The document summarizes student achievement and academic progress in the Avon Grove School District. It discusses how the district and its schools met performance targets and standardized test scores are increasing. It highlights how increased enrollment in advanced courses and alignment of curriculum has contributed to improved SAT scores and more students completing higher-level math courses. The district is on track to meet strategic plan goals in math and writing.

1. THE GROVE News from the Avon Grove School District
www.avongrove.org • 375 S. Jennersville Rd., West Grove, PA 19390 • 610-869-2441 • Student Achievement Edition • Winter 2011
Inside:
Student Achievement
Pages 2-3
Scholar & Music News
Pages 4-5
Awards
Pages 6-7
Freshman
Academy
Pages 8-9
Board Seat Filled
Page 10
Budget Update
Page 11

2. News & Notes
Avon Grove District Officials Highlight Student Achievement Progress
state and national averages in all three
I
n a report to the School Board on
October 28, Avon Grove School areas tested. A total of 75 percent of
District officials highlighted nu- Avon Grove seniors in 2009-2010 had
merous academic achievements, includ- taken the SAT, compared to 71 percent
ing that the district made Adequate Year- statewide and 41 percent nationally.
ly Progress (AYP) in 2010; high school Avon Grove has now met two of
students’ SAT and standardized tests three performance targets for the SAT
scores increased in mathematics, reading outlined in the District’s 2008-2013
and writing; and the District is on track Strategic Plan.
to meet its Strategic Plan goals for sec- Avon Grove’s average writing SAT
ondary students completing higher-level in mathematics and second in reading. score increased from 499 in 2008-2009
mathematics courses. Based on the percentage of seventh- to 502 in 2009-2010, meeting the Strate-
In addition to the District making graders scoring proficient or advanced, gic Plan goal of an average 500 points.
AYP based on results from the 2010 Engle ranked third out of 13 in math- In addition, the average mathematics
Pennsylvania System of School Assess- ematics and fifth in reading. SAT score increased from 525 in 2008-
ment (PSSA) testing, Penn London El- Overall, 91 percent of Avon Grove 2009 to 537 in 2009-2010, meeting the
ementary School, Avon Grove Interme- Intermediate School students tested Strategic Plan goal of an average 530
diate School, and Fred S. Engle Middle scored proficient or advanced in math- points.
School also made AYP for meeting all of ematics in 2010, and 83.8 percent scored Now that both goals have been met,
their respective targets measured by the proficient or advanced in reading. new goals will be set at the Strategic
state in 2010. Penn London Elementary School Plan midpoint review.
Avon Grove High School met the (PLE) does not get tested for meeting Avon Grove’s reading SAT score also
state’s academic performance targets AYP; however, because PLE feeds into improved from an average 512 points in
for students overall in 2010, with 76.8 Avon Grove Intermediate School, PLE 2008-2009 to an average 516 points last
percent of the eleventh-graders tested does receive AYP results based on third- year. The 2013 Strategic Plan target is
scoring proficient or advanced in reading graders’ performance. Overall, 92.2 an average of 520 points for reading.
on the PSSA, an increase of 1.8 percent percent of third-graders tested scored
from 2009, and 73.3 percent scoring proficient or advanced in mathematics, Factors Impacting Performance
proficient or advanced in mathematics, and 84.2 percent of third-graders scored District officials indicate that im-
an increase of 7.3 percent from 2009. proficient or advanced in reading. proved student performance in math-
The high school met 20 out of 21 Students are also tested in writing ematics and writing at the high school
performance targets measured by the in grades 5, 8, and 11, and in science in level can be linked to efforts of the dis-
state, narrowly missing the target for grades 4, 8 and 11. Writing and science trict’s Writing Research Committee and
Latino/Hispanic subgroup scores in scores do not count towards AYP; how- the Secondary Mathematics Task Force.
mathematics by 0.4 percent. Avon Grove ever, the Avon Grove School District’s The writing committee has been
High School continues to score above Strategic Plan calls for 95 percent of working on alignment of the written,
the state average in both reading and students scoring proficient or advanced taught and tested curriculum for two
mathematics on the PSSA tests. in both subjects by 2013. years, and last year the district imple-
Success at all levels, including an Compared to 2009, the percentage mented the Collins Writing Program in
increase in overall achievement and of students scoring advanced or pro- grades seven through twelve. The struc-
closing of the achievement gap, can be ficient in writing rose from 73 to 80.4 tured writing program integrates writing
attributed to alignment of curriculum percent in grade 5 in 2010, from 81 to across the curriculum, as well as in Eng-
and instruction, the use of data-informed 89.5 percent in grade 8, and from 83 lish classes on a daily basis.
instruction, and a well-designed system to 85.3 percent in grade 11. Science As part of the work of the mathemat-
of intervention and support programs, scores increased slightly to 88.4 per- ics task force, Avon Grove set a goal to
according to District officials. cent of fourth-graders scoring proficient increase the number of students success-
Overall, 92.6 percent of Fred S. En- or advanced in 2010, 77.9 percent of fully completing Algebra II by the end
gle Middle School students tested scored eighth-graders, and 53 percent of elev- of tenth grade to 50 percent by 2013.
proficient or advanced on the 2010 enth-graders. Efforts have been underway to in-
mathematics PSSA, and 89 percent of crease student placement in higher-level
students tested scored proficient or ad- Proficiency on the SAT mathematics courses at the secondary
vanced in reading. Based on the percent- In addition to improved state test level, students can now earn high school
age of eighth-graders scoring proficient scores for eleventh-graders, Avon mathematics credit in eighth grade, and
or advanced, Engle ranked first among Grove’s average SAT scores also im- the sixth-grade mathematics curriculum
the13 middle schools in Chester County proved in 2009-2010 and were above Continued on page
The Grove Winter 2011

3. News Notes
Fred S. Engle Middle School eighth-graders Liza Malone (left) and Kiersten Guy unwrap their protective case to reveal a survivor
egg as fellow students Aly Arnold (background, left) and Kirstin Chalupa celebrate their own success along with science teacher
Tim O’Leary (far right).
50 Survive Fred S. Engle Middle School’s 2010 Egg Drop Challenge
Eighth-graders at Fred S. Engle heights. The objective is for the egg to project. Progression to the next height
Middle School recently completed the remain intact after being dropped from only occurs if the egg remains intact.
fourth and final installment of the “egg a chair, down a school stairwell, off the The final phase of the challenge is
drop” challenge, which is a culminat- school roof, and finally, from the top of made possible through the coopera-
ing activity for the Forces and Newton’s a fire truck’s aerial ladder. tion of the West Grove Fire Company,
Laws unit. Students must apply their knowl- which provides a ladder truck as well as
The challenge is to work with a edge of forces and the laws of motion to volunteers who man the drop zone and
partner to design and build a package successfully complete all phases of the drop the packaged eggs one by one. This
that will protect a raw egg from breaking challenge, and they must follow a set of year, a total of 50 eggs made it through
when dropped from successively greater specifications provided at the start of the all four phases intact.
Continued from page about 50 sixth-graders took Prealgebra 2010-2011 compared to 12 AP courses
at Avon Grove Intermediate School is at Avon Grove Intermediate School as in 2004-2005.
being more closely aligned with the part of a pilot program to introduce Data shows that student participation
middle school curriculum. higher-level math courses at the interme- rates in AP Exams have also increased.
This year, 47 percent of Avon Grove diate level. A total of 267 Avon Grove High School
tenth-graders are enrolled in Algebra Starting last school year, all tenth- students took one or more AP Exams in
II or a higher-level course. Data shows graders in Avon Grove were required to May of 2010 for a total of 397 AP Ex-
that a total of 43 percent of students take the PSAT. This year, the PSAT for ams taken, compared to 95 students tak-
completed Algebra II or higher by tenth tenth-graders was offered on October 13. ing one or more AP Exams in 2002 for a
grade in 2009-2010, as compared to 36 Taking the PSAT helps prepare students total of 139 AP Exams.
percent in 2008-2009 and 29 percent in for the SAT and can therefore help stu- Even with more students taking more
2006-2007. dents perform better on the SAT. PSAT exams, the percentage of students scor-
A total of 35 percent of eighth-grad- results will be used to place students in ing at a level 3 or higher, which can earn
ers completed Algebra I in 2009-2010. honors and advanced placement courses them potential college credits, advanced
This year, 50 seventh-graders are taking in 2011-2012. placement in college, or both, remains
Algebra and 181 seventh-graders are high.
taking Prealgebra, so 52 percent of the Advanced Placement Progress In 2010, 83 percent of the AP Exams
current seventh-grade class is on track to Also at the high school, data shows taken by Avon Grove students received a
complete Algebra II by the end of tenth student participation rates in the Ad- grade of 3 or higher. Grades are reported
grade. vanced Placement Program have grown on a 5-point scale.
In addition, the sixth-grade mathe- steadily, with 36 percent of all juniors A total of 42 students at Avon Grove
matics curriculum is being more closely and seniors taking one or more AP class High School have earned AP Scholar
aligned with the middle school curricu- in 2010-2011 compared to 20 percent of Awards this year in recognition of their
lum. This year, 69 students are taking juniors and seniors in 2005-2006. The exceptional achievement on AP Exams.
Prealgebra in sixth grade. Last year, high school is offering 16 AP courses in See page four story for more details.
The Grove Winter 2011

4. News Notes
College Board Names 42 AP Scholars from Avon Grove High School
A total of 42 students at Avon Grove At Avon Grove High School: Twenty students qualified for the
High School have earned AP Scholar Thirteen students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three
Awards in recognition of their excep- AP Scholar with Distinction Award by or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or
tional achievement on Advanced Place- earning an average grade of at least 3.5 higher.
ment (AP) Exams. on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 The AP Scholars are Catherine
The College Board’s Advanced or higher on five or more of these ex- Bean, Alycia Boggs, Benjamin Breun-
Placement Program provides motivated ams. These students are Connor Bralla, inger, Patrick Carr, Samuel Ciocys,
and academically prepared students Patrick Brodie, Emma Cartwright, Brendan Cleary, Rhiannon Fiala, Mark
with the opportunity to take rigorous Christine Chapman, Timothy Cochran, Gallagher, Kevin Hutter, Erin Klin-
college-level courses while still in high Andrew Doerfler, Sarah Gaffney, Jen- gensmith, Christopher Koetas, Cher-
school, and to earn college credit, ad- nifer Kelly, Elise Kennedy, Emily Lig- rnor-Maju Malekani, Jonathan Massaro,
vanced placement, or both for success- manowski, Teryn Nogles, Kevin Propst, Tyler Matheny, William Mea, Megan
ful performance on the AP Exams. and Colin Valentine. Outten, Katherine Reid, Rachel Ruck,
About 18 percent of the nearly 1.7 Nine students qualified for the AP Laurel Squadron, and Corrin Stilwell.
million students worldwide who took Scholar with Honor Award by earning Of this year’s award recipients at
AP Exams performed at a sufficiently an average grade of at least 3.25 on all Avon Grove High School, five are se-
high level to also earn an AP Scholar AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or niors: Brendan Cleary, Mark Gallagher,
Award. higher on four or more of these exams. Christopher Koetas, Tyler Matheny, and
The College Board recognizes These students are Maxwell Campbell, Laurel Squadron.
several levels of achievement based on Angela Crossan, Janelle Dorn, Aaron These students have at least one
students’ performance on AP Exams, Fonseca, Michael Jeffcoats, Alison Lee, more year in which to complete col-
which are scored from 1 to 5 with 5 be- Andrew Leonard, Aaron Shrewsbury, lege-level work and possibly earn a
ing the highest score. and Erin Trouba. higher-level AP Scholar Award.
Music
News District 12 Band Orchestra
Eight student musicians from Avon
Grove High School were selected for
the 2010-2011 Pennsylvania Music
Educators Association District 12 Band.
They are: Spencer Coleman, trumpet;
Chris Koetas, bassoon; Meredith Miller,
French horn; Seana Miller, French horn;
Rachel Neale, clarinet; Paul Sharp,
tuba; Bianca Stern, French horn; and
Alec Temme, contra alto clarinet. The
District 12 Band Festival is scheduled
Students Named to District 12 Region VI Choruses February 10-12, 2011, at Penncrest
Three members of the Avon Grove High School Chorale were selected to perform High School.
in the 2010-2011 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 12 Four student musicians from Avon
Choral Festival scheduled Jan. 13-15 at Chichester High School in Delaware Grove High School were selected for
County. The students were selected for the District Chorus following a tryout on the 2010-2011 Pennsylvania Music Ed-
Nov. 20. They are: eleventh-graders Gillian Hanna - Alto 1, and Paul Sharp – Ten- ucators Association District 12 Orches-
or 2; and twelfth-grader Tyler Matheny - Tenor 1. Paul Sharp was also selected to tra. They are: Chris Koetas, bassoon;
perform in the Region VI Chorus scheduled February 24-26, 2011 at Immaculata Meredith Miller, French horn; Seana
University. PMEA, an affiliate of the nearly 80,000-member National Association Miller, French horn; and Paul Sharp,
for Music Education, is a service organization dedicated to music education in the tuba. The District 12 Orchestra Festival
Commonwealth. The membership includes those engaged in music instruction at is scheduled January 27-29, 2011, at
all levels. PMEA District 12 serves the music educators and students of Philadel- West Chester University.
phia, Delaware and Chester counties.
The Grove Winter 2011

5. M usic Mark J. Gallagher Named 2011 National Merit Semifinalist
News The National Merit Scholarship Corporation an-
nounced September 15 that Avon Grove High School
Senior Mark J. Gallagher is a Semifinalist in the 56th
Eight AGIS Students Selected annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
About 1.5 million juniors in some 22,000 high
for Chester County Band Fest
schools entered the 2011 National Merit Scholarship
Eight sixth-graders from Avon Grove Program by taking the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National
Intermediate School were selected to Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an
perform in the 2011 Chester County initial screen of program entrants.
Elementary School Band Fest sched- The nationwide pool of about 16,000 Semifinalists,
uled February 18 at Fugett Middle which represents less than one percent of U.S. high
School in West Chester. They are school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants
Megan Gent and Imani Klein, flute; in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s
Julia Crabtree and Sadie Slavin, percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
clarinet; William Cavalier and An- As a Semifinalist, Gallagher is among the group of academically talented high
drew Eby, trumpet; Karl Forst and school seniors who have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some
Cameron Thomas, percussion. The 8,400 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $36 million, that will be of-
band is comprised of many of the top fered next spring.
second- and third-year instrumental
music students in Chester County. The Four Seniors Named National Merit Commended Students
students will spend the day rehearsing
Four Avon Grove High School seniors were named Commended Students in
as a band and in small ensembles and
the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program. They are Andrew Blyskal, Daniel
will then perform an evening concert.
Bodine, Jason Cardwell, and Justin Diaz.
Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than
1.5 million students who entered the 2011 competition by taking the 2009
Prelimi¬nary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
The four Avon Grove seniors are among about 34,000 Commended
Stu¬dents throughout the nation who were recognized this fall for their
excep¬tional academic promise.
“Recognition of high-achieving students is essential to advancing
education¬al excellence in our nation,” commented a spokesperson for the
National Merit Scholarship Corporation. “As demonstrated by their outstand-
ing performance in our highly competitive program, the young men and women
named Com¬mended Students represent some of the most academically tal-
ented students in our country. We sincerely hope this recognition will enhance
their educational opportunities and encourage them in their pursuit of academic
Student Performs at Carnegie success.”
Bassoonist Christopher Koetas,
a senior at Avon Grove High School, Avon Grove Graduate Named 2010 National Merit Finalist
was selected to perform with the Tim
Elise L. Kennedy, a 2010 graduate of Avon Grove High School, is the recipient
Janis Symphony Youth Orchestra on
of a college-sponsored National Merit Scholarship Award from the University of
December 2 at Carnegie Hall in New
South Carolina.
York. The orchestra, comprised of
She was among more than 1,900 additional winners of National Merit Scholar-
some of the finest student musicians
ships financed by colleges and universities who were announced in July by the
from Chester, Delaware and Philadel-
National Merit Scholarship Corporation. These Merit Scholar designees join over
phia counties, along with local music
2,800 other college-sponsored award recipients who were announced in late May.
educators and private instructors, will
Officials of each sponsor college selected their winners from among Finalists in
perform with the Tim Janis Singers as
the National Merit Scholarship Program who will attend their institution.
part of The American Christmas Carol
This final group of winners brings the total number of 2010 National Merit
Tour. Koetas was eligible to apply for
Scholars to approximately 8,400. In addition to college-sponsored awards, two
the orchestra since he was selected
other types of National Merit Scholarships were offered — 2,500 National Merit
for the Pennsylvania Music Educators
$2,500 Scholarships for which all Finalists competed and over 1,000 corporate-
Association (PMEA) District 12 Or-
sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who met criteria specified by
chestra last year. Janis is a renowned
their grantor organizations.
composer, musician, conductor and
Kennedy, from Landenberg, Pa., is currently studying marine science at the
arranger.
University of South Carolina with a concentration in biology.
The Grove Winter 2011

6. AG Senior Earns Congressional Award Silver Medal
A
von Grove High School se- Medina is a former migrant educa-
nior Simon Medina recently tion student who participated in the
earned a Congressional Congressional Award Program under the
Award Silver Medal for achieving sever- guidance of the Pennsylvania Migrant
al personal goals, as well as established Education Program, Chester County
award criteria, in the areas of public Intermediate Unit (CCIU).
service, personal development, physical According to Nicole Bartels Prum,
fitness, and expedition/exploration. Coordinator of Program Activities for
Congress created the Congressional the Migrant Education Program and
Award program to promote and recog- current Congressional Award advisor
nize achievement, initiative, and service for migrant students in Chester and
in America’s youth ages 14 to 23. There Philadelphia counties, Medina’s advisor
are six levels of awards, including was Elaine Steinbacher, who retired in
bronze, silver, and gold certificates and December 2009. Medina’s hours were
bronze, silver, and gold medals. validated by four current members of the
Each level is cumulative, meaning CCIU Migrant Education Program staff.
time spent to earn one award carries “We have worked with the Con-
over to the next level. Along with an gressional Award Program for 12 years
hour requirement, the higher levels because it brings a local and national ac-
of the award require that activities be knowledgement to our migrant students’ Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz PA13
spread out over a minimum number of achievements,” said Bartels Prum. congratulates Avon Grove High School student
months. If different goals overlap in the Ruth Nilan, ESL specialist at Avon Simon Medina after he received his Congres-
same month, the month may only be Grove High School, taught Medina as sional Award Silver Medal.
counted once for the respective program a ninth-grader and has known him for
area. four years. According to Nilan, he has the student’s responsibility to identify
To earn the silver award, Medina become a leader and role model for an adult advisor, other than a parent,
completed over 200 hours of voluntary younger students in the ESL program relative or peer, as well as appropriate
public service during 12 months of and now serves as a teacher assistant validators. For more information on
activity. His service activities included helping other teachers who have non- requirements, choosing an advisor, and
community beautification and child English speaking students in class. how to register, students and parents can
supervision. “He is a polite, quiet, disciplined, visit congressionalaward.org.
To achieve his personal develop- very bright young man who constantly Medina says participating in the
ment goal, Medina spent at least 100 seeks opportunities to help others,” said program has been a very positive experi-
hours improving his English-language Nilan. ence. “The Congressional Awards Pro-
proficiency over a period of at least 12 Christy Kouba, a student support gram really helped me become a better
months. Medina’s first language is Span- specialist with the CCIU Migrant Educa- person by improving my skills,” he said.
ish. tion Program, also describes Medina as “I would recommend this program to
For his physical fitness goal, Me- an intelligent, hard-working young man. other students because it brings out the
dina improved his cardiovascular health According to Kouba, Medina attended person you really are inside.”
through running and walking exercises, school, maintained good grades, and Members of the U.S. House of
participating in a minimum of 100 hours attended an after-school supplemental Representatives and U.S. Senate recog-
of activity over the duration of at least educational program while fulfilling his nize Congressional Award participants
12 months. requirements to earn the silver medal. who earn bronze and silver medals each
To meet the expedition/exploration “He does not let adversity get in year. Medina was honored at a ceremony
goal, Medina planned and participated his way. He takes difficult situations in Jenkintown, Pa., in late October.
in a camping trip to the Pocono Moun- and turns them into opportunities for Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz PA13
tains for a minimum of two consecutives growth,” said Kouba. “He is, by far, one was among those who honored Medina
overnights. of the most extraordinary young men and other recipients from throughout
Adult volunteers play an important that I have had the pleasure of know- Pennsylvania.
role in the Congressional Award pro- ing.” Medina is now working toward
gram. Adults advise participants on an Many other organizations also earning the gold medal, which requires
individual basis, helping them to set encourage participation in the Congres- 400 hours of voluntary public service,
challenging but achievable goals. Adults sional Award program, and any young 200 hours of personal development, 200
also validate participants’ activities in person between the ages of 13 ½ and hours of physical fitness and four con-
the four program areas. 23 can pursue earning an award. It is secutive overnights of expedition.
The Grove Winter 2011

7. Avon Grove High School Names Fall 2010 Avon Grove Stars
Avon Grove High School administrators and the school’s Student Assistance Program officials honored 37 students on Decem-
ber 17 at the fall 2010 Avon Grove Stars recognition breakfast.
Avon Grove Stars awards are presented twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring.
Teachers, administrators, counselors, and other staff members nominate students who possess outstanding qualities, demon-
strate a positive attitude and effort, and who make a positive contribution to the school and/or community.
Each honoree received a congratulatory letter and an invitation to the breakfast. In addition, students’ names, as well as some of
their positive attributes, are displayed in the showcase outside the school cafeteria.
The fall 2010 Avon Grove Starts are: ninth-graders Oswaldo Almanza Medina, Shennell Butcher, Brenden Curry, Edgar Garcia,
Katelyn Patrick, Keith Ross, Danielle Scalia, and Eleanor Schultz; tenth-graders Lilia Hernandez, Savanna Ledford, Justin Neuhof,
Orlando Victoria Dias, and Gloria Zamudio; eleventh-graders Mercedes Bedolla, Lauran Busath, Derrick Dean, Amanda Eiser,
Sarahi Gutierrez, Liliana Guzman, Leah Keinama, Luz Lopez, Haley Miller, Holly Moidel, and Nicole Wardell; and twelfth-graders
Steven Barker, Efrain Castano, Ashleigh Gentile, Kate Hesser, Dillon Hoilman, Kyle Lewis, Amanda Maroun, Tyler Matheny, Simon
Medina, Emma Mulcrone, Kristine Petrella, Adam Raubfogel, and Tania Reyes.
Avon Grove Student Wins National Video Contest
by Stacy Ososkie
CCIU Communications Specialist
L
iliana Guzman has loved visit-
ing her uncle’s auto shop for
as long as she can remember.
Starting at a very young age, she would
watch her uncle work on cars in amaze-
ment, and before she knew it, she had
picked up on a few tips here and there
- tips she shares on her national award-
winning video, How to Change an Air
Filter.
A junior at Avon Grove High School,
Guzman finds herself changing tires for Liliana Guzman, in her auto service technology class at the Chester County Techni-
friends and family, enjoying her auto cal College High School, was named the 2010 winner of the “Show Us Your Wheels”
service technology classes at the Chester video contest sponsored by the National Car Care Council Women’s Board.
County Technical College High School,
and planning to continue her education
at the University of Northwestern Ohio. The contest called for teens nationwide video was shown during the Women’s
In the fall, Guzman’s automotive to show why they are passionate about Board award reception during Automo-
technology instructor John Dowling rec- their vehicles and how to maintain it in a tive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las
ommended she participate in the “Show three-minute (or less) video. The contest Vegas, Nevada.
Us Your Wheels” contest sponsored by was a new category in the council’s Her video is also featured on the
the National Car Care Council Women’s annual Automotive Communications Women’s Board web site located at
Board. Awards program. http://women.carcare.org.
“Liliana is motivated and hardwork- While Guzman is proud of her ac- “She (Guzman) exemplified not only
ing and is respected by her classmates complishment, the contest had more the purpose of raising awareness of ve-
for her knowledge and ability,” said meaning for her than winning an award. hicle maintenance, but also was a great
Dowling. “I wanted to help open doors “For me, the best part of winning the example of a young female pursuing a
for her through the Car Care Council.” contest is that I can show other girls that career in the automotive industry,” said
Guzman took her love of cars and the they shouldn’t be afraid to do something Beatrice Livioco, Multi-Media Specialist
skills she learned from her uncle and in they enjoy – even if it isn’t typically a for the Automotive Aftermarket Indus-
the auto service technology program at female profession,” said Guzman. “If try Association, of which the Women’s
the Technical College High School, and you think you might be interested in Board is a committee.
scripted, filmed and edited a two-minute something, just go for it; don’t let any- “My goal is to be a great mechanic
video on how to change an air filter. thing hold you back.” someday,” said Guzman. “Opportuni-
The rest is, as they say, history. Guz- As the national winner, Guzman ties like this help me share what I have
man was selected as the 2010 winner. received a 16GB iPod Nano, and her learned so far to help others.”
The Grove Winter 2011

8. Curriculum Instruction NEWS
Freshman Academy Supports Students’ Transition to High School
A
von Grove High School
implemented a team-based
teaching and scheduling
model this year for all ninth-graders
known as a Freshman Academy.
The purpose of the program is
to help ninth-grade students make a
smoother transition to high school by
building upon the successful team-based
structure students experienced at Fred S.
Engle Middle School.
A total of four teams were formed at
the high school in the spring of last year,
each comprised of four teachers whose
specialty is science, social studies, Eng-
lish, or mathematics. Jennifer Meyers,
guidance counselor, and Gary Benasutti,
assistant principal for the ninth-grade,
both serve on all four teams. Some
teams also have coteachers who provide
in-class special education support.
About 125 students are on each team.
All freshmen on a given team take their
core academic courses together. For
electives, as well as PE and lunch, fresh- (Above) Avon Grove High School freshman Morgan Guarneri shows the crystal she grew as part
man students take classes with students of a series of cross-curricular activities designed to help students make connections and reinforce
learning.(Opposite page) Adam Durant shows the crystal he grew.
from other teams and other grades. This
enables students to take classes that best
meet their individual career and personal municating more with one another, The concept of a ninth-grade acade-
goals. teachers are also able to spot trends or my is not new. A number of high schools
Working more interdisciplinary ac- difficulties that may carry over from across the country have successfully
tivities into freshman-level core classes subject to subject. The team can in- used the model to help students transi-
is one of three major components of the tervene quickly and is able to pool tion from middle to high school and
new team-based approach. The others information and resources if a student become better prepared to take on more
are using data to improve student inter- needs academic help or social/emotional challenging courses and, often, a more
ventions and enhancing school-home support. competitive environment.
communication. During planning periods, teams are Research on these programs has
“This flexibility allows students to also using detailed data from the Mea- shown that benefits include increased
meet their educational goals in a struc- sures of Academic Progress tests – given academic achievement; increased stu-
ture that provides additional support three times a year in mathematics and dent attendance, positive attitudes, and
through an academic team, while still language arts -- to develop intervention behavior; promotion of positive feelings
allowing for the exploration of career strategies for students needing additional about self and others; increased number
goals and elective classes during the support. of students moving on to tenth-grade;
freshman year,” said Tom Alexander, Some teacher teams have met with increased extracurricular participation
Avon Grove High School principal. students during the day and others have rate; and stronger student-teacher rela-
According to Benasutti, the teacher met with parents and/or students on oc- tionships.
teams each meet for 42 minutes a day casion to discuss a host of issues. In Avon Grove, the District’s Cur-
to review student progress, communi- “This never happened before in this riculum Advisory Council recommended
cate with students and parents, and plan way,” said Benasutti. “Now, with the implementation of the Freshman Acad-
cross-curricular activities. team structure and daily collaboration, emy.
The team is able to get to know we can catch things early and take ap- The four teacher teams were formed
their students on a more personal level propriate interventions. Teachers some- last spring, a parent information night
since they each have the same students times use this planning time to contact was held in late May, and teachers re-
in class. Teachers can share if a child is students or parents and we can get things ceived initial training in early June.
having difficulty in one area. By com- back on track. It’s been terrific.” Continued on page
The Grove Winter 2011

9. Freshman Academy
Continued from page
Education consultant Elliot Meren-
bloom conducted the training, which
included identifying ways to integrate
and deliver curriculum, how to respond
to student needs and data, and making
creative use of time.
One reason the small learning com-
munity or team approach works, accord-
ing to researchers, is because students
learn best when they can connect a topic
in one subject to a topic previously or si-
multaneously learned in another subject.
(See story below.)
“This is one example of the many
ways teachers are finding to integrate
lessons, create exciting learning op-
portunities for students, and help them
make real-world connections,” said Avon Grove High School English teacher Tracey Happold-Brown helps ninth-grader Shane Cas-
Benasutti. sidy make a pendant using the crystal he grew in class. Students completed a number of interdis-
ciplinary activities to help build connections, including reading a short story called “The Necklace.”
Interdisciplinary Lessons Reinforce Learning Build Neural Connections
W
hen Avon Grove High teacher teams in June. The training
School teacher Tracey included identifying ways to integrate
Happold-Brown asked her and deliver curriculum, how to respond
4/5-period students to retrieve their re- to student needs and data, and making
spective science experiments from a pair creative use of time.
of desks along the wall on a recent Fri- The process of identifying related
day, the small group of freshman in the concepts and realigning units or lessons
English I class eagerly gathered round so that similar topics or skills can be pre-
to pick up the crystals they had begun to sented in several subjects at the same
grow several days prior. time is not an easy one. Merenbloom
As students admired their crystals, recommends teams explore up to six
Happold-Brown gave a brief review of Academy program, which is designed possible options to make it work.
the experiment, went over the chemical around a team-based approach to teach- At Avon Grove, each of the four
formula, and described the ways alum ing and scheduling. Freshman Academy teacher teams
– one of the key growing ingredients Education consultants Elliot Meren- meets once a day for a planning period,
– was used in the past and present day. bloom and Barbara Kalina address the which includes identifying ways to make
The students then quickly got to work topic of interdisciplinary activities and connections across subjects.
completing that day’s writing assignment. units in their reference manual titled In Happold-Brown’s classes, students
They were asked to make connections to “Making Creative Schedules Work in also read the short story “The Necklace,”
science, history, mathematics and Eng- Middle and High Schools.” which tells the tale of a girl who lost a
lish by answering a series of questions They say students learn best when necklace that was lent to her and how
that involved comparisons, writing a word they connect a topic in one subject to she spent years working to pay off a
problem, and a writing paragraph about a topic previously or simultaneously replacement only to find out the original
the scientific process. learned in another subject. was a fake. Students read a nonfiction
The assignment was one of a number Teaching in small learning communi- piece from a jewelry store brochure,
of integrated lessons that Happold- ties like Avon Grove’s Freshman Acad- and examined real and costume jewelry
Brown incorporated into all her freshman emy enables educators to connect ideas, pieces lent by Bove Jewelers in Kennett
English classes, including College Prep, which reinforces the impact on students’ Square. Students also read nonfiction
Academic English and General English. memory, according to researchers. articles on the chemical composition of
The practice – still in its infancy -- is Merenbloom provided initial train- gold and uses for gold throughout his-
part of the high school’s new Freshman ing to Avon Grove’s Freshman Academy tory.
The Grove Winter 2011

10. “Rock the Cure” @ Avon Grove High School March 12
Region II Seat Filled
Five-hour mini-THON to Raise Funds to Fight Childhood
At a special meeting on January 4,
Cancer in Memory of Avon Grove’s “Four Diamonds” the Avon Grove School District Board
of School Directors appointed Dr. John
Students at Avon Grove High School Bartley to fill the remainder of the term
in West Grove, Pa., will raise money for the Region II seat vacated by Lynn
to help conquer childhood cancer by Klingensmith, who resigned from the
participating in the school’s “Rock the Board on December 6. Bartley’s term
Cure” mini-THON on March 12. The will expire on December 5, 2011.
event, similar to a dance marathon, was Dr. Bartley is scheduled to be sworn
organized by Avon Grove teachers and in as Klingensmith’s replacement at the
students to honor four beloved teachers: February 10, 2011, Board meeting. He
Anne Thomas, Kim Corry, Joyce Perry was selected from seven candidates who
and Cara Serpico, each of whom lost completed all components of the appli-
personal battles with cancer this past cation process.
year. Dr. Bartley served previously on the
Participating students and alumni, Avon Grove Board of School Directors
known as “rockers,” will spend five hours as an appointee in 2003. In addition to
on their feet from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. the his prior School Board experience, Dr.
night of the event. Each participant will Bartley taught high school for 17 years
pay a $15 registration fee to help defray in Delaware and, along with three col-
costs for the event, and students are leagues, developed an interdisciplinary
raising funds by securing sponsors who curriculum program that was awarded a
agree to make a monetary donation. As grant from the National Science Founda-
of January 4, 211 rockers have regis- lion has been raised since the inception tion.
tered. Registration is open until February of mini-THONs. “We are so impressed Dr. Bartley is currently an associate
1. and grateful for the students’ dedication professor at the University of Delaware.
Proceeds from “Rock the Cure” will and generosity,” said Linda Barry, assis- He has taught general biology, elemen-
benefit The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn tant director of The Four Diamonds Fund. tary evolutionary ecology, and environ-
State Hershey Children’s Hospital in Her- This is the first year students at ments and cultures in conflict since
shey, Pa., which works to conquer child- Avon Grove High School will hold a Four 2001. Dr. Bartley is also the faculty
hood cancer by assisting young cancer Diamonds mini-THON. In addition to coordinator for the UD Associate in Arts
patients and their families. According to dancing, other activities are scheduled to Program in Wilmington and is respon-
The Four Diamond’s Fund Website, the keep the participants motivated. Rock the sible for planning the curriculum and
fund offsets the cost of cancer treatment Cure organizers hope to raise at least managing 34 full-time and supplemental
that insurance does not cover, as well as $5,000 for The Four Diamonds Fund. faculty members. He has held this posi-
expenses that may disrupt the welfare Members of the Avon Grove school tion since 2005.
of a child, such as car repairs, rent, or community who are unable to “rock” Dr. Bartley has won numerous
household utilities. The fund supports the can support the cause in other ways. awards and grants in the field of educa-
medical team that cares for the children Organizers also plan to light a Luminary tion, including Outstanding Delaware
and funds pediatric cancer research Walk at 8:30 p.m. the night of the event. Biology Teacher of the Year in 2000 and
through start-up grants and the Four Luminaries can be purchased for $10 a Superstars in Education award from
Diamonds Pediatric Cancer Research and can be customized with a person’s the Delaware State Chamber of Com-
Institute. According to the Website, the name and/or message of up to 20 words. merce in 1995.
fund has helped more than 2,000 families Visit www.avongrove.org, click on News- He has also published numerous col-
since 1972, and about 100 new families room and then Rock the Cure to access umns, articles and abstracts on education
receive support each year. registration information and luminary in general and his areas of specialty.
Avon Grove High School’s mini- order forms.Donations can also be made He is a member of the National Sci-
THON is modeled after the Penn State directly to the Four Diamonds Fund. Sim- ence Teachers Association, Association
Dance Marathon –the largest student-run ply note “AGHS Rock the Cure” in the for Supervision and Curriculum Devel-
philanthropy in the nation where danc- memo section of your check and mail it opment, and the National Association of
ers spend 46 hours awake and on their to: The Four Diamonds Fund at P.O. Box Biology Teachers. He is also a Faculty
feet to raise money for pediatric cancer 852, Hershey, PA 17033-0852. For more Fellow at the University of Delaware
patients. Mini-THONs were started in information about The Four Diamonds and a member of the Hagley Museum’s
1993-1994 by students wanting to sup- Fund, call 717-531-6086 or visit www. Education Advisory Board. Dr. Bartley
port The Four Diamonds Fund through pennstatehershey.org/web/fourdiamonds/ also has two sons in the Avon Grove
smaller-scale events. More than $4 mil- home. School District.
10 The Grove Winter 2011

11. NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
Avon Grove School District PAID
375 S. Jennersville Rd. PERMIT NO. 3
West Grove, PA 19390 WEST GROVE,
PA 19390
Dr. Augustus J. Massaro
Superintendent
RESIDENT
Dr. Margaret V. Sharp
Assistant Superintendent
Avon Grove School District
Curriculum Instruction
Board of School Directors
Robert Weidenmuller
President
Debra L’Heureux
Vice President
Dr. John Bartley
Herman Engel
Dennis Gerber
Pattie Lyons
Gary Moore
William Pew
Bonnie Wolff
School Officials Work on 2011-2012 Budget; Tax Increase Considered
Avon Grove School create a loss of $431,990 in tions button, complete and monwealth be reduced or
District officials continue real estate tax revenue. submit the form. eliminated. Alternate budget-
to work on the 2011-2012 Over a three-year period, Current plans call for ary plans will be developed if
general fund budget, which the district has incurred a all administrative budgets, the Basic Education Subsidy
the school board plans to loss of $1,679,248 in annual including school budgets, to from the Commonwealth is
balance through additional real estate tax revenues from be reduced by an additional decreased from the 2010-
expenditure reductions, using residential reassessments. 15 percent for the 2011-2012 2011 allocation.
a portion of the fund balance, Cost reductions totaling school year. Administrative
as well as a real estate tax $2.7 million were already budgets were reduced by 20 Key Dates
increase. incorporated as part of the percent last year to help bal- Jan. 27 - Deadline to adopt
Based on preliminary 2010-2011 budget. ance the 2010-2011 budget. preliminary 2011-2012 budget
projections from early No- District officials formed a A real estate tax increase, or adopt opt-out resolution
stating the District will not
vember, officials anticipate Budget Taskforce which has limited to 1.8 percent for
raise taxes by more than
a funding shortfall of about been working since early De- Avon Grove according to the
1.8%.
$6.5 million due mainly to cember to identify three tiers Act 1 adjusted index limit,
residential property reas- of additional expenditure cuts would generate $723,000 in Feb. 16 - Deadline to adopt
sessments and declining totaling $3.6 million. real estate tax revenue. preliminary budget and autho-
real estate tax revenue, As part of this process, If approved by the Board, rize referendum exceptions,
lower interest earnings, and officials asked for budget the District also has the op- if any.
increasing personnel costs. input and suggestions from tion to apply for referendum
Other major increases in school employees, parents, exceptions to cover certain March 3 - Deadline to file
the 2011-2012 budget are and members of the Avon costs like special education, request for referendum
expected in the tuition paid to Grove community. health-care benefits and exception(s) to PDE.
charter schools ($845,000), To submit ideas for retirement contributions.
May 12 - Preliminary adoption
vocational ($390,000), and generating revenue and/or Officials are also develop-
of proposed budget.
special education programs. cost savings, visit www. ing contingency plans should
For 2011-2012, assess- avongrove.org, click on the grant funding from the federal June 9 - Final adoption of
ments reduced upon appeal 2011-2012 Budget Sugges- government or the Com- 2011-2012 budget.
Nondiscrimination Policy: The Avon Grove School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices on the basis of
race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, religion, ancestry, sexual orientation, handicap/disability, union membership, or other legally protected classification. Announcement of this policy is in accordance
with state and federal laws, including Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504. All inquiries should be made to Dr. Wendi Lee Foltz, Director of Personnel, Avon Grove School District, 375 S. Jennersville Road, West
Grove, PA 19390, 610-869-2441.