Haverford Happenings

Coopertown Elementary fifth graders put their math skills into practice with a coffee shop simulation led by teachers Heather Schwerdtfeger and Caitlin Crosby. Each student filled a specific role in their group, requiring them to add, subtract, and multiply decimals. Some acted as baristas who took orders, calculated bills, and gave correct change. Others led the group in deciding what could be ordered with limited funds or how to distribute goodies among the members equally. All students kept track of their learning as they rotated through various stations. This included writing numbers in multiple forms such as Standard, Unit, Word, and Expanded Form. To top it all off, students got to enjoy the safe-foods list snacks and beverages after they completed their coffee shop activities.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has launched a new website to provide resources and information to individuals interested in becoming educators in the Commonwealth. The website includes testimonials from real-life teachers, career and certification process guidance, information about individualized pathways to becoming an educator, and more.

Leon Smith, Social Studies educator at Haverford High School, has been selected to champion the significance of quality teaching. Watch here.

Wellness Day for students at Haverford Middle School is a dedicated day that focuses on promoting and prioritizing students' physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This day is designed to give students opportunities to engage in activities that contribute to their health and happiness. On October 31st, students engaged in these activities.

Digital Safety Presentation: After a presentation about safe and smart usage of social media and the internet, students had the opportunity to play Jeopardy to test their knowledge.

• 6th graders participated in games designed to enhance relationships and build community within their classroom.
• 7th graders utilized Naviance to determine their career interests and complete a survey.
• 8th graders took the Pennsylvania Youth Survey to provide information on student's beliefs of four domains - Community, School, Family, and Peer/Individual.

Dignity Workshop: Students learned about Dignity and focused on behaviors that foster or undermine it. They then engaged in a guided conversation with select High School students and teachers.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching. The Awards were established by Congress in 1983. The President may recognize a total of 110 exemplary teachers each year.

The award recognizes those teachers that have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Since the program's inception, more than 5,200 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation's teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The William B. McIlwaine Science Teaching Award has been established to promote and recognize the outstanding teaching of science in grades K-12 by full-time undergraduate students who have completed student teaching; or full-time graduate students in academic programs leading to a degree or certification in a teaching field; or full-time teachers who have completed no more than two years of teaching.

"I am honored to have been the recipient of this award and I am thankful to both the administration of Haverford High School and the amazing HHS Science Department for all of the support that they have given me during my first few years as a teacher. I can't wait for many more years to come here at Haverford!", said Mr. Gallagher.

During the week of November 6-10, 2023 schools throughout the United States will celebrate National School Psychology Week (NSPW) to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do to help all students thrive. This year's theme is "Let's Grow Together," inspired by the importance of both personal and shared strengths in our growth as individuals and school communities in every season of life. The theme recognizes every aspect of growth, as fundamental to effective learning environments and to school psychologists' role in supporting student well-being and learning.

American Education Week (November 13-17th) takes place during the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Each day of the week is dedicated to a specific theme, during which we celebrate our public school community and the people who make it possible. We honor the team of individuals who work tirelessly in our nation's public schools, including bus drivers, classroom teachers, cafeteria workers, administrative staff, and countless others who contribute to the success of our students and communities.

The Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) is proud to recognize the School District of Haverford Township for the 3rd year in a row for its commitment to visual arts education with the endorsement of Outstanding Visual Arts Community 2023. PAEA empowers its members to transform their practices, students, colleagues, and communities to build a strong art education culture and citizenry.

Districts receiving this endorsement demonstrate the importance of their visual arts programs with:

● Rigorous and Inclusive Programs: Arts programs demonstrate rigor using standards-based curricula taught at every level by highly qualified and certified art educators.

● Highly Accessible Programs: Art programs are offered to all students at every level of education with a sustainable budget for the visual arts.

● Highly Visible Programs: Schools and districts identify their programmatic accomplishments, curriculum for all levels, art staff, mission statements, and arts events using their school websites and social media.

3-People to Know:

1. Suzan Shown Harjo (Hodulgee Muscogee/Southern Cheyenne) received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As an activist, poet, and journalist, Harjo has fought for Native American sovereignty rights for more than 40 years.

2. Sharice Davis was one of the first two Native American women to be elected to congress.

3. Creed Humphrey, a member of the Potawatomi Nation, was a Pro Bowl pick and part of the Kansas City Chiefs team that won the Super Bowl.

2-Word/Phrases to Learn:

1. O'-Si-Yo'- Cherokee means Hello

2. Waqaa: Central Alaskan Yup'ik- Hi/ what’s up

This link will take you to a virtual library of books for this month.

The Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) is offering resources for families to raise awareness about mental health topics.

Youth Mental Health: Impact of Stress on Youth

• American Psychological Association https://www.apa.org/topics/children/stress
• Nemours Teens Health https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/stress.html
• Anxiety and Stress in Teens https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/anxiety-disorders/anxiety-and-stress-in-teens
  
  

In recognition of World Kindness Day on November 13:

Encouraging kindness in youth is not just a responsibility; it is an investment in a brighter future.

Kindness matters. It is more than just a virtue; it's a fundamental building block for a better society.

When young people embrace kindness, they:

• Nurture Positive Mental Health: Kindness has been proven to boost mental well-being, reducing stress, and promoting happiness among young individuals.
• Enhance Emotional Intelligence: Teaching kindness equips young minds with emotional intelligence, a crucial life skill for navigating the complexities of adulthood.
• Strengthen Relationships: Acts of kindness cultivate meaningful relationships based on trust, empathy, and support.
• Foster Inclusivity: Kindness breaks down barriers and promotes inclusivity. It helps youth appreciate diversity and stand up against discrimination.
• https://www.pbs.org/education/blog/9-tips-for-teaching-kindness-in-the-classroom
• https://www.parents.com/kids/development/social/teaching-kids-to-be-kind/

The Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) is a regional education services agency whose mission is to provide leadership for the development of innovative and cost-effective programs to meet the needs of Delaware County.

Our Safety and Security office is dedicated to ensuring our students and staff's well-being and success, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment that promotes learning.
You can learn more about Safety and Security with Dr. Reusche in this episode of 60 Seconds with the Superintendent.

The School Board of Directors and District Administration were thrilled to meet some of our new teachers ahead of a recent board meeting! Their passion for education is contagious.

The School District of Haverford Township utilizes BoardDocs, an online, paperless resource for all school board meetings. Here you can find the agenda, meeting minutes, video replay, and board policies. The meetings are live-streamed on YouTube.

Regular and Committee Board Meetings will be held at Oakmont Administration Building.

*NOTE NEW TIMES FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Upcoming Meetings:

• November 9: Curriculum and Pupil Services beginning at 7:15 PM
• November 16: Regular School Board Meeting - 25 Year Employees
• December 4: Reorganization Meeting at 6:00 PM
• December 7: Regular School Board Meeting

All presentations and videos can be found on BoardDocs.

Haverford students often visit the library after school so they want to inform you that the Library at 1601 Darby Rd. will be closed for renovations and expansion beginning Saturday, 11/4. The Library construction is expected to take 18 months. During that time they will have a temporary library at the Manoa Shopping Center which is expected to open in 3-4 weeks to allow time for moving and setup of this temporary space. More information can be found here: https://haverfordlibrary.org/

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Math Night at Chatham Park Cafeteria from 7-8 PM

• Information about the elementary math program, Eureka math and how the math program develops from K-5.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Math Night at the MS Library from 7-8 PM

• Information about the 6-8 math program, Illustrative math and how the math program develops from 6-8th grade and prepares students for high school math.
  
  

November 2-4: HHS Fall Musical "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"

November 4: Discover Day

November 22: Early Dismissal

November 23-24: Thanksgiving Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)

The mission of the School District of Haverford Township is to educate and to inspire a community of lifelong learners who become well-rounded global citizens.

Website: https://www.haverford.k12.pa.us/
Location: 50 East Eagle Road, Havertown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-853-5900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haverfordsd.net
Twitter: @haverfordsd