Southern York County School District students from Friendship, Southern, and Shrewsbury elementary schools performed in the Pennsylvania Music Educators District 7 Elementary Song Fest on March 31 at Cocalico Middle School in Denver, Pa. Students were chosen by recommendation of their choir teachers to perform in the festival, which includes singers from 42 different elementary and middle schools in York and the surrounding counties.

Shrewsbury Elementary singers are, from left, Jordan Osborne, Jade Reall and Michaela Elsen.

Southern Elementary singers are, from left, Kate Burgess, Emma Day, Melinda Yeh and Danielle Simpson.

Friendship Elementary singers are, from left, front row, Francesca Wright and Michaela Bryan, and back row, Laurel Manion and Samantha Bechtel.

Southern: From left, Josh Alwine, Michael Torbert and Katie Heiser with assistant principal Mary Messner.

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

Glen Rock, Pa. – Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 at Friendship, Southern, and Shrewsbury Elementary Schools participated in this year’s National Geography Bee.

Following a qualifying test, the students from each class then proceeded to the preliminary round competition, where they answered questions on U.S. geography, state geography, American cities, continents, world capital cities and cultural geography.

The top 10 students proceeded to the final round of competition to determine the school winners. The National Geography Bee is an educational program of the National Geographic Society.

Shrewsbury: From left, assistant principal Lisa Boyer, Alec Kramer, Connor Woods and Kyle Orndorff, and principal Jodie Sauers.

From Southern Elementary, winners are Michael Torbert, who came in first place; Katie Heiser, who placed second; and Josh Alwine, who finished third.

At Shrewsbury Elementary, the winners included Connor Woods, in first; Kyle Orndorff, who placed second; and Alec Kramer, in third.

The winners from Friendship Elementary included Ryan Pugaczewski, who placed first; Nick Standiford, in second place; and Steven Burchett, who finished third.

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Friendship: From left, Nick Standiford, Ryan Pugaczewski and Steven Burchett with assistant principal Mary Messner.

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

Glen Rock, Pa – When the Southern York County School District completes its additions and alterations at Friendship Elementary School next year, the 53 year-old school will contain components that will be used to enhance the science curriculum.

The Southern York County School Board recently approved enhancing the science program to reflect the learning components of the environmentally friendly building. The building will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, which consists of a group of rating systems for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. According to Friendship Principal Beth Koontz, the project is being designed to obtain LEED Silver certification, and is intended to serve as an example within the School District as well as for the community.

The architect and administrators at Friendship collaborated so that the “green” design features may be used in the science curriculum. Students will learn important “green” scientific concepts through hands on learning stations that are part of the building.

“The building will be used as a learning tool,” Koontz said.

Students in each grade will study specific science units, using features throughout the “green” building. They include a butterfly garden, gymnasium solar wall, geothermal heating system, and also opportunities for students to learn about the school’s recycling program.

Younger students participated in corn bowling, an annual harvest activity.

Glen Rock, Pa – Excitement filled the halls and grounds at Friendship Elementary School recently as students spent their day bowling corn, playing Bingo, painting a reindeer for the troops in Afghanistan, spinning art, and learning about healthy habits. For the past 11 years, Friendship students have celebrated the start of autumn with the annual Fall Festival. More than 75 volunteers joined teachers and staff to aid in the festival games and activities.

“The volunteers worked in shifts throughout the day,” Principal Beth Koontz said. “This event would not have been possible without the parent volunteers.”

Students also listened to a story teller, watched performances from the Susquehannock High School Marching Band, and prepared a care package to send to a local marine. Friendship Elementary and Susquehannock High School graduate, Jacob Feinour, is stationed in Afghanistan.

“When Jacob opens this box and sees the big Rudolf, he will think this surprise is a piece of home,” Instructional Assistant Sue Willis told the students.

In addition, during the wellness center, a local pediatrician demonstrated to students about proper nutrition, bike safety, and the dangers of smoking.

Furthermore, to kick off the school year’s School Wide Effective Behavior Support program (SWEBS), students spent their UROCK coupons at the Rock Shop. The behavior program, which is in its third year, deals with five basic rules, Koontz said. UROCK means: U are responsible; Remember to follow directions; Own your actions; Control yourself; and Kindness counts. When students display positive behavior and follow the rules, they earn UROCK coupons for rewards. They purchased items such as stuffed animals, books, stickers, pencils, and notebooks.

Every year, the program draws outreach from community members. This year, local artist Pat Isch demonstrated some painting techniques for students. “She worked on a painting for students and showed them basic techniques, like how to use certain strokes,” Koontz said. “The students really picked up these techniques and some continued them with their own artwork at home.”

Although the current renovation project prevented some outside activities like the hayride, Koontz said it did not hinder the students in any way. Besides other outside activities, the school held parachute and additional fitness fun to keep the students moving, she said.

“It was like clockwork,” Koontz said. “I was concerned with the lack of space and how the flow of traffic would be, but it was never a problem. Everything worked so well and it was no different from any other year.”

Students decorated the belly of a reindeer for the troops in Afghanistan.

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

Glen Rock, Pa. – Students, staff and community members helped break ground recently on the additions and alterations at Friendship Elementary School. The Southern York County School District invited the community to join school board directors and administrators at the groundbreaking ceremony of its 53 year-old elementary school.

“Thank you to the Board of Education, who had the foresight to do (these renovations),” Superintendent Thomas Hensley said. “Thanks to you, as teachers, parents and community members for your support, not only of the school, but of the District as well.”

Construction will consist of 74,000 square feet of renovations to the existing building along with several additions, totaling 26,000 square feet. These changes will provide 11 more classrooms, a new gymnasium, new mechanical and electrical rooms, new student restrooms, a greenhouse, and a new computer lab. All areas are designed to meet current educational standards.

The school, which also saw renovations in 1990, contains much of its original mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems. They are operating well beyond their useful life expectancy, said Wayne McCullough, Director of Administrative Services.

“The mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems in the renovated and new portions of the school will meet current building, life safety, and energy codes, and will result in energy savings,” he said.

Renovations will also include improvements to the school’s life safety features, including a building wide sprinkler system. In addition, the project is being designed to be “environmentally friendly,” as it incorporates materials, design and geothermal technology to help reduce energy usage. The project is also designed to obtain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

The cost for the construction project totals $16,935,114. This is the final piece of the district’s long-range plan, which began 14 years ago, with the construction of Shrewsbury Elementary School, McCullough said. Other projects included those at Southern Middle School, Southern Elementary School, and Susquehannock High School.

“We are proud and thankful for the design team, who has been recognized statewide,” Hensley said.

The district borrowed money at historically low levels, McCullough said. In addition, since most of the school’s original infrastructure will also be updated as part of the entire building project, the district qualifies for more state funding.

“Friendship has always been that unique, special community school,” he said. “This project will meet enrollment needs for the next 10 years.”

Upon its completion, Friendship will contain the same standards as all the other elementary schools within the Southern York County School District.

“This is history, boys and girls,” Principal Beth Koontz said. “We will watch the school being built around us. We are so looking forward to an outstanding school year. The quality of instruction continues to be outstanding and that’s our passion.”

Students, staff and community members join Principal Beth Koontz, center, pink hat, during the groundbreaking ceremony of Friendship Elementary School.

SYCSD orchestra students who participated in the festival are, from left, bottom row, Taylor Kopp, Casey Kummer, Julia Mackenzie, Claire Morrison, Christian Baer, Justin Feild and Rachel Sergent, and top row, Aaron Fair, Emily Rivers, Katelin Tyler, Hannah Munch, Angelina Gilbert, Kelsey McCullough, Lucas Gartrell, Jacob Hebel and Lucas Miller.

Several Southern York County School District elementary orchestra students participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 7 String Festival at Eastern York High School April 9, 2011. Students were recommended by their orchestra teachers to participate in an honors orchestra, sponsored by the PMEA. Students were placed into two different orchestras and were sent music to prepare. They joined more than 200 other selected students from the PMEA District 7 to rehearse and perform in the concert.

The students who participated included:

Shrewsbury Elementary: Christian Baer, Casey Kummer, Rachel Sergent, Julia Mackenzie, Jacob Hebel, Angelina Gilbert and Lucas Gartrell.

Southern Elementary: Emily Rivers, Katelin Tyler, Justin Feild, Claire Morrison and Aaron Fair.

Friendship Elementary: Taylor Kopp, Hannah Munch, Lucas Miller and Kelsey McCullough.

Friendship Elementary School’s reading igloo is made from 400, one-gallon plastic jogs.

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

Glen Rock, Pa. – While the temperatures were cold outside this winter and spring, Friendship readers stayed warm and read books within their library igloo. Constructed from 400, one – gallon plastic jugs, students donated jugs for the library project, Librarian Anne Bozievich said.

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

Fourth-graders at Friendship Elementary School will take part in the roles of the General Assembly during an upcoming visit from the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Carol Aichele, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth, will visit with students Wednesday, May 11, and describe her job with the Department of State. As the Secretary, she oversees the state’s election system and monitors about 800,000 licensed businesses and health professionals.

In addition, students will simulate the process in which a bill becomes state law. They will be taking part in the roles of the General Assembly, playing representatives and senators. Teachers and administrators will also serve as the moderator, Acting Lieutenant Governor as well as members of the press for the event.

Aichele will play the role of the Acting Governor, “at the ready to sign a bill into law, or to use the governor’s power to veto the bill,” said Jan Ruman, fourth grade teacher.

The event will take place in the Friendship Elementary School gymnasium at 2 p.m.

Choral students in fifth and sixth grades at Friendship and Southern Elementary schools performed in the 2011 York County Elementary Choral Festival at Red Lion Area High School on March 26. The event featured students who were chosen by recommendation to perform.

Friendship Elementary students are, from left, front, Cassidy Bittner; middle row, Taylor Kopp, Amber Sweitzer, Hannah Naylor and Destiny Rozitsky; and back row, Sam Noel, Hailee Yeager, Bridget Riley, Addy Schefter and Emily Augustyniak.

Southern Elementary students are, from left, front row, Kate Burgess, Emma Day and Melinda Yeh, and back row, Elizabeth Ayers, Rachel Stockslager, Sydney Huggins, Camryn Liszewski, Danielle Simpson and Riley Gasdia.

Students from Friendship and Southern Elementary schools, Southern York County School District, performed April 9 in the Pa. Music Educators District 7 Elementary Song Fest.

The students were chosen by recommendation.

Pictured from Friendship Elementary are, from left, Joe Fair, Vance Zoeltsch, Lina Waterstradt, and Sierra Wright. Not pictured is Sam Watson.

Pictured from Southern Elementary are, from left, front row, Julien Sherman, Emily Hellwig and Michael Koval, and back row, Jacob Ness, Kelcie Baker and Yulia Houseal.