WEEKLY REMINDERS

The Winter Concert was outstanding last night, thanks to all of our student performers and our wonderful teachers, Amy Benton, Chuck Gottesman and Tyler Gibson. The program is attached.

The music students listed below were selected for this year's Montco Band Festival, hosted this year at Abington High School! The concert is Thursday, February 7 at 7pm at Hatboro Horsham HS. Congratulations to Mr. Gottesman and all of our students.

Jordana Albanese

Liam Baskin

Grace Bell

Ruby Broussard

Owen Chybinski

Josie Clark

Eliana Dahlgren

Ella DePasquale

Sienna DePaul

Keegan Hurley

Josie Kling

Lillian Martin

Anna McLaughlin

Elliot Midha

Eva Nam

Isabella Nguyen

Ravi Padmanabhan

Stella Pratowski

Carlos Rivera

Emma Toombs

Will Toombs

Ella Walsh

Springfield Township High School’s Esports program has hit its stride in its third year, expanding from a single Rocket League team to seven teams competing in seven titles. With 24 students participating, the program has become a hub for gamers to compete, connect, and have fun.

This fall, our Super Smash Bros. Team, led by Captain Ari Schwartzman with Jade Stein and Joshua Joseph, secured a 6th-place regular-season finish and advanced to the state quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the Mario Kart Team—Eva Nam, Cody Natali, Nigel Gialdo, and Henry Hasty—navigated their first season, gaining experience and building momentum for the spring.

Our Madden Team made its debut as Logan White, piloting the Ravens, and Ben Luce, commanding the 49ers, faced off against students from high schools across the East Coast. Their strong start showcased their passion and skill for the game.

Looking ahead, we’re adding Chess and Fortnite Race Wars teams to our lineup this spring. We’re also working on launching a streaming platform to bring the excitement of our matches to a broader audience. With new titles, new players, and growing energy, it’s shaping up to be an incredible season. Stay tuned as Springfield Township Esports continues to rise to the challenge—game on!

The Office of Support Services is pleased to present our quarterly newsletter filled with resources for families and information about school programs.

The School District of Springfield Township provides a quarterly newsletter to update families and the community on our Equity Action Plan. The newsletter contains information about district actions, updates on goal progress, educational information, books to read with your child.

STHS has just received information about a wonderful program that is offered through Shippensburg University. If your student is interested in pursuing Early Childhood Education or Education, this program is for them!

This is a fully funded program, through a Pennsylvania grant, that allows students to complete a Child Develop Associate (CDA) credential AND nine (9) credits towards their future college endeavors. This online program is popular with high schools and career technical schools across the Commonwealth and the courses are absolutely FREE!

• Students interested in teaching very young children can "jump-start" their career and/or higher education goals.

• Students can earn-while-they-learn as they interact with young children at a DHS-licensed child care facility.

• College courses are taken concurrently with high school courses using 24/7 online, asynchronous learning.

• College courses are tuition-free and credits are transferable to Shippensburg University and numerous ECEPDO-partner colleges/universities.

• The CDA credential gives students a competitive edge in the job market.

Please reach out to the Office of Academics, Dr. Scott Zgraggen (scott_zgraggen@sdst.org) if you have any questions.

As we continue to foster a positive and supportive environment here at STHS, I’m reaching out with an exciting new initiative aimed at celebrating the incredible accomplishments happening within our school community.

From academic achievements to extracurricular successes and everything in between, we know that many of our students, staff, and families are making remarkable strides both in school and beyond. However, we don’t always get the chance to highlight these moments and share them with the broader community.

That’s why we are launching a new effort to gather and share these accomplishments. Whether it’s a student earning an award, a teacher leading a new project, or a club making a difference in the community, we want to celebrate and showcase these stories!

How to Participate:

• If you, your student, or your organization has an accomplishment you'd like to share, please submit a brief description of the achievement, along with any photos or videos on the Google Form.

• Accomplishments can include academic milestones, athletic achievements, artistic endeavors, community service projects, or any other noteworthy successes.

• We will compile these submissions and periodically share them through our school website and newsletters to ensure that everyone in our school family can join in the celebration.

By highlighting these moments, we hope to inspire others, build pride in our school community, and create a culture where success is shared and recognized.

Thank you for being a part of this special initiative. We can’t wait to see and celebrate all the amazing things happening in our Springfield Township High School Family!

Directions to Purchase Senior Activity Fee Package

1. Go to www.balfour.com
2. Go to "Yearbooks" tab.
3. Go to "Buy Your Yearbook".
4. Type in "Springfield Township High School".
5. Type in your student's information.
6. Go to "2025 Senior Package".
7. Note: The activity fee is $160.00. When you are in the checkout, it
will say $240.00, however, $80.00 will be deducted at checkout and
only $161.00 (with a $1.00 handling fee) cwill be charged to you. A yearbook is included in this fee.

8. Note: The senior activity fee will increase to $170.00 on January 1, 2025 due to the increased price of the yearbook at that time.

9. This will be available for purchase until March 31, 2025.

10. Ads purchase is also available now for $1.00 until March 1, 2025. Deadline to complete a finished ad is March 7th.

11. You can purchase an ad on the same page as the senior fee. Create and design your ad online. Save and complete your ad in multiple sessions with your account login. When complete, your ad will be delivered to the yearbook staff.

Underclassmen/Community Sales:

1. Go to www.balfour.com
2. Go to "Yearbooks" tab.
3. Go to "Buy Your Yearbook".
4. Type in "Springfield Township High School".
5. Type in your student's information.

6. There is a selection of yearbook packages for purchase. Choose the one you would like and go to checkout.

7. This will be available for purchase until May 31, 2025.

Thank you!

We are delighted to announce one again our Spartan Job Board. If you have a business that is seeking student employment or simply need some help around or outside the house (leaf raking, babysitting, etc. ) we have created an internal job board to post applications. All you need to do is contact del_levin@sdst.org. Mr. Levin will then send you a form for you to fill out which will be posted on our job board. Any students who are interested will reach out to you directly from the form.

Springfield Township is accepting registration for our 2024/25 Student Snow Shovel Registry! This is a great opportunity to make some money while also helping other residents who may be unable to shovel snow themselves.

All transactions are by private agreement between the resident and the student. The registry is limited to middle and high school students only. If you are willing to participate in this service for our residents, please complete the electronic registry form below. Students under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian's permission. Print forms are also available at the Township Administration Building.

Registration Link:

https://forms.gle/moVWRBgd8XZgw23H9

The Keystone exams will be administered at the High School between January 9th and January 16th. Students who are in a semester-long Algebra I course, Biology course, or in 10th grade English, will be automatically signed up for the exams. All of these students should have received a notification in the mail back in mid-December. Passing these exams are a graduation requirement for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Each exam consists of two modules. Students are only allowed to take one module per day, thus the six days of testing. All of the staff of the High School have been given a list of students participating in the tests so they should not be marked absent from the class.

If your student is scheduled to take an exam, please make sure that their Chromebook is fully charged and that they bring their charger to school to have during testing. Please make sure your student has a good night's sleep before each test. Please encourage your student to leave their phone, Smartwatches, earbuds, etc. at home. If they show up to the testing location with these items they are required to surrender them to the proctor for the testing period.

Important note for students with Junior/Senior Privilege Late Arrival, we will be changing our schedules on Day 1. The schedule will be as follows:

January 9th A (first), B, L&L, C and D block

January 10th B (first), A, L&L, C and D block (technical difficulties required this to be rescheduled to 1/17/25)

January 13th A (first), B, L&L, C and D block

January 14th B (first), A, L&L, C and D block

January 15th A (first), B, L&L, C and D block

January 16th B (first), A, L&L, C and D block

January 17th A (first), B, L&L, C and D block

During the Day 1 schedule if your student doesn’t have an A block class they will be expected to be in the cafeteria or the library for study hall.

Please reach out to Dr. Zgraggen, Office of Academics (scott_zgraggen@sdst.org) if you have any questions or concerns.

Come visit the annual kindergarten through twelfth grade art exhibit! All art will be on display in the high school lobby during the district winter concert season with an additional evening viewing on Monday, January 13 from 5:00-6:30pm.

Please join the Multicultural Parents Association for our next virtual meeting on Wednesday January 15th at 6:30pm. We will be joined by Dr. Angela Campbell, Inaugural Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Greenfield Community College. Access the meeting here.

Meeting ID: 913 7029 4737

Passcode: A8Lifm

Lisa's Army Junior Committee will be hosting a MOVIE NIGHT on Friday Night, January 24th, from 7:00-9:00PM in the High School Auditorium. All ages welcome! Now Showing: Spiderman, No Way Home. $5.00 Admission. Concessions will be sold at the event. All proceeds to benefit those undergoing cancer treatments.

CHOP and Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital, Aidan’s Heart and Simon’s Heart Foundations are offering a free heart screening on February 1st at Norristown High School. This event is open to students between the ages of 5 and 24 and will offer ECG testing. Families must pre-register for the event at https://simonsheart.org/event/nyhsd-free-protect-this-heart-screening-2/

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Office of Drug and Alcohol invites all parents to participate in a focus group parent discussion. This group will listen to parent feedback and use this information to shape decisions regarding drug and alcohol prevention in Montgomery County. Three options for participating are available: February 3, 10, or 24, 2025 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm via Zoom. Participating families will receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

Eastern will hold their annual Open House on Sunday March 2nd from 1-3pm at 3075 Terwood Road, Willow Grove PA. No registration is required.

Open House Information

All students who want to be considered for Financial Aid for college and post secondary education programs should complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA application. FAFSA

Seniors and parents/guardians can find the slides from the Financial Aid Night below.Financial Aid Night 9/24 Slides

Commonwealth University is hosting Virtual Financial Aid 101 Information Sessions designed to help students and their families understand the financial aid process and prepare for a successful college journey.

• Event Dates: January 22, February 18, March 20, and April 23

• Time: All Financial Aid 101 Virtual Information Sessions begin at 7 p.m.

• Registration: Available online

Agenda: During these sessions, we will cover the FAFSA; changes to the financial aid process; understanding scholarships, grants, and loans; and provide tips for maximizing financial aid opportunities.

Counselors are available to help Seniors with their college applications. Please review the Senior application reminders for help with frequently asked questions.Senior Application Reminders 2024-2025

Counselors have visited the first-semester English classes to review the career and college search process. For students with English in the spring, this presentation will take place in February. We are now scheduling individual meetings with juniors to discuss post-secondary goals and the college application process (if applicable). Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate. If you would like to attend, please email your child’s counselor to arrange a convenient time. Meetings are held during the school day.

Before the meeting, your student should have already had the lesson in their English class prior to meeting. Remind your student to log in to their Naviance account and enter colleges they are considering into the “Colleges I’m Thinking About” section. If they need assistance with resetting their Naviance password, they should reach out to their counselor before the conference. We will cover the follow topics:

- Registering for SAT or ACT

- Going over the components of the College Application

- Creating a college list

- Potential Majors

- The Common Application

- Information for Athletes (if applicable)

- Information for students with disabilities (if applicable)

- The application process at Springfield

Please email your child’s counselor with questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment.

Ms. Barbone x2009 elizabeth_barbone@sdst.org (Last Names: A-Dau)

Mrs. Cannon x2011 elizabeth_cannon@sdst.org (Last Names: (Dav-K)

Mrs. McDonnell x2007 Beth_mcdonnell@sdst.org (Last Names: L-Q)

Mr. Shearer x2008 bill_shearer@sdst.org (Last Names: R-Z)

Use the Junior College Planning Guide as a resource.

Fee waivers for SATs and ACTs and applications are available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. See your counselor to obtain a fee waiver.

Ursinus College Creative Writing Award

The Ursinus College Creative Writing Award is a $40,000 per year major scholarship for creative writers of outstanding originality and potential.

Student Scholarships: https://studentscholarships.org/newsletters

Shreiner Tree Care provides a supportive and structured environment for new hires, offering hands-on training and mentorship to help them develop the skills necessary to succeed as professional arborists. Shreiner Tree Care for more details.

Congratulations to Bobby Hartman for being selected to the 1st team All State as a defensive athlete in PA Football! For a full list of All-State football players click here: 4A All State

Congrats to Senior CJ Johnson on a first place finish this past weekend at the University of Penn Ott Center. CJ ran a new personal best of 48.8 as well as set a new Ott Center meet record. CJ is currently ranked PA #1 in the 400 meters. Congrats CJ and job well done.

On the girls side congrats to freshman Lauren Broadus on a third place finish in the 60 meters at Lehigh University with a time of 8.1 seconds. Congrats to everyone who competed.

Friday, 1/10 - Girls Basketball vs. Wissahickon - 5:30 & 7:00pm

Friday, 1/10 - Boys Basketball @ Quakertown - 5:30 & 7:00pm

Friday, 1/10 - Girls Indoor Track @ UPenn - 6:30pm

Saturday, 1/11 - Boys Indoor Track @ Lehigh - 8:30am

Tuesday, 1/14 - Girls Basketball vs. Central Bucks West - 5:30 & 7:00pm

Tuesday, 1/14 - Boys Basketball @ Pennridge - 5:30 & 7:00pm

Wednesday, 1/15 - Unified Bocce vs. Upper Moreland - 3:30pm

Wednesday, 1/15 - Wrestling @ Cheltenham - 7:00pm

Thursday, 1/16 - Swimming vs. Upper Moreland - 3:30pm

Thursday, 1/16 - Girls Basketball vs. Hatboro Horsham - 5:30 & 7:00pm

Thursday, 1/16 - Wrestling vs. Archbishop Carroll - 7:00pm

Friday, 1/17 - Boys Basketball vs. Council Rock North - 5:30 & 7:00pm

Friday, 1/17 - Girls Basketball @ Harry Truman - 5:30pm

Friday, 1/17 - Girls Indoor Track @ Lehigh - 6:30pm

Saturday, 1/18 - Wrestling Spartan Clash Tournament - 9:00am

Sunday, 1/19 - Boys Indoor Track @ Kristian Marche Invitational (UPenn) - 2:00pm

Sunday, 1/19 - Girls Indoor Track @ Kristian Marche Invitational (UPenn) - 5:00pm