DERRY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

DERRY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

January 3, 2019

DASD's Early Childhood Education Updates

We had a fabulous time celebrating the Holiday Season with our youngest learners and their families. Infant Storytime and Pajama Party kicked off our first event of the Holiday Season on December 4, 2018, at the Caldwell Memorial Library. The Early Childhood team chanted rhymes, poems, sang, and shared stories. Barbie Jones, DASD Early Childhood Education Liaison, discussed the importance of singing and reading aloud to your child to foster oral language development. Children received their own copy of the story, That's Not My Reindeer, as well as a 2-in-1 Talking Ball that sings the alphabet and counts to 10 when caught! Information on the best types of toys for Babies was provided for parents and caregivers. Parents were able to interact with other families as their children played with a variety of ageappropriate toys. We "wrapped up" our evening of fun with a snack and a visit from Santa!

Toddler Storytime and Pajama Party was held on December 5, 2018, in partnership with the Caldwell Memorial Library. Participants and their families joined us in singing nursery rhymes and reciting finger plays. The story, That's Not My Snowman, was read aloud, followed by singing Frosty the Snowman. Children followed directions to hop, clap, touch their toes, twirl, and complete other movement activities. This fun loving group of Toddlers impressed us with their listening skills! Early Childhood Education Liaison, Barbie Jones, showed the participants how to program Bee-Bots (programmable robots that teach beginning coding skills) and challenged families to locate a snowman by programming the Bee-Bot. Storytime culminated with cookies and a visit from Santa! All children received their own copy of the story, as well as snowflake movement cards, a sensory snowball, and an activity scarf to encourage gross and fine motor play at home.

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We hosted Storytime and a Pajama Party for Preschoolers on December 11, 2018, at Grandview Elementary School in partnership with our Pre-K Counts Classrooms. Participants and their families joined us on an adventure to capture the Gingerbread Man through a handson STEAM activity. The story, The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School, by Laura Murray, was read aloud and set the stage for the children to design a trap to catch the Gingerbread Man. Families enjoyed a craft, movement activities, yummy snack, and visit from a very special holiday guest all the way from the North Pole! Children received their own copy of the story, an activity scarf, and a wrist ribbon to promote gross motor development and active play at home.

Santa made a surprise visit to the 21st CCLC Grandview Elementary after school program. Enjoying his company are Danielle and Melody Marsh along with their mom Bernadeth Marsh.

DMJ Transportation donated $500 to Grandview to support its summer reading program. The funds will be used to provide every student with a book to add to his or her summer reading collection. Thank you DMJ for the generous donation.

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155 Grandview students were the recipients of the Annual Angel Gift Program. The holidays were made brighter for these students and families because of the generously and kindness of the staff and community members who made this happen. Thomas Shrum, Shannon Shrum and Marty Bucci of the Derry United Methodist Church and the New New Derry United Methodist Church were two of several community organizations and individuals who donated gifts.

Grandview continued its parent and family engagement nights during the month of December. Grade 3 and Pre-K had fun and interactive activities for the parents and students to complete during the events. Parents had the opportunity to interact with their children and teachers in a classroom setting. All grade levels had meaningful and informative parent and family engagement nights.

Congratulations to our Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 5 students for enjoyable holiday concerts. They were excited to perform and put all of us in the holiday season. We are very proud of their hard work and efforts. A BIG thank you to our music teachers Mr. Ewing, Mrs. Kerin and Mrs. Smith for getting the students ready for the concerts. They looked awesome all dressed up!

Grandview students had another successful year competing in the Invention Convention. Students in grades 2-5 competed at Yough Intermediate School on December 13. The following students received awards: Second grade - Lincoln Tittle, 3rd Place; Third grade - Jenna Vargulish, 5th Place; Fourth grade - Max Doherty, 1st Place; Liam McMahen, 5th Place; Molly McNeal, Honorable Mention; Fifth grade - John Kerin, 1st Place.

The 6th grade students wrote and decorated holiday cards for Barnes House residents in December. Mrs. Perri, middle school art teacher, has created an Art Instagram for the middle school art classes. DASDMSART. It is a way for the community to view what the students are creating.

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Mr. Ned Nakles made a surprise visit to the Middle School Life Skills classroom to surprise two young men that love and adore him. He made a connection with the boys when they attended Latrobe Elementary School. The boys treated Mr. Nakles to lunch, fellowship and more.

World Language In October, the Spanish program celebrated Dia de los Muertos with multiple class activities across all levels and created a doorway display to share the holiday and culture with our Derry High community (photo attached). Students participating in Spanish are also currently selecting designs for this year's Spanish group t-shirt. AP Spanish students completed a project and hallway display for Gran Hotel, a Spanish language series they have been watching, and invited faculty to help judge their completed projects.

In November, the French program observed National French Week, an annual event sponsored by AATF (American Association of Teachers of French). Students across all levels spent the week focusing on products, perspectives and practices of francophones around the world, beyond European France. During this week, as a nod to the French program's upcoming summer trip to Quebec, Canada, students prepared and enjoyed a dish called "poutine", considered by many in Quebec to be a favorite casual dining dish. AP French students completed project work involving the promotion of French language and culture via a showcase display near the High School's main office (photo attached). Their display included information regarding the use of French in business and industry. Class discussions dealt with investigating French corporations with locations in the U.S., including many here in PA. Students also used this display to share aspects of contemporary francophone culture that would be of interest to their peers for example, posting the QR code for a playlist of currently popular French musicians for students to scan and enjoy.

The World Language Dept. French and Spanish World Language Honors Societies also coordinated a Toys for Tots and Hat and Glove Drive during December.

Gifted Program: November 27: Students attended the Sam Rhine Genetics Update and Conference. At this annual conference, students are exposed to the latest scientific breakthroughs and ethical challenges in the world of genetics. Students are currently researching and working on applying for grants to fund materials for a CRISPR genetics lab.

December 12: Students from the gifted program and HS Chess Club competed in the WCGC Chess Tournament at Yough HS. This is a "speed round" style competition with players having 20 seconds to make their move. Senior, Christian Bartlebaugh represented Derry well making it to the Semi Finals -- losing not to his opponent, but to the clock as time ran out on a tied game.

Our WIRC team has read approximately 125 novels since September in preparation for our March 4th reading competition.

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Latrobe Rotary The High School would like to congratulate our December Rotary Students, Nadja Bartlebauagh and Michael Bolish. After High School, Nadja plans on studying International Relations at NYU or University of Miami. She would like to become a diplomat or a lawyer. Michael plans on going to Bucknell University and major in Astrophysics and become a federal scientist in the secret services for the government.

Technology Education: Students in the Transition Technology and 3D Printing classes at Derry Area High School recently completed a joint project in constructing and selling 50 decorative Christmas sleds. The sleds were constructed and finished by the Transition Technology class, under the direction of Mr. John Baum, and each sled was engraved with a Christmas emblem and wish, compliments of Mr. David Vinopal's 3D Printing class. Shown displaying some of the sleds are: (Seated) Connor Johnson, Tanner Benson, Aiden Bushey, Dan Ellenberger, Ed Darbous (project designer), Alex Simon, Tyler Anthony, Nick Armitage, (Standing) Mr. David Vinopal, Jake Taylor, Ryan Bushey, and Mr. John Baum

FFA: Derry FFA Plant Science students took an industry field trip to Phipps Conservatory on December 13th. Students were able to tour the behind the scene greenhouses and learn new industry horticulture techniques. The students then interacted with the different greenhouse rooms and learned new cultivars and Holiday plants.

Football 2018 Big East Conference Champions 2018 WPIAL Championship Runner-up 2018 PIAA Football Playoff Quarterfinalists

Congratulations to Justin Flack for receiving the Westmoreland TribuneReview Football Player of the year!

Dom DeLuca (Derry Linebacker) has been named to the 2018 Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State Team. Congratulations Dom!

The following Derry High School Football players will be playing in the Foothills Classic Football Game: Colton Nemcheck, Justin Flack, Cullen Shawley, Gavin Adams, Max Malis and Dom DeLuca. Congratulations!

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Kindness Awards Derry Area Student Council recently announced the 2018 Derry Area High School Kindness Awards. The award was developed to enhance support of the anti-bullying program in the high school. Students are nominated by faculty, staff and students of the school. The award is given to students who are seen doing a random act of kindness toward another student. The Student Council is dedicated to promoting kindness, acceptance and service within the school. Kind statements were posted throughout the school during the month of November. The students received a certificate and letter from Mr. Casey Long, High School Principal, along with a small token of appreciation donated by surrounding businesses. Shown from left to right are Cierra Henderson, Emily Henegin, and Saveria Weimer. Missing from the photo is Carter Short. Angel Gifts Approximately 40 High School students were the recipients of the Annual Angel Gift Program. Many thanks to the staff and community members that offered to help a student or family in need and hopefully brighten their Christmas spirit

Christmas Dinner Boxes Approximately 130 Christmas Dinner Boxes were assembled and donated to families in need who reside in the Derry Area School District. A special thank you to the PitStop for donating 130 large 1 topping pizza coupons, to Excela Health Latrobe for their major food contribution, to the Latrobe Elks #907 for collecting other household items and to Shop n' Save for working with us to make the Boxes a huge success. It is also important to note that we have received many monetary contributions from the community to help cover the costs.

Make a Wish In December, approximately $22,000 was raised and donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The major contributor towards the proceeds comes from the ever popular Bachelor Auction. Operation Santa Claus Approximately 1,500 boxes were filled by Derry Area High School students alone. The boxes were then distributed by the Salvation Army to deserving families in need of assistance throughout Westmoreland County. Santa's Workshop Approximately 45 High School students volunteered at Grandview for 3 days, assisting Grandview Students with their Christmas shopping needs and fulfilling wishes for their family and friends.

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