News from Spring-Ford Area School District
February 2018
RAM REVIEW: eNews
Message from Dr. Goodin
Dear Spring-Ford Community:
Over the past week, our nation has been deeply troubled by the tragic event that took place in Parkland, Florida. While this tragedy was more than a thousand miles away, an event of this magnitude heightens the concern about school safety here in our own community. I want to reassure you that I believe each of our Spring-Ford schools to be safe for our students and our staff. As a district, we work closely with our Spring-Ford Police Department, area law enforcement agencies, school administrators, teachers, staff members and parents to ensure a safe learning environment for students.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind our community that we conduct regular drills, including intruder drills in each of our schools. In addition, this year we rolled out the ALICE Training program in all of our schools. ALICE – short for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate – provides an action plan for individuals and organizations to more proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or active shooter event. I encourage you to click here to learn more about the ALICE Training program, and understand how it has been implemented here at Spring-Ford.
In addition to taking the necessary steps to protect our school community in case of a threat, our district focuses on educating the whole child with social and emotional initiatives such as:
- Student Assistance Program (SAP): The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is comprised of teachers, guidance counselors, the school nurse, a building administrator, and outside consultants. The team works together to help students who are "at-risk." All SAP team members have received training that enables them to identify and intervene with students who are "at-risk" for substance abuse, depression, suicide, eating disorders, and/or other emotional concerns. "At-risk" students can be referred to the SAP team by teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, classmates, or parents. Students are also able to refer themselves.
- RAM Watch: Often times, students are the ones who really know if a friend or peer is in trouble, and who may be in need of help. RAM Watch was designed to give students a safe and anonymous way to watch out for those friends.
- Spring-Ford Resiliency: Student and staff resiliency efforts began in our district eight years ago. The Spring-Ford High School Resiliency Club germinated from students who have attended the Life Skills Conference facilitated by Thom Stecher and Associates. Resiliency Club members focusing on leadership, community, and social-emotional well-being. They learn how to develop respect, responsibility and create healthy relationships. These students offer multiple, day long Unity Days to their peers building a stronger, more resilient student body.
- Aevdium Club: Aevidum is a non-profit organization that empowers youth to shatter the silence surrounding depression, suicide, and other issues facing teens. The word Aevidum, which means "I've got your back," was created by students after a classmate died by suicide. Aevidum inspires schools and communities to adopt cultures of care and advocacy, encouraging all members to have their friends' backs. Aevidum exists in schools and colleges across the nation.
- Many of our schools also plan and participate in school-wide Pro-Social events. These events are more than just school pep-rallies and team building activities. They instill positive social skills, which help kids stay active in school, out of trouble and find success as they continue through life.
We also hold Parent Workshops throughout the year focusing on suicide prevention, understanding social media threats, the opioid crisis and many more. I encourage all adults to make these workshops a priority as they become available.
With any tragedy, your children may be asking difficult questions. It is natural for children of all ages to worry about their own safety. Please click here for suggestions on how to help your child through such an event.
As always, I ask you to work with your child's school principal if you have any concerns. Together we can ensure that the learning environment in our schools remains safe and supportive.
Thank you,
Dr. David GoodinSpring-Ford Superintendent
Over the past week, our nation has been deeply troubled by the tragic event that took place in Parkland, Florida. While this tragedy was more than a thousand miles away, an event of this magnitude heightens the concern about school safety here in our own community. I want to reassure you that I believe each of our Spring-Ford schools to be safe for our students and our staff. As a district, we work closely with our Spring-Ford Police Department, area law enforcement agencies, school administrators, teachers, staff members and parents to ensure a safe learning environment for students.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind our community that we conduct regular drills, including intruder drills in each of our schools. In addition, this year we rolled out the ALICE Training program in all of our schools. ALICE – short for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate – provides an action plan for individuals and organizations to more proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or active shooter event. I encourage you to click here to learn more about the ALICE Training program, and understand how it has been implemented here at Spring-Ford.
In addition to taking the necessary steps to protect our school community in case of a threat, our district focuses on educating the whole child with social and emotional initiatives such as:
- Student Assistance Program (SAP): The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is comprised of teachers, guidance counselors, the school nurse, a building administrator, and outside consultants. The team works together to help students who are "at-risk." All SAP team members have received training that enables them to identify and intervene with students who are "at-risk" for substance abuse, depression, suicide, eating disorders, and/or other emotional concerns. "At-risk" students can be referred to the SAP team by teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, classmates, or parents. Students are also able to refer themselves.
- RAM Watch: Often times, students are the ones who really know if a friend or peer is in trouble, and who may be in need of help. RAM Watch was designed to give students a safe and anonymous way to watch out for those friends.
- Spring-Ford Resiliency: Student and staff resiliency efforts began in our district eight years ago. The Spring-Ford High School Resiliency Club germinated from students who have attended the Life Skills Conference facilitated by Thom Stecher and Associates. Resiliency Club members focusing on leadership, community, and social-emotional well-being. They learn how to develop respect, responsibility and create healthy relationships. These students offer multiple, day long Unity Days to their peers building a stronger, more resilient student body.
- Aevdium Club: Aevidum is a non-profit organization that empowers youth to shatter the silence surrounding depression, suicide, and other issues facing teens. The word Aevidum, which means "I've got your back," was created by students after a classmate died by suicide. Aevidum inspires schools and communities to adopt cultures of care and advocacy, encouraging all members to have their friends' backs. Aevidum exists in schools and colleges across the nation.
- Many of our schools also plan and participate in school-wide Pro-Social events. These events are more than just school pep-rallies and team building activities. They instill positive social skills, which help kids stay active in school, out of trouble and find success as they continue through life.
We also hold Parent Workshops throughout the year focusing on suicide prevention, understanding social media threats, the opioid crisis and many more. I encourage all adults to make these workshops a priority as they become available.
With any tragedy, your children may be asking difficult questions. It is natural for children of all ages to worry about their own safety. Please click here for suggestions on how to help your child through such an event.
As always, I ask you to work with your child's school principal if you have any concerns. Together we can ensure that the learning environment in our schools remains safe and supportive.
Thank you,
Dr. David GoodinSpring-Ford Superintendent
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QPR Parent Presentation
Spring-Ford Area School District, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Department of Mental Health, have been training the school administration, faculty and staff members on a suicide prevention method entitled: Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR).
Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone for help. Our goal is to share this information and training with our parents, guardians and community to better prepare everyone in the event they encounter someone in need. QPR is about saving lives and providing support for one another.
WHEN: Monday, March 5, 2018, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Spring-Ford 10-12 Grade Center, Hurda Learning Center
DETAILS: Each attendee will receive a QPR Resource Guide as well as a QPR Gatekeeper Certificate. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please click here to register.
Helping Your Child Cope with Anxiety
Montgomery County Parent Engagement Series Presents: Helping Your Child Cope with Anxiety
Join your school community for a free information session on helping your child cope with anxiety. During the session, parents and caregivers will learn how anxiety affects a student's personal, social, and academic functioning.
Participants will learn how to talk with children about their worries and how to utilize strategies to help children cope with anxiety.
Local community resources will be provided. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns.
WHEN: March 21, 2018, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Spring-Ford 9th Grade Center Auditorium
DETAILS: This event is presented by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23.
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SFAHS Presents How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Spring-Ford Area High School Theatre presents How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying March 8 and 9, 2018.
When a humble but ambitious window washer happens upon a book entitled 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying', he begins his rise up the corporate ladder to the top of the executive heap with a mixture of innocence and smarts. But, during a moment of crisis in his single-minded pursuit of the top job, he realizes that this manual can no longer help him and he must rely on his own wits, and ultimately his heart, to save the day. Come out for an evening of lighthearted comedy in Spring-Ford's production of this 1961 musical! How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials re also supplied by MTI.
The Spring-Ford Area High School Theatre Program teaches students from grades 9-12 all aspects of theater. Students are instructed in every aspect of theater from acting, to set building, to the technical side of light and sound design. Every year, an average of 150-200 students at the high school are involved in our Theater Program. The Spring-Ford Area High School Theatre Program works on two shows a year, a fall play and a spring musical.
WHEN: March 8, 2018 at 7 p.m.; March 9, 2018 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
WHERE: Spring-Ford Area High School, 350 South Lewis Road, Royersford
DETAILS: Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students/senior citizens. Click here to reserve your tickets online.
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RAMdom Acts of Kindness
Have you received a RAMdom Act of Kindness? Spring-Ford Area High School students are spreading kindness throughout the community, both in and out of school.
If you receive a RAMdom Act of Kindness card be sure to pass the card along! You are guaranteed to make someone smile!
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Spring-Ford 5K Run/Walk & Fun Run
Register for the 5th Annual Spring-Ford Educational Foundation 5K Run/Walk today! The Spring-Ford Educational Foundation 5K benefits the Senior Impact Dinner. Beginning with the class of 2006, SFASD has honored individuals nominated by graduating seniors who have made an impact on their educational experience. A dinner is held for nominees and the seniors who nominated them to celebrate how each individual has impacted his/her life.
DATE: Friday, April 20, 2018
TIME: Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.; Kids 1 Mile Fun Run begins at 6:15 p.m.; 5K Run Walk begins at 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Spring-Ford Area High School; 350 South Lewis Road, Royersford
NEW THIS YEAR: Register by April 6 and you'll receive a Spring-Ford 5K long sleeve shirt!
DATE: Friday, April 20, 2018
TIME: Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.; Kids 1 Mile Fun Run begins at 6:15 p.m.; 5K Run Walk begins at 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Spring-Ford Area High School; 350 South Lewis Road, Royersford
NEW THIS YEAR: Register by April 6 and you'll receive a Spring-Ford 5K long sleeve shirt!
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Limerick Township Survey
Limerick Township is currently in the process of a master plan for the Limerick Community Park. Residents of Limerick Township are invited to participate in an online survey to provide feedback.
SFASD Special Olympics
Special Olympics Interscholastic Unified Sports (IUS) is a fully-inclusive co-ed high school sports program which successfully brings together students with and without disabilities. They train together and compete as equal teammates and through this experience, become friends. IUS teams are regarded like every other interscholastic sports team at the high school. Please contact Jeanette Walker to volunteer or participate.
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Spring-Ford Spotlight: Jump Rope for Heart, Brooke Elementary School
Brooke Elementary held a staff vs. student basketball game to celebrate the success of their Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. Students in grades 1-4 raised a total of $14,386.76 for the American Heart Association. Members of the Spring-Ford Girls' Basketball Team helped officiate the game and coach the student team. Watch this short Spotlight Video from RCTV to learn more.
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SFAHS Innovation Center
The Spring-Ford Area High School Administration Team invites you to the Grand Opening of the Spring-Ford Area High School Innovation Center! Join us for an afternoon of building, designing, tinkering and creating.
The Innovation Center contains three distinct work-spaces: the Audio Studio, the Broadcasting Studio and the Makerspace. The Center is designed for hands-on project based activities, student creativity and self-study.
WHEN: Thursday, March 1, 2018, 2:30 to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Spring-Ford Area High School, 350 South Lewis Road, Royersford
Spring-Ford Special Education Plan
The school district's special education plan is an action plan that describes the local Board of School Director's commitment to ensure that a quality education will be provided to each of its students with a disability eligible for special education, over the upcoming three years. The content of the Special Education Plan describes the special education program and services that are provided within a school district and those special education programs and services which are accessed by the school district from outside the school district's geographical boundaries.
Please click here to review the Spring-Ford Special Education Plan Report.
Please click here to share your questions, comments and/or feedback.
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Spring-Ford Kindergarten Registration is Open!
Attention all incoming Kindergarten parents: Children who will be five years old by August 31, 2018 will be eligible for Kindergarten in the 2018-2019 school year.
Kindergarten registration begins February 26, 2018 and will end on March 23, 2018! Visit the Spring-Ford website to make a Kindergarten registration appointment now!
Also, as part of the registration process for the 2018-2019 school year, parents will be asked if they would like to have their child "screened" for Kindergarten readiness. The screening process will help the school district identify those students who are in need of a "boost" before starting kindergarten. Those students will be eligible (by invitation) to participate in a Summer Program.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
SFAHS Spring Musical
March 8 and 9, 2018
QPR Parent Training
March 5, 2018 • 6:30 p.m.
Spring-Ford 5K Run/Walk
April 20, 2018 • 6:30 p.m.
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Spring-Ford Area School District
857 South Lewis Road, Royersford, PA 19468 || 610-705-6000 || news@spring-ford.net