The Abington School Board recognized and honored Gabriella Ott, a senior at Abington Senior High School, at its recent Board meeting, for being named September 2017 Student of the Month at the EASTERN Center for Arts and Technology. High School principal Mr. Angelo Berrios introduced Gabriella, who attends the Commercial Art program at EASTERN and plans to attend Arcadia University for a dual major in Business and Graphic Design after graduation from Abington. We are very proud of Gabriella, who is a member of the National Honor Society, has received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence on multiple occasions, is an accomplished competitive figure skater and a volunteer camp counselor for a figure skating camp, and was a member of the team that earned first place in a Skills USA district competition and went on to place second in the state competition. At EASTERN’s Awards Night last spring Gabriella received both the Junior Professionalism and Straight A’s awards. EASTERN’s Student of the Month Award is sponsored by EASTERN’s faculty, the Joint Committee, and the Willow Grove Rotary Club and highlights student excellence, success, and service.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an Abington Jefferson Hospital nurse, Unite for Her volunteers, and volunteers from the Breathing Room staffed tables with breast cancer awareness materials and information.

Several years ago the football coaches from Abington and North Penn High Schools were talking and realized that their mothers were both breast cancer survivors.  Since the teams were playing each other during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they decided to develop activities and events to promote breast cancer awareness at the game.  The tradition continues with support from the Key Club with this year’s theme “Real Ghosts Wear Pink.”

The Abington Senior High School Key Club embraced the event again this year, again with much enthusiasm and taken leadership roles.  The Key Club sold pink “Real Ghosts Wear Pink” tee-shirts the week preceding the game and at the game.  The $10 cost of the shirt included admission to the game and a donation. Last year, all 1000+ shirts sold out swiftly. 

Abington Jefferson Hospital and the Unite for Her organization and a volunteer from the Breathing Room distributed flyers, stickers, and other information at the stadium entrance.

“Honorary Team Captains” included breast cancer survivor Rebecca Purring of Unite for Her, Carol Hopkins, Janice Jedlinski, and Marion Utain, who participated in the coin toss that started the game.

Also this year, the Abington Education Foundation celebrated its 25^th year of support for Abington students with a table and giveaways.

Beautiful student artwork has been displayed in the School District Administration Building over the past 20 years.  The elementary and secondary art teachers selected the artwork, which is placed on display for four years and then returned to the student.  At a recent School Board meeting, Dr. Lentz and the art teachers presented the artwork to the Board of School Directors and the community and provided certificates to the student artists to honor their handiwork. The artwork can be viewed both below and  in the booklet posted on BoardDocs for last night’s meeting, available via the district website.

The following students and their art teachers were honored  – note that the grade listed is the student’s grade last year when the artwork was created and selected: 

• Samantha Beil, 9^th grade, Abington Junior High School, Art Teacher: Mr. Fabio Tulli
• Jada Carrington, 9^th grade, Abington Junior High School, Art Teacher: Ms. Kelly Steinlage
• Sophia Castaldi, 5^th grade, Roslyn Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mr. Anthony Shelton
• Lia D’Arcangelo, 1^st grade, Copper Beech Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mr. Michael McKeough
• Eva Davis, 2^nd grade, Roslyn Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mrs. Chelsea Puglese
• Braden Delgado, 5^th grade, Rydal Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mrs. Natalie Haertsch
• Elisabetta DiSalvo, 11^th grade, Abington Senior High School, Art Teacher: Mr. David Ferro
• Jaime Ellison, 5^th grade, Copper Beech Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mr. Michael McKeough
• Carlos Hinkel, Kindergarten, Highland Elementary School, Art Teacher: Ms. Patricia Forrest
• Michelle Kim, 5^th grade, Highland Elementary School, Art Teacher: Ms. Patricia Forrest
• Jonah Lemmel, 9^th grade, Abington Junior High School, Art Teacher: Ms. Kelly Steinlage
• Sophia Lucente, 11^th grade, Abington Senior High School, Art Teacher: Ms. Nicole Caracciolo
• Camryn McKnight, 5^th grade, Willow Hill Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mrs. Chelsea Puglese
• Lydia Meyer, 4^th grade, Willow Hill Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mr. Anthony Shelton
• Ellie Moore, 2^nd grade, Copper Beech Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mr. Michael McKeough
• Sean Nicolas, 3^rd grade, Overlook Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mrs. Margaret Johnson
• Vasify Osipov, 7^th grade, Abington Junior High School, Art Teacher: Mrs. Ann Custer-Walter
• Hailey Plantarich, 11^th grade, Abington Senior High School, Art Teacher: Mr. Stephen Lupo
• Samuel Richman, 2^nd grade, Copper Beech Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mr. Michael McKeough
• Zachary Simon, 12^th grade, Abington Senior High School, Art Teacher: Mr. Richard Metz
• Isabel Updyke, 5^th grade, Rydal Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mrs. Natalie Haertsch
• Nathan Vahey, 4^th grade, McKinley Elementary School, Art Teacher, Mrs. Donna Zar
• Alejandra Vargas, 5^th grade, Overlook Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mrs. Margaret Johnson
• Iris Winegrad, 5^th grade, McKinley Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mrs. Donna Zar
• Jesse Xin, 6^th grade, McKinley Elementary School, Art Teacher: Mrs. Donna Zar

This week is National School Lunch Week!  Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Crane took turns serving a healthy lunch to students in the McKinley Elementary School cafeteria.

Weldon Volunteer Fire Fighters Visit Kindergarteners At Copper Beech Elementary School

Copper Beech kindergarteners were delighted to learn about fire safety from the Weldon Volunteer Fire Company on Easton Road.  This is a celebrated event held annually at Copper Beech Elementary School as part of Fire Prevention Week.  We thank the firehouse for joining us!

Copper Beech Elementary School’s “Goodies With Guests” a Great Time for All

Every year the Copper Beech PTA hosts the school’s “Goodies with Guests” event for kindergarteners.  Students invite a special person to accompany them before school and enjoy breakfast treats, live music from Mr. Haertsch and Dr. Portman, and share a moment reading together with their own book or one provided by the library.   A great time was had by all who attended!

McKinley Elementary School PTO Holds “Scarecrow Night”

On Friday, the 13th of October, the McKinley community shared a fun-filled Friday night building scarecrows.  Hosted by the McKinley PTO, Scarecrow Night celebrates the spirit of Fall.  The scarecrows will be on display in front of McKinley Elementary School until October 31st.  

McKinley Elementary School Wins “Garden of Distinction Award” from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

McKinley Elementary School received the “Garden of Distinction Award” from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.  The McKinley Garden was selected from over 350 entries submitted in the Society’s 2017 Gardening and Greening Contest.  The Garden Committee at the school, led by McKinley parents, devotes time and creativity to developing beautiful selections of flowering plants, shrubs, bushes, and vegetable plants positioned among bird feeders, a sundial, and a seating spot in the outdoor area between two classroom wings.  At an Awards Reception in November, the school will receive a Horticultural Society sign for the garden area recognizing the award.

Roslyn Elementary School Turns PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness

Roslyn Elementary School students turned the school pink to show their awareness for breast cancer.  Students and staff wore pink clothing and everyone enjoyed pink smoothies. The school sold buttons, ribbons, and bracelets that raised $500 for The Breathing Room in Jenkintown.  The Breathing Room provides support for families who are struggling with cancer.  It was a fun day for all!

Don’t Miss The Updated, Re-Imagined Much Ado About Nothing!

The Abington Senior High School Theater Department is thrilled to present Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing. Completely re-imagined in a 1950s Hollywood setting, Much Ado tells the complicated story of two couples who must overcome their pride to make it work.

Young lovers Hero and Claudio are to be married in a week, and to pass the time, they conspire with Don Pedro and Leonato to set a lover’s trap for avowed bachelor Benedick and his alleged bane, Beatrice. Behind the scenes, the evil Don John schemes to break up the wedding.

We guarantee that this comedic romp will give you a new appreciation for the Bard’s masterful wit! Come out and support our amazing theater department as they tackle Shakespeare for the first time since 2010.

$10 General Admission Tickets
$8 Students with ID and Senior Citizens
November 16th, 17th, 18th @ 7:00 PM

Abington Senior High School
900 Highland Avenue
Abington, PA

Roslyn Elementary First Graders Use Pumpkins to Create Their Favorite Book Characters!

First graders at Roslyn Elementary School brought the harvest theme into school for some reading fun throughout the month of October! They recreated their favorite book characters using pumpkins as their canvas. Students enjoyed sharing their projects, describing their character, and summarizing the story. The students and staff of Roslyn are enjoying the festive display in the first grade hallway.

The McKinley Masquerade Ball was so much fun!  Last Friday, October 27th, fourth through sixth grade students enjoyed pizza, dancing, and a night out with their friends, many in costume!

Temple University Athletic Director Dr. Patrick Kraft and Head Football Coach Geoff Collins visited Copper Beech today to hold a mock interview and Q&A session with sixth-grade student Brian Donahue and his classmates in response to the business letter Brian created as part of a classroom writing exercise.

Sixth grade teacher, Mr. Alex Price, gave his students an assignment to write business letters to professionals of their choosing. It was an opportunity for students to write in a real-world context, using persuasive techniques. Every student’s letter in this exercise was mailed in the hopes that professionals would read and provide feedback on their letters.
Brian’s letter persuaded Dr. Kraft and Coach Collins to visit Brian’s class for an amazing session with Brian and his classmates. They commented that Brian’s letter drew their attention with its skillful writing and message about his experiences with football, his kindness, his big heart and caring for others, and his intelligence. Dr. Kraft asked him who he would select for his team’s staff and Brian selected several classmates (shown here). When asked who he would select for his quarterback, he paused and then selected his brother, Charlie, who is in third grade at Copper Beech and attended the interview.

When asked for advice regarding success in life and athletics, Dr. Kraft and Coach Collins emphasized and spoke much about being successful and working hard in academics. Dr. Kraft said “So much depends on academics and hard work; go for the A’s and B’s. Be passionate about it and good things will happen.” He recounted that one of the greatest moments in his life was seeing an athlete he knew obtain the first college degree in his family – that he succeeded academically. Dr. Kraft commented on how important writing and communication are in life, in academics, and in athletics.
Copper Beech students asked many terrific questions about Temple, about athletics, and academics. An interesting question asked by a student was what is Temple’s overall admission acceptance rate? (Dr. Kraft responded – 56%) Charlie Donahue asked if the coach or athletic director knows his Pop-Pop; Dr. Kraft asked who that is – he did not realize that their grandfather is Harry Donahue, retired KYW 1060 radio co-anchor who is still the longtime play-by-play voice of Temple athletics broadcasting! Dr. Kraft noted that Brian did not even mention that in his persuasive letter – a strong point in Brian’s favor!

Dr. Kraft and Coach Collins commented that the class asked great questions! Brian was presented with a personalized Temple Football jersey and posed with it with the coach and athletic director and with his homeroom teacher, Mrs. Gerson, and with Mr. Price.

Play to be presented November 16, 17, 18 at Abington Senior High School

The Abington Senior High School Theater Department hosted Mr. James Keegan, Shakespearean actor and longtime professor at the University of Delaware, for a workshop he presented for the cast and crew of the upcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing.

Mr. Keegan has a lengthy, impressive resume of Shakespearean roles, played at the prestigious American Shakespeare Theater.

The high school Theater Department is thrilled to present Shakespeare’s comedy that is completely re-imagined in a 1950s Hollywood setting,

The play tells the complicated story of two couples who must overcome their pride to make love work. Young lovers Hero and Claudio are to be married in a week, and to pass the time, they conspire with Don Pedro and Leonato to set a lover’s trap for avowed bachelor Benedick and his alleged bane, Beatrice.  Behind the scenes in this comedy, the evil Don John schemes to break up the wedding.

This comedic romp will give the audience a new appreciation for the Bard’s masterful wit!  Come support Abington Senior High School’s amazing Theater Department as it tackles Shakespeare for the first time since 2010.

$10 General Admission Tickets
$8 Students with ID and Senior Citizens

Students from Penn State University, Abington Campus, have partnered with Highland Elementary School and its PTO to conduct an after-school STEM enrichment program for students in second and third grades.

The Penn State students along with their professor are working with the Highland students as part of their college coursework.  For the Highland students, the program is an after-school enrichment program.

This week second grade students were taught about stars and constellations.  Using mini-marshmallows and spaghetti sticks, the Penn State students guided the second graders in producing their own “constellations.”

The Penn State students described museums and how museum visitors “observe,” but do not touch the exhibits.  After discussing museum visits, the Penn State students guided the Highland students on a “gallery walk” to see how others created their constellations.

Children can meet the princesses and princes and royalty of films and literature!!

November 11, 2017
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Abington Senior High School Cafeteria
900 Highland Avenue
Contact at school: Janine Rizzo 215-517-2800

Abington Senior High School’s 1st Annual Royal Breakfast: Children can come and eat breakfast with their favorite royal characters from films and literature, such as Belle, Tiana, Ariel, Elsa, Moanna, Snow White, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Kristoff, Aladdin, Prince Eugene, and more.

Cost is $15 per child and includes:
– Light breakfast
– Face painting
– Crown decorating
– Coloring
– and more.

Reservations need to be made by November 10 using the link:
http://www.tinyurl.com/ASHSRoyalBreakfast

Tickets will not be sold at the door.

On Monday, October 31st, students arrived to school in their costumes that included ghosts, goblins, superheroes, historical figures, and cartoon characters.  The McKinley faculty and staff also got into the spirit by dressing in thematic costumes as well.  The morning at McKinley never looked so vibrant and alive!   

Students, families, and staff of McKinley Elementary School’s Roots and Shoots Club spent a weekend afternoon cleaning up the McWoods outdoor classroom.  Students and their families helped collect and dispose of litter.  They also weeded and spread woodchips to create a path into the McWoods.  The McWoods outdoor classroom is a space where McKinley students visit throughout the year to learn about environmental science and enjoy nature.

The Abington Senior High School Athletic Department, Administration, students, and families recognized and celebrated four student-athletes’ accomplishments today.  After a welcome and introduction by Athletic Director Todd Vaccaro, Abington Senior High School alumna Maddy Evans presented a very inspirational, uplifting, and positive talk. 

Honored as they signed the Letters of Intent, accompanied by family members, were:

• OLIVIA BERNSTEIN – Softball – West Chester University
• SAMANTHA BRUSHA – Girls’ Basketball – Millersville University
• JOHNPAUL NOLAN – Baseball – East Stroudsburg University
• GRACE WHITNEY – Girls’ Volleyball – West Chester University

Abington Class of 2009 alumna Maddy Evans, professional soccer player for the past six years and now Assistant Coach for women’s soccer at West Chester University, encouraged the athletes to not only do their best but to enjoy their accomplishments, the people and teammates they will play with, and that they “Got To” play their sports.

 A wonderful video of the athletes’ interviews and highlights of their playing accomplishments was presented along with messages from coaches Jon Morrissette (baseball); Dan Marsh (girls’ basketball and volleyball); and Ellie White (softball).  The video was produced by Olivia Bernstein, Sean Touey, and teacher Mr. Bryan Quigley and  can be viewed on the Abington School District Facebook page and website.