Dear Abington School District Community,
I hope your first quarter of 2023 has been off to a positive start! Here in our schools, I feel that we have hit the ground running in the first three months of the year.
There have been so many exciting events and inspirational activities of which I have been fortunate to be a part in our schools. From getting to serve as a guest barista at the ACTIVE Academy's The Perfect Blend coffee window, to sitting in the audience during the Abington Middle School and Abington Senior High School annual musical productions, to getting to read Green Eggs and Ham to a classroom of third-graders at Roslyn Elementary School, and reading Ways to Make Sunshine as part of Overlook Elementary School's "One School, One Book", I have loved every opportunity I've had to spend time with our students and alongside their teachers. I am in awe of their talents, enthusiasm and desire to learn. Moments like these serve as an ongoing reminder that there are many positive things happening within our schools, even when we feel like we are only hearing the negative. I implore all of our students to continue contributing positively to their school communities and being a force for good.
I thank the teachers, staff members and parent/guardian volunteers who have supported our students throughout the school year in making these meaningful opportunities and experiences a reality inside and outside of the classroom. It truly takes a village, and I am hopeful for a spring full of even more positive celebrations throughout our nine schools.
Regards,
Jeffrey S. Fecher, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Equity in Action in Abington Schools
Students at Abington Middle School participated in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service that was themed around anti-bias education. School counselors Mr. Fred Johnson and Ms. Diana Finesmith led the students in a series of activities designed to spark conversation and build relationships, explore identity, and honor and celebrate our similarities and differences. Additionally, students participated in exercises where they practiced speaking up against everyday prejudice, bias, and stereotypes.
The photo above shows students participating in an Identity Iceberg Activity, which emphasized that only certain characteristics about people are visible above the surface; however, most of what makes us who we are is actually hidden until people get to know us better. This activity is just one example that highlights why it is important to never judge someone based on first appearances, and that we cannot make broad assumptions without knowing who a person really is beneath the surface.
This activity, and the others that students experienced during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, are a part of the Anti-Defamation League's Anti-Bias education series, and will be implemented into lessons for the whole school through advisory period.
Abington Senior High School and Highland Elementary
McKinley Elementary and Abington Middle School
Abington Senior High School and Copper Beech Elementary
Caring and Kindness Week
In recognition of Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) and Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb. 17), schools across ASD participated in activities focused on kindness and creating a sense of belonging. Led by members of the schools' Climate Committees, activities ranged from students writing appreciative notes for classmates and teachers, to students participating in an acts of kindness challenge by doing nice things for others.
Round Up at the Register
Tech Tips from the Technology and Innovation Department: Healthy Digital Habits
For Children:
- Don't spend too much time on screens like phones, tablets, or computers.
- Take breaks from screens often. Get up and stretch, and rest your eyes.
- Try not to do lots of things at once. It can make you feel stressed and unproductive.
- Use apps or tools to help you stay organized and get things done.
- Sit up straight when you use a computer or tablet. It can help you feel better.
- Don't use screens too close to bedtime. It can be hard to sleep after using them.
- Do not share your password with your peers.
- Make a habit of charging your Chromebooks before bedtime.
For Adults:
- Set boundaries - Set limits on your digital device usage. Establish specific times of the day when you will not use your phone or computer, such as during meals or before bedtime.
- Practice mindfulness - Practice being present, in the moment, and mindful of your digital device usage. Take breaks from your phone or computer and engage in activities that promote relaxation and stress relief, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises.
- Be intentional - Use your digital devices with intention and purpose. Avoid mindlessly scrolling through social media or other apps.
- Prioritize sleep - Avoid using your digital devices before bedtime, as the blue light emitted by screens can disrupt sleep. Instead, engage in relaxing activities such as reading a book or taking a warm bath.
- Take breaks - Take regular breaks from your digital devices throughout the day. Get up and stretch, go for a walk, or engage in other physical activities that promote movement and reduce sedentary behavior.
- Connect with others - Use your digital devices to connect with others in meaningful ways, such as through video calls or messaging apps. Avoid using social media as a substitute for real-life connections.
- Practice digital hygiene - Protect your digital devices and online presence by regularly updating passwords, not reusing passwords, backing up important data, and avoiding suspicious links or downloads.
Abington School District
Email: cr@abington.k12.pa.us
Website: www.abington.k12.pa.us
Location: 970 Highland Avenue, Abington, PA, USA
Phone: 215-884-4700
Facebook: www.facebook.com/abingtonsd
Twitter: @abingtonschools