Community Conversations
April 2023
Dear Methacton Families,
I am amazed at the enormous generosity within our school community. From the efforts of our students, their parents, and our teachers and staff, to the enduring kindness and support of local businesses who seem to be as tied to our schools as if their owners and employees are all former graduates. Regardless, it is clear to me that our strength lies in the community of caring, the community of giving of one’s self to help others achieve, thrive, and be included, and to experience something equally important to our academic mission – community mission.
As such, it is only proper that during this most significant school community activity (POST PROM – Friday, April 28) that I recognize our volunteers, their efforts, the impact that they have had and the sheer LOVE of their commitment to helping their own child(ren) and other people’s children by supporting school and district programs and otherwise advocating for each of us to do our very best and for all of us to experience the very best.
The Post Prom committee was started more than 25 years ago and has been an annual lifesaving and experiential student event like no other. The Methacton Education Foundation is relatively young, but has made significant financial and programmatic contributions to the district and to teachers that simply would not be possible otherwise. The Focus on Methacton, a Shannondell community committee, has been active for more than 7 years and has supported literacy in the district in terms of financial contributions and volunteers. The Special Education Alliance has been instrumental in increasing awareness about inclusion and belonging for students of all abilities. The Methacton Coordinating Council, Booster Clubs, mentors, chaperones, and so many others are an integral part of what makes our volunteer program so strong.
One group that has been at the core of supporting student activities and events is the Home and School.
Methacton High School H&S
Co-presidents: Susan DeMedio & Gabby Winters
Vice-president: Katie Shireman
Treasurer: Sophia Pham
Secretary: Deanna Roeger / Jessica Fox
“Thank you Methacton High School Home & School volunteers for supporting our staff appreciation lunch, home and school mini-grants, and our upcoming senior graduation parade. Without your commitment, our students wouldn’t have opportunities in and out of the classroom that make their high school experience so meaningful.” – Dr. Gravinese, MHS Principal
Arcola Intermediate School H&S
President: Heather DeWane
Vice President: Michelle Speranza
Treasurer: Lisa Bruno
Secretary: Jessica Viscusi
Thank you Arcola Home & School volunteers for supporting our events and for your contributions to making this year an exceptional experience for our students. Without your commitment, our students would not have had such a phenomenal Winter Social, and your partnership with our student congress was vital in having a successful activity night, “Arcola After Hours.” The planning and preparation from Home & School for upcoming events, such as the 8th grade Farewell Social, are deeply appreciated and will ensure that our students have lasting memories from their days at Arcola Intermediate School. – Mr. Bourdreau, Arcola Principal
Skyview Upper Elementary School H&S
Co-presidents: Lauren Pires & Nicole Rittenhouse
Vice President: Larcena Johnson
Treasurer: Gina Stover
Recording Secretary/Corresponding Secretary: Carolyn Maniscalco
Thank you Skyview Home & School volunteers for supporting our Skyview Strong Fundraiser! Without your commitment and dedication, our students would not have started the school year off with such strong enthusiasm for our school community!
And another special THANK YOU to Skyview’s Home and School, specifically, Lauren Pires, Nicole Rittenhouse, Larcena Johnson, Carolyn Maniscalco, Betty Nascimento and Jodi Kohar, for organizing and hosting the Methacton Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast!– Mrs. Berical, Skyview Principal
Arrowhead Elementary School H&S
President: Kelly Mann
Vice President: Theresa Manzi
Treasurer: Erin Cardwell
Recording Secretary: Sarah Agnew
Corresponding Secretary: Shannon Remaley
Thank you Arrowhead Home & School for supporting our students, staff, community, as well as our new building through your fundraising efforts and volunteer work. Without your commitment, our students wouldn’t have had such fun events as the Arrow-Thon fundraiser, Glow Party, lunch cartoons, and upcoming laser show. Through your fundraising efforts we look forward to providing our students, staff, and community with a new Pavilion. – Dr. Aaron Roberts, Arrowhead Principal
Eagleville Elementary School H&S
Presidents: Beth Farrell
Vice President: Jodi Kohar
Treasurer: Tara Ryan-Schill
Recording Secretary: Sarah Reilly
Corresponding Secretary: Noelle Mullen
Thank you Eagleville Home & School volunteers for supporting our school events such as Read-a-Thon, Veterans Day, School Assemblies, Trunk or Treat, Pillow-Popcorn—Pajamas, Bingo, Dances, and Fun Day. Without your commitment, our students wouldn’t have all these wonderful memories of their elementary years at Eagleville. – Dr. Harmer, Eagleville Principal
Woodland Elementary School H&S
President: Michele Ferrante
Co-Vice President: Agata Dajewski
Treasurer: Theresa Mastrangelo
Corresponding Secretary: Kelleigh Parker & Krissy Roszell
Recording Secretary: Gina Stover
Thank you Woodland Home & School for always creating engaging and inclusive opportunities for our students and families. Without your commitment, our students would never have experienced the school-wide excitement and unity that resulted from the amazing Read-A-thon you sponsored. – Dr. Deb Euker, Woodland Principal
Worcester Elementary School H&S
President: Rosie Cook
Treasurer: Nikki Ferraro
Co-Corresponding Secretary: Jessica Starace
Co-Recording Secretary: Bethany Fein Coughlin
Thank you to Worcester’s Home and School volunteers for supporting so many fun school activities! Without your commitment, our students would not have awesome events like Movie Night, the Glow Dance Party, Fun Day, Science Fair, and Family Game Night. You provide our students with many “extras” that make elementary school memorable, we couldn’t do it without you! – Mrs. Joyce Amici
Sincerely,
Dr. David Zerbe
Superintendent of Schools
Alumni Spotlight
Joe Michetti, MHS '10, is the featured graduate in our April 2023 edition of Alumni Spotlight. Find out what led Joe to seek a career in education, his advice for current students, and the three Methacton teachers who were his greatest influences: https://www.smore.com/p1u4h-alumni-spotlight
Now let’s take a look at some of the events and achievements that took place across the district in April...
Best Communities for Music Education
ARROWHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Science Fair
Health & PE
After School Spanish Club
EAGLEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Eagleville Musicians
Recess Chalk Art
Art Show & Book Fair
WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Colorful Kites
Every classroom created a kite to celebrate where students are from!
Woodland Art Exhibit
WORCESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Glow Dance Party
Science Fair
SKYVIEW UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Pep Rally
Bus Driver Appreciation
ARCOLA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
You Be The Chemist State Champs!
Congratulations to Pennsylvania 2023 You Be The Chemist Challenge state winners Adhara R., Chelsea L., Tarini S., and Bhavi P.! Check out their submission here.
The You Be The Chemist Challenge is a fun, free STEM-based competition for students in grades 5-8. Students participate in teams of 3-4.
Earth Day
For EARTH DAY 2023, the Blizzard team decorated their hallway like a rainforest! Kids enjoyed taking part in hanging trees and making birds and butterflies. Students also participated in an Earth Day poster contest with great prizes! A team used sneaker collection is going on for the month of April with proceeds going to the Perkiomen Watershed in honor of Earth day (collection still in the process)! The day before Earth Day, students had lunch outside and had the opportunity to watch a great documentary about animal migrations. Throughout the school day students learned about topics surrounding Earth Day which relate to their content area. Finally, students will be taking home a tree to plant. Blizzard really showed their love for the Earth this Earth Day!
METHACTON HIGH SCHOOL
Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) High School Art Exhibition
MHS Teachers Receive Recognition
Community Parks Redesign Project
Methacton High School collaborated with Lower Providence Township on a project to redesign our community parks to make the space more inviting for teens and young adults. Projects were put on display at the Methacton High School Art Show and voted on by students and township.
METHACTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: information@methacton.org
Website: www.methacton.org
Location: 1001 Kriebel Mill Road, Collegeville, PA, USA
Phone: 6104895000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MethactonSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @Methacton