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PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • NOVEMBER 2014
Across the DISTRICT
STUDENT ARTISTS HONORED
In keeping with the annual tradition of adding
new student art work to the permanent collection
at the Central Administration Building, nine
Pennsbury student artists were recognized at a
special reception held recently in their honor.
Administrators, teachers, and parents were on hand
as Art Curriculum Coordinator Ruth Anne Schultz
unveiled the selected works for 2014, bringing the
total number of pieces in the permanent collection
to 96. The schools listed with each of the students’
names below are the schools they were attending last
year when the works were created. Congratulations
to these talented artists!
In addition to the students listed above, the digital
art pieces created by the following Pennsbury
High School students were chosen specifically to
be added to the walls of a conference room in the
Administration Building. Art teacher: Abby Cramer
Julia Franco
Corey Johnston
Kaitlyn Lucisano
Alix Newton
Alyssa Kealey, Edgewood Elementary School
Maasi Bust
Art teacher: Michele Holt
Bethany Gardner, PHS
Self-portrait using re-purposed material (paint chips)
Art teacher: Curtis May
Christine Heren, William Penn Middle School
Acrylic study of the work of Vincent Van Gogh
Art teacher: Blair Greiner
Campbell Allen, PHS
Colored pencil drawing (hand)
Art teacher: Tony Napoli
Devon Bumm, PHS
Digital art
Art teacher: Abby Cramer
www.pennsburysd.org
Art students recognized at a special reception included, from left:
Alyssa Kealey, Bethany Gardner, Christine Heren, Campbell Allen,
and Julia Franco. Not pictured: Corey Johnston, Kaitlyn Lucisano,
Devon Bumm, and Alix Newton.
BCPAC AND PARTNERS PROGRAM
SPONSOR GUEST ARTIST
Vocal music artist and performer, David Gonzalez,
was a special guest in all ten of Pennsbury’s
elementary schools during one week in October,
thanks to the generosity of the Bucks County
Performing Arts Center in conjunction with the
Pennsbury Partners Program. Mr. Gonzalez and his
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • NOVEMBER 2014
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S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
accompanying keyboardist, Daniel Kelly, presented
a total of twelve assemblies in the elementary
schools. Each school had a choice of three different
character-building presentations. By all accounts, the
story-based presentations were enjoyed with great
enthusiasm by the students in each of the schools.
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT HOSTS
BUS FEATURE AT FALL FESTIVAL
Charlie Williams, Pennsbury’s Director of
Transportation, along with bus driver, Tom
MacNamara, reprised their department’s special
feature at Historic Fallsington Day last month.
Throughout the day, they “hosted” a Pennsbury bus
next to the District Communications tent and invited
children at the festival to climb aboard, sit in the
driver’s seat, operate the controls for the front door and
rear lift mechanism, and (occasionally) toot the horn!
help bring joy to seniors in area assisted-living
communities,” said Ms. Jones. “Each child wrote a
spooky story and then decorated a pumpkin as one
of the main characters from his or her narrative.
Afton parents generously donated all the supplies
needed for this project.” The fourth graders also
helped their kindergarten buddies create whimsical
pumpkins to add to the “donation patch,” added Ms.
Jones. “The spirit of giving started with one seed,
and grew into a collaborative effort at Afton!”
Reading and Language Arts Curriculum
Coordinator, Mary Ellen Lane, reports that
elementary teachers celebrated the National Day
on Writing last month through a variety of planned
classroom activities, including the sharing of writers’
notebooks with buddies. Afton first grade teacher,
Michele Corbett, was among the teachers who
fostered writing in this way.
Michele Corbett’s first graders shared their writing with classmates
in celebration of the National Day on Writing at Afton Elementary.
A Pennsbury bus was one of the popular attractions on Historic
Fallsington Day. Transportation Director Charlie Williams (second
from left) assisted students who wished to operate the rear lift.
In the SCHOOLS
AFTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The Afton fourth graders taught by Coleen Jones
and Heather Kirk completed a service project “to
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Fourth grade teacher, Sharon Sullivan, presented a
challenge to her students at the end of a Science unit
on electricity. The challenge was to build something
that would become part of what the class would
build together – Electric City. “For this culminating
activity, students designed and created structures
out of cardboard boxes and other materials. Their
structures were to include three or more working
lights that were controlled by exterior switches. In
addition to the lights and switches, everything had to
be wired in a simple series and/or parallel circuit(s).
Students did an amazing job with this project!”
NOVEMBER 2014 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
www.pennsburysd.org
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
said Ms. Sullivan. Afton’s Electric City included
everything from the local Starbucks and Cramer’s
Bakery to other structures such as a holiday house,
tour bus, haunted house, game and music stores, a
martial arts club, a candy store, pizza shop, wrestling
venue, the Eiffel Tower, Washington Monument,
Empire State Building, a race car track, a library,
park, prison, football stadium, and a soccer field!
EDGEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
On Friday, November 7th, Edgewood launched a
school-wide character education program with its
ROAR assembly. ROAR stands for Respectful, Openminded, Appreciative, and Responsible. “Edgewood
Tigers ROAR with success when their behavior
reflects these concepts,” explained Edgewood’s
Acting Assistant Principal, Donna Minnigh, who is
helping to coordinate the new program.
children who were found to be “doing something
right” during the assembly received stamped paw
prints on their hands as a reward.
Student Council members led a special ROAR
cheer created by Ms. Spack for the occasion and
helped teachers reinforce the meaning of the
acronym during the school assembly. “Teachers
also plan to wear their Edgewood ROAR shirts on
every Day 5 to continue reinforcing the behavioral
concepts,” said Ms. Minnigh. “We’ve pulled together
a really supportive team to implement the ROAR
program here at Edgewood. “Special area teachers,
Special Education faculty members, our School
Counselor, teachers and parents – everyone really
stepped up and made significant contributions.”
As students will gather their paw points during
the course of the school year, their outstanding
actions and behaviors will be written up and placed
on display in special recognition. “This will also
help showcase all the great things going on at
Edgewood,” said Ms. Minnigh.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Edgewood Elementary students were introduced to a new,
school-wide initiative focusing on character education during an
assembly that featured this life-sized, tiger mascot!
During the assembly, Principal Michele Spack
explained the concept of “paw points” that students
may earn by acting upon the behaviors behind
ROAR. “Prior to the assembly, 18 students who
had been ‘caught’ doing something awesome were
given paw points, which enabled them to become
part of the assembly program,” said Ms. Minnigh.
“They played bucket-filling games and unscrambled
character-related sentences to demonstrate positive
behaviors in front of the rest of the students.” Also,
www.pennsburysd.org
Principal Elizabeth Aldridge reports that there
are new flags flying high in front of Eleanor
Roosevelt Elementary to represent the school’s
“Four Falcon Feathers.” Ms. Aldridge explained,
“We purchased flags for the poles outside of our
school to reinforce our character education program.
The ‘Feathers’ represent Respect, Responsibility,
Cooperation, and Kindness.” Two additional flags
display the name of the school and the District
mascot, the Pennsbury Falcon.
Kathy Adams’ kindergarten class was visited by
local professionals, including Bruce Rhodunda, a
Falls Township police officer. “Officer Rhodunda
came to speak with the students about his job as a
policeman,” said Ms. Adams. Other guest speakers
included a nurse and fire fighter. “Mrs. Donna
McMillian, a registered nurse, talked about the
different types of nurses in her field. Having guest
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • NOVEMBER 2014
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S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
speakers share information about their jobs was a
natural extension to our Journeys reading unit titled,
Everyone Works.”
of staying active and making healthy food choices.
The rally included a game show-format competition
for the students that combined active lifestyle
questions with physical challenges. Fifth grade
teacher Roger Kean even demonstrated his push-up
skills in a friendly contest with the Eagles staff!
MAKEFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergarteners at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary met with local
professionals as a tie-in with their reading unit.
A “Fuel Up to Play 60!” pep rally was staged for
fifth graders at Eleanor Roosevelt thanks to the efforts
of Social Worker Tammy Kehan-Leimer, Physical
Education teacher Maryanne Sprout, fifth grade
teacher Jason Miller, several Philadelphia Eagles
cheerleaders, and Swoop, the Eagles team mascot. The
theme of this energetic gathering was the importance
The Philadelphia Eagles mascot, Swoop, inspired Eleanor
Roosevelt students and staff during an energetic
“Fuel Up to Play 60!” pep rally.
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Donna Merriman, Makefield’s Educational
Technology Associate, writes that last month,
Makefield conducted a school-wide fundraiser
known as Boosterthon. “We received $28,414.23
in pledges, which will all go toward improving
Makefield,” said Ms. Merriman. Plans include
new technology and kindergarten playground
equipment for the school. “The pledges came
in from all 50 states and 16 countries across four
continents. This demonstrated how truly global
we are. Our students ran an average of 34.2 laps
or 15,869 laps in total in the walk/run event. This
adds up to 992 miles, or the equivalent of running
from Philadelphia to Orlando, Florida!” To top
things off, Principal Donna McCormick-Miller
agreed to spend the night at Makefield as a reward
for the students having achieved their impressive
fundraising goal.
Makefield students got plenty of exercise during a walk/run that
was just one component of a major school fundraiser.
NOVEMBER 2014 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
www.pennsburysd.org
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
MANOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Levittown Fire Company #1 visited Manor
Elementary to educate students on fire prevention,
according to second grade teacher, Lauren Jacoby.
“Students learned how to be safe in the event of a
fire and to have a family escape plan,” she said.
week. To celebrate Halloween, Druzy dressed up as
a Prince dog. Students had a great time celebrating
Halloween with Druzy.
Red Ribbon Week was celebrated at Oxford
Valley. Students wore red ribbons that stressed
the importance of making good choices. School
Counselor, Tricia Gunerman, visited classrooms to
spread the message.
The NED assembly took place at Oxford Valley.
This assembly supports our Cornerstone Character
Education program. Students were encouraged to
Never Give Up, Encourage Others, and Do Your Best.
Members of Levittown Fire Company #1 brought their pal, Sparky,
to a special fire safety presentation at Manor Elementary School.
Student Council, led by Kathleen Palmer and
Allison Camp, hosted a Wink for Pink Day at
Manor in October in observance of Breast Cancer
Awareness Month. Students wore pink to school in
support of this worthy cause.
Two Pennsbury Partners – Waste Management
and the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rotary Club –
teamed up with Manor students to collect canned
goods for local children in need. This was in
conjunction with a District-wide food drive. All
canned goods collected were donated to the Family
Services Association Homeless Shelter earlier this
month. Well done!
OXFORD VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Last month was “packed with great activities” at
Oxford Valley, according to Principal Fran Nitkin.
“Every Wednesday, Nor’Wester Readers visited
Mrs. Breuer’s first grade class. Students got the
opportunity to read to Druzy, the therapy dog, every
www.pennsburysd.org
This Oxford Valley Elementary student was “crowned” after
answering a question during a NED assembly that encouraged
students to Never Give Up, Encourage Others, and Do Your Best.
First grade visited the Fire House during Fire
Prevention Week. Students had an opportunity to
see the fire trucks and try on the fire hats. Thank you
to Chief Kevin Bidlingmaier for allowing our first
graders to visit.”
Ms. Nitkin concluded, “Pennsbury has the best
bus drivers! Kindergarten and first grade enjoyed the
Yellowbird Players and learned all about bus safety.”
PENN VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
“Math is everywhere, and you will use it for the
rest of your life,” was the message fourth grade
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • NOVEMBER 2014
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S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
students learned during a classroom visit by a
guest from Pennsbury Partner, TD Bank. Students
taught by Jennifer Klacik, Martin O’Donnell, and
Stephanie Myers used their math skills as they
became active participants in the bank’s financial
literacy program titled, Wow Zone. Ms. Bridget
Surgoft, a TD Bank representative, provided
educational lessons to enable students to witness
how their math concepts apply to real-life situations.
“Students enjoyed learning about banking,
budgeting, and saving,” said Ms. Klacik. Principal
Barbara Hidalgo joined the students as Ms. Surgoft
modeled how to write a check, use codes for ATM
transactions, make deposits, write bills, and make
purchases with a debit card. “Connections were
made to the students’ knowledge of addition,
subtraction, rounding, and estimation throughout
the lesson,” said Ms. Klacik. At the conclusion of
the program, students received a certificate from
TD Bank to recognize their participation in the Wow
Zone program.
of learning to see themselves as authors, with their
own stories to tell.”
QUARRY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
After completing a four-week Relay for Reading
campaign that raised $30,000 for major school library
enhancements, the Quarry Hill community gathered
in October to celebrate with an official ribbon-cutting
ceremony. Principal Dr. Peggy Schiavone and School
Librarian Barbara Pesature shared those honors as
PTO parents unveiled a special plaque to recognize
the many parents, companies, and area school districts
that contributed to the improvements. Part of the
original school structure built in 1958, Quarry Hill’s
library had never seen any physical improvements or
new furnishings since that time. New features in the
facility – which doubled in size with the removal of a
dividing wall – include the circulation desk donated
by the Souderton School District, computer carrels
from the Quakertown School District, tables and chairs
from the recently-closed Village Park Elementary,
low-profile shelving, new carpeting, and fresh paint.
“Our PTO spearheaded this impressive improvement
campaign, and we have our many parents and other
contributors to thank,” said Dr. Schiavone. “The
children are thrilled with their new library, which is
essentially the heart and soul of our building.”
Check-writing was just one of the lessons presented by a guest
bank professional at Penn Valley Elementary.
Second graders taught by Lotus Deiss proudly
displayed their writing during the National Day on
Writing last month. “As part of our new Writing
curriculum materials, Writing Fundamentals, children
are exposed to a unit on How Writers Work,” said Ms.
Deiss. “During that unit, children are immersed in
mentor texts and learn about how and where authors
get their inspiration. The second graders proudly
wore their ‘I like to write about…’ headbands as part
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Quarry Hill librarian Barbara Pesature (center) and Principal Dr.
Peggy Schiavone (right) cut the ribbon to mark the official opening
of the school’s newly-expanded library.
NOVEMBER 2014 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
www.pennsburysd.org
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
Quarry Hill Elementary School recently kicked off
the school’s participation in the “Fuel Up to Play 60!”
program, sponsored by the NFL and the National
Dairy Council. All fourth graders were invited to
attend a recess “dance party,’ and similar events
were also planned for the other grade levels. School
Counselor, Meredith Laden, and Physical Education
teacher, John Daidone, planned the kickoff event with
the help of Student Ambassadors, Lauren Schafer,
Parker Murray, Kate Bowden, and Kelci Sonnon.
“The goal is to get all students moving at least 60
minutes each day, along with making healthier food
choices,” said Ms. Laden.
CHARLES BOEHM MIDDLE SCHOOL
A team representing Charles Boehm Middle
School, including Principal Theresa Ricci, Donna
Minnigh (also representing Edgewood), Brad
McCormick, Pete Sienko, and Michelle Meehan,
attended the Character.org forum in Washington,
D.C. to accept their National School of Character
award. This five-year recognition, awarded by
the Character Education Partnership, is awarded
to schools around the world that promote strong
academics, support character education, and strive
for excellence and leadership. “The Boehm school
community is honored to be among such an elite
group of educational institutions,” said Ms. Ricci.
Teacher Colleen Veitz helped coordinate a mock
election at Charles Boehm in conjunction with the
general election held on November 4th. See below
under “Pennsbury High School” for more details.
Allyssa Myers’ eighth grade Family and
Consumer Sciences classes embarked on an
entrepreneurship project in recent weeks. “The
project offered students the opportunity to make
Applesauce Cupcakes that they planned to sell to
their fellow students. The students not only made
and decorated the cupcakes, but they also marketed
their projects by creating posters to hang around the
building and they made commercials to air on the
morning announcements. Students wrote, directed,
and starred in two differnent commercials. They
made all of the major decisions, including the cost of
their product, the color of their icing and sprinkles,
and how many cupcakes they wanted to make.
After selling the items, the classes discussed financial
terms and calculated whether they made a profit or
not. Each eighth grade class will be participating in
this unit, but students will make different products
during each marking period. They loved the project,
and the other students of the school loved the end
result…the cupcakes!”
Boehm National Junior Honor Society students
and their advisor, Lynn Gordon, welcomed veterans
from Yardley-Makefield VFW Post 6393 and Post
697 of the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S. for a
special luncheon held in the veterans’ honor. This
annual event provides a meaningful opportunity
for multiple generations to gather and reflect on the
importance of service to defend America’s freedom.
Nearly 20 service people, both men and women,
were honored by the students, who had studied the
veterans’ foreign conflicts prior to meeting.
PENNWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Representatives of Charles Boehm Middle School visited
Washington, D.C. to accept this banner celebrating Boehm as a
National School of Character. From left: teacher Brad McCormick,
Principal Theresa Ricci, and teacher Donna Minnigh (now
Edgewood’s Acting Assistant Principal).
www.pennsburysd.org
Teacher Allyson Kashinsky writes that in
October, 7th grade Team Synergy traveled to the
Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to explore
Science and career development. The students
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • NOVEMBER 2014
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S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
a daily reminder.
October 21st - The staff participated in a Chalk
Out day. Each department was assigned a section
of sidewalk outside the front of the school. In these
areas, each team created an inspirational message for
students in chalk.
Pennwood Middle School’s 8th grade Team Synergy got a
behind-the-scenes tour of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia
and learned about baseball’s connections to U.S. history.
received a behind-the-scenes tour that focused on
the Eagles Go Green program and the importance of
energy conservation. On the same day, 8th grade
Team Synergy traveled to Citizens Bank Park for a
behind-the-scenes tour that focused on the history
of baseball as well as its connection to American
history and the Civil War.
WILLIAM PENN MIDDLE SCHOOL
October 28th - This was ‘Mix it Up’ day in the
cafeteria. We asked students to sit at different tables
to meet some new friends. Talking points were
provided on each table to help encourage discussion.
We urged students on this day to step out of their
comfort zones a bit and to engage with classmates
with whom they may not have been familiar.”
Teacher Denise Dugan describes how the students
of William Penn participated in the sixth annual
National Day on Writing sponsored by the National
Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Prompted
by the NCTE theme of “Writing to Connect,” the
students wrote thank you notes to active service
men and women at a military base in Fort Polk,
LA in addition to local veterans affiliated with
Yardley-Makefield VFW Post 6393. The letters were
written to honor the dedication and sacrifice of these
men and women. First, Ms. Dugan “connected” with
a Pennsbury graduate and his wife at the Louisiana
William Penn Middle School observed October
as bullying-prevention month in multiple ways,
according to Assistant Principal Laura Tittle. “Each
Tuesday during the month, we had an activity
planned at William Penn to bring awareness to this
important issue,” said Ms. Tittle. These activities
included:
October 7th - We kicked off the month by having
each student sign a pledge to stand up against
bullying by signing their name to a grade level
banner that was hung in the lobby.
October 14th - Each student wrote his/her own
pledge on a colored ribbon that was tied to two
‘screen walls.’ These walls were first seen at a 9/11
memorial. The walls will be hung up in the school as
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Students at William Penn Middle School took time to write letters of
thanks to veterans near and far as a way to connect Veterans Day
with the National Day on Writing.
NOVEMBER 2014 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
www.pennsburysd.org
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
military base and sent letters collected and sorted
by members of the school’s chapter of the National
Junior Honor Society. Following this gesture,
additional letters written by William Penn students
were shared with veterans at the local VFW Post and
area soldiers.
PENNSBURY HIGH SCHOOL
Literary quotes by famous authors became the
focal point of a special activity at Pennsbury High
School to mark the National Day on Writing. Seniors
Audrey Goldberg, Jacob Wachspress, and Justine
Wallace paired the quotations with photos depicting
the PHS community to share online with a national
audience. This activity, which took place on October
20th, was arranged by PHS English Department
Chair, Maryann Daley, working in collaboration
with English teacher, Dan Mahoney, and his
video production students. The writing event was
inspired by the National Council of Teachers of
English (NCTE), which invited students to join a
nationwide community of writers through Twitter
to share aspects of their own communities. “We had
nearly 250 ‘favorites’ and ‘retweets’ and the NCTE
‘favorited’ us four times,” said Ms. Daley.
Ms. Daley also writes that two Pennsbury
high school students – sisters, Devin and Katia
Barricklow – had the opportunity to meet with
the world-renowned teen, Malala Yousafzai, at a
special ceremony held recently in Philadelphia.
The Nobel Prize-winning Pakistani activist for
female education was at the Constitution Center to
become the youngest recipient of the Liberty Medal.
Local students were among the audience members,
including Katia and Devin, members of a local girls’
technology group.
Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Mark
Cherepko, writes that Bucks County Student Voters
(BCSV) is a new program run by the Bucks County
Intermediate Unit #22. The mock election staged by
BCSV in conjunction with this year’s general election
on November 4th was offered to all schools and
www.pennsburysd.org
Pennsbury High School sisters, Devin (center, rear) and Katia
Barricklow (far right) took this “selfie” with teen activist, Malala
Yousafzai, during a special ceremony for Malala at the National
Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
school districts in Bucks County. Participation was
at the discretion and interest of each district. This
year, PHS-West and Charles Boehm Middle School
volunteered to pilot the new program in-house.
Voting took place in the individual school buildings,
during school hours, with a mix of both paper and
online ballots during Social Studies classes. While
Mr. Cherepko organized the mock election at PHS
with his Social Studies colleagues, teacher Colleen
Veitz oversaw the activity with her fellow teachers
at Charles Boehm Middle School. Pennsbury’s
participation in the BCSV election was spotlighted in
the Bucks County Courier Times.
PHS Art teachers, Danyelle Lala and Abby
Cramer, have submitted over 75 works of student art
to the Kids Care exhibit at the Woodmere Museum in
Chestnut Hill. The submissions include mixed media
landscapes and photographs from both teachers’
classes, inspired by the landscapes of artist Walter
Elmer Schofield. The public is invited to view the
pieces through December 14th. The Pennsbury Art
students and their families are invited to attend a
special reception in their honor on December 13th,
and then the artwork will be presented as gifts to the
patients at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in
Philadelphia.
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • NOVEMBER 2014
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S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
Lindsey Labiak and Mekhi Bryant, two PHS
seniors, were crowned Homecoming Queen and
King at the 2014 Pennsbury homecoming game
against Pennridge High School on October 11th.
Students elected to this year’s Homecoming Court
also included Kim Albanowski, Abby Caldara,
Dion Carmichael, Emilee Kemmerer, Carli
Sinisgalli, Adam Fisher, Ben Kremenets, Ryan
McHenry, Michael Stegers, and Teja Yeramosu.
Commendable
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PENNSBURY ATHLETES HAVE
MUCH TO CELEBRATE!
Pennsbury’s athletic program enjoyed a banner
season this Fall, with outstanding accomplishments
across numerous sports, according to Lou Sudholz,
PHS Assistant Principal, Curriculum Coordinator for
Health & Physical Fitness, and Athletic Coordinator.
“Six out of our nine Fall programs concluded the
regular season as National Conference Champions
in the Suburban One League: Girls Volleyball, Boys
and Girls Cross Country, Golf, Girls Soccer, and
Football.” But the excitement didn’t stop there: Girls
Cross Country and Girls Soccer were District One
Champions; Girls Cross Country won the PIAA State
Championship (see feature below), Senior Vinay
Ramesh won the PIAA State Championship in Golf
(see feature below), and at press time, our Girls Soccer
and Football teams were still in the playoffs. Kudos to
all for such an outstanding Fall Falcon season!
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM WINS
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN HERSHEY
Please join in congratulating the Pennsbury Girls
Cross Country team! With a fourth spectacular,
state-level win in five years, the Falcons took
home the PIAA Class AAA championship trophy
in Hershey once again on November 1st. Coaches
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State Champs! Members of the Pennsbury High School Girls Cross
Country team gathered with coaches Greg Sargent (left) and Ken
Cislak just after winning the PIAA Class AAA state championship
for the fourth time in five years.
Greg Sargent and Ken Cislak shared their pride
and excitement with the press over the weekend.
“It was just hard work and dedication, and we ran
with our hearts. I am so happy. I cried tears of joy,”
Coach Sargent told the Bucks County Courier Times.
Winning top-25 individual medals were PHS juniors,
Olivia Sargent (2nd) with a time of 17:48, Hannah
Molloy (8th) at 18:36, and Meri Twomey (17th)
with time of 19:07. In addition, freshman Rachel
Estey came in 35th at 19:27 and junior Maddie Sauer
clocked in at 19:49 to be 60th. Senior Erin O’Connell
and junior Bailey Balmer also ran for the Falcons’
championship win. Congratulations to all!
FALCON GOLFERS SOAR AT
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
PHS Golf Coach, Glenn Goldsborough, writes,
”after two days of playing and walking 18 holes
(each day) at the PIAA State Golf Championships,
Pennsbury senior, Jackie Rogowicz, finished tied
for fifth place in the Girls AAA division. She has
had an unbelievable high school career, finishing
second at the State Championship her freshman,
sophomore, and junior years. This year, Jackie won
the Suburban One League Girls Tournament, and
the PIAA District One Championship. Jackie has
committed to a full (athletic) scholarship at Penn
State University.” Congratulations, Jackie!
NOVEMBER 2014 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
www.pennsburysd.org
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
Mr. Goldsborough continued, “Vinay Ramesh,
a senior, won the PIAA Boys AAA State
Championship! He started the day six shots behind
the leader and finished in a tie for first place.
Vinay won on the third sudden death playoff hole
(akin to triple overtime). He is only the second
Pennsbury golfer to win the State title (Russ Elkin
was the first in 1975), and he is just the fifth player
in Bucks County to have achieved this. Vinay joins
other famous PIAA State Champions like Arnold
Palmer, Jay Sigel, and Jim Furyk! Vinay has verbally
committed to Princeton University to play golf
and pursue a career in engineering.” Additional
congrats go to Vinay for being selected to the HP
Scholastic All American team with the American
Junior Golf Association. This is a very elite group!
By being named to this team, Vinay is also eligible
to participate in the Polo Golf Junior Classic, one
of the most prestigious events in junior golf, which
will take place on PGA National Resort & Spa’s
Champion and Fazio Courses in Florida, Nov. 22-28.
Congratulations on these many honors, Vinay!
SENIOR FOOTBALL PLAYER SELECTED
FOR BLUE-GREY GAME ON FOX TV
School Counselor, Kim Krajci,
is pleased to report that PHS
Senior, Sam Raywood, was
selected to play in this year’s
Blue-Grey Football All-American
Bowl game on January 10, 2015
at the Raymond James Stadium
in Tampa Bay. Sam was one of
6,750 football players who went
through a series of competitive
Sam Raywood
rounds to be selected for the
All-American Team. The Blue-Grey All-American
Bowl game will be covered by FOX TV.
BCTHS STUDENTS RECOGNIZED
Congratulations to these Pennsbury students
who were recently recognized at the Bucks County
Technical High School as Students of the Month:
www.pennsburysd.org
Kaitlyn Range – 11th grade, Samantha McCarty
– 10th grade, and Devyn Wister – Skills for Life
Academy.
VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER
TEAM GIVES BACK
Mr. Steve Milligan is Director of TOPSPORTS,
a sports program for special needs children (The
TOP stands for The Outreach Program). The group
currently runs soccer, basketball, and bowling
programs with over 200 families participating in the
Bucks County area.
On a recent Saturday, the Pennsbury Girls Soccer
team attended a TOPSPORTS practice to serve
as guest coaches (buddies) for the day. “It was a
wonderful experience for our players and their
parents,” said Mr. Milligan. “Coach Kaitlyn Battiste
and 12 members of the team did a tremendous job
mentoring and playing with our athletes with special
needs. I always tell the guest coaches that every
moment they spend with our athletes allows our
parents a chance to relax and enjoy watching their
children play sports and have fun. The Pennsbury
team took this to heart and did a great job of running
our practice session with incredible enthusiasm and
energy. It was one of our best sessions of the year,”
added Mr. Milligan. “The families at TOPSPORTS
send our sincere thanks to the coaches and the team
for coming out on the weekend to help make our
day special. It is easy to see that these are all ladies
of high character and integrity and we wish them the
best of luck for the rest of the season.”
The volunteer Pennsbury players
included: juniors, Macy Moors and
Karina Raymond; sophomores,
Maddie Annan, Rachel Beri, and
Avery Huston; and freshmen
Caroline Marr, Lizzy Kirk, Riley
Young, Kari Brown, Whitney Roth,
Nina Rainforth and Devin Landes.
PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA • NOVEMBER 2014
11
S uperintendent ’ s R eport • KEVIN J. McHUGH, Ed.D.
Upcoming MEETINGS
Board Facilities Committee
5:30 p.m., December 1, 2014
Superintendent’s Conference Room
Reception for Parent Teacher
Organization Officers
7:00 p.m., December 1, 2014
Fallsington Elementary School Cafeteria
Special Meeting for Reorganization
8:00 p.m., December 1, 2014
Fallsington Elementary School
Board Agenda Meeting
9:00 p.m., December 1, 2014
Fallsington Elementary School
Board Budget Committee
5:30 p.m., December 11, 2014
Superintendent’s Conference Room
Regular Board Meeting
8:00 p.m., December 11, 2014
Fallsington Elementary School
12
NOVEMBER 2014 • PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT • FALLSINGTON, PA
www.pennsburysd.org