Feature

Dennis Younkin, Director of Finance and Support Services, Retiring

February 14, 2013 by G. Freireich

Hello,

It is with mixed emotions that we will be saying goodbye to Mr. Dennis Younkin, Director of Finance and Support Services.

He has been with the York Suburban School District for five years and recently announced his retirement. While we congratulate Mr.Younkin on his well-deserved retirement, he will be missed.

Coming to York Suburban with many years of experience in school finance, Mr. Younkin transformed the budget process. In addition, he was instrumental is seeing the district through the building and renovation projects in the recent past.

During Mr. Younkin’s tenure, several new employee agreements were completed and the district moved from in-house food service to a food service management company.

Dennis Younkin

Several cost-savings projects of note include refinancing of bonds, and proposals for more effective and better rates for banking and auditing services. Mr. Younkin’s focus on the budget process and engagement of the community were important aspects of his work, especially in the unprecedented time of fiscal and funding issues, both here in Pennsylvania and across the nation.

The district is in the process of interviewing for a new Director of Finance and Support Services. The plan is to have that person on board by April 15. This will allow Mr. Younkin and the new Director time for a smooth transition.

Mr. Younkin’s final day with the district will be on or about May 1^st.

Congratulations and thank you Denny!

Dr. Kate Orban, Superintendent

Filed Under: Feature

YS Launches Wellness Initiative

December 20, 2012 by G. Freireich

An initiative to implement a pro-active Wellness Policy is now underway in the York Suburban School District.

Dan Henry (left) and Griffin Vinarski at the new vending machines offering healthier snacks for students in the back lobby of York Suburban High School.

Dr. Shelly Merkle, Assistant Superintendent for Administration who is coordinating the effort, said the three-year program allows the administration to take a stronger role in the district’s Wellness Policy created in 2006.

A task force has set these objectives for the 2012-13 school year:

* Create a framework for district wellness.

* Establish a committee of district membership.

* Create a wellness presence across the district.

* Research health and physical education curriculum.

A number of those objectives have already been instituted. They will be followed in the next two school years by expanded objectives.

The Wellness Policy takes into account state mandates on wellness in education, as well as national guidelines for foods served in the cafeterias and concerns expressed by the York Suburban Board of School Directors.

“Wellness means different things at a school,” Dr. Merkle said. “1) Fitness, through health and physical education classes; 2) Nutrition, ranging from cafeteria foods to teaching nutrition; 3) Social-Emotional issues, such as York Suburban’s anti-bullying program and guidance counseling; and, 4) Intellectual, what strategies are most effective when teaching students in all content areas.”

The familiar soda and snack machines in the back lobby of York Suburban High School have been replaced by “healthier choice vending machines,” Dr. Merkle noted. “We were sending a mixed message to the students. There was only healthy food in the cafeteria, but soft drinks and snacks were available in the vending machines.”

“We see more students choosing wellness,” she added.

The task force – made up of school personnel – is building upon wellness practices in grades kindergarten through twelfth that are already in place. That includes monitoring foods that parents may bring in to the school for special occasions.

Concern over highly publicized child obesity studies – and state-mandated body mass index (BMI tests) also play a part in the Wellness Initiative.

Students in many classes are taking fitness breaks – called “Brain Breaks” — to stand or move around their classrooms. “Statistics show that just standing alone increases oxygen to the brain by 30 percent,” Dr. Merkle said.

Teachers receive a Wellness Tip every Wednesday to remind them of the initiative.

The entire Wellness Initiative has been capsulated in a one phrase: BE YS WELL.

Filed Under: December 2012, Feature

2 Named Merit Semi-Finalists, 3 Earn Letters of Commendation

October 18, 2012 by G. Freireich

Two York Suburban High Schools students have been notified they are National Merit Semi-Finalists.

They are:

Laura Blouse, daughter of Alan and Susan Blouse, Springettsbury Township.

Margaret Sullivan, daughter of Gregory and Rowena Sullivan, Spring Garden Township.

National Merit Semi-Finalists are Laura Blouse (left) and Margaret Sullivan.

In addition, three other students received National Merit Letters of Commendation.

They are:

Alicia Baker, daughter of James and Amie Baker, Spring Garden Township.

Thomas Garncarz, son of John and Anne Marie Garncarz, Spring Garden Township.

John Gurnavage, son of Mark and Angela Gurnavage, Springettsbury Township.

A fourth student, Emma Matcham, also received a Letter of Commendation. She is currently attending school in Ohio.

Filed Under: Feature, October 2012

A Taste of the New School Year

August 7, 2012 by G. Freireich

Hello:

The 2012-13 school year is now upon us! I trust everyone had a great summer.

The topic of my letter for this issue is food service.

I am very pleased to announce that beginning this August; Whitsons Culinary Group will be providing breakfast and lunch for York Suburban students. After a lengthy process, Whitsons was selected because of its commitment to innovative and nutritious meals.

This family-owned business is the fourth largest food service management company in the United States and has been working closely with district personnel to assure a smooth transition. In addition, Whitsons will adhere to the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act and other award-winning nutrition education programs.

During the food service management selection process, school board members, food service personnel, district personnel, and students visited a school site to taste-test menus prepared by [Read more…]

Filed Under: August 2012, Feature

The Planets Align for the YS Class of 2012

June 12, 2012 by G. Freireich

Students speakers were (from left): Alexis Ketterman, Katelyn Duncan, Phong Vo, Zoe Rehnberg, Matthew Smith, and Renee Graff.

It was a special night as the 188 members of the York Suburban High School Class of 2012 gathered for commencement ceremonies on Dick May Field. Not only was it graduation evening, but the planet Venus was making a rare transit of the Sun.

To celebrate both occasions, the graduates were given special eclipse glasses as souvenirs of the events. Printed on the sides of the cardboard framed solar shades was “Class of 2012 YSHS June 5, 2012 Transit of Venus” and the school’s Trojan logo.

Even as the clouds obscured the Sun for most of the program, for the family and friends seated in stadium for the one and a half hour ceremony, the members of the Class of 2012 were the center of the universe.

Student speakers for the commencement exercises were:

Alexis Ketterman, President of Student Council

Katelyn Duncan, Vice President of Student Council

Phong Vo, Valedictorian

Zoe Rehnberg, Salutatorian

Matthew Smith, President of the Class of 2012

Renee Graff, Vice President of the Class of 2012

Emily Bates brought greetings from the York Suburban School Board and Dr. Russell Greenholt, Principal of York Suburban High School, offered remarks to the graduates.

Assistant Principals Denise Fuhrman and Richard Petersen presented the members of the class to Superintendent Dr. Kathryn Orban and Assistant Superintendents Dr. Michele Merkle and Dr. Patricia Maloney to receive their diplomas.

The concert band and choir provided the music for the ceremony.

A reception for the new graduates and their guests was held in the high school cafeteria following the ceremonies.

[Show as slideshow]

Filed Under: Feature

Custodial and Grounds Keeper Personnel Step Up

May 7, 2012 by G. Freireich

Hello,

I am very pleased to announce that the York Suburban Education Support Personnel Association (YSESPA) and the York Suburban School Board have come to an agreement which amends the existing contract. The modifications include a one-year extension though June 2015 for the custodial and grounds keeper personnel in

Dr. Kate Orban

the district. In addition, the parties agreed to a modification of wages resulting in a savings to the York Suburban School District.

In a statement, the YSESPA said:

“Given the decreased state funding and financial resources available to the district, causing budgetary issues that will profoundly affect its ability to provide quality education with the school district and the association’s understanding of its responsibility in contributing to the efforts of the district to provide quality education, the association seeks to work collaboratively to achieve budgetary savings while maintaining the highest level of education excellence for the students and community served by the district.”

With this agreement and previous agreements, all personnel in the district have initiated revisions to wages and benefits that have immediate and long term financial benefit to the school district, the community, and — most important — our students. Though minor alterations have occurred, York Suburban has been able to maintain all programs for our students. Further, the district is building the fund balance to plan for the future and any possible funding crises.

My sincerest thanks to the YSESPA and all employees, as well as the entire York Suburban community. Our future depends upon the quality of education provided to past, present and future students. York Suburban continues to be the school district of choice in York County.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kate Orban

Filed Under: Feature, May 2012

5 York Suburban Students Named National Merit Finalists

March 14, 2012 by G. Freireich

Five York Suburban High School seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists.

The students are:

— Noah Baker, son of James and Amie Baker, Spring Garden Township.

— Daphne Blakey, daughter of Albert Blakey and Eleni Pournaras, Spring Garden Township

— Brandon Leshchinskiy, son of Mike Leshchinskiy and Milana Leshinsky, Springettsbury Township

— Justin Renjilian, son of Rev. Robert and Christy Renjilian, Springettsbury Township.

— Ahleah Miles, daughter of Luella Neiman, Springettsbury Township. She is was named a 2012 National Achievement Scholarship Finalist, a National Merit program for “Black American high school students,” according to the notification letter.

National Merit Finalists ( front row from left): Daphne Blakey and Ahleah Miles. (Back row from left) Noah Baker, Justin Renjilian, and Brandon Leshchinskiy.

Filed Under: Feature, March 2012 Tagged With: Merit Finalists

‘Anything Goes’ at YSHS on March 2-3

February 6, 2012 by G. Freireich

Cast members of “Anything Goes” are (left to right): First row, John Munchel and Emilie Leyes; second row, Julianna Kates and Mary Pendergast; third row, Branson Small and Rachel Frey; fourth row, Gabe Tyson and Ed Allison; top row, Ethan Ohl and Caleb Bohanan.

Cole Porter’s fast paced musical “Anything Goes” will be presented for three performances at York Suburban High School. Show times are: Friday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 3, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The show features toe-tapping numbers, including the title song as well as “You’re the Top,” “Friendship,” “It’s De-lovely,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow.” A revival of the show is currently playing on Broadway.

Tickets for the York Suburban production are $10 for adults and $6 for students.

Filed Under: Feature, February 2012 Special Edition

Key Communicators and the Drug Check

January 4, 2012 by G. Freireich

Greetings:

The Key Communicator Network is up and running!

This group of approximately 85 students, parents, retirees and community members has a strong interest in our

schools. The purpose of the Key Communicator Network is to promote a continuing exchange of accurate and timely information between the York Suburban School District (and, more specifically, the Superintendent) and the community. Key Communicators receive e-mails or fact sheets as needed and are asked to share this information with the community through e-mails, discussions, phone calls, etc. In addition they e-mail or call me with concerns, questions or rumors.

A perfect example of the Key Communicator Network in action occurred during the routine drug dog search at the high school in November. On the date of that event, the high school went into a full lockdown. Students and staff were informed that there was no imminent danger or threat but that drug dogs were on the premise to check lockers in the building and vehicles in the parking lot.

The event went smoothly and was done in cooperation with local police entities. Following the search, parents were notified via “Alert Now,” the parent notification system. At all times students were safe and instruction continued throughout the search process.

We believe it is important to make every effort to have all students and staff in a safe and drug free environment. The high school drug search was just one of many systems in place to accomplish this.

Of course during the search, police cars were on site and at the entrance onto the high school campus was strictly prohibited. The police presence and extra security were visible and a number of people in the neighboring area were concerned. Following the search and throughout the evening the rumors were rampant.

Using the Key Communicator Network, I was able to get accurate information out to the community within minutes. When specific rumors and concerns surfaced, Key Communicators notified me and I was able to address them immediately.

The Key Communicator Network is another layer of communication that is and will continue to be of benefit to everyone.

Dr. Kate Orban
www.korban@yssd.org

Filed Under: Feature, January 2012

Four Merit Semi-Finalists and Three Letters of Commendation

October 11, 2011 by werwine

York Suburban High School has been notified that it has four National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists and three Letters of Commendation recipients among the students in the Class of 2012.

In addition, one of the Letter of Commendation recipients is also a semi-finalist for a National Achievement Scholarship.

The Merit Semi-Finalists are:

National Merit Semi-Finalists (from left): Noah Baker, Daphne Blakey, Justin Renjilian, and Brandon Leshchinskiy

Noah Baker, son of James and Amie Baker, Spring Garden Township. He hopes to attend Penn State of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Daphne Blakey, daughter of Albert Blakey and Eleni Pournaras, Spring Garden Township. She is undecided as to where she hopes to attend college.

Brandon Leshchinskiy, son of Mike Leshchinskiy and Milana Leshinsky, Springettsbury Township. He hopes to attend the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, or Carnegie-Mellon.

Justin Renjilian, son of Rev. Robert and Christy Renjilian, Springettsbury Township. He hopes to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Letter of Commendation recipients (from left): Rachel Upadhyay, Benjamin Lam, and Ahleah Miles. Ahleah is also a semi-finalist for a National Achievement Scholarship

The Letter of Commendation recipients are:

Benjamin Lam, son of Tu Linh and Yen Luc Lam, Spring Garden Township.

Ahleah Miles, daughter of Luella Neiman, Springettsbury Township.

Rachel Upadhyay, daughter of Asit and Susan Upadhyay, Spring Garden Township.

Ahleah Miles was also notified that she is a semi-finalist for a 2012 National Achievement Scholarship, a National Merit program for “Black American high school students,” according to the notification letter.

Filed Under: Feature, October 2011

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