RAM REVIEW: September 2018
Message from Dr. Goodin
The Spring-Ford community has felt a tremendous sense of heartache this past week as we lost two members of our school family.
Mrs. Ginny Prevost, Royersford Elementary School Counselor, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Mrs. Prevost was a good friend, an excellent counselor that connected with all students, staff members and families, and a remarkable employee dedicated to enriching the lives of our entire school family. Mrs. Prevost served the Royersford Elementary School community for 23 years.
Mr. Bill Racich, who recently retired after a 40 year career, passed away on Friday, September 21, 2018. Mr. Racich was a Physical Education teacher, track and cross country coach, middle school athletic director and the physical education department chair. Mr. Racich dedicated his entire 40 year career to the overall health and wellness of Spring-Ford students.
How children react to this news will depend on the relationship they had with Mrs. Prevost and Mr. Racich, your child's age, and their prior experience with loss. I suggest that you listen to your children. If they want to talk, answer their questions simply and honestly. These conversations can be difficult to navigate, which is why we have resources for parents available on our website. Click here to review information entitled Talking About Grief.
As a community, now more than ever, we need to come together to lean on one another and support one another.
Thank you,
Dr. David Goodin
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
National Merit Scholarship Finalists
This year Spring-Ford Senior High School has five students named as Semi-Finalist Students in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program! Congratulations to Semi-Finalists in the 64th National Merit Scholarship Program:
- Anya Aggarwal
- Sarah E. Chiaradonna
- Megan A. Englert
- Kristine Luo
- Caitlin McGee
This means that these students were among the 16,000 highest performers (out of more than 1.6 million) on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test test taken last October. They have the opportunity to advance to Finalist status and potentially receive a monetary scholarship.
In addition, Spring-Ford Senior High School has nine students named as Commended Students in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. Congratulations to our Commended Students:
- Hiba F. Hamid
- Axel Kalbach
- Olivia Kuklentz
- Christopher S. Lambert
- Ahila S. Moorthy
- Alicia J. Platchek
- Megha Rajan
- Ingrid E. Shu
- Jennifer D. Zajac
These nine students were among the 34,000 high performers who scored in the commended student range out of more than 1.6 million students taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. They are therefore being recognized for showing exceptional academic promise and demonstrating outstanding potential for academic success.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
MCSTA Exemplary Teacher Award
Each year the Montgomery County Science Teachers' Association (MCSTA) honors STEM teachers for their contributions to science education in the lives of their students, schools, and communities.
Spring-Ford Area High School Teacher, Ms. Erin McAnallen, was selected for the 2017-2018 Exemplary Teacher Award, High School Division. Ms. McAnallen will be recognized as a highly effective teacher who engages her students, uses multiple assessment methods to ensure that quality learning has taken place, and integrates modernized learning into the classroom.
Ms. McAnallen will be honored during the MCSTA mini-convention on October 25, 2018.
Congratulations, Ms. McAnallen!
FOR FAMILIES
Spring-Ford: You Matter
You Matter is a movement to spread the word that your problems, your worries, your fears, and above all YOU matter. Just about everyone at some point hits a wall, we're here to help. Click here, or the image above, to watch the Spring-Ford You Matter video.
The Spring-Ford Area School District has resources available for students, families, and employees. We also partner with organizations in our community to provide services to those in need. SFASD 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. 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.
- 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. 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 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.
Click here for more information and parent/family resources.
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Homecoming Weekend
A festive weekend is in store for Spring-Ford students, families, alumni and community members who attend this year's Homecoming celebration!
Spring-Ford students will continue the longstanding tradition of parading through the streets of downtown Royersford on September 29, 2018 at 12 p.m. Main Street will be closed to traffic during the parade.
The parade will end with a community picnic, provided by the Spring-Ford Education Association (SFEA).
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Free and Reduced Lunch
Studies have suggested a strong link between child nutrition and learning in school. This supports the importance of the availability of school meal programs in improving the educational performance of our children. Spring-Ford offers healthy meals every school day.
Children from families with incomes at or below 130% of the poverty level, children from families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and children in families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are eligible for free lunches.
Children in families whose income is between 130% and 185% of the poverty level are eligible for reduced price lunches. Learn more at spring-ford.net, click on "For Parents," then "Food Service."
Please note: Free & Reduced applications must be completed each year, information will not carry over from year-to-year.
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What's New on RCTV?!
Spring-Ford is fortunate to have a state-of-the-art TV and video production studio on site. Branded RCTV, the studio is managed by an experienced professional staff and produces high quality live and recorded video content for a variety of uses. Original programming, produced by teachers, students, administrators, School Board and community members, can be accessed through Comcast Channel 969, Verizon channel 44 and live streamed online. RCTV is taking an active role in meeting our expanding digital and video demands.
New this month:
- Royersford Community Day Spotlight Video
- On Board with School Board President Tom DiBello
- Health Tips from Body Metrix
- Welcome Back-to-School Video
- Gridiron
- Much More!
2018-2019 SPEAKER SERIES
QPR Training: September 27, 2018
Spring-Ford Area School District has been training 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.
Have the Conversation: October 11, 2018
For parents of elementary school students. Now is the time for families to begin important conversations about substance use, with special sensitivity toward young children. Together we will have an engaging conversation about:
- The reality of when and how kids are introduced to substances.
- How to have a conversation with children about loved ones who might be struggling with substance use.
- What to do if you are concerned that your child may be experimenting
SFASD NEWS AND CALENDAR
SFASD CALENDAR
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The Spring-Ford Area School District affirms that no person shall, on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, age, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, veteran's status or genetic information be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity. In addition, no person shall, on any of these bases, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in employment, or recruitment, or consideration, or selection therefore, whether full-time or part-time, under any educational program or activity operated by the school district. The district shall make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator (Director of Human Resources) 857 S. Lewis Road, Royersford, PA, or at 610-705-6000 ext. 6124. Refer to Board Policy No. 103 for further information about the district's Nondiscrimination in Participation, Employment, Contract Practices.I'm a new Text block ready for your content.
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SPRING-FORD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT