Getting Ready for a New School Year

As summer comes to a close, we anticipate the start of another exciting school year! 

Shelly 2Our teachers have been engaged in a variety of learning experiences throughout the summer and are fully prepared to implement exciting initiatives to enhance the learning experiences of all of our students.

Two of our teachers have earned doctoral degrees:  Dr. Christopher Rumbaugh and Dr. Sarah Rodenburgh.  York Suburban is proud to have six teachers with terminal degrees.  We are also welcoming  10 new teachers to the district and they bring a wealth of talent and new ideas.

The administrative team has been working hard all summer to prepare for the school year.  We are focused on four goals to ensure that York Suburban continues to provide an excellent education for all students:

  • Through the use of guided data analysis, each instructional level will identify and implement specific instructional practices that enable all students to demonstrate mastery of core content through critical thinking and the use of problem solving skills.
  • The district will identify the needs of underserviced students, and develop and implement plans to address these needs, while also improving communication with all parties, including students, staff, parents, and the community at large.
  • The district will explore the expansion of learning opportunities for students and staff and will investigate better utilization of the district’s available resources to effectively address identified instructional priorities.
  • The district will maintain a focus on fiscal responsibility, balancing educational needs with limited resources.

Join me in wishing our students and teachers a wonderful 2014-15 school year!

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIGNMENTS

The York Suburban School District is pleased to announce three new administrative assignments.

 Mrs. Victoria Gross has been named to the position of Director of Educational Services.  In that capacity, Mrs. Gross will provide support in the areas of curriculum, assessment, school safety, diversity and personnel management for support personnel.  Mrs. Gross brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her work as a building administrator.

 Dr. Scott Krauser has accepted the challenge of the position of  the York Suburban Middle School Principal.  Having served in the capacities of Assistant Principal at both East York Elementary and York Suburban Middle School, Dr. Krauser is well-prepared to tackle the challenges that come with this position.  We look forward to his energetic and focused leadership.

 To fill the position of York Suburban Middle School Assistant Principal, Dr. Todd Monos has joined the YS team.  Dr. Monos served as an elementary principal in the Northeastern School District.  His enthusiasm and fresh perspective have been a great addition to the administrative team.

Dr. Shelly Merkle

Superintendent

New Staff Members Named

Eight new staff members have been hired by the York Suburban School District for the 2014-15 school year.

They are:

Angie Adams, Counselor for York Suburban Middle School.  A graduate of South Western High School, she hold her bachelors degree from Susquehanna University and her master’s degree from McDaniel College.

J. Claudia Camarena-Hackos, world language teacher for York Suburban Middle School and York Suburban High School.  She holds degrees from York College and from Millersville University.

Amy L. Chapman, York Suburban Middle School music teacher.  She holds bachelor’s degree in music education from Millersville University.

Mary Collins, York Suburban High School math teacher.  She holds her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Grove City College.

Jennifer Harr, York Suburban Middle School English language arts teacher.  She holds her degree from York College.

Cathi Hicks, Valley View Elementary School first grade teacher.  Her bachelor’s degree in education is from Slippery Rock University.

Jennifer Kozak, Valley View Elementary School first grade teacher.  She holds her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Lock Haven University.

Emily D. Neff, East York Elementary School reading specialist.   She holds degrees from Penn State University and York College.

Mid-Day Bus Runs Reminder

Mid-day bus transportation for kindergarten students at Yorkshire Elementary School and Valley View Elementary School will return with the beginning of the 2014-15 school year in August.

That means both morning and afternoon kindergarten students will be transported to and from school.  Transportation to and from day care centers located within the York Suburban School District is included.

The cost to the district for the additional bus runs is $28,000, according to Corinne Mason, Director of Finance for the District.

The change is a way for the York Suburban School District to reinforce for parents the importance of early childhood education, kindergarten enrollment and daily attendance.

 

Warm Welcome with Cold Treats

Yorkshire Elementary School and Valley View Elementary School both welcomed kindergartners a week before school opened.

On Tuesday, August 12, Yorkshire held the informal gathering for new students and their families.  Popsicles were the highlight of the event.  An all-day rain forced the evening activity indoors, however the cafeteria was still filled with youngsters and families.  The slide show is of the children enjoying the cold treat.

On Thursday, August 14, Valley View held its new student welcome — Playground Pals.  It gave the children and parents the opportunity to meet classmates before the official opening of school.  Rita’s frozen ices were the treat served on the playground.

Choices Made by Members of the Class of ’14

Eighty-three percent of the members of the York Suburban High School Class of 2014 have chosen to continue their education:  70 percent at four-year schools and 13 percent at tw0-year institutions.

Ten percent decided to enter the workforce while four percent enlisted in the military.  The remaining three percent are continuing their education along other lines.

Shippensburg University was the top choice with 17 classmates selecting that school to continue their education.

Right behind that was Penn State York with 16 members beginning classes there.

Harrisburg Area Community College rounded out the top three schools selected with 15 students.

With eight each were:  the University of Pittsburgh and York College.

Penn State Main Campus, Temple University, and West Chester University have seven students from the class attending.

While many of the students elected to remain in Pennsylvania, other students are going far afield as the University of Oklahoma, Pepperdine University, West Virginia University, Brigham Young University, University of Louisville,  and the University of Miami.  One is going to school in Switzerland and another in Greece.

Senior Cititzens: Get Your Golden Passes

Kristin Marquis, York Suburban High School secretary, displays a Golden Pass.

Kristin Marquis, York Suburban High School secretary, displays a Golden Pass.

Persons residing in the York Suburban School District who are 65 or older are eligible to receive a Golden Pass, which entitles them to free admission to all activities of the York Suburban School District.

 The passes can be used for most sporting and theatrical events.

Passes can be obtained by contacting the high school office.

YSEF Contributors Thanked

The York Suburban Education Foundation (YSEF) would like to acknowledge and thank the following donors who made contributions between January 1 and July 31, 2014.

AIG

Marcy and Sam Almoney

David and Philista Almquist

Anonymous

Steve and Trish Arbetman

Wade and Kristy Atkinson

Katie Barrett

Betsy Bedell

Kathleen Bedoni

Charlene & Mike Benjamin

The Berg Family

Marguerite Bernstine

Albert Blakey and Eleni Pournaras

Brian Strong and the Honorable Andrea Marceca Strong

Peter and Meg Brubaker

Kevin and Jill Bryant

John and Cappy Bush

The Butz Family

Shannon and Ryan California

Carney Engineering Group, Inc.

Pat and Susan Casey

Charles and Mary Chodroff

Keith and Jennifer Clancy

Chris and Emily Clark

Colonial Coffee Shop

Tom and Marion Corsaro

Frank and Bridgett Corto

Aidee Palacios Cruz

Robert and Lisa Day

Bob and Angie Deroche

Scott and Amanda Devers

Silvia Dugan,and John Yorgey

Daniel and Judith Efiom-Ekaha

The Ekstrom Family

Jennifer Foremsky

Karen Fornadel

Anthony and Jennifer Foster

Foster’s Flower Shop

John and Linda Funk

Justin and Christine Gibbs

Gary and Karen Gilbert

Glatfelter Insurance Group

Jim and Karen Gleba

Garth and Andrea Good

Vito Grippi

Grumbacher Family

Greg and Kelly Gulley

Chris and Ashlyn Guyer

Matt and Mindi Haines

Sandy Henise, and Julie Cunningham

Vincent Henry

Ron and Judy Hershner,

Harold and Jean Hetherington

Robert and Marcia Hildebrand

Ryan and Alicia Hlubb

Steve and Carol Hovis

Austin and Sara Hunt

Jim and Heather Igo

Bradley and Shelby Ilgenfritz

Indian Rock Elem., Casual Day Fund

Billie Jean Jensenius

Cheryl Johnson

Susan Joiner

Keith and Christine Kates

John and Paula Ann Katze

Kenneth Phillips, Municipal Markets

Bill and Kim Kerlin

Linda Kim

Ron and Stephanie Kin

Tighe and Kathy King

The Koloras Family

Tony and Hope Kowalewski

Nichole Lehman and David Jones

Lynne Leopold-Sharp and Daniel Sharp

The Manzella Family

The Marquis Family

Todd and Helen Marsteller

Corinne Mason

Pamela McIntosh

Joe and Shelly Merkle

Metro Bank

Crystal Miller and Byron LeCates

John & Cathy Monk

Kevin and Heather Mooney

Brian and Alyssa Mummert

Geoff and Deb Nicholson

The Papadiamantis Family

Ed and April Paskey

Penn Waste, Inc.

PeoplesBank, A Codorus Valley Company

Persnickety Invitation Studio

Dan and Karen Pindzola

Kathy and Ander Pindzola

Brian and Erin Ports

Megan and William Primavera

Print-O-Stat, Inc.

Jessica and Reagan Quan

Scott and Sarah Reinecker

The Renjilian Family

John Rochon and Janet Hale

Tom and Kathy Rodas

Pam and Jeff Royer

Russell & Eleanor Horn Foundation

James and Susan Sanders/Safeguard

David Sands

Matthew and Rachel Scarpato

Arlene Schmitt

Lois Ann Schroeder

Senft Law Firm

John and Lisa Senft

Casey A. Shaffer

Cathy and Keith Shaffer

Shipley Energy

Basil and Connie Shorb

Matt and Brooke Shorb

Bryan and Allison Siegelman

David and Kendra Sirolly

Neil and Linda Slenker

Catherine Smith

Dawn Smith

Doris and Bud Sterner

Stock and Leader

Stow & Go Self Storage, LLC

The Sullivan Family

Susquehanna Apparel

The Rumbaugh Family

Brian & Anne Thomas

Three M Tool & Die

The Turybury Family

UBS

Victor’s Italian Restaurant

Dr. ToNhu Vu and Dr. Ambrose Liu

Joe and Susan Wagman

Regina and Pat Wallace

Richard and Patricia Walters

Chad Ward and Donna Deerin Ward

John and Kristine Wasilewski

Gretchen Williams

Mark and Linda Winchester

Robert and Julie Winters

James and Jane Young

High School Students Getting Chromebooks

Volunteers from the York Suburban football work on sorting Chromebooks that will be distributed to students this year.  Students (from left):  Thomas Merkle, Brad Smith, and Derek Lehman.

Volunteers from the York Suburban football team work on sorting Chromebooks that will be distributed to students this year. Students (from left): Thomas Merkle, Brad Smith, and Derek Lehman.

All the students in York Suburban High School — and eighth-grade students at York Suburban Middle School — will have Chromebooks for the new academic year.

High school Principal Dr. Brian Ellis explains the technological advance provides students with access to online information and computing tools.  The Chromebooks can be used throughout the day.

Faster than computers, Dr. Ellis points out “Chromebooks start up instantly so teachers can say ‘Take out your Chromebooks and do ___’ without having to dedicate three to five minutes for computers to start up or to specially reserve a lab or cart of computers.”

Chromebooks are gaining popularity throughout education as an effective learning tool.

YS CTC Takes Part in National Night Out

York Suburban Communities That Care Alliance had a bean bag toss at the Spring Garden National Night Out event.

York Suburban Communities That Care Alliance had a bean bag toss at the Spring Garden National Night Out event.

The York Suburban- Communities That Care (YS CTC) Alliance participated in the 2014 “National Night Out” on August 5.

The event was organized by the Spring Garden Township Recreation Department and held at the Penn State York campus.

CTC distributed flyers and program information.  Children took part in the the CTC bean bag toss challenge while winning a glow stick for night time safety.

 

Dollars for Scholars Contributions

The following contributions have been received by the York Suburban Dollars for Scholars fund:

Joseph P. Leese

William C. Cooley, Class of 1962

Indian Rock Elementary School Casual Day Fund

Ellen and Gordon Freireich acknowledging the retirements of Kay Matthews, Billie Jean Jensenius, Linda Kim, and Jane and Peter Peipmeier.

The following made Dollars for Scholars contributions through the United Way:

Kimberly Adams

Judith Brown-Hershner

Jamie Evans

William Hartman

Karen James

Billie Jensenius

Tawn Ketterman

Joyce Myers

Barbara Rollman

Mary Topper

Jesse Weld