to read our RSD 2013-14 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
READING
SCHOOL DISTRICT
PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE
Celebrating the Library, Art, Music and Physical Education programs in the Reading School District.
12th & Marion –
Physical
Education
Odalys Calderin
She loves to hoop
shoot — and won first
place at the local Elks
Hoop Shoot Contest.
Northeast Middle School
– Library
Karla & Alexandra
Dominguez
We read to know we’re not
alone – C.S. Lewis
12th & Marion – Art
Juan Coste
This excellent artist inspires
others with his creativity.
13th & Green – Music
Ernesto Castaneda
Hopes his younger brothers Angel and
Anthony will have music class, too!
The Reading Musical Foundation and other local endorsed partners would like to thank the
Reading School District administration and board members for their support of the district’s LAMP
programs. Reading School District’s commitment to bring out the best in every child happens
daily in the library, art, music and physical education classes. We encourage our community and
neighborhood friends to contact the district’s administration and school board and voice your
support of these life-changing education opportunities.
Endorsed Partners:
www.readingmusicalfoundation.org
Calvary United
Church of Christ
Where Christ is lived!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Reading School District
800 Washington St.
Reading, PA 19601
(484) 258-7000 office
(610) 371-5971 fax
www.ReadingSD.org
Project Manager
pg. 2
Superintendent’s Message
pg. 3
Board President’s Message
pg. 4
About Reading School District
pg. 4
Class of 2014 Graduation Spotlight
pg. 5
Our Schools
pg. 6
Budget Outlook
pg. 6-12
Kristin Boyd
District Highlights
Director of Community Engagement
Reading School District
Cover Design
Julie A. Bunnick
CONNECT WITH US
websites for important news, events,
Graphic Designer
information and announcements. Our
Office of the Executive Director
Berks County Intermediate Unit
Publisher
Reading School District
© Copyright 2013-14
Special thanks to our advertisers
Reading Musical Foundation
http://readingmusicalfoundation.org
Kautter & Kelley Architects
Visit ReadingSD.org and our school
websites are continually updated.
Facebook.com/ReadingSD
Twitter: @RDGschools
Pinterest.com/ReadingSD
YouTube.com: Search Reading
School District TV
Information included in this
publication is from the 20132014 school year.
For the upcoming school year, we are
working to establish or strengthen our
PTOs and PTAs. If you are interested in
participating, contact Kristin Boyd at
484-258-7031 or boydkm@readingsd.
org. Also, email Kristin to sign up for our
e-newsletters and alerts.
www.kautterkelley.com
Greater Reading Economic
Partnership/Careers in 2 Years
www.greaterreading.com
www.careersin2years.com
Special thanks to the following
for providing photos and content
RSD staff and administrators
Sally Henderson/Berks Christian School
Pam Keeler/BCIU
Lauren Little/Reading Eagle
Dave Zerbe Photography Studio
Gilmore-Henne Fund + Rochelle Gray
Emily Yoder-Scheider + Lorrie Beard
Alneasa Jordan
Fidevia
More than 300 students competed in the annual (and fun!) All Elementary School
Track and Field Day, held in May at the track behind Reading High School.
SUPERINTENDENT’S
MESSAGE
It gives me great pleasure to serve as Superintendent of the Reading School
District. The 2014-2015 school year will be a paramount time in our continuing
journey to success, as we create a “Pathway to Excellence” for ALL children
in the Reading School District.
Please understand, the pathway we aspire to create will entail an enormous set of challenges and events filled with infinite possibilities of success,
and, together, we have the capacity to exceed expectations. The 2014-2015
school year will focus specifically on assessing, planning, implementing and
evaluating the following five areas: Academics, School Safety, Communication, Organizational Effectiveness and Community Partnerships. More specif-
ABOUT DR. KHALID N. MUMIN
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
ic, the aforementioned areas will guide the work of the teaching staff, sup-
Education: University of Pennsylvania
port staff and administrative team. We aspire to become a school system
Ed.D, Educational Leadership
that is flexible by placing tremendous investments in teaching and learning,
school climate, fiscal responsibility, collaboration, transparency, community
involvement and responsive, reciprocal communication.
This annual report is among the many first steps on our pathway to excellence. Here, you’ll find succinct summaries about student accomplishments,
Pennsylvania State University
M.Ed., Teaching and Curriculum
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
B.A., English
graduation highlights, history-making military appointments, valued community partnerships, newly adopted math curriculum, school programs, construction projects and our financial outlook for the 2014-2015 school year.
Special thanks to the Reading School Board of Directors, the Berks County
Intermediate Unit, students, parents, staff, residents and our many community partners as we partake in this journey, “Pathway to Excellence.” We are
driven to become a cohesive unit, team, family and community of learners to
move our schools to success — one student at a time. This is our calling, and
together, we will persevere, triumph and succeed.
Northeastern Christian Junior College
A.A., Liberal Arts/English
Interests: Traveling, classic cars, cooking,
reading, music collector
FOLLOW DR. MUMIN ON TWITTER
@DRMUMINRSD
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Wayne Gehris
Chief Financial Officer
Kathy Evison
Chief Student Services Officer
Allen McCloud
Athletics Director
Stepahnie Hackash
Finance Director
Deb Dendas
Special Education Director
Juan Rondon
Safe Schools Director
Christian Lellig
Business Services Director
Marcia Vega
Federal Programs Director
Kristin Boyd
Community Engagement Director
Karen Gokay
Chief Human Resources Officer
Wynton Butler
Social Services Director
Chris Celmer (BCIU)
Acting Assistant to the Superintendent
Shelley Livengood
Personnel Director
Jeff Haas (BCIU)
Acting Chief Information Officer
Dr. Juliette Pennyman
Asst. Superintendent, Teaching & Learning
Dr. Kandace Williams
Math & Sciences Director
Todd Conn
Facilities Director
Dr. Maura Roberts
Assessment & Accountability Director
Kurt Myers
Food Services Director
Positions currently being filled
Chief Instructional Services Officer
English as a Second Language Director
Literacy & Humanities Director
Equity Director
2
BOARD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Manuel Guzman l Vice President
I am proud to serve as president of the
GuzmanM@readingsd.org
Reading School Board of Directors. Just as
the district is on a pathway to excellence,
so is this board. We are working diligently
Bernardo Carbajal, Esq.
to establish a new tone and new expec-
CarbajalB@readingsd.org
tation for how we interact, conduct business and govern the district. And we are striv-
Abraham Cepeda, Esq.
ing to be positive examples for our students,
CepedaA@readingsd.org
staff and the community.
Though not an easy decision, contracting with Dr. John George
Pierre V. Cooper
and the BCIU this year to oversee district operations was a nec-
cooperP@readingsd.org
essary step in the right direction. Their assistance has helped our
district continue on our pathway to excellence. For example, our
Finance Department is now fully functioning with up-to-date and
Robin Costenbader-Jacobson
accurate records (see our budget outlook on page 6), and our
Costenbader-JacobsonR@readingsd.org
staff is currently in the process of reviewing, rewriting and realigning
the district’s curriculum (see page 12).
Robert Heebner, Jr.
One of my favorite moments this year was attending graduation
heebneR@readingsd.org
in June and congratulating students as they received their diplomas. My heart was full of joy. That night was a reminder of why I and
John Kramer
my fellow board members decided to serve. Our priority is always
KramerJ@readingsd.org
to provide a quality education for our more than 17,000 students,
and we will continue to work together to ensure that happens.
Eddie Moran
I encourage you to get involved and attend our monthly board
MoranEd@readingsd.org
meetings. Your voice is important. This is your school district, too,
and we want you be as proud as we are to be a part of it.
Rebecca Acosta, Board President
acostar@readingsd.org
BOARD SECRETARY
Lisa Iezzi
BOARD MEETINGS
484-258-7030
iezzilm@readingsd.org
Starting in August, Committee of the Whole meetings will be held
website, ReadingSD.org.
*Board policies and board minutes are available on our
on the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., and regular
board meetings will be held on the fourth Wednesday of each
month at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Meetings are held at
the RSD Administration Building, located at 800 Washington St. All
meetings are open to the public. Public comment is allowed at the
beginning of regular board meetings.
2013-14 BOARD HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
•
•
•
Passed a balanced 2014-15 Fiscal Budget
Approved a new Breakfast in the Classroom program, which will provide all district elementary school students with a healthy breakfast
each morning. About 92 percent of district students receive free or reduced meals.
Approved Berks Online Learning, a cyber education program for K-12
students who complete coursework online. The virtual program allows
children to remain a RSD student and participate in all district activities,
clubs and functions.
OPEN RECORDS OFFICER
Chris Celmer
Acting Assistant to the Superintendent
800 Washington St.
Reading, PA 19601
(484) 258-7030 office
(610) 371-5971 fax
celmerc@readingsd.org
SOLICITOR
John Miravich
Fox Rothschild LLP
3
ABOUT RSD
CLASS OF 2014 l GRADUATION SPOTLIGHT
The Reading School District proudly
serves the diverse communities of
the City of Reading, the fifth largest
city in Pennsylvania.
Each day, in every district building
and in every district classroom, a
vibrant learning community is striv-
ing for the success of every single
student. Our mission is to transform
student potential into reality, and our
district vision is relationships shaping
dreams.
The district has 19 school buildings, including 13 elementary schools (grades
Pre-K–5), four middle schools (grades
6–7), one intermediate high school
(grades 8–9), and one senior high school
(grades 10–12). (See a full listing of our
schools and building principals on pg. 5).
The district employs approximately
2,000 dedicated staff members, who
serve the educational needs of more
than 17,000 students.
BY THE NUMBERS
753 graduates
Joel Christophel l Valedictorian
During class, Joel developed a
mobile app that’s available on
84 percent will pursue postsecondary education or
enlist in the military —
Google Play. He plans to study
computer science at Eastern
Mennonite University.
a 13 percent increase
Astrid Perez l Salutatorian
78 students attained
Astrid won a YNOT Award for
full-time employment
her stellar role as “Abuela” in
this year’s school show, “In the
DEPARTMENTS
Superintendent: 484-258-7030
Business: 484-258 7061
Delinquent Tax: 484-258-7012
Federal Programs: 484-258-7035
Facilities Services: 610-921-4900
Health Services: 610-370-8578
Human Resources: 484-258-7011
MIS Department: 484-258-7013
Pupil Accounting: 484-258-7056
Special Education: 484-258-7102
Student Services: 484-258-7103
Transportation: 484-258-7057
English Language Acquisition:
484-258-7104
94 percent graduated with
Heights.” She will attend Franklin
a college or career plan
& Marshall College and plans to
become a doctor.
$1.8 million in scholarships
awarded in June
Patricia won the Berks’ Best
RHS had 14 Berks’ Best
Communications Award. An
nominees and finalists
active community volunteer
and VOICES writer, she will
CLASS OFFICERS
attend Brown University.
President Elizabeth Gonzalez
Swarthmore College
Vice President Franklin Melendez
Haverford College
Secretary Alyra Parker
Gettysburg College
Treasurer Annyrose Tavarez
East Stroudsburg University
4
Patricia Paulino l Berks’ Best
Marlene Estrella l In Memoriam
Sadly, Marlene passed away in
November from leukemia. Her
parents accepted her diploma
during graduation on June 11.
OUR SCHOOLS l VISIT READINGSD.ORG TO ACCESS EACH SCHOOL’S WEBSITE
Note: Enrollment figures are from the 2013-14 school year
10th & Green Elementary
10th & Penn Elementary
12th & Marion Elementary
13th & Green Elementary
Principal: Wanda Crespo
Principal: Rowbee’C Kasisky
Principal: Paul Hunter
Principal: Vacant
400 N. 10th St.
955 Penn St.
1200 N. 12th St.
501 N. 13th St.
610-371-5756
610-320-6994
610-371-5788
610-371-5766
Enrollment: 732
Enrollment: 525
Enrollment: 632
Enrollment: 668
13th & Union Elementary
16th & Haak Elementary
Amanda E. Stout Elementary
Glenside Elementary
Principal: Margaret Brown
Principal: Traci Webb
Principal: Susan Higginson
Principal: Melissa S. Fisher
1600 N. 13th St.
601 Haak St.
321 S. 10th St.
500 Lackawanna St.
610-371-5795
610-371-5760
610-371-5815
610-371-5913
Enrollment: 873
Enrollment: 680
Enrollment: 918
Enrollment: 408
Lauer’s Park Elementary
Millmont Elementary
Northwest Area Elementary
Riverside Elementary
Principal: Gordon Hoodak
Principal: Jennifer Murray
Principal: Maria Wengyn
Principal: JuliAnne Kline
251 N. 2nd St.
400 Summit Ave.
820 Clinton St.
400 Centre Ave.
610-371-5960
610-320-8947
610-371-5904
610-371-5896
Enrollment: 763
Enrollment: 657
Enrollment: 803
Enrollment: 897
Tyson-Schoener Elementary
Northeast Middle
Northwest Middle
Southern Middle
Principal: Salvador Sepulveda
Principal: Robinette Armstrong
Principal: Joel Brigel
Principal: Geina Beaver
315 S. 5th St.
1216 N. 13th St.
1000 N. Front St.
931 Chestnut St.
610-371-5951
610-371-5772
610-371-5882
610-371-5803
Enrollment: 676
Enrollment: 791
Enrollment: 644
Enrollment: 576
Southwest Middle
Reading Intermediate High
Reading Senior High
Reading Muhlenberg
Principal: Dennis Campbell
Principal: Alex Brown
Principal: Eric Turman
Career & Tech Center
300 Chestnut St.
215 N. 12th St.
801 N. 13th St.
2615 Warren Rd.
610-371-5934
484-258-7365
484-258-7458
610-921-7300
Enrollment: 437
Enrollment: 2,122
Enrollment: 2,785
Administrative Director:
Gerald Witmer
Our Districtwide Art
Show is held each
May at GoggleWorks
Center for the Arts.
This year’s show
featured more than
1,000 pieces of
artwork by our
talented students.
FAST LANE ART WINNERS
Yarilin Chimelis, who plans to attend
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design and
become an illustrator, received 2nd place
in Berks Art Council’s Fast Lane Arts design
competition. Cesar Gonzalez earned an
honorable mention for his work. Both
artworks are displayed on billboards in
Berks County, courtesy of LAND Displays.
5
STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Helen Stevenson, a physical education
teacher at 16th and Haak Elementary,
was inducted into the Berks County
Aquatic Hall of Fame.
2014-15 BUDGET OUTLOOK
The 2014-2015 final budget in the amount of $226.8 million was approved
by the Reading School District Board of Directors on June 25. There are
no cuts to personnel, programs or services. Here’s a brief budget outlook:
TOTAL BUDGET — FUNDING SOURCES l $226,826,371
STATE
Lauer’s Park teacher Tambra Isenberg
LOCAL
won the grand prize in a Hameray Publishing contest. Hameray asked teachers
to write a brief description about why
they and their students love Joy Cow-
16 PERCENT
9 PERCENT
FEDERAL
OTHER
72 PERCENT
3 PERCENT
ley’s books. Isenberg’s class won more
than 90 books, 10 big books and Mrs.
EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES
Wishy-Washy puppets.
The district’s Health Department coordinates the annual ROAR weight loss
competition. Based on total percentage
of body weight lost, ROAR winners were
INSTRUCTION
SUPPORT SERVICES
DEBT SERVICE
OTHER
28 PERCENT
10 PERCENT
1 PERCENT
includes student & community activities
61 PERCENT
Instruction includes:
Non-special education: 68 percent
Special education: 26 percent
Vocational education: 4 percent
Pre-Kindergarten: 1 percent Other
Instruction: 1 percent
Mary Quesada, 1st place; Joe Okonski,
2nd place; and Tara Breidenstine, 3rd
place.
EXPENDITURE SUBCATEGORIES
SALARIES
BENEFITS
Nadine Poper, school librarian at Amanda Stout Elementary, recently published
her first children’s book, Dachshunds in
Moccasins. She is currently working a
second book, due out this summer.
The district’s music teachers hosted the
4th annual Red Knight Music Benefit
Concert at RACC’s Miller Center for the
Arts in March. The event, coordinated
by RHS vocal music teacher Joe Smith,
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
DEBT SERVICE
OTHER
25 PERCENT
22 PERCENT
10 PERCENT
4 PERCENT
includes supplies & other expenses
2014-15 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
A principal, assistant principal and school nurse in every elementary school; An appropriately staffed district office;
Employment of approximately 19 additional instructional staff to support students needing academic interventions; New mathematics textbooks and curriculum materials; revised curriculum for all classrooms in grades K-5;
Additional curriculum improvements, textbooks and materials; Enhancements for alternative education; Development of a cyber education program; New laptop computers with updated operating systems for all teachers;
Additional technology improvements for students and classrooms; and renovations for select elementary schools
raises scholarship money for graduating
music students.
SCHOOL NURSE SAVES CO-WORKER’S LIFE
In spring 2013, Christine Wendt, a certified school nurse, used CPR and an AED to
aid her former colleague, Lynn Haubrich, an educational assistant who suffered a
heart attack and collapsed in a hallway at Lauer’s Park Elementary. For her efforts,
Wendt was honored at the American Red Cross Berks County Chapter’s 10th Annual
Heroes Awards & Breakfast in May. The event recognizes community members who
have demonstrated heroism through remarkable acts of courage or kindness in Berks
County. Wendt, who now works at 12th and Marion Elementary, received the Medical Hero Award. The district first began acquiring defibrillators through donations and
grants 13 years ago and now has one in each building. Larger buildings have several,
and there are four at Lauer’s Park. Pictured at right, WFMZ reporter Karin Mallet interviews Wendt for a video that was shown at the Red Cross event.
6
39 PERCENT
The Fightin’ Phils and Screwball stopped
by 12th and Marion Elementary in June to
congratulate the students on surpassing
their Million Word Challenge goal. Principal Paul Hunter challenged the students
to read 1 million words in seven weeks. To
help the kids get started, the Cops & Kids
Program donated 600 books. The children
exceeded their goal and read more than
5.7 million words — 5,726,749 million to be
exact. Students from each grade who read
the most words (pictured, right) received
special recognition.
BCIU PARTNERSHIP EARNS A+
In January, the Reading School Board of Directors entered into an unprecedented partnership with BCIU. It
marked the first time in the commonwealth that a school
board chose to partner with an intermediate unit to temporarily handle operations. It was a courageous decision
on the board’s part, says Dr. John George, executive director of the BCIU.
Dr. George, who served as the district’s acting superintendent until Dr. Khalid Mumin began his tenure in mid-July, is pleased that
the intermediate unit was able to help with the following: Stabilize the district’s
Finance Office; present a balanced 2014-15 school budget; rebuild and upgrade technology; conduct a successful superintendent search; establish a
proper board governance structure; realign administrative functions; develop
an appropriately staffed organizational chart; start necessary building renovations; and begin to address the items in the PHRC conciliation agreement.
“We have strengthened the foundation,” he said. “I don’t want to give false
expectation because there’s still much work to do. The district is now in a better
position, and I’m confident that staff will be able to continue on a pathway to
excellence. We’re on the road to financial recovery. Our vital signs are stable.
I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together. There’s much to
be optimistic and hopeful about for the future of the Reading School District.”
STUDENT SUCCESS
Kristen Batista, a fifth grader at 10th and
Penn Elementary, won first place in the
2014 Crime Alert Berks County Poster
Contest. The contest garnered more
than 2,000 entries. Her poster is now
featured on three billboards throughout
Berks County.
Wepa! The cast and crew of this year’s
school show, “In the Heights,” won Most
Memorable Choreography and Most
Memorable Performance of a Production Number at the YNOT Awards. Danny
Garcia won Most Memorable Featured
Male Vocal Performance, and Astrid
Perez won Most Memorable Performance by an Actress in a Supporting
Role.
RHS student Abigail Tellez was named
Junior Achievement’s 2014 Student of
the Year. She received her award during
a school board meeting in May.
Students in Lisa Richter’s
class at Tyson-Schoener
Elementary helped raise
awareness about autism
with the 10 Things Project.
The multimedia project is
on the district website and
features students holding
signs with messages from
2013-14 DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS:
•
•
•
•
•
Approximately 3,200 English Language Learners received ESL instruction, and ESL classrooms in grades 6-12
received new textbooks. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has also released the district from
the Improvement Status for the Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives required to show program
progress.
The Equity Department implemented the nationally recognized Olweus bullying prevention program at
three schools, conducted a climate survey and developed an overall Pathway to Excellence plan, which
describes the District’s approach to moving beyond PHRC compliance.
The Assessment Office submitted a Project Prevent grant application to the U.S. Department of Education
and successfully completed and submitted School Improvement Plans for the Focus Schools. School Improvement Plans for non-Focus Schools are now being completed.
The Food Services Department provided 841,784 breakfast meals and 2,427,909 lunch meals. Approximately158 tons of trash were kept from going into the landfill and, in conjunction with Rodale Institute, 14 tons
of food waste was composted and applied as a soil amendment to local farm fields. Another 44 tons of
cardboard waste and 100 tons of empty metal cans were recycled.
The Health Department hosted another successful Knight Walk event and participated in the PDE Pilot for
the Certified School Nurse and Certified Registered Dental Hygienist Teacher Effectiveness Plan.
the book “The 10 Things
Every Child With Autism Wishes You
Knew” by author Ellen Notbohm.
The 2014 Arxalma has been inducted
into the “Gallery of Excellence” by Walsworth Publishing for the second year in
a row. The “Gallery of Excellence” is a
showcase of the best yearbooks published by Walsworth each year. Austin
Runkle and Lakota Matson served as
yearbook editors.
7
STUDENT SUCCESS
The RHS Dance Team was selected to
MUSIC TO OUR EARS
perform three times during Philadelphia
76ers basketball games this winter.
For the 8th time during the past 11
seasons, the RHS wrestling team
received the Sportsmanship Award at
the annual Berks County Banquet.
RHS Key Club received nine awards at
the annual Key Club convention. The
club is ranked #2 in the state for Community Services Hours, and it was recognized as the most Distinguished Club
in Pennsylvania. Naomy Torres, who will
attend Albright College in the fall, won
the Unsung Hero Award, which is given
to Key Club students making an impact
in their community.
RHS swimmers Ellen Moser, Mikaela
Lantz, Elizabeth Gaspari and Olivia
Iswalt were recognized as the first
place team for the 200 Meter Relay in
the Reading Eagle’s 2013-14 All-Berks
sports section. Matt Lubas was named
Coach of the Year for Girls Swimming.
Baseball pitcher Zabdiel Parrilla was
named as the Reading Eagle’s All Berks
Best Athlete for Baseball. Others named
to All-Berks teams include: Isael Abreu,
Boys Basketball; Jonathan Lantz, Boys
Swimming Team; Sahara Randall, Field
Hockey; Cassandra Noray, Girls Tennis;
Matt Sensenig, Football-Defense;
and Omar Guzman, Bryan Alvarado
and Oliver Calvo, Boys Soccer.
Reading Intermediate High School student Alexandra Vargas, who plays the
bari sax, was among 19 students selected to perform with the Berks County High
School All-Star Jazz Band during Berks
Jazz Fest.
8
On the same night that Reading High
School’s chorale students performed Pharrell’s
hit “Happy” on stage at the Greater Reading
Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Annual Dinner with “Good Morning America” co-anchor
Robin Roberts, the Reading Musical Foundation
teamed with Freedom Auto Group and Menche
Music to donate 61 instruments, worth $12,000,
to the district. The presentation was made during the district’s annual All City Elementary Concert.
The next week, Sen. Judy Schwank donated her beloved childhood violin to
Kaylah Garcia, a 13th and Union Elementary student, during the school’s spring
concert. Kaylah was selected for her hard work and determination in learning
the instrument. Schwank’s violin was restored through Reading Musical Foundation’s Operation Replay, in which Zeswitz Music refurbishes used instruments.
And Reading Intermediate High School’s music students were jazzed when
they learned they had won a $10,000 music package in National Educational
Music Company’s voting contest. Schools from across the country were vying
for the top spot, but Reading School District garnered the most votes, thanks to
social media and strong community support. The prize package also included
an additional $1,000 for the Red Knight Music Association.
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Our students and staff love giving back and donating to charities,
such as the Eastern Kentucky Animal Rescue, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Each year, 13th and
Union teacher Samantha Frees completes a kindness unit at the
school, and third grade students create care packages with games
and goodies for area cancer patients. The bags are delivered to
patients at St. Joseph Medical Center and Reading Health System.
MAKING HISTORY
Rep. Joseph Pitts has
nominated hundreds of
students for military appointments during the past
20 years. JROTC standout
Demetrius Merkey (top
photo) and football captain Matthew Sensenig are
the first ever from Pitts’ list
of nominees to receive
appointments. Matt is
now attending the U.S. Naval Academy
and plans to become a pilot. Demetrius
is now attending the U.S. Naval Prep
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
School.
‘GRANDMOM PHYLLIS’ WINS
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT AWARD
The Reading School District values its community partners and all that they
Big hugs for Phyl-
do for our students, staff and parents. This year, Glenside Elementary partnered
with Penn State University and Penn State Berks to a become Professional De-
lis Gogliuzza,
velopment School for PSU students. Other local colleges are also providing as-
also known as
sistance, including Reading Area Community College and its Upward Bound
“Grandma Phyl-
program, Albright College’s partnership with 13th & Union Elementary, Kutztown
lis.” The 92-year-
University’s partnership with Lauer’s Park Elementary and Alvernia University’s
old has been a
partnership with Millmont Elementary. Pictured above: RHS students participat-
Foster Grandpar-
ed in a Career Prep Workshop, thanks to a new partnership with the Greater
ent volunteer at Glenside Elementary
Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry; middle school students enjoyed
for more than 20 years. This spring, she
Youth Fun Day, made possible through our partnership with the Reading Rec-
received a Volunteer Spotlight Award
reation Commission; Carpenter sponsored Riverside Elementary’s Science Ex-
from Secretary Brian Duke of the Penn-
plorers program; and 10th & Green held its first annual Friends of 10th & Green
sylvania Department of Aging during a
Appreciation Dinner to thank community partners. Other partners include:
surprise presentation at the school. The
ACOR
All Soul’s Ecumenical Church
Azko Nobel
Berks Arts Council
Berks Historical Society
Berks Packing
BCAP
BCIU
Berks Community Prevention
Partnership
Berks Women in Crisis
Burger King - Reading location
Calvary United Church of
Christ
Caron Foundation
Christ Lutheran Church
City of Reading (COR) Tennis
City of Reading Recycling
Program
Clover Farms
Council On Chemical Abuse
CrossRoads XP
Fantasy Skateaway
Gilmore/Henne Fund
Girl Scouts of Eastern
Pennsylvania
Girls on the Run
Glad Tidings Church
GoggleWorks Center
for the Arts
Grace Lutheran Church
Greater Berks Food Bank
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
Holy Trinity Church of
God in Christ
Hope Lutheran Church
Junior League of Reading
Koinos Church
Lamar Advertising
Migrant Education Program
Mike & Joes Barbershop
Olivet Boys and Girls Club
Olivet United Church of Christ
Path of Holiness
Peace Lutheran Church
Reading Fightin’ Phils
Reading Health System
Reading Musical Foundation
Reading Public Museum
Reading Public Library
Reading Symphony Orchestra
Ready.Set.Read!
St. Joseph Medical Center
St. Margaret’s RC Church
St. Luke’s Church
Salvation Army
Sofritos Bistro
Southern Alumni Association
The Food Trust
The Place at Riveredge
Travelers
Trinity Lutheran Church
United Way of Berks County
Wood-to-Wonderful
Yes Mentoring Program
Yocum Institute
*List is not comprehensive or exhaustive. We appreciate and thank all of our community partners.
Berks Area Agency on Aging oversees
the Foster Grandparent program.
ANNIE SULLIVAN NOMINEE
Tyler Rutt, a special education teacher
at Reading Intermediate High School
was the district’s nominee for the
prestigious Annie Sullivan Award this
year. BCIU presents the award annually
to recognize outstanding service and
dedication of individuals who advocate
for the well-being of students with
disabilities.
9
RENOVATION PROJECTS WINS
URBAN LAND AWARD
Kautter & Kelley Architects and the
Reading School District were one of
nine winners at the Urban Land Institute’s inaugural Willard G. “Bill” Rouse
III Awards for Excellence in June. Kautter & Kelley and the district were cited
by jurors for the Amanda Stout/Benners
Count project, which they described
as a “sophisticated community project
that pioneered educational concepts
and involved students in the construction process — an unusual public project
that was completed on time and under
REPAIRS & RENOVATIONS
As we continue on our pathway to excellence, the district is working diligently
to repair and upgrade our buildings. Our
Facilities Department is overseeing several
renovation and repair projects that will
improve the overall school environment
for students and staff. Current projects,
which are being completed by Fidevia,
are taking place at Reading High School
and the four middle schools. The first round
of projects includes: exterior brick repair,
roofing repairs at the middle schools, new windows for the middle schools and
boiler room renovations at the high school (pictured above). Renovations are
planned for select elementary schools next school year.
budget without the school needing to
close during reconstruction.” Architect
Michael Kautter accepted the award.
A PLACE TO PLAY: TWO SCHOOLS RECEIVE PLAYGROUNDS
LITERACY PROGRAM RECEIVES
FAMILY DOLLAR GRANT
In June, the Dollar General Literacy
Foundation awarded Reading School
District’s Family Literacy Program a
$10,000 grant. The grant will be used
for technology upgrades within the
program, according to Family Literacy
Coordinator Nancy Jackson.
SCHOOLS EARN ‘NO PLACE
FOR HATE’ DESIGNATION
Students frrom two stchools received their dream playgrounds this year, thanks
to community support, community partnerships and volunteers who wanted to
ensure students had a safe place to play.
Students at 10th and Green Elementary had been without a playground for
more than 20 years. But that changed this spring when local nonprofit Wood-to-
Both Amanda Stout Elementary and
Wonderful and Koinos Church stepped in to help. They made it their mission to
12th and Marion Elementary received
help the students get a playground, and Doug and Louise Brown from Wood-
the prestigious “No Place for Hate”
to-Wonderful led the charge in raising the funds needed to move the unused
designation during school assemblies
playground from Thomas Ford Elementary to 10th and Green.
in May. To earn this distinction, each
In April,16th and Haak Elementary was selected as this year’s Gilmore-Henne
school formed a No Place for Hate
Community Fund playground revitalization project (pictured above). The area
committee, adopted a resolution
had no real outdoor space where kids could play. With the financial backing
pledging to create a more inclusive
of Wyomissing-based Kautter & Kelley Architects, the Gulati Family Fund, the
school and implemented a number
Reading Royals and KaBOOM, the fund provided swings, slides, monkey bars
of projects promoting respect for
and much more for the school. In late June, staff, students, parents and the
differences.
community volunteered (pictured above, left) to help install the equipment
and refurbish the park, including planting flowers and painting the fence.
10
More than 500 students from Reading High
and Reading Intermediate High School
participate in the district’s JROTC program,
which is among the best in the country, according to Sgt. Major Thomas Wright. This
year, JROTC placed third in armed drills and
unarmed drills at the national championships held in Daytona Beach, Fla. Three Class
of 2014 graduates have applied to be Marine Corps officers, Wright says.
TOP 10 STUDENTS
The Top 10 students in grades 10-12 are
honored annually at the Superintendent’s Scholastic Recognition Banquet.
Ashley Furniture was the major sponsor
of this year’s event, which was held at
the Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Reading.
RHS ATHLETIC CHAMPS
In December 2013, the Reading High
Top 10 sophomores:
Adriana Lemus-Adame; Jasmine E.
Argueta; Yalil Antonio Caraballo; Sarah
Camil Diaz; Jennifer Du Duong; Khalil
Boys Basketball players and Coach Rick
X. Eaddy; Emanuel Luna; Thomas M.
Perez reached a milestone after winning
Mease; Tristan Michaels Morales; and
their 2,000th game this season — the first
Kirsy P. Rosario.
team in Pennsylvania to achieve this accomplishment. Only two other programs
Top 10 juniors:
in the country have officially been recog-
Isabelle Rose Bender; Becky L. Jones;
nized with 2,000 wins.
Marcos Lozano Mendez; Venus D.
The Red Knights fielded their first team
Velazquez; Cassandra M. Malack;
in 1901, and in the first 112 seasons, they
Gharline Manoushka Pierre-Paul;
won 20 Central Penn League champion-
Vanessa Ramirez; Anthony Ariel Rivera;
ships, 20 Berks Conference champion-
Lexus M. Rosado; and Daniel Wallace.
ships and a record 19 District 3 titles.
The RHS Boys Soccer players also had
Top 10 seniors:
an all-star year. The team advanced to the Berks County Championship Game
Joel Christophel; Narda Caudillo; Ari
for the first time since 1980. The team also qualified for District Playoffs for the
Chan; ErissonJ. Contreras; Carlos D.
first time since 2005 and defeated Red Lion 1-0 for the first District Playoff win in
Cornelio; Elizabeth Gonzalez; Franklin
school history. The team finished the season with 15 wins, which tied the school
Nestor Melendez; Astrid Perez; Matthew
record set by the 1980 team.
L. Sensenig; and Jessica Singlar.
Oliver Calvo was honored as an all-state selection by the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association in January. And Mike Cahn was named Berks County
Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.
RHS ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
In the spring, the RHS baseball team and Coach Jason Zeigler won the Berks
County championship game. It marked the first county win for RHS baseball
since 1993. (Interesting fact: The RHS 1993 winning team included Alex Brown,
who’s now principal at Reading Intermediate High School.)
Pitcher Zabdiel Parrilla was named Player of the Year at the All County Meeting, while Maicol Parrilla was named an All County Member at the All County
Meeting. Francisco Reyes was named MVP for the Berks League team in the
Baseballtown Senior All-Star Game. Reyes and Kyle Gantert were also named
All Division Members at the All County Meeting. Roanderson Severino received
an All Division Honorable Mention at the meeting, and Zeigler was named
Coach of the Year.
Student-athletes were
recognized during the
annual Athletic Banquet
at Reading High School.
Amanda Dorsinville (top)
was named as the Top Female Athlete. She plans to
attend Indiana University
of Pennsylvania. Francisco
Reyes was named Top
Male Athlete. He plans to
attend Albright College.
11
THREE CHEERS FOR TROOP #1353
The Reading High
cheerleaders made
history in the fall when
they became the first
squad in Berks County
to be recognized as a
Girl Scouts troop. The
squad — also known
as Troop #1353 — includes cheerleader
Cori Diggs (above), who was selected
from more than 350 young women to be
one of the presenters at the Girl Scouts
of Eastern Pennsylvania’s Take the Lead
program in March. She introduced Jill
M. Scheidt, a local attorney and 2014
CURRICULUM REVIEW
Professional staff and administrators began to review, rewrite
and update the district’s curriculum. This will ensure curriculum is
consistent districtwide, as well as aligned vertically and horizontally, which will directly impact student success and growth. Staff
has implemented a curriculum review cycle, created a curriculum mapping system and developed an assessment plan. After a thorough
analysis of data, the district determined elementary math was the highest
area of need. A core group of teachers developed a new math curriculum
based on Common Core standards and Pennsylvania Core Standards. They
also conducted an in-depth analysis and selected Go Math as the district’s
new math resource, which the board approved in June. The district is now
developing new curriculum, including units of inquiry based on STEM, for the
elementary gifted program. Other highlights include a successful first year of
peer collaboration among teachers and the development of a professional
award winner.
evaluation system.
LAUNCH OF WATCH D.O.G.S.
ALUMNI GIVE BACK
With help from its PTA, 16th and Haak
Elementary launched the WATCH
D.O.G.S. program, which encourages
fathers of students to get involved during
the school day. Eight dads participated
regularly and helped out in the hallways, classrooms, cafeteria and on the
playground. The dads’ names are announced at the beginning of the school
day, and students are encouraged to
give them a high-five or a handshake.
The district is now working to bring the
The Reading High Alumni Association held its annual banquet in May and
inducted its 2014 alumni honorees, including Chris Krasa, Lt. Col. Raymond
Kimball and Mary Ann Zerkowski, former principal at Riverside Elementary.
The organization also awarded 16 scholastic achievement awards to seniors.
Interested in joining the alumni association? Cost is $6 per year or $35 for a
lifetime membership. An application is available on the organization’s Facebook page, or you can e-mail rhs.alum.info@gmail.com. The association also
collects and sells past yearbooks. E-mail tafox801@verizon.net for information,
prices and availability. Other ways our alumni continue to give back:
•
meet the cast and crew of “In the Heights.” Isabel played multiple lead
successful program to more schools for
roles while at RHS. She also played Daniela, one of the lead roles, in the
the upcoming year.
ANNUAL PEACE MARCH
Actress Isabel Santiago, RHS Class of 1997, returned to RHS this spring to
national tour of “In the Heights.” She lives in New York City.
•
The Northeast Middle School Alumni Association helps the school arrange speakers each month and hosts an annual breakfast in May to
Hundreds of students, staff and commu-
recognize outstanding alumni and top students. This year’s alumni hon-
nity members attended Project Peace’s
orees included Howard S. Kaufold, James M. Lillis and Michael H. Reese.
4th annual Peace March this spring. The
•
Southern Middle School’s Alumni Association also recognized alumni
march starts at the four middle schools
during a program at the school in May. This year’s honorees included
and continues to City Park, where a
Anthony Baxter, Richard Diebic and Fianna (Yiengst) Holt.
community cookout is held. Project
•
Nicole Kemp, RHS Class fo 2004, planned a RHS Music Department Re-
Peace has clubs at the four middle
union in June at the high school. The event included a student recital,
schools, Reading Intermediate High
raffles and meet and greets. All money raised was donated to the music
School and Reading High School.
department.
More than 125 students are involved.
12
•
Dozens of alumni work in the district and/or coach RSD athletic teams.
Amanda E. Stout Elementary School
& Benners Court