Today was an exciting staff opening day as Dr. Sichel and staff members presented an introduction to and insights for the new school year. Abington Education Association president Debbie Lee welcomed the staff and Dr. Fecher introduced new administrative appointments and teachers. 

New Teachers

Congratulations to Mr. Daniel File as the new Principal of Overlook Elementary School.  Mr. File had been an Assistant Principal at the Junior High School.  Prior to coming to Abington, Mr. File held administrative positions in Central Bucks and Pennsbury School Districts and taught English.  He has a Bachelor of Arts from La Salle University and a Masters in Education and Educational Leadership from University of Pennsylvania.

Congratulations to Ms. Julianne Petersen as Assistant Principal at Abington Junior High School.  Ms. Petersen had been the Supervisor of Social Studies at Abington School District.    Prior to that, Ms. Petersen was the Social Studies Department Chair at Abington Junior High School and a Social Studies teacher for 12 years.  Ms. Petersen earned her Bachelor of Science degree from West Chester University and a Masters in Educational Leadership at Arcadia University.

Congratulations to Mr. Robert Howe in his new position as Department Chairperson of Gifted Education and Elementary Curriculum Specialist at McKinley Elementary School. Mr. Howe had been serving as Interim Department Chairperson of Gifted Education. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University and his Masters Degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University.  Mr. Howe earned his principals certification from Temple University.  He has been an elementary teacher in Abington since September 1993 and a teacher of gifted education since September 2005.

Congratulations and welcome to Mr. Thomas Schneider as Supervisor of Facilities.  Mr. Schneider comes to Abington from the North Penn School District where he had been the Director of Facilities and Operations and, before that, the Manager of Energy and Operational Efficiencies. Prior to North Penn, Mr. Schneider was Supervisor of Operational Services at the Council Rock School District. Before working at Council Rock, Mr. Schneider worked in design and project management involved in school construction in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mr. Schneider has an engineering background and earned his Bachelors Degree in mechanical engineering. Congratulations and welcome to Mr. Steven Hochwind as the Coordinator of Safety and Student Attendance.   Mr. Hochwind served 33 years with the Abington Township Police Department as Platoon Commander, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant SWAT Team Commander, and patrol officer.    He also served as a DARE officer in public and private schools. Mr. Hochwind earned a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from West Chester University, a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Mercy College, and an Executive Law Enforcement Certificate from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.

Dr. Sichel introduced a presentation of Abington School District’s past, present, and future.  She highlighted the STEAM  programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts. and Mathematics) and the district’s innovations in robotics, technology, science, and the arts.  A major portion of the morning’s presentation covered student achievement, equity, and opportunities, both current and future. 

Dr. Sichel also presented a slide of the district’s impressive accomplishments and awards.

Dr. Bacon presented the journey that led to Abington’s distinctive and widely praised Opportunities to Learn initiative – the plan and the impressive results.  Dr. Melchor presented the standards that lead to rigorous curriculum, instruction, and student achievement.  The Four C signposts of education were presented:  Communication, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Creativity as well as the integration of blended learning in the classroom.

Dr. Sichel reviewed 2016-2017 Planning for the Future steps that include: the creation of the Comprehensive Plan for 2018-2021; Superintendent’s Committees for Elementary Communication Arts, Secondary School Mathematics, and Middle/Junior High School Curriculum; and Pilot Programs for Technology.

Integrated in the presentation were videos of nationally renowned thought leaders praising Abington’s programs and initiatives and providing thoughts on blended programs and future educational needs for success in the 21st Century and beyond.

The Abington Senior High School Select Choir sang the National Anthem at the Temple University – Stony Brook Sea Wolves football game last weekend at Lincoln Financial Field.

Abington Educational Foundation Decades
Party Fundraiser – Friday, November 11

Save the date! Help support the Abington Educational Foundation!

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT No Cost Walk-In Flu Shots

Students from Mrs. DaSilva’s APEX gifted grades 3, 5, and 6 classes from Rydal Elementary School and Highland Elementary School’s grade 5 gifted students collected over 70 blankets to be donated to Temple University’s Hospital Neonatal Care Unit as part of the Gracie’s Gift Project and the service learning project at the school.

The Gracie’s Gift Project was started by the Sonneborn family, in memory of Grace Sonneborn. Born in March of 2003, Gracie was found to have the rare condition known as OsteoGenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bone Syndrome) and lived only one day.

According to the Sonneborn family, during the difficult time leading up to Gracie’s birth, tremendous kindness was extended to the family by friends, colleagues, and medical health professionals.  This support took many forms, and often came from unexpected places.  In a particularly touching gesture, nurses who attended Gracie’s birth gently wrapped her in a beautifully crocheted receiving blanket and bonnet that had been donated to the hospital.

In 2005, the family hoped to return some of the kindness extended to them by sharing a small gift with families in need.  They invited a few friends to join them in honoring Gracie’s memory by donating baby blankets to families served by the maternal infant unit of Temple University Hospital.  Word about the project spread and on Gracie’s birthday, the family delivered 40 gift-wrapped blankets to Temple University Hospital.  They were told by the nursing staff that these blankets would be the only gift that many of these infants would receive.

In that first year, the Gracie’s Gift Project donated 40 blankets.  Last year, over 1000 blankets were collected and distributed.  The goal for 2016 is to collect and donate 1200 blankets and Mrs. DaSilva’s classes are contributing to meeting that goal.

The Abington Senior High School Key Club won many awards at the PA District Key Club Convention held this past week. The club, advised by teachers Ms. Michelle Ritterman and Ms. Christa Peters, took 18 students to the conference –  10th, 11th, and 12th graders, including: Sumner Sykes, Sam Wells, Stanley Tang, Nick Cerdera, Celia Timbers, Cameron Hayes, Steph Waldstein, Sami Gable, Julie Gelman, Lindsay Fullerton, Swathi Prakash, Mackenzie Greiner, Jackie Kizel, Reilly Burton, Devon Conroy, Mary Portugal, Bria Corbin, and Tanya Yevdosyuk.

Distinguished officer awards were awarded to Lindsay (Editor) for her monthly informers, Sam (Treasurer) for his early submission of club dues, Cameron (Secretary) for her submission of at least 6 monthly reports, and Sumner (Vice-President) for his early submission of the club officer report.

The Key Club received 2nd place in the Platinum Category (the highest category for clubs with more than 86 members) for Sam’s write-up of our Single Service event – our annual Breast Cancer Awareness Football Game and Program. Lindsay was awarded 3rd place for her digital poster; Bria and Tanya received 3rd place for their non-digital poster; Celia, Sumner and Cameron were awarded 3rd place for their work on the non-traditional scrapbook (a painted door portraying a collage of this year’s service events – which is being displayed in the senior high’s reception area); Julie and Stanley received a 2nd-place tie for their work on the video. Finally, Sumner was awarded 1st place for his speech in the oratory contest.

Click to view the Agenda on the BoardDocs website.

Abington Junior High School and Abington School District congratulate Ms. Rochele Haynes as the Education Award Honoree of The Willow Grove Branch NAACP. Ms. Haynes accepted this recognition at the 42nd Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on October 16, 2016. Ms. Haynes is an Abington graduate and she is currently a guidance counselor at Abington Junior High School. In addition to counseling, she is an athletic coach and a sponsor for the VIBE and IMAGINE leadership programs. Ms. Haynes was also recognized for her many community service activities with the First Baptist Church of Crestmont, Black Women’s Education Board (BWEA) and Abington Heath Foundations.

Fundraising at last Friday’s game will benefit Abington Jefferson Hospital’s Rosenfeld Cancer Center, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Philadelphia Affiliate, the Terry Hanifin Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Breathing Room.

Abington Jefferson Hospital nurses, Philadelphia Affiliate Susan G. Komen for the Cure volunteer, 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 with the theme “Score Big Against Breast Cancer.”  Thousands of dollars were raised as well as breast cancer awareness and the event has become a popularly supported, annual event.  This year’s theme was “PINK Out for the Cure” with tee-shirts developed to promote it.

With the involvement of the Abington Senior High School Key Club, Abington Jefferson Hospital, the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and volunteers from the Breathing Room, an incredible array of activities and fundraisers had been developed for this year’s game last Friday; The Abington Senior High School Key Club embraced the event again this year, again with much enthusiasm and had taken leadership roles.  The Abington Key Club sold pink “PINK Out for the Cure” tee-shirts the week preceding the game and at the game.

Roslyn Elementary School celebrated Unity Day this week. Sixth grade students led an assembly where all students at the school were reminded of Roslyn School’s character traits and the importance of kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Students and staff wore orange to show support for a safe and supportive community for all with an absence of bullying. During an art class, students created the letter “U” for Unity using their handprints, which is a Unity Day symbol. Unity Day was started in 2011 by the National Bullying Prevention Center.

Abington School District Parent Council to Sponsor

“Internet & Social Media Safety”

Presented by Abington Police Officer Ryan Duntzee

Presentation includes:

• Cyber bullying
• Cyber predators
• Social media site concerns

A Question & Answer period will follow

 Supervised child care will be provided for children 4 years of age and older.

Wednesday October 26, 2016

 7:30 p.m.

Location:  Roslyn Elementary School
2565 Susquehanna Road, Roslyn, PA 19001

Harlem All-Stars “Pee Wee” Harrison and The Responsibility Foundation visited Copper Beech Elementary School today to lead an assembly on “Responsibility.”

During the assembly, “Pee Wee” talked to Copper Beech students about being respectful and responsible, setting goals, and the importance of making good choices in life.  The program also included students and teachers in a performance of basketball drills and tricks that have made the Harlem Globetrotters world famous!

“Pee Wee” has been the longest time player with the Harlem Globetrotter’s famous Meadowlark Lemon – 28 years.

Abington Police Detective Ryan Duntzee presented

“Internet Safety”

at the Abington School District Parent Council Meeting this week at Roslyn Elementary School.

The presentation included:

• Cyber bullying – what it is and means to prevent it
• Who can see the information children post online
• Cyber predators
• Social media site concerns

Detective Duntzee warned “Do not say anything online that you wouldn’t say offline.”

A Question & Answer period followed Detective Duntzee’s presentation.

This week, Copper Beech Elementary School families donated new pajamas to the Pajama Program, an organization that provides pajamas for children in need. Copper Beech then celebrated by holding a pajama day at school where students and staff wore their pajamas!

Members of the Abington Senior High School Choir were invited to sing with the rock group Foreigner during their concert at the Keswick Theatre on October 22. The students sang “I Want to Know What Love Is” on stage with Foreigner during the concert. The students who performed in the concert were: Kiara Brasher, Maddie Ernst, Nicole Gerhardt, Adia Gillespie, Hailey Hart, Isaiah Knox, Erin Markham, Samaia Peake-Bowens, Naseer Turner, Paige Voltmer, Emerson Wells, and Hunter West.

Abington teachers Ray and Natalie Haertsch chaperoned the students that evening and videoed the performance and Mr. Haertsch produced the attached video.  Mr. Tim Myers, choral director at Abington Senior High School, prepared the students for the performance.

Foreigner is working with the Grammy Music in the Schools Foundation, to provide opportunities for high school students to work with music professionals in many areas.  The Foundation also donates funds school districts throughout the country. We are very pleased that Foreigner will be donating $500 to the Abington Choir for their performance.

New York/Philadelphia actress, comedienne, and director Jodi Letizia spent the afternoon at Abington Senior High School last week working with the cast of the high school play, Moon Over Buffalo, with faculty director Kristen Caiazzo.  The event was featured in a 6ABC news item.

Ms Letizia, who appeared as Marie in the original “Rocky” movie, has numerous film and television credits as well as received rave reviews in her one-woman and off-Broadway revues.  She has been coaching and teaching young, promising performers and was a valued “consultant” to the actors and actresses.  She lauded the cast’s enthusiasm and talent and offered comments and suggestions on timing, vocal intonations, physical comedy, and more.

The production will be performed November 17, 18, and 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. each evening at Abington Senior High School, 900 Highland Avenue, Abington.

Set in Buffalo, New York, in 1953, the raucous satire introduces the audience to George and Charlotte Hay, a down-on-their-luck couple who desperately want to become famous film stars. Fate turns in their favor when real-life director Frank Capra wants to audition them for an upcoming movie; however, serious (hilarious) complications arise when everything that could possibly go wrong DOES go wrong. Their temperamental daughter, Roz, splits time between fiancé Howard and ex-boyfriend Paul, the company’s stage manager. Ethel (Charlotte’s nearly-deaf mother) and Richard (their lawyer) make their contributions to the mayhem as Eileen, a young actress in the company, reveals a huge secret that threatens to ruin them all.  The high school Theater Department firmly believes that this is their most side-splitting play they have performed in many years!

At last night’s School Board meeting, Dr. Bacon introduced Ms. Julianne Petersen, Abington Junior High School Assistant Principal, who received the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies Leadership Award at its annual conference in October. The Council presents this award to an individual who is dedicated to social studies and is a recognized leader for promoting innovation and creative instruction, motivating others to excellence, and advocating for high quality and research-driven instructional practices in the classroom.  Ms. Petersen was recognized for her work as Social Studies Supervisor in Abington School District.  Ms. Petersen encouraged teachers to design and implement instruction with a focus on global and societal considerations important to helping students become contributing members of global society.  Dr. Bacon stated that Ms. Petersen’s efforts have produced a strong and viable K-12 social studies program that is an exemplary model.

At the School Board meeting this week, Mr. Berrios introduced Abington Senior High School student, Charles Olbrish, who was named October Student of the Month at the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN). Charles, a senior, is in EASTERN’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program. In addition to the award at EASTERN, Charles was selected as September Student of the Month at the high school.  Charles plans to attend college for business and finance after graduation and to own an HVAC business in the future. According to Mr. Berrios, Charles is outgoing, friendly, hard-working, and has a sense of humor beyond measure.   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.