Monthly Newsletter

for Sun Valley High School

October Valley Events

17– Early Dismissal 10:15 am 20– PTL Craft Fair 9:00 am 22– Winter Sports Physicals @ Northley 3:00 pm 27– ACT Testing 7:30 am

29– Picture Retakes

Spirit is Alive and Well in “The Valley”

this issue

Letter from the Principal P.1

Department Notes P.2

PTL P.2

Guidance Report P.3

Curriculum Spotlight P.3

Activities P.4

Alumni in the News P.4

Homecoming 2012 P.5

Athletics P.6

Oct 2012

The year has started with flying colors! Most of the colors are blue and some variation of gold at The Valley! The seniors and juniors are working hard in and out of the classroom to show their school spirit. The spirit is at the highest level since I have been here. Our staff and student Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) Committee is spearheading this effort. That same “Valley Spirit” can be seen in the classrooms. The faculty was hard at work this summer. They were committed to improving curriculum, integrating technology and working collaboratively in committees. The result of this effort are the many new courses offered this year. The Sun Valley administration applauds the effort of the teachers and staff in making Sun Valley a top school in Delaware County. The seniors hope to take their spirit and education to the next level as they make college and career choices. They have been busy in the classroom and out. Balancing academics while involving themselves in the variety

show, sports, band, choir, cheering and clubs. The seniors have led the football team to its first winning season in close to ten years. The volleyball team has won the Ches-Mont American Division for the first time ever. The fall sports teams have compiled more wins this season than the last two years combined, with more to come! We look forward to establishing greatness on the foundation started this year. In this issue, you will see some other highlights so far this year! Have a Great Year, Pete Donaghy

Accredited by the Middle States Association’s Commission on Secondary Schools

Sun Valley PTL PTL President, Andrea Griffith

is happy to announce the

Annual Craft Fair will be held

on October 20th in the

gymnasium. They are looking

for more vendors and

crafters!

andrea.griffith@comcast.net

Please check the Sun Valley

website for upcoming PTL

meetings. All are welcome!

Look for PTL members at the

ticket booth for home football

games.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In Advanced TV production with Ms Laura Valentin, students are using WIX.COM to create a website for the TV Studio, including a live stream embedded on the homepage, video on-demand library on the gallery page, and digital announcement request form. After completion of this assignment, the most professional appearing page will be the new website for the TV Studio. Soon after, students will begin their first interview project where each student will be assigned a club or sport. In Intermediate TV Production, students are working on a music video project and are in the process of filming/editing content that was approved after the storyboard process. They are using Final Cut Express in the MAC computer lab, and traditional Mini DV tape cameras to accomplish this task. In Basic TV Production, students are beginning a news room project where they will be broken down into teams of four. Each team will consist of two anchors, one teleprompter operator and one graphics operator. The students will be trained in all areas and will create an original show with their group members. Final assessment will be the presentation of the news show during class, in the TV Studio. MATH

The New CPM textbooks have been implemented and new curriculum guides have been written for Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 which are aligned to the state adopted Common Core Standards. Teachers have also set up student accounts so students may use e-books for each of these classes. SCIENCE

Sustainable energy students are conducting an energy audit to eventually figure out where the school could make improvements and save money on energy costs. The SV Chemistry students will once again be celebrating National Chemistry Week by creating a human periodic table. All chemistry students will be researching an element and designing a t-shirt for that element. Each shirt will feature artwork and a facts about their element portraying how it is used in every day life. Keep an eye out for MOLE DAY, October 23rd!

“National Chemistry Week (NCW) encourages chemists and chemistry enthusiasts to build awareness of chemistry at the local level with a common goal: To promote the value of chemistry in everyday life. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the NCW program and the theme is Nanotechnology: The smallest BIG idea in science!”

Department Notes

Spotlight on Curriculum

Guidance Report

Seniors

Classroom visits have occurred for all 255 students explaining Transcript requests through Naviance; college applications; and recommendation letter procedures. College application essay writing groups are held M-F during lunches.

Juniors

Students are nominated for the HOBY National Leadership Conference, KYW News Radio Program and Widener Leadership conference. Remember to sign up for college visits on Naviance. Sophomores ASVAB tests take place in October for all students (except those taking the PSAT). Post high school planning continues with Naviance by building lists of colleges. Freshman Transition continues as students settle into the Academy. The class is being introduced to Naviance and have been taking part in guidance information presentations. All freshman have been added to the Naviance system. SAT DATES Oct 19– Late Registration Deadline for Nov 3 SAT Nov 2– Deadline for Dec 8 SAT Late Registration deadline is Nov 16

Guidance Notes

SAT/ACT Test Prep FREE through Naviance Method Test Prep.

Over 200 students have met with more than 30 colleges at Sun Valley to date.

There have been 125 senior

applications to college and over 50 alumni applications this year.

Financial Aid Night coming in January. Stay tuned for more information.

Several exciting new electives are being offered this year at Sun Valley High School. Looking to the heavens, a new Astronomy elective is available to all Ninth Grade students and is being taught in the planetarium. The teacher, Mr. Scott Taylor, plans to explore the history of astronomy, as well as the vast body of knowledge that we have gained over the last 50 years of space exploration. He reports that the students have a wide range of background knowledge and interest in the subject, but appear to be enthusiastic about the course. Mr. Taylor‟s ability to visually demonstrate difficult astronomical concepts should be greatly enhanced with the installation of the SciDome digital planetarium planned for October 2012. Also in the science department, students will be looking to the earth in Sustainable Energy, an elective offered to juniors and seniors and taught by Mr. Chris Sikich and Mr. Joe Malaczewski. This course will focus students on STEM-based thinking, applications, and authentic research. They will explore three intertwined areas of study: alternative energy, sustainability, and nanotechnology. Students will be engaged in research and group projects involving major alternative energies and their key characteristics and applications. The concepts of nanotechnology will be explored through project-based learning, including authentic research. Using what they have learned

about alternative energy and nanotechnology, as well as the fundamentals of sustainability, students will complete a culminating project on the integration of nanotechnology into the present and future of sustainable alternative energy. Two intriguing new electives are being offered in the Social Studies department. Popular Culture in American History, taught by Mr. Brandon Bittner, is open to all juniors and seniors. Students will be examining society and culture and the impacts that they have on the history of our country. By looking at the themes of war, romance, protest and escape throughout American history, Mr. Bittner anticipates that students will learn how popular expression is both a reflection of and driver of our society. He reports that a student told him, “I think this is going to be my favorite class this year!” Terrorism, Human Rights and Human Security, also being offered to all juniors and seniors as an elective, is being taught by Mr. Tim Moore. This class will examine in detail the people, technology, leaders and “master” plans of terrorism. Students will see how extreme intolerance motivated by political, religious, and/or ideological perspectives result in terrorism, a special kind of violence. Students will reflect on the impact that such violence has on their rights and security.

HOMECOMING 2012

Sun Valley Crowns King & Queen

Welcome Back Class of 1963

Alumni In the News

Sun Valley Welcomes

Back the Class of „63 at

Homecoming 2012!

Members of the first graduating

class participated in the

parade and pregame festivities

and were joined by

Principal Harry Hill.

The „63 graduates included: Bill Fulmer Judy Brutsche (Schiable) Paul Cass Peg Schwolow (McLaughlin) Linda Davis Ardele Johnson (Gordon) Dan Slipetsky Kathy Bailey (McConnell) Betty Coyle (Rushton) Bill MacFarland Ken Garrett Betty Zimmerman Phyliss James (Haislip) Lorraine Kraus (Bender) Dave Hasiuk Tom Rupnicki Chris Carpenter (Eaton)

West Chester University

Announces Dean‟s List

for Spring 2012

Sun Valley Graduates named

to the WCU Dean‟s List

Megan DiGregory

Jeffery Dudley

Jasmine Forster

Kyle Misci

Danielle Pellegrini

Kimberly Royer

Danielle Volpe

Caitlin Wood

Benjamin Howlett

Erica Lauser

Jacqueline Price

Stephani Rosati

Nick Weare

Jennifer Gummel

Nicholas Kosteski

Congratulations to these

Life Long Learners!

Pep Rallies, mascots, cartoon characters and floats highlighted the Homecoming festivities this year! The Spirit Award went to the Class of 2013. Gianna Belgiorno and Ben Scully were named Homecoming Queen and King and they reigned over Homecoming with their court. The Vanguard football team livened up the festivities with a victory over Oxford . The weekend was capped off with the students dancing the night away at the annual Homecoming Dance sponsored by the Class of 2013!

Class of 2015

Class of 2015 is looking for donated items to fill baskets to be raffled off at the Craft Fair on October 20th. Items can be gift certificates, beauty products, packaged gourmet food, etc. Please drop off donations by Monday, October 15th to Room B254. Any questions, please contact Ms. Emhof (kemhof@pdsd.org) or Ms. Hughes (ahughes@pdsd.org).

Congratulations to the top sellers in the Joe Corbi's fundraiser! Nick Porter, Ryan Haines, and Nick Olshefski have all won free tickets to this year's Soph Hop. Thank you to all for the great effort.

Next Class of 2015 will be on Monday, October 15th. We will be discussing the Craft Fair and the Soph Hop.

Brookhaven Family Day

Members of the Marine JROTC, NHS and Volleyball team spent the day at Brookhaven Family Day. The students spent the day working the games, distributing food and entertaining the children! Thank you to Mrs.Dawn Jones for inviting the students to participate!

Homecoming 2012

“Home of the Vanguards”

Volleyball Starts Season With Nine

Straight Victories

The Sun Valley Lady Vanguards began the 2012-13 season with a nine game winning streak. Led by Lauren Elliott,

Gia DeAngelo, Chelsea Jones and Madison McCunney, the team clinched the Ches-Mont American Division and has

added the Crosstown Invitational championship to its season resume. The Lady Vanguards are ranked second in

Delaware County and in the top 10 of southeastern Pa.

Vanguard Football On The Rise in Ches-Mont League Football fever has hit “The Valley!” Sun Valley’s successful start has been mainly on the back of returning All Ches

Mont players, Dan Griffin and Juwan Chandler. Ryan Riddle is also a big part of a potent running attack. Quarterback TJ

Mancini has spread his passes among a talented receiving corps led by Leon Hunter, Kevin McGarvey and Nate

Cusamano. The stingy defense is anchored by Vaughn Fulton and Cameron Downs. The highlight of the season was a

35-14 victory on Homecoming Night as the offensive line, featuring Ryan France and Derrick Seng, dominated the line of

scrimmage allowing the Vanguard offense to light up the scoreboard. The team is currently ranked in the top eight in

District 1 AAA and seeking a playoff spot.

Boys’ Soccer Competing for a Playoff Invite Sun Valley established itself as a playoff contender and a team to be reckoned with after a 4-1 victory over Downingtown

East. The Vanguards are currently third in the Ches Mont American and have seven victories. Matt Cioeta and Aaron

Kariuki lead the offense for Sun Valley. The defense is anchored by goalkeeper Matt Skwirut with defensemen Joe

Capuano and Nick Wendling. The team continues to battle for a District 1 AAA playoff spot.

Sports Highlights Field Hockey has eclipsed its highest win total in over five years under first year coach Nancy Savage.

Erica Setnick, Becca DiValerio and Gen Mariotti represented Sun Valley at the Ches Mont Singles Championships.

Golfer Hannah Turner had a top 10 finish at the Girls’ Ches Mont Championships.

Goalkeeper, Shayna Orr leads a strong defensive unit for the Girls’ Soccer team.

Vanguard Home Athletic Events

OCTOBER 2012

1– Girls‟ Soccer vs Coatesville 3:45 pm

2– Volleyball vs Spring Ford 3:30 pm

3– Golf vs WC Rustin & Kennett @ Rock Manor GC 3:30

pm

Tennis vs Great Valley 3:30 pm

4– Boys‟ Soccer vs WC East 4:00 pm

Volleyball vs WC Rustin 3:30 pm

6– Boys‟ Soccer vs Garnet Valley “Pink in the Valley

Night”

Proceeds Benefit Cancer Research 4:30 pm

8– Tennis vs Chichester 3:30 pm

JV Football vs Kennett 4:00 pm

9– Field Hockey vs Avon Grove 3:45 pm

Girls‟ Soccer vs Avon Grove 3:45 pm

Volleyball vs Unionville 3:30 pm SENIOR DAY

10– Field Hockey vs Coatesville 3:45 pm

11– Boys‟ Soccer vs WC Henderson 5:30 pm SENIOR

NIGHT

12– Girls‟ Soccer vs Penncrest 3:45 pm

Football vs Unionville 7:00 pm

13– Boys‟ Soccer vs WC Rustin 10:00 am

15– Girls‟ Soccer vs Kennett 5:00 pm SENIOR NIGHT

16– Field Hockey vs Kennett 5:30 pm SENIOR NIGHT

17– Girls‟ Soccer vs Downingtown West 3:45 pm

18– Field Hockey vs Downingtown West 3:45 pm

19– Football vs Maurice J Moyer Academy 7:00 pm

26– Football vs WC Rustin 7:00 pm

CHAMPIONSHIPS & TOURNAMENTS

1– Golf Ches Mont Championships

12– Tennis @ Ches Mont Doubles Championships

13– Volleyball @ Unionville Crosstown Tournament

18– Cross Country @ Ches Mont Championships

26– Cross Country @ District I Championships

Mr. Pete Donaghy, Principal

Ms. Rosemary Edmiston, Assistant Principal

Mr. Joel Alutius, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Amy Jenkins, Dean of Students

Sun Valley HS 2881 Pa ncoas t Avenue

As ton Pa 19014

visit us at www.pdsd.org