Message from the Superintendent

December 22, 2017 by

Several years ago the State of Pennsylvania passed a number of laws aimed at ensuring our children were safe when under the care, supervision, guidance and control of adults.  Included in the Child Protective Services Law are the regulations for background checks for volunteers in our schools. At York Suburban School District, we take our responsibility very seriously for checking criminal and child abuse history for all volunteers. Since 2015 when the provisions were amended we have experienced some confusion between when a person is a volunteer and just a visitor. Visitors to our schools do not need clearances.

My experience points me toward taking the safe path to verifying all volunteers working with our school children to meet the child welfare safety requirements of the law.  Now, since most clearances for volunteers are FREE, the steps are easy to ensure our children are under the care of responsible adults when you send them to a school function here at York Suburban.  The two PA background checks are free and the FBI clearance is only required if you have not lived in Pennsylvania continuously for the past 10 years.The TB test is only required if you will be volunteering more than 10 hours per week. The TB test may not be dated more than 5 years prior to the application date. A link to instructions to apply to be a volunteer is included at the end of this article.

The approval of a YSSD volunteer is a long-term approval until you move from the district or have a clearance violation.  For parents and guardians of our elementary children, getting these clearances now means you could be covered for years!  The application process is quick, but we encourage you to plan ahead.  Please don’t wait until the week before you want to volunteer to seek approval.

In advance, thank you for volunteering in our schools!  We always need adults to help!  Our building administrators can answer other volunteer procedural questions or feel free to email or call my office. (lredding@yssd.org; 717-885-1210)

Dr. Larry R. Redding

Acting Superintendent

Link to Volunteer Instructions

Filed Under: December 2017, Feature

Retiring School Directors Honored

December 22, 2017 by

At the Regular Monthly Meeting on November 20, three retiring members of the York Suburban Board were honored for their service to the district. Current board member, Mrs. Ellen Freireich commented on the outstanding accomplishments of Emily Bates (16 years of service), Lynne Leopold-Sharp (22 years of service) and Cathy Shaffer (20 years of service) in their volunteer positions as School Board Directors. 

Acting Superintendent, Dr. Larry Redding, presented a plaque of appreciation and golden pass to Ms. Bates, Ms. Leopold-Sharp and Ms. Shaffer and shared some comments on the service of Board members and the changes that have taken place in public education through the past 20 some years. On behalf of the school district, Dr. Redding thanked each for their many years of service as a board member.

Filed Under: December 2017, Issue Left

Winter Concerts Highlight District Talent

December 22, 2017 by

Submitted by York Suburban Music Department

All of the York Suburban buildings were filled with beautiful holiday sounds as the York Suburban Music Department celebrated the holiday season! The concerts featured all of the elementary, middle school, and high school performing groups.  We wish you a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!

The music department would also like to congratulate the following high school students on representing York Suburban at the PMEA District 7 festivals:  

Atom Weiler- chorus

Julian Gifford-Mahany–clarinet

Bella Spadotto–bass clarinet

Zoe Prats–cello

Kiera Clifford–viola

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Filed Under: December 2017, Issue Right

In Memory of Former Business Manager Ronald H. Provard

December 22, 2017 by

Sadly, we recognize the passing of Ronald H. Provard, a long time member of the York Suburban School District family.  

Mr. Provard came to York Suburban High School in 1960. He was a high school business department teacher, then became district Business Manager/Assistant to the Superintendent in 1967.  Provard’s financial direction was vital during the district’s early growth period.  Later, his leadership spanned significant transition years when computers were introduced in the district level financial management process.

Mr. Provard was instrumental in many initiatives that have become a part of our York Suburban culture.  Two highlights include his participation in the founding of the York Educational Federal Credit Union and involvement in the formation of the Dollars for Scholars Fund.  Even after retirement in 1997,  Provard continued to serve on the Dollars for Scholars committee. 

Provard’s contribution to the district was recognized in the naming of the administrative office building, following his retirement.

Filed Under: December 2017, Issue Left

Welcome New and Re-Elected Board Members!

December 22, 2017 by

Standing (left to right): Elise Atkinson (Student Representative), James R. Sanders, Steven P. Scalet, Richard M. Robinson, Michael J. Thoman, Kenneth H. Watts, Seated: Ellen Freireich, John H. Posenau (President), Lois Ann Schroeder (Vice President), Joel L. Sears (Treasurer)

Four citizens of the York Suburban School District took the oath of office Monday evening, December 4 to serve as school board directors for the next four years. Mr. James Sanders, Mr. Steven Scalet and Mr. Kenneth Watts, joined re-elected board member Mrs. Ellen Freireich, in volunteering their services to the students, families, and staff of the district. Mr. Sanders, Mr. Scalet, and Mr. Watts currently have children attending our schools and value the quality educational programs, services, and opportunities provided by the York Suburban School District. Mrs. Freireich saw her children graduate from YSHS well prepared for life after high school and maintains a high level of commitment and involvement in all facets of the school district – both curricular and extracurricular.

The new board members bring a wealth of professional experiences to the school board.They have owned their own businesses, worked in higher education, practice law, worked in local government and for a local not-for-profit organization. Their personal experiences in education, business, and government will enable them to provide valuable input for the functions of school board, including setting policy, building a fiscally-sound budget, and hiring and working with a new superintendent.

Please join me in thanking these individuals for making a commitment to serve the York Suburban community.

       

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Filed Under: December 2017, Issue Right

String Ensemble Performs for Rotary Club

December 22, 2017 by

 

The York Suburban High School String Ensemble, directed by Mrs. Ashley Thrush,  gave a 25 minute performance of Christmas, Hanukkah, and winter-themed selections for the Rotary Club of York’s Holiday Luncheon at the Country Club of York on Wednesday, December 20.

Also of note during the meeting, Rotary President Ms. Diane Hershey acknowledged Acting Superintendent Dr. Larry Redding and York Suburban for the district’s outstanding partnership in the exchange program. A book was donated to the  middle school library–which Dr. Redding accepted. Additionally, to close the meeting, as it is customary to share a quote about how “education is making a difference,” and Ms. Hershey read a quote from Mrs. Thrush on “what inspires you to teach?”

Mrs. Thrush’s quote: “Far more than my passion for my content, knowing that we are forming and shaping the next generations of minds and hearts–through the excitement, joy, and the suspense of the process, is what inspires me to teach.

More and more, the diversity in our schools is growing–not just diversity in ethnicity, but more noticeably, the gap between the haves and the have-nots. In recent years, I believe that this has perhaps been the most powerful fire in my soul–to help raise our children to know and feel that ‘all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights’, and to love them and teach them through the wordless power of music is why I do what I do.”

Filed Under: December 2017, Issue Left

Consider Tribute Cards for the Holidays

December 22, 2017 by

 

Looking for a special way to express gratitude to a supportive YS teacher, staff member, administrator or volunteer? York Suburban Education Foundation Tribute Cards can be given at any time throughout the year; a special way to acknowledge a staff member during the holiday season, for his/her birthday or other special occasion, an end of year recognition or just for outstanding performance. Tribute Cards are at least $5 and funds raised are returned to the York Suburban School District through grants for innovative programs as well as support for the YSEF Endowment. Last week, Tribute Card forms were distributed to elementary school students and are also available for anyone to purchase online at http://www.ysef.org/donate/tribute-cards/

Filed Under: December 2017, Issue Right

High School Presents Winter Art Portfolio Show

December 22, 2017 by

Mark your calendars for January 3, 2018!

Don’t miss this great opportunity to view works created

by the talented artists at York Suburban High School.

Filed Under: December 2017, Issue Left

History Comes Alive at Indian Rock Elementary

December 22, 2017 by

Submitted by Mrs. Stephanie Crumbling

American history came to life at Indian Rock Elementary School on December 8. Students in Mrs. Crumbling’s and Mrs. Guyer’s fifth grade Social Studies classes learned about the American Revolution through a variety of activities, including being “taxed” using M & M’s. Next, students created a Google Docs slide for each of the events leading up to and including the war. Students identified the when, where, who, what, and why of each event to create a chronological timeline. Students then wrote scripts and created performances, complete with costumes and props, for their assigned event. Finally, each event of the Revolution was brought to life in a dramatic, sometimes humorous, performance for parents and guests. We represent AMERICA!

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Filed Under: December 2017, Issue Right

YSHS Well-Represented After PMEA District VII District Band and Orchestra Auditions

December 22, 2017 by
Submitted by Mrs. Ashley Thrush
 
On Saturday, December 2 nearly a thousand of the best band and string students from across York, Lancaster, Adams, and Cumberland counties descended upon Dallastown High School to audition for the elite PMEA District Band and District Orchestra ensembles.

Four York Suburban High School students (L-R: Bella Spadotto- bass clarinet; Zoe Prats- cello; Kiera Clifford- viola; Julian Gifford-Mahany- clarinet) were selected to move on to Districts in January and February of 2018. At those festivals they have the opportunity to audition for the Region festivals. We wish them well as they perform and re-audition!

Filed Under: December 2017, Issue Left
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