The Weekly Update #4

Dear Pottsville Area School District Families,

Welcome to the first edition of the Crimson Connection—our new monthly e-newsletter, delivered right to your inbox.

In the Crimson Connection, you will find student and staff spotlights, sports highlights, community updates, academic achievements, arts features, and more. We want to keep you informed and connected with all the amazing things happening in our schools.

This month, we’re focusing on community, highlighting how Pottsville works closely with stakeholders to provide diverse and challenging opportunities for every student. Our goal is for our students to Discover Possibilities, Uncover Potential, and Develop Purpose, so they become empowered, creative, and responsible citizens equipped with the skills for lifelong success—and we know it takes all of us to make that happen.

Thank you for being part of our Crimson Connection journey!

Roll Tide,

Sarah Yoder, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools
Pottsville Area School District

Red Ribbon Week brought our community together to promote drug and violence prevention. Among the many fall festivities, we are grateful for the DHHL Middle School and Title I educators for organizing the Trunk or Treat event as well as Aaron’s for sponsoring the bags to hold the goodies. We appreciate the businesses, teachers & staff, students in clubs & athletics, and community members for their creative trunks as well as the hundreds of families for attending!

Made possible in large part by ARP ESSER funding, the former girls’ gym is taking shape as it is being renovated at Pottsville Area High School. Set to open in 2025, this will be a dedicated space to focus on health and wellness.

Thank you to Tony and Cierra from the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce for presenting about the National Civics Bee to DHHL Middle School students. DHHL students are excited for the opportunity to participate in the National Civics Bee!

JSC Elementary Center 4th graders wrote cheerful letters to residents at area nursing homes in one of their many acts of kindness. The cards were distributed by Hidden River Credit Union as part of their #CUKind Day.

Thank you JSC Library Media Specialist Ms.Tayah Moore for reading aloud to Perception Training Center preschool students. The students enjoyed “The Leaf Thief” along with a coloring activity and dancing!

Representatives from the PBIS Ambassadors, joined by Dean of Students Mrs. Lisa Holobetz and Behavior Interventionist/ISS Monitor Mr. Anthony Kelly, presented to the Board of Education about their work as Ambassadors. A special shoutout to DHHL Middle School students Jerome, Lucas, Mai Ly, Mahi, Catherine, Libby, Lila, and Rylie for their dedication! A group of Ambassadors recently read and played games with our Learning at Laurel neighbors.

In honor of PA250, Ben Franklin visited JSC Elementary to share stories of America’s roots, and local guest speakers read the Pennsylvania Alphabet Book. Students enjoyed an engaging lesson about the 250 years of American history, connecting with the past to understand the historical role Pennsylvania plays in the United States. #jscistheplacetobe

DHHL Middle School has received another grant to enhance its innovative curriculum, this time with a focus on healthy eating and local agriculture for our middle school students. Earlier this year, the school was awarded the Outride bike program grant, and now they are implementing the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Farm-to-School grant. Thank you to Ms. Zerbe, our cafeteria staff, Middle School staff/students, and local farms for preparing and participating in this great event!

Congratulations to our PYSA boys’ and girls’ soccer champions! The 3rd grade boys team (401) and the 5th/6th grade girls team (407) brought home the league championships in thrilling games, including double overtime for the girls! #RollTide

Congratulations to Bobbi Jordan for being selected as the PAHS Artist of the Month and to our seniors in the Marching Band for their leadership throughout the fall season.

The Lady Tide Volleyball team earned the Schuylkill League Championship by sweeping Panther Valley 3-0 on October 17th! The team’s championship season ended in the District XI Semi-final game against Southern Lehigh.

Congratulations to the Lady Tide Soccer Team on winning the District XI Class 3A Championship, defeating Blue Mountain 1-0 on October 30th. Their first PIAA 3A Playoff game will be against Cocalico at Blue Mountain at 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 5th.

Congratulations to the PAHS Football Team on winning their District XI Playoff game defeating Allentown Central Catholic 14-7 on October 31st. Their Semifinal game will be at Southern Lehigh on Thursday, November 7th at 6:30 PM versus Southern Lehigh.

We are grateful to Geisinger St. Luke’s for hosting PAHS students at a Future Physicians Lunch. Our students met with medical professionals and had the opportunity to network. #careerreadiness

PAHS students welcomed PA Auditor General Tim Defoor and appreciated the give-and-take conversation on a variety of topics to improve our knowledge about credit and personal finance.

• November 11 (No school for students)

• Act 80 Day for Parent Teacher Conferences - consult your email for directions
  

• Early Intervention Screening for children ages 3-5 years old

• November 12 - Veterans Day Program at DHHL Middle School

• November 13 - Committee of a Whole meeting

• November 16 at 7 PM and November 17 at 3 PM - The Crimson Players Present “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

• November 20 - School Board meeting

• November 27 - December 2 - Thanksgiving Break (Early dismissal on Wednesday, no school Thursday - Monday)