Roller Pride

On November 14, 2023, 9th and 10th grade students participated in the STEM Summit presented by Junior Achievement of South Central PA. According to JA, “The STEM Summit is a day long program designed for 9th or 10th grade students held at a local high school. This program includes eight or nine sessions with science experiments, technology, engineering, math competitions, and trades modules. This day is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields.” Many thanks to JA, their tireless volunteers, as well as Mr. Bragg (College & Career Counselor) and Ms. Mancini (7th grade teacher) for organizing this amazing event.

To learn more about the STEM Summit and other JA programs, visit: https://www.jascpa.org/stem-summit

The weekend of November 17-18, students of the drama department performed the Fall play, Alice in Wonderland. This is the second year Steelton-Highspire high school has produced a show, striving to re-introduce the theatrical arts to the school community. Alice in Wonderland tells the tale of Alice, a girl who becomes lost in a strange world with magical creatures and must rely on a mysterious Cheshire cat and her power of understanding to find her way back home in time for her birthday, as everything in Wonderland is nonsensical. The two-act play featured an ensemble cast of roughly 30 talented and eccentric actors and crew from the middle and high schools. The play was directed by Mr. William “Mac” MacIntosh, Ms. Jessica Anderson, and Mr. Nick Ranaglia. Stay tuned for more information coming up about the spring musical, Once on This Island!

On Wednesday, November 15th, Principal Armstead and some of our elementary school students participated in filming a commercial with McClure Company and its parent company, Sojitz - a global company based in Japan. Sojitz is creating the commercial to educate people about the efforts being made to provide sustainable energy solutions in schools and communities around Pennsylvania and the US. We are thrilled that Steelton-Highspire SD can play a role in addressing these environmental challenges and help illustrate what’s being done to reduce the world’s second largest CO2 emissions. We are making a positive impact through our commitment to solar power and energy efficiency - not just locally, but globally!

Ms. Merryman's 2nd grade class kicked off the week of Thanksgiving by reading “Balloons Over Broadway,” which taught us all about the history of the Macy’s Day Parade. The students then created a mock-up of what they wanted their balloons to be and look like. The following day they got all of the needed supplies and made their mock-ups come to life. To finish our project up, we marched around the room and had our own parade!

On November 17, 2023, Ms. Schuyler's English classes went on a field trip to see the movie adaptation & premiere of "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" at AMC Theater in Camp Hill. The students have been reading the novel in their English classes, and this field trip was an exciting opportunity to see the book come to life on the big screen, as well as to celebrate all of their hard work in finishing the novel. The students had the whole theater to themselves, and everyone had a great time!

On November 15th, 7th grade students participated in PPL’s Think! Energy Innovation Program. According to PPL, “Innovation reaches secondary students with an approach to energy efficiency specific to their lifestyle. The program focuses on reducing plug load and wasted energy with strategies high school students can easily implement. Each student takes home an Innovation Kit that contains everything they need to make their personal space highly efficient, including a smart power strip to reduce standby power. From getting ready in the morning to wrapping up homework at night, Innovation students will be empowered to implement best energy practices for each step of their day.” The program is easy to implement and correlates to state learning standards and is supported by the PA Department of Education, AND inspires participants to follow the Think! Energy philosophy – Think!, Talk! and Take Action!

At the conclusion of the program, students received an Innovation Kit which included an advanced power strip, LED light bulbs, kitchen faucet aerator, shower head, furnace filter whistle and a bathroom faucet aerator. Thank you to Mr. McIntosh for organizing this event.

Every month, Ms. Schuyler selects two students from each of her physical education classes who exemplify the school's PRIDE criteria for her class. These outstanding students are awarded a certificate, a Gatorade, a nutritious snack, and have their photograph taken. Their photos are then proudly showcased at the school and shared through the school newsletter and social media.

Congrats to these PE All-Stars!

What does PRIDE look like in PE?

P ositive – Willing to try new activities. Win without bragging, lose without complaining.

R espect – Respect teachers. Be kind to classmates. Don’t break equipment.

I ntegrity – Follow all rules for class even if no one is looking.

D edication – Be on time. Remember sneakers.

E xcellence – Do what is expected consistently.

October 2023 PE All Stars

7th Grade: Shaia Santana Ruiz & Junior Rojas

8th Grade: Raelynn Davila & Kasaan Amadou

Intramural: LaDrew Stewart & Anaiys Herrera-Bashjian

PE 1 (9-12): Josue Guzman & Lonique Taylor-McCraw

These are some of the amazing gourds designed by Steelton-Highspire Jr/Sr High Art Classes and Art Club. Student's gourds are available for gifts with donations accepted to support Art Club. If interested in purchasing, please contact Ms. Keeney at skeeney@shsd.k12.pa.us

The All You Can Leadership Academy is a cognitive behavior modification tool that provides emotional support to high risk students. Using evidence-based curriculum, we are able to maintain metrics on the progress of our students.

Weekly guest speakers allow the students to gain knowledge and have their questions answered in any specific field. Some of our guest speakers have been:

• Dauphin County Commissioner George P Hartwick III
• Steelton Borough Mayor Ciera Dent
• Harlem Globetrotters Chris “Handles” Franklin
• Jordan Hill NFL Seattle Seahawks superbowl Champion
• US Marines
• US Air force & so many more

At the Leadership Academy, our students get professional training in various areas. You’ll never know what session will spark the interest of our young minds, so it's important to have them experience it all. Some of the career skills the class has learned this year is:

• Music production
• Music Recording
• Barber class
• Plumbing
• Culinary arts
• Business Startup
• Window Installation

Leadership Academy Life Skills Topics:

• Etiquette Class
• Martial Arts
• Anger Management
• Avoiding Peer Pressure
• Social Emotional Support
• Gun Safety
• Civic Engagement
• Physical Education
• Business management
• Financial Literacy
• Communication skills

Honors & Most improved:

We celebrate success and progress in the program. During the first quarter, we rewarded the most improved and honor students with brand new sneakers and All You Can Inc sweat suits. Just a small incentive to let them know we care, and as a reminder to keep going.

The Leadership Academy advocates the importance of giving back. Every year, our students volunteer in initiatives such as meal giveaways, Christmas programs, and coat drives. Selflessly giving back to the community does a lot for one's self-esteem and self-concept. Equitable nutritional food is a priority of the program. This is why we ensure every session, each student has a healthy snack and a hot meal. Every Thursday, the class is handed Cocoa packs to take home and enjoy over the weekend. These kits have been a huge hit for the students that attend the program.

Calling all Class of 2024 Roller Families!

Seniors and Senior families who are interested in having their senior celebrated can send in a copy of their student’s baby picture for the yearbook this year. This an optional, but fun thing we want to include in the book this year. Pictures need to be scanned and emailed at PNG files to Ms. Thorne (TThorne@shsd.k12.pa.us) by December 15. Submissions after that date will not be able to be accepted.

If you want to provide a short (less than 25 word) shout out or message to your senior for their book, that will also need to be provided by 12/15

Thank you! –High School Yearbook Staff

Counselor for grades K-2: Mrs. Lopez, glopez@shsd.k12.pa.us

Counselor for grades 3-6: Mrs. Rash, jrash@shsd.k12.pa.us

Counselor for grades 7-9: Ms. Sunday, bsunday@shsd.k12.pa.us

Counselor for grades 10-12: Mrs. Albert, aalbert@shsd.k12.pa.us

College & Career Counselor K-12: Mr. Bragg, lbragg@shsd.k12.pa.us

Guidance Administrative Assistant: Ms. Navickas, jnavickas@shsd.k12.pa.us

Please visit this link for information regarding upcoming SAT testing dates and registration instructions: https://www.shsd.k12.pa.us/Page/4845

Important Dates:

11/29: Financial Aid Night (11th and 12th grade), 6pm HS Media Center

• 11/23-11/27: Schools & Offices Closed, Thanksgiving Break
• 12/6: Early Dismissal, Staff In-Service
• 12/22: Early Dismissal, Students & Staff
• 12/23-1/2: Winter Break