Last week, Pennsylvania State Representative Madeleine Dean visited Copper Beech’s fourth grade classes to host a “Pennsylvania Keystone Quiz.” She tested students’ knowledge regarding facts about Pennsylvania. Dylan Carter and Lucas Hohenstein tied as the winners in the competition, earning their classes a prize.
Last week, several classes at Copper Beech Elementary School met and received an honored visit from Corporal Brandon Rumbaugh, a retired veteran of the United States Marines. Corporal Rumbaugh is a double amputee from the Afghanistan War and visits schools to spread his message about being positive and never giving up.
At Overlook Elementary School’s Annual Science Fair, students displayed their self-created projects, experiments, and inventions to the school community. Each “junior scientist” had a space where they demonstrated their scientific knowledge and showed off their hard work. Experiments included a “Whack-A-Mole(R)” like game developed with the Makey-Makey technology and aluminum foil pads; several slime creations; a demonstration of the Earth’s crust; beautiful, artistic crystals made from Borax; a battery made from potatoes; a taste test to see if store brand foods matched higher priced national brands; a Makey-Makey hippo game and musical instrument; and much more. There was even a demonstration about DNA extraction. A selection of several experiments and projects is shown here.
Congratulations to Copper Beech Elementary School’s Jillian Brown for winning Honorable Mention in the Anti-Defamation League’s 2017 “No Place for Hate” Student Essay Contest. She was recognized and honored at a VIP breakfast for her accomplishment at the No Place for Hate Designation Celebration on June 6 at the Walnut Street Theatre, accompanied by her parents. Jillian wrote a response to the following prompt: “Think about a time when you, or someone you know, was excluded or treated badly because of your race, religion or some other reason. Discuss how that made you feel and what you could have done to resolve the situation.” Jillian received a special certificate and free registration for the ADL’s Walk Against Hate.
If you visited McKinley Elementary School last week, you probably would have seen some famous historical figures walking around the school! The third graders performed in their Annual Live Wax Museum. The students chose a historical figure to research. They decorated a backdrop, created a costume, and memorized a script so that when you pushed their “button” they came to life.
Click to view the Agenda on the BoardDocs website.
At the June 13, 2017 meeting the Abington School District School Board honored Abington Senior High School’s Chess Team that competed at the United States Chess Federation’s Super Nationals competition last month – the largest recorded chess tournament in the history of chess with 5,500 players competing from around the country.
In the u1200 section, Abington’s team of Carter Stephens, David Whang, Micah Cheng, and Amin Mojard WON SECOND PLACE out of all the teams in the U.S. and the team of Andrew Nolan, Dennis Phan, Alek Sherstyuk, and Chris Ginion WON SEVENTH PLACE in the u1600 division out of all the teams in the U.S.
Eight Abington players received commendations for placing in the TOP 10% of all players in the field. These are truly extraordinary accomplishments! This is the SEVENTH YEAR IN A ROW that Abington placed in the top 10 of chess teams in the U.S.
Shown here with the team: Mr. Shawn Simmons, the Team Coach, and Mr. Angelo Berrios, Abington Senior High School Principal.
Left to Right: Mr. Daniel Oldham, Ms. LaVonda Daniels, Ms. Julianne Petersen, Ms. Kelly Hartnett, and Mr. Matthew Brenner
Ms. Petersen joined Abington in September 1992 as a Social Studies teacher at the Junior High School, becoming Department Chair in July 2002. In July 2013 she became Supervisor of Social Studies, grades 7 to 12. In July 2016 she became Assistant Principal at the Junior High School. Ms. Petersen earned her B.S. in Education and Social Studies from West Chester University and her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Arcadia University.
Mr. Brenner was hired as a sixth grade teacher at McKinley Elementary School in November 2001. He also taught first, fourth, and fifth grades. Mr. Brenner has been a member of the Abington Education Association Board since 2010 and an executive board member since 2004. Mr. Brenner earned his B.S. in Elementary Education from West Chester University, his M.A. in Education from Temple University, and is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at Temple University.
Mr. Daniel Oldham joined Abington in September 2009 as a second grade teacher at Copper Beech Elementary School. Prior to Abington, Mr. Oldham taught language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science at Springfield Township Middle School. In 2013 he became a sixth grade teacher at Copper Beech Elementary School and during the summers of 2014, 2015, and 2016 he was the Administrator/Lead Teacher for the Abington Title I Academic Adventures Summer Program. Mr. Oldham earned his B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Delaware and his M.S. in Educational Leadership from Delaware Valley University.
Ms. LaVonda Daniels joined Abington in August 2006 as a sixth grade teacher at Highland Elementary School; she has also taught second, third, fourth and fifth grades. Prior to joining Abington, Ms. Daniels worked as an Intake Coordinator for Big Sisters of Philadelphia and as a third grade teacher at the Shipley School. Ms. Daniels earned her B.A. in Human Communications Studies from Howard University, her M.S. in Education from Temple University, her M.S. in Reading from Cabrini College, and her M.S. in Educational Administration from Gwynedd Mercy University.
Ms. Kelly Hartnett joined Abington in September 2005 as a kindergarten teacher at McKinley Elementary School. Previously she taught third grade in Cheltenham. In September 2006 she became a first grade teacher at Overlook Elementary School. She has also taught kindergarten and fifth grade. Ms. Harnett, an Abington graduate, earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from University of Scranton and her M.S. in Educational Administration from Gwynedd Mercy University.
We congratulate these fine teachers and administrators and wish them much success in their new positions.
At the June 13, 2017 Abington School Board meeting, Dr. Ann Bacon, Director of Curriculum, presented our mathematics competitions award winners with School Board President Raymond McGarry, Esquire. She commented that during this school year, Abington elementary, junior, and senior high school students participated and excelled in a variety of county, state, national, and international mathematics competitions. Recognition of the senior high school winners took place as part of an earlier awards ceremony at the school. Last night, we honored award-winning K-8 students from the elementary and junior high schools.
The Atlantic-Pacific Mathematics League Contest is a national competition that consists of a series of six tests. Awards are given at the end of the contest to the highest scoring teams in each region. Dr. Pellico announced that the Junior High School was the first place winner in the Middle School Division!
The Math Fax Competition is a national competition that consists of a series of written tests administered by grade level during the school year. At Rydal Elementary School, Suhaan Kumar won a first place prize and Timothy Kossenkov won a third place prize.
The Pennsylvania Statistics Poster Competition is an annual statewide contest where students design creative posters that must include at least two types of graphs to display the answer to an interesting question. This year, there were 23 award winning posters at the elementary school level statewide; Abington students claimed 18 of the 23 awards! Winning posters from the state competition are entered in the National Statistics Poster Competition; this year an Abington student won the First Place Award in this prestigious competition. At the Junior High School, Dominic DaSilva won an Honorable Mention for the poster titled “Pencils!” At Copper Beech Elementary School, Sohail Aji won an Honorable Mention for the poster titled “Kids, Are You Sleeping Enough?” At Highland Elementary School, Marguerite Burstyn won a Third Place award and $48 for the poster titled “Chocolate Melting Time” and First Place in the National Statistics Poster Competition, winning a check, plaque, and calculator! Brandon and Tristan Bacordo won Top Honorable Mention for the poster titled “STEM Today, Go All the Way?” At Overlook Elementary School, Beckett and Asher Mostert won an Honorable Mention for the poster titled “Birds,” and Madeline Krassner won an Honorable Mention for the poster titled “Generosity.” At Roslyn Elementary School, Sophia Burgos won a Second Place Award and $72 for the poster titled “How Many Grown-Ups Can Pass Third Grade Science Test?”; Allison Rickards won Top Honorable Mention for the poster titled “How Many Marshmallows in My Jug?”; Chase Bottone won an Honorable Mention for the poster titled “Flipping”; Aeryn Gibbons won an Honorable Mention for the poster titled “How Long is the Average Song?”; and Jane Rickards won Honorable Mention for the poster “More Cluck for Your Buck?” At Rydal Elementary School, John Jadach won Honorable Mention for “Where To Find A Sunny Day in the USA”; Emma Cannady won Honorable Mention for the poster titled “What is the Fastest Way for Me, a Seven-Year-Old Girl, to Swim Across a 40 Foot Pool?; Oscar and Calvin Hoffman won First Place and $96 for the poster titled “Let Your Nose Do the Picking”; Giovani Corabi won Second Place and $72 for the poster titled “How Many Minutes of An American Football Game Are Live Action?”; Maximilian Farma won Third Place and $48 for the poster titled “Ouch! Youth Sport Injuries”; Joseph Cuddy and Samuel Blitchford won Honorable Mention for the poster titled “What Type of Ground Material Does Water Travel Through Fastest?”; and William Blitchford won Honorable Mention for the poster titled “How Fast Liquids Freeze.” At Willow Hill Elementary School Sarah Lyles won Honorable Mention for the poster titled “Button Battery Danger for Kids (and Hot Dogs).”
The Mathematical Olympiad for Elementary and Middle Schools is an international competition consisting of five tests given at monthly intervals from November to March. Each test includes five problems. The awards system recognizes team and individual accomplishments. The “Highest Team Achievement” award and plaque is awarded for teams whose scores are in the top 10% of all participating teams in the specified grade level. In the individual awards category, Gold Pins are awarded to students who finish in the top 2 percent, answering at least 20 of the 25 problems correctly. The most prestigious individual award in this competition is the George Lenchner Award, a medallion, named for the founder of the competition, and presented to students who achieve a perfect score for the entire year; this honor is earned by fewer than 1/3 of 1 percent of all participants! This year Abington has two winners in this category, an achievement accomplished by only 0.2% of the participating students in the world!
Copper Beech earned a Highest Team Achievement Award plaque and Gold Pins were earned by Audrey Moore and Thomas Shafie; in addition, Audrey Moore won a Lenchner Award for a perfect score. Highland earned a Highest Team Achievement Award plaque and Gold Pins were earned by Robert Spence Lowery, Lily Gray, and Peter Murray. At McKinley, Benjamin Cossrow earned a Gold Pin. Overlook earned a Highest Team Achievement Award plaque and Gold Pins were earned by Garrett Farabaugh, Alyssa Nguyen, Jeremy Slotter, and Benjamin Suit. Rydal earned a Highest Team Achievement Award plaque and Gold Pins were earned by Darren Mo, Anna Cleary, Justin Muttreja, Kaileb Kim, Maximilian Farma, and Jordan Lieberman; in addition, Darren Mo won a Lenchner Award for a perfect score. At Willow Hill, Gold Pins were earned by Richard Le and David Mwaria.
Dr. Bacon concluded the program last night by recognizing and thanking the Board of School Directors for their continued support of the mathematics programs, the Abington staff who assist with preparing students for these competitions, and family members who encourage students to work hard and do their best.
Congratulations to Abington Junior High School 8th grade student, Gabrielle Oliveira, who won first prize in the Anti-Defamation League’s 2017 “No Place for Hate” essay contest. Gabrielle’s essay was chosen out of 300 submissions, and she was recognized by the ADL at the inaugural “No Place for Hate” Designation Celebration held at the Walnut Street Theatre. Gabrielle and her parents were treated to a VIP breakfast before the ceremony, where she was presented with a certificate and a $250 TD Bank Visa Gift Card. Gabrielle was joined by Abington Junior High School Assistant Principal Mr. Ronald Brison and several of her Junior High School peers, who attended the ceremony to receive the “No Place for Hate” designation banner for Abington Junior High School.
Alejandra Vargas, a fifth grade student at Overlook Elementary School, was selected as a finalist in the 2016-2017 Crayola’s Empowering Students Through Creative Leadership Art Exhibition.
The judges said her artwork, entitled “Sonia Sotomayor,” showed a true connection to the theme, had stunning visual appeal, presented age-appropriate critical thinking and responded to the theme with originality. Alejandra submitted an essay along with her artwork explaining how Sonia Sotomayor has inspired her to pursue her education, career path and dreams.
Alejandra’s artwork will be professionally framed and delivered to the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, she received a customized plaque with a replica of her inspiring artwork, commemorating this achievement.
Mrs. Margaret Johnson is Alejandra’s art teacher.
Abington Senior High School’s Boys and Girls Basketball teams visited Roslyn Elementary School today to read to Roslyn students and speak to them about their love of reading, the importance of goal-setting with regard to academics as well as extracurricular activities, and the benefits of teamwork. The teams also ran an exciting mini-basketball clinic for students in grades 5 and 6 who reached their reading goals through the reading program by reading at least 1,200 minutes outside of school. Many students read more than the 1,200 minutes! The teams also distributed bookmarks that feature the titles of the teams’ favorite children’s books. Visiting and participating today and helping run the mini-basketball clinic were Abington Senior High School Varsity Head Coaches, Charles Grasty (a 1990 Abington High School alumnus and teacher at Abington Senior High School) and Dan Marsh (teacher at Abington Junior High School). It was lots of great fun and spirit and Channel 6abc Action News came to video the reading and mini-basketball clinic.
The Abington School Board this week honored and thanked the Abington Health Foundation of the Abington Jefferson Health System and the Dr. Mark Rosenthal Memorial Fund for the donation of $10,000 toward the replacement of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) for our schools. Dr. Rosenthal was a well-known cardiologist at Abington Memorial Hospital and was a strong advocate for providing training and equipment that can help save lives. Mr. Byron Goldstein, Community Relations Specialist, explained that the Rosenthal Memorial Fund donated nine AEDs to our schools in 2008 and that they now need to be replaced. Mr. Goldstein recognized Ms. Jill Kyle of the Foundation for helping to facilitate the donation, Ms. Judy Bomze at the school district for coordinating the on-line training for the staff on the new AEDs, and Ms. Amy Buick, Director of Major Gifts at the Foundation, who was present to accept a Certificate of Appreciation from the school district at the School Board meeting. Mr. Goldstein noted that the donation will continue to serve as a tribute to Dr. Rosenthal and his encouragement and dedication to helping save lives. The school district continues to have at least one AED in every school and school district building.
The 2017 Abington Senior High School Commencement is also
available for viewing on the district cable station.
Congratulations to Abington Junior High School music teacher Ms. Melinda “Mindy” Walker for being selected as the winner of the American Choral Directors Association of Pennsylvania 2017 Eileen M. Hower Memorial Award. The award was presented to Ms. Walker at the Association’s Summer Conference in honor of Eileen M. Hower, a gifted choral musician and choral educator. Ms. Walker is pictured here receiving the award from Randy Yoder, past vice-president of the Association.
The award is given to a Pennsylvania choral music educator who has been teaching for more than 15 years; has a proven record of commitment to developing voices, particularly at the middle school level; maintains high artistic standards; is actively involved in the American Choral Directors Association or another professional leadership association; and models a passionate, positive, energetic, and joyful approach to their work.
If you happened to be out and about yesterday in Abington or Rockledge you might have wondered: “Why is that school bus with adults traveling around Abington and Rockledge? Schools are not open yet!”
Yes, school is not formally open and the “passengers” were adults. In fact, they were 26 new teachers that will teach at Abington Schools starting next week.
Yesterday’s tour included every school building in the District, and sights such as Schwarzman Stadium at the High School, Penn State Abington, Briar Bush Nature Center, Memorial Field, the Abington Township Building and Police Department, Abington Jefferson Health Hospital, the District Bus Garage, Alverthorpe Park, Rockledge Borough, Willow Grove Mall, Manor College, and more.
District administrators welcomed the new teachers and learned a bit about their backgrounds and previous teaching assignments before the tour.
Remember: Classes start Tuesday, September 5, 2017. Have a great year!
NEW EXHIBIT at Woodmere Art Museum:
“The Art of Abington Senior High School Students”
At Woodmere’s Helen Millard Children’s Gallery — Through October 22, 2017
OPENING RECEPTION – Sunday September 10, 2017
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Woodmere Art Museum
9201 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa 19118
This exhibition includes portraits, still lifes, ceramics, prints, photographs, and sculptures by students at Abington Senior High School.
The artworks illustrate students’ drawing and observational skills, understanding of color, composition, painting techniques, and imagination.
The Woodmere promotional postcard features art by Tiara Veney, 11th grade student at Abington Senior High School.
This summer it was announced that Charles Wentz, a senior at Abington Senior High School, had been accepted into the 2017 NAfME All-National Honors Choir. Charles was able to audition for this National Honor after making the 2017 PMEA All-State Choir. Jack Sullivan, another senior at Abington Senior High School, also made it to the 2017 PMEA All-State Choir; it has been two years in a row that Jack earned this prestigious honor. In addition, Elizabeth Hilliard represented the Abington School District as a member of the 2017 PMEA All-State Jazz Choir. This is the first time in Abington history that a student has qualified for either the All-National Honors Choir or the All-State Jazz Choir. Congratulations to Charles, Jack, and Elizabeth.
This exhibition includes portraits, still lifes, ceramics, prints, photographs, and sculptures by students at Abington Senior High School.
The artworks illustrate students’ drawing and observational skills, understanding of color, composition, painting techniques, and imagination.
The Woodmere promotional postcard features art by Tiara Veney, 11th grade student.
FROM THE WOODMERE GALLERY BOOKLET:
Portraits – Every year each class completes a portrait drawing. In the Drawing Course and the Art I Major course students learn the basic proportions of the face and complete a realistic portrait drawing. In the higher level courses students create portraits that experiment more with concept, technique, and media.
Still Lifes – Still Life drawing is the foundation for the drawing courses at Abington Senior High School. In the junior and senior art major classes, students create still life paintings as well as drawings, to gain an understanding of color, composition, and painting techniques. Drawing objects from life teaches students how to actively observe nuances as well as how to design a dynamic composition while working with simple objects.
Ceramics and Sculpture – With clay as the primary medium, students learn a wide range of techniques from hand-building with coil, pinch and slab to gaining proficiency on the potter’s wheel. Projects are paced and structured in a way that builds student skill and confidence while gaining a thorough understanding of the ceramic process. Student assignments range from functional objects to figurative sculptural and conceptual works.
Photography Projects – Students in the Digital Photography and Photography Program learn both technical and conceptual skills that are applied to each assignment. For example, in one assignment, students are challenged to create photographs using everyday scenes that tell a story about their lives and neighborhoods. Another project that focuses on lighting, students show how light can be used to reveal details that “tell a story.” The students learn about and gain inspiration from noted photographers such as Garry Winogrand, Dorothea Lange, Roy DeCarava and Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Projects: Charcoal Portraits, Chalk Pastel Portraits, Oil Painting Self Portraits, Still Life Oil Paintings, Watercolor Still Life Paintings, Big Head Tempera Paintings
Artists:
Projects: Sculpture, Ceramics Work, and Portrait Drawings
10th Grade Artists:
11th Grade Artists:
12th Grade Artists:
Project: Photography
10th Grade Artists:
11th Grade Artists:
12th Grade Artists:
Projects: Portraits and Still Lifes
10th Grade Artists:
11th Grade Artists:
12th Grade Artists:
David Ferro, an art teacher at the high school, was notified that a ceramics piece that he and his wife collaborated on, “Scale and Cloud,” was accepted by Ceramics Monthly Magazine to be published in the September issue with the theme “Pour It On.” Another piece, “Wave Jar,” a tall jar with a wave pattern, was featured in the “Glaze Recipe” section of the issue. Dave’s students’ ceramics have been featured in many exhibitions and that his own work is featured in an industry publication is great recognition of his craftsmanship.
