David P. Krem, Superintendent

A look inside…

July 2011 | Volume 43, No. 1

S C h O O L D I S T R I C T

WYOMISSING AREA

Above: Erin Drebushenko and Michael Pham play their clarinets for the Hills student body.

Kayla Koyste enjoys listening to her grandfather,

Neil Wright, play the saxophone.continued on page 5

Music in Our Schools at WHEC

Students and staff at the WyomissingHills Elementary Center have beenenjoying Music In Our Schools lunch-eon performances during the month ofMarch for the past eight years. TheNational Association for MusicEducation has designated March asMusic In Our Schools Month. Thepurpose of the event is to raise aware-ness about the importance of musiceducation.

As part of this effort, Wyomissing Hills music teacher Dawn Main invitesparents, friends, and relatives ofWyomissing families, faculty, and members of the community to per-form for the students in the cafeteriaduring their lunches. The studentsand staff always look forward to thisspecial program each year, which

in our schools:Famous American for a Day

Mural by JSHSStudents

WAEF Scholarships

Jump Rope for ♥

NEWStidbitsWYO Senior Chosen

2011 Graduates

Staff Recognition

District News

2page

34

5

79

10

6

If you have any questions regarding any of the infor-mation in this publication,please contact:

Mr. David P. KremSuperintendent 610-374-0739, ext. 1106dkrem@wyoarea.org

2

During the weeks of Pennsylvania Systemof School Assessment (PSSA) testing,the third-grade students at WyomissingHills enjoy learning about famousAmericans who have made significantcontributions to American history. It is afabulous project that allows the studentsto express their creative abilities.

To begin, students choose the Americanthat they would like to research. Next,they read all about their historical figurein books from the library and the class-room. Students also conduct researchusing resources accessed from the com-puter lab. During the research phase,they learn to take notes about impor-tant information regarding their histori-cal figure. Once all the research is com-plete, students write a biography report.

One of the most enjoyable parts of theproject for many students is completedin the afternoons after PSSA testing; students create a “replica” of their historical figure. Parent volunteers offer guidance as neededthroughout this final process.

As a culmination to this activity, students dress up as their famousAmerican and demonstrate their learning by sharing their reports withfirst- and second-graders. Most studentsreally enjoy becoming their famousAmerican for the day as they help bring history to life.

WYOMISSING HILLS GELEMENTARY CENTERG

by Danielle Metzger

insight: the newsletter of the Wyomissing Area School District

Famous Americanfor a Day

Clockwise from top left: Arthur Auchenbach as Paul Revere

Xavier Rodriguez as George Washington

Michael Kuhn as Christopher Columbus

Jonathan Kremer as Benjamin Franklin

Gabrielle Connelly as Abigail Adams

Serafina France-Tribe as Sacajawea

insight: the newsletter of the Wyomissing Area School District

pal water is used in our community after it is purified at thefacility. In addition to its painted design, the mural features amosaic composed of more than 50 square feet of hand-cut glass.

Public Art Workshop students, under the direction of artinstructor Michael Miller, included: Soniangeliz Abreu, Sally Abribat, Kevin Altman, Remington Barrer, Christina Bowers,Justin Causa, Quang Chu, Tyler Eisenhardt, Samuel Gallen, Dylan Hampton, Kalyssa Krick, Elijah Marshall, Menaiza Mata,Amneris Rivera, Lisa Rivera, Sharon Stein, Sonya Stephen,Madison Wagner, Yong Wang, and Alex York.

The mural image will aid the staff of the WBWA during toursof the plant by illustrating the cycle of water to visitors.

The façade of the Western Berks WaterAuthority (WBWA) recently receiveda facelift, courtesy of art students fromtwo local high schools. Water from theWBWA reaches both the WyomissingArea and Governor Mifflin communi-ties; therefore, the WBWA invited students and their teachers from thePublic Art Workshop at WyomissingArea and the Visual Art class atGovernor Mifflin to collaborate on amural project at the WBWA.

The 9-by-65-foot mural illustrates thestory of where water comes from beforeit reaches the WBWA and how munici-

WBWA Wowed by Student Mural

3

The 2011 Scholarship Receptionwas held on Wednesday, May 4,at which time the followingscholarships were awarded totheir respective recipients:

The Class of ’59 MemorialScholarshipOne $1,000 scholarship awardedto the senior with the mostimproved GPA between 9th and12th grades.

2011 Winner – Tionna McPhatter

The Women’s Club of WyomissingScholarshipOne $1,000 scholarship awardedto a senior who has performedoutstanding service to school andcommunity, and who demon-strates financial need and aca-demic achievement.

2011 Winner – Kara Noon

The Samuel R. Kozloff ScholarshipOne $1,600 scholarship awardedto a senior who has demonstratedachievement and interest insocial studies or foreign languages.

2011 Winner – Ryan Melcher

The Class of 1946 MemorialScholarshipOne $1,250 scholarship awardedto a meritorious member of thesenior class who has shown aca-demic and leadership potential.

2011 Winner – Joshua Hamsher

The West Reading High SchoolAlumni ScholarshipOne $1,500 scholarship awardedto a senior who needs financialsupport and is a resident of theBorough of West Reading.

2011 Winner – Sterling Torres

The Koullias Family ScholarshipOne $1,000 scholarship awardedto a senior planning to studyelectrical engineering, math, or science.

2011 Winner – Sharon Stein

The Gertrude K. McGonigle AdultScholarshipThis is a $1,000 scholarship provided to an adult who is at least 24 years old and is re-entering education after at least a one-year lapse in time. This includes GED, vocational, baccalaureate, andmasters programs.

2011 Winner – Teri Gallegos-Rosa

insight: the newsletter of the Wyomissing Area School District

4

Left to right: Kara Noon, Ryan Melcher,

Joshua Hamsher, Sharon Stein,

and Tionna McPhatter.

Missing from photo:Sterling Rose Torres

and Teri Gallegos-Rosapresents 2011 scholarships

insight: the newsletter of the Wyomissing Area School District

5

Zeke Specht plays the harmonica while his

father, Pete Specht, jams on guitar.

exposes students to various instruments and differ-ent styles of music. In addition to the luncheonperformances, students performed as part of themorning announcements.

This year, more than 30 performers volunteeredtheir time and talents to the program. Notablelocal musicians, including Chris Heslop, Neil Wright,Pete Specht, Crystal Kowalski, and Josh Taylor, per-formed for the students. Although an emphasis isplaced on live performances, this year the studentswere thrilled to listen to music provided by DJ H.Vidal. Thank you to all of the performers who havehelped to make this program such a success!

Music in Our Schools continued from front page

In March 2011, Wyomissing HillsElementary Center was involved in“Jump Rope for Heart.” This is a greatfundraiser that gives all proceeds tothe American Heart Association. Alldonations collected are put towardheart research. This past year we dou-bled the amount of donations we wereable to give to the American HeartAssociation. In 2010, $2,000 dollarswere raised; in 2011, students raised$4,200. Physical education teachersMr. Blickley and Mr. O’Neil are so proudof the effort of all the children atWyomissing Hills Elementary Center.For Jump Rope for Heart we had oneweek where every student in theschool did jump rope activities for anentire 45-minute physical educationclass. Not only did students raisemoney for a great cause, they had agreat class in which they were allphysically active and involved.

Jump Rope for Heartby Steven O’Neil, contributor

Madeleine Piersol, WHEC first-grade student, jumps for heart!

insight: the newsletter of the Wyomissing Area School District

6

History Bowl TeamThe Wyomissing Area High SchoolHistory Bowl team finished as the 54thbest team in the country at theNational History Bowl competitionApril 16, 2011, in Washington, D.C.Competing members of the team wereWyatt Metzger, Brant Portner, and EmilyClapp. The team competed in severalprestigious venues, including MountVernon and the National Museum ofAmerican History.

YNOT AwardsTwo Senior High Drama Club memberswere among the winners at the seventhannual YNOT Awards ceremony heldon May 25, 2011. The event showcasedstudent musical performances from theeight county school districts that partic-pated. Anna Smith tied for the leadactress award, and Jennifer Helinek tiedfor the supporting actress award. Theywere recognized for their excellence inacting and characterization among avery talented field of nominees.

AAA Safety Video ContestStudents in Multimedia Tech placedfirst, second, and third in the AAASafety Video Contest for 2011. Firstplace team: Seniors Sarah Lorish,Chelsea Pellicano, David Ciatto, andSkyler Lash. Second place team: JuniorsGrayson Helm, Michael Gaza, and Jack Dando. Third place team: JuniorsBeau Masano, Veronica Lloyd, and

Jennifer Helinek, a Wyomissing Area Jr./Sr. High School senior, was selected for theMusic Educators National Conference (MENC) All-National Honors Choir.Jennifer, a member of the Soprano II section, was chosen based on her choralachievements and her previous selection to Pennsylvania All-State Chorus andMENC All-Eastern Choir. The National Honors Choir is composed of 150 of thefinest chorals singers from every state across the nation. Jennifer participated in theevent in June at the JFK Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.When Jennifer was recognized at the April 26 school board meeting for her accom-plishment, her choral director, Mrs. Sharon Luyben, pointed out that this was thefirst time that a student from Wyomissing Area has been selected for this honor.

WYO Area Student Chosen for All-National Honors Choir

Anthony Nally. Evan Mallon won the BestActor award at the 6th Annual 4500Digital Video Competition Awards onApril 23 at the Miller Center.

Wyomissing Area Chess TeamTakes County ChampionshipThe Wyomissing Area Chess Team,undefeated through the season, earnedthe Berks County Championship. Theteam then competed at the PennsylvaniaState Championship, where it took sev-enth place in the U1000 Division. Twoplayers, junior Jacob Leed, president ofthe team, and freshman Robert Pattillo,finished in the top 20 for individuals.

PA Stock Market GameWilberto Ortiz created and managed thetop performing investment portfolio inthe PA Stock Market Simulation.Wilberto’s portfolio managed a 32 per-cent return during a 10-week period inthis spring’s game. His portfolio finishedfirst out of 100 teams in the region andninth in the state out of 4,170 teams.The Stock Market Simulation is playedas a part of the academic and honorseconomics classes.

Japan Relief EffortsWyomissing Area Jr./Sr. High Schoolstudents, faculty, staff, and administra-tion raised more than $1,600 for the RedCross Japan relief efforts. Donations wereraised through a classroom roaming bakesale and Japan t-shirt sale.

NEWS tidbits

Sally AbribatAveda InstituteKevin AltmanFranklin & Marshall CollegeRajeandra AppaduSt. John’s University, QueensElaine AriasTemple UniversityJulio ArredondoUniversity of Pittsburgh at JohnstownLewis ArredondoPenn State University, BerksBrandon BahrTemple UniversityJohnny Barnes IIIArt SchoolMadison BarrerIndiana University of PABrianna BentzDrexel UniversityAlexa BickhartSyracuse UniversityCreighton BieberTemple UniversityAlisha BoguslowskiKutztown UniversityAshlee BoguslowskiTemple UniversityJohn BoninoUniversity of Mary WashingtonAshley BosslerEmploymentJulianne BoyleDuquesne UniversityGregory BrownUniversity of San DiegoSeamus ByrneUniversity of VermontVictoria CameronUrsinus CollegeMaría Candal-TribeHaverford CollegeQuang ChuMillersville University

David CiattoNortheastern UniversityJessica Colón GarciaAlvernia UniversityWilliam Conlin IVUniversity of Wisconsin CollegesEdgar Cruz PedrazaReading Area Community CollegeMackenzie CummingsArizona State UniversityRachael D’AddezioSyracuse UniversityMarcus De VosMessiah CollegeEric DeMarteShippensburg UniversityErin DiazCalifornia University of PASonya DingeldeinReading Area Community CollegeJoseph Dougherty IIDrexel UniversityKatie DugganDrexel UniversitySamantha DuttReading Area Community CollegeThomas EdelmanBoston UniversityEmily EvansArcadia UniversityBethany FeinauerShippensburg UniversityIan GaliyanoKutztown UniversityBritnee GansterEdinboro UniversityKathleen GieringerAlvernia UniversityAmanda GonzalezPenn State University, University ParkJustin Gonzalez Jr.Reading Area Community CollegeAlex GrimmRollins College

Zachary GrimmEmploymentDylan HamptonEmploymentJoshua HamsherUniversity of RichmondKaitlyn HarrisBridgewater CollegeQuinten HeinlyCoastal Carolina UniversityDaniel HelinekVanderbilt UniversityJennifer HelinekWilliams CollegeNick HodgkinsCentral Michigan UniversityKeito HoshitsukiUniversity of PittsburghKyle HummelApprenticeshipVictor JohnsonBarber SchoolAdrianne JonesReading Area Community CollegeEmily KaagPenn State University, BerksStuart KasePenn State University, University ParkAndrew KaucherAlvernia UniversityAlexander KeenerMarine CorpsMeredith KellerMillersville UniversityThomas KellyBerks Technical InstituteJustin KnarrEmploymentMark KoslowDuke UniversitySkyler LashLafayette CollegeJessica Lazo QuintanaLehigh University

insi

7

Wyomissing Area Jr./Sr. High School Seniors’ Post-Graduation Plans

wheredo we go from here?

Wyomissing Area Jr./Sr. High School Seniors’ Post-Graduation Plans

whe

redo we go from

here?

insight: the newsletter of the Wyomissing Area School District

8

Andrew LongReading Area Community CollegeConnor LongacreColorado State UniversitySarah LorishWest Chester UniversityTrevor LuybenPenn State University, BerksEvan MallonTemple University

Daniel ManderewiczAlbright CollegeLizannette MartirReading Area Community CollegeDylan MarzUndecidedJulia MasanoUniversity of Notre DameShielese McCoyReading Area Community CollegePeter McGowanPenn State University, ErieTionna McPhatterMessiah CollegeRyan MelcherGeorge Washington UniversityZachary MetzShippensburg UniversityLaila MuallemPenn State, Jefferson AcceleratedMedical ProgramDerek NallyPenn State University, University ParkJyana NanouhPenn State University, BerksJennifer NeimanShippensburg UniversityAbena Nimako-BoatengTemple UniversityKara NoonNew York UniversityAlison NugentUniveristy of DelawareMatthew OhnsmanTemple UniversityErin PaoliniUniveristy of PittsburghCassandra PapademetriouTemple UniversityYoham PegueroEmploymentChelsea PellicanoUniversity of DelawareJennifer PierceReading Area Community CollegeShirley PoonPenn State University, BerksKerina PrussmanReading Area Community CollegeBrady PuttApprenticeshipTyler RankWidener University

Katarina RodriguezKutztown UniversityMaria RuizEmploymentFrancisco SaillantMilitaryRenella SayersLong Island University, Brooklyn CampusCharles SettleUndecidedDuval SingletonReading Area Community CollegeJordan SkokowskiWidener UniversityMary StairikerMillersville UniversitySharon SteinDrexel UniversityShelby StraussUniversity of South CarolinaAndrew TetleyPenn State University, BerksDay-Jour ThomasEmploymentSterling TorresAntonelli InstituteRuthanne TukePenn State University, BerksSharibel UreñaReading Area Community CollegeErin VailAmerican UniversityBlake WagnerBloomsburg UniversityMadison WagnerChamplain CollegeMatthew WarnerReading Area Community CollegeCorbin WeaverPenn State University, University ParkChristopher WellockThe Catholic University of AmericaBrian WellsMount St. Mary’s University of MarylandDavid WertReading Area Community CollegeStephanie WertUniversity of DelawareThomas Zimpelman Jr.Reading Area Community CollegeGarrett ZinnMillersville University

insight: the newsletter of the Wyomissing Area School District

9

employee

The following dedicatedemployees retired at the endof the 2010-11 school year.Thank you for your manyyears of service.

Tammy Lobaugh, gifted teacher at Wyomissing HillsElementary, retired after 19 years in education.

Carolyn Okla, grade 1 teacher at Wyomissing HillsElementary, retired after 38 years in education, 15 at Wyomissing Area.

Richard Schlegel, custodian, served thestudents and staff at Wyomissing HillsElementary Center for 10 years.

Karl Schneiderhan, van driver, retiredafter eight school years; however, hewill continue to serve the District as asubstitute van driver.

Judy Simmons, JSHS food service work-er and crossing guard at WREC, retiredfrom the District after 27 years.

ENGLISH TEACHER EARNS AWARDChristopher Stanchek, high schoolEnglish teacher, was recently awardedthe John Huzzard Award by MillersvilleUniversity. The John Huzzard Award isone of two writing awards presentedannually to students enrolled inMillersville’s graduate program.

SPOTLIGHT

Best wishes for a long, happy,well-deserved retirement.

FULBRIGHT JAPAN SELECTIONMichael Miller, high school art teacher, was selected to participate in the 2011Japan-U.S. Teacher Exchange Program forEducation for Sustainable Development(ESD). He participated in the JointConference in San Francisco in May andtraveled to Japan June 21 – July 5, 2011.

L to R: Carolyn Okla, Barbara Troxel, Betty Youndt, Judy Simmons, and Tammy Lobaugh.

Missing from photo: Richard Schlegel and Karl Schneiderhan.

Barbara Troxel, coordinator of ChildAccounting and Central Registration,retired from the District Office after 20 years of service.

Betty A. Youndt, secretary to the JSHSprincipal, retired after 22 years with the Disrtict.

retireesRECOGNIZED

insight: the newsletter of the Wyomissing Area School District

10Every month for the past several years, West ReadingElementary students have been learning about and focus-ing on a different positive character trait in the CharacterCounts program. This year, students not only talked aboutthose traits, but also lived them every day in their tempo-rary “homes” within two area churches.

While the West Reading Elementary building is underconstruction, fifth grade has been housed at St. JamesChurch in West Reading, while sixth-grade students havebeen spending their days at Sts. Constantine and HelenGreek Orthodox Church in Reading.

It is obvious that both school and church communities had to be flexible and accommodating during this time.However, there have been some very positive, pleasant,and unexpected lessons learned by both children andadults. Cooperation and tolerance quickly turned to mutu-al understanding and friendship as the church staff andmembers and school staff and students became “family.”

Fifth-graders were welcomed to their new space with letters sent by the fifth grade students of Sacred HeartSchool, located just down the street. The students ofSacred Heart shared their playground space with WestReading students so that they could still have recess eachday. Church staff, especially Mr. Roy Kissinger, custodian of St. James, made many space accommodations andadjustments, demonstrating respect and caring to theirnew neighbors. Fifth-grade students and staff were eventreated to an ice cream party in May.

At the Greek Orthodox Church, the sixth-grade students learned quickly aboutGreek culture, often being treated to Greekartwork, language, traditions, and perhaps best of all, delicious Greek pastries that were generously shared.

Sts. Constantine and Helen runs a foodpantry, distributing food to area families each month. Student council members had the opportunity to volunteer their time in March, setting up and staffing the food distribution while getting a firsthand look at citizenship in action.

In June, the church custodian, Mr. Frank “the Greek” Petrakis, prepared a deliciouslunch of Greek-style chicken, beans, potatoes,and cookies and baklava for staff and students.West Reading employees were always invitedto participate in church activities and charities, such as the blood drive benefitingthe Keystone Blood Bank.

Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness,caring, and citizenship: these are the charactertraits West Reading students and staff membersstrive to focus on every month. Thanks to theirnew friends, they have a great understanding ofeach of these traits in action.

dist

rict

news

markyourcalendar

August 29First Student Day

September 2Schools Closed

September 5Labor Day

Schools and Offices Closed

September 22JSHS Open House

6:30 p.m.

September 24Homecoming

1:30 p.m.

October 6WREC Open House

7:00 p.m.

October 7 & 10Staff Inservice Days

Schools Closed

October 13WHEC Open House

6:30 p.m.Our Mission:The Wyomissing Area School District, in partnership with parents and community, is committed to:• educate all students to their fullest potential• provide all students with the opportunity to acquire the

knowledge and skills to be successful in the 21st century• encourage all students to be productive, responsible

citizens and lifelong learners.

July 2011 | Volume 42, No. 3

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

michelle m. davisPresident

gregory l. Portnervice President

lawrence a. Fitzgeraldtreasurer

corinne d. masonsecretary (non-member)

carolyn m. bamberger

angel l. helm

john a. larkin

scott c. Painter, esq.

lynn t. sakmann

anne P. seltzer

david P. krem (eX oFFicio)

School Opens August 29

School HoursWYOMISSING HILLS ELEMENTARY CENTER

GRADES K-48:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

WEST READING ELEMENTARY CENTERGRADES 5-6

8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

WYOMISSING AREA JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOLGRADES 7-12

7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Bus SchedulesIf you have not received your

anticipated bus schedule in the mail by August 19, please contact the

Transportation Department at 610-374-0739, ext. 1110 or 1101.

Cafeteria PricesBREAKFAST:

ELEMENTARY $1.45SECONDARY $1.55

REDUCED $.30MILK $.55

LUNCH:ELEMENTARY $2.10

SECONDARY $2.30 AND $2.80REDUCED $.40

MILK $.55

In order to qualify for free and reducedlunches, an application must be

completed each school year. Applications are available at each school

building office or online atwww.wyoarea.org,

click on Food Service Department linkOR CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN

DIRECTLY TO THE APPLICATION