around theAUGUST 2017

929 lakeshore driveleesport, PA 19533-8631

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

IN THISISSUE:

SV Graduates: Class of 2017

Commencement exercises for the 139 members ofthe Schuylkill Valley Class of 2017 were held onThursday, June 8, at the high school stadium. Ourvaledictorian was Steven Huy Phan, son of Nghia andSuong Phan, Ontelaunee Township. Kylie Rae Brown,daughter of Gary and Padget Brown, Bern Township,was salutatorian.

HONOR STUDENTSRow 1: Brynna Haupt, Bethany Hepner, Jacqueline Marusiak, DanielBehler, Kylie Brown, Steven Phan, Lydia Forsythe, Alysa Bainbridge,and Thoneca Akhter.Row 2: Hannah Degler, Elyse Geiger, Nicole Frank, Madison Sisco,Hunter Rice, Trevor Winkler, Tristan Weller, Bethany Schlott, JennaPhillips, Annabella Kolasa, and Kacie Jones.

continued on page 3

2 3 4/5 6 7 8Monday, August 28, is the first day of school!

A Message from Dr.

Mierzejewski;Pride of SV

Preview

2017-18 District Budget;

SV Grads continued

Future Plans forClass of 2017;

Celebrating Notable

Achievements

SpecialOlympics

Event

SV TeacherNews;

Senior BanquetAwards;

Meet theTeacher Nights

Staff Retirements;

Stadium Reno-vations Update;

Athletic Season Pass

superintendent’s

It is my honor to begin my tenure assuperintendent of the Schuylkill Valley School District. Thanks to thesupport of the School Board of Direc-tors and Dr. Warren Mata, I had theopportunity to have several weeks oftransition time into my new role. Itwas wonderful to be at SchuylkillValley during the end-of-year activi-ties. There were so many accomplish-ments celebrated at all levels and inall areas across the district. Of course,the ultimate celebration happenedon June 8, with the graduation of 139members of the Class of 2017. I wasproud and grateful to be part of thesecelebrations.

The theme of the work that hasbeen done during my transition andover the summer is Continuing For-ward. We want to keep what is posi-tive about our district and schoolsand move forward in refining andenhancing what we have. As wecontinue forward, we will look foropportunities to challenge and sup-port our students and staff, and wewill have many things to talk about.

One of the first topics that I wouldlike to share is communication. I am

sure that you are aware of the variousmeans that SVSD uses to communi-cate with students, staff, parents andthe community. This summer, SVSDlaunched its new website(www.schuylkillvalley.org) that providesgood resources and information forparents and community members. Thedistrict also has a presence on Face-book under the name Schuylkill ValleySchool District. We use these socialmedia resources to promote the won-derful, positive work that our studentsand staff are doing and the great thingsthat are happening at SVSD. I encour-age everyone in the community to dothe same: use these powerful resourcesin a positive manner to share what weknow is good and to encourage thosewho are working hard to achieve forthemselves, for the district and for thecommunity.

Lastly, I would like to share my contact information. My email address is cmierzejewski@schuylkill-valley.org and my office number is 610-916-5441. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know.

Dr. Cindy MierzejewskiSuperintendent

2 Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter | August 2017

MESSAGE

SCHUYLKILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT 929 Lakeshore Drive Leesport PA 19533-8631

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Dr. Cindy MierzejewskiSuperintendent Mr. Michael T. Mitchell, Jr.High School Principal Mrs. Maggie E. Drake High School Assistant Principal Mr. Joshua KuehnerMiddle School Principal Mr. Jeremy L. Crills Assistant Middle School Principal Mrs. Melissa Kelchner Elementary School Principal Mrs. Melissa A. Rhoads Assistant Elementary School Principal Mr. Brian F. Lacey Director, Special Education & Pupil ServicesMr. Michael BillmanDirector, Information TechnologyMrs. Wendy Boarder Business Manager Mrs. Changming WangAssistant Business Manager Mr. Craig A. StrunkDirector, Buildings & Grounds Miss Stephanie L. DeiblerAthletic Director Mrs. Becky RobinsonDirector of Food Services Ms. Robin BrightbillDirector of Human Resources

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. Kevin Raudenbush, President Dr. Jay R. Melvin, Vice President Mrs. Linda R. Lash, SecretaryMr. Paul L. BendigoMr. Robert M. DempseyMr. Jeffrey B. KingMr. George H. Mertz IIIMr. G. Dane Miller Mr. Geoffrey P. Miller

BOARD MEETINGS Committees generally meet the third Monday ofthe month at 6:30 p.m. Board meetings aregenerally held the fourth Monday of the month at7 p.m. in the high school’s LeRoy K. Seip room.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS Administration 610-916-0957High School 610-926-1706Middle School 610-926-7111Elementary School 610-926-4165

This newsletter is the official publication of the Schuylkill Valley School District. Submit news of school or community interest tosvdistrictnewsletter@gmail.com. Please include your name and phone number for verification. Timely articles will be used as space allows.

Pride of SV PreviewWe are proud to announce the inductees for the Pride of Schuylkill Valley Awardsto be presented at a luncheon on Saturday, October 21:

Mrs. Gwen Tranquillo AndrewsMr. John Barbis Mr. Shawn GundrumMr. Mervin Moyer

Mr. Dennis WernerMs. Corielle YardeMr. Frederick “David” Yoder

August 2017 | Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter 3

Revenue

2017-2018 District Budget

In June, the Schuylkill Valley Board of Directors approved a budget of $38,001,092, which did not include a tax increase. This is the third year out of thelast four years that the Board has avoided raising taxes.Business Manager Mrs. Wendy Boarder said that somepositive developments contributed to an increase inrevenue. The district’s property tax rolls grew by about$9.2 million, adding $235,000 in new tax revenues. Inaddition, increased earned income taxes contributed$100,000 in extra revenue.

The approved budget did not cut any jobs and filled allfour retiring teacher positions, in addition to providingfor the hiring of a middle school special educationteacher, a full-time long-term technology substitute forthe high school and middle schools, and a long-termsubstitute for the elementary school, if needed basedon enrollment.

As a result of the distribution of state gaming fundsthrough Act 1 of 2006, school property taxes were reduced by $154.65 this year for all property ownerswho qualified as homesteads and/or farmsteads. Theannual tax bill for a property assessed at $100,000 will remain at 27.07 mills, or $2,707.

For more information about the Schuylkill ValleySchool District budget, please visit www.schuylkillvalley.org and click on Administration>Business Office.

The budget for 2017-2018 has total expenditures of$38,001,092, which is an increase of $885,626, or 2.39%,over 2016-2017 expenditures.

State Sources

LocalSources

Federal + OtherRevenues

Instructional, Guidance, & Library

DebtServices

SupportServices

Summa cum laude honors (4-year GPA 4.000 or higher): Steven Phan Kylie BrownMadison SiscoThoneca AkhterJacqueline MarusiakDaniel Behler

continued from front cover

SV Graduates: Class of 2017

Valedictorian Steven Phan

Salutatorian Kylie Brown

Lydia ForsytheElyse GeigerBrynna HauptKacie JonesJenna Phillips

Bethany SchlottTrevor WinklerAnnabella KolasaHunter Rice

Bethany HepnerAlysa BainbridgeTristan WellerHannah DeglerNicole Frank

Magna cum laude honors (4-year GPA 3.750-3.999):

Cum laude (4-year GPA 3.500-3.749):

Megan LynamBailey MillerPayton ShekalusJessica VisbiskyAaron DanksGracey ButsackAbbie BaileyOlivia RothMaggie MarandoMatthew OrlandoCecily Godfrey

Expenditures

66%

75%

24%

26%

8% 1%

Paige Marie AdamFlagler College

Thoneca AkhterTemple University

Ethan C. AnthonyEmployment

Kane Michael BaezReading Area Community College

Abbie Williams BaileyLander University

Alysa Danielle BainbridgeSt. Joseph’s University

Ryan J. BauschKutztown University

Daniel L. BehlerLebanon Valley College

Benjamin James BowersFull Sail University

Nathan R. BraucherTemple University

Alaric O. BreslerPenn State University

Emma L. BresslerUniversity of Massachusetts

Brenden L. BrownEmployment

Dustin M. BrownCoastal Carolina University

Dylan P. BrownCollege – Undeclared

Kylie Rae BrownLong Island University

Anna Elizabeth BunnickLehigh University

Rebecca BurkertHarcum College

Brianna Ashley BurkhartMillersville University

Gracey A. ButsackRutgers University –New Brunswick

Gavin CamlinBecker College

Paige Margaret CampfieldEmployment

Brandon Lee ColonEmployment

Yazmeen Jade CrespoNorthampton Community College

Aaron Harold DanksTemple University

Hannah Marie DeglerPenn State University

Ethan C. EversonTemple University

Brianna Emily FaithEmployment

Lydia Marie ForsytheRutgers University –New Brunswick

Brina M. FranckowiakEast Stroudsburg University

Nicole Marie FrankSusquehanna University

Anthony R. FunezPenn State University

Karleigh Ann GangwerWest Virginia University

Elyse Elizabeth GeigerUniversity of Alabama

Courtney NicoleGenslingerAlvernia University

Cecily R. GodfreyWestern Governors University

Nathaniel S. GoffU.S. National Guard

Olivia Marie GonzalesCollege – Undeclared

Chontel Nicole GoodReading Area Community College

Kale M. GraybillMount Saint Mary’sUniversity

Dylan Paul HaasEmployment

Nicholas M. HansonPenn College of Technology

Brynna MackenzieHauptTemple University

Haley Nicole HeffelfingerMillersville University

Bethany A. HepnerLebanon Valley College

Jailene HernandezKutztown University

Riley Paige HimmelbergerMorrisville State College

Brian B. Hoffman, IIPenn State University

Blaise Julianna HosterCollege – Undeclared

Jake Owen JohnsonCoker College

Kacie Alexandra JonesDelaware Valley University

Austin C. KatchurEmployment

Brock D. KlaholdWilkes University

Annabella Marie KolasaPenn State University

Nicholas T. KrellBelmont Abbey College

Kaitlyn Nicole KrickAlvernia University

Kayla M. LaFaverMillersville University

Hunter Adam LammEmployment

James T. Lanshe, Jr.Penn State University

Kyle John LanshePenn State University

Nathaniel A. LashKutztown University

Noah C. LassandroConcordia University

Max Steven LauserPenn State University

Alyssa Marie LerchReading Area Community College

George Peter LimberiouLebanon Valley College

Teddy N. LimberiouKutztown University

Corey Kristian LopezBucks County Community College

Megan L. LynamFlorida Atlantic University

Anthony R. MaggiaroCalifornia University of PA

Maggie Marie MarandoPenn State University

Sabrina Raye MaressaEmployment

Jacqueline Marie MarusiakIthaca College

Yacinda Lynn MenendezReading Area Community College

James J. MilanekKutztown University

Bailey E. MillerMansfield University

Cody J. MishDeSales University

Hunter Alan MountzDeSales University

Kaitlin Rose MoyerReading Area Community College

Justin E. NawrockiPenn College of Technology

Erica J. OrlandoUniversity of New Hamp-shire

Joel Michael OrlandoHofstra University

Matthew Evan OrlandoSyracuse University

Tyler A. PerfettoBerks Career & TechnologyCenter

Mikala PerskyAlvernia University

Steven Huy PhanPenn State University

Jenna Laine PhillipsPenn State University

Samantha S. PhillipsAlbright College

Seth M. PineKutztown University

Garrett M. PolitykaEast Stroudsburg University

Sierra Lyn PullanoIndiana University of Pennsylvania

Mona Lilly RaggadPace University

Yelitza Ramos RiveraLebanon Valley College

Rachel Leigh RehrigTemple University

Hayley M. ReichardtReading Area CommunityCollege/Penn State

Hunter E. RicePenn State University

Andre T. RobinsonEmployment

Nicole Marie RockeyReading Area CommunityCollege

Kevin J. RosadoPenn State University

Parker John RostPenn College of Technology

Olivia Marie RothYork College

Soubha Soufia SadiqLong Island University – Post

Austin SchaefferReading Area CommunityCollege

Bethany T. SchlottSt. Michael’s/SusquehannaUniversity

Devin J. SchlottmanEmployment

Devin L. SchweitzerKutztown University

Payton Celeste ShekalusMessiah College

Madison Caroline SiscoPhiladelphia University

Samantha M. SitesMillersville University

Courtney Lyn SmithKutztown University

Brett Michael SnyderEmployment

Katelynn SnyderHiram G. Andrews Center

Shelby Renee SnyderEmployment

Jethro S. SolomonKutztown University

Ian SpanglerEmployment

Richard William SpatzNorwich University

Katelynn E. SpykerWilson College

Colby Brian StichterEmployment

Nathan J. StrausePenn State University

Mason A. StrohlEmployment

Joseph William StumpShippensburg University

Shannon Lee SullivanAlbright College

Kaylee Anne SwainEdinboro University

Lauren Marie SwavelyPenn College of Technology

Tyler Lee SzilliEmployment

Collin W. TeprovichEmployment

Sebastian Tomasz TotaPenn State University

Kahlan TrippKutztown or Wooster University

Alex R. TytlerKutztown University

Skylar M. UlrichEmployment

Jessica Danielle VisbiskyAlvernia University

Amber Rose WaltersIndiana University of Pennsylvania

Tristan N. WellerRochester Institute of Technology

Jessica Lynn WertzGwynedd Mercy University

Matthew Thomas WholaverPenn State University

Phillip S. WholaverPenn State University

Hunter L. WilliamsPenn State University

Trevor E. WinklerPenn State University

Zairen WinnsEmployment

Ryan David WorrellPenn State University

Lindsey M. ZimmermanWashington & Jefferson College

4 Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter | August 2017

August 2017 | Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter 5

CELEBRATING NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

ALUMNI NEWS

SV Sophomore Graduates from RACCRising SV junior Alex Engel-Swift, a son of Andrea and Sean Swift ofBern Township, is ahead of the curve when it comes to educatinghimself. In May, Alex graduated with an associate degree in sciencefrom Reading Area Community College. Alex, a member of SV’smarching, jazz and concert bands, climbing club, tennis team and Science Olympiad, is grateful for the teachers who have helped himbuild his math and physics foundation, especially math teacher Mr. Jeff Chillot, physics teacher Mr. Ronald Andrew, and retired mathteacher Mr. Charles Gerhart, who has become a life mentor to Alex.“Schuylkill Valley has done an amazing job preparing Alex for thenext phase, which includes enrollment in classes at Kutztown Univer-sity this fall” said the Swifts, whose daughter, Alyssa, also graduatedfrom RACC one month before her SV graduation in 2016. “We arevery proud of his accomplishments.”

Dana Schreffler, SV class of 2014,graduated from Universal Technical Institute in February of 2017, as anautomotive/diesel technician. Mr.Schreffler was honored as a memberof the Alpha Beta Kappa NationalHonor Society, four-time Student of the Course Award, Director’s ListAward and Attendance Award. Mr.Schreffler is pursuing his career atRyder Truck of Allentown.

In June, members of the middle school facultytraveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the National Schools to Watch Conference. As partof the conference, they presented informationabout Schuylkill Valley’s middle school programsand received the award redesignating the middleschool as a National School To Watch.

Mr. Cody Bender, Mrs. Christine Wysocki, middle schoolprincipal Mr. Josh Kuehner, Mrs. Dana Heins, and Mr. JohnJenkins attended the “National Schools To Watch”Conference.

SVMS: National School to Watch

PTO Special Events

Free Family Movie Night– Outdoors!“Moana” – Friday, August 18 at 8:00 p.m. SVES Fields.Free admission and free popcorn.

No-Cook NightMonday, August 28 at Andali’s Family Restaurant

First PTO Meeting of School YearTuesday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the SVES Cafeteria

Retired high school math teacher Mr. CharlesGerhart with SV junior Alex Engel-Swift.

6 Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter | August 2017

On May 4, 41 student-athletes and 43 buddies traveledto Hamburg Area School District to participate in theSpecial Olympics Northern Berks Track and FieldMeet. Our SV student–athletes participated with students from Antietam, Brandywine Heights Area,Fleetwood Area, Hamburg Area, Kutztown Area, Oley Valley, and the Police Athletic League Program.

The Special Olympics Track and Field meet gives ourathletes a chance to participate with their own–abilityleveled peers and to experience individual athletic success. Each student–athlete competes in two to fourevents, including standing long jump, running longjump, softball throw, shot put, 50–meter run,100–meter run, 200–meter run and 400–meter run.While everyone earns a ribbon, the experience alsocreates other rewards beyond measure.

Parents and staff get to share the excitement as ourathletes grin from ear to ear winning their ribbons.Our buddies, all students between eighth and twelfthgrade, get to cheer on their athletes at all their events.Most importantly, our SV athletes are given a day toshine and feel proud of their accomplishments. Congratulations to all of our special winners! For a complete list of participants and their winningachievements, please check out our website.

Special Olympics

with do-it-yourselfsilly putty. Specialthanks to Ms.Heather Hummel,Mrs. Sandy Borkey,Mrs. Sandra Griffiths, Mrs. CathyGwiazdowski, Mrs. Marisa Horne,Mr. Joel Kleinspehn,Mrs. Felicia McDevitt, MissAmanda Wilson, nurse Mrs. Patricia Meals andhigh school helper Gabby Rider for givingyour time to this year’s Teachers In The Park program!

downright scares him. During show and tell,Johnny encounters Parker, a student in awheelchair who communicates differently.Will Johnny’s twin brother Jay help him facehis fears or will he run off with his newfriends, leaving Johnny behind? Hidden inthis story is a lesson for all ages, young andold – a reminder that people with specialneeds deserve to be treated with the samelove and respect as everyone else.

Parker’s Dinosaur Smile and The Giving Jar, the duo’s first book, are available for purchase through the “Shop Now” button on the Johnny and Jay Facebook page or at Firefly Bookstore in Kutztown.

This summer, Mrs. Ronda Lee Seymour,Schuylkill Valley Middle School artspecialist, and her writing partner, Mrs.Lisa A. Werley, creator of the Johnny &Jay book series, have teamed up to release their second book.

The book, Parker’s Dinosaur Smile,highlights the awareness of social literacy. The book’s main characters, Jayand Johnny, are back for another one of life’s lessons. The boys have startedkindergarten and met many newfriends. But there’s one friend whomakes Johnny feel uncomfortable and

Middle School Art Teacher Illustrates Second Book

High School: Wednesday, August 306:30 p.m.

Middle School:Grade 5 Only Wednesday,August 23, 7:00 p.m.

Grades 6 – 8 Thursday, August 31, 7:00 p.m

Elementary School:Kindergarten Bus Ride/Meet The Teacher:Monday, August 216:00 p.m.

Grades 1 – 4 Meet theTeacherWednesday, August 23, 6 – 7:00 p.m.

Middle SchoolLocker Orientation for 5th Graders

11 a.m. to 12 noon

Students with last names from Acker to Harrell,Tuesday, August 15

Students with last names from Harris to Oswald,Wednesday, August 16

Students with last names from Peters to Zaharia,Thursday, August 17

This year’s Teachers In The Parksprogram brought 48 students andnine elementary school teachers andstaff together for six weeks of funand learning at Leesport Park. Risingthird and fourth graders gatheredunder leafy trees for science experi-ments, yoga and games, books, writ-ing, “brain breaks,” math and socialstudies. This year’s themes includedstars and stripes, the rainforest, sharkweek, nature, travel around theworld, and animals, and incorpo-rated experiments like making fire-works in a jar, jungle slime, shavingcream rain clouds and animal tracks

Teachers In The Parks 2017

Congratulations to:Bethany Hepner, Elyse Geiger, Madison Sisco – PIAA Academic All-Star AwardMatthew Orlando, Madison Sisco – PIAA District III Sportsmanship AwardHunter Mountz – STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Music) AwardDaniel Behler – Outstanding Musician AwardDustin Brown – Outstanding Male AthleteMadison Sisco – Outstanding Female AthleteDaniel Behler – Commitment Award

On June 5, co-curricularawards were presented atthe Senior Banquet to students for outstandingperformance and/or partic-ipation in athletics and co-curricular activities, including music, drama,student council, yearbook,Academic Challenge, Science Olympiad andvarious clubs.

Senior Banquet Awards

August 2017 | Schuylkill Valley AROUND THE VALLEY district newsletter 7

Meet the Teacher Nights

929 LAKESHORE DRIVELEESPORT, PA 19533-8631

schuylkill valleySCHOOL DISTRICT

around the

Athletic Season Pass Order FormThe 2017-2018 Athletic Season Pass OrderForm is now available online. Please access iton the home page under the “Links” sectionof the SV website: www.schuylkillvalley.org

congratulations on yourRETIREMENT

Mrs. Lois S. BachrachHigh School Special EducationTeacher, 26.9 years

Mrs. Evelyn A. BraunHigh School Art Teacher, 47.3 years

Mr. Benjamin A. BucksHigh School Technology Education Teacher, 40.58 years

Mrs. Carol HattendorfElementary Personal CareAide, 10.67 years

Ms. Karen L. KochHigh School Special EducationTeacher, 32.82 years

Dr. Warren F. MataSuperintendent, 36 years

Mrs. Karin M. MoerderMiddle School Fifth GradeTeacher, 25.89 years

Mr. Charles E. OrrMiddle School Custodian 19 years

Mr. Robert R. SandercockHigh School Custodian12.21 years

Our best wishes to the following faculty and staff who retired thisschool year. Thank you for your dedication to the Schuylkill ValleySchool District. For everything you have given, we are truly grateful.

Special ThanksThe SV Community offers its sincere appreciation to Mr. Clarence Davis, who recently retired after serving as districttax collector for the Leesport Borough for nineteen years.

Stadium Renovation Progress-To-DateStadium and track renovations at the highschool began on June 9. Renovations are projected for completion in late September.

To view webcam photos of the renovationprocess, go to the News section of SV’s websiteand click on the link “SVSD HS Stadium Improvements Live Webcam Camera.”