118 East Seminary Street • Mercersburg PA • 17236 • 717.328.3127 Page 1
Tuscarora News ADMINISTRATION
Superintendent
Dr. Rebecca E. Erb
Curriculum Director
Dr. Jane C. Johnston
Special Education Director
Michelle Bennett
School Psychologist
Jennifer Wager
Director of Instructional Technology
Cindy Etchison
Business Administrator
Eric R. Holtzman
Director of Facility Operations
Stanley Morgan
Chief Information Officer
Aaron Trusky
High School Principal
Rodney Benedick
High School Assistant Principal
Richard Burkett
Middle School Principal
James Carbaugh
Middle School Assistant Principal
Ryan Kaczmark
Mercersburg Elementary School Principal
Lura Hanks
Montgomery Elementary School Principal
Mountain View Elementary School Principal
Brett Kagarise
Saint Thomas Elementary School Principal
Dr. Nadine Sanders
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
Clifford A. Smith, Jr., President
Larry E. Funk., Vice President
Harold S. Hunsberger, Treasurer
Loretta A. Martin, Secretary
Chris D. Ardinger
Thomas C. Black
Erich E. Hawbaker
Daryl S. Hunsberger
Donald L. Piper
Daniel C. Reeder
Although it is not Thanksgiving, the conclusion of a school year is a good time for school leaders to count blessings. I am thankful because:
• Our students have demonstrated their strengths and talents in multiple ways – too many to recite in this brief article.
• Many of our teachers have been commended and recognized by parents, community, and other organizations for excellence in the teaching profession.
• Tuscarora principals and directors provide strong, collaborative, and effective leadership in their areas of expertise.
• Parents find ways to support their children and the schools they attend in ways that make a difference for kids.
• Local governance by the Tuscarora Board of Directors has resulted in schools that are appropriately funded to meet the needs of our students.
• All Tuscarora Schools completed the year with no incidents that impacted negatively on the safety and well-being of students or staff.
• Our District facilities have been upgraded to the place where all of our school buildings are in good to excellent conditions. Further, our athletic venues once again are in good condition to sponsor all competitions in which our students are involved at home events. Thank you Fix JB Sports!
• The Tuscarora Education Foundation supported $16,639.53 in grants to provide enrichment opportunities to students through our District.
As I look to the future, my hopes and dreams for our students are:
• Graduates of JBHS are equipped with 21st Century skills that
result in preparing them for a competitive job market.
• Students in our District become more resilient – they develop a mindset to ‘bounce back’ from discouraging events that we all experience from time to time in our lives.
• Students work on developing healthy lifestyles that will result in a better quality of life.
• The Tuscarora School District and surrounding communities continue to find ways to work collaboratively for the benefit of our students.
Let’s work together to find ways that will strengthen our public schools. Our kids are our future!
GREETINGS FROM
THE DESK OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT
TUSCARORA SCHOOL DISTRICT JUNE 2012
118 East Seminary Street • Mercersburg PA • 17236 • 717.328.3127 Page 2
forward to more healthy happenings in 2012-13.
We strive each day and each year to bring healthy
choices to the students of the Tuscarora School
District. While not all healthy options will appeal
to students, we have learned that if an item is
offered consistently, the students eventually will try
the item. Eventually, these healthier choices
become as common as other offerings and are no
longer “strange”. There are several success stories I
would like to share from this year.
Snack Packs: These are a daily healthy alternative
to the two entrée choices featured on the menu.
They consist of a low-fat yogurt cup, string cheese,
and crackers. Students may then choose their two
fruit and veggie sides, and milk. In the beginning of
the school year, this new alternate meal got off to a
slow start, but as students began to try them, the
popularity slowly grew. We now are making up to
90 snack packs a day in some elementary schools. I
feel that this item has been a success, and is now a
“go-to” meal alternate for many students.
Side Spinach and Garden Salads: In the past, we
have occasionally offered side salads with our meals
however; this year we began offering them daily.
Just as the snack packs were slow to gain
popularity, so were side salads. As the school year
progressed and students became used to seeing
this option as a common offering, they have
definitely become more popular.
In March, we celebrated National Nutrition Month
by offering a “Green Week”. Each day of the week a
different green fruit or veggie was offered. Some of
the offerings included: honeydew, peas, green
beans, side salads, green grapes, and broccoli salad.
The first week in March was also National Breakfast
Week. To promote students eating a healthy
breakfast, we held a drawing at the end of the
month. Any student that ate a school breakfast
during the month of March, had their name
entered into a drawing to win a prize. The prizes
were chosen to promote outdoor activity. They
included mini soccer, football, and basketballs, a
included mini soccer, football, and basketballs, a
razor scooter (elementary) and a mountain bike
(middle school). The contests were held at
Montgomery and Mountain View Elementary
Schools, and JB Middle School.
Healthy Happenings from Your Food Service Department
Razor Scooter Winner
Broden Green Grant Souder and Logan
Daniels won the mini
football & basketball
Nutrition Education The students of St. Thomas
Elementary School received some nutrition
education from Metz’s nutrition educator, Freda
Aughenbaugh. Freda teaches age appropriate
nutrition topics to all students in the K-12 setting.
Her courses include: nutrition basics, My plate food
groups, comparing your diet, and healthy snacks.
Here are some St. Thomas students enjoying their
day with Freda.
Other winners: Mountain View Elementary - Isaac
Woods , Razor Scooter - Lyllian Hager and Skylar
Garlick, mini sports balls. JBMS - Mountain Bike, Devon
Norcross
TUSCARORA SCHOOL DISTRICT JUNE 2012
118 East Seminary Street • Mercersburg PA • 17236 • 717.328.3127 Page 3
great pleasure of welcoming guest historians and
reenactors as they led children through life as a Civil
War Soldier. Through various clothing items,
military accouterments, pastime activities,
photographs, music, and literature, students were
able to better appreciate what the daily life of a
Civil War soldier was like.
Students at Mercersburg Elementary School had
the pleasure of meeting Robert Trout, author of the
book Journey to Gettysburg – One Family’s Civil
War. The work of historical fiction examines the life
of the Scott Family and their reaction to the raid on
Mercersburg by General J.E.B. Stuart in 1862.
Our third, fourth and fifth grade students had the
History Comes Alive at Mercersburg Elementary School by Lura Hanks
Innovative Educator Award by Lura Hanks
Third grade students in Mrs. Hollenshead’ s class at
Mt. View held an Author’s Tea on Wednesday, June
6, 2012. The purpose of the tea was for students to
demonstrate and practice their public speaking
skills as required in the Pennsylvania Standards for
Speaking and Listening. Students were encouraged
to use appropriate volume, fluency and
demonstrate an awareness of their audience in the
reading.
During the year, students wrote and revised stories
in a variety of genres from personal narratives,
persuasive essays, fictional stories and research
articles. Students then published their final works
in a personal portfolio. All students then selected
their favorite story to read to the audience of about
forty parents, grandparents and other guests.
Author’s Tea Held by Third Grade at Mt. View Elementary by Brett Kagarise
Barb Fairchild, a teacher at Mercersburg Elementary,
recently received an Innovative Educator award by
Tech4Learning. The Tech4Learning Innovative Educator
program is designed to recognize the work that
exceptional classroom teachers, trainers, aides,
community organizations, principals, and more are doing
with Tech4Learning products. Barb’s recent efforts with
family and community projects with elementary
students exemplifies both creative and effective, engage
instruction. Some of her work has even been featured in
the Creative Educator magazine. See:
http://creativeeducator.tech4learning.com/v06/
connections/Community_Connection
TUSCARORA SCHOOL DISTRICT JUNE 2012
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As summer quickly approaches, plans are being
developed to host the Tuscarora Credit Recovery
Program, a summer school built upon the district’s
technology infrastructure. Students in grades 8-12
who have failed a course can enroll in the summer
program to repeat a course using online instruction.
If the student completes the course successfully,
the student receives credit and can remain on track
for graduation.
The Tuscarora Credit Recovery Program is yet
another means of providing students with the
opportunity to be successful. Throughout the
school year, students are supported through a
variety of instructional strategies designed to
promote student achievement. Unfortunately,
there are times when students still struggle to
complete course requirements and need another
option. The Credit Recovery Program is designed to
help students remain on track by earning credit in
courses they have previously failed. The courses in
English, Math, History, and Science are highly
concentrated, standards-based, and developed by
certified teachers to assure students are receiving
Credit Recovery by Richard Burkett
the skills and content they need to be successful
the following school year.
The summer program has proven to be a popular
option among students for several reasons. Perhaps
the most attractive feature of the Credit Recovery
Program is its flexibility. Class instruction is
delivered online, so a student with a computer and
an internet connection can access his or her classes
anytime throughout the day. Students can still
maintain summer activities while taking a class. If
they complete the class successfully, they receive
credit for the course and can move on the following
school year.
The Credit Recovery Program has attracted
students from Tuscarora School District as well as
from surrounding school districts. This year the
program will be conducted from June 18th through
July 12th. The cost to enroll is $175 per course and
registration packets are located in both the high
school and middle school offices. If you would like
more information regarding the Credit Recovery
Program, please contact Mrs. Mary Cristofano at
328-2146, extension 2206.
Montgomery Elementary Kindergarten Students Show Off Skills for
Mother’s Day by Brett Kagarise
Students in the kindergarten classes at
Montgomery Elementary demonstrated some of
their classroom skills for their mothers on Friday,
May 4, 2012. Mothers were invited to school for a
small presentation from the students in each
kindergarten class.
Always imaginative in their Mother's Day Tea, the
teachers went all out this year, presenting songs,
poems and other readings as well as a computer
generated story book created by the students.
Students shared individual drawings that they had
created using a software program called Pixie in the
computer lab. Pixie is a drawing program that can
be saved as individual pictures, or shown as a slide
show. It includes clip art, backgrounds, and stickers.
Our teachers use Pixie as a great way to introduce
and teach the use of the computer, while creating
projects that address particular grade level learning.
On this occasion, it was a drawing of their mothers.
We are always striving for more parent involvement
in school and this was a great way for our
kindergarten students to share what they have
been learning and also recognize the importance of
their mothers. Every kindergarten student had
their mother or someone else attend our program
this year. We know how important it is to moms to
be loved and we wanted to have the students share
what they have learned.
Each mom received a color drawing created in Pixie
and had the opportunity to be served tea and
snacks by their child.
TUSCARORA SCHOOL DISTRICT JUNE 2012
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Relay For Life by Erin Martin, JBHS Teacher
Public relations and marketing were a vital aspect
of Relay For Life, but only two of the skills JBHS
students practiced by coordinating the Mercersburg
event. Coordinating the Mercersburg Relay For Life
provided an opportunity for students to showcase
their skills in advertising, data entry, finance
accountability, logistics, public speaking, journalism,
and time management. The 4th annual Mercersburg
Relay For Life took place at Rocket Stadium on May
4th and 5th. The community event offered everyone
an opportunity to participate in the fight against
cancer, and provided community use of the
renovated Rocket Stadium. Everyday health and
wellness is another important feature of
Relay. Throughout the event, the track is
encompassed with signs encouraging healthy living
practices that participants read while getting the
physical and emotional benefits of exercise.
Money for the Relay For Life of Mercersburg is still
being collected, however with the teamwork
carried out by the student committee and support
of the community, the grand total has already
exceeded $21,000, the most the event has ever
raised in one year.
The committee is currently planning the 2013
Mercersburg Relay For Life for the first weekend in
May.
Students were led by co-chairs Natalie Brant, Harley
Gordon, and ceremony chair Katie Cristofano and
advised by Erin Martin.
The final weeks of a school year bring great
excitement for students. This is especially true for
James Buchanan High School seniors as they
complete the final days of their high school careers
and eagerly anticipate the next steps in their lives.
On Thursday, May 24, 2012, soon-to-be-JBHS-
graduates received special recognition for their
accomplishments. Many received financial support
to help them pay for college. At this annual event,
presenters awarded scholarships and awards that
recognized excellence in various aspects of high
school.
Local community groups and benefactors have
established many scholarships that are awarded
each year. In addition, James Buchanan students
are eligible for a variety of regional and national
scholarships, depending on where they live, their
accomplishments, and their anticipated field(s) of
study. Interested students complete a “universal”
scholarship application that allows them to be
considered for scholarship monies. Students are
then selected by matching the student’s
accomplishments and background with the stated
criteria for each award. In addition, each JBHS
department selects a senior to be the Outstanding
Student in its respective curriculum area.
This year, we were thrilled to present 159 total
awards to 54 graduating seniors. In addition to
several non-monetary awards, we presented or
acknowledged over $214,000 that will help JBHS
seniors pay for college.
The JBHS faculty and administration would like to
thank the many extremely generous individuals and
organizations that continually contribute
scholarship monies on behalf of our students.
Congratulations to all graduating seniors of the
JBHS class of 2012. Good luck! Make us proud! Go
Rockets!
JBHS Seniors Receive Awards and Scholarships by Rodney Benedick
TUSCARORA SCHOOL DISTRICT JUNE 2012
118 East Seminary Street • Mercersburg PA • 17236 • 717.328.3127 Page 6
While the news on state funding, the pension
system and the economy as a whole is not positive,
I am proud to report that the Tuscarora School
District is not in financial distress like so many
districts in Pennsylvania. It doesn’t take more than
a few minutes to perform an internet search and
find PA school districts that are either bankrupt or
in severe fiscal deficiency. So the big question is
why is Tuscarora different?
The main advantage of Tuscarora is its conservative
approach to balanced budgets and school funding.
TSD spends approximately $1,500 less per student
than the PA average; keeping our total budget
approximately $4 million lower than comparably-
sized districts!
Yet, TSD has also made significant strides at
improving facilities, technology and educational
opportunities for our students. One factor that has
assisted the district in keeping costs in line is the
latest collective bargaining agreement in which the
professional staff agreed to a zero percent increase
for 2012-13. Further, the district’s decisions to
become self-insured for medical insurance,
outsource the food services program and the
unfortunate reduction in staffing levels, have all
contributed to keeping our budget balanced and
sustainable.
So despite this good news, why does the
preliminary budget have a two mill increase? The
major issue again this year for Tuscarora, as well as
all other PA school districts, remains the pension
costs and the increased contributions as required
by state law. Officially known as PSERS, the Public
School Employee Retirement System will require an
increase in contributions by 40% for 2012-13. From
a millage perspective, that is 1.75 mills for
Tuscarora residents.
The remaining millage increase is primarily due to
two factors – one positive and one negative. On
the positive side, TSD is sending more students to
the Franklin County Career & Technology Center
(FCCTC). The FCCTC provides our students with
marketable skills that the employers in our area
need desperately. Local employers such as Atlas
Copco, D.L. Martin and Foremost all need trained
welders, carpenters and electricians, and the
FCCTC’s award-winning programs provide our
students with opportunities to merge local
education and business need.
On the negative side, Pennsylvania is holding
reimbursement for renovation projects such as the
Mercersburg Elementary School and the FCCTC.
This issue affects over 200 PA school districts who
are awaiting reimbursement for bond payments
that have already been paid. This lack of subsidy
payments by the state costs the local TSD taxpayers
an additional $80,000 per year!
In summary, Tuscarora has made significant strides
to improve facilities and technology, while
simultaneously providing our students with the
educational opportunities that they desire in a cost-
effective manner. The 2012-13 final budget will be
reviewed and approved at the June 11, 2012 board
meeting.
Preliminary Budget Update by Eric Holtzman
James Buchanan Class of 2012 Graduation
TUSCARORA SCHOOL DISTRICT JUNE 2012
118 East Seminary Street • Mercersburg PA • 17236 • 717.328.3127 Page 7
May 3, 2012 was an exciting day at JBMS. During a
morning assembly, sixty students were recognized
for their contributions as citizens within the JBMS
community. Citizenship is a vital component to
student success at the middle school. Our students
complete their career at JBMS with a firm
foundation in character: caring, respect,
trustworthiness, fairness, responsibility, and
citizenship. Citizenship embodies all of the former
elements, with the added component of acting as
productive, responsible contributors to our society.
This, however, was only the beginning of our
morning celebration. We also enjoyed some very
special presentations from the Mercersburg VFW
Post 6241. JBMS was honored to have Commander
Hetzer and Mrs. Martha Hetzer, and other
representatives from that organization on our
stage. Each Fall, JBMS participates in the Patriot
Pen Contest, and every year, our school has more
winners than any other school in the region.
Twelve 8th graders were awarded a certificate and
cash prize for their essays on American pride. The
winners were: Jalen Ayers, Quaid Bounds, Violet
Clark, Angela Daye, Kylie Gracey, Abby Heinbaugh,
Elliot Hicks, Spencer Hornbaker, Alicia Lutes,
Geneva Myers, Rachel Poffenberger, and Mallory
Sipes.
After the student awards, VFW State Commander
Larry Reese presented a surprise award to our very
own Kristin Chilcote. She received the prestigious
National Teacher Citizenship Award. Mrs. Chilcote
was given a certificate, plaque, and cash prize.
JBMS got its own certificate and plaque to
commemorate Kristin’s accomplishment, and it will
be proudly displayed in the school trophy case in
our lobby. Mrs. Hetzer nominated Mrs. Chilcote and
began the paperwork necessary to have Kristin
Citizenship at JBMS by James Carbaugh
considered on the state and national level. After
months of sifting through candidates, Kristin
Chilcote ended up at the top. When Kristin’s name
was announced, our kids rose without prompting in
a spontaneous and rousing ovation. A few adult
guests expressed surprise and wonder at this
genuine outpouring of goodwill and support. “Just
another day at JBMS,” I told them, with pride. We
never take our terrific kids for granted.
Our teachers do an excellent job, and I’m here
every day to see it. They don’t put in all their hard
work, love, and kindness for recognition. They
enjoy working with young people, and it’s reward
enough. That’s what we’re in business to do. But
as principal, I was happy to see a teacher of Mrs.
Chilcote’s caliber have a moment in the spotlight.
It’s gratifying to see our students and a member of
our staff recognized for their fine efforts. They
represent what is best about James Buchanan
Middle School. We have a special thing here at the
middle school, and that’s a credit to the entire
community: the parents, kids, teachers, staff, and
residents of the Tuscarora School District.
NEW DISTRICT WEBISTE
We are excited to announce our new Tuscarora School District website coming soon.
Please be sure to visit www.tus.k12.pa.us in the next few weeks to see for yourself.
TUSCARORA SCHOOL DISTRICT JUNE 2012
118 East Seminary Street • Mercersburg PA • 17236 • 717.328.3127 Page 8
1-1 Student Laptop Initiative: The Student’s Perspective
Ninth and tenth grade students at James Buchanan High
School were issued a laptop to support their studies and
enhance their learning. We recently polled these students
to find out about their experiences with the laptop.
• 83% used the laptop for homework and
assignments
• 88% used the computer during class
• 92% of the students felt that teachers expected
them to use their laptop to complete assignments
• 71% felt that they were adequately trained to use the laptop
• 58% had little or no technical difficulties
• 82% reported technology equipment problems to school personnel
• 20% of the parents got involved with the computer related activities
• 65% stated that the computer helped communicating with teachers
• 63% understood the importance of having filters in place at home and school
• 96% understand the importance of being a good digital citizen
This information will be discussed with stakeholders so that the program can be revised to move faculty, staff, and
students forward.
TUSCARORA SCHOOL DISTRICT JUNE 2012
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Incoming kindergarten families had the opportunity
to experience a variety of learning centers during
our most recent Preschool Night at St. Thomas
Elementary School on Friday, May 18, 2012.
Children and their parents participated in an
assortment of activities geared towards acclimating
them with the materials that they will come in
contact with in the upcoming year. The main focus
for the event was to provide families with
information about concepts concerning print.
Preschoolers discovered that they are already
readers by exploring environmental print. Each
family created their own environmental print book
to be read and added to at home during the
summer months. Thanks to Tammy Barnhart of the
Franklin County Local Education and Resource
Network (LEARN), each family was given a wealth of
resources to facilitate additional learning
opportunities at home.
Preschool Night at Saint Thomas Elementary by Dr. Nadine Sanders
Throughout the school year, JBMS students have been
involved with a number of activities that have had a
tremendous impact on the community.
In December our Student Organization held a spirit
chain competition between grade levels. This was to
raise money for families in need during the holiday
season. The students had the opportunity to purchase
one link for twenty-five cents or five links for a dollar.
This school year, the sixth grade team raised $ 521.00,
the seventh grade team raised $934.00 and the eighth
grade team raised $1410.00! The JBMS students set a
new record raising a total of $2865.00. The spirit
chains stretched from the office foyer to the 8th grade
wing of the building.
During the spring the JBMS students were very active
with their community involvement. We held “Caps for
Cancer”, where JBMS students paid $1.00 to wear a
cap for the day. JBMS students raised $192 that was
donated to the Relay for Life. JBMS also had a team
participate in the Relay for Life. The team raised an
additional $200 that was donated to the Relay for Life.
To culminate the year our students participated in an
egg carton drive for a Franklin County food pantry.
The egg cartons are used to distribute eggs that are
donated to the pantry in bulk. Kristy Hinkle and her
8th grade class organized the activity and generated
student support. JBMS students rallied together and
collected 3,117 egg cartons for Franklin County food
pantries.
JBMS students continue to show compassion and
commitment to helping out those in the community.
They reach out and assist those in need, while striving
for academic excellence. Our students continue to be
JBMS PROUD!
JBMS Shows Character by Helping by Ryan Kaczmark
TUSCARORA SCHOOL DISTRICT JUNE 2012
118 East Seminary Street • Mercersburg PA • 17236 • 717.328.3127 Page 10
District Website
www.tus.k12.pa.us
Tuscarora School District
118 East Seminary Street
Mercersburg, PA 17236
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Mercersburg, PA
Permit #15
James Buchanan High School
Teacher, Herb Hoffeditz
Congratulates
Megan Leidy
James Buchanan High School Senior Awards Program
James Buchanan High School
Teacher, Erin Martin
Congratulates
Hannah Wagaman