April 27, 2018

Ben Chambers Elementary School Teacher Semi-Finalist for PA Teacher of the Year Award Sara Moser, a 3rd grade/head teacher at Benjamin Chambers Elementary School, was recently selected as a semi-finalist for the 2019 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Award. Moser was one of 31 teachers in the state to be selected for the prestigious award. Moser’s selection as a semi-finalist included an extensive application process that required parent & colleague recommendations, listing of awards and achievements, proof of community activities, and a 25 minute interview with assessors. Moser was initially nominated for the award by Shawn Kimple, principal at Benjamin Chambers Elementary School. While 12 finalists were selected and she was not chosen to move to the next round, the Chambersburg Area School District (CASD) recognized her achievement at the April 24th school board meeting with the presentation of a certificate. Without Moser knowing, principal Kimple had invited staff to the meeting as a way to show their appreciation for her. “I had no idea anyone else was going to be there to see me receive this recognition,” Moser explained. “When I saw other teachers I work with all there to support me, I was just blown away. I work in an amazing building and it just goes to show how supportive we are of each other.”  In addition to school staff, Jerelyn Herrera, a student at Ben Chambers, expressed her gratitude to Moser by reading a prepared statement. Herrera shared how Moser has impacted her and led her to be a better student. Though Moser did not win the award this year, she remains undeterred and plans to continue to do her best for her students. “I’m competitive, so I was upset that I didn’t make it on to the next round,” said Moser. “Still, I am very appreciative that I made it as far as I did and I hope to do it again someday. I don’t look at teaching as a job, I look at it as something I just love to do. I’m thankful that I work at a place where I can say that.”

District Gives Additional Funds for Hurricane Relief Efforts

The Chambersburg Area School District (CASD) continues efforts to support schools and communities affected by the devastation in Texas and Florida following hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017. As a part of those efforts, on Tuesday, April 3rd, the district presented a representative from the Houston Independent School District Foundation (HISD) with a check for $8,130.85 via video conference. “We are so thankful for how you’ve helped us," said Ann Scott, Executive Director of the HISD Foundation. "These funds are absolutely going to be put to great use.” Following the destruction caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, over 20 CASD employees began meeting to coordinate creative ways to raise money. Students and staff asked for donations from the community at the annual homecoming parade and various sporting events. Donation buckets were also put up in the administration building and offices across the district. Following the fundraising efforts, the relief committee presented $7,092.98, to three school districts in Florida via video conference on Monday, November 13th. At the event, CASD officials spoke to representatives from the Broward Education Foundation, Education Foundation of Osceola County, and the Education Fund of Miami-Dade. The final, grand total raised for the Hurricane Relief Efforts is $16,261.69.

District Holds 3rd Annual Battle of the Brains Event

The Chambersburg Area School District held its third annual “Battle of the Brains” event on Saturday, March 24, at CASHS. Twenty-eight teams from grades K-8 participated in nine different high-level teamwork activities. Teams competed against each other by completing a Minecraft-themed escape room, STEM challenges (science, technology, engineering, and math), and other creative activities. Teams competed for several hours of fun and for the hopes of being awarded champions of this intensely academic event. Families and friends joined the students for the awards ceremony. This event would not be possible without the dedication and passion of our district’s gifted teachers. Brooke Michalsky, Jason Kibbe and Jennifer Michael worked tirelessly to create brain games and activities for the competition. Thank you to Wayne Group for offering assistance throughout the day. Thank you to the CASD Foundation for understanding the importance of this event and for sponsoring it by donating awards and the delicious pizza lunch from Pat and Carla’s Restaurant.  We were so fortunate to have the international students at Global Vision Christian School (SSVC campus) who volunteered their time to help supervise stations throughout the day. To the parents who also volunteered their time to help us with the event, thank you! Finally, with great appreciation, thank you to Sheetz District Manager, Scott Orwig and the Sheetz Corporation for donating awards, gift cards and giant cookies for all participants to enjoy after the event. We are so grateful for your kindness and the support you showed our students. Catherine Dusman Assistant Superintendent

Scotland Students Enter Young Playwrights Competition Scotland Elementary School third graders wrote and submitted original plays to the Capitol Theatre’s Young Playwrights Festival. Out of 40 total submissions, two of the chosen dramas to produce came from Scotland 3rd graders. The festival was held on Sunday April 22nd at The Capitol Theatre. The winning dramas that were performed (pictured above) are “The Ferocious Bullies” by (left to right) Kynnedy Beecher, Alyssa Crawford, Maddie Culbertson, and Marley Onomastico and “The Adventures of Underpanty Man” by (left to right) Cooper Keath, Ben Lesher, and Joel Hawbecker. Join us in congratulating these budding playwrights.

The ESL Newcomer Class Creates Book

Ben Chambers Elementary School students created a class book called Our Alphabet Book as a writing project. The topic of “the alphabet” was chosen so that all students would be able to contribute to the book. Some students would be able to write a paragraph about a topic, while other students would be able to write a sentence or two, depending on their language ability. At the time the project took place, there were 11 students in the newcomer class. Each student had two letters from the alphabet, and some students had three letters. The students brainstormed topics they could write about for each letter of the alphabet. Once the list of topics was created, the students chose the letters they wanted to write about. The students went through the writing process (brainstorming, drafting, revising, conferencing, editing, and publishing) to write their pages for the class book. When the books arrived the class celebrated by reading the class book together. Each student read the pages they wrote to the class. It was amazing to see their confidence and ability to read their writing. The class book is something they can cherish forever to remember their first year of school in the United States and to see how much English they have learned in just one year.

CASHS IB Students “Work Out” at Wilson College Library

On March 15th, CASHS Librarian, Melissa Engel-Unruh, and Wilson College Librarian, Kelly Spiese, held a Research Boot Camp Day with the CASHS International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program juniors.  These eighteen students spent an entire day at Wilson College’s John Stewart Memorial Library mentally working out how to navigate the library’s vast resources.  The impetus behind this day of intellectual calisthenics is something called the Extended Essay (EE), a requirement of the IB Diploma Program. The EE is an independent research project that the students must complete over the course of their junior and senior years at CASHS, culminating in a 4,000-word paper on a topic of their choice.  Under the supervision of Melissa Engel-Unruh, Extended Essay Coordinator, these eighteen students have been developing information literacy skills that offer them practical preparation for undergraduate research. The Research Boot Camp Day provided an opportunity for the students to flex their mental muscles and put these information literacy skills to the test. While the students were mentally wiped out by the end of the day, they left the library with the type of scholarly information they need to begin writing their essays.

FCCTC Students Present Career Expo at CAMS South

Business classes at CAMS South were treated to a Career Expo on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 and Thursday, April 12, 2018. Students from the Franklin County Career Technology Center (FCCTC) came with interactive stations demonstrating 10 of the various occupational programs offered at FCCTC.  8th grade CAMS students were able to dress in sterile masks and gloves in Allied Health, play Nail Tic Tac Toe in Carpentry, hold a live animal in Veterinary Assisting, apply decals to flying discs in Marketing, begin the planting process in Landscape and Horticulture, and more. Robots, plant care, animal skeletons, electrical wiring, hammers, and floral corsages were also included in their displays. CAMS South Principal Melissa Cashdollar and teachers Stacey Knepper and Donna Brooks worked with Steve Grove at FCCTC to bring the event to South. Students enjoyed exploring the various offerings at the Career Center, and the presenters did a wonderful job demonstrating their accomplishments. The FCCTC Career Expo satisfies a portion of the Career Readiness requirements expected of all schools across the state of Pennsylvania.

District Archive Center to Hold Open House

On May 3rd, 2018, from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM the CASD Archive Center will hold an open house featuring items collected from over 100 years of Chambersburg public education history. Reminisce of days gone by, reconnect with old school-mates using an alumni directory, and see artifacts reaching back as far as the 1870's. The Archive is located at 721 South 6th Street, Chambersburg, PA. For more information or questions, please contact Joan Bowen at 717-264-9493.

36th Annual Franklin Science & Technology Fair Winners

Congratulations to the following students for participating in the 36th annual Franklin Science and Technology fair.

Primary Division (K-3) Earth Science 2nd - Calla Hoffman - Grandview Life Science 2nd - Thomas Barra - Guilford Hills 5th Frank Barra - Guilford Hills Honorable Mention - Janelle Roseberry - Scotland Honorable Mention - Bryce Brown - Scotland Partnered 1st - Melvin Cedillo Olivarez & Arav Patel - Grandview Physical Science 5th - Ava Peterson - South Hamilton Honorable Mention - Logan Mouk - Scotland Honorable Mention - Brock Metzger - Hamilton Heights Honorable Mention - Joplin Frazer - Lurgan Honorable Mention - Luna Sanchez Aquino - Grandview Honorable Mention - Ian McEndree - South Hamilton

Intermediate Division (4-6) Earth Science 1st - Amir Hasan - Falling Spring Honorable Mention - Brady Sipes - Falling Spring Life Science 4th - Jaxin Frazer - Lurgan Honorable Mention - Courtlyn Shrader - Falling Spring Special Awards - Primary and Intermediate Divisions Letterkenny Army Depot: Primary Division Brock Metzger - Hamilton Heights Calla Hoffman - Grandview Letterkenny Army Depot: Intermediate Division Amir Hasan - Falling Spring Evening Kiwanis Club Award Amir Hasan - Falling Spring Special Awards - Junior & Senior Division American Chemical Society 1st - Alexis Reichelderfer - CAMS South Wilson College Award Alexis Reichelderfer - CAMS South Shippensburg University Chemistry Club Alexis Reichelderfer - CAMS South

CASHS Blood Drive Results

Congratulations to Chambersburg Area Senior High school students for collecting 30 pints of blood for the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank. Thanks to the support of the CASHS community, the Blood Bank will be able to save the lives of 90 local patients.

CASHS Students Finalists for Lenfest Scholarships

Congratulations to the following CASHS students for becoming finalists in the Lenfest Scholarship program.  Edith Aguilera  Hana Amdeta  Thomas Elia  Sarah Lininger  Madison Mellinger  Jacob Misal  Maxwell Strait  Steven Swain  Drew Wible Finalists will be invited to an interview April 26th - May 1st in Lancaster or Carlisle. Winners will be announced by May 31st. For 16 years, the Lenfest Scholarship Program has helped talented students from central and southeastern Pennsylvania attend some of the country’s best colleges and universities. Recognition as a Lenfest Scholar is just the beginning. Students become part of an ever-growing family that provides academic, career and life support. Lenfest Scholars excel in their high schools, colleges, careers and communities. The Lenfest Scholars Foundation is proud to help give them a start and even more proud of how they continue to change our world.

District Concern Hotline The Chambersburg Area School District offers a Concern Hotline for parents/guardians and students. (717) 261-5662 Messages can be left 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be returned Monday-Friday during normal business hours by a member of the CASD administration.  The hotline is NOT for emergency purposes. If you suspect an immediate threat or otherwise have an emergency, please dial 911.

Other News Around the District...

CAMS North students receive encouragement from CASHS and CMS students as they began PSSA testing.  Three amazing North teachers (Caitlyn McGee, Erin Leighty, and Katie Miller) organized a picture and video campaign to motivate students.  Becca Petersheim and Angie Garland helped get all of the pictures taken and forwarded to CAMS North teachers. CAMS North held a Bring your Child to Work Day. Families started the day with donuts, milk, and juice and ended the day with an ice cream social.

Students at Andrew Buchanan Elementary School, supporting national Child Abuse Prevention Month by planting pin-wheels. Team 6B students in Mrs. Brookens’s ELA class at CAMS South decked out in their red and white for Color Day.

CAMS South’s Team 8C started off the 2nd day of ELA PSSA testing with a pancake breakfast for their students. Team 6A held their annual spelling bee competition at CAMS South.

CAMS South Faculty and Staff with their children for National Take your Child to Work Day. Elementary School students raised $64,632.50 for the American Heart Association during this year’s Jump Rope for Heart Fundraiser.

The Trojan Boys' Basketball Team and Coach Shawn Shreffler were awarded the 2017-2018 Central PA Basketball Officials Association Crawford Hunter Memorial Sportsmanship. In support of Early American History, the ninth grade of the Career Magnet School spent the day at Gettysburg Military Park. After walking the battlefield where our forefathers gave their last full measure of devotion, students toured the Visitor’s Center to see the museum, film narrated by Morgan Freeman, and experienced the sights and sounds of the cyclorama.

CASHS Students Win Young Playwrights Grand Prize  by Kira Lynne Wright, senior at Chambersburg Area Career Magnet School Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS) students Katie Truman and Sydney Wenger won best script and grand prize for their short story play "Social Media Therapy" at the Franklin County Young Playwrights Festival on Sunday, April 22. This past fall, sophomores Truman and Wenger began taking dramatics class together. In the class, CASHS ELA and dramatics teacher Jamie Zimmerman organized a visit from Chambersburg Community Theatre in which two theatre directors shared information about a playwright’s competition for students in Franklin County. “The idea came to me when we were reading a sample comedy play and it was about basic white girl syndrome,” explained Wenger. "Katie’s gears started turning too and she approached me at the end of class with her idea."  The play featured the roles of Snapchat, Vine, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Students were given the option of whether or not they would like to act in their own plays. Truman and Wenger initially decided not act in their play but when one student had to step out, Truman took on one of the roles of a therapist. The other actors included four CASHS students and one CAMS North student. Prior to opening night, the actors met for five different rehearsals and then performed twice April 22nd “Because of their creativity and connection to the world around them, they represented CASHS with grace, poise, and vigor,” said Zimmerman. “These girls worked so hard and got an amazing product from their hard work.” Truman and Wenger won over $600 in awards for their play. 10 other plays were submitted and the runner up and 3rd place winners were both from the Greencastle Antrim School District.

The board took official action to approve the following: Request to Post & Fill for Seven Anticipated Retirements, removed Secondary Librarian/Head Librarian at CASHS Exception to Hiring Moratorium – Lunch time Assistant, HH; Secretary to Elementary Principal, HH; RN, SH, Marion & HH; Supervisor of Data Accountability and Integration Award of Roof Repair Bids at District Admin Office Security Window Film Quotes - CAMS-N, CAMS-S CMS Equipment Refresh Lease  The following policies were revised #805 – Emergency Preparedness, on the first reading  #908 – Relations with Parents/Guardians, on the first reading  #913 – Non-school Organizations/Groups/Individuals, on the first reading  #913.1 – Flyer Distribution, on the first reading  #914 – Relations with Intermediate Unit on the first reading  #203 - Immunizations and Communicable Diseases, on the first reading #237 – Electronic Communication Devices, on the first reading  View the full list of approvals and board actions at the button below. The District would like to thank the following organizations for their donations that were received: JReynolds $750.00 - Wooden Ship Model and Glass Case VFW Post 1599 $1,000.00 - Donation to support the programs and morale, welfare, recreation activities of the Cadets of the CASHS NJROTC program NRA Foundation $4,157.91 - Donation to support the development of the Marksmanship Training Program of the CASHS NJROTC program. Giant Food Stores $15,748.16 - The Giant A+ Rewards program for educational purposes Home Assn/VFW Post 1599 $1,000.00 -Purchase (4) Laptops at WalMart to raffle off, Decision Day on April 26, 2018 Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign $520.00, - Donation in support of Community Support Campaign and Educational Matching Gifts program at CASHS H. Ambrass (Lewis) $500.00, - iPad, iPad protective case, and iPad protection plan

All School Board meetings and times, as well as agendas are available here.

Students of the Month

Bebe Lunise (Malachi Manges) Hamilton Heights Elementary Morgan Shaner Hamilton Heights Elementary

Lizbeth Pascual Garcia Chambersburg Area Middle School North Mallory Luke Chambersburg Area Middle School North

Chase Martin Chambersburg Area Middle School South Aislynn Richards Chambersburg Area Middle School South

Kevin Ramirez-Santos Chambersburg Area Senior High School Madison Mellinger Chambersburg Area Senior High School

Andrea Fox Chambersburg Area Career Magnet School D'Angelo Stokes Chambersburg Area Career Magnet School

Employee Recognitions

Diana Dittmar Technician Rebecca Spang Social Studies Teacher Chambersburg Area Senior High School

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