Following the November election, four members were elected to the York Suburban School Board.   Officers were elected at a recent re-organization meeting.  The Board members, shown in the photograph above are: Seated (left to right) John Posenau, Treasurer; Lynne Leopold-Sharp, President; and Cathy Shaffer, Vice President. Back row (left to right):  Dr. Shelly Merkle, Superintendent; Richard Robinson; Michael Thoman; Ellen Freireich; Corinne Mason, Director of Finance/Board Secretary; Lois Ann Schroeder; Emily Bates; Scott Eden; and Elizabeth Huh, Student Representative.

Over two days, hundreds of York Suburban Middle School musicians and singers shared their holiday songs with standing room-only audiences at the YSMS auditorium.

On Wednesday, December 9, the String Orchestra and choruses were featured.

The full string orchestra was followed by the YSMS Select String Ensemble.

After intermission, the Sixth Grade Chorus filled the stage, capping their performance with a light-filled “Light Up the Tree.”

Sounds of Tomorrow performed the traditional “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and a non-traditional collection of carols sung to the melodies of Mozart.

One hundred and fifty seventh and eighth grade students filled the stage for the final chorus selections.  A humorous 1970’s style “The 12 Groovy Days of Christmas” concluded the program.

Sue Wolschleger directed the string segments and was the accompanist for the choruses. Hannah Stayer, Amy Chapman, and Alex Rosenkrans directed the chorus members.

Wednesday, December 16, was Holiday Band Night at the middle school.

Under the direction of James Biddle, the sixth grade performed three numbers before being followed onto the stage by the combined seventh and eighth grade band.

Students point to pieces of the mosaic mural they placed during the work on the project.

East York Elementary School unveiled its six feet high by 15 feet wide mosaic mural on Friday evening, December 18.

Willaim Matthew (Matt) Vaughan and Nancy Schaffstall Krasnesky are shown with the mural in celebration of the life of the late Martha (Marti) Schaffstall Vaughan.

Featuring the East York dragon mascot, artist Justin Ayala created a piece that emphasizes diversity and inclusiveness at the school entitled “We may be different and unique, yet we are one East York Family.” 

Made up of broken pieces of tile, the colorful artwork was funded by a substantial contribution from William Matthew (Matt) Vaughan, the husband of the late Martha (Marti) Schaffstall Vaughan, a 32-year teacher in the York Suburban School District.  The East York PTO, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the York County Cultural Alliance also contributed financial support for the project.

Matt Vaughan and Nancy Schaffstall Krasnesky, Mrs. Vaughan’s daughter and a York Suburban High School graduate, were on hand for the dedication in celebration of Mrs. Vaughan’s life-long love of education.

After the unveiling of the mural, the students eagerly rushed forward to show their parents which pieces of the mural they had placed on the wall outside of the school cafeteria.

For at least one family, the mural project was a multi-generation experience.  Steven Scalet, a 1988 graduate of York Suburban High School, noted his 9-year-old daughter, Sophia, who goes to East York, his wife, Debby, and his mother, Louise, all worked on the mural together. “A great artistic and community activity,” he said.

The unveiling was held in conjunction with the East York Elementary School PTO’s Family Fun Night, which included cookie decorating and the Holiday Secret Shop.

The York Suburban Education Foundation (YSEF) will welcome six new board members in January 2016.  Five of the new members are York Suburban graduates, as

Left to right: David Kimpel, ’85; Jonathan Bowman, ’98; Jim Igo, ’84; Jim Hayman, ’76. Missing from photo: Susan Snyder Bryant, ’97 and Bill Toth.

reflected by their respective graduation dates.

Jonathan Bowman, ’98

Susan Snyder Bryant, ’97

Jim Hayman, ’76

James Igo, ’84

David Kimpel, ’85

Bill Toth

Jonathan Bowman works for Glatfelter Insurance Group and has two children, a preschooler and one attending Yorkshire Elementary.  Susan Snyder Bryant works for Clipper Magazine with two children attending Yorkshire and East York.  Jim Hayman is the Chairman of Hayman Studio, a commercial photography business, and has two grown children that are also York Suburban graduates.  Jim Igo works for Morgan Stanley and has three children, two at York Suburban High School and a pre-schooler.  David Kimpel works at Wellspan Health and has two children attending York Suburban High School.   Bill Toth is the sports anchor for Fox43 and has two children attending East York Elementary.  

YSEF expresses it appreciation to retiring board members for their years of service and dedication:  Albert Blakey, Jeff Royer, and Connie Shorb, ’65. 

YSEF is an independent, non-profit organization existing to do more for York Suburban students beyond what basic education funding is able to provide.  Since 2008, YSEF has awarded 97 grants to YS students and teachers totaling over $171,000.  For more information about getting involved with YSEF at the Committee or Board level, please contact us through the YSEF website at www.ysef.org.

Author Todd McClimans is shown with fifth graders at Indian Rock Elementary School.

Indian Rock Elementary School students hosted an author visit by Todd McClimans on November 13.

Mr. McClimans is an elementary principal in the Red Lion Area School District, a former fifth grade teacher, and a children’s book author.   His middle-grade novel, “American Epochs: Time Traitor,” was a 2013 National Association of Elementary School Principals Children’s Book Award finalist.

After spending the morning speaking at an all-school assembly, the author taught mini-lessons and held questions and answers sessions with the fifth graders.  The Indian Rock Elementary School PTO  purchased autographed copies of “Time Traitor” for all fifth grade students to enjoy.