This summer Barry Girling, Director of Facilities for York Suburban School District, received the Wayne McCullough Award from the Central Region School Facilities Managers. The honor is given annually by the Central Region School Facility Managers (CRSFM) to a member(s) of the local chapter at the annual staff training day. The award was established in honor of Mr. McCullough’s dedication, commitment and service to the CRSFM in his 28 years with Southern York County School District.

Inspired by a notice about the award in a newsletter, Wayne Ingerto, Coordinator of Custodians and Grounds, nominated Girling because of his 38 years of dedication and service to the district. “He spends countless hours making sure everything in the facility is the best it can be for all the students and staff. He is constantly exploring new technology and ideas that can improve the quality of education here at York Suburban”, says Ingerto.   

A record of community service is a criterion of award recipients. Ingerto noted that “Mr. Girling always communicates with our high school principal offering to help struggling students to find ways to become better adults. He always makes himself available to mentor and teach our young adults.”  In a short time, Girling has made a lasting impression on Ingerto and many others at York Suburban.  

Pictured Left to Right: Barry Girling, Wayne Ingerto

Dr. Timothy P. Williams was appointed Superintendent of York Suburban School District, taking the helm in July.  He is an experienced educator and school leader with over 32 years in public school education, most recently serving as Superintendent of the Westmont Hilltop School District near Johnstown, PA.

He began his career as a middle school English and Social Studies teacher; during that time he served as a Team Leader and a term as President of the Penn Manor Education Association. After ten years in the classroom, Dr. Williams moved to his first central office position as Penn Manor School District’s Technology Coordinator.

In 1999, he moved to the Manheim Township School District where he served over 15 years in a number of roles including Director of Information Technology, Director of Instruction, and Assistant to the Superintendent. He also simultaneously served as Technology Director at Eastern Lancaster County School District while holding a similar position at Manheim Township. Dr. Williams brings his many professional talents, skills, and experiences to his new role here at York Suburban.

“I have been fortunate to have worked for several quality school districts,” says Dr. Williams, “and I am grateful to be a part of yet another such district.”

Dr. Williams earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in History with minors in Anthropology and Journalism at Wilkes University. He received his Master’s in Education from Wilkes University and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University.

Along the Hudson River in New York, the United States Military Academy of West Point provides students a four-year education to some of the most talented young men and women.  Their mission is to “educate, train and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the United States Army.”  To be considered for candidacy, you must first be nominated by a US Senator. Once this occurs, the student must have excellent academic and physical performance on a series of assessments. With an acceptance rate of around 10%, West Point is one of the most rigorous academies to attend. Recently, 1,257 students were accepted among the 13,827 applicants.   According to our local field force representative, it’s not uncommon to have a York County student accepted to the academy, but extremely uncommon to ever have two from the same high school. We are proud to have two students, Carter Kowalewski and Ted Gunn, accepted to West Point this year. We are confident that these two young men will represent the York Suburban community well.

Left: Theodore Gunn, Right: Carter Kowalewski

Submitted by Mr. Scott Shirey, High School Assistant Principal

York Suburban is excited to share a  new program for teaching reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in the elementary schools beginning this year.  Wonders is a comprehensive K-6 English Language Arts program designed to teach early learners foundational skills and to help develop their love of reading.  It is also designed to inspire older students utilizing great online and offline content, literature, and guidance to help prepare them for secondary education.              

Wonders is developed around the latest common core school standards and learning research to help each student succeed. Built on a foundation of current instructional best practices and understandings, the program spirals to return to skills again and again with growing rigor, and it integrates games that challenge and engage students.  Students can access independent work through the YSSD website. Students may read leveled texts, complete assignments that correspond with their texts, and practice with literacy-based games. The creators have taken purposeful strides toward informing and involving parents in their children’s literacy education by creating weekly parent letters.  For parents, a description of every book is available in addition to the weekly letters that share information about what each child is learning.

For online access:

Student Resources – Everyday Math & Wonders

Plans are underway to organize the 8th Battle of the Buildings event.  Past organizers Jamie Evans and Eric Hoffman are looking forward to participating as competitors this next time around. YS Dollars for Scholars is very excited for Eric and Jamie to return in their new role and so thankful for their years of leadership for this event. They will be missed. Since the 2019 BOB aligns with the 20th anniversary of YS Dollars for Scholars, we are calling on the Suburban community to help us put together an amazing and fun event. Volunteers are needed for: Building representatives, games, officials, announcers, tickets, concessions, raffles, and set-up/clean up.  If you or anyone you know is interested in helping in any way please contact Pam Rice at 717-880-4113, email parrice@comcast.net.

About BOB:  Every other year Dollars for Scholars co-ordinates BOB (Battle of the Buildings).   This is a fun-filled family friendly competition involving faculty and staff from the 6 YS buildings and a team of Juniors and a team of Seniors from the high school. The event is scheduled for January 26, 2019. For general information about Dollars for Scholars please contact Karen Evans at underdog_kge@comcast.net.

Submitted by Stephanie Sullivan, DFS Treasurer

It was a busy summer of renovations at East York Elementary. Phase I of the renovations is now complete. Included in these renovations were the following:

• New LED lighting throughout the building
• New ceiling tiles
• New bathroom stalls
• New cafeteria tables
• New heating/cooling equipment
• New glass-enclosed entrance to the gymnasium
• New hand railings

Contractors worked up to the very last minute.  The custodial staff from across the district worked fast and furiously to clean the building from top to bottom to be ready for students on August 22!   

  Submitted by Mrs. Karen Potts

York Suburban Education Foundation enjoyed a “working vacation” this summer that included the following highlights:

• YSEF thanks the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) for their second generous $10,000 contribution to support the Food for Thought weekend backpack program and Impact Closet operations. Many thanks for helping us to support YS students!

L to R: Sarah Reinecker, YSEF President and IF Advisor; Caroline Liu, IF Treasurer; Lilly Cook, board member; Tim Klimchock, CFMA board; Liv Pindzola, IF President; Nathan Bowman, board member; and Josh Carney, IF Advisor

• York Suburban students participated in the Escaping Language Limits program and celebrated with their families at Yorkshire Elementary and Valley View Elementary. This grant funds three face-to-face activity meetings throughout the summer with students and their families to keep the program active and celebrate student progress through fun incentives.

Yorkshire Playground, Pals, and Popsicles

Yorkshire Elementary students and families were invited back to school for two special events. A week before school started, incoming kindergarten students gathered on the playground to make new friends and enjoy a popsicle. Later that evening, all Yorkshire students and families met on the back school lawn for a showing of Toy Story on the big screen. Additional activities that evening included lawn games, face painting, photos with props. Fun and friendship were enjoyed by all!

Playground Pals at Valley View 

A special thanks to the Valley View Elementary PTO for facilitating a successful Playground Pals event on Thursday, August 9. The evening included students receiving a name tag that was color-coded by teacher so our kindergarten friends could identify their classmates. Ritas Italian Ice was also available for all to partake. It was a relaxed evening that included food, fun, and play. Thank you, Valley View PTO.

The York Suburban Music Boosters has trash bags for sale on an ongoing basis.  For community members who’ve been around awhile, these are the “band bags” from years past.  Bags are made from 100% recycled materials and are thicker than a regular trash bag. Two types of bags are available for order: the black “kitchen” bag comes 100 to a box, has a capacity of 18 gallons (normal kitchen bags are 13 gallons) and sells for $15/box.  A yellow “lawn and leaf” bag comes 20 to a roll, has a capacity of 39 gallons and sells for $10/roll.  Order bags from any HS music student (band, chorus, or orchestra) or simply send in the linked form and payment to the HS office.  Please include a phone number to contact when the order is ready for pick up. Thanks for supporting YS Music and the Music Boosters!! Trash bag half sheet order form.pdf

Indian Rock and East York Elementary Schools are providing an opportunity for students in grades 3-5 to learn yoga after school once a week. The instructor, Mrs. Erin Darby will be at East York on Tuesdays and Indian Rock on Thursdays from September through November 13.

Please contact East York at 717-885-1240 or Indian Rock at 717-885-1250 for more information.