Our Community Newsletter
Many thanks to York Traditions Bank for their $1,000 contribution to York Suburban Education Foundation (YSEF) through the Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.
Thank you for helping YSEF do more for our students!
Pictured left to right are: John D. Blecher, COO & CFO of York Traditions Bank, Mac Brillhart, YSEF Vice-President, and Sarah Reinecker, YSEF President
2017-18 was the inaugural year for a Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Construction for York County high school seniors. Offered by Kinsley Construction, Inc. in conjunction with York County Alliance for Learning (YCAL), the program enrolled two York Suburban High School seniors, Andrew Frantz and Thomas (TJ) Hoover with eleven students from other county high schools and is slated to run again in 2018-19. In addition, the York County Manufacturers’ Association and New Concept Technology will offer a precision machining/advanced automation Pre-Apprenticeship program in 2018-19. Current high school juniors can apply to participate!
The program ran September through April and included foundation courses in blueprint reading and math, a series of on-site practicum sessions (building tiny homes), and OSHA training. Students were also introduced to all departments at Kinsley.
Funding was provided by the York County Community Foundation, South Central PA Works, and of course, Kinsley.
Photo from the closing program at Kinsley Education Center on April 19. Left to right, Karen Forrer, TJ Hoover, Andrew Frantz, Dr. Larry Redding.
Submitted by Ms. Karen Forrer
Junior Achievement volunteers help young students understand the world around them, from what it takes to be a good family member to being a good citizen in the community. Using hands-on activities relevant to student interests and lifestyles, Junior Achievement lessons enrich the social studies classroom curriculum.
For first graders, Junior Achievement’s “Our Families” explains how family members’ jobs and businesses contribute to the well-being of the family and community. The program introduces the concept of needs and wants and explores the ways families plan for and acquire goods and services. Students analyzed their own skills to determine ways they can support their families.
For second graders, the Junior Achievement “Our Community Program” uses posters and games to offer practical information about businesses and the many jobs those businesses offer in a community. Students explored production methods through a simulation game and also learned about taxes, decision making, and how money flows in an economy.
Submitted by Mrs. Kathy Pavoncello
For the second year, students from French levels 1 through 5 wrote and illustrated books for children in an orphanage in Haiti. These orphans from ages four to 18 will use these books to learn French and practice their reading skills. Volunteers from the Headwaters relief organization bring the books to the orphanage and make sure that every child has a book. The student authors wrote a total of 35 books, enough for each child to get one.
French II
French V
Submitted by Mrs. Joelle Stark
Valley View Elementary students were fortunate to have Steven Courtney visit this week for a rocking assembly that emphasized kindness, love of learning, and friendship. If your student did not talk about the assembly, please take time this weekend to ask about it. The following song videos provide a sample of the performance students enjoyed:
Kids in the Kitchen is a nutrition program taught in third-grade classrooms around York County. In addition to learning about healthy foods, each student makes a nutritious fruit and yogurt parfait. A health educator teaches the class about the importance of a balanced plate of food with food from each food group. Students learn which foods belong to the different food groups and how to make healthier food choices. The third-grade classes at Indian Rock Elementary enjoyed this program!
Submitted by Mrs. Amy Hare
Reading specialists, Mrs. Amy Bartlett and Mrs. Kelly Gulley, planned a Reading Make and Take at Yorkshire Elementary School. During the interactive sessions, students and parents rotated through four stations that focused on essential early reading skills. They created and then played games to practice their phonemic awareness, phonics, and comprehension skills. Students also improved their fluency by repeated readings of passages and poems. These young readers left Yorkshire with all of their materials and some new books for continued practice at home which is key to their reading success.
Submitted by Mrs. Amy Bartlett and Mrs. Kelly Gulley
On Friday evening April 13, the girls junior high and boys high school volleyball teams both took to the court. The girls started the evening with a match against Delone Catholic High School and the boys followed with a victory over Chambersburg Area High School.
Both events were exciting and competitive matches. However, the story of the evening was the combined effort of the teams and York Suburban volleyball community to support Girls Assistant Coach Amanda Shouck’s daughter Adison in her daily fight with Cerebral Palsy. Our coaches, players, parents, and supporters of the program raised over $6,000 to support Adison’s therapy program at Leg Up Farm. Thank you to everyone who attended. The teamwork, care, and bonds were examples of the character that embodies a great community and team. #YSPROUD
Submitted by Mr. Matthew Marshall, Athletic Director
Tribute Cards are a unique gift to honor a York Suburban School District staff person or community member. The York Suburban Education Foundation (YSEF) would like to recognize those YSSD staff and community members that received Tribute Cards September 2017-April 2018:
Lisa Eckenrode, Yorkshire Elementary
Dr. Greg Gulley, Indian Rock Elementary
Kerri Henry, Indian Rock Elementary
Cathi Hicks, Valley View Elementary
Eric Hoffman, Indian Rock Elementary
Alicia Kowitz, York Suburban Middle School
Dr. Patricia Maloney, Administration
Ashley Markey, Indian Rock Elementary
Patricia Murray, Yorkshire Elementary
Dr. Larry Redding, Administration
Mindy Wise, Valley View Elementary
Tribute Cards can be given at any time throughout the year—a special way to help a staff member or community member celebrate a holiday, his/her birthday or other special occasion, an end of year recognition, or just for outstanding performance. Funds raised from the Tribute Cards are given back to the YSSD through grants for innovative programs as well as support for the YSEF Endowment. YSEF has awarded 114 grants totaling $274,188 to teachers, administrators, and students since 2008.
To order a YSEF Tribute Card or for more information on how you can honor a YSSD staff or community member with a YSEF Tribute, please visit the YSEF website at http://www.ysef.org/donate/tribute-cards/ or print the YSEF Tribute Card form from the YSSD website.