CSD Insider
Centennial School District Newsletter March 2017
In This Edition
Superintendent's Corner
District Updates & Happenings
District Operations
Support Staff Spotlight
Inside Schools & Programs
Letters from Students
Announcements
Superintendent's Corner
A Message from Dr. David Baugh
Is this a time of mile stones? I think so, and not just because we are well past the halfway mark for our current school year.
Several recent projects have been advancing, and it is an exciting time. Sometimes, when you are living through the work, you don’t realize how important the work that is being accomplished actually is. Time will tell, of course, but two recent events give pause and reason for excitement. In time, we will see many more milestones that have been achieved in 2017-18.
First, the School Board approved a full-day Kindergarten program for all students in the upcoming 2017-18 school year. Increasingly, we are realizing how important those early years in school impact long-term success. The School Board has looked at the feasibility of a full-day Kindergarten for some ten years. But after a careful study beginning in the fall of 2015 and continuing through the winter of 2016, the School Board was finally able to make this a reality for our students and families. While we have to tighten and adjust other programs and areas to implement the full-day Kindergarten program, in the overarching scheme of things, we anticipate many years of payback. We anticipate fewer referrals for special education services, increased reading and math scores, and a stronger learning community in all our schools.
Secondly, the Future Ready Committee, consisting of over 35 faculty and staff members and three school board directors, has been developing a three-year technology plan. We anticipate final approval of this plan in the next two months. This plan includes a one-to-one computer initiative for all students in Grades 6-12 and a one-to-two initiative for all students in grades K-5. This plan , quite frankly, holds great potential for our school district to become one of the more innovative school districts in the region.
We are able to enact these two initiatives while maintaining one of the lower tax rates in the region. These investments in our schools, students, and community will yield long-term results in terms of increased student engagement, greater student accomplishments, and increases in test scores.
Investing in education is exciting and necessary for the continued success of our district. These recent milestones will be celebrated in the years to come. How do we know this?
Already, the investments are paying off in exciting work in our classrooms. As your superintendent, it is both an honor and privilege to spend time in the classrooms where I have seen kindergartners solving complicated math programs using our ST Math Program. Across the district, students in all our elementary grade levels are pushing the grade level boundaries of the ST Math program and hitting their grade level standards and then, voluntarily, pushing past them. Recently, I was in a fifth grade classroom where students were doing online research on historical figures and then writing and submitting their reports to the teachers. In another classroom, students are selecting real-world problems and crafting real-world solutions while researching as to whether those solutions would be effective. In many classrooms, students are working independently on Khan Academy to bolster their math achievement and surpass grade-level expectations for learning. All of this was accomplished with district technology that was not available to the students just one year ago.
It is an exciting time to be working in the Centennial School District where the conversations are becoming about what can we solve, what can we create, what can we do. What is fascinating is how all these exciting projects are growing. Khan Academy started in one elementary school and has migrated to at least one other elementary school and both middle schools. At the high school, fascinating work is occurring in the arts, the sciences, and the humanities. Genius Hour is an organic, student-led initiative that has spread throughout the district into many of the K-12 classrooms. I have talked about Genius Hour before, and it is one of the most exciting learning experiences kids are having in school—authentic, self-directed learning about a topic of passion. The role of the teacher becomes that of a facilitator to support students in their own pursuit of learning. The more that shift occurs, the more authentic learning occurs, and the more we will look back on 2016-17, we can say that it has been a year full of mile stones.
District Updates & Happenings
Kindergarten Registration Opens March 8, 2017
Registration for incoming Kindergarten students for the 2017-18 school year opens on March 8, 2017. Students must be five years of age on or before August 31st to register for Kindergarten. In order to register a student, the following documents are required:
- A birth certificate
- Immunization records
- Four proofs of residency
One of the four proofs of residency must be a mortgage statement, deed, agreement of sale or lease. The three additional proofs of residency may include a utility bill, tax bill, telephone bill, or employee pay stub. Parents/guardians may also provide a report card from a preschool program, but this is not required to register for Kindergarten.
Parents/guardians can register a student online or in-person. For more information about the registration process, visit http://www.centennialsd.org/Page/101 or call the Registrar at 215-441-6000 Ext. 11035.
Centennial School District is Future Ready
"A one-to-one initiative is not about the technology. It is about the teaching," Mr. AJ Juliani said at the February 28, 2017 Education of the Whole meeting. During his presentation about the Centennial School District's Future Ready plan, Mr. Juliani announced that the Future Ready Committee was seeking approval from the School Board for one-to-one devices for all students in Grades 6-12 and one-to-two devices for students in Grades K-5. The students in Grades 6-12 would receive Chromebooks that they could use both in and out of school. The students in Grades K-5 would have iPads in Grades K-3 with Grades 4-5 piloting both iPads and Chromebooks for the 2017-18 school year.
The Future Ready Committee began meeting in the summer of 2016. The Committee, comprised of 35 members representing teachers, administrators, and school directors, developed a three-year plan for professional development, device acquisition, and technology infrastructure. As part of an Committee's work, Centennial School District will also transform existing library spaces into Makerspaces equipped with 3D printers, virtual reality labs, and other collaborative spaces for students to design, create, and collaborate.
The one-to-one initiative was readily embraced by high school and middle school teachers who have been developing course curriculum and learning modules on the District's learning management system, Canvas. One of the drawbacks has been students' access to devices, both at home and at school. Knowing that every student will have access to a device bridges the gap between students who have reliable and consistent access to devices and those who do not. Mr. Juliani is a strong proponent of digital equity which ensures that all students, regardless of any personal or family financial implications, have the same access to technology and learning.
One of the challenges schools face today in the digital age is teaching students how to identify reliable and credible information on the Internet. Today's students have access to more information than ever before. Teachers have the new challenge of showing students how to discern fact from fiction, truth from propaganda. Additionally, teachers have less control over the information that students can access in order to demonstrate and model critical thinking about the information and material. While thinking critically is not new to education, what is new is that students no longer have to build up their background knowledge about a topic before they can read and author's blog or watch a video on YouTube.
Another significant change that has come with the infusion of technology is how students organize and present their learning. There is an almost endless supply of digital tools for students to use to catalog their learning, collaborate with peers and others around the world, and create texts (written, video, animated, and otherwise). Teachers will always place an emphasis on the substance and not the glitter, but showing students how to use the right tool for the job will continue be an ever-changing and ever-present challenge.
It has been said that schools today are preparing students for the technologies and jobs that have yet to be invented or created. Most educators are teaching in a completely different paradigm from the one in which they learned as students. The one certainty that has remained constant in this era of change is that good teaching means that teachers are connectors. They connect with students, and they connect the students with learning. The universal goal of all educators is that students continue to learn well after they leave school, and they leave with the right habits of mind to be critical thinkers and thoughtful citizens of the world.
Shop at Home with ShopRite
Mr. Joe Cowhey, owner and operator of the Warminster ShopRite, has been a long-standing partner in education with the Centennial School District. In 2014, ShopRite opened a satellite store in William Tennent High School which is used as an educational commerce center for students. Mr. Cowhey donated the point-of-sale register and other equipment to start this venture that has served the students in work experience classes and business independent study courses. Mr. Cowhey has made generous donations to the Family and Consumer Sciences program to support the purchase of supplies, and he has been a sponsor for the high school's musical program.
This latest partnership venture with Mr. Cowhey and ShopRite will provide a direct benefit back to all the schools. The Centennial Education Foundation provides educational grants to teachers to provide enrichment programs and activities to their students. The Home and School associations provide support to the students and the schools' communities by organizing family and student events, subsidizing the costs for enrichment activities, and sponsoring activities in the schools.
Staying in Touch with Centennial School District and Your School
It is important for parents and guardians to update their contact information (telephone number, cell phone number, and e-mail address) in Skyward Family Access to ensure that E-Alert e-mails, text message alerts, and voice recorded messages reach them.
E-Alert e-mail is the main method of communicating pertinent information to students and their families. Text message alerts and voice recorded messages are used for emergency notifications as well as for school absence notifications. Parents and guardians can opt into receiving text message alerts. For more information about Skyward Family Access, follow this link: http://www.centennialsd.org/Page/8401
To stay up-to-date with various events and news about the schools and the District, the community can follow the District on these social media sites:
To watch School Board meetings, student-developed videos, and other events, tune into the District's cable channel: CSD-TV on Channel 36 (Verizon) and Channel 28 (Comcast).
School Board meetings are lived-streamed and can be accessed via the District website the evening of the meetings. Board Meetings live-streaming
District Operations
MealViewer as Easy as One, Two, Three
The MealViewer free mobile app is now ready for download. This mobile app has the capacity to display menus, nutritional data, and allergen information for items served at breakfast and lunch. This new feature will also act as a communication piece to display special announcements and events in your school cafeterias.
Here’s how to take advantage of this great feature:
- Go to your mobile app store, search for MealViewer, and download the free application.
- Once the download is complete, you will be prompted to search for your child’s school.
- Once you indicate the school, you can set that as your favorite so it automatically appears every time (you can add as many schools to your favorites as you need).
Once you are in the application you will see all the unique features MealViewer offers: marking favorite items so you are alerted the next time they are offered for breakfast or lunch, a rating systems for meals, and a place to provide direct feedback so we can better service your needs.
The MealViewer app is convenient for parents but it is also a great tool for the students. If your child has a smartphone, please encourage him or her to download the app and stay on top of what is cooking in their school’s cafeteria.
Schools Accepted Emailed Student Absence Notes
Parents and guardians are now able to email student absence excuse notes to the school's attendance office. Emailing an excuse note is a convenient way to ensure that a student's absence can be reconciled as a legal and excused absence. If a parent or guardian has a note from a medical professional, it can also be emailed to the attendance office along with the student's name, grade, student ID number, or homeroom teacher. All schools will continue to accept written absence excuse notes.
Emailed absence excuse notes should include the following information:
· The student's name
· The student's grade
· The student's ID number or homeroom teacher
· The date(s) of the absence
· A reason for the absence
· A contact telephone or cellphone number of parent or guardian submitting the excuse note
Parents and guardians will receive an email from the attendance office secretary confirming that the student's absence note was received by the school.
Each school has a unique email address for accepting student absence excuse notes.
Davis Elementary School
McDonald Elementary School
Willow Dale Elementary School
Klinger Middle School
Log College Middle School
William Tennent High School
Support Staff Spotlight
The Centennial School District's support staff are always working behind the scenes to support our students’ education. Whether it is preparing meals, driving buses, keeping the buildings and grounds operational, assisting in classrooms, or keeping our district organized and running smoothly, these individuals often go unnoticed, but all play an essential part in our learning community. We are proud to highlight a support staff member from each department in the coming editions of the CSD Insider.
Ms. Tracy Farre, Cafeteria Manager at William Tennent High School
Day-to-day and year-to-year, Ms. Farre sees the students grow from the first day of freshman year to the last day before graduation. She says, "Seeing the students grow and mature over the years and watching them become young adults is rewarding." Students recognize her outside the cafeteria and always stop to say hello. She is part of the team of adults that make the high school a good and safe place to be a kid.
Outside of school, Ms. Farre is a wife and mother to two teenagers. She certainly understands what a busy life families lead today. If she could do anything to make the meal service in the cafeteria more special for the students, she would love to do more specialty preparations like homemade omelets with all the fixings for breakfast and more individual service items like the paninis the students enjoy so much. School cafeterias have to follow strict nutritional standards that make home cooking a challenge, but where they can, she and her staff try to add their personal touch.
If there was one exception to the nutritional guidelines that Ms. Farre could make, she would bring back the cheese for dipping pretzels! But still, even with following all the rules and requirements for school meals, she brings a feeling of "being home" to the students with a warm smile and good heart.
Inside Schools & Programs
William Tennent High School's 2017 Black and White Never Disappoints
William Tennent High School held its 52nd Annual Black and White competetions
February 22 through February 24. In keeping with the proud tradition, the high school is divided alphabetically for the competition events. The Black Team includes students whose last names begin with A-K. The White Team includes students whose last names begin with L-Z. The teams compete over three days in Academic Day, Pool Night, and Gym Night competitions.
The Black Team, The Raiders, took an early lead in the 2017 competition and never looked back as they defeated the White Team, The All-Stars.
The three-day competition began with Academic Day on February 22. The Black Team took an early lead on Academic Day winning by the score won of 67-59. Going into Thursday night's Pool Night, tensions were high. In major events like synchronized swimming, the White Team was the victor. However, it was not enough to overcome the overall point differential.
Friday night's highly anticipated Gym Night did not disappoint. In a packed gymnasium, (with an additional 4,800 tuning in via Facebook Live), the Black and White Teams battled through traditional events such as the obstacle course, arm wrestling, table tennis, rope climb, and Simon Says. The Black Raiders came out victorious in the fan favorite dance competition.
In addition to preparing for their competitions, both teams raised money to support Centennial X's Team Harmonia and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Thanks to student support, Black and White was able to donate $600 to the cause.
This year, all three competitions were captured on Facebook Live and patrons can relive the experience!
Academic Day
https://www.facebook.com/csdinfo/videos/1167207453393911/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE
Pool Night
https://www.facebook.com/WTHSPanthers/videos/381562245553097/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE
Gym Night
https://www.facebook.com/WTHSPanthers/videos/382014448841210/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE
Davis Elementary School Students Study African American History
Did you know that not only was Althea Gibson the first important African American tennis player, but when she retired from tennis, she became a professional golfer? How about African American inventor, Garrett Morgan? He invented the first traffic light. Mae Jemison is a chemical engineer, a doctor and an astronaut. These are just a few famous African Americans who were researched by second and third graders at Davis Elementary School during library class. Every second and third grade student was assigned a famous African American to research. The students then created a PowerPoint slide presentation about that person. This activity is a highlight for students every year. They learn about these famous people who helped change the world and make it a better place for all.
Throughout the months of February and March, Davis Principal Extraordinaire, Mrs. Coles, reads aloud to hundreds of her students. She is reading about African American history and culture. We believe that it is important to teach Davis students about our past so we can learn from our mistakes as well as our successes in order to make our future even brighter. Children are engaged while listening to this enthusiastic reader and always have a lot to share at the end of a story.
Log College Middle School Holds its Third Annual Log-A-Thon
The third annual Log-A-Thon took place on February 23, 2017. The event is a fundraiser for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It began at 2:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. There were many activities and contests in which the students could participate. Some of the activities included: dance contests (run by a surprise teacher DJ), Junk in the Trunk, Indoor Horseshoes, Hula Hoop, Elephant Trunk, and Hungry, Hungry Humans. The winner of each contest earned a variety of gift cards.
The final count for donations was $4,079.12. There were 89 Log College Middle School students who participated in the Log-A-Thon. The Log-A-Thon was a part of the Pennies for Patients fundraiser to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Other events in the fundraiser included a dress down day for faculty and staff, a hat day, and raffle baskets. Faculty and staff members donated the raffle baskets and gift cards as prizes. Two parents, Brenda Beganski and Becki Gomez, donated baskets. Many thanks to Christine Richie of CRC Industries in Warminster who made a very generous donation to the cause.
Camp Invention Is Back in Centennial School District!
Since 1990, Camp Invention has taken summer fun and transformed it from ordinary to extraordinary!
In partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, William Tennent High School is pleased to offer the nationally-acclaimed Camp Invention program to children entering Grade K-6. The camp is an exciting, week-long summer adventure with lessons that explore connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation. Children will work together to seek solutions to real-world problems and sharpen critical 21st century learning skills while rotating through several fascinating modules. The week begins on July 10, 2017 with Mr. Nicholas D'Andrea, teacher and math coach, serving as Director of the Launch program!
Here is how young innovators will be spending their time:
- Engaging creative thinking to design and build their own duct tape creations
- Experiencing the power of rocket science by building and launching rubber band rockets
- Exploring aerodynamics to blast water rockets made from plastic bottles more than 50 feet in the air
- Taking apart nonworking machines and devices to investigate their inner operations
All activities give participants the opportunity to explore, discover and achieve while having fun!
Local educators will facilitate program modules and enthusiastic high school students will serve as Leadership Interns ensuring that one program team member is in place for every eight children.
Register on or before March 20, 2017 using promo code Discover25 to receive $25.00 OFF the base price of $225.00. Every registration includes a complimentary Camp Invention t-shirt. Availability is limited, so visit www.campinvention.org or call 800-968-4332 to secure your child’s spot today!
McDonald Elementary School Students Raise Funds for and Learn about Leukemia
William Tennent High School Presents 42nd Street
William Tennent High School will proudly present a production of 42nd Street on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. There are 107 students involved this year's production, which includes the Pit Orchestra.
It is 1933, the depth of the Depression, and noted Broadway producers Jones and Barry are putting on Pretty Lady, a musical starring Dorothy Brock. She is involved with wealthy Abner Dillon, the show's "angel" (financial backer), but while she is busy keeping him both hooked and at arm's length, she is secretly seeing her old vaudeville partner, out-of-work Pat Denning.
Julian Marsh is hired to direct, even though his doctor warns that he risks his life if he continues in his high-pressure profession; despite a long string of successes he is broke, a result of the 1929 Stock Market Crash. He must make his last show, Pretty Lady, a hit in order to have enough money to retire on. What Julian Marsh did not count on is the attractive and talented Peggy Sawyer!
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Book by Michael Stewart
and Mark Bramble
TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC.
560 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
42nd Street Main Cast
Julian Marsh………………………………...........……Ryan Borrmann
Peggy Sawyer………………………………..........…..…..Sarah Maahs
Dorothy Brock……………………………...........…..…Tara O’Connor
Billy Lawlor………………………….…...........……Ashton McGovern
Ann Reilly………………………………............……...…..Megan Knorr
Maggie Jones……………………….…….........……..….Raven Steiner
Bert Barry…………………………....….........………Matthew Ballow
Abner Dillon………………………….…........….Andrew Svarczkopf
Pat Denning…………………………..….......……..Isaac Deerwester
Andy Lee…………………………..………...........……Megan Niedrist
Andy’s Assistance………………....……......…….Jessica Anderson
Phyllis Dale…………………………...........…..…Catie Kellenberger
Lorraine Fleming…………………..........….………Sasha Natanzon
Diane Lorimer………………………............………….…….Julie Ryan
Gladys………………………….………...........……...Rachel Vikyansky
Mac…………………………….…………............……..Robert Roccamo
Minnie……………………….…………….............…..……..Kelsey Krier
Oscar……………………...………………............…..Brandon Gardner
Ethel…………………………………….…................….…….Kelly Brady
Millie………………………..………………............…Amelia McGovern
Johnny (waiter)………………………..…......……Keenan Beveridge
Frankie (stage hand)…………...………....……Mike Chamberlain
Georgette (stage hand)…………….....……..…..Ashley Weckerly
Jane (stage hand)……………….……..........…………...Gina Dubzak
Al (Thug)……………………..….…………….............….Jason Shurleff
Vince (Thug)…………………………………............………..Nico Sotos
Louie (Thug)…………...……….………………...........…..Jose Recinos
Fifth Grade Davis Students Get a Class Pet
Ms. McCloud said, "They held up their end of the bargain. The students drafted permission slips and a list of supplies they would need." The students decided on a pet hamster. Ms. McCloud arranged for the visit to the pet store to be videotaped so the students could remember what the experience of organizing and mobilizing around a cause was like. After fifth grade, the students will leave Davis Elementary School with a valuable experience about citizenship. If a group of people want a change, they have make an appeal to the appropriate people and develop a plan of action to see that change implemented.
As for the class pet, T.J., the next decision the students will have to make will be where T.J. will live after they move onto middle school. Their next lesson in civics will certainly be negotiation and compromise.
Letters from Students
William Tennent High School Student Writer- Tayler Fane
"Fool Me Once"
They say Fool me once, shame on you;
Fool me twice, shame on me.
But who takes the shame when the
Endless blame falls in the shade of one’s melanin?
And the fools are fiends that feed off the
Weak spine of in the invincible system
Built off of years of oppression and
Existential depression?
Graves of the brave and enslaved rave with
Persistence and resistance against the hateful gaze
Of the blinding white light.
Pain fills my veins as the rain washes away the vain
I just want my children to be loud and proud
And to live without the fear of that
Dark white cloud swallowing them whole,
Feeding on their hearts and souls,
Folding and molding their beautiful black magic and gold.
They say ignorance is bliss,
But how can something be blissful when its repercussions are
Hateful, cynical and racial
Slurs, words that ignite a fight within every single nerve and observe
The aching struggle to survive with a system filled with big white lies.
And I can’t deny, I try to fly high in the sky
To reunite with my black brothers and sisters
From different mothers and misters
Whose lives were taken away by a prejudicial blurring of vision.
Eric Garner could not breathe, and you best believe
That a preconceived notion disrupted a man of peace.
Tamir Rice, a young boy, just playing with his toy gun
Before police committed a heinous hit and run.
Sandra Bland, an activist who fought for change
Was pulled over for not signaling before she changed lanes
And it’s a shame, please remember to say her name
As the stop led to her somehow winding up dead.
Trayvon Martin, a kid who just wanted some skittles and tea
Attempted to flee and screamed, “Please help me!”
Until Zimmerman got the chance to commit the fatal deed.
Now, I’m getting tired of seeing black faces on my TV screen,
All these endless and tragic horror stories where none of us can ever seem
To make it out alive.
But, don’t you dare cry, because in the darkness we must thrive and survive,
Our magic coming together to collide and coincide with clatter,
Pits and patter while we shatter the discriminatory chatter
And in the end, we will be sure, that
Black lives indefinitely matter.
Tayler Fane is a junior in Mr. Day’s English 3 Honors class. She writes about her inspiration, “I was motivated to write this poem due to the recent passing of Trayvon Martin's death anniversary. Since I looked into his and other tragic deaths due to police brutality, I've made expressing my feelings towards daily injustice a priority. I also have a passion for writing, so I got inspiration to speak my mind through the art of poetry.”
By Tayler Fane
11th Grade
William Tennent High School
Wlliam Tennent High School Student Writer- Austin Adkins
"The Front Office"
“You are wrong,” yelled Kevin. I insisted, “I know I’m right; it says right here, so read it. Why don’t you believe me?” Kevin hollered, “Because that’s a fake source!”
At the lunch table is where it all goes down. My buddies and I analyze all sports, every day between 11:15-11:42 a.m.. The hottest arguments happen while these discussions go on. The rest of the lunch table just listens in on our conversations and usually decides the victor. We have a system in place on our phones to record wins and losses. Currently, I’m in last place.
My friends Jared and Kevin are beating me at this table talk because they agree with each other. I am usually the odd man out, even when I am right. We all share the same background knowledge, but most people at my table agree with Jared and Kevin because they are more persuasive. Note to self: pay more attention in English class. When I win, it's rare, but I always bring the best argument to the table and go out fighting.
One of the biggest arguments happened a few days ago while dining on cheesesteaks. We were fighting about whether a team could sign another player recently cut, or if the team had to wait until free agency started. I was obviously the odd man out saying, “You don’t have to wait. You can sign a player who was cut immediately.” Kevin, with his table of supporters rejected, “you can't be signed right away. You have to wait until free agency starts to sign players.”
We went back and forth at length stating the evidence from sources like the NFL Network and the app, and Instagram accounts connected to the Eagles. Our English teachers should be proud of the way we credited our sources. With so much persuasive evidence, the score was tied, so Kevin brought in another expert, Trevor, who also happens to be a Cowboys fan. Despite the fact that he roots for the wrong team, Trevor helped me win this argument by explaining the term unrestricted free agent. I jumped in joy knowing this would go down as one of the best discussions at our table, and one of my best personal victories.
When the bell rang, we packed up our books and headed back to class. Who knows, maybe this lunchtime course on Sports Analysis will lead us to jobs in the Front Office for the Eagles, Sixers, or Phillies. The next sports topic will definitely be March Madness; just look for the loudest table during second lunch.
Austin Adkins is a sophomore in Ms. Christine’s 10th grade English honors class. An avid sports fan, he wants to pursue an MBA degree and a job in the Front Office.
Austin Adkins
10th Grade
William Tennent High School
Klinger Middle School Student Writer- Katie Sher
"Tales of Survival"
In Mrs. Sikora and Mrs. Konen’s English classes, we recently read the play adapted from The Diary of a Young Girl, and we learned about the Holocaust to better understand it. The teachers have used a large number of different resources to enhance our understanding of this unfortunate time in history and the themes of the play.
Students personally interacted with our literature book to understand this topic. In class, we actually recited the drama, The Diary of Anne Frank. We would switch roles each time we read the play in order to give everyone a chance to play the different parts. Reciting the play with our peers increased our comprehension of one family's tragic story.
One assignment the teachers gave required students to imagine themselves being Jewish and being forced to vacate their homes with little notice. Everyone had to create a list of items they would pack in a bag if they were forced to leave their homes in June of 1942 and had no idea where they were going or when they would return; the bag could not contain more than twenty pounds. When we finished reading the play, our lists were returned with a note stating if we were liberated or if we died (and how). The students who packed the basic survival needs lived, and the kids who didn't received their sad but realistic destiny as a Jew in that setting.
To ensure our understanding and impact of this event, we watched segments of documentaries of survivors sharing their personal experiences. In Voices of Auschwitz, a CNN special, survivors explained their stories and journeys, but more importantly, they explained the lessons they took away from the experience and the impacts made on their lives; this helped us understand theme better. The videos we were intriguing and tremendously informative. These videos prepared us better for our current writing assignment--our own diary entries that will explain the life lessons we will take from everything that was shared. We will explain what has genuinely impacted us the most and why--and how these lessons will guide us personally in our lives.
The most exciting part of this unit is still to come. We will soon meet a real Holocaust survivor. Even with the low number of Holocaust survivors still remaining, Mrs. Sikora has still managed to find one to come and tell us his story. The man is Seymour Meyer, and he is ninety years old. He has written a book on his personal account of the Holocaust. He is going speak to the eighth grade at Klinger Middle School on Monday, March 13, 2017. Meeting this survivor will have the biggest impact on us; to watch or to read something is intriguing, but to hear a true story from its live source is exciting--and in this case-- a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
This unit has taught the students lessons that will hopefully change their outlooks on life and their future actions. The various teacher strategies--from reciting lines, explaining themes in literature through videos, writing and reading diaries, and meeting a real survivor, will, no doubt, tremendously increase our comprehension on the topic and make a positive difference in all of us. To me, this unit has been the most interesting topic to learn and the most enjoyable way to learn it.
Katie Sher
8th Grade
Klinger Middle School
Announcements
Centennial Education Foundation Anniversary Gala
Internet Essentials from Comcast
Your family may qualify for affordable Internet access and a low-cost computer. Please see the brochure below for details. To learn more or to apply, call 1-855-846-8376 or visit InternetEssentials.com.
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Employment Opportunities
Current employment opportunities are posted regularly on the Centennial School District website. Follow this link to learn more about current administrative, teaching, and support staff positions: www.centennialsd.org/jobs
District Calendar
To stay in touch with District events, follow this link to the Centennial School District calendar: http://www.centennialsd.org/Page/2
Centennial School District
District Administration
Dr. David Baugh, Superintendent
Dr. Jennifer Polinchock, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Christopher Berdnik, Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Judith Hengst, Director of Special Education
Mr. AJ Juliani, Director of Technology and Innovation
Ms. Hannah Messner, Director of Human Resources
Ms. Catherine Perkins, Director of Teaching and Learning
Board of School Directors
Ms. Kati Driban, President
Mr. Michael Hartline, Vice President
Mr. Mark B. Miller, Assistant Secretary
Mr. Steven Adams
Mr. Charles Kleinschmidt
Ms. Jane Schrader Lynch
Ms. Dana Morgan
Dr. Andrew Pollock
Mr. David Shafter
Principals
Dr. Dennis Best, William Tennent High School
Mr. Travis Bloom, Klinger Middle School
Mr. Andrew Doster, Log College Middle School
Ms. Shawanna Coles, Davis Elementary School
Mr. Michael VanBuren, McDonald Elementary School
Dr. Michael Donnelly, Willow Dale Elementary School
Email: csdpr@centennialsd.org
Website: www.centennialsd.org
Location: 433 Centennial Road, Warminster, PA 18974
Phone: 215-441-6000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/csdinfo
Twitter: @Centennial_SD