By TERRI REUTER
Publications/public information coordinator,
Southern York County School District

Glen Rock, Pa – The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently recognized all five schools within the Southern York County School District with Keystone Achievement Awards for outstanding performances during the spring 2011 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) testing. This marks the eighth consecutive year that district schools have received Keystone Awards.

The Keystone Achievement Award is presented to a public school that has achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards for two consecutive years. The latest Keystone Award is for the District schools’ meeting AYP standards in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.

AYP is determined, in part, by a school’s performance on the PSSA, the standardized test given annually to students in grades 3-8 and 11. The PSSA measures how well students have achieved in reading, mathematics, science and writing, according to Pennsylvania’s academic standards.

According to Sandra Lemmon, assistant superintendent, the school district was one of three in all of York County to meet all 17 targeted assessed areas.

“We are very proud to have all five of our schools receive the Keystone Achievement Awards,” said Thomas Hensley, superintendent. “This is a testament to all of the hard work by our students, teachers, staff, and administrators.”

From left, front row, Robert Bryson, Susquehannock High School principal; Beth Koontz, Friendship Elementary principal; Donna Koval, Southern Elementary principal; Jodie Sauers, Shrewsbury Elementary principal; and Len Reppert, Southern Middle principal, and back row, Sandra Lemmon, assistant superintendent; James Hollinger and Kim Adkins, both Susquehannock assistant principals; Lisa Boyer, Shrewsbury Elementary assistant principal; Mary Messner, Friendship and Southern elementary assistant principal; Donna Shick, Southern Middle assistant principal; and Thomas Hensley, superintendent.

York Suburban Middle School students who were named to honor rolls for the second marking period of the 2011-2012 school year are:

DISTINGUISHED

Grade 8:

Jonathan Abel, Kelsey Abel, Tessa Bassett, Elisabeth Curtis,

Alexandra Eckenrode, Olivia Eytcheson, Brandon Flemmens,

Olivia Gettle, Ashley Griffith, Carson Gross,

Emily Hamme, Leah Hess, Devon Hornberger,

Derek Lehman, Susan Lloyd, Carrion Lover-Lily,

Mikala McBride, Madeleine Nesbitt,

Nicole Peritz, Grace Pindzola, Jessica Renjilian,

By TERRI REUTER
Publications/public information coordinator,
Southern York County School District

Glen Rock, Pa – Parents of the Southern York County School District may now obtain the nutritional facts for the meals that their children eat at school. The District recently implemented a program, by which the nutritional values for everyday menu items are listed on its Website. From entrees, such as hamburgers, chicken nuggets, hoagies, and pizza to sandwiches, salads, fruits and vegetables, items are listed with their serving size, calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and sodium contents.

“We want parents to see what the nutritional analysis is for usual menu items,” said Bruce Thens, Director of Food Services.

The program is part of the District’s ongoing effort to promote healthy nutrition for the students.

“We believe this nutritional information not only informs, but also empowers students to make healthy food choices,” he said.

To obtain the nutritional information, visit the Southern York County School District’s Website, www.sycsd.org and visit the tab to the left and click Cafeteria Menus and Information, or click here.

Red Lion Area Junior High School students who were named to honor rolls for the second marking period of the 2011-2012 school year are:

DISTINGUISHED

Grade 8:

Ian Adler, Kody Allen, Hayley Athoff, Brooks Argento, Emily Ayre,

Samuel Bacon, Stephen Baker, Christopher Balbier, Jennifer Barshinger, Zachary Boyer,

Makayla Cameron, Christopher Carr, Rachel Clark, Kevin Crumbling, Zane Culp,

Justin Dashler, Levi Davis, Lauren Deaver, Victoria Dewees, Courtney Dimoff,

Noah Ervin, Jessica Evans, Emily Falenski, Kristen Farley, Grant Fickes, Charles Flaharty, Chloe Fleming, Samuel Foess, Kevin Forrest, Bennett Frey, Katelyn Frock, Taylor Funke,

Elizabeth Gable, Ashlee Galloway, Stephanie Gerver, Jayla Godfrey, Allison Green, Elijah Gregory, Rachel Groff, Dalton Grove, Morgan Grove,

Rider Haga, Christian Harry, Sarah Helt, Riley Henry, Dillon Hildebrand, Alexander Hoffmaster, Joy Holbink, Galen Hook, Hayley Hurt, Grayson Huson,

Members of Northeastern High School’s National Honor Society are sponsoring two fund-raiser events.

First, a spaghetti dinner will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in the high school’s cafeteria, 300 High St., Manchester.

Dinner includes drink, salad, garlic bread, spaghetti, meatballs, desserts, and coffee. The cost is $8; children younger than 5 eat for free.

Non-perishable food will be collected at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Northeastern Food Pantry and Rock 4 Dakotah (benefits children with rare genetic disorders).

The second event is a Family Fun Night, 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Friendly’s, 423 Loucks Road.

Come celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday a few days early. High school students will provide story time for children as they wait for their meals. All are welcome to celebrate Read Across America Day. Ten percent of the bill will be donated to the honor society.

(AP Photo/NASA)

Did you get a new telescope recently or discover an unused one in your attic? Experience has shown that the first night out with a new telescope can be daunting as you try to perform all the initial setup work required. Consequently, many new telescopes are used once or twice, then never again due to frustration. To help get you started properly, YCAS will help you set up your telescope the first time and learn how to use and enjoy it.

Bring your telescope and all the items that came with it (including batteries, if required, and the instruction manual) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. We will check out your telescope, help you align the finder scope, show you how your telescope works, and help you with some initial observations of the sky (clear skies permitting). Afterwards, take home a free Star Chart to help you continue your exploration of the nighttime sky.

The free clinic will be offered even if it is cloudy, but will be cancelled if it is snowing (call 578-9109 for cancellation info). Attendees should dress appropriately for the weather. For directions or more information, visit www.ycas.org.

In celebration of the Pennsylvania Dutch culinary tradition of Fastnacht Day, the York County Heritage Trust will serve free fastnachts, coffee, tea and hot chocolate, 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Historical Society Museum, 250 E. Market St.

The free event is to thank the York County community for its support of the Auxiliary and its projects. All are welcome to attend.

The Fastnacht Day tradition began with the Pennsylvania German immigrants on Shrove Tuesday, the day that fat had to be removed from the home before Lent. Historically, fastnachts were made to use the fat in the house before the fasting season.

The York County Heritage Trust inspires the exploration of the history, people and culture of our county, state and nation. As a non profit organization, it utilizes collections, historic sites and museums to help tell the American story.

For information about upcoming programs, visit www.yorkheritage.org.

Locals students were among the winners of the 2012 South Central Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, sponsored by Commonwealth Connections Academy.

Chosen from more than 1,100 entries, 350 students from public, private, home and charter schools were awarded gold and silver keys and honorable mentions.

The nationally recognized program awards students for their creative excellence in 28 categories ranging from poetry to journalism and painting to comic art. Students in grades 7 to 12 in York, Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lebanon and Perry counties were eligible to compete.

Winning artwork will also be on display at local events as well as public readings of winning writing entries:
A reading and art show, Feb. 25 at The Thought Lot, Shippensburg.
Art exhibit, March 2 at Lebanon’s First Friday Art Walk.
A reading, March 16 at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg.
Month-long exhibit opening March 16 at HACC’s Midtown campus.

Students who received gold keys will have their work advanced to the national level.

York County middle school winners are:

Books by Tim Green were on display during the after-school program.

Glen Rock, Pa – Elementary students at the Southern York County School District recently celebrated books and talked football with a former NFL player turned author.

More than 60 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students from Friendship, Southern, and Shrewsbury elementary schools participated in an after-school Skype visit with Tim Green, a former linebacker and defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons. Green, who was a Falcons’ first-round draft pick in 1986, played in Atlanta for seven seasons. Since leaving the NFL, he earned a law degree and has written 24 books for children including the New York Times bestseller, “Football Genius.”

“During the Skype session, Green emphasized the importance of working hard to achieve your dreams,” Friendship Elementary School Librarian Anne Bozievich said. “He stressed that academics should always come before athletics, and character should come even before academics.”

Eastern York Middle School students who were named to honor rolls for the second marking period of the 2011-2012 school year are:

DISTINGUISHED

Grade 8:

Kody J. Ahrens, Anthony A. Amato, Gino M. Amato, Sarah B. Andrews,

Kiersten R. Barr, Amanda C. Baylor, Kyrie E. Boemio, Megan L. Bowers, Emily R. Brumgard, Shane M. Carberry,

Andrew R. Davis, T J. Dellinger, Rachel L. Deppen, Mason M. DeRemer, Austin L. Dettinger, Aidan M. Druck, Riley E. Duraski,

Mary F. Eshelman, Ashton N. Evans,

Mali C. Fenning, Savannah G. Fry,

Alexandria R. Gallo, Damien A. Gilbert, Sydney J. Gladfelter, Taylor N. Gockley, Sydney H. Gomez, Brianna E. Goodling, Alexis R. Graham, Brooke N. Grissinger,