Revisiting Recess

Shelly 2Hearing the chatter of young voices outside, I found myself drawn to the  window of my office.  It happened to be a bright sunny day and the children from Valley View were headed to the stadium field for a little bit of recess.  As they waved to me at the window, it did not take long for me to decide that I could use a little bit of recess too.  I jogged out to join them on the field for a fun-filled game of Follow the Leader!  How refreshing to follow these youngsters around the field, hopping, skipping and twirling! It really was a great break from the stresses of the job and a terrific reminder for me of why I do what I do.

My time of late has been consumed with planning for the 2016-17 school year.  In so doing, we are making decisions about staffing, budget and facilities.  Despite the uncertainty of the state budget, there are difficult decisions to be made. The business of the school district does not stop because we do not have a state budget.  After losing twenty-three instructional positions over a period of five years, we must recover some of them as our student population grows. The administrative team is developing a plan to do just that. We must begin to tackle some of the maintenance that has been deferred for the last few years.   We recently made a commitment to upgrade the outdated Middle School cafeteria so to address safety concerns and we will be adding secure entrances to East York and Indian Rock Elementary buildings.  These are necessary elements of school security in this day and age.  The District is also in the final stages of developing a budget that is respectful of our community while ensuring that we deliver the best possible education to our students.

For comments recently printed in the York Sunday News:   www.ydr.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/03/24/

Thank you to the entire York Suburban community for your continued support!  You help to make us:

A Community of Encouragement.  A Culture of Excellence.

Students Compete in K’NEX STEM Design Challenge

Submitted by Mitzi Karr

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On March 9th, six teams from Indian Rock and six teams from East York participated in the K’Nex STEM Design Challenge that was held at the Lincoln IU12 in New Oxford.

The  STEM (which is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Challenge this year was to design an environmentally friendly building that is at least one meter tall and can hold weight. The students stayed after school and also worked in class to prepare for the competition, researching current building practices and testing preliminary structural designs. On the day of the competition, students could not have any K’Nex joined when they arrived. They had two hours to rebuild their structure in the competition room using a blueprint they had prepared ahead of time. The teams were also required to prepare a presentation to show the strength of the building (using books, weights, etc.) and address how the building is environmentally friendly. The teams, each comprising four students, also had to bring a completed narrative report to the competition.

The teams were judged in the following categories:  creativity, teamwork, challenge success, design, and presentation. A lot of creativity, perseverance, and hard work went into each one of these projects. After weeks of diligent effort, it was time to be interviewed by the judges.

In the Grades 4-5 Division, one of the Indian Rock Teams, The Connecting Ecos, took 1st place with their project entitled “Octomarket.”  The members of this team, shown in the picture above, include Olivia Sarsfield, Harlan (Harry) Perkins, Neave Casey, and Abigail Miller. These students will now have the privilege of reconstructing and presenting their building during The State Competition on May 13th at Harrisburg University. Congratulations to all of the teams. Your hard work and dedication are to be commended.

 

New Student Foundation Makes an Impact

 

IFlogo

 

 

In June 2015, the York Suburban Education Foundation board passed a motion to authorize the creation of a student board known as the Impact Foundation (IF).  IF operates as a committee of YSEF and as part of the York Suburban High School internship program.  In August of 2015, IF held their first board meeting.

The mission of the Impact Foundation will be consistent with the overall mission of YSEF, but is specifically focused on continuing York Suburban’s commitment toward educational excellence by educating and engaging students in meeting the needs of their own school community through philanthropic compassion as part of the York Suburban culture.

IF has conducted needs assessments in each of the six district buildings to determine where help is most needed.  IF used this information to inform the development of their first project which is constructing Impact Closets in each school building.   Each closet will be stocked with basic supplies (toiletries, snacks, clothing and other necessities) to meet basic student needs and remove barriers to learning.

The students of the Impact Foundation would personally like to thank their advisors and mentors: Joshua Carney (YSEF Board Member and IF Committee Chairman), Dr. Denise Fuhrman (YSHS Assistant Principal and IF Internship Advisor) and Sarah Reinecker (YSEF Board President).

The Impact Foundation is excited to continue to collaborate with their community and existing efforts within York Suburban.  Students interested in becoming involved should contact Dr. Fuhrman by April 15.

IFmembers

IF Student Board L to R: Bailey Cross (Secretary), Ali Alwood, Gabe Fryar, Molly Day, Casey Dierdorff, Zach Weinstein (VP), Joe Young (Treasurer). Front: Jamie Myers (President), Emily Hamme.

 

YS Juniors Selected for 2016 Distinguished Young Women’s Program

DYW

York Suburban Juniors, Elizabeth Huh and Sofia Spadotto, have been selected as finalists for this year’s Distinguished Young Women’s program, which will be held on Saturday, May 7th at 7 pm at Central York High School.

There are 30 participants for the 2016 Distinguished Young Women of York County Program from high schools across the county. Each participant will be recognized for her individual accomplishments and talents.  For the talent portion of the program, Elizabeth will be performing on flute and Sofia will perform a vocal selection with guitar accompaniment.

During the past 50 years, Distinguished Young Women of York County has rewarded today’s youth for outstanding achievements.  Placing an emphasis on education, this program offers scholarship dollars while recognizing the accomplishments of students in our community. This year, $40,000 in scholarships will be awarded.             

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Sofia Spadotto

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Elizabeth Huh

Sponsors for this scholarship program are Chloe Eichelberger, Jack Giambalvo Family of Dealerships, York Traditions Bank, Win Bradley, York College of PA, The Bon-Ton, Perform Group, LLC, Glatfelter Insurance Group, Shipley Energy, The Graham Group,                        GLATFELTER and The Financial Advisory Group.  All seats are reserved and are available on-line at www.showtix4u.com  with an event search for Distinguished Young Women.

 

YSHS Swimmers at PIAA Championships

StateSwimTeam

Front Row: Cara Zortman, Havannah Suarez, Carson Gross, Madeline Abel, Keelie Walker, Jenna Hufnagle Back Row: Karl Schmittle, Matt Spinello, Aidan Fryar, Trent Golden, Devon Lonergan, Ethan Staub (Missing from photo: Madie Devaney)

On Friday, March 18, the York Suburban Swim Team participated in the PIAA Class AA swimming championships, the culmination of a great season. Several outstanding performances in the pool and a season summation from Coach Brennan are highlighted below:

Silver Medal, 200 Free Relay

Cara Zortman

Keelie Walker

Carson Gross

Madie Devaney

6th Place 400 Free Relay

Havannah Suarez

Jenna Hufnagle

Madie Devaney

Carson Gross

5th Place 100 Free

Matt Spinello

4th Place 400 Free Relay

Matt Spinello

Aidan Fryar

Karl Schmittle

Trent Golden

4th 50 Free

Aidan Fryar

4th 100 Free

Carson Gross

4th 200 Free

Carson Gross

“The theme for this season chosen by our senior captains was, “Are tangerines just oranges that didn’t want it enough?” That theme played out as each swimmer strived to become the best they could be, and in the process, the team built strong roots for growth and TEAM unity.  It is far more important to become a family than any time on the clock, or any score in a meet.  The team works together, supports one another.  Only then can we truly reach our potential in the pool.  With strong leadership from our seniors and captains, the team developed unified character and resolve.  By the end of the season, York Suburban Swimming was on the same page and ready for the post-season.  There were massive time drops from each swimmer, and the memories of the season will hopefully last a lifetime.  We are proud to represent York Suburban, one another, and go above and beyond each and every day.  WE ARE…YS!!!” — Coach Brennan

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YSEF’s IF Receives Grant

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Pictured from left to right are: IF Student Board members Gabe Fryar, Emily Hamme, Zach Weinstein and, YCAL Coordinator, Kevin Appnel,

The Impact Foundation (IF), a student committee of the York Suburban Education Foundation (YSEF), was recently awarded a $300 competitive grant from YCAL (York County Alliance for Learning).  This was the second successful grant application the students were awarded since the IF began operating in August, 2015.  The grant underwrote the cost of the Impact Foundation logo development.  The students had the practical experience of working with the professional marketing firm, GRIT, to concept and develop their new logo.  Students involved on the IF board receive York Suburban High School internship credit.  The mission of the Impact Foundation will be consistent with the overall mission of YSEF, but is specifically focused on continuing York Suburban’s commitment toward educational excellence by educating and engaging students in meeting the needs of their own school community through philanthropic compassion as part of the York Suburban culture.

Books, Authors and Dangerous(?) Pie at YSMS

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On Monday, March 14th, popular young adult fiction author, Jordan Sonnenblick, spent the day with students and faculty of York Suburban Middle School. He gave two morning one-hour presentations in the auditorium – one to 6th grade and one to 7th/8th grade during which he revealed not only his inspirations for his books but also the things that make a person happy – pursuing their dreams , doing what they have a passion for, and then using that to help someone else.

For one hour in the afternoon, Jordan held a participatory writer’s workshop for 40 students. Students had the experience of listening to some tips on how to develop a story, the opportunity to write and share a short story starter and participate in a Question and Answer period with Mr. Sonnenblick.  Throughout the day, he also personally autographed students’ copies of his books.

YSMS English Language Arts teachers organized several ways for students to engage in and celebrate Mr. Sonnenblick’s visit.  Miss Jennifer Arcuri’s  8th grade students produced individual video book talks of a Sonnenblick book they read as part of a content. The winning six students had a pizza lunch with Jordan and the opportunity to discuss writing with him. Mr. Eric Hoffman’s sixth grade students painted t-shirts related to one of the books they read including the theme or message of the book.  Because it was 3/14 (Pi Day) and Jordan’s first book is Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, pie desserts were available in the library for the luncheon dessert and for all YSMS staff!

In preparation for Mr. Sonnenblick’s visit, YSMS held a One Author, One School event encouraging every student and staff member to read at least one of his books throughout the school year.  Jordan has written many popular books:  Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, After Ever After, Notes From the Midnight Driver, Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip, Zen and the Art of Faking It, Are You Experienced?  and his soon to be released new book,  Falling Over Sideways.

 

Champions at the 2016 York County Science & Engineering Fair

Congratulations to Zoe Prats –

2016 York County Science & Engineering Fair Junior Division Grand Champion!

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York Suburban High School freshman, Zoe Prats, brought home her second consecutive (a YCSEF record!) Junior Division Grand Champion Award at the 2016 York County Science and Engineering Fair held on Wednesday, March 9 at Penn State York.

With a project titled “Cytotoxic Effects of Metal Nanoparticles in Cancer Cells,“  Zoe’s project examined how cells which ingested nanoparticles helped in eliminating colon cancer.

Zoe’s interest in cancer research and oncology began in 7th grade under the tutelage of one of her favorite teachers, Mrs. Katie Green at YSMS.  Since Mrs. Green sparked her interest in the topic, Zoe has been passionate about researching, reading, and conducting oncological projects. Through an uncle who is friends with a Johns Hopkins University administrator, Zoe connected with Dr. Robert Ivkov at JHU and conducted her research there.  In fact, she is already hard at work at JHU on next year’s project, which will add-on and repeat what she did this year assessing the cytotoxicity of radiation treatment along with both nanoparticles and radiation treatment.  If the project is successful, the hope would be doctors could use lower radiation dosages which would be less taxing to healthy cells.

Zoe also represents YSHS on the softball field and in the orchestra, where she plays cello.

We are YS Proud of all of our YCSEF participants!:

Zoe Prats

  •         1st Place Junior Division
  •         1st Place American Chemical Society
  •         Junior Division Grand Champion

Grace Pindzola

  •         1st Place Senior Division
  •         American Statistical Association Award
  •         Scholarship to Harrisburg University

Rachel Peters

  •         2nd Place Senior Division

Anne Baskwill

  •         3rd Place Senior Division

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2016

Submitted by Karen Fornadel

CLL

The YS Art Department is pleased to announce that senior Carrion Lover-Lilly’s Mixed Media work entitled Beauty? has earned national recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2016. Carrion has been identified by panels of creative professionals as the most talented young artists and writers in the nation. This year, nearly 320,000 works of art and writing were submitted. Only the top 1% were recognized at the national level. Carrion has been invited to attend a ceremony at Carnegie Hall  in NYC on Thursday, June 2.

In addition, the following students were recognized at the State Museum in Harrisburg this past Saturday for their awards in the South Central PA Regional level of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2016 for winning silver and gold keys:

Emma Frecon  – Silver Key – Painting  – All Nighter

Emma Frecon – Honorable Mention  – Drawing and Illustration  – Window

Carrion Lover-Lilly – Gold Key – Mixed Media – Beauty?

Carrion Lover-Lilly  – Gold Key – Painting  – Fly On

Carrion Lover-Lilly  – Honorable Mention – Art Portfolio – Humanity

Csenge Nagy – Silver Key – Ceramics & Glass – Hungarian Spirit

Laura Sinkovitz – Silver Key – Ceramics & Glass – Love Yourself

 

In addition, the following students received honorable mentions for their submissions:

Hope Halza – Honorable Mention – Digital Art – Abortion

Ashleigh Mackin – Honorable Mention – Ceramics & Glass – Wannabe Vessel  

Sofia Spadotto – Honorable Mention – Photography – The Bridge of No Return, Venezia

 

 

York County Science Fair Honorees: Grades 7-8

Submitted by: Jamie McFadden

At the York County Science and Engineering Fair, the students and their projects competed against 7th, 8th and 9th graders from across the county.  A majority of the competitors in this level were 9th graders.

To earn a first place a project must score at 90 points on a 100 point scale.

The following students scored 90 points or higher on a 100 point scale:

Leo Nanni

Trey Pridgen

Alivia Halza

Liam Waterbury

Asher Ruppert

Owen Sullivan

Specialty awards are given by government or science-based organizations. These awards are the most coveted awards mostly due to their monetary value. For a school to earn ONE of these awards is an accomplishment. Nine York Suburban Middle School students received the following awards:

Maxwell Reinecker – ASM South Central PA Chapter 

Emma Kerr – Society of Manufacturing Engineers 

Serena Andricos – Engineering Society of York Junior Division 1st place

Trey Pridgen- United States Air Force 

Lauren Guyer, Liam Waterbury, Alivia Halza – US Navy

Asher Ruppert – Guardian SC

Leo Nanni – Barbara Wills Award

Bridget Pogson – Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Kelly Sargen – American Meteorological Society

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