The Tigers' Pride
Marple Newtown School District
Welcome to this issue of The Tiger’s Pride. In this issue, you will find school appreciations to our PTOs. Our partnerships with parents and families are invaluable to our schools’ success. Please join me in thanking the PTOs for all of their efforts to volunteer their time, ideas, and energy for the benefit of our schools, students, and staff. Readers will also find several reasons to celebrate our students, such as their performing and fine arts accomplishments, Law Day winners, as well as several outreach and fundraising activities. We hope you enjoy these stories of generosity and gratitude.
Tina M. Kane, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Loomis is Thankful for Wonderful, Devoted PTO Team
The Loomis Elementary School PTO is a team of devoted parents that helps strengthen the school community tremendously. If there is a need, the team works tirelessly alongside staff, administration, and their fellow volunteers to help in any capacity. They host several family-friendly events such as our Holiday Shoppe, a Scholastic Book Fair, and our annual Fun Fair, which is a huge event and tons of fun for the entire community. The funds raised from these events support the cost of field trips, assemblies, and items around the school that benefit our students, including the recent purchases of paint and stencils (for children to use on the blacktop during recess) as well as money towards a Book Vending Machine. We are so fortunate at Loomis to have a wonderful team of dedicated PTO members!
MNSD's Music Education Program Receives National Recognition
For the eighth time, the Marple Newtown School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation (National Association of Music Merchants) for its outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 23rd year, the designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. MNSD offers a variety of instrumental, choral, and classroom music programs and ensembles from kindergarten through 12th grade. Groups perform multiple times during the year throughout the community and beyond, including past performances in Chicago, Philadelphia, Orlando, Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Toronto, and Honolulu. MNSD is proud of our music department's long history of excellence in music education!
MNHS Winter Guard Among Top Performers at Finals
Congratulations to the Marple Newtown Winter Guard for receiving 4th place (out of 19) at the Mid Atlantic Indoor Network finals in Allentown last month. See the final performance of their 2022 program “Home” here:
STEM Academy Students Among Winners in ASA "Solve Together" Contest
MarsLand, a team comprised of MNHS STEM Academy ninth graders Kayley Brown, Annastasia Cavanaugh, Lexi Monteleone, and Senih Yazicioglu, received Honorable Mention distinction and cash awards for their submission in the "ASA Solve Together" STEM Challenge. Out of 543 teams across 49 states, the team was a finalist in the contest that "offers the chance to create real-world plans that solve real-world problems". With mentorship from STEM Academy teachers Ms. Patti Gandolfo and Mr. Brian Isselmann, the team worked on creating sustainable food sources for a human colony on Mars. What an amazing accomplishment by these young innovators!
MNHS Counselors Host Job Fair
On April 20th, the MNHS College & Career Access Counselors (CCAC) hosted a job fair for all students in grades 9-12. Leading up to the fair, the CCAC Counselors visited classes to promote the fair and prepare students to engage with the businesses in a productive way. Well over 20 businesses participated in this first-time event at MNHS!
MNSD Students Win Delaware County Bar Association's "Law Day Contest"
Each year, the Delaware County Bar Association sponsors an annual Law Day Contest for students surrounding a different theme. This year’s theme was entitled, “Toward a More Perfect Union – the Constitution in Times of Change”. The contest offers opportunities for students from grades K-12 to enter a poster (grades K-5) or essay entry (grades 6-12). The District is proud to announce that seven of our students representing five of our schools won awards. The winners were invited to a Law Day Ceremony at the Delaware County Courthouse to be recognized and presented with their awards. The District Attorney, County Judges, and many other local dignitaries attended the ceremony.
PHMS's Potter Cup Raises Money for Pediatric Cancer Research
After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, Paxon Hollow Middle School and Haverford Middle School faced off in the first ever Spring Potter Cup to raise money for pediatric cancer research in the name of Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Instead of the usual winter sporting competition, students from both schools participated in baseball, softball, lacrosse, and a track meet to win the coveted “Potter Cup,” which ended in a draw between both schools. In a demonstration of solidarity for cancer fighters, a number of students and faculty members shaved their heads for donations to the cause. Liz Scott, Alex’s mother and Executive Director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, joined the festivities as a guest speaker. To date, the Potter Cup has raised over half a million dollars for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. All students in attendance had a great time and we look forward to competing for a cause again next year!
Paxon Hollow Thanks its Dedicated PTO Team
The Paxon Hollow Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a group comprised of parents, teachers, and staff dedicated to making Paxon Hollow a prodigious place for our students to grow and learn. The team works with teachers, staff, and the community at large to help improve our students’ educational experiences. For example, the PTO works very closely with the school administration in all its special projects, including all of our fundraising efforts, special programs, assemblies, the Potter Cup, and staff appreciation. The students and teachers at Paxon Hollow are very fortunate to have such strong support from our families!
Worrall Cradles to Crayons “Stuff the Truck” Event a Big Success!
Worrall Elementary School recently held a “Stuff the Truck” donation event for Cradles to Crayons, and it was a huge success! Students had the opportunity to donate gently used or new toys, clothes, and other children’s essentials as part of our final Character Education assemblies for the year. The truck was truly stuffed to capacity thanks to the generosity of our community!
PTO Helps Make Russell Elementary a Great Place to Learn and Grow!
At Russell Elementary School, we are fortunate to have a dedicated and supportive group of parents that help strengthen our school community. Our PTO works hand-in-hand alongside staff, administration, and their fellow volunteers to help make Russell School the best environment it can be for our students. They host several family-friendly events such as the Russell Family Picnic, Pizza Bingo, Holiday Shoppe, the Scholastic Book Fair, and our annual Fun Fair. The funds raised from these events support the cost of field trips, assemblies, and other items around the school. We are so fortunate at Russell to have a wonderful team of dedicated PTO members who make Russell a great place to learn and grow!
Loomis Artwork Showcased at the Brandywine River Museum of Art
Fourth Grade students at Loomis Elementary School had a unique experience: seeing their artwork displayed in a museum! Thanks to a partnership with the Brandywine River Museum of Art and the guidance of their art teacher, Kimberly Trigone, the students and their families enjoyed a memorable evening at the museum. Although the students had previously toured the museum, this visit marked the first time that their artwork was displayed on its walls.
Paxon Hollow Students Build Prosthetic Arms for MNHS Principal's Son
A team of Paxon Hollow Middle School students (Olkea Koka, Tristan Lowe, Haily Kwon, Natalie Vella, and Ava Castellante) recently completed work on two prosthetic arms for a very special recipient. By utilizing 3D printers, design software called Tinker CAD, and the expertise of their engineering teacher, Dr. Dave Beasley, the team fabricated each piece required to build the arms. Since last October, the team used their tutorial period to build the arms in sections, starting with the hands and then working their way up the forearms to the base of the humerus. We are happy to share that the arms have been delivered to Austin Beltrante, the son of Marple Newtown High School Principal Mr. John Beltrante, and are in good working order-- when Austin bends his arm at the elbow, the prosthetic hand opens and closes!
Worrall Elementary School Thanks Their PTO
At Worrall Elementary School, we are so grateful for the generous support of our Parent Teacher Organization! The PTO works tirelessly to provide wonderful opportunities for all of our students and staff, such as our annual Movie Night, Haunted House, classroom parties, Pizza Bingo, Field Day, grade-level field trips, teacher grants, and so much more. PTO members raise funds for many aspects of our community life, and they freely give their time to help ensure every child has fun. Thanks so much, Worrall PTO, we appreciate you very much!
MNHS Presents an Annual Tradition: Lib Dub 2022!
MNHS Thanks PTO for Continued Support
Marple Newtown High School would like to thank our PTO for all of their support as we made great strides back to a more traditional school year. We have a dedicated group of members who have helped us to continue our efforts to provide the best for our students. This year our PTO donated another bottle filling station, which has been installed on the second floor of our building. They organized several staff breakfasts, a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, and are working on fundraising plans to assist us with our esports club for the fall. We appreciate everything our PTO team has done to make MNHS a great place to be!
MNHS Mini-THON Raises Over $50,000 to Combat Childhood Cancer
On Friday, March 4th, over 360 MNHS students attended this year's Mini-THON event. The event raised over $51,790.05 to support the Four Diamonds fund and their efforts to combat childhood cancer. A heartfelt "thank you" goes out to the event's faculty advisors: Taylor Amabile, Keli Anderson, Shannon Blessington, Courtney Gibbons, and Riley McSorley.
Culbertson Staff is Grateful for PTO Team
The Culbertson Elementary School teachers and staff would like to thank our PTO for all of the wonderful treats for Teacher Appreciation Week! Teachers were treated to a beautifully decorated faculty room, lunch, and snacks with a "Shore" theme, and gift baskets were delivered to each teacher brimming with their favorite goodies. Additionally, our PTO planned our annual Pumpkin Festival earlier in the year-- this an event that takes a tremendous amount of time and effort. Our PTO is a reflection of the “family” community that we strive to create here at Culbertson. We cannot thank the volunteer parents/guardians enough who have helped continue to carry on these wonderful traditions at Culbertson Elementary School!
Worrall Artists Honored at the Superintendent’s Art Recognition Event
Select student artists from Worrall Elementary School were recognized for their creative artworks on March 15th. Students and families attended a small gallery walk of the young artists' creations that are on display in the Marple Newtown School District Administration Building Board Room. Superintendent, Dr. Tina Kane congratulated each student, awarded certificates, and inquired about the inspirations of their artwork.
Elementary Art Teachers Create Community Mural
Newtown Township Supervisors recently reviewed the progress of a community mural at Drexel Lodge Park with the team of elementary art teachers responsible for its creation. Andrea Mogck (Worrall Elementary), Kimberly Trigone (Loomis Elementary), Jill Bialy (Culbertson Elementary), and Liza Spratt (Russell Elementary) have been busy transposing fourth and fifth graders' art work onto the mural...by hand! The team of dedicated teachers will continue to transfer their students' art onto the walls throughout the summer and fall with a goal of completing the mural by the end of 2022.
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