St. Marys Area School District St. Marys, PA 15857

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

One of my New Year’s Resolutions will be to post more weekly on my blog.  I try to read some professional literature each day and hopefully can share it on my twitter, facebook and blog.

The new calendar year is here and we are about to quickly close out the first semester of the 2011-12 school year.  January 11th is the last day of the first semester (pending no cancelations) and we will be starting Semester 2 of the school year.  I congratulate all of those students who have worked so hard to attain high levels of success both in academics and in extracurricular activities.  The month of December certainly was filled with lots of student programs and festivities for the holiday season.  It was wonderful to see the high level of parent attendance at these events.  THANK YOU.

Good student attendance is a very important aspect of academic success.  We thank all of the parents for encouraging students to have regular attendance and to encourage them to be active in the school activities.

Here is a blog you may enjoy reading…I especially liked reading it after two of my grandsons spent some time with us over the holidays…

http://blog.kidzui.com/2011/12/words-really-do-matter-how-negative-labels-can-hurt-kids/

Hello December….

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving break and had opportunities to spend time with family and friends.  Black Friday certainly took up lots of the media presentations on all news channels.  I have never ventured out on that day but understand that it is quite a memorable experience.  The good news is that this shopping may jump start the economy.

On  Thanksgiving Day and everyday, we are truly thankful for the outstanding group of people who work for our District…  a group of people who make a tremendous difference each and every day for our students and their families.  The November 11th Parent-Teacher Conference Day proved to be very successful.  We appreciate the parents and guardians who were able to meet with the teachers and discuss the progress of their child(ren).  If you were unable to meet with your child’s teacher(s), please email them and set up a time when you can discuss your child’s progress.

December is upon us and we will be closing our 2011 calendar year and quickly moving into a new year.  We will be hustling and bustling around to do all the holiday shopping, baking and sharing our gifts with family, friends and generously giving to various agencies to help those in need.  Our schools do so much to help make this a joyous time of the year, yet continue with daily lessons to educate our students for success.

Please be aware of the inclement weather that is bound to occur and the process for school delays and closings.  We must make the decision by 6 AM and notify the radio and TV stations.  The bulk notification system has proven to be so successful.  Be sure that you are registered for your email and/or your cell phone so that you will be notified asap.

The school board meeting for this month will be held on Thursday, December 8th.  Typically each month has a workshop meeting and then a regular meeting the following Monday.  During the month of December there is only one meeting and it is the reorganization meeting.  This school board will begin the 2012 year with preparation for the budget for 2012-13 school year.  We have already looked ahead at enrollments, programs and district needs.

VOUCHERS

Please take time to read about vouchers and the concerns for public education.

http://www.psba.org/issues-advocacy/issues-research/vouchers/

If you ever have any concerns or questions about our district, feel free to call me at 781-2110.  I will try to answer your questions or meet with you at your convenience.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from my office and from the ST. MARYS AREA SCHOOL BOARD

The first quarter of the 2011-12 school year has just ended and report cards will soon be issued.  The Fall Sports program is concluding and the Fall Sports Awards will be held on Wednesday, November 9th.  There has been several reports from our building administrators indicating that the students are showing great improvements in all areas including academics, behavior and attendance.  Congratulations for a great first quarter.

Thanksgiving vacation is from Thursday, November 25th thru Monday November 29th.  Please be sure that you prepare for school delays and cancelations.  Living in this part of America we are well aware of Mother Nature and her wintry weather.  Students should be dressed appropriately as colder temperatures arrive with a fury.

November 10th will be the date of the annual Veteran’s Day Assembly at the St. Marys Area High School.  High School and Middle School students will honor our military.  The guest speaker will be Mr. Chris Casey who just returned from another deployment to Afghanistan.  The assembly will be held at 1 PM.

November 11th is a day for Parent/Teacher Conferences.  The various time slots are posted on the district’s webpage.

October 2011

Governor Tom Corbett has proclaimed October as “Parent Involvement Month” in Pennsylvania.

http://www.center-school.org/pa-pirc

Parent involvement comes in a variety of ways.  Parents checking POWERSCHOOL, sending and answering emails with faculty, reading and responding to the take-home Tuesday folders at the elementary level, reading to their children each night, monitoring homework, setting rules and expectations for always doing their best.

We all appreciate the involvement of our parents in this district and welcome your thoughts and concerns about programs and other topics of concern when it comes to the development of successful students.

We have had a great start to the 2011-12 school year.  I am sure you have noticed the improvements to the facilities, new faces in the buildings and many new and exciting changes in programs.  We are always open to new ideas for improvements in the district.  Thank you for all that you do to support our efforts to provide a safe and exciting learning environment for your child(ren).

October 10th is the second in-service day for the school year and soon we will be having the first report cards.  If you child is having difficulty of any kind, please contact the building principal and/or guidance counselor.  We want to help resolve any issues and/or concerns early in the school year.

October – teen driver safety

Driving is a complex activity – it involves putting together multifaceted evaluations, split-second decision making and performing intricate maneuvers. As Oct. 17-23 marks National Teen Driver Safety Week, it’s important for teen drivers to develop and maintain the proper attitude about driving.  Remember – driving is a privilege, not a right. And, it’s important for parents/guardians to start an open dialogue with their teen about safe driving skills before they turn 16, set a good example and consider establishing a parent /teen driving contract. A sample of this contract and more safety tips for teens and parents are available at www.DriveSafePA.org.

             SEPTEMBER 2011

The 2011-12 school year has started off on a new journey toward success with everyone on board the Dutch Ship…

Students, parents, administrators, teachers, secretaries, and support staff  have begun the school year with an excitement and goal of having the best year ever.   The tough economic times, severe weather throughout the eastcoast  and continued political unrest in our states and our nation, has not hampered this community’s support of public education and the teachers who light that fire for learning in our students.

Attendance is so vitally important to learning and staying on track.  Make it this year’s commitment to your children that they will be in school everyday working hard to learn for their future.  In analyzing the PSSA scores of students who did not reach proficiency, a large number of those students missed more than 10 days of school.  Attendance does indeed matter to every child’s success in academics.  Employers also look at the student’s permanent record to check on attendance  when looking at hiring their employees.

With so much technology in our lives we are finding that listening can be a real lost art….Watch this video from TED for an enlightening view of this topic.

http://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_5_ways_to_listen_better.html

Info from:  Researchers say that if you look at the brains of our generation Z students (the latest group of students to start school) and compare that with a brain of a child from 20 years ago you can see a physical difference.

The part of the brain that is responsible for our visual ability is far more developed in generation Z when compared with other generations (even generation X).  The researchers attribute this change to that fact that Generation Z are born with a mobile device in one hand and a laptop or wii console in the other.

As a result it is believed that Generation Z will prefer visual learning over the other styles of learning (kinesthetic, auditory).

So what strategies can we use to teach Generation Z?

First we need to understand that Generation Z will be engaged and at the same time bored with technology.  I frequently speak with teachers who are wondering why their students are disengaged; after all they have let them use the computers as part of their lesson.

Technology no longer has the buzz that it used to have.  Several years ago if you sat a student in front of a computer you would get instant engagement.  This is no longer the case.

Technology is just [A] tool not [the] tool.  If your use of technology is not underpinned by sound educational techniques then it will fall short.

Secondly Generation Z will learn more effectively if they are left to solve problems and find solutions.  All of their gaming experience has centered on solving problems so that they can progress to a greater problem.  When a student sees the progress they are making they become addicted to success.  They will continue to work at a level of a game for a long time because they realize that each time they fail they have just learnt one more strategy and at least know what won’t work.

This is such a powerful principle when applied in the classroom, especially among our younger students.  Unfortunately by the time we get them in high school they have already learnt that they will be given the solution if they just wait long enough.

A great tool for getting your students (children) engaged with technology and problems solving is a Google a day.  Google gives you clues and you need to search for the answer.  They love the challenge!

Above information taken from:  http://teacherstraining.com.au/teaching-generation-z/

Here’s another video from TED that will help you understand a little more about technology and another reason why parents should monitor their child’s use of technology:

http://teacherstraining.com.au/what-google-and-facebook-are-hiding-and-its-implications-on-education/

If you have any concerns about any aspect of school, please call the building administrator or my office to schedule an appointment.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ann Kearney

August 2011

We are excited in the district as we prepare for a new school year.  The first day of school for teachers will be Monday, August 22nd and the first day for students will be Tuesday, August 23rd.  The 2011-12 calendar is posted on the district webpage at:  http://www.smasd.org

This year will be full of challenges with increased benchmarks for our PSSA levels, budget constraints and legislative mandates.  Working together to come up with solutions will allow this district to maintain good programming for our students.

JULY 2011

Well here we are in the middle of our summer months and deep into the planning for the upcoming 2011-12 school year.  The administrators have been busy reviewing PSSA data and student files so we can properly schedule the students for an appropriate educational program for each child.  The support staff is busy inputting purchase orders for materials needed for this coming school year, custodians and maintenance staff are busy preparing the buildings as well.  Lots of activities occur in the summer that many people don’t think about as necessary steps in public schools. 

I hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing summer with their children.  It is the hope of the district that all students are spending some amount of time reading and perhaps reviewing material that was covered in school this past year.  It is so helpful when parents work with their students and keep their minds actively learning.  In my family we called it silent reading time.  It sure was nice to have everyone quiet for at least thirty minutes a day reading something and then sharing what we read.  I have four grown daughters but distinctly remember those summers of trying to keep them busy with activities to help them grow both socially and academically.

There have been a few concerned community members inquiring about the last few days of school and the purpose of those days if intensive instruction is not occurring.  Part of a well planned educational program is the acknowledgement of achievements and recognition to students for their work throughout the year.  The last few days also requires the collection of textbooks, inputting the final grades, making time for make-up work, exams, etc.  The last day is typically a half/day for students when they can complete the school year with a farewell and closure for the year.  I can recall back in the sixties and that it was the same on the last day of school as it is today.  Writing “sixties” is a reminder of my age along with the fact that some things remain the same. 

If anyone has any questions about the school programs or anything school related, please call the building principals and/or my office.  I’d be happy to meet and discuss any of your concerns.

Enjoy the beautiful Pennsylvania summer weather!

JUNE 2011

Well the end of the 2010-11 school year is a few days away.  It’s goodbye to our 2011 graduates who will be formally deemed St. Marys Area School District Graduates at the 7 PM graduation ceremony to be held this Friday, June 3, 2011 in the Carpin Auditorium.  Students and teachers have worked hard for this accomplishment.  High school graduation is typically one of the biggest milestones in a person’s life.  Congratulations Class of 2011.  We are proud of you.  Go out into the world and let everyone know you received a great educational foundation at the St. Marys Area School District as Dutchmen!  Be successful in whatever you choose to do with your life.  Work hard, be honest and make a difference.

This week the Matriculation Ceremony will be held on Thursday evening where our 8th grade students formally become “Freshmen.”

The summer brings sunshine, flowers, relaxation and lots of activities.  Please enjoy the break and stay safe.  We look forward to a great 2011-12 school year.  The administration will be working hard over the summer with the assistance of our support staff to prepare schedules, classrooms and facilities for a brand new and exciting school year.

The St. Marys Area School District says farewell and happy retirement to some of our seasoned faculty.  Mr. George Neubert, HS English teacher, Mrs. Sue McDonough, MS math teacher, Mrs. Bonita Taylor, MS Science teacher,  Mrs. Peggy Miller and Mrs. Pat Hamblin, elementary teachers at Fox Township, Mrs. Marcy Holland, elementary teacher at South, and Debbie Gschwendtner, IU9 Reading Teacher at South.  We also wish the best to Karen Moyer, HS Health Related Technology teacher.  Dorothy Weichman on of our special education aides is also retiring.  They will truly be missed in the district.  Best wishes to them from all of us.

 BUDGET

Most people have heard about budget cuts from all forms of media.  We have made our share of those cuts as well, but the St. Marys Area School Board has been very pro-active in working toward avoiding the “funding cliff” that the state warned us about.  The administrators and teachers have been holding a line on expenditures and maintaining any form of energy savings possible in line with the Energy Policy that the board passed early last year.  The anticipated increase in expenses in the upcoming years and the decrease in enrollment required the board to pass a minimal tax increase of .57 mils.  There are several teachers retiring and only a couple are going to be replaced.  This is a cost savings measure due to the decrease in enrollment.

May 6, 2011

Today, May 6th,  I had a very nice lady call my office to inquire about cyberschools.  I had another call coming in and needed to ask for her phone number.  Of course I wrote it down but I was having a difficult time hearing the numbers.  I tried to call her back but I must have written the wrong number and was unable to reach her.  Returning phone calls is very important to me and I thought I could blog and perhaps she would see this and call my office again.  I’d like to tell anyone who calls my office and you don’t get a return call, please call again.  My apologies to the lady who I was unable to reach.

Mrs. Kearney

May 2011

This month we will see more of the events that “boast” of good things happening in the district.  This picture is the NHS from April 2011.  It is one of the most PROUD evenings of the district.  It is the awarding of the high honors to those students who have reached a high level of scholarship, leadership, character and service.

The month of May typically  flies by showered with numerous field trips, musical events, athletic games and preparation for transitions from one level to the next.  Of course the culmination of the public education in June ….GRADUATION.   It is a busy month but one where education is occurring in each classroom.

You may have been reading about safety checks, lockdowns, PSSA and Keystone exams and, of course, budget woes.  Yes these are all part of the educational processes that are happening.  It is very much appreciated that the community is supportive of our public schools.  If anyone ever has a question and/or concern about anything, I would ask that you call my office for an explanation or answer to your questions or concerns.  My direct number is:  781-2110.  One thing everyone can rest assured is that the district employees work together to provide a safe and rigorous learning environment for all students.

There are many things that the public needs to know when it comes to public education in Pennsylvania.  The governor is pushing for major changes that will impact the tax rate for home owners more than it already has.  Vouchers is a topic that is high on the list for the legislators.  Please learn more about what impact this would have on the homeowner by visiting various links on the PSBA site.

APRIL 2011

I know that all of you reading this post have welcomed the fact that spring is here and that we can hopefully look forward to sunny days and the burst of green that this season brings.  The district would also love to see a different  burst of “green” when it comes to our budget.  We are keeping an eye on the state budget for the “burst” one way or another.  The school board, the business manager and I have been working with a fiscal magnifying glass to present a workable budget with the main goal of maintaining the SMASD as one that offers  high quality educational and extra-curricular programs.  It is so easy for everyone to become negative and jump to conclusions about possible cuts, etc., but I ask that everyone take time to review the information before jumping to conclusions.

Many states  are struggling to face deep financial problems that are hindering growth and the ability to maintain status quo. We must all work together and be willing to sacrifice in order to make progress.  Working together is a necessary force to move forward.

There are several additional issues that are of particular importance to us right now including the current budget crisis, maintaining a safe environment for students and employees and continuing facility improvements. We are seeing  improvements in local industry and hopefully the Marcellus Shale will increase employment in the area.  I am confident that with our dedicated school board, impressive leadership in the community, our current support staff, strong and dedicated teachers and principals that we can face these issues and continue to be successful.

Here is a comment from one of our professionals:

“I am a school teacher and I say that with pride. Every day I touch the lives of 150 kids. Every day I work hard to be the best teacher I can be. I teach not only facts but I also teach critical thinking, humanity, tolerance and understanding. I teach children how to be good citizens. In the past few months I have become increasingly alarmed with the actions of our governor regarding the future of education in Pennsylvania.   Broad cuts in funding this year all but assure a loss of opportunity to students across our state.  Claims that the schools can do more with less; that there is excess fat left to cut are simply irrational and irresponsible. Our state schools are running on empty. Our students are losing out. Yes, our state has a financial crisis to address. But making those fixes on the backs of teachers and school children is not the answer. Nor is the answer to cut funding for social services, fire fighters, police protection, or needed infrastructure repair. The answer is simple; there is not enough money in the system to do what is needed to keep our state running at a bare bones minimum, therefore, more money will be needed. It is time for our short sighted lawmakers to recognize that while tax increases are not popular sometimes they are necessary.  Support public education and stop with useless mandates and assessments that make certain companies wealthy.  “

BULLYING INFORMATION

http://www.education.com/topic/school-bullying-teasing/