Community Conversations

Methacton School District is one of the strongest public schools for science achievement, innovation, and awards in Pennsylvania. Districtwide, Methacton students consistently outperform their peers in the state on standardized testing and perform far better than the state and national averages in Advanced Placement Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Physics.

Consistent high achievement can be attributed to many factors, including a strong school community commitment to STEM education across all grade levels in the district, teaching staff dedication and innovation in their practice, and strong parent-teacher partnerships to name a few. There are countless stories over the years of praise and thanks for how well our graduates are prepared for life, further education, and work following high school.

In terms of innovation, while Methacton School District Science course offerings include rigorous Honors and Advance Placement courses in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Physics, it also includes options for independent STEM research as well as Forensic Lab Science and Hydroponics Farming. Methacton High School has the distinction of being the only high school in the country with a fully student-operated hydroponics freight farm.

Students learn the science of hydroponic farming, inventory, distribution and the business side of farming. Students sell romaine, iceberg, basil and parsley supply to Tosco’s restaurant in Eagleville, donate lettuce to the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry twice a month, and are supplying the Elmwood Park Zoo with leafy greens on a weekly basis to feed their animals.

On the horizon, the district will be unfolding more STEM offerings at various levels including MIT’s Fab Lab, or Fabrication Laboratory, where students can gain access to digital fabrication tools and an open creative community to advance solutions through research, prototyping and innovation on real-world challenges. The district, as part of its strategic plan, is looking at implementing Fab Labs in Skyview, Arcola, and the High School.

Methacton's four elementary schools are well-equipped with STEM Maker Spaces and have a strong presence at Science Fairs. We believe that early participation in Science Fairs fosters student exploration, imagination, and an understanding of the scientific process. Furthermore, it brings together students, parents and staff in what is undoubtedly one of the biggest events in a school year.

In terms of awards and recognition, Methacton is honored regularly at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS).

In 2023-2024:

• 37 Methacton High School Students participated in the regional fair with 17 Methacton Students winning first place and 5 students receiving a perfect score.

• 21 Methacton High School students participated in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) State competition at Penn State University with 12 students receiving first place distinction and 1 student receiving a perfect score.

Annually, Methacton students are recognized and awarded at the Montgomery County Science Research Competition (MCSRC Regional Competition). In 2023-2024, Methacton students were recognized with awards in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computers, Physics, Environmental Science, Data Science with several first place distinctions in Chemistry, Medicine & Health, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science.

One of the oldest and most prestigious Science Fairs in the United States is the Delaware Valley Science Fair. Here, one Methacton student won an $8,000 college scholarship, 8 won $1,500 college scholarships, with several 2nd and 3rd place distinctions.

On a National Level, Methacton students have achieved and been recognized over the years including :

• Karthik Yegnesh, Methacton High School Class of 2018, awarded Top Pre-College Mathematical Research Project in the World in 2017.

• Janet Song, Methacton High School Class of 2009, as a high school student was part of Drexel University team that invented the procedure to test colon cancer. Her work as part of this team led the push to develop in-home cancer testing kits now seen on the market.

• Chris Miller, Methacton High School Class of 2012, recruited by Penn State University for his early work on the modernization of mobilization equipment for the handicapped.

• Michael Duong, Methacton High School Class of 2015, his awards in Science Fair laid the groundwork for his love of science and medicine to become a resident physician and neuroimaging scientist at the University of Pennsylvania.

Today, the Science Fair remains one of the most significant opportunities for Methacton students to shine. Beginning at the Elementary level, and supported by staff and Home and School volunteers, Science Fair continues to open doors and provide opportunities.

Methacton School District, like all of the Commonwealth's Public Schools, is busy with planning and implementing some of the most substantial changes in K-12 science instruction in the past 20 years, STEELS. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) approved the STEELS (Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability) Standards, largely based upon the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards), and were adopted by the State Board of Education to become effective in July 2025. These new standards will help to create the conditions for all students to be scientifically, technologically, environmentally, and engineering literate.

STEELS standards are aligned to current research and best practices in science education and focus on participation in scientific discourse and sustained investigation to support deeper understanding and scientific reasoning. These standards will be essential to ensuring that our students receive an exceptional learning experience in Methacton.

Planning at Methacton began more than a year ago to build capacity and understanding, as well as to work on curriculum mapping and science course progression. We are also exploring ways to increase student participation in Science Fairs as a way to engage the community in learning about the new STEELS Standards.

Currently, we are piloting science resources: TWIG for grades K-5, Lab Aids for grades 6-8, and Amplify Science for all grades K-8, starting later this fall. The Methacton High School Science Department is exploring new textbooks and resources to implement for the next school year. All proposed new curriculum, resources, and textbooks will be made available for public review in the Spring of 2025 before seeking the Board of School Directors approval in April 2025.

From her early days in Class Congress to her current role as Supervisor of Continuous Education Secretary, October 2024's Alumni Spotlight features Michelle Petko, MHS '89. Learn how her exposure to business classes in high school broadened her horizons and inspired her to pursue a fulfilling career in business, and how her volunteer work has been a driving force behind many district initiatives for the past 15 years.

https://secure.smore.com/n/9p3d2

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe

Superintendent of Schools

Now let’s take a look at some of the events and achievements that took place across the district in September...

Arrowhead held its highly anticipated Home and School Arrowthon Color Run event. Students got to run and have tons of fun while teachers and parent volunteers transformed their white t-shirts into colorful masterpieces. This fun-filled event raises valuable funds to support school activities and programs. Thank you to the Home and School, volunteers and teachers/staff who made this incredible day possible.

Arrowhead participated in the districtwide Unity Day on 10/16. Our students created orange chains with positive and kind messages. They wrote sayings on each chain link related to unity. "Be kind to a new friend, help people, be a good friend, and make sure everyone feels accepted and included.

At Eagleville, a schoolwide assembly brought together the whole community to pledge against bullying. Students were invited to speak about ways we can build a kinder, more accepting, and inclusive community within our school and classrooms. Staff and students also wore orange to symbolize unity, kindness and inclusion.

Eagleville students had a blast at the Trunk-or Treat event organized by the Home and School Association. We thank Eagleville's Home and School Association, parents, teachers, staff and volunteers for this awesome event!

At Woodland, a Kindergarten and a 2nd Grade class teamed up for a buddy activity that involved a nature walk, as well as sketching and describing their findings. What a great way to integrate students from different grades while enjoying a fun and educational activity!

Students and staff enthusiastically participated in celebrating Unity Day by wearing orange and creating links in Kindness Chains, which are prominently displayed in the Woodland lobby area.

Worcester Elementary School Teamed up with the Worcester Fire Department to host our 3rd Annual Trunk-Or-Treat! Prizes were awarded for the best trunks and for the best costumes. It was a well-attended event and we appreciate our partnership with the Worcester Fire Department.

Worcester’s fourth grade safety patrol members were officially inducted by our School Police Officer, Captain Matthew Blauvelt. Our safeties have been training for over a month in order to earn their safety patrol badge. Way to go Safeties!

Skyview hosted its first school-wide reward assembly as part of our PBIS system.

Positive Behavior Intervention Supports is a systems-wide approach to increasing positive behavior, decreasing unwanted behavior, and promoting a culture and climate within a school building where everyone feels safe and excited to be a part of their school community.

Our amazing students and staff earned a minute-to-win-it assembly by showing over 10,000 times that they SOAR. Skyview students and staff are SAFE, OWN THEIR ACTIONS, ARE RESPECTFUL, and RESPONSIBLE. They have proven that we're a school community that truly cares. Let’s keep up the great work!

Arcola Intermediate School celebrated Red Ribbon Week, a national campaign dedicated to drug prevention.

To show their support, the Arcola Home and School Association hosted a fun event.

Led by their President, Larcena Johnson, parent volunteers distributed popcorn to 7th and 8th grade students during lunch.

This activity aligns with the overall goal of Red Ribbon Week: raising awareness about the dangers of drugs and promoting a drug-free school environment.

Methacton High School prioritized community health in October by hosting three significant events.

• On the 14th, in collaboration with Simon's Heart, Methacton offered free Heart Screenings. This important event aimed to identify and address potential heart conditions in individuals ages 14-25.

• On the 21st, we partnered with Skippack Pharmacy for a free Flu and/or COVID clinic. A total of 175 individuals took advantage of this opportunity to get vaccinated.

• On the 29th, Methacton joined forces with the Red Cross to host a Community Blood Drive. A total of 105 units of blood were collected, potentially saving up to 315 lives! A special thanks to our 65 Methacton High School student donors who stepped up to make a difference.

  
  

  We also wish to thank our amazing nursing team and volunteers who work tirelessly to keep our Methacton community strong and healthy! Your efforts make a significant impact on our community.

The Methacton Mentors Club has been making a significant impact by visiting Methacton Elementary schools and guiding younger students in setting academic and personal goals.

Over 40 enthusiastic high school students have been actively involved, inspiring elementary students to dream big and organize steps to achieve their goals. These younger students have eagerly expressed their aspirations, ranging from becoming scientists to improving their reading, math, and handwriting skills, and have thought about what actions they need to take to achieve those dreams.

The Methacton High School Recycling Club will also be starting a public service project to help students learn the importance of recycling, and the elementary schools will be involved in this project. Watch out for new and exciting developments!

Congratulations to our amazing Methacton Girls' Tennis Team!

They have officially clinched the PAC championship with a victory over Perk Valley, winning by a score of 6-1. The team finished the season with a perfect 10-0 record in the PAC and an overall record of 11-2.

Congratulations to the following Methacton teams that have advanced to the District Level Competition:

• Cross Country - Boys and Girls
• Field Hockey - Girls
• Golf - Boys and Girls
• Tennis - Girls
• Volleyball - Girls

Methacton High School Theatre Company is thrilled to invite you to their November production:

A Christmas Carol, adapted by Michael Paller from the story by Charles Dickens.

With over 90 talented Methacton students involved, from Kindergarten to 12th grade, this is a show you won't want to miss!

Show Dates: November 14, 15, 16

Show Times: 7:00pm

Location: Methacton High School Auditorium - 1005 Kriebel Mill Road, Eagleville, PA 19403

Tickets are $7 for students/seniors and $15 for adults

All tickets are general admission

A Christmas Carol (Paller) is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

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