![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/handeducation06.9705133a.jpg)
![Logo](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/2a93/thumb-140da5d534154d7937293d14f7557e61.png)
Community Conversations
April 2024
Dear Methacton Community,
What Makes an Outstanding School District?
Often student test scores, athletics accomplishments, musical and art performances, and rank are at the top of the list of things that characterize an outstanding school district. While these matters certainly contribute to the definition, I firmly attest that it is the people - in a school district who make all the difference.
I have no fancy research, but the evidence I do have is so very apparent and runs deep within each of our schools and across our entire school community. Let’s start with the people who are our volunteers!!! Those that give of their time and talents to support and work within the Home and School, Post Prom, Athletic Boosters, and the Education Foundation among many others groups, is a testament to the quality of our people, the size of their hearts, and the values within our school community.
Home and School is established in each of our schools and is designed to promote the advocacy of educational purposes and support the educational institutions by working in collaboration with building principals at all levels. Our Home and Schools help create the climate and opportunities for students to learn, socialize, and develop in ways that truly are remarkable.
Post Prom was started more than 20 years ago with one purpose in mind -- keeping our children safe around prom time. Today, the Post Prom gets hundreds of volunteers to serve the 700+ students who attend this once-in-a-lifetime experience. There is nothing like the Post Prom experience and the artists within our community clearly demonstrate that there is significant talent in our volunteers as well. I am so proud that we do this - TOGETHER!
Athletic/Activity Boosters are some of the hardest working volunteers in the district. Whether you are a booster volunteer for Band or Football or any other sport/activity – boosters provide core support for coaches, players and participants. They help with driving our SCHOOL SPIRIT, creating a sense of pride, and supporting a larger effort towards SUCCESS.
The Methacton Education Foundation is a collection of stakeholders organized in 2009, as an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit based upon the philosophy that public education can be
endowed through a broad-based system of community support, thus providing another avenue for enhancing and augmenting educational opportunities in the Methacton School District.
Today, the Methacton Education Foundation is one of the area’s most successful, and is responsible for donating well over $1Million dollars to support Methacton students in STEM, Career Readiness, Student Wellness and support for the economically disadvantaged.
Certainly, our students must be commended for their 1,000 + hours of community volunteer service. Not only has our student body been generous with their time, they are simply some of the most resourceful, respectful, talented, and driven people in our community. While a lot of these student attributes and qualities come from the home, it is our support, professional and administrative staff that nurture these talents, motivate students to succeed, and empower them to learn.
What better way to recognize the efforts of our staff in supporting our mission and vision than to share your thanks. You can do this via the Methacton Education Foundation's Share The Love campaign or during National Educator Appreciation Week (May 6 through 10). You could also send an email thank you, give a huge shout out on social media, or show your appreciation the best way you know how.
It is the people that make an OUTSTANDING school district. Thank you for being one of those people!
District Branding Effort
On March 26, 2024, the Board of School Directors approved Iris Creative of Fort Washington to assist the Methacton School District with branding. The challenge is that for years, Methacton has utilized images, slogans, and other messages and visuals to represent who we are and what we stand for. From a recent communications audit, the district learned that having inconsistent, changing, imagery and messaging detracts from the core of our mission, and conveyance of our message and the development of school spirit.
The chart below is a sampling of imagery used in recent years. You can see that Methacton is not recognizable like a can of Coca Cola – and this is the issue that limits our path forward to developing a greater school spirit.
Furthermore, we have had negative press and feedback with respects to Native American imagery. As such, Iris Creative is charged with leading Methacton School District in the development of a new visual imagery. Students and other key stakeholders have assembled recently to take on the task to re-invent the imagery where – we remain Methacton Warriors in green and white and drop the Native American imagy and replace it with … to be determined. Public input will be sought as we navigate forward…STAY TUNED…
Alumni Spotlight
April 2024’s Alumni Spotlight features Sean McCracken, MHS ’02. Learn which Methacton educators inspired him to become a science teacher and the advice he has for current Methacton students: https://www.smore.com/n/6racv-alumni-spotlight
Sincerely,
Dr. David Zerbe
Superintendent of Schools
April 2024 Good News
Now let’s take a look at some of the events and achievements that took place across the district in April...
DISTRICT WIDE
Solar Eclipse
What an astronomical adventure! This month, Methacton School District students and staff got a front-row seat to witness the solar eclipse! With eclipse glasses in hand, we soaked in the celestial spectacle! Check out these snapshots from this historic activity!
Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast
Woodland Home & School hosted the Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast on April 24, 2024 for all the Methacton Home and School Associations. The bus drivers and staff were delighted and thoroughly enjoyed the event. The Woodland committee, consisting of Christina Gallagher, Gina Stover, Chelsea Hamilton, Catherine Dotzman, and Nerissa Spampanato, organized a lavish spread of breakfast items for the drivers. In addition, they presented handmade keychains, flower buses, personalized bus playlists, a banner from Woodland students, a welcome sign, and handmade thank you cards from Woodland students.
ARROWHEAD
Book Vending Machine
Thank you to the Arrowhead Home and School for donating the Book Vending Machine to our Arrowhead. Students can receive tokens for the vending machine through demonstrating good citizenship and a strong work ethic. As you can see, our students are really excited about our new Book Vending Machine!
Art Goes to School
Mrs. McDonough's third grade class enjoyed their visit from Art Goes to School.
Spring Concert
Third graders put on a phenomenal show during their 3rd Grade Concert this month!
EAGLEVILLE
Mobile Career Fair
Second graders at Eagleville enjoyed exploring many different career opportunities during their annual Mobile Career Fair.
Orchestra & Chorus Concert
On Thursday, April 18, the combined choruses and orchestras of Eagleville Elementary School and Woodland Elementary School performed a beautiful concert on the Woodland Stage. Third grade Orchestra songs included "Rolling Along" and the ever-popular theme from "We Will Rock You." Choral entries included "O Be Joyful" and "The Juniper Tree." What a musical evening!
WOODLAND
Autism Awareness and Acceptance
April was World Autism Awareness and Acceptance month. Mrs. Breyer's first grade class celebrated by learning about autism and all of our individual differences.
Working Together
Ms. Ekbatani's kindergarten class has been busy this spring working with students from Ms. Hess' third grade class on a "Lucky Charm" hunt to practice their math skills.
WORCESTER
Students Visit Meadowood
Worcester students shared their reading skills with residents at Meadowood.
Citadel Heart of Learning Awards
Congratulations to Worcester first grade teacher, Mrs. Cyndi Kirschner, who was nominated and selected as a winner of the Citadel Heart of Learning Awards. Citadel Credit Union asked for our help in surprising Mrs. Kirschner. The surprise ceremony took place this month before her students – past and present, colleagues, and family. Mrs. Kirschner will receive $1,000 and Citadel Credit Union’s treasured glass heart award.
The Citadel Heart of Learning Awards is one of Citadel Credit Union’s longest standing initiatives and was founded 23 years ago to recognize local teachers across the Greater Philadelphia area who go above and beyond.
A special thank you to the The Rhoads Garden for donating a beautiful bouquet to help us celebrate Mrs. Kirschner.
Congratulations, Mrs. Kirschner!
Mobile Career Fair
Worcester second graders enjoyed their Mobile Career Fair "Touch A Truck" event.
SKYVIEW
Skyview Upper Elementary Inspires Students with Successful Career Day
Skyview Upper Elementary School celebrated another successful Career Day on April 5, 2024. Neel Mehta, MHS ’14, opened the day’s festivities by delivering the keynote address. His message to students was to always be curious and hone in on any unusual talents. Today, Neel serves as founder of Fiber AI, an AI-powered marketing automations platform, and was recently featured on Forbes Magazine’s #30Under30 2024 list.
Thank you to the more than three dozen presenters who volunteered their time to give our Skyview students a glimpse inside various professions. They included professionals in entrepreneurship, medicine, law enforcement, sports, real estate, laboratory science, information technology, hospitality, production, sales, biotech, music, precious metals, and aerospace.
ARCOLA
Marc Mero Visits Arcola
Arcola hosted Marc Mero and The Champion of Choices Production Team on Wednesday, April 3. The presentation was about empowering students to make positive choices. Mr. Mero told his life story to address challenges that many students face including bullying, peer pressure, depression, and anxiety. His story also addressed substance abuse prevention, goal setting, dreaming big, and achieving your highest potential.
7th Grade Science
The 7th grade Science classes completed a student lab with Project Bioeyes. The project website describes the lab, “All "Project BioEYES" programs involve our zebrafish experiment, where adult fish are brought to the school to produce embryos that are raised throughout the week. Our Intermediate program, designed for seventh and eighth grade students, introduces basic Mendelian genetics, dominant and recessive traits, Punnett Squares, and stem cells.” A few photos from team Tsunami are posted above.
MHS
PMEA Concerts
This month, several Methacton High School students have been invited to showcase their musical talents for various PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) concerts.
Recently, Micah Abraham (Cello), Victoria Fan (Violin), and Dylan Wen (Piano) represented Methacton well at the PMEA Region Orchestra Festival. They were selected through a series of highly competitive auditions. The students participated in rehearsals and a performance with musicians from other top high school music programs in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties.
Additionally, Dylan Wen and Varsha Iyengar traveled to Erie, PA to participate in the PMEA All-State Chorus.
Congratulations, students!
Element Volume 10: Flowing with Creativity is on sale NOW!
The award-winning creative arts magazine features art and creative writing from Methacton High School's talented students and faculty. Art Cover Contest winner: Julia Ocelus
Learn more:https://www.methacton.org/Page/1139
Link to Purchase through Pen and Publish: https://penandpublish.com/element-10
Link to Purchase through Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UcsR5q
METHACTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: information@methacton.org
Website: www.methacton.org
Location: 1001 Kriebel Mill Road, Collegeville, PA, USA
Phone: 6104895000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MethactonSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @Methacton