Northern News

January Sports Schedule - https://www.arbiterlive.com/School/Calendar/16473

January 20, 2025 - No School

January 21, 2025 - Committee Meeting; Administration Building; 6:30pm

January 28, 2025 - School Board Meeting; Administration Building; 6:30pm

January 31, 2025 - Early Dismissal; HS/MS at 11:00am; Elementary at 12:00pm

The 2025 Feeding School Kids initiative is underway! From January 1 through March 31, 2025, The GIANT Company invites customers to join in supporting Feeding School Kids by rounding up at the register. The GIANT Company will directly support customers’ generosity by matching all donations up to $100,000. Northern York County School District will be included as a beneficiary of this initiative with the goal of enhancing the district’s efforts to eliminate childhood hunger. The GIANT Company looks forward to raising funds to help eliminate hunger and nourish school children in need. We can make a bigger difference when we work together.

On Wednesday, January 15th, 2025, Northern High School swimmers presented a check for $1,600.00 to Mary Wheeler, the Director of Operations for The Cracked Pot Coffee Shop in Mechanicsburg and Carlisle. The Cracked Pot serves our community by providing training and support for young adults aging out of the foster care system. The check represented the funds the team, along with twenty-five Northern Swimming alumni, raised via pledges when they completed a continuous mile swim on Friday, December 27th, 2024, as part of the program's annual "Swim-a-Mile, Bring-a-Smile" swimathon for charity. The team chose The Cracked Pot as the beneficiary because of the impactful work it does. Pictured presenting the check are Northern swimmers Matthew Ramirez, Nate Coons, Charleigh Adams, Morgan Keefer, Grant Keefer, Maddy Hebert, Jon Brettschneider, AJ Black, Caitlin McCauslin, Matthew Imes, Natalie Noll, Aubrey Stuckey, Eli Reznikov, Sam Kazakavich, Patrick Miller, Ava Wrightson, Mara Valentin, Emma Egner, Ashlyn Bowersox, Madden Bower and Monserrat Ramirez.

Brady Minich was a student at Northern and graduated in 1999. He passed away in 2003 at just 22 years old. His mother and sister created the Brady Minich Fund to allow his legacy of giving and caring to live on through scholarships and various other projects.

In August 2024, Brady's family approached the PBF and asked them to take this giving and caring one step further by redefining the Fund's purpose: to provide need-based grants to Northern students in Kindergarten through 12th-grade that will help remove financial barriers to participate, engage, and succeed in school, sports, and other extracurricular activities! Anything that helps a student belong, grow, and achieve.

Please join the PBF at the HS wrestling meet on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Northern HS gym to hear first-hand about Brady's impact. To learn more about the Brady Minich Fund and how your student can benefit or how you can contribute, visit PolarBearFoundation.net and click on the Brady Minich Fund tab.

NHS Key Club put together bracelets for the Peyton Walker Foundation. The bracelets have a code where people can scan and watch CPR and AED videos. From the Payton Walker website: The Peyton Walker Foundation was established in memory of 19-year-old Peyton, whose young and vibrant life was stolen by Sudden Cardiac Arrest on November 2, 2013. Motivation to establish the foundation came from the words that were emblazoned on the shirt Peyton was wearing that day: “What we do for ourselves dies with us….What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” (Albert Pines) Her shirt called her family to action and they established the Foundation to save young lives so other families would never know the heartache of losing a child without warning to Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

The Foundation provides screenings for students and athletes throughout our local area as well as hosting several CPR & AED Certification training classes each year for community members. Additionally, each student who attends our heart screenings learns how to perform CPR and use an AED.

The Pennsylvania FFA Mid-Winter Convention is always a notable way to start off the new year. It is a time when Pennsylvanian FFA members are recognized for their achievements. This year, some of Gifford Pinchot FFA’s own were recognized. Congratulations to (in alphabetical order) Maddie Beck, Karli Berkheimer, Taylor Lenhart, Sarah Roy, Jaylin Thoman, and Katherine Wirt for earning their Keystone Degrees. The Keystone Degree is the highest degree a member can earn while in high school and at this year’s Mid-Winter Convention only 511 were handed out. Additionally, the signature FFA Corduroy Blue Jackets were awarded to new members and those who did not previously have their own jacket. This year, a record breaking 1,369 jackets were given out. A special thank you to the PA FFA Alumni Association for buying these jackets. From the Gifford Pinchot FFA Chapter, (in alphabetical order) Parker Anderson, Maysen Bankert, Micah Chung, Owen Forsythe, Fox Lewis, Edward Milanes, Brady Mitchell, Landon Plavchak, Landen Ring, Alexis Tennis, Jayden Whitmer, and Cody Wirickz were all awarded their first jacket. We are extremely proud of everyone!

We would also like to congratulate Karli Berkheimer for her success in the Junior Market Cattle Crossbred Division! Karli and her steer were named the Crossbred Reserve Champion and the Reserve Champion Market Beef.

The high school counselors are looking for guest speakers to volunteer time to present their career to high school students during their Flex Period (2:10 PM - 2:40 PM). One of the reasons Flex was added was to allow time where students could focus on career exploration. Last year, speakers included a State Trooper, the military, a real estate professional, a doctor, a registered nurse, and an engineer. Students sign up for career presentations based on interest. The presentations are given in a classroom and typically range from 10 to 20 students. The counselors would love to offer more opportunities this school year. If interested in volunteering your time to talk about your job/career, please click on this link and fill out a short form. Someone from the high school will reach out to set up a time to visit.

Need an indoor activity this chilly winter weekend? Come see the Middle School Production of “Matilda Jr.” at the high school. Over 100 cast and crew are taking the stage tonight and tomorrow to share this wonderful show with our community. Tickets are $12.00 and can be purchased at the high school box office or at www.cur8.com. We hope you can come see our fantastic show!

Wellsville Elementary School recently awarded students the Bear Cub Award for Communication. Communication is one of the traits from NYCSD's Profile of a Graduate.

Front row l-r: Anthony Eshetu, Ella Ehrich, Towsyn Hughes, Alaina Santos, Evelyn Saylor, Madelyn Shull, Braxton Myers

Back row l-r: Lauren Murphy, Adrian Reynolds, Urijah Hare, Michael Baim, Calena Hamme, Madalyn Myslinski, Addi Cholewski

Not pictured: Asher Kochenour, Allison McLane, Miracle Bressler

New Story Schools is proud to partner with Northern York County School District to establish an Autism Support Verbal Behavior classroom at Wellsville Elementary School. The program opened January 13, 2025, and will serve students in grades K-4 with autism, offering specialized educational services tailored to meet their unique needs. Staffing for the classroom will include one special education teacher, four special education paraprofessionals, and shared support from a behavior analyst. This collaborative approach ensures students receive individualized, evidence-based interventions to help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

This partnership represents a significant opportunity to bring students back into their home district, fostering a sense of community and belonging while providing high-quality, in-district educational services. About New Story Schools: New Story Schools provides comprehensive academic and therapeutic services tailored to students with autism and other special needs in kindergarten through grade 12. With a focus on personalized education and evidence-based practices, New Story Schools empowers students to reach their full potential. New Story Schools operates 15 out of district private special education schools in Pennsylvania, and in-district public school-based programs in the state.

On Friday, January 10th, 2025, Mr. Kirkpatrick was the Guest Reader in Mrs. Raina Kane’s 1st grade class at South Mountain. Mr. Kirkpatrick read Making a Friend by Tammi Sauer to the students.

Wellsville Elementary School joined over 21 million students worldwide to create a culture of kindness by participating in The Great Kindness Challenge. Presented by Kids for Peace, a California-based global nonprofit, this one-week bullying prevention program empowers students to actively create a culture of compassion, unity, and respect at school and beyond. Students are provided with a kindness checklist and are “challenged” to complete as many acts of kindness as possible throughout the week.

When weather conditions dictate that unscheduled closings, delays, or early dismissals are in the best interest of student and staff safety, the District will use several communication channels to notify parents, students, and staff as quickly as possible. Notifications for each weather-related event will specify whether extracurricular activities including athletic games and practices will be canceled for the day.

Communication:

• Blackboard Alert Messaging System – Notification will be sent via automated phone calls and emails
• District Website – Information will be posted as an on-screen alert when you visit the District website at www.northernpolarbears.com
• Social Media – Information will be shared on the District’s Twitter feed @NorthernYorkSD
• Other – Details will also be reported to local radio and television stations

School Closing Directions:

1. For the first winter-weather closing, students and staff will have a “traditional snow day” – that is, there will be no instruction and all students and staff will simply be off. This first snow day will not need to be made up by students.
2. For the second and additional winter-weather closings, we will have virtual snow days – that is, instruction will take place at home and will be provided through remote learning. Each principal will be following up with families about what instructional delivery will look like on virtual snow days.

Wishing everyone a safe and fun winter season.

Northern has partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff, and family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs regardless of circumstance.

Care Solace has Care Companions (customer service) available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to assist. Care Solace is not a treatment provider. Alternatively, it acts as a coordinator by connecting the user with a provider. There are several ways to access Care Solace to help you find a provider:

Call 1-888-515-0595;

Visit www.caresolace.com/northernyork and click the “Search On Your Own” button, or

Visit the Care Solace link found on our District Homepage: https://www.northernpolarbears.com/Page/14714

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school counselor with any questions regarding this service.

The Polar Cares Closet collects gently used clothing, toiletries and new cleaning supplies which are shared with students and families in need. The current needs are: feminine products, sweatpants (all genders/all sizes) and socks (all genders/all sizes). Also needed are Giant or Weis brown paper bags. All donations can be dropped off in any of the Polar Cares bins located in the lobby of each school building.

Donation questions? Please reach out to donatepolarcares@gmail.com. Thank you, as always, for your support of our NYCSD families!

Northern has a discount program for Dell computers and accessories to all district staff, students and families. Look for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals listed in the Polar Bear's TechConnect.

Link to website for discount pricing: http://www.dell.com/epp/NorthernYork

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Check out the district website here for a complete list of openings!

Spanish Teacher - HS

See the district website for a complete listing.

Apply Online

Apply Online

Apply online: https://jobs.willsubplus.com/jobs?districtIds=623

WES Intensive Instructional Aides / 8:30 - 4:00 / $140/day

NMS Learning Support Aide / 7:15-2:45 / $110/day

NES/SME Library Aide / 8:30 - 4:00 / $110/day

Refer a friend and make $100!! See the below QR code for details.

Please see the below flyers for more information on our contracted transportation providers, Kauffman and Rohrer.

All community flyers are posted online. Please visit the following link to view all flyers: https://www.northernpolarbears.com/domain/11

For those who wish to volunteer in our schools, the Volunteer Information Packet is located on the district website. All new volunteers must submit a TB test result obtained within 90 days or less of the volunteer application. TB test information including locations and cost may be found on the district website. Please allow adequate time for clearance processing! TB test results may take as long as 72 hours to obtain.

Already a volunteer and not sure if your clearances are up to date?? Check with the secretary at your child’s school or contact Maureen Ross at the District Office at mross@northernyork.org, 717-432-8691, ext. 1104.

Don't miss out on the fun activities for the 2024/2025 school year!! Be sure your clearances are on file and up to date!

#BecomeBelongBeNorthern

Get all the latest Northern York County School District school news at the following Twitter handles:

https://twitter.com/DearOldNorthern (Northern High School)

https://twitter.com/NMS_PolarBears (Northern Middle School)

https://twitter.com/DESPolarBears (Dillsburg Elementary)

https://twitter.com/NESPolarBears (Northern Elementary)

https://twitter.com/SMEPolarBears (South Mountain Elementary)

https://twitter.com/WESpolarbears (Wellsville Elementary)

Email: ssentman@northernyork.org
Website: www.northernpolarbears.com
Location: 650 South Baltimore Street, Dillsburg, PA, United States
Phone: 717-432-8691