn won a
first place award for their digital video entry “Eli’s
Story,” a five-minute film about the consequences of
driving under the influence.
The students were able to take advantage of the
district’s recent investment in Adobe Creative Suite
software, which has provided the students with the
same tools used by professionals in the media
industry.
Pictured above are students, left to right: Alex Quinn,
Nick Michalak, Briana Meile, and Michelle Helwig.
Don‛t miss out..ORDER YOUR NHS YEARBOOK TODAY!!
See Ms. Brown for an order form(Room 203)
$61.00
Page 6 Northeastern Hi-Lites
Quiz Bowl Team Succeeds
This year marks the first year that Northeastern High School has had an official
competitive Quiz Bowl Team. Coached by high school social studies teacher, Mr.
Hubert Huang, and assisted by Mrs. Susan Schleig, the NHS Quiz Bowl Team has
had a busy season. The team has been practicing at least once a week after school
since September for their matches in the Lancaster-Lebanon Quiz Bowl Leagues,
WGAL’s BrainBusters, the Pennsylvania Academic Competition, and various other
tournaments throughout the year. In addition to researching different academic topics
ranging from chemistry and physics, from mathematics to world, and United States
history and geography, the Quiz Bowl Team frequently has practice matches against
high school faculty to hone their skills answering questions and increasing their
buzzer speed.
Most notably, the Quiz Bowl Team advanced to the third round of WGAL’s BrainBusters, defeating Milton Hershey and Cedar
Crest. In the third round, the team fell to last year’s champion Cumberland Valley. Of the 38 teams that began the single-
elimination tournament, Northeastern finished in the top ten.
As a recap of the Lancaster-Lebanon Quiz Bowl League, the high school varisty Quiz Bowl Team finished 7-11 in a very
tough division that included Penn Manor (#6 in the nation), Elizabethtown (#9 in the nation), Hempfield, Garden Spot, Done-
gal, and Columbia. Considering that many of the Quiz Bowlers on other teams in the league have been participating in
competitive matches since 7th grade, Northeastern’s Quiz Bowl Team did very well. On February 20, the Quiz Bowl Team
competed in the Conestoga Valley Quiz Bowl Tournament. The team placed 15th out of 48 teams, losing in the round of 16 to
eventual semi-finalists Penn Manor.
Additionally, this is the first year that Northeastern Middle School has had a Quiz Bowl Team. Also coached by Mr. Huang, the
middle school team is also competing in the Lancaster-Lebanon Middle School Quiz Bowl League and currently has a record
of 8-6 with one regular season match to go.
Congratulations to these students for their outstanding academic performance: High School Varsity/JV Teams: Matt Raffens-
berger (captain), Danielle Schleig (co-captain), Peter Snell, Devante Jones, Chelsea Proulx, Cheyanna Snyder, Derek Butler,
Ashton Brown, Obria Shaw, Olu Durojaye, Megan Perry, and Lexi Schantz; Middle School Team: Matt Beck (captain), Zach
Valentine, Laella Dickerson, Odunayo Durojaye, Omodele Durojaye, and Amy Beistline
Excellence in Music
Two Northeastern High School
students embody excellence in
music. Junior viola player, Carson
Bear (left), participated in the
Pennsylvania Music Educators
Association (PMEA) District 7
Orchestra Festival in January.
Benjamin Eisenhour, also a junior
(right), performed in the PMEA
District 7 Chorus Festival. He
auditioned for the Regional Festival
and placed third of 27 “Tenor 1”
men. Eisenhour, also a euphonium
player, participated in the Lower District 7 Band Festival in
February. Both students engaged in a very competitive
audition process to be part of the festivals. Congrats Ben
and Carson!!
8th Annual High School Faculty
Talent Show
In January, teachers and staff mem-
bers joined to share their talents in
the 8th Annual High School Faculty
Talent Show. Held during the week
before finals, the show offered comic
relief and entertainment to the
students during a stressful time.
Teachers volunteered for the program
and gave up time with their families to
rehearse and prepare for the perfor-
mance. A show was held during the
day for the students and in the
evening for the community as a
fundraiser for Northeastern Dollars for Scholars. Acts
included a baton and tap dancing routine, a rendition of
Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville (performed by Mr. Jon
Eyster, pictured),” an original music creation called “The 12
Days of Finals,” and a group ensemble featuring a song
from the television show Glee.
Page 7
Hall of Nations Shows
Cultural Diversity at NHS
DeVante Jones wanted to do something special
for his senior project. He wanted to leave his
imprint on the school he loves. Therefore,
DeVante decided to showcase the diversity of
the students at the high school. He did some
research and found that students from 26
different countries attend Northeastern High
School. DeVante ordered flags from each of the
countries. Over a three-month time period, he
hung the flags in the corridor between the high
school and the old middle school. He calls the
project the “Hall of Nations.” The hallway is a
visual portrayal of the families of students who
attend the high school and displays the wide
diversity within the district. Some of the countries
represented include Cameroon, Burma, El
Salvador, France, Russia, Mexico, China,
Scotland, and Puerto Rico.
DeVante plans to pass his senior project on to
another student so his efforts to celebrate
diversity can continue. He hopes that next year a
student will expand his vision by incorporating
pictures of each family next to their respective
flags and adding a lighting system.
DeVante plans to attend college and major in
finance with a double minor in international
business and foreign language. He would like to
become fluent in seven languages. DeVante will
be interning at the U.S. Department of State in
Washington, D.C. over the summer, where he
hopes to work as an economist in the future.
NHS Participates in
Schools with Cameras
Earlier this year, the York
Jewish Community Center
(JCC) invited all York
County schools to partici-
pate in a project called
“Schools with Cameras.”
The schools were asked
to submit 10 photos that
shared a glimpse into the
life of their high school.
The goal of the project
was to celebrate diversity,
culture, and school spirit
in York County high schools and bring down stereotypes. Northeastern
High School was one of 11 participating schools.
NHS yearbook editor, Natalie Hotaling, was chosen to work with Ms.
Beth Ann Brown, English teacher and yearbook advisor, to choose the
photos. They searched through a massive amount of pictures to find
the perfect ones that epitomized the Northeastern High School experi-
ence.
Recently, Ms. Brown and Miss Hotaling, along with high school princi-
pal, Mr. Gay, and Mrs. Kim Brenner-Zirkle, Director of Marketing and
Public Relations, attended the project unveiling. Representatives from
the others schools were in attendance as well. Each school received a
DVD featuring a slide presentation of the photos that were submitted.
NHS plans to share the DVD with the student body later in the school
year. The entire “Schools with Cameras Photo Exhibit” - including
shots from all 11 districts - will travel to each participating high school
and is scheduled to be here for a week in April.
Northeastern Cut Footloose
Over 50 students took the stage
at NHS’ Sutton Auditorium in
February for the high-energy,
fast-paced production of the
popular musical, “Footloose.” Set
in the mid-western town of
Bomont, the story centered
around a local law that forbade
dancing of any kind. The musical
followed one young man’s quest
to take on Town Hall in an effort
to reinstate dancing as an
acceptable activity. Among the
students featured were Ben
Eisenhour, Dana Ambrose,
DeVante Jones, Corina Aucker,
Marquis Whitfield, Derek Butler,
Natalie Hotaling, Logan Douglass, and Erin Dubs. The Church Choir,
the Cowgirls who line dance, the boys from the junk yard, and the
Townspeople of Bomont completed the ensemble. Congratulations to
the entire cast, pit orchestra, and production staff for an outstanding
and memorable production. They deserve the standing ovations they
received!
IMPORTANT DATESGraduation:
Thursday, June 10Last Day for Students:
Friday, June 11
Page 8 Northeastern Hi-Lites
Northeastern High School Winter Guard Team
Did you know that Northeastern High School has a very talented Winter Guard Team? In
case you’re not aware, winter guard is the indoor equivalent to color guard. Teams from
14 different school districts compete throughout the winter for coveted titles. Team
members perform to recorded music instead of live music, as they do during football
season with the NHS marching band. Because the competitions are held indoor,
participants are able to perform more difficult stunts and toss many more flags, rifles,
and sabers. As a result of their past success, NHS Winter Guard moved to a higher
competitive division this year. They now compete in the GOLD division for KIDA
(Keystone Indoor Drill Association). Since each routine is based on a theme, the NHS
Winter Guard’s 2010 show titled, “A Dedication,” was choreographed to honor breast
cancer survivors.
To show their commitment and dedication to their show, the winter guard participants
organized a service project. In cooperation with P.I.N.K., an organization comprised of
women who have survived breast cancer, the students collected items such as lotions,
puzzle books, magazines, socks, and nail polish to be placed in “sunshine bags.” The
items were sorted into more than 50 bags were distributed to patients receiving chemotherapy.
NHS Winter Guard further honored breast cancer survivors by inviting P.I.N.K. members to their 2nd Annual Friends and
Family Night in March. The girls presented the items collected to the P.I.N.K. members and gave them each a pink flower.
Some of the women’s voices were even featured on the winter guard performance track proudly stating, “I survived.” The
team will also be walking in the P.I.N.K. Walk for Breast Cancer on May 8.
NHS Winter Guard would like to thank the members of P.I.N.K. for being true inspirations and examples. They would also like
to thank the Northeastern community for their generous donations.
Classmates to Costa Rica
This summer, 12 high school students will travel to Costa Rica with Spanish teacher,
Mrs. Zimmerman, to see the things they’ve only read about in their textbooks and to put
their Spanish speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills to the test. The students
include Mia Arnold-Scott, Corina Aucker, Kyra Avaritt, Kathryn Deebel, Thomas
Deebel, Cara Glatfelter, Caitlyn MItchell, Andrea Prather, Nathan Vitacco, Krista Sharp,
Amanda Bowers,
and Brittney
Shirey.
While in Costa
Rica, the students
will not only have an opportunity to practice speaking
Spanish, but they get to observe and experience the
cultural and atmospheric differences between Costa Rica
and the United States. They will witness the biodiversity
and large population of flora and fauna in areas like the
INBioparque theme park and research station, view the
active Poas Volcano, touch clouds in the Monteverde
Cloud Rainforest, interact with Costa Rican students in
school, enjoy a traditional meal, listen to marimba music
and entertainment by a local dance troupe during a
folklore evening, and more. Students will also get in
touch with their adventurous sides through activities like
horseback riding along the coast, zip-lining over the
rainforest, and walking across suspension footbridges.
The students will undoubtedly return to the United States
with an increased awareness of the world in which we
live.
Back row: Lauren Straughsbaugh, Tabby
Knouse, Leah Rudy, Elizabeth Wiley: Middle
Row: Morgan Wilt, Kay Hannigan, Victoria
Glick; Front Row: Brook Dattisman, Tierra
Price, Steph Brandon
Page 9
Kids That Care
Two Northeastern Middle School students said, “We should do something for all those people in Haiti.” That was all it took for art teacher, Gail Lenhart, to get the ball rolling. She thought all weekend about how she could teach the students to work for money rather than approaching others for donations. During each of the art classes that next morning, the students were asked to develop a product that their class could make and sell. Each class would donate 100% of the monies collected to the Red Cross for Haiti relief. “The response was overwhelming! That entire week, the students were making bookmarks, decorative pins, refrigerator magnets, bracelets, and angel ornaments, while still working on their daily lessons,” said Lenhart. When the campaign was over, the students collected $520.
But that’s not the end of the story. One student spoke privately to Mrs. Lenhart and asked if the students could give the dollars to a district family whose daughter was just diagnosed with cancer. “I said that it was not up to me, but the classes could vote,” said Lenhart. Each class voted, and it was decided that Northeastern Middle School art students would send half of the donations to the Red Cross and half to “one of their own.”
Mr. Alessandroni, principal at the middle school, says this is another example of the types of students and staff that spend their days LEARNING together and caring about other people. “The type of character lessons that students receive here are not separate and distinct lessons all the time, but rather interwoven throughout the LEARNING process and curricu-lum,” Alessandroni explained, “It is stories like this that happen often at the school that make it the magical place it has become. Our kids care deeply about one another, and our staff provide them the direction they need to tunnel this compas-sion and energy into things that matter the most. When one of ours is down,” Alessandroni said, “we get together and pick them up.”
Air Force Dad Surpises Kids with School Visit
Seventh grade student, Austin Mosel, thought he was being pulled out of class early to go to a dentist appointment with his mom and sister. He certainly didn’t expect to be taken to the middle school cafeteria, see video cameras pointed at him, and hear God Bless the USA playing over the loudspeakers. Needless to say, he was a little confused. When assistant principal, Ben Ruby, pointed to the corner of the room, Austin saw his father sitting on a couch in his U.S. Air Force uniform. His dad rose to his feet and Austin rushed over to him. “Hey pal,” he said. “Hey, Dad!” As they hugged, a look of gladness and peace shone on Austin’s face. He said, “I’m really excited. He’s my Dad...I love him!”
David Mosel, a Technical Sergeant with the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, returned from Kandahar, Afghanistan and drove to the area to surprise Austin and his daughter, Alex, a student at Shallow Brook Intermediate School. TSgt. Mosel had been in touch with them via daily text messages or emails, but hadn’t been able to speak with them since the holidays. They knew he was coming home but didn’t expect to see him until the following week.
When Alex saw him, the fifth grader ran into his arms and cried, “Daddy! I love you!” He replied, “I love you, too,” kissing her and holding her tightly. Of surprising Austin, TSgt. Mosel said, “He doesn’t get a lot of surprises...he’s a good kid.” Austin and his dad only get to see each other every other weekend due to custody arrangements. They have a close relationship, though, and enjoy long talks during rides to and from Maryland where TSgt. Mosel lives. It’s easy to see that they enjoy spending time together.
Mr. Ruby received a call from Austin’s mother who arranged the reunion. “It was fun to be part of the moment,” he said. “This is the Northeastern Community.” TSgt. Mosel, who has
also served in Iraq, will be home for a few months before returning to action.
Students in Mrs. Lenhart’s art class work on
projects to sell to help the victims of the Haiti
disaster and to help a district family in need.
Photo by Bill Kalina, York Dispatch
Page 12 Northeastern Hi-Lites
Students Experience
Bolivian Culture As part of Mt. Wolf Elementary School’s No Place for Hate initiative, students have been using classroom discussions and activities that correlate with the facts from the morning announcements. They have also been journaling about what they have learned. During “Bolivia Week,” Maria Heim, an Instructional Assistant for the school, shared information about her homeland. Heim and her family moved to the United States 11 years ago from Bolivia. Her three daughters attend Northeastern School District. The family prepared food for the students and faculty, and Heim’s oldest daughters dressed in authentic Bolivian garb. Some of the treats included empanadas, yuka roots, masaco, and cunape.
Students Share Creativity
and Celebrate Youth Art Month To celebrate Youth Art Month, Orendorf Elementary School art teacher, Mrs. Julie Schedin, planned an exciting presentation for the students at an assembly that featured not only their artwork, but that of their teachers. She showed photos of projects made by the staff mem-bers including stained glass, paintings, ceramics, draw-ings, cross stitch items, jewelry pieces, and woven projects. Some of the teachers also shared why art is important to them. The kindergarteners participated in a parade showcasing their artwork, and all the students took part in a giant cartooning activity and a drawing lesson. According to Mrs. Schedin, “Art is another way of showing how smart you really are!” She adds, “Great artists are great thinkers. American education should be all about great thinking. That’s why it is so important to celebrate art in our schools.”
Exciting Equipment Coming to
Physical Education
Classes at Orendorf Orendorf Elementary School physical education teacher, Ms. Diana Collier, attended a workshop in the fall to gain new concepts for increasing students’ fitness levels. She was inspired to bring some of the innovative ideas back to her school after hearing former Georgia State Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, J.D. Hughes, speak at the conference. She purchased his books and DVD’s and was enthusiastic about incorporating his ideas into her lesson plans and games. However, there was one big problem. Collier did not have the equipment needed to offer the new ideas to her students.
Fortunately, she heard about the Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge, a grant program promoting nutrition, physical activity, self-esteem, and bullying prevention. Collier submitted a grant proposal, which focused on improving students’ physical activity and was awarded a $9,441.00 grant for the school. The grant money will be spent on equipment including vinyl spots numbered 1-25, high density premium fleece balls, rainbow target set, wacky noodle foam rods, Speed Stack sets, portable volleyball standards, a 36” cage ball, super bounce coated foam balls, and more. The equipment will be used to support games created by Hughes called “Crocodile Mile,” “H2O No!”, “Pacemaker,” and others. These activities support motor skills and motor development with a constant underyling theme of fitness. However, rather than asking students to jog for 10 minutes around the gym, which is boring and uneventful, these students will complete the same amount of cardiovascular endurance - unbeknownst to them - through the exciting challenges presented during physical education class. The same concepts of achieving physical fitness, while having fun doing so, will be carried out for the following fitness factors: muscular endurance, muscular strength, speed, agility, and flexibility. Collier says, “Students at Orendorf will be partaking in a whole new experience with the arrival of new equipment through the support of the Highmark Healthy High 5 Grant.”
Page 14 Northeastern Hi-Lites
The Bobcat Foundation Funds Programs
to Benefit Students
The Bobcat Foundation is a non-profit organization that works hand-in-hand with the district toprovide for the greatest needs of the students. The goal of the foundation is to raise dollars to support academic, cultural, and athletic necessities that may fall outside the district’s operating budget. The Bobcat Foundation is dedicated to offering our students opportunities that would not otherwise be possible.
The foundation reaches out to individuals and businesses to encourage their lasting connection and involvement with the Northeastern School District. Businesses may gain exposure through placing ads in the district newsletter or calendar, hanging banners in school athletic arenas, sponsoring program needs, or investing in naming rights for district venues (also available in honor/memory of a loved one). Individual donations are accepted and may be offered to fulfill the greatest needs of the district, or allocated to enhance academic departments, support sports programs, or offer cultural opportunities for students.
The Bobcat Foundation is eligible to partner with businesss and receive funds through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improve-ment Tax Credit Program (ETIC). In addition, “The Bobcat Foundation Endowment Fund” through the York County Commu-nity Foundation (YCCF) ensures the organization’s future of sustaining and implementing important programs that benefit our students.
The Bobcat Foundation Board of Directors recently approved the following items for purchase:
● Monitors for all four elementary school sound systems, which will enhance student voices during concerts and assemblies = $6,000● An elliptical for Northeastern High School’s weight room = $3,199.25● Flip video cameras for Shallow Brook Intermediate School = $300● Document cameras for Spring Forge Intermediate School = $3,497.94● Document cameras for Northeastern High School = $2,329.40
To date, dollars have also been raised through corporate/individual support
to provide for:
● A two-week artist in residence program at Mt. Wolf Elementary School● Books and materials for the libraries at Shallow Brook Intermediate School and Mt. Wolf Elementary School to increase library collections and support the Accelerated Reader Program● Books for the Choice Reading Program (classroom collections) in the 9th Grade Academy● Visits from Loretta Claiborne and Quay Hanna, who spoke to middle school students about anti-bullying and diversity issues● New footing for the baseball field● Soccer team needs● Needs at York Haven Elementary● Playground equipment at Orendorf Elementary School● Wireless microphones for the high school dramatics department (plays/musicals) ● S.T.A.R. Awards Program needs, which recognizes middle school students’ academic and behavioral successes● Technology needs: video conferencing equipment, document cameras, and slates
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to benefit
students through The Bobcat Foundation, please send your
contribution to:
The Bobcat Foundation
Attn: Kim Brenner-Zirkle
41 Harding Street, Manchester, PA 17345
Gifts from generous alumni, parents, staff members, businesses,
and friends are vital and enable The Bobcat Foundation to offer
additional academic, cultural, and athletic opportunities to our
students. Your contribution can make an impact by providing
learning experiences not otherwise possible.
Recent Donors
Special thanks to The Bobcat
Foundation’s most recent donors for
their generosity and support of educa-
tion:
● Mr. John Zimmerman
● CSI Services, Inc.
● The Doctors Miller
● Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Danner
● The Sutton Family
● Mr. and Mrs. Tim Heilman
● Mr. Harold Zuber
● The Graham Foundation
● CSI Servcies, Inc.
● The Rotary Club of York-North
● Rutter’s York Container Foundation
● York Water Company
● Susquehanna Bank
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14)
Page 15
The Bobcat Foundation:
The Bobcat Foundation recently received $35,000 in contributions through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC)! Rutter’s and the York Container Foundation both donated $15,000, and the York Water Company and Susquehanna Bank gave $2,500 each to benefit our students. We are pleased to partner with such respected businesses in the York Community.
SAVE THE DATE!
The 2nd Annual Bobcat Foundation
Car Show & Exhibition Corvette Auto Cross
in partnership with the York County Corvette ClubDOUBLE SANCTION SHOW
PLUS…The Baby Buffalo Patty Drop!
Saturday, September 18, 2010Northeastern HS/MS Complex
300 High St., Manchester9 a.m. – Noon Registration
3 p.m. Awards Presentation
Bring your Corvette, Hot Rod, American Muscle
Car, Classic Car, Motorcycle, Mustang, or Camaro!
Road Rally fundraiser, door prizes, 50/50 drawings, raffles, food vendors, performances
by the NHS Marching Band…and more!
To register your car now contact Joanne Gohn577-3133 or [email protected]
Sponsorship opportunities are available now!
Call Kim Brenner-Zirkle at 266-3667 ext.
10274
Joel Snyder, Vice-President of the York-North Rotary Club presents a $1,400 check to Kim Brenner-Zirkle. The donation will fund classroom books for the Choice Reading Program in the 9th Grade Academy.
Todd Rutter (left), President of Rutter’s Dairy and Tim Rutter (right), President of M & G Realty present a $15,000 check to Kim Brenner-Zirkle, Executive Director of The Bobcat Founda-tion. The contribution was offered through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC).
NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 11 MANCHESTER, PA
CAR-RT SORT
POSTAL CUSTOMER
Northeastern School District
Board or School Directors
Administration
Page 16 Northeastern Hi-Lites
Alessandroni Receives Oustanding Principal Award
Recently, Mr. Michael Alessandroni, Principal of Northeastern Middle School, was
nominated to receive the Dr. Eugene P. Segro Memorial Outstanding Principal
Award from the local chapter of Phi Delta Kappa International, a professional
association in education. Dr. Eugene Segro was the principal of Red Lion Junior
High School who lost his life a few years ago as a result of a tragic school shooting.
Mr. Alessandroni won the nomination and will be awarded this special designation
at a ceremony in May.
Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Jody Nace says, “Please join me in congratulating Mr.
Alessandroni on this prestigious recognition for the dedication and quality service
leadership he provides to our middle school students, parents, staff, and district
colleagues. We are proud to call him one of our our own Bobcats! Congratulations
Mr. Alessandroni!”
Mr. Alessandroni notes, “If you truly represent SERVANT-BASED LEADERSHIP,
(which I try to do) than you are keenly aware that any recognition such as this is merely a reflection of the awesome people
you SERVE who elevate you to these types of accomplishments. I have achieved what I have achieved because of the
shoulders I have stood on and the boots that people have given me.” He adds, “In other words, when I win...WE WIN and
vice versa! The middle school staff is an exceptional group of educators to SERVE. I am humbled to play a small part in our
journey and our success! It has been our PEOPLE and nothing more that have made these great strides possible. ‘The
show’ is not me but rather the relationships that exist within our school that make our school a ‘magical’ place.”
Kindergarten
Registration
Do you have a child turning five by September 1, 2010? Please call the elementary
school in your attendance area to schedule your registration appointment today.