Haverford Happenings

On Monday, December 2nd, the School Board of Directors held its annual reorganization meeting. Dr. Latanya King was elected Board President and Dr. Kristin Larsen was elected Vice-President. More information about our Board of School Directors can be found here on our website.

On behalf of the School Board of Directors and the DCIU search consultants, we sincerely thank everyone who took the time to provide valuable feedback. The Superintendent search for the School District of Haverford Township is progressing smoothly.

We are pleased to report that the survey seeking input from various stakeholders had over 1,300 participants. In addition, ten focus groups have been conducted with a wide range of stakeholders, including the School Board of Directors, professional and support staff, administration, parents, guardians, and community groups. Two more focus groups with middle and high school students are scheduled for early December.

Once all data is collected, a comprehensive report summarizing the findings will be made available to the community. This report is anticipated to be released during the first week of January 2025.

Overview of the Timeline

January and February 2025: The School Board of Directors will conduct interviews with Superintendent candidates.
Late February/Early March 2025: A community forum will introduce the final candidate for the Superintendent position. This forum provides stakeholders with an opportunity to engage in the selection process by reviewing the candidate's bio and contributing questions to gain insights. These questions will be organized into themes and presented during the forum. Following the forum, community members can meet and interact with the candidate in a more informal setting.

Thank you again for your engagement and contributions throughout this process. Your input is invaluable in selecting the next leader for the School District of Haverford Township.

Link to the DCIU Website.

The School District of Haverford Township is embarking on a journey to shape the future of our schools, and we need your input! As part of our strategic planning process, we hosed a series of in-person and Zoom focus groups to gather insights from parents/guardians and community members.

The final focus group for K-12 Parents/Guardians, Community Members details:

• When: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 9-10:00 AM
• Where: Haverford High School Auditorium Lobby
  
  

Your perspectives are invaluable in helping us create a shared vision and actionable goals for the district. These focus groups are an opportunity to voice your thoughts on key topics. Your involvement will make a lasting impact on the success and direction of our schools. Together, we can ensure a bright future for every student in our district. We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information about Strategic Planning, please visit our website here.

Haverford High School students participated in the Accounting Finance Business Initiative(AFBI®), a program to develop minority high school students for higher education in accounting, finance, business and technology. It included a one-week residency at Drexel University combined with year-round programming. Scholarships were provided to all accepted students.

Students had an opportunity to experience firsthand what it would be like to work in accounting or related business fields through touring accounting firms and corporations. Students learned the value of collaboration and teamwork through the case study initiatives. The program concluded with a recognition/scholarship banquet for students, parents, speakers, and corporate partners.

One-Week Overnight Business/Accounting Camp at Drexel University:

Christiane Asefa
Ruoxin Chen
Brenda Tay
Donte Ducasse

Accounting Essay Scholarship Winners:

Chyselle Burgess

Sophia Chen

4-Week Accounting Internship Recipient:

Neilla Shonasairieva

The high school students shared their experiences at the School Board Meeting on November 21st. Their Business Education teacher is Mrs. Jaclyn McCarty. You can find their presentation here.

The PATH (Preparing Adults for Transition from Haverford) program supports Haverford High School students with disabilities who are 18 - 22 years old in developing vocational, community, and independent living skills. It provides access to functional life skills and academic support, enhancing students' learning through classroom-based instruction and diverse community experiences. Students gain transferable skills in self-advocacy, independence, and work readiness.

The students in the PATH Program have opened a weekly coffee shop at the Kelly Center on Eagle Rd. The shop will be open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The students completely run the coffee shop, from baking all of the treats to setting up and waiting on customers, etc.

This opportunity originated from the desire to help students develop the skills they gained while working at Fords Fuel, with valuable support from Lauren Herbert and Kayla Carroll. Ro Edminston and Tom Kelly proposed establishing a coffee shop within the Haverford Township community. Thanks to their support, we have successfully brought this vision to life.

Each year, our 6th-grade seminar class at the middle school takes on an exciting challenge. The students collaborate on innovative projects aimed at improving Havertown, showcasing their creativity and problem-solving skills. They closely examine their community and propose meaningful enhancements. As part of this initiative, students write a proposal letter, develop a detailed blueprint, and create a physical or digital model of their project. This undertaking fosters creativity, dedication, and teamwork while helping students build valuable communication, research, and interpersonal skills. Additionally, they present their proposals to the community and local leaders, aiming to inspire positive change and contribute fresh ideas for improvement.
The most gratifying part of this initiative is the tangible impact our students have made across the township. As you explore Havertown, take a moment to notice the designs and improvements around you—many are the direct result of the creativity and innovation of our H-Town Project students.

The school district is committed to fostering a healthier, more environmentally conscious learning environment. Through adopting sustainable practices, the district seeks to inspire environmental responsibility in students, equipping them to become mindful citizens who value and contribute to preserving our planet.

Renewable Energy:

The Board of school directors approved an agreement with WGL Energy Services, Inc. to provide 100% renewable energy credits at a cost not to exceed $21,082.60 from 11/1/2024 to 6/30/2025.

Solar Energy:

The Board of school directors approved accepting a work statement/proposal with Celentano Energy Services (CES) to conduct a Solar Facility Site Assessment, as defined under the PA Solar for Schools (S4S) Program Guidelines (10/2024). This assessment is required as a submittal along with the application for the Solar for Schools grant.

Composting:

Starting on January 1, 2025, all five elementary schools will be composting. Composting in schools is an eco-friendly practice where organic waste, such as food scraps, is collected and broken down into nutrient-rich soil through natural decomposition. This process helps reduce waste sent to landfills, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and provides valuable learning opportunities for students.

In a school setting, composting programs often involve waste separation, composting systems, and educational integration.

You can scan the QR code on the right to see the work that our students in the Leafy Lunch League at Coopertown Elementary have accomplished.

Maintenance and Facilities:

Four district buildings have been completely converted to LED lighting, and we are currently working on upgrading all the other buildings to LED. The district purchased LED lights using the PECO rebate, and we are in the process of replacing all fluorescent lights with LED lights in the middle school cafeteria, kitchen, and hallways. Additionally, all parking lots in the district have been converted to LED lighting.

Water fountains throughout the district have been replaced with filtered water bottling stations.

Transportation:

The district reviews and refines the practice of environmental sustainability and deploying alternative fuel vehicles in transportation operations annually. In 2016, the School District of Haverford Township became one of two school districts in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, to utilize school buses fueled and powered by liquid propane in its fleet. Today, the District boasts the most significant green fleet of propane-powered buses in Delaware County, Pennsylvania (58). There are currently only 4 school buses operated in the fleet that utilize diesel as their primary fuel source. Our hope is to replace those during the summer of 2025 to have 100% alternative fuel school buses in its fleet. Haverford has been recognized throughout Pennsylvania for its commitment to utilizing clean fuels in transportation.

The School District of Haverford Township is one of several commonwealth districts that actively utilizes the Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Transportation to seek alternative fuel grants, rebates, and an alternative fuel excise tax credit. Propane maintenance savings can be up to 50% per bus. These savings include less oil during changes and filter replacements, as well as costs per gallon of propane. Haverford Transportation maintains and improves the operation of the propane fueling facility. An 18,000-gallon tank is located at the bus park.

Currently, structural steel is being installed for the front addition of the building. This installation will be completed within the next week, at which point other contractors will begin their interior work, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, masonry, and carpentry trades. By the end of the year, the addition will have a new roof, and the general contractor will focus on erecting the exterior walls to make the building weather-tight this winter.

At the rear of the building, work on the new classroom wing is ongoing. All foundations are complete, and the plumber is currently installing drain piping underneath the first-floor concrete slab. Over the next week, the new first-floor concrete slab will be poured, followed by the masons who will install the block walls that form the building's structure. This work is expected to continue for the next month, allowing for the installation of the roof and making the building weather-tight.

As the new walls are being constructed, both the electrician and plumber will carry out their installations as well. Additionally, a large underground stormwater storage basin has recently been installed at the rear of the building beneath the new parking lot. Overall, the project is progressing smoothly.

WHHS, which went live on December 6, 1949, is the longest-running public high school radio station in the country. They recently celebrated their 75th anniversary. Pete Bannan of the Delaware County Daily Times has their story!

When severe weather affects school opening, the decision to open or close schools considerably impacts families.

How are you notified?

We use multiple means to alert parents to weather-related school closings and delayed openings. Our District Notification System (SchoolMessenger) alerts parents/guardians via email, phone calls, and text messages.

We usually do not activate the system to call parents/guardians after 10:00 PM or before 5:30 AM. A decision will be posted on the district website if it is made between those times.

How to opt-in for text messages:

To comply with wireless carrier requirements and protect against unsolicited text messages, you must text YES to 67587 to opt-in to receive critical information from the district via SMS.

These are additional sources for information regarding weather-related school closings, delays, and emergency announcements.

• District website
• Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @HaverfordSD
• Through the Media - Local television news stations

Procedures for delayed opening and early dismissals can be found here.

All registrations are now being completed online. Please check our website for registration information. To register, a new student must be:

• A resident of the School District of Haverford Township (proofs of residency are required)
• Five (5) years of age before September 1st of the school term for kindergarten
• Six (6) years of age before September 1st of the school term for 1st grade

If you are registering a kindergarten or 1st grade student, within 14 calendar days of completing the online portion of the registration process you will receive an email from a School District of Haverford Township (SDHT) representative with information about the next steps required to complete your child’s registration.

AM/PM Kindergarten assignment letters will only be sent to households for whom the registration process, which includes submitting the online portion and providing all additional documents, has been completed by April 30th.

If you have questions or require assistance, please contact the Registrar’s Office: Ms. Stacey Mattox, 610-853-5900 x7139, smattox@haverfordsd.net.

The District celebrated our staff members for their 25 years of dedicated service in education! Ed Brocklesby, Teacher, Middle School; Julie Cirillo, Teacher, Manoa; Mark Costigan, Transportation; Donna Dougherty, Instructional Assistant, Manoa; Kim Gilmore, Teacher, Middle School; Donna MacNeal, Instructional Assistant, Chatham Park; Blu Taylor, Technology; James O'Toole, Transportation.

Natalie Barber, Teacher, Middle School; Kimberly Carroll, Teacher, Middle School; Theresa Hartman, Teacher, High School; Kathleen Kelly, Teacher, High School; Delores O'Connor, Building Aide, High School; Susan Peabody, Instructional Assistant, Coopertown; Nancy Ryan, Instructional Assistant, Manoa; Josephine Schoppet, Teacher, Chatham Park; Judith Wisely, Food Service.

We extend our congratulations to our high school student-athletes, their families, coaches, and teachers for their support. We look forward to witnessing them compete at the collegiate level with Haverford pride.

Olivia Cieslak, Cross Country, Track & Field, Stanford University; Wade DeVitas, Lacrosse, Stevenson University; Rian Dotsey, Basketball, St. Josephs University; Ryley Geary, Lacrosse, Chestnut Hill College; Mich Haskins-Kyer, Cross Country, University of Maryland Baltimore County; Jake Lisicki, Football, Marist College; Camryn McGeehan, Cross Country, Track & Field, University of Pittsburgh; Quinn McGloin, Lacross, University of Scranton; Brooke Parker, Field Hockey, Bucknell University; Natalie Tassoni, Softball, Immaculata University; Annie Walker, Lacrosse, Queens University of Charlotte.

The School District of Haverford Township utilizes BoardDocs, an online, paperless resource for all school board meetings. Here, you can find the agenda, meeting minutes, video replay, and board policies. The meetings are live-streamed on YouTube.

Regular and Committee Board Meetings will be held at the Oakmont Administration Building.

*NOTE TIMES FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Upcoming Meetings:

• December 5: Policy Committee Meeting at 6:30 PM
• December 12: Finance & Facilities Committee Meeting at 6:30PM
• December 19: Regular School Board Meeting

All presentations and videos can be found on BoardDocs.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: 12/3/24: The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

CHRISTMAS: Christmas is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus.

HANUKKAH: Eight-day “Festival of Lights”, also known as Chanukah, celebrating the rededication of the Temple to the service of God in 164 BCE. Commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek King, Antiochus, who sought to suppress freedom of worship.

KWANZAA: A seven-day celebration honoring African American heritage and its continued vitality. “Kwanzaa” means “first fruits (of the harvest)” in Swahili.

Please check the District calendar for upcoming Winter Musical concerts throughout December.

Dec. 23-Jan. 1: Winter vacation

Dec. 24 & 25: Winter Holidays (Schools & offices closed)

Jan. 1: Holiday (Schools & offices closed)

Jan. 2: Schools re-open

Jan. 17: Teacher In-service (early dismissal for all students)

Jan. 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday (schools & offices closed)

Jan. 30: Community Conversation with the School Board

2024-2025 Calendar (At a Glance)

2025-2026 Calendar (At a Glance)

Join our team! Click the link to view available positions across the District and how to apply.

The mission of the School District of Haverford Township is to educate and to inspire a community of lifelong learners who become well-rounded global citizens.

Website: https://www.haverford.k12.pa.us/
Location: 50 East Eagle Road, Havertown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-853-5900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haverfordsd.net
Twitter: @haverfordsd