wissahickon high school parent-teacher...

Volume 2 Issue 2

January 2009

A Pub l icat ion o f the W HS Pare nt - Teac her Counc i lTo promote the exchange of information among

parents, administrators, and faculty about educational andco-curricular affairs relating to the high school, to build a

concerned community, and to encourage parental involvement.

Don’t Forget…

Inside this IssuePrincipal’s Message 2

New PTC Web Site! 3

WSD Revamps Web, TV 5

Students’ Masterpiece,Nat ional HonorsSpotlighted 6

Robotics NeedsSponsors, Donations 8

Father ProposesSquash Club 9

Music, Art Stand Out 10

Help Fund School Gifts 12

Mini Grants Awarded 13

Terri Hutsell AssumesPTC Co-President Post,Kathy Bast ian Laudedfor Exceptional Service 14

New Q&A Column! 15

Calendar of Events 16

No School forStudents, Jan.16/19, Feb. 13/16

End of 2nd MarkingPeriod, Jan. 27

Upcoming PTC Mtgs.,Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March12, 9:15 a.m.

WHS Spring Musical‘Evita’ on March 5, 6, 7

13th Annual FamilyAwareness Night inConjunction with theCollege PreparationFair, April 2

Wissahickon High SchoolParent-Teacher Newsletter

Wing Bowl flavors supportfor iBOT fundraiser for seniorThe 6th Annual Wing Bowl on November 13was the first major event of many to raisefunds toward the purchase of a $26,000 iBOTwheelchair for WHS senior Greg Smith. Gregwas born with cerebral palsy. The wheelchairwill allow him to climb stairs and see theworld at eye level.As each of the 25 Wing Bowl competitorswas introduced, they entered the gym flooraccompaniedby their “entourage.”Thetwo competitors in the final round were WHSsenior Nick Scannapieco and WMS AquaticsAssistant/Water Polo Coach Matt Rader, withMatt Rader pulling off the win.Whitpain Tavern donated 2,300 wings for theevent. Twenty-one gift baskets were raffled

See iBOT, Page 3

Students making a differenceStudents and teachers Jacob Helman (clockwisefrom back left), Karen Bernatavitz, Brad Mapes,faculty advisor Cailin Kerr, Hanna Sadeghipour,Mike Pierce, Natalie Draham, Jamie Eckardt,Melissa Schiller and faculty advisor Dina Cam-pagna proudly wear Wing Bowl T-shirts to supporttheir senior graduation project to help fund a roboticwheelchair for fellow senior Greg Smith.

Photo by Karen Bernatavitz

College Prep.Fair, FamilyAwarenessNight to reachout to students,families April 2Parents neededto offer mentorship,resources for teensThe Wissahickon High SchoolParent-Teacher Council willpresent a College PreparationFair in conjunction with the13th annual Family AwarenessNight (FAN) at WissahickonHigh School on Thursday,April 2.FAN is scheduled for 7-9 p.m.in school classrooms.The College Preparation Fairwill be one of FAN’s three ses-sions and will extend from6:30-8:30 p.m. in the uppercafeteria.The evening is expected todraw more than 1,000 guests.Parents and friends are encour-aged to help plan and partici-pate in the College PreparationFair. The fair is designed to en-hance the academic, profes-sional and personal experiencesof teens as they prepare for col-lege and create their college ap-plications.

Stories on Page 4

William C. HayesPrincipal, WHS

Greetings,I hope this message finds you well andrecovered from the holidays. The facultyand staff extend a sincere thank to all forthe continued support you gave the highschool this past year, and we lookforward to continuing to serve theparents, guardians and all stakeholdersin the coming year.An important series of events relative toscheduling will begin after the student’s return from break. The first event willbe the distribution of the Course ofStudies Book. It is extremely importantthat you and your child speak aboutcourse selection and discuss options forthe 2009-10 school year. There will bea course selection overview on January15 at the high school. This will beespecially beneficial to parents new tothe process.Beginning with the end of the secondmarking period, the Quarterly ProgressAssessments (QPA) will still beadministered and used for data-

collection purposes but will no longercount for 10% of a student’s quarterly grade. The final, however will still countfor 20%. This change was made basedon a recommendation from thecurriculum office in consultation withthe high school and middle schooladministration.Our Getting Results Plan, the two-yearplan submitted to the state outlining ourefforts to make Adequate YearlyProgress across all subgroups, wasapproved. We believe the plan is a“roadmap” that will allow all students to become proficient on the PSSA. Theplan includes remedial activities forstudents not yet proficient, a student/teacher mentoring component, extendedaccommodations, and other elements.As always, with your help andassistance WHS will continue to be aspecial place.

Bill Hayes, PrincipalWissahickon High School

Course selection, QPA changes, AYP progress

Wissahickon High School Parent-Teacher Council Newsletter

It is extremely

important that you and

your child speak about

course selection… for

the 2009-10 school

year. There will be a

course selection

overview on Jan. 15...

Senior’s idea helps drive up annual Red Cross blood donations at WHSStudents, staff donate 120 units to help 300 patients during strong November collection

The Wissahickon High School community has shownits giving spirit once again.The American Red Cross Blood Drive that wasoriginally scheduled for January was changed and heldin November.This was the idea of senior student Ian Smith, whothought planning a date in between sports wouldprovide an opportunity for more athletes to donate tothe cause.In fact, more than 300 patients were helped, as 120units of blood were donated by Wissahickon HighSchool students and staff in the successful collectionendeavor.The students in the Health Careers/Awareness Cluborganized and ran the day.

They hung posters throughout the building, recruiteddonors, and worked at the registration tables and inthe actual donor area by escorting and servingrefreshments to the donors.

Loretta Scott, WHS Nurse

From the principal’s desk

American Red Cross

New PTC Web site to showcase parent, student, teacher endeavors

The WHS PTC is proud to announce the unveiling ofour newly improved Web site. To access it, visit thehigh school Web page and click on the Parent-TeacherCouncil link in the left column; you will be quicklylinked to our new site.As we have seen many of the Wissahickon High Schoolsports teams launch their own Web sites where parentsand coaches update as needed, we thought it time thePTC did the same. Although the new site is in itsinfancy and will always be a work in progress, it is ourgoal to offer the most current, up-to-the-minute

information on PTC happenings as well as contactinformation, committee descriptions and a membershipdatabase. The WSD Technology Department has beenvery helpful and supportive in this process. We inviteyou to visit the site and send your comments/suggestions, or join our email list by clicking onMembership and sending us your e-mail address. Let usknow what you think and help us make it an effectivemeans of communication for the WHS community.

Linda BernatavitzWHS PTC Web Site Chair


The WHS Guidance Department announces thefollowing programs and activities scheduled for thecoming months:The Program of Studies Night is on January 15 in theauditorium from 7-8 p.m. Department chairs will beavailable to answer questions in the lower cafeteria.We are hoping to have an Electives Fair for our studentson January 14. It will be held over lunches to give

students a chance to ask questions about specificelectives.College Planning Night is planned for February 5 in theaudion. This includes a panel of five different types ofcolleges discussing the experience students might get ontheir campuses. This is geared toward 11th gradestudents and parents as they start their college searching.

Rachel ReavyWHS Guidance Department

Continued from Page 1throughout the evening. Baskets included a Wii, an iPodTouch, Eagles tickets, Flyers tickets, Phillies World Se-ries gear and several custom-framed paintings. OfficialWing Bowl T-shirts and concessions were also sold.There are limited Wing Bowl T-shirts still available insizes M, L and XL offered at a discounted price of

$5. Contact teacher Dina Campagna [email protected] for purchases. To contributedirectly to the fund for Greg's iBOT, please send a checkpayable to Wissahickon United to the WissahickonHigh School, 521 Houston Road, Ambler, PA 19002, at-tention Judy Thomas.

Linda BernatavitzWHS PTC

iBOT fundraiser powers up, as students, faculty, friends support Wing Bowl

Photos by Melissa SelverianThe Wing Bowl draws friends ofall ages— a crowd of studentsand even some little sisters andbrothers, including Emily andMatthew Selverian (above).

Studies program, electives fair, college planning night on Jan., Feb. roster

Volume 2 Issue 2

Be sure to mark your calendar for this year’s 13th an-nual Family Awareness Night to be presented at Wis-sahickon High School on Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m.Please note that this is a WSD calendar change, asthe event was originally scheduled for March 26.Family Awareness Night, now in its 13th year, is agreat evening that brings parents and their middle/highschool teens together for interesting, thought-provoking workshops presenting current and relevantteen and family life issues. Workshops and presenta-tions promote healthy lifestyles, positive communica-tion skills and give teens and parents the opportunity tolearn about topics together in an open, non-threateningenvironment. Some middle and high school teachersgive extra credit to students for attending all three ses-sions of Family Awareness Night.This event is appropriate for parents and their middle/high school age students. Students and parents will

have the opportunity to attend three workshops in total.The committee is busy preparing topics/speakers forthis year’s event. To be a part of the planning commit-tee, please contact a co-chair listed below.Topics presented in previous years were varied, includ-ing motivational speakers, such as local news sports-casters, to former Olympians and college counselors tosafety issues on driving and Internet use and health/well being from drug/alcohol recovering addicts, eat-ing disorders and self-esteem. New this year will be aCollege Preparation Fair to coincide with the evening’s offerings (see story below).For more information, contact Barb Wieland [email protected] or Linda Bernatavitz [email protected] or Kathy Johnson [email protected],com. This event is sponsoredby the WHS PTC and through a grant from WEOF.Kathy Johnson, Family Awareness Night Co-Chair

Family Awareness Night to address compelling teen issues on April 2

The Wissahickon High School Parent-Teacher Councilwill present a College Preparation Fair in conjunctionwith Family Awareness Night at Wissahickon HighSchool on Thursday, April 2, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.Parents and friends are invited to help plan andparticipate in the fair, designed to enhance theacademic, professional and personal experiences of teensas they prepare for college and complete their collegeapplications. Please contact Melissa Selverian [email protected] if you can donate a littleof your time to talk with a student about your career or ifyou can share information on academic programs or jobor service opportunities that would benefit teens.The College Preparation Fair objectives are threefold:1) College Readiness –To expose students to SATtutors, college planning services and academic programsthat will strengthen their college applications.2) Career Planning –To connect students with careerprofessionals in the community who can offer advice aswell as mentorship and sample work experiences.3) Community Service –To direct students to volunteeropportunities that will inspire and direct their personaland professional pursuits and help them choosemeaningful Senior Projects, which are required byWissahickon High School.The College Preparation Fair is sure to open the hearts

and minds of students as they build their college resumesand sort through the myriad of academic, career andcommunity service options available in the community.We are a supportive and diverse community with muchknowledge and opportunity to share. Help spread the“richness” of our hearts and minds with the youth and future leaders of our community by giving a little of yourtime and resources to guide them on their path.Note: Wissahickon High School and its Parent-TeacherCouncil do not endorse the companies, organizations orindividuals participating in the fair but work to spreadawareness in the community.Subcommittee Chairs: College Readiness-BurundaPrince-Jones. Career Planning-Marggy Ells, AmySauber. Community Service-Karen Horn, Jyothi Shenoy.Members: Dee Dee Barufkin, Kathy Bastian, LindaBernatavitz, Stefania Binnick,Terri Blank, Aleta Bossert,Cindy Bowman, Pallavi Chitturi, Karyn Corti, Dawn DiBona,Butch Eader, Marggy Ells, Barb Fellin, Lori Freed, PatGuaglianone, Kathleen Hoffman, Karen Horn, Terri Hutsell,Kathy Johnson, Lorraine Landells, Christina Lennox, AmyLieb, Elaine Lombardo, Yvonne McGinley, Cheryl Nagelberg,Tammy Orehek, Burunda Prince-Jones, Kathleen Rogers,Denise Salvo, Amy Sauber, Ellen Schaible, Julie Scheier,Linda Schulman, Melissa Selverian, Jyothi Shenoy, JaneSutow, Robin Tarzia, Susan Weist, Barbara Wieland, DebWilson, Carmel Yuen.

Melissa Selverian, WHS PTC Co-President

College Prep. Fair panel calls on parents to help prepare teens for college

Volume 2 Issue 2

The recent holiday season gave the WHS communityreason to give thanks. Even in concerning economictimes, many shared gifts with others. The giving andsharing spirit was evidenced among the WHS facultyand staff as they sponsored the annual “WHS Giving Tree” project to make the holiday season a little brighter for needy students.The Giving Tree goodwill endeavor, organized byteachers Kathy Dunne and Fred Lomady, and RobertaKennedy of the administrative staff, was announced inearly December.A tree was displayed in the front office from which gifttags were hung. WHS faculty and staff were invited totake a tag and bring in the specified gift.The organizers later sorted through all of the donatedgifts, certificates and funds and prepared them fordistribution.More often than not, the students received somethingthey greatly needed as opposed to something merely ona wish list.

Terri HutsellPTC Newsletter Chair

Photo By Terri Hutsell

Roberta Kennedy of the WHS administrative staff dis-plays the growing spirit of the holidays — a Giving Tree— to spread goodwill to others.

Wissahickon School District is work-ing to enhance opportunities for com-munication through its Web site andto develop its cable television station,as it puts heavier emphasis on im-proved communication in the district.The district recently hired a commu-nications specialist, Dave Toia, whoworked extensively in a neighboringdistrict on TVproduction and hassubstantial TV and Web experience.Toia is working to strengthen the dis-trict’s cable news channel and has in-augurated a cable news show with theparticipation of WHS students.Under the direction of WSD Technol-ogy Director Deborah Cline-Eck,Toia is working to produce an elec-

tronic news (e-News) program on allthe district Web sites. A link to the e-News service has been established onthe WHS main page, but it is not infull operation. e-News will allow thedistrict to circulate mailings directlyto e-mail addresses, collected whensite visitors click on the “e-News” icon and subscribe to the service.Visitors will enter their name and e-mail address, choose the school(s)and/or district from which they wouldlike to receive news, and then click“subscribe.” When the district or cho-sen school(s) post(s) anything new, itwill be e-mailed to subscribers.Subscribers can “unsubscribe” at any time by returning to the e-News pageand clicking “unsubscribe.” The date

e-News will take effect has not beenannounced. It is being piloted at anelementary school, where problemsare being worked out and trainingprocedures created, Toia said.Toia is also working on a “Submit News Stories” section on the district Web site, which will allow visitors tosubmit information on what’s going on anywhere in the district. That in-formation will be disseminated tocommunications personnel for possi-ble publication through newsletters,the district Web page, the district TVchannel, and/or the press.

Deborah Cline-EckWSD Technology Director

David ToiaWSD Communications Specialist

WHS teachers, staff grow Giving Tree to share goodwill with students

District plans to improve school communication on the Web, TVe-News service will enable parents to get information directly from schools

Inside the classroom

Volume 2 Issue 2

CASA: Celebrating the artistsof an exquisite garden mosaicThe October newsletter highlighted a newstudent-centered initiative called CASA toCelebrate All Students’ Achievement. As part of that initiative, students and teachersbegan to build a garden at WHS, a placeto remember those associated with theschool who have passed away. The initia-tive followed the tragic death of freshmanEbony Nicole Dorsey on Dec. 7, 2007. A25-foot mosaic was created in a speciallychosen courtyard outside of “C” Hall. The newsletter staff was remiss in not creditingthe WHS art students, who, under the di-rection of art teacher and CASA Webmas-ter and Multicultural Committee AdvisorKathy McMonigle, worked mornings fromthe end of June till mid-August, loggingsome 45 hours of community service timeeach to assemble the one-of-a-kind mo-saic (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWtEAXGGtKw ). Artists are junior MaxBanninger (from left), sophomore MaryLobo, and juniors Peter Ryan and JolinettaSalda. Missing is junior Jocelyn Bowman.Photo by Kathy McMonigle

Students’ academic success celebrated at National Honors Society ceremony

WHS students shared their success with faculty at the annual National Honors Society ceremony on December 3.As new students were initiated and former students’ membership renewed, faculty were honored for their contribu-tion to student life. More than 100 new members were welcomed into the society. Qualifications for membershiphave been modified for the next selection process. The new specifications will be presented in a subsequent issue.

Photos by Melissa Selverian

This year as in years past, WHS students will competein the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS),a statewide organization of junior and senior high schoolstudents and teachers designed to stimulate and promoteinterest in science through the development of researchinvestigations. PJAS is organized with the objective topromote greater participation in science andmathematics among students in Pennsylvania.The deadline to register for this year’s PJAS competition will be at the beginning of January for competition atCheltenham High School held sometime the third weekin February. The date has not yet been posted.

For more information, visit www.pjas.net.This year Terry Biondo is sponsoring the MontgomeryCounty Science Fair Competition. This county fair isdifferent from PJAS because students submit a posterinstead of an oral presentation. The Montgomery CountyScience Fair is scheduled for March 18 to March 22.This provides an opportunity to move on to theDelaware Valley Fair and the International Science andEngineering Competition.

Christine BrandtChemistry Teacher/Department Chair


Inside the classroom WHS opens doorsfor education weekWissahickon School District hon-ored American Education Week inNovember by welcoming parents atthe district schools. A welcome signand a reception table of donuts,coffee and juice greeted visitors atWHS on November 21. AssistantPrincipal Kris DiGregorio (right)conferences with teacher LisaCuskey in between greeting theparent guests. Parents visited theirchildren’s classrooms after meeting with members of the administration.

WHS students to display talents at state and county science competitionsPJAS contest set for third week of Feb., Montgomery County fair for March 18-21

Photos by Terri Hutsell


On November 8, the Wissahickon Robotics Team presented its 9th annual regional robotics competition known asRamp Riot 2008. Thirty-six incredible teams from Virginia to Connecticut traveled to Ambler for a full day of toughcompetition and incredible fun. Wissahickon placed 13th out of 36 and made it to the semi-finals before being elimi-nated by the eventual champions. A very strong alliance led by North Brunswick HS and Palisades HS won theevent. As always the most important victories of Ramp Riot are not on the competition floor. Some examples:Ramp Riot hosted a technology workshop called Girls in Gear for 70 Girl Scouts focusing on technology careers forwomen. Each girl went through a full morning of activities, met with female leaders from industry and received aspecial event patch designed by our team. Further, $1,000 was raised toward the purchase of Greg’s iBOT Wheel Chair (Greg is a robotics team member). We also had a demonstration of the iBOT wheel chair on the competitionfloor. More than 600 food cans were collected for the Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard, donated by competingteams and WHS students. NBC10, “The 10 Show” did a live story about Ramp Riot broadcast from the WHS Circle Gym on Friday, Nov. 7. You can watch the video clips at the following links: Part One http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=66227e08-f27e-40e3-896e-77f2d7349ca5 Part Two http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=d613d3fb-aaac-422c-a302-9e5a40970b1c. Ramp Riot also premiered a sneak preview of the PBS documentarythat will be released in 2009 and broadcast on most Corporation for Public Broadcasting stations. Here is a link tothe video preview clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcgR2WM6qso .

Hundreds of area elementaryand middle school studentscame out to watch the compe-tition. One of our major goalsis to motivate young people,and we know from past ex-perience that they will leavethis event inspired by whatthey see. None of these greatresults would be possible with-out your support. On behalf ofTeam 341, we thank all thestudents, parents, staff mem-bers and administrators foryour support. We could not dothis without your help!!

Al OstrowWHS Robotics Team Coach

Robotics Ramp Riot gets community, girls excited about math, science

The students of the Wissahickon Robotics Team are inserious need of sponsorship and donations for the 2008–2009 season.Due to the upheaval in the economy, our corporatesponsors are unable to help as they have in the past.It is a little known fact that more than 91% of ourbudget comes from outside sources such as studentfundraising and corporate donations. So unlike otherschool activities this economic change is directly affect-ing our ability to train our students and compete.The team has qualified for the National Championship

in Atlanta, but does not have enough funding to attend.We are seeking corporate sponsorships, in-kind dona-tions and individual donations of any size to help ourkids continue their work.Donations can be made through WEOF or directly to thehigh school.For more information on how to help, please contactAlan Ostrow at [email protected] or 215-619-8112, x-2956. Thank you for helping our studentsachieve their dreams. Al Ostrow

WHS Robotics Team Coach

Robotics Team needs your help finding corporate sponsors, donations

Photo by Al Ostrow

Volume 2 Issue 2

Father looks for students at WHS interested in being in a squash clubA parent is reaching out to students and their families atWHS to explore the possibility of starting a squash club.Girls and boys would play for about 90 minutes once perweek over a 10-week period from the end of Januarythrough March, said WHS father Ken Wollman. Gameswould probably be on Sunday afternoons (depending oncourt availability). Courts are on Henderson Road inKing of Prussia. Parents would have to arrange for trans-portation. Fees (court time, professional instruction, mis-cellaneous) would be assessed.“At this point, the club would not be affiliated with the Wissahickon High School Athletic Department,” Woll-man said.“The idea right now is to find out if there is any interest in the WHS community. If so, we will move forward anddiscuss details with those who are interested,” he added.Wollman offered the following excerpts on the merits ofsquash from the Dec. 9, 2007, issue of the New YorkTimes:“But why squash? College is not the only reason the game is enjoying ayouth boom. In recent years, squash leagues and tourna-

ments have become more welcoming to intermediatesand novices, said Kevin Klipstein, the chief executive ofUS Squash. Proponents have also managed to sell thesport’s appeal outside its traditional preppy demographic. Besides, it’s fun, competitive and a great work out. Unlike basketball or wrestling, however, squash does en-joy a prestige that some think makes it attractive to col-lege admissions boards.“With roots in the English public schools of the 19th cen-tury, squash conveys an aristocratic quirkiness, a bit likea taste for Sanskrit poetry. More than its preppy cousinslacrosse and rowing, it is also considered a cerebral sport— chess in short pants. ‘I’ve had lots of kids who pick up squash in ninth grade and become nationally ranked bythe time they apply,’ said Michele Hernandez, founder of Hernandez College Consulting in Weybridge, Vt. ‘I can’t think of another sport where they can start so late.’ To read the entire article, go towww.Fairmountathleticclub.com and then to the “In The News” tab. If interested in hearing more about the squash opportu-nity for the WHS community, please contact Ken Woll-man at [email protected].

Parents work at concessions to help fund PTC programs, activities

Parent John Bass (top left)keeps popcorn popping, asparents Carl Bastian andMichelle Knittel (top center)and Mike Blank (top right)mix hot chocolate to warmup a cold night at the con-cessions stand at the WHSfootball stadium on SeniorNight October 17. They andother dedicated volunteersmanaged the long lines withgood humor and friendlyconversation.Photos by Terri Hutsell

Volume 2 Issue 2

Stunning student musical performances adorn the holiday season

A string of musical delights welcomed the WHS community in December. On December 9, students drape theaudience with vocal masterpieces at the Winter Choral Concert (top photo). On December 2, the WHS Winter Con-cert stars the collaborative talents of the Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Chris Horner; and the Concert Bandand String Ensemble, conducted by Michael Hood (middle photo). On December 18, the WHS Jazz Concert stepsup the beat with Jazz Combo Band players Georgia Larue (from left), Jimmy Schwartz, Jake Kelberman, Sam Alex-ander, Tom Bracaglia, Aaron Marks, Ron Amchin, and Tim Greer at center stage.

Photo by Jess Amchin

Photo by Jess Amchin

Photo by Melissa Selverian


The challenge in writing this is in conveying the wonderful excitement that defines who we are. Our annual art showis a defining factor to say the least, but there is so much energy leading up to that week that most people areprobably unaware of. We have developed a reputation that extends beyond our community to the state and nationallevels. It is this advocacy that leads to recognition of our fine students’ artistic efforts.Our department added two very gifted instructors last year who augment a staff dedicated to using the arts as alearning portal to 21st century visual and material culture. As a result of conference presentations at the state andnational level, we have been able to attract some of the most respected teachers, researchers and leaders in our fieldto serve as judges at our district art show. It has become an honor to be invited to adjudicate and become a memberof a select group. Those people return to their institutions of higher learning and reference the WHS art departmentas an exemplary model.One result has been evident this fall by the fact that we have had three student teachers assigned at the same time toour department for teacher training. Another result is a doctoral candidate at Columbia University who is dedicatingher thesis to our teaching methodology. A third and most important result of our evolving position in arts educationis the interest in our students by nationally accredited colleges of art and design. The National Portfolio DayAssociation recently hosted the Philadelphia Portfolio Day and Wissahickon students were noticeably present atreview tables. Our students are so sought after that we have had eleven colleges in the past month presenting in ourclassrooms with hopes of recruiting our art students to become members of their student bodies. Collegiate interestin our students often leads to scholarship offers and enhanced financial aid packages.As the holidays segue the 2009 New Year, we have a lot to be thankful for and proud of— wonderful students,dedicated faculty, administrative support and national respect; it doesn’t get any better than that.We look forward to seeing you at the 2009 WSD Art Show taking place in the Circle gym May 20-21.

David MillerWHS Visual Arts Department Chair

WHS Visual Arts Department earns status of ‘exemplary model’

Ms./Mr. Wissahickon competition helps raise funds for multiple sclerosis charity

Eight WHS students took to the stage at the Ms./Mr. Wissahickon competition to amuse and entertain family andfriends with dance, song, theatrical performance and recitation in support of senior Nikkita Phanda’s senior project on December 11. Proceeds from the fundraiser were directed toward a multiple sclerosis charity. Contestants areAngel Terry (from left), Carly Silverman, Kane Puga, Breia Williams, Sara Selverian, Kayla Abt, Kelly Pierce andRandy Schaible. Kane Puga and Breia Williams walked away with the coveted titles.

Students amuse, entertain audience to support senior project

Photo by Melissa Selverian

Volume 2 Issue 2

Wissahickon High School benefits from your groceryshopping at Genuardi’s and patronage of other eScrip merchants, but you must go on line to www.escrip.com,click on the Genuardi’s logo and click on “sign up.” Here’s how it works: You register your existing Genuardi's Club Card for

use in the program.Each time you use your Genuardi's Club Card at thetime of checkout, Genuardi’s will automatically give a percentage of that day's purchases to your desig-nated charitable organization (school, church, non-profit youth group, etc.).

These purchases are tracked with reports available toyou online, allowing you to see just how much youare earning on your child's behalf.

When you click on “sign up,” you will be asked to select the school you would like to support. Enter our group IDnumber of 6588921, and this will bring up WissahickonHigh School. You may then select WHS as the recipientof your purchase support.Even if you have participated in the past, you must renewyour registration each year by going online to visit youraccount and updating it. Keep in mind that up to 3% ofyour monthly purchases will be returned to our school.Funds are used to support various activities sponsored bythe Parent-Teacher Council. The Genuardi’s Community Cash Back Program runs from October 1-July 31.

Terri HutsellWHS PTC

PTC Staff Appreciation Luncheonto showcase generous parents April 16The luncheon committee will meet in early February todiscuss the theme and menu for this year’s PTC Staff Appreciation Luncheon at WHS.As always, we look forward to the creativity and talentthat brings forth this large-scale luncheon serving nearly200 high school and WSD central office staff.Through our membership campaign, we have been ableto generate a generous list of volunteers, but more arealways welcome.If you would like to serve on the main committee or con-tribute in some way, please contact Terri Hutsell([email protected]) or Cindy Bowman([email protected]).Volunteers should begin thinking about possible themesand should expect a meeting announcement in the nextfew weeks. Terri Hutsell

Cindy BowmanPTC Co-Chairs, Staff Luncheon

Genuardi’s purchases help WHS

WEOF needs corporate sponsors for April 26 affairFoundation raising funds for teleconferencing equipment,new nature trail and pavilion at Houston and Knight roads

Wissahickon Education Opportunities Foundation (WEOF) will present itsannual spring fundraiser,“Ole,” Sunday, April 26, from 5:30-8 p.m. at theCedarbrook Country Club. The celebration will feature a pairing ofSpanish wines and foods, as well as auctions.This year’s fundraiser will go toward the purchase of video teleconferencing equipment for all of the schools and an impressive newnature trail and pavilion at the corner of Houston and Knight roads.Gifts are greatly needed for the silent auction. If you own a business or arepart of an organization that can donate goods, merchandise, services, and/or sports tickets, etc., please contact Karen Dyer [email protected]. WEOF representatives will be at the February PTCmeeting to present the projects and promote the spring fundraiser. Theentire WEOF board would like to wish the Wissahickon High Schoolcommunity a happy, healthy 2009! Kelly Bass

WEOF Board Fundraiser Committee

1. 2 CD-ROMs requested by Bruce RothenbergerCells: An Intensive Exploration; and Eight Themesof BiologyBenefits: 10th grade biology studentsCost $214.00 Awarded $214.00

2. Two semi-automatic digital blood pressure/pulse monitorsRequested by H. Klein/S. MalcolmBenefits: Anatomy and Physiology studentsCost $ 145 Awarded $145

3. Spirometer (measures lung capacity)Requested by H. Klein/S. MalcolmBenefits: Anatomy and physiology studentsCost $210 Awarded $210

4. Stability balls, resistance tubes, freeweights, and other fitness equipmentRequested by Amy HaweBenefits: Physical education classes, clubs, stu-dents and teachersCost $914.00* Awarded $525.00*Total for one of each item requested

5. Field Trips, college visits and speakersRequested by Kevin DoughertyBenefits: 50 African American students who aremembers of CASACost $250+ Awarded $250.00

6. Magnetic water molecule kitRequested by Anne McDonoughBenefits: All biology, oceanography and environ-mental science studentsCost $160.00 Awarded $160.00

7. Seven homesote panels (for display)

Requested by Erin Salvi-GrantBenefits: Art students and general student bodyCost $185.36 Awarded $185.36

8. 11 Homesote panels requestedby David MillerBenefits: art students and general student bodyCost $278.04 Awarded $278.04

9. 2 DVD/VCR players (to be used w/smartboards) requested by David MillerBenefits: Art Media1 and 2, Photo 1 and 2 classesCost $359.98 Not awarded (will be fundedby school per approval by Principal Hayes)

10. 6 Power of Ten posters + CD of the PowerOf Ten film requested by Anne McDonoughBenefits: All science studentsCost $281.72 Awarded $281.72

11. A Hoffman apparatus (permits study of wa-ter electrolysis) requested by L. Gotlib/M. ShultzBenefits: Chemistry and physical science studentsCost $ 250.00 Awarded $250.00

TOTAL REQUESTED $3,248.10TOTAL AWARDED $2,500.00

A special thank you to all the parent members of theMini-Grants Committee for a job well done.

Kathy BastianWHS PTC Mini-Grants Co-Chair

PTC provides needed resources through mini-grant awards

Volume 2 Issue 2

2008-09 gifts fund technology, science, art, fitness supplies; guest speakers

Back to the Kids program savors Phillies victory with parent treatsThe PTC’s Back to the Kids (BTTK) Committee kicked-off its first event of the year on Halloween. The Halloweenholiday was shared with a Phillies parade that marked the team’s World Series Championship. Students were in high spirits as they savored their baseball team’s victory with some sweet treats during their lunch period. Special thanks go to the many parent volunteers who contributed candy and/or helped distribute it that day.We look forward to the next BTTK event scheduled for January 27. We’ll treat the students to keep their energy high during mid-term exams. If you are interested in helping with this event or future BTTK efforts, please contactKaryn Corti at [email protected]. Karyn Corti, PTC Back to the Kids Chair


Parents delight faculty, staff with array of homemade breadsIf you caught the aroma of pumpkin spice, chocolatechip, banana nut, blueberry, cinnamon streusel, lemon ororange-cranberry on November 5 at WHS, then youmust have been near the main office or the teachers’ lounge, where hundreds of loaves of mini-breads wereon display for the second Staff Spirit Day of the 2008-09school year. The WHS parents graciously baked nearly200 sumptuous mini-breads in appreciation of all thededicated WHS staff and faculty do each day.Staff members chose their favorite flavor of breadduring their lunch break. This was not an easy endeavoras the options were many. They marveled at the array offlavors and the culinary talents of the WHS parents andwere very excited to have such wonderful treats. Theyexpressed their sincere appreciation to the parents thatwere present and asked that their thanks be extended toall the parents.Because of e-mail problems, this event was prepared in avery short time. For that reason alone, a very specialTHANK YOU goes to all the parents who took the timeto bake, making anywhere from three to 12 loaves each.With very busy schedules, this was a difficult feat.Special thanks go to parents Jackie Mullock, DawnDiBona, DeeDee Barufkin and Barb Bowdler, whohelped with the wrapping, ribbon-ing, labeling, sortingand distributing of mini-breads.We couldn’t have pulled this off without you or our other generous parents. To all of you we say, “THANK YOU”, “THANK YOU”, “THANK YOU” !

Karen CiaccioSusan Fisher

WHS PTC Staff Spirit Chairpersons

Faculty and staff are astounded by the multitude ofmini-breads prepared for them by WHS parents. DeneenGlennon (top from left), Sue Lawver and Erin Grant dis-cuss their favorites, as Patricia Gill (left photo from left)and Rachel Reavy contemplate their picks. Future StaffSpirit days are planned for January 21 (Winter Warm-UpDay featuring hot beverage bars and treats ), March 18(Spring Zing and Energy Day), and May 13 (DessertDay! featuring homemade, upscale desserts). To help,please contact Karen Ciaccio ([email protected]) orSusan Fisher ([email protected]).

Photos by Karen Ciaccio

PTC commends Kathy Bastian for service, welcomes Terri HutsellThe PTC extends sincere appreciation to Co-President Kathy Bastian as she concludes her roleas co-leader of the council upon the graduation of her younger daughter, Carolyn, from WHS.Her invaluable service has led to a strong mini-grants program that helps fund academic andco-curricular projects that enhance student life. She has also helped launch an impressive inter-personal, electronic and print communication campaign that has enhanced relations among theadministration, faculty and school families. Through her leadership, parent concerns have beenheard and often addressed. We wish her happiness and success in all her future endeavors.The PTC welcomes longtime volunteer Terri Hutsell to the rank of co-president.She joins Melissa Selverian as co-president for the 2008-09 school year.Co-presidents: Melissa Selverian ([email protected]) Terri Hutsell ([email protected])Secretary: Tracey Burgoyne ([email protected]) Treasurer: Terri Blank ([email protected])

The PTC needs you!To get involved, please contact Melissa Selverian at [email protected].

Volume 2 Issue 2

The WHS PTC introduces a new question-and-answercolumn to encourage discourse and awareness amongadministrators, faculty, and parents. Please send ques-tions to [email protected]. Questionswill be considered, and questions and answers consoli-dated to accommodate space restrictions.

What are the QPAs, and when and why are they ad-ministered to students?Curriculum Director Linda Secouler’s response, para-phrased:QPAs, renamed DCIs (or Data Collection Instruments)at deadline for this issue, are local Quarterly ProgressAssessments that are recommended by the state and re-quired by the Wissahickon School Board. Faculty fromthe core-course science, math and English departmentsgather together in the summer to formulate the questionsfor the exams. Since 2003, first in the science classesand then in the math and English classes, there has beena pre-assessment administered at the start of the schoolyear that does not count toward the student’s grade. Then for each of these three subjects, QPAs have beenadministered during each of the first three marking peri-ods that have counted as 10% of a student’s grade for each marking period. Lastly in each subject, there hasbeen a final exam given at year’s end that has counted as 20% of the final marking period grade. The QPAs havereplaced the mid-term exams in these core courses.At deadline for this issue, the Wissahickon SchoolBoard Curriculum/Technology Committee decided toremove the 10% grading weight from each of the threeQPAs, renaming them DCIs. The decision wasprompted by the need to accommodate for Individual-ized Educational Plans (IEPs). The concern was that thelegal obligation to modify the QPAs for special educa-tion students whose IEPs required such modificationsdid not provide these students with the full benefits ofthe local assessments. All other elements of the assess-ments, including the pre-assessment and the final exam,will remain the same. All time lines/schedules, data in-put methods, and test conditions will remain the same.The curriculum/technology committee is in the processof writing assessments for social studies classes, which

will be administered in the 2009-10 school year. Therewill be no mid-term exams in these classes either.There are the three main purposes for the local assess-ments:1. To assess what is essential for the students to knowand be able to do in each marking period (by course) sothat those results could provide the teacher with data todrive his/her instructional program.2.To provide “common” assessments for quality control so that students could be assured of receiving the samecourse content regardless of when the course was takenor who the teacher was that instructed the course.3. To present the students with a test-taking preparationopportunity by developing the curriculum assessmentsin a PSSA-style (a state standardized test) format.The following is a brief explanation of the purpose ofeach phase of the local assessments:Pre-assessment: The pre-assessment is used as a base-line for identifying student understanding of the con-cepts, content and the processing of skills taught in thecourse, and to guide the teacher in determining studentability and curriculum focus areas. It is scored, but notincluded, in a student’s grade and is aligned to PA aca-demic standards. Data from the assessment are collectedusing a performance tracking software program.QPA (now DCI): These are given prior to the end of themarking period in each core course. Their purpose is tomeasure student progress toward established standardsto guide instruction by linking assessment to studentlearning. They provide feedback to students, enablingthem to find success on future assessments.Final exam: The final exam is a cumulative measure ofa student’s progress toward the academic standards ad-dressed in the course. It is given in a 90-minute blockduring “finals week” and measures both student knowl-edge of content and process skills. It is aligned with PAacademic standards. Data from the evaluation is col-lected through a performance tracking software pro-gram. The evaluation is scored and included in the stu-dent’s grade.

QPA now DCI for science, math, English; social studies in ’09-’10Local assessment no longer worth 10% of first three marking period grades

Final exam to stay 20% of final marking period grade; no mid-term exams

Question and answer


Wissahickon High School Calendar of EventsJanuary8 WHS PTC Meeting, 9:15 a.m.12 WSD Public Board Mtg., 7:30 p.m.,

Central Office14 WSD Parent Community Council Meeting,

9:30 a.m., Central Office15 WHSProgramofStudies Night, 7 p.m.16 WSD Staff In-Service Day, No School19 WSD Schools Closed for Martin Luther

King, Jr. Holiday21 WHSPTC StaffSpirit24 SAT Testing at WHS26 WSD Public Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.,

Central Office27 WHS Early dismissal, 11 a.m., Mid-Term

Exams, PTC Back to the Kids

February9 WSD Public Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.,

Central Office9-12 WSD PSSA Testing, Writing

Grades 5,8,1111 SEPAC Meeting, 9 a.m.12 WHSPTC Meeting, 9:15 a.m.,

Upper Cafeteria13 WSD In-ServiceDay, No School for Students16 WSD Schools Closed for President’s Day17-20 WSD PSSA Testing, Writing

Grades 5, 8, 1118 WSD Parent Community Council Meeting,

9:30 a.m., Central Office21 WHSPJAS Competition23 WSD Public Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.,

Central Office24 WHS World Language Oral Proficiency

Contest, 3:30 p.m.27 WHS Mid-Marking Period Progress ReportsMarch1 WHS Spring Sports Begin5-7 WHS Spring Musical, 7:30 p.m., Auditorium7 SAT Testing (not at WHS)9 WSD Public Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.,

Central Office11 WSD Parent Community Council Meeting,

9:30 a.m., Central Office12 WHSPTC Meeting, 9:15 a.m.16 SEPAC Meeting, 7 p.m.16-20 WSD PSSA Testing, Math and Reading,

Grades 3, 4 , 5 , 7 , 8, 11

Editor and Layout Coordinator:Terri Hutsell ([email protected])WHS Department Content Coordinator: Lori AmchinMailing and Distribution Coordinator: Karyn Corti

Editorial Advisor: Melissa Selverian(melissaselv [email protected])Contributing staff: Jess Amchin, Lori Amchin, Kelly Bass, KathyBastian, Karen Bernatavitz, Linda Bernatavitz, Cindy Bowman,Christine Brandt, Karen Ciaccio, KarynCorti, Deborah Cline-Eck,Susan Fisher, Bill Hayes, Sean High, Terri Hutsell, Kathy Johnson,Kathy McMonigle, David Miller, Al Ostrow, Rachel Reavy, LorettaScott, Linda Secouler, Melissa Selverian, David Toia, Ken Wollman

Wissahickon High SchoolParent-Teacher Council521 Houston RoadAmbler, PA 19002

ADDRESS LABEL

Visit us on the

Web at

http://

whs.wsdweb.org

WHS Parent-Teacher CouncilNewsletter Editorial Board

wissahickon high school parent-teacher...

Documents