Isaac Murray and teacher Susan Mellinger

The artworks of 16 East York third grade students were selected for

Jackson Rudacille, and Sophia Miller with teacher Susan Mellinger.

display at the Charles Demuth Museum in Lancaster.

Based on the painting by Demuth entitled  “The Figure Five in Gold,” the third grade students created designs depicting their own interpretations of Demuth’s style.

Sixteen were selected and an opening exhibition was held by the Demuth Museum for  students, families, and friends. 

The following East York students’ art work was featured:  Mason Buck, Grant California, Caitlyn Parkes, Skylar Price, Kirra Hyder, Maryn Spitzlay, Daniel Paz, Brady Neiser, Rebecca West, Connor Hayes, Grace Koloras, Jackson Rudacille, Veronica Mina, Sophia Miller, Isaac Murray, and Ioanna Harmantzis.

Dr. Gregory Gulley teaches reading to (from left) Lena Englerth, Lillian Baker, Conner Landis, Elizabeth Hoak, and Joelei Rivera

Students in Sherri Mahorney’s third grade class at Indian Rock Elementary School wrote the following article for YS Pride:

By Lillian Baker, Lena Englerth, Elizabeth Hoak, Joelei Rivera, and Conner Landis

Did you know that Dr. (Gregory) Gulley was a fifth grade teacher at Indian Rock before he became the principal of Indian Rock? 

Well, we didn’t know that!  Dr.Gulley is our principal, but he still comes to our class in the mornings and helps us read.  He sits at the reading table in Mrs. Mahorney’s third grade class and we do guided reading together. 

He has helped us with our fluency and reading skills. He is a good teacher and it feels great to have him teaching us. We are so lucky to have our principal teaching us reading!

Approximately 125 YSMS students participated in MathCounts enrichment activities during the first semester.  At the beginning of December, these students took a qualifying test to determine the 16-member YSMS MathCounts team.  The following students earned the top scores for a spot on the 2014-15 team.

— 8^th graders:  Sam Garncarz, Liv Pindzola, Nate Gutekunst, Justin Shocker, Andrew Frey, Caleb West, Luke Sargen, McKenna Graham.

— 7^th graders:  Arianna Greco, Augustine Huh, Hayden Brandt, James Zhang, Micah McKee, Matt Phillips, Luke Hardman.

—  6^th grader:  Devlin Ravegum.

They competed on Tuesday, January 13, at York College in the Eighteenth Annual York County MathCounts Invitational.  Eleven school districts participated.  There were a total of 39 four-member teams totaling 156 students.   

The team of Sam Garncarz, Justin Shocker, Liv Pindzola, and Hayden Brandt placed third in the team competition.

In the individual written competition, Sam Garncarz placed sixth, Nate Gutekunst placed eighth, and Hayden Brandt placed 10th.

Devlin Ravegum was the top scoring sixth grader at the competition placing 34^th.

Seven of our mathletes placed in the top 25 percent.

The following students have qualified to compete at the regional level to be held at Millersville University on Saturday, February 28:

Sam Garcarz, Nate Gutekunst, Hayden Brandt, Luke Sargen, Caleb West, McKenna Graham, Devlin Ravegum, and Micah McKee

Valley View Elementary School celebrated the 100th day of the school year on Monday, January 26, with two balloon arches provided by the PTO to welcome students into the building.  One of the arches was at the bus entrance, the other at the front door.  In photo above, Valley View students show their excitement at the 100th day of school.

At its January annual meeting, the York Suburban Education Foundation’s Board recognized outgoing President Cathy Shaffer for her years of service and dedication to the Foundation, as well as to the York Suburban School District.

Cathy Shaffer

“The Foundation would not exist if not for Cathy’s tenacity and vision,” one of the founding board members said.

In 2007, Cathy Shaffer and a small group of YSSD community members began researching education foundations as a way to enhance continued success of all students in the York Suburban School District.  A task force was then created to develop a mission statement.  In March of 2008, the York Suburban School Board approved a resolution to support the Education Foundation and by the summer of 2008 a Board of Directors was formed and held its first meeting. 

Ms. Shaffer was recognized by the board with a plaque that included a picture of students from Julie Stover’s classroom holding Chromebooks with the words “Thank You” written on them.  Ms. Stover is a Reading Specialist at East York Elementary and received a grant in 2013 for 25 Chromebooks.  Since the Foundation was established, more than $133,000 has awarded to YSSD through innovative program grants.

In addition to thanking Ms. Shaffer, the YSEF Board of Directors elected Sarah Reinecker as President and MacGregor “Mac” Brillhart, (YSHS Class of ’98) as Vice President.  New Board members Penny Ayers, Dustin Boeckel, (Class of ’97), Laura Horowitz, Justin Leber, (Class of ‘01), and Thomas O’Shea were also welcomed at this first Board meeting of 2015.