Haverford Happenings

In December 2022, School Board Policy #200 “Enrollment of Students” was updated. This update now requires the parents/guardians of all current fifth (5th) and eighth (8th) grade students, who plan to attend 6th and 9th grade in the district the following school year, to verify their residency and contact information before June 30th of the current school year.

Families can submit their verification documents through their PowerSchool parent account (PowerSchool Parent Accounts). Each student verification requires two (2) acceptable documents, as outlined in the policy, in their entirety with the address and name(s) clearly indicated. Examples of acceptable documents include:

• Deed

• Settlement Statement

• Current Lease Agreement

• Current Property Tax Bill

• Current Utility Bill

• Current Credit Card Bill

• PennDOT Identification Card

Documentation submitted by families will be reviewed for authenticity and accuracy beginning in May and continuing through June. Once your child’s documents have been verified, confirmation will be communicated through your PowerSchool parent/guardian account. Failure to verify residency and contact information by June 30th may result in the initiation of a nonresident student removal proceeding in accordance with Board Policy 202.

Effective May 1, 2023, there was a change in the internet access for students in grades K-5 who use district-issued Chromebooks. Video streaming services like Youtube, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ will no longer be accessible to them. However, teachers can request access to certain links that are relevant to the curriculum. Students will be provided with direct links to these videos, which will be the only Youtube content they can access using their District Chromebook.

On Friday, May 5th, the HMS community organized a social event for older adults. The evening featured light refreshments, dancing, and socializing. This event was held in celebration of Older Americans Month (OAM), observed every May. OAM is a special time to recognize the valuable contributions and accomplishments of older Americans, as well as to draw attention to significant trends and reaffirm our commitment to honoring our senior citizens. Haverford Middle School students decided to show their appreciation by hosting an annual social for local older adults.

Jason Finn, a teacher at Haverford Middle School, has been honored with the Citadel Heart of Learning Award. This award recognizes teachers throughout Greater Philadelphia who make a difference in our community, support students beyond the call of duty, and encourage their full potential. The program, in partnership with the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), has been recognizing outstanding teachers for 22 years, both for their dedication inside and outside of the classroom.

Haverford HS students Josh Dector, Tammy Zhou, Amna Shoaib, and Ryan Steigerwalt who participate in the Delaware County Technical School (DCTS) Medical Careers Program were selected to attend the HOSA medical conference. We are proud to say that Josh Decter medaled in Medical Spelling, receiving 2nd place in the state! He will be going to Dallas in June to compete at the international level!

HOSA is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and several federal and state agencies. HOSA’s mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience. HOSA actively promotes career opportunities in the health industry and enhances the delivery of quality health care to all people.

We are proud to announce that students from Haverford High School have won awards in the Scholastic Art and Writing competition. It is the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Our students achieved a total of twelve awards, with eleven at the regional level and one at the national level. They excelled in various categories such as sculpture, painting, drawing & illustration, mixed media, and digital art.

Congratulations to the talented artists: Brianna Brindle, Ethan Flood, Delaney Heckman, Angelina Hoh, Rachel Levin, Chiara Mariani, Sarah Stollsteimer, and Katie Youn. Additionally, Mimi Hochkeppel was awarded the National Silver Award in AP Art, and her piece "Missing Primavera" was ranked in the top 1% of 300,000 entries from 100,000 students, as stated by Scholastic. We are thrilled to hear that it will be published in June.See the winning artwork here.

Mrs. Todd's class at Coopertown Elementary celebrated Earth Day by teaming up with Ms. Bilotta's class to plant zinnias in the outdoor classroom. These new plants will be a welcome addition to the outdoor classroom!

Transportation for the HHS Keystone Testing will be as follows:
All High School buses will run their regular morning schedule and then their same high school schedule 3 hours later to arrive at HHS on Keystone Testing days.

Dates: Monday 5/15, Wednesday 5/17, Thursday 5/18.

Friday 5/19 - 1/2 day-Keystone Examinations (No Classes for Non-Testers)

Example: A student NOT TAKING keystones, regular stop time is 6:40 AM, Keystone Testing day stop time is 9:40 AM

National Teacher Appreciation Day is also known as National Teacher Day. The National Education Association describes National Teacher Day “as a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.”

We are truly grateful for our exceptional teachers that make a difference in the lives of our students!

School Principals’ Day is celebrated on May 1 annually to recognize the importance of principals, from elementary to high school, and all the work they do for the betterment of the school. We couldn’t have asked for a better team of leaders, thank you for your dedication! You are appreciated!

On Friday, May 5th, we celebrate National School Lunch Hero Day as we recognize the 16,000 cooks, chefs, dietitians, and food service workers who serve 2 million meals a day to students across the country including 35 food service workers at the School District of Haverford Township.

Throughout the school year, these heroes of the cafeteria are dedicated to making mealtime a bright spot in a student’s day, ensuring kids throughout the Haverford Township community are served nourishing meals.

Wednesday, May 10th, is National School Nurse Day! We honor all school nurses who are making a difference in the lives of children every day! Protecting and promoting student health, facilitating optimal development, and advancing academic success. School nurses ensure students are safe, healthy & ready to learn by bridging healthcare and education.

To celebrate Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Humanities Coordinator, Ms. Sandy Connelly has created a virtual library that we encourage all to explore. Please click on the image below to view the Virtual Library.

Give Me 5! Five Facts about the Celebration:

1. Celebrates the histories of Americans hailing from across the Asian continent and from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

2. The month of May was selected to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States, as well as Golden Spike Day (May 10, 1869), which marked the completion of the transcontinental railroad, largely built by Chinese laborers.
   

3. In 2021, Kamala Harris became the first Asian American (and first African-American) Vice President of the United States.

4. We have over 20 million Asian Americans in the United States as of the 2020 Census.

5. Hawaii has the largest Asian population at 37.2%.

Give Me 5! Five Facts about the Celebration:

1. It is often confused with Mexican Independence Day, but it commemorates a significant battle during the Franco-Mexican War.
   
2. The official name of the holiday is El Día de la Batalla de Puebla, which translates to "The Day of the Battle of Puebla" in English.
   
3. In 1933, the day was officially recognized in the US, to commemorate the "Good Neighbor Policy" which aimed to establish positive exchanges and relationships with our Latin American neighbors.
   
4. In Mexico, the holiday's most beloved dish is mole poblano, a sauce made with dozens of ingredients including chili peppers and chocolate served over chicken.
   
5. Cinco de Mayo is not a federal holiday in Mexico, but schools are closed for the day to honor it!
   

During the school year, the Superintendent's conference room displays student artwork with pride. In April, the artwork of students in Ms. Sandy Sherbinko's classes from Lynnewood Elementary School was showcased. Both the students and their families were invited to a reception where they could discuss their work and its inspiration with Dr. Reusche. You can view all the artwork here.

The School District of Haverford Township utilizes BoardDocs, an online, paperless resource for all school board meetings. Here you can find the agenda, meeting minutes, video replay, and board policies. The meetings are live-streamed on YouTube.

Regular and Committee Board Meetings are held at Oakmont Administration Building.

Upcoming Meetings:

• May 11: Regular School Board Meeting
• May 18: Curriculum and Pupil Services Committee Meeting
• May 25: Regular School Board Meeting

All prior meetings, presentations, and videos can be found on BoardDocs.

At the school board meeting on April 17th, the Reading Olympics teams of Chestnutwold Elementary School shared their experience, book preferences, and love for reading.

Members of swimming and diving, track and field, and wresting were recognized at the School Board Meeting for their outstanding winter seasons! Congratulations to our student-athletes!

Swim Team: Boys: Kyle Given, Sam Graaf, TJ Hayes, Kenny Keagy, Zach Koptyra, Jacob Muntz, Coach Matt Stewart

Swim Team:Girls: Katya Eruslanova, Winnie Hayes, Erin Kelly, Ellie Krissinger, Sarah Krissinger, Alana Moore

Girls Track: Aubrey Leneweaver, Morgan Elliott, Olivia Cieslak, Camryn Mcgeehan, Riona O'Neill, Colette Wagner, Kacey Kraus, Coach Amber Jenkins

Boys Track: Quentin Ryan, Tiernan O'Neill, Gabriel Zwilling, Patrick Lawson, Coach Ryan Comstock

Wrestling: Cole McFarland, Coach Joe Jones, Quarterfinals in PIAA State Championships at the 114 weight class.

May 16: Teacher in-service day (no school for students)*

May 19: Teacher in-service day (early dismissal for all students)

May 29: Memorial Day Holiday (schools and office closed)

June 8: Haverford HS Graduation

June 16: Last Day for students (early dismissal for all students)

*Primary election

2022-23 School Year Calendar

• At-a-Glance
• A detailed schedule of activities and holidays
  
  

2023-24 School Year Calendar

• At-a-Glance
• A detailed schedule of activities and holidays
  
  

The mission of the School District of Haverford Township is to educate and to inspire a community of lifelong learners who become well-rounded global citizens.

Website: https://www.haverford.k12.pa.us/
Location: 50 East Eagle Road, Havertown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-853-5900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haverfordsd.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haverfordsd/
Twitter: @haverfordsd